Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Just the 4 of us, at home, relaxing, eating, relaxing, eating....We did the Fried turkey (a Jonathan Charleston Special) green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, oyster dressing, cranberry jello salad (thanks mom for the recipe!)  

Prior to T-giving, Austin had his preschool Thanksgiving program.  My friend Erika watched Ashley so I could spend all my attention on Austin!  He said his lines perfectly!  We then enjoyed a class "Bread Share".  He was so proud.  I was too.  

Ashley hasn't escaped this week, she's tried, but I'm onto her!  She now can count to 5, but tries to count to 10 with missing numbers.  She still wants to play with everything Austin has/plays with.  Forget her toys, whatever is in Austin's hand, needs to be in her hand as well.  Austin is a team player and gives in...most of the time.  

Also this week we had an appt with Austin's gastroenterologist.  Before we decide to get the surgery done (nissen fundoplication) we are trying one last round of medications for 4 weeks. But even if they work a little better than what he has been taking (which isn't working) the Dr. said he would be on them for years and years.  He's just not getting any better.  The Dr. thought the surgery was a good idea because his acid reflux is so severe.  One of the worst he's ever seen at this age.  The problem we found out through many bronchoscopy's and endoscopy's is that his sphincter between his stomach adn esophagus won't contain anything.  That muscle flops open and shut and no matter how much meds we give him to reduce the acid in his stomach juice, the juices are still flying up into his esophagus and lungs uncontrollably. It burns his esophagus and causes extreme wheezing, hoarseness and asthma/bronchitis. And at age 5, this sphincter muscle should be strong and he should've outgrown anything by now.  So, all of Austin's Dr.'s and Jonathan and I have decided we'll most likely have his surgery done in January or February sometime at Children's Hospital in DC.  That's one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation with Dr.'s skilled in gastroenterology problems.  It's a 4 hour surgery. This is longer than anything he's ever done before.  It's scary, but after 5 years of poor Austin suffering and 3 years since we've been in the states and 8 anesthesia's later, we finally know what the problem is-a muscle that won't contain the contents of his belly!  We'll keep you posted. 

Jonathan is busy at work this time of year.  Palestinian peace talks with the President and Sec State and all 51 UN delegations coming in to DC.  

I am starting my Christmas shopping now!  I partook in Black Friday (not at 4 am) but later.  But this year I am comfortably doing most of my shopping online.  

Above is a picture of my brother Chris, Jodi and baby Brigg!  He's week old today!

31 days till Christmas!

Love,

Angie