Sledding, Ty & Dave in PA

The kids had a great time outside sledding today! Garrett woke the 2 younger ones up early & took them out sledding here they are coming in from their fun!


Then later in the day - Madison went to her friends house, Brady had a new friend over to play & Garrett invited 3 of his best buds over to go sledding, eat, & sit in the hot tub!

Dave & Tyler left yesterday at 4:30 am to catch their flight from Rock Springs to Denver to get to Philadelphia, PA. Ty is participating in a study at Thomas Jefferson Medical/University to help with 47XYY syndrome research, which he has. They had a great flight & the day was uneventful getting there. Dave was pretty culture shocked when they arrived as they ended up being in Middle / downtown Philadelphia. They are on the 13th floor in their hotel & all they can see when they look out is buildings... anyone who knows Dave understands - that he would be happy in a big lone pasture with a couple animals & he would be just fine.... but put him in the city & he isn't very happy!!! (He served his mission in Pittsburgh, PA... but several hours away from Philadelphia, so not to much the same - but same state!) I told him to take lots of pics.

Today when they called he & Ty reported a very busy day & come to find out - they had Dave participate in the study as Male relative w/out the syndrome (so they have their "control" people :) .... So he wasn't to happy to learn he had to have blood drawn too - but I think it made it easier for Tyler to have it done - which that is the part he has been dreading since he knew he would be going out & participating. He was happy to report that his skin turned white with the numbing lotion they gave us, he still felt the needle - but it was small, & they took 6 tubes of blood!!! (I asked him if he asked for a souvenir tube for himself... he didn't think that was too funny!)
Dave had loads of paperwork to do through-out the day & called to get help... as they needed to know some of those 1st ~ 5 year details... like when he stood, when he held his bottle, when he rode a bike.... ahhh that is stuff you need some notice on! :) - I am grateful I had it all, but had to dig through his baby scrapbooks... (now if it were for Brady or Madison, we'd be in trouble!)
From the sounds of it - Dave seems to feel that this study has been a lot more productive & informative than the past ones we have participated in at NIH in MD. They have been very extensive & Dave has been impressed with their info, communication, & willingness to be open about anything they can be. So Dave has been asking questions, talking to them about things we wonder & things we have dealt with. Dave was excited to report that they have referred us to a doc in Denver whom is working with them on this research (we had no idea there was a doc. closer!) But the doctor in Denver deals & studies more of the behavioral part of this syndrome & they feel we might benefit from meeting with that doc. also!! (Yeah!!) Dave had to laugh as he told me that they said - yeah, just go to your local childrens clinic & the doc there... Dave would have to interrupt them & say... you forget where we are from!!! Our State has less people in it than a whole 4 blocks down here!! Then they laugh./smile!! "That is right you are from WY." .... As the next closest docs. we are familiar with are in CA. So Denver might have some help for us as/if we need it!
Ty called me tonight & was in high spirits. He told of all he had done - math, reading, games, blood work, talking to them, being measured, physical (he didn't tell me of this - but Dave did!! He said Tyler is still shaking his head about it... but I guess was a good sport!), I guess he got to participate in an Autism study too (which is very common amongst these boys, but we have been very lucky to not have to much problems along those lines with Ty... he exhibited some signs when younger - but has outgrown many of them due to his ability to communicate), etc.
He has enjoyed talking to the staff & doctors & has been pretty witty with them. Dave said they are treating him really good & make him feel good about each of the things he has to do & build him up so he is responding well to helping them!! (So nice that he is older too!)
Ty went on to report to me that it is pretty cold there & no snow. They got to have a hamburger for dinner - so he was pretty happy!
He is really excited & is anticipating going to see the Liberty bell. Dave told him they are only blocks away from it - so he is hoping they will get to go see that before night time tomorrow & they have to be back indoors. (They are learning about that early history right now in school, so it would be fun to have a pic. of Ty next to the bell to show his class!)
Tomorrow they have OT, X-rays, & some other tests... I guess tonight they were even sent home with homework... gee, don't think he is going to get his original homework done while gone!
I asked Ty if he missed me tonight.... as most of the time he can't stand to be in the same room with me!!! And he said "yes".... I love it when he does go on trips & gets to be away for a day or so - as his soft side does come out & I know he does love me, even though it is hard for him to show it/say it.

I miss them both & we will see them home again late Wed. afternoon!! I will post pics. when they get home (since he isn't e-mailing me any!!! HINT!!! HINT!!) On to another day.... I love 4 day weekends!! I am thinking this is our last one till Easter then we are done till school gets out! (Ugh!)