Good News!!!

We called the doctors office yesterday and got some very good news! Ford's lymph node was benign, with no indication of lymphoma, particually non-Hodgkins lymphoma! YAY! God is so good! We did have some strange news though, and we're not really sure what it means. The nurse said that the node consisted of 75-85% follicular hair growth. We're a little confused by that, especially since Ford has no hair in that area:) We go to the doctor on Tuesday for his post-surgery check-up, so hopefully we'll get a better explanation then. Thanks again for everything. All of our prayers were answered!!!!

Surgery Pictures

I must say, I have been debating whether or not to post pictures of Ford. His surgery is not something I want to flaunt or call attention to, but I am amazed at how quickly he has recovered. That being said, I am going to post a few pictures only to demonstrate how resiliant he (and probably all kiddos) is and offer encouragement in case you, or anyone you know, is faced with a surgical situation. Ford has really been a champ through all of this. Thanks again for all of your prayers, emails, texts and phone calls. xoxo!



This is him before the surgery. He passed out from hunger and thirst! Poor guy!


When we were allowed to come in to the recovery room, this is how we found him. Completely alert and awake and FLIRTING with the nurses! What a ham!



Mom and Ford after we got home from the hospital. He'd just taken a 3 hour nap, thanks to tylenol with codine:) Look at his swollen eyes.

Praise the Good Lord!!!

Ford went in for surgery this morning. We arrived at the hospital at 8:30am for check-in. Ford hadn't eaten or drank anything since 6pm the night before, so he was quite irritable, but otherwise in good spirits. Around 9:30am, he finally passed out. I think it was from hunger:) I went in to the OR with him while the anesthesologist used some laughing gas to get him to relax so she could start the IV to put him under. He did really well and handled the anestheia like a trooper. The surgery last about 20 mintues and the lymph node came right out, just like the doctor expected. They stitched him up and took him to recovery. Ryan and I walked in to the recovery room to find Ford sitting up in his bed, flirting with his nurses. He drank about 12 ounces of apple juice (for the first time!) and ate a ton of grahm crackers. He was in heaven!

We are home now and Ford is sleeping. I am so amazed at how resiliant my son is. He is acting like nothing ever happened. I think this experience affected me more than it did him.

Ryan and I are so thankful for all of your prayers. Our God is amazing and He took such great care of our little one. Please continue to pray that the lymph node is benign and that Ford has a speedy recovery! Thanks again!

Blessings,
L

PS---I did take a few pics of the cutie pie in his gown, but I'll post them later. They are on my phone and I need to sync it. I knew some of you were anxious to read the update so I wanted to post this asap. xoxo!

More Pictures from Ford's Birthday

The proud parents


Awwww!



Ford and his cousins

More Pictures from Ford's Birthday

Me and the great helpers, Brittni and Brynna


Ford resting up before his big party



My lil monkey


don't think he's too interested in his cupcake

Ford playing with Grandpa and cousin Brittni

Ford's First Birthday Celebration in Southern California

Ford at Fisherman's


Ford and his new buddy Colton


Birthday Celebration at the Adams' House



Ford and I at PB


Ford and Molly at lunch

I can't believe our little guy is one! Ryan and I wanted to do something special for his first birthday, so we decided a trip to visit family and friends in Southern California was in order.

We flew in to San Diego on Thursday and headed straight to Pacific Beach for lunch with our dear friends Molly and Trevor. Ford was quite smitten with Molly and she did a great job of entertaining during lunch. After lunch, Ryan and I took Ford down to the water. He didn't like the way the sand felt or how cold the water was. We got some great pictures, though. Next, we took for to Mission Bay to visit his new cousins, Jack and Josh. The boys are so cute and we are so excited for all the fun the boys will have together in the future. Finally, we drove to San Marcos where we stayed with our great friends Seth and Nicole and their boys Colton and Grady. Nicole was so sweet, she and Colton had made Ford a birthday cake and we all celebrated together. Ford got along really well with Colton and Grady and they had a lot of fun together.

On Friday, we drove to San Clemente for lunch at Fisherman's and shopping along Del Mar. Ryan and I lived in San Clemente for about a year, and we got engaged at Fisherman's. It was so fun to go back and revisit our old stomping grounds. Ford absolutely loved sitting outside, over the water, and watching the pigeons and surfers. After lunch, we drove up the 5 to Fullerton where Ryan's mom lives and stayed there for the rest of our trip.

Saturday, Ford spent the ENTIRE day outside enjoying the beautiful weather. He played with the dogs, swang, and got so much attention from his Gramps and Grandma.

Ford turned one on Sunday and we celebrated with a monkey party. All of our family and friends came down to celebrate, it was such a fun day. Ford also got to meet his cousins (the three B's) for the first time. Braedon, Brittni and Brynna were SO good with him. Ford had cupcakes and opened presents and played outside again all day.

Our trip was so special and we had such a wonderful time seeing old friends and catching up with family. God has truly blessed us with such a wonderful suppport system. Thanks to each and every one of you who helped make our trip (and ford's birthday) so special!!!

Right now, my Mom and Mark are here visiting. Ryan is working in New Mexico so they came to help me with Ford. Turning one has made him even busier, if that's possible!

At this time, I'd like to ask for all of your prayers. We found out last week that Ford has to have surgery on Friday, January 23. He has an enlarged lymph node that needs to be removed. We've been watching it for about 3 months, but it hasn't reduced in size at all...it's 1 cm by 2 cm. The surgery is very routine, but we are anxious because it's general anesthesia. Please pray that the good Lord keeps Ford safe, and ask for His guidance to be with all the surgical teams.

I hope that 2009 has been wonderful for you and yours so far! I know we've been enjoying ourselves immensely!

Our lil monkey is growing up!

I can't believe that Ford is going to be 1 year old in just 13 days. It seems like time just flies by. Ryan and I have really enjoyed this past year. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some trying times. But, for the most part, we have been blessed far beyond our wildest dreams. Ford is an absolute joy! Other than God's grace and my amazing husband, Ford is the best thing that has EVER happened to me.

The past few days, Ford has learned to "talk"! He babbles non-stop! It's so much fun to hear him form new words and see how the world works. Over Christmas, we went to Oklahoma to be with my family for a few days. While we were there, Ford picked up the tv remote control, put it to his ear, and said, "hi-doe"! He walked around with that thing to his ears for days. Must be a sign that his Momma and Daddy are on the phone WAY too much:) He's also said "rome" for Romey. I have a feeling that will be his first word.

My aunt had surgery today to remove a grapefruit sized tumor from one of her ovaries. It was benign! Yay! God is soo good. Even though my family has been tested this year (Mark's surgery, Jackson's surgery, Susan's surgery), God has been faithful and provided safe recoveries for everyone. Tomorrow, my childhood dog Zoey, will have surgery to remove a 13cm tumor from her spleen. I pray that it, too, is benign. Our whole family just loves that dog!

Ryan leaves tomorrow to go to Orlando for Xymogen's National Sales Meeting. Hopefully, my mom and Mark will be able to visit so Ford and I aren't here by ourselves:)

Here are some pictures of our recent adventures over Christmas and New Years.

May 2009 be your best year ever and may God richly bless your lives as He has ours!

Lots of love!

I'm a first timer!

Hi everyone. Well, this is my first time blogging, and I'm not really sure what I'm doing! I'll give it a shot anyway.

With all of our family and friends being so far away, I figured a blog would be a great way to keep in touch. I have many friends that blog, and I love reading about all their various adventures. I'm also going to try and keep this blog as real as possible. For those of you that know me really well, you know I am not one to sugar coat anything. Honesty is the best policy! So, I apologize in advance if I offend anyone:) Btw, is is appropriate to use emoticons in this thing???

Today was pretty uneventful. Ryan has been sick for the past 4 days, so not much has been going on. I feel bad for him that he's sick, especially since work has been slow for him and he could be enjoying himself more. Really, I'm just sad that he's sick because I can't put him to work around the house:) Ford has been asleep for an hour now, so I decided that I'd get online and pay some bills, read the paper and check my email. See, I told you today was pretty uneventful!

Tomorrow, we are having 2 other couples (Greg and Stacy and Scott and Andrea) over for dinner. Greg and Stacy are moving to San Diego, so this is a "farewell dinner" for them. Ryan and Greg have known each other since college, so we're both bummed that they're leaving us. Greg has seen every recent milestone in my relationship with Ryan. He was here when we bought our house, got married, got Romey and had Ford. However, I know that we will all keep in touch.

Well, I think I'm going to take advantage of my sleeping little boy and get some stuff done around the house. Goodnight to all!