So Thankful

After a long sleepless night, we headed over to the hospital early this morning for Ethan's EEG. Though both Tim and I felt exhausted, Ethan seemed to have gotten his second wind. After a few minutes of wake time, they said we needed to try to get him to sleep. So Tim started holding him down and Ethan started screaming. They said this is usually the only way kids end up going to sleep. He cried for 30 minutes straight and then I heard them talking about us having to come back for another appointment to sedate him so he would sleep. I came back into the room to see

if I could get him to sleep - I really didn't want to have to do this again! Tim got up and I laid down next to Ethan and started singing to him. He immediately put his fingers in his mouth and was asleep within 10 minutes!

I am so thankful for Tim, who had to do the hard part and I'm so thankful that Ethan did end up falling asleep.

After the technician got what she needed she said we could wake him up. I asked her what her initial thoughts were on the EEG and she said the preliminary readings showed no seizure activity. However, the doctor has still not read the EEG and we will not know anything for certain until Monday. As soon as she said this, I started crying and it made me realize how much I was

really worried about these possible seizures. So, she stressed the fact that a doctor could find something she didn't find, but said everything looked good to her. I feel so very thankful about these results, but know that I'll feel even better once I talk with the doctor.

Here are a few pics of Ethan, still sleeping at the end of the test. She said we could wake him up, but since we worked so hard to get him to sleep (and since we hardly ever get to watch him sleep), we waited a few minutes and Tim took some pictures with his phone.

And here is Ethan with the goo in his hair. Last time we did this, Ethan was 2 months old and had very little hair. So this time we got to give him a little goo doo afterwards.

We took Ethan home to sleep and my sister stayed with him while Tim and I headed off to our ultrasound appointment. With everything going on with Ethan - from this EEG to therapies to starting school in a few weeks, it really hasn't sunk in that we are actually having another baby. So, I was extremely thankful for the opportunity to see our new little one move around and hear his/her heartbeat. It made everything a little more real. Our official due date now is October 18th -- three days before Tim's birthday! Here's a picture of our new little Veeck...

We are so thankful for everyone who prayed for us and for Ethan this week. Each of you have been a part of our journey over the past 3 years -- in one way or another -- and we appreciate you more than you know.

Family Update

It's been quite a while since we've updated the blog...mostly due to lots of 1st trimester nausea and tiredness. I don't think it's all gone, but it has gotten a little better, so I thought I'd skip my afternoon nap and post a little update.

As far as baby Veeck goes, I went for my first OBGYN appointment a few weeks ago and they will be doing an ultrasound to determine the due date this week (March 30th). I've had nausea every day and lots of days it lasts all day long, so I'm definitely looking forward to the second trimester. I already feel like I'm showing a little bit and my clothes are starting to feel too tight. Too bad my pregnancy clothes are in storage.

Ethan is enjoying all his new therapists and is making huge progress with his speech. Just a few weeks ago he was only saying one word at a time and now is putting two and sometimes three words together at a time! This is the fastest progress he has ever made in any area over the past three years. Speaking of three years, Ethan will be turning three on April 16th and, since we haven't made too many friends here in SC yet, we will just be having a little family birthday party for him - maybe a picnic in a local park.

We went to his new pediatrician here in SC a few weeks ago and everything went pretty well. However, he was concerned about Ethan's staring spells and ordered a sleep deprived EEG which will take place this week (March 30th) - yes, the same day as the ultrasound - this is going to be quite a week. Please pray that everything comes back normal for this test. The doctor believes Ethan may be having absence seizures. I am trying to stay positive and pray that this is not the case, but honestly, I am pretty worried. Please also pray that he is able to fall asleep at the hospital. He can only sleep for 4 hours the night before - we have to put him to bed at 11pm and wake him at 3am. He has never been great at sleeping in public places, so we hope that he is able to fall asleep during the test.

I don't have a lot of pictures to post. We just got a new computer and I'm still trying to figure out how the photo application works. I do have a few pictures I took at the park about a month ago - the weather here has been beautiful and we've been playing outside now for at least a month. It's wonderful now, but I'm sure it's going to be quite a shock to the system with the hot southern weather this summer!

Please don't forget to pray for us and especially for Ethan this Wednesday, March 30th. The test is at 8:30am. Thanks!

My New Normal

I had the chance to take Ethan to the park today for a little father-son play time. As we were preparing to head out, Ethan cried over and over again that he wanted to walk...as best as he can communicate that. I packed up a small cooler for a snack (which we never actually broke into), picked him up and proceeded to carry him to the car. Once in the car and on the way, Ethan kept calling our for his bear which, of course, I couldn't find. This is his usual traveling companion in the car. After a few minutes, he resigned himself to the fact that there would be no bear for this trip and settled back quietly in his chair. We got stuck at one traffic light and Ethan let me know his displeasure...he hates getting stuck at traffic lights, something with a pause in the motion of the car I guess. When we arrived at the park, I unloaded our arsenal of equipment for our time at the park which included the small cooler and Ethan's walker. As I picked Ethan up, he spotted two dogs nearby and immediately began to giggle with glee. I carried him, the cooler and walker about 30 feet to the walking path and proceeded to get Ethan positioned properly to begin to use the walker. After a few brief moments of hesitation, he took off with his typical enthusiasm. As we walked he made a point of noticing every tree and seemed to be utterly delighted in looking up at the sky. He toughed out the uphill climb and made it about 75% of the way to the playground when he asked for me to pick him up. He was ready to swing!

I again loaded myself up with Ethan, the cooler and walker and made my way to the playground. Once there, he was giddy waiting to be loaded into the swing and a huge smile lit up his face when I began to push him. As he swang, he leaned his head as far back as possible and seemed thrilled by this different perspective. After a few minutes, he fixed his gaze on the slide and while reaching with his arm said "smide" or something to that effect. We spent the next few minutes trying out several different slides, each one meeting with the same joyous approval. From there we headed to the small tunnel and as he crawled through he said, "Daddy, happy." To which I replied, "When you're happy you....," and Ethan said "smile." At that moment, my face lit up with a smile.

The novelty of the tunnel wore off rather quickly and Ethan motioned for the grass. When I asked if he'd like to crawl, he replied, "Yes." So with that affirmation, to the grass we went. Crawling on the grass, he seemed to be in heaven...enjoying every minute. As I watched and walked along beside, I began to snap some pictures of him with my phone (see below) and my mind began to flood with thoughts.

As I observed the simple joy he was finding in his grassy adventure, the thought came to mind that about 3 years ago at this time I would have never imagined this moment. I had much different expectations and assumptions of what my little boy would be doing at this age. My daydreams of being with my son at the park included chasing a giggling little boy running through the grass saying, "Daddy, can't catch me." Or, having to tell him not to run too far away while he explores the grassy expanse on foot. Simultaneously, I had another set of thoughts filled with the awareness that I could still enjoy the moment as much as Ethan is. I can still chase a giggling little boy in the park. I can still make sure he doesn't get too far away during his exploration. So with that, I called out to Ethan, "You better watch out...Daddy is coming to get you!" His face once again filled with a smile and the laughter proceeded as his little arms and legs began to crawl as fast as he could make them go. As I approached one step at a time his anticipation grew and an uproar of giggles rushed out when I tickled him upon reaching him. We repeated this several times, in addition to holding him in my arms and spinning him round and round as fast as I could which was accompanied by more laughter. After those interchanges, we headed back for another round of sliding which was met with ever increasing amounts of smiles and laughter. As the sun started to set, I informed Ethan that we had to get back to the car. So once again, I positioned him in his walker. This time he bolted forward chuckling as he went and occasionally showing off his strength by lifting up the front of the walker. I turned him around and pointed him toward to car and off he went. Every 10 or 20 feet, he would stop, look backwards, hear a squeaking swing and crack up laughing. This went on for a good 300 or 400 feet at which time Ethan indicated he was ready for me to pick him up and carry him the rest of the way to the car.

As I picked him up along with rest of the arsenal of equipment, I couldn't help but be overcome with the joy that exudes from my son and the fun we had together. In spite of his challenges, he allows himself to savor the moment and shares his enthusiasm with those around him. All things considered, this was a fairly typical time at the park for us filled with the usual activities. Yet, somehow, this time I left with the awareness that though these past few years with Ethan have been a significant change from my expectations...I'm finding a new normal flowing from the adaptations and everyday joy that Ethan has brought my way.

Thank you son for that gift and a terrifically, typical day at the park!

Ethan's Got Some Big News

Weekend Fun

Playing outside in 70 degree weather (I know we've moved to the south, but I wasn't expecting it to be this nice in February!), an overnight in Maggie Valley with the Watkins Family (minus Jon Michael, plus Katelyn), exploring Discovery Place Kids with cousin Cara -- just a few of the fun things we've done over the past few weekends.

All Things New

Over the past month pretty much everything in our lives has been new. New job, new state, new house (well, apartment really), new therapists, new roads, new grocery stores, new playgrounds, new friends. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. New is sometimes scary and a little overwhelming, but it can also be refreshing and exciting.

In the first few pictures Ethan is riding his new horse, Captain (which is funny because one of the horses he used to ride was named Captain) with his new therapist, Ellen (whom he loves already). Before we even decided to make the move we did a little research to make sure there was a hippotherapy place nearby and we found one about 40 minutes away (http://www.shininghopefarms.org/). Then, a few weeks after we got here they opened a second location in Charlotte -- only 25 minutes from our place!

Riding backwards

Doing a puzzle

Playing the ring game

Ethan and Mommy in front of our new apartment

Ethan's new shopping partner -- his cousin, Cara

We've already gone to one indoor and two outdoor playgrounds since we've been here and plan to search out many more!

Visit with Aunt Jenny!

Aunt Jenny (Tim's sister) and her boyfriend, Kevin, came for a visit this weekend - we are really taking advantage of and enjoying this "living closer to family" thing. Ethan loved playing with his Aunt "NiNee" (He's getting better at copying sounds, so Jenny worked with him to say her name, which ended up sounding like "NiNee"). We went to IKEA so Jenny could get some cool stuff for her new apartment, tried out a new Thai restaurant near Tim's office and Jenny gave me a WONDERFUL massage as a homework assignment. Jenny just started massage therapy school and I offered to let her practice on me -- you know, I'm always willing to make sacrifices for family. Thanks for making the trip, Jenny & Kevin! We look forward to another visit very soon!

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

Since we had a little bit of a crazy Christmas, we weren't able to make it to Raleigh to see Tim's parents for the holidays. So, Grandpa Veeck and Grandma Sink came for a visit and we celebrated Christmas here in Fort Mill this weekend! Tim's dad made his wonderful rouladen (a German dish) with mashed potatoes and cabbage for Christmas dinner. So delicious! It was a nice little visit...one we look forward to doing again now that we're a lot closer.

Ethan getting ready to open presents

Playing the glasses ON/OFF game with Grandpa

Playing with his new Cookie Monster - Thank you Grandpa!

Giving Grandma lots of hugs

"Jumping" on his new trampoline - Thank you Grandma!

Almost falling off his new trampoline

Going for a walk to show off his new walking skills

For the Birds

My mom (who always thinks of creative, fun and messy crafts) decided we should re purpose our Christmas tree this year as a bird feeder by making pine cone and gumball birdseed ornaments. Ethan really enjoyed the whole project and did amazingly well with all the different textures. Here are more than a few pictures of this fun little craft...

Ethan giving Pop the pine cones to cover with peanut butter

And tangling up (I mean, untangling) the string

Playing in the birdseed (a skill he learned at VIPS this year)

The assembly line - Nana with the string, Pop with the peanut butter and Ethan with the seed

He's serious about his job

Yes, that is birdseed on his nose. He's had a cold this week and kept rubbing his nose with the peanut butter and birdseed hands

My job (besides taking pictures, of course) was to take the ornaments from Ethan and hang them on the tree. Side note: One of his newest skills is giving things to us when he's done instead of just throwing them. I still get all excited inside when he does this because we've worked so hard to get past the throwing - and it means he is able to motor plan and wants to involve other people.

The finished products

Ethan's other little project last week was building his first snowman!