Look who’s finally home??! Mason was so excited to finally sleep in his own bed, take a bath, and “kiss” the fridge (😂). His incision has healed so well and he is back to normal (for the most part). It is so nice to be back and to see this on the lawn was a welcome treat. Thanks neighbors, family, and friends once again for helping us survive the last few weeks! You’re the absolute best! And thanks @signgypsiesstg for the adorable sign! #ohmason

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As for how the day went, it was wild again but manageable. We found this wiggle car in the playroom and took it for a ride all the way around floors 1 and 3. My brother came to let me take a quick nap and took Mason for a ride in a wheelchair and then Mason wanted to push him. 😊 At lunch in the cafeteria I told Mason we were going home Saturday and he crunched the chip in his hand and marched out of the room. When I caught up with him he was 3 steps from walking outside saying “I’m going home RIGHT. NOW. Today!” 😂 I understood his frustration completely! He calmed down and was compliant with all the requirements put up by the doctors because he really wants to leave this joint. His grandparents came to play music and gave me some well-needed respite tonight and he zonked out early. Cheers to making it this far! 🥂! #ohmason

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16 surgeries, countless doctor appointments, therapy, testing, etc. Of course, I wish Mason didn’t have to go through all this but I have to recognize the blessings that have come from it. My first and treasured blessing is the relationship I have built with Mason through these health issues. I have become more in tune with his needs, been able to stand my ground and suggest treatments doctors didn’t want to do or think would work, get him relief when he needs it most, know (for the most part) when he is hurting, and how to go around his sensory needs to accomplish what needs to be done. It’s a blessing because while I try and put in the work to fight for his needs to be met, I am also VERY aware that God is leading me and most of all, loving & caring about Mason. We’ll likely never have the answer to why his body does what it does, but each time we think we have exhausted our choices, some suggestion or idea comes out of nowhere. I have really found it to be true that we receive revelation “precept on precept” and exactly when we need it. Many other blessings (and miracles) I have experienced through this process and the biggest is the love and support that is poured out on us each time something like this happens. I can’t thank you enough for the continued prayers, taking care of my kids at home, meals, cards & packages sent, and expressions of encouragement that have lifted us up and made it so much easier to go through. I am also so grateful for a husband that takes the reigns and helps our other kids feel loved while our family is split for a time and his down-to-earth personality that keeps me grounded when emotions run high. I have truly learned how to serve by being one who is served a lot. Brandon and I have had to swallow our pride and allow help because frankly, we couldn’t do it without you. We couldn’t see the miracles take place in front our eyes if it weren’t for prayers sent to heaven for our sweet Mason. Lastly, a blessing of a resilient, patient, loving, happy soul of a son who honestly teaches me every single day how I can do and be better. Thank you for your kindness from the bottom of my heart! 💕

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This was us last night. AWAKE! Not sure what got into him but just as he and I were drifting off to sleep (or so I thought), he exclaimed, “I want to color!” And from color it was “watch a show” to “let’s go for a walk” to “let’s go to the cafeteria” to not leaving the nurses alone at the desk. Finally, around 4am he went to sleep, only to be up at 5am for an X-ray. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 🤷🏼‍♀️We won’t be going home today-hopefully tomorrow now -still boxes he needs to check off in order to be released. All in all-We are doing just fine!😊#ohmason

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Well, Mason is getting back to his old self. At noon, the nurse took him off his IV nutrients to motivate him to eat and drink more (didn’t really work), which means he had no tubes connected to him so he was feeling a little free and able to hop out of bed, out of the room whenever he wanted. Let’s say it was a little difficult to keep him contained all day long. Today the lack of sleep, lack of fresh air, being pregnant and whatever else caught up to me. There were a few mishaps today where I felt out of control and well, I cried. Up until now, I’ve been pretty even but today was exhausting. I know this is not about me and I know Mason has gone through far worse than I could ever imagine being put through (all the while with a smile on his face) so I’m not complaining in the least, but just trying to keep it real from a parent perspective. Mason was not as bubbly today and kind of spacey but loved the visit from Lily the pet therapy dog. We went in the playroom and he decided he was tired and we went back to the room to do some dressing changes, etc. The good news is...... we are on track to be released tomorrow (Friday)!!!! 🙌🏻 #ohmason

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Mason and our little fam went to the 30-minute church they hold at the hospital. We then headed to the playroom to play and then they opened up the music room so we played in there, too. Today drums were his thing and apparently he used up all his energy doing that because he just slowly bent over and laid his head on the drum seat not wanting to move. We got him back to rest and that is where he’s been ever since. The good news is he managed to clear his lungs for the most part and will hopefully get his tube out tomorrow and try to see if he can tolerate ice chips and water and work up from there. The nurses and docs are loving him because of his cute little dimpled smile he gives them and most adorable giggles. He was off oxygen for a bit last night but had to go back on today. We are here for a few more days—hoping we can come home by the weekend but who knows. It really is a miracle that he has improved this much so fast and not gone the other way. Again, I attribute it to prayers and love in his behalf and we couldn’t be more grateful for you taking the time to send a little love our way! ❤️ #ohmason

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Finding what lights up your child is the best thing in the world. Mason got to go to Sophie’s Place which is a music room where the kids can come play any instrument they have in there. Mason immediately said he wanted the electric guitar. You should have seen his face when they placed it in his hands. He couldn’t contain his smile! He was feelin’ it and added the microphone to sing along to the music -although he didn’t quite have the energy to jam as usual. It’s no secret that Mason loves music but today and yesterday it had the power to bring back his personality and experience pure joy. I’ll post some snippets in instastories if you want to see him rock.🎤🎸🎹🥁 #ohmason

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We finally both got to enjoy the sunshine for a few minutes in the courtyard. A few minutes because a spider crawled in my hair and Mason thought it was too bright in the sun. We went to the playroom but he just wanted to sit at the table and tap his fingers to the music and watch other kids play. He had a fun time doing the kazoo with the doctor on call (also helps with getting him to breathe out and cough). He’s worn out from all the excitement but today gave us hope we wouldn’t have to stay here too much longer. #ohmason

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This is his smile for after his sponge bath. All clean! Mason did great today moving and coughing to get the junk out of his lungs. Swelling has gone down a lot. Not too much has changed since yesterday but he’s making progress and is in good spirits. #ohmason #onedayatatime

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This is Mason’s x-ray from this morning. The black is his left lung full of air and the right side is collapsed full of fluid. They have been trying to get him to walk around and cough trying to prevent pneumonia. He’s in good spirits but still in pain and the walks wear him out. We even ventured out in a wheel chair today and I played him a couple songs on the piano. He liked that so much he fell asleep😂. He begs for ice chips and really just wants a Gatorade but he can’t have anything while they are still pumping his stomach. He gets a picc line tomorrow to give him some more nutrients (which is a little more invasive than I thought—I thought it was the same as an IV but nope). He has had some fevers up to 103 and some swelling but he’s doing okay for now. #ohmason

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Surgery went well. Scar tissue had grown over his small intestine and kinked it off so nothing could go through. It will be a week or so before his bowels “wake up” from being pushed around so we will be here for at least that long and until he can eat and keep it down. His breathing has been really labored (right lung partially collapsed) so he is on oxygen because he drops to low levels without it. His pain is being managed okay right now and he is able to kind of rest. We had a brief scare in recovery that shook me up a bit so I’m feeling grateful for oxygen right about now. Thank you for the prayers and concern. 🙏🏻 #ohmason

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Mason is back in surgery right now. He’s been clutching the side of the bed the majority of the time we have been here. He’s been in pain but pretends he’s not and suffers in silence. He doesn’t want to talk, facial expressions are almost non-existent, but sometimes he will just look me in the eye and put his arms out (telling me he needs a hug) and will wrap me in his arms and wires. In the ER I was singing to him as he was curled up in pain and he turned and said, ”thank you, Mom.” ❤️ I’m just not worried about how things go in the hospital because I know God loves this little boy as much as I do and whatever God sees fit to happen comes from a place of love—for us and Mason. We are so blessed. ❤️#ohmason

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Another day, another visit to Primary Children’s! Mason had a blockage in his bowels that made him retreat to his bed and sleep for a few days and writhe in pain. When the pain wasn’t going away we took him to the ER where they ran some tests and scans and sent him up to Primary’s. We drove all night to get him here and he is doing okay. Awaiting to see if surgery is needed on his abdomen. If it’s necessary (and it’s likely it is), he will have it tomorrow. Say a little prayer for our little guy would ya? He’s pretty miserable. 🤕 #ohmason

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Hey—we are looking for some answers/direction with Mason. I’ve shared a detailed description of our life on a blog post in his profile and want to see if you have any ideas. Our little Mason needs some help and we are struggling for answers. 🙏🏻. #ohmason

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Mason’s aunt bought all the cousins each a goldfish.🐡 After watching them swim happily swim around, Mason grabbed some liquid dog medicine and plopped it in the water. Unfortunately, after a noble attempt to change the water and save the fish, they all died🙊. #ripfishies #ohmason

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For those wanting to know a little more about Mason—I’m going to be posting about his journey more in-depth @thevandylife .com blog in a section dedicated just to him! Link is in profile👆🏻 #ohmason

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Just waitin’ for Speech Therapy. 😎 #ohmason

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Virtual Reality Goggles✔️ . Pink bike that’s l5x too small ✔️ . #justanotherdayinthelife #ohmason

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❤️ Mason got hit on the head by his brother and was feeling sad so Lexi ran up to him and gently whispered while rubbing his back, “you know how I said I’m not your friend? Well, I’m your friend. I love you Mason.” And gives him a sweet little kiss and they hug forever like this. The cutest!! They have a fun little bond.❤️ #siblinglove #bestbuds #ohmason

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📱Mason is quick. Within seconds of finding a phone unattended he can change the password, put his face as your wallpaper, take 1,000 pics, and call your mom! This time he got to FB and shared this 👆🏻. He is apparently a ladies man, too! 😂📱#autismrocks #seriouslysoquick #ohmason

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🎸Every year we buy Mason a guitar for his Birthday. We upgraded this year in hopes it may last a little longer! 🙏🏻 #inhogheaven #rockstarinhisownmind #ohmason

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Mason held his sister like this a good portion of the trip to Costco...and extra tight when we went to the cold section! #siblings #tender #ohmason

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“Mom, we’re for sale!!”🧀 #costco #refridgeratedchildrensection #ohmason

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