Ode to Mr. Blanket

The other day Burke hurt himself some how and sweet Emma came right over gave him his blanket and sat down right next to him. She put her arm around him and starting quietly giving him words of comfort. I love when she is like this. It melts my heart. This is one way Burke receives comfort.

Another way Burke is comforted is by his blanket. This blanket deserves a post in and of its self. So...

... here is our ODE to MR. BLANKET: This blanket was made by most of Burke's girl cousins on Tyler's side of the family and by Grandma Johnson. The story behind the blanket goes as such. So, last July of 2008 Burke was scheduled for a heart catheter and possible surgery. We really thought that by that time his arteries had grown enough to warrant a surgery which would be the full repair. And if the arteries hadn't grown there would be some sort of surgery to help the arteries to grow more. So, the Johnson family all got together for a Fireside to start off the annual Johnson Reunion. Each year the fireside is different and sometimes has a theme to go along with it. This year Grandpa chose miracles in general but with his testing coming up he thought that we could think about the miracles associated with Burke. The meeting was wonderful. It was spiritual and to look back on that meeting we have come a long ways not only with regards to Burke's heart growth, but with my spiritual growth. I am grateful for that time where I can look back on that meeting and know that I have a loving family who has been a part of Burke's many many miracles and who supports and comforts us through this time.

So, after the meeting Grandma J and all the nieces gathered around little Burke to give him something. I had no idea what they were up to. This is when they presented Burke's Lion heart blanket to him. It had a Lion's head on it out of the shape of a heart with the mane being the thumb prints of all the aunts, uncles and cousins. In the corner it says, "Thumb body Loves Burke." The ears are made from cuffs of an old shirt because Grandma knew that when Burke was a baby during the winter time when he was wearing long sleeved shirts a lot. He used to suck on his two middle fingers on his right hand and pull down his cuff into the palm of is hand an suck on it as well. When the weather started getting warmer and I would put short sleeved shirts on him he no longer had a cuff to suck on. He would actually try pulling down his short sleeved shirt to suck on it but he could never figure out why it wouldn't come down like his long sleeved shirts would.

So, because this Lion blanket was a very warm one it wasn't until the fall time that he developed a strong connection to it. I started giving it to him at night time and he instantly was drawn to the "taggies" as we now call them on the lions head. Those cuffs from the shirt that were the lion's ears were the taggies that Burke holds and smells and finds comfort from.

We continued to go to the doctors monthly for tests and it was at those times at the hospital that the blanket became a must have item. It soothed him. It comforted him. That blanket has been everywhere. It has been everywhere at Primary Children's- in the Cath. Lab, in the PICU, in the x-ray, in MRI, and even in the OR. Blanket has been there for Burke when he wakes up from all of his testing and procedures. Blanket has been my right hand man because I haven't always been able to comfort him. Some kids just want their blanket. And that is Burke. And you know what- I LOVE it!

Blanket is there for Burke everyday and has helped him and me. Burke is continually getting more and more tired. Some days are better than others but for the most part he is gradually getting worse. He gets tired out super easily. He is still on his feeding tube and after feeds he gets tired because his heart is having to work harder to deal with the food that was artificially put there. Especially after feeds Mr. Blanket is there to help me help Burke to realize that he needs to take a break or he will throw up.

I tell Burke he needs to take it easy or he will throw up-all the time. I just have to get him to understand his limits because sometimes he just pushes past his limits resulting in throw up all over him and me, an not only that, he usually coughs and gags for a good while after that and his sats go way low because of it. Not so good for the heart you know? Anyways, today I was playing puzzles and blocks with him- some quiet toys- so he wouldn't exert too much energy because he had just had a feed. I told him, "Burkie, you need to settle down bud", and he replied back to me saying, "because I will throw up...and cough....and gag?" No joke. That is what he said to me. He is actually remembering to settle down. I just looked at him amazed, and said " yes, you will throw up". I love this kid. I can even tell him to go get blanket so he can hold the taggie while he sucks on his fingers. He did while we were playing today. He will lay down on blanket and now, he will even talk to his blanket. NO JOKE! He talks to it, gives it drinks if he thinks it is thirsty! I LOVE IT!! This kid is amazing and so smart, and kind, and funny and creative. I am amazed daily with what this little kid does or comes up with. He has a great teacher/ example to follow being that of his big sis who is creative also.

Anyways, there you have it- on record now- The Story of Mr. Blanket. Did I mention he has multiple names; Mr. Blanket is probably to top name, Blanket, blankie, blank, bankie (which is what I used to call my baby blanket that I was OBSESSED with), and there are probably more but that is all I can come up with right now.

So, I want to shout out and give a HUGE THANK YOU to all his little nieces who sat down with Grandma and brainstormed ideas of what blanket to come up with. Each of them gave their input and each of them helped hand stitch the blanket. I want to say to all of you- that this is THE BEST blanket in the WORLD! You guys will never know how much this little "comfort" has really done to help comfort our little guy with everything he has to go through.

One very smart nurse at Primary's labeled the blanket with medical tape so as to not loose it. It reads: "I BELONG TO MR. BURKE." I love it. I kept it on and hope it keep it on for a good long time. It is starting to come off with how often I have to wash it.

Here are just some of the MANY MANY pictures we have of Burke with Blanket.
This picture is funny for many reasons, but I have to mention that Burke's obsession with sucking his fingers and smelling his taggies has rubbed off on Kyle. Yep, I think Kyle sees that B is so obsessed with it and he thinks he should do it too. So, yep Liz, you are welcome! Good luck with that one. (Actually, I am really sorry- you know that.)
Thank You MR. BLANKET!!! We, nor Burke, could do it without you!