Random Catch Up Post

I cannot believe how busy I've been lately! It seems like I'm always running from one thing to another. This is a crazy life, but I love it! 

Levi had the kidney reflux test last week and the radiologist doing the test told me that he only saw a little of the iodine solution go back up into Levi's ureter and it didn't reach the kidney so it's basically not even considered reflux. We were so happy and very encouraged after the test.

Unfortunately when I took Levi back to the Urologist yesterday to get the "official" results, we found out that he has stage 1 reflux. I must admit, it was a big let down. I'm thankful that it's only stage 1 and he will grow out of it, but after all he's been through (and he hasn't even had his lip surgery yet) we were hoping that the kidney thing wouldn't be an issue.

A sweet reader sent me the most encouraging email last week sharing her daughter's experience with reflux. Thank you, Leah! I'll be emailing you back soon! :o)

Lily's favorite activity is reading. I love it! Whenever Levi is eating, she crawls up on the couch beside me and we read. She really enjoys animal books and any book that mentions a baby. Her all time favorite book is "The Rain Came Down." We read it at least 14 times each day, and yes, I have it completely memorized! :o)

A dear lady from church came today to play with Lily for an hour so I could do whatever I wanted. Talk about nice! ha. The last time she came I took a nap, but today I decided to clean the bathroom and vacuum the entire house...I'm embarrassed to admit that neither of those had been done for over a month! I seriously felt like a superwife/mom when I got those simple tasks done. It's really amazing how much you can accomplish in just an hour when you don't have to keep up with a very mobile child! Ha!

Today we took treats up to the pediatric nurses who took care of Levi. When we were discharged they told us to bring him back to visit them. It was good to see them again, and I think they enjoyed getting the treats too. :o)

This month is Jacob's busiest month out of the year so we've hardly been seeing him other than a few minutes here and there when he comes home between teaching, conducting, rehearsals, and performances.

Last Thursday night was one of the the only two evenings he has free in March (I'm not even kidding) so my Mom kindly came and watched Lily so we could go out on a date. It was our post-poned Valentine's date since we spent Valentine's Day in the hospital with Levi. It was a much needed evening together (Levi slept almost the whole time) and we had fun using giftcards to Outback and Kohls that we'd gotten for Christmas...haha we obviously don't get out much!

Hope y'all are doing well. I've missed reading your blogs, but hopefully I'll be able to catch up on your lives soon!

14 months

Lily just seems to be growing up more and more each day!

She's gotten taller. 

Her vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds. 

She is a little mama to her baby brother.

Her little personality is developing. 

She might just have a touch of "drama queen" in her.

She also inherited a stubborn streak...from her Daddy, of course.

She weighs about 20lbs.

She loves feeding the dogs sticks and leaves.

She adores reading. Some books we read 20 times (at least) each day.

She prefers everything to be on the floor. She is the tornado that hits our home on a daily basis. Ha!

She likes to pick out her own clothes and she loves stripes as you can tell from the pictures.

She stands at the front door and waits for Daddy to come home.

She likes to be held and rocked.

She is potty training herself. Yes, seriously! There will be another post coming soon on this subject, cause this mama needs some advice! ha.

Lily Grace, your mama loves you!

2 months

My little man is two months old already! 

• He weighs 8lbs 9oz and is 21.5 inches long (I just looked back at Lily's 2 month post and she weighed 8lbs 9oz too. Crazy!)
• He eats about 4.5 oz of goat milk or breastmilk every three hours during the day.

I'm sure you're wondering about the breastmilk. When Levi was in the hospital, a dear friend of my sister's overnighted a ton of frozen breastmilk for him because all the wonderful antibodies would help him with healing. Then a sweet friend from church offered to pump the extra she has for Levi too! It is such a blessing!

• Levi has started sucking on his fingers.
• He takes about 4 naps during the day, and sleeps from about 10:30ish-5:30ish at night. Of course his hospital stay wacked out his good night time sleeping, but we're slowly getting back into our routine.

• After a rough week in the hospital with RSV, Pneumonia, a kidney infection, and dehydration, he is finally getting back to his happy little self. He still has a lot of congestion and the doctor said it could take awhile for it to completely go away. He's having a procedure tomorrow to check for kidney reflux since babies his age don't usually get kidney infections. It's been so hard to see him sick and having so many medical issues, but God is using the trials to build our faith in great ways. His ways are perfect!

• Levi is in size 1 diapers and is still wearing newborn size clothes.
• He usually likes tummy time, and he's rolled over once.
• He's started smiling alot more.

• Levi is usually only fussy when he's tired, hungry or needs a diaper change.
• He loves snuggling!

I just love this little man!

Yes, We're Alive...Just Recovering

So sorry I haven't blogged all week. We have just been so busy recovering from a week in the hospital.

Levi had a doctor's appointment on Monday to schedule an ultrasound of his kidneys - follow up from the kidney infection he got last week. He is doing pretty good - still having lots of congestion, coughing/choking fits. It's so sad to see him still struggling! The doctor said it just takes a long time to get over RSV and Pneumonia.

Lily has been the sweetest "little mama" to her sick brother. She pats him on the back and gives him lots of kisses.

 Of course she is very sweet to share her toys as well! Ha!

Levi doesn't seem to mind having the toys piled on!
We are just so thankful to be at home! Thank you all again for your prayers!

Levi is HOME!!!!

My tube-free little guy waiting on his discharge papers! 

Praise the Lord, we got to come home this evening! I'll post more in the next few days after we get settled in at home. Thank you all for your prayers!

Update

FB status and picture from yesterday {2/16/11} - Thank you all for your continued prayers for Levi! Praise the Lord he is doing much better today!! He's drinking lots more and won't have to get the IV again. Please continue to pray that the fluid will clear out of his lungs and that he will soon be able to breathe on his own. He has to be off the oxygen 24 hours before we can go home.

FB status and picture from today {2/17/11} - Please keep praying. Levi's chest xray showed that the pneumonia has multiplied, so he has to go back on IV fluids and antibiotics. :-(

My sister is updating my shop's fb page for me since I have very limited internet. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. You all are such a blessing to me!!

Kidney Infection

Sorry for just posting facebook status updates - we have very limited internet access at the hospital. I was so happy Lily got to come visit. She's been staying with my mom and Jacob's mom - we miss her soo much!! 

Update: His breathing is improving. We found out today that he has a kidney infection. His IV got clogged and had to be removed. If his levels are ok in the morning they won't do another IV. PLEASE pray that he will be able to drink his bottles - he's only had 5oz in the last 12 hours and he's got to have more than that to avoid another IV! Thank you all for your prayers and support! We love you!