Smiles and Play Time

     Today was one of those days we've been waiting for. After a slow start to the day, we put Ethen in his physical therapy chair (think carseat). As he sat in his chair, I tauntingly dribbled his little basketball in from of him. Because I'm awesome I was talking "smack" to him about how I was going to school him in the art of ball handling. Well, I lost the ball and cut my eyes to Ethen in surprise. He cracked a half smile as I ran to get the ball but quickly relaxed his face. Later on, Christie and I were talking and sharing an embrace. We both looked at Ethen to find a full grin beneath his plastered on cannula. After this good start to the day, Ethen also enjoyed a 45 minute cheery playtime a little later in the day. Ethen's appetite was improved today from the past day or two, and his oxygen supplement has been incrementally decreased (though he does still need it). We are thankful that Ethen's body has maintained a favorable hemoglobin level and good blood salt levels (though we are helping these with some medications at different times of the day). His platelets are a little lower than hoped—for which he is receiving treatment. Please continue to pray for Ethen's body to gain stability.