Big smiles, and “Hanson family” fame (Oct. 15)
Last night was up and down for Lucas: he spit up a couple times in the early evening, and all the commotion from the clean-up helped wake him up. 
Then, he took advantage of a visit from Krista’s friend Laura* to show off his cuteness, curling his lips up for the biggest smiles we’ve ever seen out of the little guy. Maybe he grinned because he felt relieved to clear his tummy of a big air bubble… though the smiles soon turned to grimaces again a little later, leading to another puke. Finally, his feeding was delayed for a hour which was enough to get him back on track with his milk for the rest of the night, and he’s still going well today.
This morning Lucas was made famous as the “Hanson family” was invited to speak at a forum on nursing excellence. They were short on male speakers and since Lucas wasn’t available Burke ended up taking the stage (the invite said “business casual” which was a bit of a stretch for dad, but he pulled it off). Children’s National Medical Center is applying for Magnet Recognition for nursing and this week is the big assessment; the main evaluator stood front and center in the brand new auditorium as various parents (as well as some former and current patients) testified to the quality of nursing at Children’s.
Burke speaks (check out the tucked-in shirt!)
Burke talked about Lucas’s tough beginning and how much we’ve appreciated getting to be so close to Lucas, being part of his care, and learning from the nurses along the way. It was especially moving for us to hear other stories of kids afflicted with different diseases and conditions who have overcome the odds and were thriving in the world.
*note: sadly, starting today they’ll be no more visitors (except parents) allowed into the Children’s NICU. We got the memo yesterday about the extra precautions being taken for flu season. All the more reason to get Lucas home muy pronto!
Comments (7)
Madeline
October 16th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
That is one adorable baby! He is so cute all wrapped up in his little blankie. very smoochable.
Burke – I bet you never thought you would be speaking at an event about how important hospital staff are! I’m remembering the post where you guys talked about how you had not planned to spend much time in hospitals with your kid – I’ve really taken that lesson to heart… life doesn’t conform to our expectations and it can be devastating when things don’t happen the way we plan, but you guys are really inspiring in the way that you adapt and stay strong. I know you take a lot of strength from all the support you get from friends and family, and I hope you know that you give us strength too!
Jocelyn
October 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am
How wonderful to see Lucas’s beautiful face! I can’t wait to see all three of you at home. Sending hugs, Jocelyn
Aimee & Isla & Adrock
October 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Lucas! You are such a handsome little guy and we are so proud of you! Isla has been talking about you a lot and is looking forward to meeting you. She loves looking at all of your pictures on your blog. We are excited for you to make the trip home with your parents. Tell them that we are still trying to figure out how to ship a casserole across the country… and that we love them too.
Big kisses to you!
lots of love from your friends in the mountains,
Aimee & Isla & Adrock
ashley
October 16th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Lucas looks like such a cutie!!! He is getting to be such a big boy! The girls have been talking to his picture all night:) We also love to see Tio looking so dapper and professional.
Lots of love and kisses from all of us. Let’s do the ichat tomorrow.
xo
A,B, M, T & E
Diane and Scott
October 15th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Just a few lines to say ! You go little man ! you have grown so much since i last checked in. We have been real busy with a new little one in our lives.(granddaughter) Her name is Katelyn and she was born on Sept.21 , So keep up the great hard work you can do it. We will be watching and and sending you lots of love and growing power.
nonna stansbury
October 15th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
It’s so great to see my boys on the same blog. Lucas is looking a lot like Baby Burke who was also adorable and used to puke a lot. In fact, maybe it’s male stansbury gene. Papa(Michael) was a big puker as a baby.
We are planning a visit close to Halloween. My costume looks remarkably like the outfits the NICU nurses wear. How else am I going to see my grandchild?
XOXO NONNA
Courtney, Sean and Ian
October 15th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Hi Krista and Burke! We’re so happy that Lucas’s surgery went well and that we can see his beautiful little face without all that tape, etc. The steps to getting him home can seem to take an eternity but you all will get there! And, although I can imagine the anxiety about tending to his special needs, remember that the staff at Children’s would never release him unless they had absolute confidence in your abilities to care for him. He’s going to thrive at home with his loving parents!
Take care of yourselves and keep up your amazing strength!
Courtney, Sean and Ian
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