Ethan Baptism Day

Ethan's Baptism

Thanks for Giving

As we set the suitcases by the door for loading up in the car, I take a moment to post these precious moments Cannon has being having with my parents. Once again, we are so blessed that they are at a time in their lives that they can help us out so much. We will be hitting the road in the morning to caravan down to Utah for Thanksgiving weekend. I am excited to enjoy being with family and nervous about Cannon's health, but very ready to be welcomed with open arms, by those that have been thinking of and praying for us. Thanks again mom and dad. We love you dearly.

Weaver Family

Not only is Sunnyside glad this family moved in, but I am VERY glad they are here. Brittany and I have become fast friends and I feel comfortable telling her everything- to her detriment. As you have heard me praise Dr. Weaver- you know how much I respect him as well. Brittany is a wonderful photographer, so when she asked me to take her family pictures I was honored and nervous! These cuties are so photogenic that it really only took us 30 minutes and we were done! I am excited to do another photo shoot in a couple weeks when her little guy makes his big debut!

Anderson Family

When I look at this picture, my heart swells because I see a family of faces that love me. Ever since we first moved to Sunnyside, they have welcomed us and made us feel at home. They are spontaneous, loyal, loving and genuine. I am so thankful to be their friends. Our family has hit a few road bumps and the Anderson's are there with a listening ear, take out from our favorite restaurant, inside jokes from stupid movies, inviting my kids to play at their house, or comforting me with the power of the Priesthood blessing of comfort and healing. Taking their family picture was a true honor. They are some of the most beautiful people I've ever met, from the inside out.

Boy Scouts of America

I ignored Kent when he told me that only the nerdy scouts where belts and hats anymore. I am glad I didn't listen, because MY boy scout looks handsome in his uniform. I get all sorts of emotional when I look at this picture. My first born is growing up so quickly! He has been looking forward to scouts since they learned about the program in school last year. Here we go...!

Ethan's Birth Day

My parents will never know how thankful I am that they were able to be here for my son on his 8th birthday when Kent and I could not. It is so hard to keep a balance between all the attention Cannon needs without sacrificing our time with Ethan and Ella. My mom and dad took cupcakes to his class and then checked him out of school to go eat at McDonalds. We were home in time for baskeball practice- Ethan's number one activity to do on his birthday. Afterward we opened presents and had the cake my mom and dad picked up for him.

My parents bought the trick candles, so Ethan got laughing harder and harder each time a candle would flicker back on. The giggling made it more difficult each time to blow the candles.

Stomach X-Ray

By the end of this week, Cannon is sick of X-rays, tests and definitely the Barium they keep forcing him to eat. After speaking with the G.I. department and being told that Cannon has lost a pound since our last appointment, two weeks ago, making him no longer on the growth charts. They strongly suggest that a g-tube is the best thing to keep him growing and healthy. I wouldnt' say we had to think about it too long, because ultimately we want to do what will keep Cannon strongest but it is a lot to consider with a surgery being involved. The appointment is scheduled for the Wednesday after we get back from Utah, December 1st. With the upcoming surgery, it was back to Radiology for an X-ray to check his anatomy to clear him for a feeding tube. Isn't his little hospital gown adorable. Kent and I are sporting the latest styles in lead aprons :)

I debated whether or not to post this picture- YIKES! Oh well- such is life. Hakuna Matata!

Swallow Test

Strapped to another cold chair, Cannon waits for the X-Ray machine to see if he is having any problems with his suck and swallow. It is literally a 5 minute test that shows the efficiency, or lack of, his suck and then the safety of his risk of aspiration. It was amazing to watch the X-ray of Cannon sucking the bottle and swallowing it down. For as much as I don't know about Cannon and his body, I am learning a lot more about him than I ever did about Ethan and Ella.

The test told us that he is having problems effectively getting enough food out of the bottle, meaning he burns more calories to eat than he can take in. Once he does get the little amount of food in, he has a significant risk of aspirating which they diagnosed as too dangerous to eat orally. Although, I had a pretty good idea that is how the results would come back, it was still hard to swallow- pun intended. Bad joke, I know. We were referred back to Seattle to meet with the G.I. department (that's one of the last departments at Seattle we hadn't seen yet) to talk about feeding tubes.