Miracles Do Happen

Believe it or not Drake and I are home and he is sooo much better. My ward held a special fast specifically for Drake last Sunday and if I hadn't seen it with mine own eyes I would not have believed how quickly his recovery came. Sunday we were thrilled because he started staying awake for most of the day, was laughing, and was very aware of everyone around him. He could communicate to us with his head nods and we were very excited. Come Monday and he was able to sit and hold himself up and move his arms better. He even said a few words to me and with some help stand up and take a few steps. The best is that he started eating on his own...Strawberry Ice Cream being his favorite. That night all he wanted to do was play on a trike that the hospital had for the kids. He also ordered me to push him around in his wheel chair and we took many trips up and down the elevator. By Tuesday he was talking in sentences and we were able to get all of his tubes out:). Once the doctor came in that morning and heard about his progress he said we were free to go home and start out-patient therapy at a children's rehab center. All of the nurses that had cared for Drake we so happy and stunned at his quick recovery. We were planning on being in the hospital/in-patient rehab for another 2 weeks, at least.
We still have therapy for an indeterminable time, but it is so nice to be in our own home again. I do believe in the power of prayer and know that we have been the recipients of God's blessing. I can't thank everyone enough for your prayers on Drake's behalf...

Cardinal Glennon

Oh how we love the insurance game. Upon arriving at Children's we learned that we were out of network and would have to change hospitals...they did give us 5 days, so generous! So, on Wednesday Drake got to have his second ambulance ride in one week and was transported about 5 miles away to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. Poor guy had to get a new IV, which took 4 tries and one of them swelling up is hand, and a new feeding tube. It wasn't a fun night for him and I was mad at the politics of it all.
As far as Drake's status....
He is opening his eyes a lot more and will nod his head for yes and grunt for no. He started physical therapy yesterday. He really has very little control over his body, but we are seeing small improvements. He did raise his hand on his own last night and that encouraged me. He had another EEG taken yesterday and it showed a slight improvement in brain activity, but still not normal.
He got to ride in a wheel chair and said he liked sitting in it. I am sure it is great to leave his bed for a bit.
We are now off of the IV, but the hook up remains in his hand, and all meds are going through his feeding tube.
Our next big move will be to a Rehab center sometime next week to start more intensive rehab.
The love and support we have received from everyone is overwhelming and so appreciated. The meals, gifts, chores, watching children, visits, prayers, texts, phone calls, and emails are what is helping us get through this. I can't say thanks enough!!!!

Children's Hospital

Drake has now been in the PICU since 4am Sunday morning. He was throwing up last Friday, but nothing that seemed anything more than a stomach bug. By that night he he was really tired snd slept a lot...nothing out of the ordinary. Saturday he woke up upset around 9, so i gave him some juice and he went back to sleep for another 3 hrs. When he awoke he was crying a little and very lethargic. At about 2 Dan put him in his car seat and he couldn't hold his head up and then he threw up again. Dan was worried and had me take him to the children's er, as he needed to take Kohl and Brynn to thier bball games. I didn't realize that we would end up admitted to the hospital and in this condition. Drake hasn't said a word since asking to watch a show on Friday night...he is in a very lethargic, mostly unresponsive state. He will open his eyes if I ask him too but that is about it. I know he is in there somewhere....
They had a hard time figuring out what was going on since every test they took, and there were several, was coming back negetive....no fever, CT scan, blood, spinal tap, EKG, X-rays, EEG stool...you name it. It was his MRI that confirmed that he had ADEM...a type of encepholitids or swelling of the brain. We found that out on Monday and I felt better just knowing what was going on. He was put on steriods to see if that could help, haven't seen much of a difference yet, but that is normal. He seems more agitated and kicks his legs around a lot. He has some episodes where his arm starts to tremble and the drs. Are trying to decide if these are siezures or not. To be safe they started him on an anti-seizure medine.
This can be a somwhat long recovery, just have to wait and see what happens. I am guessing another week here at Children's...but really don't know. The good news is that most kids with his condition are fine and back to normal eithout any lasting side effects.

ELEVEN

 For Kohl's birthday we started out early in the morning gathering a few buddies.

 We landed at the City Museum...aka the coolest place in St. Louis.

 The piano lessons paid off as Kohl dazzled us with the Entertainer.

 Playing on all the tunnels outside.

 Talk about a ball pit...this was some serious fun.

 Had to roast a marshmallow...most of them ended up in the pit.

 Checking it all out.

 We hit Fritz' for lunch and then home for cake and ice cream...

WE LOVE YOU, KOHL!!!

23...Christmas

 Spent a day making our annual Gingerbread House

 This was our way to be involved in our community, by attending the Ballwin City Tree Lighting Ceremony and a visit from Santa, none of the kids wanted to sit on Santa's lap though.

 Christmas Tree Waffle's, bacon, and sparkling cidar....deamed the best dinner ever!

 Let's hope this isn't an indication for future behaviors:)

 The kids all got new church wear for the season and we had to get a pic with mom.

 Brynn singing her heart out at her fourth grade concert.

 Love this stuff!

 "Do you love my outfit?"

 "It is almost Christmas and we just can't contain our excitement!"

I really meant to get a post up for each of the 25 days of Christmas, but then my camera died on me and it really put a wrench in my plans.  This is the first year I did anything more than just add an ornament to our countdown tree and it really made Christmas last a lot longer than usual.  Here is my list of what I did...this is so I can remember and try and duplicate it for next year.  Although it was a ton of work for me, the kids loved it and that is all that matters.

• Present our countdown stocking and gave a small gift (chocolate)
• pick out an ornament
• Gingerbread house
• family game night (Would you Rather as gift)
• Elf Hunt (my own version of Elf on a Shelf)
• St. Nicks Night (Cardinals hats and shirts)
• make cookies and share with neighbors
• decorate windows with stick ons
• ice cream sundays
• new Christmas book...read a different Christmas story each night before bed
• Hot cocoa and candy canes
• Christmas tree waffle dinner w/cider
• Gum ball candy cane
• Christmas movie night 
• Visit Santa and watch tree lighting
• draw names and go shopping for each other
• new jammies/slumber party out in front of tree
• drive around and look at lights
• Luke II with friends...dress up and eat ice cream snowballs
• attend ward Christmas party
• party with friends
• sledding (it never snowed, so they just got the sled)
• Lights at Tulles Park
• Red and Green dinner

I hope to keep this tradition going, it made for some great memories.

24...

24 more to go... what do you know?  I see you've decorated your tree, there is an empty branch I see.  Take this ornament and put in a picture, it can become a permanent fixture...on your tree:)  Love, Santa's Elf

25 Days...and counting!

Only 25 days 'til the BIG day!  Can you wait?!?  Each day until Christmas we will celebrate!  Check this stocking each day, to see what will be coming your way:)  'Tis a wonderful season full of good cheer - in fact it is my favorite time of year!
Love, Santa's Elf