Milestone

We've hit another major milestone in the Baker household.

She's been trying for so long, but finally it caught on today after much practice.

Rachelle can hula-hoop for the first time in her life.

Congratulations cards can be sent to....

Prayer Request

We took Ryan to a pediatric surgeon on Wed after being referred by the GI doctor concerning his bowel problem. The surgeon confirmed that all of the pooping problems are from his Hirschsprung's disease. Looking back, we now see that we have been a bit nieve that Ryan's problems were behind us. As the surgeon said, once you have Hirschsprung's, you always have Hirschsprungs - and explained to us that Ryan's colon will never be "normal". After another thorough rectal exam (not fun for Ryan, but he is getting so used to them, as he just takes his legs right up off the exam table and waits for the doctors to investigate the area while the doctor is still listening to his heart!!), the surgeon advised that Ryan's muscles in that area are very tight. Also, she said that after looking at his barium enema, stools are just floating around loosly, so in short, the end part of his colon is too tight to pass stools, while other parts of the colon are not doing their job to get the stools compacted and down to the end (this is such a fun subject to read about isn't it?). Anyways, this is why Ryan cannot poop when he wants to and why poop comes out when he does not even know it is going to come out - I guess stools just keep building up inside his colon until there is too much and then they seep out around the tight muscle area. Enough of the details...

On Sept 11th, Ryan goes in for a biopsy of his colon at PCH - unfortunately he has to be put under anesthesia. If the ganglion cells are not present, they will have to schedule another surgery to remove more of his colon. There still is a good chance that all of the needed ganglion cells are present and his muscles are just tight - I guess this is common to Hirschsprungs. In that case, other measures will have to be tried to loosen up the muscles and try to get his colon working a bit better.

Thanks for your prayers....specifically for the biopsy to go well and the next step to be very clear, as well as for Ryan's self esteem, as this 3 yr old potty training age is a hard age to have a problem with bowels that he can't control - he is starting to get frustrated and embarrassed.

Thanks!
Bakers

Pic

We have not changed mucho, but the kids have.

Here's a recent pic of the two cuties.

They call me coach.

One of the great joys of YL and it's ministry to kids, is the fact that I get paid to hang out with kids. One of the ways that I thought would be most convenient for me to get to know them is to volunteer coach with the Cross Country coach.

I really didn't realize how much I missed coaching. I have been out there three times already and have been able to memorize all of the kids names.

Another thing. The first day I was out, I figured I'm still in pretty good shape. I stayed with the varsity guys for some mile repeats. "Hey", I thought to myself, "I can still make varsity on this team"

Then I went out Thursday. Wow, it was hot and we ran far. I should say I ran pretty far and they ran really far. Then I climbed into the golf cart with the other coach and met the team back at the school. Running in 110 degree heat is really tough and I was not prepared for it.

Today I went again. I realized my mortality and did more coaching and less running. Still sore, but was able to help the guys finish a strong workout.

I love my new job.

Slacker McSlacks a lot

Well, I see that it has been some time since I have actually taken the time to type, actually better than two months.

Here's the lowdown on the Bakers in convenient bullet format for those who have other things to read.

• Bakers had 3/4 of the Swanks out for a visit in late July. Appearantly the head of households don't seem to make these trips.
• The over 30 Bakers took 2 nights away from the under 30 Bakers to celebrate their 10th ann'y in San Diego, where we did some beach running, visited the Gennaros, did some shopping at a lot of sleeping in.
• The Bakers moved. Again. Not kidding. This time to a house that God has blessed us with, that has an especially comfy guest room for anyone travelling through Phx. This also happened the day after we got back from our SD trip. Again, not kidding.
• Keith is now officially on staff with Young Life, striving to reach kids in the Surprise area with the Good News of Christ.
• Kate started Kindergarten! It was an exciting first day that Kate was more ready for than Rachelle or I. Rachelle cried, my eyes sweated a little (it was hot) and Kate has been more and more comfortable with school and is doing very well.

I hope that you find this posting a convient read that simply catches you up on the 'stuff' of the Bakers.

We are praying for each of you, and appreciate the same with numerous changes in the famlily right now.