Getting Back to Some Kind of Normal...

Well, we are home and Colby is doing well. I can't wait to get the kids this weekend so we can all be together again. I do however, have to return to Iraq to rejoin the squadron and finish this deployment. Once I get back over there the time should fly by. On another topic, I ran just under 5.5 miles yesterday. I have totally caught the running bug and am hoping to shed all the extra weight I have been carrying. It sure feels good to start getting back in the shape I was as a kid. I said start getting there... as long as that journey may be.

No More Ear Infection...

Well Colby is over his ear infection. We still have to find out if they are good with his surgery date, but it seems like they will be. Getting his surgery cleared through Tricare (our insurance) was a nightmare. It boggles the mind, but at least it's done now. On a different note, I started going to the gym the last two days. Ran 2 miles yesterday and 3 miles today. For those that know me recently, not when I was a kid, that is way out of the norm. I feel so much better. I've had such an aversion to running the last few years and I really don't know why. It seems like all I did as a kid was run. Anyway, hopefully I can keep it up. I won't leave Colby while he is in the PICU. I couldn't last time and I don't plan on it this time. Once he is in the CICC and doing well I will check out the gym in the hotel and maybe work out with the Marine ROTC on campus. Actually, let's just hope for a short hospital stay and then it won't matter. Last time was such a long drawn out nightmare that I guess that is how I think about that place. This time will be different and he will be a champ and get recovered quickly!

One Week Delay

Well I'm home with the kids and Randi. They all look great, but the kids are fighting colds. It turns out Colby has more than a cold, he has an ear infection and that means no surgery until he is healthy. For now that means his surgery will be on the 10th of February. Please keep him in your prayers.

Look at This Group of Good Looking People...

Randi hit the jackpot with these pictures so I had to show them all to you. This collage is up in my office right now and everyone has been coming in over and over to look at them. What can I say? I have a great looking family!

What A Support Group...

With Colby home and getting well I was thinking about the last six months as a whole. It's been quite a ride. Randi and I have been on an emotional roller coaster but it truly seems like the ride started at the bottom of the hill and has been steadily climbing ever since. When we first found out that Colby was going to face many challenges with his heart we knew that was going to affect all aspects of our lives. The amazing thing is there has always been a cast of people waiting to help at every turn. Our parents and families have been there to care for Brady and Abby for long periods of time. This has meant a lot to me because it has really helped to limit the stress on them. They have been allowed to be happy kids and it shows with how easily they love Colby, without resentment or jealousy of the added attention he requires. Our friends have been there with meals, to babysit, with a shoulder to cry on and to make us laugh. My squadron has been amazing. Despite an impending deployment, they took up any slack I left behind while I was gone, bent over backwards with my work schedule and most importantly treated me like family. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with. I'm sure not many in the military that have been through such a trying time at home have received so much support from a unit that is forward deployed. Last but certainly not least, for the staff at UNC Children's Hospital, nothing can be said beyond thank you. You all feel like part of the family because of how much time and love you have given to my son and our family. Thank you.
P.S. Sorry for the NG Tube in the picture... Needed to be a picture of all three of them.

Colby's Home Safe & Sound Without a Tube

Here is our handsome little boy without a tube on his face. We are so thankful for him and the many people who care so much about him. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for Colby. I love you Buddy.

Posting problems...

I know many of you have tried to post to the blog without success. I'm sorry about that and without being there to see the problems you've had I'm not sure how to help. I guess we will just have to stick to my postings and your comments. Please comment though and let me know how you are doing, if you have any questions about this place or Colby and the kids, or if you want to see a picture of something specific.

Well, it's Sunday night here and tomorrow Colby has his next surgery to put a feeding tube surgically into his belly. It is a relatively simple procedure, and I keep reminding myself of that. But almost 7,000 miles of distance between us, his Mommy having to wait in the waiting room by herself, and the prior complications he has experienced are all weighing on me right now. Thankfully my Mom is watching Brady and Abby, thanks Mom, and the hospital staff has pretty much adopted us as family so Randi won't be completely alone. I know it will all go well and Colby will no longer be forced to eat through his nose and suffer through emplacing and taping down a tube on his handsome face. Here is the last picture to be posted on here with an NG tube on his face!!

Back to the Night Time...

Well last time I was in Iraq I spent almost the whole time on the night shift. It's that time again. I like the nights. It's quiet, and busy which makes the time go by. I have added a couple of clocks on the right to show the time difference. The other benefit of being night crew is my shift lines up better with East Coast time.

This is my favorite picture of Colby. It says "Chicks dig scars." He is going to have another surgery on the 17th. They will be placing a feeding tube in his belly that will replace the tube you see taped to his face. Finally, the tape that irritates his face will be gone. It's hard being 6,000 miles away knowing that he about to have another surgery, but I do know that the Chief of Pediatric GI surgery and the Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Anesthesia will be performing the operation. At a medical facility of the caliber of UNC, when the best of their best are called in it is really something.

Here is another great picture. Abby and Brady just hanging out on the nature trail enjoying the day and each other's company. Randi, you are still Super Woman. I love you all.

Colby Laughing!

I don't know if this video is too big to post or if my computer here is just too weak. Click here to see the video of Colby laughing. I really loved seeing it and couldn't have been more excited afterwards. Today was a long day in the plane but that made it all better. Thanks Baby.

One Year Old!!

Brady had a very fun Dinosaur Birthday Party.

Look out he's on the move...

Brady is now becoming quite good pulling himself up and cruising between the furniture. It won't be long till he is standing alone and walking. I guess Randi will never get a break now. He also has his two front teeth top and bottom so look out, he bites.

What neat fishes...

Brady got to see the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher today. He loved it and so did Randi and I.
Here he is with his new buddies.
Oooh, shimmery.
This Grouper followed Randi all around the tank. We even walked from one side of the tank down a hall with no windows to the other side and he came over and found her.

What kind of a Dad would I be if I didn't post this one...

Look at this guy, what a good lookin' boy...

He can't wait to have his friends come visit him. All you Hokies will be happy to know that his Mommy says he watches all the football games. He is really hoping for a win over UNC and a trip to the ACC title game. That's my boy!