exploring our local ER

It's been a long time since we've been to an ER (the last time was in the Philippines), but we just made our first visit to the little emergency room here in town. They were wonderful, and it is soooooo good to know that we have pretty much immediate care just blocks away from our house. Ours was the third car to park in front - obviously, one big advantage in a small town is that you don't have to wait! (Thank you Lord, for planning that...)

It started out with a 'throw-up' episode for Elijah, which is still happening periodically for him due to reflux. However, something was different this time...he was gurgling and having a hard time breathing well. The ER staff suctioned him with a tube down his nose, and things improved. It was hard to stand there and watch him being held down, screaming, thrashing, and not understanding.

They they took some x-rays of his lungs, for which Elijah decided to sleep through. (I think we wore him out with all the crying.) We're supposed to keep a close eye on him tonight and watch for signs of a fever.

On a funny note, the nurse guessed his age at FOUR. (No, really, ma'am, he's just barely two years old.)

So thankful that Todd was home for all of this (he had JUST arrived - less than five minutes before Elijah threw up), and that God said 'yes' to our prayers today!!

A few photos to share...

This is our latest entry for the father/son look-alike contest! Todd is trying to imitate Elijah's facial expression, and I think he's doing a good job of it.
Here's little E doing great holding his head up! He's learning to kneel and put weight on his arms and legs. Several weeks ago he would have just cried in this position.

Thank you, Lord, for little gifts...progress we can see. Help us persevere in times we can't; help us keep working and helping, hoping and praying for whatever you have for this little boy's future.

the little things of the day

Elijah had his first dentist appointment today - he was so cute! He grinds his teeth a lot, so I didn't know what we would hear...but all is good, at least for now. Yay!

We stopped to visit Todd at work afterwards. I am so blessed to be with a man who always makes me feel like I'm the highlight of his day, even if he is loaded down with responsibilities and pressures. I love stopping in at his work!

The speech therapist was supposed to come to our house in the afternoon, but Elijah and I took a vacation today instead. We played on the floor and (I) made chicken soup, a little antidote to all the cold weather we're having. There was even snow dusting the tops of the evergreens today on the mountains.

It felt good to free up our afternoon and just relax a little. Every time a therapist comes to our house, which is several times weekly, I think everything needs to be tidy...and today I just didn't want that pressure. I love an orderly home, but I would also like the ability to swallow my pride and be completely non-apologetic (and also completely comfortable) if someone stops by and things aren't perfect. Keep working on me, Lord...

birthday boy!

Our 'baby' boy turned two on the 31st! That is SO hard to believe. We are enormously thankful for the blessing of Elijah! He has a sweetness to his personality that is hard to capture in pictures. I love kissing his soft cheeks and knowing him well enough to understand the expressions on his face. He has a lot to tell us...we probably will never know just how much.


Of all the things in this world Elijah will never be able to do, he can do the one thing that is most important: he knows how to love! He may not be able to express it with words, but he loves.

Thank you, friends and family, for helping us celebrate the gift of Elijah! Your phone calls, cards, presence at his party, and gifts were all so sweet. We love you.

Somehow I overlooked the fact that we only had three matches in the house. The little breeze we had extinguished all three, so we sang happy birthday but didn't blow out the candles!
This is how Elijah enjoyed his cake (mainly "playing" with it). He even tried a tiny crumb I put in his mouth without reacting.
One of the beautiful party-goers eating her cake on a convenient table.
Elijah had to try out his new sunglasses; after all, he is two years old now and practically a grown-up. Don't you think they make him look cool?
Reading his new book with the different textures to feel inside. He liked it!

I love this picture...Elijah is yawning and his new friend doesn't know what to think of him falling over on her. We think he planned it.
Later in the day, a big smile trying out his new jacket and bib with Dad.


We are THANKFUL for our two years with you, Elijah! Love, your Mom and Dad