6 months since Gotcha Day!

Sol proudly holding the Mickey Mouse material he picked for his new legs.

Yesterday was our 6 month anniversary of the day that Sol joined our family. What a busy half a year it's been and how quickly it's gone by! Sol has changed so much (definitely for the better) in that amount of time and is a very special part of our family. I'm guessing Charlotte probably doesn't even remember a time when Sol wasn't here!

Sol's recovery is going well. We had a very hard week last week and I am so thankful for the kindness of friends from church bringing meals every night. We had one visit to the ER and one splint pulled off during the week. Sol had uncontrollable bloody noses the middle of the week and that required 3 different visits to the doctor but we now know he can't have ibuprofen. There was not a lot of sleep going on in the Keepers' house last week!! Sol is now able to scoot on the floor and since then, has been a much happier little boy. In two days, we go back up to Portland to have his sutures removed and redress everything. I am not looking forward to spending another night on that pull-out bed with my tummy two weeks larger!

Oh, that brings up another bit of news... Nathan told the kids on Saturday the sex of our newest one... it's a BOY. Everyone is very excited and only about 8 weeks to go; for that I am very thankful!

We're Home!!

We were released from the hospital yesterday afternoon and are so happy to be home with family now!! Thursday was a really rough day for Solomon and therefore, us too! He was weaned off the epidural and had a day filled with emotion but was in a wheelchair rolling the halls by that evening. What a difference it makes getting up out of bed! Nathan and I were thrilled to get home and Sol is doing really well; not nearly as much complaints. The meds are working well and we're just figuring out logistical stuff now. Today we were able to see Jed's academic competition at school while my Mom stayed home with the other kids. It's so good to be home!! Thanks to everyone for your prayers this week and into the coming ones too!

Visitors

Solomon with his siblings.

With Granny, Grandma and Grandpa.

Snuggling with his new puppy from Auntie Rachel.

Yesterday we had a visit from family. It did Solomon a lot of good to spend time with his mind off of the surgery. He is still doing really well but the emotional side of the amputation is getting harder for him. We can't wait to get home and have everyone together! It's hard being away from the kids.

Today the nurses have been working on weaning Sol from the epidural and will be removing that and his catheter. He is very fearful of any pain, so today has been a hard day for all of us. The nurses have been so sweet to him and I am thankful for that. We were hoping to come home tomorrow but may have to stay longer since he is still running a moderate fever and hasn't been out of bed at all yet. One piece of really good news: when the surgeon talked to Nathan earlier he told him he plans to take out the sutures in 2 weeks and that Sol can weight bear in 4 weeks. Which might mean he can be fitted for his new legs in a month! Praise the Lord!

Surgery Day

This is a picture of Nathan and Sol last night before surgery. Sol's surgery went really well today and he was in recovery by early afternoon. His first concern was when he could eat and was very emotional. Since then he has moved on to a solid diet and is in better spirits. He has an epidural which is really helping with pain management. What a brave boy!! The splints look really good with nice straight legs. We feel very thankful and very blessed. Tomorrow he will have a visit from his siblings and Granny, Grandma and Grandpa.

Big Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning we leave bright and early for Portland Shriner's Hospital for Sol's surgery. He will be having a double amputation just above the ankles and an osteotomy of his tibias. Today was a hectic day of last minute arrangements and getting ready for the trip. My mom will be driving up and staying with the other kids while we are away. Surgery is actually on Tuesday with the pre-op done tomorrow. Sol was in really good spirits today, running around after his sisters at home. We will see how things go once we are at the hospital. Hopefully I'll be able to keep an update of the progress while we are at Shriner's.