Just Checking In!

Hey y'all!

Just wanted to put up a quick post with an update on Sy.

Sy has adjusted quite well to going back to his liquid diet and doing away with the few foods he was able to eat. He has, however, increased his desire to smell foods around the dinner table. Again, there has been no complaining and I think if Sy had to choose between eating and Angry Birds, the birds would come out on top. I guarantee he could take most of you if you are up for the challenge!

Anyway, we just ask for your prayers as we continue to find the exact path that Sy needs to walk. Please pray that Sy can get all the calories he needs in a day (by mouth). He's been struggling to drink enough each day. He's already tall and thin (size 2 shoe already) and he needs a little more meat on his bones. He also starts school next week and will need to practice extra self-control as all his friends eat everything around him.

Thanks for all of you who keep our boy in your thoughts and prayers.

Still Alive?

So where in the heck have we been, you ask? Why the long delay in posting? Well, here's a short rundown of our last month:

1. Sy's new little sister (Phoebe) decided to show up over 5 weeks early! Sy is doing a great job of taking care of mom and baby and sometimes has a hard time not poking her when she's asleep. We'll post some pictures of Sy and baby sis soon.

2. Sy's mom had a few complications in the weeks following the pregnancy that resulted in an emergency room visit and subsequent surgery. All is well now and we think we've had enough adventure for now... Back to the "normal" life with EE Boy, his energetic big sis, plus one premature newborn!

3. Sy and his dad made a very "quick" and eventful trip to Cincinnati on October 18. We have details of the trip and news that needs it's own post, so we'll get that up as soon as possible. Stay posted! You'll want to hear what happened...

OK, just tidbits for now. Promise to get more to you all soon. Thanks for sticking with us!

Another round of elemental formula, bartender!

Well, Sy’s elemental diet started this past Sunday! He can only consume special, amino acid-based formula and water—no food. Yep, that’s right NO FOOD! Fortunately the formula comes in this juice box type packaging so it makes it a little more fun for him. Our latest game is asking Sy, “So what’s in your juice box today?” He smiles and says, “Milk, eggs, yogurt, “samwich”, ice cream, gum…” The list goes on and on but tends to include those foods that he hasn’t been able to eat (the boy has never had ice cream)!

We had some tears the first morning but haven’t had as much a one complaint since. He understands that this is to help him get better. We spend much of our time teaching and training our children about godly character attributes. However, I am finding more and more that God is using Silas to teach ME about true joy, patience, long-suffering, trust, hope and self-control. Granted it’s only been a few days, but his willingness and sweet spirit in all of this just blows all of us away.

Sy will be on this diet for a minimum of 3-months. We will travel back to Cincinnati in September and he’ll have another endoscopy. We’re praying for radical improvement and healing! If so, then we’ll be able to introduce one food (like apples) for two weeks and then travel up to Cincinnati for endoscopies every 6-weeks indefinitely… The goal is to figure out exactly what foods are causing the high white blood cell count and swelling in his esophagus.

So this is Sy’s life for a while… If you live locally and think of it, high five him or give him an extra hug. If you’re lucky, maybe he’ll even tell you what’s in his juice box today!