A Very Etue Christmas

Christmas was a whirlwind of family fun!  Let's start from the beginning!

Christmas Eve we went to Derek's parents house for their annual family and friends Christmas party.  We ate lots of food and the kids got some great presents.  The girls were just beginning to figure out this Christmas thing.  Tyler didn't last too long there.  A lot of us were a little jealous cause he was the only at the party that had a bed upstairs waiting for him!  He went down for a little nap until his sisters were begging to go home too.  We all lasted till 10pm, which for us Etues is very very late!  Once we were home it took the girls about five minutes to fall asleep!  That made Santa very happy, cause I think he was waiting on the roof to appear!

Tyler was the first one up on Christmas morning.  He was squeeling and yelping so loud, that Mommy had a hard time going back to sleep.  So me and Daddy were up with him at 6am, preparing breakfast.  We were done with breakfast and pretty much pacing the floors until Lexi got up.  She came into our bathroom like it was a normal morning.  Then Derek reminded her "Santa came", here was her response:

Lexi then went in to wake Addy which was kind of hard since Addy is on the top bunk and Lexi doesn't know how to climb the ladder!  But I helped her out and lifted her to Addy's level.  She said "Addy, Santa came!",  Addy opened her eyes and said "hey, how did you get up here?".  Once again, Christmas confused!  But it only took Addy a second to realize what Lexi was yelling at her and she jumped out of bed and to the tree they went!

In all these Christmas morning pics take special note of Tyler, he was a Christmas Maniac!  He sat in the middle of the action and just went at it!  Grabbing everything he could!  The girls were screaming "his name isn't on that"!  He then resorted to chucking hammers into my Christmas tree.  Towards the end of the opening he had to be removed and put down for a nap, I could not handle his wildness!

Lexi was more than thrilled with her Dora Kitchen.  She could have had that one present and been perfectly happy!

Addy loved the Disney Castle with all the Princesses!!

Check out Miss Styling in her new Disney sweats and Croc shoes!  And note:  She is in new Disney sweats in the above picture too, they both changed several times until all these new clothes were no longer new.

As soon as Santa presents were open, Grandpa and Grandma Etue came over with more toys!!

Boy toys finally!!  Daddy was more than happy to see a race track in the house!

Our last celebration of the day was at Papa and Grandma Zorn's house at around 4pm.   By this time, Tyler was D O N E !!  He pretty much took one picture over there and then went straight to bed for this third nap of the day!!

Tyler is letting everyone know in this picture that he is OVER Christmas day.  No more presents, no more extra people, no more pictures!!!  The boy took off out of the horse stalls this morning on a fast dash, and he just didn't have the stamina to finish the race!!  He should have paced himself better, maybe next year!

Happy First Christmas Tyler Ivan Stinker (Lexi's name for Mr. Ty!)

So this christmas season is coming to a close.  We are still trying to find a home for all our new things.  And the girls are now asking "when do we say, happy new year?"  The Etues have sure been blessed with good health, family, friends, and love during 2011.  We have been thru obsticales successfully and became better people because of them.  We have many hopes and dreams for 2012, including a few vacations, job advances, and a successful surgery.  But most of all the Etue party of five will be trudging through the new year together!!!!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH

Tyler has been not sleeping, and acting kind of crazy.  I just figured,, ah, he is an Etue.  Nope!  TEETH!  I put my finger in his mouth a few minutes ago and I got bit!  From the top and the bottom!  Yikes,, upon further investigation, He has TWO FRONT TEETH!  Of course they are hidden behind his piece of maxilla skin, (thats not a medical term, just a mommy term!).  They look like they are in the right spot though and straight.  I am sure it will be a month or so before we can actually view them without prying his mouth open like a wild alligator, but none-the-less, Tyler got his two front teeth for Christmas.  I honestly never thought this day would come for him.  We have been doubting they were there at all due to his cleft issues.  But, just like the Christmas magic during this season, they appeared.  So go ahead Buddy, be crabby, get us up a bizillion times a night, refuse bottles... but my boy HAS TOP TEETH!  Any other parent is probably like big deal right,,, but when you have a child with facial differences as a mom you cling to anything that keeps them right in line with their peers.  And although not real religous lately, I still count my blessings that our Tyler is growing and developing just like every other healthy child.  Despite a few upcoming surgery's and maybe some emotional rollercoasters later in life,,, our Tyler will grow to be a mature functioning adult.  Love you, my boy!!

We dug out our video camera last night!  What a hoot!  Video I didn't even realize we had and loads of life happenings we missed by keeping it tucked away.  For the first time in his life, tonight, Tyler will be filmed!  It's his sisters preschool christmas program, we are all geared up to film the girls and I will be sure sneek a few minutes of the baby brother cheering them on! 

Christmas Season Pictures

Tyler's Christmas Picture

An attempt at taking a threesome christmas picture!!

Tyler eating Thanksgiving Dinner, He was stuffed after turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and corn all blended in the magic bullet!!

Thanksgiving table at Grandma Sheryl's,,, ranch and ketchup really???

Tyler loved holding the power saw during our hunt for a Christmas tree with grandpa and grandma Etue

December 2011--Happenings of the Party of Five

No blogs in a while means everything is going great at the Etue Estate.

Tyler is growing like a weed.  He is now eight months old and ALL boy!  He is sitting up and scooting around my house.  He is up on all fours and rocking, and grinning all the way.  Ty is eating like a hog!  Baby food, adult food, whatever he can get into his mouth.  On a typical day he eats his six jars of food and then whatever is on my plate.  We are in the process of switching him to a sippy cup, but that is challenging with any child, let alone a child with no suck.  He drinks from the rim of a cup better than a sippy.  But neither is very convient for mommy right now.  He only takes good bottle feedings from mommy so for now we just play that feeding game.  Tyler has managed to get all the ribbon off of our christmas tree and a few ornaments.  I have sense removed the ribbon since i was losing the battle.  Tyler has some new favs: pounding any and everything, saying mama repeatedly, computer cords, cell phones, pulling hair, head bunting, spinning the wheels of his trucks and the occassional barbie.  We have put away all his baby toys as he is more into toddler toys.  He loves his blocks, cars, and learning toys with buttons to push! 

The girls are still as crazy as always.  Preschool has become easier for Lexi, thank god.  It only took her three months to adjust to being away from me.  They are still each others best friends and love playing together.  They play daycare, preschool, disney world, and just about anything thing else that we really do, they imitate for weeks later.  They are trying to understand the season of Christmas.  And we laugh at their misunderstandings of it!  Howie our elf, is helping them learn some lessions along the way.  Although, Howie is giving us parents some lessons too, like how to move him before 3am when we awaken suddenly to relize we forgot to move him! 


We are already having an exciting holiday season.  We have made some home improvements including new paint thru the entire house, new tv/fireplace stand, and a new huge tv.  We are loving our newly designed spaces.  Merry Christmas to Mommy and Daddy!!  We have also been to our communities christmas light parade and festivites and are planning a trip to disney on ice before chrismas day arrives.  We are also looking foward to our girls first preschool christmas program.  Should be an interesting night watching Lexi have a meltdown infront of hundreds of people!   The kids will be having a grand christmas day with all their wish list toys already wrapped and locked in our basement bathroom.  We cannot wait to see all their smiles while celebrating the holidays with family.  The barbie shoes have been super glued on their barbie, and the trucks have been removed from the boxes.  Just a few more things to put together and we will be ready for the big day.  They are all at super fun ages!  And as soon as the holidays are over the Etues are becoming content with life.  We are no longer wishing for a new larger home, or larger toys, we are going to become content for a while and see where that gets us.  A new year with new dreams of loving what we already have,, each other!! 

2012 Etue Estate
In Our Home
We do second chances
We do gratitude
We do grace
We do laughter
We do mistakes
We do thank you's
We do real
We do muddy shoes
We do creativity
We do I'm sorry's
We do imperfect
We do funny
We do loud really well
We do hugs
We do family
We do love

I am having trouble uploading current pixs.  Will try again later.  Stay tuned to A Very Merry Etue Christmas!!!!  (Probably will be a sequel to National Lampoons Christmas Vacation!!)

Etue Happenings

Tyler FINALLY put food in his mouth today!  He has been able to pick it up for weeks, but finally got it to his mouth today.  He still doesn't put any toys in his mouth, maybe that is next?

Tyler also offically refused his first dinner and ended up eating a bowl of cereal.  I suppose there is more to come but doing it at nearly seven months is a bit strange.  He was perfectly happy though with a bowl of honey nut cherrios with warmed similac!  Nasty!!  He ate the whole bowl!

We went to the pumpkin farm tonight in true Etue fashion---IN THE RAIN !!!  We were all ready to go when it started to rain, and figured, if we can do Disney in the rain why not the local pumpkin farm?!  So off we went in search of two pumpkins.  We ended up with cookies, bread, and of course two pumpkins!!

I was trying to post more pixs but I am about the throw this dumb internet connection out the window!  Country living is no place for blogging!!!  Night all!

Ty Has Teeth !!

10-14-2011, not only Aunt Jennifers birthday, but now marks the day of Tyler's first teeth.  Yep, pleural, two on the bottom at the same time!  And in the right spots!  Mommy still cannot feel anything on the top, but we are anxious to see how those come in!!

Tyler just returned home from a five day stay at Aunt Jennifers house.  He did great there, and even got her up in the middle of the night so she would remember what having a baby in the house is like.  Cured her of her need for more infants, except in the daycare of course!  Tyler was blissfully unaware that he missed a vacation to Disney World.  But don't worry Bud, we will take you several times when you are older.  Mommy is already planning a trip to the new Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii  for a reward after your bone graft surgery.  We will all need rewarded after that!!

We have also had to move your exersaucer up a notch.  Tyler is growing taller at a rapid rate.  We are hoping all parts of you are growing and not just your legs!  We are hoping your jaw is growing forward more.  We still have a few months before it is evaluated again, and mommy is still loving our time away from doctors and operating rooms.  Well, except for the operating rooms that mommy works in, but that is a different story!!

Tyler's Sixth month of life happenings Summary:  screams just to be heard, says Mama to everyone and everything, two bottom teeth, tries to get butt into air to crawl but digs face into floor, rolls with effiency, picks up everything even small things like crackers, but does not put ANYTHING into his mouth, will open his mouth to anything his sisters bring near it including chicken nuggets and fruit rollups, blows food thru his nose on purpose and laughs about it.

Tomorrow is our first meeting with other Micleft members.  We are all excited to finally meet the people face to face we feel we already know so well!  Other families who have been thru or are going thru cleft repairs just like we are.  There are about six families in our area that have children (mostly boys) who are around the same age as Tyler.  I hope someday these kids can be connected and know other kids who are just like them.  I am sure with the powers of the internet all these kids who are infants now, will be in contact with each other.  I think it is so important that he has buddies who completely understand what they have been thru and how far they have come.  That is one of the reasons I want to adopt a chinese baby boy with clefts, but daddy says, santa doesn't bring those for christmas.  Guess I will ask the easter bunny then!  I better close out this blog and rest up for our big bowling for smiles event tomorrow.  Although, for me it will probably be more of a socializing for smiles event!!  At least I can wear my own shoes!

This Blog is dedicated to all those blog followers who have complained of the lack of blogging lately.  Blogging was suppose to be my stress outlet, so less blogs means,, LIFE IS GRAND,, for the moment!

Food Critic

I can remember when Addy was born and I went back to work full time.  Addy was left in the care of relatives until her dad got off work and then she was with him.  She was also with him on the weekends when I was gone for 12 hr shifts.  I left on the fridge a specific list of things she was allowed to eat, so he didn't give her the wrong baby foods that she hadn't tried yet.  I always wanted to be the one to give her a new food in case she were to react to it.  I would add foods to the list as I thought was fit.  And I did get a call at work one night "honey, how much formula do I add to the sweet potatoes?".  I went contingent shortly after that question!

Third child:  Tyler is now 5 1/2 months and the craziest eater ever!!  If I had to leave a approved list here is what is would look like:  

Baby food:  squash, banana, pear, apple, chicken noodle dinner, vegetable dinner, oatmeal with fruit, garden vegetables,  maybe list: green beans, peas.
Table food:  grilled cheese, kraft mac & cheese, green beans, crackers, bread, baby mum mum's, gerber puffs, whip cream, yogurt (but he will continuely spit up after!), potato salad.
Sippy cup: water   Bottle: formula.

And I would probably have to make a NO list for Tyler: peaches, sweet potatoes and carrots, along with any stage 1 baby foods. 

The boy likes thick foods only!  The thicker the better or soft table foods that he gums apart!  I honestly thought he would stay on baby foods until his palate was fixed at age 18 months.  But he is proving mommy wrong everyday!  He now sits at the table with us and watches every bite that goes into my mouth, and screams if I do not share.  He is definately a baby that knows what he wants and when he wants it!  I hope he keeps blazing his own path as he grows into a young man. 

Ty's First Tattoo

                                           Poor boy is out numbered by the girls in the house!

Happy Holidays University of MIchigan

Let me be the first to say "happy holidays to the University of Michigan" because I will not be there until the new year!  And Mommy Etue is very happy about that!  Today was Tyler's followup at the ENT and hearing test.  He had is first "big boy" hearing test, as the Audiologist called it.  I think he thought it was playtime cause he was laughing the whole time!  He passed with flying colors, so just like all the other Etue children he can hear, but not listen.  The audiologist said children his age can only hear but not listen, I wasn't too concerned since no one else in the household can listen either.  His tubes look great and we bypassed actually seeing the doctor since we have no issues the NP checked him out.  We have to go back in six months for the same hearing test and tube check again.  I was back in the parking garage in about 50 mins which might be a world record for a clinic at the University of Michigan.  Now, lets back track to our drive up to Ann Arbor.

I left an hour and twenty minutes early because I am OCD.  But today my flaws seemed to work for the better!  The traveling stopped dead on us 23 near 94.  I knew I was doomed!  I was convinced the president was in town because how random for a wedsnesday.  I got off one exit early and went a different way to Geddes Rd.  Then once on Geddes I came to a dead stop again.  By this time, Tyler is mad!  It took us 40 mins on Geddes to get to the parking garage at the hospital.  Usually its about 10 mins.  I thought more than once about turning the soccer van around and heading on to our shopping destinations!  He was screaming and I bit every nail I had left!  Once we arrived at our clinic, 5 mins late, may I add, I found out it was "move in week".  NEVER NEVER NEVER again will Tyler have an appointment scheduled during "move in week".  The next time this mother will be in Ann Arbor during "move in week" will be when I am actually moving a child in, and leaving a child there!!!

Happy Holidays University of Michigan, see you in the new year!!  And not one day before!!

Etue Camping Trip Number Two = SUCCESSFUL!!!!

We just returned home from a great weekend at Maumee Bay State Park Campground.  We had an awesome site, awesome weather, and awesome friends nearby!!  There was about 30 of us at six different campsites and everyone had a ball!  The kids road bikes all day and only stopped for food or to dig for worms.  We all played at the beach on Saturday.  Everyone but Ty and Blake (1yr old) loved it.  Maybe next year the young boys will enjoy it too!  Ty finally cried himself to sleep on his OB/Nursery nurse.  Apparently he remembered spending long nights with her five months ago.  He lite up everytime he was with Cathy so I guess bonds are formed right after birth, or he just doesn't know any better yet!!  The girls ventured away from us a little bit more, and almost talked to someone!  They did go in others campers, but I am not sure they talked while in there.  All the Etues slept well, the new camper is working perfectly in that area!  Sadie of course was being yelled at most of the weekend.  She doesn't understand why she cannot wander from campsite to campsite looking for leftovers, and her parents don't understand how keep her on a leash.  We all came home feeling like we needed just a day or two more to enjoy the area and the friends.  Its hard to plan time to see friends and it was fun to all meet in one place together, yet seperate.  Waiting now for Grandma and Grandpa Etue to come over for pizza.  The girls have been asking for them for days, not understanding why they were not camping too!  So, another Etue vacation comes to a close, but never fear Etue family, Mommy talked Daddy into ANOTHER vacation on the drive home!!!  YEA!!!!!!!!!

Ty sporting his beach look,, even though he is more of a camper baby!

Tyler didn't know how good he had it sitting in a sand hole, who needs a bouncy or boppy chair!

Addy loves the water and the beach!!

Now that we are home here are the stats:  Ty is sleeping in his crib for almost three hours now!  Lexi has her Aurora dress back since she properlly dumped in the potty today for the first time in days!  Addy just told me she was headed to the bike trail, obviously forgot she is back in Ida!  Derek is being his OCD self and cleaning out the cars!  Mommy is relaxing!!  About to make dinner,,, what is the pizza number??

SIncere Apologies

Once again, I feel the need to extend my sincere apologies to any family members or friends who cared for me as a two/three year old.  I can only imagine the grief I put people thru.  I am getting paybacks triple fold from my dear Lexi.  Karma is hitting me in the face daily!  I realize she is a spitting image of me at that age.  I only hope her defiance turns into spirit and drive as she grows into a young woman.  And until that growth takes place I will continue to offer my condolences to all those who attempted to care for me as a child.  And I hope they all know that I am getting paid back in FULL !!!!

I told Lexi it was her turn to use the bathroom this morning.  She said "no" and ran away.  Not 30 secs later she pee'd and pooped in her pants while staring right at me with a smirk on her face!  She is lucky she didn't get an butt whooping,,, but I wasn't spanking that poopy hind end!  Instead, her beloved princess dress will remain far far away until she puts her feces in the toilet tomorrow morning!  I am over disciplining her and I am going right for the big guns,,, the AURORA DRESS!!!  If there is a God out there,, never let my tubes grow back together!!!  I don't think I can handle another Lexi!!  As my mom often said "I love you, but not always the things u do!".

Side note:  Princess Aurora has a Coach Purse!  And Addy usually wears two dresses??

Cool Whip Boy!

We have had an awesome, no rest weekend!  The Etue adults had some "adult time", and some much needed fun with their friends.  The little girl Etues have enjoyed sleepovers at Grandma Sheryl's, princess parties, swimming at the lake, and buying new school shoes!  Tyler has been hanging out with mommy and just being cute.  He had his first cool whip taste tonight and LOVED it!  He doesn't always open up for feedings, but he was for sure letting mommy's finger in his mouth with cool whip on it!  He was reaching for the plate and mommy's hand to help get it in!!  He doesn't put anything in his mouth on his own, but I am thinking a few more cool whip sessions he would soon learn to put his fingers in his mouth!  You know whats next,,, mommy's famous pudding pictures!!  But I think that will be an activity for Ty when the girls are at school.  I don't think mommy can handle three little ones playing in pudding!

We are all back to work tomorrow, so we can get some rest!!!  It's four days of working, and then hooking up the camper and heading out!!  Getting the most out of summer before its gone!!

"Let Him Grow"

We just returned from the U of M for Tyler's post op appointment.  Everything is healing as expected.  The plastic surgeon said his scars are healing very well and not "knotting" up like they typically do.  We were hoping to book a palate repair surgery today but now have a little different plan.   We were planning to have surgery in Dec or Jan, but due to his structure of his jaw we will be waiting a bit longer.  His bottom jaw is very tiny, which isn't a problem now because his palate is wide open and allowing him to breathe fine.  If we close his palate to early and his bottom jaw is still little and pushed back like it is now he might develop breathing issues.  Any breathing issues at that point would probably require structure assistance such as a trach or distraction bars to move his jaw outward.  So its the recommendation of the surgeon to allow is jaw to grow for longer in order to avoid any breathing problems post palate closure.  Derek and I both agree to let well enough alone in order to not cause worse issues for Tyler.  We have been instructed to just let him grow and think about a palate closure when he is 14mos-18mos old.  I was probably pushing for palate closure more than Derek, and now that it has been explained this way, I am all for waiting it out.  I would rather deal with delayed speech issues than trach decannulations!!  So, Mr. Tyler is done at the U of M until February when we will consult again with the craniofacial clinic.  Time to grow, Buddy!

I should have snapped a picture of him today all dressed up for his appointment.  He had on his "boss" t-shirt, cut-off Gap jean shorts, Nike sandals, and his new hairdo!  A MOHAWK!!!  I have waited a long time to gel up my boy's hair!!  He was catching the eye of all the girls in the waiting room!!

Making Memories,,, Is That What We Are Doing?

Fremont Indiana, Jellystone Campground at Barton Lake

First trip with new camper.
Ceiling falling down in bunk house, but it doesn't matter cause girls slept on the living room floor.
Annoying alarm going off all night in bunk house, Tyler slept thru it, and the girls were of course in the living room.
Cousin Clayton is sick, trip to pharmacy, twice.

You can flush our toilet with your foot and poop at the same time, nice feature for those of us who have to clean the toilet.
Girls love the water playplace and the golf cart, they hate sleeping.
Tyler loves the air conditioning, and hates the outdoors.
Lexi pooped in her bathing suit, first night, no ice cream!

Sadie keeps wandering the campground, despite three tie downs just outside our door.
Daddy tried to be bad in the camper with the baby monitor on, opps!
Addy and Lexi are suppose to be sleeping tonight with their new Yogi and Cindy bears.

I am sure there is more, but lack of sleep is clouding my brain up!

This is a serious problem!  My blankie!!

The refridge space is adequate for Ty and Mommy!!!

Happy Camping,,, retail therapy in the morning!!