ohio: travel day

We rolled out of our driveway ten minutes later than planned and with three inches of fresh fallen snow the drive to the airport took a little bit longer than we had anticipated.  Still, though, we got to the airport at a reasonable time and were pleased to see that the line at the checkin counter was only a few people deep.  As we fumbled with luggage, car seats, strollers, and all the other crap that goes along with traveling with small children, we hear the guy at the checkin counter announce that the flight to Minneapolis - OUR FLIGHT - had been closed and that the gate was being shut.  WHAT???!!!  We still had at least half an hour before it was scheduled to leave!  Thankfully, the employee had the departure time wrong and thought the plane left at 5:30 and not 5:50 like scheduled.  Still, though, with all the chaos and confusion time was quickly slipping away and he was starting to tell people that if you had not yet checked in you would have to rebook the flight to Minneapolis.  Thankfully Alex and I had just electronically checked in and held the tickets in our hands.  We finally made it through that mess but literally had to RUN through security (or at least as best you can run through security) and after throwing shoes on the wrong feet, forgetting belts, and letting Cash's head bob crazily on my shoulder as we dashed to our gate, we finally made it on our flight, but not without the pleasure of receiving guilty stares as we obviously were the last people to board the plane...with two small children.  I'm sure everyone just loved us.   

Our flight to Minneapolis was nice and smooth and it was beautiful being able to watch the sunrise.  Cash did okay on the plane, crying a few times until he finally allowed himself to fall asleep.  My mom met us at our gate and we all got on the plane to Columbus, OH.  That flight was also smooth and Cash behaved much of the same.  Cale of course loved every minute of the flights and was a little sad when it was time to get our rental car.  With the exception of nearly missing our flight it was a good travel day.

Once we got settled in our hotel we ran to the grocery store and looked for the nearest Starbucks.  The latter of these two is by far the most important. :)  We made dinner in our hotel room and took Cale swimming, something that he greatly enjoys and certainly deserved before the start of this week.  Overall I think I would say our spirits are high and we are all incredibly hopeful that we are in the right spot seeing the right doctors.  I think it's safe to say we are excited for the hope of finding answers.

I must admit, on the morning of Cale's first test I am mostly calm, which is pleasantly surprising.  I know things will most likely change once Cale is admitted and the painful process of explaining to a thousand people why we are here begins, but for now I am certainly enjoying the calm.  

I know without a shadow of a doubt that this calm comes from everyone who has been praying for us.  I am so thankful for such an amazing support system.  From those of you who have been there and done this to those of you that simply loves us and our little boy, thank you!  It means so much to Alex and me to know that you're sharing with us on our journey.

We check in the hospital at 10:00 ET and Cale's first test begins today.  It's a 24 hour test in which a tube is placed through his nose and down into his stomach.  I'm not entirely sure what exactly this test is looking for but I will hopefully be able to update more tonight. 

Thank you again for your continued prayers!  If you want specific things to pray for here are a few things I know we'd appreciate: