But the tube isn’t.  Yesterday we met with the surgeon to discuss having the tube removed and after he looked at it for a minute he asked if we just wanted to go ahead and remove it then, so I jumped at the chance to get Cutler that next step closer to “normal”.  So, the tube is now gone and replaced with some gauze and tape.  Dr Renard said that it could take up to six weeks for the hole to close on its own and if not we would have to perform a day surgery to close it up.  He also mentioned that we should know within a few days if it looks like it will be good on its own, so tomorrow we will change the dressing and see how things look.  I promise to post an update before the end of the weekend to let everyone know.  I will also take some time this weekend to post some more photos and videos of Cutler and Mason at the “gym”.  In the interim, here are couple shots of the boys from around the house.

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If it were only that easy, these are the words I would have used to rid ourselves of the tube today after the doctor gave us clearance.  That’s right, the blood work still looks great and the doctor is pleased with Cutler maintaining his weight without using the feeding tube for a month, so he told us to go ahead and schedule an appointment with the surgeon to have it removed.  Now the next obstacle to overcome is getting Cutler to take the meds normally.  But I welcome that challenge any day.

I know it’s overdue, but for the Fourth of July we made our annual trip to Lake Charles because there is no better place to spend your anniversary and shoot off some fireworks.  Here all kinds of fireworks are legal and fun.  Below are a couple of videos of Melanie dancing with her mom with sparklers and me trying not to blow my hand off because the other one has a Schlitz in it. 

Also, I wanted to post some photos from the boys playing in the sprinklers, but I had too many to chose from, so instead you can view them from this link if you desire…

http://gallery.me.com/aaronfricke#100027

Hope this finds everyone doing well.  Sorry for the long delay in updates.  Cutler continues to be a normal baby boy learning to walk, learning to bruise his forehead while learning to walk, and learning to fuss when he falls on his rear and wants help getting up.  He has started to crawl more and is capable of getting up but can be very persuasive in getting help to get up…that cry can just wear you out sometimes.  We are seeing the doctor tomorrow morning for the first time in three weeks and hopefully we will begin the discussion of removing the feeding tube as we haven’t used it in the past month…aside from the medicines that is.  Come to think of it, maybe we should keep it in until he finishes his meds in another month or so.  🙂

Below are a couple of videos of Cutler doing laps, dancing, and jabbering away.

Mason recently tested, successfully, for his 2nd orange strip in Tae Kwon Do.  Below are a few pictures and video from the effort.

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I know it’s not in the order that most babies take, but when enticed, Cutler will now crawl short distances.  He still would rather walk everywhere, of which he is getting much better, but below are a few videos one of which is of him crawling a few steps to get to his latest addiction…the blackberry.  I fear he is learning this from his mother.  I can say that, because I don’t use one.  🙂  The final one is him showing some of his tricks…should I feel bad that we teach him tricks like a dog?