Give & Take

My very cool friend Julie made this very cool hat for Holden. Normally he hates for me to put a hat on his head, but he didn’t fight or bat an eye when I put Julie’s hat on him. In fact, he fell asleep!

Holden had his 2 month
doctor appointment yesterday. He is now 24” long and weighs 12.3 pounds. Everything checked out ok.

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… as some of you know, my mom’s mom has been slowly and painfully succumbing to age and a multitude of health conditions for at least thirteen years. Grandma, (I call her either Nana or Nanners) has been in some form of medical facility for over a year. She is usually non-responsive ..… it’s really just a very sad situation that’s hard to talk about. This has all been very heavy for my mom, uncle, and Pawpaw. Unfortunately, mom’s dad (Pawpaw) has also experienced more than his fair share of decline, now exacerbated by the emotional, mental, and physical wear and tear of his wife’s struggles.

I received the following email (posted with permission) from my mom last night, she couldn’t talk on the phone due to a cough/cold/allergy thing she has been combating for months…..


It was not a good day today. Sara was supposed to have called you for me. My voice is next to nothing.
10 a.m. talked to Pawpaw. Didn't feel well. Still with cold. Waiting one more day to go to DR. Hung up with him. He is going to go make his morning oatmeal.
2 p.m. called Pawpaw. no answer. give him a few more mins. no answer. Go to house. Ring doorbell long and loud and let myself in.
he has gotten up, headed my way. I smell burnt something and ask if he smells it. "no" he says. I go to stove. Burnt oatmeal in pan with burner still on (low, thank goodness) Try to call his attention to it. only wants to talk about having trouble with the micro. second attempt fails, back to microwave. Door on micro was also open along with cabinets, and lights were on that he would never leave on when not in the room.
I am feeling very panicky. Mini stroke I am thinking. Call Dale, "I need you" Try to explain situation. Dale is coming. Start trying to call Pawpaw's clinic. No answer. Call the one in D. After a few attempts I get through to a person. They talk to DR's nurse. They say take him to ER.
This is a real trick. Not understanding why I want him to go with me. I tell him that they are waiting on us at the DRS He doesn't walk well. I thank God for keeping him on his feet. He goes to bathroom. In there too long. I go knock rather loudly. He answers. WHEWWWW!!!! Didn't want to have to go in. He comes out. 1st attempt to put on bathrobe fails, 2nd attempt fails, 3rd fails. ok, that is done. Now the walk to the car. I am sooo tired.
After the normal ER admissions, wait, Dr evaluation, tests etc. 6 p.m. enlarged heart, a kidney issue and high blood sugar, fever of 100.9 and blood pressure is high. They took a chest xray to check his lungs and found the heart issue. That has apparently been the reason he has been so sluggish. He always said it was the diabetes. Don't know how long they intend to keep him. Will let you know. Thank you for praying. Love, Mom

I just got off the phone with mom. Pawpaw’s condition has not improved. His doctor plans to keep him for a few days. Pawpaw isn’t getting it. He keeps saying he is going home tomorrow.

Holden came from good people. My grandparents are the kindest of the kind. It makes me sad that he may never get to meet them.

-Carmen