A Week in Review

Man, it's been one heck of a week since the last update! Jeramie and I want to thank y'all for the prayers and encouragement you gave us during our first casting experience. I have to say that I am pretty stinkin' excited about the results from round 1! Even Ethan's orthopedist was shocked with the amount of correction that was achieved.

See for yourself:

Before cast #1

After!

As you can see, his forearm (the ulna) is being straightened, thus gaining some length. Ethan is now sportin' a 2nd cast and we plan to have y'all decorate them from this point on, so get your Sharpies ready!

This week has also brought about a few exciting "firsts" for our little man. If you follow me on Twitter, you already know that Ethan now has TEETH! I noticed them on Friday night and he's been pretty mad about it ever since. They've both completely broken through the gums, so I hope the pain will start to subside.

Two down; how many more to go?!

Then, at feeding therapy yesterday, Ethan tried his hand (um, mouth?) at rice cereal!

**I interrupt this update to inform you of the following: I asked my husband, "Jeramie, is that last sentence corny??" With a slight pause he replies, "No ... it's RICEY!!**

Wow.

So, like I was saying. Our therapist decided that it's time to introduce solids, and Ethan did GREAT!! It was such a good sight to see food all over his face, and even better to see that he enjoyed it. I think we're all in agreement that Ethan may just skip the bottle altogether and head straight for spoons and sippy cups.

More, please!

On Saturday, we took Ethan on his longest car ride ever to Concord, NC! Our friends Meredith & Jonathan welcomed their son, Charles Yates Ellis, into this world on July 19. We, along with some other friends, went to meet Charlie and Ethan did great for the most part. We won't hold the hour of screaming on the way home against him. Like I said, these teeth are making him pretty darn angry.

Jeramie & Jonathan with the little boys

So, there you have it. Consider yourselves updated. Oh, and you should all go and purchase one of these. Ethan's adorable face will adorn part of a page in this calendar and, better yet, proceeds from this sale will benefit children living with congenital heart defects.

It doesn't get much better than that.