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...

See you all soon-

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

Photos & Video of More Firsts...

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

The pictures from yesterday that wouldn't post...

Last Home Health Visit, Poppie's Birthday and a Mild Explosion

Friday Lisa, our home health nurse visited us for the last time since we've received the Synagist shot. We weighed in at 16 lbs. and 2.5 ounces. Lisa has been wonderful, we are truly blessed to have her.

Friday night, Granny, Poppie and Trudy made their way from the cold north weather down here where it's nice and high 50s, low 60s. Granny had a surprise for Poppie and I, you will see the pictures above. She thought in order to be sure Poppie's birthday pie and all those candles were under control a firefighter needed to be on site. I was lucky enough to get to play that part.

We had a great weekend, it was so fun to hang out with everyone and to see Aunt Trudy again. Please be praying for her, she has another appointment with her physician at Children's Mercy and then they will be scheduling some more tests and procedures. We hope they are able to figure out what's ailing her and get it cleared up quickly.

This morning they headed back up north and mom, dad and I hung out this afternoon. I've been doing so good a holding my head up and I'm wanting to stand all the time that they thought it might be a good time to get out my jumperoo. I've never been in anything like it but once they put the pillow underneath me, my legs didn't quite reach the ground, I was off and jumping. It was great I had the best time.

Mom was starting to get nervous though because she would have to give glycerin tonight if I didn't produce and low and behold, that jumping must have gotten things moving because she knew when it happened and grabbed me up and ran to the bathroom. Daddy was right behind us to get the bath water started. It took mom and dad back to the NICU days, this was worse than the last time. They're so thankful the surgery helped, but I think they wish I would keep it under better control.

Anyways, enjoy the photos and video of all our fun. Know that we miss you all and love you tons. We're praying the Lord blesses you all as we're moving into the Resurrection season, a wonderful time of remembrance and celebration for our Lord's sacrifice and miracles.

Love you all-
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson

March of Dimes, March for Babies

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 five month old sixteen 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 be sure to check out our Team Tennyson page on the March of Dimes site, the URL is http://www.marchforbabies.org/508825.

Team: Team Tennyson
Walksite: MSSU Stadium, 3950 E. Newman Rd., Joplin
Date: 5/3/2008
Time: 10:00 AM

Please feel free to join us during the walk or to sponsor us in this walk or just to view our posts. We are striving for a $1000 goal to help fight prematurity across the nation. We know that Tennyson is doing so well because so many have reached out and helped us with their time, talents, prayers and finances. We want to be able to provide the same for other babies and families experiencing prematurity as we did.

Thanks guys-
Lindsay

What's been happening...

Okay so we came home Thursday morning and got all settled in. He was doing so much better on Thursday, we were at least able to get some sounds and a smile out of him. He was completely inconsolable on Wednesday night. So we came home and were visited on Friday by a home health nurse. She checked his incisions and weighed him (15lbs. 11 ounces). So that was all good news. Nana Jo gave me my first bath after surgery while mommy worked and got some things caught up there.

Nana Jo headed back up north on Saturday morning and I was left to fend for myself with mom and dad. He is doing so great and on Sunday even blessed us with four explosions on his own. We were so proud, mom didn't have to give glycerine...yeah!!

Monday and Tuesday I hung out with Jesse and then Tuesday afternoon Lisa from home health came to give me my final Synagist dosage (YEAH for my poor thighs and for mom and dad's wallets). Since he is weighing in so heavily (He was 16lbs 1 ounce on Tuesday) he had to have two injections as only 1ml of the vaccine can be given in a thigh. She also checked his incisions and thought they didn't look any different and the right side was hardening again like it was before the surgery (Oh great!). She tested him for head lag which means she laid him down flat and she picked him up by his hands to see if he was able to keep his head up or not, he was and she was tremendously impressed with his strength.

This morning was our follow up with Dr. Rosenschein, who surprised mommy by stating I had a third testi. He was kidding (to go from one to three, seriously) but there is a sack of blood down there that he though was absorbing abnormally slowly so we will see him in a month and he will determine whether he needs to redo the right side of the surgery (though he said if he had to guess we will be having surgery again in another month). I am not sure this mom can handle that.

So all that to say, that's where we all. Working away and enjoying our little one. Please not the photos, we were again trying the rice cereal, in one of them I have found my thumb (mom and dad were overjoyed as maybe I can console myself as typically I try and eat the entire fist however I only did it that one time...Trav & I are still holding out hope though), one of my raccoon eyes, where they taped them shut for surgery, and one where we think we can sit up, kinda. Tennyson is constantly wanting us to hold him in the sitting position and he's so good about holding his head up that we do it all the time. However, don't you dare block that television, he's completely enamored with it and gets really cranky when he's not able to see it. It's hilarious and sad all in the same breath.

Things we would ask prayer for would be for the entire healing process following the surgery and for that absorpsion to take place so that we won't have to repeat the surgery and also that Tennyson would start sleeping better at night. For a while he was doing so great and then this surgery has us messed up again. We're only up twice but the second time is for an hour and a half or two hours (usually around 4:30) because he's ready to play and chat.

Thanks for everything, we love you guys!

Blessed Beyond-

Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson Myers

New Cousins...

Robert Graham Medsker IV, was born to Tommy & Ashley Medsker of King City MO in February (I believe it was the 9th however I could be wrong). I don't have any vital statistics though I know his sisters Kori and Emberlynn were excited to meet him.

Dustin & April Beauford also welcomed a new baby in February into our family. I don't have any photos of Lily though I am sure she's beautiful and Corbin is loving on her like crazy.