Dallas or Bust

It's T minus 2 for our big trip to Dallas. On Monday morning we fly to the Lonestar state for two weeks of intense therapy with Dr. Tennant. We are feeling a variety of emotions as we prepare to go. We feel:

• Gratitude to our Heavenly Father for leading us to this path of treatment. It's true that God usually answers our prayers through others, and without the Pack's concern for Crewe, we wouldn't even know this treatment option existed.
  
• Love & Appreciation for our family members and friends who continue to remember Crewe and our family in their thoughts and prayers and who so selflessly share their time and resources. It is only through the generosity of our family and friends that Crewe is able to receive this therapy at this time.
  
• Excited about the potential progress that Crewe will make and the things we will learn.
  
• Nervous about being in a hotel for nearly two weeks with our two little guys. Cal and Crewe are generally very adaptable, but we've never been away with them for such an extended period of time. (Also a little nervous that we might not fit everything we need into our suitcases!).

We will do our best to post periodic updates while we are gone. Dallas, here we come!

The Pair that Keeps the Colds Away

Meet two new good friends of our family: Mr. MMS and Mrs. Citric Acid. Together they have kept colds and other viruses from getting us down this season. When combined, they create chlorine dioxide, a natural and powerful germ killer. Unlike antibiotics, the MMS combination kills only the bad cells in your body (cells with a PH less than seven).

We were introduced to MMS in October when Crewe was undergoing treatments in Utah. Had it not been recommend by someone I trust, I probably wouldn't have tried it on my own. It just seemed too good to be true. However, when I started coming down with a cold two days before Thanksgiving I was desperate and decided to try it. The cold never hit. Since then, it has stopped at least two colds from hitting Chris full blown and at least that many from the boys. Crewe hasn't been sick for months which is such a huge blessing in so many ways.

Calahan is one of those kids that gets an ear infection after he has a cold and even after getting a a mild cold recently the MMS stopped it from turning into an ear infection.

You only take it when you feel something coming on. It's safe for babies and kids over 25 pounds. I have found it online only. Crewe's doctor recommends the Ocean Labs brand. You can get it here. If you're interested, leave a comment and I'll email you the doctor's instructions on mixing and dosages.

Water, Boots and Nuts

We got drenched with rain last week and are getting another dose of it today. Rain in the desert is actually a very cool sight to behold. The washes, which normally are dry beds, turn into raging rivers of tan water and puddles develop everywhere.

Cal couldn't resist the appeal of the puddles while he was with me at a YW presidency meeting last week. He and his two-year old partner in crime decided to sneak out of the house while we were meeting. By the time we discovered the boys had escaped, Cal had soaked his jeans and was having the time of his life. He was literally dancing in the biggest puddle he could find. No coat, no boots, just his little converse shoes.

So with Cal shoeless and wearing borrowed pants and socks we left the meeting to pick up a few necessary items (like diapers) at Target before the roads flooded. While in the diaper aisle, Cal began pointing while saying "cute boots, cute boots, mama." When I looked up I was sure he was pointing to these beauties:

But, alas, he was talking about these Transfomer things.
He was so excited about the boots and just giggled when I let him check them out. After he looked at me with his big blue eyes and asked for them, I noticed they were on clearance (imagine those cute boots, on clearance?). And so, Cal got his "cute boots." And now, he wears them everywhere. I don't mind a bit because he can put them on and take them off himself!

As if Cal didn't get enough of the water during the storms, he screamed out "I WANT water" at the top of his lungs during church on Sunday. And then he shouted it again. And again. Talk about embarrassing. His nursery leader mentioned that she was glad to hear that he stands up for himself because he's always so polite and sweet during nursery. Really? If I didn't know her better, I'd swear she was confusing Cal with another boy. Our little Cal can be a sweetheart for sure, but we don't see much of his quiet, unquestioning side. Maybe we'll sit next to Sister G. next Sunday so we can see the angel Cal...

This week another food was added to Crewe's growing list of allergies - nuts. There was no blood or muscle test this time - just big brother sharing his snack of cashews. It took only a piece to do him in. All of the usual reactions kicked-in: swelling, hives all over his body, itchy face and airway and several rounds of vomiting. At times like this I am SO grateful for the trach because I know he has an open airway as long as the trach is clear. This guy is such a trooper.

Grandma & Grandpa Calvert and Allison Visit

Seeing family in AZ is like enjoying a favorite dessert. For the past couple of weekends we've been spoiled with fun visitors.

Two weekends ago, Mom and Dad Calvert came into town for the 90th birthday celebration of a dear family friend. Calahan loved following around his Grandpa and Crewe couldn't get enough time with his Grandma.
On Saturday we got to see my cousin Allison. She was in town on her first business trip as a newly employed college graduate. Congrats Ali! Crewe was born while she was on her mission (she just returned from the Dallas mission in August) so they met for the first time. Crewe really studied her at first and then quickly warmed up. The boys spent the rest of the day competing for her attention. We had fun chatting, eating lunch at Cal's favorite Mexican place, and looking at car options for Ali.

Crewe in the "studying" phase

Allison listens intently as Chris reads her the description
of a certain red, turbo mini cooper.

Adventures in PottyTRAINing

There are many joys in being a parent, but potty training so far doesn't make my list of joys. Cal seems to "get" the concept and doesn't like a wet diaper, but he just doesn't want to be inconvenienced with the bother if the reward isn't motivating enough. So to solve the wet diaper issue, he just takes off his diaper when it becomes wet (like during Nursery on Sundays or when he wants to play the piano)! Argh!

He does take the TRAIN part of potty training seriously and thinks that he should be rewarded with a train car for each successful deposit he makes. He was so determined to get his favorite engine, Gordon, that he sat on his little red potty for an hour and a half last Sunday until he had a successful attempt (he had the "ring" to prove it, too). Since achieving Gordon, it's like he feels that he has "arrived" and doesn't need to try anymore. What am I going to do with this boy?

This is the way the boys stay quiet at a restaurant...

...at least until the episode of Signing Time or Bob the Builder ends. Thank you, Apple!

Party Animals

A wild New Year's Eve party happened right in our backyard. We awoke to this sight in the morning:

How inconsiderate of the "guests" to eat every last one of
Chris's freshly planted winter flowers.

And, then to leave the dirt evidence scattered all over...
The pack of javelina that live in the wash near our home are
the guilty party animals! Hope they enjoyed their
expensive meal. Happy New Year everyone!