On Friday, we all headed up for a family weekend at the camp. It was our first weekend up there together this season. Fun was had by all as the pictures will attest...
Everyone...well almost everyone...got some practice at shooting the BB gun.
it won't be long Big Boy...thank goodness for your wooden gun!
We even did a little hunting. These two went out with their Dad despite the 21 degree chill outside!
And then in the afternoon we all went and sat. Chris took the two that love to hunt and aren't afraid of the gun going off. I took Philip and Daniel to a stand where we sat without a gun!
I haven't hunted since Philip was born and I remembered how much I love the peace and quiet of the woods. Maybe more now that I have four loud boys at home. Philip and Daniel sat so quietly reading their books. However, Daniel wore out quickly when his book was over. Philip did spot two deer that entered the field so quietly that I didn't notice!
All in all a very relaxing weekend! Hope we can do it again soon!!
"Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny." - C.S. Lewis
Philip went back to school last Tuesday. He's been doing half days due to the stairs and his still weak legs. But we have seen so much improvement recently. It is truly amazing what physical therapy can do!
discussing his first day back with Mom over a cup of hot chocolate
He is doing well on his crutches and even figured out how to walk on his own in the brace this weekend. Big steps...literally.
He chose to go to school today wearing his brace because he prefers the independence of walking over the crutches. I will admit to being a little surprised because the brace is definitely more 'handicap' looking...as is his gait while wearing it. He truly does not seem bothered by the brace though and for that I am glad!!
I hope his friends are kind today as they adjust to seeing him in it. It was a little hard dropping him off this morning and seeing all of their curious eyes. It is so hard to be different, but Philip didn't seem to notice too much. He was just thrilled that he had a little independence back.
I am wholeheartedly, unabashedly smitten with this one.
You see I have never raised a 2 1/2 year old without a baby on my hip. When his brothers were this age, my days were a sleep deprived blur where barely anyone went to school. Now, everyone is in school and lots of days it's just him and me. Batman and Wonder Woman. Mickey and Minnie. Firefighter and Police Officer.
John is so in to make believe right now. He loves his costumes and prefers that we all play along. He says things like, "Minnie, I love you." And "Wonder Woman, you making me crazy." He asks what Robin (Daddy) is doing all day long. He's quite funny if you can understand him!
He entertains himself well. Loves his Duplos, trucks, and trains. I laughed one day as I went about the house dusting. Take a look at what I found.
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John loves his brothers. He and William play well together and he elicits lots of laughs from the carpool ladies when he yells, "Danny Boy" at the top of his lungs when I open the van doors. He'll be well known at St. Paul's years before he begins school.
I admit to parenting him a little differently. Not in the discipline category. I hope. Well, maybe a little. More in the totally relaxed category. Like letting him pick out his own clothes on a school day...hello tacky camouflage Walmart shirt. Or letting him wear his Spiderman costume up to the St. Paul's office to sign Philip out. So much more relaxed.
What a joy you are, John Dawson! I'm looking forward to my last few years at home with a little boy because you make it so much fun!!
Our trip to Atlanta went great! Elizabeth and David were great hosts as always. Philip and Daniel loved playing David's boys' new XBox and Wii while I enjoyed catching up! Early Monday morning we headed to Dr. Schrader's office to get the cast off!!
Typical Philip was happy, but not overly so. I was dancing around that morning about it coming off. He simply smiled. So even tempered!!
Off it came...
and then off he went for x-rays. Finally, a visit from Dr. Schrader. We got a great report. The x-ray showed new bone growth...meaning we are moving into the next stage of Perthes which is good...and his range of motion was excellent. Much better than the doctor was expecting!
The prognosis is good. He will wear a brace 16 hours a day (much less than I was thinking) for at least the next three months. He can walk in the brace (theoretically...more on that later) and then when out of the brace he is to use crutches. So he can go to school without the brace which is great.
We then went to the orthotics office for his brace. It took a little longer than expected to get the fit right, so while we waited they brought the boys a sheet of bubble wrap to pop. Have I mentioned Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is awesome??
And then off for a night at the hunting camp! While his three brothers went out with Dad to hunt, Philip and I stayed at the trailer. We rode the Big Red and read Harry Potter! Love this smile!!
Now that we are coming off the high of losing the cast and such a great report, we are trying to adjust to the reality of the brace and trying to walk again. The brace is at times uncomfortable (mostly in the car) but Philip doesn't really complain when in it. Since we are not in school, he is managing his 8 hours out of it well. I let him make the decisions of when to wear it.
However, walking is proving to be more difficult. We have started physical therapy and he did great there. Worked really hard with the PT. She assured me that his hesitancy has less to do with strength and more to do with confidence. At home, we are fighting walking. He is clearly scared to put weight on either leg...especially his left. There have been lots of tears, lots of pep talks.
We are looking at lots of physical therapy and half days of school at least in the beginning. The therapist did not think he would have the strength to hobble on crutches for a full day of school for at least two weeks. I'm yet to discuss any of that with his teachers, but I think we can make it work. Baby steps. I will admit it is all a little overwhelming...another carpool pickup...fitting in physical therapy three times a week with all the carpool runs...getting him to his classroom each morning with stairs and two little brothers in tow...etc. But I know that we will figure it all out. And most likely, as soon as we figure it out, his strength will return and the routine will change!!
Everything seems to be moving in the right direction. I'm confident he will kick this disease once and for all!!
These two had a great time hunting with Daddy while I was in Atlanta.
And before I sign off, John wants to tell you a little about he and William's hunt with Daddy...
Just like that six weeks have past. Philip's awkward cast comes off on Monday. We are all thrilled.
Philip has handled this trial with complete awesomeness. He has never cried "why me?", rarely if ever complained. Just did what he had to do to make himself better. I pray he is always that emotionally tough. I know where he gets it from and it makes me smile to see one of Chris' best qualities displayed in him.
life ain't too bad...Harry Potter on the Kindle and Starbuck's hot chocolate
There was the outpouring of support from our family, friends, church, school, etc. Dad and Susan went above and beyond the call by sitting with Philip for lots of my carpool runs. Both even drove William to school alone on several occasions. Mom sat with Philip so I could attend the many Christmas school celebrations. Church friends provided dinners for us for three weeks. School friends showered Philip with gifts and mail over the six week period. His teachers sent notes in the mail and special art and science projects to help fill his days. I could go on and on...but to sum it up it felt good to be loved so well.
I think the experience changed all of us a little bit...a little bit for the better. For six short weeks, we were able to see what it was like to be the parent/sibling etc. to a child with special needs. We saw the adults that stared at us as we walked through the mall. We experienced the warmth from everyone at the post office...everyone, including the postman, going out of their way to help this mother with an eight year old in a stroller and an odd looking contraption. We answered the strangers questions. And for the first time, my older two heard the words "we are praying for you" and understood what that meant. And that's just our outlook from the public...
Then there was our learning experience at home. It took a little more patience than normal from everyone. Lots of strength from Chris and myself carrying Philip up and down the stairs. Even Daniel said tonight before bed, "I'll be happy to not be his servant anymore." Ah, sweet boy, what a good lesson for you...because until those words were spoken, you, too, never complained about your situation. You fetched things for Philip, played games that he could play, and simply continued to be his best buddy without complaint. Even when he got lots of positive attention.
I hope to always remember Philip and I's special time at home...one on one time you don't typically get with an eight year old with three younger siblings. I'll remember the days spent in bed reading Harry Potter...I'd start reading and eventually fall asleep and he would then pick up and read aloud to me. Or our trip to the atrium where I needed to get some work done and subsequently watched him get lost in his own work. Upon leaving, he asked, "Mom, will you get me a Bible on my Kindle so I can read it anytime?" Precious, precious memories.
at work in the atrium..copying a map of Israel
Tomorrow, Philip, Daniel, and I leave for Atlanta. At some point during all of this, Daniel questioned me extensively on what Perthes disease is, what causes it, what does it look like, etc. I tried to answer his questions to the best of my ability. He finished with, "Mom, I think I need to see the x-rays of his good hip and bad hip so I can compare them." Such a curious little guy. So with a doctor's appointment that doesn't coincide with school, I thought it would be fun to take him along for the ride. Get ready Dr. Schrader...the kid can certainly question you to death. Should be fun!
Of course, another doctor's appointment means a little anxiety. Yes, the cast is no fun, but it is an unpleasant that I know...one I have figured out. I am a little nervous about the braces and how Philip is going to handle them. A little anxious about his ability to walk once the cast is removed. Concerned about school and how we can handle the stairs and braces there. Each appointment brings anxiety...but eventually more answers...and hopefully one step closer to the healed hip.
William and John were the first ones up...at 4:40 am. They slept in John's bed together so that Dee could have her own room. I quickly ushered them back to bed...snuggled with them both...and we slept until 6:00 am. It wasn't long after that that we were all up and ready to head down the stairs. There was definitely excitement in the air!
First, we inspected Santa's gifts.
Next it was wrapping paper everywhere!!
it's blurry...but these two got tickets to the Senior Bowl from Mom and Dad!
Soon it was time for GranGran and PopPop to join us for brunch!
After all our company left, we had some quiet time by the fire. Philip, Daniel, and I played three different board games and Dad helped William build his Lego set.
Before long, we headed out to Cameron and Heather's for dinner. Check out these good looking boys in their new clothes!
At Cameron and Heather's house, a surprise awaited the boys! First, open your gifts...
and then outside for the gift that keeps on giving!
The boys were in heaven!!
Heather and Cameron fixed a delicious meal of stuffed flounder and grilled redfish. Heather's sweet mom even made a special treat for the boys.
And don't even get me started on the red velvet cake with layers of cheesecake. Needless to say, I needed a run this morning!
As we wound down for the night, Chris and I both commented on another Christmas passed. We were thrilled that this Christmas night was so much calmer and drama-free without the tornado! With thankful hearts, we closed the books on Christmas 2013.
Oh Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin, and enter in. Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell.
Oh come to us, abide with us, our great Lord Emmanuel!
