Feeling oh so blessed

This past week has really had me doing a lot of reflection. There has been some heart wrenching news coming my way from friends in regards to babies. Babies (and parents) that really need my (our) thoughts and prayers.
Each day I thank God for all the blessings he has given our family, I am truly so thankful. It makes me step back and reflect daily how everyone's lives are so complicated. It's almost frightening to think of all the personal struggles people are going though, and on the outside, no one knows. Life can be so tough, and certain circumstances can make it even harder. I try to take just a few minutes each day and say what I am thankful for. We all need to start doing this.
I heard a quote a quote the other day that went something like, "What if you woke up tomorrow and the only things left were the things you thanked God for tonight". I think of this quote often and am really taking it to heart.

As for Whitney, I know I may be sounding like a broken record, but she is doing so good. She is such a happy baby and is totally spoiling us (making up for the first month I suppose). She hardly cries unless she is hungry and I cannot believe she will be 5 months old next week. She'll be starting cereal and vegetables soon, growing up so fast.  I'll leave with you some photos, enjoy....and remember to count your blessings!

Happy Halloween

Whitney's first holiday was Halloween (I am not counting 4th of July, since she wasn't home yet) and we had a great time. Unfortunately Andy had to work all night so he missed out on the festivities, but there were many other parents who requested off early to go trick or treating and since he knew we wouldnt be doing that yet, we were all OK with him being gone.

Our neigbors moved their firepit into the culdesac and invited all the neighbors to come sit outside and enjoy the fire. We all brought our candy bowls out with us and we were armed for the little kiddos. We were disappointed that only about 15 kids came around, most of them from our direct neighborhood, but it was nice to sit outside and chat. Whitney was all bundled up, and since she spent plenty of time around a campfire in Wisconsin, she was an old pro. It was a bit chilly but our neighbors kept her warm as she was passed around.

I cannot stress enough how wonderful our neighborhood and neighbors are. The support and love they have shown our family is so wonderful. It is especially great since our family is all back in Wisconsin to have that feeling of closeness and love.  Their concern and care is too much for words, every day I am so thankful for the house we chose to buy, it is truly our "home".

I did get to snap a few pictures of Whitney dressed for the fun holiday. Great Grandma Jackie sent her a Halloween shirt and she received a pumpkin hat and socks from her cousins Ryan and Lauren. Then at night she wore her ladybug costume, and Tilly was sporting his usual bumblebee costume that he has lovingly wore the last 4 years. Happy Halloween and enjoy!

4 months old - October 23rd

A few days ago I posted on Facebook Whitney's 4 month old "milestones" but alas, have neglected my non-facebook friends here on the blog. She is growing and developing, but the worrying never stops. Is she too weak? Too strong? Too short? Should be doing that? Is that normal????

I know all new Moms question their babies actions, but I am in hyper mode. I really do try not to lose sleep over this and am not losing sleep over it, but the mind does race with questions. Poor Andy has to listen to my concerns, but he is great at bringing me to reality, she is doing wonderful and we have a baby who we love, and he is wonderful for pointing that out to me.

Her milestones for this month include:
-Eat 5oz every 3-4 hours and 6oz before bedtime
-Goes to bed between 9 or 10:00 and wakes between 7 or 8 am
-I enjoy putting my hands in my mouth
-I like to smile and blow bubbles
-While lying on my tummy I can lift and turn my head from left to right
-I have already gone flying twice to Wisconsin

Go Whitney!

Best. News. Ever.

For many of you who have been following the blog know that Whitney's MRI appointment was last week Tuesday. This was a source of extreme anxiety for me. This past month I have really been able to enjoy Whitney and watch her grow and develop right before our eyes. She has been progressing right on schedule and as the MRI neared I almost became less and less scared and more and more optimistic - she has been doing SO GREAT.
We received the wonderful news that Whitney's MRI had come back with no brain damage! The doctor was very pleased with how the scans looked and during his checking up on her he thought she looked great and that the cooling treatment was a success. While only time will tell on how she develops both physically and any possible speech delays, the MRI was clean.

What an emotional day that was for our family. As I stood by her while she was in the MRI tube, listening to the sounds and hums and moans of the machine, I could not help but cry. If you would have asked me 4 months ago before she was born, I never would have imagined that we would be doing such things. Words that have become part of our language "delays", "MRI", "brain damage" should not be part of any new parents vocabulary. And standing there, watching your daughter get an MRI, with the outcome unknown, with so many questions running through your head is almost too much. All I could do is let the tears stream down and pray.

The doctor said he wouldn't need to do anymore MRI's and basically wished us well and said he could see us back in another 6 months. The news was great and we are so thankful. We are very optimistic about Whitney's future. We know there could be speedbumps along the way, but with strength, all you can do is take one day at a time.

Wow, time flies

So the saying actually is true, time really does fly when you are having fun.
I was ever so gently reminded this past week from friends, family and coworkers that the blog needs some new posts. Yes, it's true, Whitney and I spent a week in Wisconsin and just returned home today. This would mark the second time flying for Whitney in the last month, two trips to Wisconsin in just under 3 weeks. She is turning into a jetsetter already!
This past month has been so busy. Andy and I typically lead fairly busy lives with work and fun, and now adding Whitney into our lives makes it even more busy, but one thing is for sure, life never slows down for anyone.
At the beginning of October we flew to WI for a long weekend and a little vacation. We were able to introduce Whitney to most of our friends since we were in town for Matt and Jackie's wedding celebration. My parents met us in Milwaukee and watched Whitney while Andy and I had a chance to reunite with many of our Wisconsin friends and stay the night in a hotel. Whitney was able to meet most of her cousins on the Hendricks side and we all got to spend time with family.
We also headed a bit more south to Beloit and spent some time with Andy's family. Whitney had a great "Welcoming Whitney" party and was able to meet many members of Andy's family and their friends. It was a great little vacation and went by entirely way to fast.

I then had work meetings in Wisconsin this Monday-Wednesday so decided to make a long trip out of it and fly back to WI on Friday afternoon. Since Whitney "proved" herself on her first flight that she could behave herself, I decided to brave it, and take her flying with just myself while Andy stayed back in MB. We were able to spend some quality time with my parents and Whitney got to meet more cousins, more friends and more family.

Having friends, family and co-workers meet Whitney has been such a blessing. I know so many of you have been thinking and praying for our family. It just brings tears to my eyes thinking of all the support we have had these past 4 months. It was such a joy to have people FINALLY meet this little miracle they have been sending prayers to. She is doing so wonderful and I'm so proud of her. Having the support we have had has been such a Godsend. Whitney has come such a long way and seeing her now is unbelievable.
THANK YOU again to everyone! We saw so many people this past week, and it felt great. Great knowing that our little one is so lucky to be blessed with all this love in her life. Thank you!

Happy 3 months old

Today is Whitney's 3 month old birthday, it is so hard to believe she is 3 months old, it actually feels like she has been around here for a lot longer than that.
These past few weeks have been transitional weeks, since I am back at work and Andy and Iare trying to get into a routine. Whitney has been cooperating though, sleeping through the night and being a really good baby during the day. We started sending her to the babysitter, Miss Chris, and are so thankful we found such a great, caring lady to watch Whitney. It makes it so much easier to leave your child when you know they are in great hands.
As for milestones this month...she is really getting strong and is starting to sit in her Bumbo seat and when she's on her tummy move her head from side to side with ease. She is tracking objects from farther away and responding to sound and light. She's "talking" more and smiling so easy now. She is happiest when she's on the changing table getting her diaper changed.
We are heading to Wisconsin at the beginning of next month and will be flying in her first airplane trip, we are excited and nervous. We are excited though to have her meet all her cousins and aunts and uncles who have patiently been waiting to hold her.
We have started a routine at nighttime of baths (she LOVES sitting in her bathtub), bottle, reading books, then bed. The routine must make her sleepy, since she sleeps almost 7 hours at a time, another thing we are so thankful for!

More patience

Today we were supposed to be heading back to Florence to have Whitney's MRI performed, but just realized last night that the appointment was rescheduled to next month. So, now we are waiting until October 18th to have this done. I have mixed emotions about this wait. I have another month to not think about this and just enjoy the time with her. On the other hand, it would be nice  (or not nice) to know what is going on up there.
I had a nice talk with a great friend of mine last night and she reminded me that regardless of the MRI results we have to take into consideration how Whitney is actually acting. And she is acting so GREAT. No need to see the pediatrician except every month and the physical therapist visits as you know are pushed out to 6 months. She is doing everything she is supposed to be doing, and I have to remember that. This is just such an emotional rollarcoaster!!!
So we will wait another month and so it is.
We don't really have any other news to update everyone with. Just enjoying the sweet little baby:)