The Peanut Tracker

- Elliot’s been talking a lot lately. Lots of mah-mah-mah’s, muh-muh-muh’s, and even a couple buh-buh-buh’s. No dah-dah-dah’s yet…

- The little man is almost crawling, but not quite yet. He’s pretty much got all the mechanics down separately, and he’s got the strength, but putting them all together isn’t happening yet. Sometimes he’ll get really excited while on his tummy, kicking his legs in the air repeatedly, holding his arms up above the ground, and squealing with excitement–all while going nowhere. Sorta like a turtle on its back, but inverted.

- Elliot is, however, rolling all over the place. He can mostly stay sitting upright, too, though we aren’t leaving him there for very long just yet.

- Profound statement of the week: It’s hot in Texas.

- Elliot finds sneezing to be absolutely hilarious.

- Here’s something just to freak you out: Tania and I are considering making our living room televisionless. (Gasp!)

- I still haven’t learned to stop saying “the” when referring to numbered freeways. For example, “Take the 10 to the 1604…”

- Why don’t I have any Texas-wear yet?

- My new favorite place to visit at lunch: Half Price Books.

-T

As part of our transition into our home here in San Antonio, we planned and took the opportunity to move Elliot into his own room. (Applause!) And, much to his daddy’s displeasure, he’d already began to outgrow his Amby bed–about six months ahead of schedule–so out came the tools, up sprang his crib, and into his crib we moved him as well. Right smack in that 4-6 month window they tell you to aim for. It’s been pretty awesome; a process, of course, but one that’s gone fairly successfully.

Nerves? Oh yeah. Lots of nerves, at first anyway. It’s better now, though. Probably the best thing that’s happened so far is the breaking of our video baby monitor. (Thank you, Michelle and Jonathan! We used it until it croaked!) We loved it (despite it’s Rice Krispies-quality reception), but it was a great time to part with it.

We didn’t buy another for a couple reasons: 1) they’re expensive; 2) they’re insecure–all the models I’ve seen have no defense against anyone nearby tuning in on their frequencies. The same is true of audio-only baby monitors (although there seem to be more channels on audio-only), but, obviously, broadcasting both audio and video is more unsettling than just the audio. And if there is a video baby monitor with some kind of security, I’m sure it’d make problem one, the expense, much worse. I spent a few hours researching a video camera via computer network solution, and ran face-first into problem one. So, in the end, we picked up an under $50 audio-only baby monitor, and it’s been great. Clearer reception, better sound quality, less screen-watching, etc.

And now, pictures having nothing whatsoever to do with that story…

(As always, click ‘em to see the Gallery.)

Listening intently to the wisdom of his parents. Sure. (But he did do this all on his own!)

Our little acrobat.

“Please, mommy? Please can I stay up some more? I’ll be good!”

Tania and Elliot, my whole world.

Elliot hanging out and working with his Daddy.

-T

Whew, glad that’s over. The internet is the hood, I tell ya!

So, I’ve vanquished the baddies, upgraded the blog software, and (finally) been removed from Google’s list of bad sites.

Thanks to Andrew and the other folks at Dreamhost for verifying things and being responsive!

-T

We spent last weekend with our good friends, the Crawfords, who came out from Houston to relax near the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio. It was great to be with them! See their blog post here, which includes several photos.

-T

Elliot is five months old today!

Sorry it’s been a while since we posted pictures. We’ve finally unpacked all our boxes, though we’re still trying to situate everything. These are several photos of Elliot during the last month.

(Click on the photos for a bigger version.)

The little man laughing during tummy time. (6/4/08)

I love his expression here. This is probably my current favorite photo of Elliot, but the previous picture is pretty tough competition. (6/4/08)

Unpacking Elliot after the move. Just kidding. Put down the phone. (6/8/08)

Teething is Elliot’s new occupation. His fingers are his favorite. (5/23/08)

He figured out how to grab his toes about a month ago. They’ve since offered him untold hours of entertainment. (5/23/08)

Ain’t no sissy-teething ’round these parts. The whole fist is where it’s at. (5/13/08)

Our little Spurs fan watching the game with us in San Antonio. It’s the one show we let him slide on right now. (5/11/08)

-T

Folks,

As new parents, Tania and I find it too easy–seemingly automatic, even–to lose perspective, getting caught up in the tiring job of parenting a newborn. But then, someone you know shares a story, by way of asking for prayer, that brings back your perspective in a jarring instant. And we are reminded that we are very blessed.

But allow me to share the story with you, in the hope that you will lift a family up in prayer.

Tania and I are priveledged to be able to help support the Hoover family, missionaries with Family Life–an organization that has been a blessing to our family–who work to help, heal, and build marriages and families through Weekend to Remember conferences all across the nation. Below is an email they shared with us, sent to them by Dennis Rainey, President and co-founder of Family Life, asking for prayer for his family. His granddaughter, little Molly, passed away this week, only a week after her birth. Read Mr. Rainey’s email below and support Molly’s parents with your prayers as they walk through a very trying time. 

-T

From: Dennis Rainey
To: Dist-AllStaff
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Subject: Dawn in Colorado

As the sun is coming out  here in Colorado,  and The Son will soon be welcoming home Rebecca and Jakes daughter, Molly.  A gift, entrusted to them for 7 days, to be ushered home, undoubtedly by a band of the gentlest and mighty angels dispatched from the throne of God to carry her into the presence of The Savior.
 
What has been tough, is about to get much tougher.  Pray for Rebecca and Jake and forward this email to anyone you know who will pray for them.
 
Our days here have been so full of the presence of God.  Honoring Him for Molly Ann.
 
Friday morning she was born… she didn’t cry for nearly 4’ because she was suffering from congestive heart failure.  Her mom held her only for seconds before she was whisked away to be placed on life support.  We think her problem is a heart murmur.  Oh how I wish that was all she had.  She is rushed by ambulance to The Children’s Hospital here in Aurora.  We arrive that evening to hear Jake say she is going to need brain surgery.  I am thinking…I wish it was a heart murmur.
 
Saturday was a day of testing, in more ways than one.  She has x-rays, ultra-sound, and MRIs around 11.  The radiologist makes a copy for Jake and me from her text book about the Vein of Galen.  I go on line and find out that Molly is up against a serious abnormality in the middle of her brain that it is VERY rare and VERY destructive.  Around 4 we are seated in a private room with a neurologist, cardiologist, neonatologist, and nurse giving us the news that over 50% of Molly’s brain is permanently damaged and that the damage affects both halves of the brain.  10-15-20 dangerous surgeries, she MIGHT be able to have A FEW functions as a human being.  (Later I talk to a friend who has been a  neurologist for 30 years and he puts it in perspective—“In cases like Molly where there is so much brain damage, I have never seen a good outcome through surgery.”  Never is a strong word.  Yet we hope and pray for a miracle…even today)    It is as though this young couple have been hit by a truck,  news beyond comprehension.  Joy turns to mourning.
 
In other words, it would take a miracle for Molly to live.
 
Sunday Jake’s parents,  Bill and Pam Mutz,  arrive along with some of their family.  Laura flies in from DC, Samuel and Stephanie and their three children fly in from Seattle, Ashley flies in from Memphis where she was on vacation with her husband and 5 sons and Ben and Marsha Kay come to the hospital.  Rebecca and Jake want to introduce their  new daughter to each family member.    Many come and kneel at Rebecca’s feet and just sob.  When a family is being a family it is powerful.  Worshipful.  God honoring.
 
Jake and Rebecca spend a good bit of Sunday and Monday praying, talking, seeking second opinions trying to decide what is God’s will for Molly…what is the loving thing to do?
 
Monday we surround Molly and have a baby dedication, read Scripture, pray and sing a couple of songs.   More than a dozen of us weep our way through the familiar hymn:
 
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
 
Again many of us kneel at Rebecca’s feet as she hold’s little Molly in her arms teethered to life support tubes.
 
Monday night Bill and Pam Mutz and Barbara and I witness the unimaginable…we sit in a hospital room as Jake hold’s Molly…listening for over 2 hours as Jake and Rebecca process their choices.  God is God, but it’s impossible to NOT  feel, this just shouldn’t be.  What a choice for a young couple to have to make.    They decide to not pursue the several very dangerous and complex brain surgeries and remove life support later in the week.
 
Tuesday, honestly, I don’t know what happened to Tuesday.  But I do know that if love could heal, Molly would be well.  Instead, we can all see  Molly’s little chest pounding, her heart beating faster and faster, trying to keep up with what she needs to live.  60-80% of her blood is going to her brain when it should be 10-15%.
 
I do know that Wednesday was an incredible day.  Videoing, picture taking, making a mold of Molly’s hands,  Rebecca and Jake holding Molly still teethered by life support tubes.  Rebecca and the mom’s giving Molly her first, and only bath, washing her  hair.  Stroking her little naked body.  This is not what this young mother expected.  Doing footprints and hand prints.  Ask me to show you my bible and I’ll show you her footprints all over Psalm 127 and 128…and her handprint on my life verse, Psalm 112:1-2…Her life may have been short in terms of days, but her life has been mighty.  Mighty Molly Mutz.
 
Wednesday closed out with this email at midnight from Jake, on the close of the last full day that Molly will likely live:

I just got done holding Molly chest-to-chest for the last 3.5 hours!  Heavenly!  I could feel her beating heart on my bare chest!  2569 kisses later I relinquished her to Mom.

She is an Angel!!!!

Now Rebecca is experiencing this delight!  I just looked over at Bec & she nodded, as if to say - I WILL be sleeping here with my Sweet Pea for the next 12 hours!

We love you guys!
Jake & Rebecca

And now today.  Molly’s coronation day.  Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-4.   This morning we will all say goodby one by one and then leave Rebecca and Jake to spend the afternoon with her.  She is expected to live only a few minutes after being taken off all life support machines later on this afternoon.
 
Pray for Jake and Rebecca today.
And for the Mutz family and ours.
Our hearts are breaking.
 
You are loved and appreciated,
Molly’s Papa
Ps 112:1-2

Quick update on this…

• I’ve found and destroyed what looks like a hack here on our blog.
• I’ve upgraded our blog’s Wordpress software, which is supposed to solve a vulnerability probably responsible for the problem we’ve had.
• I’ve requested that Google re-review our blog and, if it looks clear, remove the danger warnings.

Look for more updates!

-T

Folks,

It seems that Google is saying The Peanut Tracker is an unsafe website. I’m investigating this and will post again when I find out what’s going on.

Hopefully you won’t be scared away by this, but I wanted to mention it in case you noticed any warnings.

In addition to here, I’ll be posting a status update at http://www.tiznobias.com, which Google is still friends with.

-T

All of the following streets or places are within a few minutes of where we now live in San Antonio, TX. Weird. In aggregate, almost eerie.

Rolling Oaks Mall…
…we used to live on Rolling Oaks Dr in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Thousand Oaks Dr…
…we used to live in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Ventura Dr…
…we used to live in Ventura County, and a modest drive from Ventura, CA.

Ronald Reagan Public Library…
…we used to live near the famous Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas…
…we used to live only a modest drive from Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. Now we live about 5 minutes away. Ha-ha!

Palmdale St…
…we used to live in Palmdale, CA.

Palmdale Dr…
…see above.

Lancaster St (this one is a little further, in South San Antonio)…
…we used to live in Lancaster, CA. Incidentally, there’s also a Lancaster, TX, which is a suburb of Dallas (but far away from us).

-T

P.s. No, I haven’t forgotten about more Elliot pictures. Got some good ones, too!

…continuing the adventure, which began here.

The Rest of the Drive

We got smarter. Tania’s the genius, though. She came up with it. Oh, but wait. The problem first.

Elliot hated the long car ride during the first leg of our trip (Thousand Oaks, CA to Tucson, AZ). Lots of crying. Lots of pulling over. Lots of Tania sitting in the backseat and comforting. Basically, lots of the opposite of fun.

So Tania came up with a brilliant idea: instead of leaving the next morning at about 8:00 AM for the next leg of the trip, leave at about 4:00 AM–sacrifice sleep and breakfast for peace and progress. And it worked. Elliot slept the first half of the drive (about 4 hours), cutting our travel time by probably 90-120 minutes, cutting our stress levels drastically, and, more importantly, making the trip a lot less torturous for poor Elliot. I’m so glad Tania thought of this! Seeing little Elliot’s red, puffy, tear-stained face smile in desperate relief when we’d pull over to give him a break and get him out just about ripped out my heart every time.

I Swear I’ll Be Deaf One Day

My poor ears. That darn Interstate 10, while wonderfully straight and efficient with its 80 mph daytime speed limit (70 mph at night), must have been paved with the beach sand upon which the tormented souls of the victims of Viking warriors lay in eternal unrest. Or something like that. I mean, heck, the road is loud. And long. Which means loud for a long time. You know how I am with the whole hearing loss paranoia. I actually had to throttle back my speed and drive 10 mph under the time-saving 80 mph speed limit just to keep my ears from exploding into a big puff of smoke and confetti. (That would’ve spoiled my day.)

Purty Country

Contrary to what some might think, Texas actually isn’t a flat-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see wasteland sparsely populated with hairy-armed hicks chasing tumbleweeds in rusted offroad pickup trucks. The landscape is actually quite beautiful. Yes, it’s true that El Paso–from the freeway, anyway–isn’t exactly a sight for sore eyes (though it was interesting to see the shacks lining the hills in Mexico just over the border), and that Fort Stockton is a fairly boring (but nice enough) hotel-town, but after you get a bit further in, it’s a pretty state. Interstate 10 took us through a mostly hilly and forested Texas countryside; I only recall small portions of flatland. In fact, as we approached San Antonio–and as we drove throughout San Antonio–we found the landscape to be full of forest and rolling hills. It’s nice!

San Antonio itself seems to be a pretty good compromise between city and suburb. It’s fairly spread out, so we haven’t felt any of that urban crowding you might find in other big cities. There’s a downtown, which we’ve only visited once, but it seemed nice enough. And to our surprise, a lot of folks seem very health-conscious here–joggers, bicyclists, you name it. There are a lot of outdoorsy-type things to do in the area–hunting (it’s Texas!), tubing on rivers, fishing, etc.

So far we like San Antonio!

-T

P.s. Yes, yes, I’ll try to post more pictures soon. Please put down the pitchforks and torches.