We now have
THREE children
under the age of
TWO.
And it's very difficult to get a nice picture of the three of them together. :)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! After a ridiculously long night with a feisty child who refused to sleep (oddly enough, NOT our newborn...) we were pretty wiped out today. Combine that with the icky, cold weather, and you get one very lazy family.
But it was a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving nonetheless!! We relaxed, watched the parade, and were blessed to have our incredibly generous friend share her Thanksgiving feast with us, so we didn't starve. :) I also had plenty of time to think about just how much I have to be thankful for this year, and boy, I don't even know where to start! But here goes:
1. An AMAZING husband who has been home helping with the babies more than I could ever ask for.
2. Three BEAUTIFUL children who spent the entire day with me.
3. Spending a nice, relaxing holiday all together as a family.
4. Spending today AT HOME, and not in the hospital!! (In the past two years, we have spent Christmas in the hospital twice, and Thanksgiving in the hospital once.)
5. So many loving and generous friends who have filled our home with delicious meals and baked goods for the past week.
6. Cozy evenings on the couch with my husband after my babies are (usually) in bed.
7. A sweet, good-natured baby girl who is happy and healthy.
8. Cell phones, facebook and skype, which allow me to stay in touch with friends and family who I was not able to spend the holiday with.
9. Truly amazing "blog" friends who are such a TREMENDOUS encouragement.
10. God's amazing, infinite love for me, even though I don't deserve it, and His amazing and perfect timing in all things.
But it was a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving nonetheless!! We relaxed, watched the parade, and were blessed to have our incredibly generous friend share her Thanksgiving feast with us, so we didn't starve. :) I also had plenty of time to think about just how much I have to be thankful for this year, and boy, I don't even know where to start! But here goes:
1. An AMAZING husband who has been home helping with the babies more than I could ever ask for.
2. Three BEAUTIFUL children who spent the entire day with me.
3. Spending a nice, relaxing holiday all together as a family.
4. Spending today AT HOME, and not in the hospital!! (In the past two years, we have spent Christmas in the hospital twice, and Thanksgiving in the hospital once.)
5. So many loving and generous friends who have filled our home with delicious meals and baked goods for the past week.
6. Cozy evenings on the couch with my husband after my babies are (usually) in bed.
7. A sweet, good-natured baby girl who is happy and healthy.
8. Cell phones, facebook and skype, which allow me to stay in touch with friends and family who I was not able to spend the holiday with.
9. Truly amazing "blog" friends who are such a TREMENDOUS encouragement.
10. God's amazing, infinite love for me, even though I don't deserve it, and His amazing and perfect timing in all things.
Have a wonderfully blessed weekend, and a joyful and thankful Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
50 FREE Holiday Cards
This holiday season, Shutterfly, a photo storage website, is offering 50 FREE holiday cards to any blogger who writes a post about their new holiday card collection and this special offer. Being a long-time user of the site, and having been very pleased with their products and services, I was thrilled to share with you, and of course, even more excited to earn some free Christmas cards!
The selection of holiday cards at Shutterfly.com is fantastic, with various sizes and styles, so there is definitely something for everyone. I have greatly enjoyed sorting through the different styles and trying to decide on what will be the best fit for our family. This year, because our daughter was just born, we don't really have time to get a nice, formal photo of our entire family, so in order to narrow down my search I decided to look for a design with three photos. That way I can include a beautiful individual photo of each of my babies. Then I decided I would like a card that says "Merry Christmas," and has Christmas colors, because I guess I'm just very traditional like that! I also looked at the 5x7 cards, since that is the size they are giving away to bloggers. Therefore, I began my search here, and then refined my choices to fit what I wanted for our family.
Then I was able to find a few designs that were simple, and allowed for a picture of each of my babies:
Peppermint Bliss
Scarlet Frames
Candy Boxes
And since I was already planning on ordering our family Christmas cards from Shutterfly, I am super excited to receive 50 cards for free! If you would like to know more about this offer, just go here, and if you would like to check out Shutterfly for yourself, just go here!
Some other great products they have this Christmas season include: Calendars, Christmas Invitations, Address Labels, and Gift Tags.
The selection of holiday cards at Shutterfly.com is fantastic, with various sizes and styles, so there is definitely something for everyone. I have greatly enjoyed sorting through the different styles and trying to decide on what will be the best fit for our family. This year, because our daughter was just born, we don't really have time to get a nice, formal photo of our entire family, so in order to narrow down my search I decided to look for a design with three photos. That way I can include a beautiful individual photo of each of my babies. Then I decided I would like a card that says "Merry Christmas," and has Christmas colors, because I guess I'm just very traditional like that! I also looked at the 5x7 cards, since that is the size they are giving away to bloggers. Therefore, I began my search here, and then refined my choices to fit what I wanted for our family.
Then I was able to find a few designs that were simple, and allowed for a picture of each of my babies:
Peppermint Bliss
Scarlet Frames
Candy Boxes
And since I was already planning on ordering our family Christmas cards from Shutterfly, I am super excited to receive 50 cards for free! If you would like to know more about this offer, just go here, and if you would like to check out Shutterfly for yourself, just go here!
Some other great products they have this Christmas season include: Calendars, Christmas Invitations, Address Labels, and Gift Tags.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
An Amazing Birth
Well, things are starting to settle down as we get adjusted to having a new little baby in the house. She is doing wonderfully, spending her days sleeping, eating, and then sleeping some more. In fact, as I type this, all three of my babies are napping. At the same time. Pretty impressive, huh? So I thought now would be a great time to share her birth story with you.
Let me preface this by explaining (in case you aren't already aware) that labor tends to happen very quickly for me. And if you think I'm exaggerating, just go and read the story of when my son was born. And even though I really thought I would have a little more time this time since she would be a bigger baby, not so. This was the fastest labor yet. Seriously, it might be a record or something.
So anyway, Wednesday afternoon I went to see my doctor and check the progress of my little girl. In a week I had gone from 2 centimeters to 2-3 centimeters. So my doctor (not being a fortune teller) could simply shrug and say,"Well, given your history, I would guess you will not last another entire week, but there's really no telling exactly when you will go into labor."
And so we continued to wait. I spent the afternoon relaxing, then Wednesday evening ran some errands. After the kids were in bed, I even went grocery shopping! Once I was home, and everything was done, I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching Psych, still feeling nothing, and planning on going to bed, because we had a very busy day planned on Thursday.
Just after midnight, however, I started to have the occasional contraction. Now, for the past several weeks, I have had occasional contractions, so I waited to see if changing position, drinking water, etc. would stop them. Nothing worked. So we made the call to our friend to come and sit with our other two, and started getting ready to head out the door. At this point, the contractions were only slightly uncomfortable, not incredibly painful. But I had no idea how far along I was or how quickly things would progress, so we booked it to the hospital.
We were checked into labor and delivery at 1:15 am. At this point the contractions had gotten much more intense, so I quickly tried to explain to the nurses that labor happens quickly, and we needed to hurry. I don't think she entirely believed me, but she got me in a room and hooked to a monitor and finally checked to see just how far I was. Seven centimeters.
She immediately called my doctor, who arrived within minutes. At this point, the contractions were VERY painful, and I had about five people coaching me through each one. My doctor went ahead and broke my water to keep things moving. Even knowing my history, I don't think anyone thought things would then happen quite as quickly as they did. It was either the third or fourth contraction after my water broke that she was born. Not even ten minutes later. And just like that, labor was over, at 1:57 am! She was beautiful and healthy and oh so tiny.
Once she was born and things started to calm down, we began to talk with the nurses. The nurse who helped with delivery was the same nurse who delivered my son. And the Children's hospital transport nurse who had spent so much time with us the night he was born, and calmed us down and answered all our questions, was also there to check on my baby girl (since technically she was a little early as well). Turns out, they all still talk about that night, and we're kind of a legend. During our stay, nurse after nurse came in to say, "Oh my gosh, that was you??" or "So you popped out another one??" or "So are you going to be back here next year?"
Yeah. We heard it all.
And so we survived. We have a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and we are finally all home. Honestly, aside from being afraid she would come too early and we would have another child in the hospital, my biggest fear was that my water would break before we could make it to the hospital. I have spent the last nine months praying that would not happen. So I am so incredibly thankful that we made it safe and sound and did not deliver at home, or in the car, or some other place that is NOT the hospital!
Thank you all for your prayers as well, God heard and has blessed us with an absolutely beautiful daughter!
Let me preface this by explaining (in case you aren't already aware) that labor tends to happen very quickly for me. And if you think I'm exaggerating, just go and read the story of when my son was born. And even though I really thought I would have a little more time this time since she would be a bigger baby, not so. This was the fastest labor yet. Seriously, it might be a record or something.
So anyway, Wednesday afternoon I went to see my doctor and check the progress of my little girl. In a week I had gone from 2 centimeters to 2-3 centimeters. So my doctor (not being a fortune teller) could simply shrug and say,"Well, given your history, I would guess you will not last another entire week, but there's really no telling exactly when you will go into labor."
And so we continued to wait. I spent the afternoon relaxing, then Wednesday evening ran some errands. After the kids were in bed, I even went grocery shopping! Once I was home, and everything was done, I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching Psych, still feeling nothing, and planning on going to bed, because we had a very busy day planned on Thursday.
Just after midnight, however, I started to have the occasional contraction. Now, for the past several weeks, I have had occasional contractions, so I waited to see if changing position, drinking water, etc. would stop them. Nothing worked. So we made the call to our friend to come and sit with our other two, and started getting ready to head out the door. At this point, the contractions were only slightly uncomfortable, not incredibly painful. But I had no idea how far along I was or how quickly things would progress, so we booked it to the hospital.
We were checked into labor and delivery at 1:15 am. At this point the contractions had gotten much more intense, so I quickly tried to explain to the nurses that labor happens quickly, and we needed to hurry. I don't think she entirely believed me, but she got me in a room and hooked to a monitor and finally checked to see just how far I was. Seven centimeters.
She immediately called my doctor, who arrived within minutes. At this point, the contractions were VERY painful, and I had about five people coaching me through each one. My doctor went ahead and broke my water to keep things moving. Even knowing my history, I don't think anyone thought things would then happen quite as quickly as they did. It was either the third or fourth contraction after my water broke that she was born. Not even ten minutes later. And just like that, labor was over, at 1:57 am! She was beautiful and healthy and oh so tiny.
Once she was born and things started to calm down, we began to talk with the nurses. The nurse who helped with delivery was the same nurse who delivered my son. And the Children's hospital transport nurse who had spent so much time with us the night he was born, and calmed us down and answered all our questions, was also there to check on my baby girl (since technically she was a little early as well). Turns out, they all still talk about that night, and we're kind of a legend. During our stay, nurse after nurse came in to say, "Oh my gosh, that was you??" or "So you popped out another one??" or "So are you going to be back here next year?"
Yeah. We heard it all.
And so we survived. We have a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and we are finally all home. Honestly, aside from being afraid she would come too early and we would have another child in the hospital, my biggest fear was that my water would break before we could make it to the hospital. I have spent the last nine months praying that would not happen. So I am so incredibly thankful that we made it safe and sound and did not deliver at home, or in the car, or some other place that is NOT the hospital!
Thank you all for your prayers as well, God heard and has blessed us with an absolutely beautiful daughter!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
36 Weeks-CHECK!
Well, I officially made it to 36 weeks, which was my doctor's goal, but that's as far as we got! Yup, after going to the doctor and finding out that in the last week I had made virtually no progress, we still had no idea when this little girl may arrive. Then all of a sudden, I went into labor, and she is now here!!
I will share her amazing birth story soon, but tonight, I just want to share a few pictures of our first day together.
She was born at 1:57 this morning, a petite 5 pounds, 1 ounce and 17 inches long.
More soon! We are both doing great!! :)
I will share her amazing birth story soon, but tonight, I just want to share a few pictures of our first day together.
She was born at 1:57 this morning, a petite 5 pounds, 1 ounce and 17 inches long.
More soon! We are both doing great!! :)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Prematurity Awareness Day
Today, friends, is National Prematurity Awareness Day.
On November 17, 2009, I had a 5 day old son in intensive care because he was born prematurely with virtually no warning. So to say that this day (and actually the entire month of November, as it is Prematurity Awareness Month) is an important date in my calendar is a slight understatement.
I did not know how prevalent premature birth is, nor was I aware of any of the warning signs. I did not know how many people this affects in the U.S. each year. I did not know about what goes on in a neonatal ICU. I did not know that prematurity is the leading cause of death in newborns.
And so, today I want to help make you aware of the facts:
Every year in the U.S. 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely.
That's more than 1,400 babies everyday.
The rate of premature birth has risen 27% since 1981.
In up to 40% of premature births, the cause is unknown.
Because of these facts, the March of Dimes is committed to spreading awareness to expecting moms, and helping women learn how best to take care of themselves to prevent premature birth. Researchers are working to identify the causes, find new treatments to prevent or halt preterm labor, as well as making breakthroughs to improve the care of premature babies like my son.
So what can you do? Well, I'm glad you asked!
Today, in honor of my son and the tremendous fight he fought and how incredibly far he has come in the past year, you can make a donation to the March of Dimes. Your contribution will help fund research that is helping stop premature births, and helping to save babies lives.
Join the Fight for Preemies, and check out the the virtual wristband created to honor and celebrate my son, and see how you can donate in his name right here.
Thanks and if you have a baby close to you who was born prematurely, create a band of your own!!
On November 17, 2009, I had a 5 day old son in intensive care because he was born prematurely with virtually no warning. So to say that this day (and actually the entire month of November, as it is Prematurity Awareness Month) is an important date in my calendar is a slight understatement.
I did not know how prevalent premature birth is, nor was I aware of any of the warning signs. I did not know how many people this affects in the U.S. each year. I did not know about what goes on in a neonatal ICU. I did not know that prematurity is the leading cause of death in newborns.
And so, today I want to help make you aware of the facts:
Every year in the U.S. 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely.
That's more than 1,400 babies everyday.
The rate of premature birth has risen 27% since 1981.
In up to 40% of premature births, the cause is unknown.
Because of these facts, the March of Dimes is committed to spreading awareness to expecting moms, and helping women learn how best to take care of themselves to prevent premature birth. Researchers are working to identify the causes, find new treatments to prevent or halt preterm labor, as well as making breakthroughs to improve the care of premature babies like my son.
So what can you do? Well, I'm glad you asked!
Today, in honor of my son and the tremendous fight he fought and how incredibly far he has come in the past year, you can make a donation to the March of Dimes. Your contribution will help fund research that is helping stop premature births, and helping to save babies lives.
Join the Fight for Preemies, and check out the the virtual wristband created to honor and celebrate my son, and see how you can donate in his name right here.
Thanks and if you have a baby close to you who was born prematurely, create a band of your own!!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Anticipation
Just in case you were on pins and needles wondering if my absence meant the arrival of a new little baby, it did not. I'm still pregnant, and she is still happy and comfortably growing inside me. Which, believe me, is GREAT NEWS! But, (did you sense there was a but coming?) I have to say, knowing that things have already started, has made this week a little miserable. In general, I feel great and don't feel like things are progressing at all (very occasionally I have contractions, but mostly, nothing at all), and if I hadn't known that I was already 2 cm dilated, I would have had a happy and carefree week.
But I do know.
And so I am in a constant state of anticipation. Constantly wondering when the day will come. Hoping and praying it won't be too soon. But at the same time not wanting to wait much longer to finally meet her. Wondering how quickly things will progress when they really get going. Watching every single pain, and reading and re-reading about labor signs and symptoms. Calling the doctor for false alarms. Trying to get every single thing that I can think of done before she makes her big entrance.
Quite frankly, it's exhausting! And it is been such a long wait (considering I have been so closely monitored and have been to one doctor or another pretty much every week for the past 7 months or so) I'm ready to get on with it!
But the longer she is inside, the bigger and stronger she will be, so I am trying to be patient. I am going to the doctor tomorrow though, so we will see what difference a week has made. So once again, we'll see. For now I am just (somewhat) patiently anticipating her arrival!! :)
But I do know.
And so I am in a constant state of anticipation. Constantly wondering when the day will come. Hoping and praying it won't be too soon. But at the same time not wanting to wait much longer to finally meet her. Wondering how quickly things will progress when they really get going. Watching every single pain, and reading and re-reading about labor signs and symptoms. Calling the doctor for false alarms. Trying to get every single thing that I can think of done before she makes her big entrance.
Quite frankly, it's exhausting! And it is been such a long wait (considering I have been so closely monitored and have been to one doctor or another pretty much every week for the past 7 months or so) I'm ready to get on with it!
But the longer she is inside, the bigger and stronger she will be, so I am trying to be patient. I am going to the doctor tomorrow though, so we will see what difference a week has made. So once again, we'll see. For now I am just (somewhat) patiently anticipating her arrival!! :)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Not Your Typical First Birthday Party
So because things are (as usual) crazy and up in the air in our life right now, we opted for a simple family affair for my son's birthday "party." Which is fine. I didn't have the time, money, energy, etc. to plan a big elaborate party or the patience to fill my house with tons of screaming toddlers.
But as we were getting just a couple things together to celebrate with him, we suddenly realized that he cannot eat cake. (Not that he isn't allowed, he just isn't eating such solid foods yet. He would choke.) Well, this posed a dilemma, because we didn't want to have a big beautiful cake that everyone was going to enjoy EXCEPT the birthday boy!! That just didn't seem fair.
The solution?
A giant bowl of homemade (thanks to my hubby!) CHOCOLATE PUDDING! With, of course, some delicious whipped cream!
I assumed being chocolate and sweet, he would love it and devour it, but no. This little picky eater was more excited to play in it than chow down. But that's ok. That's really what the first birthday is about, right? Getting good and messy? Well, at least it is at our house!
In fact, he got so messy, we had to take a break for a bath before opening presents. But that's ok!
It may not have been the traditional birthday celebration, and his birthday shirt may have swallowed him a little bit (he's still pretty small for a one year old), but we sure had fun! And the pudding was really good, so maybe that will be a new tradition for his birthday! :)
But as we were getting just a couple things together to celebrate with him, we suddenly realized that he cannot eat cake. (Not that he isn't allowed, he just isn't eating such solid foods yet. He would choke.) Well, this posed a dilemma, because we didn't want to have a big beautiful cake that everyone was going to enjoy EXCEPT the birthday boy!! That just didn't seem fair.
The solution?
A giant bowl of homemade (thanks to my hubby!) CHOCOLATE PUDDING! With, of course, some delicious whipped cream!
I assumed being chocolate and sweet, he would love it and devour it, but no. This little picky eater was more excited to play in it than chow down. But that's ok. That's really what the first birthday is about, right? Getting good and messy? Well, at least it is at our house!
In fact, he got so messy, we had to take a break for a bath before opening presents. But that's ok!
It may not have been the traditional birthday celebration, and his birthday shirt may have swallowed him a little bit (he's still pretty small for a one year old), but we sure had fun! And the pudding was really good, so maybe that will be a new tradition for his birthday! :)
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Jumping Hurdles
From the very beginning of this pregnancy I feel like it has been one hurdle after another. Checkpoint after checkpoint. Working so hard to make it to the end.
Make it through the first trimester. CHECK.
Make it to the halfway point, 20 weeks. CHECK.
Make it to 24 weeks. CHECK.
Make it to the point that I had my son, 28 weeks, 4 days. CHECK.
Make it to 34 weeks. CHECK.
Make it to 36-37 weeks, a full term, healthy baby.
At this point, I really have no way of knowing if I will make it to 36 weeks or not (even though that's only 5 days away). Much less make it all the way to 37! At this point, that seems like an eternity away, even though it's less than 2 weeks. But we shall see!! Everyday that I'm still pregnant I am grateful because I know the longer she is in there, the bigger and stronger she will be. But of course, she will come when she wants to come, and if it's a little early and we have to spend a little extra time in the hospital to monitor her, then that's just how it will have to be. :)
In the meantime, I am resting and drinking water, and praying for a healthy, beautiful baby girl.
Make it through the first trimester. CHECK.
Make it to the halfway point, 20 weeks. CHECK.
Make it to 24 weeks. CHECK.
Make it to the point that I had my son, 28 weeks, 4 days. CHECK.
Make it to 34 weeks. CHECK.
Make it to 36-37 weeks, a full term, healthy baby.
At this point, I really have no way of knowing if I will make it to 36 weeks or not (even though that's only 5 days away). Much less make it all the way to 37! At this point, that seems like an eternity away, even though it's less than 2 weeks. But we shall see!! Everyday that I'm still pregnant I am grateful because I know the longer she is in there, the bigger and stronger she will be. But of course, she will come when she wants to come, and if it's a little early and we have to spend a little extra time in the hospital to monitor her, then that's just how it will have to be. :)
In the meantime, I am resting and drinking water, and praying for a healthy, beautiful baby girl.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Look at Me Now!
As I have remembered the past year and celebrated my son's very first birthday, I can only marvel at what an AMAZING miracle he is and how far he has come!!
When he was born, he weighed 2 pounds, 15 ounces.
He could not breathe without the help of a nasal cannula.
He had a grade 1 brain hemorrhage.
He had patent ductus arteriosis (hole in his heart).
He had a ventricular septal defect (hole in his heart).
He could not breastfeed or take a bottle.
The numbers on his monitor (oxygen saturation, heart rate, etc.) were constantly up and down.
He then spent the first 97 days of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit.
During his stay, he struggled with breathing on his own.
He had heart surgery to close the PDA.
He was on a ventilator during and after the surgery.
He spent two months learning how to eat from a bottle.
He struggled with hypertension.
And when he was finally able to come home, he was behind developmentally.
And now? One year later?
He weighs a whopping 17 pounds and some change.
He is 28.5 inches long.
He can sit up and hold his head up.
He can scoot on his belly.
He can crawl on his hands and knees.
He can smile and babble, and recognizes his name.
He can pull himself up to standing on anything and everything, and can get himself down.
He loves to socialize and play with his sister.
He can cruise along the furniture.
He can eat an entire bottle of toddler formula.
And he can eat baby cereal as well as stage 2 baby food solids.
I'm really just amazed at the progress he's made. At this point, he is not even behind his peers as far as his motor skills are concerned. And although it has been very slow progress to get him to eat solid foods, he has come leaps and bounds in the past 2 months.
But as proud as I am of him, I really can only give the glory to God for what He has done, and what He brought not only my son through, but me and my husband through as well. I spent some time today going back and reading my posts from those early days and remembering how incredibly difficult it all was. How my world was turned upside down. How much my heart ached to watch him suffer. What a struggle it was not knowing when the end would come and what the outcome would be. And now, a year later, to see him happy and healthy, I really just don't have the words to express what I'm feeling. But mostly, I am trying to remember. And never ever forget. As in, never forgetting the miracles I saw God do in my son. Never forgetting the lessons He taught me through the process. And never forgetting the love and support and prayers of so very many people, some of whom I have never even met in "real life." For that, thank you. I am so grateful that I did not have to endure alone.
And so today, we remembered, rejoiced, praised God, and celebrated the life of my sweet sweet little boy!
And as a side note, I am very happy to report that I made it to my son's first birthday with a baby still in my belly. When we celebrated my daughter's first birthday last year, we also had a one month old! So I may have celebrated that a little today too. ;)
When he was born, he weighed 2 pounds, 15 ounces.
He could not breathe without the help of a nasal cannula.
He had a grade 1 brain hemorrhage.
He had patent ductus arteriosis (hole in his heart).
He had a ventricular septal defect (hole in his heart).
He could not breastfeed or take a bottle.
The numbers on his monitor (oxygen saturation, heart rate, etc.) were constantly up and down.
He then spent the first 97 days of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit.
During his stay, he struggled with breathing on his own.
He had heart surgery to close the PDA.
He was on a ventilator during and after the surgery.
He spent two months learning how to eat from a bottle.
He struggled with hypertension.
And when he was finally able to come home, he was behind developmentally.
And now? One year later?
He weighs a whopping 17 pounds and some change.
He is 28.5 inches long.
He can sit up and hold his head up.
He can scoot on his belly.
He can crawl on his hands and knees.
He can smile and babble, and recognizes his name.
He can pull himself up to standing on anything and everything, and can get himself down.
He loves to socialize and play with his sister.
He can cruise along the furniture.
He can eat an entire bottle of toddler formula.
And he can eat baby cereal as well as stage 2 baby food solids.
I'm really just amazed at the progress he's made. At this point, he is not even behind his peers as far as his motor skills are concerned. And although it has been very slow progress to get him to eat solid foods, he has come leaps and bounds in the past 2 months.
But as proud as I am of him, I really can only give the glory to God for what He has done, and what He brought not only my son through, but me and my husband through as well. I spent some time today going back and reading my posts from those early days and remembering how incredibly difficult it all was. How my world was turned upside down. How much my heart ached to watch him suffer. What a struggle it was not knowing when the end would come and what the outcome would be. And now, a year later, to see him happy and healthy, I really just don't have the words to express what I'm feeling. But mostly, I am trying to remember. And never ever forget. As in, never forgetting the miracles I saw God do in my son. Never forgetting the lessons He taught me through the process. And never forgetting the love and support and prayers of so very many people, some of whom I have never even met in "real life." For that, thank you. I am so grateful that I did not have to endure alone.
And so today, we remembered, rejoiced, praised God, and celebrated the life of my sweet sweet little boy!
And as a side note, I am very happy to report that I made it to my son's first birthday with a baby still in my belly. When we celebrated my daughter's first birthday last year, we also had a one month old! So I may have celebrated that a little today too. ;)
One Year Ago
One year ago today, our lives were forever changed.
One year ago today, the most handsome boy I have ever seen entered our lives.
One year ago today, at 1:21 in the morning, my son was born.
One year ago today, his future was uncertain.
One year ago today, just after saying hello to our new son, we had to say goodbye as he was sent to the Children's hospital.
One year ago today, my little one was only 2 pounds, 15 ounces.
One year ago today, we were blessed in ways we did not even fully comprehend.
One year ago today, my son was born.
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! WE LOVE YOU!!
Making Progress-35 Weeks!
Well my life is completely crazy and hectic, and just when I need to be slowing down and resting, I feel like I'm going non-stop. But thankfully God is giving me the energy and strength to get things done, because I am sure not able to keep going because I am getting the sleep I need! Combine bouts of restless leg syndrome, heartburn, leg cramps, with multiple trips to the bathroom, and sleep becomes a rare commodity. I've heard this is just "nature's way" of preparing me for being up with a newborn. Seems to me I would be better prepared if I was well rested!! :)
Anyway, onto my 35 week pregnancy update. I am feeling great, just the normal discomforts. Of course. But I'm definitely having more Braxton Hicks than I had with my daughter. I guess that's just the third pregnancy for ya. And although I still feel her move regularly, movement has definitely slowed quite a bit. She is clearly running out of room! And I no longer need to receive progesterone shots, which is fantastic!
But the biggest news is that I went to the doctor today and I am already 2 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced! Of course, anyone who has been pregnant knows that this does not necessarily mean anything, because some women can be 2 centimeters for weeks. But considering my history (I've never been pregnant a day past 37 weeks) and the fact that I've had my children so close together, it's pretty safe to assume that this baby will be here sometime in the next two weeks, and definitely by the end of the month. (Now we are just wondering if it will be before Thanksgiving or after. Or on Thanksgiving. Who knows!).
So needless to say, my thoughts have become completely consumed with the imminent birth of our daughter. Wondering when she will actually join us. Trying to think of every possible thing we need to have ready for her. Making sure we are ready to hop in the car and head to the hospital at a moments notice. I'm happy to report we have finally gotten our car seat, and packed the bag for the hospital, and I have written instructions (that I am constantly adding to whenever I think of any little thing that might happen or she might need to know) for our friend who will be watching the other two while we're otherwise disposed. So hopefully now I can relax and wait.
Although I am now to the point where the baby should not have any problems (at least no major health issues) if she's born, I am really hoping she stays put until closer to Thanksgiving. Or even right after. I just want her to be fully developed and healthy. In general I am not in any pain, or feeling any contractions, so I am hopeful that we still have a little time. But we shall see! I know that God's timing for her is perfect, and I'm just so excited to meet her, I can hardly wait. :)
Thank you for your prayers as we prepare for her arrival. I will see the doctor again next week to see if things are still moving along or if it's about the same. I will definitely keep you posted!
Anyway, onto my 35 week pregnancy update. I am feeling great, just the normal discomforts. Of course. But I'm definitely having more Braxton Hicks than I had with my daughter. I guess that's just the third pregnancy for ya. And although I still feel her move regularly, movement has definitely slowed quite a bit. She is clearly running out of room! And I no longer need to receive progesterone shots, which is fantastic!
But the biggest news is that I went to the doctor today and I am already 2 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced! Of course, anyone who has been pregnant knows that this does not necessarily mean anything, because some women can be 2 centimeters for weeks. But considering my history (I've never been pregnant a day past 37 weeks) and the fact that I've had my children so close together, it's pretty safe to assume that this baby will be here sometime in the next two weeks, and definitely by the end of the month. (Now we are just wondering if it will be before Thanksgiving or after. Or on Thanksgiving. Who knows!).
So needless to say, my thoughts have become completely consumed with the imminent birth of our daughter. Wondering when she will actually join us. Trying to think of every possible thing we need to have ready for her. Making sure we are ready to hop in the car and head to the hospital at a moments notice. I'm happy to report we have finally gotten our car seat, and packed the bag for the hospital, and I have written instructions (that I am constantly adding to whenever I think of any little thing that might happen or she might need to know) for our friend who will be watching the other two while we're otherwise disposed. So hopefully now I can relax and wait.
Although I am now to the point where the baby should not have any problems (at least no major health issues) if she's born, I am really hoping she stays put until closer to Thanksgiving. Or even right after. I just want her to be fully developed and healthy. In general I am not in any pain, or feeling any contractions, so I am hopeful that we still have a little time. But we shall see! I know that God's timing for her is perfect, and I'm just so excited to meet her, I can hardly wait. :)
Thank you for your prayers as we prepare for her arrival. I will see the doctor again next week to see if things are still moving along or if it's about the same. I will definitely keep you posted!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Saying Yes to the Uncomfortable
Sometimes I feel like I am all talk. Like I am able to spout the words of Christ, and what it means to live a Godly life, and to be a true disciple, and yet, if you were to take a good, hard look, I'm not really living it.
This is something that has been heavy on my heart for many months now, and has caused me to question so many things. But really at the heart of it all is this seemingly simple question: What does it really look like to be a follower of Christ? As I first started to pray and seek answers, what came out was disgust and frustration with the church in America. Frustration with people who are content to simply show up for church on Sunday morning, sing a few songs and give a few dollars, and then move on with their comfortable lives for the rest of the week. Frustration with churches that look so very much like the world, it's impossible to tell the difference. Churches that have a very different definition of "successful ministry" than what scripture teaches. And people and churches that have such upside down priorities, and have become so incredibly self-serving and self-centered, that their needs and desires and comforts come before the needs of a lost and dying world.
And so, in my frustration, I was quick to proclaim that I had no more desire to participate in such hypocrisy, and that if God called us to serve at another church, there would be no more "church as usual." That I do not care about the things and possessions and comforts of this world, but rather, care more about serving the God that I love and giving my life for Him. But oh, how easy it is to say things like this when you are sitting in your comfortable, four bedroom house, in the middle of the suburbs. How easy to say how things should be done, and declare how church is supposed to resemble the church of the New Testament, when you are not actually being asked to see that through.
But then God called me on it. Asked me (and my husband, and our family) to walk the walk. To step away from what we know, and away from what is comfortable, and minister to people where they are. To make some sacrifices, and some difficult decisions, but above all else, to just go. To go where God is calling us, even if it is not what we had pictured for ourselves. Even if it is not anything like what we have grown accustomed to. Even if others don't understand.
The past few months have been difficult. It was not easy to leave our church, the sole reason we moved to Texas in the first place. It was not easy to adjust to a new schedule, and a new lifestyle, not knowing what was coming next. But I believe that I can honestly say I have never seen God's hand so clearly in every aspect of our life, guiding every decision, and pointing so clearly to what lies ahead (which we did not even see at the time), as I have in the past three months. How perfect and deliberate was the timing of every decision, and how this season (though brief) has so clearly been His preparation for us for the next.
And so, I am now learning that even though God's direction is clear, that absolutely does not mean that saying yes is easy. But saying yes we are, and even though it is scary, and requires yet another change in our ever unpredictable life, I am very excited to embark on our next adventure, and see what God has planned. And I have no doubt that I am going to see God work in amazing and mighty ways that I have never seen before.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:39
This is something that has been heavy on my heart for many months now, and has caused me to question so many things. But really at the heart of it all is this seemingly simple question: What does it really look like to be a follower of Christ? As I first started to pray and seek answers, what came out was disgust and frustration with the church in America. Frustration with people who are content to simply show up for church on Sunday morning, sing a few songs and give a few dollars, and then move on with their comfortable lives for the rest of the week. Frustration with churches that look so very much like the world, it's impossible to tell the difference. Churches that have a very different definition of "successful ministry" than what scripture teaches. And people and churches that have such upside down priorities, and have become so incredibly self-serving and self-centered, that their needs and desires and comforts come before the needs of a lost and dying world.
And so, in my frustration, I was quick to proclaim that I had no more desire to participate in such hypocrisy, and that if God called us to serve at another church, there would be no more "church as usual." That I do not care about the things and possessions and comforts of this world, but rather, care more about serving the God that I love and giving my life for Him. But oh, how easy it is to say things like this when you are sitting in your comfortable, four bedroom house, in the middle of the suburbs. How easy to say how things should be done, and declare how church is supposed to resemble the church of the New Testament, when you are not actually being asked to see that through.
But then God called me on it. Asked me (and my husband, and our family) to walk the walk. To step away from what we know, and away from what is comfortable, and minister to people where they are. To make some sacrifices, and some difficult decisions, but above all else, to just go. To go where God is calling us, even if it is not what we had pictured for ourselves. Even if it is not anything like what we have grown accustomed to. Even if others don't understand.
The past few months have been difficult. It was not easy to leave our church, the sole reason we moved to Texas in the first place. It was not easy to adjust to a new schedule, and a new lifestyle, not knowing what was coming next. But I believe that I can honestly say I have never seen God's hand so clearly in every aspect of our life, guiding every decision, and pointing so clearly to what lies ahead (which we did not even see at the time), as I have in the past three months. How perfect and deliberate was the timing of every decision, and how this season (though brief) has so clearly been His preparation for us for the next.
And so, I am now learning that even though God's direction is clear, that absolutely does not mean that saying yes is easy. But saying yes we are, and even though it is scary, and requires yet another change in our ever unpredictable life, I am very excited to embark on our next adventure, and see what God has planned. And I have no doubt that I am going to see God work in amazing and mighty ways that I have never seen before.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:39
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Why Is He So Happy?
Well, I'll tell you! He is fast approaching his very FIRST birthday (*gasp!!*) and is doing just fantastic!
For one reason or another, over the past several months my little man has had trouble putting on weight. I tried everything I could, and he continued to grow in length (he's very long and skinny), but he just wasn't fattening up! So we started seeing a dietitian, who was able to help me learn how to watch his calories and adjust his diet slightly so that he is getting more calories in a day. The result? After only a week and a half, he has already gained half a pound! YAY!
We have also been watching his blood pressure, and it's doing great! Staying right where it needs to be. Therefore, we were able to take him OFF one of his medications this week, which was really great news! He is still on the other two, but we're hoping that we're now on the road to getting him off all his medications.
So, yeah, these days, he's a pretty happy boy!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
