X-Ray

This is a picture of the X-Ray of Addison’s Spine and Rib cage when she was first born. The doctors were checking for fluid in her lungs due to my Diabetes and stumbled upon the rib and vertebra. Usually something like this isn’t discovered in a child till they are much older and is already having problems because of it. Many children have other deformities as well. Addison does not. She is perfectly formed. I believe that the Lord knew what He was doing when the X-Ray happened. Lets believe that when she has another X-Ray the rib will be gone!

 

Prayer Please!

Monday, August 16th we are taking Addison to Johns Hopkins to meet with an Pediatric Orthopedic Doctor who hopefully will give us some answers concerning Addison’s back. I am incredibly nervous about the appointment. I am clinging to a bit of faith, believing that the Lord will heal this little girl. Pray with us. Pray the appointment goes well. Pray even harder for complete healing.

Update on Addison

Addison is a wonderful little girl. She has had quite a struggle her first 10 weeks of life. Addison was born via c-section on April 18, 2010 and spent 10 days in the NICU. She was born with very few problems compared with the struggles Alexis went through. She had jaundice, thickened walls in her heart, and extra rib and vertebrae on her right side. Her biggest problem while she was in the NICU was eating and the problem continued till when she was 10ish weeks old. Addison was two weeks early and was considered a preemie. The combination of an early birth and me being a diabetic, it made it difficult for her to learn to suck on a bottle. While in the NICU, feedings would last an hour at a time and usually ended with having to push at least half of the formula down a feeding tube. By day 5, all other issues she had been dealing with were not a problem. By day 7 the feeding tube was out but we were still struggling to get her to eat. Day 10 we were able to bring her home. Up until she was 4 weeks old she was a typical newborn. Fussy at times, sleeping a lot. We still struggled to feed her. She never took more than 1 or 2 oz’s at a time. Around week 5 we switched her from breast milk to formula in anticipating of me going back to work. That was when she started going down hill. She started spitting up A LOT. Projectile vomiting too. The biggest problem was getting her to eat. She would suck on the bottle then cry and suck then cry. When she was finished, she would cry and cry like she was in pain. She was never content. She wouldn’t even let Gary and I sit to feed her. We constantly had to be moving, bouncing, rocking or walking. I am surprised we didn’t wear a hole in our carpets! I finally decided it was time to take her to the doctors. We went and were told that she probably had Acid Reflux. We started with thickening her bottles with cereal, setting her at an incline to eat, sleep and play. None of this helped so back to the doctor I went the following week. The doctor put her on Previcad and finally we had a bit or relief. After two weeks of being on the medicine (which I HATED that she had to take!) she still wasn’t improving much. The crying had stopped and she was eating faster but she still wasn’t eating as much. Off to the doctor I went again and this time the solution was to change her formula. We began giving her Nutramigen. What an improvement!!! The girl started eating! She was happy and smiling! It was such a relief to Gary and I! At her 3 month appointment, we were able to take her off the Acid Reflux medicine as well. I now have the easiest baby and it is wonderful! As of right now, she is laying on the floor in my living room, not propped up at all, playing with her baby gym! Such a difference from a month ago!

 

All through this tough time we also were seeing a pediatric cardiologist and a pediatric surgeon. I will start with the heart doctor first. Addison was born with the wall between the 2 chambers of her heart to thick. When she was born, it was 10 mm thick. The normal is 2mm. We began taking her to a wonderful heart group in Wormleysburg. At 6 weeks the wall had shrunk to 5 mm. We have an appointment in October to check it again and the Dr. is expecting that her heart will be normal.

 

Addison was also born with an extra rib attached to a half formed vertebra in her back. Its called Lateral Hemi-Vertebrae. We headed to the Pediatric Surgeon at about 8 weeks. We were seeing the Dr’s at Penn State Children’s Hospital. While there she had a complete exam to make sure everything in her little body was forming, growing and placed where it was supposed too. The Doctor even checked to make sure that her little bum hole was in the right place! Everything looked great the Dr. referred us back to our Pediatrician. From there we were sent to an Orthopedic Doctor in the area last week. That Dr had no answers. He actually hasn’t seen this in a child since he was doing his residency. He told us that we needed to see a Pediatric Orthopedic doctor that specializes in spines. Its not something that is very common but he did know a Doctor at John Hopkins in Baltimore Maryland. So we are headed to see the head honcho of Pediatric Orthopedics on August 16th. I am excited to go and finally get some answers about Addison’s development, how it is effecting her and most important, will she have to have surgery.

 

Gary and I are praying for a creative miracle in Addison’s little body! We are putting our faith in that when she has x-rays again, the rib a vertebrae will be gone! Pray with us as we head on this new experience!

Money gift

Gary and I recently have been struggling with money. Gary has a wonderful job but with the recent struggles in the economy, his company has suffered too. Last September when our family returned from a wonderful vacation at the beach and Gary was hit with a 10% pay cut. We were concerned because we had just found out that I was pregnant with Addison but we dealt with it and the Lord provided what we needed. In February or March of this year Gary’s company cut hours in some departments and his department was cut. At that point, Gary started looking for another job and looking for a part-time job. We were praying and praying and it seemed that no job (either part-time or full-time) was coming our way. There were a few job offers but nothing fit what we needed. My due date was quickly approaching and there was still no answer in sight. Both of us began to pray even harder. Addison arrived and without me working, our budget was even tighter. One evening in May, we came home from an evening out, picked up with mail and found a strange envelope. Gary opened it up and we found a check for $1000! We were in shock! There was no return address, just a letter.

 

Gary and Natalie

This is a gift from the Lord, He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and He supplies all your needs (Philippians 4:19). He is increasing your faith and your rest. This blessing and these trials are meant for your glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” His power and riches are better than any trials. Be encouraged! This is only for a season.

“Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen. Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted. Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns are empty. I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!” Habakkuk 3:17-19 (The Message)

 

Gary and I were so encouraged! Neither of us have ever been blessed like this before. The money pulled us through till I began working again. Just when Gary and I felt we were at a dead end, the Lord gave us exactly what we needed, when we needed it! Jesus is always faithful, always there to meet our need! Thank you Jesus!

 

And many blessings and a HUGE thank you to whomever sent us the gift!

Thankful Thursday

 

~ A little girl that still comes crying to me when she is hurt

 

~ A husband’s good kisses after a long day at work

 

~ Little baby smiles

 

~ A faithful god that provides all my needs

 

~ Brothers that are not afraid to act silly with my daughter

Stop Wind, Stop!

Allie is NOT a fan of the wind. She positively hates it. Her hate for the wind especially comes out at school. The school sits up on a small hill with no trees around to help block it. We park in the parking lot every morning or afternoon depending on my schedule. (I am a teacher at the girls school.) Allie reminds me everyday when we pull in the parking lot that she doesn’t like the wind. Well this particular morning, she was a bit full of herself. Here is our conversation:

 

Allie - “Mommy, I no like the wind.”

Mommy - “I know baby. I’m sorry”

Allie - “Mommy, can you stop the wind?”

Mommy - “No baby, I can’t. it won’t listen to me.”

Allie - “It will listen to me!”

*Allie then stands with her legs spread and arms up, just like Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments during the parting of the Red Sea.*

Allie - “Stop, wind! Stop!”

“Stop, wind! Stop! Mommy! Its not stopping!”

Mommy - “I’m sorry baby. The wind has a mind of it own.”

Allie - “I try again!”

“Stop wind! I say stop!”

Sadly, the wind did not stop blowing. Allie still hates it but I got a good laugh that morning!

Sleeping babe’s

Today I took a nap. It was wonderful. Naps have been rare for me mainly because of working in the afternoons. They are even more rare because I have a 10 week old and a 3 year old. And yet, they are even more rare than that cause Addison has Acid Reflux. So laying down hurts, sitting propped up hurts, slouching in a bouncy hurts. Sometimes the only thing that helps is being wrapped in Mamma’s arms, sitting straight up and down. (Then she gets a nap and I don’t!) Addison has finally turned a corner with the Reflux. (THANK YOU JESUS!) Napping is easier (for her that is!) Playtime is more and her favorite new activity is smacking on her hands!

 

We came home from lunch today and Addison was hungry She isn’t too keen on eating any place but at home. Bottle followed and she fell asleep, out like a light, when she was done. So precious. Smart Mamma puts her down and tip toes away. Less than ten minutes later, she is awake and crying. As soon as I pick her up, she is out again. Well, I figured I would take total advantage of it so we climbed in *bed together and slept. It was sweet, so precious. It was a moment I think I will always treasure. Laying there looking at my sweet little girl without struggling to get her calm. It was a special time.

 

 

*Yes, I know that Dr.s do not recommend babies and parents to co-sleep. We didn’t do it with Alexis because of that. We co-sleep with Addison out of necessity.