Ears are clear!

Great news today.... Miles' ears are totally clear of all infection and fluid! So, no ENT for us! YEA! We did talk extensively about the reflux and constipation and he gave me some information about feedings, solid foods, medicines, etc. He also advised me of a new GI doctor to try, so I am going to call and schedule another appointment.
That's all for now. The boys are resting, so I am going to as well!

Post Christmas update

I have not posted in quite a while, so I wanted to get online and share some new achievements. Mason was at the pediatrician's office the other day with Miles and I and he stepped on the scale. My "baby" weighs 38.6 lbs. I couldn't believe it! He has gotten so big in the last year! He continues to love playing with his train table and trains. He is loud and energetic and a typical little boy. On Monday, he fell (or jumped, depending on who tells the story) off a chair at Mother's day out and cut his eyelid (in the crease). Yet another scar to prove his manhood, I suppose!

Miles is always a delight. He is still having GI problems. The medicine and super-expensive formula do not seem to be helping at all. We have an appointment with a new GI doctor in early March, but are trying to move that up. We also have a follow-up at the pediatrician's office tomorrow to do an ear check. If he still has fluid on his eardrums (he did still 2 weeks ago), they plan to refer us to an ENT. So, we would appreciate prayers for a good check-up and clear ears tomorrow morning.

On a happier note, he is confidently sitting on his own now for much longer periods of time. It is so nice to put him down and know that he will still be sitting when I come back. And, he is getting closer and closer to crawling. He is on all fours and rocking back and forth. He wants to move forward so badly, but just can't coordinate the movements yet. I know it will happen so soon and he will no longer be sitting where I put him when I come back. So, it is exciting and scary all at the same time!

A couple of pics and a video

I have to pick Mason up from "school" in a few minutes, but wanted to post a few more pics.

Dylan Jo, Mason and Miles


Daddy and Mason


Mason and his new train table


The boys in front of the Christmas tree


Video of Miles sitting in his room on Dec 30th (click the arrow twice)

Mema

I have had two amazing women that have been a huge influence in my life. They are my two grandmothers. Nennie (my mom's mother) is 86 and Mema (my dad's mother) is 84. I have been thinking about both of them so much lately. Maybe that is a product of their age, and maybe it is a product of mine. Today, I have had my thoughts on Mema. She is an amazing woman. She was able to spend Christmas day with our family - her 2 children, 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, she had absolutely no idea who we all were. She has advanced alzheimers and is in her own world. But, that is not what I want to dwell on today. I refuse to remember her as the shell of a person that the terrible disease has made her. I remember her strong. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. She taught me how to bake -- her homemade rolls and pecan pies (with the most perfect, flaky crusts that you can imagine) were out of this world. She was a lady through and through. Until very recently, she wore dresses every single day and only put on pants to work in the garden or in the yard.

Her faith in God carried her through many tragedies -- the death of her husband, mother, son and sister. She cared for each one of them through long illnesses and I never once heard her complain or ask why her. She had an amazing spirit, a fire in her. The family house had a large back yard and they had chickens in the yard. Apparently, one pecked at my oldest brother when he was a young boy and she went out and immediately wrung its neck (literally). She didn't wait on the men, she didn't blame my brother for doing something to the chicken, she defended her grandson and took care of the situation. It really makes me laugh to picture the situation. Chicken Little was dinner that night. I loved spending time at their house growing up. There was always plenty of family there. I learned so much from her. I learned the importance of family and God. I learned how to cook (or at least I tried!!!).

I watched her live out Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

She is all these things and then some. She is to be praised for the life she lived and the witness she provided. My prayer is that she does receive the reward she has earned and that she meet my Grandaddy, Uncle Rickey, Mama (her mother) and Aunt Pat at the heavenly gates very quickly.

Hey big brown eyes!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! It is the day after and the ribbons and bows have started to settle. New toys are piled everywhere as are new clothes for us all. We have spent several days with family and are happy to return to our nice, warm home. Oh yes, we had our heat go out last weekend and ... long story short it was not fixed until today, so we have been spending time with the grandparents. It was a fun new way to spend the holidays (since all the family is in town, we normally come home each night), I must admit. However, we are all happy to be home today.

Miles had a great first Christmas and has really started sitting up on his own more confidently. If he sits still (rare!), he can sit on his own for quite a while, but he usually is too busy flinging himself around after toys or someone to sit for very long.

(Eric, Miles and Miles's great-grandmother Mema)

Mason got a train table and lots of new trains for it. He is so excited that we put it together this morning. We are all having fun putting the track together! He also received a remote controlled car and is having so much fun running it all over the house! Miles is so funny -- when the car is zooming around, he watches it so intently!

(Hannah, Kaleb and Mason intently watching the train go around Nana and Papa's tree)

On a side note, I will be taking Miles soon for a second opinion on his constipation issues. We continue to struggle in that area, even though I have not mentioned it lately. Hopefully a different doctor will give us more than "let's give it 2 more months." It has already been 6 months, what is the point of waiting 2 more and not trying anything new??? It is so hard to just sit by and watch him struggle and have terrible gas pains when he cannot go for several days at a time. But, he is a trooper and generally keeps his happy, smiling demeanor about life!

Take care and I will post some pics of the boys from Christmas very soon!

7 years and counting!

Miles had an ear check on Monday morning. He has fluid in both ears still, but no infection. YEA!! We go back in a month for another check. If there is still fluid, we will have to see an ENT doctor. If we have to go in before then with an ear infection, we will also have to see an ENT. So, in the middle of cold and flu season, we will hope and pray for the best.

Sunday was our 7 year wedding anniversary. Amazing that it has gone by so quickly!

And, Christmas is just a week from today!!! I love Christmas!! I still have a few gifts to finalize, but all in all I am just about finished! I am excited to see Mason's reaction to all the fun gifts and magic of Christmas. We plan to drive around Highland Park and see lights this weekend. He gets so excited about trees and lights! We have 3 small pencil trees in our entry that have snow but no lights. Mason looked at them the other day and looked at me and told me "no lights, Mommy". When Dylan (a friend) came over, she said "ooh, Christmas trees" and Mason quickly informed her "no lights". So, they both walked around saying "no lights" like it was totally disappointing and wanted me to understand that!! Very funny!! Maybe I will put some lights on them next year. And, this is Miley-Moo's first Christmas, so that is very exciting. He also loves looking at the lights on the tree. I am not sure if he will be able to see any lights on houses from his car seat, but maybe he will see some and enjoy the ride. So, Merry Christmas everyone! There will be plenty of pics posted from all the festivities with cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles!!

Boston.....here we come!!!!!

HE DID IT!!!! Eric qualified to run the Boston marathon. The big-daddy of marathons! He ran the Dallas White Rock marathon in 3:10:25. His qualifying time is 3:10, but they give a 1 minute grace period, so he did it! It was quite exciting to watch Eric reach this amazing goal. The boys and I are so proud of him. So, on the third Monday in April 2009, we plan to head to Boston for him to run. Just as an FYI, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annually contested marathon. (www.bostonmarathon.com)


(Eric is in the white shirt)



In other news, Mason and Miles are doing well. Mason continues to amaze and frustrate me daily. I know, I'll miss these days at some point in the future. I am not always sure about that! Miles also amazes and frustrates me, but in different ways. He continues to rub his ears and is having trouble sleeping at nights. Yesterday, he ate 40 oz of formula, cereal once and three 4 oz jars of fruit. I am not sure where the kid puts all the food, but he must have his daddy's metabolism! Friday we have a follow-up appointment with the Gi doctor and Monday we have an ear check scheduled. I'll post results from both of those.

Fun pics from Houston

Just wanted to post a few pics from our Thanksgiving trip to Houston. Miles met some of the extended family for the first time. Everyone had a great time!

The girls: Kim, Betty (Mimi), Kendra and Emilyn

Miles and Great-great Aunt Lois

Mason, Kendra, Miles, Emilyn and Auntie Kim

Great-Aunt Karen, Miles, Great Grandma Kimball and Emilyn

Another week....

.... another double ear infection for Miles. Yes, that is right. We went yesterday for Miles' 6 month "well baby" (haha) check-up and found out about his ears. He did still get his shots, so he is in quite a grumpy mood today. He is still sleeping ok, so that is a blessing as I am still getting over my respiratory infection. Miles updated stats: 16 lbs, 15 oz (45%), 28 1/4" (93%).

Mason remains healthy and happy. He is dealing with all the sick grumpy people in his life pretty well. He is also starting to get excited about Christmas and Santa. I hope to take him over to see the Trains at North Park Mall, so we'll post some pics or at least commentary about that once we go.

5 days until Eric's marathon. Please keep him in your prayers for continued good health, strong legs and the mental strength to not let outside factors (the warm weather) impact his focus. Thanks all!