My Thanksgiving Vacation

What a fun week it has been at our house! Last Saturday night was the last night of our Thanksgiving "vacation" at my parents' house. Our beloved Gamecocks were playing their big rival, Clemson. So when gametime rolled around, was I in the stadium? No. Was I watching on television? No. I was in a place like this one:


Thomas was not fully himself all week and his lack of energy and lessened appetite worsened as the week went on. By Saturday he was running a fever around 103. That evening, his lips were blue and he was shaking, even though the Motrin had taken away his fever. So off we rushed to the ER. We received a diagnosis of "a touch of bronchial pneumonia" and went on our way. By Monday he wasn't much better, the fevers continued. Through a visit to his pediatrician's office and a call to get the radiologist report (along with other calls back and forth with the doctor's office all week) we learned he did not have pneumonia, but apparently did have some horrible virus that meant he ran a fever in excess of 103 (if not medicated), up to 105, for six days! Finally today, day seven, he hardly had a fever and when he did, it was barely over 100. Such a welcome change!! Hopefully tomorrow he'll be even better. Today it sure was nice to see our little boy back again, chattering away and running around getting into trouble. I've seen enough Pathetic Thomas to last for a very long time.

Anyway, prior to Saturday, we had a great time visiting with family. I have more than enough pictures to share to tell the story of our time together.

Thomas enjoyed playing with his cousin Katherine, though many times he'd look at her like he just couldn't figure her out:


Thomas's Uncle Pete pulled them around and they seemed to enjoy it:


The highlight of that walking excursion was when Thomas saw a tractor in the distance. It was love at first sight.


He's very serious about his love for tractors...


And the nearby truck was quite a welcome sight for him as well...


Nannie gave him a thrill by hoisting him up on his favorite part of all vehicles...the wheel:


He called over to his cousin to come join him...




She even got some time up there by herself:


It was hard to convince them to jump in the wagon on the way back, but at least we were moving (slowly):


It was the day before Thanksgiving and about 80 degrees...a gorgeous day.

Finally they got in the wagon and Katherine made herself comfortable as Thomas looked at her pensively:


This was actually when we first really noticed Thomas was not his usual self. Instead of smiling and being his general happy self, he kept giving looks like this:

I'm sure his Dad would say that he is just mad here because he wants a haircut. :)

Here's one more for tonight, but the rest will have to wait until tomorrow. After a week of getting up to check on or get up with Thomas several times a night, this exhausted mother needs to get to bed!


Please keep your fingers crossed that Thomas is, in fact, on the road to recovery!!! And that Katherine does not get whatever it is that he had!

Cute cousins

Today we took Thomas and his cousin Katherine to Portrait Innovations for some pictures. They were quite busy, but we were pleasantly surprised with some great pictures of them together and individually. If I was home, I'd do some cropping to these before I showed them to you, but I am not...so you get them as they are. Of 95 pictures, here are my favorites. Enjoy!





















We (my sister-in-law) and I were smart and took the kids' Nannie along for the fun. It's much easier to choose which ones we like when she is around. Or maybe just her pocketbook. Thanks Nannie!!!!

Welcome home (we hope!)

We happen to know a certain someone who might be in need of a little pick-me-up. Thomas is ready for the job. This particular special someone (remaining nameless only because we don't want to share more than we should!) has had a rough few days and we hope she will be back in the comforts of her own home tomorrow. We know you know who you are, and I hope you know we've been thinking of and praying for you and hope you are better soon. Thomas (and all of us) send his/our love.


(I'm pretty sure this is what happiness looks like!)





Thomas keeps getting better and better at going up to and down the slide all by himself. And he LOVES to slide.


Some days Thomas will happily play by himself and allow me a minute to fix lunch or do whatever else I need to do. Today he was very good. I had to document the moment. I just love this weather!

He's surrounded by all his favorite "wheels"!! (And of course, his best friend, too.)



That was today. This was yesterday. He has decided it is his job in life to take the pine straw handful-by-handful from the beds and put it on the driveway. I agree the straw needs to be replaced, but I'm not sure it belongs on the driveway.

(If you can't tell, those are little piles of pinestraw.)



He's not yawning, he's telling me something very, very important...

He's so emphatic about it, I only wish I knew what he's saying!

Showing off his new bottom molars (to go with the two on top that have finally come through!):




By the way, Nana, his new outfits fit great and they've been perfect for this new, cooler weather!

One last picture, Thomas's dad has been having a bit too much fun at bathtime lately. Thomas appeases his for a moment, then he lets him know it's time to stop. Here's what his dad likes to do:


I'll try to get back with an update prior to Thanksgiving, but if I don't we hope everyone has a very happy Turkey Day! Thomas is looking forward to a visit from his cousin Katherine and his aunt and uncle (from California). They are coming in to town on Monday and we can't wait! I know Thomas will love having a permanent playmate for the week! We wish them safe (and happy) travels.

And back to that special someone, we continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you back to your normal self soon!

Honoring children everywhere

I interrupt your not-so-regularly scheduled blog postings to bring a very important message.

I think that Trey and I, more than many, understand the blessing that is a healthy child. Or do we? Despite the hardships we have endured, I think we often take for granted how amazing it is that our son is healthy (or so he seems). There are so many things that can go wrong, and we hope and pray that they never do. Yet if, God forbid, something ever goes wrong, I hope people will reach out to help.

I want you to meet Jake, one of the cutest little boys (aside from my own) that I know!

I recently shared here that one of my dearest friend’s son was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; sadly, it is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood. Jake is that son. “Fatal” and “childhood” are two words that should never be in the same sentence. It’s out of sync with the world. It’s unfair. It’s wrong. But unfortunately, it’s a sad reality that mothers and fathers out there are forced to face. We faced it, and now my dear friend and her family are too.

Jake needs help. Jake needs prayer. Jake needs miracles. Jake needs a cure. And for something really wonderful to happen, Jake needs research…and research needs money. In honor of your own children, or the fact that you yourself once were a healthy child, I challenge you to donate to this very worthy cause.

I am the first one to say, “I would if I had any money,” but then if I wanted go out for lunch, or make some other unnecessary purchase, I would somehow find it. So skip that next dinner out. Don’t buy that knick-knack you don’t really need anyway. Donate $5. Donate $10. Donate whatever you want. Every bit helps get Jake, and other children just like him, closer to the miracle he and they need/s. If my family members want to know something I want for Christmas, this is it.

Earlier this week Jake and his parents went to see a world-renowned specialist in Cincinnati about Jake’s condition and how to move forward with his treatment. Jake’s parents were very encouraged by their visit. There is a possibility that in the future there will be a clinical trial that could really make a difference in Jake’s life. We must all pray that this becomes a reality.

For more information on Jake, you can visit his webpage here: www.caringbridge.org/visit/jakepritchard

To make a tax-deductible donation to this very worthy cause, you can go to this website that has been set up for Jake: www.parentprojectmd.org/goto/jakepritchard I hope that soon they surpass their goal and need to set a much higher one! There is also more information there about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Or, if you prefer, you can send a check to Jake’s parents as instructed on that website, or let me know if you would rather send it through me.

I know not a lot of people post on this blog, but I know many people who have told me they read it. So I know you are out there, and I challenge you. Honor your child by honoring Jake. I promise you won't regret it. And if you can't send money, please send prayers.

And by the way, thank you so much for all of your emails and calls in response to our last posting. We are so thrilled to have another baby on the way, and appreciate your love and support more than you know.

Thomas makes a big announcement

In case you haven't heard, Thomas has a little something he wants to tell you. The thing is though, if he actually were to tell you, you might not understand him exactly. So, we decided to get him a clever little t-shirt to help him say what's on his mind.



Hopefully at first glance you get it faster than his Dad did. :-) And some more just for fun...





Thomas loves his dog Sully. I think she longs for the day when his throws are a bit more of a challenge, but his arm is improving.


She tolerates him, but wishes he'd learn she's not a pony:


At least she gets lots of love from him. If only she knew there soon will be two little ones who want to give her lots of love. :)






So yes, Thomas is officially a big brother-to-be! His little brother or sister is due to arrive around May 11, 2008. I am officially through the first trimester today (13 weeks). So far, things have been breezing along and we hope you will pray with us that they continue that way for 27 more non-eventful weeks. We'll keep you posted!