Eating!

Malachi has been eating for about 24 hours now. It's Pedialyte, which he does not care for at all, and he is only allowed to eat every three hours, which he also does not care for at all, but he is keeping food down and it seems to be moving through his digestive system. His next bottle he gets formula mixed in with Pedialyte and as long as his system handles it okay he can go to straight formula after that.

His catheter came out this morning and we are anxiously awaiting a nice juicy diaper to give the reassurance that his bladder still knows what to do after being knocked around for 4 hours during surgery.

He still has his IV but is anxiously engaged in trying to chew it off. We aren't sure when that will come out, as it has to do with when he can eat enough to sustain his own life. Haven't we been here before? Anyway, progress is coming slowly but surely and it's simply blissful.

The highlight of his day is seeing his siblings. He is smiley and laughing, and his regular old talkative self when they are in the room. He just loves to be around their energy and bright spirits.

Our days basically go as follows; wake up, get ready, eat, practice piano, out the door to the hospital. We hang out until the room gets too small for a family of 7 and then Sam takes the children off for adventures (the zoo was yesterday) while I take care of Malachi. We stay until around 7ish and then head home (it's a 45 minute drive) to throw some food in our mouths and camp out in mine and Sam's bedroom together. We all enjoy the reassurance that we have each other right there together.

Zackary, Jacob, Ellie, and Addie are always amazing, and in all ways. They can't wait to see their brother in the morning and they don't want to leave in the evening. There is no complaining about boredom or any such nonsense. They are simply happy to be right there in the moment with their brother and find joy in whatever is before them. They tell him stories, reassure him of their love for him and that he will get better. They sing to him, build him structures with blocks, and play card games while he sleeps. They love to look out his window and see the sites, especially when the Red Tailed Hawk is making the rounds to her nest on the roof. They talk to him about all they see and teach him all they know about the wonders God created for us all.

It really is amazing to see the pure joy that comes from a situation such as this. We are not trying to take it away from them, shield them from it, or apologize for it in any way. This is our life and we are happy to live it, consequently, so are they. It's wonderful to see. Wonderful.