The "petting zoo"

The kids had a wonderful day out with another home schooled family. Thank you Giblins for inviting us to your home. Reagan and Caed had so much fun....and talked about it the rest of the day. I lost count at the number of animals we saw.....you name it, they had it. Caed informed me when we got back that we needed to get a horse for our backyard too!! (we live in town, by the way!) He wasn't joking........ I guess he'll need to talk to his Daddy about that one. :)

As Caed was bouncing up and down from Pepper's trot, I honestly got a little teary eyed. Such a simple experience, and yet it brought great emotion. Will it always be this way for me? Will the "little things" always take my breath away with Caed? I hope so. Because it's in those times that I am reminded what a wonderful miracle he is!!!!

Thank you God....................














**always grab your camera 1st....................then the mop!!!!

He's a pro now!

All fun and games.....

...until someone busts their lip!



This was Caleb's first outing to the Old Celina Park. The kids were so excited to show him the fun that awaited. He did, actually, have fun that is. Until....one small unsettled step caused a face plant with the concrete. He cried. Blood stained my newly washed white jacket. But, we all survived and life is good.

More weight....more meds

If the scale is accurate, it is showing that Caed has finally gained another pound! (after 6 wks) Todd came home tonight and immediately commented how Caed looked "bigger." He has always been able to tell whether Caed has gained or lost without seeing the scale. Must be a hidden talent of his. I'm just glad he doesn't come home and comment on my weight!!!! Anyway....we were very happy to see this increase.

Caed's daily med list has doubled. Along with 2100 ml. of Neocate formula and 300 ml. of 1/2% Sodium Chloride each day, he also is on Sodium Bicarbonate (3x/day), Culturelle (2x), Imodium (3-4x), Vitamin D3 (2x), Zinc Sulfate (2x), and the antibiotic Omnicef. AND....they want him drinking 1500 ml. of his ORS drink everyday. Soon, he will also have to start taking a copper supplement. Some of his vitamin/mineral levels are getting pretty low. Our dr. in NE said this was very common among short gut patients, and hopefully as he gets older his bowel will adapt better and absorb more. (and less need for supplements) His NE GI dr. said the "rash" he had last week also could be from his low copper level. ??? Who knows? The spots are almost completely gone now. Praise the Lord for that!

Look Nana and Grandaddy at my new birthday present!! Does it look familiar?



Our little AWANA kitty and "ferocious" puppy

Birthday Blessings

What a year Caleb has had! I know he will have no memory of it (which is more than the rest of us can say), but I just can't believe what all he has been through just in the 1st year of his life. Yes, he was healthy. Yes, he was cared for. Yes, he was surrounded by so many who loved him. I am enormously grateful for those things. I do not take any of them for granted. And yet, there is a corner in my heart that is empty. Empty from lost memories of his 1st year of life. Empty knowing the bond between us was broken 2 weeks into his fragile life.

And yet I praise God! We have only been "home, together, as a family of 5" for 2 weeks, and it already feels like a lifetime. The bonds have been retied, and I know it is nothing short than the grace of God. He is Faithful to "give back what the locusts have eaten."

One year ago, today. So many memories: Heading to the hospital at 5 am for a scheduled c-section, seeing him for the first time, and watching the pride and joy that his 2 older siblings wore each time they came to visit. I TRULY cannot believe it's been a whole year! I know probably every mother in the world says that on their baby's 1st birthday, and yet I honestly don't know where it went. It came.....and was gone before I could catch my breath.

Oh, how I love my little "surprise" gift from God. Todd and I were not planning on #3. But, God knew. He knew what was in store for us in 2008. He knew we needed a little curly headed, big blue eyed, toothless grinnin' "distraction" this year. And he was. Sometimes just being with Caleb, just holding him, rocking him, playing with him.....even if for just a few minutes....somehow made me forget. Just for a moment. Forget the insurmountable pain that flooded my heart. He was God's gift to us. All children are! But, Caleb, he's different. God sent him for a specific purpose at a very specific time in our lives. I know it's not over. There are many more purposes to his life that I can't wait to see fulfilled. Only God knows. And I trust Him. He knows what we need, when we need it. Although the timing of Caleb's birth and Caed's illness were "too close for comfort" and caused me on numerous occasions to ask "why God?"............I know looking back in hindsight now there was a reason. Thank you God for loving us the way You do. (even when it doesn't make sense to us) It is truly in those times, we see YOU! Your always present hand in our lives.......

.......working all things for good......................(Romans 8:28)

Happy 1st Birthday Caleb!

He likes chocolate!