How are we doing?

Brad tells me that he is often asked, "How's Nathanael? How are Jamison and Bree?" Since we still don't get out much to see people (my big adventure this week was taking BOTH boys to the hospital, and spending 7 hours there, plus 2 in the car) here's the lowdown on us:

Nathanael still has no immune system of his own because he is still on steroids, which suppress the immune system, and in his case, keep him from growing T and B cells (lymphocytes required to fight off infection). He will be off steroids (except for a small "physiologic dose", which will be taken orally - no more IV meds at home!) after August 5. :) Yes, I'm THRILLED about that!

Besides that he is a generally happy little boy, doing most of what almost-1-year-olds do: eating a lot of everything (he now loves beans, peas, crackers, cheese...he tried zucchini tonight), babbling up a storm, grabbing everything within his reach (and sometimes things out of his reach), watching his big brother, and just wanting in on all the action around him. If I let him loose on the floor I think he'd end up rolling all over the place.

Developmentally he's on track with everything except gross motor skills (he doesn't yet pull up to standing, and cannot move himself from lying down to sitting up). His doctor reminded me that his weight gain (he weighs around 19.5 lbs now!) and leg weakness (caused by his time on steroids) both factor into this, and while she's not too concerned, has recommended a PT consult, which should happen sometime next month through ECI.

Jamison is doing really well, although today he tried testing the limits a few times, and spent some time in "time out"...not fun for either of us, but it does help. Well, that along with the removal of favorite toys. He's growing and changing so much right now that we just keep trying to adapt. He loves to sing (today it was "Twinkle, twinkle little star" but instead of "like a diamond in the sky" he'll substitute things like, "puzzle" or "flag" or "truck" for "diamond". It's cute to see what he comes up with), he LOVES puzzles, and now tries to do them quickly, and he plays with his cars in the parking lot (kitchen table) and his animals at the zoo (basket) or on the table in the living room. He also LOVES to hear us make things talk (i.e. "Make Nathanael talk" or "make my carrots talk") and wants to hear us make up stories about the pictures in his puzzles, or make up songs about various states (J: "Sing the Minnesota song." Me: "What Minnesota song?" J: "The Minnesota song!" Me: "Oh, I guess we need to make one up..."). He is very creative, he even has imaginary friends in various states, and a few in Canada! On Monday, when the doctor addressed him as the "famous Jamison" he said, "Miss April calls me Jamison the Puzzle Master." It was so cute!

So how am I doing? Tired, busy, thankful, worn out, overwhelmed. I could write a lot here, but it's late, the computer battery is almost gone...the story of my life these days. Please do keep us in prayer, and feel free to call (just call on the home phone, as cell minutes are a precious commodity these days!). :)

Bree

Two Happy Little Boys

Here are a few recent pictures of our two happy - and busy! - little boys:














Almost every day, I thank the Lord that I am home with my family, and that BOTH boys are with me. In spite of all the limitations of our relative isolation, I LOVE being able to hug both my little boys each day. :) Please keep praying that we'd all stay healthy, and that Nathanael's immune system would start to grow as soon as he is off his methyprednisolone (last dose of IV steriods is Thursday, August 5!). Then we have his 9-month-post-transplant check-up on August 11 in Cincinnati. Please pray for travel plans and safety as well. Thanks!

Outside!

So we're thankful for the break in the weather (rain, lower temps) and have spent a little more time outside lately. We still have to keep Nathanael out of the sun, but if he can stay shaded in the stroller (or inside, while we listen on his new monitor!) then we're okay. :)

The other day before the rain started Jamison "helped" Brad water the lawn, and discovered what fun it is to outrun the sprinkler!















Another day we played outside (while Nathanael took a nap inside) and Jamison found a new friend...a grasshopper! It was so cute to see him catch it, but despite his best attempts to be gentle, the poor, helpless creature wound up with two broken legs. We did finally put him in a jar to take inside, and we fed him grass, and gave him fresh air, but he didn't last the night. I think the broken legs would not have helped him much in his natural habitat.














The third day shown here is of our first walk with both boys in the new stroller! (Or at least this is the first one I can remember!) I figured out that I was pushing over 50 lbs worth of kids (32 + 19.5) and 15-20 lbs of stroller for 45 minutes - quit a workout! The good thing was that Nathanael conked out after about 10 minutes, so Jamison and I could look for birds, talk about trees, and enjoy the time together.