Ruen's on the Run...

Email Address Required

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Hey guys,

Those of you who emailed me for access to our blog are good to go.

Those of you that commented on the below post, but do not have an email address linked to your blogger account, I can not add you. Blogger actually sends out an email to provide you with access, so without an email address it will not provide you with reader access to our blog.

Shoot me an email so I have your email address, or make sure your email address is linked to your blogger account.

Thanks,
Wendy

Blog going PRIVATE

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:42:00 +0000

Hi guys,

Due to some privacy concerns, I am changing my blog's security setting to private. So, the only way to continue reading our family blog is to email me or comment to this post, so I add you to the approved reader list before I change it over to private.

I don't have a problem with any of my current known readers, so just let me know if you still want access. I'll add you on.

I'm going to wait about a week before shutting down the public.

Thanks for understanding!
Wendy

Home sweet home

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:30:00 +0000

The surgeon said Jax's surgery on Friday went well. It lasted about 45 minutes. As expected, tubes were put in both of his ears and a tonsillectomy was performed. It was discussed prior to him going back that he may need a adenoidectomy too. The surgeon worried that they may be also causing some of the obstructive sleep apnea. I didn't consent to the removal unless it was life threatening, because I had been advised by 3 different speech pathologist that due to Jax's anatomy he needed his adenoids for speech reasons. One speech therapist actually said his speech could sound like the way a deaf child speaks if his adenoids were removed, which is not repairable. However, during the surgery it was decided that Jax's adenoids were negatively impacting his breathing....which as we all know, breathing is required for life. I was happy to hear that the surgeon only preformed a partial adenoidectomy. He shaved 50% off the top part of his adenoids and left the bottom portion as is. The surgeon did this to try to preserve Jax's speech, however it may be decided at a future date that the rest of his adenoids need to be removed as well.

About 20 minutes after speaking with the surgeon, I was called back to see Jax in OR recovery, who was then starting to wake up. When I got back, he was screaming mad. Kicking and swinging his arms everywhere. Even when I got him into my arms, he was still very angry. It broke my heart to see him this way, but I stayed calm and positive hoping that my reaction would rub off on him. They provided him with a 'cocktail' to help relax him. Then he fell back to sleep, asleep in my arms. My sweet baby's face was so swollen and black & blue, as if someone beat him up. His oxygen levels dropped so they provided him with some oxygen via a tube blowing in his face. Thankfully, he slept through it. I don't think he would have liked it. Not related, but once his oxygen levels increased, he started to wake up again....a little more calmly this time though, so we were able to move into his room.

So, the IV continued to pump fluids and antibiotics into him. Surprisingly, he was able to ignore his wrapped up arm with the IV in it. He also was started on Tylenol with Codeine, which he handled well, and seemed to work well. The first round didn't quite last through the full cycle and he started to scream until he was able to get some more. But after that, the nurses (and now me) make sure the pain killers are ready to drink the second he is able to take them. No waiting. No screaming in pain.

The doctor prepared us for a 7 - 10 day recovery period, went over all the helpful information & instructions with Jeff and I, and then discharged Jax Saturday mid-morning. Our biggest job in to make sure (and force, if necessary) his required daily fluids or he will have to be readmitted to the hospital. As much as Jax doesn't want to drink, he is doing quite well. He has been a very brave and strong little boy. I think Jax is going to recover just fine.

We appreciate all the many, many prayers that were said for our sweet little boy. God took care of my baby and also provided me with peace during the procedure. Thank God! Jax loved the balloons he received from his brothers, and I loved the meal that was prepared for my family on our first night home. It allowed me to focus on Jax and Jax alone. Thank you Denise!

Yes, there will be rough days ahead. Codeine will help. Time will heal. God will help! However, I am very excited for the swelling to recede and for us to notice less labored breathing for Jax. At this time, we haven't noticed any major changes in his voice. We had been prepared for his voice to change, we had hoped it would not, we are not sure if the swelling is all that is preventing this change, but I am hopeful that he may keep his sweet precious voice. With all the changes made in his mouth, throat, and ears, I am very anxious to have Jax's speech reevaluated. I know I have been warned that some of these changes may negatively impact his speech (and he was already in therapy before the surgery), but I have a good feeling about it all. I pray speech will be easier for him now. I know there will be a long road of speech therapy ahead of us....but, we are ready to walk that road with him.

I took pictures throughout his stay at the hospital, but I am only posting the before the surgery pictures and a couple where he is starting to feel (and look) more like himself. Looking back at the pictures, post surgery, his little swollen up face brings tears to my eyes, so they will be saved away in a file on the computer, not to be regularly viewed.

Early drive to the hospital:

Prepping him:

He HATED this "bracelet", so I lied and told him it said "Momma loves Jax,so you have to wear it!". I think God will understand my lie. :)

One of about 10 different riding toys he got to experience during the pre-op wait:

Kisses:

Watching cartoons with Daddy:

We did a trial walk through with a nurse and realized at the hand-him-over point, Jax was not going to go easy. He was starting to show anxiety already, so he was given a cocktail to drink: see relaxed Jax below:

Watching one of the many, many movies he watched,

rather than sleeping, like expected. He actually fought off sleep for the entire first day.

We are so glad to be home and starting the healing process. He is doing GREAT and staying strong! My biggest challenge may be keeping him calm and still. He is already thinking he is ready to get down, run, and play. NOT.GOING.TO.HAPPEN.

Surgery

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:07:00 +0000

Our sweet boy Jax has surgery this Friday.

Prayers requested.

Thanks!

Poor picture quality - taken by phone - sorry.

His world is perfect right now.

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:52:00 +0000

While I was tucking Hudson into bed he said, "Mom, everything is going perfect for me." ...This coming from three things that are just going great for him now days.

1. Most importantly, he made a 100 on both of his TAKS tests!! Yep, no room for improvement there!! WhooHoo!
I am so very proud of him!!

2. He has always struggled with his /r/ speech sounds. He has been seeing the therapist at the school, but since we weren't seeing any improvements I started taking him to a Pathologist down in Austin that works with the kids in a whole different manner. She works his tongue as the muscle it is, and just says /r/ sounds that are easy for him to create over and over again until it becomes muscle memory. This past week, he had the ah-ha moment and heard it for himself. He can do those /r/ now!

3. Baseball - Hudson is not ever one to strike out (this past spring or for the summer tournament team), but he has been hitting to first/second base A. LOT. It has become predictable. His Dad and other coaches have tried to help him out of this "slump" (slump for him), but again we weren't seeing any improvements. He spent 1 hr with Noah's batting coach and came back to the fields hitting hard into mid to deep left field!

Needless to say, Hudson is feeling GREAT about himself. As he ALWAYS should. We are so proud of him!

I wanted to reward Hudson with a fun night. So, last night, I took Hudson and Noah to the Round Rock Express (Astros AAA) game (even through it was a school night & we wouldn't be home until 10). Thanks to CPYL, we had free seats and enough to give to another baseball Mom and her 2 oldest kids. So, us two Moms took ours oldest kids to the baseball game. The Dads adjusted just fine to the role reversal...staying at home with the little ones. :)
We had a great time!

Take it on the road.

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:32:00 +0000

Last weekend, we took our first road trip with a baseball team. It wasn't the boys best baseball performance, but everyone had a fun weekend.

We didn't travel far, just to a small town in Central Texas, and when I say small...it was small. There were corn fields everywhere and a acre of goats at the entrance to the sporting complex. Small town!

Hopefully I will start taking more pictures at future games...it's hard to remember to take pictures when you are sooo into the game and already having to remind yourself to watch the 2 yr old too! ;)

Decorating the car windows before leaving town:

Jax loves baseball events, because he loves to play with the other siblings!

That cute batter is mine:

In this picture, that cute catcher is mine:

Jax with some of his baseball friends:

It's crazy to think, a year ago it brought me to tears thinking about taking Jax to the fields...he used to hit/bite other kids and kick & scream at me....it was horrible! Now, he is so perfectly social.

He is super sweet to all the kids and they all seem to like him very much.

I'm glad that selfish 1 yr old behavior was just a stage he went through, that is now long gone!

Taken by the phone

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:50:00 +0000

As we were trying to survive another day of running all around, I took a couple of pictures with my phone. Poor quality of course.

While sitting in the waiting room of one of Hudson's appointments - I really got attached to Jax's curls. I feel a haircut coming on and I worry the curls will be gone forever. It saddens me.

Noah & Jax entertaining themselves at Hudson's baseball practice.

Noah wanted to kick the soccer ball around some, but Jax wanted to use it as a chair.

Done with the Astros

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:18:00 +0000

This past weekend's tournament wrapped up both Hudson and Noah's Astros teams' seasons. Luckily, they had a little bit better season than our MLB 'Stros are having!

Here are a couple of pictures from this past weekend:

Huds catching

Coach Dad & Huds & Jax watching on

Noah w/ his buddy Zachary

Now, onto only 1 baseball team's schedule, but this one travels.... but, so far, it's been lots of fun!!
Go 9u Ambush!!

A month old, better late than never.

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:52:00 +0000

It's hard to believe Noah is 7 years old now. He went from a very rocky start to life (post here) to this healthy little boy. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. We love you Noah...and always will!!

Here are a few pictures from Noah's 7th birthday party. I have been so swamped lately that I forgot all about it until I was cleaning out my digital camera. Oops!

Noah had a sleepover for his birthday party. He was allowed to invite his 10 closest friends, most of which attended. We rented an outdoor sports-themed interactive blow up to provide entertainment outside.

Hmm..wonder where little Jax learned to put his hands in his pockets. ;)

Waiting for his guests...

They arrived...

Water balloon war...

Pizza and then cake...

Noah had a great time! I hope all the kids did.

Crawfish Boil

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Hudson is totally MY son! While all the other kids played all afternoon at our neighbor's house, Hudson peeled and ate crawfish all afternoon!!

An end in sight

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:53:00 +0000

to our crazy hectic schedules.

This coming up weekend will conclude Hudson's and Noah's baseball league games. Right now, Hudson is playing on two different teams...the Astros, who is aligned with a baseball league and the Ambush, which is a summer select team. On top of all that, we have Noah's league team, the Astros, and Jax's many appointments to juggle.

Here are some recent pictures of the boys and their current teams.

Noah playing 3rd:

Noah batting:

Jax with Doritos on his face & blow-pop in hand:

Hudson catching for the Astros:

Hudson got a chance to pitch (normally not a pitcher):

Huds batting:

AMBUSH:

Huds playing 3rd:

OUT!

Huds catcher:

Coach Jeff - Dad:

Giving, made him happy.

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:59:00 +0000

At Jax's preschool, they decorated candle holders to give as Mother's Day gifts.

Jax was so proud of his gift. I believe this was the first time he really understood he was giving a present to someone.

Mascot

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 03 May 2010 21:08:00 +0000

Yes, we spend lots and lots of time at the baseball fields. I have two boys who both play year-round. One who would play 24 hrs a day - 7 days a week. We haven't even finished regular spring season baseball and he is already starting summer select ball. And, on top of those two boys....I have Jax, the 2 yr old...

How do I survive the fields with a 2 yr old? Snacks, packing enough stuff that it looks like we are moving into the ballpark,, other player's older siblings being hired as at-the-field babysitters, more snacks, concession stand money, another 2 yr. old sibling has become Jax's friend....and well, anything goes. If it makes him happy (and it is safe) and I can continue watching the game...I'm game....

The below pictures were taken during this past weekend's tournament:

And...does the below picture explain why my car is filthy during baseball season?!!

I hope summer goes as smoothly as spring has...

Wires on my baby.

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:40:00 +0000

Jax underwent a sleep study last night. He was miserable trying to sleep this way. I watched him all night and kept busy by trying to keep him untangled and comfortable.

I am so proud of him. He did much better than I expected. He wanted to yank every one of these wires off, but controlled himself.

Pictures taken by my phone, not the best quality.

Special Moment

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:25:00 +0000

The below pictures were taken at Hudson's baseball game last night by another Mom on the team. I would have never witnessed the tender moment without her. These pictures have so much emotion...

You can see in Jax's eyes how much he adores Noah.

and Noah loves Jax.

I am so lucky she caught this on film! I love them!! I love knowing my boys act this way when I am not watching them. They do it because they love each other, not because it makes me happy...

My Academic All-Star

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:34:00 +0000

We are so proud of Hudson for being awarded a medal from his baseball league for being an Academic All-Star (straight A's during baseball season).

He is also the best big brother in the world!

Brace yourself

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:07:00 +0000

Noah got braces!

He was so excited to go to the Orthodontist; I was not as excited about the bill. He only has 6 total brackets, top only. Phase 1 is expected to stay on for about 9 months and bring his top front two teeth together. Hudson needs braces soon too - he has a tooth slightly trapped in his gums above another tooth...Ugh, these boys have gotten expensive. ;)

Noah played a PS3 while they put the braces on him - they were so good with him!

Jax loves Hockey!

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:20:00 +0000

About a month ago, we took all of the boys to their first hockey game. The Texas Stars are now based less than 10 minutes away. We all had a great time.

Prayer request

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 16:13:00 +0000

We've recently discovered Jax is going to need more than just tubes in his ears. There are other concerns, more urgent concerns we were just informed of by a Pediatric Craniofacial Surgeon. First step will be for him to go into a overnight sleep study and then we will decide which direction and which issue to tackle first.

I'm not ready to post about it all, for all to see on the WWW.

Wordless Wednesday - Texas Legislature

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:45:00 +0000

The Texas Senate Chamber

Easter

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Easter day fun:

The bunny came:

and left goodies and hidden eggs:

After spending the morning as a family, we headed over to a friend's house to celebrate Easter with yummy food, another egg hunt, and swimming:

Some friendships are irreplaceable

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:37:00 +0000

We used to live down the street from The Bice's before we moved to Austin. Throughout the years living on the same street, the kids grew up together. We did everything together, from carpooling for school to sleep-overs to taking vacations together. When we decided to move, it was hard to leave them. We have been through a lot together, good and bad. People who have the perfect family tree may not understand this, but they are family. No, there is no shared blood, but they have always been there...unconditionally.

To be honest, I thought our relationship would change some when we moved. The funny thing is, it didn't change one bit. We may not see each other every day like we used to, but when they walk through our front door it's like they still live just a couple of doors down. Lauren and Lexie are still "the girls"...the closest thing to sisters my boys have. We still treat each other kids as our own.

The best thing is...they never leave our house in Austin without planning out their next return visit.

Hula Hut: Noah, Lauren, Lexie, Jax & Hudson

"Want boat!"

Zilker Park

Touring the Capital

Hey Cupcake! (Jax not wanting his hands dirty...his face was obviously okay to dirty up!)

Congress Avenue bats!

While the men golfed, we hid/hunted confetti Easter eggs:

Mike, Michelle, Lauren & Lexie,

We will miss you guys...until June!

I've got to stop saying he's 6

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:11:00 +0000

because he turned 7 last week!

Due to baseball season being in full swing and Noah wanting to have a sleep-over style birthday party, his party is having to occur a couple of weeks late. Surprisingly, he was completely understanding!

On his actual birthday, he got to choose where we went out to eat. He chose Kobe's...like every year...loves that place! Jax was even into the habachi grill performance this time! We also fit in presents, ice cream cake, a movie, and bowling.

We love you Noah and always will...

Labadee, Haiti

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:21:00 +0000

For previous cruise posts, click here: Post #1, Post #2, Post #3, Post #4.

And to think...I was worried about stopping at Haiti...

It was raining at Labadee during our time there, but I can tell that this would have been the most beautiful stop of them all.

Labadee is owned by Royal Caribbean, so it is a private paradise. The beaches and water were amazing. We had booked an excursion called Sandbar Island Rum Rendezvous. Due to the constant rain, most other excursions were canceled, so we got lucky. The catamaran was suppose to give us a tour of the amazing reef system while in route to a sandbar in the middle of the ocean to spend a couple of hours on. However, our crew was able to adjust the plans so we could still go out. They took us to a small private island, where it wasn't raining as hard. We toured and hung out on the island while the crew kept some fun Caribbean music playing and the rum punch flowing. BTW - when you are cold and wet sitting in the rain....rum punch does warm the body! :)

U.S. Coast Guard:

Tortola, B.V.I.

wruen@austin.rr.com (RuensOnTheRun) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:36:00 +0000

Our third port of call was Tortola, British Virgin Islands. This island had powdery white-sand beaches and lush green mountains. The tourist areas were beautiful, but when driving through the villages, it was not somewhere I would want to live (lots of trash).

Our excursion at this stop was a tour of the island called Best of Tortola with lunch. We boarded an open-sided bus which drove us along a scenic ridge road, which made me very nervous. The drivers there are crazy too. The roads are very steep, two-lane roads that only one car can fit onto, with lots and lots of hairpin turns so you can't see if you're about to be involved in a head-on collision or not. The drivers are constantly honking their car horns so other drivers know they are there...since you can't see the cars coming at you.

We stopped at Cane Garden Bay to enjoy the sun and swim in the clear blue water. After spending an hour or two on the beach, we enjoyed a CaribbeanBbq lunch and rum punch. Yum!

This was my least favorite port of call, but considering all the exciting excursions we did at the previous stops...I know why.