Grant and the terrible horrible no good very bad day

*sorry the pictures are blurry, they are from my phone and I didn't transfer them over full size.

On June 17, Father's Day, we were enjoying a nice breakfast when everything changed in one second.  Jenna was still sitting at the kitchen table and I had just gotten Grant down from his seat.  He went behind Jenna and pulled back on her chair a bit.  She and the chair fell backwards right on Grant.  He started screaming right away and Erik scooped him right up.  He passed him off to me and Grant wasn't calming down like he usually does when I hold him.  He was flailing around and screaming harder.  While holding him I held him down towards the floor and we noticed his left leg limp looking.  Then right before our eyes we saw his left thigh swell to the size of a football.  We immediately got him in the car and went to ER.  Looking back we feel so bad that we moved him like we did and even put him in his carseat. 

This was taken about 30 minutes before he got hurt.  He was wearing his new Thomas underwear he got for his birthday over his diaper.  This is what he was wearing when we went to ER.

We got to ER and they got us back immediately.  Grant was sweating and screaming and I asked if he could have some pain meds, something was obviously wrong.  They said they needed to wait until after x-rays to see what was wrong since he might need an IV.  It was awful watching him in so much pain and not being able to help him.  I felt sick to my stomach.  They finally did the x-ray and got the results quickly.  The doctor called me out of Grant's room to show me the x-ray while Erik stayed with Grant.

He said he broke his femur, the largest and strongest bone in his body.
He said he may need surgery, this could be very bad with the veins and arteries in the thigh.
He said he needed to be transferred to a Children's Hospital immediately.
He said he wanted to air lift him, he needed to be seen by a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon.

The X-Ray of the broken femur

I felt dizzy and sick.  We were prepared for a broken bone, but didn't think it would be something that we needed to be transferred for.  Meanwhile, they were trying to get an IV in Grant for pain meds.  They tried both arms and hands and couldn't get it in.  Erik was with him most of this time while I cowardly watched from the hall.  It's heartbreaking to watch your child go through this.  I wanted to break my own leg right then and there and let him be okay.  Erik and I would GLADY take his place if we could.  They finally got the IV in his foot.

We were then told the Children's Hospital's weren't sending the helicopters due to bad storms.  They decided to send him via ambulance.  Erik sat on the hospital bed and held Grant the whole time on the ambulance ride to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.  I went home to pack bags and make sure Jenna was okay with my parents before I drove there by myself.  That was a VERY LONG DRIVE!  Poor Jenna was so sad and worried.  She felt guilty even though it wasn't her fault.

We were admitted to the Children's ER and they gave him a much higher dose of pain meds which we were so thankful for.  The doctor came in and said a lot of stuff...basically I heard:

Erik was stuck in this position for many hours just to keep Grant somewhat comfortable.This was in the ER at the Children's Hospital

Doctor:  Bad break...due to his age we aren't going to do surgery...you were lucky the break didn't puncture his skin...we'll do what's called a hip spica cast...we put him under full anesthetic to do it...we'll move you up to pre-surgery soon.

Me: So, will he be okay?  Can you spell the name of that cast for me?  I want to google it. 

There had already been many tears by all of that morning so when I googled "hip spica cast" I just started crying.  I remember thinking, are you serious?  He is not even two years old, he won't be able to move, he will be stuck and miserable, it's summer and hot out, how will we do this, I don't think I'll be at work for a while.  There were so many thoughts going through our heads.  While we waited to be moved we were visited by great team members, a case manager who was taking care of us, offering us sandwiches and something to drink, an ipad to email family, anything.  We were just trying to keep Grant comfortable enough and stay quiet if he was quiet. 

We had to wait a while for his turn in surgery since there was only one Orthopedic surgeon there and they had a couple emergencies come in, much worse than Grant.  They did a good job at keeping him someone comfortable with meds until it was his turn.  They took him back, asked us what color we wanted to cast (Erik picked red since Elmo and Lightening McQueen are both red) and we were sent to the waiting room. 

This is what we saw when we were called back to see him and he was waking up.  It was so sad.

Grant and his red hip spica cast, my heart was breaking

The next day in the hospital the Physical Therapists showed us how to position him on his stomach

 Much more of the story to come...

Work it!

Jenna and Grant were recently models in the Red Cross Fashion Show Fundraiser. They were too cute, that is until Grant laid down on the stage, declaring it was bed time. They had two outfits to model and Jenna loved it! Grant had more of a demanding supermodel attitude and was good if he was supplied with fruit snacks and lemonade.

Jenna said afterwards that being a model is hard work, her legs were tired from all of that walking and twirling.  The ladies in the audience loved them, but Jenna reminded them her outfits didn't come in their sizes.  Fun was had by all!

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Jenna has been taking singing lessons for almost two months now.  Her teacher, Miss Hannah is great!  We will miss her this summer while she is studying abroad.  Here is Jenna singing one of the songs they've been working on.  

Catch up - Marco Island

Our November vacation to Marco Island, Fl was great!  We had a lot of fun and can't wait for future vacations as the kids get older.  We had a few firsts:
Grant's first airplane ride
Jenna's first jet ski experience
Jenna and Grant got to feed a giraffe
Grant's first steps in the ocean
Our first vacation as a family of four!

Our last night - on the condo balcony



Erik, Jenna, and Grant on the boat at the zoo.  The Monkey's were fun to watch

Jenna feeding the giraffe

Grant was not too impressed, and the giraffe was not being too patient

Me and Grant on the boat ride at the Naples Zoo

New Milestone...literally miles included

Last week was a new milestone for Jenna. After worries about falling, and losing her comfort and security of the training wheels...she finally took off! It was such a great feeling to see her so proud. Honestly, she could have probably done it earlier, we just didn't take the time necessary to work with her. She took about two evenings working on it and then Wednesday (10/5/11) she did it!

Erik wasn't quite preppared for her to get so good so fast and was running up and down the street in his flip flops and then complained all night.

The look on her face was one of disbelief she was really doing it, fear, and excitement.  It was great!

Look, no hands...or the "I'm tired and give up" sign from Daddy...not sure!

"Look Mom...I'm doing it!"

This is what Grant thought about it...

This is what he thought about our neighbor's Camaro...he was much more interested in that car!

He really is all BOY!

Dear Jenna,

Dear Jenna,

You are now 4 years old! I cannot believe it, I often find myself looking at you in awe that you're my daughter. You're so smart, beautiful, funny, dramatic, creative, outgoing, and so much more. I'm so proud of you and the little person you are becoming. You make me laugh on a daily basis and say the funniest things. The things you come up with are so beyond your years at times.

You are the best big sister Grant could ever ask for. You love him so much, you are his protector, and biggest cheerleader. This is all true, unless he's spitting up on you, which he still does VERY often, then you say, "Grant, I am so frustrated by your spitting up all the time!"

I'm trying to bottle up all the love and cuddles you give your Dad and me. You're so emotional and loving. In fact, for your birthday wish you told us you wished that you family could stay together forever! How sweet honey!

You had your four year doctor appointment and are still in the 90th percentile for height and weight. It's only a matter of time before you will be taller than me. Your weight is 40.5 pounds, and your height is 41.5 inches.

In the past few months you've grown up so much! Here are some pictures of what you've been up to.



A flower girl in Uncle Brent and Aunt Christie's wedding!



You were so excited to wear your wedding dress and get your hair done.




You and the bride. You thought she was a princess and when they were married you asked if Uncle Brent was going to turn into a handsome prince.



Getting ready!




Halloween - my little Cinderella!



You and Grant at school before the Halloween parade. Grant was not loving his costume at all.




You, Bella, and Logan. There were a lot of princesses that day!



Our pumpkins, you had lots of fun carving and eating the seeds.



Your birthday party with your friends at Tumble Time.



Just a little dramatic while everyone was singing Happy Birthday!

A Summer of "Firsts"

When Jenna is not busy being a great big sister she is doing a lot of "firsts". Here are just a few examples.

Her 1st time feeding a baby!



Her first time golfing! She and Daddy had a great time!



Her first time splashing in a huge rain puddle!


Luckily it was bath night!




Her first day of Preschool! My big girl!


Jenna, we love you so much! I can't believe you are 3.5 and started preschool. Of course you love it and put excitement and life into everything you do!

Gone too soon

For whatever reason (must have been a bad moment) Erik decided on Saturday at Meijer that he wanted to get Jenna a little goldfish. Every time we go to the store she looks at the fish. We don't have any pets in the house, and at least for a while, we don't plan on it.

When Erik said he wanted to get Jenna a fish I said "Fine, but I am having nothing to do with it, I won't clean the bowl or anything."

He said okay, and they picked out the stuff and a little goldfish. Jenna was so excited she was practically screaming for joy in the store. She even picked out a little castle for the bowl so the fish had a house.

She decided to name the fish Carrot Nose (don't ask me why) and we went home. They got it all set up and she had her fish. Of course, the reputation for Mejier goldfish is not the best, but Erik said, "It's only .19 cents, we'll get another one."

By Saturday night it was already kinda laying low in the bowl, squirming it's way into the rocks at the bottom. Not a good sign. But, Sunday morning we woke up and he was swimming around, and when Jenna fed him, he seemed happy. She just loved this fish, always talking to him, and wanted to take him out and "scratch his body." Again, don't ask me where she got this.

Monday morning I woke up and Carrot Nose was a goner! Of course Erik is in the shower when Jenna wakes up, making me the person who has to explain why her fish is floating on the top and not moving when she shakes the bowl. UGH!

I tried to tell her he was sick and missed his friends and family at the store. She said,
"But I love him and I miss him. He will be my buddy forever! I want him to feel better." It was so sad! She had a few sad moments, and told Erik about it, then after daycare that day she came home and Carrot Nose and his belongings were all gone. She asked about it and was sad, then just moved on!

So, our first experience with a loss and she did pretty well! Now Erik is back to his senses and we will not be replacing Carrot Nose as of now.

Jenna's FIRST haircut

We've been thinking for a while about getting Jenna's hair cut. Her hair was getting so long, but unfortunately, she got my thin fine hair. We thought she could pull off a cute bob with her spunky personality! We had to talk her into it for four hours. It involved bribery of candy and taking her to see the movie The Princess and the Frog. Finally it worked! She did SO well once we got there! Now she looks beautiful and had volume to her hair!

The Haircut

Me and Jenna before the haircut! I see a fake smile, I think she's nervous.



The first few cuts! The lady said she took off about 4.5"!!

She's doing so good!

The almost finished product, I don't think she's sold on it yet! Until the mention of a sucker comes along!


The Hair Now

Side view...see the added volume?

Back, like you can't tell that!

Beautiful little girl!

She likes it now!

I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

I think it FINALLY clicked! Jenna has been wearing big girl underwear the last three days! She has been doing great with hardly any accidents. She finally just decided to do it.
We've been working with her at home, and daycare has been great with her too. She is totally motivated by the treats and sticker charts!
I am so proud of her!

This morning I think I witnessed one of the ONLY times it's acceptable for her to show a BOY her underwear! Her friend Wyatt at daycare also is newly potty trained, and they ran to each other this morning and showed each other their big boy/girl underwear! Here is how the conversation went:

Wyatt: JENNA!!!

Jenna: Wyatt, I have on big girl underwear! (she pulls her shorts down and shows him) It's Tinkerbell underwear!

Wyatt: WOW! Look at mine, it's Elmo underwear! (he then shows his underwear to Jenna)

Jenna: WOW, that's awesome Wyatt!

The teacher and I just stood there and laughed that this is one of the only times and ages where this is acceptable!

Mini panic attack

Last night I was awoken at 2am to Jenna crying "Mommy! Mommy, I hurt!!" I jumped out of bed and my foot was tangled in the sheet, so I almost fell out of bed! I ran to her room, her door was open and Jenna wasn't in there. Then I saw her standing in the hallway near the living room.

It was dark but as I got closer I saw something dark all over her shirt and her face! I stared to panic, I wasn't thinking totally straight since I had just woken up. She told me she was hurt and then said she had a boogie and needed a Kleenex! It turns out she had a bloody nose! Oh my gosh, I calmed down and cleaned her up. I had to turn a light on so she started asking to watch cartoons, and read, and get a drink because she was "pretty thirsty".

Anyway, I had to take the sheets off her bed and stain guard them and get her cleaned up and back down to sleep. So, all is fine. What the heck, was she picking her nose while she was sleeping? Who will ever know!

Sleep tight!

Jenna's been in her big girl bed since Sunday night. She is doing so well! I was preparing myself for a tough transition, but it's been smooth. The first night so came out in the living room three or four different times, and since then, she hasn't been out at all. It's so cute to hear her reading or talking in there and then she just drifts off to sleep.



She loves her big girl bed and feels special! It was sad taking apart the crib, and for now, it's in the basement. Hopefully we can bring it back up soon to get a new nursery ready!

Lights, Camera, Action

Jenna saw her first movie in a movie theater this weekend! I had to work, so Erik took her with some friends and their son. I was a little sad I missed her first movie, but now I know I can take her anytime!

She did SO good, she sat still and watched the whole thing. Towards the end, when it was a kinda sad part of the movie, she looked up at Erik and loudly said, "I love you Daddy!" He LOVED that and the whole theater got to hear it.

Which got me thinking about my first movie theater movie. My mom took me to see E.T. Now, I think it sounds scary for a toddler, but at the time I loved it, I even had an E.T. doll that I brought with me.

What was the first theater movie you saw?