January Recap

It has been a little while since I've done much of a medical update on our little miracles, so here's a little update from the last couple of months.

Both:
-Started crawling the weekend of their birthday, and are now pulling up and using push toys.
-Received decent reports from the opthamologist in that they don't need any assistance right now.
-Responding well to their daily breathing treatments and the RSV shots each month.
-Started a new med that seems to be helping their gagging and reflux, which has been a huge answer to prayer (who wants to eat when you're just going to gag and throw it up). 
-Still go to speech, physical and occupational therapy once a week.
-Being followed more closely by a nutritionist since 99.9% of their nutrition is still through their tubes.

Ethan:
-The poor guy has had 4 new g-tubes since October because of accidents and faulty equipment.  Thankfully only one of those required a trip to the ER.
-Blood pressure still being well controlled with meds and is not causing increased stress on his heart.
-Was charted 4-5months behind developmentally by their rehabilitation doctor.  In some ways this is encouraging because after their first birthday she does not correct for their prematurity.  So she sees a 14 month old acting like a 10 month old, but if they had been born in March they would be 10 months old.
-Will have another swallow study at the end of the month.
-LOVES climbing anythings...especially stairs
-Now weighs 18lbs 1oz

Addison:
-Quickly overcame an ear infection.
-Chest x-rays still don't look great, but are showing small signs of improvement. 
-Another echo in December confirmed that there is still a small hole, but it getting smaller.  Hopefully this will close by next year so she doesn't have to have surgery.
-Was charted 3-4months behind developmentally be their rehabilitation doctor.
-LOVES little tags and pieces of dirt on my floors (she's my details girl).
-Now weighs 19lbs 15oz

We're not really supposed to take pictures at their therapy center, but I caught a few.  I feel like it has been and will be such an important part of their baby years and I want them to picture it when we tell them their story.  Thought I would share a few...

Journeying On,

25

Well, this past weekend I turned 25 and am feeling much more like an adult than I did last year:)  We had a great weekend of celebrating and I'm so thankful for my family and friends for making me feel so loved and special!  If you're reading this, you're probably one of those people, so thank you!

There is one thing I'm used to getting for my birthday that I didn't get this year, and each birthday I don't get it I'm realizing how much I miss it.  It's not extravagant or expensive, and sometimes it doesn't even rhyme. That's right, it's a poem.  My Papa was a self proclaimed poet when it came to his grandkids' birthdays, graduations and anniversaries.  I found myself digging through some old boxes this weekend and pulling out a few.  Here's what I found:

1-21-2004

Eighteen is a wonderful age

In the classroom or on the stage.

Graduation soon and in college to be,

Serving our Lord thru eternity.

We've enjoyed seeing you spiritually grow.

From your heart love of God shows.

Many family memories will last

And your spirit a shadow will cast.

Look ahead to the good you can give

And you will enjoy the life you live.

10-28-06

Congratulations! One year has gone by.

Can't slow the calendar if you try.

Just one year of many years to follow.

Whether you are at school, work or on a pillow.

Wish we could visit more.

As we would come knocking on your door.

Life together is really great.

Better than your first date.

God will bless you both you know.

With Christ as Lord your faces will glow.

Your legacy of a Christ centered life lives on!



You Tried to Warn Me

For several months now I've heard comments from friends, therapists and even strangers warning me of the life changing event called "being mobile"....and it has arrived.  They didn't even start out slow.  They both crawl with one foot on the ground, so they look more like little spiders or monkeys (I'm not sure which). Although it means I get NOTHING done around the house while they're awake, I wouldn't trade those quick, well functioning little arms and legs for ANYTHING.  Thank you God for being greater than MRI results, muscle tone issues and weakness.

He uses this completely unsafe stool
as a walker to travel anywhere
he pleases on the hardwoods.

Of course, his favorite is running it into things
 so it makes a loud noise.

Yes, overdue for a gate.

They can both make it to about the 3rd step.

Giggles

I just love these giggles!  I love the comic relief it brings to stressful situations, that it's contagious and the joy it brings this mommy's heart!

So This is Christmas

Our 2010 Christmas was very exciting!  We loved having babies home and not eating Christmas dinner in the UT Hospital cafeteria.  What a blessing to have our sweet babies home, at Nana and Pawpaw's, at Grammy and Papa's, at CC and Papa T's and at their first Christmas Eve service. 

The week after Christmas we headed to the beach with my family.  Although we only went down to the water for about 15 minutes, it was still fun to let the babies experience it.  Not sure they are huge fans yet, but we're working on it:)  Maybe if the sand wasn't 45 degrees they would have liked it better. 




1-1-11....a little late

The day of firsts, of fresh starts and a renewed heart for this girl.  I am hopeful that this new blog will be an avenue of expressing the Lord's work in my life.  I pray that it will be encouraging to other wives, moms, daughters and sweet sisters of mine.  Although I don't make any promises about the content or consistency of blog postings:)  So here it goes...bring on 2011!