Beaver Teeth!

His molars are coming in and he actually has more teeth now. But I'm bad mommy and publishing from my archives. Although I will say that I've only been posting chronologically. I'm just behind. What else is new?

We are in Chicago for the second of 2 child'space (Feldenkrais) workshops. Bo responded so beautifully last week that I could not deprive him of the last set of lessons.

Other than his molars causing cysts to form, and all the discomfort around that, Bo remains stable and cheerful, learning new words every day, and increasing his comprehension of language. We are so amazed by this guy's capacity for learning and loving life.

With a heart full of thanks,

Kinn

Weekend Recovery

Sleepy! Bo had a great weekend visiting with family. He loves his cousins so much. They taught him how to dance!

Aunties, Grandparents, and dogs!

On the Murray front, she has been AWOL. Not a very impressive first week on the job. I'm nervous and worried, but am holding off on the worried-sick till the freeze sets in. So far, I believe she is having fun with her freedom.

Despite the Economy, She Found a New Job

Murray is part of the miracles that lift our family up. A friend of a friend was "low on barn cats." But far from burning through cats, theirs is a small hobby farm half an hour south of town with four horses and several acres, a tidy house and lovely family with a few older and special needs cats patrolling the barn and pole barn.

This is her first week on the job, and I miss her dearly, but they were cool with me visiting. So I will go and see my girl next week with treats and maybe some supplys to show my gratitude for a new, animal loving family.

Thank you, God! For even watching out for the least of our furry family.

Feeling So Free

A new tooth has appeared and 3 more have just broken through. Bo is doing great and has been in high spirits. His visit with the nephrologist on Monday was great, and Jose and I met with the maternal/fetal medicine group in town regarding the new findings identifying the MID causing gene. Since the information is so new, and the technology has not been developed for commercial use yet, we are making things up as we go. As per usual, for us.

No More Fever

Must've been a cold. He's still getting too much fluid, by my estimation. But that's way better than not enough. He's a little puffy.

But no more fever, and his antibiotics end today, so that should make his output decrease and his butt feel better.

Can't Wait to See You!

We got to have dinner with the O'Connors Friday night, and the Nwankwos on Saturday. What a great weekend. Although Bo was a bit of a bully and kept plucking the pacifier out of Sam's mouth. Not very nice. We were so excited to meet them; and delighted with how great Sammy s doing, and that they were going to get to fly home and be reunited as a family, too!

We had a crazy busy time getting everybody home yesterday. Bo was a great traveller. He slept through both flights. Passengers and crew both thanked and congratulated me in turn; as if I had anything to do with it.

We were all whipped and had deep sleep in our own beds. While Bo seems less gaggy, he ran a temperature last night, which as recurred this afternoon. So they drew labs and he missed his feeding clinic, again.

My knee-jerk reaction would be to crawl under my desk and hide. But since I am an adult, I will get through my email and go home to do laundry. Sigh.

It never ends.

Back Bay Boston!

We love being in the Back Bay: walking Newbury and Boyleston Streets, watching ducks in the Public Garden and cruising into the Commons, grabbing supplies at Trader Joe's and Walgreens (constantly- what would we do without them?).

This is Bo getting ready for a walk on our dining room table at home. Home! Boston is glamorous in its own preppy way, but home is so much nestier.

Thank you for visiting us, Dawn! And bringing gifts and treats. It is such a blessing and a relief to see a familiar face under these stressful times. Especially a familiar face we haven't seen in 10 years!!

And we even got to see new faces: The O'Conners! We love them already, and are so excited they are flying home the same day we are; Sam's bilis are in the 2's range already!! Hallelujah!

And, we had a great (but 2.5hr long) visit at childrens' for the short gut clinic. I showed Dr. Lo the article in Nature Genetics that identifies the gene that causes MID (published only this past August!); turns out his fellow works for the 1st author on that paper!! And Dr. Lo pulled some strings and got us a consult with one of the nephrologists TOMORROW. Wow. What a day.

Not exactly relaxing, or vacation, but rewards and blessings covering us from head to toe; can't complain.