Marcus and other news

Lots to update now!! Let's see, the last I wrote I was about to hopefully have surgery, which I did. I ended up going into the hospital on September 7th at about 4pm. There was a hassle with our insurance, and we have a ppo, but they were trying to say that they needed 3 to 5 days to review the surgery that I required before approving it. Well, I didn't have 5 days the doctor here in Bakersfield was trying to tell them, it needed to be done right away. (besides Marcus was going to be due in 8 days, didn't want Kim and I in the hospital at the same time) Anyway, I got admitted, met the surgeon that night and was scheduled for 7:30am the next morning. Kim and Dave both showed up by 5:30am, no one had really slept that night and we were all nervous and wanted everything to just be over with. Ends up, while waiting in pre-op the surgeon hadn't gotten a copy of the nuclear scan, to tell him which parathyroid was bad, so we had to wait around. Kim was at the nurses station when her OB GYN walked in, in scrubs, and said "Kim you are here a week early" she then reminded him of my surgery and he walked over and talked to me. He knew of my surgeon and said I was in good hands. I finally went in, had the surgery, and everything came out well. It was 1 bad parathyroid, with a very large tumor, so it had been growing for awhile, it was removed and was non cancerous, which was great news. The cut on my throat looks like I had a tracheotomy done. The swelling is above that and you really can't see the cut at all. Saw the surgeon the following Thursday and he said the swelling will go down in a few weeks. I had surgery on Wednesday, the following Wednesday Kim had a "C" section and Marcus was born, 7lbs 15oz and 20 in. long with lots of hair. Boy is he a screamer, when he cuts loose you know it, nothing like Madison was. Madison was very quiet and you had to force her to eat and stay awake, not Marcus. He is already rolling over, stays awake and eats non stop, he sure is keeping Kim busy.

After Marcus was born that next weekend Dave and I drove to San Mateo for his 45th High School Reunion. It was OK, he knew about 10 people at the most, I think, but we had a good time. They are planning a 50th and a lot more people, that he knows, said they could make it to that one, so will see in 5 years.

I mentioned all this stuff on face book but not my blog. So Happy Birthday to Kelli and Inara (on Sept. 15th), Alex David Jr. and happy 9th anniversary Kelli and Rob .

While here in Bakersfield we have had some visitors. Linda Tibbitts stopped by on her way to Chico, and visited with us, Kim fixed dinner while she was here. Then on her way back to Utah, Linda stopped by again, and she got to meet David Jr, Jodi and Riley, plus, she got to meet Marcus for the 1st time, Linda was very excited about that. Our friend Lee and Vicki Kessler stopped on their way back to Long Beach, we had a good lunch at the restaurant in the RV park. Then last Monday Stan and Ginger Franks, RV Friends, stopped by and stayed at the RV Park for a couple days on their way back to Camarillo. They also got to meet Kim and Marcus, but didn't get to meet Danny and Madison, maybe next time. They thought Marcus was such a beautiful baby, we couldn't disagree with them, he does have the looks, but maybe I am being prejudice.(NOT)

We are staying another 2 weeks, after Marcus was born, thinking Kim would need the help. She is a natural, belly almost gone, and handling both kids like a pro. So far we got to drive her to 1 doctor appt. and to pick up Madison from school but that is it. Once her staples were out she was driving herself. Danny isn't too happy and neither are we but what are you going to do. Kim is one hard headed kid. She is taking it easy, on the driving, and that's all we can ask.

Now, Madison is a different story. A week or 2 before Marcus was born, everything was Mommy and Daddy, clinging, wouldn't let them out of her site, except for school. There was no way she would go with Dave or I, the other day she even starting crying at the pool when Danny was going off to go to the bathroom, Kim was at the coach with Marcus. She won't hug or kiss us just pushes us away, I think it really bothers Kim, the most, but we know it's just a phase she is going through. I don't know if it's the new brother being here, or just the terrible 2's but she will work through it.

Sunday we drove down to L.A. and went with David Jr, Jodi and Riley to see a new play "Leap of Faith" staring Brooke Shields and Raul Esperza . It is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre, boy, it sure is nice having a son that is the CIO and can get us in the plays at our price range, Free. It was a really great play, Brooke needs a little stronger voice, but it was really enjoyable. We were on the floor about 10 rows back from the stage, and after the play we even got to go backstage with David and see the actors. When we go out the door, the actors go out of, the fans are all waiting there wanting autographs. I asked Riley to go out 1st and scream my name when I came out so that everyone there would want my autograph, but she wouldn't go for it, darn it.

Now, this coming Wednesday, Carrie Underwood is singing at the Rabobank Arena, and we got tickets to see her. $54 a ticket, I couldn't believe it on the floor 10 rows back from the stage. We are digging out our cowboys hats, have to fit in, thank goodness we got them years ago for some other Rally we went to.

Hey, I'm finally caught up again, we leave next Monday for home. Will stop in Laughlin Monday night then be back to Cornville on Tuesday.