Oreos for everyone today!!

A big fat HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY to Steve's oldest grandson, Joshua Thompson!! Josh, we are so proud of your amazing saxophone skills and your accomplishments in Scouts!! (Life Scout Rank) We love you! 

Unfortunately, you can't get a badge for the sailing expedition you and Uncle Tim took at Topsail Beach last year... :) I posted the "before" picture when Poppa Choo Choo was giving you and Uncle Tim a sailing lesson...I won't post the "Oops!" pics :) Fun memories. 


Today's update from Mom:

Wean means he is being assisted 50%. He weaned 9 hrs yesterday. Has been weaning since 8 when I got here.

Dr. Scott (Lanka partner) was just here. Really like him. Said, "We don't want to push the wean too fast but he is doing great!" When he said, "It's just a matter of time now." I said "Have you seen this severity before?" He said "yes" and has two patients in his pulmonary practice now who recovered from this years ago. I told him "Finding a Dr who has had severe patients like this and who recovered is a needle in a haystack and he is our needle!" He laughed.

More good news: Infectious disease RNP said no evidence of any infection and only 2 more days on antibiotic. WBC= 6.9 (!!!!!! - exclamation marks added by Flora on behalf of all of us!)

Next good news: Dad's right eye was half open when I first arrived. Then, later, when I shared that our Sunday school class gave us an unexpected gift it flew half open again!! He kept it open while we were spelling. His left eye opens a slit now, like his right one did a few days ago :-)

(To celebrate the achievement with his eye movement, I am adding the oh-so-flattering picture of Dad doing the Minute-to-Win It Oreo challenge at Becky's house a few Memorial Days ago! Those same nerves that allowed him to work the Oreo from his forehead to his mouth - and win the contest! - are the same nerves we are praying for now! Go ahead, celebrate by eating an Oreo today in honor of him!)

Natalee says Charlie hasn't howled at all :)