We're studying detectives in school and made "disguises" today. These pictures just cracked me up! Especially Nathan in the "wigs".
1/31/08
Pictures from today
Here's Timothy in his crib for the first time (he's been sleeping in the bassinet/bouncy).
1/17/08
Volunteers?
So, here we are -- there's a new Steven Curtis Chapman CD out, right? Checked his fall tour dates and he didn't come to Columbus so I anxiously awaited the release of the spring tour dates. That he wasn't coming in the fall was a good thing with me being pregnant so I was happy about that. First list of spring tour dates said he would be in Grove City on 3/7/08 and I was very excited about that. But, alas, the 3/7 tour date has been changed from Grove City to Cincinnati. I couldn't believe that he wouldn't stop in Columbus at some point on the tour and then I noticed that he was filling in for MercyMe for 2 stops on the Winter Jam tour. Only 2 dates that he needed to fill in for them and 1 of those dates just had to be the 1/25 stop of the Winter Jam tour in Columbus. Jonathan & I went to Winter Jam last year and I said we'd never go back -- we're WAY too old for that crowd -- a bunch of hormone-charged teenagers (that thoroughly enjoyed the fact that SCC brought his teenage sons' band with him as his back-up band)! Yes, there were other people our age there (and older) but for the majority of the concert, we felt like we stuck out like sore thumbs. In case you aren't familiar with what Winter Jam is, WJ is a night of multiple artists. Last year, SCC was 1 of the main attractions along with Jeremy Camp, who we also like. The good news is that the main events get the longest time on stage. The bad news is the main attractions are saved until the end. SCC didn't even come on stage until 10:00. We ended up leaving at 11-something and Jeremy Camp was only 2 songs into his set. Last year, there was also Sanctus Real which was okay for us. But then there was Hawk Nelson and the girls really went wild for that group. They were kinda what you'd call "punk rockers". Have you ever seen the animated movie Cars? Remember the "twin" cars that scream "We love you, Lightning" in the movie? There was a group of girls right behind us that kept yelling "We love you, Hawk Nelson" the entire 30-minutes they were on stage. Anyway, for this year, we definately like MercyMe and SCC, of course, but other than those 2 (the main attractions = the end of the night), there's only one other group we've heard of and that's Barlow Girl who we also like. There's a motorcycle stunt group going to be there and several groups we've never heard of, one group seriously looks like three 10-year-olds. So, here's our dilema -- grin and bear it through Winter Jam? No, I don't think I'm up for it even if SCC is going to be there. We could definatley go to the 3/7 show in Cincinnati but we'd need a baby-sitter ready to be here most of the night 'cause we probably wouldn't be back until after midnight with a 7:00 show. Any volunteers? =) (I'm only half kidding!)
Moving on, Kevin did okay during surgery and seems to be doing well. Mom & Dad made it home but the dealership still can't get their brand new car fixed. They've officially filed a complaint with Ford, asking for either their contract to be nullified or for a new vehicle. We'll see how that goes. Timothy went for his one month check-up on Monday and weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces! The doctor even said we could take him out to church but with caution but by yesterday, he started showing signs of getting another cold. He's doing okay today but with the temperatures going to be so low this weekend and with the fact that John has a runny nose, too, I doubt we'll be going to church on Sunday. Right now, though, I'm just happy that he's not having the apnea spells he was having on Christmas Eve that landed him in the hospital. Timothy is scheduled to see the general surgeon on 2/12 for a consultation on his circumcision. With the bruising after birth and then the jaundice and then the RSV, the doctor has never felt comfortable doing that until now. Hopefully, he'll be well enough to get it done in February.
Moving on, Kevin did okay during surgery and seems to be doing well. Mom & Dad made it home but the dealership still can't get their brand new car fixed. They've officially filed a complaint with Ford, asking for either their contract to be nullified or for a new vehicle. We'll see how that goes. Timothy went for his one month check-up on Monday and weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces! The doctor even said we could take him out to church but with caution but by yesterday, he started showing signs of getting another cold. He's doing okay today but with the temperatures going to be so low this weekend and with the fact that John has a runny nose, too, I doubt we'll be going to church on Sunday. Right now, though, I'm just happy that he's not having the apnea spells he was having on Christmas Eve that landed him in the hospital. Timothy is scheduled to see the general surgeon on 2/12 for a consultation on his circumcision. With the bruising after birth and then the jaundice and then the RSV, the doctor has never felt comfortable doing that until now. Hopefully, he'll be well enough to get it done in February.
1/15/08
Kevin
...is having surgery today at 3 PM in Knoxville, TN to remove his gall bladder. (He's my brother, in case you didn't know.) My parents called on Saturday so excited that they were able to buy a brand new vehicle which they really needed. Their monthly payments only went up a little bit and, with only 3 payments or so left on their current car, they were going to be able to keep it to drive around town and stuff. Well, on the way to Kevin's yesterday to be there for surgery, their brand-new car broke down! Can you believe that? Anyway, the dealer put them in a rental so they could get to Kevin's and are fixing what they believe is a defective alternator. But, still, of all the times....So, please pray for my family today as my parents will only be able to be there until Kevin is out of recovery and will have to drive back home to SC because my Mom has to work tomorrow. Pray for Kevin's safety and speedy recovery and for his family during this time -- his wife, Heather, and their 2 little girls -- Madisyn is 4 and Olivia is 2.
Thanks!
Thanks!
1/12/08
Perspective
[Warning -- this post will irritate some people. But I'm honestly not trying to be rude or disrespectful.]
I've had people -- family, friends, and complete strangers alike, ask me what our plans for the future are (meaning, do we intend to stop having children). While that question and all the different ways of asking it drives me absolutely insane and sometimes even angry, I'll admit to thinking a lot lately like everyone else does. "After all you've been through, surely you're not going to consider having more", they say. No, not just like that but lots of people have used that first line -- "After all you've been through...." Let's stop for a minute and consider all I've been through. Difficult pregnancy? Sure, I guess so. Diabetes was a little out of control this time although not as bad as it has been. But who's fault was that? Yes, some of it is out of my control but when I went on eating just the same as I always had (which is not a good thing), then I guess I can't really say it was a difficult pregnancy from that perspective. What about pain? Yes, it's true that being pregnant gets a little more difficult each time I get pregnant which is true for all women who have multiple children -- back hurts a little more, hands hurt a little more (carpal tunnel syndrome -- although it stayed about the same this time), and hips hurt a little more because they start to seperate early. And then there was that mystery pain on my left side but I believe God heard and answered the prayers of His people who were praying for my relief this time as I only battled that pain here and there. It was not a constant pain like it was with John's pregnancy. Difficult delivery? Not in the slightest! That was the easy part! Sure, it wasn't good that he was born early but that, too, was out of my control BUT NOT OUT OF THE HANDS OF GOD!! God ordained December 6, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. for the birth of Timothy Paul long before any of us knew he was coming. Difficult recovery? Sure -- it was a little more painful this time but I still had the ability to get up and get going like I usually do although I regret that this time. Getting active again proved helpful when Timothy was in the hospital but my body gave me clear signs that I did way too much this time and should have been taking it easy. As things were, I don't feel like I had the chance to recover from delivery. But, that's neither here nor there now. It's done. It's in the past. Sure, Timothy is still sick and no, I don't wish pain and suffering on my little one like he's already endured but, again, the jaundice, the failed hearing tests, and the RSV have all been out of my control but not hopeless! Now, don't read this and think "Oh, she's lost it" or "Oh, she's not listened to anything anyone's had to tell her" or "She's suffering from a serious lack of common sense". I'm not writing this post to annouce to the world that we're not using birth control (although we aren't in the common way that many think of b/c; but we believe not using typical b/c is what God has called us to do and that's not a decision we have taken or are taking lightly). I'm writing this because I've been challenged this week in 2 big ways -- I got into a discussion with some ladies at a baby shower Thursday night that reminded me that thinking "Oh, I've been through so much. I don't want to have to go through this again." is selfish and wrong. Where's the faith in that? Does God not promise that He will provide? Does God not promise that, if we wait on Him, we will run and not be weary, that we will walk and not faint? If having another baby is really that BAD of an idea, meaning more physical pain or even harm to me or an unborn baby, do you not think God can handle that situation? If He can open the wombs of Rachel, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary (just to name a few), He can certainly protect me and any unborn child from a harmful pregnancy, delivery, or recovery. And think about the outcome -- another treasure, another gift, another life. [But -- I just have to say, as a human, how much it hurts to hear people accuse us of not using our common sense. We're not idiots although we are very capable of mistakes. We only want to do what's God honoring, what will (hopefully) cause others to look to Him when they hear our story.] Anyway, the 2nd challenge this week -- go read this blog: http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/ Go back 3 pages and start at the beginning of December and read backwards. Did God make a mistake in this family by allowing a woman with cystic fibrosis to get pregnant? Absolutely not! God is not capable of mistakes and He alone is the Giver of life. If this man can trust in God as He clearly does, when his wife and child may not even survive, then how selfish is it of me to say "God I don't trust you. If I don't use birth control of some sort, I might get pregnant again and go through this horrible ordeal all over again and I don't want that"? Compared to what this family is going through, I've been for a walk in the park on a beautiful day. And I hope this post doesn't sound like a rant or that I'm lashing out at certain people because I'm not. I say all this to say that I'm thankful for the gifts of my children (whether Timothy is the last one or not -- and I'm truly okay either way) and that I'm trusting in the God who created the universe and who breathes life into every child that's ever been conceived for my provision, my protection, and my future. I'm thankful that, while I've had to endure some hardships, I have not suffered nearly as much as this couple has suffered (and many others like them, I'm sure). To God alone be the glory forever and ever....amen!
I've had people -- family, friends, and complete strangers alike, ask me what our plans for the future are (meaning, do we intend to stop having children). While that question and all the different ways of asking it drives me absolutely insane and sometimes even angry, I'll admit to thinking a lot lately like everyone else does. "After all you've been through, surely you're not going to consider having more", they say. No, not just like that but lots of people have used that first line -- "After all you've been through...." Let's stop for a minute and consider all I've been through. Difficult pregnancy? Sure, I guess so. Diabetes was a little out of control this time although not as bad as it has been. But who's fault was that? Yes, some of it is out of my control but when I went on eating just the same as I always had (which is not a good thing), then I guess I can't really say it was a difficult pregnancy from that perspective. What about pain? Yes, it's true that being pregnant gets a little more difficult each time I get pregnant which is true for all women who have multiple children -- back hurts a little more, hands hurt a little more (carpal tunnel syndrome -- although it stayed about the same this time), and hips hurt a little more because they start to seperate early. And then there was that mystery pain on my left side but I believe God heard and answered the prayers of His people who were praying for my relief this time as I only battled that pain here and there. It was not a constant pain like it was with John's pregnancy. Difficult delivery? Not in the slightest! That was the easy part! Sure, it wasn't good that he was born early but that, too, was out of my control BUT NOT OUT OF THE HANDS OF GOD!! God ordained December 6, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. for the birth of Timothy Paul long before any of us knew he was coming. Difficult recovery? Sure -- it was a little more painful this time but I still had the ability to get up and get going like I usually do although I regret that this time. Getting active again proved helpful when Timothy was in the hospital but my body gave me clear signs that I did way too much this time and should have been taking it easy. As things were, I don't feel like I had the chance to recover from delivery. But, that's neither here nor there now. It's done. It's in the past. Sure, Timothy is still sick and no, I don't wish pain and suffering on my little one like he's already endured but, again, the jaundice, the failed hearing tests, and the RSV have all been out of my control but not hopeless! Now, don't read this and think "Oh, she's lost it" or "Oh, she's not listened to anything anyone's had to tell her" or "She's suffering from a serious lack of common sense". I'm not writing this post to annouce to the world that we're not using birth control (although we aren't in the common way that many think of b/c; but we believe not using typical b/c is what God has called us to do and that's not a decision we have taken or are taking lightly). I'm writing this because I've been challenged this week in 2 big ways -- I got into a discussion with some ladies at a baby shower Thursday night that reminded me that thinking "Oh, I've been through so much. I don't want to have to go through this again." is selfish and wrong. Where's the faith in that? Does God not promise that He will provide? Does God not promise that, if we wait on Him, we will run and not be weary, that we will walk and not faint? If having another baby is really that BAD of an idea, meaning more physical pain or even harm to me or an unborn baby, do you not think God can handle that situation? If He can open the wombs of Rachel, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary (just to name a few), He can certainly protect me and any unborn child from a harmful pregnancy, delivery, or recovery. And think about the outcome -- another treasure, another gift, another life. [But -- I just have to say, as a human, how much it hurts to hear people accuse us of not using our common sense. We're not idiots although we are very capable of mistakes. We only want to do what's God honoring, what will (hopefully) cause others to look to Him when they hear our story.] Anyway, the 2nd challenge this week -- go read this blog: http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/ Go back 3 pages and start at the beginning of December and read backwards. Did God make a mistake in this family by allowing a woman with cystic fibrosis to get pregnant? Absolutely not! God is not capable of mistakes and He alone is the Giver of life. If this man can trust in God as He clearly does, when his wife and child may not even survive, then how selfish is it of me to say "God I don't trust you. If I don't use birth control of some sort, I might get pregnant again and go through this horrible ordeal all over again and I don't want that"? Compared to what this family is going through, I've been for a walk in the park on a beautiful day. And I hope this post doesn't sound like a rant or that I'm lashing out at certain people because I'm not. I say all this to say that I'm thankful for the gifts of my children (whether Timothy is the last one or not -- and I'm truly okay either way) and that I'm trusting in the God who created the universe and who breathes life into every child that's ever been conceived for my provision, my protection, and my future. I'm thankful that, while I've had to endure some hardships, I have not suffered nearly as much as this couple has suffered (and many others like them, I'm sure). To God alone be the glory forever and ever....amen!
1/7/08
1 month
Timothy was one month old yesterday!! (Which was my original due date, btw.) Here's 2 pictures of our little guy. He's all dressed up to support the Bucks today!!
Go
Buckeyes!
1/3/08
Hearing
Yesterday was our hearing test. The first test they did showed that his ear drums were not moving at all which means that there is too much fluid in there for them to work properly. The other test did indicate that his right ear can hear perfectly normal. However, there is mild to moderate hearing loss on his left side. The audiologist says that it is most likely related to the fluid in there and that the only way to know for sure is give it time to let the fluid clear up and then retest him. They suggested 6-8 weeks for the retest but we have to see the pediatrician first and discuss this first test results and talk about possibly putting him on a decongestant to help speed things up. According to the audiologist, if this is not related to the fluid, meaning he has permanent hearing loss, since he has one good ear, he'll be able to develop his speech and language normally but may need some help along the lines of a hearing aid in that ear as he gets older. She said most kids with one good ear don't usually need help until the start school and get into "noisy classrooms". I told her we homeschool and she said that we never know, we may not need anything extra to aid his hearing at all. That, of course, is all speculation until we know for sure what we're up against after the retest which I anticipate being mid-to-late March.
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