Parker is back in Paris and has returned to his scheduled protocols of scans and doctors.
The break was good for him and he is smiling significantly more often and spontaneously. It was also good for the rest of us and the girls seemed to have benefited from some time with their parents.
He had a few milestones the week we spent in Spain, he had a low-grade fever for a couple of days which caused some anxious days but it seems that this was most likely related to him cutting his very first tooth.
He also is verbalizing a larger variety of sounds, blowing through his lips and repeating a couple of syllables.
Today he was on the bed for some time on his stomach and he lifted his head up more than 45 degrees and rolled to his back twice. It is not the first time he has done this, but it is the first time in 2 months.
In Spain we met up with the Carrells. Danny and Diane are friends we made when we lived in Arizona. They are living with their six children in Ireland for a few years and we had planned to meet up in Spain some 6 months ago. It was great to re-connect with them and surprisingly relaxing with the combined 11 children as they entertained each other (and us with their impromptu "Flamenco" dances and rehearsals...of the 11 children, 9 are girls with Jake & Parker the sole boys in each of the families). When we met the Carrells almost 14 years ago, Diane was working as a nurse to special needs children. She would practice needle sticks for iv's on her own feet so that she would be more proficient with the kids. On the first Sunday after Parker was admitted to the hospital, three of the older children, Kailey, Jake and Shelby had independently chosen to fast for Parker.
It was an adjustment coming back to Paris. We flew back very early this morning and went to Necker to have another CT Scan done (we have somewhat lost count but I think this is his 7th).
We then went on to get his ears fitted for hearing aids. The sun was shining all day long so getting back into the grind of it was easier.
We left the four girls in Spain with their aunt Katy until Friday so we are here in Paris alone with Parker. We were initially scheduled to admit him today at 11 AM but they re-scheduled the surgery for Wednesday and he will now be admitted tomorrow at 3PM.
Tomorrow we take him back to the fray, back to Necker, back to procedures. There is a knot in my stomach as he looks up at me with his trusting crystal blues without the hint that he knows what is in store for him over the next few days. We know. The needles, the iv's, the pseudo-sterile environment, the heart-splitting recovery room, the head bandage, the new scars, the waiting to find out if there is an infection, the forced abandonment when visiting hours are over, not knowing when he can come home again until the next surgery. We have been through it all before, but it doesn't seem to be getting any easier. But tonight, he is ours and in this moment he is perfect and beautiful and happy. In that we rejoice and thank God and trust he will bring us back to this place soon.
