Brushing Teeth

PICTURES BY STEVIE

Stevie's my best helper when it comes to Ben.

I often walk in the room to find her

helping Ben with his hygiene.

Today she was helping him clean his teeth.

(atleast the ones that are left)

He doesn't use a regular toothbrush...

Just a mouth swab and some mouthwash.

(although today she shared her toothpaste)

I think the "crest with scope" was just a little strong for his taste.
Minty fresh mouth, just right for kissing!
Ben's lucky to have such a great sister take care of him. :)

Ben wishes you...

Sweet dreams and a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Missed you...

Dearest Benjamin, I miss you when you are not here. Last night you slept over at B's house. She's like your second mom and takes such great care of you. Last night was especially lonely. I didn't sleep well at all. My room was too quiet without you here. I missed the sound of your humidification running. I missed seeing the lights and hearing the alarms from your pulse oximeter. I missed listening to the humming of your feeding pump as it runs through the night. I missed the occasional suctioning that you so often need. I missed the chance to visit with you in the quiet hours of the night. I just plain missed you. Today you are home. My day is better because you are in it. Tonight I may not get a lot of sleep knowing that you will have needs to fill, but I know I'll sleep better knowing you are here. I love you Benjamin!

SOMETIMES...

...I try...

...but I just can't resist.

Sleepy Santa

See?

See what my brothers and sisters

do when my mom isn't looking?

Atleast my head will be nice and warm tonight.

Blessings

Life continues to bless us. As most of you know, Ben is up to 50lbs. and still growing. (who knew that growing on love could be so fattening) I never thought I would see the day when my little boy would be too heavy to lift. Most days I still manage, but there are days where I am just too tired. Some days I don't have an option. Our Dartmouth dates (that's what I like to call them) are getting harder. Not only do I have to lift Ben, but I have to lift his wheelchair out of the van all by myself. I would guess that it is close to 100lbs. Even harder is physically lifting it up and into the van alone. Recently we received word of a 'handicap' van. It's through a program called, "Good News Garage". We applied for the van and will have it as our own in about a week. Donations are a wonderful thing. Maybe someday we will be able to donate it to another worthy family. For now, are excited that we will be able to wheel Ben right up into the van and tie down his chair. No more transfers to his carseat. The lift is electric which will make it easy on me. The van still fits our family and so that is a blessing as well.

We are grateful, we are humbled, we are blessed...
Our new van. :)
This is the lift in the 'closed' position.
Rear view shot.
The older kid's bench seat.

Cousins

This is Moriah.

She and Ben are 'Kindred Spirits'.

Whenever our families are together,

you'll find these two together.

I Love...

...His Sweet Feet.