Although not as much fun for Mason, who got sick the second week of the break with RSV. So he and I had a lot of quiet snuggle time at home. Just as he was finally getting rid of his cough from the rhino virus that he'd had earlier in the month, he spiked a fever of 103 and his cough got worse. After seeing our pediatrician and having a viral test done at the hospital lab, we discovered it was RSV. I was worried he had influenza, so RSV was a slightly better option I guess. The good news is, even though he missed out on some fun activities with cousins, I was able to take care of him at home without an admit to the hospital! And the even better news is that he is over it now without it having turned into pneumonia!! The bummer is that having been sick with RSV we couldn't reschedule his back rod expansion surgery for this month as we had hoped for, so now we have to wait until February 23! The tricky part now is just keeping him healthy until then!
Mason had his monthly IVIg treatment over night up at Primary's on January 19, and then Transplant clinic the next morning on January 20. Clinic went well, his blood work looked good, and his echo showed normal good heart function. We continue to see them monthly because of the chronic mild rejection he has been in for almost 2 years. As long as his heart function remains good then his next biopsy won't be until March to follow up on his rejection. This will also be his annual heart cath and cardiac MRI to look at his coronary arteries.
Mason also had an appointment last week with an eye doctor, which we waited 3 months to get into. He didn't pass his eye exam at school so that's why we went to see a pediatric opthamologist. And guess who needs glasses? Yes, that would be Mason! He's actually pretty excited and has asked me everyday this week if his glasses are ready yet. So sometime next week when we get them, Mason will have a new style!
And now some pictures from our Christmas and holiday break.....
The annual Christmas eve party and nativity with cousins at Grandma Marilyn's was fun and full of laughter as usual.
Wise man Braiden and shepherd Mason getting
ready to act out the nativity.
Ammon (getting ready to be the star in the nativity)
acting silly with cousins Peter and Brooke.
Kaitlin and all over her beautiful girl cousins
getting ready to be Mary and the chorus of angels.
With a few giggles here and there, beautiful Christmas carols, and
some amazingly cute actors..... the nativity that Christmas Eve
night helped us remember the true meaning of Christmas!!!
At 2am everything was finally ready for Santa and his elves to come spread some Christmas magic and cheer..... So 6am, when Ammon started waking everyone up, seemed to come way too early!
Out of all the gifts the kids received, I think Mason's catcher's gear from
Santa was the biggest hit! He tried it on at least 20 times just on
Christmas day, and then at least 2 times a day each day since then!
Ammon asked for music chimes like our cute primary
chorister uses with the kids at church sometimes. Seemed
like a funny thing to ask for, but Santa pulled through!
Braiden was super excited about his personalized
wooden practice bat!
Christmas also means its time for new clothes....
and new shoes!
Do you think Mason was excited about
his personalized bat too??!!
The other funny thing Ammon asked for was
a microphone headset like McDonalds' workers
use to take your order at the drive thru and he also
saw them being used in a school play. I will admit
it was kind of nice when it ran out of battery!!!
(And I conveniently keep forgetting to buy new ones!)
We've got some boys ready for some fun in the
outdoors with a new airsoft gun and....
some new skis!
As you get older (She's an old high-schooler now)
the presents become less fun and become things you need
.... like a laptop.
But, Kaitlin is excited not to have to fight with the boys
over our desktop computer now to do her homework!
Ammon, being the first to wake up on Christmas morning,
was also the first to fall asleep after the fun and excitement was over!
And then there's Mason.....
who just kept trying on his new Christmas stuff
and playing with his cousin Brextyn who came
over for Christmas lunch!
So much preparation and anticipation for Christmas morning,
and then it's gone in a blink of an eye!!!
But, I do feel blessed for our darling family and
the Christmas memories we make together each year!
Some of the fun Strickland cousin activities over Christmas break.....
included the annual roller hockey game and skating at Classic skating
(Mason got to enjoy this one before he got sick!),
building ski jumps,
doing ski tricks,
and just lots of fun skiing and playing in the snow.....
(Preston and Kaitlin)
( Cousins Natalie and Chloe with Kaitlin)
(Cousin Natalie and Kaitlin)
(Braiden)
(Kaitlin and her cute friend Grace went sledding too)
Kaitlin also took her cute little cousins Coco and Thompson
that were here visiting from Maryland on a special date
to Swig to get their famous sodas and sugar cookies!
And of course there was the sending off of the
Chinese lanterns on New Year's eve at Grandma's house.
(Chloe, Natalie, Kaitlin, and Grace)
Although Mason and I missed the fun New Year's Eve
celebration this year, I was grateful for his sweet snuggles in Pj's
and especially thankful that I could take care of my little sick
buddy at home and not spend New Year's in the hospital!!!
I will update again next month.
May you and your families have a happy and healthy
NEW YEAR!!!
"The best gifts in life will never be found under a Christmas tree,
those gifts are friends, family, children & the ones you love."
~author unknown
