Sister meet brother...brother meet sister.
You'll really love each other someday--I promise.
Daddy and I love you both more than you'll ever know!Sunday, June 27, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Just for the Record...
I believe it should be ILLEGAL to be 9 months pregnant and come down with the vomiting and diarrhea flu! What a long 36 hours it has been at our house. Natalee is feeling better and I'm done with the "sickness" part but am working on the "no energy" part. My hubby has been my hero--keeping up with Natalee, trying to get some food/drink in me, emptying puke buckets b/c I'm too big to get in front of the toliet in the little bathroom downstairs, and trying to prepare us for another baby to come. Thanks, Mikey...you're the best.
NOW done with this sickness and on to more fun things like baby boys!
NOW done with this sickness and on to more fun things like baby boys!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
On Growing Up...
Our Natalee certainly grew up on our trip to North Dakota...she was social and well behaved and ever so sweet. She loved waking up and having Gama Numa Num and Apa and Emma and Lorn Lorn and Nannie and Colb at her disposal. She even warmed up to Uncle Vance and to all the extended family. Since we've been home her behavior's been less than stellar...the vacation is catching up with her and she's somewhat tired and cranky but we're just riding it out until it passes.
It's a very exciting time when your teeny tot begins to express herself...lately she tells us she's "tinky" when she thinks she needs a diaper change (although she may not be 'tinky') and this morning she was the cutest of cute...
she got up and was cruising the upstairs while we laid in bed watching her. She went to the safety gate and asked to go "down". Then she requested "oast" for breakfast and when we got down here she also wanted a "nana". She wants to feed herself and is getting so messy good at it! This is such a fun age!
It's a very exciting time when your teeny tot begins to express herself...lately she tells us she's "tinky" when she thinks she needs a diaper change (although she may not be 'tinky') and this morning she was the cutest of cute...
she got up and was cruising the upstairs while we laid in bed watching her. She went to the safety gate and asked to go "down". Then she requested "oast" for breakfast and when we got down here she also wanted a "nana". She wants to feed herself and is getting so messy good at it! This is such a fun age!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
We...
We are home.
We are tired.
Our house is messy.
I am swollen.
We were blessed with a wonderful visit.
Our baby girl became a toddler on this trip--she truly grew up.
I am ready for baby to come...now!
We are churning laundry.
Cleaning floors.
Attempting to "nest," whatever that means!
Taking lots of ball photos.
Editing, ordering, and repeat.
Editing family photos.
All while trying to prepare for baby. Keep up with toddler. And rest every 5 minutes!
It's a blessed time to be alive!
'Till next time...
We are tired.
Our house is messy.
I am swollen.
We were blessed with a wonderful visit.
Our baby girl became a toddler on this trip--she truly grew up.
I am ready for baby to come...now!
We are churning laundry.
Cleaning floors.
Attempting to "nest," whatever that means!
Taking lots of ball photos.
Editing, ordering, and repeat.
Editing family photos.
All while trying to prepare for baby. Keep up with toddler. And rest every 5 minutes!
It's a blessed time to be alive!
'Till next time...
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
St. Louis Children's Hospital
The big day for Natalee has come and gone. And what a day! I did not realize how very nervous I was for her neurology appt until it was over and I had (literally) sweated through my underwear (TMI?) and given myself a headache from holding my breath in between questions.
I'll spare you the long version in exchange for the outcome. After a detailed interview with us regarding Natalee's development and birth, Dr. Hinkle, the fellow assigned to our case, did a physical exam of Natalee. He watched her waddle walk, crawl, pick up paper, and tested her muscle tone and reflexes. He looked in her eyes, checked her social reaction to him and to us, and was very kind. Natalee was excellent during the exam and never squabbled or complained. She was very quiet and wanted to like the Dr. but was wary of him.
The result of the testing/exam/history is a diagnosis of muscle spasticity. Dr. Hinkle gave us the option of doing an MRI to confirm that Natalee probably does have a very mild brain damage due to birth. However, the MRI would not have changed the outcome or the course of action we take so we felt it unnecessary. Why sedate her to see something the Dr. is already pretty certain is there? Not worth it to us. We left the office with wonderful compliments of her speech and social development--which the Dr. ranked at above average for her age (remember how she barely made noise before her tubes?)! We also left with a prescription for a physical therapy evaluation. Because Dr. Hinkle did find some muscle weakness/spasticity in her legs and wrists, he feels that she will probably benefit from physical therapy. The PT's will evaluate her, and then based on their evaluation, they will decide whether just therapy/exercises/stretches will help her or whether she might need some braces to aide her in walking. Dr. Hinkle was quite positive her PT sessions would be short-lived as he noticed how well she has coped with her muscle weaknesses on her own. He was very impressed with the fact that she has progressed so well thus far and feels quite confident that she'll continue.
We go back in 6 months, after we have some therapy under our belt, for a follow-up. It was a very positive appointment--we very much appreciated Dr. Hinkle and his patience and the time spent with us making sure we understood the diagnosis and the options from here. We're so proud of our girl for pushing herself even though it's obviously been harder than average for her to do certain things. She's a champ and we're so very lucky to be her mommy and daddy.
With this appointment behind us and a plan of action in place, we feel ready to leave for a little trip tomorrow to see some family over a long weekend. And when we get back we'll finish getting ready for baby brother (which is just almost done!) and be ever so excited to welcome him to our family!
I'll spare you the long version in exchange for the outcome. After a detailed interview with us regarding Natalee's development and birth, Dr. Hinkle, the fellow assigned to our case, did a physical exam of Natalee. He watched her waddle walk, crawl, pick up paper, and tested her muscle tone and reflexes. He looked in her eyes, checked her social reaction to him and to us, and was very kind. Natalee was excellent during the exam and never squabbled or complained. She was very quiet and wanted to like the Dr. but was wary of him.
The result of the testing/exam/history is a diagnosis of muscle spasticity. Dr. Hinkle gave us the option of doing an MRI to confirm that Natalee probably does have a very mild brain damage due to birth. However, the MRI would not have changed the outcome or the course of action we take so we felt it unnecessary. Why sedate her to see something the Dr. is already pretty certain is there? Not worth it to us. We left the office with wonderful compliments of her speech and social development--which the Dr. ranked at above average for her age (remember how she barely made noise before her tubes?)! We also left with a prescription for a physical therapy evaluation. Because Dr. Hinkle did find some muscle weakness/spasticity in her legs and wrists, he feels that she will probably benefit from physical therapy. The PT's will evaluate her, and then based on their evaluation, they will decide whether just therapy/exercises/stretches will help her or whether she might need some braces to aide her in walking. Dr. Hinkle was quite positive her PT sessions would be short-lived as he noticed how well she has coped with her muscle weaknesses on her own. He was very impressed with the fact that she has progressed so well thus far and feels quite confident that she'll continue.
We go back in 6 months, after we have some therapy under our belt, for a follow-up. It was a very positive appointment--we very much appreciated Dr. Hinkle and his patience and the time spent with us making sure we understood the diagnosis and the options from here. We're so proud of our girl for pushing herself even though it's obviously been harder than average for her to do certain things. She's a champ and we're so very lucky to be her mommy and daddy.
With this appointment behind us and a plan of action in place, we feel ready to leave for a little trip tomorrow to see some family over a long weekend. And when we get back we'll finish getting ready for baby brother (which is just almost done!) and be ever so excited to welcome him to our family!
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