Back at the Doctor's Office - Another Scare

This afternoon I met Shawn for lunch and realized that my car didn't sound right. We discovered a nail in the tire. Dangit! It's always something...grrr. We were planning on getting it fixed tonight, which didn't work out. This afternoon, Joshua sounded really bad from this cold. He was wheezy and not acting like himself, and I couldn't take it anymore. There had to be something they can give a little guy, right? Well, I was glad I took him in. After listening to him, Dr. Reilly noted that he was not only wheezing but he was breathing "tight," rapidly and retracting (whatever that last one means). She told me how to count his breaths. To be normal, he should have 20 respirations per minute. He had 40, and 50 would send him to the hospital. They then took his blood oxygen level. It should be at exactly 100. His was 95, and 92 sends you to the hospital immediately. In a nutshell, he's struggling to breath. She gave him two nebulizer treatments and sent me home with a machine to do once every four hours for him, even thoughout the night. She also gave me a prescription for the nebulizer solution (medicine that opens up your bronchial tubes, similar to an inhaler for asthma) and a prescription for steroids to make his 1.5 lungs stronger. It was a heartbreaking experience. For one, I wasn't expecting news quite like that, and two Joshua FREAKED out at this mask. I had to hold him down, and I tell you he's getting stronger even though he's still not gaining weight (he's at 20 lbs 12 oz). It took all of my energy to keep him from tearing off the mask or the blood oxygen senser. He was screaming and thrashing. I think he's just tired of being at the doctor's office and scared of the needles that typically accompany such an event. When we left, he was exhausted and so was I. But, I had prescriptions to fill, dinner to make for him, etc. So, the tire will have to wait - Shawn can drive the Rodeo and I'll take the Volvo tomorrow. I'm also being evaluated by the department chair at MU tomorrow night - please pray that that goes well, especially knowing I'll be on extremely limited sleep. Most of all, pray that our little one gets well and that we are done with doctors and hospital visits. I think we've had enough. I'm concerned that we're treating the symptoms (which is good since that deals with his breathing) but I want to also make sure we're getting rid of the cold, which is what's causing this issue to begin with...Lord, help us!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Brian!

Hope you have a great birthday and fantastic year! And, you're STILL older than Mommy! Ha ha ha! Sorry I missed wishing Aunt Gayle & Cousin Grant a Happy Birthday on the blog - there's was so close to mine that I got too caught up in all the excitement. :) :) :)

More Sickness

Last night while we were out to dinner, my mom called our cell. She told us that Joshua was not feeling well. When we got there, we found a very-runny-nosed sad little Bean. Grandma had put vicks vapor rub on his chest and under his nose, and she showed us where he had sneezed so hard that he knocked his little head into the corner of her end table, leaving a slight red mark. He was pretty cranky, so we brought him right home. He got up off and on throughout the night.

When we woke up this morning, I wiped all the snot off his face and used the suction tool to try to help alleviate his breathing. He hates it, of course. He's also coughing for the first time. Poor kid! It's absolutely no fun to have a cold! Joshua & I didn't go to church this morning because he was so miserable and I want to be courteous to other families and not pass sickness along. Please pray that he feels better! Here are some pictures from the other day of him in his jammies.

Fall Fun

Last night when Shawn got home, I had my hair & makeup done and put on an outfit that he always comments that I look nice in. I was hoping we'd be able to go out and do something as I was feeling particularly stir crazy yesterday. Unfortunately, we couldn't think of anything to do that would be fun with a Bean. Shawn wasn't into going to the Farm Show, and we didn't think Field of Screams was a good idea with a one-year old. I didn't see any area churches advertising fall festivals last night, and Dutch Wonderland's fall activities would have cost upwards of $40 to get into, and we weren't sure that Joshua would even enjoy it. We were going to head to the Hands On House, but I read that it was designed for kids ages 2 and up. I think if we go there it might be nice to join another family just in case Joshua doesn't seem thrilled, then we didn't feel like it was a complete waste. We thought about Barnes & Nobles, but we thought Joshua might be too restless and loud for that atmosphere. We kept searching, and finally we just made dinner here and called it a night. I was a little bummed, but such is life. We should have planned something more in advance. We typically try not to plan things for Friday nights because Shawn is always exhausted after a long week of work, but my work week was light and I wanted to get out and be in the world a little bit. I wish our church had a mom's group like my sisters; Maple Grove just seems like much too far to drive from here for me. However, there aren't a lot of folks our age and our stage of life in our church.

This morning I made french toast for breakfast, and Shawn & Joshua seemed to enjoy it. I don't think it's nearly as good as my mom always made it. I don't think I'm quite getting the consistency of the eggs quite right and we're using low-carb whole grain bread. That's good for the most part, but it makes pretty thin french toast. Afterward, we went outside to start yard work and ended up seeing our neighbors and talking to them for awhile. They are really sweet. Their son needs help with proofreading and I offered to help him whenever they need. I truly don't mind, and their kids are really nice, too. We'll see if they take me up on the offer. While we were talking to them, Joshua got his car toy that Dad bought us for outside and started walking behind it. I didn't realize the handle would work to help him walk, but he was LOVING it. Every once in awhile, though, he falls sideways. It's almost like he's on a ship. Soooo cute!

After they went inside to get ready to take their kids to some sort of practice (football, cheerleading, etc.) we started raking leaves. We have a leaf blower, but our extension cord isn't long enough. So, I was raking and then Shawn would blow the leaves right where I had been even though there was a method to my madness. I didn't mind, but I started losing interest... So, it didn't last terribly long, which was fine because Joshua wanted attention anyway. So, I got out the camera and started taking shots. I think Shawn did better (and was quicker) without me anyway. We had fun outside - it is an absolutely GORGEOUS day.

After we were finished, Shawn left to go golfing. Joshua hadn't napped yet, so I laid him down and he passed out immediately. Thus, I'm back inside...by myself...again. For awhile we were so busy I couldn't stand it, and now I think the pendulem is swinging the other way. I know we'll find a happy medium. Tonight we're going out with Nonie & Poppy, Brian & Gayle & Grant, and Jordon to celebrate Brian's birthday. Missy & Kevin can't make it, though.

I should do some things around the house or getting further ahead with my school work. We'll see. Before he left, Shawn bought a song for me from iTunes called "Sunday!" by Tree63. I've been hearing the song on WJTL & loving it. "...darkness is already crumbling...It's Friday, but Sunday is coming!" I'm emailing, blogging & listening to music. Sometimes that's nice, too, for awhile.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Ginder!

Hope you have a great time in Florida and a wonderful day today for your birthday!

Biopsy Results Are In - Pray for Healing

The biopsy results are in already. Unfortunately, they showed that Joshua is, in fact, suffering from esophagitis and something else that means that the acid is coming up from his tummy and burning his esophagus. So, Dr. Devenyi's nurse called us and told us to double the amount of prevacid we're giving him, taking it twice as often. They will call in a new prescription for him that we can pick up. What I thought was a major victory doesn't feel quite so good now. Poor little guy! I'm glad today is Friday so Shawn will be home this weekend. This week really went fast! Last Friday night, Mom watched Joshua while Shawn & I went on a date to my favorite restaurant, Fiorentino's. The food was delicious, but it was the company that made the dinner so nice. Joshua stayed at his grandma's again last night so that we could go visit Shawn's Grandma Kennel in the hospital. After we ate an amazing meal of ham balls, pineapple stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and fresh baked bread with apple pie ala mode for dessert, we "rolled" out of her house to the car and called Grandma Kennel to make sure she was up to visitors. She didn't sound so perky on the phone, but when we got there, Aunt Kathy was there too and they were both talking and laughing and in good spirits. We had a nice visit. It sounds like Grandma went in with more chest pains so they are increasing her meds until they can do more work to her heart later this month.

Yesterday I thought Joshua's little outfit was adorable. The jeans were just a little big in the waist, so between those and his little shirt that had long black sleeves and said "I love mom" I thought he looked "skater-esque." Since the weather has really dropped in the last two days (hooray!), I'm starting to wear his new sneakers on him and he's been doing a great job with them. The picture to the right of this is him pointing at the photo of Daddy in his room. It's sooo sweet how much he adores Shawn.

After we got home from Mom's house last night it was time for Joshua to get his bath. As I got out his PJ's, Shawn put in the bath mat and started the water. Joshua LOVES when we turn on the faucet and wanted to go into the tub fully clothed. I lovingly wrestled with him to get his clothes off so he could get in the tub. Since this was the first time Daddy had really seen him all day, other than dinner at Grandma's, he offered to give him his bath. I then had the opportunity to rock our little-getting-bigger Bean to sleep.

Then last night Joshua got up in the middle of the night twice - the first time he's done that in months. He was wearing heavy furry Elmo jammies (so adorable!), so I don't think he was too cold. Who knows? I cuddled with him and enjoyed our time together. When it was nightly that he would wake up, I woud feel plagued at getting up. Now, I enjoy any snuggle time I get with our active little guy.

I'll end this post with Bible verses I've been researching on healing. Please continue to pray for Joshua!

Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Jeremiah 33:6 "'Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.

Malachi 4:2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Matthew 4:23 [Jesus Heals the Sick ] Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Luke 9:11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Luke 9:42 But Jesus rebuked the evil[a] spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

The Farm Show

The ride to the Farm Show... My friend Kristen invited me to the Manheim Farm Show yesterday, but I couldn't go since I had class. So, I called my sister Jen to see if she'd like to take the kids today. I was impressed that we fit three strollers, five kids, two diapers bags and two adults in her mini-van. Joshua laughed the whole way there and back at Grace (left) and Faith (right). Emma fell asleep on the way home, but Daniel - who was facing the other way (pictured below) - stayed awake the whole time.When we got close, Grace said she was feeling car sick, so I told her to sing her ABC's and we would be there. She told me that Joshua sang with her up to the letter 'E' but I don't think I quite believe her. When we found our parking spot, it was pouring down rain! We had to walk over the covered bridge to the first building where we saw a 330 pound pumpkin. It was huge! And it won the blue ribbon for "Best of Show." Faith kept showing me all the blue ribbons on pumpkins, tomatoes, apples, pieces of pie, jams & jellies, etc. We saw the decorated pumpkins, including a "Hawaiian" pumpkin, a "mousey" pumpkin, a "monkey" pumpkin, a "globe" pumpkin (which was very cool), a "froggy" pumpkin and my personal favorite, a "porcupine" pumpkin that had sharp toothpick-like sticks all over it.

After that, we went to the "sportsman station" that had a taxidermied fox, zebra, turkey, bear, pheasant, deer and moose. Faith asked a TON of "why" questions there to me as Jen took Gracie to the bathroom and I kept the other four kiddos.

From there, we headed to the food tent to eat lunch. I ran into Shawn's cousin Randy, his wife Rhonda and daughter Liz. We got soft pretzels, pizza, french fries, funnel cake and a drink. It was delicious, but the ground was soooo muddy. Jen's girlies wanted to ride the rides that weren't operating yet.

From there, we went to see the animals. There were tons of cows, sheep, goats and pigs. We also saw two llamas, baby piglets, baby ducks, and baby bunnies that were for sale for $5 each. Man did that place S-T-I-N-K! Wow! But the kids loved it! Faith almost got kissed by a cow when she got a little close, and one cow decided to pee right in front of the girls who yelled YUCK! We dodged droppings and kept on going to where the girls could pet some of the animals. They also had hand sanitizer there, which was nice. When Joshua went to pet the cow, he all but stuck his finger up the cow's nostril. To that, I said YUCK!

We decided to call it a day when the kids got tired, mine especially. Emma fell asleep on the ride home, and Joshua napped right after we got back. Thanks for going along Jen, Grace, Faith, Emma & Daniel. And thanks for the idea, Kristen & Elliott! Hopefully we can join you guys next time. Well, I should run. Mom invited us over for dinner tonight - ham balls, YUM!

Walking & Words

This morning I was feeling kind of down that Joshua wasn't talking more than he is. For awhile I thought he was really advanced, but he doesn't say much at all anymore. Then today as I was holding him, he bellowed out "DOWN!" clear as day. I said, "don't you want to be held for a minute?" and he replied "DOWN!" I told Shawn what I thought I heard, and Shawn confirmed it when I came home from class tonight. Shawn had picked Joshua up, and Joshua said "down!" We'll see if he keeps it up. He's not waving goodbye anymore, but I've forgotten to keep doing it. I know he'll only learn through repetition. I wasn't feeling down about there being anything wrong with the Bean - I was feeling like I've been a bad momma for not being consistent with my teaching.

This morning I didn't have any writing projects, so we played much of the day. He loves a book that Nonie & Poppy got him for his birthday that has lots of pictures and the words for them. I also got out the CD of sing-along songs from Grandma & Grandpa Ginder. When Joshua finally laid down for a nap, I got ready for school and called and scheduled Joshua's follow-up appointment with Dr. D on 10/22. I also scheduled family Christmas portraits. :) Nonie came just as I was finishing getting ready for class and took Joshua for a walk. She also started showing him how to go down the stairs since he can climb them, and watching her was really helpful to me to learn how to teach him. She also blessed us by sweeping and mopping our kitchen floor, which was a huge help and very sweet of her. Last week she asked me what she could do for me if Joshua slept, and I said that I wanted to clean his toys with clorox wipes since he had been sick, and she did. It was sooo nice. Thank you, Nonie!

When I got home from school, Shawn informed me that Joshua was walking with his walker toy lent to us by my friend Julie (thanks!). I couldn't believe it! I had been trying to show him that this morning, but he refused to cooperate and instead we played chase Joshua as he crawls the circle of our living room/dining room/kitchen. He'd giggle as I'd get close and then I'd let him get ahead...it was cute. So after school, I was impressed to hear that he had been motoring. And, I got to see it for myself. The only thing is that he gets madder than a wet hen when he runs into the wall with his toy. I tried to show him how to back up his feet and turn the toy, but he wasn't having it. Of course, it was getting late so I think he might have been tired. So, to bed he went. This is the first night of no bottle before bed. He passed right out, though. He had no bottles at all today.

Today I made Joshua & me pancakes for breakfast, beef stroganoff with carrots & peas for lunch (Daddy came home to eat - hooray!), and I made roast beef in the crockpot to have for supper when I got home from class. Shawn actually made the potatoes, green beans and garlic bread to go with the meat I had cooked, but it was a full day of eating for Joshua. Although, I must say that he didn't seem to enjoy dinner all that much. He did eat two whole pancakes for breakfast this morning, which impressed me with his little body. Monday I made french toast for us for breakfast, and he seemed to enjoy that, too. He also liked the grilled cheese and soup I made him. Hooray! I think we may have turned the corner on him eating more and gaining enough weight to be healthy.

I've realized during this time that it's not the cooking I mind so much, it's the planning and grocery shopping. If I have something here to make, I'll cook away. But, ask me to go to the grocery store and you might get a pouty face.

Joshua seemed to be himself today, but he still has diarrhea. His poor little cheeks are so red and raw that he screams when I wipe him. I feel so bad. I keep putting ointment on, but he goes so frequently that I'm constantly wiping it off, too. Please, Lord, give him relief! And, me too! He woke up at the crack of dawn from a stinky diaper, so I snuggled him this morning until about 8 am. That's the latest we've woken up in a long time, and it was nice to have some cuddle-time with the normally busy, busy Bean.

Other than playing, cooking and working, I cleaned the house some today and did a couple loads of laundry. It was a full day, but I didn't get to the gym. Hopefully I'll get to go soon! Speaking of soon, we should soon have pictures coming to the website. Shawn purchased a new camera for us, and as soon as I learn how to use it, we'll be good to go!

I had a really good day today. I got a lot done during my office hours at school, which meant I don't have as much to work on at home. I was also told that they may have some sections available for adjunct professors next semester, which I'm keeping my fingers crossed for. It really is a good part-time job, and I also love writing. My hope, though, is to be better at being a mom and teaching Joshua.

I'll end this post with another cute thing that Joshua has been doing lately. If I smack my lips together, he'll lean in and give me a kiss. I showed Shawn who did the same thing with the same result. There is nothing better than seeing Joshua grin and lean in for a kiss...so cute! I love our little one!

Better than we expected

I read over our paperwork one last time last night, and I realized that we needed to get up TWO hours before Joshua's procedure to give him his prevacid, which he is back on since the prilosec wouldn't stay down. Neither Shawn nor I could sleep last night. Somewhere around 3:30-4ish, he dug the remote out from in between us. We both laughed out loud. While we both felt a peace that Joshua was going to be okay, we just couldn't manage to get the rest we both needed. So, it wasn't the end of the world when Shawn got up at 4:30 to give Joshua his medicine and I started to pack the things we were to bring along with us.

We arrived at the health campus at 6:15 am with a very groggy Joshua, even though I had bathed him early last night and put him to bed much earlier than normal. He didn't seem to mind that he hadn't eaten, but he became a little cranky in general once the nurses started listening to him - he's a little too familiar with that now. We played in the waiting room until the anethstesiologist (sp?) came in to go over any possible problems that could arise, which included damaging his teeth. Before he left, I told him to take good care of Joshua's handsome pearly whites. They gave Joshua some sort of medicine in a syringe that made him VERY loopy. He'd try to talk, and it came out slurred. He could barely hold up his head and they told us not to let him crawl because he'd be very "tipsy." Then Dr. Devenyi came in to have us sign additional paperwork and then they took Joshua back and had us wait in the waiting room.

We were relieved when Dr. D came back and said that Joshua did very well. He showed us pictures of his esophagus, his intestines and his stomach. He then remarked that usually when there's a hiatal hernia there would be a gap "here" and showed us that there was no gap in the picture. He told us that doesn't mean it has to be completely gone, but if it's not, it's no longer a concern and should not need further surgery. Praise the Lord! He confirmed what Dr. Adzick had told us - no more surgeries for Joshua! Dr. D said everything looks completely healthy and normal. Hooray! So, I asked what that meant for us, and he said that we have to wait to hear the results of the biopsy. So, in two weeks we should know even more. But, the report this morning was even better than I was expecting. Praise God!

Please continue to pray that the biopsy results would be positive and that God has completely healed our precious son!

After Dr. D talked to us, it was beyond time for Shawn to leave and get to work. So, I stayed and waited to go back to the recovery room to be with Joshua. He was SOOOOO cranky. I've never seen him like that before. He was writhing and uncontrollable and screaming but his throat was dry from the breathing tube. He also couldn't open his little eyes. The nurses said that was completely 100% normal. They said normally happy-go-lucky kids are really confused and upset by the medicine and the best thing to do was to take him home and let him sleep it off in his own bed. A drink didn't soothe him, my singing didn't (no wise cracks - normally Joshua eats it up), and even my cuddling and talking to him didn't. So, I had the longest walk of my life down to the car, carrying his discharge paperwork, his blankey, my extra-large diaper bag filled with all our necessities, my keys and a writhing and screaming Joshua - who they told me was to be carried like a newborn again because he wouldn't have control over his top-heavy head due to the medicine. I balanced and juggled and finally made it to the car while everyone stared at me. Such is life. I'm just glad Joshua's head didn't roll off.

We are now home and he is in his crib napping. We're not allowed to let him crawl, climb, play like normal, etc. today because of the medicine. While he can eat anything he'd like, we also can't bathe him since he'll be groggy most of the day. Please pray that he feels better and isn't so upset when he wakes up.

Thanks for your prayers! It was so nice that Pastor Matt came to our house yesterday from our church (Lord's House of Prayer) to lay hands on Joshua and anoint him with oil, and Elaine sent it to through the prayer chain. Plus, I've had lots of emails from family and friends saying that they were lifting us in prayer. We definitely felt them - God's peace reigned in the room and our home! I'll end this post with a quote I found on a friend of a friend's blog:

“O be persuaded to hide yourself in Christ Jesus! What greater assurance of safety can you desire? He has undertaken to defend and save you, if you will come to him: he looks upon it as his work; he engaged in it before the world was, and he has given his faithful promise which he will not break; and if you will but make your flight there, his life shall be for yours; he will answer for you, you shall have nothing to do but rest quietly in him; you may stand still and see what the Lord will do for you.

If there be any thing to suffer, the suffering is Christ’s, you will have nothing to suffer; if there be any thing to be done, the doing of it is Christ’s, you will have nothing to do but to stand still and behold it.”
~Jonathan Edwards, On Knowing Christ (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1993), 164.

Pray for Joshua

Please pray for Joshua. Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 9) he will go to the Health Campus for an out-patient procedure to do a biopsy on his esophagus:

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

The direct visualization of the esophagus, stomach and proximal duodenum using an endoscope. This procedure allows the physician to diagnose, treat and document abnormalities through the use of biopsy, brush cytology, polypectomy, electrocautery, dilatation, sclerosing of varices, foreign body removal, and photography.

Basically, the pediatric gastrologist is looking to see if he has any allergies causing this severe reflux or if it's all do to the hiatal hernia, which would cause him to continue to need medicine. Since reflux can damage his esophagus, it's important to determine the root of the problem to know the best solution. They are also extremely concerned that he's not gaining weight and fear that it might be because all of his energy is going toward fighting off the burning in his esophagus rather than growing at a normal rate.

I can't tell you how disappointed I was to hear that he would need to have an additional procedure that calls for him to be sedated with anethstesia. We had to sign a paper saying that we knew all the risks involved with this procedure, which were lengthy.

Please pray that nothing would go wrong during this time. Pray for Dr. Devenyi and his staff, for accuracy and clarity. Please pray that they would find what they're looking for and have an accurate diagnosis. Most of all, please pray that Joshua would be able to outgrow this reflux and live a normal, healthy life. I feel like he's been through enough, and I just want him to be healthy and happy and "grow in wisdom and stature with favor from God and man."

Thank you for your prayers! We'll be there starting at 6:30 am until the procedure is finished, which we don't think should take too long. I'll give you an update as soon as I hear anything.

Petting Zoo Fun

This weekend we spent some quality time as a family. While we probably should have raked our yard (ours seems to be the only one in the neighborhood with a solid coating of leaves), we decided to wait until next weekend since that's when Manheim Township comes around to pick up the leaves. That gave us more time to just be together. Friday night after dinner, Joshua was really tired so we laid him down after his bath and some snuggle time with Momma. Then Shawn and I cozied up to a movie, which was hilariously funny.

Saturday, since the Bean had been so sick for so long (he's still having loose stools, but the doctors said to expect that for awhile), we decided to do something just for him. I've been trying to teach him his animals, so we decided to take a "field trip" to the petting zoo in Leola. While we didn't get any food out of the machines - we were afraid he'd try to eat it - and didn't let Joshua actually touch the animals (they were soooo dirty and Mom said something about a recent news story on kids getting Ecoli from animals), I think he enjoyed his time there. We showed him the animals, and he enjoyed watching the other kiddos surrounding us who were feeding the animals. We saw pigs, kangaroos, llamas, something from Asia that neither Shawn nor I had heard of before, donkeys, goats, peacoks, ducks, birds and a slew of other animals. It was fun! I think Joshua will enjoy it so much more when he's a little older.

That afternoon, we went and bought a pumpkin, bale of hay and pretty new mum for outside. We also bought a costume for Joshua since the one we have Shawn thought would be much too big on him this year. What will he be? It's a secret...but I can tell you it's super cute! While we won't do "real" trick-or-treating, we're hoping to take him to see all the family members who live in the area. I also cancelled my night class for the evening of Halloween so we can be here to answer our door (and most of the students really didn't want to be in class that night anyway). I love fall, but I actually wish it were just a little cooler. Whoever thought it would be 86 degrees in the middle of October? I'd be thrilled with 65-75...
Saturday we also worked on our family budget. It's one of our least favorite and most important things to do together, but I think we need to get better at keeping track of each penny we spend, as Dave Ramsey would tell us.

This morning I went to church since it's my Sunday to be on the worship team. Shawn & Joshua stayed home since we want to make sure that we don't pass any sickness Joshua may still have onto other kids, and we also don't want Joshua to get any sickness that other kiddos may have right before his surgery on Tuesday morning. Today, the first Sunday of October, is dedicated to praying for the peace of Jerusalem, so that's what we did. It was a nice service.

After I got home, our little family of three bought a chocolate cheesecake and took it over to Mom & Jamie's and visited with them awhile. Then we came home and Bean & I passed out for an hour while Daddy watched the football game. When I woke up, Shawn offered me the opportunity to go to the gym while he watched Joshua. Hooray! I had a great workout.

After I got home, I made parmesan-crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and Shawn baked biscuits and made peas & carrots. I really thought the mashed potatoes would be the "hot seller" for Joshua, but instead he had two good-size helpings of peas & carrots, ate an entire piece of chicken by himself and an entire biscuit. He had two bites of potatoes and didn't seemed thrilled by them. Part of me thinks that's because I insisted on feeding him those rather than have his hands all through them - he was already a little bit of a mess. All in all, though, he ate like a champ! He drank well from his sippy cup, too. I was glad to see him have his appetite back. We started a new medicine after the hospital visit, and he's been known to scream while eating, which makes me wonder if it's his reflux or what's going on. But, not tonight. He devoured all of it like it was going out of style. I gave him a fork and spoon like Mommy & Daddy. Most of the time, he held the spoon or fork with one hand while putting food into his mouth with the other. But, toward the end of the meal, he started putting a little food on the fork itself and then did actually eat one bite himself with the spoon without our coaxing. Hooray! I don't know what the "normal" age is for eating with silverware, but I can't wait for him to master it. I say that, but I don't want him to grow up too fast either. He's so cute, and we love him just how he is!

The other thing I did this weekend is start to go through the 18-month clothing lent to us by Aunt Alicia & Cousin Jordon and Aunt Gayle & Cousin Grant (thanks so much, guys!). While he has plenty of room in the waist for 12-month clothing still, many of the shirts are too short and the shorts are becoming too small, etc. Much of the 18-month clothing is fitting a little nicer, so I'm packing up the borrowed items to give back and put my 12-month clothes in a bin for little cousin Daniel who will probably need them at 6-months the way he's growing!

One Day at a Time

Joshua is a lot more perky and playing, although he's still thin and a little more tired than normal. We're working up his ability to eat more. Unfortunately last night we must have over-stuffed him because he threw up again. He's becoming one with the bathtub now. We also have washed every article of clothing we own in addition to sheets and towels - he's still exploding out the bottom end. Poor kid!

Nonie & Poppy came over yesterday to see the Bean, and I went to class last night. I had several students talking to me last night about personal issues, which is something I never expected. I always say at the beginning of the semester that I'm available to talk, and I'm being taken up on the offer. I guess God uses you wherever you're at. I also had a couple students come up after class and tell me how much they're enjoying the class and asked what I will be teaching next semester so they can take it. I thought that was sweet, especially since it seemed sincere and not like they were looking for special recognition or grading favor. They told me about how boring and awful some of their classes were and how they were glad to have someone upbeat. Cool. I wasn't feeling terribly upbeat after this week, but I do enjoy teaching, depending on the class and the textbook.

I'll end this post with something I read from the Bible this week:

Psalm 95
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.

5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
[a - Meribah means quarreling] as you did that day at Massah
[b - Massah means testing] in the desert,

9 where your fathers tested and tried me,
though they had seen what I did.

10 For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways."

11 So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."

Home

Joshua was just released from the hospital but still seems quite sick with diarrhea and nausea. Please continue to pray for his renewed strength and total restoration!

In the Hospital

Joshua was admitted to Lancaster General Hospital this afternoon. Please pray for quick healing.

Seeing the Doctor

This morning the nurse I spoke with yesterday actually took the initiative to call me, which I thought was impressive. Upon hearing that Joshua had just thrown up, she recommended he come in and be seen by a doctor. So, into the bathtub he went since he managed to get his hair in the process. We got to the doctors office and found out he weighs over a pound less than he did on Friday, which is not good. The doctor, however, seemed to think he was hydrated just enough to keep him out of the hospital. He did make us go for bloodwork, though, just to be sure he has enough electrolites (sp?) in his system. I'm waiting to hear the results. In the meantime, the doctor is having us try formula rather than pedialite because we need to get calories into the Bean. Joshua has already thrown up once since giving him just a small bit, but we'll see how it goes. He's also soiled (an understatement) two diapers already this morning. Please continue to pray for his health. I'll keep you posted as we know more.

And, pray for our camera, too. We're afraid it also might have bit the dust. Joshua looked so cute in dinosaur jammies lent to us by cousin Grant, and today even with being sick he looks handsome in a Redskins outfit that was in the same bin. I hate not having a camera to take pictures of him...

Also pray that Shawn & I don't get sick. We draw a line and say ENOUGH!