Happy Halloween!

Halloween is always a fun time, but it's better when you have kids (and animals) with which to play dress up. Although with Brian around, it seems everyday is Halloween. Seriously, he went out to eat dressed as a pirate and kept yelling, "Arrr!" (he was the only one, other than the waitstaff that was in costume). Gina and I had a great time laughing at him though...I mean with, we were laughing WITH him.
Addison made a perfect Lady Bug, but the boys did a good job as a turtle and a rooster. They also did a fairly good impression of Shirley Temple...
We didn't have any visitors (we didn't really expect any living in an apartment complex) but we still had a lot of fun...and without kids, we got to eat all the candy ourselves!

What I'VE Learned (Brian)

I've finally learned how truly good life can be. After years of searching for some semblance of happiness or peace (mostly through one drug or another), I've finally found some good in this world. With my life God-centered, the blessings that I have been and am still expierencing are sometimes overwhelming. I have a woman in my life that loves me regardless of my past or my shortcomings, all of my children are back in my life and I'm actually able to be a father to them today, and my family is starting to see that I truly am a changed man and there is a relationship growing there that I haven't had for a long time. Life is really good and I thank God everyday for not giving up on me. I used to hate life and now I can't wait to get up and see what God has in store for me today.

What I've Learned

I've learned that "making a living" is not the same thing as "making a life." It's taken me a long time to get that. I've also learned to give it to God. He has blessed my life in countless ways and I have learned to trust Him. I have learned to accept God's abundance. My life today is incredible, regardless of what I may or may not have. I have the love of my life, I have a wonderful family, and I have incredible friends...who could ask for more?

Going Home!

We just received word that the X-rays this morning look great and Brody is being given discharge orders so he'll be going home shortly. All is well and thanks to everyone for your support. We love you all.

Home Again, Home Again

Brian and I made it home...we had to leave and get back for work tomorrow. Brody was doing well and is supossed to get out tomorrow so we decided to take our leave. We did a little video gaming and motorcycle racing with Brody before we left and he seemed to be in good spirits. It's been a very long 5 days, but it turned out well. Praise be to God. Thank you all so much for your help, thoughts, prayers, and understanding in such a trying time.
(As a side note to the video: Brody was told by the doctors that he weighs 16 Kg, so whenever anyone asks his age, he tells them he's 16...and there's no talking him out of it. It's too cute, so we had to get it on video)

Pumpkin Parade

Brody got to go to the Pumpkin Parade this afternoon. Upstairs each child was told to pick out the pumpkin of their choice, and each had a book that went with it. Brody picked the biggest one he saw which happened to be The Hungry Catepillar. He gets to take the book and the pumpkin home with him.
We also had X-rays this morning and everything is looking great...We're being told tomorrow should be the big day...going home!

Chest Tube is OUT!!!

After what seemed to be one of the most peaceful sleeps we've seen Brody get, the doctors came in at 8AM and took out his chest tube. We've all been dreading this, but Brody really showed us. I think it was more tramatic for the adults than for him. The doctors administered some morphine, then just pulled it out. Brody had a good scream and really, that was it. He felt good enough 2 minutes later to smile in a picture with his daddy.
Brian and I ran into Dr. Salazar outside, he told us that they want to do an echo and Brody will probably be going home tomorrow if all is well.

What a Day

It has been a really great day. Brody seems to be acting like a 4 yr old again. He's been up and about pretty much all day. We were told that he's not to have anything but clear liquids from midnight to 5AM and after that nothing...the chest tube should be coming out in the morning. We're really worried about this...we'll be praying that God will lessen his pain. I think Brian and I will be heading back to Austin tomorrow evening, but that all depends on how tomorrow goes.
Brody did have to take a dose of morphine earlier. He was having some pain, probably from the chest tube, but for the most part, he's doing well without anything more powerful than tylenol. He was even feeling well enough to do a little blogging himself.

We've Been Had!

We've been outsmarted by a 4 yr old! Brian and I left to go let the dogs out at my mom's house and had a blow-out. Thankfully, we were only going about 30 mph and nothing bad happened. So we spent the next 2-3 hours trying to find an open tire shop...At Wal-Mart we found a tire, waited for about 30 minutes and then were told that the only tire like that there had a defect so we had to pay more for the next cheapest tire. It kinda started to feel like we were living Murphy's Law.

So we rush, rush, rush, get back to the hospital and Brody's running around. He's hopping in and out of bed by himself...playing with his toys on the floor...I'm pretty sure we've been duped. :o)

It's awesome to see the transformation that's happened over the last few hours. Who knows? We may make it home tomorrow after all.

Good Morning

The nurse stopped by around 6:00 AM for another X-ray, but hey, it's not 4! Around 8:00 we had a doctor stop by and tell us that it's looking like we're not going to remove the chest tube until tomorrow (which we are dreading)...the nurse however, DID take out the IV in Brody's foot. He's eating a little more and is coming off all meds except the tylenol w/ codeine which must be requested before administered. We'll do some more walking throughout the day and hopefully it'll go easier without the foot IV.

Bed Time

Well, we had a room full...but he's sleeping now. Tomorrow's going to be a hard day...we may remove the drain tube, depending on how much fluid has drained, but Brody is definitely going to be doing more walking and moving around. We'll let you know how it goes

More Visitors

Brody's been getting more visitors as the day has progressed and he seems to be feeling better too. Uncle Jeffry and Uncle Craig stopped by with gifts. Sister, Canaan, and Michael and Georgia also came by. Brody's loving the attention ESPICIALLY the presents. He says to keep them coming.

We're pretty much off the morphine and we're now trying to make it with tylenol w/ codeine and he's allowed to eat whatever he wants. He's not eating much but true to every 4 yr old, he's sticking to the sweets. Donuts and

Coco Puffs seem to be the favorites.

We're Walkin'

We're doing a little walking, it's definitely slow going. Brody's having some pain and can't make it more than 10 or 12 steps, but its a start. The nurses said they want him discharged by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. He's gonna do a little more walking later and he's not supossed to eat in bed anymore. Also, he's supossed to make trips to the bathroom. He's healing quickly and we're so grateful for all the support.

A Break With Joey

We got the chance to take Joey for the afternoon...we met Aunt Mary and PawPaw David outside the hospital (Joey isn't allowed upstairs to see Brody because she's too young). So we took her to Petsmart where she picked out some toys for the dogs (who are staying at my mom's house while we're here) and then we went to McDonald's. Joey was able to talk both Brian and I into climbing into the play gym with her...we almost didn't make it out. Luckily she knew the way and we made it down the slide, getting shocked the entire way down.

After McDonalds we went to my mom's house where we walked the dogs and then played with them for a while. After what seemed to be too short of a time we headed back to the hospital where we dropped her off and headed back upstairs. Joey is too cute! What a beauty.