Memorial Day Weekend ~ Zirkle's House

Sunday ~ Holiday Party at Zirkle's!

Avery, Layla, Aubry, Emma, and Makayla

(not sure where Jack, Karlee, and Ethan were)
Game of Kickball

Rosey playing Kickball - she is going to hurt tomorrow!

Layla Mowery and Makayla - Best Friends!

S'mores!

(Rachel and Layla Mowery and Makayla)

Memorial Day Weekend ~ Grandpa's 80th Birthday!

Sunday ~ Brunch for Grandpa Hougland's Birthday!

(Happy 80th Birthday Grandpa - Love you!)

Grandpa with his cake!

(casino cake)

Grandpa and Kelley
(celebrated Kelley's graduation from nursing school)

Family Picture!

Grandpa, Grandma, Karen, Brenda, Jane, and Marsha

Grandpa, Katharina, and Christian

(Katharina and Christian came to Napoleon for a visit - they are from Germany)

Makayla playing on a trampoline - could not get her off!

Memorial Day Weekend ~ Nick's 30th Birthday Party

Saturday ~ Nick's Surprise 30th Birthday Party!

Yajaira and Nick ~ Cute Couple!
Parker, Carlie, and Makayla

Makayla and Brian

Yajaira and Me

Sister-in-laws ~ Kim, Yajaira, Me, Kathy, and Ami

(we are a good looking bunch of ladies)

Makayla update

Makayla went through some rough stages during recovery. At on point we thought she was going to have to go back into the hospital to have IV fluids - thank goodness she ended up drinking a little. Makayla has some really rough nights (up all hours of the night at times) of her throat hurting to her ears killing. Lots and lots of restless days and sleepless nights. Makayla was a champ making it though the rough times and resting during the good times!

Now I ask myself - Would I put another child through this? Right now I am going to say, "Never". Ask me next winter and hopefully my answer will have changed. Brian and I hope this was the answer to a few of her health problems. We have prayed every day that she gets healthier and stronger and our prayers have been answered!

We, are at day 12 and she is doing MUCH better! Tonight she is going to sleep in her own bed! I can only hope this will help give her a good nights rest. Today was the first day she has not taken anything for pain! We, will still give her some Motrin at night before bed so she is comfortable during the night but hopefully that will only be for a few more days.

Wednesday, May 20th she will see the ENT for a check up. At this point she will be able to go back to the sitters and hopefully be able to have the diet she was on before. With all of this Makayla lost 4 pounds putting her at 29 pounds. We, look for her to gain that back fast when she can eat chips and goodies again! She is still wearing her bracelet they put on her in the hospital - I think she still wants people to know she had surgery - LOL

Brian and I can't thank all of you for being so kind in asking about Makayla, coming over and visiting, and calling to check up on her. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! We, hope this is the answer to our prayers in giving us a more healthy child!

May 6th ~ Makayla's Surgery

May 6, 2009 Makayla had surgery at Fulton County Healthy Center. Dr. Weir (ENT) removed her adenoids and tonsils and put a set of T-tubes in each ear. Last year this time Makayla had tubes put in and they did not last even a year and she was having problems. This spring the ENT suggested doing this surgery to eliminate all the nasty colds she has in the winter months. Makayla has allergies and asthma which means she has been on medicine all the time. Our goal with this surgery is to only use medication if needed (hope never).
Brian and I warned Makayla 2 weeks before the surgery she would have another set of tubes in her ears and they were going to do something in her throat that would cause her to have sore throat for a few days. Makayla was saying "No, I am not going". This was not easy. I of course was a very emotional wreck for 2 weeks straight and was not much help. Brian was a great supporter for both Makayla and myself. He was very strong in making sure she was comfortable with what was going to be happening.
Makayla had to be at the hospital that morning at 8:30 with no eating or drink after midnight - hours before. Her surgery was 9:30 that morning. Makayla did a wonderful job with the nurses and the Dr. She was very cooperative and listened to what they had to say. The nurses were wonderful to all of us - especially to Makayla!
Once they wheeled her back the actual surgery took 35 minutes and the Dr. was out telling us she did a great job!

Pre-Surgery Pictures

Makayla waiting to go into surgery - what a brave little girl!
Family picture before surgery

Makayla is ready

The nurses were wonderful - Makayla getting her blood pressure taken.

Makayla with her Daddy - glad he was strong b/c Mom was a cry baby the whole time.

After surgery Brian and I were able to be with her in recovery. Wow, what a strong girl. It was tough trying to get her to wake up after - I guess that is normal for children. They gave her a dose of strong medicine for pain - this knocked her out and helped her relax. When waking up Makayla had to have a Popsicle and some ice chips before she could leave.

Once we were home she was ready for a nap - Brian and I were ready for a nap ourselves.

Now, Makayla has a very sore throat and ears are tender. She is very uncomfortable at night but is playing a little more each day. Hope she recovers quickly. Makayla will need to see the ENT for a check up in 2 weeks.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!