The first week was a very laid back week as we prepared, prayed, and anticipated Landon's surgical procedure on Friday morning. Long story short is that Landon isn't gaining much weight at all (still below 0% on the growth chart for several months now), doesn't eat table food, and has a severe form of Acid Reflux Disease called GERD so his Pediatric GI doctor decided it was time for him to perform an Endoscopy on Landon. An Endoscopy is a scope with a camera on the end that goes through the mouth and throat and takes pictures and little biopsies for the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines. All went well with the procedure and we learned that Landon has a "textbook perfect" stomach! Still, it's very nerve racking to have your 12 month old put under general anesthesia, not to mention the unknown reaction he will have when he wakes up from it. Landon did great and he woke up his usual, happy self but was VERY hungry from not eating for 9 hours. I'm very thankful for friends/UNM donors who told us which anesthesiologist to request for Landon and we were able to get him. Who knew you could request an anesthesiologist?! Anyway, here are a few pics of that day.
Mom drove into town that Friday and spent 10 days with us. It sure was a blast having her here for so long. On Saturday, we went to the UNM football game against Texas State and watched the Lobos win! Then, on Sunday morning, we got up really early (4:00 a.m.) and headed out to Balloon Fiesta park to watch the opening day of balloon launches at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. What a really neat experience and one I will remember forever!
The following week Mom, Landon, and I would watch the balloons fly over our house every morning and some even landed at the end of our street. It was really a fascinating sight! I think there were over 1,500 balloons in the Balloon Fiesta this year. This week was also really low key and filled with getting things done around the house with the extra help and preparing for our trip that weekend. On Friday, Lee and I left for our first trip together (without the little guy) since having Landon. We went to Notre Dame and watched the Irish take on and beat Stanford. It was definitely a trip to remember! One of Lee's UNM donors and avid Notre Dame fan flew us to South Bend in his private plane. So cool! I was really nervous about this but it all worked out ok in the end. We got to South Bend on Friday afternoon and went immediately to campus. We had a blast visiting the bookstore, attending the pep rally, taking a walking tour of campus, having dinner on campus, going to Legends, getting up early to attend Game Day, walking around campus some more in the rain, visiting with friends, eating the Knights of Columbus Steak Sandwich, napping in the car while it rained really hard, going to the game and sitting in the rain(!), celebrating the Irish victory with dinner at Ruth Chris' Steakhouse, and flying back home on the private jet. This trip was definitely one of the best trips of my life!
The third week started off with mom leaving (so sad) but was quickly filled with follow up appts with Landon's Pediatric GI doc and his regular Pediatrician before we all left to go out of town that weekend. On Friday morning we were all rushing around the house to get ready to drive to Colorado Springs, CO for the UNM vs. Air Force football game that weekend when Landon walked into an open drawer in the bathroom and got his first black eye. I'm sure it's just the first of many though. He quickly calmed down and was back to his normal, happy self and then we made the 5.5 hour drive. Landon did great and slept for a couple of hours of the drive each way. Lee had to work for most of the trip so Landon and I hung out at the hotel, had room service, napped together, went on walks, took a tour of the Air Force Academy, and then woke up early on Sunday and drove back with Lee. I am so blessed to be able to go and do these things with Lee!
The last full week in October was a really busy one for us. On Tuesday night, Lee and I had a much needed date night. We had dinner at Marcello's Chophouse and then went to UNM's Popejoy Hall to see the traveling Broadway production of The Lion King. WOW! Such a neat show, and I'm still in awe of the creativity of how they made the animals come to life. It is definitely worth seeing if you ever get the chance. Then, on Wednesday, Hank Baskett and Baby Hank flew into town for some UNM Athletics Department functions so we all went to dinner on Wednesday night. Hank is so down to earth and he makes you feel like you've known him forever. His parents definitely did a great job raising him, and he's doing a great job raising Baby Hank. That is definitely one well behaved 2.5 year old! Baby Hank and Landon played so well together too! On Friday, We had the first Annual Summit for the Lobos Champion Council, and it was truly a wonderful event. Lee and his staff did a great job. Saturday was the UNM vs. Fresno State football game and sadly the Lobos lost. We came home after that game to watch the Irish on TV and come out with a big win! Then, Sunday was Lee's 31st birthday so we celebrated with dinner at Chama River Brewery that evening.
That last little bit of the month was filled with Landon and I taking a trip back to Dallas. We flew home on Tuesday morning (flying during nap time is genius because he slept the whole flight and landing!) and mom kept Landon so I could get my hair done. Then, Lan Man and I played together the rest of the day. On Wednesday, we spent the early afternoon at Great Mama Granny and Great Papa's home. We had lunch at Braums (a Texas staple!) and then Landon played and ran all over their house. It was definitely fun to see Landon so happy and interacting with his great grandparents! Wednesday was also Halloween and Landon was a monkey. He was not very fond of his head piece so he didn't wear it and just looked like he was in a brown body suit....haha! We ended up meeting with Harley and Aunt Keri to go trick or treating with her family. I just pushed Landon in the stroller so that Lee could be a part of his first trick or treating experience while Mom went door to door with Harley.
As you can see our October was a fun, filled month with lots of new and exciting adventures. Hope you had a great month too!
