Our Little Reindeer

A Busy Week

Wow! I can't believe it's Monday already. Last week went by so quickly. Here's a little update on our week.

Monday & Tuesday- We stayed home since it was so cold and the roads were pretty slick. Theo got sick and threw up two times on Tuesday night. Poor baby! He didn't seem like himself all day and wasn't very cheerful.

Wednesday-Theo didn't throw up today, but I could tell that he still didn't feel the best. He refused to eat anything except nursing.

Thursday- Trevor had his preschool Christmas party. It was so cute to see all the little kiddos singing their songs with their reindeer hats. Trevor did well and knew most of the words to the songs. He wasn't afraid of Santa which is a first. The past 3 years Santa has not been his favorite. He sat right on his lap, smiled, and of course told him what he wants for Christmas. I think he's got this Santa thing figured out now. At the end of the program while I was holding Theo standing up towards the back of the room, Theo decides to throw up again. Luckily it was almost over so we just waited in the car for Trevor and Travis. I think his stomach was just not settled yet and he got too hot because he did fine for the rest of the day.

In the afternoon, I had to go to the dentist to get my tooth filled or so I thought. It has been hurting pretty bad off and on since before Thanksgiving. They couldn't fit me in until today to fill it so I was relieved to be getting something done. But then I found out that it had abscessed so I'm going to Ottawa to get it pulled on Monday. Not the news I was expecting, but oh well!

We then went back to my parents house to hang out. Travis watched the boys while I went to my niece and nephew's choir concert. They are in Singers and did a great job. And we decided to top it all off with Leah's 16th Birthday party. Oh, yeah, it was Travis's and my anniversary too! As my sister puts it, sounds like a rockin anniversary!

Friday-We decided to stay over on Thursday night at my parents because Trevor had a movie party for preschool at 9:00 am. After his movie party we traveled to Lawrence for an all afternoon and evening shopping day. We were exhausted by the time we got home, but at least it was a huge success. I think we only have one gift left to buy now. Yeah!

So after a week like this we decided to stay home and rest on Saturday and Sunday. I went to church by myself on Sunday because Trevor has now developed a cough. Theo has had a slight cold most of the week. Please pray that they both get better soon and don't pass their bugs around to one another.

So today (Monday) I get to look forward to getting my tooth pulled this afternoon. At least I should be feeling better by Christmas!

Letter to Santa

A couple of weeks ago Trevor told me what he wanted to write to Santa as I wrote. So here's his letter.

Dear Santa,
I have been good. I have been a nice brother. For Christmas, I would like Crunch the Kentrosaurus, Shreds and Slash, and a swimming humpback whale.

Please bring my brother Theo a Stegosaurus. He has been good too. Please bring my mommy a roof for our new house. Please bring my daddy a new truck that's green and blue. Please bring my dogs and cats a new toy. Please bring my turtles some food.

Don't forget the cookies and Sprite.

Love,
Trevor

The funny thing is that Trevor remembers everything about this letter. Santa came to his preschool Christmas party and brought him some really cool toys, but not what he asked for. Trevor said, I thought Santa was going to bring me Crunch, Shreds and Slash, and a whale. Kids remember everything. I just wish my memory were that good!

A Fun Day

We had a fun day on Sunday. We all went to church, no masks this time. In the afternoon my sister Lori came to watch Theo so the rest of us could go to our church's Advent workshop. I was leading an angel craft with hot glue so I knew Theo would be way too helpful plus I didn't want him to be around a bunch of kiddos. Trevor had so much fun making his crafts. He's getting so big!

Travis and I enjoyed helping Trevor and the other kids. It brought me back to the wonderful memories of the Advent workshops growing up. Lori said Theo and her were silent most of the time. If she didn't talk she said he did better. Theo loves his Aunt Lori, but he is super attached to mommy right now basically 24/7. So the fact that he only cried for about 10 minutes is a miracle. Thanks Aunt Lori!

We didn't enjoy the 40 degree drop in temperature and the pelting sleet though. I'm ready for spring already!

Trevor Entertaining Theo

I'm trying out this picture posting thing. This is a funny picture of Trevor trying to make Theo laugh from shortly after we brought Theo home. You can tell Theo is not too impressed yet! Trevor had to wear one of Theo's hats so he could be just like his baby brother. Such sweet brothers!

Silent Night--I Don't Think So!

Well last night Theo definitely lived up to his new Christmas shirt- Silent Night--I Don't Think So! I can't even count the number of times that he got up. He would go back to sleep pretty easily, but not for long. He's got a little cold and his nose seemed to be bothering him during the night. It doesn't seem to bother him during the day. Of course now he's sleeping peacefully on my lap while I type this. I'm exhausted, but I'm getting used to the no sleep thing lately. At least Trevor only got up once to find his daddy to sleep with him on the couch.

We had our first big snow on Tuesday. Luckily Daddy had planned to go with us to preschool that day because the roads were slick on our way back and forth. We had a fun evening going to the Coltrane's house for our Bible Study supper.

Please pray for Theo to get over this cold quickly. Thanks!

Power Rangers in Church?!

Yes, yesterday there was a Power Ranger at church! It just happened to be our son Trevor. On Saturday night Trevor's cute little friend Julianna gave him a Power Ranger mask and gloves that she had bought at a flea market. Many of you also know that Trevor can be somewhat of a nightowl. Trevor didn't go to sleep until after 1:00 am on Saturday night. So we didn't chance arguing with him when he wanted to wear his new Power Ranger getup to church. Luckily, everyone is used to it with our family. Trevor has been seen at church sporting his mud boots, various gloves, multiple dinosaur masks, a monkey mask, and now a Power Ranger! They just laugh at us when we enter which is usually a minute or 2 late. I figure it's a good laugh for everyone, and something to remind Trevor of when he's a teenager and embarrassed of us!!

Theo was being rather vocal in church yesterday! He has started this new yelling thing. He is so excited to hear his own voice and so are we, most of the time! Theo also learned another new skill today--chewing on his tongue. But this might be a welcomed talent since he no longer takes his pacifier.

One Year Ago Today 12/7/07

I can still remember it all so clearly. On Wednesday, December 5th we were getting a routine ultrasound at our OB's in Chanute. We were excited because we were going to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. Trevor was with us and was very excited too! We had tried to find out at our 18 week ultrasound, but we couldn't tell. At our 18 week ultrasound the tech couldn't get a good picture of the spine, but she just said our baby was in the wrong position and nobody thought any more about it.


Now back to the Dec. 5th ultrasound--I remember a few days before the ultrasound being very nervous for it. I remember talking to Travis about this. I was never nervous about an ultrasound with Trevor. I never even thought about the possibility of something going wrong.

The sonogram seemed to be taking a long time, much longer than normal. Then the sonographer said, I just can't seem to get a good look at the spine. I need to have the Dr. come in and take a look. In my heart, that's when I knew that there was something wrong. For Trevor, I knew that I had to remain calm though. I told Travis this is making me really nervous. Trevor picked up on that because on the way home he told his Daddy that made mommy nervous.


The Dr. came in and looked. She looked very concerned, and I had never seen Dr. T. look like that before. She told us that their seemed to be a void in our baby's spine, it just seemed to stop, and that she would have to send us on to a perinatologist to further investigate. The only other thing Dr. T mentioned was that some of the measurements on our baby were small. I had always questioned that my due date was too early so I was in hopes that that was all that was wrong. Then Dr. T left the room to get us set up for our appointment. She didn't really give us the chance to ask any questions. The sonographer gave us hope that maybe they could just not get a good enough picture because of the position of our baby. The nurse came in to tell us the first available appointment was not until the following Monday. I asked her if she could possibly get it for sooner because we didn't think we could wait that long. She got us in for Friday, December 7th. Of course, we were devastated by the news and had so many questions running through our minds. We left the office through the side door so we wouldn't have to see anyone in the lobby.


We were supposed to have a fun day after our appointment and finish up our Christmas shopping. Needless to say that didn't happen. Instead we drove to my sister's house in Iola and searched and searched the Internet for what could possibly be wrong with our baby. We couldn't find very much information, and what we did find wasn't very positive. I don't know how I did it, but I returned to work on Thursday, and tried to pretend as if nothing was wrong, only telling a few people of our news.

Travis and I went to our appointment with the perinatologist at Overland Park Regional on Friday. I had never even heard of a perinatologist before this! We dropped Trevor off at his daycare in Garnett on the way. I was very nervous going into the appointment. I can still picture the sonogram room. It was very stark and cold, so impersonal. No cute pictures of babies hanging up, just a large sonogram machine, a screen for viewing, and a computer. Dr. R. began the sonogram and within a minute or two said, "we have a serious problem." I of course start crying. Dr. R said I need you to remain calm so I can explain. He then went on to explain how our baby had a clubfoot. He said that's not a big deal and can be fixed. But then he went on to explain and try to show us how our baby was missing a large part of the spine. He then showed us all the basic body parts, organs, etc... He said he was going to refer us on for a heart echo because he couldn't get a good view of the left side of the heart. Dr. R said that he had never seen this condition before and that he was going to have the other Drs come in and take a look as well. So two other perinatologists came in and said they agreed with what Dr. R was seeing. Of course, neither of them had ever seen this before either. Then Dr. R said, I am going to go look it up in my book to see if there is a name for this condition. He came back in a few minutes with his medical book and gave us a diagnosis of Caudal Dysplasia Sequence.


He went on to say that our baby had a good chance of being stillborn, and that if it was born alive, we would just have to wait and see what we were dealt with then. He gave us many negatives of this condition and not one single positive thing was said. We left the office that day devastated and heartbroken. We drove home in shock, fear, and feeling hopeless. We called some of our family and told them the news on the phone. Then we went and told Travis's parents. I called my school so they could let everyone know there. We later picked up Trevor at daycare and then went to my sister's house for some support. At my sister's house I made phone calls to friends. This was truly the most difficult day of my life so far. I kept thinking that I was never going to get to hold our baby alive. It just sounded like too large of a problem. I remember telling my dad that I don't know how a baby can live missing that much of their spine. That's when my dad said, God knows what's best for your baby, and we have to leave it in His hands. That was comforting to me, and a reminder of who was truly in control.

That weekend we just hung out at home. Travis and I decided that their had to be a reason for this, that we had to move on for Trevor and our baby, and that we knew that God was in control of the situation, and if we placed our faith and trust in Him that He would see us through and take care of us no matter what the outcome. Believe me this was not always easy. I didn't always feel like it. But I know we can't base our faith on how we are feeling, especially in those most difficult of times. These our the times when we have to cling to God's promises.

My sister sent out an email requesting prayer for our situation. It was amazing how quickly it circulated, and we had so many people praying for us, many of whom we had never met. The prayers of so many are what allowed us to have an amazing sense of peace during this trying time. For that we are so grateful!

This is getting rather lengthy so I will journal on some of our other pregnancy experiences later. We want to thank everyone for the unending support and love that you have shown us through our whole experience. On that day a year ago, I would have never imagined that today, I would be holding our gift from God. Thank you Jesus!

Max and Ace

We may have to rename our children to Max and Ace with Trevor's obsession with Dino Squad. Trevor has been in the habit of giving himself new names periodically throughout the day for a couple of months now. He gets very upset if you call him by the wrong name. Trevor often dresses up to match his new name too. Yesterday he wore overalls to preschool so he informed me when we left that he was Max. So I'm thinking Max on Dino Squad, but no. On the way to school, he informed me he was Max and I was Ruby from Max and Ruby because Max has overalls on. Within 10 minutes though he changed and was once again Max on Dino Squad. I can't keep up with him! It's bad though when he wants to change his name for preschool too.

He often even renames Theo a different name to go along with whatever Trevor's name is for the day or hour. His favorite name for Theo is Ace which is also from Dino Squad. Such silly boys! Theo adores Trevor, and one of his favorite activities is to watch Trevor act crazy and to laugh hysterically at him. Of course this gets Trevor going and the game continues. It's actually very entertaining for the whole family. Ace can be very cranky and Max walks by and he is all smiles!

I'm going to post some pictures when I can figure that out. I'm thinking Travis (or Trevor) may have to help me with that one though. It may be beyond my computer abilities!

Theo's CT Scan

On Tuesday we finally got Theo's CT Scan done of his abdomen. We saw the surgeon for his hernia at the end of August and set up the CT scan for September 20th. The surgeon wanted to take a look at his musculature of his abdomen before he can proceed with a recommendation for Theo's hernia. His hernia doesn't bother him, but the surgeon is concerned that Theo's muscles won't develop properly on the other side if he has this hernia on the left side. Of course, the surgeon has never seen this kind of hernia before and said that they are very rare. Someone who has been a surgeon for their entire career would usually only see 2 he said. That's our Theo! Very unique!

Theo decided that he didn't really want to have the CT done, and he would get a cold or run a fever right before it was time for it to be done. I know that he was doing it on purpose. Finally on the 4th try, we got it done! We didn't tell Theo. He was still trying by doing a little coughing in the car on the way up.

Theo did great though! Much better than Mom! I had to leave the room while they put the contrast down his nose through the NG tube, and while they started the IV. Dad was a trooper though and stayed right by Theo's side. Theo enjoyed his stroller ride through the hospital while we waited. Then when it came time for him to be sedated, it took all 3 medicines and that didn't even get him to sleep! But it was enough to get him to relax and not move so they could do the test. We were all glad when it was over and we could see Theo again. Then he was quite sleepy the rest of the day. When we got to my parents to pick Trevor up, Theo started shaking his head back and forth being silly and we knew he was back!

We don't have any results yet and probably won't for awhile, but at least the test is over. Yeah!

Giving it a Try

Well, I have been planning on trying this blogging thing for 9 months now, and I just haven't done it. Boy, what a procrastinator I am! I finally set one up in August and I am just now getting back to it. I have no clue what I am doing, but on their website it said the best way to learn is to just start so here I go. Most of you that know me know that the computer is not my best friend. In fact, I think my 3 year old Trevor knows more about this stuff than I do. In fact I am typing this while he is still sleeping or he would be bugging me to play a game. I am planning on putting some background info on our journey over the last 9 months when I figure out how. Wish me luck! Right now Theo is trying to help me type this so I keep having to erase his letters. How cute! He is always interested with what others are doing. Have a great Thursday!