Otoplasty

I had a couple of people ask me questions about my procedure, and I always planned on blogging about it, I just haven't felt up to it until now (almost a month later).  I first looked into this procedure when I was 18.  I have hated my ears for as long as I can remember.  I have always had mixed feelings about cosmetic surgery though.  I always felt that altering the way that I looked was admitting that I'm not good enough.  This past summer, I was in Vegas for most of the time and all I wanted to do was to wear my hair up and feel comfortable, secure, and good about myself.  Once I was home, I spent a lot of time thinking about it.  I hated the way I thought I looked, I was insecure, and in my head "ugly".  One night, Kyle was doing homework and I was looking up the procedure and Drs in the area that did it and I broke down.  I was hysterical and down on myself.  Kyle held me, lovingly reminded me how beautiful and perfect he thinks I am, but also understands that this has always been something that I have wanted and if it made me feel better, he supported it and would make it work.  The next day, I made phone calls to a bunch of drs, including my own general dr about a plastic surgeon he would recommend.  It was unanimous that Dr. Lawrence Chase was the best in St. George so I called and made an appointment.  He actually had a cancellation for the next day, so I made the appt and drove down.  He came in and talked to me, he took some measurements, answered all of my questions and I then scheduled my procedure. 
Less than 2 weeks later, Kyle was taking me down to have it done.  I chose to have it done in his office for 2 reasons.  The first was cost.  Having the procedure done in his office cut the price down almost in half.  Dr. Chase could use a local anesthetic and then I wouldn't have to pay for an anesthesiologist.  And I wouldn't have to pay an extra surgery center fee.  The second reason was my previous reactions to anesthesia.  I don't always come out of it very well and I end up having a rough time recovering.  So an in-office procedure just seemed to be my best option.  Kyle wasn't allowed to go back with me, so he waited until I was called back and then he went to the movies.  When I got back in the room, they gave me a pill to help calm my nerves, gave me a lortab to help with the pain after the shots wore off and also an antibiotic to make sure I didn't develop an infection.  Dr. Chase came in about 20 minutes later and asked how I felt.  I was still extremely anxious and shaking so they game me another pill to calm my nerves.  Within 15 minutes I was calm, cool, and actually quite a bit loopy so they started with the shots.  Although Dr. Chase kept commenting on how small the needle actually was, it hurt... it hurt a lot!  I have no fear of needles, but did not enjoy that.  He numbed from about an inch above my ear all the way down my neck... inside my ear, behind it, in front of it... anywhere that might feel pain.  Luckily after the first 5 or so shots on each side, I didn't feel much.  I couldn't see anything, but Dr. Chase kept me very informed on what was going on.  He cut behind my ear... I couldn't see or feel anything but because they were working so close to my ears, I heard all of it.  The best way I could describe it was it sounded like he was cutting through rubber.  It wasn't an easy sounding cut, like when you cut a piece of paper.  It was rough and little cuts at a time.  The shots that he gave me to numb everything up also had something in it that caused me to not bleed very much (please forgive my lack of medical terminology... it really is no interest to me).  He took measurements to see where we wanted my ears to lay (which had all been previously discussed) then he started to stitch me up.  There are permanent stitches inside of my head, along with dissolvable stitches. Then on the outside there were regular stitches that he would take out in a week or so.  He basically pulled the skin and cartilage back, cut off what couldn't be used, and stitched me up.  Then he did the other side.  It took a little over 2 hours from start to finish.  They put a full head dressing on me, which itched like crazy!  It made my head sweat and frankly, it was disgusting.  When I was done, Kyle came and got me.  I slept the whole way home.  Kyle got me upstairs, in bed and I passed back out.  I woke up a few hours later, screaming and crying in pain.  I don't even remember labor being that bad.  Kyle brought me some dinner (Ramen... classy I know) and my pain meds.  It took me a couple of hours to get back to sleep.  The next day I had my first post-op.  Dr. Chase said everything looked great... but it would be a long recovery.  I had my next post op a few days later, not long enough for my skin to have healed well enough to take out my stitches which is what I was really hoping for.  He spent a lot of time chewing me out for popping a couple of stitches and not taking the healing time seriously.  That was probably the lowest I have felt in a long time!  He did take the permanent head dressing off and let me wear just a normal headband 24/7.  My instructions were to NOT shower alone (Kyle had NO problem with that one) and to basically lay on the couch and do nothing for the next week.  The next week he took my stitches out and my instructions were to only wear the headband when I left the house or was playing with my kids (2 pounds of pressure will pop my stitches and the whole surgery would be a waste)  The headband caused so much friction that my ears are scabbed over and aching.  My new instructions are to only wear the headband at night when I sleep... for the next 5 months!!!  I am still in a lot of pain when I try to sleep.  I am not getting much sleep since I can not get into the habit of sleeping on my back and any pressure on my ears cause sharp pains and my ears to throb.  Other than that, I couldn't be happier.  I finally feel comfortable in my own skin.  Kyle loved me before, he way happy with the way I looked before but ultimately I did this for me.  I am one lucky girl to have such an awesome husband.  It's a long road of recovery ahead but I think it will all be worth it!!

Changing leaves

Saturday is Kyle's only full day off of work.  This past weekend, the weather was supposed to be nice, we didn't have anything planned so Kyle suggested we go up the canyon and check out some of the leaves that are changing colors since it is fall.  That is one of our favorite parts about living somewhere with actual seasons (not too many changing leaves in Vegas).  We packed up the car, stopped at Subway and picked up some sandwiches so we could have a picnic and headed up.  We decided to not go too far up and ended up and Woods Ranch (about 10 minutes up the canyon), mostly because Kyle and I are familiar with the area there are picnic tables.  There are swing sets up there for the kids to play on as well.  After lunch we went exploring, with Jaxton leading the way!  He was so brave and so much fun to be with!  Paisley wasn't as much of a fan, but she did ok.  These are my favorite days... ones with all of us together, having fun and making memories! 

Father's Day!

I know these posts are all out of order... but I was gone all summer and I am trying to catch up! 

Kyle is one of the hardest people to shop for!!  Whenever I ask him what he wants he says "nothing"... so when I keep pestering him he says "tools I guess".  LAME-O!!  So I always get him something Yankees and then I find some other stuff to go along with it.  I had purchased Kyle's shirt from one of those sports stores in the mall in Vegas and I really liked it.  Then a couple days later, I was in Burlington Coat Factory and they had a shirt almost exactly the same for Jaxton!  Was that LUCKY or what??  Jaxton and Paisley are lucky to have such a wonderful daddy!  He makes it so easy to celebrate him!!  We love you to the moon and back Kyle!

Back to school!

Kyle started another semester at SUU on August 26th.  This semester he is taking Chemistry, Physics (along with a physics lab) and Calculus.  I am so proud of all of the hard work he does for our family!  He is a wonderful man and a great husband and father!  We love him so much!  Good luck this semester Kyle!!

Mommy and her mini-me

When Kyle's mom started selling TOMS last year, there was this pair of polka-dot ones that I absolutely loved!!  I did a catalog party and earned a free pair so those are the ones I picked.  This past summer I went to a huge TOMS warehouse sale with my mom and while we were digging through Paisley's size, there were the exact same polka-dot shoes!  Fate!!!   I don't get to dress us alike very often, but when I do, I take advantage of that opportunity and Kyle thought we were adorable (which is just as important to me)  I love having Paisley!  She looks like I did when I was younger and people always tell me we look alike!  I think she is a beautiful little girl and I just LOVE her!

She HAD a birthday... shout hooray!

Paisley had a birthday way back in July... I am so out dated on this! 

She turned 2 years old on July 27th!  The kids and I had spent most of the summer in Las Vegas because of Kyle's work schedule so we just celebrated there!  Her birthday fell on a Saturday so Kyle drove down after work on Friday.  We had dinner with his family and had cake, ice cream and a few presents.  On Saturday we went to lunch with Aunt Leslie and cousin Ethan then did cake, ice cream and presents with my family.  She got some cool stuff and we were so thankful and grateful for the love she was shown! 
On her birthday, Kyle got a call that his dad had fallen off the roof and was in the hospital.  Kyle and I dropped the kids off with my parents and went and sat at the hospital with his mom until she could go back and be with Mike.  Luckily he wasn't too badly injured so we headed home to spend the rest of the night with our princess on her birthday! 

Paisley, we are so lucky to have you in our family and in our home.  You are a constant smile and joy.  You are so loving and so kind.  You are quite the little sass and make us laugh all of the time.  You are your daddy's little princess, mom's mini-me, and Jaxton's best friend.  We can't imagine life without you!   

I am a Mother first

May 12 was Mother's Day.  It's never been a big day to me, until I became a mom.  Kyle is so great about doing things to make my day extra special.  This year, I was kinda thinking that since the kids are older, and slightly more cooperative, they would make me something... instead I woke up to flowers, candy and a Kindle Fire.  I can't complain, I have been saying lately how great it would be to have another tablet, so the kids won't fight over the iPad all day... but I wasn't expecting it!  Kyle took the day off of work to cook me meals and be home with me and the kids!  I loved it!  I also spent the day thinking about some of the wonderful blessings I have received since becoming a Mother.  First, being my children.  I complain about them not listening, fighting nonstop, making messes every time I turn around, and other things that young children do.  But to be honest, my life wouldn't be as fulfilling as it is without them.  They really are my world, and I am blessed to have them!  On Mother's Day I also realized how blessed I am to have the up bringing I did.  My parents were in no way perfect, we weren't the picture perfect family, and we still aren't... but they taught me a lot that has been such a blessing in my life.  My mother is such a wonderful example to me of kindness.  I have watched her the last few years go through her own trials.  There are people who don't always treat her kindly, people who she disagrees with, people who have different opinions and values... yet I have never heard her talk badly about anyone.  And to be honest, I wouldn't know any of those things about her, except I know she is human and that is just the way it is.  I have tried recently to follow her example.  To be kind to everyone, to keep my negativity to myself and to look for the silver lining... it's always there!  I have found myself happier, less anxious and stressed.  I am happy to have her wonderful example in my life!  And I hope I have made them proud of the person I am!
I have also been extremely grateful for Kyle's mom lately.  I am so in love with Kyle and I know she did her best to raise such an amazing son, and I am so lucky to have him!  He is such a wonderful husband and father!  I can't imagine going through this journey of life with anyone else!
It was a GREAT day!

I love this picture of Paisley... she really is just a little grumpy, sassy pants!