I Will Eat Anything!

REALLY - okay, let's see. A week or so ago Akins was insisting he could and would eat anything so I said really? Even dog poop? He said "yeah". So, Lorea jumps up and runs outside and acts like she gets some pooh from the yard, but really she got some fudge from the kitchen (compliments of Sandra and Jennifer from Arizona) then proceeded to pretend to eat some and chase him all over the house completely mortified. Last night this craziness continued and had us both in tears laughing so hard. She acted like she had some pooh "for dessert" following dinner, she asked him if he wanted some and then popped a piece into her mouth, he looked at me with eyebrows raised, pointing in dismay, shaking his head and mouth fully hanging opened, which provided the perfect opportunity to pop a piece in his mouth which was an instant projectile followed by him pushing his plate and glass away and saying "I'm finished, may I get down please". You really had to be there and I know it sounds gross and it is but oh my God it was funny!

Why and Whapen

Akins has two favorite words right now. Why - for EVERYTHING and Whapen. The second word took a little hard listening skills to realize what it was Whapen - what happenned - DUH!

Recovery Take Two

Akins is doing well. Much better than the last time we did this. He is dressed and up and about, albeit slowly. He is very sore needless to say and looks like a little old man walking without a cane. He was taking the pain meds yesterday and through the night but has not wanted any since 3am. (Well, this is changing as I type he is now asking for some - really struggling to walk and move about). He does not like it so will tolerate a lot of pain before he will submit to taking it. A couple of friends have called to check on him and despite the fact that those conversations are awkward and not real productive he really enjoys hearing from everyone. Phone calls with him go something like this:

Caller: Junior
Akins: Hello
Caller: Junior
Akins: Yeah
Caller: Junior
Akins: Hello -(insert name)
Caller: Are you alright?
Akins: Yea
Caller: Junior
Akins: Dolly, Zachy, Beans (listing dogs names usually yelling)
Caller: Oh, Junior!
Akins: Yeah Chicken
Caller: Junior do you know me?
Akins: Yeah
Caller: Do you love Valerie
Akins: No (puzzled look on face and shrugs)
Caller: Hello
Akins: Hello
Parents interjecting in background and the saga continues.

Gutty Button Surgery Underway

Akins is in surgery now and it was not a fun time this morning. He was kicking, screaming, spit the medicine that is intended to calm him down all over the bed, fought me on putting the night gown on and hid under the chairs. All I have to say is this better be it because like Shelby's blog says "we're done"! I'll update on recovery later. I'm exhausted!

Friends Send Gifts

It is so wonderful to have a lot of the kids from the AFAA house where Akins lived in Africa home now, as we can share stories but more importantly the kids can communicate in so many fun ways. Yesterday, Akins got a package in the mail from his friends Ishmael and Angeline. The package contained several items for Akins to enjoy including a book called the Ghost Fox, a little plastic blue spoon, a rubber band bracelet, a candy cane and a very sweet letter telling Akins how much he is loved and missed by his dear friends. What a joy. We started reading the book last night, Akins played with the spoon for hours and this morning when I woke him I noticed he had the bracelet on his ankle. Sweet moments these are!

Gutty Button Take Two!

Akins surgery will be at 8:15am so we are to arrive at the hospital at 7:00am. Akins is as ready as he can be. He calls his belly button his gutty button. Of course he calls his belly his gut so I guess it makes sense. Yesterday, when we left the hospital he was almost mad that they had not fixed his gutty button because he was primed for it. Tonight as I lay him down to read a story we will talk through the events of tomorrow some more. He has little memory of the last surgery because the meds they give intentionally help them forget so that helps with the stress a little. Mostly, he is happy to know that this pee pee will not be part of this experience, so he is ready to go!

Pre-Op Tomorrow - ugh!

Tomorrow is our pre-op appointment for Friday. I have begun the process of telling Akins that his belly button is broken again and thus spending some time showing him mine to prove it to him so that he can begin getting prepared for another day in the hospital. Needless to say I am not looking forward to tomorrow or Friday. Please let it work this time!