Greetings folks! Here is an update from Carrie... Tuttles are hanging in there, really doing quite well. Ella Brooks decided at 4:30 this morning that it was "time to go downstairs and have breakfast" and was completely WIDE AWAKE, which was thrilling, especially since Heath was finally SLEEPING!
Heath's next heart cath/biopsy was scheduled for March 19, and after that, if all goes well, we won't have another one for six months, I think. That is pretty exciting.
He is doing incredibly well--"talking" (he makes VERY loud noises that sound like words and definitely is saying momma, dada, baby and a few other things). He is climbing stairs and walking with only a little help for balance. He is all boy--the other day he looked at my mom, smiled and tumbled head first out of a chair. She caught him and yelled "this child is fearless!" to me in the other room. He is so busy. Of course my child with the heart transplant would be the one who throws caution to the wind...He still doesn't have any teeth, but we keep thinking that they're just right there waiting to pop out. This isn't unusual because we discovered that I didn't have teeth until 13 months either. He had his year old check up yesterday (yes, we actually did this...which felt very funny after all that we've been through, but it was very helpful) and is completely on track with growth and development. I just can't believe it after all that has happened in the last four months to him.
I sent you a couple pictures--Heath and EB on the stairs, I hope she'll forgive me for the shirtless pics in public when she's older, but it was her idea! Heath trying to walk--he looks so proud of himself. AND, Heath in the cupboard in the bathroom. We were laughing about what lengths we are going to find interesting things to do while being hold up in the house together!
The rest of us are also doing well. Ella Brooks had a little skin infection that has been pretty uncomfortable for her, but she is doing better and is off right now with her "boyfriend" (teasing)Andrew and his wonderful mom Jennifer Feiler who takes her somewhere fun every Wednesday morning. She is very "three" right now, but is really doing a great job being a big sister and with being in the house so much. We take drives to look at houses and get little snacks. She is a good sport.
We are still hoping to sell our house in Greensboro after the first contract fell through. We have some great house possibilities here in Durham--which is exciting to think about getting settled in our own house. Chris is enjoying really getting into a rhythm at Westminster, and we're enjoying getting to know people so much more.
Other than that, we're hanging in here, and looking forward to the weather getting nicer so we can get out of the house.
We are so grateful again for all your well wishes--and thoughts and prayers and assistance. The months that Westminster folks have fed us have been so appreciated--and delicious. It really made it possible for us to get through these last few months. We were so moved to hear about the spaghetti dinner that the CDC at First Burlington is doing for us on March 25. It made me stop in my tracks and cry--and thank God for such wonderful friends we have made over the years. We miss you all!
Ok, that is enough for now. i will try to send more updates as we go.
love, carrie
Blessings,
"Gran" Sarah
