Hodges Happenings

Written April 9th

Whenever something happens or I take pictures, I think, "Oh this will be a cute blog post". But it seems like I never get to sit and blog anymore, so I am always playing catch up. I like to have separate entries for different events, but I am pretty far behind.
I am off today, so here we go!!!!!

Trevor took a cake ball class a few weeks ago. He learned so much and brought home these decorative treats.

 Along with Hollister's surgery came wearing winter ski caps for two weeks. He didn't have to wear them, but Trevor put one on at a baseball game because of the wind, and Hollister took to them and wouldn't take them off. Well, of course Hamilton needed one too!

Supporting his team before he was cleared to play.

After the game chat.

Last Thursday, we had his post op appt with the Dr. It looked good but we don't know anything new because he is still very swollen inside. He was cleared for playing baseball but not soccer. He will have to have a hearing test in about a week and then he can resume soccer.

He has played in two baseball games. He has had 2 hits and scored 2 runs.

This past weekend, we had a few days off from school thanks to Easter. We traveled up to my mom's and like usual, put Trevor to work! She needed her workshop repainted. It looks like new and now she isn't in fear of her neighbors complaining about its appearance.
 First he pressure washed it to get all the old, chipped paint off.

 He also changed all the trim boards due to rotting. The shed is over 20 years old after all. Next, he taped the windows and then sprayed it.

Hard to tell from this picture, but it really looks like new. My parents are thrilled.

The shed is not used anymore, but it still holds some great gems inside. The boys found some old toys that used to be CJ's. They enjoyed playing with them while Daddy worked. Trevor used some of Dad's old tools and was in seventh heaven. We were also able to see some of the things he built. Hollister was very impressed, mostly by a wooden Christmas tree Grandpa had made years before.

 He loves mowing the grass at home and when he found this he was very excited.

I was impressed by this old rotary phone. And guess what? IT WORKS!!!

 The boys played really hard at Grandmas. Back at the hotel for nap time. How cute are they cuddled up together?

Nerf Gun Fun

A few weeks ago, Hollister was invited to a party for a friend from school that was Nerf gun related. Talk about fun! The invitation encouraged us to dress in camouflage and bring a Nerf gun, bullets would be provided. The pictures kind of say it all. The pictures are only of the Nerf gun fight. Before this they did "Sergeant Says" and if you missed you had to complete 2 push ups before sitting out. They also had a grenade fight with green balloons. Perfect since it was really hot outside.

                                           Hamilton enjoyed the party too, just from a distance.

This party was really fun, but really crazy too!

This video will give you a small piece of the madness that ensued.

Little League

Written: March 24, 2012

Little League Baseball season has officially started.
Hollister is not able to play due to his surgery. He will miss 2 weeks, which is about four games.

This year, we are in "Coach Pitch" which is equivalent to AAA baseball. We are the Red Wings. The team is the Rochester Red Wings which is the minor league team of the Yankees.
 We call it a chicken on steroids!

Once again, TKH Home Pros is sponsoring!

 Opening Ceremonies: All teams are introduced and then they play a few games.

We watched a coach pitch and a little of the majors, which are the "big kids".

It was a great night for baseball.

Today was picture day. Then there was a scrimmage. Hollister didn't play but he was there to support his team!
So was Hamilton. He LOVES baseball and loves wearing that batting helmet. He tried to wear it to bed last night.

                                                          How sweet are these boys?

                                                                         The team! Hollister is on the front, far left.

         It was overcast and kind of gloomy that morning. We are taking no chances for this boy to get sick!

                                                               Trevor's pitching debut!
                  He had a pretty good strike out ratio. Problem is, in coach pitch you pitch to your own team.

De ja' vu

Apparently blogger has changed some things and the dates are now off so I am going to start each blog the date I wrote it.. With my crazy schedule, I don't always get things posted right away.

Written: March 22, 2012

I could just direct you to November 15, 20011's blog entry. Today was pretty much the exact same day for us, but earlier in the day.

Hollister had his second tympanoplasty/mastiodectomy surgery on his left ear to get rid of a cholesteatoma. To those of you who just skipped over those big words, he had ear surgery.

This is the second one and hopefully the last on his left ear. This was supposed to be a "clean up" surgery and then the Dr. would reconstruct part of his ear to help with his hearing. When the doctor left us, he said, "It'll be about an hour and a half." The first surgery was 3 hours. It was traumatic! He did great, but it was a really tough day for Trevor and I.

His angry bird went with him this time.

Another tattoo from the Dr. This makes sure he does the surgery on the correct ear.

Of course, he had to play with the toys again.

The nurse told him he could play angry birds while he was breathing in the anesthesia. He was totally pumped.

After he walked back to play "Angry Birds" on the ipad with one of the nurses, we went and had breakfast and figured we'd be home by noon. (We were the 8am surgery this time). Well, over THREE hours later we were paged. We did get a few phone calls in those 3 hours that things were fine, but we knew something had to be up since it was taking so long.

The moment we saw the doctor he said, "Wow, that was longer than the first time." He proceeded to explain how he found more and deeper rooted than originally thought. He was amazed at how big this thing was. He did the reconstruction as well which took time. We now have a card that explains about this small titanium adjustable micron that is in his ear. We are supposed to keep in our wallet should we see another Dr. or at the airport he sets the alarms off. HA!

Seriously, what does all this mean? Well, Hollister shows signs of hearing when he has hearing tests, but he doesn't have hearing in that ear and he probably never will. The doctor wants to move on to tackle the right ear since it is small and he does have hearing in that ear. There is really no need to keep putting him through the surgeries for the left ear.

Its the worst news for us. He can't hear in his left ear. But, its the news we expected. Our doctor is still optimistic and hasn't ruled anything out.

This was him afterward. He matches his angry bird. He isn't mad, just out of it. His face is red because of the medicine they gave him. 

              Because of his surgery he got a special bracelet for being a fall risk.

Apparently he was too tired to even hold his Popsicle. He had two of them while we waited to be discharged, This was a good sign he was feeling better.

This made me so sad, but I do know he was asleep before they put this in.

Finally, a smile. His face was already less red. He started getting back to himself around this time.

Hollister has been fantastic. He is so brave and all the nurses talked about how sweet he is and what a big boy he is. We were prepared for the nausea that comes with this type of surgery, but he didn't get sick this time. Whew.

He has spent the afternoon, laying down on the couch, watching TV and playing his new obsession, "Angry Birds". For those of you who don't know, its a crazy obsessive iphone game. (Think the Pac-Man craze from the good ole days). He hasn't napped though so we are thinking he will sleep well tonight. At least we hope he does. He is eating and drinking. He still needs assistance to walk, but is so much better this time.

What's next? Post op in  a few weeks and then we will turn our attention to the right ear. Stayed tuned for another installment and that "de ja' vu" feeling.

St Patrick's Day

I know my kids hate days like these, but they do pacify me. Today, a leprechaun came and left green treats for them in their shoes. Apparently leprechauns don't mind stinky shoes.

Green milk for our lucky charms!

              Green eggs and toast, That really is just green butter, but melted looks more like paint.


This pushed the limit with the kids. Hollister saw the green mac and cheese, walked away and cried.  So, no more green food for my kids, unless of course, it's candy.

The Birthday Bike

For Hollister's birthday (in January), we wanted to buy him a bike. Trevor and I searched several stores and just weren't quite sure the size that he needed. After several stores, we decided to just buy a helmet and let him pick out a bike. Then we had his party and afterward, we gave him the helmet. He was greatly disappointed and told us he didn't want a bike. We both felt kind of glad we hadn't chosen one and gave it to him in front of his friends and him hate it! So, time has passed; two months actually. LOL We have been to stores of course, just never looked for a bike. On a random whim last weekend, Trevor had him get on a bike in Wal-Mart and HE FELL IN LOVE! We told him we would get a bike soon, but not at that exact moment. He became obsessed.  He went to bed that night and the first thing out of his mouth the next morning was, "I want a bike." It was all he talked about for the entire weekend.  Spring Break was this past week, so we met Trevor in town one day and found a bike. It was a good thing too, we would have gotten the wrong size in January. Needless to say he loves his bike and is a riding fool!