Every so often, when the house is silent at 10pm, I think "this would be a great time to update my blog". Then reality sets in and I would much rather enjoy the peace and quiet watching "a stupid thoughtless" tv show only to find myself 30 minutes later waking up with drool dripping out the corner of my mouth because I drifted off because I am so exhausted!
Nonetheless, here goes an 8 month re-cap!
AUGUST
Quinten celebrated his 4th birthday complete with a monster truck cake (courtesy of Oma...of course)! The McDonald family took a trip to Los Alamos, New Mexico to participate in Uncle Jon and Aunt Chandra's wedding (Q was hands down the most handsome ring bearer). Gwen started seeing a naturopathic chiropractor to help with physical, mental, and emotional realignment. Grandma Linda sharing some cuddles with Maren!
SEPTEMBER
Turns out the best way to get two of my favorite ladies to visit...have more kids! HA HA! My grandmother and Marion came for a nice visit to meet Miss Maren. Gwen hard at work in her stander using her switches with her iPad.
Uncle Jon and Aunt Chandra stopped into Arizona on their way moving from Colorado to Houston. Quinten is OBSESSED with his Uncle Jon, so it's always a good time no matter how short or long the stay. This time we went to the new Odysea Aquarium (right smack in the middle of the desert...just doesn't fit, right?) Miss Cassie and I took the kids to Schnepf Farms for some autumn activities: hayrides, pig races, pumpkin picking. The kids have fun, but we sweat to death because it's still a million degrees here!
Grandma Linda's cancer reared its ugly head again this past summer and this time we didn't know what to expect. After returning from Jon and Chandra's wedding, Linda started another round of treatment. Us kids wanted to do something special for Merle and Linda. Something to honor their love for one another. We SURPRISED them with a vow renewal and reception with about 50 close family and friends! It was not their anniversary, but a way for Merle and Linda to know that their marriage is a strong example to many of us. It was such a special night of faith, friendship, and family.
Our first year attempting to have Quinten participate in Advent. Of course lighting the candles (supervised of course!) was the highlight for him. We've got Santa on speed dial so its always nice to get special treatment, especially Miss Gwen. Our church had an event for kids to "travel through Bethlehem", complete with photo booth. One of our three daschunds, Lucia, was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer (the worst for dogs) in August, and she finally succumbed to her illness December 1.
It's amazing how the dynamic of Christmas changed this year. With six McDonald grandkids, it is officially no longer about the adults! I think it took us 2-3 hours to just open presents! Maybe next year, we draw names ;)! Regardless, spending time together is whats most important!
In an attempt to be spontaneous I rounded up everyone that was available and proposed a day in the SNOW! We drove north to Flagstaff, had a delicious lunch, then went sledding and built a GIANT snowman! Even though Gwen is getting bigger, we will always do our best to find a way for her to remain included because she truly does find joy in the little things we all take for granted.
Baby "Cinco" was a BIG UNEXPECTED SURPRISE! He or she will be making their debut September 2017!
To this day, I have never cut Gwen's hair. Well, it was time. She constantly rubs her head on her headrest, floor, chair, etc, so the knots are ridiculous by the end of the day! Luckily for girls, shaving the back of your head is the "cool" thing to do right now...Gwen's so "in-style"! Quinten loves to help Jesse with any projects; this time it was staining shelves. We finally convinced Quinten he doesn't need training wheels. We took Gwen back to Disney on Ice for her 8th birthday since she loved it so much last year. Sweet Maren, just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
FEBRUARY
This was a VERY BIG and STRESSFUL month for Jesse and I. Gwen's orthopedic doctor sent us to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in scoliosis correction because her scoilios curve had finally passed 70 degrees. Since Gwen is too young to have complete spinal fusion, we decided it would be in Gwen's best interest to participate in a fairly new surgery, MAGEC growing rods.
"The MAGEC system utilizes innovative magnetic technology within adjustable growing rods and an External Remote Controller (ERC) to help eliminate distraction surgeries from the treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS). As a result, MAGEC helps reduce associated complication risks from repetitive surgeries, and simplifies the care and journey of an EOS patient."
The surgery itself was about 5 hours. You can see her back A) before the surgery, B) x-ray of the magnetic rods placed on either side of the spine, C) the incision locations and sizes, and D) the rods are physical to the touch and visible to the eye. After a 6 week recovery, Gwen's core is permanently erect so she no longer needs bracing, she can stand taller, and she can even sit unassisted (we continually work on stability, duration, and better head control)!
In two months post surgery we have experienced muscle spasms and muscle tightness. We have had skin breakdown in one area where the rod is very prominent because theres not much fat or muscle surrounding the bone. But overall, we are very satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.
We will go for our first expansion in June. At that appointment the doctor will magnetically grow the rods 5MM and we will continue to do this every 4-6 months until Gwen reaches spinal maturity.
FEBRUARY (CONT'D) & MARCH
Meanwhile...Quinten got some well deserved one on one time with mom and dad at the Monster Jam Monster Truck Show, Cousin Leyton came for a visit from Virginia, Quinten had his first dentist appointment, is now a ninja master, and caught a really BIG catfish fishing with Papa McDonald!
