The Burlingames

In 2 weeks is Eli’s 3rd (and God willing – last) open-heart surgery. I have a lot of mixed emotions regarding his surgery and preparing for it. Part of me is just looking forward to getting it done and having it over with and the other part of me is completely dreading the entire thing.

My feelings…

– Scared: there are so many unknowns right now – how quickly is he going to recover, is he going to survive, are there going to be any complications (during or after), etc.

– Overwhelmed: I’ve been busy getting childcare lined up for Noah so he doesn’t have to spend his days (and nights) at the hospital (I want him there for part of the time but I also want him to get out for part of the time) and so Dave and I can spend our time at the hospital with Eli. There is just so much to prepare for because of the number of people who will be caring for him (thank you to all those by the way). I need to have clothes, diapers, wipes, breast milk/formula, food, etc. packed up and ready to go for each individual watching him (so far its 3 people but might be more) before I leave for Eli’s surgery.

– Sad: my mom won’t be there to help me. She was going to stay with us and care for Noah so we could focus on Eli. I’m sad that she won’t be there to give me hugs and support.

– Nervous: I’m nervous about how everything will go – Eli and his surgery and Noah and his care (I’m confident in the care but I’m nervous how he will behave, he’s a good baby for us so I’m hoping he’ll be a good baby for others).

– Dread: I’m just dreading the whole thing. I don’t want Eli to have surgery. I don’t want to find people to take Noah. I don’t want to do anything except stay home with my boys.

We covet your prayers for Eli, Noah, us, the nurses, the doctors and those watching Noah.

Eli – his recovery (that it be speedy), his ability to listen to his body and rest and his overall attitude (it would be nice of he stayed in good spirits)
Noah – he’ll be carted around from place to place during our hospital stay. Pray that he’ll adapt well and continue to be the happy little baby that he generally is.
Dave and I – that we can lean on each other and be supportive and encouraging. Pray for our mental health, our hearts and our attitudes.
Dr. Moga (surgeon) and Dr. Rios (pediatric cardiologist) – wisdom, strength, patience and understanding
The nurses – wisdom, patience with Eli and us, the ‘right’ words to say to us and understanding
Noah’s childcare providers – patience with my baby boy, understanding for any crabbiness he may display, lots and lots of love and flexibility

I know there is a lot more going through my head, but I’m struggling getting it out in words.

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June 24, 2011

Swim Lessons…

by Megan

…were a success!!! I’m pleased to say that Eli did a fantastic job in his swimming class. He really enjoyed being in the water. He had to play with every single toy at least once during each class. Without knowing, realizing or fully understanding the consequences, he would ask me to let go of him while he was swimming. Needless to say, he would quickly sink (no worries, I would catch him). He started getting good at blowing bubbles and kicking. He does NOT like being on his back in the water. My favorite story from the 2 weeks…one day he was holding on to the edge of the pool, he looked at me and said, “look Mom, no hands” as he let go of the edge. Oh boy!!

Last summer we took the ‘toddler A’ swimming class, this summer we attempted to take the ‘toddler B’ class. Due to lack of participates we were asked to join the ‘toddler A’ class and work on ‘toddler B’ skills. Some of those skills included swimming with the swim instructors. Eli gladly went to them and did all the things they asked him to do.

The great news…he ‘graduated’ and can be in the preschool swimming class next summer. Yay!!! The goal will be to get Eli signed up for the preschool class and Noah in the toddler class during the same times. Wish me luck!

June 15, 2011

7 months & 9 months

by Megan

The 15th of each month will always mark a day of joy and sorrow.

My heart is joyful when I think of my sweet little boy who was born on November 15th. Noah brings a smile to my face each time I see him. He is such a smiley joyful little man. Such a sweetheart. Noah Daniel is 7 months old today!! Happy 7 months birthday Noah!!

Today marks 9 months since my sweet Mom was taken from this world (Sept. 15th). She now resides in the best place ever, heaven. I know she is happy and full of joy, but she is missed so much. I miss my Momma. I miss talking to her. I miss her advice, ideas, suggestions, etc. I miss her hugs. As much as it annoyed me, I even miss her saying, “blah, blah, blah, blah!”. :) Momma – I miss you greatly. I love you dearly.

This picture was taken the day we told Brianna that I was pregnant with Eli. I was 9 weeks pregnant at the time.

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June 14, 2011

Summer vacation officially started today!!!

by Megan

Yep, its official. I’m on summer vacation until August. Whoohoo!! I’m very much looking forward to having some time off to be with my boys, get some much-needed projects done and spend some time focusing on me. I have a list of projects about a mile long! On a sheet of paper I have the names of each room (Eli’s bedroom, our bedroom, bathroom, etc.) and a list of things I need/want to do in each room. The list ranges from cleaning to hanging pictures on the wall. We’ve been in our house for nearly 2 years and there are still no pictures on the wall. Well, I’m changing all that this summer. I’m hoping I can make a major dent in my lists.

Quick updates on all of us…

Dave is busy playing softball each week, buying/selling music gear (he currently owns 5, yes 5 bass guitars), doing some work on the house, playing his bass(es) and lovin’ on his family. He’s a very busy man but seems to enjoy it. We’ve been dreaming up ideas for our house and landscape ideas for the yard. Lots of ideas, just saving our pennies to get it done.

Eli is talking a mile-a-minute. His vocabulary has grown by leaps and bounds. We love listening to him talk and talk and talk!! He loves to play with his cars and trains, scare Noah (he giggles the whole time) and be ‘helpful’ around the house. He is becoming very independent and wants to do lots of things by himself. We have been encouraging the potty training ordeal, but he is uninterested. Maybe in a few more months. Here is a picture of my growing boy, I can’t believe he is already 2.5 years old. Eli is scheduled to have his 3rd open-heart surgery on Tuesday, July 12th.

Noah is busy growing and becoming a porker!! He is now a master at rolling around on the floor. He’s getting better at learning to sit up. He loves to play with his toys. Noah has discovered his voice and babbles a mile-a-minute just like his brother. They can be found having ‘conversations’ together, lots of giggling! Noah is learning to crawl, he’s not quite there but he can army crawl and scooch around on the floor. Lynn, our daycare provider, said he is a man with a mission at her house (he chases the dog). :) Noah is also becoming quite the eater, he will eat just about anything put in front of him without much fuss. He recently started eating broken down goldfish and loves them.

I’ve been busy doing some cleaning and organizing. Today I’m feeling a bit under the weather and spent the day resting. I hope to be ‘back at it’ tomorrow (with moderation, don’t want to over do myself). I’ve been enjoying my snuggles and loves with my boys (all three of them). I’ve been busy scrapbooking and crocheting. Dave and I’ve been making plans for the yard and inside of the house. I’m starting to do some online shopping for house stuff – time to decorate!!!

My sweet baby boys!!

June 14, 2011

Swim Lessons – Day 1

by Megan

Yesterday was Eli’s first day of swim lessons for the summer. We signed up for the Toddler B class, but were bumped down the to Toddler A class due to lack of participation. Oh well! It’s the experience that we care about. Yesterday and today (due to me feeling like crap), Dave is in the pool with him. He did a fabulous job!! He played, laughed, swam and had tons of fun. Last year, the first session resulted in lots of pity looks – he was SCREAMING and I was pregnant with Noah. Oy!! I was just glad (and thankful) he wasn’t the one screaming the whole time. :) We’ll see how today goes…