Hope still isn't feeling well. She still has her fever and lost her appetite unfortunately. Her daddy isn't feeling well either so hopefully this stomach bug won't stay long.
Isaac is feeling better. The other kids got to go swimming yesterday. They had a great time and the weather was great. The wind has been so horrible lately.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Fever
Today Hope had a fever and has not been feeling very good today. Her temp was above 100 but didn't go any higher. She still has her appetite though. Hopefully tomorrow she will be feeling better. Isaac has had a little bit of a cold so that is probably what she has as well.
Monday Great Grandma Claire had to have abdominal surgery and had her gallbladder removed. She is in the hospital still recovering. She was moved out of ICU today. She is one tough lady that is for sure. I was able to see her for awhile on Tuesday but the kids don't do well in the hospital so it is hard to go see her.
This month has been so busy with finishing school, birthdays, baby showers and much more. May has flown by!
Yesterday the kids had a great day they got to see their cousins and play dress up. Isaac got to ride "his" horse Shotgun. So Uncle Alan definitely made Isaac's day. Grace was so tired last nite she told me to cancel all the surprises for today! It was too cute.
We have had a few questions about Hope's medical care and if she takes any medications etc. We chose to treat her with alternative therapies such has chiropractic, integrative manual therapy and herbs. She doesn't take any medicines and she doesn't have a g-tube. She was on TPN in the NICU but nothing since.
Next week Hope has her appointment with her Integrative Manual Therapist. We take her once a month. It a very non-invasive therapy. When she first came home from the hospital she would clench her hands so tightly that her hands and forearms would be purple. After our first trip to the IMT Hope could open her hands and touch everything. She could grab her toys and was able to start putting things in her mouth. We have seen many other benefits from the IMT and the herbs as well.
Monday Great Grandma Claire had to have abdominal surgery and had her gallbladder removed. She is in the hospital still recovering. She was moved out of ICU today. She is one tough lady that is for sure. I was able to see her for awhile on Tuesday but the kids don't do well in the hospital so it is hard to go see her.
This month has been so busy with finishing school, birthdays, baby showers and much more. May has flown by!
Yesterday the kids had a great day they got to see their cousins and play dress up. Isaac got to ride "his" horse Shotgun. So Uncle Alan definitely made Isaac's day. Grace was so tired last nite she told me to cancel all the surprises for today! It was too cute.
We have had a few questions about Hope's medical care and if she takes any medications etc. We chose to treat her with alternative therapies such has chiropractic, integrative manual therapy and herbs. She doesn't take any medicines and she doesn't have a g-tube. She was on TPN in the NICU but nothing since.
Next week Hope has her appointment with her Integrative Manual Therapist. We take her once a month. It a very non-invasive therapy. When she first came home from the hospital she would clench her hands so tightly that her hands and forearms would be purple. After our first trip to the IMT Hope could open her hands and touch everything. She could grab her toys and was able to start putting things in her mouth. We have seen many other benefits from the IMT and the herbs as well.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Busy week
Isaac at the park.
Grace feeding the giraffes
Faith feeding the giraffes
Isaac and the giraffes
Yes Isaac is touching a snake! He thought it was the greatest he stood there for about 15 minutes holding it and touching it. The whole time he had a little grin on his face it was so cute.
Faith found a Grandpa at the baby shower to swing her!
The swing made Hope very sleepy!
So pretty!
This week we went to a baby shower on Sunday in a beautiful park in Greenwood Village, Tuesday we went to Focus on the Family to their play area. We met the cousins and family friends there. Tuesday night we went to Chuck e Cheese for a birthday party. Wednesday we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Today we rested after going to the park! whew!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
End of School Year Trip
Grace is finished with kindergarten! What a year. She learned to read, count to 100, subtract, add, she learned her continents and so much more. Even Mommy learned a lot!!! Isaac and Faith also learned their ABC's and numbers. Today we went to Pueblo to the zoo and then a park next to the zoo. Grampy and Namaw joined us for the day.
The kids friend Chrissy joined us for the day. Hope did really well today as well. She loved the zoo and all the animals. They are currently howling at the moon! It is time for bed before they turn into werewolves and start roaming!
Faith found another boyfriend there was a little penguin that loved her. He followed her and whenever she would move he would too. It was very cute.
Friday, May 16, 2008
10lbs 12 oz!
Hello everyone I am up to 10 lbs 12oz! Can you believe it! I gained 10 oz in 21 days. Yeah! Must be all the good food I am eating. Yum Yum I love food :)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Just a Swingin!
Faith was having a great time pushing Hope in the swing. Hope loves to swing.
Grace made me the most wonderful fruit plate for Mothers Day she took a lot of care in making the cashews all in a straight line around the plate and decorated the fruit so nicely. Thank you Grace!
I love WATERMELON!
Hope has discovered she loves watermelon. Look at the intense way she is looking at it. She was almost jumping out of my arms to get some last night. She was soooo cute. Today is kind of rainy so the kids decided they would all snuggle in Mommy's chair and stay warm.
Hope ate alot of different foods yesterday. She had oatmeal for breakfast, sweet potatos for lunch and real rice porridge for dinner. She did really well with the variety. Hope loves to eat that is for sure.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wedding Day!
The girls were so excited for today to come! It was just as much fun as they imagined. They all looked so sweet in their matching dresses and Isaac was so handsome in his little suit!
Hope had a good day as well. She let Great Aunt Carie hold her for awhile and she got to see her Aunt Katie who she hasn't seen since she was born. I gave Hope some sweet potatoes yesterday and she LOVED them and she did really well digesting them So now we have a new food to eat. She wants to eat and drink everything that Mommy does.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Rehearsal
Last night the kids and I went to the rehearsal for Aunt Carie's wedding. The kids had fun. Faith found a boyfriend and Grace was in heaven because she got to wear a veil! Grace lost her first tooth this week and then we lost it. Luckily the tooth fairy was kind enough to leave money anyway.
I think this hat might be to small!!!!
Monday, May 5, 2008
6 Months old!
Today Hope is 6 months old! She is doing very well. It was a beautiful day so we went for a walk, played at the park and swung in the back yard. She has come a long way we look back at the pictures from the NICU and remember just how sick she was. We thank God every day for his miraculous healing hand. We are very grateful for all the wonderful people who have continuously prayed for her. THANK YOU!
Today is also her Great Grandmother Claire's birthday. Happy Birthday Great Gran
dma!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
A word from Dad
A word from dad:
Hello, and thank you for reading on Hope's journey. I just wanted to add some of my thoughts. Hope's journey with short gut is unique, because we chose to forego extraordinary medical intervention. The hardest decisions that we as parents will ever be asked to make, are those that affect the lives of our children. We would like other parents to know that it is okay not to do everything that the doctors suggest. Facing the prospect of losing a child was the most difficult and trying time in our lives.
The consensus of the Doctors was that without medical intervention Hope would live two to three weeks at the most, that she would never gain weight, and she would die of malnutrition. Knowing this we decided to trust God, and brought Hope home under Hospice care. We prayed, not knowing if our prayers would be answered, but having faith that they would. First Hope was with us for Thanksgiving, Then for Christmas, Then the New Year. After three months she was discharged from Hospice Care, because she was growing instead of declining. Hope weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces when she left the hospital. Hope will be six months old tomorrow 05/05/08 and she now weighs over 10 pounds. Hope's six month birthday is both a miracle and milestone for all of us.
As Hope continues to grow and thrive I am in awe of the miracle given to us. It is the greatest feeling to see her smile, to hear he laugh, and to watch her wide eyed wonder as she discovers the world around her. Our other children love their baby sister, and try their best to show their affection. We don't know what the future holds, but we have faith that God will continue to bless us with the joy of having Hope with us.
I don't forsee myself posting very often, but for all of the parents of sick children out there may God bless you, and your children.
Hello, and thank you for reading on Hope's journey. I just wanted to add some of my thoughts. Hope's journey with short gut is unique, because we chose to forego extraordinary medical intervention. The hardest decisions that we as parents will ever be asked to make, are those that affect the lives of our children. We would like other parents to know that it is okay not to do everything that the doctors suggest. Facing the prospect of losing a child was the most difficult and trying time in our lives.
The consensus of the Doctors was that without medical intervention Hope would live two to three weeks at the most, that she would never gain weight, and she would die of malnutrition. Knowing this we decided to trust God, and brought Hope home under Hospice care. We prayed, not knowing if our prayers would be answered, but having faith that they would. First Hope was with us for Thanksgiving, Then for Christmas, Then the New Year. After three months she was discharged from Hospice Care, because she was growing instead of declining. Hope weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces when she left the hospital. Hope will be six months old tomorrow 05/05/08 and she now weighs over 10 pounds. Hope's six month birthday is both a miracle and milestone for all of us.
As Hope continues to grow and thrive I am in awe of the miracle given to us. It is the greatest feeling to see her smile, to hear he laugh, and to watch her wide eyed wonder as she discovers the world around her. Our other children love their baby sister, and try their best to show their affection. We don't know what the future holds, but we have faith that God will continue to bless us with the joy of having Hope with us.
I don't forsee myself posting very often, but for all of the parents of sick children out there may God bless you, and your children.
Good day
Today we went up to Larkspur to a church there called the New Covenant Fellowship. Chuck has known the pastor for quite some time and today we decided to make the trip and go. It was really great. The people at the church were very friendly, the music was wonderful and the sermon was moving. We had lunch with our friends Bruce and Sharon at their beautiful home. They had a trampoline so the kids got to jump all afternoon. Needless to say they were exhausted on the way home. They thankfully slept in the car. It was good to go and visit. The people in the church have been praying for Hope since she was born so they got to see first hand that their prayers have been answered. She was giving big smiles and she even let Pastor Tim hold her for about 10 minutes! Isaac got to watch a few trains go by and Faith went to Sunday school class and made some new friends.
This week Aunt Sherri came to visit with cousins Mindi and Glorya. Sherri and Alan will be giving us a new cousin in November so we are very excited. He or she will be born close to Hope's birthday. Her girls are excited to being having a baby brother or sister.
Last night we went to a spaghetti dinner hosted by the Boy Scout Troop 127. It was really good and the kids had a great time.
Of course I forgot the camera! So no pictures today :(
This week Aunt Sherri came to visit with cousins Mindi and Glorya. Sherri and Alan will be giving us a new cousin in November so we are very excited. He or she will be born close to Hope's birthday. Her girls are excited to being having a baby brother or sister.
Last night we went to a spaghetti dinner hosted by the Boy Scout Troop 127. It was really good and the kids had a great time.
Of course I forgot the camera! So no pictures today :(
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Doing Good
Hope has been doing well. She is eating good and still only stooling 3 times a day. She feels heavier but I haven't had her weighed recently. She has been taking a nap some days by herself during the day which has been a big help in getting housework and schoolwork done. She also feels a lot better when she rests during the day. Luckily though she can go almost 6 hours at night without waking up then she only wakes to nurse! We went to Sam' s club today to get groceries and she did really good. She rode in her carrier the whole time without fussing. We were supposed to take her back to the gastroenterologist on Monday but they don't take our insurance any longer so we won't be going. She is seeing the cranial sacrial therapist on Tuesday and she has helped more than the doctors.
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