WW: Emmett Joseph

UPDATED YET AGAIN: According to Missy, Emmett had a good night.  There is already talk of starting to cut back his medication - allowing him to wake up soon!  His heart seems to be sustaining a good rhythm on its own, too!  Wonderful, wonderful news!

UPDATED AGAIN: Emmett is out of surgery! Missy and Joe have seen him - wires and tubes and all ... but say he looks amazing! The doctor's were able to complete the repair without the need for a pacemaker, which is more good news.  Can't thank you enough for wrapping this little guy in your positive thoughts and prayers!

UPDATED: I wasn't going to update until the surgery is officially, totally and completely finished ... but I just can't resist sharing GOOD NEWS!

Emmett is off by-pass and his little heart is beating on its own. Reports at this point look fantastic! There is still work to be done in the operating room. And there will be many days of recovery. But today's surgery is going as well (if not better than) as expected!

Thank you for keeping this little guy in your thoughts and prayers :)

Today is Emmett's surgery.
A team of surgeons will spend hours repairing his heart.
The path to this point has included countless tests, medication, and two other surgeries.
His parents have been incredibly strong and faithful along this journey.

Today is Emmett's surgery.
I know that his mama's heart is breaking at the thought of sending him into that operating room.
I know that his parents implicitly trust the nurses and doctors who will make him better.
I know that being separated from their baby boy ... the sitting and waiting ... will be a bit of torture made more bearable by the support of family. 

Today is Emmett's surgery.

You are not alone sweet boy.
You are occupying the thoughts of family, friends, and even those who haven't met you.
Your name is being whispered in prayers.
You are being held in the hands of a loving God.





<br><center><a href="http://mommybrainnw.blogspot.com/2010/05/all-about-emmett.html/"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_K81CIrVW09k/S_oHIQrrsBI/AAAAAAAAILU/VVynQKysUqs/s288/Love4Emmett.jpg"/></a></center><br>

Please post Emmett's button.

You can see more great photos and Word-less-ful Wednesday
posts here and here.

Top Ten Tuesday - Co-Ed Bath & Private Parts

I blog as a way of journaling my life.  As a way of preserving memories of my daughters' early lives.  As a way to remember what happens in the blur of motherhood.  And I really like to look through my "archives". 

I've realized that there are some really good "old" posts floating around this little blog of mine, so I plan to dust them off, shine them up a bit - just for you - and share a favorite each Tuesday.  I even made a button ... 

Co-Ed Bath & Private Parts
originally posted on June 3, 2009

Today's Thoughts: All of my thoughts are with my best friend Missy and her son Emmett.  Tomorrow he will undergo his third open heart surgery.  Today I just want a reason to smile ... and I want that reason to have something to do with Emmett.  Looking at naked toddlers in the bathtub makes me smile.  Thinking about this conversation with my daughter  makes me smile.

Me: "Natalie, those are Emmett's private parts."

Look of understanding; like she's storing away new vocabulary.

Me: "Natalie, you may not touch Emmett's private parts."

Look of confusion; like what's so wrong with private parts?

Not wanting to plant seeds of wrongness,

Me: "You may touch your own private parts but not other people's."

Look of compliance. Oh, okay ... but his seems like more fun than mine.

(Saving my next thoughts for a much later conversation.)

Cute photos to go along with silly story ...

All the while, my BFF Missy is just trying her best not to crack up

and ruin this little impromptu lesson!

---------------------------------------------
Love you, Big E!

Comic Strip Photos: Lion King

I take A LOT of photos. Once I find a scene/subject "me likey," I just start snapping and hope I get a few goods ones - in focus, not washed out, not too dark. What I really love is when the rapid-fire results in a funny story. Thus, the birth of Comic Strip Photos ... a new blog feature that I think you'll enjoy!

NHV and Big E were back at the zoo today ... and this time they encountered a lion ... and a rhinoceros!

Click to read the captions; it's worth the click, I promise :)

You can see more great photos and Word-less-ful Wednesday
posts here and here.

Pizza and a Movie ...

... and a few reasons to laugh :)

We did Saturday night up right. 

By "we" I mean Missy, Big E, my girls, and me. 

And by "up right" I mean ordering pizza (gluten-free and yummy), eating on paper plates for a quick clean-up, and watching a kid-friendly movie (Ice Age III) ...

All in the hopes of a stress-free, relaxing, quiet evening ...

Yeah, right!

Emmett was either saying, "di-doors" or chanting, "MINE."  The entire time!  Missy tried to convince him to stop saying "mine" and even spent a few seconds being irritated ... but then we decided to just laugh at him instead! 

Natalie was re-enacting the freakin' Spanish Inquisition.  The entire time!  If a character moved or said something on the screen, she had a question about it.  Missy and I took turns answering her questions followed by Emmett shouting, "Mine."

 

"Watts in dos eggs?"

"Mine!"

"Watt dos din-O-saurs doooo-ing?"

"Mine!"

"Watt dat aneemal say-ing?"

"Mine!"

"Where dos aneemals going?"

"Mine!"

"Wat happen to dos din-O-saurs?"

"Mine!"

"Mommy, watt dat flower doing now?"

"Mine!"

In the end, it occurred to us that Emmett was using the word "mine" to tell Natalie to stop asking so many darn questions!

What else could we do but laugh ... and be thankful that at least we weren't breaking up any disagreements over Little People or cars or babies :)

Breakfast Between Friends

Missy and Big E arrived later than expected last night ... but they made it safe and sound! I am so glad they are here! Charlotte and Emmett had a quick visit before heading for bed, and then Missy and I stayed up way past our bedtimes to visit some more.

Love having her in my house! Love being able to chat face-to-face after months of phone conversations, email messages, and blog comments.

And then this morning ... Natalie and Emmett were reunited ... and it was so adorable!  After playing and getting re-acquainted, our little nuggets had waffles and bananas for breakfast ... yummy!

Together, a Birthday Greeting

This is my very best friend, Missy.  My other half; sometimes we honestly share a brain ... even though we live in separate states!  She is an incredible person and mother ...  

And that adorable little guy there in the middle ... that's her amazing, strong-willed, almost-two-year-old son.  He just had open heart surgery - the second one of his short life.  His bravery and strength at such a young age brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face.

Oh, and that's Joe ... Missy's husband.  Emmett's daddy.  His sense of humor sometimes makes me scratch my head.

I am so glad the three of them are together ... even if they are celebrating from an ICU room in a Children's Hospital.  They are together.  And they are celebrating not one, but two birthdays.

Happy, Happy Birthday ...

MISSY and JOE!

Hope you've planned a trip to the yummy cupcake shop around the corner from the hospital :)

Co-Ed Bath & Private Parts

Me: "Natalie, those are Emmett's private parts."

Look of understanding; like she's storing away new vocabulary.

Me: "Natalie, you may not touch Emmett's private parts."

Look of confusion; like what's so wrong with private parts?

Not wanting to plant seeds of wrongness,

Me: "You may touch your own private parts but not other people's."

Look of compliance. Oh, okay ... but his seems like more fun than mine.

(Saving my next thoughts for a much later conversation.)

Cute photos to go along with silly story ...

All the while, my BFF Missy is just trying her best not to crack up

and ruin this little impromptu lesson!