Love Notes

I just realized I never finished posting this one...

We told Carson that we were going to skpe Kyle and Emily later that night. He went and got a piece of paper and asked how to write "awesome head." Totally his idea! He wanted to write them a note to show them on skype.

There's this girl in his primary class that I guess a lot of the boys have crushes on. Carson is not the exception. We went to their house for dinner and when he went home is was nonstop "can Kelsi come over and play, can Kelsi come over and play?" It was a couple of days later before she was actually able to come over but they played like they were married. Which, if you know Carson, is completely not like him. Red flag #1.Then the second she left he ran and got a piece of paper and wrote this love note... "This is for you Kelsi." It's pictures of them playing together. Carson hates drawing/coloring. It's a fight trying to get him to do anything like that I think maybe because he's a little ambidextrous and it's confusing to figure out which hand to use let alone how to use it. But for him to actually want to draw something for someone is huge. Red flag #2. I think this boy has a crush! 

This is the school picture they took at the beginning of the year. He's so cute. :)

Kindergarten

carson quote of the day

Yessss!!! beyblades and a  beyblade "vallerina!" (arena)

Kindergarten

Carson started Kindergarten this year. He did really well!! I could tell he was nervous but I think that since he went to a real preschool last year, he was more prepared. He walked right in like he knew what he was doing. We got him riding the bus and he loves it! The first time he got on, he could barely contain his excitement. It was like he was standing in line for a roller coaster ride! Ryan was a little skeptical about letting him ride the bus but it's only the Kindergarteners that ride so we don't have to worry about older kids infecting my little boy. It is a long bus ride but I think it's actually good for him. Gives him a chance to unwind before he gets home. Plus, he loves eating "hot lunch." I usually pack him a sandwich but once a week he gets to have hot lunch. That's what all his friends get so he thinks it's pretty cool. Funny to see how that will change. :) We had our first parent/teacher conferences and Mrs. Hansen said that he's doing really well and his best subject is math. Ryan was worried about his social life but he's got a lot of friends and plays well with the boys, maybe a little too well sometimes! It's been great to see him change already in the last few months. He finally has the desire to write and draw. That's always been a challenge. He's starting to sound out words and figuring out how to write them on his own. All throughout the day I'll hear him muttering under his breath and then he'll randomly announce "I know what (insert random word) starts with!" It's really cute and I love that he's so eager to learn!

Doesn't get much cuter people!

These are just some random videos that I found of Carson. The first one was from a few years ago. He might've been 3ish. The second one was from this summer. He's such a goof!

Carson is always entertaining!

Carson Quote of the Day

I like to eat pig. Dead pig. Pig is steak.

Carson Quote of the Day

Mom, Dad. When I just went to the bathroom right now, at the end (at this point I'm thinking he's going to tell me something was medically wrong with him) I peed some bubbles that looked like a bear footprint. I didn't even know that could be real!

Such a boy!

Carson Quote of the Day

 

 

 

Reese, do you know why there's farms everywhere?

 

Because there are grandpas everywhere.

 

 



Carson Quote of the Day

Do you need a nap today, Mommy?

It's been one of those days...



Carson Quote of the Day

Guess who's the awesomest...

Grandpa Mike because he got us fresh-out-of-the-ground potatoes!

Guess who's the next awesomest...

Great Grandma Clawson because she lives next to Grandma Connie and Grandpa Mike.

Carson's MRI

We woke up early and headed to the hospital. We checked Carson into Short Stay and then waited to be called back. It was finally our turn so we headed back to semi-private room while four different nurses asked him the same questions, checked his blood pressure, and temperature. It was annoying. Another nurse came in and said that they would get us in as close to 9:00 as possible, that would be an hour later than what was scheduled. So more waiting and waiting. Ryan was great trying to keep him distracted and entertained while I dealt with all the logistics. How many times do they need to ask if he's allergic to something? I'm glad they asked but seriously, when you ask, right it down and then coordinate with the other nurses. And how many times do they have to ask who to send the results and still not have it right?

Anyway, the time came for him to get the iv. I asked if they could give some kind of numbing cream so they did which helped a lot. Carson was pretty nervous, as was I, but he did really well. Even with the topical lidocaine it still hurt because the valve wasn't opening and they had to work their magic to get it in but they did it first try. Carson kept complaining that it was bothering him but he tried his best to ignore it. We told him that if he was really good then we would go get donuts after and he could go play video games at Grandma's for as long as he wanted. So the rest of the time we were at the hospital he kept talking about a chocolate donut with sprinkles.

After more waiting they rolled him down to Imaging on a bed with Dad snuggling him. They had the lights covered with a design with fish that made it look like you were underwater. Carson loved that! I got changed into scrubs so I could go into the MRI room with Carson. We took him back and put him on the MRI table and started Versed. I was a little nervous for this part because when Gwen got her tubes, I went back when they put her to sleep and I hated it! She got really agitated and upset and then her eyes rolled back and she was out. That was not a fun experience for me. When Carson started feeling the Versed, he stared getting agitated too so I had to hold him down but once I started humming "I Am a Child of God" he called down immediately. I kept expecting him to pass out but he just wouldn't go to sleep! He was very chill as long as I kept humming but he would not close his eyes completely. He would start breathing heavily and I would think that he was almost out but then he start moving around and waking himself up. The nurse kept asking if he got restless before he falls asleep and I wanted to say duh! Are you surprised it takes us an hour to get the kids in bed at night? (I wasn't so much of a fan of the nurses.)

It was pretty funny watching Carson trip on the meds though. He would grab the nurses arm and say "got you!" Then he would laugh and giggle. After about 20 minutes trying to get him to go down, Carson woke right up and exclaimed "Did you guys see that?? I just saw dancing teddy bears!!" Then the nurse gave him the last of the Versed and he was out. All the nurses were really surprised how much it took to get him asleep. They had to give him and adult size dose!

I went back to the waiting room and told Ryan that he was finally under but at that point it was already 10:30 and he had to go to work. So he left and of course the first thing Carson asks when he comes out is where his dad is. We ended up at the same room we started. I asked him if he remembered the dancing teddy bears and he said he did but I don't really think he knew what I was talking about. We had to wait a while before we could go because they had to make sure he could eat without throwing up. It was 12:30 before we finally left. Made for a long day but he was finally able to get his chocolate donut with sprinkles.

The next day I called for results. When the nurse called me back she told me that results came back normal. I was confused and had some questions she couldn't answer so she said she'd have the head nurse call me later, which she did. She read me the results and my interpretation was his neck looked abnormal until they re-positioned his head and then it was normal and pretty much because he was so young they're not going to worry about it. I just didn't feel comfortable with that so I called the Seattle doctor. He hadn't gotten the results yet but he also wanted a copy of the CD of the actual MRI so their radiologist could look at it. The next day, I got a voicemail from the Seattle doctor saying that they got the results and everything looks completely fine but they still want a copy of the MRI on file. It's weird that there was a problem and now there's not but I'll take it!! He's "normal" so now he can play sports and be wild and crazy just like before! Such a relief to know that miracles do happen!!!

Spring Soccer

I must admit that it is getting harder and harder to keep this blogging thing going. It's great and I love the books that we have so far but it takes a lot of time and effort and lately there's so many other things that I would rather do. I know my family appreciates it and checks for updates all the time and I'm glad I have all these memories recorded. I just have to keep reminding myself the importance I guess.

Reese wasn't ready for soccer this year. The first day was okay but every time after that it was like pulling teeth trying to get him on the field. He just wasn't into it. He didn't seem to enjoy it like Carson did at this age. I think his size might have something to do with it because he's so small, way smaller than everyone else his age, and even with a small ball, it's still pretty big for him. Although, now that I think about it, Carson was the same way his first time playing soccer. We'll give it a year and try again but I think he'd enjoy something like gymnastics a lot more. 

 

Carson's season isn't over yet but he's doing okay. The competition is tougher than last year because he is one of the younger ones but also because the kids this season are really good! I think the main reason Carson loves soccer is because Ryan is his coach. Carson is our runner so he has that going for him. We'll see how he does in the fall. 

Carson Quote of the Day

Mom! There's wasps in there making a wasp hive so 

they can have their hatchlings!

Carson Quote of the Day

I'm as happy as a possum!

Carson Quote of the Day

Gwenny's poop smells as bad as grape juice stains.

Pretty good metaphor for a five year old. Especially considering we've only bought grape juice once.

Carson Quote of the Day

This sword is so powerful.

It will kill your heart.

Carson Quote of the Day

I can run a million liters fast!

I was wearing yellow earrings and Carson was reminded of something.

Mom, these look like mustard.

Carson Quote of the Day

Grandpa is up with Heavenly Father now.

The real one?!

Carson's bday party

Carson is usually the first one up in our house so he didn't actually get breakfast in bed but he did get his favorite breakfast meal, "German eggs and pancakes" with strawberries.

 

I love their cute little sleepy faces.

After breakfast, he got to open one present and then off to school with cupcakes for his class.

After school it was time to party! I didn't do a whole lot as far as decorations. Just ice cream balloons, pinwheels, and some streamers.

Rice krispie ice cream cones

First game was bean bag toss and I was really surprised that the kids really liked it. I thought they would get bored after two seconds but they kept wanting to go back and play.

Then they played balloon ping pong volleyball. The littler kids didn't care for this one so much.

Then they made their own ice cream in a bag. I thought it would be a huge mess and a major disaster but it worked out really well and the kids really enjoyed it. They complained about their hands getting cold so we got a bunch of towels and that helped. Carson was having some meltdowns (hey, it's his party and he can cry if he wants too) because he got some salt in hangnails. But other than that it was a success!

 

There was a bunch of toppings for the kids to put on their ice cream.

The kids kept saying they were cold from the ice cream so we had an ice cream freeze dance to get their blood pumping. They really enjoyed this game too!

Once we got the ice cream mess cleaned up we sang "happy birthday" and cut the cake. We had to relight the candles because Carson couldn't wait to blow them out!

Then time for presents. 

Time went quick and soon everyone had to leave. I had a good time and I think the party was a success. I couldn't have done it without Julie though! I'm glad she got off work just in time!

The favors

Later that night, the Fuquas and Crandalls came over for some family party time.

But the day wasn't quite over until we opened the package from Grandma Connie.

It was a long but really fun day! Not sure if we could've packed any more in but hopefully Carson will have some real memories of this party!

Carson is 5!!!

Look at this heart-breaker! He's such a little stud muffin! To be honest, it's really tough getting a picture of his real smile but there's these times, if you're fast enough, that you can just see that twinkle of the real Carson.

Carson plays a huge role in our family as the comedic-relief. He's always saying the funniest things, hence the "Carson Quotes of the Day," and pretty much any thought that enters his head, leaves his mouth. He'll take an idea and literally talk us all through his thought process. It's really interesting sometimes to see how he makes his conclusions.

He is our animal-lover! He's taken great care of his two pet frogs and is always reminding me that we need to stop and buy them some crickets. Every time we go to the pet store he wants to go in and look at the animals. It seems like every time I go to pick him up from school he has his teacher cornered with one of the animal magazines asking a bunch of questions about the pictures. If you ever want to get him talking, just ask him about spitting cobras.

Carson is our runner! The other day they had a jog-a-thon at his school and he had the most laps out of the whole preschool. He ran over a mile! It was so cute because he was really excited about it! We had bought him some new running shoes and he couldn't stop talking about how cool they were and then the day of the jog-a-thon he got all dressed in his running clothes and as they were getting ready to run he was all stretching and shaking it out. He was totally pumped. Then afterwards when everyone found out that he got the most laps, he was trying so hard to keep it cool, trying to keep that ear-to-ear grin under wraps. I don't know if I've ever seen him so proud of himself.

Carson has been, and most likely always will be, a fruit-aholic! He eats fruit like there's no tomorrow. I think I've bought about 4 or 5 of those big bags of the Costco Cuties and him and Reese are just barely starting to slow down on them. Between the two, they probably eat around 8 of them a day and that's on top of any other fruit that we have around. I'll buy a huge container of strawberries from Costco and it lasts 4 days and that with me cutting them off. He also loves popsicles and ice cream so it's no wonder that frozen blueberries are one of his favorite snacks.

Basically, Carson is one awesome kid. We have our difficulties of course but mostly we're really grateful to have him in our lives!

Interview:
Q: What is your name?
A: Spider Man

Q: How old are you?
A: I'm five.

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: My favorite color is red. It's the most dashing color in the world!

Q: Who is your best friend?
A: Jory and Ryder and Daniel

Q: What is your favorite animal?
A: It's a llama.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: I want to be a construction worker. 


Q:What is your favorite movie?
A: Shark Tales and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles


Q: What is your favorite book?
A: It's about lots of animals. And I've been dreaming about going to the zoo. (the magazine that he's always asking his teacher to read to him)

Q: What makes you happy?
A:  Going and playing at my cousin's house.

Q: What makes you sad?
A: Not being first in line. Being in the very back. (he's pretty competitive)

Q: What is your favorite food to eat?
A: Fruits and veggies (told ya! )

Q: What's your favorite song?
A: Dolphins (???) I sing it at nighttime and my daddy sings it to me.
---How does it go? Can you sing it for me?
Dolphins, dolphins, dolphins, dolphinsYou don't have legs so you don't have to crawl in little things
Dolphins eat fish
Killer whales eat fish
and sharks eat fish
and watch out for those pointy teeth!


Q: What games do you like to play?
A:  Just Spider Man and TMNT and super heroes

Hemifacial Microsomia

So let me start from the top. When Carson was brand new, his jaw would click every time he would swallow when I would nurse him. I asked his pediatrician at the time if it was something I should be worried about and he just kinda shrugged it off. Ryan has TMJ so I figured that it was something Carson had inherited. The clicking lasted a few months so I didn't think too much about it.

As he got older, there were some more warning signs. Like how he would sleep with his head clear back or the fact that he can never seem to hear what I say to him or, of course, the lisp we're still working on. We figured the weird sleep positions were because of his tonsils and the lisp was because of his thumb-sucking habit. Those issues didn't help the situation, but, come to find out, he actually has a birth defect that could give some explanation.

Carson has a goofy grin. At first I just thought it was because he didn't want to get his picture taken but then when his preschool teacher confronted me about it and expressed her concern that it was getting worse, I started getting nervous. We had him go to the school speech pathologist and she said that it was just a lisp that he would probably outgrow but to ask his pediatrician. I asked his pediatrician why he couldn't open his mouth normally and he wasn't sure either but to check with a dentist. Mind you, Carson had been to a pediatric dentist  regularly who's only concern was the thumb-sucking. It took about two months before I was able to get Carson into the dentist. We were able to get a panoramic x-ray and see that there was a deformity in his jaw preventing him from chewing, smiling, and opening his mouth normally.

I was totally heart broken when I was told he had a "deformity." I went in knowing that something was wrong but thinking that he would just need a brace or something to straighten things out or maybe just re-training his muscles somehow. I was not expecting a birth defect.

The dentist recommended we take him to see an oral surgeon. There was only one oral surgeon that would even take a look at a jaw problem. I sent him the x-ray and he told me that he could do a CT scan to get a better look but most likely we'd have to talk to a craniofacial surgeon at Seattle Children's Hospital. That was some more crappy news. I was able to get in contact with a pediatric surgeon who deals with cleft palates and he took a look at the x-ray and he said that it looks like a mild form of hemifacial micorsomia. At the very least we could put a name to it. I was told that we should wait to do the CT scan for when we went to Seattle but to get an x-ray of his cervical spine to make sure that there weren't any issues there, to get an ultrasound of his kidneys because with this kind of birth defect, it's common to have duplicated collection systems, and then to get a hearing test.

So, what is hemifacial microsomia? It's the second most common facial birth defect after clefts. It's when kids have a small or underdeveloped part of the face, usually the ear and jaw. Some kids don't even have an ear or an eye! I'm so grateful that he was born with a normal looking ear! So far, researchers don't know why some kids are born with this defect. But they have figured out that it has something to do with the blood supply around 6 weeks gestation. Luckily, it's not something I did or didn't do. It doesn't seem to be inherited or something that is passed on. There's a 1% chance that you can have a child with the birth defect but if you have a child with it, the chance of having another child with it is about 3%. How weird is that?
Apparently, Seattle Children's Hospital deal with kids with HFMS a lot. We're really blessed to live so close to Seattle with the added bonus of having family living there. We're headed over there the end of April.

Some treatments include surgery. Carson might need surgery now and then again later when he's finished developing, around 18 years of age. They might need to do a bone graft or some form of orthodontics to help stretch the bone that is already there.  He might need to go back to a speech pathologists to help with his lisp because kids with HFMS have some differences in the muscles in the back of their throat. It'll pretty much be a bunch of different doctors working together. I was really upset at first because I thought it was going to be worse than it is. He has such a mild form compared to others and it could be so much worse! It has made me look at my other kids differently though and now any little quirk they have I'm suspicious of something more serious. I just really hope that we can do something to help now so Carson doesn't have to have his goofy grin through his teenage years. That would be tough. Now, his goofy grin is cute but it won't be so cute on a 16 year old. I guess we'll know more in two months! I'll keep you posted!

Six months old

Two years old

December 2010