A special kind of love

Nicholas coloring

Nicholas' vision therapist has started to introduce crayons to Nicholas. She is working on Nicholas being able to grasp items and see what he can do when holding them. Below is a short video of Nicholas in his stander, holding a crayon while his therapists helps him to color. He really loved it and actually visually focused on the light and colors. She uses a light box to help bring out the colors for Nicholas.

Fun, Food, Friends and......FLYING!

A friend of ours recently bought and learned how to fly a Ultralight Trike. Steve, being the adrenaline junky, has begged Todd to take him up. I, on the other hand, being the land lover was hesitant about the "plane thingy"
So Saturday Todd invited us and other friends over to the airport for a picnic, flying time and birthday celebration (it was Cheryl's birthday) On the drive over there, Steve and Megan were rushing me to "hurry up". Little Stephen and I (Stephen is a land lover like his mommy) were still pondering if we would do the Trike.
We get there and I see the Trike. NO WAY! No way was I going to go up in that!!! Below is a picture of it. Megan posing...She couldn't wait to go flying.

Cheryl got the honor of smashing a cupcake in Anna's face. Happy Birthday Cheryl!!!

Megan got smashed as well :)

Anna, the other dare devil, going up with Todd.

Brandon and Steve flying up on the other plane.

There's my daughter. No fear Megan getting buckled up to fly.

There goes Chris.

Anna and Megan going up on the other plane....alone! These two girls have more courage (not so sure that courage is the right word) than I will EVER have (they get it from the daddies!)

Alright....yes, that would be me! I came up with every excuse in the book as to why I should NOT go up. None of them worked. People...I don't even do roller coasters anymore due to the fear of the coaster flying off the rails! But Todd was the pilot and I trusted him so what better time to do it than now. A once in a life time opportunity.

I had a BLAST!!! It was the coolest experience ever. I can't describe how beautiful it was to be up there. Megan's first comment to me after she got down was "Mommy it was BEAUTIFUL up there...WOW" That is from an eight year old.

The video below shows Todd and I taking off. Glad for the video because I missed that due to my eyes being squeezed shut! At the end, Steve forgot to push the stop button so you hear Megan's shock and laughter when she found out that I really went up.

Thank you Todd and Cheryl for giving us that day, that gift. We had the best time ever and will never forget it. Oh...and yes, I am ready to do it again!!!! Bring it on baby!

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