We're Back...

It has been over a year since I last blogged and my apologies go to those who have worried over our little Aiden since my last posting. Things turned so wild in our lives at that point that I just couldn't make time to blog. Our blog is going to have a face lift. We have learned many lessons during this long and adventurous road over the past year and a half, since the time we became the Sandstrom Party of 5, and we want to share our journey with our good friends and dear family. The quest...balance!

I will start with an update on Aiden. Our boy is a warrior...that's a pretty good way to describe him. Thankfully on phenobarbital, he has been seizure free for over a year now and we have gotten the go ahead to wean him off his medication. We are hoping that this alleviates some of his aggressive tendencies (hitting, biting, scratching, etc.) that burst from him regularly. However, we are pleased that he still has a big dimple-smile and a monster hug for just about anyone these days. Aiden was fitted for a helmet last May. A few weeks after he began wearing his helmet, he developed an enormous abscess on the back of his head while we were on vacation in Colorado. We had to take him to the Children's Hospital there because of his young age and medical history. The doctor drained the abscess which was excruciating for Aiden. He was treated with and prescribed surface and oral antibiotics and we were sent on our way. Aiden was in screaming pain, but tolerated the meds okay. The abscess went away in about a week. Needless to say, after our Las Vegas trip and the Colorado trip, we were reluctant to take Aiden on any more vacations! Aiden wore a helmet for 6 months. After the first day, he stopped fighting it. He tolerated it just fine, even in the brutal summer heat. Then, last September when we had his 9 month check-up, his pediatrician spotted something unusual in his vision. He sent us back to Primary Children's Medical Center to visit their opthomology department. Sure enough, Aiden has vision problems...far-sightedness. He now wears glasses. Only those who have or have had 1 year olds, can appreciate how difficult it might be to keep glasses on their baby...yep, as a matter of fact, he lost his glasses yet again at Grandma's house yesterday. We've had them fixed three times since he got them...luckily we have a 1 year breakage warranty! Actually, they tell us he tolerates them fairly well considering his age. So, in summary...Aiden is our warrior, being prepared to tolerate the challenges of life and to remain happy and strong through all of it.