Midwest Visit

Yesterday I left Central Oregon to light snowflurries and flew to the Midwest with temperatures near 80 degrees.   I am taking myself a Spring Break with my son's family in Omaha!!!  WooHoo!

I arrived in Omaha at 2pm and this time I rented a car,  a cute little red Toyota.  This way Chris didn't have to leave work and I can do some running around today.  I used my navigation app on my smart phone,  so cool, when I got close to home I thought I'm kinda hungry so I turned up 120th.  Went a ways and when I got to Center Street, their was Country Sampler Quilt Shop.  I think I have a built in GPS for that shop.  So forgetting my hunger I went shopping instead.  I love this shop, they carry so much fabric and wool and also very cute gifties.

This display just inside greats you with the sweetness of Spring.

 The cover quilt on Kim Diehl's Simple Graces made up with kit available, so very tempting

And a Bonnie Blue quilt with kits available,  also tempting.  I'm never very strong in a quilt store.

I purchased some new Jo Morton selections in reds and tans with red, some 3-strand valdani, and sweet smelling candles. I left behind the kit for Kim Diehls quilt and some Need'l love wool.  I have to save some $$ for later.    They have a wonderful selection of reproduction fabrics which we don't have locally so it was fun picking select pieces.
After this sidetrack adventure it was off to see the main attraction in Omaha.  

Hula Hula Hula

See Ethan,  I am so impressed, he has been walking since December.  His new braces and his amazing will has him keeping up with his brothers!!!

Today I am meeting a friend for lunch at Cafe Annie's,   their salads look wonderful.    Then I am going to visit More Sew For You.  I will let you know what I find there.

Tomorrow I plan on visiting the boys school, the first round of the NCAA Tournament is here too, Chris is a Creighton season ticket holder so we are going to take in a game this weekend!!!   I didn't even know,  so cool!

Talk with you Soon,

Spring Blessings,

Carrie

I need a second home……..in Omaha!

I had the best time…….again! Seems like its been to long again but we got to do some fun outings. I know it is going to be just more wonderful each time we visit the triplets. So I am dreaming about having my own home where I can go spend unlimited time, be at there beck and call, one short call away for filling in for anything, anytime they need a hand. Yeah, I said dreaming……but that is what I think about all the way home after a fun, action packed trip to visit the triplets.

Here is a picture of my son, the boys and myself at the farm we we visited. We went for a tractor ride to the pumpkin field, petted animals. The weather held out and didn’t rain on us and we made the outing short for the boys. Short and sweet…..perfect!

I love Denise, didn’t get a picture but she is the boys Nanny!! Just love her and the boys do too! She is a real sweetie and so much fun! Really has a heart for caregiving and teaching. She has some fun ideas for activities and learning, it is going to be so fun to hear all the stories.

The first lunch, meatballs with a yummy sauce. The boys are pretty much eating everything it seems. And boy did they love these meatballs. And boy oh boy were they messy!!! Lol…… gotta get a picture of this. Denise fed these a couple days earlier and she had her hands full getting them all cleaned up….and herself too. Lol… here’s Jaxon’s favorite face…..reminds me of a pirate face, but with meatball sauce….priceless.

You have to watch Hayden, if he likes it the mouth will be overflowing…..yeah Gramma I only have five bites…see…….

Ethan thinks they are just finger=likin good!! Mealtime is one of there favorite times and for me too. They are terrific eaters! They are growing like weeds so I can totally understand the appetite.

Friday night I got to be the babysitter during the adult Halloween party. Pebbles and Bam Bam were decked out from head to toe. OMG when they came downstairs I about choked…….I couldn’t stop laughing, they just have so much fun!!!

Everyday is fun fun fun!! The dinning room is the romper room with many fun toys……Ethan loves to play peek-a-boo and read books. He is going to be my little genius!! Love those little toes!

Do you think boys know what “NO” means at 15 months old. I think so!! Jaxon likes to take his little glasses off and boy oh boy I think he knows exactly what he is doing, and….that he really shouldn’t. You tell me!!

OK Gramma I was just testing, aren’t I just the cutest!!

Do you think they like to pose……smile……be still my heart! My photogenic triplets love to pose.

See!!!!

Now why is Hayden so happy……..because this is the couch and he loves to throw all the pillows off and go up and down, roll off and you catch him. Just his most favorite play area…..the couch!!! Here the squeal! He loves his teeth too, that tongue is always rubbing on it.

We went out to lunch before the Pumpkin Farm trip……yes to Grammas' favorite place, Panera’s. This is actually their first trip to a restaurant. We had a blast and they each ate a whole grilled cheese sandwich!!

Ethan loved people watching, he loves people. We were sitting right by the entry and he got to see everyone and then followed them to the counter!!! Getting to know the personality of the boys is one of my favorite things about spending time with them.

Jaxon kept me entertained even when I had my favorite Panera meal.

Hayden is the one who loves animals, this friendly little goat really wanted us to feed him but it gave Hayden enough time to warm up to him.

We tried to get pictures in the pumpkin patch but this is the only one that turned out with their pumpkins, and trying to get them to pose was out of the question.

They are drinking out of the little cups and trying to get a picture with all three bottoms up…….well this is the best I got. Hayden looks like his juice is spiked…lol!!!

OK thanks for indulging me if you are reading along, all you Grammy’s know how special your grandkids are to you so I know you forgive my indulgence.

I did get out of the house a couple times. I visited Country Sampler and took a drive to Lincoln to meet a fellow blogger Kindra. I will share about this on my next post along with what I am sewing on.

I need to catch up for sure….but for now I am off to have lunch with my girlfriend Linda. We just shared a fat quarter bundle of Rouenerries. I have so many patterns I could use it on, I will have to choose! There is a linen piece that I fell in love with so I am doing a make over that I will share too. It is the perfect red, perfect print and I found the perfect place!!!

Have you seen Karen’s new additions to Farmhouse Woolens, I love her taste and can not resist having just a little each time she adds something new!!!

This is a wonderful time of year to focus on Thankfulness. For us, it is the end of our busy business season. We are thankful for God’s blessing this work season. The economy is very slow and we are so thankful for everything we have received.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we are going to be home this year. First time in over 14 years. So we are looking forward to spending time at a community kitchen and having our son at home for dinner. It is an opportunity to really look outside ourselves and give to others.

God Bless,

Carrie

Ethan

Ethan with the most loving mother any child could hope to have......Krista!

I have shared with you many times about my triplet grandsons. Hayden, Ethan and Jaxon. They are so amazing! And I have enjoyed comments and emails from many of you sharing your own joy with multiples in your families.

I have not shared with you about our Ethan. Ethan has Spina Bifida~Myelomeningocele.

Spina bifida is the most common of a group of birth defects call neural tube defects. (NTDs). The neural tube is the embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord. Often called open spine, spina bifida affects the backbone and, sometimes the spinal cord. It is one of the most common severe birth defects in the United States, affecting about 1,300 babies each year.

In the embryo, there is a tiny ribbon of tissue that folds inward to form a tube. This structure, called the neural tube, forms by the 28th day after conception. When this process goes awry and the neural tube does not close completely, defects in the spinal cord and in the vertebrae (small bones of the spine) can result.

There are three forms of spina bifida:

• Occulta. In this mildest form, there are usually no symptoms. Affected individuals have a small defect or gap in one or more of the vertebrae of the spine. A few have a dimple, hairy patch, dark spot or selling over the affected area. The spinal cord and nerves usually are normal, and most affected individuals need no treatment.
• Meningocele. In this rarest form, a cyst or fluid-filled sac pokes through the open part of the spine. The sac contains the membranes that protect the spinal cord, but not the spinal nerves. The cyst is removed by surgery, usually allowing for normal development.
• Myelomeningocele. In this most severe form, the cyst holds both the membranes and nerve roots of the spinal cord and, often, the cord itself. Or there may be no cyst, but only a fully exposed section of the spinal cord and nerves. Affected babies are at high risk of infection until the back is closed surgically, although antibiotic treatment may offer temporary protection. Inspite of surgery, affected babies have some degree of leg paralysis and bladder and bowel control problems. In general, the higher the cyst on the back, the more severe the paralysis.

Ethan was in a sack to keep the affected area moist until his surgery. Ethan's cyst was low on his back making the best of a worst case scenario.

A baby with myelomeningocele usually requires surgery within 24 to 48 hours after birth. Doctors surgically tuck exposed nerves and spinal cord back inside the spinal canal and cover them with muscle and skin. Prompt surgery helps prevent additional nerve damage. However, nerve damage that already has occurred cannot be reversed. As soon after surgery as possible, a physical therapist teaches parents how to exercise their baby's legs and feet to prepare for walking with leg braces and crutches.

Ethan resting comfortably after surgery, he is one day old.

Ethan came home with exercises prescribed by his physical therapist. He did them 3 times daily and some were done with the exercise ball.

• Hydrocephalus. About 70 to 90 percent of children with myelomeningocele develop hydrocephalus. When cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord, is unable to circulate normally, fluid collects in and around the brain, causing the head to be enlarged. Without treatment, hydrocephalus can result in brain damage and mental retardation. Doctors usually treat hydrocephalus by surgically inserting a tube called a shunt that drains the excess fluid. The shunt runs under the skin into the chest or abdomen, and the fluid passes harmlessly into the child's body. With treatment, children with spina bifida usually can become active individuals. Most live normal or near-normal life spans.
• Prevention: A B-vitamin called Folic acid can help prevent spina bifida and other NTD's. The key is having enough folic acid in the system before pregnancy and during the early weeks of pregnancy, before the nerual tube closes.


• My information shared is from the March of Dimes website: http://www.marchofdimes.com/
  
  When Ethan came home from the hospital, at the same time as his brothers, he was in leg casts. He had club feet, which is common with spina bifida, and in this case a part of the condition. After 6 weeks the casts were removed to let muscle development happen and let the legs grow and straighten. Treatment would take place surgically at a later date.
  In late September Ethan was experiencing hydrocephalus to a degree that it became necessary for a shunt to be inserted. This gave Ethan immediate relief from the pressure.
  I love this picture, babies have a mind of there own and Ethan does too. You can see his shunt just under the scalp.
  Ethan is so amazing, he is a people person. He prefers people to objects and from his earliest days this really showed. Even before the shunt was in place and it was difficult for him to look up from the pressure. Right before the Christening in October, Ethan had his shunt installed. Less than a week later you can see him look easily at his God-mother. God has blessed us with Ethan and Ethan is blessed with many loving and caring people in his life. It is a very emotional to have a child born with a birth defect. From the moment you know your life is changed. You are dealing with something completely out of your control. It is events like these that really challenge your faith into action. Looking back you know what a blessing it is. Our strength comes from God, He provides the strength and courage to face all challenges. And brings wonderful people along side you for support.

Ethan is the biggest of the triplets, he is getting stronger and sits up with help. A big smiler, such a gift to make you laugh and smile with him. His feet are still turned down and in, and soon will need the heel cords loosened. It is time to try some cereal, we are six months old:

WHOA! What did you put in my mouth....... I am not impressed.... lol.... Krista says he is enjoying it much better now but is so glad she got this picture. He did this for about a week.

Time goes by so fast and with three babies without pictures you forget the little things. Which are the big things really.

Ethan is developing normally along with his brothers, I think right now is really the easiest time for his condition. The boys are to young to know there are differences and challenges to over come, together.

Yes, how wonderful for Ethan to have these two characters for support. Watching the closeness of the boys is really a wonderful thing.

In February Ethan went in for a procedure to repair a small hernia. He is resting comfortably with his little friend. Krista said the nurses all loved coming in and being with him. He really draws people to him. Do you know someone like that, I find it one of the most endearing qualities. People with this gift are a gift to everyone they know.

The picture of a spoke in the wheel, it is strongest when all are present. This last week Ethan had his surgery to lengthen and loosen his heel cord. He is home resting comfortably with his green casts. In a month he will go in for new casts and more adjustments to feet. This should be his last surgery unless his shunt fails.

Ethan doesn't have feeling below the knees so he will walk with the help of braces. Time will tell if the braces are at his thighs or hip. The strength in his legs will be the deciding factor. At any rate Ethan has God, parents and a large loving family to give him all the support he will need. I am so blessed to call him my grandson and I look forward to every step he takes in his life......

Actually, I am looking forward to every step the three take, together!

Fondly,

Carrie