The last two months, all things considered, have been great.  We have expanded Nate's diet, introduced him to rain and re-introduced him to sunshine and tried to keep him from going stir crazy in the confines of our shrinking home.  Ryan, all six months and eighteen pounds of him, has started to sit independently, eat with passion and develop a singing voice much like his mother's.  Each morning, the two brothers greet eachother with warmth and curiosity, at which point Nate considers his obligation fulfilled, and ignores his younger sibling for the remainder of the day.....Except to occasionally throw something in Ryan's direction, to assess Ryan's developing reflexes.   And Nathaniel has learned, clever child that he is, from watching the scene centered around his startled brother, that screaming is an effective means to immediate attention.  Information that he has, naturally, put to good use.

Our local labratory's penchant for losing or mishandling Nate's blood has been sufficiently consistent that we are, at this point, sending a weekly sample to Duke rather than have it tested here in Sacramento.  Unfortunately, we didn't institute this policy soon enough, so the return of Nate's CMV (cytomegalo virus) infection last month wasn't addressed nearly as quickly as we'd have liked.  Coupled with a second C-diff infection, Nate was a walking petri dish.  To treat the CMV infection, we initiated twice daily IV medications, and had to return to an hour of videos each morning so that we could keep him from pulling his IV out.  After a month of Thomas the Tank Engine, Nate has both of Thomas' expressions memorized, and can do eyes right or left upon demand.  In addition to the home IV care, we also had to make hospital visits four times per week, starting, of course, the week that Ingrid returned to a part time position at Shriner's Hospital.  Upon our last test, early this past week, it appears that Nate's two infections are now under control. 

An enormous celebration, given the five people in attendance, was had last week as we celebrated Nate's second birthday.  There were presents, balloons, Nate's grandfather (Bapa) and aunts (Lisa and Gretchen) and personal occupation therapist (Cheryl), ice cream, songs and a cupcake with a couple of candles.   It was a great, great day, one that we plan to celebrate again this summer, when we can really let loose.  In the meantime, and especially the coming two weeks, keep your fingers crossed.  In exchange, we promise to update the website as soon as we have the results of the nine-month tests.  Thanks for reading, praying and believing, and for living part of this with us.  Keep the faith.

The boys in the bath.  Ryan quickly learned to hold his breath.

Outside!  And no mask!

Ryan is all for a celebration, even brother's birthday.