Chipley Chatter: Update 1/25

Busy, busy, busy - that word best describes our world lately. But oh, how extremely HAPPY are we!

Hunter has been growing and eating really well. I took him in for another weight check on Monday and he weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. Jaundice is no longer a threat, either. Nursing has been going really well, but a lot of work. Definitely the right decison for us. After having such a demanding feeding routine with Madison being a preemie, I debated even nursing Hunter or going right to the bottle. Personally, it would not have been right for me if I never even tried it with him. But, we've persevered and I'm so glad we've stuck with it. He is so strong. He has great head and neck control. He lifts up his head all the time. And, while laying on his belly, he can even lift his chest off the floor using his arms. Madison had good neck/head control, but I've never seen an almost two week old do this. He definitely is a Mama's boy already, so Mark says. He likes to be held by Mama and is quickly contented. He has a high pitched squeal and makes baby noises all the time. He doesn't like to be cold and hates whenever he gets his diaper changed, poor thing. He is pretty content most of the time. He's been doing well during the nights, going 4-5 hours now between feedings, which gives me more sleep!

Madison is doing well, also. She is very sweet with her brother and gives him a good morning kiss each morning, even before giving Mommy a kiss! She gives him a diaper and paci sometimes (yes, we've caved in with the paci a few times). She is talking up a storm now. She reads her books to all of us throughout the day. She is eating a lot more new foods. She is building towers with her blocks and they are becoming more elaborate. For example, she can build a tower 4 blocks wide and 20 block high. Her small motor skills are really good, so her teacher says. She can hold a crayon between her thumb and pointer finger, even, rather than just "fisting" it. Her favorite activity is still playing outside, with her second favorite activity being art. She also loves to rearrange our furniture - our chairs around the table or our bar stools. She is very active, climbing, running, jumping - you name it. And she loves to carry large items around...luggage, purses, boxes, anything she can get her hands on. My Dad bought her some new jewelry from Disneyland and those are her new favorite items. She is very fancy! Because the number of infants with whooping cough, flu, and RSV is higher this season than any other in the past (it's been all over the news here, too), our Pedi has recommended we keep Madison out of Mother's Day Out through February, to protect Hunter's health. We've all goten our Tdap shot (I got mine before I even left the hospital!) and flu shot as well.

We've been having a fabulous time with my Mom here. She's been so much help! I can't imagine this time without her here. She's helped so much with Madison while I can focus on the new baby. We've enjoyed getting out to do some shopping as well. My dad has taken some time off of work in between business trips and flew in yesterday to visit us for a week! We're really excited about this, since we only get to see him a couple times a year. And, this is his first time to visit our house since we've moved. We'll celebrate his birthday on Tuesday, and then have an early celebration for my birthday which is next Monday. Oh, the best birthday gift? I now fit back into my pre-pregnancy pants and jeans! Only 10 more pounds to lose. Someday. :)

Before I forget, I want to thank all of the BCC parents who so kindly sent gifts along with my Mom to bring to Madison and Hunter! We had our own shower here when my mom arrived and opened her suitcase! It was awesome to feel your support and love during the pregnancy and we so appreciate your kindness in these wonderful gifts!!!

We have a busy week coming up...Madison and Hunter both have a Pedi well-visit tomorrow (2 week and 18 month) and Hunter has a 2 week check-up at the hospital (routine practice here). I have an appointment at the OB/GYN on Tuesday, where I hope to determine what to do about this left-in cerclage. I'll post more after the kids checkup tomorrow!

Yesterday was the one of the best days of my life. Nothing major happened, no special event. It was fairly simple, actually. Mark, Madison, Hunter and myself were in the middle of the living room floor playing together while music was playing in the background and the sun was shining outside. Our whole family was together, enjoying every minute. We were laughing at all the things our kids were doing - hilarious to us, probably not so funny to anyone else besides us. In the middle of it all, I just found myself smiling and thinking of all the many miracles that have happened in just the last two years...
- Madison's conception via IVF
- Her survival at week 23 gestation
- Her growth through week 35 gestation
- Discovering her IUGR (growth restriction) before fetal demise would have taken place within 24 hrs.
- Survival in her first few days of life, healing of her lungs, and 2 weeks in the NICU
- Hunter's natural conception
- His survival at week 26 gestation
- His growth through week 38 1/2
- My healing and being able to keep Hunter in utero during 8 weeks in the hospital
- Hunter born a healthy baby
- My close call on the operating table and healing of my body

It's been so much work and has taken a lot of patience. But we never gave up. But no matter how hard we worked at it, or how many doctors we saw, none of this would have happened without the healing hands of God. He deserves all the glory and praise. I will forever be thankful. We trusted in Him and He was faithful to us, answering all of our (including all the blog readers!) prayers!

Papa and Madison playing outside