Burdorf Family Olympics!

Last week when the two baby dolls were taking a nap, I made up some games for the kids to do in the backyard.  We have been all about the Olympics, so I tried to think of some competitive, fun things I thought they would enjoy.  

 We started with the frisbee throw.  We had to have a lesson on how to throw it, but once we got past that, we were golden. :)

 And yes, this was coming right at me!

 This was by far the favorite of the day.  We did a race with water.  Fill up cups out of a big bucket and try to fill up a smaller bucket up to the line before the other person.  Lots of running back and forth.  They loved it.

 Aaron and I played too.  What I learned: my husband is a cheater! Don't worry, I doused him with water for it.  :)

 A challenge to see how far we could kick soccer balls.

 And last, but not least an egg race.  The kids did pretty good.  After they raced a couple of times, I decided we should do an egg toss.  Aaron and I got pretty far apart before it broke on Aaron.

 A casualty...

It was a fun time in the backyard.  One of those times I wish I could bottle and open up to enjoy at a later date. :)

Iowa City Check-Up

Aaron and I took Blake to Iowa City last Thursday for his monthly appointment with nephrology.  We also had an ultrasound and a urodynamics test with urology.  The urology thing was a big deal because we got to learn exactly what might be the plan for Blake's bladder problems around transplant time.

The good news:
Dr. Jetton (our kidney doc) along with the rest of the nephrology team are super-duper happy with how he is doing!  Awesome news!  He grew a lot the past month and just really has been thriving.  We tweaked a few meds, but otherwise everything was great.

The test results:
Dr. Kieran (our urologist we've had since the NICU) talked about Blake's test results.  We learned through one test that his bladder holds less than one ounce, when it should be holding about three.  Because of his posterior urethral valves that he developed in utero, his bladder is a freakin' disaster.  It's a big hard muscle that just won't hold a lot of urine.

The reality check:
Dr. Kieran said Blake will more than likely have to have a bladder augmentation.  That means they will shorten his ureters and use them to make his bladder bigger.  In doing so, his bladder muscle will be shot, which means he's not going to be able to pee on his own.  Ever. Ever-ever.  He is going to have to have a catheter for the rest of his life.  Not with a bag hanging to his leg, but a valve-type thing.

The bad news:
In doing the augmentation they are probably going to have to cut through his peritoneum, which is what he uses for dialysis, which means hemo dialysis.  That means a new port and trips to Iowa City a few times a week.  :(

How we feel:
Even though it sucked to hear, we kind of were expecting the news about the bladder.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in Blake's kidney stuff, we forget about his bladder issues.  Nevertheless, we were still optimistic that we would get better news.

Here's the thing though...Blake is here.  He's with us when he wasn't supposed to be.  He's growing.  He's thriving.  He's happy.  He's a little superstar.  He continually amazes us.  We'll adjust to this catheter idea.  It's going to be alright.  It's just going to be part of who Blake is.  And we love that little bugger no matter what! :)

We've got a walker!

I think we can officially say that our fourth and final kidlet is walking!  Blakers has really taken leaps and strides the past week.  He's gone from walking in-between us to just tonite this...

 ...standing up all on his own in the middle of the floor like a big boy!

 The kid absolutely soaks in the praise he gets from all of the rest of us because we clap, smile and yell, "YAAAY BLAKERS!"  He thinks it's the best thing ever.

 He was a little unsteady this time.  

 If at first you don't succeed...

 And that look.  Priceless.

 I cannot express to you how excited we are that he's finally walking!  We knew he would lag behind because of his time in the hospital and because of just everything he's been through.  When he hits milestones it's just seems extra special because we know that he has to work that much harder to achieve them than the 100% healthy kid out there.

 I wonder where Blake gets his weird looks from... Hmmmm.... :)

Ethan's Tractor Run

A week ago Aaron, Jenna, Brody, Blake, Bowen and our friend, Jay, ran in the Ethan's 5K Tractor Run.  It's done in memory of a little boy who passed away due to illness and loved tractors.  The money goes towards scholarships for high school seniors.

I was the only one that didn't run because I saw how hilly the course was and I didn't want any part of it! :)  I'm smart like that.  A few pre-race antics for Jenna and Brody:

 They held a kids race prior to the actual 5K.  It was 1/4 of a mile, which was a good distance for Jenna, but pretty far for Brody.  You can't tell a four year old to pace himself!

 The boys were pretty pumped for their first ever 5K. Jay had this crazy idea that he needed a "new experience" and asked to push them.  So he did!  The boys did great.  Blake is on the left; Bowen on the right.

 Jenna was the first girl to finish the race!  Must be those long legs...

 And a very tired Brody.  Poor kid.  He said his legs hurt when he was done.  But...

you know what makes everything better?  A MEDAL!  Yep, every kid got them.  Nothing better than that.  They were so proud!

 The whole clan of runners post-race.  

We waited around for results and door prizes.  Guess what Aaron won?  A nice little package of stuff for a winery by Des Moines.  He is soooo excited!  Well, maybe not, but I sure am! :)

Impromptu Photo Shoot

A couple of weeks ago I decided to hold an impromptu photo shoot in our front yard with the kids.  It was the day Aaron ran to Menards to get all the stuff for the bags boards.  So, it was just me and the four kids.  

It was hot, I was sweaty. Trying to make the kiddos laugh and look at me and chasing a Mr. Bowen who wanted to walk around the yard and not be part of the photos.  Whew!  It was hard work.  Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the results.  I like the color, but I'm just a sucker for the black and whites.  

Officially, in these pictures, Jenna is 6; Brody 4; Blake and Bowen 15 months.  ENJOY! :)