Some encouraging words for the mommys out there

"We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. Through my own four-generation experience in our family, and through discussions with mothers of young children throughout the Church, I know something of a mother's emotions that accompany her commitment to be at home with young children. There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they have made. Sometimes even husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives. "As a Church, we have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve."M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109

Home Sweet Home!!

We are home and Daxton is doing really well. The first and second day of G-Tube was really frustrating. He was refusing to eat anything by mouth. I was so frustrated because that is not why we got the tube, we did the tube so it would be a suplement to what he was already eating. But the next day he was drinking a lot better and almost back to normal. I think he still had a little bit of a sore throat from surgery. Tomorrow he has clinic so we will see if he has gained any weight.
Mady has been super busy down at the high school. She is in Beauty and The Beast. She is a little towns girl and a sugar cube. She is such a little drama mama and she loves every minute of it. If you are in the area you will have to come see the play at Woods Cross High School, they really do an amazing job. And I will be doing hair for the leads. It is definatly a family afair. It starts Feb 5th and runs until Feb21st.

Long day

So the surgery went well. It only took one hour, half of which was trying to get an iv in him. We counted 9-yes 9 attempts for an iv. Poor little man. When they let me go back and see him he was really sad. He cried and was very uncomfortable for the next 7 hours. He cried and would only take little cat naps for 5-10 minutes. At about 9 oclock he had a really good throw up and he has felt better ever since. He is sleeping really well right now, so hopefully he will be able to get some rest and not need as much pain medicine. They are only going to send us home on tylenol so I hope that will be enough. Tomorrow we are going to start feeding him in the tube. They are going to start with 2 ounces wait 2 hours, then try 3 ounces wait 3 hours, and then do it again. I was under the assumption that we were going home in the early morning. Um no, I guess that is what I get for assuming. Thank you for all of the prayers and well wishes.

Anxiety

I know that this surgery is realitivly minor, but I am super nervous. I do not like the unknown. It will be ok. Daxton rolled over for the first time today. Ya for Daxton, hopefully this surgery will help him progress and grow faster.

Surgery

So Daxton is going to get a G Tube. His surgery is set for Friday the 16th. We met with the doctor last Friday and I feel good about the surgery. I think it will help Daxton in the long run. It is a relatively simple procedure. The Doctor said that it would only take about 1/2 hour. But still he will have to be intibated and given sedation. It will all be ok, he will have to stay over night to be watched. If you could say a view extra prayers for my little man it would be greatly appreciated.

Not a bad way to start out 2009

Go Utes baby!! Thats right how about some sugar. We were all able to go on a little family trip to Grandma and Grandpa Tonges house to watch the big game. It was a lot of fun! It felt nice to get out of the house as a family. And yes we won 31-17!!
Daxton is doing really well. We went to clinic last Monday and he had gained 7 ounces!! Ya for Daxton! They are going to give us until Thursday to see if he can continue to gain more weight. If he does we will be able to postpone the g-tube. We are praying so hard that he keeps gaining. He is drinking more, so that is promising. We have an appointment this Thursday so we shall see. Keeping positive thoughts!!

Goodbye 2008!!!

What a year!! That even might be an understatement. This year started out with me having gestational diabetes. I thought that would be the challenge of the year, silly me. In April my grandpa had a heartattack and had to have three stints put in and later another three. Then my dad was diagnosed with a incurable bone cancer. Which is now amazingly gone. He still has pain but no cancer. Miracle! Then on May 20th we found out about our sweet son. His heart diagnosis started out as tricuspid stenosis. After 36 hour labor Daxton Parker Cook was rushed into this world weighing 5 lbs 5 oz. We then found out it was pulmanary atresia-basically same thing. Then on May 27th, this day will go down as the worst day of my life, we found out that our son had a severe coronary anomally and would not live very long. The emotions and feelings of this day are what my nightmares consist of. After many prayers, blessings and putting our faith in our Savior we went ahead with the first reconstructive surgery to Daxtons heart. We brought him home June 20th and spent 10 wonderful days as a family. On June 30th Daxton suffered his first of two heart attacks. We rushed him to the hospital where we ended up staying for 3 months while we waited for a new heart for our son. He recieved this new heart on Sept 10th. There were many many prayers, fasting, faith and blessings through our time in the hospital. So many sacred, beautiful events occured. Our family was brought closer, our true friends were realized, new amazing people were brought into our lives that we never would have ever met. But most importantly our testimony of our Savior was strengthed beyond our imaginations.
On Oct 11th we lost a beloved Uncle. I miss him so very much. I miss his laugh! Then a new baby, my sister had her first baby after 3 long years of trying, Teagan Rose was born.

So yes I have never been so excited for a year to be over but looking back on the events, the miracles, the wonderful friends and family that we have. I can honestly say that with all of my heart I am grateful for the things we have gone through. Goodbye 2008!! We will never forget you.