Anyone need a Handy Man?

Complete with a hammer, a wrench, 2 screw drivers, pliers, and a smile... Chap is ready to face work!

Growth

Friday, we had Whit's GI appointment. I purposefully took Chap with us so that the doctor could see the size difference between Chap and Whit. However, when we got there - Chap decided to stay out in the waiting room and watch the crane "GO!" outside the huge TCH window. So, he and Ikie watched the crane, looked at fish, went through a "tunnel," and went for a walk.

All the while, Whit was being measured, weighed, blood pressure checked, etc.

His GI doctor was a little concerned about his weight - he gained nothing in 4 months, and even lost a few ounces. Generally, Whit drinks two cans of pediasure - one in the morning, and one at night. The nutritionist came in, and recommended an even higher calorie pediatric drink and wants us to give it to him three times a day! (She doesn't quite understand the stubbornness of Whit!) She gave us a few samples, and Whit gave it to my Mom on Saturday and said - "It's yuck!" SO... plan B...

The nutritionist said if that didn't work - we could add a certain amount of Carnation Instant Breakfast to his regular Pediasure to give him the caloric intake needed. So, today after naptime, we tried that. He drank it really well....actually, drained the cup! We gave him more tonight (at his request) and he drank most of it. He didn't finish it, but at least he drank some. So, maybe we're on to something here.

While we continue to boost his calories and attempt to help his growth from a nutritional standpoint, we are also going to begin the process of an Endocrinology referral to discuss possibilities from an endochrin standpoint. I did show Dr. Redel this picture so that she could see the size difference (since Chap wanted to stay with Ikie in the waiting room).

She was quick to realize they got different genes from the same gene pool. :o)

We also discussed the controversial issue of his iron deficiency. I say controversial, because the controversy lies between the doctors. She, from a health and nutritional standpoint, feels there is no need to treat his iron deficiency. However, his developmental neurologist does feel that it needs to be treated. We are scheduled for another blood draw mid-October, so hopefully his levels will be where they need to be. We did determine that it is okay to give him the vitamin with the iron in it. The iron supplement on it's own was causing him to eat nothing! When talking with the nurse with the developmental clinic, she was skeptical as to whether the iron was causing it. The GI doctor reassured me that it can cause a intestinal irritation, and when you have a kid that is hesitant to eat anyway - add that irritation to it - and it can most definitely cause eating problems.

So, our plan of action is to continue the appetite stimulant, the higher calorie Pediasure TID, continue the vitamin until we go for the updated blood draw in October to check his iron, and see an endocrinologist in the near future.

In the meantime - he'll continue playing with his trucks!

We've come a long way!

I was looking through some pictures looking for some cute ones of Maggie and Brazos and Maggie and Jack. Tomorrow is "Bring a picture of your pet" day in Kindergarten.

We had quite a selection to choose from, but here is what she chose: (She is quite proud of them!)

Maggie and Brazos

Jack and Maggie

Well, in my looking, I also found this...

Whit's first few steps of walking... he was 18 months old (He's tiny isn't he!!).

(Cell phone video quality has come a long way, too!)

We have his GI appointment this Friday. Pray for me, please. Corbett will be out of town, and I hope that I can deliver the questions and concerns that we have without fumbling my words! I kind of have the same attitude towards doctors as Whit has toward the Chick Fil-A cow! haha! Although, I do love his GI doctor - and I think it will go smoothly... However, the prayers could never hurt!!

Fancy Nancy...

Oh, I mean... "Fancy Maggie" and "Fancy Jenny"

(side note... Fancy Nancy is a children's book for beginner readers - Maggie LOVES Fancy Nancy)

Chick Fil-A Sponsored a "Sweet and Sassy" night last night, where they fixed the girls' hair, painted their nails, and even put on make-up! The girls had a wonderful time, and Maggie was quite sad we had to wash her hair to get the glitter out.

The Chick Fil-A cow was out and about, and Whit did not like it! Jingles the "clown" (clown is used losely, thankfully - otherwise we would've had to leave, I'm sure. Chick Fil-A isn't that big and with a clown and a cow... whew! Major melt-down.) Thank goodness she just had on fun clothes, but no painted face or anything. The kids were super excited to wait in a long line so she could make them balloon animals. Jenny got a ladybug, Maggie got a magic wand (to go with her princess 'do), Chap got a puppy, and Whit wanted "red!" - so she made him a red puppy.

As the "Sassy Lady" was fixing Maggie's hair - Chap said... "I don't have hair!" Right, Chap... this is a girl thing!!

The Storm

One year ago, we, in South East Texas and along the coastline, were cleaning up from Hurricane Ike. Last Sunday was the "anniversary" of when it hit. Maggie decided to wear her "I Survived Hurricane Ike" t-shirt to sleep in that night to commemorate the occasion. We all know how she vividly remembers the events of that night - lying awake with all of us (except for Ikie and Papa - who slept through the entire thing) listening to the sounds of strong wind, trees crashing, and rain. Here is a picture from that event - when the storm itself had subsided, but the clean-up storm had just begun...

Amidst the "clean-up storm" of putting pots and pans under drips - no - pouring - from the ceiling of my grandparents' home; putting tarps and blankets over my grandmother's baby grand piano; keeping the kids in one small area of the home - so that the ceiling would not fall on them; moving furniture to try to save it; working with no air condition; no lights; no feedback from the outside world; winds and rain still howling outside; and a house crumbling at our feet - My grandparents maintained such strength that I admire to this day. My grandmother's determination as she took buckets and buckets of water out into the left-over storm to dump and place it under another spot to catch more water. My grandfather's strength as he sat, listening to the sound of water hitting the pots and pans inside his house, with his little yellow steno pad - writing his "to-do" list, notes on where to start with repairs. Their calmness was amazing! Their determination was admirable! Their faith and strength was awesome!

I was recently cleaning out old emails, and I found this one from my grandmother. It was one month before the boys were born, and we were still unsure of the outcome/survival of Whit, especially - and possibly Chap. Here is what her email read...

"J"--"Jana "J J, Kirkland", Post!!!!!

Just want you to know, as I was sitting here listening to the rain on the tin roof, my thoughts came around to you and Corbett. You can be assured friends will be praying for you in the morning--as they have been all along, since they heard about the little baby. I know this is a very difficult time for you, but you know for sure and for certain, God is in this directing every move of the Dr.'s. He is at your side every minute of the day and night, giving you both the faith that you have in Him.

Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble". As you very well know, "He is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance."

Papa and I will be praying for you at the specific time of 9:30 in the morning....however, you are in my prayers, continuously!

Love, Blessings and PRAYERS

Ikie"

Ikie and Papa were (ARE) true examples of that verse. They allowed God to be their refuge and strength in the circumstances they faced. God was (IS) a very present help in trouble! He saw us through the storm and delivery of the boys, and he saw Papa and Ikie through a literal storm in their home! Thank you, Papa and Ikie, for your example of faith and endurance in troubling circumstances! And, just in case another storm is in the works... Maggie is ready! This picture was taken the other day - no rain in sight, but thunder heard at a distance!

A Big Yellow Thing

In our conversation on our way home from school, I asked Chap what they did. His favorite part of the day is "in the car line... waiting for you!" In my quest to get more information - I asked if they watched a movie. They usually put in a movie while they're getting lunches ready for the class. That is rare, because at home - they do not get much TV time. They do know Bob the Builder (but their favorite part of that is the intro song where the tractors and four-wheelers race around - we sometimes just play that a few times and call it done!). I digress...

Anyway, Chap informed me that they watched Elmo today. He does know Elmo. It rained on Elmo! (They also made and painted a raindrop - so it was with a theme.) Clever for today's weather - as we got some much needed rain, and on one occassion, I was caught in a down-pour without an umbrella! I digress again!

So, in our conversation about Elmo - Chap says - "There was a big yellow thing on Elmo!" Ha! Big Bird! Maybe we do need to watch a little more TV - Big Bird is an oldie and a staple!

Whit's explanation of the day: I not have Meaghan! (His physical therapist needed to cancel today, so he got a break!) He starts OT tomorrow!

Up Close and Personal...

Twins...

The other day, Whit knocked down a wooden growth chart that hangs in our hallway between the boys' room and Maggie's room. Luckily, it didn't hit him - but I called him over to me. Chap immediately ran over to him, put his arm around him and started protecting him.... "He was just putting his socks up!" "He not in trouble!" Chap was protecting him!

Chap's teacher at school also told me that he really takes care of Whit at school. Although, she did tell me the other day - that Whit got pushed by another little girl, and Chap started crying! Okay... that's taking it a little too far, but that "twin thing" is pretty amazing! They have an amazing bond - with COMPLETE different personalities!

(example... Whit isn't the "lovey-dovey" type!)

Language EXPLOSION

Yes, we're still here - and are surviving our first weeks of school and busy schedules! It is sometimes a struggle to make it to bed by 8 or 8:30, but we're getting into that routine. Maggie figured out real quickly after the first week of school, that it wasn't all it was cracked up to be! She says PE is boring, and her favorite time of school is Library day and recess! She has been asking alot of questions about why she has to go to school, and what happens if she doesn't. I think she has finally conceded and realized she has to go - so she may as well have fun doing it. It is soooo hard getting information out of her about school. It is like pulling teeth! She has four imaginary friends (whom she has had since she was about 2!). She LOVES telling stories about them!! We were on story number three on our way home from her Wednesday night choir, and I finally said... "OK, Maggie. I love hearing your pretend stories about your friends - but I want a REAL story about school!" So, I finally got a school story - but it didn't come without a sigh!!

So, while I have to question and question Maggie about school, here is a flip side of that... Chap and Whit loaded up in the car today. As soon as we got settled and were on our way out, I asked... "How was school, boys? What did you do?" From the back of the car, it did NOT sound as if a 2 year old was telling me!!! Here is what I heard.... "I din't eat my chips at lunch. I cried cus I want you. We played on the playground and We watched a movie." What movie? "With bus - the wheels go round and round, and horn goes beep beep, and babies!" "Then, we sit and wait for you!" WHOA!! Did Chap just really say all of that? The one who really HATES being dropped off at school? I guess it can't be that bad!

There has been another explosion... A little different - but EXPLOSIVE nonetheless! Whit has been in physical therapy twice a week for about 3 1/2 weeks, now. He is making nice progress!! His range of motion is getting better, and she is really pleased with his leg strength. He still shows alot of weakness in his trunk area, and he does not like to work hard at something he can't do. She is working on that with him, and it is getting better. Yesterday, she said he talked more than she'd ever heard him talk. The therapy sessions before consisted of him saying NOTHING! She was trying to get him engaged in one activity, and he immediately said... "I not do dat big ball!" She tried to talk him into it, but he was pretty adamant about not wanting to do it. She said he was so cute with it, she didn't make him. They'll try again tomorrow! She had a hard time understanding most of what was said, but was thrilled that he was saying more to her! AND HE IS!! In the last several weeks, he has just astonished us with his thoughts and sentences. Before, he was all rote/repetition - saying whatever Maggie or Chap said. But, he has really started spontaneously saying things on his own and is daily amazing me with his vocabulary. He still has a ways to go, but I am loving the improvement I am seeing!! We should be hearing from the occupational therapist within the next week or so to start up his therapy with her! Keep the explosives coming!!