Bittersweet

While a lot of awesome things have been happening in our house this last week, we were extremely saddened with some devastating news on Sunday. A dear friend of ours' little boy fell into a neighbors pool that morning. Since then, little Cooper Aucoin has been fighting for his life at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. Please keep Cooper in your thoughts and prayers, as we all know the power of prayer has brought Lucas back to us, and it can also bring Cooper back to his parents.

So now for our awesome news...LUCAS IS EATING! That's right. About a week ago, he starting eating a little here and there, and since then, he's just taken off. He loves to eat. He eats a full jar of #2 for breakfast and lunch, and (2) jars for dinner. That's right, and his dinner is now at 4:30. Unless you want to hear him scream for 2 hours. And please don't think you can sit down at the table and NOT feed him! He's contorting his body toward the back of the chair looking for the jar of food. But I'm not complaining. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. But I'm not used to him eating so much. I went to the store today and bought about $30 worth of baby food. So what, that might last us a week now? Guess we'll see. :)

Lucas is also doing awesome in therapy. He even did great today when we went to Metairie. He's not quite used to the stander yet though. After about five minutes or so of straight standing, he's looking around for me, and when his eyes find mine, the screaming begins. I don't think he's hurting, he's just not used to all the weight bearing on his joints. He's been in the chair for about 30 minutes every day this week. (Except today, I was bad and didn't put him in..shame shame.) And it's already helping, because he actually pulled up on a toy to stand on Tuesday--with the therapist, not on his own, but he still gets all the credit!

His legs are getting so strong! And he's doing better building up his upper body strength. Today the therapist mentioned that he doesn't have "the fat hand" anymore. From not using his left side--especially his left arm/hand--his left arm was about twice the size of his right. It was puffy, almost looked like it had fluid around it or was swollen. But I actually think the arm was just fatter from not using it. Well now, both of his arms are skinny. It's so cute, but it's missing muscles. (No, not literally.) You can actually feel the weakness of his muscles if you touch it--hell you can see it if he's wearing a sleeveless shirt. But darn, it's the cutest weakest muscles you'll ever see! ;)

His weak muscles are making mine some strong. It's like carrying a bag of flour taped around one of your arms all day long. Today I had to pick up Joshua from preschool and couldn't get the stroller out of the back of the car. So I had to hold Lucas all the way from the car, to pick up Joshua, and walk back to the car with one arm. I felt like the muscles in my arm were just tearing away. It may not seem like much, but by the time I hold Lucas, Joshua's nap sack and hold Joshua's hand (dragging him to the car), and whatever else I need, it feels like I'm holding him forever!

And to top off our awesome week...Since Lucas is getting stronger and eating, he's also finding his voice. Which is both good and bad. Good because he's starting to try and mimic sounds and tones, but bad because he screams SO darn much. But it's mostly good. Joshua and Lucas are really bonding now. Joshua says.. "Gimme a kiss!" to Lucas just like I tell it to him. One of our friends gave us a walker, and while Lucas sits in the walker, Joshua stands in front of him showing him how to play with the toys. They have their own language. It's really exciting. I can't wait to see them continue to bond. Pretty soon they're gonna be plotting against me.

So on that note...I'm off to bed. Hope you're having as awesome a week as us.


Dear God, please protect my friend Cooper Aucoin. Please send him a miracle like you did for me. Help him to make a full recovery so he can live the rest of his life proclaiming your good works and your great name. Give him strength to keep fighting. Please Lord, take away his pain like you did for me. Give his parents the strength to keep fighting with him. Let them know that even though this is hard for them too, their reward will be great. And they will spend their days together, with each other and with You. Amen. Your miracle baby, Lucas