I realize it has been one month since our last update but our lives have been busy to say the least.
A month ago we were in Cincinnati starting medical treatment for Aiden. It was a long, grueling week but was definitely worth it. We had to go to the hospital every day for X-rays and tests. By the end of the week, we left with a plan to hopefully start eliminating some of Aiden's discomfort and to get rid of his rash.
While we were there, we also got to have some fun with our friends that hosted us for the week, Bryan, Marla and Ian. We went to the Creation Museum, the Cincinnati Zoo, Chuck E. Cheese (Aiden's first time and he loved it...shh, don't tell him we have one 10 minutes from our house😁), and my personal favorite, the Cheesecake Factory. When I found out 3 days before we were to be there that it was going to be a week long trip, I called my mom who dropped everything and made the road trip with me. I will forever be grateful because I would not have made it through that week without her. Aiden was still up 6-7 times a night, so she would help during the day so that I could rest. She also saved the day by letting me borrow her clothes when we were late for an appointment and as soon I as got Aiden out of his car seat to run into the hospital, he threw up all over me. 😝 Fun times.
The following week I took the kids to my parents house in NC while David was out of town on a missions trip. I was very nervous about driving with them all by myself as we were having to stop every 10-15 minutes at one point on the way to Cincinnati to help Aiden, and that 5 hour trip turned into 9 hours. However, the kids did great and we only had to stop 3 times on the 6 hour trip. I was thrilled.
It was a great week with Aiden meeting the rest of my family. We ate too much and laughed a lot. It was some much needed down time. This is the week that Aiden began sleeping longer periods of time at night, and I began feeling like I would survive this. On the other hand, Asa was still waking up at least once a night and continues to do so. They won't be two forever, right? I just keep telling myself that and am letting go of the fact that the days of 7-8 hours of straight sleep are gone for now. Jesus, coffee, and Coke Zero will be getting me through my days now.
The highlight of my week in NC for me was taking my two big kids to a waterpark. I didn't realize how much I needed a break from the littles and to take time with these two until this day. For so long, our world revolved around Alana and Ave. They were 10 and 8 years old when Asa was born and have sacrificed a lot of time with David and me lately. They are growing up way too fast, and I need time to slow down. We rode rides together and laughed and relaxed without other distractions. It was such an incredible day with them that I will cherish always.
Our family was reunited for a few days when we returned from NC until Alana headed to band camp and then church camp. During these next few weeks, I felt like we lived at the doctors' offices. We had many appointments and got some more discouraging news for Aiden regarding his kidneys. He has a lot fluid in his left kidney and his right kidney is better, but not great. We also got some results back from our GI that will probably lead to another surgery we weren't planning on for him.
Our other two year old, Asa, has GI issues as well. He has a four hour test coming up in a week that we are anxious about but also praying that it will lead to answers. I'm worried there is something going on in his little tummy that we don't know about yet.
Just to keep things interesting, my oldest son, Avery, fell off his bike and fractured his patella in two places, so he is on crutches for a month.
This week we meet Aiden's cardiologist and then he has an extensive testing being done to give us a better plan for his kidneys. This is going to be a hard one for him to endure, so please keep him in your prayers Wednesday morning.
Tomorrow is our first day of school, and I am back to work full time. Last week the little boys transitioned to their school that is on the same campus where I teach and the big kids attend. I can't sing Grace Children's Center's praises enough. My big kids went there, and I always say they wouldn't be as smart as they are or potty trained if it weren't for GCC. 😊 Aiden and Asa are in the same class and their teachers are so wonderful. They are having to go above and beyond to take care of Aiden's needs and they have just accepted the challenge and really put me at ease. I love that the boys are in the same room and have been told that Asa takes great care of Aiden. I could not have asked for that transition to go any better!
One final highlight of the past month is the bonding taking place between Aiden and David. It's something that I have prayed for and really just wanted so badly for them. This past week as David was putting the little boys in the car in the garage, I was inside getting ready to walk out when I heard the most beautiful words come from Aiden's mouth, "Daddy, Daddy, I love you!" That made this Mama smile.