Baby Steps

I'm just bursting with pride over here.  Hunter is working so hard at getting stronger every day, as is his hospital buddy Sadie.  We are thankful that God has carried us through these last very challenging weeks.  Thank you to all of you who have prayed for the Hanner family.  We are enjoying all the cards and encouragement that has been flowing our way.  I truly believe we would not be functioning without our friends lifting us up in prayer.  Don't stop, because both Hunter and Sadie have long roads to recovery ahead.

We are all in love with Queen Sadie.  The nurses immediately labeled her as feisty.  No big shock there;)  Both her brain scans have been great so far, and she is increasing the amount of food going in her little tummy.  We are praying for digestion, poop, growth, and for her to continue to get stronger.  Her doctor told her to quit being a queen, and it was ok to be fat.  Chase and Macey have both been able to hold her, and Hudson is happy to be big brother to "his Sadie."  

Hunter is spending a little more time off the ventilator every day.  He had a little mental block this weekend at going more than two hours wearing his trach collar, but he broke through on Monday.  Yesterday he went three hours on the trach collar in the morning and three in the afternoon.  Today he went four hours off the ventilator this morning.  His doctors and therapist continue to be impressed at his progress.  He asked to go back on his trach collar this afternoon, and they held him back a little in order to not tire out his diaphragm muscles after four hours of work.  

While off the ventilator he also had a major breakthrough in therapy.  He has been working on his posture and head control when he sits up on the side of the bed.  His core muscles have all been weakened by the AIDP, so even the act of holding his body upright is a challenge.  Today he was able to lean forward, control his body backward, and even put some pressure on his feet when he leaned forward.  Our therapist said this was an essential step towards being able to scoot himself and stand up out of bed.  It was fun to watch him conquer.  He is a warrior!

I think videos only work on a computer and don't show up on phones.  I'm not quite smart enough to figure out why.  Hunter also gained the ability to use a speaking valve this week.  It's the purple cap at the end of his trach.  You have to be off the ventilator to use the speaking valve, and it blocks air from escaping out the opening and forces it up through his vocal cords.  It felt different, and he was not a fan (as you can tell by the look on his face:)

We will just stick with reading lips for a few more days!

We enjoyed a visit from Chase and Macey yesterday.  Sadly, we took no pictures.  Hunter and I are both awaiting the day we can meet Sadie, and enjoyed getting to hear all about her first week in this world.  Here are a few of my favorite pics they showed us.

Sadie's diaper

Hudson admiring pictures of his Sadie

balloons for Kinsley

Sporting our hope mommies shirts

After a fun weekend relaxing and playing with my boys, Erinn drove me back to Dallas.  I loved getting to catch up with her, and she got to peek in at Hunter on his new trach collar.  Thanks Ernie for spending your Sunday driving me!  

cupcakes, 

ninja turtles,

legos, 

blocks, and trucks....all in our pajamas.  Great weekend in my book!

Benton had his open house at school this week.  Mom said he was very proud to show off lots of his creations.  His teacher said she would never even know that Hunter and I were gone.  I'm thankful for my parents and all the friends and family that keep things stable with the boys.

Thanks for our cute Halloween shirts Honey!

Speaking of shirts, if you want a team Hanner shirt, the order is due to close at midnight on Thursday.  So if you want one, put in your order online here ASAP.  You can pay me when they come in.

As always, we ask for you to pray for our family.  Pray for Benton, Caleb, Clayton, and Hudson as they are uprooted and away from their parents.  Pray for Sadie and Hunter's lungs, muscles, and strength.  Macey asks for prayers specifically that Sadie's tummy will digest nourishment so she can grow.  Hunter requests prayers for his blood counts (hemoglobin and white) to improve, for strength for his lungs and muscles, and for peace as he takes back more of his breathing.