Monday Morning - A Josiah Update

Hello Hello

Sorry for the long silence. I know many of you are faithful Josiah followers and have been checking in every few days this past week, and I haven't been posting since my hands have been full with VBS. Thanks for your patience! It was a very good week and very long - extremely hot temperatures and lots of kids can really wear a person out! God gave us an amazing opportunity and we had a fantastic time.

So, Josiah's week in review. The biggest news is that Josiah has started to breast feed! Yup, 2 or 3 times a day he breasts feeds and he's been doing a wonderful job. Marie of course is near heaven with this latest step, and we're so proud of our guy.

Josiah had a day a couple of days ago when he had about 6 spells in a relatively short period. So the head doctor decided that Josiah might need a trach change (this current trach he had in for about 3 weeks, so the change is about 1 week earlier than scheduled). Marie did the change herself (bravo!) and did a very good job, and more importantly Josiah hasn't had a spell since so there might have been just a slight enough build up of secretions on the inside that was causing him not get enough air all the time. So Marie is technically able to take Josiah on walks now by herself because she has completed every aspect of her training, but I think they will still want to accompany us with a nurse. Oh well, the nurses really like to take breaks and go for a walk anyways!

Josiah had a slew of visitors this week, and I won't be able to remember them all or spell everyone's name right! But this is who I recall: Sheliagh & Julie, Amanda, Trina, Timmy, & Kelly, Aunt Audrey & Anita, Jen, Doris, Jessana & Thea ... hmm .... that's it I think (as you can tell, Josiah likes his women visitors!)

Everyone asks how much longer until Josiah goes home. We don't know. Marie is preparing herself for Christmas, but it's so open ended we just have to trust that God will be arranging all the pieces for the right time. Josiah's swallowing study didn't give the doctors the information they were liking for in regards to the concern that Josiah might have an artery crossing over his trachea, so they will do a different study on him in the near future.

Josiah also went in for an ear clinic, and they really couldn't see anything because his ear canals are so tiny and he's quite squirmy. So the doctors have booked him for an October surgery to put in ear tubes to help his narrow canals. With any child, but especially a trach baby, it's important for a doctor to be able to get a look in the ear since it's a clear indication of infection. Since Josiah isn't showing any signs of sickness, the doctors aren't worried, but if he does get sick they will give him emergency anesthetic to take a look inside.

Josiah is tracking well with his eyes (following items) and he's getting a lot better at turning his head around and maintaining head control. He's really working hard at being able to roll his head in bed, and Marie mentioned last night that he was starting to get the hang of it. Josiah is also starting to smile a little! We swear that his yawn is a way of saying hello because he is always yawning at people when they start talking to him, but now he's getting the smile thing figured out and it's so cool. I guess it would be safe to assume that his mouth motors skills would be delayed as a result of having a tube down his throat for 10 weeks - that's certainly a good reason not to smile! Oh, and I'm teaching him to stick out his tongue and that's very cute.

I'm sure there are few things that I've missed, but those are the biggies. My blogging frequency should be picking up now anyways so you guys can check back more often now.

Thanks for all the love and prayers.
In God's Grace.
- Andrew, Marie & Josiah