Partner in Crime

Meet Anna. She's Riley's favorite Portland friend (if you don't count Aunt Sheri), and they enjoy yelling together, pulling each other's hair, and messing up my living room. It's a match made in heaven.

Peek-a-boo, Riley Style

Is commentary really necessary?

Time Warp

How do they go from this:

to this:

In, like, no time flat?

p.s. Thanks for the fun toy car, Grandma and Grandpa R!

Family Photos: Take 17

So we tried taking some family photos today. Sure, the hospital isn't the best setting. But aside from that, how do you get everyone to:

• smile
• look at the camera
• not chew on pencils

simultaneously?

Don't be fooled by Matt's appearance. He was having fun. Despite a few I.V.s, lifeless limbs, and a slightly numb face.

And some good news: He felt stronger today, which may mean he's on his way to recovery. Yay!

Things We Take for Granted

The ability to:

• grip a toothbrush
• walk to the bathroom
• raise your arms to shampoo your hair
• dial phone numbers
• write
• open ketchup packets

With Guillain-Barré, you get weaker and weaker until you hit rock bottom—a point that's different for each patient. Then you plateau at the bottom for awhile before things improve.

We don't know when rock bottom will occur, but right now Matt's ability to move is disappearing more each day. Gross motor skills are labored and fine motor skills are practically impossible. In worst-case scenarios, paralysis spreads to the lungs, at which point a respirator becomes necessary. But the docs tell us Matt seems to have a relatively mild case. We're grateful for that.

Let's just hope for a speedy recovery!