Tough Medical Decision for the Mini Mister

The Mini Mister has to have surgery after the first of the year and the PICU at UTMB is closed for what looks like good. Do I keep his surgeon who knows him well but operates at a hospital with a new PICU and inexperienced staff...or... do I go to a new surgeon who doesn't know him and will probably put him through a bunch of test so he can be at a hospital with an experience PICU staff???? I truly don't know what to do. I hate this. Everyone at UTMB knows and loves him. I hate going some place new. Ugh!!! I'm leaning toward keeping the surgeon. People seem to think that I can overcome the inexperience of the PICU staff. I just know that I will be mom in this situation, not a nurse. Seeing him intubated and paralyzed will shake me up. I've seen it before but this is different, I'm his Mommy now. I just know that an experienced nurse can make all the difference. The surgeon isn't there 24/7. He has been through so much. He shouldn't even be alive. I know God has brought him through so much and will continue to see him through the rest. I just never thought I would be having to make this decision. I just always assumed UTMB would be there. Some tough choices to make.

Sophie

UTMB layoffs -- It is a sad day

I know many feel that UTMB's future in Galveston should be limited. Why rebuild to have it destroyed by another hurricane? Well, it has been there for a very long time unharmed so I say why not. All I know is that it is sad. 3,800 people will loose their jobs. I think I'm fairly safe -- the nurseries are booming -- but no one is completely safe. All 3 of my children were born there. With Yellow Bird I was so sick and received state of the art, top-notch care there. I can't even begin to tell you the debt of gratitude I owe them for my beautiful son. The Mini Mister's chances of survival were dismal but yet he is this beautiful, vibrant child, so full of life. The wonderful nurses, doctors, therapist and other UTMB employees are responsible for that. He will face a big surgery in the near future which will likely leave him on the ventilator for a bit. I will now have to take him somewhere else. I know there are other great hospitals but there is no place like home. And, UTMB is home. The PICU and Pedi nurses at UTMB know him and love him. My heart is broken. Even if I don't loose my job so many of my friends will. The hospital is just so different and I can't help but be sad at all we are loosing as a community. So, pray for us all in this time. People are scared and sad. Ike has taken a great toll and it will take a long time to recover.

Sophie

The Aquarium

We had dinner at the Aquarium recently. It is such a neat place to eat.

Dewberry Farm

We had so much fun at Dewberry Farm. If you are in the Houston area you have to take the kids. It was a blast.

Funny Faces

He can make some of the funniest faces. What a cutie.

On the Farm

We went to the country a while back and had so much fun. We love it up there and if it weren't for these silly things we have -- J O B S -- we would probably live up there. It is so peaceful and nice. I forget how many stars are in the sky until we visit up there. You can see them all. Beautiful.

What a cool dude. Everyone tells us she is a natural in the saddle. She looks pretty comfortable.

And I will say she doesn't get it from her mother.

Father and son horse back riding.

Leopold got in on the fun too.

The Mini Mister wasn't sure of it all.

What a beautiful girl!

Horse back riding wasn't limited to the horse.

La La is having a baby soon so the Mini Mister broke in some of Houston's toys for him. He will be new at this play stuff so it is better if the toys are a little worn in.

Run, Sasha, Run!

Isn't it so great that he has a Daddy to give him rides. The two of them are so cute and I just can't get enough of them interacting together.

Trampoline Fun

We had some fun on the trampoline that I just had to share. It is really good exercise.

The Box

Why is it always the box they play with? He has tons of toys but it is always the box that gets him every time.

It's Coming Up Roses

Yellow Bird is so proud of our roses. Isn't she so cute. Love this girl!

Halloween Night

We went to our church for Trunk or Treat on Halloween night. We had a blast and there was really a good turn out. Here are the girls acting silly.

We stopped by my parents so they could see the kiddos. Leopold was the 13th Disciple and as you can see in the picture there is good reason he isn't mentioned much in Scripture. Yellow Bird went as a gymnast.

Here is Sponge Bob in all his glory. I just don't think he has ever been so cute.

The 13th Disciple and his favorite cartoon character come to life.

Sponge Bob is wondering where the water has gone.

Not exactly how the game was meant to be played but it kept him quite entertained.