21 and Surgery

Hello wonderful people!

Otis update at 21 months of age:

Otis is a big boy!  After a recent check up he is 28 lbs and 34.5 inches long

It is spring break for me and it has been nice to spend some time with Otis Flynn.  I just finished up my "extra-busy-season" at school.  Although we still have a few weekend forensics tournaments to go, it is nice to be home at night now that the rehearsals for the spring play are over and the show is closed.  I enjoy my job, but it is nice to be at home for long enough to enjoy my family, too!  Speaking of work, I'd like to give a shout out to a great teacher out at the high school where I teach.  She is an art teacher turned writer who writes about living and she is an inspiration to our family...and anyone else who reads her blog.  

Her name is Jennifer, she is battling brain cancer, and she is a beautiful warrior!  

Her posts remind me of Tim Burton movies (you won't see J. Depp or H.B. Carter, but) from the outside you will see something that you believe is unique and different.  However, when you take a closer look you see how Jennifer's words are both specific to her yet inclusive to all.   Everyone comes into a Tim Burton movie (or Jennifer's Blog) curious and/or scared about the looming threat of death in some scary form, but throughout the movie (or Jennifer's blog) we see that the real story isn't about death, but about how to life and how to live it.  Jennifer brings us back to the simple business of living on the sunny side, finding truth and humor as we all move along our path.  Thank you, Jennifer for being such an inspiration. 

 

Ok!  On with the update!  

I'm going to make two lists to let y'all know what we're up to.

A list of things that make us anxious or are workish (there's no rule that says we can't make up words, right?) and a second list of things that make us happy/thankful/hopeful.

Workish/Anxious stuff

• Otis is having VNS surgery this week.
• Otis is getting heavy...we're starting to look into a way to keep him mobile...possible wheelchair.
• Possibly looking a new home with a 1st floor bedroom and bathtub.
• Fixing up our home so that we can sell it if needed.
• Getting Otis into the school system next year because he will graduate from Tiny K
• Figure out how to work the VNS / managing Otis' different therapies. 
• Looking out for more genetic testing

Partial List of Happy/Thankful/Hopeful stuff!

• Otis is having VNS surgery this week.
• Figure out how to work the VNS / managing Otis' different therapies. 
• We are thankful to have such wonderful friends and family.
• We are thankful to have good insurance.
• We are thankful to have a home and food.
• We are thankful for music.
• Otis likes to feel our mouths while we talk
• He is starting to try to purposefully use his right hand every once in a while.
• His left hand can skillfully retrieve his plug (pacifier) and place it in his mouth. 
• We think Otis wants to travel to Iowa...because he often says..."IIIoooowaaaaa"
• He can hold his cup up to his mouth all by himself...he may spill it down his chest, but he can hold it by himself.

• With some assistance he can hold his bottle up with both hands
• Otis has been communicating with us more and more!
• We are working on teaching Otis some signs (mom, dad, more, all done, drink, bath, I'd like to go to World's Of Fun and ride the Fury of the Nile...that sign is more advanced than the rest...we'll see)
• He eats meals well...and he eats meals quick!  He has one bottle a day, 3 keto meals, and 1-2 keto snacks.
• We were able to lower the diet ratio yesterday in order to help curb some acid reflux. 
• We finished our taxes...well...Kathy finished our taxes...I tried to help but got frustrated.  Kathy calmly told me to work out my frustration by folding laundry.  Thank you, Kathy.

• Otis sat up for about 10 seconds unassisted for his therapist and Grandma Reed last week!
• VNS surgery this week and they'll power it up in about two weeks...we are very hopefully that this procedure will help reduce seizures.
• We are happy to have the weather warm up...someday...so that we can get Otis to his swing at the nearby school.
• Otis sneaks smiles in every once in a while...and those smiles seem to energize anyone who sees them...we are happy for the smiles we get and we are hopeful for more
• We are thankful for Otis.

We'd like to ask for your prayers as we head to the hospital this week.

Thanks for being wonderful people.

We love you all!

Smile,
Ryan