Hanging in there

A week and a day after surgery, and we are EXHAUSTED! Trying to keep up our spirits and not become discouraged, we are learning valuable lessons that will hopefully make our next round of surgery easier in some ways and at the same time, make us dread another round even more. Maybe it's the lack of sleep catching up to Joel or us trying to start weaning him off of Tylenol and Ibuprofen way sooner than he was ready, or maybe Joel has been feeling itchy underneath the casts, but to me he seems more tired and crabby than he did a few days ago! That never-endless guessing game that mothers of small children have to play can be exhausting, confusing and never really satisfactory at times. We can't really know what he feels, how sore or in pain he is or if he is just plain tired of the new cast norm! In the midst of all though, we are thankful to see him playing and smiling throughout the day and can't believe that we have completed a fourth of the first cast time already! I was encouraged to talk to Jen Norman on the phone yesterday and find that much of our experience is similar to what they and baby Nathan experienced their post surgery months-what a blessing to have them as a resource and spiritual encouragement during this time! 

Please pray for strength and endurance during this time, and pray for extra grace for Joel as he struggles to stay asleep at night and get the rest that he needs so badly. Pray for patience and wisdom as we look for ways to entertain, distract and comfort him. 

We praise the Lord for my mom and Hailey who are here helping us and serving us during this time. They have really spoiled us and taken so many huge burdens off our backs! We are thankful!

In the midst of this post-surgery month, Joel reached an exciting milestone! He learned his first baby sign-the sign for more. He has mastered moving his casts together to ask for more when I am feeding him. This is not too much later than the time Michayla started to use her first sign as well. I have no clue what that sign for him will look like out of casts, but am excited to see him developing and responding! 

A picture from this morning-one of Joel's favorite people making him smile!