Saturday, February 26, 2011

More Eating Challenges?

Take a look at that chub. Clearly this boy does not have nutrition issues.

Yet he has decided to give us some trouble with his eating habits. Don't get me wrong, he loves, loves to eat. Obviously. But really what he loves is his bottle. Solids? No thanks. Actually, NO WAY!

At eight months he should be eating baby food. Shoot, at 8 months his older sister was proficient at eating meat. But he does not want to chew anything. He does not want carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, pears, applesauce. What baby do you know wants to spit out perfectly good sweet bread?

He's growing the proper hardware just fine. Take a look at that Baby Shark! He has 4!!!

Now if only he would decide to use them.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

So Fast

Time going by, that is. I would not be exaggerating to say that every day I look at my Big Baby Boy in utter amazement. Amazement at the wonders of modern medicine, amazement at the progress he's making, but mostly amazement at God's Grace and the power of prayer.

I realized the other day how far we've come; it feels like we've (happily!) entered another world. Joey was in the hospital on 4th of July, Bella's birthday, Memorial Day, Mama's birthday - we joked we weren't making plans for Thanksgiving. We didn't even want to think about Christmas. We have celebrated every day since then as if a holiday with Joey, because it is SUCH a truly awesome gift to have him home and doing so well!

At his most recent cardiac follow-up our favorite cardiologist uttered some amazing words - "Despite all Joey's been through and how sick he was, the only real remaining ongoing issue is his aortic valve." His Only issue??? My little complicated boy only has 1 more problem??? Of course, it is a BIG problem. But then came the next amazing statement - "I would guess that we won't have to do anything else for that valve for a good 4 years or so." FOUR YEARS???? My little baby can grow and be normal and (hopefully!) no more hospital stays for several years??? God only knows what medical advancements there will be before Joey needs anything major again??? And then of course, came the final statement - "I'll see you in about 4 months!" Four. Months. MONTHS. This amazing doctor who we had been seeing every 2 weeks will next see *her special Baby* when he is almost 1 year.


The only kind of stickers Joey will have on his chest for a while!

God is amazing.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

I Am

I Am :

Happy


Snuggled



Playful


Teething


Expressive


Relaxed



20 pounds, 8 ounces!

I am Joseph Thomas, "Rocky," and I am 8 months old!