Team Thompson » September 2008 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Tue, Sep 30, 2008 10:57 PM
Chad rushed home this morning, so that he could watch Noah while I took Joshua to get his flu shot. It’s his first one, so he’ll have to come back of the second part in a month. I was worried how Joshua would do since he had a really hard time with his last set of vac’s and cried super hard. When the nurse stuck him, he only made a little cry and then was fine. YAY! But then when I tried to put him in his stroller, he started wailing. So, I had to carry him while I made his next appt. I couldn’t carry him and push the stroller all the way to the car, so I had to sit him down and let him cry. My poor little guy.

When I was on my way up to bed for the night, I checked on Noah. He was sleeping on his stomach! Wow, he turned by himself! Yay! I’m so glad he can do that, so hopefully he can move if he feels uncomfortable in a certain position. I really don’t want him to get bed sores.

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Mon, Sep 29, 2008 11:56 PM
At about 6:30 am, I was awakened by loud…rainfall? I couldn’t believe my ears, and then I saw a flash of lightening and then heard the thunder several seconds later. I doubt the weathermen had any idea this was coming. I held my breath waiting for either of the boys to wake up, too, but thankfully they slept through it all thanks to black out shades and white noise.

Noah is coping so much better than I expected – so much better than I would do in his place! He does have moments when he gets really upset and wants to be picked up, or doesn’t know what he wants. It gets challenging (like today when Chad works) when both boys are having a meltdown and wanting to be held at the same time. It breaks my heart to have to leave one crying and on "hold" while I tend to the other. We're all suffering from colds, too. Joshua was especially uncomfortable today. When not even my cuddling would calm him, I gave him Tylenol. It helped and he actually fell asleep in my arms today - the first ever that that happened! Both boys are pros at self-soothing themselves to sleep, so that was a wonderful moment. I almost started crying. On the other hand, because I'm having to lay Noah on the floor for enough room to change diapers, I started to feel my back aching today.

Noah got a visit from Auntie Sue today. She brought a ton of presents. It was like Christmas. She got the boys some fun books and some stuffed animals to go along with them. She got both of them some cute Halloween t-shirts, too. She even brought me some great goodies – Alias Season 4 DVDs to complete my collection and a yummy pumpkin candle and some Halloween décor.

Noah got a care package from the Tagawas in Hawaii – a fun puzzle that both boys loved playing with, and a couple of island-style books.

I am thinking I should start putting away some of the presents and then rotate a box every week or so, so Noah doesn’t get bored.

The meals ministry dropped off dinner for us tonight. The family that provided it just so happened to be the one that visited us just a few days prior. Chad had a meeting with Jeff to talk about refinancing our mortgage. Chad had to cancel their original meeting on Monday because that was the day that Noah broke his leg. When Jeff got home that day, he told his wife about Noah and she basically said “hey, that’s the family we’re providing dinner for on Monday!” A small world for sure.

Noah did great without his bear for most of the day. He brings it down with him each morning, but then I try to tuck it away so he doesn’t it and so that he doesn’t suck his thumb. When he does have it, we have been saying “no thumb” and Noah usually complies. If not, we’ll say that we’re taking away bear, then he’ll succumb. Today, though, he didn’t miss it much and only asked for it a few times. Even then, he would lose interest after a little while and then forget about it and then I’d sneak it away again. I’m so happy he isn’t so dependent on it anymore. It makes me hopeful that maybe he’s not so stressed out about his cast anymore and is being adequately entertained by the activities we are doing with him.

Noah is also getting braver about moving around with the cast. While resting on his stomach, he pushes himself backward and off the beanbag.

Today marks the end of Week 1 for Noah’s cast. YES!!! We pray that the next 7-9 weeks fly by.

I found Noah scooted up to the “top” of his crib again. I’m glad I’m setting my alarm for 2 am each day because I can reposition him to hopefully avoid bed sores, but then I can also check to make sure he hasn’t pushed himself into an uncomfortable position like now, or yesterday.

I had to turn on a small light to see him, and as soon as I did, Noah woke up and put his lovey over his eyes. LOL! Just like his Daddy.

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Sun, Sep 28, 2008 10:56 PM
I woke up about 3:30 am when I heard Noah playing with his musical turtle. I realized I should be setting my alarm to wake up around 2 am and turn him, so I was thankful for the “wake-up call”. I didn’t want to go in right away because I was afraid that he’d start crying for me to pick him up again. So, I waited a few minutes outside his door. But I still heard him playing with his lovey. I also noticed that the box fan inside his room makes a really annoying loud sound every minute or so. That’s probably why he woke up and wasn’t sleeping. Plus it was warm tonight again, too. So, I went into Noah’s room to initially position the fan differently, hoping to stop the annoying sound from repeating. Then, I walked over to Noah’s crib to peek at him. He had used his “free” leg and scooted himself up and over to the side, so he was almost in a “C” shape with his head angled because of the crib railing – his pushing left his no where else to go. I couldn’t leave him like that, so I took the chance of him crying and straightened him out and rolled him over to his left side as well. He opened his eyes and looked at me. He had is thumb in his mouth as usual, and didn’t make a sound. Yay! He let me move him and then I walked out the door.

I couldn’t go back to sleep, so here I am catching up on e-mail and updating my journal. It’s now past 5 am and I should try to rest before it’s too late.

It’s been over 1 day since Noah has had any pain med’s and his appetite is slowly coming back.

Noah got a visit from Gammie today. She brought the boys presents – musical birds and a fun book with piano keys.

Chad rigged something up for Noah with his current car seat. We actually use it in the living room so Noah can "sit up". It's great having another position to move him into. I've already started a list of things to ask the orthopedic doctor when Noah sees him for the first time on Wednesday.

The Haans invited us over to their place for dinner tonight. It was our first real outing since Noah broke his leg. He did pretty well and the cousins all had fun with both boys.

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Sat, Sep 27, 2008 11:56 PM
Chad went back to work today for the first time since Noah’s injury. So, I was on my own with both boys. All 4 of us are sick, so that never helps the situation. I was tired and the boys weren’t feeling well either. A couple of times, Joshua would sneeze and there was a huge amount of snot that needed to be wiped up. He hates when I wipe his nose, but I know how uncomfortable it is when you don’t get it out, too. Noah has had a runny nose, too. A couple of times today, both boys were screaming at the same time. Joshua was especially needy today and wasn’t easily comforted. Many times, he just wanted to be held, and then of course that’s the time when Noah would cry for something. Then, I’d put Joshua down, so Joshua would start crying, too.

Noah ate the most ever since the injury. Still not his usual amounts, but definitely a few more bites than just his 1 or 2 up until now. He also had another poop…and not a baseball this time. WOO HOO!

It was a trying day and I am ready for Chad to come home tomorrow.

Noah had a really bad bedtime tonight. When I laid him down in his crib, he started crying “up!” He’s NEVER done that before…except at this afternoon’s nap. And after a few moments, I picked him up and brought him to our bed to sleep. I laid next to him, but he still said “up!” I said “it’s time to sleep” and closed my eyes. I was tired, too. He eventually fell asleep, but I fell asleep first. I woke myself up snoring a couple times. Noah woke up about 4:40 pm, so I’m guessing he may have gotten about a ½ hour’s worth of sleep. Not much, but at least it’s something.

Anyway, tonight, I let him cry it out. When I didn’t pick him up this time, he started screaming “up up up!” Both his windows were open and I started worrying that the neighbors would think I was neglecting my kid. I called Chad because I didn’t know what to do. Well, I did know that I didn’t want to start a bad habit by picking him up now. But I also knew that I probably did the wrong thing this afternoon by doing just that. I think I just wanted support that I was doing the right thing by letting him go. Noah has never fussed at going to sleep before. But this injury is more than likely uncomfortable, and so he wants to be comforted. I don’t blame him. We just really don’t want to start any bad habits that we’ll need to break later when he eventually gets his cast removed.

Chad thinks Noah may be regressing (which I read may happen) and we may be starting some bad habits. Like his lovey. We let Noah carry his bear 24/7 now, as a comfort during this hard time. We should probably start having him leave bear in his crib, at least part of the day, and then slowly wean him off completely, except for sleep times of course. The other bad thing is that he will automatically start sucking his thumb whenever he has his bear. He’ll initially comply to us saying “no thumb” during the day. But soon after, he’s sneaking that thumb back into his mouth. A blister is already growing on his thumb.

Overall, Noah has been better. I know because he used to make this funny sound in the back of his throat, especially when we brought him home. I think it was his version of moaning and groaning, ‘cause I do it, too. Anyway, he hasn’t made that sound in a few days, so I’m taking that as a good sign that he’s improving. I also love when a pretty song moves him and makes him feel like “dancing” (alternating his arms slowly up and down) or a faster one makes him bob his head up and down and shoulders side to side. Nothing compares to a great big smile or a surprised “look, mom” kinda face when he sees something he likes on TV. Those are the highlights of my day. I also cherish the times I can make him laugh despite how uncomfortable life is for him in that cast.

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Fri, Sep 26, 2008 10:55 PM
Chad said that Noah gave birth to another baseball today. : ) Chad let me take a long afternoon nap, just over 3 hours today. I was feeling really tired this afternoon. This cold is wearing on me.

Noah got a visit from my family tonight. Lani brought a yummy dinner from Rubio’s. Noah got a Mr. Potato Head Disney version from Mama.

Noah also got some fun gifts from the Klinchuch family in our small group. They got him a travel Aqua Doodle set, a huge Play-Doh set and a bunch of stickers.

Chad rigged up one of the car seats so that Noah can “sit up” now. I’m so glad Noah is tolerating more movement now. It just helps us help him from getting bedsores. We just have to be diligent about moving him every couple of hours. Usually Noah will get tired from being in one position anyway, so he helps us stay on schedule.

Joshua's fourth tooth (top left front) is poking through!

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Thu, Sep 25, 2008 9:55 PM
Noah was crying early this morning about 5:30 am. So, for the most part, he had a pretty good night! Better than the night before definitely. He wanting to be picked up so I rocked him for a little while and then brought him to our bed and co-slept with him for the very first time. He was in and out of sleep, mostly because he'd wake himself up from myclonic jerks. When Joshua woke up this morning, Chad got up to take care of him and let me sleep in. After Joshua was fed, Chad got Noah up for the day, too, and let me sleep some more. I didn't wake up until after 11:30! It felt great, especially since I’m coming down with something. My throat is really sore and I’ve been drinking O.J. all day.

Noah still hasn't had much of an appetite at all. But he FINALLY made a #2! Chad was just about to go to the store to get apple juice for Noah to help with with that. Noah likes bran flakes, so thankfully he started nibbling on those which should help keep everything moving, too. And then we saw him pushing. YES! Chad brought the diaper over to show me after Noah was done. It's so funny about what makes us excited these days.

Noah got a visit from Deirdre and her kids from Stroller Strides. Erika & Beckett brought Noah some stickers to play with and Deirdre brought a lasagna for us for dinner tonight. We are so blessed with thoughtful friends!

Chad let me sleep in to 11:30 this morning! It felt great, especially since I’m coming down with something. My throat is really sore and I’ve been drinking O.J. all day.

My family came to visit Noah tonight. Lani brought a huge order of Rubio’s for dinner and some toys for Noah.

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Wed, Sep 24, 2008 12:00 AM
Day 3 - Noah's broken leg

Noah had a tough night last night. He couldn't sleep well and was up just about every two hours. I was up until about 2 am with him and then Chad took over. He ended up sleeping in Noah's room on the floor. Chad was exhausted and tried to take a nap when the boys went down this morning, but Noah was restless again and didn't sleep.

I was out getting more things for Noah. I went to Toys R Us to buy Noah a wagon, like the one he was discharged in, so that we could take him outside and give him a little change of scenery. Over the last 3 days, he's never watched so much TV! I also bought him a couple of games, including a fishing game that Kim (mom2boys) suggested. She has been so sweet and offered great advice since Tanner had the same exact cast when he was 3. At Target, I found Noah a little art station/tray so that he could color and hopefully also use as a food tray.

This afternoon, we assembled the wagon and took Noah for a little walk around the park. My dad had just arrived to visit, but he can't walk (he was bit by the neighbor's dog yesterday!) so he stayed in the house and watched Joshua while we took Noah out.

I was thinking this morning how it's very much like we have a newborn all over again - with the sleepless nights, having to do everything for him, having to carry him everywhere, the sponge baths...it's crazy.

I also realized what we don't need any use for anymore right now like the safety gate blocking the stairs. He can't move himself anywhere, so we put it away for the time being. Plus, there aren't toys strewn all over the house and backyard... We want our baby boy back who will get into everything and that we will have to constantly pick-up after again.

Noah is also sucking his thumb way too much now. It's an automatic thing that he does whenever he has his "bear". And since we're letting hold on to his bear 24/7 now to help comfort him (instead of restricting bear to his crib as usual), his thumb is getting blistered already. Chad said he started to say "no thumb" and that sometimes Noah will listen. We hate to take away a toy that comforts him, but we may try and wean him off it soon. Chad also wants to wean Noah off the pain med's. He said that's why Noah hasn't had much of an appetite. Also, the med's can cause constipation and we really don't want to have Noah have to suffer through that either. We bought dried prunes, baby food prunes, prune juice - anything and everything that we could find in the grocery store having to do with prunes. He isn't liking any of it, so I'm really hoping he doesn't have any issues. That would just be a horrible thing to add to an already uncomfortable situation.

We made Noah's appt to see the doctor next Wed. Chad works that day, but he's going to take the morning off to help me. I wouldn't be able to do it by myself otherwise. I'm definitely not going to be able to (nor want to) take Noah anywhere in the car by myself. So, the days that Chad is working, we'll be stuck in the house.

Chad talked about getting Noah into the jacuzzi to help him transition to walking after he gets his cast off. Oh, we are so hoping these 8-10 weeks fly by. I'm thinking I need to make ourselves a countdown chart to keep us motivated.

Chad and I also talked about co-sleeping with Noah, if he has another bad night tonight. We never did that with him when he was a baby, nor did we do it with Joshua. (We like our sleep too much. Noah was too noisy. And we never considered it with Joshua. We're selfish like that.) Chad said it would be cute if we did it with him now. But then we'd probably have to break that habit once the cast was off.

Chad said Noah was running a fever last night, so we gave him Tylenol before bed tonight along with his pain meds. I forgot to give him is vitamins though. With Noah not eating well, I was upset that I forgot to give him his usual dose. I'll have to do it first thing this morning.

It's about 12:45 am and I need to get to bed. I haven't heard any crying from Noah...I'll continue praying for a restful night for all my boys. Good night, everyone. I'll try to continue updating as much as possible.

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traci: we love you and we are praying for you continually throughout the day and evening, individually and as a family. please let us know if there is anything we can do

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Tue, Sep 23, 2008 11:45 PM
Day 2 - Noah's broken leg

Chad called me just before 8 am this morning and said that Noah did "phenominally well" last night. Thank God. Chad said that he would wake up whenever he heard Noah's lovey (it has a little bell in it) and would wait for Noah to cry or call out to him. But Noah never did. Chad said his lovey ("bear") was what made it such a successful night. Noah sure does love that bear. YAY! I was expecting the worst. I was tearing up this morning thinking Noah would be crying and saying "out" (as in "get me out of this thing!") which would have been heartbreaking for me not be able to do. Obviously, we hope Noah does well tonight, too.

My sister Lani was able to leave work again early this morning to help us out. The plan was for her to ride with Joshua and me to the hospital, and drop me off, so that Chad & I could drive Noah home in our big car. Well, I didn't expect to hear from Chad so early in the morning and he thought that they would be discharged within the hour. So, I was hustling trying to get Joshua fed and me washed up and ready to go, too, so they wouldn't be waiting on me. Lani arrived at 8:30 which was perfect. I was just finishing getting everything together and threw my bags in the car, belted Joshua in and started to back up the car so that Lani could jump in. Just then, my mobile started ringing and my bluetooth headset clicked on and there was too much going. The ringing distracted me and I was rushing and didn't see that I was too close to the side of the garage and totally busted my right side-view mirror. "CRAP!" As if I wasn't already wound-up and stressed-out enough. I heard Chad's voice in my earpiece..."hello? what happened?" *sigh*

We got to the Noah's room just after 9 am, and I got to see my baby boy for the first time awake. Noah was in good spirits watching Finding Nemo on the TV. Chad was standing next to the bed. I finally got to see Noah's cast. It's a spica cast, and most of his body is enveloped in it. :( Noah seemed to be doing great though and wasn't being fussy at all. It helped that his brother was there now. Chad put Joshua into the bed with Noah and they played together.

Chad and I caught up with everything that happened after I left them last night, and then started getting anxious about wanting to be discharged so that we could all go home. As you could probably guess, we weren't even close to being discharged. Because they didn't have much experience with the spica cast, the nursing staff was extremely confused and didn't know what they were doing or what the delay was or if the doctor had even seen Noah yet (he had). We had to wait THREE more hours before they let us go. They wanted us to get a carseat for Noah before they would release him, but Chad kept telling them that Noah can't bend, so he can't sit, so he won't fit in a carseat. He was even drawing stick figures to make his point! LOL! It took them a while to understand that. Then, they changed their mind and wanted us to get a booster seat instead. I was about to start arguing the same point again about Noah not being able to bend, so he can't sit, so he won't fit into a carseat OR a booster! But Chad just said that we should just buy it, so that they would let us go. So, we called around. We tried. But the 2 that they would accept were not available anywhere. They finally gave up and told us that we could lay Noah down in the car instead since he can't sit. THANK YOU! Grrr...we've been trying to tell them that for E.V.E.R. The next hurdle was how Noah was to be discharged. They were trying to get a wheelchair that Noah would fit in, but no one could tell us what the status was on the request. That one died a long, slow death as well. They finally realized that they would have to wheel Noah out in a wagon. FINALLY. Let's go home!

When we got to the car, Chad decided the best place for Noah to be was in the very back of the car, with Chad sitting next to him to "protect" him. It was so illegal...but there was no other way short of an ambulance ride. I drove. The only other times I could remember driving so cautiously was when I had my newborn boys in the backseat. Noah fell asleep. We finally got him home at about 1 o'clock.

Chad laid Noah on the couch and popped in a video. Then, as soon as the car was unpacked, I headed back out to get Noah's rx for pain med's filled and to grab lunch.

At 3:30, all my 3 boys took a nap. I caught up on some e-mail and talked to my friend Kristen whose nephew was in a spica cast, too. She had some great suggestions on things to buy. So, I took the opportunity to shop for more things for Noah. I found 2 different shapes of bean bags which Kristen said was great for sitting them up in the cast and a TV tray for eating. I got home and everyone was still sleeping. Noah was going on a 2-hour nap so far. Yeesss!

When Noah woke up, we tried leaning him on one of the bean bags so he could at least "stand up" a little, but he cried like it hurt him. :( We didn't try it again. He's already getting restless. UGH. We're supposed to change his position every 2-4 hours during to the day, and every 4 hours at night. We're also supposed to check/change is diaper on that same schedule because the biggest issue is keeping that cast clean. For Noah's diaper, we use a size 3 diaper that will fit into the opening of the cast. We can't velcro that diaper, we can only tuck it in under the cast. Then, over that one, we put a size 6 diaper on and velcro that one over the cast. I read that we should also thoroughly wipe the skin around the cast opening in order to "toughen" it which will hopefully prevent any problems.

My Auntie Lin told me "This is one reason that God made you be a stay-at-home Mom." And I told her that I couldn't agree more. If I hadn't quit already, I would've had to turn in my notice now to take care of Noah. God was definitely preparing me for this. I'm so thankful he gave me a month to get going before he gave this test to me. :)

I'd been google-ing all day for any info on this spica cast. There is a special car seat that will fit his spica cast, but it's $500! We will definitely NOT be getting that. A wagon, like the one Noah was discharged in, was recommended for a change of scenery. That is something we can afford. I've gotta put that on my growing list of more things to get for Noah.

Chad had about a 3-1/2 hour nap this afternoon. He needed it after being up throughout the night watching over Noah, but he was still tired. He was still emotional about the whole situation and unfortunately we got into a huge fight that kept us up until midnight. Even then, we weren't even close to being done, but we agreed to pick up the conversation tomorrow, so that we could get some sleep. Chad gave Noah another dose of pain med's before going to bed.

On a happy note, Joshua's top front right tooth has poked through! Thanks to Lani for noticing it last night as she was babysitting. Otherwise, I'm sure I would have been oblivious with everything going on with Noah.

It's been quite a day. At least Noah is home now and has started the process of healing.

Thank you to everyone for your phone calls and messages of prayer, sympathy and encouragement. We need all we can get right now.

Day 1 in the cast down, 55+ to go... :(

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Mon, Sep 22, 2008 11:50 PM
Noah broke his leg. His left femur - the bone between the hip and the knee - has a spiral break. He and Chad had been rough-housing in the bouncer and Chad saw Noah's leg turn the "wrong way". :( This was at about 12:15 pm today. Chad thought it was maybe just a sprained knee, but Noah wouldn't stop crying whenever he was moved.

So, I stayed home with Joshua while Chad took Noah to the ER. They got there at 1 pm. At about 3 pm, Chad found out Noah's leg was broken. So Carrie (Chad's sister) picked up Joshua so that I could come to the hospital. Up until that time, Chad had been carrying Noah and had to hold him in just the right position so that Noah's leg didn't hurt him. Chad said his arms were so sore from holding him. Noah hadn't had a nap all day, but he dozed off for just a little while while Chad was holding him. At 3:30, they finally got into a room and Noah got some morphine for the pain. I20offered to relieve Chad, so that he could go home and take a break. He said he wasn't going anywhere.

As I was driving to the hospital, my sister Lani left work to relieve Carrie and take over caring for Joshua back at our house. Thank goodness she did 'cause it ended up being a loooong day and went into a late night. When I got to the hospital at about=2 04 pm, Noah was resting in the bed with his leg raised and iced. I couldn't believe how still he was. But I guess you wouldn't move if you knew any movement would cause pain, right? He also had some numbing cream on the back of both hands and the inside of his elbows for the IV (UGH!) they were going to have to start when he got into "surgery". We waited for the doctor and waited...and waited some more. To kill time, Noah watched Disney Channel for the first time and we read some books from home to him. About 2 hours later, the nurse was ready to start Noah's IV. Thank God that numbing cream worked because she kept poking and prodding his poor little hand trying to find his vein! I was cringing. I couldn't believe how many times she was sticking him...but Noah didn't even flinch. She FINALLY got the needle in, but then she accidentally pulled it out just as she was taping it up! Then, she tried on the inside of his elbow...more poking. She thought she had it, was almost done, then realized that she didn't get the vein at all. By this time, Chad had his fists clenched and was offering to do it himself. I was upset as well. Thank God Noah was still oblivious to the pain. He was even watching the nurse whole time. She didn't try again mercifully. Just then, the doctor arrived to talk to us about the "surgery". Noah wouldn't have to have any pins (thank God), but he w ould be in a cast and they were going to keep him overnight for observation. It was 6:30 pm (5-1/2 hours later) when Noah finally got into the operating room. (It was "surgery" only 'cause Noah had to be sedated in orde r for them to put on the cast. And the operating team put the IV in after he was out.)

The procedure was going to take about an hour, so Chad & I went outside to eat something. I had packed some LOs from home. We had a family party last night, so there were lots of things to just grab and go, thankfully. Chad hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, but he still didn't have much of an appetite. He was beating himself up for the accident. It was the first time I saw tears flowing from his eyes. I've seen him well up before, but never crying like this. My heart was breaking for him. As we were talking, we realized that since Noah was being kept overnight I needed to go home to pack up some comfort things for Noah (most specifically, his bear/lovey that he can't sleep without) and some things for Chad, too. So, I left to go home to pack, but then I also stopped at Target to buy some bigger diapers that would fit over the cast and some handheld toys for Noah since he was going to be immobilized for a while. My poor little guy. Noah couldn't have anything to eat or drink because of the surgery, and he hadn't eaten anything since 11 am, so he'd probably be=2 0starving when he woke up. So I ran into Ralphs to get his favorite fruit - bananas - for snacking tonight and for his breakfast tomorrow. I grabbed a "get well" balloon from there, too, hoping that would help cheer him up. Noah loves balloons. What kid doesn't, right?

Earlier, at about 7:40, I called Chad and he said that Noah had just come out of surgery and that he cried for a moment, but then fell right to sleep. It was about 9 pm when I finally got to Noah's room. He was sleeping. He was covered head to toe with blankets, so I couldn't see any of the cast. I could only see his little face. I put his lovey near his neck where he usually holds it. The way Chad described the cast, it sounds like just one step down from a full body cast. :( Only Noah's toes are exposed on his left foot. The rest of the left leg is entirely in a cast. Plus, there is a cast on part of his right thigh and hip, so that a steel bar could be placed between his legs. His legs are cast at a=2 0slight "A" shape. The cast goes up to mid-chest. We have no idea if he'll be able to sit up at all. We don't even think we can put him in a car seat, so how do we get him home??? How do we sit him at the table to eat? He can't walk, but he can't sit in a stroller either, can he? How do we take him anywhere now? How does he play??? No more riding on his quad, no more walking to the park, no more jumping in the bouncer of course. Diaper changes are going to be a whooole other issue. Noah has to be in that cast for 8 to 10 weeks - a 2-year old basically bed-ridden for maybe 10 weeks! He is going to go crazy not being able to move. I'm so sad for my little boy.

At Chad's request, the nurse came in to give Noah more Morphine. Chad hopes that as long as Noah isn't in any pain, he will sleep. Noah hadn't gotten up at all, and at 10:15 the nurse showed up again to give him another dose. So Chad suggested that I go home since Noah would probably sleep, and so that at least one of us gets a good night's rest in case Noah ends up having a bad night (ie, wakes up and panics because he can't move). The rationale is that I should get rest so that I can at least take care of Joshua (who's supposed to get his flu shot in the morning), and so that I can relieve Chad so that he can rest if he's up all night, then take care of Noah, too. I got home just before 11 pm, and relieved Lani so that she could get home, too.

Noah is scheduled to be discharged from Mission Hospital tomorrow sometime. We hope he won't feel any pain, that he heals quickly and completely, and that we know how to care and comfort him.

We would be ever so thankful for your prayers.

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traci: Hi! I just want you to know that we have been praying for you constantly since this has happened. If you need ANYTHING, please let us know. I would be happy to come spend a sleepless night with Noah so you can get a night of rest, or bring you dinner, or just come watch the boys so you can go to the grocery store. Anything you need, just let us know. We mean it!

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