Allen's Surgery

I've been thinking about Allen's surgery a lot because it will be a year since the surgery happened in March. In this picture, Allen had just been released from the ICU, so the kids could go see him. Allen had what was supposed to be outpatient ACL surgery. Allen developed compartment syndrome, rhabdomylsis, kidney failure, and an infected seroma. He had to have 4 fasciotomies, where his leg was essentially slit open from ankle to hip on both sides. He was in the ICU for a couple of weeks, in the hospital 28 days, went into the operating room 11 times, had to have muscle removed, and had a drain in his leg until 3 months after the surgery.

Warning: The following pictures are pretty graphic.

Outer thigh

Inner Thigh

Calf

Sponge and suction of wound vac

Too many stitches to count and this is only half of them.

The drain with foam tape.

The drain and what it did to Allen's leg.

I'm so glad this is behind us now. Allen can excercise with no problems, but his leg bothers him often and just isn't the same anymore.

Wavy Hair

This was my attempt to have curly hair like my sister Jen. I took a picture to show Allen in case it didn't last.

Kayla's 6th Birthday

I decided that Kayla was going to have a Tinker Bell party since I found these cute pillow cases for the girls to color. Kayla already had a Tinker Bell costume, so the girls all came dressed up as princesses and faires. They colored their pillowcases, ate pizza, watched the Tinkerbell movie, opened presents, ate cake and ice cream and tried to break the indestructable pinata. It was a fun easy party.

I tried making a homemade pinata this year. I put two grocery sacks together and it was too strong. I'll have to experiment before Brayden's birthday.

Here's Kayla Tinkerbell cake. I tried doing it without the wilton wonder mold with a bowl and two round cake layers. (I recommend the mold.)

Everyone coloring their pillowcases. Kayla, Cadence Potter, Allen and Brayden (Allen drew a train for Brayen to color), Sommer Lealiifano, Katie Egan and Meghan Ellenberger.

I like that Spencer is tasting some cake while Kayla blows out her candles.

Silly Kids

Brayden started the silliness with a grape in his ear.

Spencer joined in with peekabo.

Kayla said she has an apple tongue.

Two in the Crib

When Spencer woke up from his nap, Brayden ran upstairs to see him. I found him in the crib with Spencer when I got there.

Tabe for Two

Kayla and Brayden set a table for two using our stacked chests. They are eating a lovely dinner of plastic rings on a princess blanket tablecloth.

The Tent

I made this tent for the kids with folding chairs, a light quilt and twist ties. They loved it, but it didn't stay up long because they moved all their toys in and kept fighting over space.