Nathan's Notes by Erin Breedlove

Erin Breedlove hosts a blog titled "Empowering People and Changing Lives". A few weeks ago she contacted us about doing a little story on Nate and we agreed. You can view her story on Nate by clicking on this link http://empowerpeoplechangelives.blogspot.com/2009/07/nathans-notes-sma-you-cant-bring-him.html or by clicking on "Nathan's Notes" under LINKS on the right side of the page.

ERIN -- Thank you for a great story on Nate! He is an amazing little boy and we appreciate you sharing his story with others!

Trey & Jen

Update

The boys are doing really well! We had a little "cool" spell here in Tulsa, so we enjoyed a couple of days at the park and taking some walks. They have still enjoyed the pool though and Owen has become quite the little swimmer! He only had four sessions of swimming lessons and the difference is amazing! He's a fish!

Nate has his communication device back and it now has internet access. He played on it some yesterday with his teacher and speech therapist and we found a website that he LOVES! It's very fun and educational - http://www.starfall.com/. He's also still "talking", mostly telling us his favorite tv show (spongebob) and his favorite movie (Jonah).

Owen went to the dr. this week to have a little lump checked out in his neck. Turns out it's just a normal lymphnode. (Crazy, worried parents right!). We also had his ears checked because his left ear had failed a hearing test done by his speech therapist. It does have a little fluid on it, so we have to keep an eye on that. No infection yet, but if it doesn't come out in 90 days, we might be looking at tubes. This is probably the reason he's delayed in speaking. However, I swear his hearing is perfect. He hears things I don't. Maybe his right ear is super power hearing??? LOL.

Well, I'm off to Kansas City tomorrow to see my brother and sister-in-law. First time I've been gone overnight in 4 years, so I'm a little nervous (well a lot nervous) about Nathan. But, we have all our nursing shifts covered and Nana (mother-in-law) is coming in to help Trey. I'm sure everything will be fine and hopefully I can relax and have fun. I sure will miss my boys (all three of them!).

Nate turns SIX YEARS OLD soon! We'll have lots of pics!

Thanks for checking in!
Jennifer

Youtube Video of Owen in the Pool

Owen is taking swimming lessons and doing very well! He LOVES to climb the wall (and that's really not part of the swimming lessons, he picked that up himself)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVLh9nyHkg4&feature=channel

Pic of Owen

Owen is trying out a new fashion style. Actually he's starting to undress himself. He's got pants and shorts down, but tops he hasn't mastered yet.

4th of July

We had a great weekend! Friday both boys got in the pool and did great! Nate loved watching Owen play. His nurse Jennifer played with Nate in the pool which he really enjoyed because he has a HUGE crush on her!

Saturday we thought the parade was going to be rained out but it stopped raining a little before it was to start. So, we gathered up the boys and went to the parade. Nate was smiling the whole time ear to ear! He was so proud of his chair! As we started the parade, it was sprinkling a little bit, but as we got to the farthest point from our house, it started pouring! I mean really pouring! Luckily, Trey had bought a golf umbrella for shade in case it was really hot. We brought it and were able to keep Nate's equipment dry. Nate thought it was funny. Didn't bother him a bit! He loved feeling the rain on his legs and feet. Of course, it stopped raining as soon as we got to our house. We got some good pics though! It turned out to be a great parade even in the rain!

Later that day we took Owen out early for a few little fireworks and some sparklers. Then we took Nate out later and did some bigger ones. We posted a video of some of that. Once again our neighborhood was lit up everywhere with firework shows at every corner! I LOVE that we don't have to go out anywhere and can stay home and enjoy the 4th in our own neighborhood!

Nate Watching Fireworks (Youtube Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvUwb3MqMwA

Owen Watching His 1st Fireworks

Before the Parade Pics

During the Parade Pics (Before the Downpour)

Nate loved every minute of it!

After the Parade Pics

As you can see, we are soaked!

Playdate with Charlie and Evelyn

Here are some pictures of the boys playing with Charlie and Evelyn. Charlie was loving putting the tunnel over Owen's head. Owen thought it was funny like one time and then he wasn't too thrilled. But I thought it was hilarious! Nate thought it was funny too!

Busy Holiday Weekend Coming Up

Today we had my friend, Michelle and her two kids (Charlie and Evelyn) over for a play date. Nate was up in his chair and loved watching Charlie rough around with Owen. And Evelyn is darling (she's six months younger than Owen). Future couple I predict! It was great for Owen to play with other kids. I wish he could do it more!!!

Tomorrow we plan on getting Nate in the pool and Saturday we have the neighborhood 4th of July parade. Unfortunately, it's at 11:00 this year and it's supposed to be 100 degrees Saturday! I've already decorated his chair, but we'll just have to see if we can go. If not, no big deal, because he'll be all patriotic in his chair for the fireworks that evening. Our neighborhood is always fun on the 4th. Lots of kids and fireworks around. They also have a pool party every year with a cookout. It's during the boys' naptimes but maybe next year Owen can go. They are having a military fly by during the party. Hopefully, Trey and I will get to enjoy that as we relax during the boys' naptimes on rafts in the pool!

Everything is going well and Nate is enjoying the summer. Owen just started swimming lessons. Pretty much beginner stuff, but it will help. Next comes August - big birthdays for the boys!

I'll post 4th of July pics after the weekend. Have a great Independence Day and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

Jennifer

p.s. One new thing Owen is doing. He's able to get up in Nate's bed now and wants to do it all the time! He likes to rub Nate's legs and love on him. It's the sweetest thing EVER! Nate's not too sure about it. He gets nervous and afraid Owen is going to hurt him. Owen is very gentle most of the time, but sometimes we have to get him down and of course, Owen screams bloody murder! He loves his big brother! Touches my heart!

The Boys at Incredible Pizza

We had a great time at Incredible Pizza last week. Owen gets to burn off a lot of energy (which is great for me!).

Owen at the Aquarium

The sitter took Owen to the aquarium last week. We are planning on taking both the boys soon.

You Tube Videos

For those of you new to Nate's blog, we also have videos of Nate and Owen on Youtube. The account name is - rer3family.

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great Father's Day! We celebrated with my dad, Uncle Jeff and the boys. We all got in the pool, then cooked out steaks and had a fun day. Nate did great in the pool!

Nate is doing well. No major problems. He got his new manual wheelchair - LOVE IT! He is so much more comfortable in this chair. We've been getting him up a lot more. Owen loves hanging out with his brother in the living room. It's so cute.

There's not much really going on. Just the same old busy routine. Everyone is well and happy and that's all I care about!

Trey and I celebrate our 8 year wedding anniversary tomorrow. WOW! We actually get to go OUT to dinner. Once or twice a year out for an adult evening - we don't take it for granted! Our night nurse is generously coming in early and working a 12 hour shift so we can do this! Can't wait!

Enjoy some new pics.

Thanks for checking in,

Jennifer

p.s. I think Trey is the BEST father and husband in the world!!!!

Nathan Update

Nate's been doing fine. He's still having some episodes of not being able to maintain his O2 levels while he's sleeping and we can't figure that out.

He got his new manual wheelchair and it fits him much better! It still needs some adjustments though.

He was Spartan of the Week a couple of weeks ago at school and we were so excited. A poster of him with tons of pictures was posted on the classroom door. Then at school he was at the front of the class and the kids would say nice things about him and I told the kids a little bit about his life and went over all the pictures. Nate hated it - cried the whole time! He doesn't like being center of attention. He prefers to hang back and observe. We had been talking to him the week before about him being Spartan of the Week and what it was all about. The day after school, he was on his eye gaze communication device and I asked him why he was crying at school and what was wrong. He said he was afraid like 7 times! Poor little guy! He was nervous! The kids also drew pictures of the Nate and say something nice about him. The teacher put together a book with all the pics and it is too cute! Some of the pictures have him with his bi-pap on. The kids said things like - "he's cool", "he's nice", "I love his wheelchair - it's pretty", "he's cute" and my favorite "he's the best friend a man could have". Kids are so cute. We went back to school on the last day of school and he did much better, just hanging out with the kids.

We're still waiting on his new switch for the power chair! Hopefully, that will be in soon and we'll start practicing. He loves to drive!

That's it for now! Thanks for checking in.

Jennifer

Owen Eating at the Table

When it's time to eat, he used to pull up his high chair, now he gets into a chair at the table. He's not even 2, and doesn't even really need a booster seat - BIG BOY!

Owen - Future Plumber

Nate and Owen in the Pool - Youtube Video

Owen had been in the pool a couple of times before, but this was Nate's first time. He did great and loved it! Owen wasn't too thrilled the first couple of times we got him in. But, we found a new game he likes (pouring water into cups) and now he loves the pool. We've tried getting him in floaties and carrying him around, but all he wants to do is play with the cups!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uYrht0CtIw