Out and About

We have decided that we cannot let Joshua's diagnosis or his diet stop us from living our lives so we have been trying to get "out and about" more lately.  It helps that summer finally arrived here in Seattle and that Chip is not working.  It takes a lot for us to get out of the house and to get everything coordinated so it feels like a major accomplishment when we do.  We first have to figure out what food we will need to take for Joshua (e.g. what meals or snacks we will be gone during).  Then we have to figure out what we will have access to while we are gone (like if we can take something that would need to be heated up or cold only).  After we figure out what we think we are going to take, we have to actually make it, figure out the best way to store it (cooler, back pack, do we need ice, etc.) and then package and label it.  Lastly, we have to document what we are taking in his log and figure out all the nutritional information to know if he will have enough fat in his meals and snacks. 

In addition to his food, we have to figure out if we think we are going to be gone during his medication times and if there is a possibility then we have to take all his medications.  This involves not only packing his medications, but everything he needs to take them with (applesauce, "juice", spoons, measuring spoon for the liquid med, etc.). 

We also have to figure out his nap schedule if we are going to be gone as it is very important that he take a nap every day or he has more seizures.  So, we have to decide if we are going to get out super early and be home for nap time or let him sleep in the car (if we have a long drive) or stay home until after he wakes up from his nap and then leave. 

As you can see, if we are able to get everything together and actually go somewhere it is a minor miracle and so we are very proud when we do.  Here are some pics from some of our recent excursions.

One Sunday in June we took the ferry over to Vashon Island and we spent the day there.

Chip and Cole on the ferry ride over to Vashon



Chip and Joshua on the top of the lighthouse

Cole finding shells on the shore

A purple starfish - color of epilepsy!

 Chip and Joshua on the beach

Joshua throwing rocks

Joshua, Cole and Chip on the beach

Chip and Joshua on the ferry ride back

We went to a Tacoma Rainiers game at the end of June.  The Tacoma Rainiers are the AAA team for the Seattle Mariners and 3 pitchers from the team came to visit Joshua in the hospital when he had his 48 hour Video EEG at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.

Joshua and Chip

Joshua looking at Rhubarb

Joshua and Rhubarb - love this one!

Chip and Joshua watching the game - Joshua had a hot dog w/o bun at the game

Cole so happy with his cotton candy and it did not bother Joshua

A few weeks ago on a Sunday we went to Penrose State Park for the day and had a blast.  We want to go back sometime soon and go camping there over night. 

Brothers at play

Joshua relaxing

Cole and Chip

Joshua and Chip

Cole and I walked out on the sand bar and a few hours later it was all covered up

Cole climbing in a tree

Chip and Cole

The 3 boys

Me and the boys

Joshua and Chip

Cole found some hidden areas in the rocks to climb through

More of Cole exploring

Boys throwing rocks in the water

What a cutie!

Last weekend we went camping at Belfair State Park.  It was challenging between the diet, meds, naps and all the prep work, but we made it through.  I was so worried about all we had to do for Joshua that we forgot Cole's "squeegee" to remove his eye at night.  So, we ended up having to take it out with our hands.  Nothing like improvising with that in the dark, but we made it work.  We will be sure to remember it next time.  We also have a better idea on how to do things better next time for camping so a short trip pretty close to home was great (we were about an hour from home).  We hope to go camping again soon.

Joshua climbing on a rock at the playground

Cole swinging

Joshua swinging

Love this pic!

Cole climbing on the rock wall

At the top!

Joshua on the rock wall (Chip was behind him holding him for safety)

The boys sitting by the fire during lunch

Isn't he cute?

The boys roasting hot dogs

At the playground

Cole eating a smore

Joshua sitting by the camp fire

 Sitting on the rock

 Cole built a dam in the water