Growing in His Grace

Aug. 30, 2007

Back, and living in Texas!

SJ's 1st Birthday is today. One year has flown by! SJ is just developing in leaps and bounds. We are still working on his walking and standing, but he's got everything else down. He is so amazing to watch, and he is so much fun! I started babysitting a newborn a few weeks ago, and he's getting use to her now. We are excited because we hope this will be good 'practice' for him when our second comes in May! I can't believe he's going to be a big brother now too! Time sure flies huh? Time to get out the baby book and update it!

We are definitely in Texas now. We are both adjusting. It was, and still is, very hard to leave our home back in Florida. We miss everyone terribly. We know that the Lord brought us here for a reason, we just aren't sure what that reason is yet!! LOL I know, it's for Stoker to finish school. Sometimes we look at each other and just wonder if that is really a good reason?! But we know it is, and we know that it will be a rough few years, but the flexibility his new job will allow him will really be beneficial to our family in the long run! Please pray for wisdom for Stoker as he takes the engineering courses!

We haven't heard from Nemour's on SJ's results. I am assuming they haven't gotten back from UCLA. I have called to check and they assure me that when they hear something, so will I. So we are still waiting. However, he's doing so well we sure aren't worrying about anything!!

Well, it's nice to be back! Sorry it's nothing profound, or witty, or entertaining, just a brief update this time! When I have a little more sanity, and stomach, I will write of some of our 'adventures.'

Jul. 18, 2007

We've returned from Jax

Okay, I am cheating. This is a copy of the email I sent out. I lost some email addresses so for those of you who didn't get it, it wasn't selective-just disorganizational issues! We're all doing well. SJ is healing from his double ear infection and his tummy troubles are gone. As always, we're open to questions- and a lot of times the ones people ask are ones we never thought to ask and are good questions, so please challenge us!!

Love-

Taryn

Hi! Hope this finds you doing well, as always. I just wanted to send this out and let everyone know how the appointment went on Monday at Nemour's in Jacksonville.

The geneticist, Dr. Arn, said that she was really impressed with how well SJ is doing. They both made a few off the cuff remarks about how big he had gotten, they apparrently weren't expecting to see him get so big. They said that he is doing great as far as strenth and muscle tone goes. He's developmentally on track/ahead, except for the going from on his back to sitting and crawling. Dr. Arn said that she's not completely convinced that hypochondroplasia is the correct diagnosis. She said that she was expecting to see some things that she didn't see; therefore, she will be sending his x-rays and some basic snapshots of him off to a doctor at UCLA for their opinion on things. He's definitely short, he's about the average height of an 6 month old. His height/weight comparison is good. He's carrying himself really well when he's sitting or scooting on his tummy. Fine motor skills were great. She said that there aren't any restrictions for him really except to keep him from any type of seating that allows him to slouch/hunch over and nothing that will jerk his head back and forth (like a hard swing). She said to stay on top of the ear infections just because hearing loss is related to the hypochondroplasia. She didn't go into a lot of detail on hypo, but I think it was because she's not ready to prepare us for it since she's not sure that's what we're dealing with. She said there are some really rare types of skeletal dysplasia, and one even where only the humerus and femur bones are affected, that we could be dealing with. So we are still in the 'ongoning diagnosis' stage and probably will be for a while, unless the UCLA doctors find something concrete. But she thinks that he's going to do fine whatever the diagnosis might be. They didn't even attempt height predictions because there's not a diagnosis to compare with.

We do have to go get a routine MRI done on his head and neck. Mostly precautionary, and I believe they may help with diagnosing certain conditions. Lord-willing we will get this all done before we move.

We'll continue with the updates, they are just going to slow down a little bit since there is no obvious rush to daignose him (if he has anything, we could have just a short baby!!).

Please continue to pray for the wisdom of the doctors and SJ's health. Also for our big move! We might be moving the date back 1-2 weeks for various reasons, mostly because the places we'd like to rent won't be ready untill then. Please be praying for us and wisdom regarding all of these issues.

Love-

Taryn, Stoker, and SJ

http://photosmart.hpphoto.com/FilmStripHome.aspx?JobID=0f93e581-d3b2-40b6-ba02-b9817f420313&SKU=HP

Jul. 13, 2007

Blindsided

Well, in one day my whole life has been turned upside down. The Lord had His hand in this, I know, but I still feel a little blindsided.

Stoker's Jeep (grand cherokee) is being sold. We have some guys that are suppose to be picking it up, however it's on a first come, first serve basis. So first person with cash in hand gets the old goat. I have a lot of fond memories in that jeep. We were cleaning it out yesterday and a wave of emotion caught me off guard. This is the first big sell of our life together. I know, getting sentimental over a hunk of metal that has been sitting in our parking lot since Novemeber is silly. But this Jeep has been so good to us. It took us on many trips, and it was a great vehicle for after the c-section and needing something easy to get the baby out of. And Stoker and I use to ride around the 'backroads' of Alabama and Florida just cruising along. One time we got some ice cream, and Stoker had just commented on how he hadn't gotten any on his shirt as he went to take the last bite. And of course it fell on his shirt! (He's notorious for food on the clothing). Not to mention just the realization that I am old enough and responsible enough to be part of the selling of a vehicle. And the civic will be paid off in September, so another huge milestone! It seems like for so long the 'unknown' has plagued us. School, our family, our future. And now final decisions are being made, not life-altering but still big decisions. Isn't it odd how something as simple as selling a car can make you into a philosopher! =0)

Well, and secondly..... I think I am going to cry as I type this. i actually found not one- but TWO gray hairs today. I mean, just right on top of my head! GRAY HAIR, I know I have been through quite a bit the last year or so, but now!?!? I'm 24?? Is this legal!!?? Well, Stoker said they are probably just strays because of the texture.... so I'll CHOOSE to believe him for now... untill they come back.... EEEEK. Anyone know of a good hairstylist???

Well, I know these are minor growing pains! The Lord has so graciously moved our family forward with all of these things, and our bodies are just vessels in this world. They are as weak as we are when without Christ. I praise Him that He hath granted me much forgiveness and grace, I humbly and fallibly walk before Him knowing that if it weren't for His blood on that cross then I would be left to perish with my body.

So, here's to moving forward and looking back! One day this will hardly be a memory!! =0)

This link should take you to some photos! Not the most current, but pretty close!

Jul. 9, 2007

We're alive

Ha, we didn't drop off the face of the earth!! We have been so busy lately! And the free time I have had has been monopolized by trying to locate a home for us in College Station. We are leaving on Aug.1, Lord-willing, and still are homeless! Ahh But, we are hoping to remedy that soon. It's hard when you are blind basically. However, my lovely mother and sister are willing to look at places for us and be our eyes.. whew!

We leave on Sunday, July 15 to head to Jacksonville for SJ's appointment at Nemour's. While I am more settled on the diagnosis after talking to some other people who have been through this, we are still planning on asking them to not diagnose him with Hypochondroplasia yet and we will re-evaluate him in a few years. He's definitely a shorty! He's so cute and stocky. Very strong (takes after daddy!!). He's got a mind of his own, that is for sure, and knows what he wants when he wants it. He loves to climb on things with his feet from a lying down position. (He lays on his back and walks up stuff without ever getting to a sitting or standing position). He's scooting all over the place and doing the 'army crawl'. No pushing up yet onto his knees, however it's not too far away. And I have prayed many times over that that will wait untill we move! He's hit the seperation anxiety age, and sometimes I can't even go to the bathroom without him getting upset. However I try to stay from sight when he gets fussy long enough to prove the point that at some point he's going to have to get over it. While I want him to feel secure that I am there, he still needs to be okay alone for a little while. (or with someone else) He's got his front 8 teeth and is working on the molars. He has been extremely cranky the last week or so and his gums are so swollen, I hope for his sake that they break soon.

The Lord has just been keeping us on our toes lately. He's really been doing wonderful things with our family and I feel like we have grown a lot. (Which is a good thing since we are moving and our church will be an hour away). But I know we are still yet babes in our knowledge and walk with Christ. We continue to pray for wisdom and knowledge daily. We ask that you be praying for us as well as we are preparing for this huge step in our lives. Growing up can be so hard!!!

I will post pics soon, I have them on a disk but our computer is so slow right now I will have to wait till it will load them in less than 20 minutes!! =0)

Jun. 4, 2007

Just Today

Well, today I got accepted to the Parentsof Litte People group on yahoo. There is some great resources on that sight. If any of you could use it, the website is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parentsoflittlepeople2. I made a post tonight, at 11 so I am hoping maybe I will hear back from some parents of hypo babies soon. SJ is still blowing my mind. Today he was standing up holding onto his daddy's bait bucket. He's getting a lot better at balancing when he's sitting up. That head of his is really hard to hold upright!! haha

Anyways ,I don't have a lot going on right now. We are waiting to hear back from some loan officers about loans for A&M. Be praying we get the money together and it's not going to cost us his whole first year's salary to pay it back!!!

If I wasn't so tired, I'd definitely give an update on my research, but I need a shower and some sleep. Just wanted to share the photo with you.

Here's our little man with his daddy. You can't make out the mohawk but I am still having trouble with our computer loading pictures, so this is the best I can do for now.

May. 20, 2007

The 'Diagnosis'

Well, this is the blog I have been ready to write, yet not as ready as I thought I was.

We got the Nemour's Children's Clinc's results the other day. We have been discussing what we want to do next and the path we want to take; therefore, I wanted to wait just a little while before I wrote this so that Stoker and I were on the same page of things.

We received a call last week from the genetics floor's receptionist to schedule an appointment for what was suppose to be this Tuesday. (We had to reschedule that for June12). After getting off of the phone I called the genetic counselor to see why the appointment was made. We were told that any further testing could be done here. She said that they have decided to go ahead with the diagnosis of Hypochrondroplasia. We need to come to go over the details, get the literature on it, discuss what his future holds, any further treatments, etc.

Stoker and I have been discussing and praying about our response to this. Neither of us feel very comfortable with their decision to diagnose him right now. One of the key factors to all of this was his blood test being negative. They told us that due to that, the best option would be to send his films to a specialist. This was not done. Nor was a second screening of the blood done in order to see if there was an error. There was an error done somewhere! The other possibility is that he has a gene mutation that hasn't been seen before. In my opinion, and it's not medical, I feel like if he had this new gene mutation somewhere in all of this they'd be trying to locate the mutation and document it and look over him for his symptoms (which are not very typical with what I have been reading in my research), and no one has even said a word to us about this. I would be the first to say, and stand by saying it, that I am a little more concerned about someone's eyes than I am about the blood test. And I will be the first to swallow crow if I am wrong! While we know the radiologist are very well trained and are, I'm sure, great at what they do- it's easier to miss something with your eyes. We will more than likely be seeking a second opinion. We will ask that they don't diagnose him with hypochrondroplasia, and if they have to put something down that they put that it's a possible diagnosis. My research has said that this is not something easy to diagnose in an infant due to the bones changing so much. We would like to wait a few years before seeking the second opinion. By that time he may be fine, or it may be more obvious.

Let it be said that Stoker and I are not avoiding our son being 'labled'. If he has hypo. then we want to know about it, know everything we can, and allow our son the best life we can give him with whatever this condition includes. We in no way want to debilitate him, and he will have plenty of step-stools to get his own bowl or plate, but we want to be compassionate to his physical/psychological needs as well. We know that whatever is or isn't wrong (if you want to call it wrong since it isn't 'normal') with him is how the Lord made him and gave him to us, he is our son and no matter what he is or isn't, we love him more than we ever thought possible!!!! We just don't want him diagnosed with something he doesn't have and later on have to go throught lots of complications to get the diagnosis reversed. I also don't want something else to be wrong and not know about it, especially if that something will have far worse side-effects than what we are facing now.

Hypochrondrplasia is the condition to be diagnosed with if you had to choose from all the ones out there. Trust me, if there weren't all of these alarms going off this would be great news!! But, again, just for cautions sake we will seek a second opinion. Whether it be now, or in a couple of years we aren't sure. But eventually we will try to get all of this straightened out.

Thank-you for all of your love and support, and most of all your prayers. We just have to trust that the Lord knows what he has/doesn't have and look to Him for what path to take next.

Have a blessed week!

** Feel free to ask any questions, we won't be offended!!

May. 15, 2007

It is what it wasn't....

Well, we have no news/some news again! I spoke with the genetic counselor yesterday. She informed me that the radiology report came back 'suggestive of' hypochrondroplasia. Umm, the blood test was negative for that right?? Yes, the blood test was negative. So, the process is going to be that--- now the geneticist and the radiologist will look at the films together, more than likely decide to send it off to a specialist, and then we hear what he has to say. So........ MORE WAITING. On a good note, I was mistaken when I said that hypo. also is a severely short-statured type of dwarfism. Average height is between 5'-5'4. My mom works with a little person (p.c. term) and he has a friend whose son has hypo. and he is 5'8". There are hardly any medical complications that go with this as well. PRAISE THE LORD! If he has to be labled, this is the one to be labled!! I am still not 100% convinced, my research doesn't quite agree with this. However I am looking at physical and they are looking at his bones. But his DNA is also saying no. So... back to the drawing board? Well, we know for sure that at least one test result is wrong! It's hard because as the days go on, he looks so normal. His body is catching up with his head and he is getting so big! He basically skipped 3-6 months clothing and went straight to 6-9 months! So he had a late start, but he's just going and going now. He rolls all over the living room! He finally picked up on the rolling back to front thing and loves it! He is standing with little support. Eating like a horse! And staying pretty regular. I just have to keep lots of pears on hand. He loves them so that's okay with me.

Well, we have pretty much gotten an idea on what we are doing for Texas. We are exhausting our financial aid possibilities at the moment. As long as we can get the first two out-of-state semesters taken care of then we will be in Tx come July 26th. We are moving. Eh. You know those times where you just have to rely on the Lord completely because you have some many different emotions going in so many different ways?? This is one! I am so excited for my husband to get to finish school at a well recognized engineering school. I am so excited to be close to my family!! And yet, P'cola is our home. We have our church family here, and family here. The beach!!!! Who is my husband without the beach and fishing?! I know, there are lakes, but I'd rather be in water I can see through so I can look for sharks, than murky water a gator can get me through!! And there's no triggerfish or tuna in a lake!!! I won't miss a lot of things about this town in and of itself. But you can't replace family, and our church is that. It's our brothers and sisters in Christ, like-minded believers that you don't just find anywhere. I am well aware that there are others out there that we can grow to love just as much, and I pray this is the case. There are many sidewalks in a christians walk with the Lord, and not all have daffodils on the sides of them.

So we are back to TRUSTING THE LORD for all wisdom in our decisions. He has opened so many doors, and now we just want to be sure that just because the doors are open it truly is the way we are to go. We want to be sure this is where we need to be at this point in our lives, not just a pretty package on rotten candy!

Hope all of you remember to look to the Lord today!!

PS- I'd load some new pictures, but our computer won't let me... sorry, I'll put some up as soon as I can

May. 1, 2007

Labs Results

Well, we finally heard back from the geneticist last week on SJ's blood test for achrondroplasia and hypochrondroplasia. He doesn't have either! Praise the Lord! Those are the two that cause the severe short stature. (There are more types but they don't seem concerned about that). The genetic counselor restated that they do think something is going on, they just aren't sure what. They were suppose to be taking his x-rays to the radiologist yesterday (Monday, April 30) to start looking at his bones and finding a focal point to test for a type of skeletal dysplasia. (All dwarfism is skeletal dysplasia, however not all skeletal dysplasias are dwarfism.) So we are praying for much wisdom for the dr.s and that they can narrow down something soon. The genetic counselor (who is the one that called) said that they were impressed with how well he is developing and that his rate of growth is great. (It is the same as a normal baby's growth). So, they are concerned about his humerus bones and neck, but she said that it is likely that whatever is going on isn't debilitating or painful. The most typical pain would be arthritic pain that would start a little earlier on than when most arthritis starts (20's/30's).

We praise the Lord for His mercy and grace through all of this. It is so wonderful to rest in knowing that all of this is to the honor and glory of our great God! He knows exactly what's going on, and planned it from even before we exsisited! We are so thankful that what's going on with SJ is minor in comparison to what it could be, and while the Lord has used this to teach us and help us grow, He has granted us much mercy in allowing things to be okay thus far.

SJ is just thriving and growing every day! We gave him his first haircut this weekend! He is a little toot and just loves to play and examine things. He is SO AMAZED at his hands and feet. I just love to watch him and think about how nice it would be to just find the amazement in the hands that the Lord has given us. I mean, how many of us appreciate our hands???? How many of us look at our fingers and think 'WOW'!!??

It's amazing how I am planning to homeschool my children, and yet with my first child I am already learning so much!!

Have a wonderful day!

Apr. 18, 2007

6 Months!!!!

At 6 Months:

I Am 24.25 inches tall

I weigh 16.5 lbs.

My head is 46cm around.

The doctor says I am: growing well, very healthy! I am going to start eating 2 jars of food and one bowl of cereal every day. He was surprised the geneticist doesn't think I have achrondroplasia, but we're still waiting to hear final results. He also scared mommy by telling her that most babies that don't like to be on their stomachs will walk before crawling!!!

My favorite things to do are: lye on the floor and play with my feet! I even enjoy a few toys. I LOVE when my daddy comes home and plays with me. I know where the doors are and I am always looking for him! I also enjoy my baths, water is so much fun.

My favorite toys are: mommy got me this cool toy that lights up when I shake it, I also love a rattle my Aunt Sheridan got me! I also have a floor gym with a ball on it that is a blast to kick, sometimes I kick it so hard that I send it flying over the bar and it gets stuck!!!

Mommy says I am good at: making my voice heard, says I take after daddy! I am also a PRO at rolling from my belly to my back. She says I am definitely a good eater, and she thinks I'm pretty smart!

I LOVE: bathtime! I also love Chaco and Latte, they make me laugh. I LOVE my daddy, he makes me smile. I love butternut squash and carrots, and I really love bananas but mommy says they aren't good for my system (whatever that means!)

My life is going pretty well for being 6 months old. I am fed, clothed, loved, and prayed for on a daily basis. What more can a little guy like me ask for?? (maybe some more bananas!!)

Mar. 21, 2007

..as of Today

Well, for starters, the geneticist appointment went. It wasn't good news, wasn't bad news. The Dr. did say that she doesn't think it's achrondroplasia (most common type of dwarfism) however she does think there is a type of skeletal dysplasia that we might be dealing with. She took a blood test to rule out achrondroplasia, and then did full body x-rays to start her search on what to test for next. So things are pretty inconclusive at the time being. We should hear from them soon, but no time line was set. She did say she was focusing more on the top of the spine/neck area. So maybe that's a good lead. Please continue to pray for the dr.'s wisdom and for whatever is going on with S.J. that it is as painless as possible. On a few fun notes, he is eating peas and bananas now! He LOVES them! His new favorite toy is his feet! He LOVES bathtime... he kicks and splashes so much I end up with more water on me I think! He's got his daddy's love of water for sure! He's got 6 teeth already! What a grin! In 2 weeks he'll be 6 months old, I can't believe he's 1/2 a year old, time sure does fly!

We got word today that all of Stoker's documents have been processed and accepted to A&M. Now we are just waiting to hear if they will be accepting Stoker to the college or not. It will go through general admissions, then on to the ocean engineering admissions. We are praying that the Lord gives us much wisdom if he's accepted, and that we can find a church home in College Station.

I'm doing well. Still adjusting to being a mom! I can't believe how wonderful, yet exhausting, it is at times. Just tonight as I was putting him to bed, he was lying there next to me with one hand on his belly and the other hand holding my finger and it was just such a perfect moment. And a moment at that because then daddy coughed and well he went wide awake and flailing all over the place! But no one can ever prepare anyone for the amount of love you can pour into one little person (no pun intended). And I hear you only learn to love more, not less, when you have more. I love my son, and I look forward to many more! I just can't wait untill he's old enough to do his own laundry!!!! hehe

This is Stoker Jr.s first fishing trip!! Look at that proud daddy!

This is him rolling over:

This is his new favorite toy!

Mar. 15, 2007

We Have Lift Off!

Okay, for those who have older children- this will be a fun trip down memory lane; for those who don't have children and are wanting them- this will be a fun look to the, Lord-willing, future!

Scene: I am in the kitchen washing my hands after cleaning up the puppy room (gross me out). Stoker is in the bedroom with S.J. keeping him preoccupied before his last feeding for the night. (Note* I have a bad memory so word for word is not accurate)

"Taryn!"

"What?"

"Hey, has he been doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Come in here."

Sigh "Hold on I'm coming!"

As I'm walking in "what?"

"Has he been rolling over and you're not telling me?"

"No, what are you talking about? Sometimes when he's on the bed he'll kind of fall over that way but he's not rolling yet."

"Well, he just did."

"No he didn't, are you serious?"

"Yeah, he was lying up here and rolled over to down here. Watch."

So I watch my husband place my, soon to be 5month old, son on his belly. He kicked a little. I'm thinking to myself, 'sure, you think he rolled over but it was just gravity since the top of our bed is on an incline.' I stood at the end of the bed and called his name to encourage his curiousity. He kicked a little more, then all of a sudden, my son (who has a head in the 98% circumference) picked his head straight up and tossed it over and rolled over!!

"OH MY GOSH!! He rolled over?!?! I can't believe it! I worked with him on that this afternoon and he wouldn't budge! I can't believe I missed it!! Good Boy, I'm so proud of you........." the hysterics went on and on untill I calmed down long enough to call my mom. Then my dad, then whoever else I could think of that was still awake at 9:30 pm.

I can not believe the overwhelming joy and love I felt for my son at that moment. He rolled over. He didn't solve his first algebraic equation, he didn't discover the cure for a rare disease, he just rolled over. He grinned at us with his two little teeth showing past his bottom lip, and my heart literally melted.

I have been walking around grudgingly since yesterday because my schedule got messed up with having to take him to the doctor- thinking woe-is-me. I thought life couldn't get worse because my house is a mess and the puppies are a mess, and I'm so tired... and then the Lord threw a daffodill in the middle of it all. This beautiful, eye opening moment about what really matters in my life.

So tomorrow, I will look at the chore list I made myself at the begining of the week, I will see what time allows me to do, and then I will sit on the floor and laugh and kiss my baby every time he rolls over!!! I will be thankful for what the Lord has provided for me and given me. Not moan about what I think I don't have or what I feel I have lost. I will try to remember that although this is my 'job' as a homemaker- more than anything it's our home, and while yes it needs to be tidy and clean- it needs to be full of love.

The Lord has provided so much for us, and in His mercy and grace I hope I can do all things to honor Him and my family!

Praise the Lord our son in mobile!!!!! Uh-oh!

Mar. 7, 2007

What a Mess!!!

Ok. I have raised horses, pigs, goats, rabbits, cats, and dogs before. But no one prepared me for the MESS that three (was four) Jack Russell Terrier puppies could cause!!! I feel like I have no life other than picking up dog messes. Today was a break through (praise the Lord!) as I am seeing that they may be getting the paper concept down. We raised our animals OUTSIDE growing up, I now know why.

Mom- you were on to something weren't you! I have to say, while thoroughly tiring, they can be quite amusing :

Thankfully we have had several inquiries over the last few days about the pups. We are anticipating a gentleman making a deposit tomorrow. (again, praise the Lord!) So if anyone knows anyone wanting a quality Jack Russell, we've got a couple!

Thankfully, Stoker is working longer days -therefore I have more time to get the house in order before he gets home. Something I'm not good at to begin with, but am working on it and feel I'm making decent improvement.

Thankfully Stoker is working full time with steady work. We're really praying about the College Station move and this will help us in our attempt to move. We should hear back from TAMU by early May if not sooner.

SJ has started a new grunt when he's bored. Thankfully it's not too often, he loves his bouncy seat. But he's getting more active and is twisting around so much I have to keep my eye on him. I can't wait for him to roll over for the first time (the Dr. said this will be delayed due to his head size). Here are some pics of him for you:

This is him sleeping with Wiffer, it was Poppa's (his great grandfather on his daddy's side)

Well, nothing too creative for tonight. Just passing some time. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Mar. 2, 2007

Keeping up with the Adkins

Well, you will have to excuse us for not keeping in touch better! This should help a lot, we'll try to keep things updated weekly!

We just had a trip to Tx. (S.J.'s first time to go to Tx!!) Things went well. It is kind of sinking in that we might actually be moving there come August. Please be praying for us, and especially Stoker as he tries to make the best decision for our family. As the head of the home he's got a lot of weight on his shoulders right now! Also, please pray for us that we can find the right church to attend. We have some prospects, but they are all a little over an hour away. If anyone knows of a Reformed Baptist Church in College Station feel free to tell us!

S.J.'s 4 month appointment was on the 20th. He was 98% head circumference, 33% weight, and 0% height. The Dr. said he was looking fine, and he wasn't too worried about the height, but to keep our appointment with the geneticist on April 2 just to be sure and rule out any types of bone disorders, dwarfisms, etc. He also started him on cereal!

What a face huh? He's doing okay with it, I try it every few days like the doc said to untill he likes it.

We have puppies still! 4.... and they are a mess! We will be waiting untill we have a yard to do this again.... they are beautiful though!

Here's a few more shots of S.J.

It's hard being me!

Staying fresh and clean at Grandma's

This is me and my Papa (great grandfather!)

Shake Shake Shake!

We love you all!!

Feb. 21, 2007

The Wrong Side of the Bed

Have you ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed...... I mean, literally-- the wrong side of the bed.

The last few nights have been pretty blurry for me. I think lack of sleep and a sinus flare-up has been getting to me. My beautiful, 4 month old son decided about 3 weeks ago that schedules are for babies (you don't say!) and he no longer needed to stay with his. You don't do that to someone once they have gotten into the routine of only getting up once a night for a power house feeding and then back to sleep. (My dear friend has had a son that has slept through the night completely and then started this not too long ago as well-- that's gotta be hard!!) My son has always gone to bed around 10ish, followed by a 2-3am feeding, and then up by 7. Great! Well insert a couple of teeth into a 3 month olds jaw and you get chaos! Oh, did I add in a serious growth spurt?? That turns into just oblivion... My son started to go to sleep by 7pm, which for his father and I is way too early. That meant that he would get his major sleeping done and be ready to wake up 1 or 2 hours after we go down. (For those thinking we should change our schedules-- don't tempt me to go on about why we have late evenings!!) Not only did he think going to bed earlier would be a great idea, he then thought that getting up every 2 1/2 hours after that was even a better idea!!! By 6 am he would give me a good 3 hour stretch so we would sleep untill 9. (Yes, we- as in I broke all my rules for myself and let him sleep with me..... I am so ashamed - ok not that bad) So three weeks of a new schedule. (Did I mention he quit taking his naps?? This kid was going on nothing and wanting more!!)

Well, yesterday we had our 4 month well baby appointment! (*Note: Due to my husbands work truck being broken, he takes my car to work. Therefore when I get the car I spend all day running errands) Things went really well (minus the fact that my son who never really cries for unknown reason- there always is a reason- decided that after making a ham of himself in the waiting room he would exercise the power of his lungs in the exam room. The dr. confirmed that he had very nice lungs, and I tell you, any pediatrician is worth going to that can do a thorough exam while mom holds that child. Impressive! ) Everything went well for the first time- baby drama for another time- and he got his 2nd round of shots. So we left and ran errands and I actually got 3 naps out of him yesterday! Woo hoo! We are on the right track. So last night, complete with teething (his upper two teeth now), having the shot crankies, and being exhausted from our fun day, he went to bed around 7:30. WITHOUT BEING IN MY BED AND ME NURSING HIM TO SLEEP!!! He slept untill 2:45! Dad and I made ourselves go to bed at 10. I got almost 5 hours of sleep by the time we were done praying and I nodded off. I still feel groggy this morning, after his mid-of-night feeding he woke back up around 5:50 wanting to eat and then took an hour nap and I am still coming around from being sick. So our day has started earlier than usual, but I'll take it because I think he's read y for a nap.**PAUSE** Yes, a nap is what he wanted. PRAISE THE LORD!! I think we're getting our schedule back. And he's starting to be okay with going to sleep on his own again. The Lord is so merciful to us at times, especially when we are so busy we aren't even looking to see it. Case and Point:

This mom thing isn't what I was expecting. (In more good ways than bad!) Things are different, nights are long, days are so joyous and yet so exhausting, but at the end of the day- to have that two-tooth grin coming back at me- it doesn't matter how long, or how tired, or how many times I repented to the Lord for my attitude towards being a mom or to my husband I have had to do, the Lord shows me exactly why he blesses us with these little people (no pun intended towards our son) in our lives. The Lord reminds me why we want a whole quiver full of 'i am teething, just got my shots, have a dirty diaper and am hungry' little pieces of big joy.

I look forward to the days that are taxing, the days that are full of joy, and the days that go by unnoticed. All that will create, Lord-willing, years of a happy, noise infested, handprinted windowed, art class covered refrigerator filled life-- all give praise and honor to our Lord and Saviour. I can't wait for our children to be humming hymns as they do their school work, and even the toddler who thinks its their place to say amen! in the church service!

So the Lord has given me much to look forward to today. I hope and pray I can honor Him in all I do. I have lots to do, and little time before I leave for a trip to Tx.

Here's to waking up on the right side of the bed from now on!!!

Feb. 20, 2007

Once upon a time...

So once upon a time there was this girl. (I think most of you can fill in the blank on the minor details) This girl wanted what all the world wanted. A big career, single life, and definitely nothing to tie her down (i.e. husband, children). One day- the best day of her life she didn't know she had- she met a boy. ya-da-ya-da-ya-da. Neither of them knew it, but the Lord was going to use each other to bring them to know Him. He sent them on a roller coaster of a ride, and 4 months later (that'd be 9 months since they had met) they were both believers- by His unbelievable grace and mercy- and engaged. Small town girl from Texas with big city dreams, and a laid back 'no worries atoll', deep sea fishing man from Pensacola,Fl. *Note: if you know ANYTHING about these two types of people then you know that's oil and water.*

Jump ahead 3 years to Feb.'07 and you have a mom of a beautiful 4 month old son, a wife who loves her husband in ways she never thought possible (and yes that does include the ways you love a man when you don't feel like it ), and most importantly a God-fearing woman.

When I look back only 3 1/2 years ago and see the girl that the Lord chose to turn into a woman, I just marvel at His graciousness to me. I still have more rough edges to smooth over than I'd like to think I do. But the Lord has given me a heart for Him. Through Him I can love my husband through it all (even when he leaves his long johns and socks attached inside his pants after a cold work day). Through Him I can look at my 4 month old son and smile because he's here, cry because one day he'll be grown up, be nervous because I will be responsible for his academic future, laugh because I know he's going to drive his wife crazy the way his father does/will me at times, and pray like I've never prayed before that the Lord will save him and provide him a Godly wife as well. Through Him I can see the past through eyes that make me realize what I don't want for my children (which is a huge factor in my preparations for homeschooling). And through Him I can love with a heart and purpose that I sometimes can't even grasp the concept of.

Today is one of those days where I just sit back and marvel at the goodness of God.

I thank the Lord for this day. It's one of those days where I can really see Him working in me and with my family. It saddens me to think of the days that go by when I just give a nod to God and sleepily sit through family worship. I pray the Lord gives me many more days like today, and I hope I never lose sight of God- in everything.