Belated Update on our Trip to Colorado

Wedding Day in

Evergreen, Colorado

Landon asleep on the flight out to Denver

Well it has been quite a while since I've posted anything, I'm not very good at keeping up with this whole blog thing, but I'll work on it.
March 25 we took our first trip on an airplane out to Denver, Colorado for my brother's wedding. I knew traveling with a toddler would be stressful, and I also knew that adding both my medications for my diabetes and all of his medications and special formula for his medical needs would add a little more stress when it came to having so much to have in our carry-ons on top of the usual needs like diapers, wipes, bottles, sippy cups, snacks, and so on....but luckily everything went smooth on the ride out, without any delays at security, but our first airplane ended up being a little "puddle jumper" since we first went from G.R. to Milwaukee and that is NOT the ideal plane for a first timer. Initially it terrified Landon, it was very wobbly and loud but once we were up high enough he settled down and fell asleep for our short 25 minute ride. The second, longest flight from Milwaukee to Denver (almost 3 hours) was a little easier on Landon, but we realized the only thing that ended up scaring him was when a flight attendant or pilot talked over the loud speaker, he freaked out every single time until he finally fell asleep. Landon wasn't the stressful part for me, the stressful and annoying issue was the fact that nearly everyone gave me a stare down and had little comments when Landon was scared, he wasn't even the loudest kid on the plane yet it seemed like some stupid people who had "the answer for everything" had a comment about how mom's should handle their kids...I can almost guarantee they have NEVER been a parent and I was SO close to telling them off, but I chose against making a scene. I was very lucky that I had my parents and of course my husband there for support, especially my mom who at one point gave a great stare down and a piece of her mind to one lady who just wouldn't shut her mouth, she was one of those people who never uses an "indoor voice" and seem to have the need to be noticed. ANYWAY...overall the flights went very well and once we made it to Denver we were all very relieved to be done flying and stay on the ground for a while. Our hotel was GORGEOUS, we were up in the mountains and had a suite with a balcony that faced a beautiful mountain range. We had two queen sized beds and that worked out great, Landon actually spent the first two nights sleeping in his very own queen bed like a big boy. Before we arrived the weather was sunny and in the 60s, but the first full day we were there a blizzard arrived and we ended up with 24 inches in one day, we were stranded in the hotel, which was actually just fine for us, but all the local stores and restaurants all closed by 2pm that day due to the severity of the weather, all I thought was of course this would happen once the Michiganders arrived. The rest of the days were gorgeous, mid 50s, sunny and the snow made the mountains look absolutely amazing! The wedding day was perfect, it was a very busy day but SO much fun. Shawn ended up getting sick by the evening and Landon was not having any part of the crowded reception area so I ended up driving the boys back to the hotel and by the time I was done celebrating with my brother and sister-in-law and returned back to the suite they were both sound asleep. The next day we all woke up sick with a nasty cough, which ended up becoming the worst case of bronchitis we've EVER had (it seriously lasted almost 2 weeks) and had to get ready to head home, I think after 5 days away from our comfort zone we were all ready to get home. We didn't get back home until 1am and we were ALL exhausted! I'm happy that the wedding turned out so lovely and that the travel experience wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but I have to say "there is no place like home" seriously! Well, I guess that's all for now, I've gotta go cuddle with my boys before bed. I'll be updating soon with Landon's next GI visit coming up in another week.

~Sarah

Landon's Dental Surgery

This morning was such an early morning for all of us, we were all up by 5:30am to make sure we'd get to the hospital by 6:30 for Landon's surgery. Landon was not allowed anything by mouth last night after midnight and of course he woke up during the night (which he does not normally do) and I could tell he was looking for his sippy cup of water that I usually leave in his bed for him and he WAS NOT happy, so once 5:30 came around he was tired, hungry and just not a happy little boy which just got worse once we walked into the surgery waiting room. He knows his waiting rooms/hospitals so he instantly knew something was going to happen and he did NOT like any of it! Once we checked in and walked to the preop room to get him dressed and checked out they realized he puts up quite the fight when he's unhappy, so they gave him some of their "happy medicine", which I guess they give all kids right before the surgery so it's not so tramatic for them when they have to leave their parents...but if that's the case I would think, to be fair, they should give some "happy medicine" to the mommy as well :) That medicine was crazy, he went from shaking, crying, and trying to walk out of the room to being calm, smiley, and laughing at Spongebob and Daddy, he was a totally different boy (slightly resembled an intoxicated little boy though) which both relieved me and worried me. After they wheeled him off to the OR Shawn and I waited in the waiting room. After 45 mins we met with Dr. Sterken and he told us everything went really well, he ended up fixing 4 teeth, 2 molars that needed to be cleaned and capped, and then he had a chipped tooth which he repaired and a spot on another tooth that he cleaned and filled just in case it ended up being the start of decay. After we talked with Dr. Sterken we went back to recovery and I sat with my groggy baby boy for 2 hours while Shawn went back home to get some food. The anesthesiologist came into the recovery room to talk to me and I right away knew it would be about Landon's narrow airway and his laryngomalasia, but he told me how nervous he was about putting a breathing tube in Landon because his airway was so extremely swollen that he had to use a breathing tube sized for a newborn and that he could clearly see the swollen flaps which indicate laryngomalasia and that he could also see signs that he may have tracheomalasia on top of that, I was stunned, the first full year of his life we were told he had tracheomalasia and then last year we were told that no he had laryngomalasia and now I hear that he might have both! He ended up putting my mind at ease a little after explaining that although he saw signs of those disorders he said Landon's lungs were perfect and he handled the whole breathing tube thing fine once they found the right size of tube. It was a draining morning, but we were home by 11:30am and all three of us were napping by noon, so Shawn was able to get a couple hours of sleep in before he had to go into work. Landon's teeth are looking good, I was a little disappointed that his dentist used silver caps for his molars, which I didn't think they used anymore, but as long as it keeps them from causing any more trouble I'm happy. Now I've got to go check on my little guy and hopefully he'll be in a cuddly mood the rest of the day, that's the only thing I enjoy when he goes through a medical problem...he always wants to cuddle and be comforted by mommy :)
~Sarah Rozeboom

Positive Thinking...

So recently I've been trying to see the positives that could possibly come from this whole unemployment problem in Michigan, there have been SO many friends and family that have been affected by losing their jobs, including ourselves last summer when Shawn was "let go" from his job and we were living (barely) on unemployment checks for 5 long months and paying ridiculous amounts of money for full coverage insurance (about $1400/month) but somehow God answered our prayers and Shawn finally landed a great job with Perrigo of Holland. Although I am grateful for Shawn's job it's hard to think of it as being a fully secure job, since it seems like that doesn't exist right now, everyone seems to be "walking on eggshells" every single day, hoping and praying that they wake up with a job. As for the positive thinking there has been one major "positive" I've noticed when it comes to married couples who have or are going through the hard situation of unemployment, they are working TOGETHER in a way that is strengthening their relationship like I've never seen before. Looking back, Shawn and I never appreciated each other as much as we did during those 5 months of "making ends meet" and it made us work together in such a different, powerful way that I just can't even explain. Losing a job is one thing, but when you have someone in the family with a chronic health issue and you lose insurance coverage it's a totally different experience, it's scary. The couples with children and/or health conditions that I have witnessed go through this unemployment devastation are some of the most inspirational people to me, they never fully lose hope and if anything having their spouse and children there give them the strength and determination needed to keep moving, rather than simply giving up. I pray that this economy starts showing improvements soon and that the people impacted by this tough situation come out on top, as stronger, more grateful people. I pray for everyone who is struggling during this horrible time, it seems like nearly everyone is in fact struggling one way or another and above all I pray that we will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel very very soon. My eyes have been opened to just how bad it has become out there and it makes me even more grateful to be able to remain a stay-at-home-mom, even though I could really use a raise :)
God bless!
Sarah

First Blog

Well, after noticing a few friends who have been a part of this whole blogging thing and after hearing how much it helps some moms to, in a way, "vent" about their ups and downs and even the simple every day struggles or accomplishments that continually happen I thought I should give it a try. So here we go...
Today we had another doctor's appointment for my 2 year old son Landon, he was scheduled for a preop physical (to give us the "okay" to have his dental surgery on March 4) and to have one of his Hepatitis shots given to him. Since my husband Shawn was home I had him come with me so I'd have an extra set of hands to help hold our abnormally strong son down when it was time for that dreaded shot. Landon has been consistently in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices since birth so he learned very early that these visits usually consist of someone holding him down, pushing, poking, and many times hurting him and now he will instantly break down when the nurse calls his name in the waiting room. Today was no different, and I was actually grateful that he acted out like he normally does so Shawn could see just how much I go through every time I bring him to a simple check up, getting his blood drawn is a totally different story :P The nurse that weighed him, measured him and then gave him his shot was in complete shock when she realized just how strong he is and how hard it is to hold him still even for a few seconds. When the three of us (myself, Shawn and the nurse) held him down for the shot the nurse said she has never in her 15 years of nursing dealt with such a strong, solid toddler, she compared his strength to that of a 7 year old. She looked at me and said "Wow you are SO patient and great with him, most parents would be freaking out or breaking down along with their children when they act this way." I looked at her and simply said, "I'm used to it by now." The moment Landon heard the words "ready to go home?" he stopped his panicking and started waving and blowing kisses to everyone around him, lets just say he was more than ready to head home. After that appointment I started to wonder what it's like for mom's with kids who aren't so strong and who are sweet, calm and interactive towards people at doctor visits. Landon has learned what and how to fear certain things or situations as an infant who was a medical mystery for the first 5 months of his life. I know he's behind in the speech department and I also realize that it's due to not having the opportunities to interact with other children on a regular basis, but every day I try to work with him on saying a new word or phrase and although I see improvements we still have a long road ahead of us. Well, this blog is a little boring, but oh well, I'm a first timer and right now I've gotta end this so I can get things done before naptime is over. I will write again soon, we have A LOT of upcoming events in March including his dental surgery on the 4th; our first time flying with Landon on the 25th to Colorado for my brother's wedding which Landon just happens to be the ringbearer in and I am a bridesmaid on the 28th, so I'll be writing as we prepare for all of that. Take care!
~Sarah