Lucas James Stisher: We're Back!

Sorry it has been a few weeks, a lot going on since our last update. We did our March for Babies walk and it was inspiring, as always. We decided at the last minute to walk in Reston, VA a week before the one we were registered for in MD because we were going to be out of town. It was just us and the kids, and Danny & Saundra met us for the after-event. The kids were all excited to walk this year again, we were scrambling around that morning running late trying to get everyone out of the house and on the drive there Nicholas kept asking what time it was and how long until we get there. He said, "Its ok if we are late, I just care that we get there to walk." Very sweet. Another quick story from that day, there are several signs posted throughout the walk of prematurity statistics, efforts of the March of Dimes, and children's names displayed "in honor of." We came up to one that Bran and I recognized the last name, and then realized that it was the daughter of someone from the support group I am in that we met two years ago. She had twins six years ago born at 26 weeks and one of them didn't survive. Bran explained to Nicholas that we knew the Mother and her twin sister, and he stood in front of the sign for a long time reading it. We were walking away from it and Nicholas had some questions about when Lucas was born, I told him that he was born at 25 weeks which was even earlier than that little girl. He said, "but Lucas made it." Then he said, "I know what that is called... he's a miracle." It brought tears as I said, "you're absolutely right, Nicholas." I was so touched by that, they are all so proud of him.

We are still raising money for our Lucas team until June 30, so we would still appreciate any donations! Thank you to our families and great friends who have already donated. We are up to $1600 and hope to reach $2500.

The following weekend, Bran and I got to get away and spent five days on the beach in Aruba! His company sponsored the trip again this year because they made their number. Lucas stayed with Bran's parents for two days, then my Mom flew up to spend the rest of the time with him at our house. I don't know who enjoyed their time more... Bran and I, or our parents! We had an awesome time... lots of sun and lots of drinks by the pool... just what the doctor ordered!

That week Abby had a special visitor at school... Abby had been asking us if Bran could bring Lucas to school sometime to meet her friends (after she took pictures a few weeks ago to show her class) so Bran arranged it with her teacher. She was soooo excited! I saw her the evening before and she ran up to me, "Guess what?! Lucas is coming to my school tomorrow!" Bran said it was really sweet, she was across the room when he arrived outside the door and she could see him through the window. He said she got this huge smile on her face and started waving really fast. When she was allowed to get out of her seat, she jumped up and literally ran over to open the door. She was so proud to show everyone, her teacher told Bran that she's always talking about him and said she can always tell the weekends she is at our house because she comes in on Monday morning excited to tell stories of the new cute things Lucas is doing. Abby asked if she could hold him, and she got Lucas to do all of his tricks for the class (she's always been the best one at being silly and making him belly laugh). Several kids asked Bran if they could take their picture with him and Abby. So cute. One of them said, "I have a baby cousin, but he's not as cute as Lucas." Ha. They had all kinds of questions. One of the kids immediately noticed his nose and asked Bran about it. Before he could even answer, Abby answered it very maturely, "it was hurt when he was in the hospital because of the tubes to help him breathe, and we're going to have it fixed this summer." One kid asked how small he was and Abby told him his head was as small as an apple. When the kid said, "Wow!" Abby said "yeah, it seems funny now, but it was very serious then."

Just a few days after we returned from Aruba, Bran had to get on a flight to Australia for ten days for a long week of meetings with a potential customer. I wish I could have joined him afterwards for a trip of our own, but there was no way I could leave Lucas for that long! And with all of his therapies and needs, it wasn't an option to take him that far away. Maybe there will be a next time!

Lucas and I survived the week, but not without some hiccups. Our nanny had a medical situation and had to be off work for the entire week! Ugh, this would happen while Bran was out of town! We managed, but it was a lot of juggling and scrambling to find fill-in sitters for a few blocks of time here and there (during college finals, of all weeks), and doing the best I could working at home with him the rest of the time. At times like this, I'm grateful I have a job that is flexible to work at home, and that they were understanding... but unhappy my family lives so far away!

After a stressful week, I packed up the car with Lucas this past Friday on a whim and headed to Ohio since Bran wasn't returning until Sunday night. Lucas did awesome on the ride (7 hours to Columbus) and I'm so glad we went! On that drive, I mastered the art of passing back snacks directly behind me one-handed while driving! At one point, I had been passing him graham crackers and bits of a Nutrigrain bar for about a half hour, then had to make a stop. I opened up the back door and he had Nutrigrain bar and crumbs completely covering one side of his face, and apples on his forehead. He had crumbs all over his shoulders, the seatbelt, his lap, etc...(note: we're just learning to feed ourselves!) I knew he had a little food on him, but I had no idea it was all over. I'm not quite sure how much actually ended up in his mouth. I totally cracked up when I opened the door as he looked up at me smiling with it everywhere... then giggling back at me--food covered--as I laughed at him. I laid him down to change his diaper and he even had graham crackers falling out of his shorts! Ha.

I got to spend a day seeing my best friend and we attended her 4-year old's preschool play (which was precious). Then my Mom met me in Columbus on Saturday night and we spent the rest of the weekend together and hung out with my brother, his girlfriend, and her daughter, Lyla. Just like Bran's kids can instantly get Lucas laughing, Lucas was just as giddy with Lyla. She'd jump around, and he'd laugh so hard his face would turn red, with watery eyes. They were very cute together. I'm so glad I got to spend Mother's Day with my mom, and that she could get that time with Lucas!

And this would be why I haven't had time to write an update! Everything health-wise is going well! Nothing new to report, which is always a good thing. He's as cute as ever, so happy and social and just the sweetest thing. If you are not paying attention to him, he moves his face in front of yours to make eye contact--to make sure you know he is there. His most recent change... he finally started dancing with his arms. I've seen other kids much younger than him do this, and wondered if he ever would. He moves his right arm up and down with the music while the left arm goes in a horizontal motion (the only range he has in it right now)... it is the cutest thing I think I've ever seen! Especially when he does it from the back seat to Lenny Kravitz.

His left arm continues to improve. This will be a very long process, but its nice to see baby steps. This past week I noticed that he is finally initiating lifting his left arm to put a shirt on. He has always pushed the right through immediately, but the left always laid there and I'd have to work the shirt on around it. We've always said "stretch" and I pull his left arm through, and he surprised me by initiating stretching it out on his own for the first time. This is a big deal, and such an exciting feeling!

Whew, sorry for the long update, a lot to report! Here's some pictures from the past few weeks.

March for Babies Walk