Mama Said...

Over the past week, one song keeps coming to mind: "Mama said there'd be days like this; there'll be days like this my mama said."  My mom never actually said such things, but the song continues to resurface.  While I love my life, this particular season is one in which I have learned we need to simply survive.  There's no use trying to thrive - it's just too hard.  It's like trying to sprint a marathon - not a healthy endeavor for even the most advanced runners. For both our emotional and physical health, we need to treat Henry's healing process as more of a marathon, one in which we must pace ourselves.  He's doing well.  He's happy and healthy.  But his progress is slow, and so we must be patient or we run the risk of collapsing at the five mile marker. 

Today, I met with the Occupational Therapist who is helping Henry with his eating.  It's not that he can't nurse; it's just that his tiny abdomen has been through a traumatic surgery, and it's difficult for him to consume his full feeding.  He routinely takes about half his milk, and the rest is tube fed.  The OT taught me some stretches to do with him to lengthen his abdomen and make more room for his feedings.  She also showed me how to work a couple acupressure points, such as his outer thigh, to aid in his digestion.  Hopefully, these things will help, but ultimately it's up to Henry to simply figure it out.  Please pray that he'll do so sooner rather than later. 

Please pray for us as a family, too.  It has been extremely trying for us, and frankly, we're tired.  Claire does as well as can be expected, but spending 5 hours at the hospital every day is draining for Joe and me, let alone a 2 year old.  And though Joe serves as an amazing source of strength for our family, balancing all this with both his work and master's classes is, I imagine, a heavy load.  And me, well, a good cry always helps :).  I'm sure many of you can relate.  Anyway, please pray for us.  Thank you!  Thank you!