As a family we celebrated Caleb's 2nd Birthday this year. We did things a little bit differently because Baker's surgery was the next morning (on his actual birthday). I attempted to make him a cool baseball cake.....and when that flopped....Gigi's cupcakes to the rescue. Which from his pic below....I think he was ok with! We also went to Toys R Us to pick out his own toy after. This worked out great ONLY because his brother got to pick his own out too for having his surgery in the morning. Poor Caleb has only had family parties while Baker has had big friend parties all three years. I'm sure one day he'll have all those glorious 2nd child personality traits and blame it on things like this! lol Happy Birthday Caleb.....you are my absolute joy!
March 31, Vanderbilt hospital, Baker's Tonsil/Adenoid Surgery
Gearing up for surgery in the cool dog pj's. Baker loved the yellow socks and asked for a pair for his brother to take home! lol
I was highly impressed with Vanderbilt Children's hospital. I really would never do another surgery on the kids anywhere else (and prayerfully we won't have anymore!!!)! Being a children's hospital meant that Baker was right in his element! He got to play with Army soldier toys while waiting on his bed. He even got to drive himself into surgery in his own car. For a child that has pretty bad separation issues, they made him very comfortable.
I wish I could say that recovery went as smoothly. For starters, Baker did not come off the anesthesia well. It was probably worse for mommy and daddy. He would go from limp to strong as an ox fighting to get out of my arms to limp again. He wasn't really "waking up". His oxygen kept dropping without a mask right near his face. For about an hour it was kind of scary (for me), however the nurses said a few times, "We'll give him a few more minutes than we need to page a doctor." So obviously I should have been a little nervous. EVENTUALLY....he did come out of it, however, it wasn't easy. He was terrified throughout our entire hospital stay. Any time anyone would walk in the room he would completely freak out....even if they were just talking to us. When they would bring his medicine he would have uncontrollable fits of hysteria saying he needed to go to the bathroom (which he didn't....smart boy) to get away from the nurses. Baker would wake up in the night hysterical needing to know I was right beside him. He would barely drink anything the entire time we were there, which is why we couldn't leave. We stayed a total of 2 nights and 3 full days. We watched everyone around our room come and go until we were the only ones left on the hall. A doctor called and talked to me late Saturday afternoon. He told me that he would let it be my call on if I thought he would do better with drinking going home and that if I couldn't get him to there we would have to come back. I decided to go home. He was terrified in the hospital and I thought he would do better without all the doctors....and I was right. He drink 2 full sippy sups of milk and ate a bowl of ice cream that night....better than he had done in 3 days.
When we (mostly mommy and daddy) needed a change of scenery, they gave us a wagon and hooked his IV on. We were able to go anywhere in the hospital with him. This was nice to just get away....however he looked pretty pitiful most of the time.
He loved the playroom, especially the Elmo microwave! Again....loved Vanderbilt for things just like this. It made staying in the hospital for so long bearable. They also had a roof top terrace with swings just to get some fresh air!
Next up.....Caleb's turn! Yes, I'm kind of dreading it, even if it isn't until July!
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