What a Great Weekend

We had a new adventure yesterday and took Tyler to the zoo for the first time. Grandpa Steve and Grandma "Shell" were up for the weekend, as well as Ryan. We took Tyler to the hospital so that he wouldn't have to be left behind while we visited Drew. Because you can only have two people at the bedside at a time, Tyler could be with us at the hospital at least. There is a playroom at the hospital for patients and siblings, and Tyler really enjoyed playing there.
We also learned from visiting the playroom that we have free zoo passes for life because of Drew's time in the hospital. So we took advantage of them.
Tyler really liked seeing the monkey's and elephants. We had a good time pointing the animals out, and before long Tyler would say "Whasat?" It was really fun to have an outing with Tyler.

Drew was wide awake when we arrived yesterday to visit!! He has been keeping the night nurses busy this week and crying from about two until after seven AM. Then when I get there he's been sleeping like a rock. But he's decided to change that routine, I guess, and was up looking around for more than an hour. Today (Sunday) he only slept for a half an hour of the three hours Ryan and I were there!! And after two weeks we got to hold him again. We haven't been holding him because he still has the chest tube, which can be very painful. He's did pretty well, and didn't seem bothered by us moving him.
He started getting feedings again last night. They are putting food in through a new tube that goes through his stomach into his small intestine. IV fluids are very hard on the liver and the intestines stop working if they aren't used, so this is better for him overall. Plus he won't feel hungry all the time. We learned that hunger is actually triggered by hormones as well as the stomach, so having food in his intestines will trigger hormones to help him not feel hungry.
He's up to 7 lbs 10 oz now!! In another week they will repeat the dye test to check if the esophagus has healed and closed again, and if it has they will remove the chest tube. And in about three weeks, if all goes well, he will be ready for his repair. Hooray!! The days go by quickly, but I am so looking forward to taking my little boys home and being together. I've never wanted a family picture so badly. I can't wait to sit on the couch with Ryan holding one kiddo and me the other. I will take all the sleepless nights coming with more gratitude than I ever could have imagined.
Although it's been a long road, I know the Lord is aware of us and looking after us. Thank you again for all of your support and prayers.