Today we keep Charis up until 11 PM and wake her up in the morning at 5 AM. We have to be at CHKD at 7:30 am to begin the preparations for the EEG. Brian is taking the late shift and I'm on early in the morning.
I've been trying to place how I feel during this time. I almost have been feeling numb, like it's not real. I know God is in control. I don't doubt that. I know God can heal Charis and that the doctor's may do the tests and say there is nothing wrong. I know that they may see something now, and see a miraculous healing later. But I also know that as her mom, I don't want this to be real. How often do I think "Here am I Lord, send me!" And then in the same breath, "...but don't mess with my kids!"
I think the whole neuro thing scares me in general. Broken legs, sprained ankles, stitches, no problem. When they start talking "brain," your mind wanders. So, I'll be honest. I'm scared. She's my baby. No one wants to see their baby sleep-deprived, hooked up to brain monitors in the hospital. Yet I know this could be the pathway God has chosen to bring glory to Himself.
When Brian told me this quote by CS Lewis, I cried. I was having trouble with this. How can I trust God but still be scared? How can I know He's in control but feel anxious?
“We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be”
And that describes me perfectly. Again, thank you Lord. You even knew I was anxious about this, and you led Brian to that quote.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Atalie- 2 months!
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Atalie turned 2 months old this week. At her doctor's appointment she weighed 12 lbs. 12 oz! (She weighed 6 lbs 10 oz at birth). She's in the 90% for weight and 50% for height. The doctor said everything looks great!
Atalie turned 2 months old this week. At her doctor's appointment she weighed 12 lbs. 12 oz! (She weighed 6 lbs 10 oz at birth). She's in the 90% for weight and 50% for height. The doctor said everything looks great!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Neurologist Appointment
We took Charis to see a neurologist with CHKD today. I brought a little bit of video with me to show him the limping since it's not unusual for kids to not do what you say they are. :) And, of course, today she was not limping. He looked at the video, watched her walk and run over and over again, tested reflexes, and asked a ton of questions.
He found that she seems to be weak on her left side (the foot she limps on) when he tested her reflexes and commented that she is "very right handed." (Kids tend to be ambidextrous until around age 3). She was wonderfully cooperative and polite and let him squeeze, shake, and test her legs and arms with the tiny hammer. :) She even said "Yes, ma'am" when he asked her questions. (We are working on "yes, sir") :)
Since there was a difference and a noticeable weakness on her left side, he ordered an EEG and MRI.
The EEG is April 1st (this coming Wednesday) at 7:30 AM. We have to keep her up until 11PM the night before and get her up at 5 AM. She has to fall asleep at the hospital so they can do the tests. The tricky part will be keeping her awake in the car on the way to the hospital.
The MRI is scheduled for April 27th at 12:45 PM. She can't eat 8 hours prior, and they told us the testing could take up to 4 hours. She will need to be sedated.
If nothing is found on these tests and there seems to be a need, they will pursue other options, like testing her nerves. One possibility is that the reason for the weakness is malformation of a blood vessel.
Please continue to keep Charis in your prayers and that somehow the Lord uses this to bring glory to Himself. Pray for wisdom for the doctors, and healing over Charis. The Lord has already answered so many prayers from getting the doctor we wanted to see, a calm demeanor for Charis while being examined, and quick appointments with a very busy neurologist. Not to mention Atalie either slept or sat quietly through all the appointments. I'm nervous, but I have to admit I can already see the Lords hand prints in this. Thanks for praying.
He found that she seems to be weak on her left side (the foot she limps on) when he tested her reflexes and commented that she is "very right handed." (Kids tend to be ambidextrous until around age 3). She was wonderfully cooperative and polite and let him squeeze, shake, and test her legs and arms with the tiny hammer. :) She even said "Yes, ma'am" when he asked her questions. (We are working on "yes, sir") :)
Since there was a difference and a noticeable weakness on her left side, he ordered an EEG and MRI.
The EEG is April 1st (this coming Wednesday) at 7:30 AM. We have to keep her up until 11PM the night before and get her up at 5 AM. She has to fall asleep at the hospital so they can do the tests. The tricky part will be keeping her awake in the car on the way to the hospital.
The MRI is scheduled for April 27th at 12:45 PM. She can't eat 8 hours prior, and they told us the testing could take up to 4 hours. She will need to be sedated.
If nothing is found on these tests and there seems to be a need, they will pursue other options, like testing her nerves. One possibility is that the reason for the weakness is malformation of a blood vessel.
Please continue to keep Charis in your prayers and that somehow the Lord uses this to bring glory to Himself. Pray for wisdom for the doctors, and healing over Charis. The Lord has already answered so many prayers from getting the doctor we wanted to see, a calm demeanor for Charis while being examined, and quick appointments with a very busy neurologist. Not to mention Atalie either slept or sat quietly through all the appointments. I'm nervous, but I have to admit I can already see the Lords hand prints in this. Thanks for praying.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
To the Fire Station
Atalie's first visit to the fire station that Brian works at was this month. We took lots of pictures, but I'm pretty sure Atalie didn't know she was at the fire house. :) Charis, however, loved it. She now calls the fire engines "Daddy trucks." The weather was nice that day so it made for a great visit.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Limping Along...
Since January (maybe longer) Charis has been having an issue with her foot. She complained for a few days about it hurting, and then one morning woke up limping and dragging it slightly. So we rushed into the doctor's office. They sent us to CHKD to have x-rays done. They x-rayed her entire leg, from the hip down. They didn't find any fractures.
So they told us to keep shoes off of her for a few weeks. Then after a few weeks of no shoes, then switch to very soft shoes, like Robeez. So we did that and the limping continued off and on, but not to the extreme that it was before. Finally we got the go ahead for regular shoes, but VERY flexible shoes. So we got some nice tennis shoes (thanks Bean and PawPaw).
Unfortunately, the limping has continued off and on, so we went back to the doctor yesterday. They are sending us to a neurologist to see if there's a nerve issue somewhere in her foot that could be causing off and on discomfort for her.
So, if you think about it, we would appreciate prayer for our little one and her foot. Thank you!
So they told us to keep shoes off of her for a few weeks. Then after a few weeks of no shoes, then switch to very soft shoes, like Robeez. So we did that and the limping continued off and on, but not to the extreme that it was before. Finally we got the go ahead for regular shoes, but VERY flexible shoes. So we got some nice tennis shoes (thanks Bean and PawPaw).
Unfortunately, the limping has continued off and on, so we went back to the doctor yesterday. They are sending us to a neurologist to see if there's a nerve issue somewhere in her foot that could be causing off and on discomfort for her.
So, if you think about it, we would appreciate prayer for our little one and her foot. Thank you!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Beach!
This past week we've had a spell of warm weather. It hit almost 80 degrees one day! I love the warm weather. Scratch that...I love HOT weather. So one evening we packed up and went down to the oceanfront for the evening. We ate a picnic dinner and officially got ripped off by Dairy Queen. How is it that 3 hot dogs and 2 drinks cost $18???? Next time we'll be packing PB &Js. Or I'll eat ice cream for dinner.
Charis chasing the birds!
Me, attempting to feed Atalie while she attempts to fall asleep. Oh, and Charis successfully attempting to swipe a sip of our soda. :)
We had a blast that evening once we got over the price of hot dogs and Brian maneuvered the stroller on the sand.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sisters!
Having a sister is something I always wanted and I feel blessed that the Lord has allowed Charis and Atalie to have each other. Charis already has an attachment and a genuine fondness for Atalie. Or as she calls her, "A-dee-dee."
Time with Dad
Charis was very curious at first!
Charis's first time holding Atalie.
Inspecting the goods...
Atalie's first day of church.
My girls
For some reason I get such a kick out of the goofiest pictures. So here's a little taste of some of my recent favorites. :) 
Seriously, look that that double chin.
Still trying to focus on things!
She was very excited to play in the sink. We had to do a little sink bath after playing with glitter during art time.
I still don't know why she was making these faces, but it was hilarious.
Seriously, look that that double chin.
Still trying to focus on things!
She was very excited to play in the sink. We had to do a little sink bath after playing with glitter during art time.
I still don't know why she was making these faces, but it was hilarious.
First Snow
Charis's first time actually playing in the snow was this past February. She loved it!
This is Charis and Brian's sad attempt to make a snowball.
Yes, Valerie. This is what closes schools in Virginia Beach!
And this....is the snowball.
This is Charis and Brian's sad attempt to make a snowball.
Yes, Valerie. This is what closes schools in Virginia Beach!
And this....is the snowball.Friday, March 6, 2009
I Do What I Don't Want To Do...
I'm finding that too often I do exactly what I'm hard on other people for doing. Have you been walking through the grocery store and hear a scream that catches your attention? You turn, already knowing what to look for. A toddler or child crying. Too often I catch myself thinking about what they should do as a mom, or what type of punishment to deal out to the child. That is, until I was that mom in the grocery store. I remember it well...
Charis had been dealing with a pretty nasty cold all week. We'd both been cooped up and I was dying to get out of the house. Normally she's my shopping buddy. She loves any kind of shopping and will gladly spend the day hopping from store to store. So we venture out to Bloom to pick up a few groceries. It's close to the house, we've been stuck inside, and she probably needs a break from the same walls she's seen day in and day out.
As soon as I plop her in the grocery cart I notice it. She was fine on the drive over, even perky! But the dark circles popped up, her posture wilted, and she put her head down on the bar of the cart. Then commenced the crying. At this point we've got the necessities only in the cart and I'm rushing to the line to get out of there! By the time we got to the cashier, all eyes were on us, and my child was face down in the front of the cart (no easy task, mind you...but she was determined to lay down).
My face red with embarrassment, I reflected on the situation as I drove home (Charis crying the whole way). How often have I been quick to judge someone because of what I see. But I only see part of the picture. Too rarely I jump to my own conclusions without giving others the benefit of the doubt. Is the child sick? Having an off day?
How about me? I'm thankful that God sees it all, even what I don't want anyone to see, and still bestows grace and a healthy dose of humility. It's time to stop looking at what others should do and start looking at what ways they reflect Christ better than I do. I could learn a thing or two from that mom in the grocery store, I'm sure. But even more so, we could learn a lot from friends and family (the ones most of us tend to be the hardest on.)
God's challenging me to look at those around me and stop being the judge, but the student. I guess every now and then I need a visit to the Principal to set me straight.
Charis had been dealing with a pretty nasty cold all week. We'd both been cooped up and I was dying to get out of the house. Normally she's my shopping buddy. She loves any kind of shopping and will gladly spend the day hopping from store to store. So we venture out to Bloom to pick up a few groceries. It's close to the house, we've been stuck inside, and she probably needs a break from the same walls she's seen day in and day out.
As soon as I plop her in the grocery cart I notice it. She was fine on the drive over, even perky! But the dark circles popped up, her posture wilted, and she put her head down on the bar of the cart. Then commenced the crying. At this point we've got the necessities only in the cart and I'm rushing to the line to get out of there! By the time we got to the cashier, all eyes were on us, and my child was face down in the front of the cart (no easy task, mind you...but she was determined to lay down).
My face red with embarrassment, I reflected on the situation as I drove home (Charis crying the whole way). How often have I been quick to judge someone because of what I see. But I only see part of the picture. Too rarely I jump to my own conclusions without giving others the benefit of the doubt. Is the child sick? Having an off day?
How about me? I'm thankful that God sees it all, even what I don't want anyone to see, and still bestows grace and a healthy dose of humility. It's time to stop looking at what others should do and start looking at what ways they reflect Christ better than I do. I could learn a thing or two from that mom in the grocery store, I'm sure. But even more so, we could learn a lot from friends and family (the ones most of us tend to be the hardest on.)
God's challenging me to look at those around me and stop being the judge, but the student. I guess every now and then I need a visit to the Principal to set me straight.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Party time!
Anyone who knows me, knows I love birthdays. All birthdays. Anyone's birthday. Birthdays are meant to be celebrated!!! I remember waking up as a child with posters around the house, post-it notes strategically placed, and coming down the stairs to a birthday breakfast. Then later I enjoyed a birthday lunch and birthday dinner. Birthdays were never over the top as far as money goes...but every birthday I felt so special. It was MY day!
I love celebrating other people's birthdays too. We've even had birthday parties for our dog, Major. His birthday is Valentine's Day!
So when this birthday came I, for the first time ever, had given it little thought. With the arrival of Atalie things had gotten a little busy.
But my wonderful husband still managed to make things special for me. Flowers....(I love getting deliveries, even mail.)
Dinner....no cooking for me!
And then mom came over to babysit the girls. Brian and I went to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert. Well, desserts. Three. Apple streudel cheesecake, lemon raspberry cheesecake, and a Godiva icecream thingy. YUM!
Then on Saturday the celebration continued at my mom and dad's house with Chinese Food, clam dip, and key lime icecream.
Ah, birthdays. Don't you love them???
I love celebrating other people's birthdays too. We've even had birthday parties for our dog, Major. His birthday is Valentine's Day!
So when this birthday came I, for the first time ever, had given it little thought. With the arrival of Atalie things had gotten a little busy.
But my wonderful husband still managed to make things special for me. Flowers....(I love getting deliveries, even mail.)
Dinner....no cooking for me!
And then mom came over to babysit the girls. Brian and I went to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert. Well, desserts. Three. Apple streudel cheesecake, lemon raspberry cheesecake, and a Godiva icecream thingy. YUM!
Then on Saturday the celebration continued at my mom and dad's house with Chinese Food, clam dip, and key lime icecream.
Ah, birthdays. Don't you love them???
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