Thursday, May 29, 2008

2 weeks!!!

Benjamin and I just arrived home from our latest trip to Austin. And we have BIG news!

The orthotist said that at our next appointment, which is in two weeks, Benjamin will probably be out of his helmet! Yay! Of course there is never any guarantee that we'll actually be done in two weeks, but just knowing that we are so close to the end is very exciting!

I am still a little concerned over the hole in the top of his head. Though it is much smaller than it was, it is still obviously there, and still a concern for the mommy of a busy, walking everywhere, one year old with two older siblings who like to wrestle with their baby brother. There is a possibility that if the neuro surgeon thinks it necessary, Ben would go into another helmet. This helmet is a soft helmet, made of rubber. When I saw it, I thought of the old, leather football helmets. So, we'll see what happens with that. Part of me wants it, just to be on the safe side. The other part of me is ready to be done with any form of head stuff.

We are so thankful to see the end! God has been very loving, gracious and faithful to us over the past several months. Last night at our community group, I was thinking over the "hardship" that we have been through, and how God has used it to make me stronger, and to exemplify his power and goodness. Our group was talking about God's power to remove our struggles, our weaknesses and our "thorns of the flesh". So often we don't pray expecting our great God to deliver. Yet we are told it Eph. 3:

"20Now 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, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

I prayed that God would spare Benjamin from this deformity. I prayed knowing that He was powerful enough to deliver Benjamin from the road that he's been on, but also trusting that even if he didn't, all things would work for our good. When Benjamin still had to undergo surgery and all these months in the helmet, I didn't doubt God's strength. But what I am now seeing is that God has brought all of us through this to grow us, to make us more dependent on Him, to draw Curtis and I closer together, to remind us of his grace. At the beginning, I thought the mighty thing God could do would be to heal Benjamin of his deformity. I now see that God did immeasurable more than I asked or imagined with the work He has done in me and my family! To Him be the glory forever and ever!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Tubes

This morning, Benjamin will be getting tubes put in his ears. We are very positive about how it will help him, and aren't too nervous about the day. One of my main concerns was if he woke up after midnight and we weren't able to give him anything to eat. But, God answered my specific prayers, and Benjamin has been snoozing well all night long. What a testimony to God's love!

Please pray that all would go smoothly, that we would be able to come home later this morning and that the older children would be obedient to their babysitter.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

That same old feeling

Earlier today, I got a call from one of my dearest and oldest friends, Kristy. She was taking her daughter Parker to Texas Children's Hospital to have some tests run. The doctor is concerned that there is a neurological problem of some kind.

And that same old feeling hit me again. The feeling of doubt, of fear, of anxiousness. The questions resurfaced.... How could something be wrong with my baby? And the prayers began... Lord, please protect my baby! Lord give me strength, because I can't do this alone. My mother's heart hurt for Kristy because I knew what she was going through. I know all to well the feeling of complete and total panic that threatens to over take you as you drive to the ER.

Please pray for my friend Kristy, her husband, Jack and for sweet Parker. We don't know anything yet, but I will try to update once I know something.

Monday, May 12, 2008

This time last year

This is me and my friend Erin, exactly one year ago at my baby shower. Three days later she and her hubby would welcome Will into their family (on my birthday!). Three days after Will's birth, we welcomed Benjamin into our family. And here are the boys now!! Old enough to fight over a soccer ball, but still best of buddies.
My, what a difference a year makes!

Erin, please still be my friend, even though I put a picture of you 9 months prego on my blog, without asking. Love you! :-)

A little update

Today, Benjamin and I made our way to Austin and back for another helmet check. Thanks to Ms. Carol for keeping the big kids! The appointment went very smoothly, praise God! The helmet was, again, tight on the back/top part of his head, which is where the bone is growing in. How amazing technology and the medical field are, but not nearly as amazing as our God! Bud, the orthotist, said that he really doesn't think it will be much longer till Benjamin is done. Now, we're not sure exactly what that means as far as exactly when, but we know it means we are continuing in the right direction. Yipee!!! The warmer it gets, the more uncomfortable I see Benjamin getting. And let's not even start about the smell!

Tomorrow we go to the ENT for a follow up from his last ear infection. That's the ear infection where the doctor told us that his ear drum hadn't burst... yet. This is also the same ear infection that required over two weeks of two different antibiotics, and I'm still not sure he's 100%. So, we'll see.

And of course, Benjamin's birthday is this Sunday!! We are very much looking forward to celebrating his first year. What a year it's been! I'm hoping to blog a bit over the next few days about his birth.

Until then, here's one of my new favorite pictures. Benjamin has learned a new "trick", hugging! Doesn't get much better than this!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Benjamin's thoughts

Benjamin would like everyone out there to know:

1. He's very tired of the bumper in his crib. So, it came out yesterday while I was trying to organize his room.
2. Benjamin's room is becoming less of a baby's room. I removed all baby blankets, burp rags, Boppy covers, and soon the changing table will be leaving as well.
3. The mobile that until yesterday hung in his crib, is no longer there since it was being used to practice his batting skills.
4. Walking is by far the best form of transportation!
5. The helmet is getting old, for everyone. Benjamin has learned how to take it off by yanking at it and by pulling on the velcro.
6. Stubborn should have been his middle name.
7. Benjamin is pleased to let everyone know that he will be in the helmet till he outgrows it, which is about 1 - 3 more months! There's a light at the end of this tunnel!
8. If you have a tub of baby wipes in your home, Benjamin would like you to know that he is cabable of pulling the wipes out, and either eating them or making trails of them through your home.
9. As any little boy must do, Benjamin has learned how to wrestle with his older brother, and has succeeded in pinning him. Unfortunately, Benjamin has not learned that his big brother is indeed bigger and can easily get out of the pinned position and sit on top of him.
10. And to make a nice even 10, Benjamin is pleased to announce that he no longer drinks formula!