Last two weeks IG addition...

The last two weeks have been pretty low key. Carter couldn't start back to school until he was 2 weeks post op(which was today). We had lots snuggles, play time at home and fun with our friends!!! 

Cohen is obsessed with Carter's walker, bath time, and the  dish washer!! Carter is loving playing with friends, donuts, babies, building, and matching. He was sooo excited and ready to go back to school today!!! 

Insta Overload!!!

Yes I realize I am posting 150 Instagram photos :) Here is our life over the last 4-5 months. I am hoping now that I have all of these posted that I will start posting them once a week(or atleast once a month) Sorry for the overload, but wanted them on here, since this is pretty much like my kids baby book!! If you would like to follow me on IG- my name is courtsmith224

I want to remember Everyday

Everyday things are what I want to remember. I have decided that this year my two main New Years Resolutions are to capture more everyday moments and not just the posed shots(although those sure are cute), bc these are REAL life and what matters most. And my second Resolution is to not be on my phone or computer in front of the boys and spend more quality time playing and snuggling with them and Webb. Time just passes way too quickly and I want to remember whats important. My best friend and I are going to keep each other in check, bc lets face it FB sucks you in!

This is what I want to remember- the way Carter's little imagination is forming and the sounds he makes when he plays dinosaurs.

 "Come on T-Rex, I'll save you......"

And this little man is changing WAY too fast. Our latest obsession- Big Brother's Walker (makes for a funny time when Carter is trying to walk and Cohen is being pulled dragging behind his basket.

 Carter's latest found obsession with his new Geo Trax Trains.

 There is just something about Black and White photos that simply tell a story.

 Play dates with our best friends and impromptu photo sessions. Happy 6 months LOU!!!

These two act like brother and sister. Their relationship is really forming and I LOVE it!!

 Brothers being Brothers.

 Cohen thinks he is big enough to play too..... he almost is (Tear)!

Marrin being silly.(P.S. that bottom middle photo really was taken upside down- I had to leave it that way)

There you have it. This is more of what you will be seeing on my blog and in my life!! These are the moments I must remember and enjoy them to the MAX!!!!

Happy New Years 2013

Hopefully the New Year will start better than the last year ended. We came home from the hospital New Years Eve afternoon. Carter was so excited to see Cohen and so were Webb and I!!! We had already made plans to spend our evening with the Treadwells and almost canceled, but Carter was admit that they come over. Bridgette brought over Tacos and Panchos Dip- A FAV and Webb picked up a mint chocolate chip Ice Cream cake. Everything was delicious and the kids had a blast. Hope to make this a yearly tradition!!! Here are a few photos from the night. Happy New Years Everyone!!

Our sweet friends!!

The Fierce Five!!

Holidays, Surgeries and Hospital stays

So the last time that I posted was that our PT had noticed a slight regression in Carter's left side and thought that he had plateaued. Well Webb and I decided to call his Neurosurgeon and get a consult and I am sure glad we did. The Friday before Christmas Carter had a sedated Brain and full Spinal MRI. 

That afternoon Dr. Boop's nurse called and told us that Carter's shunt was not working and they needed to schedule surgery. They gave us a couple of different options and we chose the morning after Christmas. All went ok over the weekend, we had a big family Christmas and Carter had a blast playing with his cousins. Monday, Christmas Eve, we had Christmas at Meme and Poppi's house. Carter had so much fun and got so many awesome presents! Well that evening after putting him to bed he kept telling us his tummy hurt and was crying for us to stay in bed with him. I was laying beside him in bed comforting him. I told Webb to go and grab some tylenol he came back and went to get Carter a drink and at that moment Carter screamed his tummy hurt and started projectile vomiting. He also became lethargic for about a minute. 

Luckily my parents were only 2 minutes from my house so as soon as they got here we headed straight to Lebonheur. We were there several hours and eventually had a CT, X-ray and Lab tests. They all came back that his shunt was obviously not working, but that he was stable so they let us go home for Christmas day(we actually got home about 5am Christmas morning). 

 Uncle Hunter took such wonderful care of Carterman and Carter is such a ROCKSTAR in the ER.

A couple of pics from Christmas morning. We were all exhausted with little(me) to no(webb) sleep- so this is about as good as the pics get ;) Even though we were so tired we had a wonderful Christmas at home with our family. We spent the morning with my family and the afternoon with just us 4 and had a quiet evening of regrouping and packing.

We had to be at the hospital at 5am on 12/26 for surgery at 7. Little man is such a trooper. He had 3 IVs in a couple of days and NEVER cried!! I can tell you that People think it gets easier with every surgery or shunt revision, but I can tell you IT DOESN'T!!! It SUCKS sending your baby to be put under- knowing he is going to be in pain when he wakes up, that he is scared and there is nothing you can do to take it away. BUT we have done such a wonderful job of being completely honest with him and explaining everything in concrete terms of what he is going to feel, if it is going to hurt, make him feel funny, etc. And it makes a HUGE difference for him. He trusts us.

His incision looks just like a candy cane. He woke up in pain and flushed and irritable just like every surgery. We chased a fever and pain with Hydrocodone and Tylenol and eventually after about 12 hours he was feeling better and fever was gone.

 and we were discharged home the next morning. WOOHOO!!

Brothers- Back together again and Loving Life.

That was until Saturday night. I was at work and it was the end of my shift- Webb and my sister were blowing up my phone while I was giving report but I figured he was calling to let Carter tell me good night. I was leaving much later than normal. When I walked off the floor and Called him back, his exact words were "Hey, um Carter and I are in an ambulance pulling up at Lebonheur, Carter started Projectile vomiting at home, became lethargic and unresponsive for 1-2 mins. Bridgette is with Cohen. Get here as soon as you can."- I felt like I couldn't breathe. My mind was spinning in circles. In fact I got lost on the way to Lebonheur, even though I know how to get there, then my window fogged up and I turned on the windshield fluid and it froze over my window. I had to pull over on the interstate and let it unthaw. I was freaking at this point. I finally got there- after what seemed to be 2 hours(actually prob. 10 mins). He didn't even know I was in the room for the first 5 mins. He was in such as daze. After about 5 mins he looked around and said "Hey, look mommy is here." They ran all the necessary test and admitted us to the Neuro floor. The neurosurgeon came in first thing in the morning and said he was scheduled for surgery around 9 that his scans were unchanged to the ones before the last revision and his shunt wasn't working AGAIN!!! He did much better leaving for surgery this time. They were able to give him Versed prior and put him to sleep before they took him. and we waited.

Imagine our surprise when we walked into the recovery room to him eating a green popsicle. He always wakes up slow, fussy, in pain! always! Not this time. They extubated him, said he sat straight up and requested a green popsicle. This surgery was different than all the others. He NEVER was in pain, no flushing, no irritability and no fever. crazy!! He felt great!!!

 Much needed nap with daddy after surgery.

and going home again the next morning. We are PRAYING that this shunt #7 is the lucky one!!!!

We were also told by Dr. Boop that unlike most kids with shunts Carter has a large Spinal Syrinx that complicates things. He does not present like most kids with a shunt malfunction. A slight change in motor function could mean a non working shunt. This is so scary bc if it swells to fast or too long, it can cause permanent nerve damage. I am so thankful that Webb and I are so on top of his care and that we  know the right questions to ask or when something doesn't sound or look right. I am so glad we stuck to our gut and got it checked out. As parents we have learned to NEVER look past something and always listen to your instincts. Love you sweet boy!!!

PT, Drs appts & waiting...

I have always wanted to blog about Carter's medical journey but don't want to ever seem like I am complaining or trying to get sympathy. I regret not blogging about it the last 3.5 years as I would love for him to have it when he gets older to see what he went through as a baby and toddler. I am going to attempt starting now.

Last Thursday was like a slap in the face. As usual I packed the boys up for our weekly Thursday afternoon PT appt. We go in Carter chats with EVERYONE and acts like he own's the place, lol. He then goes back to the "big" PT room to walk on the treadmill while Cohen and I wait until we can go in. This is definitely becoming a challenge having Cohen in the waiting room with me and him not being able to get down. I bring a bottle, toys, etc. By the end of therapy he has HAD it, lol.

I then was called back to watch the end of Carter's PT session. At that point his physical therapist said that she has noticed a weakness in Carter's left side.(this used to be his strongest side). She stated that he was having difficulty climbing the stairs and could not come down them at all. He also seemed to be in a plateau and had not been improving in several weeks.

As you can imagine, my heart sunk! It has been so long since we have had set backs and I was not expecting to hear any of this. She then stated that she thought that he had reached him max potential for his life and muscles, that she didn't think he would be able to stand on his own or use is hand crutches for anything more than at home just a few feet. As she is saying all of this Cohen is crying wanting down and I am trying to chase Carter around the PT room so that he doesn't hurt himself on the equipment. Tears start streaming. "What do you mean this is IT?!?!"

I was confused, heart broken, sad, mad! Never had someone told us this is just it. Webb was in class and I wasn't going to call and tell him over the phone. I called my best friend Bridgette. Sobbed the whole way to sonic to get Carter his tater tots and special blue drink(he could have asked for the moon that night and I would have gotten it for him). After leaving sonic I collected myself and my thoughts. Bridgette surprised me with a delightful chocolate peppermint milkshake from Chic Fil a and my mom surprised me and came over. I LOVE THEM!!

When Webb got home I explained everything to him, as you can imagine he was NOT happy. He immediately thought something Neuro is going on. Could it possibly be beginnings of a Shunt Malfunction, Syrinx flare up, Tethered cord, etc. Ummm. why didn't I think about that? HELLO Courtney!! So first thing friday I called and scheduled an appt with Dr. Boop(Carter's Neurosurgeon).

Tuesday we saw Dr. Boop- Carter will be scheduled for a brain and full spinal MRI with sedation. It has been around 2 years since his last one. I am PRAYING for nothing serious that requires surgery, but also hoping for answers. His weakness is not enough that we even noticed it and to be honest he has been doing sooo great climbing, jumping in his walker, etc. But I also know that in the past he has had so many shunt problems and everyone of them had different symptoms.

I am nervous, scared, anxious and hopeful!! and Carter is going to keep moving mountains and prove everyone wrong!! He is the most determined little boy and has a HUGE drive. No one will tell him what he can and can't do!!

Keep pushing on sweet boy!!

I will update more when we have answers!!

Baby Cohen is 9 months!!

I can NOT believe that my baby boy is 9 months old. We went to see Dr. Hanson yesterday and stats are Length- 27.25(18%), Weight- 18lbs3oz(16%), and Head Circ- 45.5cm(59%). 

He is such a busy little body with such an enormous personality. He is almost totally on table foods right now. He LOVES all carbs and fruits and most veggies. He has two little bottom teeth and no view in sight of any top yet. 

He sleeps from about 7-5 then takes a bottle and goes back to sleep until around 7:30. He is now saying Mama, which started a couple of weeks ago and just two nights ago said Dada. He also LOVES his big brother and Carter is a little obsessed with him. I could sit all day and watch them play together!! He is also getting more independent and is starting to really play by himself which is nice for me to be able to get a few things done around the house!

and he LOVES his Mama!! This little man would be 100% happy to never be put down and I can't get enough of him!! I am so blessed with this little man and am enjoying staying home and watching him grow and change everyday!!! Love you little stinker!