A Mom of Many

Very First Field Trip

2011-11-28T10:44:00.001-08:00

Abby Grace just had her very first field trip and oh my word, she was PUMPED!!! Our district has a really cool facility called the Outdoor Learning Center, where the FFA students house their farm animals, but it also has a pond, and a nature trail that is home to all kinds of creatures and plants. The elementary age kids go there and become scientists for the day and explore what is there. It's not far from the school and doesn't cost anything to go there..............total bonus.

Not only was she excited to go there, but it was her very first time on a school bus!! I'm not sure what she was most excited about!

Here are pictures from the trip.

It was such a fun trip!! We are blessed to be in a district that knows it is important to get the kids out of the classroom to learn!

Kindergarten Update

2011-11-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

Now that the year is almost half over, (NOT SURE HOW THAT EVEN HAPPENED!!) I figured I would update on how Abby Grace is doing in school and post a few pictures of some recent activities.

As far as comprehension, Abby Grace is really catching on with reading and writing. Things were hard at first, as she is left handed and seemed to be so backwards with everything. She was consistently reading and writing from right to left (she wrote her name ybba instead of abby). All of her letters were almost mirror image from what they should be. However, her teacher has been an amazing support and with lots of practice, all of those issues seem to be SO much better!!! She can read all of her sight words fairly quickly and can point them out in other books. I am so proud of her.

She is however, having a hard time with her energy and being excessively tired from the school day. We are working with her team of doctors and trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation and improve her energy levels. Poor baby girl, it just breaks my heart at how exhausted she truly is. When she comes home from school she eats a snack, and 3 out of 5 days will ALWAYS take a nap until almost dinner time. We eat dinner by 5:30 and she is in the bath after right that. 6:00-6:15 is bedtime and I will read to her for about 20-25 minutes. She is sound asleep by 6:45 every night, 7 at the absolute latest....and then I wake her up for school at 6:45am to get ready for the day. That is not enough time to spend with her every day! I think that has been the hardest part of this whole school thing. I miss her, and that's just all there is to it.

From a medical standpoint, she is so exhausted from all of the central apnea she continues to have. During the night she still stops breathing about 80-90 times. The doctors are not sure what is causing her central apnea and honestly there isn't anything they can really do to improve it, other than keep her on a strict schedule. Every time her brain doesn't send the signal to her body to breathe, she has an apnic spell and her body arouses itself as an effort to "rescue" itself. Mind you the spells are short in length, but when they happen so frequently, her body cannot get a restful sleep at night.

The original thought was that Abby's central apnea was a result of the damage from her Chiari, however now that we have 2 children (Abby and Owen) with unresolved central sleep apnea they are leaning towards some genetic issue that we have not been able to diagnose. So for now, we will just keep her on the schedule and try to keep her as rested as we can. Prayerfully, we will find a solution that doesn't require giving her a med, which I do not want to do.

I didn't mean to elaborate on that for so long, but that is our life for now so kudos to you if you are still reading!

Here are some pictures from fun stuff that has been happening at school!

Mrs Miller's Class
First Trip to the library. Abby Grace was SO excited!!

Pajama Day!!

Thanksgiving Feast

Seriously, how precious is that Pilgrim? Although she was less than thrilled with the style choices of the pilgrims!! HA!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-11-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

I have been seriously slacking in the picture taking department and these kiddos are growing faster than I can keep up with! So the kids were out of school for a teacher workday and I thought I would take them to the pumpkin patch to try amd get a few pictures. I told them on the way there that my goal was to get a really good picture of each of them alone, and a picture of all of them together and we were not leavign until it was done. The faster they cooperate the faster we could be finished. Seems easy enough right???

HA!!!!!! If my 5 year old diva didn't insist on fighting with me about the outfit I chose for her then the day would have been easy peasy. There was definately some drama over her clothes, however I won the battle and even got a few smiles from her. It really breaks my heart that she doesn't want to have all the ruffles and frill that I am used to putting her in. But I guess I should be thankful that I got at least 5 years out of her!! HA!

I really tried to be relaxed and not fuss at the kiddos the whole time I was trying to get their pictures. As mom it is really easy to do that, or maybe it's just me! Anyway, here is the result of our no fuss fall pictures! I am in love with them, the pictures AND the kids!!!

Looking at their beautiful faces just melts my heart!!! I am so blessed to be their momma and I cannot wait to see how little Charlie is going to fit in the chaos!

My 4 Little Nerds!!!

2011-11-28T07:38:00.000-08:00

This Halloween was my favorite one EVER as far as costumes are concerned!!! I try not to get too wrapped up in the kids being all matchy because they are so spread out in age......however this year it all worked out!! Kayli and Ty both wanted to be nerds and then Abby Grace would not hear of any other suggestion except a nerd!!! (I think our days of princesses and fairies my be long gone with this girl) So, since I was already going to have 3 nerds, I may as well have 4, right??? I seriously could not have pictured how precious they would be!! Go ahead and see for yourself!!

I told you they were SO PRECIOUS!!!! How in the world am I going to top that next year when we have 5 kids???

Race For The Cure

2011-11-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know October is WAY over, but I am catching up this morning so feel free to skip along to the current events if you must. I promised myself to do a better job of scrapbooking our life, thus the not-so-current events post!

My MIL is a breast cancer survivor and I have participated in the Race For the Cure almost every year since David and I have been dating............with the exception of the years I was having babies and raising newborns! She had cancer a couple of years before David and I met, but I count it a HUGE blessing to be able to walk as a way to honor her every year.

I love her dearly and I am so thankful that her fight ended in survival. It always proves to be a very emotional time to walk through the mass crowds of people whose lives have been so deeply touched by such an aweful illness, and be in the presence of so many survivors. Love you so much Mom and I am so thankful for you!!!

Neurology Appointment

2011-10-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Agghh!!! This post is from October and I just realized I never posted it. There is another update after this, however I am going to do a seperate post for my sake.

Please excuse the tiny blogging break. It was not intended, and I guess life just "happened" and blogging didn't. You know how it goes.......

Today Owen had an appointment with our neurologist, whom I just happen to be super thankful for. Dr. H has been seeing Abby Grace for over 2 1/2 years now and when it was clear Owen would require neurology as well, I wanted Dr. H to be the one to see him.

At our last appointment (a few months ago) Dr. H was still not satisfied with where Owen was developmentallly and for almost a year now we have not been able to find a "medical" cause for his various issues. All of our genetic testing has continued to come back normal among other clear test results, THANK GOD. However, she has been perplexed to say the least. I absolutely could not wait for her to see Owen today and all his new tricks!

Dr. H walked into our room completely prepared to push (in a loving way of course) for the muscle biopsy that she thought might help give us some insight to this "delay". She even brought paperwork with information, because she knew I would be full of questions and not agree without some serious conversation. Needless to say, those papers went in the trash and the conversation never even took place. Why, you may say??? BECAUSE MY GOD IS BIG LIKE THAT!!!!!

Owen Bear was putting on a show let me just say. He followed simple command from Dr. H: "Owen can you please open your mouth?" I could not believe he did it for her!!! He also proceeded to climb in the chair to look out the window and say "truck, truck!" It was so precious. He covered his own eyes and played peek a boo with her, all on his own!!! I was so proud of my boy!! He was signing for "more please" when he ran out of strawberries. Mind you, when he is with me he would much rather grunt for more than to sign for it. Needless to say, she was stunned and more than pleasantly surprised at Owen's progress.

Developmentally, Owen is right on target for his age. His speech is actually advanced and I am convinced that is because of the other kiddos at home. We don't have to go back for, are you ready? SIX MONTHS!!!! She wants to "leave him alone" for a while. Can you say AMEN??????

#5

2011-09-21T18:06:00.001-07:00

Monday was our appointment to see my high risk OB for our anatomy scan and to find out the sex of the baby. Everything went great and this little punkin is perfect from head to toe!!! He is so precious and I am smitten beyond belief, already.

Yes, I said HE!!! It's a boy and we are so excited!!!! We are going to name him Charlie but haven't quite picked a middle name yet. He is going to be the perfect addition to our family, but I will say that I am a bit nervous about having TWO boys so close in age!

I will admit, in my heart secretly I really wanted a little girl...........let me tell you why. On Christmas Eve last year, my beloved Mammaw went to be with Jesus and that has left a hole in my heart that I can't explain. Anyhow, I wanted nothing more than to name our baby girl Ruby, after Mammaw and David's Grandma (her name was also Ruby and she passed away when David was young).

In my mind, that was SOOO perfect and we would have a precious little Ruby with a giant bow on her head, and life would be great. That, however was not God's plan and I am so at peace with that. When David and I were talking Monday night I was telling him that I am so excited for this boy and I felt guilty for having wanted a girl so bad. It's just that I miss her so much and planning on naming our baby Ruby kind of made it easier for me to cope I think. It was my way of honoring her in a very special way that just made sense to me. But then David looked at me and said, "Amanda, there are so many other ways you can honor Mammaw with your life." He was SOOOO right!!!! I am so thankful to have a husband who always knows what to say in those kind of moments.

So yes, there are so many other ways I will be honoring my Mammaw. I just wish she was here to see this baby boy. I know she would have loved him so much!

The start of a crazy week!!!

2011-09-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

No pictures tonight, just a quick post before bed.

~PLEASE remember to pray for Quinn tomorrow throughout the day. I will update as I see anything posted. (Don't forget to send a picture to me in your green!!!!)

~Tomorrow is my first room mom meeting for Abby Grace's class and I am so excited to start planning their little parties . Still cannot believe she is really in kindergarten....

~Tomorrow is also our appointment to have our big ultra sound to do the anatomy scan and find out what the baby is. Please be in prayer for everything to look just like it should. (And I am selfishly praying that we can see the sex and know for sure!!!)

~And tomorrow I have junior high orientation for Kayli and Tyler.............even crazier that they are big enough to be in junior high. Too, too fast is all I can say.

That is about all I can think for now since it is hours past my bed time!!! I will update tomorrow and post ultra sound pictures YAY!!! :)

Goodnight,
Amanda

Team Quinn

2011-09-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

When you have a child in NICU for any length of time, it is incredibly stressful and isolating. It almost feels like nobody can relate to what you are going through IN THAT MOMENT. Your friends are living their lives with their children, AT HOME and while you know they love you and are praying, it still feels like they don't "get it".

In all of that chaos, it was also a place where incredible bonds were formed that will no doubt last a lifetime. Bonds with doctors, nurses and most of all, OTHER MOMS who "get it" better than anyone. Their precious babies are also sick and cannot go home. Over a year later I still keep in very close contact with 2 of those moms and they are some of my dearest friends.

Meet Princess Quinn

Is she not the most perfect little thing you have ever seen?

This little angel was in the bed right across from Owen the entire time we were inpatient. I have been absolutely smitten with this baby since the instant my eyes found her. I literally wanted to put her in my bag and bring her home with me.
(Hey, I didn't know her momma that well yet, so I didn't feel too bad for wanting to kidnap her child! HA, just kidding....sort of!!) Anyway, since I was still nursing Owen, I stayed at the hospital day and night. Meagan was at home recovering from surgery and caring for Quinn's twin brother, Ryan and visited as often as she could. I clearly remember sitting in the rocking chair by Owen's bed and just praying for that baby girl while she would have some issues in the night with her breathing and oxygen sats. I knew she wouldn't be able to go home until she had met certain milestones and I wanted SO bad for her family to be together. So I would pray and sing songs and pray some more............and I desperately want to hold her, but the hospital really frowns upon strangers holding other peoples babies!!

Meagan Quinn and Ryan on July 4 still in the hospital. I need not even comment on the cuteness of TWO babies snuggled in that bed!!

Quinn has a very complicated heart condition, that I will not even begin to try and explain. She was sent home to grow as much as possible so her tiny heart would be big enough to have the operation that is needed to save her life. This Monday the 19she will be having a heart cath procedure to prepare for her open heart surgery which will take place on September 27. If I understand correctly, she will be put under for 3-4 hours so they can thread a tiny camera up to her heart from her groin area. These pictures will help her team get a better idea of what to expect on surgery day.

Owen and Quinn finally reunited!! Owen kept putting his arms out asking to hold her!!

He has such good tastes in girls already!!!

Owen, Ryan, and Princess Q

And to make the day even more special, our most favorite doctor was able to join in on the reunion. We LOVE you Dr. Albin!!!!!

The Princess and I.......and again I wanted keep her but I fought back the urge to run!!

Please visit Meagan's blog at www.clanahanfam.blogspot.com to read more about Quinn and let her know you are praying for her sweet girl on Monday and the coming days. Also, we are asking everyone to wear green in support of Team Quinn!! Please snap a picture and email it to me at something_sassy123@yahoo.com. We want everyong to remember them in prayer on Monday and be an encouragement to her family. Thanks so much for lifting them up.

Amanda

Meagan- I love you and cherish our friendship!!!!

ABC 123...............

2011-09-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again and I cannot believe it!! I know I say that every year, but now I have THREE school aged kids. Oh my word, that is so hard to believe. Abby Grace started kindergarten this year, and she is SO excited!! Dropping her off on the first day proved harder than I ever though possible, but we made it through. Here are some pictures from the first day. Excuse the lack of pictures from my pre-teens.............I think they are growing out of that at this point! HA

Abby Grace with Granny (my mom)

Me (holding back tears) with the big K kid!!!

Daddy left work for a few minutes to see her off.

Walking in to the building with a backpack as big as she is!!!

Posing as she gets out of the car.........stinker

My TWO junior high kids!!! They are looking so much older every day adn my heart can't take it. So.very.sad.

Stay away girls, you are nothing but trouble!!!!!

Kayli Bug looking so beautiful on her first day

Granny and the 3 big kids

Abby Grace trying to tickle Owen so he would smile for a picture. He was NOT happy about being yanked out of bed so early!!

Hope you all are having a great start to the school year!

Amanda

Welcome to the new blog

2011-09-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be starting this blog!! I'm sure most everyone read my Abby Grace blog, but I really wanted to move on from all the medical stuff and get to more of a family blog, if that even makes sense. Nonetheless, I am super excited to start over here. Mostly for my documenting, I will backtrack a little so I don't miss out on the important things that have been going on around here as of late.

First things first, we are having another baby!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were super surprised by this news, but so thankful that God saw fit to bless us with another child. I am almost 18 weeks and my due date is Feb 19. Everything with the pregnancy has been going great so far, other than all the throwing up and headaches! The high risk dr is pretty sure it's a boy, but we find out for sure on Monday. Cannot wait to know for sure!! Here is a picture of our last little miracle!!

Look at those precious little feet!!

Goodnight,
Amanda