Home of the Four Trans

Since we’ve had Justin, we’ve learned to enjoy the simpler things in life. Big vacations to faraway places do not play into our plans as Justin is limited to where he can go in altitude and proximity to hospitals and medical care. As residents of sunny Southern California, though, we’ve found there to be endless opportunities for exploring and excitement here in our home state.

Mall

It’s been awhile since we’ve been to South Coast Plaza. Aquariums, parks, and Legoland have taken the place of shopping, but, we had a birthday gift to shop for at the Disney Store this particular Friday, so off we went.

Warm croissants and pastries from Vie de France, carousel rides, balloons, and toy stores. Need I say more?

These balloons are $6 each! My kids didn’t ask for one, thank goodness. But, they sure are pretty to look at!

Justin was not so sure about the carousel.

After one round, he warmed up to it, and wanted to go for a second time! After the second time, he didn’t want to get off! After he got off, he kept pointing at the carousel, and grunting to insist that I take him on, again. Didn’t happen.

Nathan had fun, he really did. He just hates getting his picture taken. Don’t know why…

Justin and Nathan playing at the train table. Notice that Justin is standing and playing by himself! Yay!

Again, the brothers playing side by side. Notice how Justin is standing by himself and playing with his unaffected arm. Yay!

I don’t get why the kids are so intrigued by the escalator. I think they went up and down all 3 flights. But, it’s sure good for providing them with sensory input.

On this trip, I’ve noticed how much more independent my children have become. My once trusty companion, the double stroller, is, now, more of a cumbersome contraption. I found myself unable to keep up with Nathan as he swerved through the aisles in the toy store because the stroller was a darn wide load! Justin didn’t make it any easier as he preferred that I hold him under his arms as he walked through the aisles, following his brother. Eventually, I ditched the stroller to a side, and kept up with the kids at the train and race car track tables.

Upon entering the toy store, we met a nice father who later introduced us to his 3 year old son who has Down Syndrome and endured an open heart surgery. The father had noticed Justin’s scars when his shirt lifted a bit as he reached for a toy.

I knew he had seen more than he had bargained for when he allowed a “Wow” to escape his lips. I ignored it, not knowing how else to respond. Then, about a half minute later, he said, “You know, my son had heart surgery when he was 3 months old.”

The ice broke, and it turned out that we live in the same city. He told me how well his son is doing, health wise, and is trying to catch up cognitively. They had plans to travel to Japan the next day. After having his son, he and his wife had a pair of healthy twins.

I thought, “Wow, life does go on.” It does. We breathe, laugh, smile, explore, contemplate, move on, LIVE, every day.

He said goodbye and good luck, and I was so grateful. This really set the tone for the remainder of our weekend.

Beach

Can you believe that we live 25 minutes from the coast, but have not traveled to the beach for 2 years? Part of the reason is my phobia of the sun and the damage it could incur on our skin and health. The other part is because Justin is on certain medications that make him more sensitive to sunlight (i.e. sunburn). However, we lathered ourselves with sun block, topped our heads with brimmed hats, and headed out to the sea-side.

The kids kicked their feet in the water, Nathan chased waves, we dug our feet in the sand. In between, we lounged on our Lightening McQueen beach towels and munched on BBQ Lays Potato Chips and Rold Gold’s Pretzels.

It was only 2.5 hours that we spent on that beach, but I know it left such a positive impression on Nathan that he asked to do it, again, the next day. Maybe next week…

Justin looking out into the ocean.

Nathan preparing to scoop up some wet sand.

Can you find My Boys?

We sure are a colorful bunch

That evening, we attended a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese’s.

The remainder of the week was family time, and graduation parties.

Upcoming Events

This month, we’re looking forward to cherry picking on some local Cherry Orchards, movie in the park, and family clay time (Mommy and Nathan only). Maybe, a trip to the Discovery Center to learn about robots, if Nathan is up to it.

This week, Justin has neurology and opthamology appointments for routine check ups.

Thanks for checking up on us. I hope you all have a wonderful week.

My siblings, Dad, Loi and I decorated my parent’s backyard with flowers and hanging umbrellas for a Mother’s Day brunch.

Loi made a lox and cream cheese pizza appetizer.

The main dish: Eggs Benedict. Mmmmmm

A refreshing fruit platter as one of the desserts.

My boys with their Grandma.

The boys with their Mama (this was the best picture I could get with both of them next to me).

My younger sister, Yvonne, my Mom, Nathan, and me.

Justin being Justin.

Loi tasting his sauce for the eggs.

Justin is a little ham. He knows how to pose for the camera, now.

We visited my Grandma who helped raise me. She has so many grand and great-grandkids, I’ve lost count; But, she remembers and loves all of them. She is the definition of Super Mom/Grandma/Great-Grandma.

My family gathered back at my place after we came home from Sunday mass for another Mother’s Day meal (my mom ordered Vietnamese food). From L to R:  Chris, Dad, Nathan, Loi, Justin, Me, Mom, Yvonne, Diane.

Although Mother’s Day 2009 was quite a busy day, I would not have wanted any other way.

On Monday, we had Mother’s Day dinner with Loi’s family. Unfortunately, I was not able to get any pictures, and Justin was sick, so he didn’t attend.

Sorry this is so late, but I wanted to wish all of you Mamas and Mamas-to-Be a Happy Mother’s Day everyday!

JT trying out Mama’s sunglasses. He insisted on putting these on by himself, then exclaiming, “Cheeeeee!,” to encourage me to take a picture of him.

May 9, 2009: LEGOLAND Round 2

Our view of Legoland’s version of the NY skyline.

JT enjoying his time…

…as he watched on his brother

…taking another driving lesson at the Junior’s Driving School.

NT is getting pretty good at driving. He can even drive one handed. Yikes!

Justin isn’t tall enough to ride the helicopter into the sky (plus, there’s a restriction for people with heart problems as indicated on the sign. Note: ask cardiologist). But, he didn’t mind.

NT braved this ride during Round 2. He even took over the controls and didn’t let Papa touch anything!

JT only wanted to be carried; He does not like being confined to the stroller. This is Loi taking over JT carrying duty, and JT looking back to make sure Mama didn’t wander off somewhere.

The T brothers working on some Legos.

JT actually attached some to the board on his own, while standing on his own! Yay!

NT smiling proudly with the finished product.

It’s easy to get lost without a guide to show you the way. For me, my children are my guides. They give me daily reminders of the things that matter, and those that don’t.

Nathan teaches me patience. I still have much to learn about this one, and he knows it, as he constantly tries to test me. I’ve learn to choose my battles. So what if he decides to go on a walk in the public looking like this:

It’s cute. And, quite frankly, I don’t care that people stare. He’s exploring his creative side.

Justin tells me to not sweat the small stuff. Things will happen beyond my control. Even if I try my best, I cannot control what happens to him. In the grand scheme of things, it’s OK to fall, sometimes. We just have to remember to get back up.

Nathan reminds me that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Five months ago, he would have begged me to help him up that net. Today, he did it all on his own, over and over again.

Justin reminds me to smile. No matter how painful life can get, there is always a reason to smile. He shows me this every, single day.

My children remind me that they came from me, but ultimately do not belong to me. I must not hold on too tightly.

Weight/Growth Issues: Justin has grown about 2.5 pounds in the last 2 months, and now measures at 29.5 inches. He lost about a pound during his illness, but gained it back, plus some. We officially started him on an appetite stimulant that was originally concocted for allergies. It is actually an antihistimine that causes drowsiness and hunger. As usual, I had some apprehension about him starting a new medicine in addition to the 4 that he’s already taking, but he needs it.

Electrophysiology Appointment: Justin met with his EP, today, for a pacemaker interrogation. I still do not truly understand EP, and know that in this lifetime, I never will. I suppose all I need to know is that he has heart block, but still has an intrinsic rhythm because he has two sinus nodes. Theoretically, if a lead were to break, we’d have time to treat it. He’s also using his pacemaker about 94% of the time.