Today is Cayden's 3rd Birthday! 3 years ago today I was in the hospital holding this tiny little bundle in my arms and trying to believe the word "mom" now applied to me! 3 years have passed and I've certainly gotten used to the word "mom." (I've also gotten used to pee, poop, spit up... :) )
Pictures and stories to come:)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Photo Contest
We had Cayden's pictures taken with Photography by Trish and she is having a childrens competition until Sunday. We would love it if you could stop by 1 or ALL:) of the following locations and vote for Cayden:
The Cabin Coffee House (downtown)
Glazed and Amused (downtown)
Medsave Pharmacy (by Hardees)
Affinity Plus (new location near Papa Murphys)
Netzers Bemidji Floral (by Ctry Kitchen)
Peppercorn
The child in each catagory with the most votes wins a photo purse or large print! :) Each address counts as 1 vote. He's fishing and doing his funny face:)
Thanks for helping us out!! :)
The Cabin Coffee House (downtown)
Glazed and Amused (downtown)
Medsave Pharmacy (by Hardees)
Affinity Plus (new location near Papa Murphys)
Netzers Bemidji Floral (by Ctry Kitchen)
Peppercorn
The child in each catagory with the most votes wins a photo purse or large print! :) Each address counts as 1 vote. He's fishing and doing his funny face:)
Thanks for helping us out!! :)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Power of Prayer
We appreciate so much the prayers we have been getting, and we truly truly can feel them. There would be moments when I'd start to panic/stress and my mind would start going down a scary path and I would think, "oh no, people stopped praying!" Prayer is just so powerful!
Dad is in a regular room now, it's good to be out of the ICU, but now he doesn't have 1-1 care and it's the regular crazy nurse schedule. One great thing though, is that they gave him a private room and that is such a blessing in its self! The nurses have been really great and it's going to be hard to leave some of them after they've played such an important role in my dad/and our lives. He's moving faster, got a little appetite and seems like his normal self when he's rested. However, he gets tired really easy and the pneumonia is causing a cough that is hard for him and really hurts his chest. They're thinking maybe Saturday he can go home if the pneumonia gets better and doesn't worsen, otherwise it could be Monday. When he's well rested and talking in bed, it's so surreal to believe we almost lost him less than a week ago! Thank you Lord that we get him longer.
My brother went back yesterday morning and so last night was the first night mom and I went to parking garage and hotel without a guy to escort us. Last night when we prayed with dad before bed, she prayed for our safety to the hotel and at the hotel. I noticed that she prayed that, b/c we've been here a week and she never prayed it before. However, as we walked to the car I realized we were just 2 girls and I understood the reason for her prayer a little more. Then as we were walking into our room, 2 "druggie" looking guys were coming out of theirs and I told mom to get in a little faster and we locked the door. They just didn't make me feel comfortable. At 2:20am this morning I got up and mom said someone was smoking in their room, b/c it was coming into ours. I looked out the hall to see and there were 2 cops outside the room down from ours. I guess the "druggie boys" were smoking more than cigarettes and were being escorted away, thank you Lord for keeping us safe! :)
Dad is in a regular room now, it's good to be out of the ICU, but now he doesn't have 1-1 care and it's the regular crazy nurse schedule. One great thing though, is that they gave him a private room and that is such a blessing in its self! The nurses have been really great and it's going to be hard to leave some of them after they've played such an important role in my dad/and our lives. He's moving faster, got a little appetite and seems like his normal self when he's rested. However, he gets tired really easy and the pneumonia is causing a cough that is hard for him and really hurts his chest. They're thinking maybe Saturday he can go home if the pneumonia gets better and doesn't worsen, otherwise it could be Monday. When he's well rested and talking in bed, it's so surreal to believe we almost lost him less than a week ago! Thank you Lord that we get him longer.
My brother went back yesterday morning and so last night was the first night mom and I went to parking garage and hotel without a guy to escort us. Last night when we prayed with dad before bed, she prayed for our safety to the hotel and at the hotel. I noticed that she prayed that, b/c we've been here a week and she never prayed it before. However, as we walked to the car I realized we were just 2 girls and I understood the reason for her prayer a little more. Then as we were walking into our room, 2 "druggie" looking guys were coming out of theirs and I told mom to get in a little faster and we locked the door. They just didn't make me feel comfortable. At 2:20am this morning I got up and mom said someone was smoking in their room, b/c it was coming into ours. I looked out the hall to see and there were 2 cops outside the room down from ours. I guess the "druggie boys" were smoking more than cigarettes and were being escorted away, thank you Lord for keeping us safe! :)
Cayden Updates:)
Well even though life has been on hold a little, Cayden is still Cayden:) A few things he's said lately:
1) He helped grandpa Gale put up the hammock and the two of them were sitting on it and Cayden leaned over, patted Gale's belly, and said, "I sure hope this doesn't break!"
2) The first time Cayden came up to visit my dad, my dad had just had the tubes taken out so he was only whispering and my dad asked Cayden for a hug, Cayden had no problem giving him a hug. However, the next time he went in to say good-bye my dad had gotten a little more of his voice back, but didn't sound normal. That scared Cayden and he didn't want to hug him good-bye, so I had to explain that grandpa's voice was like that because he was just sick. Finally he hugged and kissed my dad good-bye. Yesterday, when he was supposed to be napping, Gale whispered something to Peggy from the living room and Cayden yelled, "Is grandpa Alan here?" and they said, "no, why?" and Cayden said, "Oh I thought I heard a sick voice" (because they whispered:) )
3) Cayden and Gale went for a walk in the woods yesterday and Gale said, "Oh no Cayden, we're lost what are we going to do?" and Cayden said, "there's the road, let's just follow it to the house" He's not even 3 yet!! :) When I talked with him this morning he said, Grandpa Gale and I got lost in the woods, but I said, let's go to the road and WE MADE IT!" :)
4) So Gale and Peggy have had Cayden since Thursday night, not exactly what they'd planned, but thankfully God had planned ahead for us! Gale was trying to be stern with Cayden about eating his food and so I think he had a "stern face" on and Cayden said, "Grandpa, why does your eye look funny?" So much for Gale looking stern!
1) He helped grandpa Gale put up the hammock and the two of them were sitting on it and Cayden leaned over, patted Gale's belly, and said, "I sure hope this doesn't break!"
2) The first time Cayden came up to visit my dad, my dad had just had the tubes taken out so he was only whispering and my dad asked Cayden for a hug, Cayden had no problem giving him a hug. However, the next time he went in to say good-bye my dad had gotten a little more of his voice back, but didn't sound normal. That scared Cayden and he didn't want to hug him good-bye, so I had to explain that grandpa's voice was like that because he was just sick. Finally he hugged and kissed my dad good-bye. Yesterday, when he was supposed to be napping, Gale whispered something to Peggy from the living room and Cayden yelled, "Is grandpa Alan here?" and they said, "no, why?" and Cayden said, "Oh I thought I heard a sick voice" (because they whispered:) )
3) Cayden and Gale went for a walk in the woods yesterday and Gale said, "Oh no Cayden, we're lost what are we going to do?" and Cayden said, "there's the road, let's just follow it to the house" He's not even 3 yet!! :) When I talked with him this morning he said, Grandpa Gale and I got lost in the woods, but I said, let's go to the road and WE MADE IT!" :)
4) So Gale and Peggy have had Cayden since Thursday night, not exactly what they'd planned, but thankfully God had planned ahead for us! Gale was trying to be stern with Cayden about eating his food and so I think he had a "stern face" on and Cayden said, "Grandpa, why does your eye look funny?" So much for Gale looking stern!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Great News and more Prayer Requests!
Last night I had a dream that dad was sitting up and talking to us without a feeding tube when we got back to the hospital (I also had a dream about Pastor Fred playing in the elevator, but that's not real significant:) )We knew the nurse was going to try and bring dad out of sedation again this morning, so we tried to be up here for that. When we walked in the room he was sitting up, WITHOUT THE TUBES! :) and communicating with whispers. When asked who my mom was he mouthed, "my wife" when asked who Brandon was he mouthed, "Brandon" the nurse then said he had a heart attack and Brandon saved his life and he whispered, "Thank you"
(I had stepped out of the room b/c he was coughing stuff up and I didn't want to hear that) So he knows who we are, can communicate and is breathing on his own!! He didn't know the month though, but I don't think that's a big deal at this time b/c of the medication in him and everything. They will not sedate him again b/c he couldn't breath if they did and they can't give him pain medication b/c it could relax him where he wouldn't breath on his own, but he said he wasn't in any pain so that's a praise.
I'm anxious to talk more to the nurse b/c I'm a little worried that they took the breathing tube out sooner than they wanted b/c of the fear of him getting pneumonia, please pray we don't' have any backslides. It's emotional enough as it is and when it takes a step back its a real punch to us. I'd rather it go real slow and steady than have to be up and down.
Please continue to pray that his fever will go down, it's been creeping up and that's not good. He's resting now so pray his blood pressure and heart rate get to a good level too.
A few other tidbits: When my Uncle Dale went in he whispered something to him, but Dale couldn't understand, so the nurse listened and she said, "he wants you to find salvation" So Dale told him to stick around and watch him:) They say to listen to someone when they're in this situation because they speak what's really on their heart and what's important, so I hope everyone takes note. We always knew how sensitive my dad's heart was to the salvation of others and this only proves it to everyone else.
He asked Sarah for water, but she said, "No", not yet b/c she's worried about his swallowing with everything that has happened to his throat. I told him he had great nurses and he whispered, "can you talk them into getting me some water" and then smiled. Oh how I wish I could have given him what he wanted! But I told him that the nurses really do know best and then as soon as they can they will.
The nurse has told him many times that he's had a heart attack and she said he may experience some short term memory loss and that's very common, so she just keeps telling him. Well, we were all around him and Cody said he has to stick around long enough to look like the guy in the postcard Cody sent him. (It was an old, old man in the back of an old pickup truck in a hospital bed with his nurse, and his rifle hunting. The caption said something about "this being the last year he should hunt") and dad laughed. The laughter made his numbers shoot up a little and so we were going to leave him to rest and he whispered, "what happened" and mom said, "you had a heart attack" and he whispered, "I know that" (so his short term memory did ok for awhile anyway) we realized later he was wondering what happened as to why we were leaving him to rest, b/c he saw mom look at the monitor and talk to the nurse.
My Uncle Duane went into the hospital last week with a blood clot and dad told him not to plan any long trips without him (meaning going to heaven) well you can believe that made us a little nervous having him head to the hospital not long after! However, I told dad today that Uncle Duane was getting better and would be leaving the hospital soon, so neither of them are taking a trip for a long time. You could see the relief in his entire body!
When my uncle Elroy went in he said, "it's nice to see you moving around a little" and dad whispered, "very little" :)
I am so thankful for this mornings events, I'm still scared b/c there's such a long way to go still, but what Joy we've had this morning. He knows us, he still has his same compassions and humor and although things are foggy for him, he's my dad as we remember him! (she said he might not have the same personalities, but so far so good-thank you Lord!)
(I had stepped out of the room b/c he was coughing stuff up and I didn't want to hear that) So he knows who we are, can communicate and is breathing on his own!! He didn't know the month though, but I don't think that's a big deal at this time b/c of the medication in him and everything. They will not sedate him again b/c he couldn't breath if they did and they can't give him pain medication b/c it could relax him where he wouldn't breath on his own, but he said he wasn't in any pain so that's a praise.
I'm anxious to talk more to the nurse b/c I'm a little worried that they took the breathing tube out sooner than they wanted b/c of the fear of him getting pneumonia, please pray we don't' have any backslides. It's emotional enough as it is and when it takes a step back its a real punch to us. I'd rather it go real slow and steady than have to be up and down.
Please continue to pray that his fever will go down, it's been creeping up and that's not good. He's resting now so pray his blood pressure and heart rate get to a good level too.
A few other tidbits: When my Uncle Dale went in he whispered something to him, but Dale couldn't understand, so the nurse listened and she said, "he wants you to find salvation" So Dale told him to stick around and watch him:) They say to listen to someone when they're in this situation because they speak what's really on their heart and what's important, so I hope everyone takes note. We always knew how sensitive my dad's heart was to the salvation of others and this only proves it to everyone else.
He asked Sarah for water, but she said, "No", not yet b/c she's worried about his swallowing with everything that has happened to his throat. I told him he had great nurses and he whispered, "can you talk them into getting me some water" and then smiled. Oh how I wish I could have given him what he wanted! But I told him that the nurses really do know best and then as soon as they can they will.
The nurse has told him many times that he's had a heart attack and she said he may experience some short term memory loss and that's very common, so she just keeps telling him. Well, we were all around him and Cody said he has to stick around long enough to look like the guy in the postcard Cody sent him. (It was an old, old man in the back of an old pickup truck in a hospital bed with his nurse, and his rifle hunting. The caption said something about "this being the last year he should hunt") and dad laughed. The laughter made his numbers shoot up a little and so we were going to leave him to rest and he whispered, "what happened" and mom said, "you had a heart attack" and he whispered, "I know that" (so his short term memory did ok for awhile anyway) we realized later he was wondering what happened as to why we were leaving him to rest, b/c he saw mom look at the monitor and talk to the nurse.
My Uncle Duane went into the hospital last week with a blood clot and dad told him not to plan any long trips without him (meaning going to heaven) well you can believe that made us a little nervous having him head to the hospital not long after! However, I told dad today that Uncle Duane was getting better and would be leaving the hospital soon, so neither of them are taking a trip for a long time. You could see the relief in his entire body!
When my uncle Elroy went in he said, "it's nice to see you moving around a little" and dad whispered, "very little" :)
I am so thankful for this mornings events, I'm still scared b/c there's such a long way to go still, but what Joy we've had this morning. He knows us, he still has his same compassions and humor and although things are foggy for him, he's my dad as we remember him! (she said he might not have the same personalities, but so far so good-thank you Lord!)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Update
Lots has happened, and I won't try and say it all, but you can keep more detailed updates via Cody's facebook. However, I had news I wanted to share too:
The Dr came by this morning and said the nurses could try and bring him around today. That is great news b/c it means he's ahead of their original schedule. While we were at lunch the nurse, Sarah, started slowly reducing his sedation meds to get an idea of what he might respond like when she removes it completely. When she moved him, he opened his eyes-a great sign! She said the lights were on, but nobody was home and that was to be expected. We were allowed to go in there and could still talk and touch him. She said he may open his eyes at our voice, but she thought it was the movement that made him open his eyes before. As soon as we got in, mom started to talk to dad and said, "Alan" and he immediately, partly, opened his eyes. We were so encouraged!! The nurse plans to take him off completely at about 4pm. We have family coming up so she wanted to give them time to see him first. Please keep your prayers specific that he wont get a fever, that he will wake calmly and without brain damage and that there are no complications or repeat attacks. Thanks so much everyone!
Friday, May 7, 2010
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!!
Everyone please be praying! My dad was playing volleyball last night and started having chest pains, he asked Brandon to take him to the hospital and on the way there he started to collapse. They got an ambulance and then flew him to Fargo, ND hospital right away to see a cardiologist. Please be praying!
UPDATE: I guess they speciefied he had a MASSIVE heart attack. (It's so serious, they call it the widowmaker-please Lord, don't let that be the case here) He had to be recessitated three times but got the meds he needed right away and sounded like he was starting to be stable/breathing on his own. He's on a helicopter to fargo now and the surgeon will be ready when he gets there to open up his vessels or arteries.
So i just got the latest update on my dad. Forgive me if things don't totally add up or are a little off, He had a massive heart attack and they have a balloon pump in his artery(s) to help keep the blood pumping and such at this point. He was very unresponsive and they have him now sedated (totally out) and will be for the next 24-48 hours it sounds.
UPDATE: Part 2...The next 48 hours are crucial, won't really know if he's gonna be out of the woods til then. They are going to be doing a hypothermia treatment to help hopefully prevent brain damage (scary, never even thought of that part). Also, b/c of the blood thinners, be praying for no complications with bleeding and such. I think they had some issues getting a tube or something down his throat and such.
The previous updates were from my brothers facebook account. My mom, Brandon and I are in Fargo now, Cayden is with Brandons parents. Please be praying-without ceasing! This is very serious and he is not out of the woods and we really need your prayers, pass this on to anyone you think will be a good prayer warrior.
I know God is in control, I know my dad would rather be in Heaven, but I'm selfish and I want him here, I want him to see my baby and I want a lot more years with him. Knowing God is in control is comforting, but not knowing his plans is really difficult. Will God be more glorified in taking him home or in letting us have a miraculous recovery? My prayer is for God's glory, but for me too:)
My Uncle Duane is another spiritual warrior in our family and he is also in the hospital with a very large blood clot, he's been there for a few days already. I believe God is doing something in our family, especially with all of this happening so close to Grandma going to Heaven. I pray my cousins and aunts/uncles all realize their need for Christ and that this might be able to help with that, please put that in your prayers too.
If you want frequent updates try and become friends with my brother on facebook (cody erickson) You might get removed later, but at least you'll get updates now:) I'll do what I can on this. Thanks guys.
UPDATE: I guess they speciefied he had a MASSIVE heart attack. (It's so serious, they call it the widowmaker-please Lord, don't let that be the case here) He had to be recessitated three times but got the meds he needed right away and sounded like he was starting to be stable/breathing on his own. He's on a helicopter to fargo now and the surgeon will be ready when he gets there to open up his vessels or arteries.
So i just got the latest update on my dad. Forgive me if things don't totally add up or are a little off, He had a massive heart attack and they have a balloon pump in his artery(s) to help keep the blood pumping and such at this point. He was very unresponsive and they have him now sedated (totally out) and will be for the next 24-48 hours it sounds.
UPDATE: Part 2...The next 48 hours are crucial, won't really know if he's gonna be out of the woods til then. They are going to be doing a hypothermia treatment to help hopefully prevent brain damage (scary, never even thought of that part). Also, b/c of the blood thinners, be praying for no complications with bleeding and such. I think they had some issues getting a tube or something down his throat and such.
The previous updates were from my brothers facebook account. My mom, Brandon and I are in Fargo now, Cayden is with Brandons parents. Please be praying-without ceasing! This is very serious and he is not out of the woods and we really need your prayers, pass this on to anyone you think will be a good prayer warrior.
I know God is in control, I know my dad would rather be in Heaven, but I'm selfish and I want him here, I want him to see my baby and I want a lot more years with him. Knowing God is in control is comforting, but not knowing his plans is really difficult. Will God be more glorified in taking him home or in letting us have a miraculous recovery? My prayer is for God's glory, but for me too:)
My Uncle Duane is another spiritual warrior in our family and he is also in the hospital with a very large blood clot, he's been there for a few days already. I believe God is doing something in our family, especially with all of this happening so close to Grandma going to Heaven. I pray my cousins and aunts/uncles all realize their need for Christ and that this might be able to help with that, please put that in your prayers too.
If you want frequent updates try and become friends with my brother on facebook (cody erickson) You might get removed later, but at least you'll get updates now:) I'll do what I can on this. Thanks guys.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Helpful Blog?
Brandon's co-worker just emailed me this blog and it seems very interesting. I haven't spent a lot of time on it yet, but thought with all my mom friends that read this, I should pass on the info. So check out this blog for maternity, baby and kid items cheap!
http://babycheapskate.blogspot.com/
http://babycheapskate.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
It's a Girl!
My cousin Tanya had her baby girl Macy yesterday. It's kind of funny b/c 2 years ago in June, Brandon and I were over at Kurt and Tanya's and Tanya was quite pregnant. That night we played wii games and laughed and snacked until after midnight. The next morning I got a call that she had her baby, Koi, around 6:00am that morning.
Well on Sunday night, Tanya and I went to dinner and a movie and then had appetizers/dessert at Applebees and laughed until after 11:00pm. The next morning I got a call that she had her baby girl, Macy, around 7:00am. When it's time for her to have a baby, she has it quickly! I'm thinking about offering services for woman that want their babies to come, they take me to dinner and a movie and they can have their baby before I wake up the next morning:) How much do you think I could charge for that? :)
Ok, so some of you probably thought the title was actually in reference to the gender of our baby, well it is that too:) We will be having a baby girl in August, according to the ultrasound. 2 technicians were in the ultrasound and it was an hour long. At the end they said that she flipped and flopped so much that they are 99% sure it's a girl, b/c no other parts were seen. I was more confident that Cayden was going to be a boy (even though we never found out) than I am that this one will be a girl (even though they've told us). So I'm a little nervous to tell people and then have it switch. I don't really want everyone knowing, b/c I still think the surprise after the birth is best, but I have a small close-knit group of readers so I figured I could share. Plus the fact that I keep slipping up and telling people on accident anyway:)
Well on Sunday night, Tanya and I went to dinner and a movie and then had appetizers/dessert at Applebees and laughed until after 11:00pm. The next morning I got a call that she had her baby girl, Macy, around 7:00am. When it's time for her to have a baby, she has it quickly! I'm thinking about offering services for woman that want their babies to come, they take me to dinner and a movie and they can have their baby before I wake up the next morning:) How much do you think I could charge for that? :)
Ok, so some of you probably thought the title was actually in reference to the gender of our baby, well it is that too:) We will be having a baby girl in August, according to the ultrasound. 2 technicians were in the ultrasound and it was an hour long. At the end they said that she flipped and flopped so much that they are 99% sure it's a girl, b/c no other parts were seen. I was more confident that Cayden was going to be a boy (even though we never found out) than I am that this one will be a girl (even though they've told us). So I'm a little nervous to tell people and then have it switch. I don't really want everyone knowing, b/c I still think the surprise after the birth is best, but I have a small close-knit group of readers so I figured I could share. Plus the fact that I keep slipping up and telling people on accident anyway:)
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