We had lot of fall fun over the last few months. Gone to the pumpkin patch, carved pumpkins, enjoyed Trick or Treating, gone camping with my family and so it continues. Life is busy and exhausting and crazy and fun and I wouldn't have it any other way!!
So all is going pretty well around these parts!
Stephen is now the assistant coach for the high school girls soccer team, spending some good quality time with Tony, his cousin, who's the head coach. They are having a blast, having a pretty good season so far and staying really busy!
Mason and Jace are as crazy as ever. They really enjoyed trick or treating this year - and enjoyed their spoils for days and weeks after! It's never been so easy to get them to eat broccoli! They would do just about anything for a piece of that Halloween candy! They had a blast camping (I'll get pictures up at some point) - despite the rain and are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Easton continues to be a rock star. That little man is growing up so fast I just can't stand it. We have hit the 6 month mark (almost at 7 now). He is eating like a champ - and loves everything I've given him! He's had pears, peaches, plums, bananas, apples, avocados, sweet potato, squash, peas, green beans, carrots and yogurt. He loves it all!! If I could just eat like him I wouldn't have to worry about my clothes fitting!! He's also a big fan or mum mums (editable Styrofoam for babies), puffs and yogurt melts :)
Little man is right on target for his motor development too which makes this pediatric physical therapist mommy heart pretty happy :) He is rolling all over the place (often across the room), is pushing up on his tummy like a champ, sitting pushing on his hands and getting really close to sitting up tall without even the support of his hands. He wants to sit so bad but often tumbles as soon as he tries. He is so cute I can hardly stand it!! (yes I know I am probably a little biased)
We had Easton's 6 momth well check this past Friday. Everything went very well. Dr. Kim, our pediatrician is such a blessing and often seems to know just what to say! She was very impressed with all of his motor skills! He weighted in at 16 pounds 11 oz (bumped back up to the 25th percentile) and was 27 1/2 inches tall (50-75th percentile). Her only concern was his head circumference which was literally off the chart :( We talked about neurosurgery's plan (which at this point is wait and see) and talked about when his next scheduled head ultrasound was.
Dr. Kim pulled up Mason and Jace's head circumference numbers - and I do just have kids with big heads!! Jace at 6 months was 90-95th percentile!! She gave me the twins numbers to take into our next neurosurgery appointment just in case that would be helpful. She also made me promise that I would call her after the appointment and give her the update - saying that she knew that she would get the report but that it sometimes takes a few weeks and that she wanted to be praying for him before then. What a blessing!! Having a pediatrician that not only loves my kids but wants to pray for them.
It was like God knew just what I needed that day! She started talking about how the sermon at her church the week before had been about the Walls of Jericho - how the people didn't know the plan they just kept marching around the city in blind faith because that was what they were instructed to do. She said they didn't know on the 7th day the walls were coming down!! She said you know, that's what God asks us to do and even though it's hard, it's nice to know that we have a God who is not only with us now but has gone before us too and knows the plan. What a good reminder! I don't know the plan, but I don't need to know it - I just need to keep walking around the city every day, praying and believing that God has gone before me and know what He is doing. DANG that is hard!!
There are so many good things going on right now with Easton. He is such a joy. He is the happiest baby, so full of smiles and giggles, squeals and looks that could just melt you into a puddle. He is doing so well that I often forget that he has Spina Bifida!!
Today though I come to you with a very specific prayer request. Easton has his next neurosurgery appointment on December 18th. (We found out he had spina bifida on December 19th last year!) I just feel like this has the potential to be a really game changing appointment.
Here is what I know:
His head circumference is continuing to increase significantly and as of right now there is no indication that this growth is going to slow down (this is bad)
His ventricles are showing a mild increase in size but are not growing a significant amount between ultrasounds (bad that they are increased in size but good that they aren't growing significantly)
His soft spot which is supposed to feel sunken is very often feeling more like a buldge - which indicates an increase in the pressure in his head (this is bad)
He is on track with his motor skills (this is a good thing)
He is not showing any physical signs/symptoms of an increased pressure that would indicate that he is uncomfortable (this is good)
This next appointment could be one where we have to have a serious conversation about putting a shunt in. Just to jog everyone's memory, that is essentially a drain in his head that helps to drain the excess fluid. The medical side of me knows that a shunt is not the end of the world. There are LOTS of people that have shunts - I bet many of you even know someone that has a shunt!! But, the mommy side of me absolutely, positively does not want this for my baby boy! I feel like he is already going to have struggles in life, limitations just simply because of his spina bifida and I just do not want another thing stacked against him....Not a big fan of brain surgery either!!
I am asking all of you that have walked and prayed us though this journey so far to lift him, and us up as we inch closer to December 18th. I KNOW that God has a plan. I KNOW that God can and still does miracles and I KNOW that Easton and his story has and is continuing to touch people all over. I also believe in the power of prayer and believe that God listens to the pleading of his children.
Thank you for your prayers. Knowing that there are people all over that are praying for and loving my baby boy make taking each step forward a little easier!! He has been such a blessing and a joy to us and I know deep down that no matter what the plan is for this little guy he will continue that - but this mommy is praying fervently that his journey continues without any brain surgery being necessary!!
We will keep you updated!!
Love and Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving!