MR. HANDSOME

Witt is doing great! We are getting ready to spend the week in Warrenton for the antique show. So today we had to make sure he looks his best and took him to get a haircut.

Please notice that Witt and I are wearing a duel cape.

He did not like getting his haircut at all. The lady was very fast and did a great job.

Witt can't talk because of his trach but he sure finds ways to make noise

WITT'S FIRST TRIP TO THE ZOO!

We and I have been trying to take Witt to the zoo for weeks and we finally made it happen. We went in the middle of the week in the afternoon. When we got there it was a little more crowded then we thought it would be. My mom went to buy the tickets and they were free. Free! On all the days we have been trying to go to the zoo we happen to go on free zoo day. Normally being free would be a good thing but we like to avoid big crowds with Witt. It ended up working out just fine once we got in and the crowds went all different directions. Of course Mr. Witt fell asleep right after we got there. We had tons of fun and it was one of those rare prefect days in Houston. Here are some pics from our day!

Annalee, Me(Mel), Witt, Adelaide, and Graham

Mom,(Karen) and the grandkids

The Boys!

Witt has a horn on his cart. Adelaide honked it whenever she found an animal from her list!

A note from Karen: Lest anyone think God is not still using Witt in my life to teach me many things, let me tell you what happened before we actually got into the zoo!! Because everyone was free at the zoo the parking lot was a little crazy. We do have a handicap card to park but all the handicap spaces were full up front. We drove around and finally were waiting(turn signal on) for a car to back out of a regular spot. We had to wait a couple of minutes. The way it worked out a car drove up and turned in before I could pull in!!! It wouldn't have even been so bad except that I had Witt and Melanie with me. I politely told the man that I had been waiting several minutes for the space...that all the handicap spaces were full and I had my special needs grandbaby with me. His reply was, "Life is tough!" Oh, my goodness!!!! I said, "Seriously, that is your response. I have been waiting on this space. All the handicap spaces are full." He once again said, "Yeah, life is tough." I actually sort of chuckled to my self thinking how "funny" it was that this man and his wife were telling me and my daughter with Witt in the car that "life is tough". I did say, "No, sir...this isn't tough. Life in a wheelchair...that gets a little tough." There was no response and they walked away leaving their car in the parking spot! Now, let me tell you how God had prepared me for this so that my joy would not be stolen and although I was shocked and amazed I was never angry! I have been listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss' podcasts. It just so happened that morning when I was getting ready for the zoo her podcast was about controlling the tongue and our joy!!! She quoted from Proverbs 15:22...

A man has joy in an apt answer, and how

delightful is a timely word!

Nancy pointed out that it is in the way we answer that we have our joy. How great is our God to prepare us not just for the big things in life but for the little day to day things that can so easily steal our joy! By God's grace(and we all know its by His grace because its one thing to be rude to me but an entirely other thing when it involves Melanie and Witt!!) I answered politely and without a touch of anger. We did find more handicap spots at the very back of the parking lot. I can use all the exercise I can get!!! The day was a wonderful day with my daughter, daughter-in-law and the grandkids. In a weird kind of way it was more joy filled because of the way it started. Thank You, Lord for giving me the apt answer and filling me with Your joy. Thank You, Lord that You continue to use Witt for Your glory!!!!!

THE STANDER!

Witt's stander has arrived! It absolutely brings me to tears(of joy!) to see him in it. It also makes me realize how much Witt has grown...how tall he is!!!! I thank God for this technology that allows so many kids to stand tall who otherwise might never. This will really help Witt to strengthen his legs and could even help with his digestion. AND Witt likes it!!!

BUSY, BUSY BUSY!

Witt has actually had a very busy few weeks!!! Melanie has gotten a lot of

use out of Witt's hat's. We've actually had some pretty cold weather here

in Texas...at least cold for us!!

Witt helped Melanie and Austan celebrate their 5th year wedding

anniversary on the river in San Antonio!

Witt went with Melanie for a lunch date!

Witt really likes avocado!

Witt has also had several doctor's appointments. He continues to have some

fluid in his ear which sometimes has been infected. However, there is usually still

a smile on his face! Witt had an appointment with an eye specialist

who said that Witt's optical nerve is small but its still within the normal range.

The size of the optical nerve will actually never change now which is good news!

She said that Witt's eyes work just fine so Witt's ability to see or not is a function

of his brain. It's hard to tell exactly what Witt does process but one thing I

know for sure is that when Melanie walks in the door he always looks at

her and has the biggest grin!! Undoubtedly he does see and most the time he does

follow with his beautiful blue eyes! Maybe the best news came from Dr. Macicek.

First, Dr. Macicek will most likely remain at Texas Children's!!! He will very soon be an attending and no longer a fellow. Dr. Macicek said that Witt's heart is maintaining

and Witt's liver is actually smaller. AND all the specialists don't want to see Witt again

for at least 6 months....Hallelujah!!!! Except for the 2 weeks this summer when

Witt had an intestinal virus, he is closing in on being home for almost a year!!!

Almost unbelievable...BELIEVABLE MIGHTY GOD!!!!!

Right now Witt is running a low grade fever(100.2)and Mel just put a call into the pediatrician. Hopefully its just a normal 2 year old thing!!!

Quick update

Witt is staying warm!!!

Witt has been doing great! There have been no issues since our ER visit on new years. We have been very busy with doctor appointments for the new year. Witt went to my favorite lung doc at TCH, Dr. Ruiz and he said Witt looked like he was doing great. We talked a lot about the ventilator and turning his support down which we ended up doing. They took Witt's breath rate, number of breaths the machine gives him from 24 to 22. Nothing big but it is a start. Although there are no plans to take him off the ventilator any time soon. It has almost been a year since Austan and I decided to have the trach surgery done for Witt. He as had some serious surgeries but putting his trach in was the hardest one for me. I did not want to do it at all. When Witt came out of surgery and even a few days later he seemed so miserable. Austan and I for the first time were really second guessing our decision to have it done. Now almost a year later of having all the extra equipment in tow, which has not always been easy, Austan and I know we did the right thing. The trach and the ventilator as given us the most normal life we have had since Witt was born. Mr. Witt has also been dealing with some ear infections. Our last visit with his pediatrician he thought Witt's ears looked good but we have an appointment with the ENT on Monday. Witt also has an appointment with the eye doctor in a couple of weeks and I have to say I am the most nervous about this. They have to dilate his eyes and look in them. No kid likes to have their eyes held open. I can already feel my over protective side bubbling up just thinking about this appointment. If you would please pray that it won't be as bad as I'm thinking and if it is that I will remember they are not trying to hurt him. Witt is doing really well in therapy. He got this new vest called a spio. It looks like a little wet suit and it provides extra trunk support. He is very close to sitting up on his own when he is wearing his new vest. We are also waiting for his new stander and bath seat to be delivered. I'm very excited about those. Since Witt is doing so well we don't have as many day to day things to update the blog with. We will always try to put pics and keep everyone updated on the good and fun things Witt is doing.

HOME AND DOING WELL!

Jim and I just landed back in Houston. We headed straight to Mel's and Austan's and more importantly Witt's!!! He is doing quite well. His blood gas test done in the ER showed all his levels are good. We will never know how long Witt's tube was disconnected but whats most important is that he is doing good and there appears to be no long term effects. I can't imagine what last night must have been like for Melanie and Austan...to wake up to Witt's alarms going off, a tube disconnected from the ventilator and Witt pale and very limp. Austan said that by the time the paramedics got there Witt had finally moved a couple of fingers but that was it. Austan also told me that he had to drive his car while Mel went with Witt in the ambulance and that he wasn't sure what he would face when he got to the hospital. What Austan didn't know was that during the ambulance ride, Witt took the pacifier out of his mouth and smiled at the paramedic! Witt has bounced back quickly and my prayer is that Melanie and Austan are able to do so also. They were blaming themselves for not hearing the alarms sooner. Tonight Jim and I are spending the night with them. Hopefully they will get some much needed sleep!

UPDATE

We have talked to Melanie and Witt is undergoing some tests. As they are waiting, Witt has been playing with his grandfather Mark's face so he seems to be feeling okay. Karen and I are in Colorado so you can imagine have difficult this is on all involved. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Jim

PLEASE PRAY

Witt is on his way to ER via ambulance right now. His ventilator tubing came disconnected for a period of time tonight. As we know more about his condition, we will update you as quickly as possible. Please pray for the doctors and nurses to be the perfect ones for Witt, Mel and Austan tonight. Thank you for lifting our entire family up during this difficult time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Happiest of New Years from one of the happiest boys I know!!!!

Alas, Witt couldn't stay awake for the New Year!

Merry Christmas!!!

Witt is home for Christmas and Santa Claus found him!!! I can’t fully explain the joy and gratitude that I have for Witt being home. At the same time I am reminded of the priceless lessons that God taught me the last two Christmases. First, Christmas really is about Christ and that can be celebrated anywhere…even in a hospital. Maybe more importantly God showed me that through Him you can have joy no matter what your circumstances. I can worship Him in all my circumstances because of who He is and not where I am. I can’t imagine what it must have been like on that first Christmas, when Christ was born but I can tell you that on this first Christmas home for Witt I find myself simply bowed down and thanking God that under His sovereignty Witt’s third Christmas is spent out of the hospital. Today I celebrate the birth of Christ and this year that celebration is taking place at home!!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

STILL HOME!!

Witt has a little virus. Monday, Melanie took him to the pediatrician for his RSV shot. The timing was perfect because Melanie also asked them to check Witt's ears. Sure enough Witt had an ear infection in both ears! He is taking antibiotic and Mel started the oral steroids for his lungs. Witt actually seems to be feeling okay! Not only has Witt always been in the hospital for Christmas but he's also never been home for the week leading up to it. There is some great rejoicing going on here!!!! Please join me in praying for all the kids and families who are spending this Christmas at Texas Children's Hospital. We know what that is like!!!

The tray for Witt's cart came in...He loves it!!

THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG BY THE CHIMNEY WITH CARE!

As you can see Melanie has been busy decorating for Christmas. The tree is up and the stockings are hung...all with great care!!!

Witt seems to be better today! His cough is not as bad and Mel has inhaled antibiotics and steroids to give Witt if he needs them. The entire family is feeling better! Dr. Tapia also gave Mel a cream to treat the skin under Witt's eye. The eye has been watering quite a bit. Witt in turn rubs it so the skin is pretty irritated under the eye. That too is better today!!!

Yesterday, a dear friend of my mom's said that Mel deserves a crown. She said that if she could make a crown she would and give it to Mel. Immediately God said to me, "Mel has her crown. Witt is her crown!" Hallelujah...what a crown Witt is!!!!

FOREVER I'LL STAND!

Witt has been growing and getting lots of physical and occupational therapy.

Now he has braces to help him learn to stand!The process

started with casts being made of both feet up to the knees. Since it was a

very bright day out when we went to the appointment Witt wore his baseball cap!

Here is the final product and actually it was a pretty easy process!

The woman who did the casting was wonderful. She has been doing this for quite a few years.

One trick of the trade is to make a cast with a rubber tube inside to protect the

legs. She slits the casts to remove them where the rubber tubing is.

A couple of weeks later and his braces were ready!

With help from the therapist Witt was standing!! The doctor has also ordered a "stander"

which along with the braces will help Witt to put more weight on his legs.

When Melanie texted "Witt's standing!!!!!" I just jumped to my feet and said Hallelujah!!

The song "Shout To The Lord" immediately came to my mind!

Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the works
Of Your hands
Forever I'll love You
FOREVER I'LL STAND
Nothing compares
To the promise I have
In You

PLEASE PRAY FOR WITT. IT'S 4AM AND I AM AT MEL'S AND AUSTAN'S SO THAT THEY CAN GET SOME SLEEP. WITT STARTED RUNNING A FEVER AND HAS BEEN SNEEZING AND COUGHING. SO FAR HIS NUMBERS ARE STAYING OKAY ALTHOUGH HIS HEART RATE DOES GO UP WITH THE FEVER. PLEASE PRAY FOR MEL AND AUSTAN TOO! THEY BOTH ARE FIGHTING HEAD COLDS. DR. TAPIA(PEDIATRICIAN) WANTS TO SEE WITT AT 8AM. WITT MANAGED TO GET THROUGH A HEAD COLD BACK IN SEPTEMBER WITHOUT HAVING TO BE HOSPITALIZED. OUR FERVENT PRAYER NOW (ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS TIME) IS THAT WITT IS ABLE TO FIGHT THIS OFF AND STAY OUT OF HOSPITAL!!!

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!

HAPPY AND MOST BLESSED

THANKSGIVING!!!!

I guess it is completely fitting that the only holiday that Witt has never been in the hospital for is Thanksgiving! There has been no other life that God has used like Witt’s to make me bow in thankfulness. Maybe its because in the first few hours of Witt’s life we were told he would only be with us a few days. God not only taught me to be thankful for each day He has given me with Witt but to simply be thankful for each day. Somehow He even filled me with thankfulness at the end of some very very difficult days in the hospital. Someone might look at Witt’s life...what he has been through and even the day to day circumstances and think that surely there is anger, resentment and bitterness. I tell you the truth, Witt’s life exudes peace, joy and thankfulness all to the glory of our God!!!

Today, I shout to Lord, “Thank You! Thank You, Lord that You are Lord, that You are Sovereign and thank You for another day with Witt! Thank You for another day to share Witt, to share Witt’s story, to share Your story!!!”

Witt continues to grow and learn...he is learning to clap!!!

PICTURES AND PRAISES!

The last couple of weeks have been filled with celebration, fun and food!!! First, we celebrated Witt's 2nd birthday!!!!

The house was incredibly decorated and the treats

were delicious...especially Mel's famous cake pops!

Mel and Austan provided a feast that we all enjoyed!

Many friends and family celebrated with Witt!

And then there was Trick or Treating!!!

You can't help but celebrate with Witt...celebrate what our God

has already accomplished in Witt's first 2 years!!!!!