Carlaya's surgery

Carlaya started telling me about a "bump" on her stomach back in May sometime.  She just said, "Mom, I have a weird bump on my belly"  I was like, (without looking) "Is it a bug bite? Does it itch?" Since the answer was no and it didn't hurt her, I didn't look close or even have a second thought about it.   We have this conversation several times over the summer. Usually while I was driving, in the shower, busy cooking dinner or in the middle of something that prevented me from really being willing to look at some mark.  I just kept dismissing it.  Finally in August sometime she brought it up again.  I was like, "What bump??? Is this the one you told me about a few months ago?!"  When she said, "Yes its still here. Its weird"  I decided to actually look and see what it was.  I was surprised to see an actual bump, not a bug bite, not a mole...just a bump under the skin.  Weird!  I figured it was some kind of cyst or something and should maybe be looked at.  So I called the Pediatrician and asked if I needed to take her there or just a dermatologist?? He said if its under the skin, dermatologist won't touch it and she'd need a referral to a pediatric surgeon.  A Surgeon??!  That's a bit extreme!  Its like an eraser from a pencil, under the skin.  Not really serious? Or is it?  He was a bit concerned when he saw it stating it could be a harmless cyst of sorts or something else. So on we went to see Dr. Fiore, a pediatric surgeon.  He was awesome, cool and calm as a cucumber.  He took a look and kinda squinted and messed with it for a bit. Asking a few questions, then he said, "it could be _____ or ______.  (medical terms) Which is like a harmless cyst." OR it could be..... ______, _______ or _______?!" I ask, what are those?  He replied, "scary stuff" and scowled with a bit of concern on his face. But non-the-less he seemed confident it needed to come out and after being tested, they'd find out what it is and if more needed to come out...  "but it shouldn't be anything too bad and it should be fine, lets just get it out" he ended conversation with.

So surgery was scheduled for Sept 16th!  Here's is the little bump in all its glory....

After arriving at Summerlin Hospital around 10am, we waited with a very anxious girl who read her book and played her laptop while waiting.  When Carlaya's name was called and it was time to go to the pre-op room, her whole nervously silly attitude changed. She was tense and quiet. Once the nurse laid her gown on the bed to change she began to cry.  Fear had taken over and she was VERY  VERY nervous!   Dad likes to baby her and wanted to help her get dressed.  He tried really hard to be the comfoter, but this girl is getting big!  Dad's out for changing!!  That hurt his feelings a bit.  Peeing in a cup, Dad's out!!  So when Jonathan got his chance to baby her, he put on her socks, tucked her in bed, and was trying his hardest to find something interesting enough on TV to distract her. 

Before long, Dr. Fiore had come by to reassure her it was all be fun and games and she'd wake up not remembering a thing. The anesthesiologist came by to say he'd just use his hammer to knock her out and she wouldn't know what happened. LOL   They got her laughing and calm and went through step by step how it would go.   Then off they wheeled her and she was smiling, but I knew once we walked about, she'd be super duper nervous.

Turns out she was nervous out of her mind, but no tears. The anesthesiologist had "Let it go" from Frozen on his phone and played that while the two of them sang.  :)   As Carlaya sang he put his bubble gum scented gas mask over her mouth and she breathed in grape flavored oxygen/sleepy drugs and then...... 

The monitors in the waiting room are like the DMV.  We had a patient # to follow on the screen.  At 12:09 pm she was IN SURGERY.  At 12:45 she was moved to RECOVERY. and within seconds of reading that on the screen at 12:45, they called our names.  On our way down the hall Dr. Fiore was headed our way to say how it went.  Its always hard to follow everything they say when they use medical terms and talk so fast.  Jonathan and I both heard two different things so we still aren't positive.  I know he mentioned a PRE melanoma (skin cancer) and I thought he said it looked similar to that, but Jonathan heard Dr. Fiore say it didn't look like that.  So WHO KNOWS!? BUT, he did say it didn't look like he expected it to look when they got it opened up.  For that reason, he apologized for a bigger scar (about 2 inches, but we still haven't seen it) because he said he felt like he needed to take more out now. (which leads me to believe he thought it was something "scary")  Normally they would pull out the lump and if it came back "BAD" they may need to go back in to take out bigger margins to ensure you get all the bad out.  He decided on the spot to take more out. So that means he thinks it could be bad right?  That's the way I took it, but I'm not worried. He seemed confident regardless of what it is, he got it all.  But he did say when the tests reveal what exactly it is, then he'll know if they still need more out or not.  He said he'd rather get more out in advance than go back in. If he could help it.  I was fine with MORE OUT! 

   We were surprised to walk in and see this: 

Still knocked out!  They said its easier for kids to wake up to familiar faces :)
So we just sat next to her bed grinning at the Sleeping Beauty!

She heard out voices and started the eye flutter and eventually look over to focus in on us.  She smiled and said, "That was fast?!"   Then that typical nose scratch began as the anesthesia wore off. 

Couldn't believe she got an IV while asleep, she doesn't understand how that wouldn't have woken her up!  LOL   She said it was gross to look at, but she was pretty fascinated with it. 

bump no more....

patch off- down to steri strips for a few weeks

We go to post-op appt on Tuesday October 8th.  I've called the office since surgery to find out if they had results yet, but they hadn't.  She assured me we would hear by the post op appointment.  Hoping for good news!  Stay tuned.

Long Time no see?! A year later....

Unfortunately it has been almost a year since my last post November 2013.  Eeesh!
Too much has happened to update you on everything but I'll do a few quite posts to show our year in review!

January 2014- Jonathan started academy #2.   It was easy this time around, having stayed in good physical shape, knowing what to expect, and actually having the respect of his cadre for enduring ANOTHER academy!  He enjoyed almost every day of it and was so glad to be back!   Finally getting the graduation he had much anticipated on MAY 22, 2014!

Jonathan received the "Polished Boot" award which was voted on by his peers.  He was told he "has outstanding work ethic and strong morals and character.........  A man, every mother would want their son to grow up to be!"

Jonathan's first day in Fire Station #5 was on Sunday, May 28th. Being the new guy AND rookie comes with a lot of taunting and teasing in the firehouse. Not to mention ALL the chores by yourself.  Probation lasts for 6 months.  During that time you can expect to be tortured.  I personally don't see the benefits of workplace harassment, but its "tradition" as they say.  The extra work keeps Jonathan busy and most of the harassment he lefts roll off his shoulders.
 

By now he's more than 1/2 way through the academy and things are getting better each day.  He actually enjoys going now and has even got to play a role in saving a life or two.  STILL looking forward to the end of probation on or around November 18th.  After that he will be treated a bit more civilly and can also have the opportunity to work overtime.
 That will help a great deal in getting out of the debt we incurred during his 2 academies where the pay is very low.

A Glance at my work :) 

I have spend this year being VERY BUSY with eyelash extensions.  I've really enjoyed it and meeting so many new women.  I've done about 40+ different woman over the last year and enjoy all of them.  Some haven't kept it up, others have been consistent for over a year now.  Its great side money and has really helped with the bills while our income is at the bottom of the fire totem pole!











We got Wet n Wild season passes again, knowing we'd have no money to take any real vacations and wanted the kids to have some fun this summer.  As always we loved every day we went!  This year was even slower than last due to a new water park opening in Henderson, taking part of the crowd away.   Fewer lines for us!!

I was girls camp director this year and boy was that a lot of work and stress leading up to camp!  We camped at Deer Haven Campground on Cedar City Mountain in Utah.  My theme was "Oh the places you'll go...." from Dr. Seuss.  We talked about the choices we have in our youth that determine where you'll go and who'll you'll be.  And of course tied in the Temple as one of the key places to go in Life!  It was an awesome week getting to know the girls in my new ward as well as becoming friends with the leaders!  Loved every minute of it!  Best part?  Rafting & Zip lining down the Sevier River in Marysville, Utah.  So much fun!

My hometown of Panaca turned 150 this summer!  So Panaca's traditional Pioneer Day Celebration was kicked up a notch.  Or 100!   There were hot air balloons, a 5K that Noah ran all on his own, a play on the founding- written by my father Pete Peterson!  (it was fabulously done!!) a statue unveiling, a parade bigger than Panaca has ever seen, kids games & races, and a fireworks show bigger than the county has ever seen!   It was an action packed weekend that was the mother of all homecomings for anyone and everyone who has ever lived in Panaca!

In August, I finally got Carlaya in to see the doctor about a weird small lump just under the skin on her belly.   He was a bit concerned stating it could just be a cyst of some form or something...well "scary".  Surgery has been scheduled for September 16th, next week! Stayed tuned for how that goes.

Kids started school on August 25th!  This year Carlaya is in 5th grade and Noah is in 3rd.  Carlaya has 6 periods this year. she was nervous for rotating classes but excited for the change.  Turns out she loves it and says that it makes the day go by so much faster.  She has 5 teachers that make up the 5th grade team (each teaching one subject) and then her 6th class is a different "special" each day. (Spanish, PE, Music, Art, PE) 

Noah loves his new teacher, Miss Aguilar and his favorite is her classroom economy she has implemented.  They each had to apply for a job and they will get paid for that job. They can earn bonuses, and be paid for good grades.  BUT, they have to rent their desk each month or save up and buy it out right.  They also have to pay fines for bad behavior or for missing homework!   It teaches real world responsibility yet the kids find it so fun. I love it!

August 29-30 (Mon Sept 1st for the rest) was spend in a cabin on Cedar Mountain by Duck Creek with Jonathan's family.   All 6 siblings were there and between us and his parents we split the cost only making it $210 for the weekend.   It was a huge cabin with beds for everyone of us, a fully stocked modern kitchen. nice furniture, flat screen TV and another TV in some of the bedrooms and the basement, a pool table and ping pong table in the basement and a fire pit of roasting outback!
We had a lot of fun just hanging out there, going to Navajo Lake to let the kids float/raft and play in the freezing water!, and exploring the Mammoth Caves (spooky! underground for 20 or so minutes in black dark with just flashlights then coming up in the day light 70-80 yards away from where we climbed down in!)  Jonathan had to work Monday so we had to come home Sunday night, but it was a fun weekend!

September 4th, was Mya's FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!  Boy was she excited!!  She goes Tues/Thurs from 9-11:30am.   She didn't know any of the kids in her class before she started but she wasn't nervous at all and loves to go!  She's come home with a cute little project everyday so far and always asks when she can go back.  Its been great for her to have something to do and get in some social time.  She's growing up so fast!

Well that's all folks, 9 months in review!  LOL  I'll be better about posting the happenings of our life again soon!

Discovery Museum Fun

Mya's favorite place to go is the Children's Discovery Museum. Here's pictures from a few trips but most from her Birthday, where we spend a few hours :)

 For her birthday, she and I spent a few hours there and she ran from one end to the other!

This is the only real picture I took of the WATER fun area.  She's looking up at the balls she just put on the roller, that shoot up a water spout and roll around a track to come out across the room. She just giggles as she watches it go. It is so fun to watch her fascination!

This was quite confusing and silly to her- FOUR Mya's!

 

Oddly enough, one of her favorite spots in the whole place is....the BANK.  Why? Lol I don't know, but she loves to pretend there.  We always have to spend a few minutes in the bank every time we go.

Next to the bank is a smoothie shop- she loves to work there and make me lunch. I guess I didn't upload those pictures though.

Next up, the grocery store.  She buys up all she can, then when she's done she has just as much fun putting it all back on the shelves.  She's got some OCD like her mama!

 A little auto mechanic in the making?

Air traffic controller- we had fun listening to the pilots taking off and we gave runway assignments to those landing :)

It can be an expensive place to go if you have more than 1-2 kids, but the family pass pays for itself in just two trips!  So glad we have this fun place to go to on boring days or when its too hot or too cold!

Mya's 3rd Birthday!

 October 8th was Mya's 3rd Birthday!  We didn't really have big plans for it, but I love to make the birthday kid feel special.  So we decorated as "fancy" as we could.

She really isn't girlie at all, but she does still like princesses & lately Princess Sophia from Disney Jr. is one of her favorite cartoons.  She wore her "Sophia" skirt for all of 5 minutes. darn!

Mya's cute giggles when she saw her decorations were so cute!  She's usually up early but totally slept in on her birthday and we all couldn't wait till she got up!

Out back we had a cute little playhouse to surprise her with!  That was the best surprise- I wish I had caught her scream on camera!  Priceless!!

We had yummy treats all day to spoil ourselves, Mya and I.  :)

We went to her favorite place ever- the Children's Discovery Museum.  Then we had lunch with Daddy at work! That night we had our old neighbors over for Pizza & cake. Their son Zach is Mya's age and a good friend!

She was pretty shy with all of us singing to her!  Such a doll.

This is my favorite age- 2 1/2- 4 year old GIRL!

 

Mya is still pretty shy around other people, but at  home she is a ham. She loves to tell jokes, tease her siblings, try to fib to mom, and laugh at her own farts! Until she farts more, then she laughs more, then it makes her fart more, then she laughs harder!  This is daddy's favorite.  :)

 

She loves to snuggle more and more and often times asks to sleep in our bed or at least lay there till she falls asleep.  Every morning she comes right in smiling big to give me a big hug!  I know she gets bored a lot in the day, but we try to have fun and do fun things while big kids are at school. (we find out on Nov. 5th if she qualifies for child find preschool. 4 days a week & FREE. if she does, she'll start within the next couple weeks! She is so excited for "school" and we're hoping she gets in. A social life would really help this shy kiddo!) 

More "new house" pics

My 5th painting project was the master bedroom.  I LOVE Plum and any shades of purple really. We've had this bedding for just about a year and I wanted to paint some sort of grey and or plum color. I found a pic online with a dark almost charcoal behind the bed and it looked gorgeous.  So I was stressed about getting the right shade & undertone of grey. Suggestions from others said paint 2 toned grey & leave out the plum in case I do change color schemes later on.

The dark grey I do love and feel like I matched pretty darn perfectly to the one I found online.  But I chose one shade up for the lighter color and wished I would have gone two shades up. :( I still like it, but it doesn't go with the purple.   Against the purple bedding it looks bluish.  :( Bummer!!  Oh well, eventually we'll have different bedding & it'll match better.  I still have some things that need to be hung up.  We have to decide what pics will go where & then wait for Jonathan to actually hang them up. So far, we have a mirror!! :)

New House Pics

Here's pictures of the house so far.....obviously not everything is hung on walls (nothing upstairs) and I've only began to paint. The pwd room is painted, the loft, Carlaya's room & Mya's room so far....

This is the view out front.  I LOVE how close we are to the mountains!

Ordered this the day we moved in. I promised kids we would get one right after moving.  It came in a matter of days & I set It up Myself, with a tad help fixing one error I made. :) Mom/Dad got FIRST jumps in!
 

This is Carlaya's room!  I was nervous to do black on the walls, but I LOVE it and so does she! Heck even daddy had to show of pics at work cause he thought it was so cool.   I'd love to either do white chair rail around or even just a 3 or so in white strip between the pink & black.  But for now its done!

 

 This is Mya's cute lil' room.  I wanted to do a bold pink behind her headboard on that wall, but wasn't sure which shade to do. So for now its all sage green but I think I'll add pink of some shade behind her bed.  We bought her all new bedding & I found the lanterns hanging above from a FB yardsale for $1!  I may paint the pale pink one darker- haven't decided.

This is our big ol' loft which the kids really love.  We plan to get a projector at some point & do a theater room but for now its just another family/play room which ends up a mess most the time from Mya!  When I added the blue to the 2 walls it warmed the room up and made it feel much more cozy.  I'm not sure yet what to put on the walls here or window treatments.  Future project- on a very limited budget!! ;)

This was my first paint project & I was so excited to do it.  I spent over a week deciding on the perfect color and getting Jonathan to agree!  :)  Although I do love it, its dark for a small bathroom with no windows for natural light. Also the light fixture is yellow/tan glass that puts off the wrong color. So I may try to swap out the glass.

Here's the pic of a bathroom I found online and fell in love with it!  I have ordered that same vinyl and totally want to get a silver nautical star to go with.  I am a GREAT copy cat. Just not creative on my own!