Superman comes home!

That is Nicholas' new nickname. Superman. Fitting isn't it? Dave, one of his respiratory therapists came up with that one. Whenever he came to do chest PT, Nicholas got excited and his arms shot straight out (like he was flying) We always said it looked like he was riding a motorcycle but not Dave. He said Nicholas was Superman (or boy)

The picture below was right after surgery when he was in recovery. Not on oxygen (yet anyway) His heart rate was at 59. His normal level is 110. I freaked out! They said it was that way during the whole surgery. They were a bit concerned. I on the other hand was a lot concerned. All I kept remembering was when he coded. 59 is NOT a good heart rate.
It got better the next day so it must have been the combination of meds.


Nicholas' new scar. It starts at the bottom of his heart scar and down to his belly button.

My little hero.

On the second day, he had a hard time getting comfortable so he would wiggle his way sideways. Standing on the side of the crib this was my view of him. Easy kissing access! Sweet little face!

No worries...we were standing right there the whole time he slept so he didn't scoot off. Doesn't he look so tall?!?! He was sound asleep here.

On the way home he fell right to sleep.

Megan and Brandon got to tour the helicopter.

Thank you all for the prayers and support. We are so glad this surgery is done! He still has a few weeks of recovery but at least we are home. Praising Him....The Richardson's.

Day 3

My Dearest Nicholas,

Today has been rough. You are in so much pain. Sometimes it is so bad you just blank out. You get this blank look in your eyes and it scares me. You are reverting back to when you coded. Your muscles are so tight and won't relax. I know this is how your brain responds and it saddens me. It is so hard for mommy and daddy to see you like this. I have cried so much today, praying the Lord would take away your pain.

They started you on antibiotics today because you have "wet lungs" and some cloudy areas. Hopefully we can stop anything before it gets too bad.

Sleep well my baby. Mommy is always praying for you. Tomorrow will be better and soon we will bring you home again.

I love you sweet baby boy. You will always be my little hero.
Mommy

Day 2

Dear Nicholas,

Well here we are on day 2. You had a rough night yesterday and they had to put you on oxygen. We figured that may be coming but hoped and prayed for something different. You are also in so much pain. You sleep for a few minutes then wake up agitated and tense. I am so sorry sweet boy. It breaks my heart to see you like this. I wish I could make it all better.

You also have so much congestion in your lungs. I can hear it from where I sit. That scares me and probably the PICU staff too. I pray it gets better. I don't want you to have to get intubated or to get pneumonia.

I am so proud of you Nicholas. My little boy I never knew I needed and wanted. I am so thankful that God is in control and that He knows exactly what we need in our lives. God is so good Nicholas. He will take care of you and He will never leave you. Rely on his strength, Nicholas.


You're awake again so I am going to sign off of your blog to take care of you. I love you precious boy! Stay Strong.

Dear Lord, thank you for a safe and good surgery. Thank you for my precious boy. I ask that you put your healing hand on him and heal his pain and heal his congestion in his lungs.
In your name, Amen.

Day 1

Dear Nicholas,

The day is here. The day we have been putting off for three years. You have to have your Hiatel Hernia fixed and your Nissen redone. I hate it Nicholas. I wish I could run away with you and hide. You have been through so much already and it just doesn't seem fair that you have to go through this.

I lost it when they took you from me for surgery. I knew I would. They asked me if I needed sedated too but they promised to take good care of you and I know they will.

Surgery is done now and everything went well. The Hernia was worse then they thought and some of your colon was actually in your hernia. They now think it could have been causing you respiratory issues and months of discomfort. Nicholas, I hugged Dr. Turner! He seemed shocked and laughed but I couldn't help it. I was so happy surgery was done and all was well.

I love you sweet Nicholas. Mommy prays for you everyday and I will always be here.

Three years ago...

Three years ago today, our lives changed forever. Three years ago today, our world was turned upside down. Three years ago today, life suddenly became so precious. Three years ago today, time stood still. Three years ago today, the pain was un-bearable. Three years ago today, nothing made sense.

Today, our lives are better. Today, our world is "normal". Today, we have a precious life. Today, time flies. Today, the pain is only a memory. Today, sense sprang from chaos.

Three years ago today, I didn't think God knew what He was doing. Today, I am thankful that God knew what He was doing.

Thank you Father for the journey You have led us on since three years ago today. I am grateful, blessed, and priveledged to be the father of one of Your most special ones.

I love you Nicholas,

Dad

Nicholas trying to laugh

I love catching Nicholas on video trying to talk and laugh. Two things Neurology said would and could not ever happen. To us, this is precious. A glimpse of the miracle the Lord has done in our son. It brings pure joy and happiness to hear this.

Pause the video on 15 seconds and you will see his beautiful smile!!!!!

This says it all...

Disney Cruise 2010

Finally posting the cruise! Do you know how hard it is to pick certain pictures out of hundreds? It also takes forever to upload!!
We had a great, great time. Nicholas did so well!! Thank you for the prayers. They were felt!
All of the kids did great on the drive down...no fighting! Nicholas did really good and stayed relaxed for most of the time. We went with friends of ours that also have four children-3 boys and one girl too. The girl, Jalyn, is Megan's age. We have known them since I was 19, got married together and had all of our children together. The trip was like a big family vacation.
Waiting to board the ship...

Massive television in front of one of the pools. Way too cool!

Pretty much all we saw in Nassau. We got off, walked around for a bit, and then boarded the ship again. We spent that day by the pools.

This picture is so funny to me!! Do you know that we had MORE kids than the Brady Bunch! Look at all the kids lined up on one side of the table.

The Disney Wonder.

The real ship from Pirates of the Caribbean. It was Davy Jone's ship-way too cool. This was on Disney's Island, Castaway Cay (pronounced Key)

This picture is out of order but it was my birthday cake made out of towels.

Chase, Jake and Brandon relaxing on the hammocks

The water was beautiful and ice cold!!!

Nicholas was chillin'

You can't see it but everyone was laughing at Steve eating the ribs. This is how he always eats!! Even on the island they had awesome food. Everything from ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta, ice cream, etc.

Love this picture! Megan and Jalyn are only a two months apart in age. They have known each other since birth (as all of the siblings have) They were like this the whole trip. Love it-great memories!

Exhausted after a full day on the island in the Bahama sun.

Our waiters were AWESOME!!! This was Slaven who the girls loved and adored.

Jann and Jalyn.

We told the kids that all the food was free (kind of) so taste everything you wouldn't normally eat. Steve was trying escargot which was actually really good. You just could not think about eating snails :)

Jalyn's reaction to the snails.

Slaven liked to cut the kids food for them and feed them. HILARIOUS!

It was party night at dinner. They said to cheer loud if you liked your waiters. Steve decided to get up on the chair and scream!

And the Disney crew called these faces "princesses?"

Slaven and Georgi.

Hugging Slaven goodbye (yes, I cried)

Not sure what Georgi was doing. It was our goodbye breakfast.

On the longggggg way home....