Feeling Better

Kyle got his first ear infection this past weekend. It was bound to happen especially since he is one of my children. Hopefully he won't have them as frequently as his sisters. So far nothing has moved into his chest so hopefully he will avoid that. He was pretty miserable for a couple of days but he is feeling better today and here are the pictures to prove it. He gives the best smiles with the cutest little sounds. It is so hard to catch one but this is the best one yet. He was also pretty chatty this afternoon. Enjoy!

Snow Day

The girls prayers have finally been answered. It is the middle of January and we have had our first real snow. It was a good day for it too because Emma had a day off from school so the girls had a great time playing outside together. They had a great time playing together making snowballs, snowmen, and snow angels. Their mom was way too cold to get more that this picture but at least it was a cute one!

This picture is just a random one of Kyle that I had to share. Don't think that I am a mean mom I just can't get over his pouty lip. He is a REALLY happy baby but when he wants to he can really get some sympathy when he sticks out that bottom lip. What am I going to do when he gets a little older and really starts to turn it on??? I won't be able to resist giving in to his every request.

Losing More Teeth

Emma lost another tooth last week. It had been loose for a while and while eating a pear at lunch it got really loose and pretty bloody. The school nurse pulled it out for her. It was one of the bottom side teeth which has made biting hard things a little tricky for Emma since that is how she has been eating apples for the last two years. It is a good thing that her top front teeth are starting to grow in but it is going to take some practice before she remembers she can use the front ones.

Kyle's Stats

Yesterday Kyle went to see his doctor for his four month visit and shots. His doctor is very pleased with his progress. He weighed 11lbs 11oz which is in the 2nd percentile and is 24 inches long which is the 12th percentile. His doctor uses the regular growth charts which makes him seem small but he really is growing well. At two months he was no where near any percentile so we are pleased with the progress. His pulmonologist is resuming his weaning protocol which means that he can go back to being off his oxygen twice a day for an hour. We had to stop this over Christmas vacation when his reflux got really bad but he seems a lot more comfortable with some changes in his medication so hopefully the weaning will go better this time. I have had a lot of people ask me how long he will be on oxygen and the truth is we just don't know. Kyle has bronchopulmonary dysplasia which pretty much means that when he was born his lungs were way too immature and so he was put on a ventilator. Although he needed the vent to survive it also caused damage to his lungs. (If you want more info you can click here ) Most kids outgrow the need for oxygen sometime in the first year of life. Kyle has great doctors and we know that he will have no physical limitations in life. We are so grateful for the progress he has made and look forward to so much more.

Tube Free...for a minute.

Yesterday Kyle yanked his cannula of his face. He is finding his hands so I expect this to become a more common occurrence. We took the opportunity to take some pictures of those cute cheeks totally unobstructed. I did not think that he could get any cuter but as you can see I was wrong.

4 Months Already!

My little man is 4 months old! He is such a joy to be around. Trevor and I were talking last night about where we were four months ago and the reality of the miracle Kyle's life is hit me all over again. All of the feelings of fear, hope, dread, devastation, joy and mostly peace came back again. I know without any doubt that the Lord's hand is constantly at work in Kyle's life and I am privileged to be his mother. I read a quote on someones blog yesterday that expressed so well the experiences we have had over the last 9 months. It said "So we had a few set backs this week. But we also realize that is part of the deal. If it were all easy then it wouldn’t be a trial of faith. If everything always went as planned then there wouldn’t be room for any miracles."(If you want to check out an amazing bog click here) I KNOW miracles happen because I get to look at one every day and I am learning to expect miracles from a loving Heavenly Father.Kyle has started to smile for real. It melts my heart when he looks at me and smiles. It is so nice to see recognition in he eyes and feel so much love.

Here is the little guy doing his exercises. He has a OT that comes once and week to help him with some developmental milestones. Here he is working on strengthening his neck muscles and turning his head to the left. It really is hard work for him but he is a good sport about it all.

I caught a big grin today. He really is a very content little fellow.

Sorry about the funny angle but it is tough to get him to smile and take a picture at the same time.

Just hanging out. He continues to have some pretty tough struggles but we have once again experienced miracles. Through much pray and fasting he has been able to avoid surgery and seems much more comfortable with his new medication routine. He has every right to be the crankiest baby in the world but he is anything but. I LOVE MY LITTLE MAN!

Happy Birthday Abby!

How have four years already gone by??? Abby at about 6 months...the only time in her life that she was ever chubby.

First birthday where she ate leftover wedding cake.

Two years old. She really started to blossom with our move to Philly and being around lots of little kids.

Three years old and such a cutie.

Yesterday we celebrated with some friends. Abby has a hard time keeping her eyes open for pictures lately (it is a family trait)

Some of Abby's friends helping her celebrate.

When we asked Abby what she wanted to eat for her birthday she said "cupcakes and...BACON" we added in some waffles with strawberries and whipped cream and she was happy.

Abby on present overload. It is tough having a birthday the week after Christmas. It does make it easy on her parents because she is so easy to please.

Cool present from Idaho Grandparents...great quiet book for church.

Magnetic dress up dolls names Emma and Abby.

Paper and washable markers for my little destructive artist.

What a cute four year old!

I finally broke down and bought some more play dough and Abby was in heaven. She played with it for a whole hour and it was the first thing she wanted to play with when she got up this morning.

Abby was SOOOO good at sharing her toys with Emma. They are great friends. We are so blessed to have our sweet Abby. We love her bunches.