A Day At Marymoor Park

Our first major trip - on an airliner - was to Richmond, Virginia. The plan was to stay at the Haksch house and introduce the family to Andrew. I asked my parents to come down, and bring Gram. I was hoping to get a four generation picture.

We all met at the Marymoor Park's Italian Gardens; the same location where Susan and I were married way back in 1994. Susan's brother John was the assigned photographer for the photo shoot. We found a nice location near the building where we had our reception. We took several pictures with different arrangements of family members.

With the generation picture captured, we moved down to the Italian Gardens and John shot some pictures of Susan walking with Andrew down the long path to the gazebo - the same path she walked with her dad on our wedding day.

All the pictures turned out great and it was fun having the families together again ten years after the first get-together in the park.

January 2004

January was a tough month for everyone. Once Susan was out of the hospital, we spent our days driving back and forth to Children's Hospital to check up on Andrew. Below are my notes from January:

January 1

10:00	Grandparents and I drive to Steven's Hospital to see Susan.
11:00	Andy is taken to surgery at Children's Hospital.
12:30	Dr. Lee calls to say that the surgery went well.
13:30	Arrived at Children's Hospital and met Tom, Lanna, and the girls. Only three people can visit Andy at a time, and we cannot hold him, but we can touch him gently. The girls are not allowed in Andy's room, but they can see pictures of him on my digital camera.
14:00	Murray arrived to offer support and pass out Krispy Kremes.

January 2

12:00	Grandparents and I drive to Steven's Hospital to pick up Susan.
14:30	Susan is officially released from Steven's Hospital - a day early.
16:00	Susan and I see Andy together. He is active and opens his eyes slightly.
19:00	We go home.

January 3

11:00	The breathing tube is removed from Andy's mouth and throat.
14:30	Susan and I drive to Children's hospital with Mom.
15:30	Susan gets to hold Andy for the first time, tubes and all.
17:10	Andy starts getting vitamins and Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) through one of his IV tubes.
17:15	Andy starts getting lipids (fatty solution) through one of his IV tubes.

January 4

06:30	I drop off Mom at Sea-Tac airport. I'm sad to see her go because she offered so much support while she was here.
08:00	I arrive at Children's Hospital.
10:40	Andy has his chest drainage tube removed. His medications are terminated, but he will get Tylenol every four hours as needed.
14:00	Noemi gets to hold Andy - the first of many holds to come.
17:00	Andy gets a crib to replace his hot bed.
17:15	I finally hold Andy for the first time - not counting the brief hold for the photos at Steven's Hospital.
18:45	Andy is weighed again and tops the scale at 7 lbs 3½ ozs.

January 5

Andy is moved out of IICU on the fourth floor to general surgery recovery on the second floor - room A208.

January 6

The Northwest receives a blanket of snow. As a result, we get a late start. The Haksch's stop at the local medical clinic to see a doctor about George's cough and breathing problems. Meanwhile, Susan and I head for Seattle. After a few miles, we decide that conditions are too bad for the Haksch's to drive separate, so we meet them at the clinic and follow them back home. Noemi goes to Children's hospital with us, while George stays home to rest and recover. Andy starts taking breast milk through his Nasal Gastro (NG) tube, 1 mL per hour, injected with a pump. I was allowed to feed Andy breast milk from a bottle.

January 7

We meet Robin, the physical therapist, to help with breast feeding. Due to having a tube in his mouth for so long, Andy does not like having things in his mouth. Our neighbor, John, stops by for an update and a prayer. We meet Ronelle, the nurse practioner, and she offers to answer any questions we have.

January 8

We meet Robin at 10:00 for more breast feeding training. The pulmonologist stops by to describe future issues that Andy may have to work through and he shows us Andy's X-Rays. The difference between the before and after shots is quite amazing. Before surgery, Andy's left chest cavity was full of intestines and his heart was shoved into his right chest cavity. His left lung was not clearly visible. His right side was physically larger than the left. After surgery, things appeared to be in their proper locations. A technician stopped by to take an echo cardiogram to see if Andy's blood pressure in his pulmonary arteries was still too high and a cause for serious concern. Results expected on Friday. George and Noemi stop by.

January 9

We meet Robin for more breast feeding training. She shows us the nipple shield and the binky trainer. The nipple shield provides for easier sucking and the binky trainer is a binky with a small hole in the tip that has a hose in it. We use the binky trainer with a small syringe to feed Andy breast milk. Andy eats 4½ mL's with it! Jenny, the dietician, visited and measured Andy's height and weight. The X-Ray technician stops and shoots another X-Ray. Feeding training is difficult because Andy is asleep. After Robin left, we sat Andy up and he started sucking full speed! His next feeding isn't as productive. Andy's IV flow is reduced from 24 hours a day to 20 hours a day. The echo cardiogram results are not presented to us.

January 10

Susan supplements Andy's feeding from the breast - no binky trainer required! NG feeding system is now up to 9 mL/hr. Todd and Danielle stop by and witness Andy's first bath in a tub.

January 11

Susan is informed that she was not supposed to breast feed Andy. This is very confusing because we were under the impression that our goal was to breast feed him as much as possible. We were already frustrated from the missing echo cardiogram report, so this really upset us. The nurse explained the logic behind the feeding and we were somewhat pacified. Al, Lonnie, Carol, and Candria stop by. We stay until 10:00PM waiting for Andy to fall asleep because it makes us sad to leave him when he's still awake.

January 12

January 13

January 14

January 15

January 16

January 17

January 18

January 19

January 20

December 2003

December marked both the end of the year and the end of another chapter in my life. The "married, dual income, no kids" chapter of my life is about to come to a close. I'm looking forward to see what the next chapter holds for us.

December 6

Our new dining room furniture arrives.

December 14

Road trip to Leavenworth; we know we won't have as much opportunity to just get away in a couple weeks.

December 29

Susan's parents arrive to help us prepare the house, and ourselves, for the coming arrival.

December 30

My Mom arrives to help us prepare the house, and ourselves, for the coming arrival. Last in the series of pregnancy poses.

December 31

Today is the day. We load up the Honda and drive to Steven's Hospital in Everett. We have some time to kill, so I take notes in my little notebook. Susan realizes that she forgot something. Finally it is time to go to the C-section room.

The room is cold and very sterile. I'm probably more nervous than Susan. The doctor's are preparing things. I stay on the safe side of the barrier that installed across Susan's middle. Susan is numbed up and doesn't feel a thing from the waist down.

Andrew Thomas Straka arrives at 1:15PM. He is cleaned up and weighed, then eventually taken into a separate room for monitoring.

Everyone but Susan gets to meet Andrew. We are all getting hungry, so everyone but Susan goes to Applebee's to eat. While we're there, we get a frightening call from Susan. The doctors want us to return to the hospital as soon as we can.

When we arrive, the doctors tell us about a problem they discovered with Andrew. His breathing sounded odd, so they did some X-rays and found his bowels where his left lung should be. They called Children's Hospital in Seattle and arranged an ambulance to take him there.

The next time we got to see Andrew, he had hoses sticking out of his arms and legs. He had a tube in his mouth to help him breath. He was strapped down so he couldn't move. It was terribly depressing to see him like this.

Here are my notes:

10:30	Check-in to room 706 at Steven's Hospital. Called home to ask the Haksch's to bring Susan's slippers.
10:40	Called home to ask the Haksch's to bring a box of Kleenex tissues - the hospital's were too rough.
11:15	IV attempted unsuccessfully due to squiggly veins.
11:30	IV inserted successfully by a different nurse.
12:05	Dr. Sciscoe comes in to explain the upcoming events.
12:15	Anesthesiologist comes in to explain the upcoming events.
12:30	Susan starts to prepare.
13:15	Andy is born; legs bent a crazy angles and his heels nearly touching his ears. He weighs 6 lbs 9 ozs.
13:45	Andy taken to nursery for post-birth monitoring - standard treatment for C-Section babies.
15:45	Andy gets his first official cleaning, followed by foot prints.
17:00	The grandparents and I go to Applebee's for dinner.
18:30	The doctors come in and explain to me and Susan that Andy has a diaphragmatic hernia.
20:00	Andy is transported to Children's Hospital in Seattle by ambulance.
21:00	Mom and I drive to Children's Hospital and check in at the emergency entrance.
21:15	Mom and I found Andy on the fourth floor Infant Intensive Care Unit (IICU).
22:00	Dr. Lee gives us the details of the problem and surgery and the prognosis for his recovery.
23:15	Mom and I go home, arriving in time to bring in the new year with very modest enthusiasm.

November 2003

November brought the final flight of the Concorde, a baby shower, and Thanksgiving with friends.

November 5

Retired British Airways Concorde arrives in Seattle as the newest member of Seattle's Museum of Flight family.

Here's what the newspaper had to say:

The Concorde Arrives In Seattle

November 5, 2003

By KOMO Staff & News Services

SEATTLE - Back in the 1960s and early 70s, Seattle tried very hard to get a supersonic transport. Boeing was building it but dropped the project when government funding fell through.

Some 35 years later, Seattle finally has their plane.

About a thousand people gathered at Boeing Field to see one of seven retired British Airways Concorde supersonic jetliners arrive around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, making its final landing before going on permanent display at Seattle's Museum of Flight.

After it came to a stop, pilots waved British and American flags from the cockpit windows.

The Museum and British Airways announced last week that Seattle was going to be one of the three North American homes for the jets. One is going to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City and one to Grantley Adams Airport in Bridgetown, Barbados. The other four were going to remain in Britain.

"We are delighted to be able to share Concorde with the public here in the Pacific Northwest and with our visitors from around the world," Ralph Bufano, the museum's president and CEO said last week during the announcement.

"This exciting airplane represents the pinnacle of technological achievement in commercial air transportation, and it is highly fitting that this historic type joins other airliners in our world-class collection," Bufano said.

The museum's collection includes prototypes of the Douglas DC-2, Boeing's 727, 737 and 747, and the only de Havilland Comet in North America.

Although some had wished at least some of the sleek aircraft could be kept flying, BA chief executive Rod Eddington said a study had shown that "the technical and financial challenges of keeping a Concorde airworthy are absolutely prohibitive."

Eddington said the destinations had been chosen for location, accessibility and "ability to properly exhibit and preserve the aircraft."

Flights of the droop-nosed aircraft have been halted by British Airways and Air France, the only airlines that flew the Concorde. The last trans-Atlantic flight landed Friday at London, carrying 100 celebrities from New York.

Air France grounded its five Concordes in May. One has gone to the new branch of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The others will be displayed in France and Germany.

In the late 1960s, the U.S. government supported Boeing Co. efforts to develop a larger competitor to the Concorde.

Because of environmental and cost concerns at a time of general recession in the aviation industry, the federal money stopped in 1971, worsening Boeing's worst slump in the company's history.

The Concorde turned out to be a financial flop, but its financing through European government subsidies set the stage for Airbus, which is poised to eclipse Boeing as the world's biggest commercial jet maker this year.

The airline also said it would hold an auction of Concorde memorabilia - including a nose cone and pilots' seats - on Dec. 1, with proceeds going to charity.

The Museum of Flight anticipates that Concorde will open there for tours by museum members only on Nov. 22. They're estimating it'll be open to the public on Nov. 28. Tours will be free with museum admission.

November 6

Susan's co-workers throw her a baby shower.

November 8

The latest in the series of pregnancy poses.

November 9

Susan and I buy a new dresser for Andrew. Susan starts filling his closet with tiny clothes.

November 15

We go to the Museum of Flight for a close-up look at the Concorde.

November 19

First snow of the season.

November 19

We go to see a model train show.

November 27

We celebrate Thanksgiving with the Lindleys in their new house.

November 29

Our cros-state friends, the Weedas, stop by for a visit.

October 2003

October was a slow month, but I did get my pegboard installed in the shed.

October 10

Finished the pegboard in the shed.

October 19

The next in the series of pregnancy poses.

September 2003

September brought a change in ISP, some new computer hardware, new tires for the (paid off) Honda, and a new tooth.

September 1

Went to Fry's in search of a Linksys wireless router, but it was too expensive. Went to CompUSA and found it cheaper, plus it had a mail-in rebate! Picked up an Antec 400 Watt power supply for the computer, too. Yes, it also had a mail-in rebate!

September 2

Realizing that my driver's license had expired on August 15 (oops!), I got a ride to the DMV and got it renewed for five years. Dropped Earthlink satellite service.

September 3

Signed up for Earthlink cable service, mailed rebate form to Linksys, ordered Canon GL-2 digital video camera and various accessories.

September 4

Mailed rebate form to Antec. Canon order blocked for verification; sent e-mail containing a scanned copy of my driver's license for verification.

September 5

Canon order verified. Saw Open Range in Woodinville.

September 6

Went to Wings Aloft and signed up for Cirrus SR-20 introductory flight. Pulled cables through crawl space and into computer room.

September 7

Verified notebook computer works on wireless network, recorded some songs off the DirecTV music channel onto the notebook.

September 8

Frustrated by the verification and shipping delays, I cancelled the Canon GL-2 order. One of the accessories already shipped, so that part of the order couldn't be cancelled, but the rest was cancelled.

September 10

Doctor appointment followed by Dentist appointment to install new temp tooth in place of chipped tooth. Susan took me on the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train for our anniversary.

September 13

Flew the Cirrus SR-20 at Wings Aloft. Todd flies solo for the first time!!! Lunch and celebration with the Lindleys. Caulked seems in siding.

September 15

Rode backseat on Todd's cross country flight to Hoquiam. Susan's friend Candria stopped by to help Susan draft possible furniture layouts for the computer room and baby room.

September 16

Jimmy Buffett concert at the White River Amphitheater; cold and rainy and super-crowded; left at intermission.

September 19

Received bonus check from Cisco and paid off the Honda!!! Bought a JVC progressive scan DVD player at Video Only and Lord of the Rings: Two Towers.

September 20

Per Candria's plan, we moved furniture, shelves, and the BowFlex into the computer room and removed the fishy border wallpaper (finally).

September 21

Bought Michelin tires for the Honda at Sears and received a rebate for a free JVC DVD player! How funny, since we just bought a new one two days ago. The free one is not progressive scan, so we'll be giving it away as a Christmas present to some lucky friend/relative. Bought silk trees for the living room and dining room.

September 24

Ordered TDK DVD Burner from ZipZoomFly.

September 25

Temporary tooth replaced by permanent crown.

September 27

Bought baby stuff from garage sale in Snoqualmie, watched the sunset from Mukilteo.

September 28

Moved some dirt from the pile, cleaned out the backside gutters.

September 29

Mailed JVC and Michelin rebates. Darren informed me that I had received a small raise; thank you very much. Downloaded my first song from MusicMatch -- Legally, for 99¢. TDK DVD Burner arrives.

September 30

Bought Maxtor 80 GB hard drive, CD Stomper, DVD cases from Staples.

August 2003

August started, as usual, with the Blue Angels at Seafair. Kendra and Kerissa got to go flying. Mom and Cathy & Dave came out to visit

August 1

Borrowed Martin's Canon 10D camera with 400mm zoom lens and went to Lake Washington with Susan, Todd and Mike to watch the Blue Angels.

August 2

Met the Lindley's at Wings Aloft to watch the Blue Angels, went to Zoopa afterwards. Susan & I then went shopping for pregnancy clothes, then to the Mariner's game (Mariner's 12 - White Sox 0).

August 3

Watched SeaFair Sunday from home; highlight was the original Boeing 707, but no rolls this time around.

August 5

Meigs Field permanently destroyed.

August 9

Chehalis Air Fare; Kendra flew with the Young Eagles, Tom & Kerissa flew in an old Waco biplane.

August 14

Picked up Mom at Sea-Tac, got a haircut, ate at the Ranch Diner, moved dirt to front yard, bought 6000 points at Trend West, free dinner at Olive Garden.

August 15

Drove to Anacortes, but missed the ferry to San Juan Island by 3 cars, so we drove across Highway 20, then down to Chelan, dinner in Leavenworth, then home. Worst power failure in history hits East Coast.

August 16

Saw Singin' in the Rain in Issaquah.

August 17

Street of Dreams in Issaquah.

August 18

Ultrasound shows a boy, met Lanna & Kendra at Southcenter Mall and handed off Mom.

August 21

Broke off a chunk of my tooth while eating pizza at lunch.

August 22

Air Force One at Boeing Field, picked up Cathy & Dave at Sea-Tac.

August 23

Seattle tour; breakfast in Bothell, Ballard Locks, Pike Place Market, Seattle waterfront, Pacific Place, monorail back to Seattle Center, Space Needle, Highland Park.

August 24

Mountain tour; Krispy Kremes on South Hill, lunch supplies in Eatonville, hiking at Paradise, Reflection Lake, Nirada Falls, dinner at the Scale Burger, dropped Cathy & Dave in Chehalis.

August 27

Dentist appointment, Comcast internet hookup.

August 28

Picked up Mom, Cathy, & Dave at Amtrak station in Seattle.

August 29

Dropped of Cathy & Dave at Sea-Tac, went to Museum of Flight with Mom, dropped her off at Sea-Tac, went to Fry's grand opening (line around the block).

August 30

First in a series of Susan's pregnancy photos