365 days

365 days ago I learned what ACC(agenesis of corpus callosum) meant. Since that day I was put in a place I never expected to be, but now, can't imagine being any place different.
Kissing Parker Ann good night tonight was very different from what it was a year ago. I am so grateful, and realize how blessed we are. I feel secure and at peace about her future. She is the happiest little girl. Her light, smile, and happiness is her gift she shares with all she meets.
At the end of this month, we have spent 16 weeks away from home attending Conductive Education intensive therapy. Last year Parker couldn't hardly track a toy with her eyes, little alone reach, roll, sit up, crawl, walk, talk, and follow simple instruction. I am over joyed to say hope lives in Parker. In her own way she is now doing all of these things. I find Parker's determination for life so admirable.
Clay and I are overwhelmed with gratitude to our Father in Heaven for the miracles and blessings that both of our children bring to our lives.  I know Vander is the big brother Parker Ann asked for. I am learning to celebrate the journey, it is just as perfectly imperfect as we are. Good and bad. I wouldn't change it. I am happy to know that no matter what happens in life, I have good company to experience it with. Thank you all family and friends for the love, prayers of hope, and support we have undeniably seen in our lives over this last year.
Love,

The Vrouw

Morning of the MRI one year ago. 

Thanksgiving card 2015

Thanksgiving Card 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble! Happy Thanksgiving 2015 from the Clay and Dallen Shumway family!  The pictures were taken and therefore a card must be made.  I can’t wait to have turkey and lemonade. 

Parker is the cutest 1 year old princess we know!  October 2^nd 2015 we were told she has Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC).  Ultimately ACC means part of Parker’s brain didn’t develop during Dallen’s pregnancy with her. The best thing we can do for Parker is various therapies to create neuro plasticity and make new brain paths for the body’s different motor functions. Parker is not only a rock star to her older brother, but is now a major hit at Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, and all the doctors’ and nurses’ we see. Since we have learned of ACC, Parker has been to over 30 appointments and has made great improvements towards grasping toys, sitting up, and rolling over. We feel so blessed and so grateful for the prayers and fasting in her behalf. She is a fighter and she never gives up. Our family is blessed to be in Philadelphia to have #1 Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia (CHOP) to help face the challenges that lie ahead. We are truly grateful for our little girl and are optimistic about her future (Parker updates can be found on the family blog.  www.thevrouw.blogspot.com).

If you were to ask Vander what he is, he’d say, “so fast!”   He loves running fast, cars, watching Hot Wheels on YouTube with Dad, building projects at Home Depot, and making Hot Wheels tracks or playing with his train set. He got his first kiss on Halloween night when he dressed like The Flash. He has another young girl dreaming about marrying him and he loves to flirt with college girls.  We can’t wait for him to think girls have couties. Vander loves nursery, singing songs, and facetiming grandparents.

Dad is excited to be done with classes after the 2^nd week in December!  1.5 more years of clinical rotations and 3 more years of residency and he will be a bonified foot and ankle surgeon.  Each step has been an adventure and he is excited for each new opportunity that his profession brings.

Vrouw aka Mom, and the kids go to 3-5 appointments for Parker a week, work on letters and numbers with Vander, read books, play with the dogs, and get excited for Dad to come home from school each day. Vrouw has re-found primary music and the joy it is to teach music each week.  Though her power, limitless as it may seem, when making a Thanksgiving card Mom needed a team.  So Dad was put to work and now it’s through so be really grateful and eat lots of food! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Clay Shumway Family

Happy Birthday Parker

First day of 2014/2015 school year.

08/11/2014 Today is officially Clay's first day back to school and end of summer break. What adventure this summer has been. We kept busy. Happy to have our move over with and feel settled into our new house. Despite much of the summer was packing and unpacking we were grateful for all of the fun things we were able to see and do. It's crazy to think that we have been here for a year, and now officially a 2nd year pod student. Yahoo! I am so grateful for all of the hard work Clay puts into the school year to get good grades. 
No doubt this school semester will come with its unknowns and challenges of having a new baby, but we're always up for welcoming a new baby girl into the family. We are officially 29 weeks along, and know that the end of October will be here before we know it! Happy to be a Shumway, and doing what we're doing.

The Vrouw