The Recap

Just got in about an hour ago - got both boys to sleep (why couldn't they fall asleep on the drive home?!?), and now it's time for an update!

Well, Nate still despises strangers and doing strange things. Even though the staff at the clinic all dress in regular clothing (no "White lab coat Syndrome" to blame it on) and are all super friendly people, he just hasn't taken a liking to them!!

It began with the routine, and might I add, completely painless, height and weight measurements. Yeah, it didn't go well. I did have my ammo with me (a new spinning laser ball toy and SUCKERS!) but I wasn't about to use them up on getting weighed when I knew the ultrasound was coming up!

So, when we were brought to the examination room, where we usually go after all the tests, I started to get a funny feeling that they weren't going to attempt the echo today.

Dr. Soni did the physical exam and said based on what she heard and felt (his liver was not enlarged) and his weight gain, she could conclude that he was not in heart failure. In that case, she was comfortable not doing any further testing at this appointment, given his temperament the echo would probably not be of good quality.

No change of medications right now. He's still not big enough to switch to the other med, which would be a twice a day dose. So, we'll keep on going with midnight medicine dose, and hope at the next appointment - in three months - that he will have gained enough weight to switch meds.

She was also more concerned with the sound of his lungs, audible without the stethoscope, so we'll be looking into treating that when we see his pediatrician next.

After Nate's appointment we made a stop at the NICU across the street to see a very teeny, precious baby, who chose to make an appearance into this world 3 months early. She's not quite 3lbs, but she's using every ounce she's got to show the world what she's made of. One tough cookie!! We had a nice visit with her mom, I'd call her a SuperMommy!!! Please keep baby Kiera and her mommy and daddy in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement for our Nate. We feel blessed by all the people who care so deeply for Nate and the rest of our family.

And a super huge thanks to Bonnie, for letting Brady spend the 'funnest' day ever at your house! And for feeding us supper!!! And for the Costco run....it was really good retail therapy!! Love ya so much!!!

Where Have I Been??

Apparently not here in the 'blog world'. Just seems there are too many things to get done and never enough hours in a day. Thanks to my faithful blog readers for always checking in....sorry I haven't been giving you much to read lately!

One year ago, we were just get used to the whole idea and implications of Nate's heart diagnosis. Between the different appointments, tests, medications, etc., I have to say it's been a learning curve. There were some rough times during the winter, but we've been so blessed in the great summer season we've had. He's stayed relatively healthy with only minor issues popping up.

This Friday, we'll be seeing his pediatric cardiologist again. Always a mix of anticipation and nervousness. At our last appointment, she said the determining the course of treatment and timing of treatment would be "tricky". The echo that he had was also a bit of a disaster, with Nate upset and wailing through the whole thing....according to the report, an "abbreviated...technically difficult...and limited" study. I desperately want the diagnostics to be clear and useful....and hope that we don't have to deal with sedation or anything else to be able to get good results from these tests.

So.....here are our prayer requests for the upcoming appointment:

1. Wisdom for every medical personnel involved in Nate's care and treatment.

2. Co-operation on Nate's part for all the different examinations.

3. A healed heart!

And since no blog post is complete with out some pictures...

The "Nate-ster"

The joys of having a 3 year old who picks out his own clothes.

He thought they were shorts or maybe some 'man capris'....but indeed

are jeans belonging to Nate.

3 Things

Here are three things that happened yesterday that made me go "huh?!?

• Took the boys to get passport photos taken. Brady's was no problem. Nate was also great for the first few minutes, totally still and quiet, looking straight at the camera. The only problem? Requirements are that the lips need to be touching each other. HUH?!? Try getting a 15 month old to close his lips.

• Now I've been chased by a cow in Burkina, and the other day that nice black lab came up from behind me and followed me, but a tractor baler??? I was out enjoying a run on the south dike in Winkler (bordered by fields), when I heard something rumbling behind me. I checked the skies, since earlier there had been a spray plane one field away. Nope, nothing up there....but a shoulder check behind me found a large tractor with some kind of bale loader trailer, not even 100 meters behind me, barreling towards me at what seemed like break neck speeds! HUH?!?! I ran into the ditch, and let him pass.

• Then, on my way back, along the same dike path, I saw a dad and his kids doing some bow and arrow target practice against some bales right beside the path. HUH?!?! With a chuckle, I shouted out "Am I safe to run by?", he laughed too, at my hesitation and waved me on.

Well, that's the lighter side of life. I'm not complaining!

My New Friend

I made a new friend, of the canine variety this morning.

While Don took the boys to the airport fly-in, I decided to enjoy a little 'me time' and get a run in. I was about a mile in, along the dike on the west side of town when a black lab came running along side me. After recovering from the spook, and realizing that this dog didn't have any bite in him, I was fine. I just kept on trucking, hoping the dog would loose interest in my journey and return home.

Well, a mile passed, and another and he was still right beside me. Then I started to get annoyed. So far, I had been on what could be considered more of a rural route, but as I rounded the corner on mile 3 into the residential area, the dog showed no signs of going home.

And right through town, he followed me. To all the vehicles who passed me, muttering under their breath, "Why can't people keep their dogs on a leash", and to the others who are right now composing a letter to the editor regarding the irresponsible dog owner who let her dog run loose beside her along the road, I say this:

IT'S NOT MY DOG!

Well, he followed me right into our yard, a nice friendly dog. A collar, but without any tags, ID or tattoo.

We're still waiting for the city's animal control guy to come pick him up and bring him to the shelter, where hopefully his owner's will check in the morning and be reunited!

Festival Weekend

It's only Saturday, but already I can say that it's been a fun weekend! Actually, the whole week has been pretty great. Don took a week off from work, so it's been super nice having him home.

Today was Parade Day! Something Brady has been looking forward to for many, many days!

Here's a pic for Brady's Uncle Kerry - not quite as cool as your truck, but hey, you're in the big time, this is Winkler!!!

Although Winkler parades are filled with a lot of these...

and these...that's really all it takes to completely thrill the preschool crowd!

And then when Brady saw Doc Hudson roll by, well, it couldn't get much cooler!

This chopper/lawnmower always gets a good reaction, quite the crowd pleaser.

Speaking of crowd pleaser, Nate got his first ever (and last for the time being) sucker. It did keep him content for quite a while!

But, boy, did it ever make a mess. A nice, happy mess, nonetheless!!!

And then came the rides....we had one very happy boy, running from one to the next, and then all over again! Probably about 20 rides....the bracelet was a wise investment!!

And our sweet little Nate, stretching his legs after being so good in his stroller!

And the weekend is not over yet! Looking forward to a good day tomorrow! Hopefully breakfast at the airport's Fly In Breakfast, and some nice sunny weather!

Still Here!

The last two weeks has been a flurry of awesome fun! It's been full of family times - play time, meal time, and plain old get-togethers! There are 11 grandchildren in the family, ranging in age from 1 - 17, although 8 of them are 6 and under! And we were all together....that hasn't happened for a long time!

So, needless to say, I've been spending little time in front of the computer, and even less time behind a camera. It's been more about being in the moment!

In other news, Nate had his first major spill involving a glass shelf and his head. Thankfully, his angels were watching, and it wasn't more serious!

He also got his first haircut. Cried through the whole thing. Really wasn't worth it, but it needed to get done. Why do we always wait so long for that first hair cut?!?

Anyway, here's the before and after!

Enjoy your day! I'll be back here a bit more regularly now!!