Merry Christmas from Travis, Abby, and Theo

Merry Christmas for Travis, Abby and Theo

I would love to share a reflection on our past year. We have so much love for each other. We have built a family in the roughest circumstances. We respect, love, and fight for each other's potential, ambition, and happiness.

Theo

What a life he has had! Let's throw in a few stats.

Current diagnosis: Down syndrome, Repaired AV Canal defect, hypothyroidism, tracheomalacia, acid reflux
62 outpatient visits to 22 different specialists
18 pediatrician visits
6 inpatient hospital admissions (due to breathing and feeding problems, seizures, heart surgery, blood clot in leg artery from central line placement, sternum surgery, and moderate dehydration from viruses)
53 days total in the hospital
2 surgeries (open heart surgery and sternum repair)
He went from 0 percentile for weight before heart surgery, to now over the 40th percentile (20.2 lbs)
He went from 0 percentile for height, and is now at 0.18 percentile (26.6 in). Baha. (Short boy!)
He had an NG feeding tube from 2 weeks old to 7 months old
He was on oxygen for about 2 months after heart surgery
He was on thickened formula until 10 months old
He started wearing glasses at 11 months old (far sided with astigmatism)

Theo is one of the most perfect people I know. He is gentle, kind, goofy, lovable, forgiving and genuinely brave. His goodness radiates to everyone around him. I have been stopped every where I take him because people just think he is the most adorable thing ever, which he is!

Since his health has been on the upside, he has been learning SO MANY THINGS. He can now roll over on both sides and like to roll across rooms to get where he wants. He says "mama" "dada" "baba." He loves to read books, bounce, and be tickled! His favorite baby food is any vegetable, and really doesn't like fruits yet. He licks everything and you will rarely see him without his tongue out. He will be 1 year old on December 20th. This boy has already made a BIG IMPACT on many lives. I can't wait to see what he learns this next year, and what we learn from him next year.

Travis

Can I just say how amazing Travis is? Becoming a dad has just magnified his wonderful qualities. He is incredibly caring, loving, and protecting. He is willing to and makes many sacrifices for Theo and me. He has changed more dirty diapers than me! He is the best listener and has been a shoulder to cry on many times. I would not have made it through this year without his empathy and appreciation for me.

Travis's health problems haven't eased up yet. He is still dealing with intense brain fog, insomnia, and tics and twitches. The hospital visits with Theo have caused significant stress and anxiety on top of it. He worked hard to complete his classes and make it to the research lab. As fall semester came around, we decided that his health has no chance of improving if the stressors continue. Since we can't control the hospital visits, we decided for Travis to take a break from graduate school and focus on his health. It has been great to make the change and focus on what is most important. He has started seeing a new specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. It is 3 hours away, but worth it so far! He has been on an elimination diet for 3 months and has lost over 30 lbs already. He is currently being treated for mold and biotoxins in his body. He also gets adjusted by an awesome chiropractor 3 times a week.

Let's be honest though, I can't give an update on Travis without EMPHASIZING that hockey is life. He took a basic hockey class right after he graduated from BYU and has been playing almost everyday since! He plays 3-5 times a week at 6 a.m. Sleep or no sleep, he goes! He comes home smelly, exhausted, twitchy, and with a huge smile on his face. :) Totally worth it, right? It is also convenient that we live about 15 minutes away from the NHL Blue Jackets Stadium. We have been able to go to a few games, and it is a blast! Travis has been a coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets Special Hockey Team for over a year now. He loves, loves, loves it. In fact, they have become our Columbus family! We love the team so much.

Abby

How do I update about myself? This year has been the hardest of my life, emotionally. I have felt love so, so deeply. My heart has also been broken, shattered, and crushed in multiple ways this year from the health issues our family faces. I am learning to work through these life-altering moments, and take time for myself sometimes.

Yoga is guiding me to open up my mind and balance myself again. I tried out therapy a few times after I was diagnosed with depression and PTSD this summer, but it didn't work out. I was looking for something to wake me up out of this fog I was in, something to save me from getting worse. A good friend from church, Rebecca Mudrick, just opened a yoga studio in her home in October and Thursday evenings are now my sacred time to breath and be at one with myself. It gives me more strength than I could ever dream of. Such a blessing to have Rebecca and yoga in my life.

I have started quilting again this year. After making Theo's quilt when he was born, I was reminded how much I love it. I have since made 4 more quilts this year for friends and family and have quilting ideas flowing out of my mind! I am getting more creative with the way I quilt and I really enjoy it!

I started a online M. Ed. degree in Instructional Design in September at WGU. I have been wanting to get a Masters degree for ...well forever! This program gives me the flexibility to study anytime, and take the classes at my pace. I got a teacher appreciation scholarship, and small student loan for the rest. I really like the classes so far! I will either work as a curriculum designer for a school district or head more towards a instructional designer consultant to design training for businesses.

I started teaching again in October. I work at an online school as a credit recovery math teacher. It is so nice to work from home and be with Theo and Travis. It is tough to motivate students that need credit recovery to graduate, but I have made a break through with some of them and it is so satisfying to teach not only math, but life lessons.

I love being a mom. Theo is molding my life and changing me for the better! I could spend all day playing with him. On a more serious note, he is definitely opening my mind to deeper gospel topics. The idea of divine nature and eternal families has never resonated with me more.

I am so blessed to have Theo and Travis in my life. I love my little family and am so happy we are able to be together! We take everything one day at a time and find ways to smile and strengthen each other.