Well, Drew had 2 rounds of strep the first week I was back to work for professional development. This caused a few visit to the peds and it was suggested that Drew see and ENT because his HUGE tonsils were now getting in the way of a healthy Drew. It was also mentioned that Ellie could get checked with the ENT as well due to enlarged. A not so fun visit to the ENT, I had all 3 kiddos during Drew's nap time which equates to a super goofy and slap happy guy, we found out that sure enough both kids should get their tonsils, adenoids out and tubes in ears. We were all in with the decision as Drew's tonsils pretty much touched even when he wasn't sick and Ellie had a moderate hearing loss because of the fluid in her ears and so we went for it. Get er done and move on.
Ellie and Drew were so excited to have their time off with us and for their "surgery", that we didn't want to scare them from being so willing to go, so we didn't break the news to them that it would be painful. We were warned ahead of time that the recovery was not fun and could get intense. So we stocked up on broth, Jell-O, and all things smooth and frozen. Ben and I both took that Thursday off and took our two innocent babies to surgery. Gulp.
Here they are all smiles and so eager and happy. They brought in their "surgery" presents and knew they could open them after they were all done with the doctors.
We walked back to the hallway where all of the surgery beds are lined up and separated by these pull sheets. My heart skipped a beat as we walked right pass a lady who was clearly still under and was coming to. Our 2 little looked but just skipped by not thinking a thing. Exhale. Then we heard the screams of another little boy across the hall who was just coming to from his tonsil surgery. Exhale. Our AMAZING nurse explained to our children that he was just having a bad dream. Again, they were all smiles and it was then I knew having them done together was a good idea. Drew was calm and felt safe with Ellie by his side and Ellie was a great leader to keep Drew entertained.
We got Drew ready first. His little mark under his lip was from a topple at his school the day before...
Putting the OR hats on their animal friends...
Awwww, they love each other so much!
My heart.
Drew finally warmed up to the whole sock idea.
These two were everywhere on the bed! They let them "paint" their surgery masks with the flavor they picked. We had to get a few extra masks because of all the commotion.
Drew was all smiles until they rolled him away in his operating bed. I went over to Ellie's bed and Ben walked with Drew down the hallway but there was no fooling him. He was screaming MOM all the way down. Oh. My. Goodness. I was thankful that Luke had been under anesthesia before so this gave me some comfort knowing he would be back in just awhile and it would all be OK.
Next one up, our sweet and fearless gal! Our daughter was so confident and wanted to do this full on all by herself. She even told me I didn't need to walk her down the hall that she would be OK. This girl makes me so proud and I love her courage and confidence.
Ready to go with Baby Girl in her own cap too.
That was it. Each surgery took around 45 minutes and by the time Elle was ready to go Drew would be done in about 20. So, Ben and I waited and watched up on the TV screen their progress about where their surgery was at.
Drew was out first and as I saw him, tears just fell from my eyes. I scooped him up right away and laid on his bed with him on top of my chest. He woke up pretty well but I think he had left off yelling for me and so that's how he was coming to. He was yelling mom and trying to pull the IV out of his arm. I just held him and whispered to him and after his IV out his body calmed and he just relaxed on me. We tried a popsicle but he refused however, he sucked down a box of apple juice. He had come to and was doing OK.
We were gearing up for Ellie to come out about 20 minutes after Ellie. She is such a strong sweetie. She saw me as they rolled her bed next to me and Ben sat next with her holding her hand and stroking her hair. I love my Ben! Especially in this moment when my Mama heart ached to hold her and I just couldn't without upsetting Drew. Ben talked to her and she just shook her head. She wanted it to be quiet, didn't want to open her eyes, and wanted Ben to stroke her hair. This girl had 3 popsicles though and for her it felt good.
Both kids held their necks and gave out wails during this time but for the most part it was calm and quiet. The nurses were so kind and reassured us how awesome they were doing and how impressed they were. Dr. Becker made a quick check-in but we had turned off the lights and everyone was completely quiet and resting so he just left.
Drew was with it enough to open his present and put on his "magic-feel-better" pajamas. Ellie was still resting.
Ben filled the prescriptions and the nurses helped me load up our belongings and roll our kiddos down. These faces just get me. Ellie is trying to give her best smile in her own "magic-feel-better" pajamas. Drew, is just feeling the feels.
Right to the couch and first round of Netflix.
Both of them did so well during their recovery when it came to keeping hydrated. Not once did we have to worry that they weren't getting enough fluids and for that we are thankful.
Day 2: Tylenol every 5 hours"ish" all day and all night. We cuddled all day watching shows...
And a bubble bath to get all of that hospital smell off.
They wanted pancakes, RAINBOW pancakes at that, and rainbow pancakes they got!! Anything to get food and fluids down!
And permanent Popsicle mouth is just fine by me!
Carson, Laney, and Evie sent gifts! These 2 were so excited to open up a package full of stickers, fall coloring books, watercolor paint, and all sort of calm goodness!!! We love our friends so much.
That afternoon, these 2 set out chairs all by themselves to wait for big brother Luke to get off the bus. How lucky am I to be their Mom?! For real, though.
Day 3: Still a few bites here and there. We encouraged them to stay quiet and to try not to talk, so lots of pointing and soft grunting was means of communication.
Drew was so excited to get notes and pictures from each of his friends and teachers at his preschool!!
He read them with Ben one-by-one!! Drew and Ellie both enjoyed the sticker crafts the school sent them. I cried. I am so thankful that our children are surrounded by so much love and our community has become their own "village" helping and supporting us to raise them in love.
Ellie with her gift too!
Day 4: Our first day out and about! We grabbed LARGE non-red Slurpee's and headed to Luke's soccer game! We have been so busy it was my first game this season to watch...2 goals for Luke!
Day 5: Special homemade chocolate chip cookies from Auntie Nae!!! SO sweet that she made these for our kiddos! They were a BIG hit!
Day 6: We made it to Luke's baseball game!
Again, with blue Slurpee's!! This time it was a little more difficult to keep these 2 from running around and tackling each other. Geesh!
AND look who met us at the game!!!! Gpa and Gma all the from Traverse City to help!!
We are your biggest fans, Morin kids, and we love you all so much! (photo cred: Elle)
Day 7: Ben and I were both back to work for the first time since Thursday. Mom and Dad took these two out to Wendy's for lunch!
And then we got this pic texted to us at work. So sweet.
Day 9: Us girls had brunch at my favorite, Rochester Brunch House, and the boys had bfast at Ram's Horn. We had to say goodbye to Gpa and Gma afterwards. We are so very thankful they were able to come and stay with us for the week!! Life is always sweeter and fuller when Mom and Dad are around. When times get difficult they offer a breath of fresh air and it allows us to exhale a little easier.
Ellie had Unicorn pancakes! Mixed with sprinkles and topped with marshmallows and cotton candy!!!
First day back! Last Monday we were all back. All 3 kiddos in school! We did it. THEY did it. Ellie tells us how much better she can hear everything. We haven't had to repeat ourselves once. She is no longer a "mouth breather" and she has been eating A LOT!! Drew is such a happy camper and I really think he is sleeping so much better. We never had him sleep tested for sleep apnea but I am convinced that he had it. However, now he sleeps perfectly quietly. His preschool can't even believe how he no longer snores AT ALL! He is also eating a TON! Again, his teachers and I can't believe it! Dr. Becker had asked us before the surgery if they were picker eaters. He said that their tonsils were so big it was hard for them to actually swallow bits of food. Just last night Drew ate an entire chicken breast, carrots, peppers, applesauce and then asked for more chicken.
So far, we would way this was the right call. It was a lot. Little sleep. Lots of stress. Changes in routine. However, God is good and it's behind us.
And then...Luke and Ellie get off the bus and this is what Ben captured. We are so blessed.
