Update #1 Grandpa Bigelow
My mom called last night to give me an update on Grandpa. The family had a meeting with the medical staff at the hospital and they were told that they suspect he only has a few more days to live.
She called again this morning at 11:30 and said that the whole family is up at the hospital waiting for Grandpa to pass. They have been singing hymns and primary songs and having a nice time considering the circumstances.
It is 4:15 right now and I haven't had any word yet. It is so hard to be here and have them all there. It is times like these that I wish that I still lived in Boise. But I don't so what do you do? I battled back and forth over whether or not to jump in the van and go. But again, what would I do. I was able to have some good experiences with Gpa last week and I guess that I just hang on to those. It may sound a little morbid but I do wish that I could be there with him when he passes. Assuming that it will be a peaceful experience for him, I think it would help me to see him no longer in pain. It was hard to watch him hurting so bad last week.
So, here I sit. Waiting for the phone to ring.
On a little lighter side...
Update #2 Potty Training
In a nut shell, it is a good thing that I bought so many pairs of undies for Connor. He has not peed in the toilet one time yesterday or today. grrrrrrrrr.
I think I'll go eat all his training treats. That might help me feel better. Too bad they aren't chocolate.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Super Dad
Here are some of the things that make Kendon Super Dad.
All of the following happened within twenty four hours of the kids and me arriving home from being gone for a week:
All of the following happened within twenty four hours of the kids and me arriving home from being gone for a week:
- Sirri threw a hugango fit.. This was of the likes that I have not seen in a long time. We had only been home from our trip for about an hour so I was already frazzled. Kendon on the other hand kept his cool. He took Sirri in her room and talked her down.
- Meg was up all night long. Six times in an 8 hour time period to be exact. I was sure Kendon was ready to ship us back to Boise. Yet every time we got her settled down and crawled back into bed he would say, "I'm still glad you are home!"
- When I got home we were in desperate need of groceries. Poor Kendon survived the week on marshmallows and ketchup. (Maybe a slight exaggeration, but close.) He arranged for his sister to watch our kids so we could go to Winco. I love going to Winco with Kendon. It is such a breeze.
- Upon arriving home, Kendon brought all $225 worth of groceries in by himself. See, what a guy!
- He then took the kiddos outside to play and shoot their bows so I could get the groceries put away in peace.
- THEN he came in t he house and got all the kiddos in jammers and put them to bed.
He is a champion of a dad! I love you babe and could never do it without you!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Why?
Can someone, anyone please tell me why my children must get diarrhea the second day of potty training?Poor Connor has contracted whatever bug Meg has and you guessed it... MESSY!
Now backtrack two years ago with me: The day after I potty trained Sirri I went Christmas shopping with a girlfriend and left Sirri home with Daddy. I had not been gone much over thirty minutes when I got a phone call. "Do you know that your daughter has had diarrhea all over the floor twice since you have been gone?" Kendon said the phone call was purely informative. I still say it was purely for guilt. Though I have to hand it to the guy, he kept her in her underwear all day and just "dealt" with the poo. I would have had her back in diapers in a hurry.
This is hoping that the Cherry Mint Anti Diarrheal medicine holds strong!
Let's Have a Potty Party!
It is so past time to be potty training Connor Man. So here we go....
It's a Potty Party!
With Party hats and everything!
Sirri and Brooke threw Connor's diapers away for him. I couldn't get him to do it himself. I'm not sure if they have sentimental value for him or if he was just too excited to get to the treats!
By the way, the diapers were secure in a plastic bag to be fished out of the garbage later. Meg is still in diapers and those things aren't cheap you know! Sneaky huh?
And a party isn't complete without cupcakes. Fresh from Walmart of course!!! Connor was really proud to be able to pass them out to everyone.
Gee whiz! From the looks of this "sentimental" shot you would think that I was sending him off to college or something! Though this moment is just as big...maybe bigger!
Isn't his little bum bum bum cute in the Diego undies he chose?
By the way, the diapers were secure in a plastic bag to be fished out of the garbage later. Meg is still in diapers and those things aren't cheap you know! Sneaky huh?
And a party isn't complete without cupcakes. Fresh from Walmart of course!!! Connor was really proud to be able to pass them out to everyone.
Gee whiz! From the looks of this "sentimental" shot you would think that I was sending him off to college or something! Though this moment is just as big...maybe bigger!Isn't his little bum bum bum cute in the Diego undies he chose?
Yeah! Connor went Potty in the toilet five times and gets a treat!I am quite amazed that this little guy can go potty on demand just so he can get a treat.
So far Connor has done great. He stayed dry through his nap yesterday and today and even through the night last night! Yippee!He was unsure of this whole process once last night. He was going to bed and needed his nightly cup of water by his crib. I told him that he couldn't have water at night any more because he was a big boy. His response, "I don't want to be a big boy anymore!"
There's no turning back now! Yikes!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Tender
Well, this last week has been a very tender one for me. I have witnessed many tender moments and had many a tender feelings in my heart.
Last Monday I headed to Boise to spend some time with my family. My older sister Kim who is pregnant with her first baby was coming into town from California. Shortly after she arrived at the airport on Tuesday afternoon, my grandpa Bigelow (my dad's dad) was admitted to the hospital. He was diagnosed with cancer this summer and is having some complications.
So, to make a long story short we spent a majority of the week at the hospital with my grandpa and grandma. Of course the week did not turn out the way that it was supposed to, or at least the way that we had planned but as I have been able to ponder on the week's experiences over the last 24 hours I am thankful for the week that truly was full of many tender moments. I hope you don't mind if I share a few with you.
One of the things that stands out most in my mind is the way that my dad is handling this whole situation. My dad is an amazing man. He has an optimistic outlook that just doesn't stop. Whenever you ask him how he is doing he smiles and says that he is okay. Even though you know that he leaves at 7:00 every morning and doesn't come home until 11:000 at night because he has been at the hospital. He smiles even though he has spent countless hours working with doctors creating a plan for his dad's health. He still smiles even though he has switched roles with his parents and is now their care taker. He smiles even after having to help calm his father down when he is in so much pain. He smiles every time his mother walks into the room to give her the comfort and peace and reassurance that she so desperately needs. He smiles as he sits by his dad's bedside and holds his hand to let him know that he is there. My dad is incredible and has a very tender and loving heart.
Since arriving in Boise Connor hadn't seen my dad for two days so when he heard us talking about grandpa sick in the hospital, Connor thought it was HIS grandpa. He was very worried. When my dad found out what Connor was thinking he immediately called him to reassure him that he was okay. We took Connor to the hospital where he was able to see my dad and my grandpa to help him understand. It was a very tender moment to see my dad so worried about Connor and his feelings.
Sunday night we took the kids up to the hospital to tell Grandpa and Grandma goodbye since we were leaving in the morning. We took some story books for Grandma to read to the kids. That was a very special and tender moment to watch as both my kids sat on their great grandma's lap as she read them a story. I'm pretty sure that grandma enjoyed the experience just as much, if not more than my kids. My kids are very blessed that they still have and know four of their great grandparents.
As the week grew closer to an end and I knew that each visit to my grandpa could be one of my last, I struggled. After I came home from the hospital on Saturday night I was quite upset. My sister Kim and I were the only ones home and we were trying to comfort one another. My grandma (My mom's mom, my faithful blog readers know grandma!) happened to call and I had the nicest talk with her. That she happened to call when she did, when I needed it so much was a tender mercy of the Lord. She helped me to understand a lot of things and helped me to put things into perspective. I am so thankful for her and the relationship that I have with her. I truly consider her one of my best friends.
One of the most fun times of the week was when we were able to go to the park with my grandma Bigelow and my grandma Weldon. It was a great escape from the hospital for Grandma Bigelow and she had such a great time. I feel very thankful that my sister and I were able to be in town this week so that we could be of service to my grandma and help her have some joy in her sorrow.
One of the most tender moments that I was able to witness this week was the interaction between my grandma and her dear sweet husband. My grandmother was so tender and kind and loving and sweet to my grandpa as he lay in his hospital bed. She would run her fingers through his hair, sit and hold his hand, call him sweetheart, kiss him goodnight as she left, want so badly for him to know that she was there by his side. She kept saying to me that, "it is so hard to watch your sweetheart like this." All these tender expressions of love that my grandma showed to my grandpa were so natural and second hand to her. That was the beauty in it. My grandma was not just being sweet and kind to her husband because he is sick. She treated him with such love and devotion because this is the way that she has always treated him. Now that is a beautiful example of a true love story.
The hardest and most tender moment for me this week, was when I had to tell my grandpa goodbye for the last time. I don't know if I was telling him goodbye because he may pass before I see him again or not. I truly hope that I am blessed with the chance to sit by his side and hold his hand again and have him hear me say that I love him. But if I don't, I am so thankful for the time that I have had with him. One of the nights that I was leaving the hospital my grandfather became aware and lucid and was able to open his eyes. He gave me and my sisters a kiss and told us one by one that he loved us and that he was blessed. This was so special to me and something that I will never forget. But, even if I was not able to have that moment with my grandfather, I would still know that he loves me. I know this because of the way that he has always treated me and my sisters. He loves his grandchildren. It has always been very apparent. That has always been a constant in my life, something that I never doubted. To be loved like that is a true blessing. My grandfather is a blessing.
Last Monday I headed to Boise to spend some time with my family. My older sister Kim who is pregnant with her first baby was coming into town from California. Shortly after she arrived at the airport on Tuesday afternoon, my grandpa Bigelow (my dad's dad) was admitted to the hospital. He was diagnosed with cancer this summer and is having some complications.
So, to make a long story short we spent a majority of the week at the hospital with my grandpa and grandma. Of course the week did not turn out the way that it was supposed to, or at least the way that we had planned but as I have been able to ponder on the week's experiences over the last 24 hours I am thankful for the week that truly was full of many tender moments. I hope you don't mind if I share a few with you.
One of the things that stands out most in my mind is the way that my dad is handling this whole situation. My dad is an amazing man. He has an optimistic outlook that just doesn't stop. Whenever you ask him how he is doing he smiles and says that he is okay. Even though you know that he leaves at 7:00 every morning and doesn't come home until 11:000 at night because he has been at the hospital. He smiles even though he has spent countless hours working with doctors creating a plan for his dad's health. He still smiles even though he has switched roles with his parents and is now their care taker. He smiles even after having to help calm his father down when he is in so much pain. He smiles every time his mother walks into the room to give her the comfort and peace and reassurance that she so desperately needs. He smiles as he sits by his dad's bedside and holds his hand to let him know that he is there. My dad is incredible and has a very tender and loving heart.
Since arriving in Boise Connor hadn't seen my dad for two days so when he heard us talking about grandpa sick in the hospital, Connor thought it was HIS grandpa. He was very worried. When my dad found out what Connor was thinking he immediately called him to reassure him that he was okay. We took Connor to the hospital where he was able to see my dad and my grandpa to help him understand. It was a very tender moment to see my dad so worried about Connor and his feelings.
Sunday night we took the kids up to the hospital to tell Grandpa and Grandma goodbye since we were leaving in the morning. We took some story books for Grandma to read to the kids. That was a very special and tender moment to watch as both my kids sat on their great grandma's lap as she read them a story. I'm pretty sure that grandma enjoyed the experience just as much, if not more than my kids. My kids are very blessed that they still have and know four of their great grandparents.
As the week grew closer to an end and I knew that each visit to my grandpa could be one of my last, I struggled. After I came home from the hospital on Saturday night I was quite upset. My sister Kim and I were the only ones home and we were trying to comfort one another. My grandma (My mom's mom, my faithful blog readers know grandma!) happened to call and I had the nicest talk with her. That she happened to call when she did, when I needed it so much was a tender mercy of the Lord. She helped me to understand a lot of things and helped me to put things into perspective. I am so thankful for her and the relationship that I have with her. I truly consider her one of my best friends.
One of the most fun times of the week was when we were able to go to the park with my grandma Bigelow and my grandma Weldon. It was a great escape from the hospital for Grandma Bigelow and she had such a great time. I feel very thankful that my sister and I were able to be in town this week so that we could be of service to my grandma and help her have some joy in her sorrow.
One of the most tender moments that I was able to witness this week was the interaction between my grandma and her dear sweet husband. My grandmother was so tender and kind and loving and sweet to my grandpa as he lay in his hospital bed. She would run her fingers through his hair, sit and hold his hand, call him sweetheart, kiss him goodnight as she left, want so badly for him to know that she was there by his side. She kept saying to me that, "it is so hard to watch your sweetheart like this." All these tender expressions of love that my grandma showed to my grandpa were so natural and second hand to her. That was the beauty in it. My grandma was not just being sweet and kind to her husband because he is sick. She treated him with such love and devotion because this is the way that she has always treated him. Now that is a beautiful example of a true love story.
The hardest and most tender moment for me this week, was when I had to tell my grandpa goodbye for the last time. I don't know if I was telling him goodbye because he may pass before I see him again or not. I truly hope that I am blessed with the chance to sit by his side and hold his hand again and have him hear me say that I love him. But if I don't, I am so thankful for the time that I have had with him. One of the nights that I was leaving the hospital my grandfather became aware and lucid and was able to open his eyes. He gave me and my sisters a kiss and told us one by one that he loved us and that he was blessed. This was so special to me and something that I will never forget. But, even if I was not able to have that moment with my grandfather, I would still know that he loves me. I know this because of the way that he has always treated me and my sisters. He loves his grandchildren. It has always been very apparent. That has always been a constant in my life, something that I never doubted. To be loved like that is a true blessing. My grandfather is a blessing.
Special Delivery
Dear Grandma,
Keep an eye on your mail box for the next few days. My mommy is sending me special delivery. That is, if the UPS man will deliver babies. She decided this in a moment of sheer exhaustion after getting up with me SIX times last night. Since I slept so peacefully through the night the whole time I was at your house last week, she thinks maybe I like it there better. Or maybe I was just being a show off and wanted you all to think that I am a perfect baby. (Though I am practically perfect in every way most of the time.) At any rate, I'll be there soon. How much do you think a package like me will cost? My mom thinks that she will look into sending me "collect!"
I love you and miss you!
Baby Meg
Keep an eye on your mail box for the next few days. My mommy is sending me special delivery. That is, if the UPS man will deliver babies. She decided this in a moment of sheer exhaustion after getting up with me SIX times last night. Since I slept so peacefully through the night the whole time I was at your house last week, she thinks maybe I like it there better. Or maybe I was just being a show off and wanted you all to think that I am a perfect baby. (Though I am practically perfect in every way most of the time.) At any rate, I'll be there soon. How much do you think a package like me will cost? My mom thinks that she will look into sending me "collect!"
I love you and miss you!
Baby Meg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
