The last mile is always the hardest

An update from Diane:

Dear family and friends,
Aidan continues to get stronger and busier every day.  They moved us to a bigger room so we have more room for toys! The first time Aidan walked into the room he said "Wow!". Pop-pop was here to help us move over and we all settled in to our new space.  The room has two huge windows over looking Boston.  The transplant team is very happy with Aidan, they feel he will do great with his new heart when it comes, he's in a great place medically.  We've been able to get Aidan out into the garden twice now and he loves it, runs and runs with the nurse and me behind him running with his med pumps in our hands, and Sam trying to take pictures! He knows when he has had enough, he will stop and climb back into the stroller and lay back with a smile on his face...  Our nurse's are wonderful with him and great to us, they take such special care of our sweet and sometimes naughty boy...  So even though this is getting very hard to be here so long we are doing our best to keep our chins up.  We've been in Boston 6 months and Aidan has been in hospital's for over 7 1/2 months now, he does not seem to notice though and is very happy.  Aidan is a strong little boy and if he can keep this up so can Sam and I. Thank you all for keeping us safe in your thoughts and prayers, it means the world to us.  We are very blessed with a beautiful family that is always there for us and amazing & loving friends... I thank God everyday for each and everyone of you...
love Diane

My sister, who is a runner, told me when you are running a race in the beginning you have lots of adrenaline to get you started. In the middle you find your pace and settle in. The last miles you start asking yourself why you are doing this and question how much further you can go. The Aidan marathon is a long one but unlike a runner who only has his body to rely on- in this marathon we have the Lord giving strength and endurance. One foot in front of the other- one day at a time. Keep trusting in God and He will give you the strength you need.

"..run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.." Hebrews 12:1-2

Roar Aidan roar!

Aidan had his trach removed! Yay go Aidan go! He has started talking again which is something he couldn't do when the trach was in. He loves making animal sounds and being loud. Aidan likes to spend his days now climbing around his room (which I know is a work out for Diane and Sam to keep those IV lines from getting tangled!) and playing with his toys. Diane says he loves dancing also. I think this is just so awesome that Aidan is getting to be the Aidan we know. Praising God for this time of relief for Aidan.
Diane and Sam have been in the hospital with Aidan for six months. They have not seen their home or slept in their beds for a half a year. Their world stopped in August but from the view from the window they can see snow! We pray that you guys continue with God and rely on Him for strength. Shout and roar Aidan so everyone can hear how brave and strong you are. We love you!





"Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name;
   make his praise glorious" Psalm 66:1-2

Bring on the prayers

A note from Diane:

"Hi family and friends, Aidan's week has been up &  down, we had a few really good days, but the last 24 hours or so have been kinda rough again. He has some sort of infection, they are trying to sort out where it's coming from. My guess it's from the trach. Fever over-nite, but that is better, can't keep anything down at all, and heart rate is up. Started two kinds of antibiotic's, so we will see. hugs and love to all!"

  As most of you know Aidan turned three last week and today is Samantha's birthday. I am so grateful that God brought you both into this world and into my life!

Please remember Aidan and his family in your prayers today. You can do this Aidan!

 Remember Aidan, Sam, Diane, and Rick-
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Happy New Year

Rick was discharged a few days after being admitted and is doing ok. Aidan has moved out of the cardiac intensive care unit and is now on the "floor". Go Aidan go! We pray this new year brings you all even closer to God.

An email from Diane:
To all our friends and family please know that we love you all and know how blessed we are, there has been more blessings around us than I could ever count! So for the New Year we all know what we are wishing for... Of course we are hoping and praying for Aidan to get his new heart and have a happy healthy life, we also wish that for all our sweet little one's with us at Boston... May everyone who has touched our lives have a wonderful blessed New Year! Love, hugs and Kisses xox

"Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary " Isiah 40:31

Prayers needed

Rick aka "Pop-pop" was admitted to the ER today in Boston for chest pains. The EKG did not look good and they will be doing a CAT scan soon. Diane said maybe a cath will be done tomorrow. I will post again when I hear more.

If any family can handle this it is the Benardo's. We love you all. Stay strong and lean on the Lord.

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble"       Psalm 37:39

Gratitude

An email from Diane:

Dear family and friends,     

All the love, prayers, thoughts and gifts just keep coming... We are blessed in so many ways that my healthy heart is full to the brim with love and gratitude to each and everyone of you!!  So many people have touched our lives with money, gifts, food, cards, a hug and smiles, and it all helps to give us the strenght to get us through this. Waiting and watching Aidan go through this is not easy at all, but I could never imagine doing this without all the support we have gotten from all of you. So to everyone please know that not a day, an hour, a moment goes by where I don't thank God for all the love and beautiful people who are sharing this all with us in New England, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Washington, North Carolina, Florida, New York and the hospital... May all your holiday dreams come true! 

My love to all, Diane

 

P.S. Before I forget Aidan had a wonderful weekend, he is doing great, and had lots of fun with his Oma, Tanta Pattie, my son Stephen and Dayna & Eileen (friends from Boston), he was awake and got to play with everyone! We have made around $600.00 in tee-shirt sales for "The Resource R" thanks to Sam, Laura, Rick and my niece's in Maine!

 

 

Aidan and his NEW blanket from a sweet mother named Heather =)

Rejoicing with you guys that you are able to be together for Christmas and that Aidan has been having some good days. We too are thinking and praying for Aidan every day, every hour, and every moment. You all are doing an amazing job relying on the Lord and trusting in Him. 

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

On the move

A text from Diane: "Aidan is doing great! Walking more and more everyday! His personality is coming back. Yeah!"
Go Aidan go! I love seeing these pictures of him out of bed. He is stronger now and is ready for that great gift. There has been talk about moving him off the cardiac intensive care floor to the cardiac floor because he is doing so well.

We pray that Aidan is in God's hands and is working on his behalf. May the family who gives Aidan his gift find strength in the God and peace in knowing that they are saving this amazing kid.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"I am going for a walk"

After 17 weeks in a hospital bed Aidan decided he wanted to go for a walk. Wearing a diaper and slippers Aidan walked half way down the hallway and back! Go Aidan go! Today was a good day. He has had a rough couple of days with a fever and casts building up. The Lord's timing is perfect and we patiently wait. Keep up the good work Aidan, you are so amazing.

"Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act..." Psalm 37:7

Walk in the rays of a beautiful sun

Special love to "Pop-pop's" (Rick) coworkers at Thyssenkrupp Steel. Thank you for all your prayers and support

Team Aidan Shirts

I had the privileged of going to see Aidan, Samantha, Diane, and Rick. It was so good to see him. He was sleepy during our visit but he did give me the best kiss on the cheek! The next day he started to cough up casts and his oxygen levels dropped into the 50s. He is stable now but does have a fever and they have started him on antibiotics.
While I was there Team Aidan shirts arrived. They were made and donated by Samantha's Aunt Peggy in Maine. Diane and Sam are selling them for $10 and will be donating the proceeds to the "resource room" that is in the hospital for families to use. While we were there the resource room staff had made Thanksgiving dinner for the families. If you would like to help Diane and Sam give back to the people that are making bright moments for them in this trial please email me at melindabeever@gmail.com and I will make sure you get one.
Living on the pediatric cardiac intensive care floor is, well intense. I think that God put them there not only for Aidan to receive extraordinary care but so that they can be a blessing to others. Diane helped a mother ,who was alone, say goodbye to her baby. Not only does Diane have the strength to endure this trial, she is helping others around her. "God made me strong" is her response to how she makes it through the day.
Please continue to carry this family in your prayers. It is critical that Aidan can overcome these casts and infection so he can be healthy enough to receive his gift of a new heart. You can do this Aidan! Lean on the Lord.




  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Crusin' outside

I was so excited that I forgot to share the news that Aidan was put back on the list!! Go Aidan! He was put back on about 24 hours after his catheteization and has been doing great since. So good in fact that his awesome nurse said he could go outside today!
A text from Diane: "Aidan just had the best day in 4 months! Music class, went outside and to throw leaves and played with the clowns!"
Glad you had an amazing day little buddy. I am sure you will rest well tonight :)

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy" Psalm 126:3

Cath lab today

Aidan went into the cath lab today to balloon up some arteries and have some other procedures done. This was done to help with his pressures in the heart and the fluid build-up in his sweet little body. Diane said he was a "feisty two year old" this morning, which was a good thing. He was very lethargic yesterday she said. The doctors hope to be able to put Aidan back on the list within 24 hours.
Go Aidan go! You are so amazing buddy. Keep leaning on the Lord. He will guide you through this.


"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God.." Ephesians 6:10-11

Selah

Godspeed little man, sweet dreams

From Diane:
"Aidan has been put on 'pause' for now. That means until he is better he can't get a heart. Lots of casts, chest infection, and swollen with fluid right now. He is on some strong antibiotics and diuretics so the hope by Monday he will be back on the list."

In the book of Psalms you can find the word selah used in between scriptures. It means to pause. To pause and reflect on the what you have just read and take it in. We need to pray for Aidan and selah in our hearts, reflect on how God has been with Aidan this whole time, and  leave Aidan in God's hands.  We pray for Sam, Diane, and Rick to lean on the Lord and let Him carry them.

Selah Aidan- rest well this weekend. We want to see you back on the A list on Monday!

"Seek the Lord and His strength.." Psalm 105:4

PS Diane wanted me to share a sweet moment that Aidan had:
"Two clowns came to sing to Aidan- they sang "Over the rainbow". Aidan loved it and couldn't take his eyes off of them. He was so tired but with all the strength he blew them a kiss"


 

Feeling blessed

Aidan's new wheels

A text from Diane:
" Aidan had a good night after a long day. He lost his pic line early yesterday. Finally last night after a few tries it is where is needs to be. He is a trooper. Aidan is doing pretty good. He's awake more and looks good. Sam is better, yeah! Swallow study today. Also my family is coming here for thanksgiving. Pop-pop (Rick) will be here on the 20th for a week. We continue to be blessed by our family, friends, the staff here, other parents, and strangers! How loved and blessed we are!"

We are the ones who are blessed to know them. I am sure I am not alone in saying this, when I call to try to be encouraging to Diane, I hang up the phone feeling uplifted. We are grateful that God has put Aidan in our lives and that Sam, Diane, and Rick share this journey with us. Aidan is still waiting for his "gift" and we know that the Lord's timing is perfect- so we wait on Him, trust that He is in this, and He knows how to care for Aidan.


"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.." Psalm 46:10

The load is heavy

Please continue to pray for strength for the Bennardo family. Oma is now back in Connecticut after experiencing a TIA (a mini stroke) and is being followed by her doctors there. Sam was in the ER today for 5 hours with a migraine. After four bags of fluids and some IV meds she is doing better. We know that "Pop-pop" is struggling being away from his family as he is working to support them. And Diane is still standing by the grace of God. The stress of living in the hospital (they can no longer stay at the house for patient families as there is a 3 month limit...agh!) and riding on the Aidan roller coaster is catching up on them. We pray for them to continue to turn towards God for strength and to call on the Great Burden Bearer when it just seems to heavy to move. 

On a brighter note the "casts"read my last blog and have not shown up since last Sunday! Yeah :) Go Aidan. His lungs were looking not so good again but as of yesterday the x-rays looked better.

We love you Sam, Diane, Rick, and Oma, and are carrying you with us in our hearts all day and everyday.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Casts, casts, go away!

Aidan has had some awesome days- Praise God for the good days just as we praise Him for being there during the bad days. The vent is only on at night as a precaution. They have him off his main sedative so is alert and in action :) Diane and Sam now have to figure out how to keep him occupied all day in bed. They do get him out for PT and they had him trying to stand. Go Aidan! Today Diane's good friend Robin and her husband flew in from Washington state to Boston as a surprise visit.

Aidan started to cough up casts (the fibrous tissue that is building up in his airways) today. It has been about two weeks with no sightings of them. It is a blow to Sam so please reach out to her and lets keep her uplifted through this bump in the road.

"It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load doesn't weigh me down at all
  *She ain't heavy, she's my sister" :)

Love you Sam! We are all there in heart with you.

(no pictures tonight :( the website is doing some maintenance update so I will post some tomorrow)

A-List!

As of last night Aidan is now on the transplant list. He has been having very good days. One day he was off the vent for I believe 8 hours! Go Aidan! I love this little boy. He is so amazing. We pray for the family that will be having to make the choice to donate and that by doing so may it bring some comfort in knowing that they are saving a precious little boy. I am confident that God will over rule for what is best for Aidan.
For a boy with half a heart he sure has a lot of love in him! Sleep well tonight buddy. We love you!

"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name" Psalm 91:14

Hello Aidan!

Aidan had a great day yesterday. They had him sitting up watching cartoons and sucking on a sponge pop dipped in Pedialyte. It must have been so awesome to see Aidan being Aidan again.  The doctors turned his vent off for two, four hour trials and he did great! Go Aidan. Today he is having some trach and belly issues but Diane said they were nothing to stress about. No news today from the heart team. 

On a sad note a family they have come to know at Boston Children's lost their 7 month old baby named Sam. Please pray for this family that they are able to turn to God for comfort during this heavy trial. Sam and Diane are living in a place where babies are fighting for every moment. We can speculate that God might have placed them their at this hospital, at this time, not only for Aidan but to be a blessing to others around them. They have heavy hearts today as they grieve with this family.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

Good days :)

Aidan has been having some good days- the last five he has been cast free and chest x-rays are looking better. Today he was off the vent two times for and hour at a time and did great!
The doctors have decided that Aidan is a candidate for a heart transplant. A few more good days and then he will be put on the transplant list. We know that God is in this and we continue to leave Aidan's care in His hands. Since Aidan is on a respirator he will be put at the top of the list.  Hang in there Aidan- you can do this! 
      "The LORD your God is with you,
       he is mighty to save.
       He will take great delight in you,
       he will quiet you with his love... " Zephaniah 3:17

No more breathing tube

Aidan had his trach placed yesterday. They were able to remove a large cast as well. The doctors said that his esophagus and vocal cords looked good which is great news.

Big hugs for Pop-pop! So glad that Rick is able to spend time with his little Aidan.

Today Aidan has had a rough day with a slight fever and needs our prayers.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10 

Sweet dreams little man

Aidan's doctors had a meeting with Sam and Diane to discuss his treatment options. It was a hard meeting for Sam and Diane but they were blessed to have their friend Jackie with them. Jackie is a nurse in the pediatric cardio unit at Yale, which is where she met Aidan. She is a gift from God! She came to spend the night with Sam and Diane even though she just had knee surgery and needs crutches/wheelchair to get around. What a friend! 
Aidan's vent was moved from his mouth to his nose. Today Aidan's doctors had him in the cath lab to coil more collateral veins. The doctors are working hard to improve Aidan's lungs. We continue to pray that the doctor's hands and decisions are overruled by God.
I was able to visit Aidan and he was giving the nurses a run for their money. He has a lot of strength and we know you can keep fighting Aidan. We love you! Pop-pop (Rick) is coming tomorrow to see you buddy :)


Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

New clothes

Aidan's Tanta (Aunt) gave him this great green shirt. Aidan had a long day- there is a plug in his airways that is too soft to be pulled out so they are trying with medications to get rid of the plug. Tomorrow they will try again.
Tonight I ask everyone to keep Rick "Pop-pop" in your prayers for Aidan. He is missing his grandson as he has to be in Alabama to work. What a sacrifice for his family, to be strong and to go to work each day.

We love you Aidan- rest easy tonight.

Aidan's Fundraiser

Aidan's cousin Jessica has set up a fundraiser to help offset some of the costs of living in Boston. They are looking to be there for months.

http://apps.facebook.com/fundrazr/activity/a9a530275bde4dc5903fad7ebe66a4e0

We love you Aidan!

Paparazzi no more pictures :)

Aidan's cath went well (sorry I didn't update sooner!) They were able to do a new fenestration and Aidan has been holding his stats up. He had a xray of his lungs this morning and it was looking like they were not doing well but a second xray later in the day had them looking a little better. They had to do a new pic line and are adjusting his blood pressure meds to help keep his pressures up.
Aidan had some visitors today- family friends Doug and Cheryl and Uncle Stephen. I am so glad that they are in Boston not only for the amazing doctors but so that they can have more visitors :) God is good!
We love you Aidan. You are doing a great job buddy- keep it up! What a strong little boy you are!

My little sunshine

Laura, Jewel, and I went to see Aidan, Diane, Sam and Oma today. It was so great to see them! Aidan looked like Aidan again- hardly any swelling in his face. Tomorrow he is going back into the cath lab and the doctos are going to try and make a new fenestration in his heart to help relieve some of the pressure which will help stop the casts from forming- so big day, please keep him in your prayers.
Diane and Sam mentioned how awesome the nurses and doctors are at Boston children's. Aidan's blood pressure was dropping and they calmly came in and did what was needed and it wasn't until after that they were told that it was a rocky situation. I was able to see one of Aidan's nurses today and it was her first time with Aidan and she was so wonderful with him. As I can remember from Yale, Aidan has had quite a few impressive nurses in the past. Diane and Sam also said he had a following of nurses at Birmingham- he must win them over with that great smile :)
Aidan did wake up to "say hello" to me with his big bright eyes. He even held my hand- I am so in love with this little boy. He is my little sunshine and may the Lord bless him everyday :)

Busy day for Aidan

An email from Diane:
"Wow what a busy day for Aidan. They did a MRI today and he was there for about 2 hrs., it went well though. When he got back to the room he was having some issue's with his blood pressure dropping, they quickly got it under control. Then he had an echo on his belly, it has gotten even more swollen... They put a drain in and blood came out, stopped his heparin and gave him blood and plasma. The surgeon's checked him out and feel stopping the heparin will solve the problem. If the weekend goes well and Aidan does not throw them another curve ball they will do another heart cath on Monday. The results from the MRI lead them to believe they can make Aidan a new fenestration in the cath lab and not in the OR. If he has to have it done in the OR it's rather invasive, so I'm keeping my fat fingers and toes crossed that it works out in the cath lab! He was looking nice and pink tonight and his oxygen levels were in the low 90's! YEAH!"

Aidan we hope you have a peaceful weekend. Get your rest little man- we love you!

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30

Plan B

During Aidan's cath the doctor's were not able to do what they wanted to so now its on to plan B- I am still not clear on what that is but I know that they are focusing on getting Aidan's lungs better. He had a quiet day yesterday with an echo done on his belly to see if a drain is needed to help with the excess fluid. Today he had a transfusion and his left lung is not doing too well. They are waiting to hear more from the doctors. We pray that the doctor's thoughts and hands are overruled by God and that Sam and Diane have the strength to endure. We love you guys!

Cream of the crop

Aidan made it to Boston with out a hitch- Thank God! Sam and Diane met with some of Aidan's team of nurses and doctor's today. One of the nurses made the comment that Aidan has the "cream of the crop" looking after him. He had a bronchial scope today to look for casts- and there was none!! Only mucus. They are doing a cath sometime today to see if there needs to be any ballooning done. Sam and Diane feel very good about being in Boston. They wanted me to let all the nurses and doctors in "Bama" that they are so very thankful for all that you did for Aidan.
"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" Ephesians 6:10
Go Aidan go!
I will post again with pictures and more info as they find out more of the game plan.

Boston bound!

Samantha has asked me to start up the blog again to keep everyone updated on our little buddy Aidan. As many of you have heard Aidan has been in the hospital since the beginning of August battling plastic bronchitis. Plastic bronchitis is when rubber like casts form in the lungs causing airway obstruction and can present in people with congenital heart defects.
Aidan has shown the doctors and nurses at Birmingham Children's hospital how strong he is and how God is working in his life. He has given them quite a scare a few times but in Aidan like fashion continues to fight. They have found a doctor in Boston who has treated other children with hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. He has preformed reverse surgeries in these kiddos to see if the left side of the heart has grown big enough to be viable. He has agreed to take Aidan as a patient and they will be flying with Aidan to Boston tomorrow! Praise God for overruling this for Aidan! Pray for strength for Sam, Diane, Rick, and Oma to continue on this next step in this journey. And as always keep Aidan in your prayers- we can see God working in his life and know that he is in His hands. We love you Aidan! Go Aidan go!
( The hair-do is courtesy of one of Aidan's nurses and the other picture Aidan is trying to hide from the doctors :)

Bags are packed

Logan and Aidan had a playdate- and play they did. Aidan's recovery is nothing short of remarkable. He was walking and even running around- Diane said he is not back up to full speed but the way he would take off I wouldn't have known. His vision will be checked on Monday- so far he seems to be seeing everything fine. There is still some weakness in his hands but he was playing with toys and running all over the yard "mowing" with his lawn mower.
They are all set to move in to their new house in Alabama. Diane's friend who is a nurse is flying in today to ride down with them- such a blessing! Please keep them in your prayers that they may have a safe trip. I will post when they get there and hopefully have some pictures too :)
I pray that they continue to stay steadfast in their faith and leave it all in His hands- I will miss you guys.
Matthew 7: 24-25
"24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Theses boots were made for walking

Aidan is starting to walk again all by himself. Today Diane said he just stood up and walked across the room! He had a physical therapy appointment today and he did really well- threw a ball, crawled through a tunnel, walked around- Diane said he was exhausted afterward :) They said he still has some weakness in his hands. He has one more physical therapy appointment before they leave. Sam said that he is slowly saying more words-including Momma! Go Aidan go! You are truly remarkable.
We are going to miss them when they leave- may God be with you on your travels. Diane's good friend who is a nurse is flying out from Seattle to be with them as they drive to Alabama- what a blessing! I will continue to post updates once a week with pictures of Aidan and his family. Thank you all that have prayed for them and please continue to pray that they can turn towards God for strength and comfort.

Home sweet home!

"This is the day which the Lord has made: Let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24

Aidan is home! He left Yale this afternoon and is settling in back home. Hopefully now everyone can get some sleep!

Sam, Diane, and Oma thank you so much for sharing this journey with us. We rejoice with you! We are so thankful for the Lord's over-rulings- Thank you to all that prayed for Aidan. "The Lord has heard my supplication, The Lord receives my prayer" Psalm 6:9

Aidan still has the journey of recovery ahead of him- I know that he is in God's hands- and He has placed Aidan with a family that will see him through this- Go Aidan go! We love you!

Pictures from Christina

I'm a rock star

From an email from Diane: "Aidan is doing well, except the sleeping part. We will go home tomorrow, they had hinted a little yesterday that maybe they would let us out today but found out this morning they rather not, so whats one more day after all this time. He will be on 5 different meds which includes his Lovenox twice a day through a shot. That is more than he has ever had. The last 2 days he seems to be seeing more and more we can't wait to see what the eye doctor says on the Nov.9th! He is trying to stand but is so tired, I think when we get him home and he is more rested and gets some homemade "Mimi" food (low-fat version) he will start to do better. He sits up really good now and does well holding on to things, his hands still seem a little weak though. All in due time, we are so proud of all the progress he has made in just the past week. I thank God countless times a day for our Aidan! When I stop and think about all he has been through it just about does me in, but all is going so well and we are SO thankful! Aidan wants nothing to do with any of the doctor's or nurse's and they are all so sweet to him, but his nurse Nancy said it's very normal and he will continue to be that way for awhile even after we go home. On Friday Christina and Pablo came for a visit, Sam and I were thrilled, Aidan not so much, he gets very nervous when anyone is around... Sorry guys. One of Aidan's PICU nurse's named "Sarah" (who has 2 little boys) came to see him and brought him a CD with some of her boys favorite songs on it, we will put it in for the ride home tomorrow. She was so wonderful to Aidan and us, at night she would help to get him to sleep which was a huge task, and one night she read Aidan a story... I loved it, can't remember the last time someone read out loud to me... It made me nice and sleepy! Jackie another PICU nurse checks on the little monkey everyday and will come to Oma's house during the week for a visit. She's become part of the family, my sister's also got to meet her and think she is wonderful! We can't wait to be home and see all our family & friends, we miss and love you all dearly! We did not think Aidan would be able to par-take in the Halloween fun this year but now we have hopes that he will, and will be all decked out in his "Football" out fit from Erin another PICU nurse! God love those girls."

Good day :)

Well it looks like we are leaving this popsicle stand on Monday! The Special Care place didn't work out. So PT/OT will be set up for us at home. Can't say we are upset---I kinda feel it might be for the best. I think Aidan will be sooooo happy to be home, and of course we will, darn near beside ourselves. Aidan slept better last night, not great but better. He laughed and played today and we let him have a few M&M's, Sam put them on the tray and he did his best to pick up the bright colored one's (I think those may have been the one's he could see), anyhow he was able to grab a few and get them into his cute little mouth! My heart melted! It's been a really good day. I'll send a picture as soon as he wakes up. love you, Diane

Rub-a-dub-dub Aidan's in the tub!

An email from Diane:
"Aidan sat in the tub by himself! He had PT and lunch (he eats anything we give him). Now he is taking a much needed nap, last night he was up from midnight to 9am. I let Sam sleep from 12 to 6am and then she took over, "Mimi" was sooooo tired. This morning his doctor "Bevin" came in for a chat, he slept through it all, but while she was sitting and talking to Sam and I his oxygen was in the 90's! He must love hearing her voice... She has been not only been Aidan's doctor from the moment Sam was 5 months pregnant but also a very dear friend to us all, we feel like she is family. Sam really looks up to her and she is a constant support to us all. Along with all our family and friends she has shed many a tear about Aidan this past month. Jackie one of his PICU nurse's again sent us a homemade lunch, it was yummy! "Pop-pop" misses his little guy so much and can't wait to get his hands on him, it is so hard for him to be away. Laura D.& her mom Peggy are helping us to get a better rate on a hotel by the "Hospital for Special Care", which is huge favor. Once again the blessings that keep coming our way from each and everyone of you mean so much to us. My bud Robyn who lives in Washington state will be flying out in Nov. and will spend 2 weeks with us, she is Aidan's God-mommy, and a special one at that! Oma continues everyday to support us in so many ways, we would not have made it through this hospital stay with out her and her kookiness! I miss all my work buddy's and can't wait to see you on the 26th! Maureen has been so gracious to share her going away party with me, I feel very honored! Laura S. even through being sick keeps in touch to check on us by either calling or texting to see how we are holding up, she is a little worry wart! Christina & Pablo will be coming tomorrow for a visit---lots of picture taking will go! Michelle E. from work starting texting Sam today about "Twilight & New Moon" but she meant to text me... Sam thought she had a stalker! Once I read the messages I knew who it was, but it gave us a good laugh!

Sam was blowing bubbles to Aidan this morning and he was so excited, not sure how much of them he saw but he felt them and loved it, it was a great moment.

Even through the sadness of what has happened we still have wonderful treasured times with Aidan, we laugh and share hope with everyone around us, our friends the Chase's & Jo-ann, are always in touch along with my mom's friends, my amazing sister's and their families, my work girls and the staff here. Life truly is good! We love you all."