Opening the box...

To decorate the tree...

It's done...

A Thankful Heart

A term we heard numerous times during our pregnancy with Whit was, if he survives his IUGR and related issues - then something called brain and heart sparing kicks in. While pregnant, Whit had fluid on his heart, congestive heart failure, holes in his heart, and a heartbeat of next to nothing at delivery. At his age of three... I am thankful for a healthy heart!

I am also thankful for the significant brain-sparing! It was recently confirmed that Whit might have some scarring on his brain due to his prematurity and low birth weight. There were a few other "labels," "diagnosis," and "terminology" used at this appointment. However, none of the terms, diagnosis, or labels change anything in our hearts about Whit. It is not progressive, but the flip side of that is it is permanent. Due to some of the mild issues that this doctor saw, Whit was prescribed "boots." This is the term we have made up for them - the technical term is SMOs - (or shall I say, the technical acronym). These boots will help him be a little more stable and controlled in his gait. Today, at my grandmother's new house - her first Thanksgiving in this home - Whit was walking up steps with alternating feet! Something he hadn't had the control or balance to do before! As my family and I watched him, we all had a Thankful heart for his brain sparing delivery. He will be fitted for his "boots"in a week or so.

When discussing things we are thankful for on Wednesday, with no prompting - Maggie expressed her "thankfulness." "I am thankful that I get to go to the brother's school!" I am thankful for her heart!

Today was such a long day for the kids - a day of Thanksgiving with no nap. They had a wonderful time playing in the beautiful weather with cousins! Chap couldn't go anymore, and he and my Dad took a nap together. Chap had an accident during his sleep. When he woke up and realized he'd done that - He felt bad that he had done that on Pops! I am thankful for his sensitive heart and his helpful heart!

The First Hunt

Corbett took Chap hunting last Friday evening. They saw "a squarr" (squirrel), "two deers," and "a fox." Chap lasted the entire time, and loved every minute of it. He has talked about it, and even in his shy nature - told a friend about it at church tonight! Corbett shot the fox, and Chap showed us how he covered his ears so the gun wouldn't be loud. Quite a proud pair!

Whit went with my Dad. He didn't last as long on the hunt, but I'm sure they had a good time looking! They are quite a pair, themselves!

We're THREE!

Moving Forward

This last week was a long week, and frankly... I'm glad it's Saturday! I had a great morning with my sweet angels - playing, laughing, eating lunch together, and even folding clothes together. Yes, the latter was mostly me, but they each had their turn to come with with me and "fold" clothes. Maggie found a few things, and even put them in the right stack. Chap liked the kitchen towels... he took them from the pile, and spread them out on the floor and strategically folded a few. Whit - well, he knocked over several stacks getting to me, stepped on some things, fell over, and by the time he got to me - he was done.

A few times this week, I felt like that... "I'm done!"

Earlier in the week, a family from our church lost their two precious newborn baby boys... twins. They were born at 26 weeks gestation. One died at birth, and the other lived for 2 days. This hit me hard. It is rather clear that we are not supposed to always understand God's ways. And I had a hard time wrapping my mind around this tragedy. Why, when placed in a similar situation, does my outcome end happily? and this sweet couples' ends in tragedy? I am ever-so grateful and blessed that our boys survived their glimpse at being delivered at 24 weeks gestation, survived preemie-hood, and are thriving today - but why they did, and these other two sweet baby boys didn't - it is beyond my comprehension.

I am struggling with my response to that, so I will not try to answer it. I don't have an answer. We are grieving with this family that held a family grave-side service for their precious baby boys this morning. Wow! I cannot even begin to describe the kind of faith that this family has, to walk the road they are walking. Corbett and I ache for them. The grace that God poured over our Whit to provide the miracle that He did is immeasurable. I'm sure glad He did. And, yes, it often leaves me with the feeling of guilt when I measure myself up next to a family that has just been battered with tragedy. And then, I think - God has the answers. He will see this family through just as he has seen US through each of our own hard times. It was hard for us to even get all of our children here. God chose to bring Maggie, Chap, and Whit into this world - and placed them in our hands - along with His hands - to shape and to mold into His creatures. What a job! I do not carry it lightly!

I'm NOT done!

My week started off rough, and it ended much differently than I would've ever anticipated. I have had two big decisions weighing pretty heavily on my heart, shoulders, and mind.

Whit will be three this Tuesday. In Early Childhood Intervention, there is the law that states - three is three - meaning that no matter the ability, disability, or developmental level - three is three. Whit will be three. While in some areas, he exhibits himself as being three, there are still some where he is showing difficulty. My dilemma was whether or not to have him evaluated by the school district for areas of weakness (as suggested by The Meyer Center). Yes, he could use the help... No, PPCD is not the best model place for him, Yes, it would be free (kind of - we do pay taxes, right?). So, I have been praying heavily about this decision. While all three of these years, I have been pushing and pushing for intervention for Whit - and I have personally been pushing him to be the best he can be, we came to the conclusion that we are going to continue with OT and PT with Riverkids Home Health and opted not to have his speech and/or development evaluated with the school district. There are several reasons for this decision that I will not bore you with. Three is three - and we are still pushing him!

I am NOT done!

We are often asked... "How is Maggie liking Kindergarten?" For the most part, we give the "blanket" answer and say - "Oh, she's fine." And - she is. And - she's not. When I dropped Maggie off at school on Thursday, her shoulders were down - her eyes down - and her face sad. There are reasons for concern with Maggie in public Kindergarten, and for those - I went exploring on Friday. I went and toured the Kindergarten of the private school where the boys attend Mother's Day Out. Corbett and I have made the decision to move Maggie to private school. This was a tough decision, but one we feel is right. This school greatly disappointed me at the beginning of the school year with how they handled another child in the Mother's Day Out program. It will take me a while to get my mind off of that, and I am still torn because of it. However, public school is beating Maggie down - and she needs this move.

The sparkle in her eyes, and her spirit returned last night when Corbett and I talked with her about this move. She has been talking about it non-stop since then. When we were looking through her school work with her last night - she had 4 pictures in the stack. All four of them were pictures of herself, Chap, and Whit. Some she had written their names, some she had hearts around each of them, and some she had initials (and one with the number 10 written backward).... but all of them showed more confirmation that she will do better on the same campus as her brothers, in a smaller classroom, and a Godly direction.

This one was drawn the September before the boys were born

This one was done at school. They were to draw something small, medium and big. ;o)

This one is of her family - and how many feet... 10, not 01 ;o)

Notice the spiky hair on Corbett and Chap, and the curly on Whit.

We are moving forward with God's plan for each one of their lives, and I am NOT done!

Whit Graduated...

We took the front off of Whit's bed (and replaced it with a rail like Chap's). I think he likes it!

Last night was his first night, and he did really well!! When I woke them up this morning, though... he was in the opposite corner... snuggled up in his security! However, one more step accomplished!

I have optimistically been hoping that Whit would become interested in this pottying thing - especially now that Maggie AND Chap are doing it. (Afterall... they are his best therapists!)

On the way to school today, Chap announced his need to potty. I asked him to hold it until we got to school (he did... YEAH!) Whit announced, "I not go potty!" I told him he could if he wanted to. He said, "NO!" I said, Why not? His response: "Cuz, mine not work and I doe-not want m-n-m!"

Prayer Request

***UPDATE***

4:00 PM - 11-10-1009

Baby Ben passed away early this afternoon. Please continue to pray for the family!

***UPDATE***

3:00 PM - 11-9-2009

The mom is still in ICU, but was sitting up in a chair for visitors today. The Dad has not slept (understandably so) since things started happening yesterday. They have family surrounding them right now. And can use lots of prayer.

Ben, the surviving baby, is also in critical condition. Pray for his blood pressure to rise so that his kidneys will begin functioning. Functioning kidneys are critical to the baby’s survival. They are asking for a “BIG miracle.” Pray for Paul and Katrina that God will give them His peace and strength to make it through these difficult days.

***ORIGINAL POST***

I have a prayer request that I'd like for you to lift up tonight. A couple that goes to our church has been expecting with twins. Corbett and I visited with them a couple of times, as one of the twins was small. Another church member led us to them to share our thoughts, prayers, and experiences with them.

This mother was admitted on Wednesday to the hospital after a routine OB visit. They thought they would have to take the babies then, but they held off. However, today, we learned that the smaller baby passed away - and then they immediately delivered the other baby. This baby is 26 weeks gestation and weighed 2 lbs 4 oz. We don't know any other information than that on the baby, other than it is doing okay at this time.

We also heard that the mother is not doing well. She is in need of a liver transplant and is not recovering well. She is stable at this time, though.

My heart is heavy tonight for this family. If you would... please lift them up to God for comfort, healing, and that they may feel a blanket of encouragement through these prayers!

Thanks,

Jana

Outdoor Fun

Oh, the weather outside is frightful... I mean... BEAUTIFUL! (Guess I'm getting geared up for the holiday spirit)... after-all... have you been shopping lately? All stores have their Christmas stuff out! Crazy, isn't it! In my quest to teach my kiddos about Thanksgiving (which, yes, should be done daily) - Christmas is already bombarding us!! Don't get me wrong I LOVE CHRISTMAS! It is my favorite time of year. Corbett and I were engaged for 13 months so that we could have a Christmas wedding. However, really?? Christmas shopping, in high gear already? Nope... not me... we just decided to go on an outdoors frenzy, because the weather is BEAUTIFUL!

Here is where it begins... an earthworm (or snake, as I couldn't convince Whit otherwise!) in our driveway.

After the excitement of the earthworm viewing, we finally get on bikes ... full steam ahead!!

Oh, how we love our bikes!

First stop... "the new playground" - which they don't play on the equipment at all... there is a magnetic pull from the sand to my children's hands and feet!

Hours, upon hours of fun in the sand...

Until we find an ant bed...

But, all is good... because, there is still sand to play with! (Check out that continuous squatting by Whit... where is the PT?? She'd be so proud!)

And then it strikes... urge to potty! "Oh NO!!" (Chap's potty cry!) So, we head back home, take a potty break - and then go swing...

and slide...

A pretty fun crew!

Red Letter Days

There are days in life that are hi-lighted on the calendar of life, and they are called red letter days. The month of November holds two of those for me. The first (in this post, but not in life) is November 17, 2006. This was the day the boys were born. Their due date was January 5, 2007 - planned C-section was November 24, 2006. However, Whit wanted this day - November 17th. In the column on the left, you may see the "Fight for Preemies" campaign. November is prematurity awareness month, and March of Dimes has dubbed NOVEMBER 17th as PREEMIE DAY! Quite a special day for that red letter day! Here are our preemies...

Baby Boy A - AKA: Chap - born November 17, 2006 at 9:59 AM 4 lbs 4 oz 16 3/4 in long - in the NICU for 4 weeks - feeding and growing. He left the NICU weighing 6 lbs 4 oz.

Baby Boy B - AKA: Whit - born November 17, 2006 at 9:59 AM 1 lb 15 oz 12 in long - in the NICU 67 days (a little more than two months) - fighting to survive. He left the NICU weighing 4 lbs 13 oz.

Preemies sure hold a special place in my heart!

Now, for that other red letter day! On November 21, 2001 - Corbett asked me to marry him. In honor of that memorable day, we will be celebrating the boys' third birthday on November 21, 2009!

Two great red letter days!