Summer Sundays

It is weird to me being able to sit outside on the deck at my family cabin at the picnic table on a computer. If you would have ever told me that as a kid I would have never believed you! But, here I am. It's 4:00. Happy Hour. I am sipping on a cold adult beverage watching Nolan rock in the swing while he naps...and yes, he is totally TOO big for the swing, but he loves it. It groans as it rocks back and forth...but it's still swinging! Riley and Matt are down in the creek playing...I can hear them chatting and laughing; it is a sweet father/daughter moment. SO - I guess I am trying to say LIFE IS GOOD!

We are getting into our new life, one we are comfortable with. Hospital days are a distant memory, but still haunt us. We talk about the good and the bad. We miss many of those that cared for us so dearly at CHP, but we know we get to have our occasional visits around biopsy times.We are almost 6 months post transplant! I can see now that I had a lot of coping that needed to be done from that time until now. So many adjustments...a lot of firsts...fears. But, I am to a point where I know he is healthy and we now need to focus on OUR life as a family. There's no doubts that we are going to have our scary moments with Nolan - and we are realistic, but it is time we go back to living...with our antibacterial hand sanitizer in hand and Clorox wipes, of course. :)

SO - to date Nolan is now starting to sip water without gagging...and eating food. Mashed potatoes, rice crisps, veggie sticks, bananas...to name a few. Physically he is SO ready to walk. He is crawling (not quickly or to the best form, but he is definitely on the move) and this past weekend he started to cruise a little. Matt and I definitely get a little emotional seeing this because there were MANY, MANY days where we could not even imagine him sitting unsupported let alone WALKING! It is such a blessing. There's no other way I can explain it.

Next weekend is our family's annual party out here at our family cabin. Nolan and Riley will spend the weekend with Meena and Grandfather McLaughlin because it is such a large crowed and a time for us to let loose with our friends and family. We are SO, SO excited to see everyone. Matt and I seriously have had this on our brain as day as a milestone...we would say, by Everfest we KNOW we'll be home. And here we are!

I do hope you all had an amazing and safe holiday weekend with your family and friends. I am still so amazed by all the support we continue to receive. We could not have made it this far without all of you!

Much love to you all.

#nhos