Benscoter Family: February 2014

This month started out awesome because Nana came to visit on February 1st! On February 3rd I flew out of Philly to go to Vegas for the week. I attended Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) which is an annual physical therapy conference. I met up with Lindsey when I landed at the airport and we took a taxi to the Flamingo resort. We had dinner and caught up over some delicious margaritas. The conference started on February 4th. After attending 3 seminars I met up with Lindsey, Andrea, and Britt and we got some appetizers and drinks at Lagasse Stadium in the Venetian. Later that evening we attended the University of Florida Physical Therapy Department reunion. We caught up with several of our professors and fellow students. After the seminars on February 5th Andrea, Britt, and I walked around the strip and ate dinner at the buffet in the Bellagio. February 6th was the last day of the conference and afterwards Lindsey and I went out to an amazing Italian restaurant for dinner. On the morning of February 7th, Lindsey and I met up with my buddy Nick Meyers for breakfast. It was awesome! Afterwards, my mini vacation came to an end and it was time to fly back home.

On February 8th Joe and I went out for dinner at Outback and went to see American Hustle. I always love a good date night with my hubby! On February 12th Joe left for an 8 day trip which took him to California, Virginia, Turkey, the UAE, and Spain. We got more snow on February 13th and 14th. Instead of snow on Feburary 15th, we got visitors! Evan, Erin, Ava, and McKenzie came to spend a few days with us while Erin was on her February vacation. That night the girls made sugar cookies and they had a blast. On February 16th we all went to church and had a low key day at home. On February 17th we made the best of the new snow and went sledding in the neighborhood. There was lost of fun had by both children and adults! Afterwards we all went to Chick Fil A for lunch and play time at the play place. We got more snow on the morning of February 18th. Unfortunately for our visitors, they had to drive all the way home to Massachusetts in the snow storm.

Joe got home from his trip on February 20th just in time to take a quick shower and hop in the car to join us for Tyler's cardiology appointment at CHOP. All went well at the appointment and we were told that Tyler was going to need a cardiac MRI and cardiac catheterization prior to his third open heart surgery (the Fontan). We discussed several different options for timing for the Fontan and we tentatively agreed upon late July of this year. However, the cardiologist told me that he would call me in a week or so after he had the opportunity to discuss Tyler's case with several of his fellow cardiologists that were, at that time, at a conference. Several days later the cardiologist called me to inform me that his colleagues learned that children with HLHS tend to have less post-operative complications after the Fontan if they are able to wait closer to their third (not their second) birthday. He suggested that we consider waiting until Summer 2015 for Tyler's Fontan since the right side of his heart continues to function well. However, he did suggest moving forward with Tyler's MRI and cardiac catheterization in the next couple of months. Therefore, we have scheduled both procedures for June 11th of this year.

On February 22nd Joe and I took Sophia and Tyler to the mall to celebrate Valentine's day with our little loves. We played at the mall play ground, had lunch, and took the kids to pick out some toys. Joe took Sophia to Claire's and she picked out a new hair brush, a couple bows, and some candy. They are too precious together! We had a momentous day on February 25th since that was the day Tyler started walking!!! We were all so excited for him....and he seemed pretty proud of himself, too! On February 26th Joe left for a three day trip to the Dominican, Chile, and Florida (lucky guy!). We were pretty lucky as well since we got to spend time with Joe, Megan, and Orya Chapa on February 28th. They were stopping through town to get a flight out to Germany. It was an amazing ending to an exciting month!