You're no bunny until some bunny loves you...

Why did the Easter egg hide?

Because he was a little chicken.

I know I'm a little late on the Easter jokes, but I couldn't resist. Don't worry, I don't have plans to become a comedian any time soon. 

  This past weekend was a whirlwind which involved driving, cast #2, more driving, cousin time for Hunter, visits with friends and family, driving, a semi-successful Easter egg hunt, and did I mention driving? It was an eventful couple of days for which we are thankful, however we are so glad that we are home and don't have to have extended car time for a few weeks.
  Our adventure started out in the middle of last week, when Hunter and I made the trip to Georgetown to pick up my mom. She graciously made the trip to Dallas with Hunter and I for cast #2, because James had to work. Hunter has specific drawers and cabinets that he likes to play in/reorganize when we visit my mom and grandmother. When we got to my mom's house, Hunter immediately ran to his drawer and pulled out every wooden spoon that he could find along with a set of oven mitts.

   Kitchen items make the best toys and they can apparently double as gardening tools for household plants. 

  We drove to Dallas Thursday afternoon to be ready for our appointment early Friday morning. Praise God for safe travels, because the construction on I-35 is insane. Avoid if possible for the next 10+ years.
Our appointment was scheduled for 6:30 a.m., but we got a call late Thursday afternoon to arrive at 7:30 a.m. to check in, with casting to occur sometime around 10:00 a.m. Hunter had the 2nd casting surgery of the day. Since he is now a re-cast patient we spent our wait time in the day surgery unit. Prior to surgery in December, I bought a cupcake carrier and filled it with small quiet toys and books that would be easy to transport to the hospital. My thought was that it would be easy to transport and also easy for Hunter to hold in his lap. My mom brought in the cupcake carrier to the day surgery unit. The nurse greeted us with a baffled and dismayed look and suggested we cover the carrier with a towel. We quickly assured her that no, we hadn't brought a dozen cupcakes to tempt these littles who haven't been able to eat or drink since midnight the night before, but proved it was toys. Hunter's momma may need to rethink the toy scenario.
 We kept him occupied as long as we could and did every activity in the box several times. We ending up reverting to the iPad when we were out of ideas. Hunter highjacked James' iPad months ago in order to watch Baby Einstein videos. Recently, I was able to download Disney cartoons from our cable onto the iPad. I try not to make this a frequent activity, but when you are in a hospital waiting area, you pull out all the stops. A few days before leaving home, James and I realized that Hunter had become obsessed with the "Hot Dog" dance from Mickey Mouse Club House. He could care less about the show itself. He just likes the closing song and dance. If you have a little nugget, you know what I'm talking about and you've probably had the tune stuck in your head a time or two, interfering with your train of thought. Anyway, Hunter watched and listened to the song until they were ready to give him his goofy juice and take him back to get his 2nd cast.
Check out the boy's dancing skills. I'm sure he will hate me for this later, but it's too cute not to share.

  Prior to Hunter being cast, we spoke with his doctor. In talking with him, he reminded me that beginning at 60 degrees is an uphill battle, of which we are well aware. He said that he felt like his results from the last cast may have been mis-measured/mis-communicated and he might not have gotten as much improvement as we thought. He also said that they were really going to try to push and make good progress on this next cast. Hunter's doctor initially told us that it was a progressive process, as far as how much traction/compression that is applied. 

  Hunter went back about 9:30 and was finished within 45 minutes. They rolled him back in and we waited for him to wake up. After he was fully awake, they took another X-ray. When they complete the X-rays, Hunter must be standing. They ask you to secure his legs, making sure they are together, slightly bent, but not locking. His arms must be held at 90 degree angles with his hands pointing upward. Imagine just waking up with a hangover type headache, not understanding what just happened, and people holding you in an awkward and uncomfortable position so that they can take a "picture" of your spine. As crocodile tears roll down his face, I wonder what goes through his mind. Probably something like, "My momma doesn't take pictures like this" and "Every time I go to sleep around you people something bad happens". It's a lot for our 19 month old little nugget, but he is one brave little man.

 After the X-ray, we checked the cast to make sure the he could sit comfortably and move freely. He ate a couple of crackers and we hit the road. Traffic once again, but I wouldn't expect anything less on a holiday weekend, on a Friday afternoon. We made our way back to Georgetown with a quick stop to see James' sister and our nephews and niece. They always bring a smile to Hunter's face and he was so glad to stretch his legs and play with them. He did steal some of their Easter candy, but they are good sports.
 Onward to Gtown, where we spent the rest of the weekend with my parents, grandmother, sis, bro-in-law, and the cutest blue-eyed 6 month old I know. Hunter is getting used to sharing the spotlight with his baby cousin, Preston, and as soon as he learns to walk I'm sure they will be partners in crime and digging in the mud somewhere.

  Easter Sunday brought church, family time, and a little egg hunting. This was Hunter's first Easter to really hunt eggs. We had had two practice egg hunts prior to the big day. However, when we started to hunt eggs, Hunter was content to just open the eggs he had, rather than search for more. That boy is always opening my mind and heart to teach me something new. It was a great reminder of a couple of things. First, the egg is an Easter symbol as it symbolizes new life and reminds us of Jesus emerging from the tomb. Hunter found excitement and contentment with what he had rather than wanting more. Next year, he might be an egg hoarder, but this Easter, he was perfectly happy to enjoy and appreciate what he had. If only we could be as content and appreciative of what we have on a daily basis. This Easter Sunday, which was coincidentally exactly one year after losing our grandfather, was bittersweet. However, what a wonderful day to rejoice that Christ is Risen and remember our loved one with two little boys in tow, whom he would have adored, been so proud of, and have wanted to share his love of the outdoors with as they played on the land that he lovingly and carefully worked to tend for so many years.
 

 We finally made it home and I made the call to Hunter's ortho's nurse on Monday morning. Our next cast is scheduled for June 10th with time to be determined. I asked her about his X-ray results and she told me that his doctor was correct in saying that he didn't get as much improvement as we had thought in the last cast. Initially, we had thought that he went from 60 degrees to 28 degrees, however he went from 60 degrees out of cast to 39 degrees in cast. I decided that while it's not exactly what we thought, you can't argue with improvement. We are just pleased that he is getting the best care and is gaining much from being in cast. His nurse and doctor had told us that the first cast would show the most improvement and the subsequent casts wouldn't have quite as much. Hunter went from 39 degrees to 32 degrees with his 2nd cast. It obviously varies by scenario and patient, but I think that 7-10 degrees of improvement per cast is good progress.

  Hunter is taking everything in stride and is doing well thus far. Cast 2 is blue and sits higher up on his neck and lower on his hips, so he has had a bit of adjustment. He wants his momma and isn't interested in strangers or people he doesn't see on a regular basis, which I have attributed to being poked and prodded so much recently. So if you see us out and about and he shakes his head no at you, please don't be offended. Hopefully his sweet, outgoing demeanor upon meeting people will make an appearance again soon. He has been falling quite a bit, but he is adjusting and we are working on balance. I didn't get a good picture of his pre-casting pajamas from Friday, but they said "Tiny but Tough" and that's just what he is.

Stay tuned and have a blessed week!



















 

Live, Laugh, Love...Countdown to cast #2

   I have been looking for something to hang in our kitchen and recently found this canvas. It is a visual reminder of what we try to embrace as a family. I could go through the list and give you examples, but in this conversation, I'm just going to focus on the live, laugh, and love of this life we share.

   We've been in chest armor about a month and a half now and my son doesn't smell like a foot, so I'd say that is an accomplishment. We have had a few accidents recently. While I know you are sitting on the edge of your seat, I will spare you the gorey details. I will tell you, however, that I felt a little like MacGyver a few mornings last week as I sat with a blow dryer, a plastic baseball bat, dryer sheets and a bottle of Febreze. I got hit in the head with the bat of few times, but it kept little man distracted while I made sure his turtle shell was clean and as good as new.
  The countdown to cast # 2 has officially begun. Hunter is scheduled to be recast on Good Friday, April 18th. We are crossing our fingers and saying our prayers that we are able to make that date. According to our nurse at Scottish Rite, you have to be in good health for one month prior to casting. Hunter has never really been sick prior to this week, but unfortunately, he and I have been captured by the cold monster. No, the hairy monster from the cold commercials hasn't really chased us down, but we have certainly felt better than what we have this week. Poor baby has an ear infection, cough, and congestion. He seems to be on the mend and his lungs have been clear the entire time, so hopefully they will allow us to cast on the 18th.
   It's hard being a good momma when you don't feel great. The house is a wreck, we have eaten out way too much this week, and even though James is doing the best he can to help, babies want their mommas when they don't feel well. Daddy is the fun guy and Momma is the one who brings comfort. Even though I haven't felt very well the last few days, I wouldn't have it any other way.
   I can tell that Hunter is starting to feel better, since he is getting back to his normal self and his mischievous daily shenanigans have reconvened. After breakfast yesterday morning, I went to look for the iPad. When I walked into the living room I found the floor covered in Starburst jelly beans and the dogs and Hunter getting a sugar high, at 9:00 a.m. mind you. I guess I can't really be too upset, since I am pretty sure that some of my cousins, my sister, and myself have been known to have had "breakfast dessert or dessert for breakfast" a time or two. I guess he comes by that sweet tooth honestly. ;)

Not too long after the jelly bean caper, I was holding Hunter in my lap and felt something balled up and kind of squishy in his left pant leg. I reached just above his left shoe to find that his diaper had shimmied down his pant leg. All I could do was laugh out loud, which was followed by a uncontrollable, raspy smoker's-like cough, since I am a few days behind Hunter on getting well. I have heard of people pulling their bras out of their shirt sleeve, but a toddler pulling his diaper out of his pant leg is a new one. This boy is something else!

Recently, James and I were talking about the last 6+ months and how they have transpired. Prior to Hunter being diagnosed with PIS, James decided to make a career change. He, along with a few other individuals, decided to pursue a new business venture. Through this process, James has been able to research and plan, while working from home. He has also been doing some consulting here and there to occupy his time. Everything happens for a reason. While it may not have been the most timely change in some respects, it has been a blessing and we are so thankful that he has been able to be home with us through the majority of Hunter's journey, thus far. I asked James if he would go back and change his decision and he said that no amount of money or opportunity could replace the time that he has been able to spend with Hunter and I in these last few months. My love languages are Gifts of Service and Quality Time, so my sweetheart hit it on the head. I don't have all of the answers and certainly don't profess to be able to solve all the world's problems. However, if you have been searching for the "right" time or "enough" money, you won't find satisfaction. Spending quality time with family and friends, while allowing God to orchestrate his plan is the only answer.

As I close out our conversation for this week, I have a challenge for you, folks.

A few weeks ago, I went to a mom's night out event with my bible study group. The theme of the night was "Love Does". The night's events were based on the book Love Does by Bob Goff and coupled with a KSBJ challenge. In his book, Bob Goff demonstrates a life of full engagement and whimsy. He shares that God chooses ordinary people to do the "do" part of faith by selflessly doing for others and loving on people in thoughtful ways. 

We were given a set of post-it notes and a small amount of money. The goal was to write messages and stick them where people could read the kind words. We were also asked to do something nice for someone else with the money. The group that I was with decided to head to Walmart to place notes on the products. Some notes were cheesy like, "Have faith, God can help you out of a pickle", placed on a jar of pickles. Some notes were more purposeful like, "You are beautiful in God's sight", placed on the mirrors in the store. Regardless of what was written, we wanted people to know that God loves them. While we were roaming the aisles, we saw a woman who looked as though she could deliver her baby any day. She was pushing a cart full of baby products and toddler pull-ups. We stopped her and told her what we were doing and shared that we could see that she had a new addition on the way  and we wanted to offer her the money to add to something that she needed or to do something for herself prior to her little one's arrival, because she is loved. She responded with tear filled eyes that she had needed to hear that that day. She had been in the hospital the whole day, because her blood pressure had been too high and had just been released in hopes that her little one would stay comfy for at least one more week. The amount of money given wasn't much, but the act went a long way. It made her feel loved and touched our hearts in the process. If you haven't read Love Does, please give it a whirl and if you feel compelled take time to do for others in extraordinary ways. You will brighten someone's day and likely feed your soul along the way.

Hopefully you've laughed voraciously and have been compelled to love more adamantly during this conversation. 

Please continue to keep little man in your prayers and share his story as you see fit.

Cheers to you all and blessings to you and yours!