The first official weekend of the summer has been beautiful so far. The Draz Fam has been swimming twice each day and enjoying other outdoor adventures. After yesterday’s morning swim the guys headed off to Gander Mountain for some special fish bait. You see, after spending hours playing a fishing app on the iPad, the boys decided they wanted to catch a Northern Pike. Dad did a bit of research and decided there was a “60% chance” they could catch a Northern if they just had the right bait and line. Unfortunately, they are still in pursuit of the elusive Northern, but they had a great time fishing.
The boys ended the day with an overnight. I have a queen bed that is placed right next to Drew’s twin bed to enable me to easily reposition and care for him during the night. I had assumed that Ry and I would share my bed. However, since his surgery Drew usually sleeps on his right side. He wanted to face Ry as they slept, so Ry crawled into the small space on Drew’s right and they spent the night in Drew’s twin bed. This morning they played a bit of flashlight tag and declared the sleepover “really, really fun!”
Today, after a morning swim, the boys played the new computer game that Drew discovered last week in the Apple Store. Then Jen and I took all three children on an “exploring” walk.
So far the weekend has been great. Drew had kind of a rough spring, so I’m very grateful that he is once again smiling and enjoying family activities.
Nana Barb
The Friday before Memorial Day was beautiful! Drew and Ry began the day planting flower boxes with mom. When finished, the boxes were hung around the pool for all to enjoy. Drew is very proud of the end result! He had so much dirt clinging to him that Nikki had to vacuum him before the next adventure.
After Karli’s nap we ventured to the Mall of America. First Drew and I visited the Apple Store where Drew played a game at a table set up especially for children. Next the children explored Underwater World.
Most summer days end in the pool and this was no exception. After a winter of lock-down, Drew is really enjoying summer!
Nana Barb
“Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” ~Danny Thomas
PS I showed this video and blog to Drew just as I was about to publish it. I had originally titled it “Friday.” He suggested I rename it as “What a Nice Day Yesterday Was.” Consider it done, Drew!!
… at least that’s the message this first grade teacher attempts to give to her grandchildren. The Draz kids are growing up surrounded by books. Making collections of things is a popular hobby. There are so many interesting things to collect: coins, stamps, rocks, vintage toys. One only needs to spend a few minutes on eBay to get an idea of the various things that have value to certain people. My passion has always been collecting children’s books. I have thousands of books; in fact I have converted a small bedroom in my home into a “library.” I even have many of the original books I shared with my own children as they were growing up.
The Draz children share books every day. They listen to audio books, are read to and the boys are now learning to read. The images in the following video are just a few taken during the last few months. None of them were posed. My personal favorite is the final image. Jay will be taking a test to obtain a permit to drive a motorcycle, so he spent one afternoon reading the manual to Drew and Ry. He claims they loved it and it would appear from the pictures that he was correct.
The Draz Fam has been waiting for the start of the swimming season; during the summer swimming is a daily activity enjoyed by all. The pool is finally open and they are back in the water. This year Karli is old enough to enjoy the water; she sits on the steps and pours water from a cup. Ryan is splashing around and Drew didn’t forget a beat. He is still diving under water, doing tricks–somersaults and flips–and retrieving toys from the bottom of the pool.
Here’s hoping for a long, warm and safe summer of swimming.
Last week Muumuu, the children’s other gramma, stayed with the family. She read to them and shared in all their activities and adventures. Auntie Dana came for an evening. The children absolutely love to have family members visit.
Grandpa asked me to take a picture of all three children together. I’m so very glad he did. It made me realize that, although we shoot hundreds of pictures most weeks, we rarely get an image with all three children. Thus, I was inspired to set up a photo shoot.
All is well. We have a busy summer planned with lots of excitement, adventures, visitors and trips. Please say a prayer that Drew will remain healthy so that he can participate and enjoy the activities of the summer months.
Nana Barb
“Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.” W. H. Auden
For the last couple of days Drew has been repeatedly saying, “I love my life!” Sometimes he even sings or chants the phrase. There is absolutely nothing that could make me happier than hearing those words, especially after the last two and a half months. Quite honestly, when we took Drew in for surgery on March 1, we didn’t know exactly what to expect during the recovery period. It turned out to be quite difficult with Drew extremely sensitive to and anxious about the pain of recovery and therapy. Then, just about the time we were heading toward the home stretch, he became ill. That meant we started around the clock aggressive treatments in addition to his physical therapy. However, all our hard work paid off when we avoided a hospital trip; Drew made a complete recovery at home.
Up until today Drew has resisted getting back into his power chair because of the pain to his hip. Today he actually asked to get in it. Yes, I am so very pleased to report: we finally have our Drewbie back! He is smiling, happy and loving his life. This afternoon during a procedure to have his feeding tube replaced he actually told jokes to the nurses and docs as they worked.
As you look at the following images and videos taken over the past few days, you can see that Drew’s smile has returned. Yup, our Drewbie is back!
Making apple crisp for mom’s birthday…
with a little help from Ry.
Ry is also “helping” with Drew’s therapy.
During the last months, Karli was often the only thing that could bring a smile to Drew’s face. Now their times together are even better.
Karli loves to sit on Drew’s “Black Cobra” (as his dad has named his reclining manual wheelchair) and play with him.
Drew has gone fishing with grandpa D…
played with his cousins…
and used his scoot to give Ry a ride in the Black Cobra.
Best of all, he is once again giving his life a thumbs-up!
Welcome back, Drew! God bless you!
Nana Barb
About sixteen months ago, defying all odds, Karli joined the Draz Fam. Karli was conceived in vitro, frozen for many months and not given much of a chance by the doc on the day of her transfer. Nevertheless, she was born a few days after Christmas and has done nothing but bring joy ever since. When Drew gets discouraged, Karli is often the only thing that will bring a smile back to his face. Both of Karli’s brothers absolutely adore her. Some of my favorite videos of Karli in action follow.
Nikki gave Karli her first pedicure. I suspect there will be many more pedicures in her future.
Karli is always a busy child. We love watching her explore the world. This video shows some of her favorite activities.
Karli loves her books! Her first-grade teacher nana couldn’t be more thrilled about that. The only toys she enjoys are balls. Auntie Kirstin, one of Karli’s biggest fans, shot the following images one afternoon.
Because Drew is sick. Yes, we were just beginning to feel we’d conquered the major obstacles regarding his recovery from surgery when he became ill. So, now we are doing his treatments five times a day (each lasts about an hour) in addition to the therapy for his hip. We’re all a bit tired, but hanging in there just fine! Here are a few images:
A Love Pat for Karli During Treatments
“Brother Time” with the iPad
Nikki says, “Pretend the O2 Tube is a Flower”
The End of a Long, Busy Day!
Drew recovers slowly from illness. Any day with even the smallest amount of progress is a huge step. Although Drew can crash at any time during a respiratory illness, we are feeling good about avoiding a hospital stay this time. The Draz Fam is looking forward to getting back to our usual routine so that we can welcome spring and the return of many adventures for the children after a long winter of lock-down.
Nana Barb
The weather has cooperated as we’ve tried to keep Drew occupied while in his body cast. The boys have done some fishing with their dad. They’ve caught some little ones; apparently the big ones aren’t biting yet.
Surprisingly, at least to me, Drew’s favorite part of the adventure is holding the leaches.
On Friday Auntie brought a craft for the boys. They made a surprise for mommy–homemade soap with strawberry seeds that smells wonderful.
On Saturday morning it was time to eliminate cabin fever, so the family headed to Walmart. Drew requested that Karli push him, but it would appear that she needs a bit more practice!
Karli chose a ball that is almost as big as she is.
The big event of the day was taking Drew out of his cast. He immediately headed for the tub for a long-overdue bath.
By the end of the day everyone was ready to relax. Auntie, Tommy and Michael joined us for a little iPad time.
Drew is struggling with the therapy/motion needed to regain full range of motion. However, we know we’ll find a way to figure this out; we always do. Thanks for checking in.
God bless the Draz children.
Nana Barb
“Some see a hopeless end, while others see endless hope.” Author Unknown
A good friend sent a live ant kit to the boys. They loved it. Drew immediately began to sing the ant song as he watched them. Usually I include only short videos. However, when Drew sings it is like magic. I think he has the sweetest, softest little voice I have ever heard.
Thanks, Scott!
Nana Barb
“God respects me when I work; but God loves me when I sing.”
Rabindranath Tagore
After a busy weekend, Drew returned to the doctor this afternoon. Since he is still in his cast, we have some special equipment to allow him to ride safely in the van.
Once we arrived Drew had an x-ray, followed by a trip to the snack machine.
Drew chose a candy bar for himself and a doughnut as requested by Ry.
Sasha, a beatiful therapy dog, came to greet Drew. They have met several times at the clinic.
The before and after x-rays showed that Drew’s hip is back in the socket, held in place with a titanium plate visible in the x-ray on the left.
Now, after six weeks of immobility in a body cast, Drew will need therapy. Dr. Koop told Drew that if he works hard he may be back in his scooter in a couple of weeks.
Hopefully everything will be back to normal in time for Drew to enjoy all the special summer activities.
Nana Barb
“If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
