Avery's Adventure: Emergency Surgery, a Vet visit, Glasses and Potty training

We have had a lot of exciting things happen since the last post.

Tim was working one day and his stomach was killing him. He was throwing up and went to the ER. The ER he went to wasn’t attached to a hospital so he had to get transferred to Fairview. He ended up having emergency surgery that night for a bowel obstruction. Back in 2006 he had hernia surgery and they used mesh. Fast forward 13 years and the scar tissue from the surgery caused a bowel obstruction. Luckily they caught it in time and they were able to do it laparoscopically. It basically looked like someone stabbed Tim in the stomach 4 times. He was on a liquid diet for a few days and was able to come home 3 days after the surgery. He wasn’t able to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 2 weeks so I had to take the kids to daycare every morning. Let me just say, it made me appreciate Tim that much more because getting the kids ready in the morning is ROUGH. Avery DOES NOT want to get up, ever…except on the weekends of course.

I looked down the one day and noticed that Joe kept licking his foot. I looked closer and he had broken his nail right in half somehow, down to the quick. I knew it was painful so I took him to the vet. They ended up putting him under anesthesia, taking a xray to make sure the bone wasn’t infected, cleaned it up really well and then put him on an antibiotic and pain med. He did end up braking his nail all the way down to the toe bone. He was supposed to wear a big, plastic e-collar too. He wore it for a few days and then somehow (I think on purpose) managed to crack a huge part of the collar off. It was very sharp so he lucked out and didn’t have to wear the collar anymore. Tim was home recovering from surgery so he could yell at Joe if he started licking his paw. While at the vet, they suggested pet insurance for Joe. Between this and him needing staples/stitches 3 times this past summer, it probably would have paid for itself. We are still considering it since Joe is only two and he has had quite a few injuries already.

A few weeks after the surgery, we had a bad wind storm here with gusts up to 60 mph. Our power was out and a transformer blew and caught fire. Tim was smart and went out and bought a generator that day. Thank God he did because our power was out for a total of 4 days. Yes, we could have stayed somewhere else but we would have nowhere to take the 3 cats, 2 dogs and it would be a pain to go to the house to take care of the chickens every day. We are fortunate that Tim who knew how to hook up our fridge and heat to the generator. He even managed to get us each an outlet to use to have a light on in our room and to charge our phones. The kids were a little lost without internet/You Tube but they managed. When I told Avery her iPad didn’t work she said “Just plug it in” and I had to try to explain to her that we have no electricity so it wouldn’t work.We went ahead and ordered Avery’s new bone anchored hearing aid headband. I had to sign a form acknowledging that Cleveland Clinic will pay $3000 and if Avery’s secondary insurance doesn’t pay, we will be stuck with the remaining $3000 bill. Typically, if Cleveland Clinic pays, her secondary insurance normally covers the balance. We should get her hearing aid in a couple weeks. Fingers crossed that it helps her and she actually wears it.

Avery has been complaining of her eyes hurting so I made an eye doctor appointment. I asked Avery if she needed glasses and she said yes. Sure enough, she needs glasses. The doctor dilated and examined her eyes and performed some tests. He said she is a little far sighted and that she has astigmatism in both eyes so she does need glasses. Her prescription isn’t too strong at +1.25. The whole family went with Avery to pick out some glasses. When we first got there, Avery was being, well Avery and refused to try any on. She then tried on a pair that were really big but she said she liked them. She ended up getting that pair and a smaller pair. I paid the extra $30 for the company to replace each pair in the first year, no questions asked.

I am sure this equation will come into play at some point…. Joe+Buddy = eaten glasses

Reagan has been using the potty pretty often so daycare recommended we bring in underwear and extra pants for her this week. She has even pooped on the potty a few times at home. Reagan is starting to become Little Miss Independent, like Avery was/is, having to do everything herself.

Reagan and snapchat

Medes normally sleeps in Reagan's crib but she wanted to sleep in my bed this night (and on my hair)

Poor Joe's toe was injured. I was giving him a hug to make him feel better. He didn't keep my sock on for very long

Joe's nail broke in half

Everyone at the vet loves JoeJoe. They just kept saying what a good boy he was and he would lay down and want belly rubs.

Joe had to wear a bag on his foot when he went outside...yeah. that last about two days.

This is how Reagan eats suckers

It says "If I had $100, i would buy 10 LOL houses"....lol
I am obsessed with LOL dolls right now

Happy Valentines Day!

Reagan has been getting scared lately and sleeps in Mommy's bed. Mommy looked over and she had her hand around Buddy. It was very cute. When Mommy asks Reagan what she is scared of, she always says the Minnie Mouse pillow. lol. It used to be in her room but now they are both in my room and she is still scared.

Reagan also likes to make a scarf out of toilet paper when she is pottying.

Thanks for the Valentine's Day treats Aunt Lauren and Uncle Greg!!

Reagan...you cant really see but Reagan is not wearing any pants. She hardly ever wears pants!

This was a day we all slept in Mommy's room..she had few inches of bed to sleep on (to the one side of Reagan)..Me, Reagan, Joe and Buddy were all in the bed...even Medes joined us for a little bit.