Happy birthday to Jackson, who is nine years old today! We are thrilled to celebrate this birthday but, oh, what a year it’s been!
One year ago we were celebrating Jackson’s eighth birthday in our house with all of our family present.
We participated in some fun fall activities and we got a puppy!
Josh’s mom wrote an amazing book, Different But The Same, and went to Jackson and Luca’s schools to read it to their classrooms.
Jackson spent the first week of December in the hospital. Thankfully our puppy was at home to keep Luca company. Jackson got better and we were able to enjoy some holiday fun. Josh and I had our last date on December 29 (hoping for more after Covid).
Jackson was admitted to the hospital on January 10 and, little did we know, he wouldn’t get discharged for almost ten weeks. He never tested positive for anything and we are still curious as to whether he had Covid. Jackson spent many weeks in the ICU and was eventually transferred to the Transitional Care Center (TCC), which is overseen by the pulmonology department. I spent many days in TCC asking the attending, a pulmonologist, about this unknown coronavirus causing severe respiratory issues in Asia and Europe. Jackson was discharged a week before Ohio’s shelter in place order went into affect.
We celebrated Josh’s 40th birthday in a conference room at the hospital. 
Luca got both strains of the flu while Jackson was inpatient, despite having gotten the flu shot. 
This is how I slept at the hospital. The rooms are so bright because of all of the medical equipment so I slept with an ear warmer over my eyes to block out the light. 
We have a fancy dinner at home every Saturday.
Because Jackson got so sick with a respiratory illness and because we are in the middle of a respiratory related pandemic (talk about stress!), we basically haven’t left the house since discharge. The place we have literally been inside the most since March is Children’s Hospital for regularly scheduled appointments that cannot be done remotely. Nonetheless, we are making the most of staying at home.
I learned how to cut hair! Despite having watched numerous YouTube videos on how to cut a fade, I can still only do a buzz cut. 
We learned how to Zoom. 
We go on lots of walks in the neighborhood. 
Cuddle buddies 
I let my dad trim my hair last week! 
Remote school for Jackson
We are very happy to celebrate every birthday with Jackson and we are hoping these next 12 months are routine, uneventful and healthy compared to this last year.
cincinnati b(liss) 
Happy Birthday, Jackson. You are a handsome young man. We trust you will have a GREAT day. Enjoy your family. They are surely special people. Love you much. Aunt Jane and Uncle George
Wow! What a year! Happy Birthday to Jackson!!
Happy birthday, Jackson! I hope you all get to celebrate today. Thank you to all the Vanzants for sharing your journey with us. We continue to pray for healing, peace, joy and laughter.
That’s a great chronicle! I sure hope it is an u eventful year for you all. You certainly deserve a break! 🙂
Happy birthday Jackson. Love you and hope for a much more joyful year this year. ❤️❤️🎂❤️🎂
Indeed what a year you have had! I hope the coming year will be less stressful for everyone. The pictures you posted were wonderful reminders of how precious life is and to take joy in and celebrate special moments the best way you can. Give Jackson a hug for me.
You have had a very busy year going through
all of these difficulties and crosses to bear during this time. My love 💓 💘 and prayers 🙏 are with you and your lovely family.
I am asking my brother, Father Joe Thaler, a MARYKNOLL Missionary in NEPAL 🇳🇵 to say a Mass for you and your loving family. He has been there for 43 years.
Thanks for sharing 👍 all those amazing pictures. Love 💘 and prayers again
Diana Thaler DeVore
Jackson and his family are our nextdoor neighbors! Absolutely love Jackson and his family and am very sad when Jackson has trouble. The photo here of him smiling at his dad is priceless!! His dad has been a great caregiver to his sons and his mom is too. They are wonderful neighbors and have a loving and caring family.