No More NG Tube

The first picture here is Keegan before surgery while we were waiting. The next picture is him after surgery playing in his room. The final picture is from Saturday just waiting to go home.

So, Keegan's surgery went just fine on Friday and we are done with the NG tube. He has definitely been sore, but with a little medicine we are keeping him comfortable. As each day goes by he is acting more and more like himself. Today he was much better, he played a lot and laughed a lot (which we had not see as much of before). We are still settling into a new routine with the G tube, but it is already so much better than having the tube across his face and up his nose. We have had to start the feedings off slow, but today they went very well, so I think I will be increasing them tomorrow. I will keep you posted...

Thank you to everyone for your prayers!!

The Big 3-0!!

Since my birthday happened to fall on the same weekend as Keegan's surgery Matt surprised me with a special birthday on Thursday night! He took me to the Capital Grille and it was WONDERFUL! We had a great time and very yummy food. Saturday Riley, Mimi, and Haleigh made me a very nice birthday cake...we had it a little early. Saturday afternoon when we got home Riley was just took excited to wait any longer, she kept saying, "Let's light 'em up!" So we did and she did a great job singing happy birthday and then she blew out my candles. Sunday Shannon, Paul, Nicole, and Ashley brought us a VERY yummy dinner to celebrate! Nicole and Ashley made me very nice birthday brownies. I also got a great gift basket from my Uncle Gordon and beautiful flowers from Aunt Shannon and John. Thanks everyone for a wonderful birthday!!

Keegan

Well, here we are, Keegan's surgery for his G tube is on Friday and we are counting down the days. It seems to be more irritating than ever and it is time to go. He was sick last week for a few days, but doing good this week. He is just busy, busy, busy. He is all over the place and just wants to climb on everything and pull up on everything. I think I am a human jungle gym most of the day. He babbles a lot these days, especially "mama" and "dada", so that is pretty fun.

A little request...keep Keegan in your prayers on Friday.

Riley Quote of the Day

Yesterday when I picked Riley up from school this is what she told me, " Mom, I am almost old."

Haircuts

Winter in July

Here we are for the Winter in July event at the Phoenix Zoo. Riley had lots of fun this year playing in the snow, but Keegan was not too pleased with it. I think he will enjoy it more next year.

2 Year Old Language

A short story about Riley...

Riley has now started to really enjoy eating corn on the cob, so Saturday night we had it for dinner and when she talked about her corn she called it "corn bobs". I did tell her it is corn cobs, but I don't know corn bobs is pretty cute!!

San Francisco

Last week Matt and I spent 6 (kid free) days in San Francisco...it was a fun work trip for Matt. We had a wonderful time! We kept very busy and walked countless miles by the end of the week. We explored Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Lombard Street, the Cable Car Museum, China Town, Alcatraz, we took a day trip to Napa, wine tasting, a ferry ride through the bay and of course just truly enjoyed the weather. With a high around 60 to 65 everyday it was wonderful; we definitely did not miss the 109+ degrees in Phoenix. Three of the nights were dinners with Matt's work which were very nice, but especially the last night of our trip. Our entertainment for the night was Mark Schultz and he was just wonderful. We really enjoyed our little get away and really appreciate our families for watching our 2 kids for so many days!!

Views from our room...

Sea Lions at Pier 39

Alcatraz

Lombard Street




As you can see there is a beautiful view from the top of Lombard Street, but it was quite the hike to get there. The view from the bottom is just as pretty...I just can't imagine living on this street.

4th of July

Miss Riley

Here is our little girly girl. Riley is still loving her purses and as you can see she loves having her toes painted. I did them last week and she was so good...she sat perfectly still and then sat for another 20 minutes to make sure they were dry. She is not as into to Mickey Mouse so we are getting a little break, we have moved on to Dora the Explorer. She really enjoys school and her swim lessons. Next week her friend Ella will start going to school with her so that is very exciting.

Mr.Keegan

Here is Keegan with his tiny beach ball. These days he likes to find the plug and undo it and watch the ball go flat; then he uses the plug as a chew toy. After a few minutes I blow it up for him again and he just laughs at me. He is too funny!! He also enjoys looking at himself in the mirror and he will just laugh and laugh. Keegan is just too sweet and fun.

We met with the surgeon this past week and he will be getting a G tube (feeding tube directly into the stomach) on August 6th. At this point we think it is the best option. He still does not have much interest in food and we really believe the tube down his throat is only making things worse. Although, we are thankful for it, he is gaining weight nicely these days. Yesterday I took him for his weight check and he is 18 lbs. 1oz.

Cute Kiddos

I took these tonight when giving the kids a bath and thought they were so cute! Keegan is very silly with toys, he often holds them in his mouth like that...maybe he learned it from Bailey. Yes, I did give him a haircut today. The top turned out a bit shorter than I was wanting, but I was using Matt's little clippers for the first time and he was not home. Overall, I think it turned out good.

I also thought it was time to update the look of the blog as well :)

Father's Day

Riley made this at school for Matt...it is just WONDERFUL!!

Keegan News

Keegan went for his 9 month check up last week and he is doing good. He weighed 17lbs. 8oz., which we are very happy with...still gaining weight very nicely. We also saw the GI doctor last week and have decided to move ahead with the G tube (the feeding tube directly into his stomach). At this point it is apparent that is will probably be quite some time before he will be taking all his nutrition by mouth, so we think it will be so much better for him not to have the tube up his nose and down his throat. At this point he will taste pretty much all foods, but really has no desire to actually eat or to drink his bottle. We are hoping/praying that some of this is due to the NG tube and that things will start to improve once it is gone. We meet with the surgeon on Tuesday so we will know more then. We will be continuing with feeding therapy and we have also started physical therapy to get him doing all the things he "should" be doing at this point. He is doing really good with physical therapy and making great progress. He is just so much fun these days!!

The Artist

Last weekend I came around the corner of the couch and saw what Riley had drawn on her wipe board and I was amazed...at first I thought maybe Matt had done it. She is pretty good at smiley faces these days and I love that it even has eyebrows.

Riley is doing great with the big girl potty. We only use pull ups at nap and night time. We have been so lucky that she has done so well with it. She is doing great at school, although they tell me she is a little quite at school...I guess that is why she is NEVER quite at home. She is in swim lessons and doing good with that also!!

One thing about Riley that we have noticed lately is how observant she is. Example 1: Matt put a new handle on the toilet downstairs while she napped one day. After her nap she went to use the potty and noticed the new handle. So funny!! Example 2: She noticed that when she uses the potty at Mimi and Papa's house the toilet paper is closer to her (the cabinet is closer than it is at our house). Seems so grown up for a 2 year old to notice such "odd" things. I know there have been other things, but right now I cannot think of them. Mom brain!!

What Keegan has taught me...

In just 8.5 short months Keegan has taught me many things; I thought I would share some of those things...

1. Always trust your instincts, if something does not feel or seem right keep looking for answers.
2. Doctors do not know everything and everything they say is not always right.
3. If you are having doubts about your doctor or second guessing things then find a new doctor right away...do not put it off.
4. It is best to take each day as it comes. (This one is not so easy!)
5. Do not take things for granted; especially the little things.

These are just some of the many lessons learned along our journey with Keegan. He is an amazing little boy - it is heartbreaking to think about all the things that keep working against him in his first year of life, but he is so full of energy and life! He is doing great, except for the eating thing...that continues to be a big struggle, but we will get through it. He now has 6 teeth, he babbles back and forth with you and waves, which is very cute. He is absolutely wonderful and we are truly blessed.