figuring it out one day at a time: December 2009

Christmas 2009

Christmas was great this year. We really tried to scale down the present giving and focus much more on the true meaning of Christmas. We only gave the kids three presents each to represent the three presents that were given to Christ. We also read lots of scriptures, lots of Christmas storie, and watched The Nativity Story. I tried really hard to help Caden understand what Christmas is really all about, but he didn't really grasp it. He just wanted to know if were going to have birthday cake on Christmas because it was some guy named Jesus' birthday.

I tried to take a few pictures of my boys in their Christmas outfits. My photo shoot did not go as planned, but the pictures are adorable anyway.

On the 23rd, we had the Sullivan family Christmas party. Vivienne made a fabulous dinner and we did a recreation of the Christmas story. Here is a picture of the cast.

Cierra as the angel

Carol, Grandma Tiede, Mackenzie

On Christmas Eve, we had the Morrow/DuBreuil family Christmas party. Megan and I made lasagna and everyone else provided the rest. We sang some Christmas songs and let the kids open their Christmas eve pajamas.

Caden and Tanner showing off their new PJ's

Chad nursing the gingerbread man and me nursing Tyler

Christmas morning was so much fun. Caden had been asking for a Batman cave for months and then when it was finally time to see what Santa brought, he ran right past it. We had to turn him around and show him where it was. Then he fell on the ground and hugged it. After presents, we went over to my Mom's for our traditional Christmas breakfast and to open a few more gifts.

Waiting to see what Santa brought

Tyler checking out his loot

The long awaited Batcave

Cierra got an iPod shuffle from the big man

Santa brought Kenz a portable DVD player

Present Time!

Chad and Tyler

Megan, Tanner, Cierra

Kenz showing off the awesome set of pom-poms that she got from Tanner

Pranksterella

Kenzie is our little prankster. She loves to play pranks on us and thoroughly enjoys our reaction each and every time. She even made a rap at school about her mythical character "Pranksterella" for her oral report and performed it in front of her whole class. It even ended up on the weekly school broadcast for the whole school to see. The picture below is where we found our Christmas tree one day. We love you Kenz!

The Jazz

Cierra had an appointment with the neurologist a few weeks ago at Primary Children's. It just so happened to be the same day that the Utah Jazz were there visiting all the kids. She was able to meet a few of them and get a signed basketball. It was such a fun experience for her. I'm so glad that she is able to have these experiences, among all of her hardships.

Cierra with Wes Matthews and Ronnie Brewer and some Jazz dancers

Cierra with Kyrylo Fesenko, a coach, and some Jazz dancers

Cierra's baptism and Tyler's blessing

Erick was home for Thanksgiving, so we did Cierra's baptism and Tyler's blessing that weekend. Thanks so much to all of the family and friends who came. It was a perfect day. Shaun baptized Cierra and Bruce blessed our baby Tyler. We are so proud of Cierra for making the decision to be baptized.

Uncle Shaun and Cierra

The baptism :)

Erick and Cierra

Cierra and her cousin Shakayla who was also baptized this year

My Ty Guy :)

Aunt Megan and Tyler

Mama and Tyler

Erick and Tyler

Grandma Tiede and Tyler

The surprises that I found on my camera after I asked Kelly to hold it for me

Cierra and Kenzie's Birthdays

Cierra and Kenzie both celebrated birthdays in November. We just had low-key family parties because I was just not up to a big friend party with a brand-new baby. Tyler was in the hospital for Kenzie's birthday, so she kind of missed out on having an actual party, but she survived. Here are some pics.

Cierra turns 8

Kenzie turns 12

Tyler's eight day stay at Primary's

Right after Shaun's homecoming, Caden came down with a cold and promplty passed it onto Tyler via sticking his hands in Tyler's mouth ALL the time. Tyler managed it okay for a few days, but then started retracting and wheezing, so I took him into a night time clinic (why do kids always get sick on the weekends?) The doctor there debated on admitting him because he didn't sound good and was so young (only 5 wks and 5 days at this point.) But after the chest xray came back clear, he decided to send us home with strict instructions to bring him to the ER if he got worse or spiked a fever. During the night he got much worse and started running a temp, so Sunday morning I left all the kids with Bruce and took Tyler up to the ER at Primary Children's. They did lots of blood work, started an IV and put him on oxygen. He tested positive for RSV and was not maintaining his oxygen well and was requiring wall suction, so they decided to admit him. I thought he might be there for 24 hours, maybe 48, but they kept him for eight days! It was pretty much the longest eight days of life. The first night we were there, he crashed and was totally unresponsive. They had a whole team of people working on him and they brought in a crash cart, but thankfully they got him stabilized and he didn't require intubation. It was terrifying, but I am so grateful for the great care that he recieved. The little boy next door had RSV, too and he crashed as well, but had to get a trach and was transferred to the ICU.

Vivienne and Bruce pretty much had to take over as parents to Kenzie, Cierra and Caden because I was at the hospital and Erick was in New Mexico. Thank you both for your help. Viv came up at some point every day so at that I could go home and shower and see everyone for a bit. We also had a couple of people from our ward came and stay with Ty, so that I could be home a little bit more. It was quite the experience. I don't know how parents of chronically-ill children do it. Thank you to everyone for all of your prayers and for all of the dinners that were brought to us. Tyler is doing great now and hopefully will never have RSV again.

One very sick little baby :(