virtual reality field trip

hi everyone, and thanks for all the posts, I really enjoyed reading them. Since the logistics of inviting everyone to the beautiful corner of the earth I live in are too difficult, I've been playing around with a technology that allows you to experience some of the places I've been. All you need is an internet connection and quicktime installed (if you have iTunes installed, you have it). Just click on the images on this page: http://www.backcountryporch.com/pano.php
and you'll be transported to a beautiful location in western Montana. Once you're in you can drag the mouse around in any direction to explore. Hope you like them!

Love,
"little" Jamie

Tate + Jamie & Sally

One Month Old

Congratulations to the Graduates!

Congratulations to Nathan and Jamie on graduating from college in May. They are the first non-English majors among Rachael's grandchildren. This is of concern to Garrison Keillor and the Assosciation of English Majors of America, but we are proud as punch anyway! Love from your Aunt Sally.

Much to be grateful for :: Part Two

We still have much to be grateful for -- even more, I suppose. No doubt the grapevine has been up and running in the last week but to recap: the "follow up" blood test for Tate revealed liver enzyme levels that had increased dramatically instead of decreased. Our pediatrician was very sad to have to call us at home and scare us with one of the more horrible statements that can be said: "You need to take your kid to the hospital tonight." Reason for gratitude number one: The most frightening possible explanations for Tate's elevated levels have essentially been ruled out. It took a very uncomfortable long weekend at the hospital to do so, but if that's what it took, I'm all for it. All the clues -- especially the continuing decrease in those levels and his on-going good mood, eating, behavior patterns -- point to a virus that inflamed his liver, causing the enzymes to peak, that has/will run its course. Not totally uncommon in newborns, we have learned.

Reason for gratitude number two: We've been deeply moved by the love and prayers and support that we have received -- on top of already abundant love and joy at Tate's arrival in the first place. It's amazing, really, to have this massive, new responsibility: this darling boy. And our job is to be his mommy and daddy. And to have this scary medical puzzle to figure out and to see the new roles everyone else in our lives have taken up to help us. Our own mommies and daddies, of course, were mommy and daddy to us so we could be mommy and daddy to Tate. But friends and family, local and afar, came alongside us to help inspire hope, endurance, confidence. Pep talks from all over the country kept our spirits up; local friends kept us fed, and brought us our laptop and dvds when needed. The initial hours at the hospital were scary because of all that was unknown. But as they got started with tests and observations, the most uncomfortable thing was the suspense, the disruptive nature of life in the hospital, the feeling that we were trapped at the airport and our flight kept getting canceled. But the phone calls and encouragement kept pouring in -- helped us, filled the day, distracted from our impatience. It was a challenge to accept so much help at once, really. But it freed us up to do and feel useful things: to help one another, to take care of Tate, to persevere. We are grateful.

Reason for gratitude number three: The normal things of life with a newborn suddenly seem like not such a big deal... especially the fatigue.

Reason for gratitude number four: It's not worse. The pediatric ward is a fairly depressing place to be. To see the kids and families that were in neighboring rooms, with kids that looked sick, acted sick, were bored and scared and tired, we were so grateful that our kid wasn't old enough to be bored, or scared, really. And he was/is just himself: cute and charming, eating and sleeping as a baby should. He wasn't hooked to machines or whimpering or ill in any visible way. Don't get me wrong, it sucked to be there. But it became clear pretty quickly that we were going to be able to take a healthy kid home. Not always the case on that floor.

And so. Gratitude helps, I've learned. Especially to learn. I've learned what a useless, narcissistic emotion worry is. What good am I to Tate or Colin or any of you if I am wrapped up in my worry? It's not all about me: it's about him, and them, and you. How can I help you if my main concern is my worry? Be afraid, anxious, overwhelmed, hopeful, exhausted, sad, faithful, impatient, grateful... those can all be put to work. But worry: what a waste.

Um, so things feel fairly normal these days. We're tired, of course. But the weather is great, which helps lift the spirits. Tate is awesome. Jamie and Sally arrive on Wednesday for a visit: fun! Fun: what a concept. More of that, please.

Jamie Graduates!

We returned from Missoula today, Monday May 14th, after having driven 2700 miles to see Jamie graduate. It was a wonderful trip across beautiful country. It was so green...even in the areas where it is usually dry and brown (Wyoming). We loved being able to celebrate with Jamie and meeting his friends. We averaged 43.4 miles per gallon and the Prius performed well. We also were able to stop in at Paul's house in Rapid City both ways and visit him and Willow. It was just a great trip.

Tate and his parents are home

Colin called and Tate has been released from the hospital after the results of his latest blood test show that the enzyme levels are moving down. So the exhausted parents are hopeful that this very good sign will continue. They will post more soon, I'm sure.

Update on Tate

Colin and Monica are with Tate in the hospital. His test results except for two enzymes related to his liver function are fine, and everyone is awaiting further blood test results which may not be available until Monday. Until then not much can be known, it seems. So, it is a wait, wait, wait situation with little new information. We'll post more as soon as we know anything.

Not good news

Last night Colin and Monica received a call telling them to bring Tate to hospital. This came on the heels of the positive news Monica just reported. Liver function is the issue, and the cause could be one of many. Tate was admitted to the hospital and Colin and Monica stayed with him last night. An ultrasound is planned for this morning and hopefully more information than is now available. Keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

Much to be grateful for...

1. Clean bill of health for Tate
Doctor appointment today: his bili level has dropped to a nearly non-existent level and long story short: his liver finally got to work and the jaundice is cleared up. We've got a follow-up appointment to make sure everything remains good but this means no more daily blood tests, no more daily suspense, and we can relax and enjoy our new little man. We're overjoyed to say the least. And are so amazed and grateful that he doesn't have a more serious or chronic condition: how parents deal with that is beyond my capacity to understand at this point. It's sobering to think of parents who are nursing their children through more serious things and yet at the same time to feel so happy we don't have to.

2. Selfish relief
I don't know if it'll make the national news but there was a crash at the nearby Naval Air Base and all five crew members were killed. Our friend Josh is a helicopter pilot there. Josh was flying with them -- but was not involved in the crash. He's okay. Obviously not completely unscathed: he was there, he knew those guys, he was training those guys, he has to get up in the morning and return to the crash site to help with the investigation. But he is okay. It certainly doesn't change the tragedy of this accident: families and friends are grieving tonight for those five men. But we don't have to -- we get to have our friend. It's the same kind of selfish relief that I feel about Tate: it could be worse. It's worse for a lot of people. Thank God it isn't worse for us.

Ham Lake Fire in the BWCA

More than 16,000 acres have burned in the area near and in the BWCA very close to where we put in on Seagull Lake this time last year. BWCA updates are available here. The photograph is from the Star-Tribune as well as the following from a report in the same paper on Monday the 7th:

"Authorities said they believed the fire started at a campsite on the northwest corner of Ham Lake, just outside the BWCA. It was reported around 11:30 a.m. Saturday. By Sunday evening, it had reached the Sea Gull Lake area within the BWCA, Berglund said.

The fire advanced on two different fronts Sunday. It headed north into the unpopulated BWCA. And it crossed over the Gunflint Trail directly west of the Seagull guard station at 1 p.m., officials said. Power was shut off past the guard station and the phone line past the station was lost.

A 1999 windstorm toppled millions of trees in and near the BWCA, and Berglund said some of the fire had reached the blowdown area, though previous controlled burns have reduced fuel loads in that direction. Sunday's evacuation triggered was part of a plan developed following the storm.

Northeastern Minnesota has been in a drought since last summer, and the federal Climate Prediction Center lists the area as being in severe drought now. No rain was expected for the next several days."

I heard a report from a fire ecologist on MPR who happened to be camping on 3 Mile Island in Seagull Lake. All of Minnesota had terrible winds over the time that the fire started, and he said he was unable to move because of the high waves on Seagull. And with 34 degree water temperature he couldn't risk capsizing. Last year wasn't anything so severe for us, but it was still pretty worrisome. The winds this weekend were very scary. The whole area is much drier than when we were there last year. Last summer and through the winter they have been in drought conditions.

Nathan Graduates!

Nathan graduated today, 5-5-07. Thought you all would like to see a picture of the happy graduate!

Get Well Gail!

Just to let you know we are thinking about you Gail and hoping that you feel better soon. Your positive outlook will help you heal, we know. Sally, we are thinking about you too, knowing your life is a bit stressful right now too. Be well, do good work! Love, the clan

blogginess

this is not unlike stepping off a cliff in Joshua tree. i had a diaper on then. i have no idea where this paragraph will go when i click publish. pardon me. it's my first blog. i think. i added a comment to the little baby tate's pictures, but i don't think that's a blog. spent some time tonight looking at all the lovely postings. virtually amazing. lots of love to all you bloggers and non bloggers and to our new littlest little boy/man/person/Tate who is the sweetest baby on blog.
love cynthia rae.