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