California Vacation

Last month, Kevin, Bradyn and I headed down to the Bay Area for a family holiday and a long overdue visit with Kevin's Aunt Molly and Uncle Brian.  We had such a great time!!  We actually flew out of Bellingham on Allegiant Air for the first time and it was seamless (getting back across the border on our way home at 11:00 pm took FOREEEVER, but it's all good).

We arrived at Oakland airport at 7 pm Friday night and hit the ground running.  We packed a LOT into our 10-day trip.

On Saturday morning we joined Molly & Brian on their weekly trip to the Hayward Farmer's Market (after coffee at Peet's).  I love outdoor markets, and I don't know why I don't make a point of going to more of them.  I love these shots - Bradyn was taking photos and being all artsy with the food.

After lunch we headed to an art show where one of Molly's paintings was featured.  Bradyn, Uncle Brian and Mildred ventured off to the park while Kevin, Molly and I took a little more time to look at the exhibit.  We caught up with them afterwards and headed for some ice cream.

On Sunday, we headed into downtown San Francisco to experience a church service at Glide.  Then, we headed over to Embarcadero for lunch and to check out The Exploratorium (although we didn't actually go in because it was free admission for Mother's Day and WAY too busy).

Walking through Chinatown was definitely an adventure.  I know that Bradyn's favourite part was the treat from Uncle Brian - throwing little paper 'bombs' filled with gunpowder on the sidewalk and listening to the SNAP as they exploded.  Thanks, Uncle Brian.  (OK, I must admit that it was fun to watch Bradyn get so excited about throwing them and asking if we could buy more.)

On Monday, Brian and I walked down the hill to California State University (where he is a professor) for a workout in the gym.  There was a very distracting, gorgeous view of the water and skyline while I was trying to run on the treadmill but I managed to get in a good workout (and then again on Thursday!).  Later that afternoon, being as resourceful as she is, Bradyn made her own sprinkler with the garden hose to cool off in the heat.  The weather was gorgeous!

On Tuesday, Kevin, Bradyn and I headed to the Oakland Zoo.  Bradyn was missing a trip to the Vancouver Zoo with her class because we were away so we promised her we'd go to a zoo as well.  I'm certain she had a better experience than her friends - this place was awesome.

I LOVE this picture and giggle every time I look at it.  Thank you, Bradyn, for indulging Mamarazzi's request.

There were a ton of cool animals to see and Bradyn took photos of most of them, but you know what her favourite was.... the goats.

After the zoo, we headed to Alameda Island  where Bradyn played in the ocean (thank you for the recommendation and great directions, Brian).  I know it's hard to see, but that's downtown San Francisco in the background.

Poor Mildred.  While I'm sure she loved all the attention that Bradyn gave her during our visit, I'm not so sure she loved the sunglasses and the multitude of hair elastics that turned her ears into ponytails.

On Wednesday, Brian dropped us off at the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station and we headed back into San Francisco for another day-long adventure.  First on the agenda was our much-anticipated trip to Alcatraz.  

Fueling up before the ferry ride.

Family selfie on the ferry.

We each had our own headphones and audio track for the self-guided tour of Alcatraz.  You could tell Bradyn was a few seconds ahead of Kevin and me because she would stand still, intently listening, and then suddenly take off in search of the next point of interest.  Only once my own track caught up to hers did I know where she was headed.

I love this shot.  Bradyn absolutely would not go into a cell so I could take her picture.  What finally worked was bribing her with the promise of (or rather the promise of withholding) Ghiradelli ice cream later that day.

After Alcatraz we headed over to Pier 39.  Every 1000 pictures or so, I get a real gem.  There's just something about this one.  So beautiful.

Next stop - Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory.  This is a special picture for Aunt Sherri (sure would be nice if we could take you here some day).

Watching the chocolate being made as we anxiously await our treats.

YUM!!!!  I tried to go 'healthy' and had mango gellato, but I had to have a few spoonfulls from Bradyn's sugar monstrosity.  

"My tummy is sooo full."

You can't go to San Francisco and not ride a cable car.  We actually hopped on at one stop after the start of the line and got to ride on the outside.  At one point Bradyn kind of leaned out and yelled 'Whoo hoo' going down a hill.  I nearly had a heart attack because I was afraid I'd lose my grip on the pole as I was trying to hold her in.

After our cable car ride, we checked out the cable car museum and then headed over to Grace Cathedral.  We had a few very steep San Francisco hills to hike in order to get there.  Poor Bradyn thought her legs were going to fall off.

On Thursday, Kevin and I headed off to Berkeley while Bradyn checked out Fairy World with Uncle Brian and Auntie Molly (Brian explained they were just using Bradyn as an excuse to get in after wanting to check it out for years, and I figured that was a fair trade - LOL). 

Bradyn was obsessed with squirrels on this trip and was so proud to show us the 'perfect' picture she got of one looking right at the camera.

On Friday we all drove down to Gilroy to do some outlet shopping and then on to Monterey where we spent the weekend.  On Saturday morning Brian, Molly, Bradyn, Mildred and I stopped at the best park ever to start our day.  There were so many activities for the kids to do.

Next up, Monterey Bay aquarium.  I hate to say it, but it was definitely better than the Vancouver Aquarium.  We lucked out in that there was a special exhibit happening and there were a TON of food and other vendors.  We had some absolutely delicious samples and had a great time checking out all the sea creatures.

What trip would be complete without a picture with Harry Otter?  (you can't see them, but he's wearing round spectacles)

Showing her patriotism on Military Appreciation Day.

Later Saturday afternoon, we headed down to Carmel and managed to get ourselves kicked out of the Pebble Beach golf course on the way.  (Well, not exactly kicked out but rather denied entrance.  It was a fun story that kept us entertained for a while.)  

While we were exploring Monterey and Carmel, Kevin had headed back up to Newark for a wrestling convention.  He now FINALLY has the coveted "Nature Boy" Ric Flair autograph on his replica of Flair's World Heavyweight Championship belt.  (Does this mean the wrestling memorabelia collection is complete?  Don't worry - I laughed at myself for writing that.)  When Kevin got back to the hotel Saturday night, he had a gift for Bradyn and lots of stories to share.

On Sunday, the last day of our trip, we spend a little time on the beach in Monterey before heading back up to Capitola for lunch and then off to the Oakland airport to head home.

Ever since Bradyn was a baby, when Molly and Brian come to visit, we take a photo of them with Bradyn and Mildred on the stairs in our house.  Since Molly and Brian will soon be permanent residents of Kauai, we took the 'stairs photo' at their house to commemorate our trip and their Hayward home. 

Thank you to Molly, Brian and Mildred for their hospitality and generosity.  We had a wonderful vacation and it couldn't have come at a better time during the chaos that is our lives.

Surgery - A Year Later

I wrote the following post last Saturday night, June 7th.  I've sat on it for a week.  I think I'm ready to post it now.

--------------------
A year ago today was one of, if not THE, hardest days of my life so far.  I didn't write about it at the time because my emotions were too raw and it felt too personal.  It seems a bit strange to say it felt too personal considering I've shown you my big, naked, pregnant belly and written about breast-feeding and all of the crazy emotions of being a mom, but it just did.  As I'm sitting here tonight writing this, I'm still not sure if I will actually post it.  However, this blog has become a diary of Bradyn's life and a journal of my life with her, so I feel like this should be included.

Without going back to check past posts, I'm sure I mentioned along the way that near the end of Kindergarten, Bradyn had some tummy troubles.  After an x-ray, ultrasounds and being referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist, those tummy troubles turned out to be half of her bowel being blocked (1.5 feet, to be exact).  I still don't understand how it was blocked when she was still having bowel movements, but that's what was causing the pain.  The problem was resolved in a weekend with the "best prescription ever" - Jello (aka Lansoyl laxative jelly), Gatorade (with RestoraLAX in it), chocolate (ex-lax) and plain potato chips (the real thing).  I felt so bad for Bradyn that weekend but, after a number of follow-up appointments over the next 6 months, she was 'cured'.  We still have to keep an eye on her, but hopefully that's all behind us. 

During one of the ultrasounds Bradyn had to figure out what was causing her tummy pain, they found a cyst on Bradyn's right ovary measuring 38 mm x 32 mm x 43 mm.  Kevin and I were mortified.  Who thinks of a 6-year old even having ovaries let alone having a problem with them?  Bradyn was referred to a pediatric gynecologist (I remember hating the thought of there even needing to be such a profession) and over the next year, there were 2 more ultrasounds.  

On April 10th last year, we were told that the cyst was continuing to grow and that there was a risk of it twisting and amputating Bradyn's right ovary (if it hadn't already).  The cyst had to be removed which meant our baby girl was going to have to have surgery.  I've said it before and I know I'll say it again - thank God for Kevin.  As soon as the doctor said Bradyn had to have surgery, my tears started flowing and I couldn't think or talk.  I just held Bradyn on my lap and squeezed her.  Kevin jumped in and asked the questions that needed to be asked.  Poor Bradyn just kept saying she didn't want to have an operation.

Our trip to Disney World last May was the best vacation ever.  We had so much fun, and Bradyn was beside herself over getting to experience Hogsmeade.  Unfortunately, there was a bit of a black cloud.  Kevin and I were keeping a very big secret - Bradyn's surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks from the day we were to arrive home.  I remember so many looks shared between Kevin and I during our trip, both of us so worried about the upcoming surgery, and not sure how or when we were going to tell Bradyn that it was happening sooner rather than later.

In true Bradyn style, she decided when she would find out.  On the two minute drive from home to daycare the week before her surgery, from the back seat of my car in a high-pitched voice, Bradyn's stuffed animal asked me when Bradyn was going to be having her surgery.  There was no point in lying or putting her off - we had planned to tell her over the weekend anyway.  We had a chat, I made sure I answered all of her questions, and we both went on with our day.  I remember thinking that she was so brave.    

At 6:30 am on Friday June 7th, 2013, we arrived at Vancouver Children's Hospital for Bradyn's surgery that was scheduled for 7:45 am.  (Ironically, my cesarean section when Bradyn was born was also scheduled for 7:45)  We had been told that when Bradyn came out of recovery after the surgery, she would be admitted to the hospital and have to stay overnight.  I had my bag packed too.  Bradyn got changed into her gown and we waited.  Dr M came out to see us and explained that the surgery would be about an hour and 20 minutes.  At 8:00 am, they came out to get Bradyn and I.  (Kevin and I had agreed that I would be the one to go into the operating room with Bradyn and stay with her until the anesthetic knocked her out.)  Walking through the swinging doors and down the halls was awful.  I thought I was going to throw up and I was shaking, but I refused to cry because I needed to be strong for Bradyn.  I remember the whiteness and brightness of the operating room.  I remember being way too cheerful and pointing things out to Bradyn.  I remember one assistant blowing bubbles to try and distract Bradyn while I stood beside her and held her arm firmly behind my back so they could insert the I.V. without her being able to see what they were doing.  I remember Bradyn saying "ow, ow, ow it hurts" as they put the needle in.  I remember them laying her down, hearing her count down from ten (in French), watching her eyes close, and being quickly ushered out of the room.  When I got back to Kevin, I cried.  I went outside to get fresh air and called Sherri.  I went back in to Kevin and we waited.  And waited.  And waited.  At the 80 minute mark we agreed we shouldn't panic because an hour and 20 minutes was probably just an estimate.  After another 10 minutes, we panicked.  When Dr M finally came to see us, we were relieved - but not for long.  Dr M said the surgery went really well but that when they got in there, they discovered that the cyst on Bradyn's ovary was actually a tumour growing INSIDE her ovary.  The second I heard the word tumour, I went cold.  Dr M assured us that she was sure the tumour was benign, but that did nothing to make me feel better.  She told us that they closed the ovary back up and that it was healthy.  She said the tumour was a random occurrence and that Bradyn is not more likely to develop another one or have similar issues in the future.  The word tumour kept echoing in my head.  I just wanted to see my baby but she wasn't awake yet, so we had to keep waiting.

At about 10:00, they finally took us to the recovery room to see Miss B.  As we got to her bedside we saw her rolling around and heard the nurse telling her she had to keep still or she was going to get tangled up in her IV tubing.  Leave it to Bradyn to be a bugger even when she's in a drug-induced half-sleep.  The nurse told us Bradyn had given her the thumbs-up sign after being asked how she was feeling.  She was with it enough to ask where her new stuffed animal was and if she could have it now.  (the weekend before, we had gone to Hallmark so Bradyn could pick out a special 'surgery' big-eyed stuffy)  Bradyn was rolled back to the surgical unit where we waited for her to be admitted and taken upstairs to her room.  At 11:00 am, Bradyn said she was bored and asked if she could watch a movie.  We couldn't help but laugh.  The nurse taking care of Bradyn in the surgical unit was wonderful - so kind and attentive.  She brought Bradyn popsicles and took good care of her.  She told us that because Bradyn was doing so well, it was likely that she would get to go home by supper time.  At 1:00 pm Bradyn got up to the washroom.  She was not happy about having to get there in a wheelchair.  On her way back to bed, Bradyn was in pain and nauseous, and the poor kid was green.  The nurse gave her some gravol and she slept for about an hour.  After that, we were told she could go home.  When we were almost home Bradyn said she was going to be sick, so we pulled over.  (Not to worry - we had our airplane sick bags)  Even with the pit-stop, we were home by 4:55 pm.

On Saturday morning, Bradyn was up and moving around like she'd never had the surgery.  By Sunday she wasn't taking any Tylenol or Advil and she actually hopped up on the kitchen counter to get a plate.  She probably could have gone back to school Monday, but we kept her home.  On Monday night Kevin, Bradyn and I went over to the park - I think we were all feeling stir-crazy.  I was talking to Kevin, with my back to the playground, and he asked "Should she be doing that?".  I turned around and was horrified to see that Bradyn had jumped up and was hanging off the monkey bars!  I could have killed her.  Needless to say, Bradyn healed very quickly.  The first steri-strip came off on Sunday night and she was super excited.  "Cool!  This is the best part of the surgery mom.  Now I can see my scars."  

The 12 days following Bradyn's surgery were agonizing as we waited for the pathology results.  Even though Dr M had assured us the tumour was benign, we weren't going to be able to relax until we had the official report.  When it finally came, we took a deep breath.

And now you know.  I'm sorry this was so long - I even cut out a lot of the details!  A year later, it still feels very fresh.  Writing this post was hard.  Re-living every single detail from that day all at once was hard.  Remembering our trips to Children's Hospital where we saw so many innocent, sick children, was hard.  Knowing that no matter how close we watch her we can't always protect Bradyn, is hard.

Waiting to go into surgery.

Here we go...

Back in the surgical unit.

Still groggy, but insisting Rootbeer stays under her head as her pillow. 

Chilling out with popsicles, movies, Duffy the Disney Bear, and Rootbeer. 

Ready to go home with her new BFF Rootbeer.  So, so, SO proud of this little girl.  She didn't cry once the entire day.  You could tell she was a bit nervous, but that's probably because she was feeding off of our emotions.  This is one amazing kid.

Now please go hug your babies and loved ones.