Since my last post, Benjamin has mostly been behaving himself. Sort of. He hid the fact that he does indeed have core/head control, and his physical therapist blew that secret out of the water a few days ago. Little turkey. 

He’s practically in 12 month clothes, at 6 months old. He is so long/tall. It’s ridiculous. And yet I’m so proud 😉 He is still working on regaining his swallowing/bottle skills after those 2 pesky strokes, but those are progressing pretty well and I’m not even worrying about it. 

He had another blood infection, although of a different variety, but that seems to be responding to treatment well. 

And now for some fun stuff! 

1. Jeri’s Midtown Cafe in Tallahassee did a fundraiser for COTA in honor of Benjamin. Jeri was actually our wedding planner back in the day, and we’ve kept in distant contact ever since. AKA I’ve been stalking her phenomenal restaurant endeavors ever since! 

2. Marjorie and I went home (as in Tallahassee!) last weekend. I dropped her at my sister’s house (bless you, Cass and Kyle) while I went to a dear friend’s bachelorette weekend celebration. Although I did sneak off and spend the night at our beautiful “new” house each night. It was such a blessing to be away from the hospital and celebrate a new beginning! And see some beautiful friends I haven’t connected with in months (and in several cases, years). Out of chronological order, but I also got my hair done for the first time in almost a year this weekend!! I have been with my hairdresser for several years, and when I went to pay her she said, “It’s on me!” You know who you are. And you’re a wonderful human being and made me cry! Thank you.

2a. We even went to our beloved church, in person, this Sunday! I can’t imagine walking this horrific road without our church family. They are so gracious and kind and loving and overall wonderful. Even gave me a mic for a few minutes for a rambling update! Kind of like this post. We joined the East campus of our church before we even lived on that side of town or knew many people there, but these folks have become our family and are literally covering us and our children in prayer during this season. (We love you, East fam! And I can’t wait to be back home with you!!)

3. In late December, I started riding horses again! The trainer I suckered into giving me lessons probably thinks I ride like a sack of potatoes, but she’s fabulous. And the physical activity + mental therapy is incredible. (And no, this one doesn’t count as a transplant related expense 😉 ) But we are constantly reminded that mental health of the parents is a vital part of this insane-o journey, so we are making it work! Matthew’s “go to” is the gym, so we are both finding ways to make a little space for ourselves. 

While I want nothing more than to bring this #chunkymuffin home, I am so incredibly thankful for the SIX MONTHS we have had him. There is a lot wrong with this situation, but there is also so much right. Thank you to every single one of you for loving and supporting us through this journe. We may be away from home, but I have honestly never felt so loved.