Addison's Big Fall

Monday, December 28, 2009, started out great. The kids and I decided to put away the Christmas decorations, and then because we worked so hard to clean the house, we treated ourselves to McDonalds chicken nuggets. Because bedtime has been a bit of a challenge lately, Mom decided that we would skip nap time today, and get good and tired for an early bedtime. I was on the computer and let the kids play..they were in Addison's room when she started crying.. I thought "What did Kristian do this time." as her cry was normal as any other day. Addison is my tough one, she takes a hug and a kiss then wants to be let down and get back to business. She didn't this time...she wanted mommy to hold her. We have recently moved Addison to the "big girl bed" but we hadn't yet taken the crib down. Our mistake!! Addison fell out of the crib.

I decided, upon more evaluation, to take her to KidsCare. The fall happened about 4:30pm. So, about 5:30 pm.. the kids and I arrived and waited at KidsCare. Addison wasn't using her arm, and cried if you touched it. The swelling had started and I could tell it was her elbow. They took 3 x-ray's of her arm (This was hard because I had to hold her, and stretch out her arm in 3 different positions) so sad.. but Addie is tough!
Kristian took this picture of us as we were waiting in the room for the x-ray results.

Results are in: "Yep! Your daughter has fractured her elbow, but she did it in a 'unique' way so we need to you go up to Primary Children's Hospital, through the ER, and see the Orthopedic Specialist." They put a splint on her and sent us on our way.

I dropped Kristian off at Grandma's, called Jon, and luckily he was able to get off work and meet me. Here is Daddy and Addison in the waiting room at PCMC. We got here about 8:00 and I was glad that we didn't have to wait very long. The staff was amazing and so great with Addison. We are very very appreciative!!

Here is Addison and Mommy. I believe she had just gotten her first dose of Morphine. This was about 8:30-9:00.. (so she had been 4-5 hours without pain meds).. She was so funny on the Morphine! She was acting so silly, as she just jabbered and jumped topics going through all the family members, dad's hat, the picture on the wall, moms hat, family, dads hat... then she would nibble at the IV port dangling from her arm. We were laughing at how silly the drugs had made her (but hey, at least she wasn't in pain..)

Doctors reviewed the results. Almost 99% of the time elbow fractures have to be fixed surgically as it is important that they heal correctly for future development. This was the case for us. They told us we would have surgery about 12:30am. So in the mean time they moved us to the room we would stay in after surgery.

At 2:30am, they came and said they were ready for us. We watched as they pushed our little girl, looking so tiny in the big hospital bed, down the hall.. we met with the anesthesiologist and the orthopedic surgeon and nurse who would be taking care of her. It was sad and very hard to watch as they took Addison down the hall in one direction, and we walked in the opposite direction to the waiting room.
Surgery took less time than I though. The doctor came in about 3:30 to tell us the surgery was done and was a success. (see pics below) We waited until the nurse came and got us to go see Addie. She looked good, but looked very small and exhausted as she lay in the bed. We finally made it back to our room about 4:30am..
What a long night! This is Addie the next morning, well, I guess just a few hours after surgery. She wasn't happy that I took this picture!! By 9:00 am they wanted to see if she would eat or drink anything.. had her last dose of antibiotics at 11:00 and by noon we were finally in the car ready to go home.

Here are the pictures that the doctor gave us directly following her surgery. Addison had fractured the head of the humerus bone. It had basically broken the head of the bone off and sort of slid to the side, and therefore just needed to be put back in place with 2 pins. As seen here. (I hope I explained that correctly..)
"Left type 2 supracondylar humerus fracture"

Addie is now in a splint and will wear this for the next 10 days. She see's her doctor on Jan. 8th at which point she'll get a cast which she'll wear for an additional 3-4 weeks.
I am so proud of my little Addison. She was so tough and so brave and handled this whole situation wonderfully! Today she is feeling back to normal. She is busy trying to still keep up with Kristian, despite her limitations. Addison is getting pampered with sponge baths and additional love and attention. She really is my tough one and has proved herself the last few days. We love you Addison!! We are so sorry for this accident and we hope you get feeling better soon!!

**THANKS to all the friends and family who lent their love, concern, and support to us in dealing with this minor family tragedy. We appreciate you all so very much!**

Merry Christmas 2009

Christmas was so much fun this year. Its great when your kids believe in the magic of Santa..
We were able to go up the weekend before Christmas and see Grandma Jan and Grandpa Brad, Lexie and Calli. The kids had a great time, even though our trip was short.

Christmas Eve was spent with Jon's family. They have a tradition where we do a pass around gift as Grandpa Tall reads "Twas the night before Christmas.." it tends to get a little out of control, but the kids, thankfully, kept things a little more calm this year. Here Kristian sits with Scottie as he tries to figure out how this game works..We also get Christmas Eve pajama's to open. This is always a fun thing to look forward to.


CHRISTMAS MORNING! We did Christmas morning at our house, and then took a few of our presents with us to open at Grandma Cindy's and Grandpa Talls house...

The first thing Addison said as she walked downstairs to see what Santa brought was "My Bike!"..she was excited to have a bike so she can keep up with Kristian.
Kristian was so excited. He was cute as he walked downstairs and said "He did come..Santa came!!" He got his garbage truck, tow truck, police car, dig-dig, and a surprise "Iron Man" ... everything he asked for!
Both kids were such a fun joy to watch as they unwrapped and loved every moment that Christmas day brought.


Christmas with the Middleton's:


Grandma and Grandpa thought it would be great that the kids have a kitchen at their house as well (they already have one at gma and gpa's)... the kids LOVE their new kitchen...
**Nevermind the fact that Jon was at work when the kids asked me to put it together...took me over 3 1/2 hours to put it together by myself!!!**

I love that Christmas is a time to come together and spend with your family. I feel too often that the true meaning of Christmas gets forgotten and lost in the rush of toys and gifts. My hope is that every season brings to light the true meaning of Christmas and that everyone can remember and feel the love and spirit that Christmas brings. Love you all... hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!

Santa Sirens

Every year Santa drives around all the neighborhoods in Eagle Mountain on the fire engine throwing candy to all the kids. We knew he was coming today so we waited all day. I was afraid I wouldn't hear the engine until it was too late, so we sat and listened for a long time, and wouldn't you know it.. I still almost missed him!!
Here the kids are bundled and ready to go for when Santa came.. it was so quick and we barely made it out just as Santa passed out house.

Kristian was a little sad and frustrated.. "I wanted to tell Santa what I wanted! I wanted to tell him I want a garbage truck and a tow truck and a dig-dig!"...So we made a deal that next week we'll go see Santa and sit on his lap. Kristian was so concerned, even though we've written a letter... he wants to make sure Santa is aware of what he wants for Christmas!
"I miss Santa! I love him so much! I love Santa! We will go see Santa on Tuesday and I will sit on his lap."
I'm so excited for Christmas this year because the magic and wonder of Santa is so present in my kids and it just makes the holiday season so much more fun!! Merry Christmas to you all!

happy 4th Birthday!!

I can't believe how quickly the last 4 years have gone by. To think I was in the hospital 4 years ago having my first baby. Kristian was born at 8:29pm, 7lbs, 6oz, 20 inches. Full head of dark black hair. He was such a beautiful baby boy!!
Kristian is all boy!! He loves firetrucks!! He love every kind of truck: dump trucks, tow trucks, bulldozers, tractors, fast cars... you name it!! He loves dinosaurs and dirt and bugs and everything a boy could love!!


My 1st Birthday!!

My 2nd Birthday!!

My 3rd Birthday!!

Kristian's 4th Birthday Celebration! Thank you to everyone who made the journey to help celebrate with Kristian. He had so much fun!! We got the cake idea from Tiff, Aunt Jodi helped, and Kristian thought it was so cool!!

He was so happy with everything that he got: blocks, trucks, fast cars, a big semi-truck that holds all his fast cars, a dinosaur blanket from Grandma and Grandpa Roll, and several new dig-digs..
Evan and Avery came and he got some Gummy treats and some motorcycles, which he loved!! We are glad that Jodi was able to bring Evan and Avery with her to the party!! Thanks

Mom, Kristian, Daddy and Addison

Kristian definitely is all boy! Through and through.. but out of the two kids, he is definitely my most sensitive and tender-hearted. He is so sweet and loving, and even though he picks on Addison quite a bit, he has a big heart and takes care of everyone. He has such a funny personality and I find myself laughing every day at the fun things he says and does. His imagination and creativity are growing and its so fun to enjoy the simple things in life through my children. I am truly blessed. Kristian, we love you and are so proud of you! We are so lucky to have such a wonderful, sweet, adventurous, and full of life little boy in our family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa:
I want a tow truck, and a dig-dig, and bumble bee, and optimus prime, and I want a tow truck and a gun that shoots fire, and a police car.
Addison wants a .... um .... we have dresses for her!
Love, Kristian

Country Concert

If it wasn't for Cindy Middleton, I would be completely out of touch of the Country Music World. Thank you Cindy for letting me be your date! I had such a fun time. We went to a concert downtown last Saturday (ok, I'm a little late posting it).. at The Depot. Even though we had to stand the entire time, holding our coats, we had so much fun. We were on the floor and there were probably only 4 rows of people in front of us, so we had a really good spot!....

The first band was the "ELI YOUNG BAND"...cute group of young guys! I had never heard of them before, but really liked their music. The drummer was adorable!!... They all were!!

I tried to get a good picture of the drummer and didn't have the best of luck..

The second performer was Jack Ingram. Now while we were standing outside in the freezing cold waiting to get in, all of a sudden Cindy cries out "Jack!" like she personally knew him.. yep! Jack Ingram walked right past us and shook Cindy's hand. That was kind of fun. I really enjoyed Jack Ingram's performance too. Haven't heard a lot of any of these performers music, but I really did enjoy the concert a lot more that I had originally anticipated!

This is Gary Allen.. this is the guy we paid to come and see. I have heard a few of his songs (on account that Cindy keeps me updated and lets me copy his albums).. but it was a fun show and we had a lot of fun!!


At the end of the show, Jack Ingram came out and sang a song with Gary Allen.. (you could tell he had already started his backstage party, because he was a lot more "free and crazy" than earlier in the night.