Budding Photog

With so much going on the last few weeks, I've been slacking on several important posts.  Not only did I turn a YEAR OLDER over a month-and-a-half ago, but in celebration of that, I also became the proud owner of a new Canon T1i.  And as of a week ago, I am also a graduate of my very first photo class.  I still have SO MUCH to learn, but I'm happy to say I'm not ENTIRELY clueless anymore!  Here's to the many (hopefully half-way decent) photos to come!

P.S. All you amazing photography friends, I could use all the help/tips you want to give. :)

3D Sneak Peak

Baby Boy at 30 1/2 wks:
-Rarely holds still, even when he's sleeping
-Fights back when he gets poked or prodded
-Kicks so hard he makes his mom jump
-Measuring a week ahead of schedule (Yippee!)

Mom at 30 1/2 wks:

-Freaking out that she only has 2 months left baby-free

-Using a roll of toilet paper a day

-Contemplating sleeping for the next 2 months straight to "stock up"

-Still completely undecided on what to name this boy or how to do his nursery

Miracles Happen

To say that the last two weeks have been agonizing, stressful, and exhausting would be a great understatement. 
To say that the last two weeks have also been remarkable, miraculous, and joyous, would be an even greater understatement. 

Twelve days ago, on Tuesday, July 20th, my 19-year-old brother Spencer suffered a very severe brain injury after falling off his longboard and landing on his head.  Spencer was rushed to Scottsdale Osborn Hospital, where the initial prognosis for his survival was deemed very grim.  He broke all the bones in his left ear and suffered too many skull fractures to count.  He spent several days in the ICU under coma-like sedation, connected to every conceivable monitor, tube, and wire; and endured brain surgery to remove a hematoma from his skull that was putting too much pressure on his brain.  While in the hospital he also contracted pneumonia and meningitis.  Spencer's body suffered a great deal, but I am overjoyed to report that this afternoon Spencer was cleared to go home!!  He is off all the monitors and machines, and the pneumonia and meningitis have been eliminated.  All 70 staples (minus one they missed :) ) have been removed from his head, and he is off all pain meds other than ibuprofen. He is walking (with support), talking, and definitely still has his same personality.  We are ECSTATIC and SO THANKFUL!! 

I haven't had the words to describe my feelings until recently, but now, two weeks after the accident and as he is headed home, two words specifically stick out in my mind: gratitude and awe.

Gratitude for the modern medicine and science that helped keep Spencer alive and will continue to help Spencer recover (hopefully eventually to his perfect old self)
Gratitude to the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G doctors and staff at Scottsdale Osborn who gave Spencer the best care we could have ever wished for
Gratitude for Spencer's amazing ability to fight and endure
Gratitude for the overwhelming love, support, and concern we received from innumerable sources, including many of you
Gratitude for the power of prayer and fasting, especially in massive numbers
Gratitude for the comfort and assurance the gospel brings through very trying times
and most importantly
Gratitude to my Heavenly Father for hearing our prayers and preserving Spencer's life

Awe that Spencer could start to recover so quickly from such a traumatic injury (one ICU nurse said it's the quickest she's seen in 20 years!)
Awe of the significant improvements Spencer continues to make day to day
Awe of the limitless charity and compassion of others
Awe of Spencer's ability to deal emotionally with the challenges he's suffered
Awe of our infinite blessings
and
Awe of observing a true miracle

What's next: Spencer's amazing progress and recovery has enabled him to go directly home from the hospital, instead of to a rehab facility as originally thought.  He will still have to have daily physical and neurological therapy, but will be able to do this on an outpatient basis. The broken bones in his left ear will not be addressed for another month or two, to allow his brain to continue to heal.  At that time, the goal will be to restore hearing to his left ear.  Spencer still has a long road of recovery ahead, but it is one we are happy to deal with.  For those who would like to follow Spencer's progress, a blog has recently been set up chronicling his recovery at http://humptydumptyman.blogspot.com/.  All the daily emails containing his status and updates that were sent out during his time in the hospital have been posted.

Thanks to all who have given their support, love, and prayers over the last two weeks.  We could not have done this without you.  And thanks again, to my Heavenly Father, who answered our prayers more thoroughly than we ever could have expected.

4 Posts in One Day

means I NEED to start blogging again!  Sorry for the following onslaught.
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4th of July = annual Blaser get-together = Carlsbad, CA!!
We packed our bags and headed down to Carlsbad again this year for the annual Blaser trip to the beach.  Brett was only able to go for the weekend this year because he had to get back for his residency orientation, but I was able to stay for the whole week.  I was so excited to spend a week soaking in the sunshine on the beach, but instead we suffered an ENTIRE WEEK of dark clouds, rain, 50-60 degree weather, and... an earthquake!!  Plus sides: no one got sunburned and we didn't have to use ANY of the sunscreen we brought.  Down sides: we spent the week wrapped up in towels and sweatshirts, and by the end of the week everyone was a little grumpy and chilled to the bone.  Fortunately, we still were able to have fun shopping, watching movies, playing cards, and just enjoying spending time with one another.

Brett put his medical knowledge to good use during his two day visit including checking for an ear infection, diagnosing plantar fasciitis, examining open sores, and removing stitches from his bro-in-law

Celebrating the 4th

Our nightly Scum tournaments led to many fierce games of cards

Enjoying some delicious grub at our favorite breakfast joint: Pipes Cafe!

With 39 of us (and two on the way) family pictures are NO easy feat!  We took over 50 pics and this is BY FAR the best one we got.

Grandpa and Grandma Blaser with their 21 grandkids (and two more on the way! :] )

Bridget and I are both due with our first, only a week apart.  This was totally not planned.  Best thing of all, they're both boys!

27 and 26 weeks

And this is why I have hardly any pics on the beach this year.  We were only on the beach from about 1:00-5:00pm each day, and we spent most of that time bundled up.  BUMMER!!

Despite the weather, we still had a blast spending time with one another.  This is the one time each year where the ENTIRE family gets together, and it's always a blast.  Can't wait for next year!

Grower, Sower, Caretaker, Producer

Any of these words would describe me lately, in more ways than one.

First, I am proud to say that the Orchid that Brett gave me for VALENTINE'S DAY just recently passed away.  For several months, that Orchid bloomed as the only live plant in our house.  It was a great gift from Brett because it lasted SO much longer than cut flowers do.

This pic was taken just days before the final flowers fell off.  Notice the remaining ones are very wilted.  I wish I had taken a pic when the stem was covered in fresh flowers.

Second, this spring Brett and I decided to plant a tomato plant in our backyard.  With very little knowledge on how to grow vegetables, we managed to produce an amazing amount of tomatoes.  So many, actually, that they were going bad before we could use them.  We got a little overwhelmed with how large our tomato plant grew so quickly (it grew up onto our patio!), so we just recently cut it almost completely back.  Keep your fingers crossed that it recovers and starts producing again.

And finally, our little man continues to grow like crazy.  I can't believe we only have 2 1/2 months left before this boy makes his grand entrance.  We've been very fortunate to have a GREAT doctor who allows up to see our boy via ultrasound at almost every apt.  Thus, we've been able to watch him grow, step by step.

Here's a few of the ultrasounds documenting his growth:

Baby boy at 5, 7, 9, and 13 weeks

17 and 22 weeks

One more, just for your entertainment.  Check out that boy's bubble butt!  Makes me laugh every time!

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho

It's off to work he goes!

Brett started his first day of Residency at St. Joe's on June 28th.  Congrats Brett and good luck!!

A New White Coat

A few weeks after Graduation, we were privileged to have Brett's parents come back to Arizona to attend Brett's Residency White Coat Ceremony.  Every year, St. Joseph's Hospital puts on an elaborate dinner to bid farewell to the graduating residents and to welcome in the new residents and present them with their new full-length Physician's Coats.  The event was held at a wonderful Mexican restaurant in Downtown Phoenix.  Each incoming resident was asked to share who inspired them to enter the field of Family Medicine and to invite that person to coat them with their new white coat.  Brett wrote about his brother Brady, who suffered with Muscular Dystrophy, and asked his dad to coat him in honor of Brady.  It was a great night and we were so happy to have Brett's parents back down for a few more days of Arizona heat.

Brett's dad coating him, while Brett's Program Director Dr. Steinberg looks on

Brett's statement:

"One of my earliest memories is watching Saturday morning cartoons in my diaper, while suctioning out my older brother’s tracheostomy. My older brother Brady suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. This condition left him physically unable to walk, eat, or even breathe without assistance. But what it didn’t change was his spirit to live and enjoy life. His bright outlook on life was infectious. On the surface you saw a very sick child, but deep down he was more alive than most. The team of doctors and nurses that cared for my brother showed him so much love and respect. Being in that nourishing environment has always been a part of my life and it was what motivated me to pursue medicine. My relationship with my brother is what inspired me to pursue family medicine. I believe that it is the family physician that helps to support and edify the physical and emotional fabric of families. Families are the life blood of society, and with them come stability and strength in the community. I hope to honor my brother by doing my best to spread his “infectious” outlook on life."