Thursday July 15, Ben had surgery. He had his tonsils and
adenoid removed as well as tubes put into his ears. He needed the tonsils and
adenoid removed because of sleep apnea (like big brother Henry did in July '08) and tubes put in to get fluid off his ears. The fluid on his ears was causing ear infections, but also partial hearing loss and well as some delayed speech. Dr. C (who also preformed Henry's surgery) is great!! He told us the
adenoid was "abnormally large for a 2 year old" and lots of fluid on the ears that needed to be drained. He told us if we had any question as to if we should have the surgery or not, he assured us it needed to happen.
We had to leave the house at 6:30am to get to the hospital by 6:50am. Zee-Zee came to our house and Henry got to spend the day with his grandma, being a great helper in her 2 fitness classes she taught. Ben's surgery was at 8:20am and by 9:00 Dr. C came in to tell us he did great. About 10 minutes later I got to go to the recovery room and sit with him until a room was ready. We were in his room around 10:30am. We have always had great experience at St. John's and this time was another posititve experience. All of the doctors and nurses are so good at what they do and always answer any questions. The two nurses we had while Ben stayed the night were fabulous. Gregg and I both hung out with Ben for most of the afternoon. Gregg left around 2 and went to his office for a while before picking up Henry and bringing him to see Ben. They left around 5:30 because Gregg had a church softball game. I stayed the night with little man. Luckily Dr. C came around at 6:45am and told us we could leave! He said we could hang out and have breakfast, but I said we were ready to get home.
So far, Ben has been doing pretty good. He ate and drank quite a bit while in the hospital which all the nurses said was fabulous. Last night I woke him up around 1am to give him some tylenol, and he went right back to sleep. He was up about 5:45 this morning, which isn't too much earlier than normal. Today he has been kind of clingy and didn't take a very good nap, but hopefully he'll sleep good tonight. He doesn't really complain, but I have noticed he is talking more and his little voice now sounds like a munchkin. It's so cute!
Thank you for praying for our little guy. We are hoping for a continued speedy recovery!
Ben before surgery, after getting his "kiddie cocktail" that made him very loopy!
After surgery, in the room, hanging out with Daddy.
Sweet little Ben watching TV. We knew he didn't feel good if he sat still long enough to watch a TV show!
Ben had to have his oxygen levels monitored while we were there. He HATED the thing they put on his toe! The ankle bracelets were not a favorite of his either!
Henry's visit to see his little brother. We checked out the great playroom that was across from Ben's room. They really do a great job of trying to make the kids as comfortable as possible.
Henry let Ben borrow his Johnny Bear for the surgery. Notice that the Turbo Dog also has a hospital bracelet!
Kisses from Mommy when his throat was really hurting him.
Finally, a sleeping Ben!
Hanging out in Daddy's work car...having snacks of course! 
Mommy & Henry
After nap, having snacks and reading books.
Ben and his bag of cereal....he LOVES cereal!
Henry William with a new haircut!
I had the kids try on their life jackets to see if they still fit....Ben refused to take his off and ate bowl #3 of cereal with it on!!
After nap, being sweet and watching a PBS show together.
Big round swing at the Forest Park playground.
Ben and Uncle Terry
Ben, Uncle Terry, and Henry
Mama and her boys!
Ben and his Mommy!
Yael and Henry playing a game and being silly for the picture.
Ben playing with Judy and the lincoln logs.
Trying to build something all by himself.
Rae & Susan
Playing outside Saturday morning before Yael & Susan left.
Sunday morning before Terry & Judy left....Ben obviously has had enough with taking pictures!
In the camera shop 
Excited about the new camera!!
TURBO!!! She needed her picture taken.
Ben sleeping in Henry's bed at naptime.
Henry sleeping in our bed at naptime. I guess I shouldn't worry that they aren't in their own beds, but thankful they both take naps at the same time!
It started out as a fish, and turned into a hat!
Henry showing off the weiner dog....John in the background, smiling at his creations!
Ben before surgery, after getting his "kiddie cocktail" that made him very loopy!
After surgery, in the room, hanging out with Daddy.
Sweet little Ben watching TV. We knew he didn't feel good if he sat still long enough to watch a TV show!
Ben had to have his oxygen levels monitored while we were there. He HATED the thing they put on his toe! The ankle bracelets were not a favorite of his either!
Henry's visit to see his little brother. We checked out the great playroom that was across from Ben's room. They really do a great job of trying to make the kids as comfortable as possible.
Henry let Ben borrow his Johnny Bear for the surgery. Notice that the Turbo Dog also has a hospital bracelet!
Kisses from Mommy when his throat was really hurting him.
Finally, a sleeping Ben!
Ben waving to one of the bears that we saw. Lots of animals are out in the morning too because it's cooler and they get fed in the morning.
Ben with a messy spaghetti face and ski goggles on!
Ben sleeping in his big boy bed!
Henry with his new backpack....he looks HUGE in this picture!
Ben and Henry love to swing! 
Ben liked all the toys Sawyer had, especially the bikes!
Loralie and Sawyer getting some juice.
Sawyer, Ben, and Henry playing with the big boys.
I think Ben is pretending not to notice that Sawyer is dumping all the bubbles!
Boys and their bikes!
Sweet Miss Loralie!
Sam & Stephanie
Shirtless Ben and Mommy
Ben pulled this chair to the driveway so that he could enjoy watching Henry play with the big kids!
Ben with his Daddy after a much needed bath!
Attempt at a family picture
Sunday morning.....Sawyer, Ben, Molly, and Henry