FIRSTS

There's a first time for everything. For me, there have been a lot of firsts lately. The first broken leg among my children led to the first surgery I had to sit through and worry over. Here is what Rachel came home with after surgery last Thursday:

I knew there was a good reason I cried all of the way to the E.R. that night. No Roller Derby for 6 months. If I had my way... I am not amused, can you tell?

Another first, for Richard anyway. Braces! Poor guy had to wait until his senior year to get them but now that we have amazing new insurance through BYU we are able to do it. The prognosis is two years so the announcement about young men being able to serve a mission for our church at age 18 now will not effect Richard's plans or time table. He won't even be 18 until next June so we had timed it just right to have them off by age 19. Oh well! I am envious of the clear brackets our new insurance allowed us to get for him. I wish the girls could have had them. Being a boy, their brother does not appreciate them much!

One more first...Lucas' first month has gone by! On Monday, October 1st Diana and Nick went in to visit their son in the NICU and found that one of the sweet nurses had decorated for the occasion.

This darling baby boy has stolen the hearts of every nurse who has so lovingly cared for him. He was the old-timer in the nursery and they had all grown very fond of him!

Here is a photo of the first time Lucas met his Aunt Sarah! She came for a short visit to meet this boy and attend her New York, Utica Mission reunion last weekend.

The very best first, I have saved for last! Here is a picture of the very first time Lucas Michael Mowes left the hospital!! He has been home now for six days! He is doing so well. We are all so happy for him and for his parents who have been so worried about him. He left the hospital nearly 2 pounds heavier than his birth weight and is a very good eater too!

As you can imagine, this first time Gramma is in heaven!

A Stitch in Mine!

Exactly two weeks ago at this very hour I was in pre-surgery with my dear sister Gena. I was waiting to be wheeled back to the operating room for my carpal tunnel release surgery. Gena was such a love to come all of the way from Denver to be with me. It was the 3rd day of school and Dee was not able to get time off, Brittany had to work, and I just wanted someone there that I loved when I woke up. I love my visiting teachers but it isn't the same. (It's nice to know they would have done it for me though.)

I am happy to report that while it hasn't been easy, it looks as though the surgery was a great success. Since the doctor went in and cut the carpal tendon that was pinching my nerves I have not had one incident of tingling, pain, or numbness! It is so great to be able to get through a day without the pain or annoyance!

I have included a few pictures at the end of this post. Look if you want to. They are not that gruesome, just some stitches in my palm. Gena wrote a funny post about how I behaved while under the influence of drugs. It is really quite funny and I cannot be mad at her. Read it here.

My Mom has been with me these last two weeks and I get her or 6 more days too! She is nearly 89 years old and still as active and healthy as she can be. I haven't asked much of her, just help getting dressed the first few days, and the making of pretty great sandwiches for lunch each day. I have to reign her in to keep her from doing too much, actually! Those of you who know her can believe this for sure. She has been crocheting pumpkins for my next Farmer's Market while my hand is out of commission and has gotten five done! I have been able to run my sewing machine for the last few days and it has been nice to get going again. Diana has come over a few times and kept the aprons going for me so much so that I have five ready to go! THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me!

 Here is my poor little hand all snuggly wrapped after surgery. Look at those little swollen fingers!

This wrap was finally removed yesterday, not a minute too soon! The itching was driving me crazy and it was starting to smell really bad!

Here is my hand once the four stitches were removed yesterday. There is some bruising but most of that blue is from the ink they used for drawing the incision line and...I had forgotten that they had me write "YES" with the pen before the surgery. They weren't taking any chances on cutting into the wrong hand! I laughed when I saw the writing still there. I was thinking "YES! That awful wrap is gone!"

Here I am all cleaned up and on the way home. Such a relief! 

 I'll be posting more photos soon of the new aprons I am completeing. After the Farmer's Market season is over I can start in on custom orders. I know a few of you have asked about it.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Emerging...

I am alive! Just thought you might want to know. I am starting to feel better and I can get around a do a few things now. I even wore make-up for the first time on Friday. The nurse at my doctor's office was surprised. She said, "You are only two weeks out from your surgery and look at you! You should see how most of the women come in here at two weeks." Believe me, that would have been preferable...sweats, messy hair, no make-up...it's much less effort! I suppose I just have some pride (and I look really old with no make-up)!

In keeping with my feeling better physically, the weather has been absolutely gorgeous! We even had our windows open yesterday. It was a glorious 70 degrees! Not today.

Springtime in the Rockies is schizophrenic! Multiple personalities designed to bewilder this Arizona girl's heart! At least it will all be melted off by afternoon.

I think I'll curl up under my quilt and go back into "rest and recover" mode.

Animal House

I have been alone each day now from morning until Richard gets home in the afternoon. I sleep a lot! Ah...but I am not truly alone.

Girl Scout cookies from cousin Lori in AZ! Note the little pink tongue poking out below.

My recovery buddy and I keep each other warm! He also appreciates the dinners brought over by my dear Relief Society sisters!

But he is not the only one in the house...

 We are tending the little Grand-birdie, Evie! (Her "parents" had the nerve to go to sunny Florida with Nick's family) She is so sweet and has adjusted very well to our house. She sings all morning long and makes me smile. She also has Mr. Samwise quite baffled. He hears her but can't find her...usually...!

Here is the moment he figured out where that song was coming from the other day. I was down making my morning oatmeal with Craisins and almonds (yum!)

His is a bit miffed at me. I go all "Dog Whisperer" on him and back him away with calm assertiveness. He gets huffy and goes to nap in the laundry room for hours and hours. But rest assured, he is right back by my meal tray when it arrives!

Thanks for all of your good wishes! It is snowing outside and I am glum. What else can I do but go take a nap all by myself. My buddy is in the laundry again!

I'm Still Here!

I am quickly checking in, mostly because I am bored out of my mind. I have had a good recovery so far with very little pain. That all changed last night. It was rough. I feel badly for my sweet husband who tried to comfort me but soon fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion. I think I'll call my doctor and get something stronger than Motrin, which is all I have needed thus far.

 Yesterday I found this music video on Nienie's blog. It made me smile! I love Mindy's music! She is a Provo artist who writes most of her own songs.  Her voice is very soothing. Check her out on YouTube. She has given many benefit concerts for the Nielson family since their plane crash. The two little girls running with her in the video are Stephanie's daughters, Claire and Jane. They are so cute! Their mother and brothers appear too. It reminds me that God is a God of miracles...every day! I can get through this little trial of pain and discomfort.

Enjoy the song! I am going to go back to sleep.

See You Soon!

Thursday morning. EARLY. My girl parts will depart. As I left the doctor's office yesterday after my pre-surgical appointment I waded through a maze of pregnant women, toddlers, and anxious looking Dads. I thought I might feel sad that I was no longer in their stage of "full bloom". I was not. I was only feeling old, really old. To me, 53 is not old. I feel pretty young and with-it. But yesterday...

I'll check in on all of you while I am being a good girl and resting. I am not sure I will post anything for a week or two but I may just leave a comment if I can get my pain med drugged-up fingers to type on an  Ipad!

Catch you on the flip side!