We're leaving tonight at midnight. My kids can tell something is up. We're all crabby. I'm tired. I'm anxious and excited. I don't want to leave my kids. I need caffeine. My video I'm trying to make won't work. I haven't packed for me or the kids for the week. I have all kinds of unfinished business to finish today, amidst watching my nephew, getting Isaac to school, going to his teachers baby shower, stopping by the office, running to the store...I greatly dislike the day before leaving on a trip...especially when it entails leaving 1/2 of your family behind.
Prayers would be appreciated.
You can follow our trip here: http://www.phcrc.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Hope update
A few people have asked if I have an update on Hope. I finally connected with the intake worker for Early On after a week of phone tag. We have her evaluation on Friday, April 27th. So nothing much new - just more waiting.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Things I love about Grand Rapids
Haha - I started this and forgot about it. Um, it's quite obvious that our weather has changed dramatically since I started this post! :)
February and March are the worst months to live in GR, in my opinion. It's cold, gray and dull. So, I thought I would start a list of things I love about this city to remind myself that good things are still around ( or coming soon)!
1. The farmers market. We make our way at least a couple times a month. I cannot wait for it to open again!!! I'm craving fresh and Looal produce!
2. Fall. Oh how I love the fall in Michigan! The colors, the apples, the pumpkins, being outside for walks and hikes. If we ever move to a different climate, fall will be something I miss tremendously about West Michigan.
3. Wolfgangs. The Cooper for breakfast along with some hazelnut coffee is a quick cure for any winter blues!
4. An accessible downtown. It's not to big or too small. I don't get lost. Parking isn't going to break the bank and isn't too hard to find. There are a lot of neat things going on downtown, including a lot of newer restaurants I want to check out someday.
5. Summer and the lakeshore. We really have beautiful summers and live so close to the lake! I wish we took advantage of this more...a day at the beach, walking the pier, getting ice cream...maybe this summer we will!
6. Reeds lake and jersey junction. Yes, those go hand in hand. I love walking around the lake, or getting ice cream and hanging out at the park.
7. Art prize. I love walking around an art and people filled downtown in the fall. I'm not hugely into art, but I appreciate it all the same.
8.Fredrick Meijer Gardens. The last two years my parents have blessed us with a family membership there for our Christmas gift. The Christmas trees and train in the winter and the outdoor areas and butterflies - so much to see & do!
Whats on your list???
February and March are the worst months to live in GR, in my opinion. It's cold, gray and dull. So, I thought I would start a list of things I love about this city to remind myself that good things are still around ( or coming soon)!
1. The farmers market. We make our way at least a couple times a month. I cannot wait for it to open again!!! I'm craving fresh and Looal produce!
2. Fall. Oh how I love the fall in Michigan! The colors, the apples, the pumpkins, being outside for walks and hikes. If we ever move to a different climate, fall will be something I miss tremendously about West Michigan.
3. Wolfgangs. The Cooper for breakfast along with some hazelnut coffee is a quick cure for any winter blues!
4. An accessible downtown. It's not to big or too small. I don't get lost. Parking isn't going to break the bank and isn't too hard to find. There are a lot of neat things going on downtown, including a lot of newer restaurants I want to check out someday.
5. Summer and the lakeshore. We really have beautiful summers and live so close to the lake! I wish we took advantage of this more...a day at the beach, walking the pier, getting ice cream...maybe this summer we will!
6. Reeds lake and jersey junction. Yes, those go hand in hand. I love walking around the lake, or getting ice cream and hanging out at the park.
7. Art prize. I love walking around an art and people filled downtown in the fall. I'm not hugely into art, but I appreciate it all the same.
8.Fredrick Meijer Gardens. The last two years my parents have blessed us with a family membership there for our Christmas gift. The Christmas trees and train in the winter and the outdoor areas and butterflies - so much to see & do!
Whats on your list???
Monday, March 12, 2012
Dreams of a 4 year old.
Isaac regularly tells me about his dreams. This was our conversation in the car this morning:
Ike: Mom, can I tell you about what I dreamed last night?
Me: of course buddy! What did ou dream about?
Ike: I dreamed that I was standing on the roof talking in a microphone to everybody. And you and daddy came.
Me: what were you talking to everybody about?
Ike: about God.
And then you and daddy told me I shouldn't be up on the roof. And then I got dizzy and fell off the roof, but I saved my head.
Hmmm. The whole falling off the roof part is not so cool, but having my son tell me he's dreaming about telling people about God? That made my heart fill with joy on this rainy morning.
Ike: Mom, can I tell you about what I dreamed last night?
Me: of course buddy! What did ou dream about?
Ike: I dreamed that I was standing on the roof talking in a microphone to everybody. And you and daddy came.
Me: what were you talking to everybody about?
Ike: about God.
And then you and daddy told me I shouldn't be up on the roof. And then I got dizzy and fell off the roof, but I saved my head.
Hmmm. The whole falling off the roof part is not so cool, but having my son tell me he's dreaming about telling people about God? That made my heart fill with joy on this rainy morning.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
More hope
We had our pediatrician appt for Hope today. Two things to report: 1. Hopes head circumference stayed the SAME over the last 3 months!!! That's something to celebrate!!! 2. We are going to have a consult with early on to see of she qualifies for any speech or physical therapy. I'm glad we are at least getting the consult, and we will see what they say in a few weeks!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Hope's Noggin
We had our follow up appointment today at the geneticist. It was a follow up appointment, so I was hoping for a quick look over and an all-clear. Not so much. It was a good appointment, but we left with another appointment for 6 months from now. Our doc is not so sure that it's anything, but he's also not convinced it's nothing. He told me he was perplexed with Hope. She's already confusing men. :)
Here is what we do know: Hope has an abnormally large head circumference. It's also very long - as in front to back, not top to bottom. This is quite obvious if you look at her from the side. She has a protruding forehead. She has sunken eyes. She has a flat bridge of her nose. She has a belly that sticks out more than the average belly. She has a noticeable space between her big toe and the second toe when she stands. She has short arms. If you stand up with your arms to your side, your fingertips might reach mid-thigh. Hope's fingertips reach just below her hips. She is on the very tail end of developmental milestones - particularly in speech. Her spine looks fine.
All of these on their own would not be much to cause concern, but because they are all present, there is some concern. There isn't enough 'evidence' to really diagnose anything, and many of these issues are quite mild. But there are too many factors to dismiss them. So, we wait. We'll wait to see where she's at in 6 months. Our doctor is going to be doing some more reading and research into it.
Many of these factors you would see in someone with Skeletal Dysplasia (dwarfism). The interesting bit is that someone with all of these factors with skeletal dysplasia would typically be at about 3% on the percentage chart for height. Hope is at 50%. Thus, our doctor is perplexed.
I'm really feeling fine about the whole appointment. I've been concerned from the start about her head size, and I'm pleased that we have our pediatrician and our geneticist who are keeping an eye on things. I'm not living in fear, I'm not overly anxious, I'm really at peace. Even in the waiting. I know that my Lord has made his little girl just the way she is supposed to be. And I will do my best to love her, nurture her and keep her healthy as long as she is in my care. She is a blessing to our family and I love my little Hopey!
Here is what we do know: Hope has an abnormally large head circumference. It's also very long - as in front to back, not top to bottom. This is quite obvious if you look at her from the side. She has a protruding forehead. She has sunken eyes. She has a flat bridge of her nose. She has a belly that sticks out more than the average belly. She has a noticeable space between her big toe and the second toe when she stands. She has short arms. If you stand up with your arms to your side, your fingertips might reach mid-thigh. Hope's fingertips reach just below her hips. She is on the very tail end of developmental milestones - particularly in speech. Her spine looks fine.
All of these on their own would not be much to cause concern, but because they are all present, there is some concern. There isn't enough 'evidence' to really diagnose anything, and many of these issues are quite mild. But there are too many factors to dismiss them. So, we wait. We'll wait to see where she's at in 6 months. Our doctor is going to be doing some more reading and research into it.
Many of these factors you would see in someone with Skeletal Dysplasia (dwarfism). The interesting bit is that someone with all of these factors with skeletal dysplasia would typically be at about 3% on the percentage chart for height. Hope is at 50%. Thus, our doctor is perplexed.
I'm really feeling fine about the whole appointment. I've been concerned from the start about her head size, and I'm pleased that we have our pediatrician and our geneticist who are keeping an eye on things. I'm not living in fear, I'm not overly anxious, I'm really at peace. Even in the waiting. I know that my Lord has made his little girl just the way she is supposed to be. And I will do my best to love her, nurture her and keep her healthy as long as she is in my care. She is a blessing to our family and I love my little Hopey!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
