Prayer Once Again for Nolan!

Jonathan and I are seeking prayer for Nolan! Some of you know the trials he has been through in regards to his health. For those of you who do not I will outline them briefly so you understand our great need for corporate prayer from our family and friends. Nolan was hospitalized at two weeks old for a severe kidney infection. He was in the hospital for one week and underwent numerous tests, all of which were normal, praise God. After several "normal" respiratory viruses he ended up getting RSV (a severe respiratory virus) twice in a one month period. This led him to developing RAD (Reactive Airway Disease, aka: baby asthma). So from that point on whenever he got even a little cold he wheezed and coughed a great deal. He had to be put on prednisone twice to keep the wheezing under control and has had innumerable nebulizer treatments. At 6 and a half months of age he developed his first ear infection. It was treated successfully with antibiotics, but within two weeks he had developed another infection. It too was successfully treated, but again within two weeks he had another infection. This ear infection did not respond to three different antibiotics, one of which was a series of very strong injections. He has literally had an active ear infection for four and a half weeks. Tomorrow (Monday) he has an appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor) for evaluation to see if he needs tubes in his ears. Since he is once again running a fever and not sleeping well, we feel we already know the answer. However, we believe in a God who performs miracles. Jonathan and I have been diligently praying that Nolan not need surgery to help him become and stay healthy, but we need your help. We know that God has a plan to prosper Nolan, and not to harm him. We have heard numerous testimonies that tubes are wonderful and have made many children much better. That is fine, and if God's will is for Nolan to have tubes, then we will accept that. But we will continue praying for supernatural healing until we have a clear answer. We so very much appreciate your prayers and support. We are blessed to have so many close friends and family members who love the Lord and rely on Him for guidance. Thank you for praying for our son and lifting him up tomorrow (although you are welcome to pray for him more often :)). We will certainly keep you posted on the report we get tomorrow and the plan for Nolan's recovery.

4 Months!

Can you believe Nolan is 4 months old? Time is truly flying by. It is amazing how much he changes almost daily. I must say he gets cuter every day, if that is possible! We had his well child check on Friday. He got his second set of shots. He did really well, only cried for about a minute. I cuddled him close and he calmed right down and was back to his laughing, kicking, cooing self in no time. He has slept well today, which is a nice change.
His pediatrician said he is doing really well. He is still small, only in the 10th percentile, but is growing nicely. He weighs just over 12.5 pounds now (was 7 pounds at birth). He is cooing and babbling more and more these days. He will carry on entire conversations with you in his own language. He loves for us to read books to him...he will follow every page as you turn it and look at all the pictures. He of course loves to be talked to and sung to. He is developing such a little personality.
The girls who keep him at daycare say he is such a good and happy baby. What a blessing it is to hear that. I was sure worried I was not going to have a happy baby due to the rough times we had during his first six weeks of life. But from six weeks on, he has been wonderful. Motherhood is by far the best and most rewarding "job" I have ever had. I highly recommend it!
We are getting excited about his first Christmas. He still has several family members he hasn't met yet. Should be a great time. Although, next year will probably be even better, because he will get the honor of helping everyone rip open their presents!
We'll keep you updated on how he is growing and changing.

Nolan is growing, growing!

Sorry it has been so long since I have written on the blog. Life is a little busy these days. I'm back at work part time, which is going well. I miss Noland all the time, but it is currently necessary for me to work. He seems to be enjoying daycare. He loves his teachers and they seem to be enjoying him. I rush out of work as soon as I am able in order to pick him up though. I just can't get enough of him. I want to spend all my time with him. He is absolutely the most adorable thing I have ever laid eyes on. Jonathan and I say to each other all the time..."I love that kid!"
It is so fun to see Jonathan with Nolan. He adores him. I love to hear their "conversations." It is hilarious. Nolan is "talking" more and more. He loves to make lots of sounds and noises. He kicks and flails his arms. He stands up on his legs often, and loves to bounce. He has discovered his left hand and looks at it often, especially when he is on the changing table. I don't think he has any idea that it is attached to him. It is so fun to watch.
We have discovered that Nolan LOVES baths. He kicks hard enough to splash water out of his little tub and all over me! He fusses when you take him out.
He has met all of the developmental milestones for his age and for 4 months. So exciting. He is coming right along. He is an absolute joy!
We'll continue to keep you updated as he grows and does fun new things.

Last week of maternity leave

Well....this is it....the last week of maternity leave. So sad. I love my job and am excited about getting back to work. But I am really, really sad to leave Nolan. I have so enjoyed spending my whole day with him! I am sure the first several days will be very rough.
Thank goodness I will only be going back part time. I am not sure my heart could take going back full time. All I have to say is I appreciate my parents even more than I used to! It is amazing how much I love Nolan. I really wish I had words to say, but I can't express it through words. He is so incredibly wonderful and I cherish and adore him. Don't worry....I still love, cherish and adore Jonathan too. If anything I love Jonathan even more...it is wonderful to look at Nolan and realize that part of both of us are in him. A true miracle.
Nolan is getting so big. He is finally fitting in his 0-3 month clothes. Only a few newborn clothes are fitting these days. So exciting. He is just over 2 and a half months old. Can you believe it?
Wow. Well I'll let you know how the next few weeks go.

So much to tell!

I know I haven't blogged in a long time. Nolan is taking more and more of my time as he gets older and I want to spend as much time with him as possible since my maternity leave is coming to a very quick end. Too bad I don't live in Sweden where the maternity leave is one year!!
Nolan has become such a joy! I have mixed feelings about returning to work. One part of me is excited to get back to what I love doing, but the new mother part of me wants nothing more than to spend every day with Nolan.
He is doing so many new things. He is cooing and grinning and laughing. He certainly knows who Jonathan and I are. He follows us if we leave the room. He kicks and moves his arms all the time. He has unfortunately discovered his thumb. I would rather he didn't. At least I can take the passy away eventually. I can't take his thumb away. He was sleeping through the night, but got a little sick and that stopped (just a little cold). Hopefully he will start feeling better soon and go back to sleeping from 10PM to 6 AM. I didn't know what to do with all that sleep. The first two nights though, I wasn't able to enjoy it because I woke up every hour from 3AM to 5-6AM wondering if he was ok. Then when I got used to it and was loving it, it stopped. I know he'll get back on track soon though.
I have to go back to work on November 2. At least I will only going back part time. This is wonderful because I will get to do the job I love and be mom to Nolan more than just evenings and weekends. Unfortunately the lady who was supposed to keep Nolan at our home isn't going to be able to do it. So we have decided to put him in daycare, which is breaking my heart. I know daycare is necessary for some and is fine for some, but I had really hoped he wouldn't have to. We are praying about it though and I know he will be fine.
I am in complete denial about having to leave him to go to work. I really get sick to my stomach if I think about it....so I don't. Hopefully I'll be able to deal ok the first day I go back.
I'll try to keep the blog updated more often with the fun and cute new things Nolan is doing.

Yay for Exercise!

Well I went to the gym today and for a long walk! It felt great to get moving again. I am hoping to cash in on the theory (research proven) that exercise is the number one cure for fatigue. It would also help if my child would sleep longer at night.
Last night was a little rough. He was up every three hours just like during the day. It was my fault though cause I ate broccoli for the first time. Note to self: When I eat broccoli Nolan gets bad gas ALL night.
So I learned my lesson and will no longer be eating any vegetables that can cause gas in a baby!
Nolan is finally healthy, but still behind in weight gain. Not surprising for all he has been through. He will go later this week for a weight check and if he isn't gaining like he is supposed to then I will have to supplement formula after each nursing. I really don't want to do this so please pray he starts gaining like crazy. We are nursing for multiple reasons. One it is the healthiest thing for my child, two it is an amazing bonding experience, and three it is FREE. Formula is not.
I'll let you know how the weight check goes.

Good News!

Praise God, Nolan's test was normal. He does not have cystic fibrosis. We so very much appreciate your prayers. We are still reaping the effects of long term antibiotics with Nolan (from the hospital and then me taking them for a sinus infection). His poor digestive tract is just torn up. Please pray his belly is able to heal and he can get back to normal eating and sleeping patterns. Jonathan and I are in serious need of some good sleep. And so is Nolan for that matter.
We are so very blessed to have friends and family that are willing to pray for us and support us. Thank you so very much!!