Getting our Halloween on! He got to trick or treat and he did a great job.

This was my view outside my window when I woke up this morning. It made me think of the talk by Elder Uchtdorf that got me through the PICU.
There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm ...for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn.

Last night was a long walk through memory lane. This morning was a blessed reminder of the distinct shafts of light during that time and now. Thank you for your prayers and support. We have really been so buoyed up.

"The darkness does not dissipate all at once, but as surely as the night always gives way to dawn, the light will come."

Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

I just found this picture tonight. It was exactly 2 months ago that Parker fell. This picture was earlier in the day after a carnival of sorts with games and facepainting.

 

 

 

Per my husband's request I have not posted many pictures from those first weeks in the PICU. I am so grateful to be done with that part.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am so excited! For the last several weeks, Parker would only nap if I was holding him, and the longest he would sleep was 20-30 minutes. He used to take 2 1 1/2 hour naps. Yesterday he only took 2 10 minute naps. He needs more sleep!!! I talked to the Dr about it and he recommended essentially swaddling him and putting a large heavy pillow over his midsection. I also downloaded some meditation/white noise with water and birds. He just slept for almost an hour. His eyes even fluttered open a couple of times and he went back to sleep. This is HUGE!!!

Parker's Christmas stocking so far. Thanks Tami for getting me started way back then.

This little boy is troublesome. He is in a very oral phase right now. Think 4 month old with teeth. LOTS of teeth. Sharp teeth. He got 4 new teeth in the PICU. I always say, If you are going to get 4 teeth all at the same time, you might as well be on morphine.
He is chewing on EVERYTHING, including his dad's and my shoulders, as well as therapist's fingers if they are not diligent enough. Yesterday he was completely useless in therapy because he was chewing on every toy, o...r shirt, or finger in reach. We finally had the brilliant idea to give him a piece of Graham cracker during OT which he LOVED. (My idea, actually) He could grasp it, bring it to mouth, take a bite and bring it down while he chewed. It was awesome.

This morning he bit my shoulder so hard he left teeth marks through two layers of shirts- hence being troublesome. During PT today his shirt was soaked because he kept chewing on it. He was so one-track minded chewing on a sock that protects his PICC line that I finally switched it to his right arm so he would engage his right side, which worked until he realized he could not pull it with his teeth to his favorite left side. He started chewing on his PICC line dressing instead until... He got a really sad face. Then started crying. Hard. With big crocodile tears. It was sad... but a little funny. All right a lot funny. Poor kid. But sometimes you have to laugh or cry. And sometimes it's good to get a taste of your own medicine.
And on the bright side his hand/mouth coordination is improving by leaps and bounds! And bites ...

Since I only see my kiddos a few times a week at the moment, I may or may not be a sucker for things like blanket tent sleepovers in my room on a school night...I really miss my kids. I think this is one of the first school nights I've been home to actually help them with their homework, see what they are learning in school and hear them practice the piano. We Skype sometimes for homework, or they have brought it to the hospital, but it is not the same. I want to cherish these moments and never get too busy when life gets back to normal. I really love my kids and miss them. This makes me want to go in there and snuggle with them... Think they'd mind me squashing them?