Tyler's Surgery

Today Tyler had surgery on his trach area to correct the scar left from his trach.

The surgery was a success and we didn't have to stay in the hospital overnight which made the day even better. Tyler was a trooper and did a great! When June, our favorite surgery nurse from PCH came to get Tyler, he went with no problems. About 45 minutes later, Dr Schraff came back with great news. He said Tyler's airway is growing. Last January his airway measure 4.0, today it was 4.5 with leakage around the tube. We are so pleased his airway is growing despite him not gaining any weight.

He currently has steri-strips on the incision. They should fall off in a couple of days and then we will see the results. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

We did learn that his vocal chords are not working as well as they should. They are vibrating when he talks but not coming together all the way. Dr Schraff said we could go to Cincinnati's Childrens Hospital to their Vocal Center and have him evaluated to see if this is something he is going to outgrow or if he needs surgery to correct the problem. When people meet Tyler they always ask if he is whispering. Unfortunately his voice doesn't work very well but he no longer has a trach so I think I will take the quiet voice for now. We will see if Cincinnati is an option for us. We are just thankful we have a healthy little boy. He truly is our miracle baby #1.

This is the scar from his trach, I know it doesn't look bad but the scar tissue was pulling it inward.

Happy little boy before surgery.

This is his new friend Mr Penguin. We always got a new stuffed animal when we go to the hospital.

This is post surgery, in recovery

My brave little man

Popsicle time in recovery

Utah Trip

This past week we had the opportunity to go to Utah. It was a happy/sad time for us. We were originally going to celebrate Brad's sister, Anne's graduation from BYU. A few days before we were to leave, Brad's Uncle Lewis passed away. We were able to attend the funeral. Lewis was an amazing man! I wish I could have known him better. I only met him once and that was right after we got married. He welcomed me into the Bastian Family with open arms. I remember feeling very loved from someone I didn't know. The funeral was one of the best I had ever been to. His children, (there are 8), all spoke at the funeral about what their dad had taught them. Lewis loved the Prophet Joseph Smith, he loved the gospel of Jesus Christ .

Anne's graduation was great! Congratulations Anne on finishing your degree. I know you worked hard and you deserve it.

It was so nice to be back on the campus of BYU. I really miss the great times I had when I went to school there. I was able to show Brad and the kids where I lived, things I did and all the great times I had while there. We visited with friends that I hadn't seen in a while and caught up on all the latest happenings in their life.

We visited a couple of temples around the Salt Lake Valley. I think Tyler really loved to see the Salt Lake Temple. He played in the water, ran around, and picked flowers on Temple Square.
In Provo, we went to the duck pond on BYU campus, Tyler loved chasing the ducks. We went to Bridal Veil Falls, drove the Alpine Loop and of course went to BYU bookstore. Tyler got a shirt that says BYU Cougars with a cougar on it. He wants to wear it everyday.

The trip was great! I can't wait to go back and see friends and family again.


Rest area, had to get out and play and stretch our legs


Gerry, Gayleene, Merrill, Darlene, Kathy, Stan, Roger


Anne in graduation robes


Tyler flying like a plane


Tyler being a duck, really he was chasing them

First Steps

Katie took her first steps on the 31st. We were at a friends birthday party and she decided it was time to walk. With a crowd at hand, Katie took her 1st steps. It was a very exciting time for all of us.
Thanks Jamie for taking these pictures for us. Thanks for capturing the moment.