Cleaning???

This is Mattea's idea of cleaning.

Surgery - Again!

The Dean family received some disturbing news regarding Paloma's sleep study and therefore learned today that she would once again be taken in to surgery - this time to have her tonsils removed. For simplicity sake, Paloma is young and it is rare that her tonsils would be enlarged and obstructing her airway - but low and behold they are. Her sleep study revealed 10 apneic events an hour which is scary as a parent but being a pediatric nurse, it is even scarier. Her oxygen saturation drops and she must then reposition in order to continue breathing. She rarely experiences the REM sleep that is so important for growth, development, and cognitive learning. Her surgeon is surprised but believes the results of her sleep study speak for themselves. She will be having surgery on Thurs. and hospitalized until hydration is established. It breaks my heart that she has been suffering for so long and I feel guilty for not helping her sooner. Her father and I are hopeful this will be the end - the end of a very long and eventful road for Paloma.

Who's Who?

Can you tell Paloma from Mattea?

Happy Baby

Does anybody recognize this little girl??? A few short months ago, these pictures may have been unrecognizable - but lately this has become the norm. My little Paloma can't stop smiling. She giggles at her dogs, she giggles at her sister, she even giggles at herself. This is what we have been waiting for since the day she was born. Dave and I are ecstatic and love to laugh alongside of her. Life is looking up for our little girl!

Headaches

This is how Paloma feels after too many hours with her sister. I can share her sentiment.

Hawaiian Hunk

Who says you can't have fun after 5 years of marriage? Any guesses on who took this photo?

John Denver

Thanks to my husband, Mattea now knows all the words to John Denver's hit "Country Road, Take Me Home." At first I was appalled, but after hearing her belt out the words from the backseat of the car as we are driving down the road, it is rather amusing and downright CUTE!

Finally...Some Mexican Food

Since leaving Albuquerque, Dave and I crave the food that we once took for granted. Green chillies, smothered burritos, tamales... I could go on. We have been sampling some of the Mexican restaurants here but haven't found real authenticity - until the other night. We visited a restaurant near our house for Dave's birthday. Although it still wasn't up to the standards of New Mexico, it came pretty close. We liked it a lot - especially Paloma who was totally digging the chips and beans. Mattea - well she ordered a hamburger.

It's A Luau

Gymnastics, Gymnastics

Today was Thursday - gymnastics day. I know I've posted several pictures of Mattea at gymnastics, but I couldn't resist a few more. You would be so proud Aunt Kim - she is doing so good.



Posing for the camera.



Just having fun.



Ta Da!!

Husband of the Year

This is my wonderful husband David. I love this picture because it radiates who he is in all aspects. No matter what is going on in the world around him or even within the walls of our family, he is always smiling. He is a wonderful husband, partner, friend, and father. I am truly blessed and honored to be called his wife. I am writing this post because this gorgeous, smiling, lovable guy is approaching his 35th birthday. Birthdays are big at the Dean House. It was the hand picked day that God decided to bring you into this world. Huge!!! So I thought I would pay tribute to the Husband of the Year in honor of his birthday. That's right, in case you didn't catch that - my husband is Husband of the Year. And in case I ever forget, David reminds me of that. When I sit down for dinner after working late, I'll thank him and hear "Of course, I'm husband of the year." Or when I get home and 5 loads of laundry will be folded and put away, I'll thank him and hear "You bet, I'm husband of the year." Or better yet, when he brings my children into work to visit after a long weekend away from them, again, I'll thank him and hear "Heather - I'm husband of the year." Most of the time I laugh it off or roll my eyes, but down deep I whisper to myself - Your right. Thanks for all you do. WE LOVE YOU !!

Oh NO!!!!!

Now does everyone realize why I can't seem to pull together supper for David when he arrives home in the evenings??? Suppertime truly is the most stressful time of the day for me - partly because stepping into a kitchen makes we want to break out in hives, and also because it is the time of day when my children require the most attention (as evidenced by the picture above.)

Up Close and Personal

Taken by.... you guessed it - Mattea! This is our fabulous dog Cora.

Science Experiment?

A science experiment it is not. This is my baby girl hooked up to what seemed like a million wires for her sleep study last night. It was rough in the beginning - she screamed and screamed what to me seemed like hours, eventually calming down for what the tech told me was a restless evening.



But in the morning - suprisingly enough - she was happy and smiling. Now the task of gettting ALL the glue out of her hair????

Happy Valentines Day

All Smiles

I have been waiting for a picture like this for such a long time. The day is here. For the last two days, Paloma has not stopped smiling and giggling. Why is that a big deal?? Because it has seemed like she has spent the last 13 months of her life crying, screaming, pouting, and frowning. My poor baby has had just a miserable start to life - mainly due to the fact that I don't believe she has really felt good from the day she was born. Dave and I can recall 2 months of her life where she has not been sick. As we are frantically trying to solve the mystery though, one of my biggest prayers has been answered - at least for the last 48 hours. I have always prayed for the health and happiness of my children. I think both are extremely important. As always my prayer has been answered. I am constantly reminded that my God is watching out over me and my kids even though at times it may not appear that way. He has been holding on to Paloma in the palm of His hand and I now believe this is her fresh start. I became extremely frustrated Fri. night and completely through up my hands in desperation. On Sat, it had seemed instead of getting better, my baby girl was again starting to feel worse. On Sun, our family awoke to a whole new girl. She hasn't stopped laughing, giggling, smiling, and acting like she feels great. These have probably been the best two days that I have spent with my daughter since the day she was born.

Look At My Tattoo...

Mattea ran into the room yesterday and exclaimed, "Look mom - look at my new tat-tuna." Confused at first and completely overtaken with laughter, I realized she was showing off her new tattoo.

A Look Back

Here is a quick look back to Feb. 6, 2005 - the day my beautiful baby Mattea was born. It was an excruiatingly long night but all was forgotten the moment she arrived. Wishing you a very happy birthday my sweet girl.

Happy Birthday - Again

Tonight we were able to celebrate Mattea's birthday with daddy (since he missed out on the prior festivities). Mattea received her first pair of rollar skates and some magnetic dress up dolls (among other things). The dolls are fabulous because she loves dressing up and now she can easily dress and redress her dolls. And her rollar skates... lets just say she wanted to take them to bed. We can't wait for summer!

Will You Be My Valentine?

Mattea and I began working on her Valentines this afternoon. I had her personalize each one with a picture and then she was responsible for placing a sticker on it as well. She was so into it and so proud of the job she was doing. I can see such a difference in her level of maturity from just a few short months ago. They turned out beautiful honey!

Innocence

There is nothing more pure and innocent than a newborns face....

Paloma

What was my life like before Paloma entered this world???? I love her!!

Beauty Queen

Mattea is trying out all her new makeup that she recieved for her birthday. When all is said and done, she is quite a sight to look at. I am trying to teach her that "less is more!"

Big Helper

Great Grandma's

What would a trip home be if it didn't include a visit to see great grandma. For Paloma it was a first.

Mattea's Princess Party

This last Sunday, Mattea celebrated her 3rd birthday back here in the Midwest amongst family and friends. We held a princess party in celebration of Gigi - God's Little Princess. We all dressed up as princesses, decorated crowns, play 'pin the shoe on Cinderella', and ate lots and lots of cake. A huge thanks to everyone who showed up to help celebrate my little girls special day.

My Little Mother

Mattea watching out over Baby Hannah the same way Aunt Kim watches out over Baby Bennett.

Mattea's New Friend

Mattea has found a new friend back here in the Midwest. She's bonding well with Uncle Ryan's sister Kelly. Thanks for coming to my birthday Kelly!

Paloma Rae

Paloma is also enjoying her stay in the Midwest.

Bonding

Mattea is definetly enjoying the quality time she is spending with her cousin Bennett.

Computer Time

Mattea was more than willing to show Grandpa how to use her new computer after settling in at Aunt Kim's house. Did I mention that it is really really cold here?

Waiting, Waiting

After waiting and waiting at the Boise airport, the girls and I were finally able to board and head off to the frozen tundra! A fly by lunch at Dairy Queen and a quick sprint in the MSP airport, we safely landed back in the Coulee Region on time. It is really cold here!