Excited blue eyes

Isaac woke shortly before 6:00 AM this morning.  I waited with him until the owl started glowing green.  Isaac's big blue eyes were pretty excited.

Josiah didn't eat much at all this past weekend.  He didn't eat much breakfast or dinner today but he did eat lunch at least.

I spent a little time reading tonight.  That was nice.  I'll pay for it tomorrow when I'm tired.

We had dinner with my sister-in-law and two of my nieces this evening.  Isaac was excited when I told him he would be able to play with his cousins.

I think I have less empathy now.   I think I feel less.  I think I'm in protective mode.

It's time to sleep.  Thank you so much for your prayers!  We're looking forward to the celebration this weekend.

Blessings,

Elizabeth 

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

P.S. We hope you can come to Josiah's celebration!  Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.  Celebration details found below.

Josiah's Celebration Details: 

Who: Everyone is invited; please come and go as you please
What: Josiah's Celebration Open House
When: Sunday, April 14 between 4:00 - 5:00 (singing Happy Birthday at 4:30)
Where: Fellowship Hall at Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly
Why: To celebrate all that God has done in Josiah Faulkner's life.
Refreshments: Birthday cake, punch, coffee, and tea

Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.

Gifts: In place of giving birthday gifts, we would rather this just be a time of celebrating God’s faithfulness in Josiah’s life.  Josiah would love it if you would write him a letter telling him about something good God has done for you.  If that is not something you are comfortable with, please feel free to write him an encouraging letter.  Please send the letters to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.  Children and adults are encouraged to participate.  These letters will be posted at the party (unless otherwise noted) and then put into a book to celebrate and honour God’s love and faithfulness.  We hope to see you there!

Hootie the Owl

It was nice to see our pastor and wife at church again.  They've been on a sabbatical.  Josiah is very content when we're singing songs but he has yet to acquire an appreciation for sitting still and listening to people speak.  Thus, I push the stroller around when Josiah starts making noise.

After church, Isaac usually asks to go straight to bed.  The hope is that we can get something to eat, clean up and get a little shut eye and it's actually happened a good number of times, though not today.  Josiah was in need of some attention and Isaac needed a little encouragement to keep sleeping.

Isaac slept really well last night.  I didn't go into his room until 6:22AM.  He was able to enjoy a little piece of his Grandpa F.'s maple candy as he went to sleep well last night.  Isaac received a lovely gift today called Hootie the Owl from someone who has never met him.  Hootie will glow green when it is okay for Isaac to get up.  He was excited to go to sleep with it tonight.  A wonderful nurse whom we once met sent this to us.  It is amazing to be part of the family of God; our family is everywhere.

Our pastor and others from our church came and prayed for Josiah this afternoon.  Josiah sat and played in his Bumbo while they prayed.  

Josiah likes it when you put him on his tummy in your arms and then fling him forward and back.  I was doing this and Graham was taking pictures.  Josiah was laughing so much that Graham and I couldn't help but laugh as well.  Both our boys make us laugh.

Thank you very much for your prayers and support!  We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.


P.S. We hope you can come to Josiah's celebration!  Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.  Celebration details found below.

Josiah's Celebration Details: 

Who: Everyone is invited; please come and go as you please
What: Josiah's Celebration Open House
When: Sunday, April 14 between 4:00 - 5:00 (singing Happy Birthday at 4:30)
Where: Fellowship Hall at Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly
Why: To celebrate all that God has done in Josiah Faulkner's life.
Refreshments: Birthday cake, punch, coffee, and tea

Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.

Gifts: In place of giving birthday gifts, we would rather this just be a time of celebrating God’s faithfulness in Josiah’s life.  Josiah would love it if you would write him a letter telling him about something good God has done for you.  If that is not something you are comfortable with, please feel free to write him an encouraging letter.  Please send the letters to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.  Children and adults are encouraged to participate.  These letters will be posted at the party (unless otherwise noted) and then put into a book to celebrate and honour God’s love and faithfulness.  We hope to see you there!

Catkins

Grandpa's lion was telling Isaac not to scream or cry

I expected that Isaac would eventually start asking me questions to which I would point to Daddy or Google for the answer.  However, I did not realize he would be teaching me words at age 2.  I took him for a walk this morning and we stopped at a birch tree.  He started looking up at the branches and saying "catkins."  I'm afraid I missed this unit in science class.  I was trying to figure out what he was saying.  I did realize that his Grandpa F. had probably taught him something about trees on his walks.  Thankfully, Grandpa F. was at our home when we returned.

As I'm sure many of you know, a catkin is "a usually dense, cylindrical, often drooping cluster of unisexual apetalous flowers found in willows, birches, and oaks" (www.thefreedictionary.com/catkin).  That's what Isaac was trying to show his mother two separate times on our walk.  I was impressed that I knew it was a birch tree - I was pretty sure anyway.  

It was a good day.  Both Graham and I were able to have much needed naps.  Josiah spent time in his Bumbo, swing, chair, stroller, exersaucer, crib, mat, and various arms.  He had lots of Grandma time.  He hardly ate at all today (I'm referring to his oral food).
  
Isaac went to sleep well tonight.  The music didn't work last night.  We talked quite a lot today about how different people and animals go to bed without yelling and screaming.  He knew that a maple candy that his Grandpa F. made was on the line.   I think that did the trick tonight.

I'm not a fan of whining.  At what age does it end?  I know how repetitive whining makes me feel.  I was wondering this morning how God puts up with adult whining.

It's time for bed.  Thanks so much for your prayers!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Zeph 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

 P.S. We hope you can come to Josiah's celebration!  Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.  Celebration details found below.
 
 
Josiah's Celebration Details: 
Who: Everyone is invited; please come and go as you please
What: Josiah's Celebration Open House
When: Sunday, April 14 between 4:00 - 5:00 (singing Happy Birthday at 4:30)
Where: Fellowship Hall at Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly
Why: To celebrate all that God has done in Josiah Faulkner's life.
Refreshments: Birthday cake, punch, coffee, and tea

Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.

Gifts: In place of giving birthday gifts, we would rather this just be a time of celebrating God’s faithfulness in Josiah’s life.  Josiah would love it if you would write him a letter telling him about something good God has done for you.  If that is not something you are comfortable with, please feel free to write him an encouraging letter.  Please send the letters to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.  Children and adults are encouraged to participate.  These letters will be posted at the party (unless otherwise noted) and then put into a book to celebrate and honour God’s love and faithfulness.  We hope to see you there!

The gift request

Josiah slept until 7:30 this morning, sleeping right through his 6:00AM feed.  I don't recall him doing that before.   Isaac on the other hand missed his mommy much earlier so fortunately I didn't have to stay in bed. :)

The physiotherapist was here this morning.  She was very pleased with Josiah's progress.  She brought a Bumbo chair with two trays, all of which we can borrow until we don't need them anymore.  The chair supports Josiah really well and he enjoyed his time in it.  He was in it twice today for quite a while.

I had a visit from a friend today.  It was lovely to have a chat.

Yesterday Isaac was thankful for "oats".  I wasn't sure I heard him correctly but he said the baby likes oats (Josiah eats oat cereal sometimes).  Tonight he chose to be thankful for eyes. 

Friends from church dropped off a delicious supper tonight. A cousin and her son also dropped by tonight with a lovely gift for Isaac. 

I mentioned in yesterday's post that Josiah would like only one special gift for his birthday celebration on the 14th.  He would love it if you would write him a letter telling him about something good God has done for you.  If that is not something you are comfortable with, please feel free to write him an encouraging letter.  Please send the letters to prayforjosiah@gmail.com.  Children are encouraged to participate.  These letters will be posted at the party (unless otherwise noted) and then put into a book to celebrate and honour God’s love and faithfulness.  We hope to see you there! 
 

Josiah's Celebration Details: 
Who: Everyone is invited; please come and go as you please
What: Josiah's Celebration Open House
When: Sunday, April 14 between 4:00 - 5:00 (singing Happy Birthday at 4:30)
Where: Fellowship Hall at Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly
Why: To celebrate all that God has done in Josiah Faulkner's life.
Refreshments: Birthday cake, punch, coffee, and tea

Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com

In place of giving birthday gifts, we would rather this just be a time of celebrating God’s faithfulness in Josiah’s life.

Thank you for your prayers!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Job 19:25
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.  

Josiah's celebration details

Isaac will not be getting a treat tomorrow.  It didn't work tonight.  Tonight he fell asleep listening to gentle music.  I said I would take it away if he yelled and screamed.  I'm hoping this strategy continues to work. 

We changed Josiah's NG tube around 8:00 AM this morning.  It has been in place for over a month so it was time.  This is the first time I've had to remove an NG tube as Josiah  has always done the honours in the past.  Thankfully the insertion worked the first time and he didn't even cough much after the ordeal was over.  This will never be something I enjoy doing nor will it be something that Josiah enjoys.  In this case, he's usually quick to console with a cuddle. 

My sister-in-law came by this morning to give the boys some love and help plan Josiah's celebration.  Grandma F. came next and helped the rest of the day.  Isaac enjoyed his long walk with Grandma.  They saw one duck that was moving its tail; two dogs, one of which was wearing a red sweater; and two children.  Over dinner, Grandma said that Isaac had "corrected" her pronunciation of a word in the story she was reading as it was different than the way Mommy says it.  I wonder how long he'll think I'm correct about things I tell him. 

Josiah didn't sleep much today and it took him a while to fall asleep tonight.  I also changed his nasal prongs today so I saved a little of the tubing for him to play with when an adult is present.  He was quite happy to play with this gift tonight. 

Here are some details about Josiah's celebration.  It is taking place on Sunday, April 14 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM in the fellowship hall at Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly.  It is an open house so people can come and go as they please.  At 4:30 PM we will sing Happy Birthday to Josiah and we will share our story.  There will be birthday cake, punch, and hot drinks.  Everyone is welcome.  Please RSVP to prayforjosiah@gmail.com so that we will be able to plan accordingly.  Josiah is asking for one gift for his birthday and I hope to tell you what that is tomorrow!

Thanks for praying!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 144:2
He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge ...

Ice cream cones

I'm heading to bed soon.  Our power never went out last night but it did in 4000 other homes in our area.  I am very thankful that our power stayed on.

Josiah was somewhat fussier today.  He didn't eat as much at meal times and his sats are lower than usual tonight.  Since we moved his chair to the kitchen, he's been eating all his oral feeds there and then we take him back to his crib to lie down for his gravity feeds through his NG tube.  Thankfully I just remembered that we used to give him his NG tube feeds while he sat in his chair in the crib.  So, we moved the chair back to the crib for his 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM feeds.  It's good for him to be sitting up as much as possible.  Something that my sister-in-law wrote me in an email made me think of this.  Thanks! 

After his nap, Isaac thanked God for boats.  I usually wake him up after two and a half hours but a friend told me that was a long time so I woke him after only two hours today.  Isaac has been a very loud and unhappy camper these last few evenings.  We could see the same thing happening tonight.  I probably shouldn't admit this but I just happened to let him know that he would not be getting a piece of his Easter chocolate tomorrow if he cried and screamed tonight.  There was peace in the house. 

The volunteer from the Hospice came today to play with Isaac.  He enjoyed playing with play-dough.  The volunteer made his ice cream cones exactly how he ordered them.  She also made a small cone for Josiah.  

Yesterday Isaac managed to turn on the bathroom faucet.  Graham was right there with him and he explained to Isaac that the water was hot so he needed an adult to check the temperature.  Isaac started singing: "Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, 'No more Isaac turning on the tap.'" (instead of "No more monkeys jumping on the bed.")  

Josiah turns one year old next week!  To celebrate God's faithfulness we are planning an open house during the afternoon of Sunday, April 14th.  More details will follow tomorrow.  We would love to see you there!

Thank you for your prayers!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

 Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Power out

Weird.  I was just going to say goodbye to Graham as he was going to go to the store.  We opened the door and realized that there were no lights across the street.  We looked out our front window and there are no lights across that street either.  We assumed there must be lights on our side of the street but Graham just went for a walk and he can't see any other houses with lights.  He heard someone say from down the street, "That house on the end still has lights on.  They must have a generator."  We don't have a generator.

Anyway, this has brought our attention to the fact that we need more flashlights.  The first thing we need to do if the power goes out is change Josiah's oxygen supply from his concentrator to the tanks.  There is a flashlight hanging in his room so we're ready.  

I'll try to make this brief in case we're going to lose our power.  It was a pretty good day.  I always find it hard listening to him when he's not happy but he did have lots of smiles today.  He was unhappy in his chair at lunch and then the visiting nurse came and he had nothing but smiles for her.  Actually, he was "blowing bubbles" with his lips for the first time today.

Isaac enjoyed the library program today.  I also had an aunt and a friend come by for visit.  It was lovely to see both of them. 

After Isaac's nap I decided to ask him what we should thank God for.  He said, "Um, um, giraffes."  We thanked God for giraffes. 

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.