Appt with Opthamologist

We are home from the Opthamologist appt with Beckett, and to make a long story short - she thinks his eyes are just fine!! And this is what Mr. Beckett thinks about that...

She did lots of tests on his eyes (tracking tests, etc.) and both eyes passed perfectly! She also dilated his pupils and said that the anatomy of his eye looks great too. You have no idea how relieved I am that this is all over with. His eyes are something that I have been concerned about since was about 10 days old, so this is a huge weight off of my chest. It feels nice to breathe a little easier.

Good News!

Just got the Ct results back - eyes and brain are normal!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!! The only thing that showed up was a little bit of a sinus infection, but that's no biggie. I think we can deal with that :)

Thanks so much for all of your prayers. I can't begin to tell you how much they mean to us. I will post a more detailed update later. I am at work right now. Just wanted to let you know!

Quick Note

Just a quick note to let you know that this little guy did great today during his CT. I imagined it being so much more traumatic than it was. He only whined a time or two and it was just from being bundled so tight to keep him still. And it was more of a grunt than a whine...lol. We should have some results by tomorrow afternoon. They said 24 hours. I am pretty sure that all we will know at that point is whether the results are "normal" or "abnormal". We will find out anything further on Thursday when we meet with the opthamologist. Even if the results are normal, we will still be meeting with her to find out why his pupil isn't dialating. Soooo, pleeease keep praying! Tomorrow is going to be a long day, I am afraid.

Appointment Change!

We just got Beckett's CT scan moved up to tomorrow at 2:15. We will follow up with the opthamologist sometime this Thursday for the results. Praise the Lord! I was going crazy knowing that I was going to have to wait until next Thursday for any results.

Think we will see him on TV one day?

This kid LOVES his baseball.

Also, thank you so much for your sweet comments and most of all your prayers! Right now, Beckett's CT is scheduled for Thursday morning, but we are hoping for a cancellation so that we can get him in sooner.

4 Months

Beckett - you are FOUR months old!!

What are you up to these days?

*You weigh 15 pounds 12 oz and are 26 1/4 inches long.

*You just started wearing a Size 3 diaper - 2's were just getting to tight around your belly. You are wearing 3-6 month clothing and size 6 month sleepers. I think you wear a size 2 shoe, but I never put them on you because you just kick them off. You mostly just wear socks.

*You are still taking Parent's Choice Sensitive formula (compares to Similac Sensitive). You take 6 oz about every 3 hours. But I can tell that we are going to need to bump it up to 8 oz before long. You nurse very rarely now - maybe once a day, maybe. We have given you a little cereal mixed with formula a couple times, just to let you try it out. You did ok with it, but I think more ended up on your bib than in your mouth. But we got the go-ahead from the doctor yesterday to start cereal and Stage 1 baby foods, so I may try that in the next few days.

*You still are not on a schedule. This is something that I definately want to work on this month. I know that it won't be easy since you are not at home with me every day, but hopefully your grandmothers will work with me on this (wink, wink).

*For some reason your sleeping has been a little off lately. You may sleep from 10-5 one night, but you may wake up every 3-4 hours the next night. Hopefully it is just a growth spurt or something and you will get back to your good-sleeping self soon. You still sleep on your tummy in the packnplay beside our bed.

*Your skin seems better now. Still dry and you still have cradle cap, but it is improving. We give you lukewarm baths (only using soap about every 3rd night) and lotion you up with the GentleNaturals baby eczema cream. I also have a mild steroid cream that I can use on the really bad spots if needed.

*You are such HAPPY boy now! You smile constantly and love to squeal and laugh out lound. Mommy loves this. Morning times are still your favorite.

* You are grabbing at your toys now. You are enjoying your bouncy seat and Jumparoo now, because you are so interested in playing with your toys on them. We just put you in your Jumparoo for the first time last week and you loved it!

*You can roll from your tummy to your back. When you are on you back you can roll to your side, but can't quite get all the over to your belly yet. I don't think it will be long!

*You want to stand up anytime you are in someones lap. You love being up looking around at everything.

*Your eyes are still blue. I hope they stay that way!!!!!! We really can't tell what color hair you are going to have, but it seems to be lighter than Brody's. Hopefully you will begin to get more hair soon!
We love you SOOO much sweet angel! Happy FOUR months!!

Pray

Please keep our sweet Beckett in your prayers. I took him to his 4 month check-up today, and it turns out that one of the issues that I was concerned about, the dr is concerned about as well. The pupil in his right eye doesn't dilate. When he is in a brightly lit room, his pupils are the same size, but when he is in dim lighting, his left pupil gets large, but the right one stays the same. We are scheduled for a CT scan next Thursday, then an appointment with an opthamologist after that. The pedi is hoping that it is just a weak muscle in his eye that controls dilation. In this case, there would be no treatment. That eye would just always be weaker and he would probably have to wear glasses earlier. But he said that we would do the CT scan to rule out anything more serious. And by "more serious" he is referring to a tumor or growth behind his eye, putting pressure on the nerves/muscles that control dilation. We are PRAYING that this is not the case. And chances are, it is not. But the mother in me is imagining the worst. Of course. Isn't that what we always do? Just please keep him in your prayers. And Brent and I as well, as we have to wait at least a week, maybe longer, to get any answers.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Random Thoughts....

It is about 11:30 p.m., everyone in the house is asleep, and I am sitting on the couch wide awake listening to the rain. Just one of those nights where, even though I need sleep, I need some quiet alone time even more. I have all of these random thoughts running through my head...probably the reason I can't sleep. So, I thought I would "write" them down. Hopefully that will help me clear my mind so that I can be snoozing away before long.

*Beckett has his 4 month well child check tomorrow. 4 months already?! Gosh, they just don't stay newborns anytime. I am a little nervous about this appointment...very anxious for it to get here. I have a few things with Beckett that I am somewhat concerned about. I am very ready for the doctor to look at him and give me his thoughts. I hate having that worried feeling constantly that something is wrong. Hopefully after tomorrow my mind will be put at ease.

*Brody's birthday party is one month from today. And I have still done nothing to prepare for it. However, I think I am going to have to refrain myself from going all out on an expensive cake and tons of decorations, etc. Just not going to happen this year. But in all actuality, Brody won't mind. All he will care about is having his familiy and friends there to play with him.

*Brody told me this morning that he wants a cat named "Bozo". We reeally need to get this kid a pet. Even if it's just a fish...lol.

*Brody has been having some separation issues lately. Something totally new for him. Today was the first time in 2 weeks that he didn't cry when I dropped him off at school. He used to NEVER cry about that. And it isn't just school. It's Sunday school too. I am guessing that it is just a phase. One that I hope passes very quickly!

*Sometimes I wish we could move. No particular reason really. Just for an adventure. To get out and venture away from this town that we both grew up in. To get my boys to a place that is growing and is full of opportunity. To get out on our own a little bit and be forced to rely on each other a little more. Meet new people. Experience new jobs. To just experience change. I would love to move to Northwest Arkansas. LOVE that place. And the funny thing is, I have been saying that I wanted to live there since I was in college. Who know, who knows.

*Brent made delicious fried deer steak and mashed potatoes tonight. I am SO thankful that he likes to cook. Especially since I am so busy with the two little ones when I get home from work.

*I wish I lived in a town that was big enough to have monthly playgroup get-togethers, MOPS organizations...that kind of thing. (Sorry, back on the moving thing again)

*I am excited about playing BINGO with the family at Brooke's school Friday night. I haven't played BINGO in forever. Should be fun.

*Although I long to move somewhere new and exciting, I am SOOO thankful for the family that I have here living near me. They are all a tremendous help with my boys and I don't know how I would have made it through my first few years of motherhood without them near me. We are very lucky to have parents so involved in our lives.

*I am SO thrilled about my best friend Amie expecting her first baby this summer. I get a little sad sometimes thinking about how I am probably finished with that stage of my life (pregnancy), so I love that I get to be a huge part of it with her.

Okay, eyes are getting heavy now. Off to bed I go. Night Night....

Wordless Wednesday

One Year Ago

We found out that we were going to have another baby!!! What an exciting day. It was so different from the day we found out that we were pregnant with Brody. Both were equally exciting and fun, but Brody was a surprise. Talk about shock. I think we walked around in a daze for about a week. Beckett, on the other hand, was planned. It took us several months, but we weren't in so much shock with him. What an amazing feeling it is to see those two pink lones appear on that test. Knowing that the rest of your life is going to change, knowing what an adventure you are about to go on. I don't think I will ever forget that feeling...just pure excitement. I had taken a test the day before, waited the two minutes, and it was negative. I set the test on the back of the toilet and went back into the living room to do something for Brody (Brent was not home). When I went back into the bathroom about 30 minutes later to throw it away, I could see a VERY faint line. Of course I didn't think too much of it because the instructions say not to read a test after 10 minutes - that an evaporation line may appear and give you a false positive. I did get a little excited...just wondering...but decided to just take the other test first thing the next morning. I got up the next morning before church, while everyone was still asleep to take the other test. It became positive immediately!! I had planned on thinking of a fun way to tell Brent, but at that point, I just ran in the bedroom and woke him up waving the test in his face. Talk about a good way to give a man a heart attack! LOL. Anyway, he was super excited too. Although (typical Brent) I could see those worry wheels start turning immediately: Okay, now we are going to need to budget more diapers, clothes, wipes, formula, etc etc etc. Guess thats just the accountant him!

So anyway, that was what was happening one year ago. What a difference a year makes!!!

A Goal of Mine...

I want to run a 5K!!! Then maybe a 10k...but that would be waaay down the line. I am not one of those people who can completely cut out sweets and carbs and stuff...I just don't have the willpower to do it. I love to eat! So, I have just got to make myself get into a good exercise program. Since Brent has started running, it has really made me want to get into it as well. I have seen how it has helped him drop those extra pounds...without dieting at all. And it would be something that we could do together. Now, I know that I am not someone who is going to get up at 5am for the rest of my life to go running. That's just not me. But I would love to train enough to be able to run a 5k...even if it's just once. Just to be able to say that I did it.

So, this is the program that I am hoping to follow.

www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It starts you out easy, but is supposed to have you ready to run a 5K in 2 months. Sounds do-able, huh? I actually started this back in the fall, not too long after Beckett was born. But it didn't work out for several reasons. 1)Beckett was still waking up every 3 -4 hours and I was just plain exausted, 2) Brent runs in the mornings, so the only time I have to run is in the afternoons. It started getting dark early about the time I started this, so by the time Brent would get home from work to watch the boys for me, it was already getting dark, and I didn't want to run by myself in the dark. So, I just stopped and decided to start back up in the Spring or so. I may start walking in the evenings here pretty soon, and then start the Couch to 5K program up in a couple months...when the days start getting longer. I really want to be able to run the Smackover Oil Run 5K with Brent in June. I think I can do that. Wish me luck.

Canvases

A friend of mine painted me some canvases for Beckett's room, and they finally came in a couple weeks ago! I am really pleased with the way they turned out. I didn't really want to do a "theme" in his nursey, b/c I knew that I would probably want something different in his room when we convert it to a big boy room in a couple years, so I wanted to buy things that I might be able to re-use. I just gave her an idea of the colors and sort of what I was wanting - I think she did great! Hopefully I will be able to use them for a while.

I still have a few things I want to to his room. It is nowhere near how I want it.

They really have great detail in them.

Today has been a pretty lazy here. Brent took Brody to school this morning, so Beckett and I did a few things around the house while he was gone. We picked Brody up at noon, then came back home for lunch.

Beckett has been asleep for the last couple hours, so Brody and I are watching The Incredible's. We are about to go pick up Brooke at school, then come back home to let them play for a while.

Kind of a boring day...but nice in a way. I am so thankful for these days that I have at home with my kids. Happy Thursday!

Wordless (Almost) Wednesday

Just a few fun pictures from our week:


Brody insisted on Beck wearing a cap saying, "But he's gotta be a baseball player like me mommy!"
Beckett must want to play football instead :)
This is what happens when an almost 3 year old dresses himself...

Check out Brody's mad guitar skills! :)

Which is which?

Which is Beckett and which is Brody? Any guesses??

Adding to my library

Brent and I bought a couple of books from our church bookstore this morning. These are both books that have been recommended to us by several people. I love to read, so I am going to try to make it a priority to read a little bit each night after the boys are asleep.

The first one is Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Our postors and several parents in our church have said that this is a must-read if you have children . . . of any age. I can't wait to see what it teaches us.

This next one is one that may come as a surprise to many of you. But adopting is something that Brent and I have both always felt very drawn toward. We actually talked about it on one of our very first dates. Of course, with a 2 year old and a newborn, we aren't exactly in the perfect place in our life to do it any time soon. But somewhere down the line, maybe even after our boys are in school, it is something that we would love to look into. I don't know if we would want to look into domestic or international, or if this is even something that is in God's plan for our lives, but we do feel like it is something that we should pray about and prepare our hearts for the possibility. So, all of that to say that this is the second book we are going to read:

I will let you all know what I think!

Party Planning (with pics of Baby Brody)

This little monkey will be 3 next month!

I started a few weeks ago running all kinds of ideas through my head and started asking Brody about them to get a feel for what he was wanting. Big mistake. When I first asked him what kind of party he wanted, he said a "golfball" party. He is big into golf these days. So, I started looking into golfball cakes, cute decorations, deciding on a color palate, etc, and lo and behold he comes up to me a few days later and says that he wants a BASEBALL party now. OK. I can do that, I thought. I changed the ball on the cake from golf to a baseball and changed to color palate from green and white to more red and white.....
Well, today he decides he wants a Diego party instead. Deigo?? Really??! I am not really all that into cartoon-y themes. But it's his birthday, not mine, so I (reluctantly) agreed...lol. So, he was sitting in my lap and we were looking at pictures of cakes last night. We found a few really great Diego cakes, and then I ventured over to look at golfball cakes. He saw one he LOVED...so now we are back to a golf party.
I think I am just going to stick with the golf thing and run with it. Brody would change his mind a million different times between now and February
Besides, we have a really fun gift idea in mind. But you'll have to wait until the party to find out!!!!

Gosh, looking back at these old pictures of him makes me realize just how fast they grow. And I can definately see a resemblance between him and Beck in them too.

More on the part planning to come!

P.S. Check out this great blog design giveaway! www.jamiekubeczka.blogspot.com

2010

Wow. I cannot believe 2010 is already here. I found out I was pregnant with baby #2 at the beginning of 2009, and he is almost 4 months old now! And to think that Brody will be 3 next month just blows my mind. I shouldn't have a 3 year old...just doesn't seem possible.

I have made a few small New Years Resolutions for myself this year. Nothing huge, just a couple things that I would like to do for myself. I'm not including my most important resolution in here, which is to be the best mom and wife that I can be. This is something that we should all strive for every day of every year, so I am not going to include it in my resolutions. Although it is definately the biggest and most important. Raising kids is tough, but it is the most wonderful and rewarding thing I have ever done. Although I sometimes wish I could curl up on the couch and spend hours reading a good book, or sleep late, or travel when and where I wanted to, but I also know that I will one day look back on this time as "the best days of my life", so I don't want to wish it away for anything in the world. And I know that time will come sooner than I could ever imagine. They just aren't little long. I want to enjoy every second of it!

Okay, my resolutions are pretty simple and "unimportant", I guess you could say. First of all, I want to get myself more organized. I need to work on keeping a calender and a list so that I don't forget things. Also, I want to get my house more organized. Things like my bedroom closet, my kitchen and bathroom cabinets/drawers, my laundry room, and the boys closets/drawers. I have things so scattered that I am driving myself crazy...lol. I am tempted to take before and after pictures. I should do that actually. Also, I want to be more organized as in keeping my car cleaned out, staying on top of the laundry better, and getting into some type of routine to keep the house more organized. I don't know if I want to get on a cleaning schedule, as in certain rooms certain days, or what. But I gotta do something! LOL

And Resolution #2 is to try and become a little more "crafty". I want to be able to do fun little projects for the house, the boys, etc. I have a few things in mind already that I want to work on , so I will update as I get some things done!

Happy 2010 Everyone!!

50 Years

Yesterday was my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary! I think that is such an amazing accomplishment. They started dating when my Mamaw was 15 and my Papa was 21. Think of all the changes they have seen! On their first date they went to the #7 Drive In movie - Papa wore a full suit/tie and Mamaw wore a taffeta dress...I would say times have changed! They were married when Mamaw was 16, my uncle Tony was born when she was 17, and my mom was born 11 months later!! She says she nearly lost her mind those first few years! Ha! Can you imagine 2 babies with no swing, stroller, carseats, bouncy seats, packnplay...and NO car?! No wonder it took her 14 years to want another! My Aunt Jennifer was born when my mom was 14 and my uncle was 15. My mom read a really funny poem last night telling their story...I will try to get it on here...it was great. Anyway, here are a some pictured from our dinner party last night.


My grandparents with their three kids


Jennifer and Tim


My Crew


My mom and Beckett

Beckett was not happy to have his picture made with his Mommy

Their cake (sorry so blurry...my little cousin took this)

Brush 'em, Brush 'em, Brush 'em

Brody had his first real dental cleaning and check-up last week! I had put him in my chair a few times before and did a quick a check of his teeth, but never actually schduled him an appt time with all the works. Luckily, he is used to being in the office, so the visit went much more smoothly than it does for many 2 year olds. I am sure it helped that his mommy is the dental hygienist. LOL.

Getting them all checked out! Notice that he wanted to wear gloves just like Mommy :)

Polishing! He loved the bubble gum flavored pumice...

All done!! He loved showing off his shiny clean teeth. Such a little ham. After I finished his exam, cleaning, and flouride treatment, he let Dr G come in and check them out, then got to get a sticker and a prize! And the best news...NO CAVITIES! Whew!

Me and my most favorite patient ever :)