Frankenbelly! / Gavin's New Bellybutton GRILL!

So the doctor tells me my bellybutton transitioned from a inny to and outey because I have a umbilical hernia otherwise known as a bellybutton hernia. It went down like this:
Doctor: You have a bellybutton hernia and I'm sending you to a specialist.
Gavin: Ahhhhhh, okay, when?
Doctor: Next week.
Gavin: Ahhhhhhh, okay.

And then one week later:
Specialist: I concur with your doctor, it is a umbilical hernia and we need to operate.
Gavin: Ahhhhhh, okay, when?
Specialist: How about 2 weeks.
Gavin: Ahhhhhh, okay, I guess.
Specialist: Here is what the incision will look like. This purple pen will wash off so don't worry.



So two weeks later I was put out for a little bit over an hour as the doctor sliced above, around, and below my bellybutton. He opened me up and repaired the hernia with some mesh. The details of all of this are still a bit sketchy but he's the specialist and I'm just the guy with the hernia.

The day after the surgery I took off the bandage and was a bit surprised to have 22 staples holding my midsection together.



After 4 days the pain has subsided and now the most uncomfortable things currently are:

1. The hair on my belly is growing back in and wearing a shirt makes it uncomfortably itchy.
   
2. The fact that every night I have unconsciously scraped my hand across my stomach making for a rude awakening.

I should be 100% in about 3 more weeks. I'm looking forward to being "normal" again and not walking around like a hunchback. :)

Carter's Grandparents Come To Visit

Ed and Aleene flew out from Pennsylvania to spend 10 days with Carter (well... Carter's parents too but mostly Carter). Travis, Beth, and Lindsay drove up from Ridgecrest and spent the weekend with us. Here are some of the picture highlights of the trip.

PLAYTIME!

Carter LOVES TO PLAY....

With bubbles in the tub....

With bubbles in the yard....

With chalk on the patio.....

At the park on the slide....

On the play structure....


With his Mama when she reads him a book....

With his Cousin Lindsay on the swing...

With balls in the yard....


With his Cousin Lindsay on a slide....

That boy just loves to play!