We think Riley had a crush on his teacher Ms. Colander. He loved to impress and earn lunch ins with her and his friends. Everything she taught was liquid gold. I learned that my knowledge is mute in the world of an eight year old boy. I am sure he is going to miss her. 

On May 22nd Lorelei's Kindergarten class had a presentation in their gymn. They got to share information they learned about their animals. Lorelei picked a cat which she made all by herself out of recycled materials. I love how it turned out and was impressed with her creativity! 

 After her class we headed to hammond's Candy store for an end of the year celebration and mothers day treat for my mom!

Surgery day was the 24th of May. The Sunday before her surgery I woke with knots in my stomach and the urge to puke. I can't believe it's been two weeks and 3 days since then! Natalie was such a trooper. We painted her nails bright blue and tried to make it as positive a possible. The hospital had a fun play room which entertained her and she got to paint her gas mask with bubblegum flavoring. Her choice!

Taking her to the surgery room was nerve racking and leaving her was hard. Luckily, my friend Janae came and talked with Brandon and I for hours! She brought a whole bag of healthy and unhealthy snack foods that lasted us the whole time in the hospital and then some. I was so grateful for her company and loved the distraction. I am sure some people in the waiting room were annoyed by our boisterous laughing, but those are the best type of friends.

When we got to be with Natalie again I was grateful she did not look like borg! Flashbacks to heart surgery were fresh in my mind. We got to have the same doctor and nurses we had when she was in the PICU the first time. Even doctor Leonard dropped in before surgery to wish her luck! It's crazy how they become and extension of your family.

As Natalie was coming off the anesthesia in the PICU she began to throw a temper tantrum. It took 6 nurses and Doctor Meyapann to hold her down and get her settled again. During this episode she screamed "stop! stop! I'm just a little girl!"

A day later we were moved from the PICU to the pediatric recovery floor. There Natalie really wanted to rip the IV out of her hand. She kept begging me to do it. When I agreed with the nurse and told her that it needed to stay in she yelled "I don't want you anymore!" 

 This time around had it's hard moments. Toddlers have no clue what is going on with them and tantrums can be very ruff. On the other hand for me this time was easier. I did not have those pregnancy hormones and the fact that the doctor lost none of her blood during the surgery was amazing! I am so impressed with the caliber of the doctors we have been blessed with. 

Finally Keeping down food and going home!

 Natalie hated her brace in the beginning but is starting to get the hang of it. It really restricts her movements, but is mostly there to keep her safe. We were really bummed when we realized that the brace also limits the activity's we get to do this summer. No pools, splash pads, and the park is stressful for her. Our whole summer itinerary was thrown out the window. Thank Heavens for friends who have taken my older two to the park and playdates in the sprinklers at their homes.

 Instead we have spent our pent up time attacking Nana!

 Another current pass time is attacking each other. Lorelei and Riley are constantly wrestling. I had to banish each of them to time out on individual couches. This is the result of their time out...

 Natalie finally smiling!

 Nana's makeover

Everyone smile! Everyone funny face! Riley!?!?!?

Thank Heavens the hardest part of this summer is over! Now we just need to be creative and go into  an alternative summer survival mode.