Standstill...

Well, July was busy and I'm looking forward to a little bit of a lull before school starts! Last week Fletcher finished summer school, he was weepy each day and didn't get a whole lot of work done. But eventually we managed to get a little work out of him. I'm so proud of him. Fletcher did an amazing job sorting and putting together his alphabet book!

Tough day at summer school...

Fletcher and Mrs. Darcey during PT...

Fletcher and me on the swing...

Sometimes PT is hard work...

So silly...

Summer school and sidewalk chalk...

The alphabet book!

So a little update on the vent weaning. We're basically at a standstill, Fletcher is still sprinting three hours at a time twice a day. During Fletcher's last surgery they also did a scope of his airway and he has a lot of scar tissue. So, we're waiting for a surgery date where his ENT will resect the scar tissue. Hopefully it will help us move forward in the weaning and also help him be able to make noise. When Fletcher is off the ventilator he literally can not make any noise, which could cause a lot of frustration on his part, not being able to communicate with us and the people who care for him. But, he has figured out that he can kiss and that makes noise and gets your attention if he needs it. He's so stinking smart! :)

Baby steps...

Fletcher has been tolerating being off the ventilator for 3 hours at a time, twice a day. About a week and a half ago we tried being off for 4 hours but he kind of hit a wall and we had to back him down to 3 hours. They usually sprint him first thing in the morning and then around 7 in the evenings. Fletcher and I have been enjoying morning walks without the ventilator and using his new manual wheelchair. He's not really a fan of the manual wheelchair but I love that thing because it's so cute and little, just like him!

Fletcher's really proud that he's been sprinting. How do I know? Well, when we take our walks everytime we see someone, anyone in the hallway he touches his vent tubing and points at the person we're talking to. He wants me to tell the person that he's sprinting these days. We tell EVERYONE, sometimes we tell the same person several times on one walk! He should be proud of himself, breathing is hard work and something most of us take for granted.

Well, it's a short update, but I'm doing better, right? :)

Summer school and stuff...

Well, we just finished our first week of summer school. When I say we, I mean Fletcher is a student at summer school and Maddie is volunteering with the 1st and 2nd graders. And I have managed to get myself on the payroll at Bethany Elementary, as a teacher's assistant! It's only for four weeks so I think I can handle it. The teacher Maddie is helping absolutely loves her and thinks Maddie is the best helper! Maddie thinks she's 'teaching' the 1st and 2nd graders! She's very excited to go each day. That's such a blessing.

First day of summer school...

We went outside to write on the sidewalk with chalk...

Maddie and Fletcher on the shuttle headed back to TCC...

Maddie has surprised me quite a lot this summer with her independence. She has always been a mama's girl, so I've been blown away by the fact that she has walked into two different elementary schools, not knowing a soul in either school, once for Summer Spectacular and now summer school. Last weekend we went to my sister's lake house and Maddie rode on the back of a jet ski AND she went tubing on the back of a boat for the first time. I was a nervous wreck the whole time, her not so much! I'm so thankful for this new independence and sad all at the same time. She' growing up on me, y'all!

My independent girl...

Like I said earlier we went to my sister's lake house at Texhoma last Sunday and had a wonderful time. We just went for the day, but there we lots of Milgrims camping out at her house and we had so much fun! We spent the day at a little beach and the grown ups pulled the kiddos on the tube and gave them rides on the jet ski!

Cousins swimming at the beach...

Getting ready to go tubing...

There they go!

We brought Fletcher home for the 4th of July and had a great day with family and friends. The 4th is one of my favorite times not only because we are celebrating the birth of our great nation but also because it's the only holiday Fletcher has been home for every year. I love that we can come together and enjoy each other. Our friends the Jarvis' and the Drechsler family came over throughout the day. The kids played Just Dance and we had sword fights and lots of food! We ended the day at TCC, where we were able to take Fletcher out in the parking lot to watch fireworks. It was a fantastic day!

Our 'famous' Old Navy t-shirt picture...

again...

Fletcher and Aunt Kristi...

Me and my sweet friend, Emmy...

Megan and Kayleigh playing Just Dance...