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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Better late than never....


I am REALLY behind in blogging about our fantastic Christmas. We were so blessed to have all of our children home this year. Last year Ethan was still in the NICU/PCN and it was so difficult being away from him. On Christmas Eve we said a prayer for all the parents who didn't get to spend Christmas with their children. It's no fun, I can assure you of that!


On Christmas Eve, Jake & Gracie were in the annual Christmas Pageant at church:



Jake was Joseph this year!


Here comes Gracie with the choir




After church we went to my parents house for dinner and exchanged gifts.


"The Big Kids" Chris, Me, my brother Jon, my sister Kristi and her boyfriend Steve



The kids waiting patiently on Christmas morning





Look what Santa brought!













Later during the day my In-laws came over for lunch and we exchanged gifts:





It was a great day and now I have to figure out where to put everything!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Firetrucks and Snow!

A couple of nights ago Santa came by to visit our neighborhood on his Fire Truck. This is an annual holiday tradition here in Hanover County. The kids eagerly await the sounds of sirens and bright lights. It is so much fun to watch the excitement in their faces.







Two days later we were covered in snow! They are calling for some more on Christmas Eve, how fun to have a white Christmas! We usually don't get this much snow so this is a HUGE deal for us. The kids couldn't be happier!








The snow is all the way up to Jake's knees!




Our Snow Ham!


Gracie had fun going down the driveway


Anna Claire had trouble walking so she needed help from her big brother and big sister!


















Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Decisions to be made...

Today we met with the Nephrologist and Urologist to go over the study that was performed last week. The Nephrologist said that because he has so much hydro in both kidneys she is not able to see the "meat" of the kidney to determine how much damage has been done. They have advised us that another procedure must be done soon to releave the pressure that is building up in his kidneys. He has Stage V Vesicoureteral Reflux.


We have two options, one has a 98% change of working but may cause serioius damage to the ureters that were reconstructed back in April. This surgery is very serious and will likely put him in the hospital for a couple of weeks. The second option is less invasive and will not impact his urerters at all but only has a 90% change of working.


So....what do we do? We have prayed about it and have decided that will go with the less invasive surgery and pray that the odds are for us this time. Our thought is that if doesn't work we will have a Plan B because if go to Plan B first we won't have another option.


I asked the doctor if we should schedule this in the next couple of months and he feels like it needs to be as soon as possible so I'm hoping that they don't schedule us before Christmas! That would stink 'cause I want this little Santa home with me this Christmas!


Thursday, December 10, 2009

Not the news we wanted...

Yesterday Ethan had his 1 year checkup and he has only gained .5 ounces in 3 months and grown .5 inches. He is not able to chew and swallow food so we are still making his baby food and the doctor is concerned that he is not getting enough calories so we will be working very hard along with his Occupational Therapist to teach him these skills.

Today he went to the hospital for his VCUG and Renal Scan to find out how is kidneys were doing since the surgery in April. Unfortunately it looks like one kidney is worse than before and the other is the same. Not good news, he is now Grade V which means that his surgery in April was not successful and that he will probably need another surgery. We meet with the Nephrologist and Urologist on Tuesday and will know more soon.

I would love to say that I handled this set back well but I would be lying. I'm mad, I'm angry, I'm sad and I'm tired. I wanted to put my hands up in the air and shout out to God and ask him why??? I wanted to pull the car over and have a really good pity party. I wanted to make it all go away but I can't. I wanted to give up. But I won't because ....


these people need me and I need them...

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Anna Claire & Ethan's Birthday Party!

Saturday we celebrated Ethan and Anna Claire's birthday at a local kids gym. Anna Claire had a great time playing with her friends from school and Ethan had fun with a couple of babies. It was such a great time with family and friends and I only shed a couple of tears when it was time for Ethan to blow out his candle....



Birthday Cuties!
 

I couldn't get her off of this, it was her favorite!


This game was a big hit!


Her friends giving her birthday kisses!


This is one sweet boy!


Who doesn't love bubbles?


This is what I call my lifeline...Jenn and her Baby Ava who is 5 months old and my Bestie, Anne Marie and Reagan who is 10 days older than Ethan.


Watch out ladies, Ethan got a new Jeep for his birthday, he will be cruising by later....

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Ethan!

The NICU TEAM


1 year ago today our Sweet Ethan was born. This is a baby who doctors told us may not even live long enough to born or who may die after he was born. We even had a doctor tell us that she thought we should terminate our pregnancy because she was afraid he was so ill. This is a baby who fought to be born and fought very hard at times to stay alive. This sweet baby has changed my life. I am forever grateful for the doctors who have fought with us. I am thankful for his Occupational Therapist who works with us to do simple things that I took for granted with my other children. Ethan can now sit up by himself, roll all over the place, pivot on his belly all the way around in a circle, bears weight on his legs, hold his own bottle, pick up cheerios and can walk in his walker. He is amazing, he has changed me and makes me a better person. Anyone who has a child with special needs knows exactly what I'm talking about. Those little things that kids do like pick up cheerios or look up and smile at you...when our kids do it...it's AMAZING and we are so grateful for every single little thing!



MOMENTS AFTER HE WAS BORN


IN THE NICU WITH IV


IN THE NICU WITH FEEDING TUBE


HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, SWEET ETHAN!







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