Eli's new hand revealed

To the right, Eli having pure fun!

To the left, you can get a great view of Elijah's new wrist. We left the sock over his incision, but I'll give you a visual: stitches literally all the way around his tiny wrist, like a watch. That's a band aid on his elbow. Before, he wouldn't have been able to hold his hand out straight the way it is here. And, whenever he would attempt to move his fingers, he'd only move his hand.

To the left, another great shot of Elijah's new wrist. Straight out, baby! Soon, I'll post a photo to show you how with Eli's wrist straightened, his thumb looks even more like a thumb. It needs some surgical intervention to be totally useful, but it just looks like a thumb rather than a finger.

Can I hear it for the Shriners? Hip hip hurray!

On another note, I received a piece of mail today from the Shriner's Hospital in Shreveport. Do you know the relief I feel to not even have to be concerned that they are sending me a bill? I mean, there is just no way. I know for a fact that it isn't a bill. I can open it with that peace. After Elijah's birth, I found myself dreading the walk to the mailbox wondering what incredibly unreasonable bill I would find next. I don't have that fear any more and I definitely don't have it with the Shriners.

To all the Shriners who might stumble upon this, to the Shriner's families, to the dedicated and selfless physicians, nurses, aides, housekeepers, volunteers, donors and friends: please accept my heartfelt thanks for the amazing work you make possible.

With love,

Melissa Ramirez