Kate August 18, 2008

We have 4 weeks until Kate’s due date and I am finding myself wondering how I will get everything done that needs to be done.  Family and friends ask what they can do to help and I really don’t know.  I can’t really say what needs to be done, I just feel that there are things that need to be done, most of which, I probably have to do myself.  Her bedding still has not come in.  I know the girls at the shop think I’m nuts because I call all the time to check on it.  And they always say, “When it comes in we’ll call you.” But seriously, I’m getting pretty antsy about it.  We’ve got to get Max moved to his big boy bed and probably need to do that this week.  I decided today that I better get my bag packed so my suitcase is sitting on my bed, waiting for me to do something with it.  I found my list of what I packed when I had Max, so that should help me remember what I need.  John said today that he is really ready for her to be here.  I am too, but nervous.  Dad took this picture this weekend - it’s marking my 8th month of pregnancy.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m dreading the post-pregnancy belly.  You moms, except for a few very, very lucky souls (Bridget ), know what I’m talking about. I had my 36 week appointment today.  Everything looks good.  She’s growing, heart sounds good, etc.  I was hooked up to a stress monitor for 30 minutes and will be at every appt. from here on out.  Everything looked good with that.  Please be praying for a healthy baby!!

Who would have thought… August 13, 2008

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”  Eph. 3:20-21

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!”  Phil. 4:4

I was looking through my bible trying to find a verse that stood out to me for our current situation, and I flipped right to where I have Eph. 3:20-21 highlighted.  I think it’s very appropriate and I think you’ll agree.  I had planned to do a post similar to this in a few weeks, around the 2 year anniversary of Max being sick, however, I feel that this is the right time.

You all know our history so I won’t go through it.  I think it’s easy to look at Max now and forget how traumatic his illness really was.  A few of us know, and I am constantly reminded, that Max has beat a lot of odds.  I’ve shared a few times about stories of kids who had the exact type of brain bleeds Max had and now have severe Cerebral Palsy.  I remember sitting and listening as John asked one of the neonatologist in the NICU if Max would be physically in a vegetative type state and I remember the dr. telling us that he didn’t know what Max’s outcome would be.  I remember my family telling me that one of our favorite nurses told them that she has NEVER seen a child with a grade III and grade IV bleed not have problems (and she’s been a NICU nurse for 28 years).  I remember one of the dr’s showing John and I the type of walking gait that Max would likely have if he was lucky enough to not have severe problems.  I remember one of the therapists from Easter Seals telling me that when she evaluated him that what she saw indicated brain damage had been done. I remember the thousands of prayers offered up on Max’s behalf. 

Who would have ever thought that this child…

…would be able to do this…

Max running through the sprinkler

climbing

Running

Dancing at a wedding - no one said he could dance good :)

Playing basketball

swimming

And he looks as normal as any other kid his age doing these things.

Max was discharged from Physical Therapy yesterday.  By the same therapist who said he probably had brain damage.  She told me last week that she is amazed at how well he is doing.  She explained to me that because of his history he should have problems.  She told me over and over how lucky we are.  Of course, we know that it’s not luck.  It’s God. 

She evaluated him yesterday to be sure he could be discharged.    For the overall score, there is a normal range from 85-115 (I think).  Max scored 100, smack in the middle of average.  That score is broken down.  The 3 scores it’s broken down into all were in the average range, one of them was very high average.  His age equivalency in one area was 22 months (he’s 23 months) and in the other area was 35 months!!!  Amazing.  “…to Him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine!!!”  Please rejoice with us in this news and say a prayer of thanksgiving!

Max loving on Mrs. Liane and telling her good-bye. She is a wonderful therapist who we have both come to love. We will miss her!

August 12, 2008

Gavin August 5, 2008

Please keep Gavin in your prayers today.  He is having a heart cath done this afternoon.  I don’t know how long it takes, but they got started around 3:00pm.  Check his blog for updates on his condition.  Faith, his mom, has also listed specific prayer requests for this procedure. His link is to the right.

Showers for Kate July 27, 2008

Jill and Diana had a small family get together in honor of Kate last week.  It was very sweet and nice to be able to spend time with family

Jill (John’s sister), me, Diana (John’s mom)

My mom, me, my sister, Kristin

John’s Aunt Renee and new cousin-in-law Chelsea

A few of my friends from church hosted another shower for Kate and I on Saturday.  It also was very nice and I appreciate everyone who took the time out of their day to celebrate her upcoming arrival with us!  We missed my sister Karie at both events.  She had an extremely busy 2 weeks of traveling prior to the showers and would have had to have left her church camp on Saturday morning to drive to be with us.  She had planned on coming, but we knew it would have been very hard on her and her kids.  We’ll see you soon, Kar!

The Grandmas

New Pictures July 22, 2008

6 Years July 14, 2008

 

July 13, 2002

                                    

 

 

 Six years later…

 

 

30 Weeks July 7, 2008

I had my 30 week appointment today and it went great.  In the words of Dr. Marks, “Kelly, things are looking perfect.”  Her heartbeat is going steady at 150, which is usually how it is.  I continue to feel really good, most of the time.  I’m to the point where nights get a little uncomfortable, but just the normal stuff like big belly getting in the way, sore back, heartburn.  All of it is pretty minor, normal pregnancy stuff.  I haven’t had any more passing out episodes in Wal-mart, so we are all thankful for that!  He did say today that my blood count was a little low, just barely over the normal range, so I have to start taking supplements for that.  I wondered (but forgot to ask) if that could have been what caused the passing out stuff.  I feel like this pregnancy is flying by in comparison to Max’s and I’m sure it’s because I don’t have time to just sit and dwell on it every second of every day like I did with him.  10 weeks sure doesn’t seem that far away to me and I still feel that I have so much to do to get ready for her!  The bedding has been ordered and should be here in 4 weeks, give or take a few days. I’m really excited about that.  Max has some major transitions coming up soon.  We plan to get rid of the paci before the baby gets here.  I thought today would be the day, but I’m not so sure.  We let him have it when he sleeps and in the car.  Today we were in the car and there was no paci (He calls it a poppy).  The instant I put him in the car he started saying “poppy” and SEARCHING for it.  I told him we left it in the house.  Well, for MILES he said (whined), “poooppppyyyy.  pooooppppyyyy.  pleeeaaassse, mommy, poppy.” Broke my heart and I nearly cried and I’m pretty sure that if I’d had a paci, it would have been all his.  I had to call my sister for moral support and reminders that it would be better to get this out of the way before Kate gets here.  Of course the car ride home was the exact same.  So, don’t know if today will be the day.  If not today, then probably one day this week.  Also, he will move out of the crib pretty soon, I think.  Probably after he’s over losing his “poppy.”  I don’t think this will be a terrible transition for him, nothing like the paci will be.  I feel like there’s a 3rd thing going on with him, but I can’t think of what, other than he’ll have a sister in about 2 months.  Sorry for no pictures.  I’ll try and post some soon.

Oh, we have a middle name!  Our baby girl will be named Kate Annaleigh.  I love it, so if you don’t, please don’t tell me!

 

***Please remember my friend Keeley and her husband Ryan in your prayers.  She’s pregnant with twin boys.  Here’s what she wrote in her blog:

We were informed that “Twin B” has a heart problem. The left side of his heart is not growing & operating like it should. He does have a good heart beat & is growing as expected, like his brother. But due to the type of heart problem, we are having to meet with Pediatric Cardiologists to discuss the problem & options going forward. At this time it looks like if all goes well with the rest of my pregnancy that he will need several heart surgeries after he is born. I think that he will need 3 surgeries done from infant to toddler. The Dr. said we have every reason to hope that this will be his only issue and with surgery he will be ok.
We ask that you pray for both babies & me during the next several months. I also ask that you join us in praying that our sons heart can be healed or that his heart does not get any worse and continues to be the size that it is. The power of prayer is amazing and we believe that God will guide us through this.

They also said to feel free to spread the news to people who will join them in prayer.  You can click on her name above to go to her blog and I will add her link to the right under children who need prayers.  Keeley was a wonderful prayer warrior when Max was sick and to this day I remember one of the first comments she left on Max’s blog when he was sick.  She left the words to the song “Praise you in this Storm,” a song that I had never heard at that time, but the words have come to mean so much to me and will forever remind me of when Max was sick.  She also said, “John and Kelly-
There has not been a single minute in this day that I have not been thinking and praying for Max. “  I hope she feels a flood of prayers on her and her baby’s behalf, so if you feel lead, please go to her blog and just leave her a comment that you are praying for her and her baby.  I know how much it means to hear that, something as simple as “I’m praying for you”, even if you don’t know the person.

Baby Brecken June 23, 2008

If you follow Janey’s blog, then you are familiar with Brecken’s family.  Melissa lost Janey the day she was born, August 9, 2007.  Melissa is now pregnant with a baby girl, Brecken, due 10/20.    She had an ultrasound a few weeks ago and found out that there is an apparent problem with Brecken’s kidneys.  The doctor wasn’t exactly sure what was wrong at this point, but said it could be a few things.

Taken from Melissa’s blog…

1. That her kidneys are weird looking and always will be but they will function just fine.
2. That something is wrong with them and they will start to fail. Not sure what, but for sure wrong.
3. That she has polycystic kidney disease (yea, try to say that fast). He talked a lot about this one and I feel sure this is what he feels it is.
The main point being…it doesn’t look good. De ja vu all over again.  As of now, they are functioning. Brecken is producing urine, so they are working. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell how well. He recommended we come back in 8-10 weeks for another scan to check up on the kidneys. Dr. Boddy is very to the point. He wanted us to know everything so we could be prepared. He said, we could come back and they could be failing/or shutting down. Or could have shut down. There is no way to do anything while she is inside me. And, there is nothing they can do for a year after she is born.

They are requesting that everyone pray specifically for Brecken’s kidney’s 2x a day.  She is due on 10/20, so at 10:20 eastern time (9:20 central), please pray for complete healing of Brecken’s kidneys.  I will be setting my phone alarm as a reminder.  Please join me in praying for this family.  You can read more in detail about this situation by clicking on janey’s blog on the right (under the heading Families who need prayer), and reading her post from June 13.

Wedding Weekend June 23, 2008

 

John’s cousin Andy got married this weekend in Kansas.  They had an outdoor wedding. The weather was perfect and the wedding was really, really pretty.