post op and Memorial Day

We were nervous about an umbilical hernia surgery for E.  We both took off work Friday to be with him.  Everything ended up working out really well.  We were able to take a tour of the facility a week prior, so we knew what to expect with the multiple different check in, operation, wake up, and recovery rooms.  All the providers and nurses were lovely and attentive.  E had to fast until after his procedure, so playing wii video games for the first time with his dad was a great distraction.  He had painted the inside of his mask with lime smelling chapstick and the nurse held the table so he could play the lego game until he fell asleep.  R got to wear the blue “bunny” suit and go in while he fell asleep (the first minute).

He got popsicles, graham cracker and juice in the recovery room.  This part was a little strained because he was sleepy and quiet, not him normal smiling self.   We chilled out at home for the rest of the day.  The next day he was feeling pain, but normal personality again.  He got to watch rescue bots for many hours, in mom and dad’s bed, as special recovery treatment.  We had a couple of friends drop by to visit him.  (so very thoughtful Ms. C and B family)  As we hoped, after the long weekend, he is acting pretty normal, and free of pain.  Despite the good recover, we’ll follow the dr orders and lay low for 2 weeks.

 We took a morning road trip to the Tahoma National Cemetery to remember those service members who have died.

 Both parents enjoyed the long weekend. E was recovering.  but R and I both got some to do items crossed off our list.  I snapped quick pictures just to remember.  R put in hours starting to get the garage organized.  he's down there now, doing more.  what a task!  bought some shelving units and took a trip to the dump.

 this is the "after" picture, of that end of the driveway spot.  mugo pine in the middle should get 10-12 feet tall, with some grasses on the side.

 when my mother in law was visiting, she went around taking pictures of everything in the yard.  i never did that, so these are not really "before" pictures, but somewhere in the middle.  this section we planted 3 heathers.  they are so beautiful in the spring, one of the first colors to bloom.  i'm watering a lot this year so these new plants can get established. 
then below the heather, today, i transplanted sedum from our old house.  hoping i can get that to grow, to stop the dirt from slowly falling down through those rocks.

 this is just above the heather and new sedum.  we flattened out this side yard, put down some lawn soil and planted grass seed.  i'll keep it watered, and hope it will grow nicely. (and that the birds don't eat it all). oh boy. now i'm going crazy trying to figure out where is the gauzy garden cover that i need.

 grapes are growing really well, despite dry soil.  i cut them back by the windows, so that we can get new windows in a few weeks.

 this tree is wobbly and full of ants. needs to go.

 we are both putting in hours to attack the bindweed, morning glory invasion. painting each vine with round-up, trying to kill it all the way to the roots.

 rob installed our new mailbox!  the calla lily are so pretty.

 more bindweed.

 planted a rock rose on top of the rockery.  flattened the grass with straw and mulch.  hooked up the soaker hose.

 planted the mother's day blue lou and green prince.

 more weeding and mulching in the back.

these two pictures show how overgrown this area is.  there is a dry creek bed that runs under the bridge.  we need to pull out all the grass and weeds and get the rocks on top of the soil instead of buried.  we have two bee bushes that are humming with activity while in bloom.