NEW!!

The last couple of days have so jam packed busy that it's almost 10pm and I'm finally able to sit down and get my thoughts down. I won't lie, I was getting a little bit discouraged being in the hospital. Every single session, he would get more and more upset. He was just getting worse and worse. They call this "icu psychosis", but since we have tried everything to make him comfortable and the screaming didn't stop... we weren't (or at least I wasn't) sure if he just wasn't going to get better.

Then came the good news... they were sending us outta there!! The wonderful doctors at Doernbecher gave us a free pass for the night before they were sending us to Legacy Emanuel for rehab. [and remember that amazing doc that I introduced you to the other day? Dr. Armsby? Well she got Dude a little gift. An Ipod shuffle with a little something written on the back] I got all packed up, and Dude listened to his music. He was finally comfortable. He just sat in his wagon. Quiet. We finally got home (to Ronald McDonald) and I was exhausted. we laid on the bed together just relaxing for about 30 mins waiting for our wonderful friend Timmy [aka Tiffany] to come pick us up. Of course we both dozed off for a few until Timmy called to tell us she was here. Dude started acting uncomfortable again and so Timmy and I started trying everything we had. He didn't want to lay down, or sit up, or drink anything... but he did want some chips. He started smiling.... and then laughing...

and then....

it happened....

He. Started. TALKING!!!! 

First he said chip.. then mom... and dad... and by the end of the bag of chips he would say anything we asked him to!! He even started giving me attitude and "copy catting" everything I would say! And then would very proudly laugh at himself. :) I thought I was so tired that I was seeing things.. and hearing things. And then I saw the tears in Timmy's eyes and I knew that it was real.

This morning, it didn't stop. In fact, it got even better. He started shaking his head for yes and no. Then he started saying yes or no when I would ask him questions. When he talked to Papa this morning he said an entire sentance in response to something that was said to him. I couldn't be happier. ICU psychosis it is. He isn't talking all of the time, and sometimes he can be so frusterated that nothing comes out at all, but every day gets better and better.

This morning we made it to Legacy Emanuel. We got to meet his new therapists and they are all wonderful. He got fitted for his own "my size" wheel chair and he kinda looks adorable in it. He isn't a big fan just yet, but I'm sure it will come. He is still obsessed with the music that Dr. Armsby gave him. It is sometimes the only thing that settles him down.

Tomorrow we start our rigorous schedule of lots of physical therapy, occupational therapy and school. {YEP!! School!!} and more therapy! Hopefully we get home soon and we can finish up therapy there. I miss my bed. I miss my kids and my dogs... and I miss my husband to be. Things are definitely going to be different but I'm ready for the challenge.

I'm still working on my "support my blog" button, so bare with me. It should be up and running soon. Thank you so much for you love and support. We also have an account open at Evergreen Federal in Grants Pass.

You all have been such a huge part to our healing. Thank you for being here for us.

xoxo
-whit

Time for Livin

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I said I didn't know what I wanted to be when I [grew up]?!? Well, it's summer time and there's no better time to grow DOWN!

So far, we haven't had much of a warm summer but that hasn't stopped us from having fun! My kids have only been swimming ONE TIME... yeah that's exactly what I said... ONE TIME!!! Not to mention, it was freezing! Luckily, my kids aren't scared of being a little chilly! They are just like me when I was a kid. {OH, and their dad too!} Nothing could keep me out of the water. :)
     

     

Even though it was cold, I had a blast watching their cute little lips shiver as they are running around to the diving board to jump in "Just One More Time"

There has also been a TON of baseball playing at out house. These kids get stuck on a sport and man oh man. They have been outside every day that I let them from sun up to sun down. Since the older kids have such an advantage over Dude, we decided to come up with a new Tuttle Family Game... Flag Baseball!!! It was a huge hit!

xoxo

I would just like to add a Thank You to all of the people who help me raise these wonderful kids! When they say it takes a village, they aren't kidding! And for those of you who get offended by people parenting your kids, or those of you who let the kids do the parenting, I hope you wake up one of these days! I feel sorry for you. {I mean that in the most LoVING way} I was raised with a village as parents, and not because my mom and dad didn't care about me, but because everyone did, and I turned out okay. So, again, Thank You to everyone who loves me and my kids enough to jump in and help out. I get to enjoy life and my kids are wonderful because of you!