D.C. that is.

We just returned from a wonderful week in Maryland and DC.   We first visited with Aunt Chris, Grandpa Lib, Cousins Lauren and Earl, and Grandma Clara.   Chris and Lib graciously hosted us, and treated us to a fabulous feast of Maryland crabs, dusted in Old Bay seasoning (for crabs ONLY!).  

We then went to DC where we were graciously hosted by Isaac and Andrea in their lovely townhouse currently on the market.   Andrea cooked wonderful meals, and toured us around DC like a pro.  Isaac made sure the beverages never ran out .  

We were joined by Matt and Nicole and little Lucie, who drove all the way from Chicago!

I especially enjoyed the Portrait Gallery and the Roosevelt and Lincoln Memorials.  We made some great memories and it was hard to say goodby!

Jonas is becoming quite the social guy, he’s very smiley and always enjoys watching whoever happens to be around him. This video captures a few of those moments from the last few weeks.

A short little video featuring Jonas with his grandpas’ and a brief cameo of Grandma Rogers.

Jonas is 3 months old today…..13 weeks old yesterday.  It has been a pretty typical day in Jonas land, except for the fact that the weather is beautiful and he got to watch me garden from his stroller for an hour!  In the last few weeks he has really developed his conversation skills, and he practices them vigorously every evening right before bed.  He can be heard yelling all his thoughts, doing his best to mimic what Josh and I say.  It’s really funny.  I’ll try to post a video soon.  I used some of my credit at the baby consignment store this week and bought a walker.  He needs blankets tucked around him but he seems to enjoy the point of view.  He remains schedule-less when it comes to napping, but reliably sleeps 5-7 hours through the night, for a total of 10-12 every night.  We went for a walk around the pasture this week and he was interested in the horses for the first time. He even pet a nose or two. He’s also started regarding Brando and our neighbor dog Dakota, I’ve caught him smiling at them and talking in their direction trying to elicit some interaction…so far Brando just sniffs.  Right now he’s chilling in his swing, in his diaper humming and squealing to himself.  He’s a very fun guy!  Here are some pics. The last two are from a recent visit with the Kennedy’s and their daughter Lucie, who will be 1 in a few weeks!

We have been home now for  few days.  Fortunately it has been Josh’s weekend so we have both caught up on sleep we missed during the hospital ordeal.   Jonas is sleeping well, albeit on tylenol, but I have a feeling that he will be less fussy in general when he heals, as he probably has had some discomfort from the hernia prior to the acute time that required surgery.  Tonight we are hosting small group at our house, we’re looking forward to finally having people over again, it’s been since before Jonas was born that we hosted.  I start work tomorrow.  I’ll be working on wednesdays and saturdays, though there is some flexibility there too if I need to change a day.  I have care for Jonas worked out for the first week, but am still looking for a permanent solution.

I feel like we have a lot of challenges going for us right now.  The stress of returning to work (I know it’s only two days a week).  The medical problems Jonas has had, his 20% chance of having his hernia return and his 50% chance that he will loose one of his testes (we’ll know for sure in early June).  The medical bills that continue to roll in from my leg, labor and delivery, and eventually from the surgery this weekend; and my feeling that if I’m working outside the home it should be more in-line with what I specifically feel called to do -actual 1:1 therapy.

Despite all of this I generally feel pretty optimistic about life.  I am reminded that God has provided for us throughout our life together and it’s my job to trust that God knows what we need and will provide it, not to tell him what we need.  His provision has been generous.  We have never wanted for the basics, food, shelter, transportation.  And we have been given many of the desires of our hearts; traveling, living in Alaska, working and living at Cascades, a Masters degree for me, a sense of peace and a desire to grow and always learn more, close relationships with our families, wonderful friends and of course, Jonas.

I’ll try my best to remember all his gifts to us as I head back to work tomorrow.  For as much as I want to stay home, I know that a job and a second income is one of his greatest provisions to our family right now.

Jonas’ first smile post-surgery (it took a couple of days to return); and our curious cutie!

We will be going home with Jonas around 4:30pm this afternoon, less than 24 hours after we arrived at the ER. Jonas was a champ through the recovery time last night and through today and is currently doing very well.

We won’t know for sure the long term effects of the potential complications Lydia mentioned last night, we’ve got a followup appointment in about 2 weeks where the doctor should be able to tell more clearly how things are healing.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers over the last 24 hours. I know that in the last 6 months I’ve learned far too much the medical system. Talk about drama. Both Lydia and I have gone from almost never having been in a hospital in our lives to having spent way too many hours as “guests”.

We’re hoping for another nice long “hospital absence” after we leave today.

In the recovery room following surgery:

In his room today after getting disconnected from all the machines:

Jonas surgery finished at about 11. He ended up having two hernias repaired. There are some possible compications that we’ll know the outcome of tomorrow, but in the grand scheme of things he’s definately going to be ok! He is currently sleeping, he was awake for a few hours after surgery and looks really good. He nursed too. Thanks for all of your prayers. I know that the Lord is with him. I’m so thankful that Jonas belongs to God.

From a 7:30pm email.

Be praying for Jonas, we had to bring him into the ER for his hernia. We’ve been here for a few hours.

We just finished a ultrasound and consult with the surgon… They’re doing surgery tonight but still aren’t quite sure what’s going on.

Susan was already at our house and followed us in to Tacoma, my parents are on their way down.

Thanks

-Josh

Josh is 28 today.  We were reminiscing and I think we have celebrated his last 13 birthdays together, as I’m pretty sure I recall being at his 16th birthday party. I’m beyond thankful for all the time we have had together, and how with God’s grace we have grown together over the years.  He is a great example to me of someone who pursues his goals, and interests, makes thoughtful decisions and seeks God’s will for his life.  Over the last 5 weeks I have had the pleasure to observe that he is not only a great husband but a loving and compassionate dad.  Jonas and I are blessed to have him.  Happy Birthday Honey!

Jonas has been toying with the idea for a few days now; but the stimulus was usually having his diaper removed or various digestion rumblings.  However God must have laid some new pathways in his brain as he slept last night, cause as of this morning he’s a social smiling machine!

His timing is excellent, as today is Josh’s 28th birthday, and what better gift can there be?