Chorus

Alessandro joined chorus this year and as I was looking through pictures I realized I never posted them.  So here he is performing.  I don't think he enjoyed it all that much...too many people looking at him.  But he loved the party at the end of the year where he got lots of prizes and little trinkets.  Enough to just make him think about signing up again.  ;)

His cousin Caitlin was in chorus as well.

Alessandro's leg

It has been almost 2 years since Alessandro fell off and broke his leg.  We went to Primary Children's today for his yearly check up to see if the broken leg was catching up to the good leg and whether or not he'll need surgery.  It has caught up quite a bit, but not enough.  She said that the most catching up happens in the first two years of recovery so I shouldn't expect it to catch up much more.  Which means he will need surgery in a year or two when he is closer to hitting puberty in hopes that the device they put in his good leg, to stunt the growth, will have to be in for the shortest amount of time possible.  The shortest amount of time she has had a patient with these things in is 9 months....so I'm thinking at least that long.  she said the surgery isn't a huge deal...he'll be up and walking after and will be able to run about 3 weeks later.  After talking with her it doesn't sound as scary as I was imagining, but still, surgery is surgery and he still needs to be put to sleep.  :(  boo  When I was there I copied all the xrays she has taken so we could see the development and healing that has taken place.  On a side note: about a month ago he told me he felt like running was a little easier again.  I can't imagine how it felt and how hard it probably was when his leg was so much shorter than the other.  I'm glad he's feeling a little better and more confident about it.  Here are the xrays....

These were taken a week after they put his leg in a cast.  They were checking to see if it was staying aligned.  At this check up they had to cut the cast open in a little area, which adjusted the bones a little.  Poor guy was in soo much pain as they did this...no meds or anything.  He was a trooper.

These are taken the day they took the cast off.  I remember looking at these xrays thinking...Are you crazy!!  These do not look healed to me...but she was right, they were healed enough and as long as he didn't run or jump or rough house for like 4 months or something like that he would be fine.  and he was!!

This is a follow up visit to see how it's healing.  Notice the difference in the length by looking at his hips.  No wonder it was so hard to run!!

Another check up, you can see how it's catching up by looking at the hips

Today's visit and the growth that has happened

It is so crazy to go back and think of that time.  Mia was just a baby, Alessandro was in a wheel chair and I felt so overwhelmed and scared.  We had so many wonderful friends and family who supported us through this time.  I gained a greater appreciation for those who take care of children with physical disabilities.  Not only was it emotionally exhausting, but it was physically exhausting.  I remember Alessandro would often tell me he didn't like going out because people would stare at him and he hated them looking at him.  I think he learned a valuable lesson and now has a very tender heart for anyone he sees that is hurt or in a wheel chair or anything to that sort.  He is genuinely concerned for them.  The whole experience really taught us all a lot. 

Single Parents

This last year has really given me an appreciation for Udine and all that he does for this family.  My hat goes off to anyone that is a single parent.  That has got to be one of the hardest jobs!!  Udine decided to get his masters this year, so he goes straight from work to school and gets home about 11:000pm.  The two younger ones don't even see him these days (mon-thurs) and the older two only see him in the morning before school when he does breakfast with them and takes them to school.  I feel like I have been a single mom and it has shown me how much Udine does for us once he does get home.  The whole mood of the house changes.  Kids are happy to see him (so am I), their is laughing and playing and just another hand to help with the kids.  I have been exhausted this semester....it has been the worst so far and I can't wait for him to be done so we can have our husband/dad back.  I feel like I can barely keep my head above water.  Last week was the kids' spring break so we went to St. George for a few days and it was heavenly to have him around that much!!  But it has been a brutal awakening today ... back to reality and no help from him.  I will be so glad when this is all over.  Although, I think he will be even happier when it's over.  I don't know how he does it; working full time, going to school full time and still manages to make time for his family on the weekends.  He is a trooper and I'm grateful for all that he does.  I can't wait for things to go back to normal again!! 

The rest

Well, I have failed in the picture taking department.  Ben's family is now gone...we dropped them off with Kelsi and Brady (Jana's brother and sister) this morning.  The kids had a blast and were actually sad that it was coming to an end.  Mandy and Jamie helped out a ton this week....thanks guys!!  And it made a huge difference once Udine was home in the evenings.  Amazing how a helping hand can make things so much smoother, plus, he's so much more fun....so the kids loved it.  Anyway, we enjoyed having them here. 

We leave for St. George the middle of next week and I can't wait!!  I need a little sunshine!! 

Day 2

The day started out great!  Smiles from all!! 

They are too funny....they just had to look at each other 

These boys were little gamers...I think they got out every game we have and played it 

Hmmmm...the mood is starting to change.  This is not some cute picture of little feet....it shows one of the ways Mia and Cali were pushing each others buttons.  They were both laying on the couch but didn't like the other touching them.  What started out as foot pokes turned into all out kicking.  It was kind of funny to watch, but then I had to stop it cause they were starting to kick hard!! 

And the day ended more like this.  :(

Note to self....don't let the girls skip naps!! 

(Jana, I promise I'm taking good care of your kids.  Don't let this picture make you sad.  She has been happy most of the time.  I just think these two girls are too funny and way too much alike that I couldn't help writing about it)  :)

I realize I have no pictures of the older three boys, but life just gets sooo crazy after school, meal time, bed time, etc that I forget to take the camera out.  I'll try to remember tomorrow.

Cousin Fun!

We are watching Ben and Jana's kids this week while they enjoy the nice warm sun in Costa Rica.  Last night was the first night and I think it took me an hour and a half from start to finish to get all the kiddos in bed.  hahaha  I'm hoping some of the problem was setting up sleeping bags, figuring out what each child needed and all that stuff since it was the first night.  Cali needed about 4 sippy cup refills, Packer couldn't find his kitty, my boys and benji were all begging to let him sleep downstairs with them, Mia was being disobedient like usual....and without Udine around to help....by 9:20 when everyone was finally in bed after a few bathroom breaks, drink breaks, etc....I was tired!  And it was only the first night!  :)  hahaha  I'm not complaining, because everyone was really good....I just need to figure out a routine to get these 7 kids to bed in a more timely manner.  :)  This morning my favorite comment from Benji was "I was asleep when Udine came to check on us and Lalo was trying to fall asleep"  hahaha  I asked him how he knew Udine checked on him if he was sleeping....I guess he fell asleep right as Udine was walking down the stairs.  hahaha  I'm sure he "fell asleep" when udine was walking down because the deal was they go to sleep right away or they don't sleep together again, and since Udine doesn't get home until 11:00, they knew it was way too late to be awake.  hahaha kids crack me up!
 
                                       
                                  Mia being naughty and you can tell she knows it by the look on her face. 

Luca was asleep within minutes of putting his head on the pillow

Cali and her prized possession...the sippy cup  (every kid needs a comfort when mom and dad are away, I think the sippy cup is hers)

I felt bad for Packer cause he was just laying there being so good and Luca had fallen asleep a while before that, so I gave him some books to read to help him fall asleep.  When I went to check on him, he had fallen asleep while reading.  Too cute. 

It was a good day.  Lets hope today is also!!