The Fitzpatrick 2011 Christmas card

Reflections on a Year

So, 2011 comes to a close.  So much to reflect on.  So much to look forward to.  So hard to not be all sentimental, reflective and hopeful this time of year.  I can't help it.

Here goes,

2011 - Lows

Sensory Processing Disorder
Aidan's surgery
Tough decisions regarding jobs and schools
The first 3 months of school (for me)
Dan getting laid off
Rowan not qualifying for SpEd services
Saying goodbye to my friends at NSCS
Losing our kitty, Beaner

2011- Highs

Trip to the Porcupine Mountains
Rowan's significant progress
Aidan learning guitar
Summer with Carrie and Corryn
Dan getting laid off
LYNNIE (Rowan's preschool teacher - she deserves her own post)
Rowan getting into speech therapy at SRC
A reminder to stay humble in my new job
Getting really good at sewing
The boys sharing a room

2011 - Grateful fors

Friends, old and new
My new creating space
Supportive family
Rowan - for being so funny, cute and imaginative
Aidan - for being so musical, funny, smart
Dan - for being supportive, loving and an awesome dad
LYNNIE
Duluth
My happy, healthy home

2012 - Looking forward to

More vacations
Watching Dan grow his own business
Watching Rowan grow into himself
Listening to Aidan's music
Making more stuff
Going on more hikes
Spending more time in and on the water
Laughing

A happy happy 2012 to you!!!!!!!!!

Body Parts You Can Live Without

I'll admit it, I've been ignoring my blog.  Sorry.  Insert usual excuses here: too busy, not inspired, etc.

It was an eventful week at the Fitzpatrick household, to say the least.  Starting Monday with a just-in-case ER visit, and crescendoing to emergency surgery by Saturday.  Fun times.

So, little Aidan has been dealing with phimosis for the last year or so, with little discomfort until about a week ago.  When he was complaining that it hurt to pee on Monday (he neglected to tell us it had been going on for days) we took him to the ER, and then consulted with a pediatric surgical urologist to schedule a minor procedure for the following week to open things up a bit.

Alas, things went downhill quickly.  More and more pain each day, until Friday night, where the kid could hardly pee at all.  Another trip to the ER, where we were told it was an infection.  Wrong.  In actuality, the hole was closing up, which it completely did by Saturday morning.  Ouch.

Immediately, I got on the phone to call the urologist again, and it was agreed an emergency circumcision was the only route.  Problem is, there is no pediatric surgical urologist in Duluth, so we had to rush to the twin cities.  Car Ride From Hell ensued.  For two and a half hours, Aidan howled in agony.  I did my best  while Dan sped.  Rubbed his back, applied, ice, played ipad movies.  The worst of it was that Rowan just didn't get it, and he couldn't stand Aidan's screaming, so he started screaming.  Then I started screaming.  I would not make a good nurse.

We finally made it down, and after a dose of morphine, the kiddo was more comfortable, and within 45 minutes he was in surgery.  The doc couldn't believe how much pressure his little organ was under and can't imagine how much pain he was in.  All went well, and we have returned home, frazzled and traumatized, but relieved, and with a little less skin.  Aidan is the bravest person I know.

While we were waiting to be discharged, Aidan and I were talking about body parts you can live without.  Your foreskin, your tonsils, your appendix, your gall bladder, etc.

"Have I ever had my tonsils or index out, Mom?"

At least he is understanding the parts of a book.  Nice.

Special thanks to Auntie Ann, who met us at Children's Hospital and went on Rowie Duty, so we could focus on getting Aidan fixed.