7th Birthday With a BANG

Hunter has been asking to have the bunkbeds up in his room for months and months. One night I finally said, we'll put them up for your birthday. So on the 5th, the night before Hunter's birthday, the bunkbeds got put up. We had two really excited boys. I was going to paint his room for a surprise birthday present for him. But as I was unwinding Christmas lights from the Christmas tree (personal goal--have tree up by Thayne and Bruce's birthday on Dec. 16th and down by Hunter's on January 6th), I heard a thump in Hunter's room around 12:15. I knew exactly what that thump was. I ran into his room and he was just getting up off the floor,"my arm, my arm." I took one quick glance, "You broke your arm. I'm so sorry. It's okay I'm going to take you to the hospital right now!"

Oh, the poor boy! He really didn't cry any more. I woke up Lance to let him know. I thought that I'd just take him myself, but Lance just automatically got ready to go too. I was so happy that he wanted to come too. We didn't even talk about it we just both went which was good because Lance carried Hunter and I carried the stuff and we needed two brains because neither of our brains were working very well at first. The trip was a bit remenicent since the only other time we've gone to the hospital in the middle of the night was when had Hunter 7 years ago. We talked to him about when he was born and what we did.

Hunter really liked his nurses at the hospital. First we had Erin and he helped get things started and then we had Scott, who Hunter really liked. Hunter got an iv put in his left arm. He has good veins and the nurses talked to Hunter about how they were looking at his veins. Hunter didn't cry or anything as they did the iv. He even looked as they drew a bit of blood. It was a bit ironic since the morning of the 5th as we were waiting for the bus Hunter said, "I LOVE BLOOD! hehehe" He finds it so interesting. He got some morphine and nausea medicine. There were a few times that he was a bit shaky and really pale. But he was super tough.
He was really concerned about not being to do his rocket math at school or write. Then he was sad he couldn't play the piano anymore. I told him he could learn left hand songs.

It felt like we were there forever, but it was only three hours. For a while Hunter had a pillow up next to his arm so we didn't have to see it. Then he got his x-rays, which he thought was super cool, but he didn't get to see them :( After the x-rays his arm was just hanging out in the open for us to see. After a while Hunter asked to have it covered up again so he didn't have to look at it so a white towel got put over it and we couldn't see any of his arm at all. When the doctor came in he said, "I heard you have a broken arm. Does it hurt?" Hunter quickly said, "They cut it off." Dr. "well that would take care of the pain, but your shoulder would hurt where the arm got cut off."

Then we learned that he had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon in the morning. The ER dr. said that Hunter would be put under and then they'd set the arm. (Lance started looking sacred then, all he could see was $$$$$--I don't blame him!) After that Hunter got a splint on. Seriously there is so much cool medical stuff! Fiber glass that looking like cotton batting. You get it wet and a chemical reaction takes place and the fiberglass becomes hard on the outside, but still soft on the inside. Amazing!

Hunter felt so much better once the split was on and he got a sling (blue). We went home and slept for a few hours. He slept on the couch and Lance slept on the other one. I got to turn the alarm off a couple hours later and I wasn't sure what was happening for a few minutes then I got to wake up the boys. Thayne was so upset for Hunter. It was sweet to see how concerned he is for his brother. Luke couldn't believe it! Our morning was off, but we all got were we needed to go. Brother Larry Christensen came over to help give Hunter a priesthood blessing for the sick before we left. We truly felt the blessing of the priesthood throughout this whole experience. Lance gave Hunter a blessing before we left to the ER and I truly know that helped calm Hunter and helped him be so brave. The ortho dr. said we had two options. 1st to have a local shot to numb the arm and then he'd use weights and set and cast the arm right at the office, or 2nd use anesticia and then set his arm, which would be a surgery. Lance and I were both so happy that the first was an option, a much cheaper option. Hunter was a little freaked because of the word "shot." But we told him it'd be okay. The dr. warned him that it would still feel some pain but the shot would help it not be as bad.

The splint came off and the big needle came into the room! Hunter said, "THAT is a big needle." The dr. just agreed, "Yes it is. It's going to hurt, but I'll tell you when I'm going to do it." First he cleaned his arm off with iodine and he chatted with Hunter about how it cleaned his arm. He talked about his kids in college and what they wore for Halloween and about his son that broke his arm and couldn't play the piano, but that he did okay after that and went on to win a competition for a Chopin piece he learned. Hunter just gritted his teeth during the shots (two places) and then after a few minutes he had a weight hung off the upper part of his arm and his arm was held at a 90 degree angle with his fingers up. Three of his fingers were put in Chinese finger traps to hold his arm up and it started pulling everything straighter. Then the dr. moved the bones and set them. Hunter watched and explained, "oh, it's straight again!" He was so happy. Lance and I couldn't believe he didn't even yell or cry. I'm so glad Lance was there so I have didn't just have to tell him about it. So unbelievable because Hunter has a horriblely loud cry! After it was casted x-rays were done to see if it looks okay. It is set beautifully. The dr. said, "The good Lord has blessed us." I AGREE!

(this is long,but I'm journaling it for Hunter)

After the we left the dr. office, Lance dropped me off at Walmart so I could get more ibuprophen and cat food and ice cream for Hunter because we told him he could have some for being so great. He wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything just in case he needed surgery, so he was super hungry. He decided on mint chocolate chip and then he request some Gouda cheese (which is expensive so I hardly ever buy it for him). He knew I'd say yes! and some crackers too! I also got him some chicken nuggets and grape tomatoes, his other favorite foods. It was his birthday! He relaxed and slept the rest of the day. After he's brothers came home they got to sign his cast. Then we went to Burger King for dinner. I got Hunter a Burger King crown since it was his birthday. He was cute! He talked in a voice with a funny accent for us. I had to carry his crown when he walked around because he had to hold his cast over his head whenever he walked anywhere for the first 24 hours and also he had to prop his arm up on pillows when he sat or laid down, if not his fingers would swell up and look like sausages.

Opening cards and presents was funny with just one hand. Bruce had to hold the envelope so he could get the cards out.


I also bought him the Lego set he had ALWAYS wanted! (I had no idea I was doing so well!) But he couldn't really put it together one handed :( Today Lance will help him.



Sister Sawyer made Hunter a birthday cake! So he had something fun to stick candles into and we had cheesecake too. It was perfect since only part of us liked (love) the cheesecake. So his birthday turned out okay. His party is Saturday and that should be great fun!


Here is my facebook post and several e-mails about Hunter.

My birthday boy, Hunter, started his 7th birthday out with a bang (fell out of his bunkbeds we'd just put up the day before) and a break (right ulna and radius) and a trip to the ER (12:30-3:30 a.m.) and an orthopedic surgeon this morning. He's now casted with a dark blue cast and sleeping. He is SUPER brave and tough! He didn't cried or whine or yell the whole time. He just gritted his teeth when it got set then exclaimed, "oh, it's straight again!"

(a sampling of the currently 24 comments)

Aunt Traci: ya, that is not right :(

Friend Jill:

It looks like Harry Potter's arm when the bones were removed. Gross!!!

Cousin Janell: seriously, that looks photoshopped :) Glad the doctors were able to get it all straight and good!

Cousin Cami:

Oh, Melissa! I'm so sorry. Jeremy came to look over my shoulder, interested in the picture, then says, "Oh, No! He's got two wrists! I didn't know what I was looking at!" Poor guy.

Friend Anne:

don't you know that you are supposed to have a guardrail up on the top bunk? J.J. hates his cause he thinks he is too big for it but I am going to tell him about this and he might change his mind.

Aunt Shauna:

Well Happy Birthday Hunter! We love you. No more Harry Potter magic hands. . .

Melissa's reply:
Hunter's day got much better. He napped, we went to Burger King for dinner (thanks Christopher and Sara for the gift certificate for Christmas), he got Legos he always wanted for a present. The bunkbeds are down until he heals some and we have a guardrail. I know we should have had one, but the thought really didn't cross my mind, he never falls out of bed. But we moved the bed to the opposite wall and he probably rolled to where the wall should have been for him. Luke was sad. He wanted to move on top and give Hunter the bottom.

Aunt Shavonne: poor kid!

Cousin Janae: I didn't really get it until I looked at the picture bigger. OOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! Have Buzz tell Hunter about when he did that to his wrist when he was little. I think it was the same shape before his surgery to set it. How far up does his cast go? Is he still hurting? Hope he heals soon...

E-mails to his teacher:

Miss Recanzone,

Hi. Hunter's not coming to school today. He fell out of his bunk bed last night and broke his arm, right after midnight. So he started his birthday out at the ER. He is REALLY mad about missing school (he told me to write that). We just put the bunk beds up yesterday for his birthday. They are coming back done now! He broke his right arm :-( and he is very concerned that he won't be able to do rocket math or his homework,but he is actually in very good spirits and he made several jokes with the nurses and doctor (he told them that he was going to make you do his homework and he got a really good laugh). He's broke both his radius and ulna and then he tried to push himself up from the floor and the break moved. It looks weird to see a bent arm. He's going to get it set at 8:30 this morning. I'll let you know more after we get everything done. He has been incredibly brave and has hardly cried. He is actually enjoying learning more about doctors; he recently told me he'd like to be a doctor when he grows up. On the way home from the ER he said he's even more interested now.

We'll be very happy to bring carrots and Ranch dressing for the birthday celebration (glad it's next week!)

Melissa

Amanda Recanzone wrote:
Melissa,
I am heartbroken to hear about Hunter's arm. We will miss him today. tell him not to worry about his handwriting. We will manage. We will be thinking of him today. Tell him Happy Birthday for us!
Miss R.


Melissa Warnick wrote:
Thank you. That will probably comfort him a lot to know he doesn't need to worry. He's busy sleeping now, but he has a cast and he didn't need surgery :) . Hunter did incredible at the hospital and the doctor's office. He never cried or yelled,but he did say, "THAT is a big needle!" before he got his shots to numb his arm some before it got pulled into place. We're really proud of how brave he was. I think he'll come to school tomorrow,but he needs to stay "down" so he really shouldn't do recess or PE the rest of the week. Then he should be fine. We'll let him bring a picture of his arm.(ewww--it's not bloody--just weird looking).

Melissa

Amanda Recanzone wrote:
Sounds very brave to me. I have never broken a bone, knock on wood! I don't think I'd handle it as well as he has. I will let Mr. Hoshaw know about P.E. Can we sign his cast?
Mandy

MelissaWarnick wrote:
Thanks about P.E. Of course you can sign his cast--we saved the top side for school! I'm sending a marker with him to school too. You know he'll love this part of a broken arm! I attached a picture for you :-\
Melissa

Karolyn Warnick (Grandma) wrote:

I can't believe how his arm looked.  There is no question that it was
broke.  Hope he is doing better today.  I imagine when you saw his arm
you freaked out.  I would have.  We love you guys and hope the rest of
the year is better.

Mom

Melissa Warnick wrote:
We did freak out. I just took a quick look as I walked in the room and said, "You broke your arm! It's okay I'm taking you to the hospital right now." He walked out to the couch and I went and woke Lance up. Lance came out and took on look at Hunter's arm and promptly laid down on the other couch because he was woozy. Then we both ran around the house like chickens with our heads cut off gathering stuff so we could leave. I grabbed some library books to read to him--you never know how long an ER visit will be, my glasses and contact solution and my toothbrush so I could brush my teeth, a pair of dirty socks off of Hunter's bedroom floor (they were Luke's) so his feet wouldn't be cold and his coat. Lance grabbed his clothes and cell phone took Hunter to the van. I woke up Dallin. That was hard--I had to say his name several times louder and louder to wake him up. I told him, "Hunter broke his arm and we're taking him to the hospital." Dallin didn't even know Hunter had broken his arm when he woke up in the morning. He thought he had dreamed me waking him up and he barely remembered it. Once in the van we had to go back the house for Lance's wallet or my purse. We found the wallet first. I'm surprised we found anything neither of us was thinking very well. I just keep telling Hunter, "I'm so sorry."

We went to Burger King for dinner last night since Hunter requested it. And he was in good spirits all evening.
He was really sad this morning and mourning having a broken arm. I think going to school will help him since he'll be the "star" of the day. I think it will be hard as the "fun" part wears off.

Melissa

Over the River and Through the Woods

The week of Thanksgiving we pulled the boys out of school a few hours early on Tuesday and headed over the Snake River and through the sparse woods of the Nevada mountains to Grandmother's house. It wasn't too bad of a drive and we got there at 10:45ish p.m. We got a good night's sleep and then we were there all day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday! What a fun visit.

Grandpa had set up the GeoTracks in the garage on top of several carpet remnants, so the cousins had a place to play together that could stay up the whole time. On Wednesday they were going to go to the Bass Pro Shop, but only Dallin wanted to go with Grandpa and Lance. Grandma had some places to go thought up for our visit, but the boys really didn't want to go anywhere. They just wanted to play with Emma, Lacey, Kent, and Ethan. Cousins are great!

We did go to see Emma and Lacey in their choir performance of The Nutcracker at their school. The cousins really all loved making gingerbread men with Grandma. YUMMY! They also made suncatchers with her. We also enjoyed a yummy Thanksgiving dinner with the best turkeys ever! I actually enjoyed the turkey. Mom did a turkey breast in the oven and Dad smoked a turkey outside in his smoker. Very good stuff! Elisabeth makes fabulous rolls (even the pan Ethan stepped in turned out really yummy and not too funny looking :).

Black Friday shopping in Las Vegas is the BEST! Lance and I left around 5:30 to head around the corner to Target, then he hit Kohl's , we went to a game store, Walmart, another Walmart, Kmart, Burlington Coat Factory were we ran into Elisabeth (that was fun), then we checked out another Burlington for Elisabeth and went to Michael's, a party supply store, two dollar stores. (Las Vegas has the best dollar store ever--I bought spray on Banana Boat sunscreen--the big bottle--for $1 instead of $8! I got 10 bottles!) Later in the day I went to JoAnn's for some flannel with Elisabeth and Lacey. And I think Lance went a few places too--BestBuy and Office Depot probably. So much fun! I love shopping with Lance like that. I do know Lance took Lacey and Emma with him to Home Depot once and they had fun! He was getting wood to make his Dad's Christmas present. I headed out with Mom and Elisabeth on Saturday too. There was plenty of "stimulating the economy" going on between all of us that weekend!

Sunday morning we headed out pretty early to go to Hinckley. We stopped for church in Enoch and got to Hinckley just in time for Sunday dinner with Lance's parents and DeAnn and Darren and kids before they headed home. Then we got to visit with Sandra, Eldon, Chad and Traci that evening. We like being able to stop by and visit some. Monday we went to Pleasant Grove and visited my Grandma and Grandpa Farnsworth. They can never believe how big the boys have gotten. We don't get to see them enough. I really love them. It's fun to finish our trips up with a visit to their house.

Say "Aardvark!"

Family Pictures! The dread! The bribing! The planning!

I love having a good family picture, but honestly they are a lot of work! Lance has really hated getting them done ever since this picture.


We were at JCPenny's. We waited for a while. The camera only went one way. Thayne and Bruce were doing pretty good, but Dallin, the older child, would slump down when he smiled or go up really tall on on his knees. At that point I'd have never guess that the four year old would be our hardest to get a picture of. (I've learned a lot since then!) Then Thayne threw up! It all went forward and not on our clothes (whew!). What a mess! Finally we got a decent picture. That experience was by far our worst! So when we get pictures done now Lance is usually pretty apprehensive before hand.

Linsday, of Steele Photography, is my visiting teaching companion. She knows the kids and she is fast and has a fast camera. Plus, she's a pro! We're pretty happy with her work! We'd been trying to get this done since January or February. Between her schedule (a new baby) and the leaves on the trees we finally got together. We even introduced her to our favorite (and much closer than Boise's Kathryn Albertson's Park) spot for outdoor pictures. (Lance has decided he doesn't mind family pictures outside. Must less stifling than a studio.) The park in the Island's subdivision close to our old house. We've been there for several of our family pictures. Lance told this kids something while I was out of the van before we started too. It was some big secret that they were all agreeing too. I still don't know what went down, but we were all posed and then he said, "Aardvark" and they all started smiling and laughing! It totally worked until we got in the second pose and Luke got mad and cried. Then Lindsay bribed him with a nickel! She's amazing and it worked! Thanks Lindsay and Lance for good pictures!




I also wanted to get some pictures of just me an Lance since it was our 15th anniversary this year. We feel like we look old in these pictures, but I really want them for our 50th anniversary so we can think of how young we looked in our thirties!


Lance is so cute to me! I love him lots! Thanks for the great family to take pictures of!