So my post is a day late, but our personal schedule is more of a moving target at this point. First off, Happy Father's Day to all of the dads who've made an impact in their kids lives. I especially want to acknowledge my grandfather Don Binau, who's been such an amazing example to me of how to be a man. Also, to my father, the original Kevin Binau. We are coming up on 10 years now since he passed away, and still not a day goes by where I don't think of you and remember the many lessons you taught me. My greatest sadness is thinking that Ethan and Kevin will never get to know what an amazing man he was. Last, but not least Happy Father's Day to Russ Flatt my father-in-law who is an equally amazing person and father. He raised the woman I love, so I have to give him thanks for that!
We have some good news for Ethan. The plan is that he will come home this Wednesday back from Franciscan's. He's been off the ventilator again for over 4 days straight now, and is doing great. We've been pushing them to let us bring him home, even threatening to steal him this week if they don't discharge him. We've been talking to the doctors about trying a speaking valve on Ethan's trach to help him become more comfortable with making noise, and help his speech development. The valve allows him to breath in through the trach, but it closes off that airway as he exhales to push the air through his nose and mouth. Not all kids can handle this, so it will be an experiment. We do not yet know when he might be ready to get the trach out, but I'm holding onto hope that it will still be this year.
Kevin has made some pretty exciting strides forward in the past week. He's finally started to army crawl, as opposed to his favorite mode of transportation, rolling. Also, he's begun taking steps while holding onto our hands. In fact, he prefers to walk everywhere now and doesn't want to be picked up or put down. Lastly, after almost constant battle, Kevin is finally taking more texture in his food. He started eating and chewing cereal puffs this weekend, which is a huge step forward for him. It's a really cool age to watch their development on a daily basis.
Tina has started planning the boy's first birthday. We are excited to think that both boys will be home for that event. There is a really good cake shop in our town, that's known in New England as "the place" to get your special event cakes. I believe we are doing a nautical theme for their birthday both because we are close to the coast, and the boys LOVE fish. Franciscan's has several very nice fish tanks and both Ethan and Kevin enjoy watching the fish swim around.
Tina is doing great, she made my first Father's Day awesome. I didn't even have to drive when we went down to see Ethan. (Side note: I've put over 30,000 miles on my company car in 10 months, so lots of windshield time) She's the glue that keeps our family together.
My sister Kristen got hired as the full time Readiness Manager for the Red Cross in New Hampshire. It's a paid position which is a good thing, but I think her days of living with us might be coming to an end soon. We've loved having her here, but understand she's 23 and wants to have a bit of her own life too. She's been looking at apartments in Manchester, so she'd still be only 20 minutes away.
I'll try to update the blog again this weekend, and will hopefully report how great Ethan's first few days home have been. We miss you all, and appreciate all of the love and support you give us.
Have a great week!
Ryan, Tina, Ethan & Kevin
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