Family week continued.

2:08:00 PM Atticus Army 0 Comments

Hey army,

Thank you all so much for all of the support and continuing to read up on Atticus's story.  Let's continue the week.

Wednesday

On Wednesday we got up and went to Pike Place Market.  It was so fun.  There was so so much to see and look at.  Right when we got there a gentleman was setting up his piano there and he put on quite a show.  Atticus was enthralled with it and we sat for a good 15 minutes watching him.  After that Atticus got to see them throwing fish over all the counters, he loved seeing all the flowers and got to eat lots and lots of yummy fruit from all the stands.  This week has been so great for our family, to be able to act somewhat like we are on vacation and do a lot of fun things together before the craziness starts next week.



After that, we walked down to the water front and went to the Seattle Aquarium.  We have found through all of this that Atticus is in love with fish tanks.  There are at least 6 large fish tanks at Seattle Children's Hospital and we frequented them quite often with Atticus.  He really doesn't like being in his room so we do quite a bit of walking around the hospital.  But, I do have to say his favorite parts are the fish tanks, so it was no surprise that the aquarium was a big hit for him.

Ryker peeking over at the Otters.

We saw many sea friends at the aquarium! I think Atticus's favorite fish is the clown fish, or NEMO!! He loved the sea otters, the octopus, the jellyfish and the seagulls! We grabbed lunch at the aquarium cafe! Atticus is still obsessed with eating french fries. Although since the surgery he is is eating so  much better! His new favorite foods include, grapes, apples scrambled eggs, pancakes, peanut butter protein bars, goldfish crackers and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!!  It was an amazing day!


After the aquarium, he had a Physical Therapy Appointment and a Speech Therapy appointment! The PT Doctor was very impressed with how well he had progressed since surgery. Before we left the hospital after surgery,  the PT team came in and evaluated Atticus and said that they predict he would walk again someday but that it would take a long time given that his left side was so weak. That is hard news to take as parents! All you want for your kids is to be healthy and happy! Atticus loved being mobile and exploring so it was upsetting as parents to hear those words from the Physical Therapists! Again those blessings and tender mercies have filled our cups once again as our sweet boy is walking again and moving all over! We have witnessed so many miracles with Atticus the last few weeks! It is nothing short of a major miracle that he is even still here with us and Caleb and I will forever be grateful for the medical team and surgeons for their care and keeping our sweet boy with us! His speech therapy appointment went amazing as well. His newest words are Go, Bubbles, and Grandma!! We couldn't be any more proud of Atticus and his progress!

Thursday

We went to the Woodland Park Zoo. We spent the entire day at the Zoo, 8 whole hours to be exact! When we first entered the Zoo they had this really cool interactive animal exhibit where you could touch and feed the animals! Atticus was a little hesitant at first but then daddy was able to get his excited about feeding the goats! We have always laughed that Kezzie is the goat whisperer! The goats always love her and chewing on her hair too! Right after we left the petting area, a really nice lady stopped us! She said I'm so sorry to bother you but my little girl has that exact same scar as your little boy! We told her she did not need to apologize for stopping us! We were so grateful to meet her! She explained her story and how her daughter had to have surgery at only 6 weeks old and that her tumor was half the side of her daughter's brain. She had a rare cancer tumor as well but not the same as Atticus. She had been through it all too, chemo, the ups and downs etc. It's somehow always comforting to meet these cancer parents who have been there and we can relate too! She was seriously the kindest person! She told us about all different kinds of organizations and help for our family during this difficult time! She even gave us her phone number and wants to come visit us at the hospital and bring us drinks and food! The world is so good! There are so many kind people! It was so neat for us to see her sweet 17-month-old little girl running around and healthy! Once again another blessing that came our way! No doubt in our minds that Heavenly father put her on our path that day! We wished we would have taken a picture with her and her family but hopefully we will get one later!

He is really wanting to walk everywhere.  We are of course a little nervous, we don't want him to get hurt.

After that, we went to this really cool bug and insect house! Well, mom didn't think it was so cool but the kids loved seeing all the cool spiders and different insects! There was this HUGE spider in the bug house that was just chilling sitting in its web but out in the open with NO cage! It was crazy! Ryker was in heaven he loves bugs and insects!

The zoo was huge and we saw so many fun things.  Caleb was able to participate in the raptor show and have a falcon land right on his arm.  He was of course in heaven as he LOVES birds of prey.  It was a lot of fun.  After that, the kiddos wanted to go and feed the parrots.  They have this huge indoor aviary where they can just fly around and you can get these little sticks to feed them and they will fly right up to you and eat it.  The kids loved it.

Atticus was a bit tired, but can you really blame him??

The Zoo was a big hit!

Another part of this whole thing which we haven't really mentioned is that Atticus has had to be away from his furry siblings.  We have to amazing dogs, a whippet named Nigel, and a chihuahua named Olive.  They have been with all of our kiddos their whole lives.  Atticus especially loves Nigel as we will often find him laying on Nigel in the living room and giving him hugs. I would really like to thank a few of the members of my Vet school class as they have taken them in and have agreed on "joint custody" while we are away.  I know they are in good hands but we sure miss them and so appreciate fun pictures they send us!

Nigel is the one in the front, and olive is in the home made sling! (she can't be expected to walk the whole way)

Again Nigel in front, and Olive in arms.

Olive showing her support for her little brother!! #atticusarmy