Free Ride

Sissy is lovin the free rides her brother gives her!!!

John continues to impress us.  However he is getting tired of his exercises.....I am trying to make it fun but am not always successful.  I've found bribery is the best incentive....and I am not afraid to admit it:)  

Long John

Look at how tall my boy is!  And look at those beautiful straight legs....only four weeks post op and he's back to doing almost everything he did previous to surgery (just doing it better...and easier!)

He's still going strong with PT five days a week.  You can definitely tell he's tired by Friday but he never quits.  Proud is an understatement!

And, drum roll please...

Headaches are all gone!!!!  He hasn't had one since last Saturday and when I asked him if his head still hurts he replied, "No Mama!  The pain is alllllll gone!"  We are still going to get the MRI if they ever schedule it (getting VERY frustrated with them) because after talking to other PT's that are familiar with this surgery I've learned that the headaches are not normal.....plus he was overdosed (not sure if that has anything to do with it.)  Again, better safe than sorry.

And my beauty queen.....sporting her brothers socks!!!

One Month Post Op

I love how much Hopie loves her big brother....he can not escape her:)

Anyhow, we are just two days shy of being one month post op.  His back is completely healed, he is able to crawl on all fours, sit criss cross applesauce (which he couldn't do comfortably before,) stand with assistance and walk with assistance without any scissoring.  Can I get a woot woot??????

Unfortunately we have hit another bump in the road.....hoping it's nothing and just part of his body healing.  At about two weeks post op he started getting these massive headaches.  A lot of times they come on when he moves too fast or if we stretch or turn him a certain way.  Sometimes they come out of no where and have even woken him up at night.  His PT says it's normal and his neurosurgeon doesn't seem too concerned.....however, they are freaking me out!  He has never had one headache before this surgery so I know it's related.  So, we are going in for an MRI....hoping it shows nothing but better safe than sorry.

Frosty Jakes

Could these little faces be any cuter?????

My Dad snapped these awesome photos for my Uncle who's opening a custard shop down in Tucson......and needs cute custard faces for his advertisement!  I know I'm biased but I think he choose the three most adorable kids in the world.

 Anyhow, if you're ever in Tucson swing by Frosty Jakes for some yummy custard.....and to take another look at these kissable faces:)  

Spring Time

Spring has arrived, Uncle Craig and Paige are here and we're all happy and healthy. 

 Life is good!

My happy boy!  

LOVE this face!

And this face too!

Ahhhhhhhh!  I am a lucky girl.

I can't decide which I like more.....my adorable girls with their flower heads or John's expression in the background!

Don't you all watch TV sitting on the remote box on top of the coffee table?

My Boy Is Beat

We just finished our first full week of therapy......seven therapies in five days.  John did amazing!  It was hard work (a few tears were shed) but he finished strong!

Tuesday we had our two week follow up appointment with the Neurosurgeon.  He removed the bandage.....and the incision looks amazing.  He was able to make it much smaller than anticipated.  Unfortunately he had some sort of reaction to the tape/bandage and it left a pretty big abrasion on his back.....next to the incision (covered by the band aide.)  We are treating it with topical creme.....and yesterday they started him on an antibiotic because it isn't getting better.  I don't think it's infected but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Funny Girl

Eating breakfast is so exhausting!  

She cracks me up!!!

Improvise

Well, when you have a fairly large incision all the way up your spine and you are not allowed to get it wet AT ALL.....you improvise:)

Washing his body is easy.  I place his cube chair in the tub, fill the water up to his bum and sponge bath him.  However washing his hair is not that easy.  So, since neither myself or my parents have lawn chairs, my mom came up with a great idea.....and up on the kitchen counter he went!

And yes you read that right....back in the day my mom washed my hair with the hose while laying out back in the lawn chair because I had a brace from my hip to my ankle after knee surgery:)

Recovering At Home

Have I mentioned how good it feels to be home?

John continues to amaze us all.  He is off ALL pain medication (Tylenol and Motrin) and is kicking butt with his exercises.  

We have an appointment with the Neurosurgeon on Tuesday for a two week follow up and to change the dressing on his incision.  I just cannot believe he is almost two weeks post op. 

LOVE having my brother and niece here!

I think this is my new favorite picture!

March

March is definitely John's month.....must be the Irish blood in him!

His original due date was March 17th.

He was discharged from the NICU on March 20th

And discharged from the PICU on March 1st.

Ahhhhhh, I am so glad it's March.  Life is great!

My little man is feeling wonderful.....and working his tail end off with PT five days a week.  We had to do some juggling and switching of PT's.....but I think a little change is good for him.  And we are so pleased with  his new PT....his first male therapist.

As you can see in the video, he doesn't let a little surgery slow him down.  He figured out in no time how to maneuver himself in his wheelchair and he wants to, "Do it all by myself!"

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Camera (UPDATED - Video)

Thanks to sissy for pulling apart all of our hospital bags.......she found the camera that we thought we'd lost.  I have no idea where it was.  We literally pulled everything out of every bag (three or four times) at the hospital.  Who cares though....we have it back!

Below is a picture of my good friends visiting John on Sunday.  And, the adorable video of John and Lily!

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He is recovering nicely at home.  We've been doing his exercises 4-5 times a day.  Thankfully he rarely resists.  Most of the time he says, 'Let's do more! Let's do more!"  

So proud of him!!!!

Hopie's Day

We're taking a brief intermission from the surgery updates.  Today was day six post op....and we are HOME!  I'll be posting about it tomorrow.

Anyway, as mentioned, Hopie was well taken care of by our moms.  She had soooooooooo much fun and probably wishes I hadn't come home:)

She went to the first spring training game of the year.....and the first at the new stadium.  As you can see in the pictures.....she had a blast and apparently was the hit of the ballpark.

With all our focus on John and his surgery, I am so thankful this day was all about her!

I love you baby girl......more than you'll ever know!

Day Five

We are back on track!  

Yesterday was day five post op.  Thankfully my big guy bounced back quickly from the previous nights mishap and surprised us all with how well he was doing.

He did awesome with PT, sat for a long time in the chair, took another long nap.....and discovered the buttons on the bed:)   I looked over last night and his feet were in the air.....and he was grinning from ear to ear.  He also enjoyed his visits with our friend Renee (who brought him a huge Mickey Mouse,) Grammy, Grams, Papa and Hope.

We discontinued ALL Valium and Lortab (can you blame us) and have only been giving him Tylenol and Motrin.....and he's doing AMAZING with it.

We are headed home today and couldn't be more excited!

Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for continuing to pray over him.....it's been a scary ride but we know God has great things in store for him.

Hopie hoped right into his bed:) I think someone misses her brother A LOT!

LOVE this man of mine...and his sister too!