Hiya yall!!!  So we got home early, early Thursday morning (1am)!!  Our journey home was quite interesting, but in the end we made it home! whew!

So, we left the hospital on Wednesday (June 23) at 2:00pm to leave for the airport and our flight was scheduled to leave at 4:10pm..  We get to the airport and there is alot of commotion about our tickets.  Jack (the translator) then tells us, "Uh, your plane is boarding right now.  Run!"  Keep in mind we hadn't been through security yet either...and that usually takes a long time!  So, we run to security and OMG it was horrible.  Ya know, I take lots and lots of meds right?  Well, they sift through my medicine bag and pull out the bendedryl and a vial of my DDAVP.  They shake their heads at us and momma starts arguing that it is my medicine!  But of course, no English speaking people around!  ugh!  So, our plane was about to leave in about 10 minutes and we were arguing over medicine!!!  Finally, momma persuaded them to put it back and then we run to the plane, all the while thinking why is our plane leaving so early???  Well, as we are walking onto the plane (literally)  momma notices that the plane reads "Korean Air"....then momma asks daddy "Aren't we flying Asiana Air?"  Well, we were horrified, thinking we were gonna end up in Timbuktu!!!  But thankfully we ended up in Seoul...whew.  In Seoul we didn't have any problems and boarded our correct flight that was on time at 8pm (Korean time).    Our 10.5 hour flight to Los Angeles went very smoothly and I did great!  I didn't fuss the whole time, I actually slept pretty much the whole time.  Momma and daddy did not!  And the plane food was absolutely nauseating to momma!!  But I ate all of her food!  We get to LAX at 4:00pm on Wednesday (yep, we went back in time!! haha!)  Then the fun begins!  Our connecting flight to New Orleans was for 6:20.  That means only two hours people!!!!  So, we stand in line at customs for FOREVER!! (35 minutes or so)....then we had to find our luggage; which was strewn in all different places.  That took about another 45minutes.  Then we had to stand in line with our luggage in another customs line...that took about 20 minutes.   So we leave that area and try to head to the United desk for our next flight.  We ask a lady how to get there and she simply says, "Just walk out this building and walk to your left to terminal 7."  Easy enough, right?  Well, almost 2 miles later around the HUGE airport after pushing all of our luggage and me in my stroller we find terminal 7.  But no United check in desk.  We were soooo nervous we were gonna miss our flight!  We start panicking and asking anyone and everyone how to get to the desk.  We go up a few floors and find it!  whew!  We checked in our bags and then head to security.  ugh!  I hate security because they don't like all of my stuff and meds!  But thankfully they only took about 20 minutes.  We then start looking for our gate....and we find it and have about 5 minutes to spare!!!  It was quite a journey, but once we got on the plane we felt very relieved knowing we were almost home!
We fly into New Orleans around 1am on Thursday morning.  Ree Ree, Nanny Kelle, and Aunt Monica were there to pick us up!  Thank yall so much!!!!  We never thought we'd be so happy to feel this hot, humid LA heat and see our car!!!  We got home around 3:30am but were wide awake!!  We went to sleep around 5am and woke up shortly after.  We were just so excited to be home! 
We are definitely jet lagging today....but hopefully it'll get better soon!!  We are just gonna stay at home for the next few days and re-coop!  I'll go to the eye doctor in a few weeks to check on my eyes....wish me luck!
Thanks for coming along on my journey....and I'll keep you update on my progress!!!  Lots of love to you all! :)

Always smiling,
Connor man

Hey yall!  So our stay in Qingdao has ended.  We will definitely miss all the wonderful families we've met, the amazing translators, the so sweet nurses and doctors, and Forrest our oh so kind therapist!  All of these amazing people have made our 2nd trip to China amazing! 
We really don't know what my vision is right now...but we still remain hopeful.  We do know that I'm using my light perception alot better and playing with my toys so much more. 
I can't wait to get home and play with my Aaron and cousins!!!  Momma is looking forward to sleeping in her nice comfy bed, and daddy is looking forward to seeing his beagles..I'm sure! :)
Well, guys sorry this post is so short, but we have to head out.  We are leaving Qingdao headed to Seoul, Korea.  2 hour layover there.  Then from Korea to Los Angeles which is a 12 hour flight.  Then another 2 hour layover there.  Then finally from Los Angeles to New Orleans....we arrive there at 12:33am Thursday morning and we can't wait! 
Thanks for all of your prayers!  We love you all!

Sending my last China kisses,
Connor man

Hi yall!  Sorry for not updating sooner...the days just either fly by or drag by lately.  And sorry for no new pics, momma's crazy camera has died and she is about to go nuts without it!!!!  So so so sorry!!!  But we have exciting news...we got my last two IV treatments moved up and I had one Friday and my last one if Monday.  Then I have to stay for 24 hours after..that means I'll be ready to go home on Wednesday (plane arrives in New Orleans at 12:33am on Thursday)!  We got our flights changed and are so excited to be coming home 5 days earlier! 
My last treatment went very well.  I didn't cry much for my IV or during treatment, thank goodness!  Most of the nurses here take their time with me and always sing the ABC's for me!  I love it. 
We've been just hanging out around the hospital. Lots of new families are coming, and lots of the old families are going...  It can be pretty sad to get to know a family very well and then have to say goodbye to them.  Most of the families you will never, ever see again.  And then we are just left wondering how their child is doing!  But nowadays most of us have Facebook and that really helps!
My latest trick that I'm doing is playing with a lighted ball.  I have had light perception since the last treatment, but I never really used it to my advantage.  The other day daddy threw this squishy lighted ball in front of me.  It rolled around and I got it!  The funny thing is it doesn't make any sounds, not even when it rolls!  Momma and daddy had such a fun time trying to trick me with the ball.  I usually got it everytime!  Then just when momma gets the video camera out, I shut it down!  I don't want evidence!!!  She says I"m just bad!  Then the next day some Americans that work for Beike came to visit us and take some video footage of me! (yes, they love me) but I shut it down for them too!  As soon as a camera comes on, I go off!  I just slowly lower my head to the floor and act shy!  It drives momma crazy, because as soon as they left I sat up and said, "yayyyyy". 
My 6th and last treatment is on Monday and I can't wait!!!  Some of the doctors here told us that we shouldn't see as drastic results as last time (which we figured), but we are still hopeful.  Our experience here has been wonderful and we are very glad that we decided to come again.  This will most likely be our last trip to China; we will not focus our energy on getting me some good therapy in the good ole USA!  Whatever sight I have I am grateful for it!  Thank you all for your continued love and support!  It means the world to my family!
I can't wait to get home to see my big Bubba!!!  We can't wait to go swimming in Maw Maw June's pool  and Aunt Casey's pool!!!  I just looove the water.  Momma has done some research over here (with all her free time and all) and found this inflatable neck thingy that holds me up in the water and is supposed to be good for water therapy, well she ordered it and Uncle Toye said it already came in!  My buddy Jadon has one, that is how I found out about it!  We can't wait to put it to good use!

Tonight a bunch of the families are cooking some good ole spaghetti and the works!  We can't wait!  Sending all of my love all the way from HOT Qingdao, China (although it isn't near as hot as home, from what I hear!!)

Big, tight squeezes,
Connor man

Ni hao!  Well, as of today I am more than half way done with my treatments and only have 13 more days! Ha!  I got my 4th infusion today and it wasn't very pretty.  The nurses came in and wanted to put my IV right on top of my wrist, daddy wouldn't let them though.  That would really hurt if I bent my wrist...which most people do ya know.  So then they put it in the inside of my forearm.  That wasn't too bad.  So I go to the IV room to have my infusion and the put the port right on the inside of my elbow.  Well, that meant I couldn't bend my arm..which really, really made me mad.  Daddy had to hold my arm straight for almost an hour.  Boy, I was furious....I cried so loud and hard that finally, after about 45 minutes of it the nurses came back and moved the port to the bottom part of my arm so I could bend it.  Well, they tried to make me stop crying, but by that time I was fit to be tied!  I gave it to them!  So we came back to the room and I took a nice, long nap...which made me feel oh so much better!

So let me recap my weekend for ya!  Friday night momma made red beans and rice.   Oh how lovely it was to eat good ole American food.  She had to get creative to find the beans and all, but she used her trusty Tony's Saicherre's that she brought from home, and it tasted great!!!  Saturday we had a pretty lazy day.  We went to the RT Mart and found a few American movies to pass the time.  Sunday was our Funday!  We, along with two other families: The Crowe's from Alabama (Jeff the dad has Ataxia) and Sandy, Seth, and Shaylee from Missouri, went downtown.  Our first stop was the Jimo Market.  We love this place because it is like a big Flea market.  They sell purses, jewelry, clothes, shoes, bed stuff, movies, traditional Chinese stuff, and other odds and ends.  But you know, the best part is the haggling!  Momma is severely addicted to it.  Well, we shopped for almost 4 hours in this crazy 5 story building of over 1000 shops!  I was so good!  We even got me a new pair of Nike's!  They are too cute!  Momma was so excited when we found the illegal DVD store.  Most of the DVD's here are pirated, filmed in the theatres or are copies fo the real stuff.  But we don't mind!  Momma was able to buy the COMPLETE SEASONS of Friends (all 10) for only $9!!!!!!!!!!!  And the quality is pretty darn good.  So now daddy and I have to put up with her and 10 seasons of Friends for the next 2 weeks! Ha!  We got lots and lots of goodies and gifts for less than $120!!  It is just nuts the way stuff is so cheap over here!!! 
Then we were starving so we ate at Pizza Hut.  We love Pizza Hut over here because it tastes so good, daddy says it is like 1980's Pizza Hut.  We then went to the International Store (American Store for food).  This is the place where the prices are so darn high for American, uh familiar, food!  Momma has been craving anything with vinegar..crazy woman.  So we got a jar of dill pickles for $6, two bags of salt and vinegar lay's chips for $5.50 a bag, jalepenos for $7, some salsa for $5, and tortillas for $7!  Are we crazy for paying those high prices, probably.  But it is just so yummy to have comfort food!  So tonight we are making some tacos...yay!  Then we came home.  We were so tired that we took a nap at 6:30pm! 
Oh, I've got a few stories to tell ya!  The other night when we were eating at the Holiday Inn (a 5 star restaurant) this lovely Chinese lady comes up to Sandy and Seth (Seth is a beautiful long blonde haired boy that is 2) and is trying to talk to them in Chinese.  Well, she holds up her little boy who is wearing split pants (remember-the pants they use for potty training with  NO underwear underneath).  She holds him up and pulls out his, uh, wee wee and points to it!!!  She was trying to say "Is he a boy or girl??"  Well, Sandy nodds her head and says, "Yes, he's got one of those too!!!"  It was just so funny and soooo unexpected!
The first week we got here daddy realized he forgot his brush.  Daddy and I have very thick, coarse hair.  So we use a certain type of brisly brush.  Momma told him to go buy one at the Lotte Mart across the street.  Well he came back with a very nice brush indeed.  He told momma that the brush cost him 150RMB's!!!  This is like almost $25!!!!  Momma then told him that we are mounting that brush when we get home!  He said the bristles MUST be made from whale baleen or something!
Ooooh, well time for tacos!  I love, love, love you all!!!  THANK YOU ALL so much for thinking of me and praying for me!  It truly means the world!  And those of you who have been signing my guestbook--Thank you!  It really makes me feel special and remembered!!!  I love it! 
Oh, I've got two requests: please take a break from your prayers from me and pray for two very special kiddies.  Sami-a 7 year old girl from Hammond who has cancer is fighting for her life at Children's Hospital.  We got her a Kimono dress and she has to be able to wear it!!  The other is Jadon, my good little 9month old buddy!  He is really having a hard time controlling his seizures and momma can really feel their pain.  So thanks everyone!  Lots and lots of love to you all back home!

Big, wet slobbery China kisses,
Connor man