Drum roll please.....

Isn't our cutie precious?!! He was SO happy that day all we had to do was sit him on the little bench and he just grinned away and even looked straight at the camera, ha! We had a great time on our 2008 Bridges Christmas adventure and everyone got pictures of him. Chad and I are back now and Carsten is at his Nana's!! I just woke up, yep, it's 9:30 and I JUST got out of bed! Thanks Nana and Mimi, we love you!

28 days and counting until Baltimore. I'm getting a little nervous, especially the part about traveling by myself with a toddler. I think I'll have to take only one bag and his stroller. The plane part should be interesting with him on my lap and figuring out where he'll sleep at the hotel, we might have to cheat and sleep together one night. I better go and enjoy our Chad and Kari time, we might go snow skiing today to this place around here that's man-made and I really want to see Marley and Me, I read the book and it was so good!

Happy Monday,
Momma Bridges

Breakfast

Carsten's OT Maureen came this morning and Carsten did pretty good with eating. He ate lots of little graham cracker pieces and "mashed" bananas, not pureed! We also tried a saltine cracker and little tiny pieces of cheese. The cheese didn't get down but he ate a lot of the graham crackers. I was feeling a little overzealous and kept giving them to him, I think I pushed him too far again because he choked, gagged, and vomited everything he ate:( Every time he gets a piece of food in the back of his throat it triggers his gag. He's got to push through that though without it gagging him every time. I'm still encouraged though and Maureen thought he is doing fabulous. I'm going to keep giving him small pieces of food until he learns. He really likes chewing and I think he's teething more on the sides, no visible teeth yet though except for bottom middle two. The teeth will help when they come in. He's also drinking sips from his sippy cup and drinks maybe a total of 1 ounce from an open cup. If we're going to get him off this tube the drinking is essential. There's just so many things you can work on with him and I do my best to focus on the most important.

I think he's gaining weight, he feels a lot heavier lately and is starting to grow out of all his 12 month pants and some of his 12-18 month clothes. He is now transitioning from the couch to coffee table in standing and taking a few steps with his walker. He can climb up the steps like a pro! I've had two people tell me that he made the "mama" sound, though I'm still not believing it until I hear it myself! I know he's not actually saying "mamma" but I will be excited to know that he can at least make the sound. He is making more consonant sounds lately, I think the tubes have really helped with that.

I will probably keep updating on his eating, it helps me to write it out and see what I need to focus on each day. This afternoon we will try graham crackers again and maybe I will cook some apples with cinnamon and brown sugar and mash those up for him, how could you not like that?!! We'll see. I also can't find a drink that he really likes other than water. I've tried apple juice, chocolate milk, sweet tea etc...Does anyone have any good ideas for drinking, maybe I should try just sugar water. I don't think he's aspirating anymore(liquid going into his lungs), he does have a swallow study in February to make sure, hopefully he will pass on thin this time.

I've got to get laundry done and packed so we can leave on Friday. I'm so excited about Christmas and even more excited about the week after Christmas. Carsten will be staying with his Nana and Mimi for a week while Chad and I have a little R&R!! We might go snow skiing at this place around here and stay downtown in Kansas City for a night or too. We'll see, I better go and have my quiet time and shower before the little booger wakes up.

Love,
Momma Bridges

Eat Carsten Eat!!

Carsten is eating little pieces of graham crackers as of yesterday!!!! I'm SOOO excited beyond words! This morning I fed him some graham cracker and blended pears, he ate all without gagging once! Yesterday he gagged on his last bite and threw up, I think his reflux is still going to be a problem. If I can just learn his limits and stop while we're ahead I think he might get a hang of this!

I can't wait to tell his home OT tomorrow what he did and how I'm starting to get over my fears and try!! We're not going to OT feeeding in Kansas City today because it's snowing EVERYWHERE!! It's completely white here, what a beautiful day for Carsten to eat so well. I couldn't be happier!

Most of you should be getting something in the mail from the Bridges soon so be on the lookout!

Love to all,
Momma Bridges

ENT follow up appointment and nurse encounter

Well we had our ENT follow up appointment today from the surgery. Everything looks great! Carsten's ENT doctor is really nice and I told him that Carsten has improved with his breathing, snoring, and drainage! I don't know if I ever put this on the blog but when we went in for the T&A surgery the doc said "okay so we're going to do the adenoids today right?" I was like, "uh no, I thought you said BOTH adenoids and tonsils!" He had written down to do only the adenoids. Well, long story short, he did them both for us and removed the cyst in his throat. He really didn't have to do them both but I think he did it just to be nice:) So, for us that means the tonsils are out of the way and no more battling them and their complications for the next 5 or 6 years!

The appointment went great other than the nurse who called us into the room and asked me a bunch of questions including, "He's Downs right?" I mean, come on! I am SO tired of that ignorant question. ESPECIALLY in the medical community!! Usually I'm not a huge "politically correct" person but I guess having Carsten has really changed me. I was proud of myself though, today, for the first time I corrected her. I said, "No, he's not "Downs", he HAS Down Syndrome!" Oh, I did it yesterday too in Wal-Mart with the photo lady though I'm not quite sure she heard me because I said it under my breath:) I think the question catches me off guard anyway because most of the time I'm not going around thinking about my son having Down Syndrome. To me, he's just Carsten. Why do people have to point it out all the time, do they want a prize for guessing that he has Down Syndrome? It's really pretty obvious. Seriously, sometimes I completely forget he has Down Syndrome then that word will come to my mind and I'm like wow, he really does have Down Syndrome but my gosh it just doesn't seem like it, he's just my son, my Carsten, my baby! I am just as happy, proud, totally in love with my son as any other mom.

Back to the question, I try to remind myself that people just don't know any better. Most of them did not take Introduction to Mental Retardation in college like I was blessed to and most of them have not been around people with disabilities or gone to OT school. But even Chad is sensitive to it and he's not an OT! So, I have decided to become a little more assertive, yet gentle, to remind people that it is a person WITH Down syndrome, they are not the syndrome themselves! It would be like asking someone with Cerebral Palsy, are they Cerebral Palsy? No! They have Cerebral Palsy, it is just a part of them like having brown hair or green eyes. Okay, my rant is over, I'm not mad I just want to educate people so that when they have these encounters with other families, they will say it in the most respectful way. I'd like to hear what other people think about this, especially you moms with children with disabilities. Do you correct them or just let it go? This has been a quandary for me for quite some time now. I guess I'm really amazed at how MANY people say "that Downs person", "is he Downs", or yes, even "downsy" before! Am I being too picky?

Oh and by the way, Carsten's photo shoot (you could call it) was absolutely FANTASTIC! You will have to wait and see the pictures though, I don't want to ruin Christmas cards, if I ever get them out!:)

Much love,
Momma Bridges

Bridges Bunch back to normal and Baltimore here we come!!

The Bridges household is finally back to normal after our two week escapade of sicknesses. Carsten is laughing, running around, and being his usual spunky self. Last Sunday after we arrived home from Thanksgiving I was unpacking and ran something upstairs. Lo and behold, on my way back down I found our little C-man on the first landing of the steps! He had crawled up 7 steps and was just looking up at me like "what did I do?" Needless to say we put up our gate the next day.

Carsten is cruising along all our furniture and pulled one of my favorite plates down yesterday from a drawer and broke it in pieces:) He's really starting to get into everything and I'm way past due baby proofing the house. That's one of my goals this week.

Yesterday the three of us were in the commissary and we ran into another family with a 24 year old with Down Syndrome. His name was Travis. Travis was quite a character and the parents really got a kick out of Carsten. We pretty much went down every aisle together and I got about five big hugs from Travis! The parents said they felt old seeing the three of us but I think Carsten brought back some fun memories for them. I was trying to imagine Chad, Carsten, and I in 20 years in the grocery store together, ha! I can only hope Carsten is running through the aisles begging me for all kinds of food, none of them good for him I'm sure!

On a food note, I'm SO excited to tell you guys that Carsten has a feeding clinic evaluation scheduled for January in Baltimore, Maryland! Yep, I said Baltimore!! It's called the Kennedy Krieger Institute. They have an amazing intensive inpatient feeding program where they work to get children off of feeding tubes. I have had my eye on the place since last year, they won't take children until after one. Carsten will be evaluated on January 27th to determine if he qualifies for their inpatient program. If he gets accepted, when they have an opening we will go (Carsten and I) for 6-8 weeks just to work on feeding. We will stay in the hospital there together. They have an amazing success rate, 50% of all children leave the program 75% tube free. Realistically, that's a great statistic!

So, we will be praying that Carsten is accepted and that we can go sometime this spring to the program. I'm so encouraged and it gives me something to look forward too on days when his eating is not so great.

Three of our neighbors are moving this week so we're a little sad. One of the couples held our bible study this fall so as they leave we will be transitioning the study to our house. Chad will lead the study and he did his first one last night. It went great with lots of good discussion, I'm so proud of him and what God is doing in him! I'm looking forward to see what the Lord has in store for our family and neighborhood this next year!

Also, we find out if Chad gets into the SAMS (school of applied military studies) school on the 19th. We're putting it in God's hands and not worried either way. It would be nice to be here another year and one of my good friends Amy's husband who is in the Guard has applied also. It would be wonderful if they both got in and they would be here another year with us, let's hope so!!

We've got our tree up and our stockings on the fireplace! It's getting colder here in Leavenworth and Christmas is in the air. I think snow is in the forecast this week! I can't wait to get started on gift wrapping and Wednesday Carsten will have his picture taken so be looking for more cute pics of him soon.

That's our Bridges update!
Love to all,
Momma Bridges

Week of craziness

The madness all started last Wednesday night around 1200AM. Chad sat up in bed and said "I don't feel very good!" Then I heard Carsten crying and throwing up in his room almost the exact same time! They were both sick all weekend with vomiting, chills, fever. I took Carsten to the doctor on Thursday to some guy that wasn't his usual doctor, my first mistake! This crazy guy gave him a shot of antibiotic and then sent us to the hospital to get a urinalysis (since Carsten has a history of urinary tract infections and he had a high fever, 104!) Well, the people at the lab said why in the heck did they give him that shot before the UA, now we're not going to know what or if he had an infection. I was flaming at this point and mind you Chad is still at home on the couch vomiting. I got fed up finally and left the hospital with the bag still on Carsten's you know what waiting for him to pee! I took the sample back later and never even found out if he had anything, the doctor never called us back!

Chad was feeling better by Friday but then he pulled his back out picking up a pumpkin outside our house! He went back to school that morning and I was still exhausted from two days of no sleep with sick boys. I'm running up and down the stairs trying to get ready for Carsten's music therapist (which wasn't even coming by the way) and I slipped and fell down the stairs! Yep, landed flat on my back and hit my head really hard and blacked out for a couple of minutes. I finally could see enough to go outside thinking that if I passed out for good maybe someone would see me. I stumbled down to my neighbors house who is a nurse leaving Carsten in the house alone. She got another friend to get Carsten then we called Chad out of class and had our second trip to the ER for the week! I'm sure the doctor thinks we're a bunch of crazy loony hypocondriacs! He didn't even do any xrays, said I might have cracked a rib and had a mild concussion.

This was probably the hardest week we've had since we moved here and I'm SO glad its coming to a close. Carsten is still sick with diarrhea and not sleeping at night because of vomiting but he's definitely better than he was. We're still all really tired and SO ready for Thanksgiving and a break! I feel like its one thing after another with our little family and keep asking what's going to be next? Please pray that we would be free from illnesses and setbacks for a while. Carsten hasn't eaten anything since he got sick last Wednesday so naturally I'm pretty discouraged. On a more positive note, he did drink some water from a sippy cup a few times this weekend so that was exciting.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!

Love,
The Bridges

Happy 16 month birthday Carsten!!

It's Carsten's 16 month birthday today! I forgot to take a picture and he's already asleep, oops:) I'll try to take one tomorrow. Don't worry, he's still just as cute as the last one:)

Today Carsten stood up at the couch and cruised all the way to the other side!! He's eating much better in the last couple of days, has eaten a blended pear, mashed potatoes, blended pasta, banana, and more! We've decided he is done with baby foods and ready for big people food. Tomorrow we have a speech evaluation in Kansas City and then feeding therapy. He is still babbling but no words yet. I think the best day of my life will be when he says momma!! I can't wait. We're so proud of him and everything he's doing. Happy 16 month birthday C-man, we love you!

San Antonio Trip!!

The compass has spoken! That was our theme for Jessica and I's weekend getaway to San Antonio last weekend. We had a blast by the way! The whole theme came about when we got lost in Tulsa and were trying to find our hotel. I convinced Jessica that we were going North because I said, "I have a compass in my head, trust me:)!! Well, apparently my compass was malfunctioning at the time because we found out we were going east and west instead! Oops:) Usually, I have a VERY good sense of direction, just ask Chad:)

Jess's sister Melissa picked us up at the airport in San Antonio and we had a little girls weekend together, something that was WAY past due for me. We shopped, had margaritas, got massages, walked along the riverwalk, and ate at lots of yummy restaurants. My mom kept Carsten for the weekend who woke up every night about 6 times because he was still recovering from surgery:) Ha, thanks mom, I'm glad I wasn't there! Thanks BFF and BFF sister, I can't wait for next year!!

We're Home!!

We're back from his surgery! Everything went great and it seemed like a breeze compared to our last hospital stay:) The surgeon said that the cyst in Carsten's throat was about 3mm wide, which is pretty wide when you're talking about a person that already has a small airway due to Down Syndrome. He also took out both adenoids/tonsils and put tubes in both ears. When they brought him out to us he was sitting up in a hospital bed so out of it, it was so sad but cute!

Carsten was pretty fussy last night and we were reminded of how hard it is being in the hospital, we're very thankful to be home. Thanks for all your prayers, please continue to pray that he heals fast and we see significant improvement in his breathing/eating. We have already noticed that Carsten didn't gag up all his usual mucous/drainage today (sorry gross I know). I will try to feed him tomorrow and see how it goes, he needs to keep swallowing to get over the soreness.

Love to all,
Momma Bridges

Surgery Tomorrow!

Carsten's tonsil and adenoid surgery is tomorrow between 3 and 4pm. We will probably stay one night at the hospital depending on how he does. I think we're going to take him to the hospital in his Lion costume since it's Halloween! We're a little sad because I'm sure Halloween is fun here living in a neighborhood where all the families have at least 5 kids!! I'm just going to set some candy out on the porch. Thank goodness its tomorrow, I've had 5 or 6 bags in my kitchen for a week now and I think I've gained 5 pounds stealing candy out of them! If you think to say a little prayer for Carsten tomorrow we would appreciate it! Love you all, we'll let you know how it went on Saturday.


Love,
The Bridges

Pumpkin Patch and Halloween

We had an eventful weekend full of pumpkins and The Wizard of Oz:) We went to a pumpkin patch Saturday morning and then a Halloween party Saturday night. Since Carsten already had a Lion outfit, we decided to finish it off with Dorothy and the Scarecrow! Have fun looking at the pics of our cutie pie!

Tosillectomy and funny tube story

I can't believe it, Carsten is going to get his tonsils out next Friday on Halloween! We waited 6 weeks after our ENT appointment to get it scheduled and then we thought it was going to be December 19th. They called this morning and said they could do it next Friday!!! They are going to take his tonsils/adenoids out, take out a cyst they found in his throat, and put tubes in his ears. I'm so excited and I guess a little nervous now that it is so close. Please pray for our little guy that this surgery goes smoothly and helps improve his overall breathing and eating. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers and so soon!!

As for today, I've got to get out and buy some overnight diapers. Now that Carsten is getting fed through his tube overnight his diapers are about 20 pounds in the morning and I'm having to change his sheets every day! Two nights ago, I went in to turn his alarm off at 5:00 and the poor thing was sitting up in his crib with his little head on the bumper. The tube had been leaking ALL night and he was sleeping in a pool of formula, him and the bed were soaking wet! He was so cute just sitting there sleeping sitting up with his head on the bumper. I couldn't believe he didn't wake up and cry or anything! Poor C-man!

We also lost his all time favorite brown blanky last weekend during the Buddy Walk, it has been a hard last few days without it but thanks to Neiman Marcus online I found one for just under 50 dollars that is army colors (green and brown) and have ordered it. Too bad Carsten isn't spoiled enough:)

Election is 13 days away! Remember to pray!!

Love,
Momma Bridges

BUDDY WALK

 

The Buddy Walk is over!! What a day! It started off pretty cold but got warmer during the walk. There was a sea of people there all wearing red for the Kansas City Chiefs. Carsten even got a medal at the end from one of the players! He was pretty shy for some reason at first (probably the cold) but he perked up during the walk when dad put him on his shoulders to show him off!:) We realized that this would probably be the biggest Buddy Walk we ever go to if we aren't here next year. It was fun to be there and with so many people all for the same cause. Thanks to Nana and Aunt Nae for coming, we had a great time and it wouldn't have been as fun without you two! Love you both.

 

I love my aunt nae and nana!

 

In front of Chad's favorite thing, ice cream!!

 

This is fun!

 

On dad's shoulders

 

I got a medal from a Chiefs player at the end!!

 

Me, mom and Nana

 

Me and my aunt Nae!

 

Buddy Walk

 

What is that!!

 

So cute!!

 

Me and Dad

 

Carsten's first horse ride!

 

Last Saturday we ventured over to the Renaissance Festival. I remember going there when I was in grade school on a field trip. It was fun to go again and experience it as an adult. Chad and I had a big Turkey leg, practiced our archery skills, watched all the funny costumes and, of course, I had a funnel cake!:) Carsten had his first horseback ride, poor thing was scared to death, see him trying to reach for me to get off the whole time! And we had to get the horse that kicked, yes kicked me in the leg! It was a fun day.

Union Station

 

Forward about Pastor giving prophecy to Palin

I know this is long but well worth reading. I believe it. I also believe the end about needing to fast in these last few weeks before the election....


Subject: Pastor Mark speaking to Sarah Palin!

Dear Friends; This was forwarded to me and it is well worth the
read! I have enclosed my reply at the end to Pastor Mark because of info that
I shared with him may be of interest to you also. God bless each of you and
let us KNEEL UNITED IN PRAYER TO SEE VICTORY FOR OUR NATION. Melody Morris
Pastor Mark Arnold's report (PLEASE READ ENTIRE STORY BELOW)

This past Tuesday, the McCain / Palin Bus came through a little town
called, Lebanon , Ohio. The LORD allowed me to go to the Rally giving them
a message that He wanted me to personally deliver.

Sunday Night - a burden hit me that would only shake me to my knees -
I prayed and wept for our Nation. Never has my heart been so broken before
God. I literally interceded for these wonderful people who do not deserve
all the hate against them. The GOD-Haters are going to try everything to
stop them, but they will not succeed!

God is not pleased with the 'bashing' in the News of this 'Anointed'
person. He has called her for this time! I promised God that I would pray
and hold them up in prayer. I would 'listen' out and be mindful of where
they were. The following day is important in this time-line...because I
didn't even know until God spoke to me...

Monday and into Monday Night - the burden of prayer was so heavy that
I was literally shaking and could not stop weeping. I didn't know that they
were coming to Ohio . I prayed and walked and wept and walked. I prayed and
prayed and wept and prayed...

Tuesday at 2:00 A.M. - God spoke these words to me - '...Go turn the
Radio on!' Immediately the Reporter's Words were - 'McCain & Palin Bus to be
in Lebanon later this morning for a 10:00 A.M. Rally!'

Immediately on hearing that news, I heard God again...God said, 'You
are to go. You will meet them and give them a message for Me!'

I prayed as an intercessor and went to a place in prayer that I don't
think I've ever been...because the LORD had just visited me...and I knew I
was on a ' Mission .' I had now been up since Sunday NIght...and now it's
Tuesday and I've got to go on the 'WORD of the LORD.' He sure became My
Strength as this unfolds...

I didn't stop praying until I drove over to the town and parked the
car. The News would later report they were expecting 5,000 people and the
actual head-count of those who had been scanned was more than 10,000 people.


I simply obeyed...and God actually told me where to stand, who to
talk to...and when to be on the move. I had sure learned on the Mission
Field, when God wants to open a door, He will do it at the appropriate time.
He always has someone to assist...and even those standing beside you may just
be an Angel.

I struck up a conversation with an agent on the ground - he simply
said, 'I can't allow you to stand here!' Here is where the bus was going to
actual pull up to. They had to make a much larger perimeter so the entire
area was now being moved back several blocks. The only other thing he told
me to do was to go through the metal detector zone and just watch from the
back. So, that's what I did.

Due to sensitivity of the Internet...I can't share much of the story
as to what happened next was a definite GOD THING ALL THE WAY.

Looking over the shoulders and backs and heads of all those people..I
knew it would take a miracle for what GOD told me to do.

As I was standing there, two Boy Scouts came running up my
back...literally, they almost knocked me to the ground because they were
running so fast behind me...up my back and over to the right. These Boy
Scouts were about Junior High Age. Their Scout Leader and several others
were behind them...but as the two out front was trying to push through the
crowd, saying they were late...the smaller scouts were left in their dust.
The Scout Leader who was with a McCain Rep from the State grabbed me and told
me bring the other Scouts up front as they try to keep up with the first two
that just came through.

I just became the leader of the rest of the Scouts to lead them right
up front and center. As the Rep was shouting back at me...to bring the
Scouts forward...the people parted just like God parted the Red Sea.

I marched them boys right up front and to the right of the stage as
one was looking from the back. When I got there I was fifteen feet from the
podium. GOD said, 'Stand here, and don't move from this spot.'
Within five minutes...the bus pulled up and around the other side
McCain, Sarah Palin and her husband Todd stepped up and the speeches took
off. I was where God placed me...and even Sarah Palin and Todd were standing
on my side of the stage. I made eye contact, I gave them thumbs up
gestures...and I knew they were just happy to see me standing there. Ha Ha

When they came around the podium and started on the other side, I
knew they were coming right toward me, a little lady who stood by me, reached
up and told the Rep that they had promised a Picture with her because she was
the one who had lost a son in Iraq, recently. The Rep confirmed she would
get a pic with them and they would talk to her. When McCain came to hug
her... he immdiately shook my hand and following his moment with her, I shook
his hand as he grabbed my hand, now for the second time, and I said, 'God
wants you to know that I'm praying for you, Sir!' He thanked me and kept
smiling. I repeated that phrase to him five times. He grabbed my hands and
looked right into my eyes and said, 'I won't make it without prayer. Sir,
Thank You for praying for me, and don't let one day go by that you don't pray
for me. I need all the prayers that I can get. Thank you, Thank you, Thank
you!'
As he moved to my right, Sarah Palin, came over to my left
side...standing over the crowd and then looking at the little lady who had
lost the son. It took a moment for her to shake some hands and people were
pushing in all around. Sarah came and got on her hands and knees on that
side of the stage and hugged that little Mom, telling her, '...it was not in
vain.' She promised her support.

It was at this moment Sarah Palin, reached out for me to help her up
and as I was assisting her to stand I was now face to face with her and GOD
said, 'Open up your Mouth and I will fill it.'
Here is what came out...

'God wants you to know that you are a present day Esther!'

[She immediately began to cry]!

'God wants to tell you that you are Chosen for such a time as this!'

'You are called, and chosen to be a leader.'

'Don't lose heart and don't fear man.'

'The news and nay-sayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful
toward you... and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat...but
do not fear.'

'You are a present day Esther.' You are an Esther. You are an
Esther!

'Keep your eyes on GOD and know that He has chosen you to Reign!'

'Stay strong...be strong...don't tire. Don't be weary in well-doing.
Be strong.'
Her husband Todd came over and I told him what I told her. He began
to cry.

I emphasized the fact that he was to guard her at this time...and
know that '...she is GOD-CALLED and GOD-ANOINTED.' '...this is a GOD-THING
and your wife is a Present day Esther...she is for God to use at this
time...She is an Esther...she is an Esther...she is an Esther.'

'You will be hated...but stand strong...GOD has called both of you to
stand!'

'We are praying and I am praying for you...!'
At this moment, McCain came right to where I was finishing talking to
Todd and I told Mr. McCain exactly what I told to Sarah and Todd Palin.

'Mr. McCain, ...they are called of God and she is an Esther.'

'Don't lose hope and don't lose heart.'

'We are praying for all of you!'
He shook my hand and with a deep look of understanding what I had
just said, he said, 'Thank you for your prayers and support...I really do
mean that!'
And he turned and shook more hands...and I watched them as they went
through the crowd.

When I got to my car I sat there for quite a long time...knowing the
GOD of the Universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to Sarah
and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God.

I wept. I have not stopped praying and crying. My heart is full
knowing they had to have all the staging and all the hype and all the
crowd...but the GOD of Heaven and Earth...wanted to give them a
Divine-God-Appointment!

To God be all the GLORY and HONOR.

If anyone wants to know if I believe God can speak.
Yes...Absolutely, is my Answer!

Buddy Walk

Kansas City Buddy Walk

Okay so my gracious husband kindly taught me how to put a direct link on our blog tonight:) Sorry for all you readers who have to cut and paste my web links. Here goes my new skills! Thank you if you have already donated to Carsten's Crew for this Saturday! We would appreciate any little donation for this wonderful cause! Its really more the thought than the amount that counts:) Thank you all!

By the way, did anyone see the Palin segment tonight on NBC with Brian Williams? They showed a few clips from her rallies and all the families with special needs there. One reporter stopped her on the way out and asked her about it and she talked about the bond she felt with these families and promised not to let them down. Then she asked her if it was emotional for her and she said a shaky yes and was crying a little:) Chad and I shed a few tears with her:) So special!

Love you all!

Momma Bridges

Girl with Down Syndrome gets crowned Homecoming Queen

And the tears keep on comin':) What a neat article and neat high school community:)

Homecoming Queen

Kansas City Buddy Walk!!!

Alright, calling all you Carsten fans!!! The annual Kansas City Buddy Walk is October is Saturday October 18th at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City!! We are getting very excited about going out for this event and seeing thousands of children with Down Syndrome and their families all there supporting the cause.

Our team name is "Carsten's Crew" Please go to https://www.syssolutions.com/kcbuddywalk/main/ and donate to our team which goes to the Kansas City Down Syndrome Guild and the national Down Syndrome organization. When you get to the main page, click on Donate and then type in Carsten's Crew and I am the team captain so Kari Bridges.

We're a little late getting our team together but please if you have a few seconds and a couple of dollars to give we would be thrilled!! The Kansas City Chief players will be there at the end of the walk to talk to the kids, there will be games, prizes, and food so if you're in the area come on out and support Down Syndrome!!!

Thanks everyone!!

More appointments

Its been a while since I've blogged or it seems like it anyway. We had a big week last week! Carsten and I went down to Fayetteville to visit the fam and sadly take our dog Bradley to my grandfather's house. We stayed with my grandmother, Carsten's Gigi (great-grandmother:) a few nights and Chad's aunt (aunt Nae) on Friday night. We had to say goodbye to our dog Bradley as the hairs were taking over our house and Carsten's allergies seem to be getting increasingly worse. Bradley is now living on a farm with another dog, his new best friend, and was the most happy I've seen him since we got him. I'm thankful it worked out and really have a peace about it:)

We had some appointments today in Kansas City. First was GI which went well, Carsten has gained good weight, he's 22lbs12 oz and 29.5 inches!! Woo hoo, grow Carsten grow!! Then we had an appointment with orthotics to measure for foot braces to help him walk, it turns out he doesn't need the braces!! The PT felt that he had good stability in his ankles and it was more his trunk/core that needed strengthening, yeah! He has been pulling to stand a lot more lately. He's babbling like crazy but still no m sounds, sigh, I guess mamma is still a ways away:(

He had his feeding clinic appointment with the OT which went well, he ate a piece of cheese puff without throwing up or choking! Yeah!

We're just still waiting for ENT to call and schedule his surgery for adenoids and tonsils.

So how bout my girl Palin! I thought she did fantastic on the debate and I was proud to be a Palin supporter. Chad thinks I'm obsessed, hmmm, oh well. I've been trying to watch and see if she comes close again to Kansas, you better betcha I'll be there holding Carsten up in the air saying, "look, I've got one too!!" (a family inside joke:) Seriously, she is such a breath of fresh air and exactly what we need in the White House. All these people that are so worried about her having to take over if McCain "chokes on a rib" is ridiculous if you are a believer. Do we not believe that God will guide her and give her wisdom in that situation? Do we not trust God with one of His own even if they are not the most "qualified" in a worldly sense?

Okay, I'll stop my Palin preachin':) I'm gunna go watch the second presidential debate now:) Love ya'll!!

Mamma Bridges

Poor C-man

Poor C-man has gotten his first ear infection. We went to the ER last night around 1000. He has been getting increasingly stopped up with tons of drainage, a fever, and the last two nights he has not been able to sleep at all since he can't breathe. Yes, that means we didn't get any sleep either! We decided to take him to the ER and the doc thinks it is probably an ear infection so he put him on antibiotics, poor guy! He just can't breathe at all through his nose, I'm constantly wiping snot all day long and he has a fever. I think the antibiotic will help, he crashed just a little while ago and hopefully will catch up on some much needed sleep. Pray that he feels better soon whatever it is because he really needs to have his yearly shots, we're behind, we have a marriage retreat this weekend, and he needs to get his surgery scheduled for his adenoids and tonsils.

It seems like its one darn thing after another. We finally get his vomiting under control with this new tube and he goes and gets sicks on us! The tube is working well though and he has had very little vomit over the past week! Thanks for your prayers.

Love,
Momma (Nurse) Bridges:)

More pics

I just realized the other day that I didn't have any pictures of Carsten naked so I could show his girlfriend(s) when he gets older:)! I took care of that right away and got some cute shots of him in his birthday suit. I love the one of him and Chad even though its blurry, I'm not a good picture taker but I try.

We started our continuous feeds last night and it went great!! The alarm didn't go off all night and Carsten didn't get tangled up in the cord. We'll see if we continue to be that lucky! Carsten didn't throw up this morning for the first time in over a year! AMAZING! Thank you Lord! Wow, what a relief, I've forgotten what it feels like to be able to relax not having to anticipate the next vomit. The morning he got his new tube we were waiting in the GI department and lo and behold, yes, he vomited ALL over a nurse! I couldn't help but chuckle even though I felt really bad, but it was a good confirmation that we did the right thing:) Needless to say, I am so grateful for all the progress. I just hope that he continues to eat better, maintain hunger and drive to eat even though being fed at night, and can drink eventually. We had an OT feeding appointment today and it went well. He even ate a piece of a cheese puff!

Enjoy the pics, go Sarah! (had to slip that in:)

I'm NAKED!

 

The guitar is my favorite part!

 

Music therapy with Mrs Kay