10 months old

As I am typing this I realize I am a little late on this post, so let's call it 10 months and a week.
Whitney is changing so much, almost on a daily basis. She is getting such a personality and is constantly learning to do new things and turning into quite the explorer. The days of her sitting on her butt and playing quietly are now in the past, as she scurries to one toy to the next, pulls herself up and moving along furniture and is amusing herself with Tilly, possibly her new best friend.

She's standing up in her crib in the morning when I come to get her and I cant help but giggle. She plays tug with Tilly and is learning how to follow him around the house, it's quite possibly the most endearing thing I have seen her do. And when she giggles and smiles at me, that's when I thank God.

My parents have been watching her on Skype lately and I think they find her pretty funny. She's crawling all over (one foot on the ground, one knee on the ground) digging in her toy box and then chasing Tilly...I love to see them laughing at her and her antics. They may be far away, but Skype brings us so much closer. As they wave and smile at her and she attacks the computer, that's when I thank God.

The love I feel for her, this true, raw, heart wrenching love, is a love people told me about but I could never understand. I get it now. I know I'm not alone on this feeling, and I'm sure many can relate, but man it feels incredible. I've had 10 months of this precious baby and when I think back to her coming into this world and how far she's come, that's when I thank God.

Milestones include:
*Starting to eat grinded up adult food / * Like to pull myself up on everything and walk along furniture / * I can walk behind a push toy / * I generally like to go to thinkgs I'm not supposed to / * Bat at 8:00 and sleep until 7:30 / * I crawl with one foot on the ground / * I flew to WI again, this makes 4 times / * I have 5 teeth / * Mom heard me say "Tilly"...could this by my first word??

Taking the time to be thankful

This past month has been so much fun watching Whitney grow and develop. She has gotten so much stronger and is doing so many new things in such a short period of time. When my parents came to visit at the beginning of March, Whitney wasn’t even sitting herself up on her own, and just learning to crawl. Now when we were in WI this past week she is pulling herself up to a stand and cruising along furniture. She is crawling and loving the fact she can stand and sit, stand and sit. She’s pushing carts with wheels and walking behind them. In fact, it almost seems as if she is close to standing on her own and possibly walking. Saying those words makes me so proud and excited.

For the past few weeks I’ve started jogging again and decided I would just have to wake up before the rest of the family in the morning to fit this in throughout the day. There sure is something to be said about running in the morning and watching the sunrise and welcome the day. I’m alone with my thoughts and almost on a daily basis do I think about the images and conversations I experienced when Whitney was born and during that first very uncertain month. There are images and conversations that only Andy and I will ever know. I’m afraid these images will haunt me until I die, but also strengthen and mold me.

I hear so often and see posts on facebook and receive emails about “enjoying every minute” of being a Mom and see how others can sometimes struggle with parenthood. Sure, it’s hard and can be frustrating, but I have never and will never take it for granted. To have been so close to having this child slip away, I HAVE enjoyed every second. I’m taking it all in, I'm taking the time to appreciate it all. Every smile, every snuggle, and of course every cry too. I don’t think a day goes by that a tear is not shed. I know I’m an emotional person, but at night, when all is quiet and we’re relaxing in the rocker saying our prayers, and I give thanks to God for blessing us with Whitney, how can I not help but let a tear slip by? She’s here, and she’s doing awesome, and we’re witnessing it each and every day.

 

Just a few pictures to share...

I dont have too many photographs up in our house or in picture frames, but this one will find a special frame...

Also, wanted to share one of our special little Easter Bunny.

Good news all around

This past month was full of doctor appointments, way too many in my opinion for a healthy 9 month old. It seemed as if every week we were running to the next check-up or follow-up or well visit. Even though it was a lot of running, we received all good news from every appointment. Here is the rundown:
1. Neurologist in Florence - We had a follow up visit with Dr. Murthy three months after the MRI scan was performed. At the last meeting with him, he compared the scans and was very optimistic, and this meeting was basically a confirmation of that. He did a few "tests" on her and he thought she was doing great. He advised we do not need to come back unless we feel it necessary. It was so thrilling to know we don't have to go back there. The neurologist is not a fun place to be, trust me.

2. Physical Therapist in Florence - This was an appointment i was actually looking forward to and also a bit nervous. I was curious to see what type of "tests" they were going to have Whitney perform. I know she is doing so great, but I also wanted to hear from a therapist if there was anything we should be working on or if they had any concerns. They worked with her on picking up small items, standing, crawling and pulling up. She is still army crawling, but they didn't seem concerned about that. Every action that she did, they were very pleased with and the final outcome was "she passed with flying colors".
I am still cautious and very aware of her milestones and development. I know there are other children who had similar starts as her and were put on the cooling blanket who have had development delays. Of course I will always worry about her, but hearing that she is right where she should be makes me breath a little bit easier.

3. Well visit with pediatrician in Myrtle Beach - Dr. Malloney was very happy to see Whitney and said she is doing perfect. She is now in the 50% for height and weight, weighing in at 18.5oz and 27.75 inches long. He doesn't need to see her until her 1 year checkup. Amazing that it will be one year in just a few months. I remember when I was taking her to see him once a week. Whew, how things change.

That should be all the recaps. As you can see, she has gotten good health reports from all three doctors. She is such a miracle and I am sure to thank God for her every day. A friend keeps telling me God must have such big plans for her to keep her around, and I couldn't agree more. There is a reason she is here with us, and maybe it is for those who don't believe in miracles to see one every day, maybe it is for us to love and live deeper. Whatever it may be, we are hear, witnessing her every day. A living, breathing miracle.

Sweet Sweet Summer

As I held Whitney in my arms, slowly rocking her to sleep for her afternoon nap, the sweet smell of suntan lotion drifted to me. Her skin was still warm and her hair still windblown and messy from the afternoon of play. This moment, right here, right now, is what being a Mom is all about. Forget the crying, and worrying, this is worth every second of every day. I love you Whitney.

8 months old comes with GREAT news

Well it's been awhile since I last posted, just enjoying this precious time with Whitney. She's now 8 months old and doing so great.
The best news we received came this last Friday when she had a follow up appointment with the neurologist in Florence. He looked her over and said he doesn't need to see her anymore, he thinks she is doing just fine!
This is news that I was expecting to hear, but to hear it from him was so wonderful. If you remember, this is the doctor who the NICU nurses told us he does not "sugar coat" anything and will only tell you like it is. So considering the source, this makes it even more wonderful news.

My parents have been in town and giving Whitney extra special love. Andy and I appreciate it so much since it gives us a break to run to the store, run errands, check emails/facebook which is more difficult when watching her. It's special to have them here and see her from the time she wakes up till the time her eyes close for bed at night. They get to experience our joys of her teeth coming in (two have come in while they were here), seeing her first crawl, and seeing her personality blossom every day. The last two weeks have really been a wonderful special time for all of us.

As for Whitney, she is getting such a big personality. Just a few highlights include, rolling around everywhere to get where she needs to be. she would rather roll than crawl, however, she is started to scoot forward on her forearms and not quite tucking her knees under her yet, but getting the hang of it. She is still eating her frozen cubes of food, and feeding herself puffs, and we're getting adventuresome with her trying new things. (She loved the sherbet dessert after our hibachi meal last week. hahah) She's sleeping great at night, as usual, and has a really great routine throughout the day.

I'll leave you all with some pictures....what a joy she is!

Have lots of fun

Things are just moving along at quite a fast pace over here at our household. Between both of us working crazy hours and being gone overnight to running to the babysitter, to making baby food to keeping the house clean and trying to maintain somewhat of a social life is exhausting. Needless to say we are having tons of fun and time truly does not stand still for anyone.

Whitney is really starting to make some sounds from "dadada" to "ttttt" (we think she's trying to say Tilly) and I could swear she even said "mamama" but it may be wishful thinking too. She's getting really really close to crawling too. Tonight was the closest I've seen her, where she has scooted her knees under her and moved forward to reach a toy. Her arm strength is still a little weak, so she's not lifting herself off the ground, but I'm guessing that will come with time too and only become easier when she gets the hang of things.

We're excited to have some special visitors coming in the next few months so that's what we're looking forward to. I did take some pictures this past weekend and thought I would share. Enjoy!