On the Mend

Pat had his hip replacement surgery on Friday the 20th. We got the call on Thursday night to be at the hospital at 5:15am. Ouch. Luckily the hospital is only about 15-20 minutes away. We arrived at the appointed time and Pat was taken back to the pre-surgery area. I stayed in the waiting room while they got him ready and then was able to sit with him until they took him to the OR at 7:00am. The surgeon spoke to me at 9:00am to let me know that everything went smoothly and that Pat would be in recovery for "a few hours". It turned out to be 5 hours because they had to wait until bed was available to move him to his room. Reminded me of a over booked flight. We weren't offered a free hospital stay for our wait. I finally saw Pat around 2:30pm. He was very groggy (I guess anesthesia and morphine will do that to you) and I only stayed with him a few minutes. I headed home to see the kids. My sister and her husband arrived on Thursday night and will be staying through the week. I am so grateful to have their help. My niece, her husband and his 8 year old son are also here to help out for the weekend. Molly and Aidan are having a great time and Aunt Barbara, Uncle Charlie and the gang are keeping them busy. We've also had a break in the weather and are enjoying some warm temps. The kids have been able to play outside and have been to the park. My sister and niece have put Molly and Aidan to bed the last two nights and they've gone right down. I think we may hire them full-time!

I went to the hospital around noon and found Pat sitting in a chair. He had already been for a short walk using his spiffy new walker. He was feeling better and was less groggy. He didn't sleep that well but not unexpected in the hospital with all the regularly scheduled poking and prodding. Pat's brother Mike came to visit. The OT came to give Pat some gadgets and show him how to put on his pants and socks. She also went over the Dont's for hip replacement patients. I went home for a bit to see Molly and Aidan and make them dinner. Afterwards I went back to the hospital. Pat was still sitting in his chair. He was sleepy and took a nap. We took a stroll up and down the hallway, kissed good night and then I went home. The surgeon will be in to see Pat tomorrow. He seems to be doing very well. He still has a long way to go but hes on the road to recovery. Pat should be coming home on Monday. Daddy misses his kids and they miss him too.

Ready for Spring

The weather has been unseasonably cold and rainy. Despite our best efforts to get the kids out and about it was a LONG week.



Last Saturday our church held an Easter egg hunt. The Easter Bunny arrived on a fire engine with sirens blaring. The hunt for eggs went well and a ton of candy was procured. All was topped off with family photo with the Easter Bunny. Molly and Aidan had a great time even though it felt more like January than April.



Easter Sunday was also very nice. We got the kids up earlier than usual so that we could avoid the crazy crowds at the 10:00 Mass. Molly and Aidan were good as gold. We gave them their baskets after church and several chocolate bunnies were quickly devoured. We drove to Pat's cousin's house in NJ for Easter dinner. They have a 2 year old daughter so we didn't have to bring toys. We barely saw Molly and Aidan as they were having such fun with their cousins. Holidays are much easier these days. We don't have to bring the gear we used to. This trip all we brought were there pajamas and blankies. So nice :-)

We had a hard time this week putting the kids to bed. There was a lot more unhappiness than usual and we felt like we were performing in a three ring circus. Molly has a list of requests...I'm thirsty, change me my diaper is wet, I need to go potty, I don't like this book in my crib (take out book), I NEED that book in my crib (put book back in crib), I didn't kiss Aidan (reminder her that she kissed him on the head, now she needs to kiss him on the lips), etc. The list is growing longer and more creative. We can't just ignore her because she'll just keep whining/crying if you don't at least go into her room (1 1/2 hour one night). When we go into her room we don't give her what she wants, we don't stay long, and we tell her firmly that it's time to go to sleep and tell her that we love her. After 5 or 6 trips she settles down and goes to sleep.

Aidan on the other had will try and come up with things to keep you in his room. Read me another book, rub my back, let me close the door when mommy/daddy leaves the room (then try to escape into the hall or play with the door knobs). Once you make it out the door you're good. He doesn't fall asleep right away but is content to play in his bed until he doses off. Sometimes he poops in his diaper before drifting off and we have to wake him up to change him when we check on him before we go to bed. Luckily he is half asleep through it all and goes back to bed without a peep. Bedtime this week has been stressful for mom and dad. We're hoping this too, like other things, shall pass.