It's my PARTY!!!

Saturday was a BIG day in the Anderson household!! We celebrated one year of little miracle mans life!

It was a fairly crazy weekend with a total of 13 folks sleeping in the nooks and crannies in our house (that is not counting Tim, me and Dustin). Some of them even camped out in a tent in the yard! Other family members from out of town were in hotels and of course, mom in the RV! But, we did have a good time.

I just realized that I did not take any photos over the course of the weekend. The few photos that I did get were taken by my lovely neighbor (and friend), Meghan! And so, I implore you--if you are reading this and took photos over the weekend, PLEASE, PLEASE send them my way.

There were a few teary moments for me this weekend. Fortunately, I was able to hold them back. It was an amazing moment to celebrate the one year marker of Dustin's life after he has been through so much! We are so blessed by an amazing God!

And so, I will leave you with a few of the photos that I do have from the weekend (hopefully, if my pleas are heard, more will follow):

Dustins cake--not made by me, this time! Wow--Yummy!!

Dustin was so neat about eating his cake. He did end up with the colored icing on his face, though.

Dustin is Moving

Tim and I made an exciting decision today! We have decided to move Dustin to a new daycare, Creation Kingdom. We toured a brand new facility today, which will open its doors to precious creations, beginning next Monday. This news is particularly exciting to us, since we have several concerns regarding his current daycare situation. Creation Kingdom is a Christian based program which includes bible stories, songs and prayer time at meals! The daycare also offers an intentional curriculum for its attendees and a directed learning center that includes lessons in sign language and Spanish! I am also thrilled that the daycare offers nutritious meals that are cooked in their kitchen on-site (no corn dogs, hot dogs or chicken nuggets)!! While it would certainly be ideal for Dustin to be cared for at home, we believe that this new daycare is a wonderful alternative! We will be making the move as soon as possible.

Since the last post, Dustin had his follow-up visit at Vanderbilt with the infectious disease physicians and the surgeon. Dustin's labs demonstrated that his infection markers were all completely normal. Also, his chest x-ray looked better than it had since shortly following his surgery. His right lung was fully expanded and the fluid in the lung was minimal. Good news and a praise!

Following our Friday trip to Vanderbilt, we drove down to Greenville, South Carolina where we were able to visit with friends. It is always nice to visit good friends! Dustin was also able to meet my friend Amy's foster daughter. He crawled right up to her to check her out! Such a social little man!

Dustin was diagnosed with an ear infection yesterday. So, he has had a rough couple of days. He seems to be taking it all in pretty good stride and had a better day today. I am hoping that he will recover quickly and we will have a long healthy stretch--he has been through enough.

I have several recipes to post in the next few days and hope to catch up on my blogging. Until then...

Dustin -- 11 Months "Young"

Yesterday was Little Man's eleven month birthday!

We spent it in a fairly boring manner. Mommy was working at home, while Dustin played, played, played!! Dustin remains out of daycare, since there is pneumonia and croupe going around his room.

The lowdown on Little Man:

• As of April 29, you weighed 18 pounds, 6 ounces (within the 10th-25th percentiles).

• Also as of April 29, you were 30 inches long (within the 50th-75th percentiles). You are going to be a tall little boy!

• You wear twelve month clothing, sometimes fitting into the 12-18 month articles.

• You wear size 3 Pampers.

• You are eating everything that your Mommy and Daddy will allow!! Fruits, veggies and meat meals entice your pallets. Of course, you still greatly enjoy your cereal and your bottles. You have been taking formula since shortly after we came back from Vanderbilt, since the supply of breast milk ended. You get excited about puffs. YOU STARTED CHEERIOS YESTERDAY! You recently discovered the sensational taste of Daddy's buttermilk pancakes.

• You so wanted to try Mommy's hot fudge sundae yesterday. Mommy was stingy.

• You adore your doggy. You and Mommy used to play a game chasing Gervase around the house. Now, you chase Gervase all on your own. Gervase thinks your great and shows you with lots and lots of kisses.

• You are a mover and shaker--you make your rounds (crawling) all over the house.

• You are pulling up on the furniture and standing on your own.

• You love to open all of the cabinets that mommy and daddy have not yet baby proofed.

• You are so talkative.

• You enjoy flipping over backwards off of my lap and onto the floor.

• You are calmed by Mommy singing your favorite song--Jesus loves you.

• You are a fun loving, amazing little man who is utterly adored by his mommy and daddy!

Finally, today your Daddy took you for your first "professional" haircut! Daddy says that you did so well! The photos below show Dustin with his wild hair pre-cut and during his cut!

We're Home!

We finally arrived home late Thursday evening!

We are all very happy to be sleeping in our own beds again (especially Dustin, who smiled up at me from his crib). Most of all, Tim and I are very grateful to be home with little Dustin! We certainly believe that all of the many, many prayers raised up on Dustin's behalf were heard and answered! (This is totally happy dance worthy!)

Tim, Dustin and I have each been trying to catch up on all of the sleep that we missed during the month of May. I'm not certain that we'll ever fully catch up, but we are all feeling much better.

Dustin is making wondrous progress. He is now beginning to crawl, can sit up from a position of lying down and has returned to making more of the consonant sounds that he made prior to his surgery. His disposition also more closely resembles the pre-surgery Dustin. I am also relieved that his food intake is progressively increasing, since we've been home. This has been a concern of mine, given that Dustin had lost 3-4 pounds and was looking all skin and bones. He is beginning to fill out a bit.

It is so amazing and encouraging to see the rapid healing progress take place. Earlier this evening, I was even able to remove the bandage covering the chest tube site and replace it with a regular old band aid! The chest tube site is healing over quite nicely!

We were able to enjoy a little bit of pool time this past weekend. We were very careful not to get Dustin's chest tube site wet. We are also keeping him away from other kids and people in general to avoid any potential exposure to illnesses, at this time. Dustin very clearly enjoyed the change of scenery and the pool time.

Below are some photos of our fun time at the pool:

Homeward Bound

Dustin was moved to the general pediatric floor on Tuesday night!

Yesterday, one antibiotic was dropped from his regimen and the other antibiotic was switched to an oral dose. At this point, the withdrawal medications continue to be administered and were actually tapered again. Dustin's IV and feeding tube were also removed yesterday! So, at this point, Dustin is completely unplugged!

We also saw a much more active Dustin yesterday. He actually crawled around a bit on the floor mat. He also sounded happier--we heard much less of the moaning sounds that he had been making (what a relief for mom and dad)! PT worked with him some more yesterday. However, he was a bit tired from all of the other activities earlier in the day and was fussy for the physical therapist. We will receive a referral for continued physical therapy, once we return to Lexington. I am hoping that this hospital stay will not set him back too much developmentally. Overall, he has made amazing progress physically during the past week. Since he has lost at least 3 pounds and most of his muscle mass during his time here, it will take a little while for Dustin to build up all of his physical strength.

The infectious disease physicians ordered blood work that will be tested to determine if Dustin has an immune system deficiency that may have contributed to his septic state. We will find out the results of these tests in three weeks to a month, when we return to Vanderbilt for a follow-up visit with the surgeons and the infectious disease physicians.

Today, we are preparing for a discharge order. All of Dustin's medications are being administered by us orally (even one at 1:00 a.m.--Aaarrrgghhh); he is eating better and slowly getting his strength back. We believe that we will be spending the weekend at the casa de Anderson in Lexington, Kentucky.

And so, there will likely be a lull in blog entries (at least for a few days (ha)). I'm looking forward to writing boring old entries such as those that includes recipe for the latest dishes enjoyed by my family. Most of all, I am forever grateful that this story has a most happy ending!

The Bottle Holder

If you guessed that the difference in the photographs posted yesterday is the feeding tube, you guessed correctly!

We did have a minor setback after I published my post last night. Dustin had to have an NG tube put in so that the narcotics for his withdrawal protocol could be administered. Unfortunately, there was simply no keeping the antibiotics down when administered orally.

We did have some success today mixing the narcotic with applesauce. Dustin did not know the difference and ate it all up!

This morning, Dustin decided to take his own bottle! This was much to my delight, since I was concerned that he was getting dehydrated. This is just another sign that our little man is a strong willed, independent little boy!

There have been no real changes today. We were able to unhook Dustin from all of his monitors and walk around our pod in the ICU. This was great, since Dustin seems to be very bored with his current surroundings. He has been playing more with us today, as well. Also, his physical therapist brought him a floor mat for some floor time!

We are still waiting for a room on the floor. We're looking forward to a change of scenery! I'm also looking forward to putting Dustin in a wagon and wheeling him outside (for the first time in 22 days)--which we believe is permitted on the floor!

Our Last Full Day in the ICU

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope that you were able to enjoy some great grillins' today and celebrate all of the individuals who have worked hard and risked their lives to protect the freedom that we as Americans are able to enjoy.

I am looking forward to the day when Tim, Dustin and I can enjoy a cook out on the deck, with the patio furniture that is my mothers day and birthday present! My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Well, before I re-cap the events of today, below are two photos of little man. See if you can tell the difference. It is subtle, but it's a big deal!
























So, if you think that you know the difference between the two photos, email me or leave a comment to the blog and let me know your answer. There's no prize involved. Don't worry, if you're stumped, I'll reveal the answer tomorrow.

Now that I've held you in suspense:

• Dustin remains slow to drink his milk. I had decided to wean him from breastfeeding at this time, since it had been awhile since I'd breastfed him. I believe that we've been engaged in a battle of wills the past few days--Dustin will not drink from a bottle and I was intent on weaning from the breast. Today, Dustin won the battle of the wills. Weaning will be saved for another day.
• Dustin remained afebrile throughout the night and all day today!!
• Dustin was active again today--bearing weight on his legs, sitting on my hip to observe the world and playing in his crib.
• The doses of narcotics were switched to oral medications. Dustin refuses to take the medicine by mouth. He gags himself and gives them right back.

The biggest change today is the change in the photo, above. We are praying that this change will remain a constant, since Dustin is refusing to take a bottle and will not take his medications by mouth.

We believe that Dustin will be moved to the regular pediatric floor tomorrow. This is a good change, since Dustin is well enough not to require intensive care. Tim and I are comfortable with Dustin's progress and agree that he is ready for the floor. This change will be nice for Tim and me. We will have our own bathroom/shower in our room, four solid walls (not glass) and a bed that will accommodate both Tim and me. This is also the next step toward getting us home!

Earlier this evening I spoke with the mother of a 14 year old girl who has been in the ICU for two weeks. The daughter has some type of brain infection (the exact infection is unknown) that has been causing her to have seizures. She has been in a coma for almost two weeks. Yesterday, one of the neurologists asked her father if the parents have considered organ donation. Please pray for a miracle that would end the seizures and infection that this little girl, Taylor is experiencing.

Hearing stories such as Taylor's reminds Tim and me how fortunate and blessed we truly are. We are thankful for your prayers and support that have brought us through this experience. We believe that your prayers have been heard, that God has a plan for Dustin and that this story will ultimately bring Him glory!