Rak Attack

Birthday with just the family, at home.

Birthday fun with the extended family...

That little cake was my first attempt at something other than a 9 X 13 pan cake.  I felt like it turned out good.  Zoe didn't really think much of it though...

Zoe opening her presents.

The "kids" having a balloon fight. Brad's a kid at heart :)

Syndey wishing she was the Birthday Girl.

Maggie's in the back and Gavin and Emma are in the chair with Sydney.

One of Zoe's favorite games, Guitar Hero :)  (She really does like to play the drums.)  Jason and Gavin are playing the drums and Julienne is at the guitar.

Here we have Brad on vocals, Matt playing the guitar, and Eric rocking out on the drums.

Sydney had to have her tonsils and adenoids removed last weekend. The doctor said they were HUGE! She had obstructive sleep apnea due to their large size, which caused her to gasp for air while sleeping. We decided that having them removed was a better option, long term, than to have to give her medication for an extended period of time, which would not solve the problem. The surgery was done at Primary Children's Hospital, and I must say... THEY ARE AMAZING THERE!!! Sydney does much better if she is prepped for what's coming. The hospital had a pre-surgery class where they take the children aside and explain exactly what's going to happen during their stay in the hospital. Then they take the kids, along with their parents, for a tour of all the areas that the child will see on the day of their surgery. Sydney really enjoyed this and could hardly wait for her wagon ride. The class also helped to calm my nerves.

Sydney was such a trooper on the day of her surgery. She could only have clear liquids since midnight the night before and wasn't even allowed the liquids after 8:15 am. The surgery was originally set for 11:10am, but things got pushed back and she didn't get in until after 1pm.

Here we are waiting to go to the exam room

Sydney in her hospital clothes. Aren't those adorable :)

In this room we waited about 2 hours for Sydney to be called back for surgery. In the above picture, nurse Kym was going over the details of the surgery with Sydney again. She was so sweet to Sydney, and even walked with her back to the surgery room and stayed with her until she went to sleep (not everyone was so lucky). It was just what Sydney needed.

Sydney got another "buddy" to take back with her to the surgery room. They give each child one of these dolls that's wearing a hospital gown. Then they let the kids draw a face on it, check it's temperature, use a stethoscope, and check it's blood pressure.

So cute!

Sydney using up time, driving around the waiting room.

Here is Sydney heading back to surgery in her "green" wagon. She kept telling everyone that she needed a green wagon. That was the anathesiologist pulling the wagon and nurse Kym following behind.

This is where I was left behind. It was all I could do to not cry. I was so worried for Sydney, because she had no idea what was about to happen. I knew they went over everything in the class and stuff... but she's not even 3 yet. How much could she really know? Nick really wanted to be there with Sydney and me, but was unable to get off work. Luckily I had my sister Michelle there with me. It was nice to have someone there for a distraction. Apparently when they tried to give Sydney the gas to put her "under", the smelly part wouldn't open and that's when Sydney got really scared. The nurse said her eyes got really big and teary and she said "I just want my Mommy". Heart breaking. Sydney was in surgery for only 20 minutes, and everything went great. Waking up was a different story. Sydney was scared and had a really hard time calming down. Finally we were able to give her some pain medication and get a movie going for her and she calmed right down.

In each room they have pictures painted on the ceiling tiles. Sydney's room had a beaver and a frog.

Sydney enjoying some chocolate pudding

Sydney had lots of loving visitors who brought her get well gifts. The picture above is Sydney with the dolls that her cousin Caleb, Aunt Emilie and Uncle Matt gave her.

And this is Sydney ready to go home. She was really drugged up here. Just before we took this picture, Sydney was drinking some apple juice while watching a movie. All of a sudden she started laughing and I asked what was so funny... thinking it was something in the movie. Sydney lifted her finger and laughing said "My finger". She had put her finger in her juice.

Gotta love the Lortab :)