Prayers

It is our bedtime routine each night to put pajamas on, get a glass of milk, brush our teeth, read a book (most nights Go Dog Go) and then have prayers. Last night, during the holiest weeks of the year, we accidentally skipped right to bed. Andrew quickly reminded us, "Prayers Daddy, Prayers Mommy!"

We say a standard prayer - the same one that's on a prayer card attached to Alexander's hospital bed. Then at the end we say, "Pray for Alex. Alex come home." Those six words are even sweeter coming from our two-year-old's mouth. 

We have much to be thankful for this year and especially this week. Praying is one way that we can give thanks and reflect. Alexander had surgery on Monday and came through just fine. I was probably more scared and broken up about it than he was. He came back with a crowd of doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists. They had to put him completely under for the surgery, which meant he needed to be intubated again on a ventilator. The fear was not knowing how he would respond and if he would revert backwards. Fortunately, once back in his room they extubated him right away because they thought he would pull the tubes out himself. He's becoming quite feisty!

He slept most of the rest of the day and into Tuesday. By today he was eating normally from a bottle again and had resumed his normal schedule. No word on the next step but we need to continue to work on eating as that's the last thing on our list to go home!

Tomorrow, Alexander is 5 months old. We were reflecting on how the hospital walls have started to feel like home and my daily trips to Iowa City like normal. We are thankful for everything this place has given us and are looking forward to the day when 'normal' will instead be at our new home. 

This week we focus on being thankful for all the prayers as they have helped Alexander with his recovery and making further steps on his way home!

Before surgery. 

Coming into recovery. 

Out tribute to Jesus and the Iowa Hawkeyes.