Eli's Journey

Sometimes it's easy to forget--even for me and Melissa--that Elijah is 3 years old and not a little baby. But this video proves, once and for all, that he is developing better than we ever dared to hope, both physically and mentally: THAT'S RIGHT. Today... for the first time... Elijah walked upright on his own. His Grandpa Ken built the pipe frame, and it's a pretty impressive feat of engineering. It's the EXACT right height for Eli to stand and rest his arms on the top of the frame, then slide underneath him as he walks forward. This was not even on my radar today when Ken brought the frame by the house. Elijah walked today for the first time. I feel like our faith has been rewarded just when we needed it most. Ken, thank you very much. Be sure to read Melissa's recent account of Elijah's dramatic birth three years ago this month, then watch this video to see how far we've come. God bless you! Finally, the Prayer Book we put together for Melissa's prese...

Here's my disclaimer: This is how I remember Dec. 23, 2006 and the few months following. I am well aware that I have some blanks in my memory. I know I do not remember the entire first 24 hours or 9 days or even 2 months. I think my brain has blocked some memories so that I could survive. I will be updating this with my entire recollection and I will let you know when you should take another peek when I feel it is as complete as I can make it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELI! On the third anniversary of my son’s birth, I’m embarking to tell the story of that fateful night of Elijah’s arrival the weeks leading up and the bit afterward. Perhaps I want to write it so as to forget…knowing it is recorded for posterity. Perhaps I want to write it so as to remember it. Either way, I believe I am ready to see the story on the page. My obstetrician, the one I trusted with my daughter’s birth and returned to for my second child, knew something was wrong. I can remember the exact visit I had with him when...

Elijah turned three years old yesterday. Ask him how old he is and he will respond tree...he might say two (then respond to a strange look with) tree! So proud. I promised my recollection of Dec. 23, 2006, which I will post soon...though unfinished. Merry Christmas, friends. Melissa

So, I've been embracing this idea that I would enter Jan. 5 with a sculpture of my son's feet. Some may think it morbid, but I just wanted a lasting memory...for his future. So, I bought a do-it-yourself kit that included two tries. The company automatically sent me a third try...that's when I realized their "make it look simple" video must have been a bit deceiving . So, I tried. First one, complete disaster as the mold became too hard too quickly and I didn't even get Eli's foot in it. To the trash. Next one, I made the mold with some difficulty and filled it with the stone mixture. Eli's foot has such a turn to it that I didn't get the stone into the toes of his mold. So, it's almost perfect, but less than what I had hoped for. I just did the final try...have to wait 24 hours to see how I did, but I won't be taking this up as my new career. Does anyone know of someone who does this professionally in the Tulsa area? I'd love to just f...

I'm listening to an inspirational song sent to us by a dear, dear friend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi8tajO11SM&feature=related . As you can imagine, Elijah's upcoming surgery is crowding our thoughts these days. Of all the things I've learned in these three years of Eli's life, one I learn over and over is that people are so kind. Last week, our fellow Little Light House parents and some of the teachers and therapists built us a basket of kindness for our upcoming trip to Shreveport. I was in awe of how they had the basket packed with things David and I really like...Dr. Pepper, pringles , Cherry 7-Up, Reese's , gift cards...how did they know that? We were so touched that fellow parents, who are in similar situations as we are, would make such a generous sacrifice for our journey. I'm deeply touched by the amazing kindness of people. On Tuesday, David and I (along with a pal of mine from work) met at the Little Light House for a 12:30 p.m. celebration i...

Eli is doing great! He says more and more words and we are on the countdown to his third birthday. I joke all the time that it feels more like six or ten years, but it's only been three...three years. I can hardly believe it. He has come so far. Thank you all for your prayers. More soon. Lots of love, Melissa

I'll be brief... Last night, we took Eli to the hospital with 104 temp. X-rays confirmed he had pnemonia in his right lung. We came home and took two doses of antibiotic, one last night and one this morning. Today he was feeling MUCH BETTER. We played on the floor, we laughed and talked and rough-housed, and then he went to see his Grammie. Meanwhile at home, a nurse from the ER called to say Eli's blood culture was positive, and the recommended we come see them ASAP. We got there and learned that ASAP means "as slowly as possible." Two hours later, our favorite triage doc comes in and says that his blood probably just has some residual bacterium, and that the antibiotic he's on is probably wiping it out. More importantly, the fever's gone, he's eating all his food, he's in a great mood, and that's that! We came home, and he's still doing great. I told Melissa I felt like the trip was a waste of time, but she's convinced that after she told...

Last night, David took Eli to the emergency room because his temporal temperature was 104.4. He has had fever since Sunday evening, but we've managed it with over-the-couter meds. Each time the med wears off, the fever was higher and then, last night, the number became alarming. Eli was sent home with a diagnosis of pneumonia and an antibiotic. Tonight, the charge nurse from the ER called to say that we needed to bring Eli back in because his blood culture was positive for something. I asked positive for what. She was sketchy. I asked her if Eli would be admitted to the hospital and she said possibly, but that the pediatrician on call said he needed to be seen and have his white blood count measured. Pray for Eli, please. With love, Melissa

Elijah was so cute tonight as he sat on the dinner table and grabbed at Daddy's silverware. We got him some spoons of his own, and of course, that meant he needed something to dip them in. Melissa got a bowl of ranch dressing, and while we always hope he'll like new tastes and textures, we could not have anticipated how vigorously he'd attack the ranch. You can't know how excited we were to watch him do the following: 1. Repeatedly taste something new. 2. Allow the spoon to enter past his lips (instead of only sending his tongue out to the food). 3. Holding the spoon on his own (as well as he can). 4. Asking for MORE! But he didn't stop there. From time to time he enjoys the feeling of water pouring on his face, and he likes to stick his tongue out and taste the water, but we haven't had much success getting him to swallow the water. TONIGHT HE SWALLOWED THE WATER. Over and over and over and over. Here, see for yourself: Keep praying for Elijah! His parents keep...

Elijah is spending a little time each day with his "Yum Yum," where he sits at the table with the big kids and scoops heaping globs of Gerber Stage One "Pineapple/Pear" into his mouth. It all started about the time of this video, about a month ago: But how about when he crawls down an entire flight of stairs ALL BY HIMSELF? Elijah continues to grow and improve every single day. Keep praying for him!

Elijah was tired this morning. He pulled the covers over his head as if to tell us to take a hike. He also enjoyed Sophia's Not So Scary After Halloween Party yesterday.

First, accept my apology for such a long stint between posts. If I could describe our lives this last bit: we've been chasing our tails. Sophia broke her arm two weeks ago. She has a bright pink cast from wrist to above her elbow. She managed to take a flying leap off of the neighbor's driveway drop on her sit-down scooter. Ask her the story, it is quite animated. I believe she has even greater empathy for her sweet baby boy...not that she lacked points in that area. Elijah has started asking for "Yum Yum." Yes, people, Eli is asking to eat!!!!!!! This is a HUGE accomplishment for our child. Those of you new to his blog...he received a feeding tube at 4 weeks old because he threw up everything we put in his tummy. Turns out he was allergic to his formula, but having the g-tube helped us focus on other things knowing all along we could feed Elijah without his cooperation. It has been a blessing, but it isn't something we want him to have for life. Tonight he dipped...

Elijah will feed himself. He dips his fingers into his bowl of baby food goodness and licks it off. Then he discovers splashing in the baby food and making a real mess, but I certainly cannot get upset with him for getting friendly with food. So, he makes a giant mess, but he eats some of it and that's all it takes for him to get away with his splashes and giggles. (we have video of this...but you'll have to pester David for that post) Eli has also learned to climb small steps solo. He has such balance that even a professional ballerina would envy. He's learned it for survival and uses it well. Eli has been double flu vaccinated...as has Sophia. I've received seasonal only...David none. These are not easy things to come by this time of year so I'm very pleased with our progress on that front. Eli has enjoyed fall break with his favorite sister. Sophia has entertained many friends in the last four days and Eli's been right in the middle of it. Eli will babble awa...

Surprise! We're in Florida giving our daughter her dose of undivided attention. We left the day after mini laps and are nearing the end. Granna flew in to care for Elijah for the week. Thanks, Anna. Grandma Bobbie and Grandpa Marvin pitched in too. Thanks! We have been flying through Peter Pan's world and dancing with the stars of High School Musical...you guessed it, we are in Disney and loving every second of it. We'll be home soon and share pics of our much-needed escape. We all miss Eli so much, but this break has been a real pleasure. And, knowing Eli was well cared for in our absence made for a great trip. Love you all. Please pray for our safe return. Blessings, Melissa

The crowd gave Elijah a standing ovation when he crossed the finish line. You'll see why...

Today was Eli's mini lap. David transformed his little push car into McQueen and Eli was pushed 3/4 of the lap and then out of his car to scoot the remaining bit. Eli received a standing ovation and lots of cheers. Eli raised $9,500!!!! Thank you to all of Eli's supporters for your gifts to this amazing school and for your continued prayers for Eli. We had SO much fun!!! Video to come very soon. Love you all! Melissa

Eli is enjoying life. Currently watching his favorite movie...Cars! Ka Chow! We are only six days before Mini Laps closes. If you haven't made your gift, please follow this link to give. Eli has already raised $4,400, so many, many thanks to his fan club for your generous help for a very worthy cause. Donations must be made by September 22. http://littlelighthouse.donordepot.com/civicrm/contribute/pcp/info?reset=1&id=52 I cannot wait to show you pictures of Eli making his lap! Second, if you are in need of something from Pampered Chef, be sure to order on my show before September 22. Click the link below, then click on "shop online" in the lower left corner and enter my name as hostess: Melissa Ramirez. Make sure to check out September's special. http://www.pamperedchef.biz/pccheftamara I love you all! Melissa

Eli's thumb! Stitches are still intact, but will soon dissolve. Yay for Eli's new thumb. I have no doubt that the brilliant people at the Little Light House will teach him how to use his new thumb in no time at all. Love, Melissa

Elijah enjoys eating (by mouth) pineapple pear baby food. So far it's the only thing he opens his mouth up for a second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth bite...sometimes even more. Just tickles me pink. We maintain our technique of putting a jar of baby food in every bottle we feed through his tube. We also try at least once a day to feed Eli the baby food before we add it to the bottle. Twice, he's chowed on pineapple pears. This is a HUGE accomplishment. He isn't gagging or spitting it out. He actually eats. Now, I know we have a really long way to go to have him eating 100% by mouth, but that is the goal and we will achieve. I've been admiring Eli's feet today right alongside visions of him running. I know I cannot have both and my choice is definitely running. I believe Eli would make the same choice if he were older. Pray for grandma Bobbie. She is really sick again. The picture is gma Bobbie and Eli last weekend watching Cars...Eli's favorite movie. He can ...

I spoke today with the care coordinator for Dr. Gates at the Shreveport Shriner's Hospital. She had talked to the good doctor about Eli who said he was intimately aware of Elijah's case and didn't need to see him again before his surgery to amputate his feet. So, with tears running down my cheeks , I scheduled the surgery for early in January. Eli will start a new year with his precious feet removed. My mom and I are working at growing our faith so that we have an easier time accepting this necessity. I will admit that it is the most difficult decision we've faced thus far...and we've had some really tough decisions. David told me he isn't sure how he'll give consent for this procedure. Part of getting accurate surgeries these days is that you have to tell the nurses exactly what is going to be done...we've done it NINE times...but the tenth won't slide off the tongue as easily. One of the good things is that we have almost four months before his su...

Our dear friend Susie remains in the hospital recovering from surgery. Continue to remember her in your prayers. Elijah is advancing. He says "this way" as he points to where he wants to go and when he doesn't get his way he throws a 2 year old's tantrum and I love it. I'm so glad that I'm finally to a point where I can look back and remember when I wasn't sure he'd be able to do the things he can do now. When Eli was tiny, I had a dream that I was holding him and he dropped his beloved pacifier and I bent down so he could reach it and said "pick it up" and he did. I remember hoping with my whole heart that would come true one day...and it has. My next dream is to see him running past through the windows to the backyard. He has figured out to let me hold him around the chest and he walks on his knees. I am certain he will be a quick learner when that time arrives. David is looking to find Sophia a voice teacher. It is the main thing she tells...

A very good friend of David and mine had surgery yesterday to have a baseball-sized tumor removed from her brain. Her name is Susie and she could use your prayers for a speedy recovery and cancer-free diagnosis. Susie's two small kids are good friends of Sophia and Eli. David and I are good friends with Susie and her husband James. The doctors found the tumor on August 25 and removed it four days later in an all-day surgery. I can empathize with the words that changed their lives...but hopefully changed only for a temporary time of recovery. Eli is doing very well. He had his firs two days back at school for the year. He did very well. He was very tired...even yesterday, which is his day off each week. He learns and grows so much at the LLH . Be sure to support Eli's mini lap if you are able and if you are not able, pass the request on to a friend. The cause is so worthy...the kids accomplish amazing things www.littlelighthouse.org then click on donations and mini laps...be su...

So, it is true, my son now sports the greatest thumb in the entire world. What an honor bestowed on him. I promised pictures. So, I'm posting one we took the day before the surgery (notice the giant YES stamped on his arm...a source of great humor for me surgery after surgery after surgery) and one today in the cast. We have to wait until September 15 to see the greatest thumb in the entire world in it's un -casted state, but it will be worth the wait. Eli's favorite words: truck, mama, eah , no, yay , up, move please, thank you, welcome, paci , ifford , there it is, hi. Today, we met with Elijah's teacher at the greatest school on Earth, The Little Light House. I always leave so energized and encouraged about Elijah's future. I'm always excited to know that he will develop and grow in their delicate care. I found Eli sitting in his crib today...twice. Just cracks me up. You see, Elijah's arms haven't really allowed him the pleasure of helping himself b...

Elijah is slowly becoming his pre -surgery self. He is enjoying playing and smiling again . We've been having some difficulty getting his food to stay in his tummy, but it is improving. He seems only slightly bothered by his cast...hopefully I can get you a photo today. Love, Melissa

Eli is doing very well. He slept from after surgery (about 10:30 a.m.) until 3 p.m. Then he woke ready to hang out with his dad. He's such a strong human...they both are. I cannot wait to post a photo of Elijah's new thumb. He is in a long-arm cast, but I can see the tips of his three fingers and thumb. The doc positioned his hand like he is holding a glass. Very, very cool. It will be 8 weeks before we get to see the results without the cast. The hand doc said we must keep Eli's wrists in splints to maintain the straightening we've done in the last year. He also said we should wait 6 months to do his other thumb so we can make sure Eli is able to use the one we just did. So, that will leave us a small gap in his surgery schedule to slip in the first step on his legs. I'm not super excited to rush this surgery, but in my heart I know it is the necessary thing for Elijah no matter how hard it will hurt me. Perhaps we will be back in 3 months to amputate his precious,...

Eli is in recovery. He did great. The doc said that the muscles he wanted to move over were there. He had three muscles going to the pinky and one going to his thumb. Doc moved two of the pinky muscles over to the thumb so that he will have greater strength in the thumb. Good news. Love to all, Melissa

Sophia and I arrived at the hospital at 6:15 a.m. David was up and dragging around about to wake Eli for his special soap bath. I encouraged David to go to our hotel room and get some real sleep for a few hours and he did. We need him later in the day so our routine really works. I gave Eli his bath and helped get his vitals. He had already had his I DON'T CARE med, but it wasn't working fast enough to help him through the pre -surgery activities. My mom and dad are here and arrived about 6:30. The doctor called for Eli right at 7 and I carried him up the elevator to the surgery area. I laid him in his crib and they wheeled him away watching Clifford on one of the hospital's mini DVD players. They take such great care to make sure my kid is not scared. Eli didn't even wink an eye as he went away. So, we took up residence in the surgery waiting room and made it about 10 minutes when the phone rang. The nurse said the doctor wanted to talk to me and he'd be right out....

Today, Sophia learned that it really is difficult to know how to maneuver hotel showers. And, if the guess on how to make sure the drain is unplugged is wrong...an overflowing could occur. Sophia learned that not all shopping malls are two stories. In fact, two in Shreveport are only one. She also learned that when you are shopping in Claire's you can feel like you are at home in your own Claire's store until you come out to that one-story mall. Sophia also learned what we do while we are in Shreveport with our precious baby boy. She saw him suffer through harmless vitals and painful blood draws, but she also saw him have such fun in the very kid-friendly play rooms. Sophia built a tower out of BIG wooden blocks. When it fell over...many came running...they said it sounded like one of the kids had taken a terrible tumble. We were a bit embarrassed , but everyone just laughed. Sophia and I agreed to make it big, but low next time. We are staying in three different hotels for o...

Tomorrow, we will leave for Shreveport. The process is feeling all too familiar. I posted pics yesterday of Elijah playing at the Splash Pad in Sapulpa . After this week's surgery, he will again be in a full arm cast and unable to enjoy water. Honestly, I can only imagine what must go through Elijah's head as we allow him to endure such pain and agony. I hope it hurts me more than it actually hurts him, but I truly doubt that is the case. Sophia will go with us this time for the first time. She is looking forward to the trip. I know it will hurt her deeply to see her baby boy in pain. She is one of his adamant protectors. In my heart, I believe it will strengthen Sophia to be a part of this journey in such a personal way. She will understand more clearly the reason Daddy and Mommy leave her so regularly to take Eli for a procedure. She will see first hand the transformation of Eli's new thumb. Thank you for your prayers. Please pray that Elijah's thumb really is a thu...

Eli is doing really great. It makes me so sad that he has to endure his 10 th surgery coming up on August 12. Of course, it is really great that he is feeling so great, which means he is in his best condition for surgery. Pray he stays that way...it is very important. Pray his slight runny nose goes away too. The rest of the Ramirezes are just fabulous today. David's back is feeling good. He's had some rough days in the past few, but today it is rested and doing well. I googled pollicization , which is Eli's upcoming surgery, and I found this interesting blog about another extraordinary kid. You can see his pollicization here . Of course, for minute-by-minute play-by-play of Eli's pollicization ...stay tuned here. Love you all, Melissa

David had to have surgery on his back to remove the "whopper" of a piece of back disc that had slipped from its rightful spot. Now, I apologize for not posting about DJR's surgery in advance of the event, which happened on July 14, but for some reason, David insisted that I not. To clarify, he has given permission now for me to post about the event...maybe only because he posted on Facebook about his experience. Anyway, we're 1.5 weeks post surgery and he is doing very well. David's mom, Anna, has been here to help with Elijah and serve as David's home health nurse. Lifesaver. Elijah is doing great. Today was his last day of school for a short summer break. Eli has an ear infection and congestion, but once we got him on antibiotic he started feeling much better. Sophia has an ear infection...likely from all of her summer swimming. She's doing better though. Wishing you all a wonderful upcoming weekend of rest and fun. Love you all, Melissa

Dearest Friends and Family, The extraordinary Elijah was born December 23, 2006, as a tiny guy with surprises beyond the imagination. No thumbs. No radius bones. No knee joints. Legs that won’t grow. A skull that won’t expand. A hole in his palate. Sensitive skin. Arms that won’t straighten. Physicians and specialists looked at us in disbelief — many grasping for a diagnosis and longterm outlook for Elijah’s future. We were forced to become immediate Eli Experts and make lifesaving and life‐changing decisions for our son. We didn’t choose this extraordinary journey, but we’re making it with genuine passion and fierce determination. Since our journey began 2½ years ago, we’ve been the humble recipients of extraordinary kindness and generosity – from many of you. Thank you. Today, we write with a simple request, please support Elijah’s “lap” in The Little Light House’s Mini Laps with a financial gift. On September 26, Elijah will take to the track and strut his stuff. How Elijah will go ...

Eli's favorite phrase, "There it is." He learned it months ago from his good friend Dora the Explorer...maybe you know her too. I love to hear Eli talk and day by day he is improving. Ask him what a dog says and he will say either wuf or meow...ask him what a cat says and he says the other. SO CUTE. Sophia sang today "...the star strangled banner..." Clearly, David and I should teach her those important words, but it is so cute to hear her try to remember them and sing them proudly. As she was singing about the ramparts she stopped and said, that makes no sense, but to her "strangled banner"...no comment. Here are the lyrics for those of you thinking you need a refresher like Sophia. O! say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, t...

Have I mentioned how much Elijah loves to play in water. His adaptions to enjoying interesting activities makes me very happy. When he was tiny, he screamed the entire way through his bath...sponge bath that is. Now, he wants me to turn on the faucet so he can sit on the counter and swat the stream of water...makes a huge mess, but we both just laugh and laugh. David is feeling better, much better. My prayer is that the better-ness remains! David scolded me for airing all of our business on the blog. He said he was surprised I mentioned his back thing. I reminded him of some recent family business that I didn't put on the blog to show that I really do have a line for what gets publicly recorded. I figure he won't tell you about his back, so I must. We'll just see what he has to say about this entry. I love you all, Melissa

Sophia was so excited to meet her new friend Hannah that she met her in the driveway upon arrival. Hannah came out of the van wearing her running legs (blades) having some balancing issues. We all walked inside and Sophia immediately started telling Hannah about her play room upstairs. Hannah was itching to get those pesky legs off and run up the stairs. Her mom helped her remove her legs and she zipped up the staircase like it was nothing. I cried. Hannah is the girl I've mentioned before. She had to have both legs amputated at the knee when she was only 9 months old. She too was born with legs that wouldn't work. She has adapted like a pro. She is a happy, active and smart kid. Hannah and her mom came for a visit on Saturday. Kim, Hannah's mom, brought all of Hannah's legs...about 5 pair. She kindly showed us how they worked and Hannah demonstrated her ability to use the two she currently fits. She's not mastered it. She is 5. She'd much rather enjoy life on h...

David and Elijah made a Shreveport trip Monday and Tuesday to have Eli's cast removed and his arm x- rayed to make sure the break is healed. It is. We were told to be careful and keep the soft splint on as much as possible as the break is likely not 100% like new just yet. Eli is relieved to have the cast off. He has found the pure joy of playing in water...as you can see in the Elk River pics and post. For a while, we won't have to wrap an arm for him to enjoy some H2O. We'll all like that. Clearly, you have noticed I discovered photobucket .com. You'll see the occasional slide show from me as a result. In fact, I'll be posting the events of June 21 soon--Sophia's 7 th birthday. I always shy away from using the "EST" words in my Eli vocabulary because there are just so many things that qualify as the "EST." But if I were going to use "EST" words, I would say that one of the hardEST things I have to do is see children who are El...

So, this is a shameless plea for Eli's fun. Rainbow, a premiere maker of backyard play sets , is having a drawing where they are giving away a play set every week. I want Eli to win one! So, here's my plea: sign up for the drawing and then gift the play set to Eli. Since having my extraordinary son, the concept of "odds" and "rare" are very different to me. I believe Eli will win one of these sets. If I could plead his case with Rainbow, I'm sure he would win, but since we have to play the drawing game, he needs as many people to enter on his behalf as are willing. So, follow this link and enter, then when you win, gift the prize to your favorite extraordinary kid: Eli! Just a reminder: Eli LOVES being outside. It is his absolute favorite place to be. He enjoys Sophia's play set , but it is small...big enough for Eli, but not big enough for his caregivers. Plus, I want Eli to have many options for fun on the play set , which he will get with one ...

Having fun is a lot of work. I just spent three days at Elk River outside Noel, Missouri, and it was a blast. We met about 30 of Melissa's family members at a campsite just a few yards from the river bank, and there was nothing to do but float down the river, walk up the river, float down again, then eat a criminally large and delicious meal. This happened nine times. I am in four different kinds of debilitating pain. (Sunburn, indigestion, muscle, computer detox.) Brother-in-law David brought me and Elijah back so that Mr. Big Little can return to school in the morning, but I think Eli would rather have stayed. We sealed his feeding button and his cast, set him down in six inches of river water and listened to him squeal, laugh and babble for hours at a time. He absolutely loved it. Hope your summer is well underway. Dave

It's been a very good day, all things considered. My back was really in bad shape this past weekend, but I got the Cortizone shot (they held back on the Heiniken chaser) and the pain is completely gone... for now. (Insert "Jaws" theme.) So of course, I got some chores done around the house, and that always gives me a giddy sense of accomplishment, because I'm a raging egoist and desperately need the strokes. Most husbands know instinctively that they're supposed to fold laundry, then they never do it because society says they don't have to, but if they DO, then they're heralded as conquering heroes. I mean, it's just laundry. But yeah, I folded it, and I'm awesome. There's just no way around it. I also found the odd-shaped vent filter I needed for that pesky fifth furnace vent, and seriously, it's little things like that which make me smile. More importantly, Elijah is a raging ball of fun these days. He speaks more, he listens more, he de...

David has third level disc degenerative disease including a slipped disc! Ack ! Basically that means that the three discs from the bottom are deteriorating and the second one up has slipped out causing pain and numbness down David's leg and in his foot. He's had on and off back problems for a few years and this week the pain became nearly unbearable. He'll have a steroid shot in a few days and then must rest. Elijah, on the other hand, is doing great. He laughs and plays and enjoys his toys. He discovered Elmo (he sings the La, la, la... La, la, la... Elmo's World along with the video) and Thomas the Train. I know David will appreciate your prayers on his back recovery. Have you seen what he has to lug around for Eli? It's a lot. Not to mention his trips to the library with his backpack of returns and new check outs. Oh dear, he's going to have to figure something else out. Sophia is enjoying SUMMER! Love you all, Melissa

Sophia's pic is her at her seventh b-day sleepover party we had Friday night. Yes, I know she doesn't turn seven until June 21, but try telling her to have another b-day shin dig in the summer. She really wanted to have it while all the kids were still in school and a b-day party would be easier to attend. She got it with 16 attendees until 10 p.m. and 9 until 10 a.m. the next day! Fun was had by all. One of Eli sleeping with his rear up in the air. Too cute, but turning my camera on woke him up so his eyes are open. When Eli saw this photo on the computer screen, he licked Clifford's picture. He is licking more things and I encourage it. Soon, he will be eating. I just know it. The last one of Eli is at Sophia's school for opening assembly. Sophia was on stage doing morning announcements with some classmates and Eli and I sat in the bleachers. Love to all, Melissa

Eli's having a ton of fun rolling a ball bigger than he is and chasing it by scooting on the wood floor. So cute. He is still protective of his healing arm. Whenever I go to pick him up, he gently places his other hand under the hand of the broken arm as if to give it a little extra support. Bless him for remembering the pain of a break. I hope he forgets soon. Good news is that if he doesn't have his glasses on, he wants them. My mom noticed that he was picking up tiny things off of the floor....a first for him. I am certain the glasses are making a great difference for him. I want more solutions like that! A new friend of mine who lives just down the expressway (who has a daughter, Hannah, who depends on prosthetic legs to walk) introduced me ( Internetly -speaking ) to Cody who is in first grade. He was born an extraordinary kid like Eli and Hannah. He was born missing both knee joints, too. You can watch Cody's story on Dateline from this link team C ody . I have to sa...