Presidential Quote...

"I will never forget the parents of children with autism and other severe conditions who told me on the campaign trail they couldn't afford healthcare and couldn't qualify their kids for Medicaid unless they quit work or got a divorce. Are these the family values the Republicans are so proud of?"

-President Bill Clinton, speech given at the Democratic National Convention.

I've written and re-written a big opinionated blog to that comment above...but I have deleted it...because this is not a political blog. It is a personal blog. And tonight...that hit me in a very personal way. Because I get it more than you could ever know. And that being said...that statement right there is one of the biggest reasons I will vote the way I will in November.

Leaves...

I could hardly believe my eyes today while I was out back with Olive...the Maple leaves are changing!





Can you believe it!?

New hair-do

What's the verdict?

Demver...

We spent our weekend hanging out in Denver. We drove around several neighborhoods, looking at possibilities, and mostly loved too many of the houses we saw...and couldn't afford! I love historical houses, but man are they pricey!

Today we went downtown to get a look at all of the hub-bub with the Democratic National Convention, which starts tomorrow.


Here are some pictures from our day!
There were lots of protestors out...not sure what point these lot were trying to make...pink and peace I guess...not very convincing.


We had lunch, where I believe we were the only locals withOUT a DNC badge on eating. I thought one poor gal was going to spill salsa down the front of her shirt for staring at Max so hard while he was eating. I asked Steve if he thought I should pull his feeding tube out and feed him that way instead and give her a real show.

After lunch, we walked over to the performing arts center to the GreenFrontierFest. It was basically local orgs and companies giving ideas for living greener lives. But, it was hotter than hot. So we didn't stick around long, since Max was the only one not getting a breeze from the hand operated fans being handed out. I did get a few shots from the park though.

The dancing people...

I'd like to come back on a really stormy day and get some more shots of these friends dancing!

This is a blade from a big windmill. It was so long! And people were laying under it because that was the only shaded area on the park! I look more than happy to be standing there in the hot, but in my defense, I didn't know I was in the picture!


We walked back to the car and started driving, but not before seeing the police presence step up because there were more protests happening. It seems a bit excessive, but then again...I've seen the riots in this city after a sporting event!


I'll leave you with one more DNC08 photo from today. My one and only "star sighting", even though Steve kept telling me all day I had just missed seeing such stars as Samuel Jackson, and Jack Nicholson. ;)
We were heading out of downtown and I was trying to get a picture of the area cars have to drive into to get checked before being allowed by the convention center. That's when I saw this guy...


What...you can't see him? Look closer...


Still don't know?


It's ABC White House Correspondence George Stephanopoulos. I know...how much of a geek am I? I was pretty proud of myself for seeing a news celebrity.

I think I'll have to get down by the mall to see the likes of Sheryl Crow though. She was hob-nobbing down there tonight. Maybe I'll run into Oprah at WholeFoods. ;)

Well, for all you republicans barfing up your breakfast, here are some Max pictures to cleanse your palate.
Here he is sleeping at the park yesterday while I fed him his medicine...


And here we are today, at the same park...doing the same thing...only today, he ventured off of his blanket to find the grass...just like he were at the beach!


I love being back by this particular park. Washington Park. I could literally lay down a blanket there in the morning and not leave until the sun went down! I'm glad to be back to it!

Muppet...

While I love seeing Little Miss Addie May on my page...I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my boy's bed head with you!









It is truly incredible! He looks like a puppet that's been mashed into a trunk for 20 years! It made me laugh so hard when I went to check on him and he was all smiles with his crazy wild hair!

I had a kind of rough day with the feeding tube. He needs a feeding chair...I need him to be sitting in a feeding chair. I think it will make it go smoother. And then when his tummy gasses, while he's being fed, it won't end up all over me! Which happened 3 times today!

This week has been busy with researching schools for Max. We'll find the best place for school and then start looking at houses. I think we have narrowed down the area. And we spent a couple of hours driving around and saw some good choices. I have some more phone calls to make to decide on the best school for Max. And then we can narrow down the neighborhoods.

Max started back with therapy yesterday. He was happy to see his therapist, and she was happy to see him. In fact, when we walked in it was all smiles and friendly faces welcoming us back.

Tomorrow night I'm making some cheesecake for my sister and playing with little Addie...I mean Adeline...Max has been correcting me for calling her Addie...he says, "uh-uh, AA-ii-II!" I think he has enough Aa-Aa sounds with Abbey and Dad-Dad.

Off to bed...hope you have a happy Friday.

More Adeline...

Baby Adeline May likes to suck on your knuckles! Don't worry, Aunty Deana's are really clean!



Today was the first encounter with Max and Adeline that he felt nice enough to meet his new cousin. We think maybe he was jealous of all the attention taken from him. So we made it all about him, and how big he was, the BIG COUSIN!



I mean REALLY BIG!



Squishy poofy little baby cheeks! Yummy snuggly baby...okay I'll stop. For now.

home...

Did I mention we are home? I think I had set out to update yesterday, but then I fell asleep in my dinner and forgot.

We're home, and I've seen my new niece a couple of times. Mom is on her way back to T-Town. I am trying to re-organize our space for all of the new gear we have. It would be an okay task if Max didn't cry the whole time because he wants me to be quiet.

So I figured I'd write an update. Max is eating okay. He has eaten two full bottles by mouth today, and one by g-tube. We're having to add water to his "diet" and that's making for a lot of wet diapers! I'm also having to let the gas bubbles out every hour or so because his tummy is pretty grumbly. But it's quick, and doesn't stink like other gas!

It's around 50 degrees and raining today...feels like England! It's my favorite kind of weather!!! Makes me want to eat something warm for dinner! I'll have to watch the news tonight to see if it snowed in the mountains, we might just have to make a trip up there for that!

Baby girl...

Adeline May...



Look at those lips! SMOOOOCH!

She likes her fingers!


They took her home today, and Ang said she's acting like she wants to eat all of the time! Wearing her Mama out!

Max is doing good today, he's only had pain medicine once this morning, and then just some regular tylenol a while ago. He has yet to eat, because of him being under way too many departments in this hospital...no one knows who's dietician should make the decision. We finally just called our pediatrician and asked for their nutritionist, and had someone up here within an hour. She is writing the orders to feed him how he ate by mouth, and then come back and see her in a couple of weeks to increase intake. Now we will try with cups, or bottle, then if he doesn't want to take it, put it in the tube.

He's not as friendly today, he plays possum when any doctors walk in today. As soon as they leave he peps right up! I don't think I blame him!

I am doing alright. I'm tired, and always have to be "on" up here in case all of the new people miss something, or don't know who to contact. I'm hoping we can go home tomorrow, but it will all depend on when he eats. He's hungry and has just had a little yogurt today, because I was tired of waiting for the dietician! He hasn't eaten since Monday night. He has been on an IV drip, so I guess they're not so worried...but he will need to eat soon. He's had all of his meds on empty stomach.

Later this evening, the nutrition supply company is coming by to give us a feeding pump, that we will use at a later time to feed him over night, or at a slower pace if his tummy is upset. So I'll get to learn how to use that. And the nurses will show me some more about the tube itself. Then tomorrow morning we have a class to teach us more about it. I guess we will be pro by the time we leave!

Here's a picture my mom took of me and Max the other day while we were waiting for Miss Adeline...

A note from Max...

Momma, what are you looking at?


Are you taking my picture?


Well, at least show them my new belly-button!


And tell them I've been a happy boy today, even with the pain! And I've said hello to all of my nurses who have come into the room!


And show them that you are okay too...they can probably see you are tired, but at least I am sleeping!

Surgery

Update 12:35 Surgeon came out and said he is done. He did really well, and everything went according to plan. They will let us back in about 15 minutes. And we will move to a room in a bit. We won't feed him tonight, just let his stomach "vent" and just give him his medicines through the new tube tonight. Tomorrow we will meet with the nutritionist to start his new way of eating!


Max is in surgery now to get his g-tube. They said it should be about an hour back there, so we have about another half hour to go. Once he wakes up, they will put him in a room and we'll stay for a couple of days.

Ang and Dan had their baby early this morning, she was in labor all day yesterday, and we were up there most of the day and night. I finally had to go around midnight because of having to get up so early to be up at Children's this morning. She had her at around 2:00am. I don't know if I can say her name or put a picture on here yet, so I'll update that when I can.

Will let you all know how things are going with Max a while later.

Today was...

Good! Productive!

We went this afternoon to Children's for a couple of appointments for Max. We first saw the nurse with the G-Tube Clinic. She brought a little baby doll with a g-tube like Max will get to show us all about it. It really is made of the same material as a beach ball valve. I'll take pictures once Max gets his to show you all what I mean. It is a lot less intimidating to me after seeing it today though...of course...that could all change after seeing it stick out of my boy's belly!

After that short appointment, we met with his new pediatrician. We chose a pediatrician who was in the Special Care Clinic at Children's. This is a clinic that is focused solely on children with multiple special medical needs. They have a full staff that deals with a wide range of diagnosis. As the doctor today put it, Max won't intimidate any of them with his diagnosis. He also had a couple of vaccines to get caught up on...which he laughed through. Who is this kid!?

The pediatrician will definitely be on our side as far as advocating and facilitating coming together between all of the doctors. She also has a Masters in Public Health, and has contacts in with the medicaid dept. and said she would work on getting Max reinstated. Yowza! She also noted that we should consider a couple of other counties to buy in besides the one we were in, and are in now. It is a good one, but when it comes to school disctricts ranks a little lower for special needs. We've not had a doctor yet aware of the different school districts. I think we'l hit the jack-pot with this one!

Once we got home we started watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. Of course I LOVED it! I would truly like to have a dvd copy of it, it was just so spectacular to me. And the little boy at the end? Oh man...can I have him please!!!??

It's midnight now, doesn't look like Ang will have Baby on 08/08/08...which is okay. Mom doesn't get here until Sunday...so maybe baby will come then!

A few more pics...

It was nearly impossible for me to get to sleep last night...which made for an AWESOME morning...

I'm a bit behind in what I wanted to get done, so this will be much shorter than I planned!

Last night I had a taste for "Foreign Familiar" for dinner. We went with Nando's Chicken and a great salad that looks like the Italian Flag!
We ate Nando's while in England...and it could be my favorite restaurant in London. I say could be, because I haven't tried all of the places I really want yet....but so far...Nando's is my favorite. Thing is...I got hooked while we were there...and the only one in the states is planned for Wash. D.C.. They do sell the sauces at Cost Plus World Market. Which is where I picked up mine!

These little chickens were bathing in the lovely sauce for a few hours before I grilled them up...and then ate them with a big smile on my face remembering much colder wetter days!


(Pay no attention to the glass with the brown bubbly in it...everyone has their vices! Mine happens to be the occasional Dr. Pepper!)

The salad is also a restaurant mock-up. It's from Panera Bread . They only make this salad in the summer time...but it was really a lot cheaper to make at home...and I have leftovers for lunch!



It's so easy too! It's just tomatoes, FRESH mozzarella, FRESH basil, and a red onion. Toss them together in a bowl. Place chunks of focaccia bread on bottom of serving bowl, layer salad on top, then cover with your favorite Balsamic dressing on top...it is SOOO GOOOOOD!!!

After dinner we played some games with Ang and Dan...and Max took a little walk about in his rock climbing harness!


If you've been wondering how tall the boy is these days...here's a little glimpse.


Here he is sitting up by himself...just leaning on steve's legs.


Here he is walking with Uncle Dan.


Here he is swinging with Daddy!


Just WHAT are you looking at??? What you've never seen a kid sitting up like this before? Oh not me? Well...this is how I want to sit now!


It's soooo exciting to be BIG!!!


Okay...that's all for now folks! Hope you enjoyed the pictures...there are more of Max flying around on the flickr page...just click over!

Mountains...

Today started off with a splitting...and I mean SPLITTING headache! I woke up early because I knew we wanted to get up into the mountains today. I changed Max's diaper and got back into bed...where I couldn't fight off the urge to close my eyes and try again later.

When I woke up the second time, my headache was still there, only a bit more dull. So we got up and around, packed a lunch and headed up to the mountains.

As soon as we got on the canyon road, the winds changed. The temperature dropped about 15 degrees as we started up in altitude. We were only about 20 minutes away from the house at this point! As we started curving up the familiar roads to the area we wanted to walk around, it was so nice to see the Aspen trees flittering away and the pine trees swaying back and forth. It was like a procession line welcoming us back home! This is the same road we've traveled up since arriving to Denver 8 years ago. Coal Creek Canyon is a bit of a hidden treasure to us. There are usually very few cars traveling up there, and yet, it is so close to us!

Once we got up there, we stopped at Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It is somewhere we hadn't been before, but had read about it and wanted to check it out. It is only about 35 miles away from Rocky Mountain Natn'l Park, so we figured we'd give it a shot and if it was too remote, or inaccessible for Max we could just head up there.

We were pleased with the easy access to the lake, but not so impressed with the amounts of people there. There were a lot of people, and it had started raining as soon as we pulled the picnic out...so we got in the back of our car and ate there with the back hatch open, watching the rain. It was so lovely! We haven't had a good rain since arriving back in Denver!

Here are a few pics of the afternoon:









And here's a shot of Max's new shoes...he likes to prop his feet right up there by my head!


I'm glad to be back...to the mountains and the trees!