Heart Update

Nathan went for his follow-up ultrasound at the cardiologist today and he is perfect!!!  His chamber is not confused anymore and his hole has fixed itself!!  YAY!!!

9 months

Nathan went for his 9 month check up and shots yesterday, a few weeks early since his doctor will be gone when he turns 9 months.  He is weighing in at 18.1 pounds (10-25th %),  28 inches tall (50th%), and his head circumference is 45 cm (50th%).  

kissed by a smurf!

When I came home from grocery shopping, I put Nathan on the floor in the living room while I carried bags in and put food away. When I finished getting everything put away I went to find Nathan who crawled into his and Tommy's bedroom and managed to find a neon blue crayola supposedly washable marker, get the lid off of it and color blue on his face, legs, and hands! Luckily it wasn't on anything but him!

Nathan found the marker under Tommy's bed AND got the lid off by himself! Tommy did not do it or help Nathan color himself! Tommy was helping me carry and put away groceries!

Not so washable Crayola!!

Gabe

2010 Gabe flowers

5 red roses for Keith, Jennifer, David, Tommy & Nathan and 1 white rose for Gabe

Gabe's hand/foot prints

Four years!! I can not believe it has been four years since we lost baby Gabe. There are some days it seems like just yesterday and other days that it seems like forever ago. Every year this day is hard and emotional time for me. I still have times that I break down and allow myself to feel the emotions from the experience. But, I think that is good. It helps me. Sitting here today, I am emotional, as I look at pictures, watch ultrasound dvds, listen to Gabe's song, and touch his blanket and I am ok with that. He was and always will be my baby.

What a life changing experience for our family though! Feelings of loss, sorrow, concern and yes, gratitude fill our hearts this year. It has taken me a while to understand and truly be greatful for my experience with Gabe. How greatful I am that we had family that was able to help and be with us, both taking care of David and staying with me at the hospital while Keith was running back and forth. Greatful for the strength and comfort of the Spirit through prayer and priesthood blessings. Greatful for parents and church leaders who came to be with us and knew just what to say and what we needed. Greatful for my doctor who validated my concerns that weekend and knew just who and what I needed and came and spent the night in the ER with us, and the perinatologist that he called in that came into the ER in the middle of the night in her evening gown.

Thankful that Spring Valley didn't have what they needed to put me into labor and I had to go to Southern Hills the next day where it was more quiet and peaceful and I wouldn't have to be surrounded by so many mothers and newborn babies.Thankful for my mom who encouraged me to hold Gabe, knowing how hard it would be for me to do but knowing that if I didn't I would regret it. Thankful for my visiting teacher who had a very similar situation and knew what I needed.

. I am grateful that we were able to have Gabe and for all of the lessons that his birth and death taught us.

Gabe's hands

defiance

I love Tommy! He is my special baby, that I needed after we lost Gabe. Having him made it a little easier to make it through that part of my life. But oh my gosh!!! This kid definetly keeps me on my toes! He is the only one of my boys to have multiple broken bones, emergency surgery, allergies that required ambulance rides to the hospital and so many other exciting adventures. He has gotten to be pretty defiant as a 3 year old. He refuses to use the toilet if you suggest it, but if it is his idea its the best ever! That is kindof how it goes with anything, if I suggest it, there is usually a major tantrum that goes along with him yelling no, but if it is his idea....he's a genius and its the best idea ever! He wears his pajama shirt all day because he likes the picture/design on it, he won't wear socks cause they hurt his feet, he has to run cause his shoes make him to fast. This week we were driving on 215 and he had his window down in the car. He had taken his shoes and socks off almost immediately once we started driving because that is what Tommy does. He had a hotwheel in his hand that he was putting out of the window playing with, I told him to keep it in the car because we don't want it to accidently fall out of the car, he brought it back in. Then he took his shoe and held it by the velcro strap and stuck it out the window... it flapped in the breeze long enough for me to tell him to put it back in the car before he dropped the velcro strap and lost his shoe!! I didn't go back for it, and he cried the rest of the trip. He can be such a sweet little boy sometimes, but man he can be a defiant little stinker!!