So we're officially moved into my parents house in Union Star awaiting the sell of our beautiful home in Joplin. We will miss it immensely but there are things more important to us than that home...we're enjoying being together again, Tennyson and I spent the first two weeks up here surrounded by family while Travis spent a lonely two weeks packing and getting things at the house finalized. But all is well, our homes contents is in my parents house, Ted and Connie's home and Grandma and Grandpa Hutchcraft's basement (wonder what that will cost me later :)).
We're sure glad to be back around family though we're missing our friends in Joplin very much. I am working for oral surgeons doing some marketing/pr and working in the front office and Travis is working for a local farmer, doing lots of spraying for the planting season. He's so ahead of many of the farmers because the equipment is so technologically advanced that he is catching on very quickly. He's doing so great that his employer has contracted his services beginning next week to MFA so he will be traveling and spraying fields for them. I think he is missing his "bankers hours" though because he's at work before sunrise and home after sunset most nights. The life of a farmer, I tell you what.
Tennyson has had a great time adjusting though we've had our fair share of ups and down. Travis' first week here, the last week of April, thank the Lord we found an insurance company willing to pick us up (we had struggled with many and some like CHP were willing to cover us for a monthly premium of $2884.00 it was ridiculous). We are insured with State Farm, who knew they supplied health insurance, but they've been great and we paid our premiums Monday and ended up at Urgent Care on Saturday...couldn't have found them soon enough, I tell you. So that was our first ear infection since coming home, it was a rough night but he soon passed that and the next week we had spots appear all over his hands and feet that appeared to be chicken pox at first glance which would be terrible as Ryan, my little brother (he's 12) hasn't had them or the vaccine yet. Anyways after a trip to our pediatrician who we aren't scheduled to see until June 30 found us to have hand, foot and mouth. I had to ask if he got that because he chews on his toes however she assured me it was not contracted through those means. He was contagious and not allowed to head back to Kelsey's (my sister who watches him) as she watches three other kids. So he and I spent a great few days just the two of us chilling, it was great if I do say so myself. Then the next weekend (graduation weekend) he got a fever and a terrible cough so we found ourself in the ER with an upper respiratory infection, which of course is viral and therefore untreatable with medications...so we're still battling that. This week found us with another ear infection, this is our third in three months so the word "tubes" was mentioned however we will be reassessed next Friday and I will let you know more at that time.
All that to say we really are doing great, if you are so inclined please pray for Travis and his long hours and just the stress of learning something new. Our house in Joplin is wonderful and still for sale, pray and amazing family will come forward and love it as we did. And please lift up little Tennyson and all he's dealing with during this time.
Know that I promise to try and be more faithful in updating and that we love all of you so very much, thanks for sticking with us even though we've been MIA for two months. It means the world to us.
Love you all-
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson Myers
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sponsor Me at March for Babies!
We were planning on walking at MSSU in Joplin May 3 in the March for Babies, however now that we're moving I will be entering us into the St Joseph walk on Saturday, April 18 at 10am (do I seriously think I can get us moved, start a new job and organize a team in just two weeks, I must be nuts). The event takes place in St. Joseph at Hyde Park on Mason Rd. & 4th St. Maybe we will get to a chance to compete with Team Ari & Raina McDowell though I know they're quite ahead of us on the fundraising portion. Also if you would like to walk with us in honor of Mr. Tennyson, please let us know, we would love to have you join us raising funds for such an amazing organization.Here is an excerpt from our Team Tennyson page with a few updates...
As many of you know, Tennyson John joined us three months before his anticipated arrival. We were so lost and thankful for those surrounding us who provided strength and hope for us during that time. Without organizations like March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network and the Ronald McDonald House who knows how different our outcome may have been. We had never been in a NICU or exposed to the miracles that occur there everyday, over and over in the lives of these precious little babies. Our lives will forever be changed because of them.
Tennyson is doing so great now, you would never know this six month old eighteen pound little boy was ever a preemie. All the advancements he made were in part to the dedication, support and resources of organization such as those listed above. We will forever be indebted to them. We are so thankful to the people who were there for us to make such an impact and lasting difference in our lives, to love on us, support us, encourage us and give us hope even though some days seemed hopeless.
“I will praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hands
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm.”
-Praise you in this Storm, Casting Crowns
These words became our theme during our two-month NICU stay and many of the days (even still) since we’ve been home however we know that our God is the God of miracles and he has proved that over and over to us through Tennyson. Though I would never wish for a baby to be born early, it is a reality we all have to face, over half a million babies are born prematurely (seven or more weeks early) each year. Who is there for them? Some babies do not survive the birthing process, some do not survive their NICU stays, some struggle even once they’re home, and some like Tennyson thrive and grow more rapidly than full-term babies, who are we to stand in the way of these babies chances. Please join us in being a miracle to others and allowing light and hope to be seen in the lives of babies all across the nation.
Please join us in raising funds for this amazing organization and sponsoring Tennyson in such a special way. We have been so blessed and would like to pass that on to others who are in need of some hope.
All our love-
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson
Monday, March 31, 2008
We're Coming Home
It's official...we're going to be returning to the St. Joseph area. I have taken a position with an oral surgeons office and Travis is working with an agency in St. Joseph who handle all the hiring for a couple different companies that he's interested in. We are so excited...
Our days in Joplin have been wonderful and we know the Lord had us here for this season of our lives, for Tennyson's birth and everything that was associated with that. For the learning and the relationships we've built that will be life long. We are however also so excited to be moving closer to our families who we've missed dearly during this time.
It's amazing how much missing a birthday party, graduation, wedding or baseball game hurt when you're used to being there for all of them.
Know that we will miss all of you in Joplin however are looking forward to this newest chapter in our lives. I will begin working on April 14 in St Joseph and therefore Tennyson and I at least will be returning to St Joseph the weekend of April 11. So if anyone knows someone looking for a home in the Joplin area, give them our info...
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson
Four Generations, Easter Trip and Double Ear Infections
Okay so for the Easter weekend we headed back up north on Thursday evening, stayed with Ted and Connie Thursday and Friday night, had a great time hanging out with everyone. Saturday we took in Racheal Mead & Nakia Stumps wedding. It was so great to see Racheal I hadn’t seen her in ages and she sure looked beautiful. Then Sunday we went to Oak and listened to Tanya Mitchell sing (music to my ears) and Joel preach, it was so great to introduce Tennyson to so many who had been praying for him. Then we headed to my aunt Bonnie’s for lunch which was great because we hadn’t seen most of them since Easter of last year because we weren’t able to come home for Christmas. So they were introduced to Tennyson and then we had to head back south.
On the way back home Tennyson woke up hungry twice and so we stopped and fed him. However got back at a decent hour, around 7pm or so. We got the car unloaded and I fed Tennyson a jar of carrots, he scarfed them down like he was starving and then proceeded to scream and vomit them up an hour later. This began our long journey to find out what was wrong with Tennyson. Sunday night he threw up multiple times on into Monday and so I was home with him. I called the physicians office and after discussing everything thought we must have over-stimulated him over the weekend. So we went through the day and he had a fever off and on however then on Monday night started screaming uncontrollably and was inconsolable. This went on for hours so Tuesday morning I took him to the physicians office and they thought he looked fine from their end but recommended I take him to see Dr. Rosenschein (the hernia surgeon) because the blood sac was still there. So Wednesday morning we made the trek to Dr. Rosenschein’s office, he said yes the sac was still there however it was softer and shouldn’t be causing the fussing, etc. that he was displaying so he called Holmes’ office and we got in to see Julia the nurse practitioner. She gave him a look over and stated his throat was really raw, his nasal passages were congested and that his ears looked a little red. She then proceeded to stick a tube in his ears to pull out wax and he cried harder than I’d ever seen him cry before, we had to stop numerous times and blow on him to get him to breathe he was crying so hard. When she got the build up out of his ears she said they were really red, especially the right one and so we got some antibiotics. Also while we were there we developed a rash, between the bath and the physician’s office. So now he’s on amoxicillin, CPhen Drops for congestion, Tylenol every six hours for pain and a cream for the rash. It’s nice, really nice.
So all that to say after six days of antibiotics and the whole regimine he’s getting back to his normal self. This weekend we had a couple outings, (he’s on antibiotics so I guess now’s the time). Saturday morning we headed to JCPenney’s to have his first professional portraits taken. When I scheduled the appointment the lady was really excited because these were his firsts and said to bring multiple outfits and props and such so I did however she must not have been the lady taking the photos. In her defense however we had to drive twenty minutes to the mall so he was asleep when we got there, and he’s one of the smiliest little boys however didn’t give a single smile though many of them are cute. I will post them when I’m able. From there we headed to Target because at the appointment on Wednesday clothed, he weighed 18lbs. 12 ounces so he’s almost to the limit on his infant carrier. So we needed to get a convertible car seat. All the reviews I’d read said you should take the child in and make sure the seat fits the child so we ran in and got a seat and a new DVD player (Trudy came down one weekend and both the DVD players we had died!! Coincidence??).
Then Sunday we headed to church again which was great, he didn’t sleep through any of it and every time it would get quiet he would talk but not too loud or distracting for those around us so that was alright. Afterwards we went to lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s he was so tired so I knew he would fall asleep on the way however he woke up once we got into the restaurant but he didn’t fuss at all and sat on our laps while we visited like such a big boy. The waitress was so taken with him she messed up our orders several times, but what do you do.
Anyways that is our lives in a nutshell…
Love you all-
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson
On the way back home Tennyson woke up hungry twice and so we stopped and fed him. However got back at a decent hour, around 7pm or so. We got the car unloaded and I fed Tennyson a jar of carrots, he scarfed them down like he was starving and then proceeded to scream and vomit them up an hour later. This began our long journey to find out what was wrong with Tennyson. Sunday night he threw up multiple times on into Monday and so I was home with him. I called the physicians office and after discussing everything thought we must have over-stimulated him over the weekend. So we went through the day and he had a fever off and on however then on Monday night started screaming uncontrollably and was inconsolable. This went on for hours so Tuesday morning I took him to the physicians office and they thought he looked fine from their end but recommended I take him to see Dr. Rosenschein (the hernia surgeon) because the blood sac was still there. So Wednesday morning we made the trek to Dr. Rosenschein’s office, he said yes the sac was still there however it was softer and shouldn’t be causing the fussing, etc. that he was displaying so he called Holmes’ office and we got in to see Julia the nurse practitioner. She gave him a look over and stated his throat was really raw, his nasal passages were congested and that his ears looked a little red. She then proceeded to stick a tube in his ears to pull out wax and he cried harder than I’d ever seen him cry before, we had to stop numerous times and blow on him to get him to breathe he was crying so hard. When she got the build up out of his ears she said they were really red, especially the right one and so we got some antibiotics. Also while we were there we developed a rash, between the bath and the physician’s office. So now he’s on amoxicillin, CPhen Drops for congestion, Tylenol every six hours for pain and a cream for the rash. It’s nice, really nice.
So all that to say after six days of antibiotics and the whole regimine he’s getting back to his normal self. This weekend we had a couple outings, (he’s on antibiotics so I guess now’s the time). Saturday morning we headed to JCPenney’s to have his first professional portraits taken. When I scheduled the appointment the lady was really excited because these were his firsts and said to bring multiple outfits and props and such so I did however she must not have been the lady taking the photos. In her defense however we had to drive twenty minutes to the mall so he was asleep when we got there, and he’s one of the smiliest little boys however didn’t give a single smile though many of them are cute. I will post them when I’m able. From there we headed to Target because at the appointment on Wednesday clothed, he weighed 18lbs. 12 ounces so he’s almost to the limit on his infant carrier. So we needed to get a convertible car seat. All the reviews I’d read said you should take the child in and make sure the seat fits the child so we ran in and got a seat and a new DVD player (Trudy came down one weekend and both the DVD players we had died!! Coincidence??).
Then Sunday we headed to church again which was great, he didn’t sleep through any of it and every time it would get quiet he would talk but not too loud or distracting for those around us so that was alright. Afterwards we went to lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s he was so tired so I knew he would fall asleep on the way however he woke up once we got into the restaurant but he didn’t fuss at all and sat on our laps while we visited like such a big boy. The waitress was so taken with him she messed up our orders several times, but what do you do.
Anyways that is our lives in a nutshell…
Love you all-
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson
Monday, March 17, 2008
A week of Firsts...
This has sure been a week of firsts...
The weather was so lovely on Wednesday evening (over 70 with little wind) that I went outside for the first time to visit the Girls (Rastus our Rotweiller and Katherine our Dalmatian/Beagle/Jack Russell, don't ask??). It was great and he thought they were hilarious and they weren't quite sure what to think of him.
After that I got another treat. I tried baby food for the first time. Note in the photos I use my hands a lot, especially to put them in my mouth so I am in a diaper with a plastic bib which seems to be working for us. I tend to get it on my knees and on my arms and so forth so this was smart thinking by daddy. I tried sweet potatoes first and just ate them up. In the mornings I've been having plain rice cereal but Saturday momma surprised me with a treat, rice cereal with apples she accidentally bought instead of the plain stuff, I sure loved it. Then Saturday I tried carrots and didn't really like them as well as the sweet potatoes but I did alright with them.
On Saturday I had my very first play date which was wonderful. Willis, Kandi and Jai Potter came over for dinner and we had a great time. You will see us with our daddies in the photos. I didn't want to sleep at all on Saturday I was so excited for Jai to come over however finally gave in around 4:30 (I'd been up since around 7am). When Jai got here she was asleep too but we both woke up around 6 and were smiling and chatting with each other for a bit but from then on we just couldn't get it together, when I was awake she was snoozing and vice versa. Next time I'm sure we'll do better.
On Sunday though I got the biggest shock yet, mom, dad and I went to church at CCO. It was great. When Brandon first hit the drums I jumped and wasn't really sure what to think but after I got over the inital shock I loved it and fell asleep during worship. From there I snoozed really good until Mr. Lynn's third point in his sermon. I woke up and was sitting on daddy's lap chatting with him, he kept shooshing me and everytime he did I just thought it was so funny and I would laugh, causing more shoosing and more laughing, mamma was cracking up too. After the service we saw Mark & Rachel Bond (and their precious ones, Moriah was too cute, she was so proud Javan can say baby and tried and tried to get him too until finally he gave in). It was funny Mark was teasing Lynn that Tennyson work up and was telling him to hurry up, he was running over his time and Lynn was arguing he was amening him, saying "preach it brother Lynn." It was precious and so good to have him out, though it was brief and no one can believe how big he is. His feet are starting to hang off the car seat end, it's crazy.
Anyways that was our crazy week, it was fun, but exhausting and much too quick (the weekends sure are). This next weekend we're heading up north and mama can't wait until Sunday when she will be able to congratulate Scotti who's having twins, due right before my first birthday, it'll be great!!
All our love,
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson
Monday, March 10, 2008
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