A Star is Born

Our sweet Alex was featured in Friday's Denver Post newspaper.  She was photographed while she was picking out her pumpkin at the hospital's pumpkin patch last week.   She was really excited to see her picture printed.  

Home and Well

We were discharged Thursday evening and Alex has been doing great. We are so excited to be home together. The hospital has been on visiting restrictions since the beginning of September due to the increased respiratory viruses circulating since late August so siblings and visitors under 13 years old are not allowed to visit.  Ryan is not fond of this restriction and misses her sister when she's gone. Luckily it was a short stay.  Our sweet little friends, states away always show their love and support when Alex is hospitalized.  Check out what they made for Alex.

Zoe and Lucy

Halloween fun

"I like that one"

Pumpkin Patch with Mommy

Elmo "Junior Officer"

There was a lot of Halloween excitement for the kids at the hospital yesterday. In the morning we were invited to visit a pumpkin patch outside the hospital and Alex had fun picking out her own pumpkin to take home with the help of Aurora police officers.  Spirit Halloween was providing costumes for all the patients as well.  We've spent a lot of time in the hospital over the years, including most holidays at some point, and Children's really does an amazing job of bringing the fun and excitement of the holidays to the kids.  No wonder Alex doesn't mind her visits too much!  I couldn't think of a better place for her to go for her medical care.

"I'm ready to eat and go home"

Alex is doing great.  She was up at 4:30am this morning asking the nurse for a juice box and to order her some food.  She wanted to take her bipap mask off and was ready to get the day started.  I had to explain it was still dark out and way too early to be up.  She did fall back asleep, however we were up again at 5:30 and again at 6:30 and finally up for good at 7am.  Pretty typical night when you stay in the hospital.  If you can get any block of sleep throughout the night, we consider it a good one.

When one of the surgeons came in this morning she asked him if he brought her a Barbie.  She's is definitely feeling like herself and chatting it up with anyone and everyone who walks by her door, which she insists on leaving wide open.  There's talk of her going home later today too.  Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, they are much appreciated!

Recovering beautifully

Alex hit the recovery room this evening feeling good.  Her surgeons said everything went as well as it could have, so we are happy for the good news.  Because the revision is not as involved as the first surgery, her recovery time should be shorter.  We'll see how she does overnight and touch base with the medical team in the morning.  Alex has already watched the movie Frozen once and I have a feeling a Frozen marathon is about to take place =)    

Round II

Checking in for Alex's surgical revision.  She's in good spirits and will be admitted to the floor after her surgery. As always, hoping for a short stay.  Prayers appreciated for our sweet girl and a speedy recovery.    

First tooth fairy visit

Alex has been doing really well since being home.  Yesterday evening she had a scope done under anesthesia to see if they could avoid having to do a full on revision of her surgery but unfortunately they were not successful in correcting the problem.  There was too much inflammation to take her to surgery last night so she'll undergo a surgical revision in the next couple of months.  

The more exciting news of the night was Alex lost her first tooth!  She had a loose tooth that was ready to come out when we arrived for the procedure so the anesthesiologist pulled it out (so she wouldn't inadvertently swallow it or bite down on it).  Mommy wasn't prepared for this but all is well now.  The tooth fairy came to our house and as Ryan put it, "paid Alex money to grow a new tooth." 

My little girl is growing up 

"cheese"