High Blood Pressure and IVIG

Sam had IVIG today. I am so very thankful that they got the IV in on the first try and things seemed to go smoothly for the first couple of hours. After a little while Sam's blood pressure started creeping up. I am not sure what this is caused from, if it is a cardiac issue developing or if it is a reaction to the IVIG. Either way I am anxious about it, not sure what they will do if he reacts to this IVIG product, as this is our third one. He started on Gammagard, was then switched to Gamunex, and now is on Privigen. Preston was also started on Gammagard and he is tolerating it well so far. Sam's pressure got as high as 140-170s over 85-105! So scary! Prior to letting us go home his systolic had come down to 127, but the diastolic was 98... We will be headed back to our pediatrician on Monday for a re-check. Prayers that it resolves please.

Walking with friends

SO my two friends and I went on a three mile walk today. It was so wonderful to get out and enjoy the beautiful cool crisp air, and amazing company. These two ladies are such blessings in my life. Michelle just had baby Genesys last week, and Jen had Isaac last December. This is Michelle's Genesys. She also has two other children, Christian and Trinity. Michelle and I have been friends for quite a while and we co-lead the nursery together. Michelle is such an encourager and such a wonderful listener. I am so blessed to have her in my life. Christian and Sophia are both in kindergarten together.

This is Jen's baby Isaac, we also call him Baby Blue Eyes. This little guy has the most beautiful blue eyes ever, and he is such a happy little guy. Jen is a new friend, who has been such a tremendous blessing in these last several months. I am so very thankful for her, and for our friendship. Jen is getting ready to start up a bible study and I am so thrilled to be able to be a part of it.

I am just so blessed by these two special Godly ladies. God truly has given me some amazing friends. Friends that I learn so much from and that we support each other through so much. It is so wonderful to be going through this phase of life with these lovely ladies who are going through it with me.

And of course my two littles were with us on our walk today too. Preston was in and out of the stroller, alternating between running and walking. Paisley slept almost the entire time.

Please say prayers for Sammy. He seems like he is getting sick, but he is also due for his IVIG tomorrow. Please pray that they get the IV in easily and that all goes smoothly. Thank you!!!

The blessings among the chaos

Today I was just thinking about how truly blessed I am. On days like today, when the baby slept horribly last night, and Preston is fussy, and Sam and Sophia are at each other's throats and whiny it is easy to focus on the negative and not realize the blessing in the chaos. It is easy for me to get wrapped up in how I am feeling physically (IE: exhausted, my back is sore, and my heart rhythm has been off...), it is easy to look around and wish for the things that we can't do financially right now. It is easy to look at my house and wish that I could snap my fingers and the house would be clean... But instead I am choosing to be grateful. Grateful to a Savior who came to this earth for ME!!! A Savior who was tortured and crucified so I could have a day like today. Grateful that I have been bought by His grace and mercy, and that this world is not my home, and that I am only passing through. It is easy to stress about all that is going on the world, but today I am praising God for the abundance of blessings that are overflowing in my life. For my husband, who is so very hard working and talented, for my children who each are so special and unique, for our families, for our church, for our friends, for our jobs, for our home and vehicles, for the freedoms we take for granted in this country. For the freedom we have to praise God however we choose. As a mom of four young children, I am constantly feeling stretched and pulled in a million different directions, feeling like I can't quite get it all done, and that what I am getting done isn't getting done well. But as I am surrounded by these precious little lives, who are learning about God and making the choice to follow Him, and that they are each kind compassionate loving kids who love others and love to talk about God to them, I realize that that is what is important. These days are fleeting, these moments are fleeting. The days of whining and crying, dirty diapers and all night feedings, the runny noses and tummy aches, are all only a drop in the span of our lives. These days are the days that we have to choose to be surrounded by His presence, and not by our circumstance. Sure I can get frustrated when Sam is complaining about his homework, and Sophia is crying because she is overtired, and Preston wants to be held while I am standing at the stove, and Paisley is screaming in her swing, but instead I am choosing to wrap myself in Him and the glory of His presence in my life. I am choosing to focus on the abundant blessings that surround us. I am choosing to focus on what we have, not what we don't. Choosing to focus on Him and what He has provided for me :-) Yes, I am tired, yes I am overwhelmed, but I am also loved beyond measure, and when I choose to allow Him to bring me where He wants to lead, there is no telling where we will be. Be blessed! Know that He is with you no matter what your circumstance

My big girl

I had a follow up with the pediatrician today for Paisley. I am happy to announce that her weight has taken off finally. The doctor was hoping that she would gain between 15 and 30 grams a day. Paisley has intermittently gained less than 15 but never more than 22grams since we have been home. Well her weight gain this past week has averaged her out to 37.5grams a day!!! I am beyond excited about this. It is always so frustrating to have a great milk supply and to work so hard to get a NICU baby to latch on only to have them not grow well :-( It is something I certainly have beat myself up about. I can't keep them in until they are full term, so I always hate that my milk doesn't make them grow chubby :-( Well maybe Miss Paisley will end up being my chubby girl. I am really hoping that will be the case. Now we don't have to go back to the pediatrician for a little over a week this time, and it will be for her two month check up! I can't believe she will be two months old already! Time flies :-)

Red Apple Farm

Today I got to go to the Red Apple Farm with Preston and Paisley. Preston is part of a wonderful program in which a home visitor comes into our home twice a week and bring him either a new toy or new book each week. I had her start coming last year when we were just determining how poor his immune system was and that we couldn't really take him out into public too much. Martha started last year and was wonderful. I am so blessed and thankful for her, and am so thrilled that she is also a believer. :-) So today we went with the agency that provides the home visitors. There were many families that took part in this trip. We went on a wagon ride (there was NO HAY!!!) and picked a bag of apples and a pumpkin. Preston only picked one apple and then he was done. He wouldn't put the apple he picked into his bag either. Right when we got there we were to go on the wagon ride. Preston was not at all interested in the ride. He was actually even crying and trying to get off. Poor guy was scared of the tractor. But once the ride started he kept saying things like "Wee! Fun!!! Wee" It was so cute. s He wandered around in the apple orchard with his empty bag. He didn't put one apple in his bag. He ended up sitting with Martha for a little while and enjoyed eating an apple with her. They also gave out apple cider. I didn't expect that Preston would enjoy the cider but he really did. He actually ended up asking for a second cup. He was so cute today. I really enjoyed this special time with him. Don't get me wrong it was really hard trying to juggle him and Paisley with no stroller (farm too bumpy), but it was a beautiful day that God blessed us with. Just prior to leaving Preston went over and sat on a big rock to watch the animals. The donkey started making lots of nose, and Preston told it "Sssshhh" and "Be quiet!" It was so funny.

My due date

Today is my due date for Paisley! It feels like the pregnancy ended so long ago and that God has healed my body so much since it has ended. Looking back on those crazy few days, and remembering how disappointed I was that I wasn't going to get my full term baby, I am just so grateful that God brought us through all of it, and that our lives are a testimony to His amazing love and grace. My pregnancy buddy Michelle was due two days after me (this coming tues). She was induced this past week as her doctor was expecting a very large baby. So the other day Paisley and I went to go meet Baby Genesys. She is 8lb 6oz, and seemed so much bigger than Paisley. Seeing how uncomfortable Michelle was, I am a little relieved that I didn't have to still be pregnant today :-) Michelle and I are hoping that Paisley and Genesys will be great friends. Paisley wasn't happy at all during our visit so she is screaming, and while there my friend who is also a lactation consultant pointed out that Paisley is tongue tied, which I already knew...

Soccer and friends

Sammy has soccer every Saturday morning, this weekend was no exception. Matt's parents, as well as my parents were there which was a tremendous help as Preston is so busy these days. He loves to run all over the place, and Grandpa was his running partner today. Sam played well and played hard today although his team did lose today which was disappointing to him. But what was even more frustrating to him was that he got hit in the face by another player and got a bloody nose. He wasn't too hurt, but was angry that he had to sit out. He got hit within the last probably 5 or so minutes of the game, so he had to stay out until the end of the game. Sophia wasn't actually with us at the game as she had a sleep over at a friend's house. After the soccer game we went to a new playground that we had never been to before with a group of friends. It was a wonderful afternoon. Preston is becoming so adventurous. The playground had some very tall climbing structures which was so nerve racking. Preston climbed up the tall slide and I cringed, when he first sat down he looked a little anxious too. But he went down repeatedly and loved it. And then he went down HEAD FIRST!!!! I was terrified. I heard an older child at the playground say "Wow did you see what that baby just did? I am going to go try that!" And then he went up there laid down and was too scared to go head first. Leave it to my little dare devil boy :-)