Let it Snow!

Winter has arrived, and all in one week, apparently. 

This winter Eli is a lot more adventurous in wanting to brave the cold and ride the sled, I had thoughts that Hannah would want to just stay inside with me and watch the boys play from afar. 

Nope. 

This girl likes to be right in the action. 

Even if it's face first. 

She still hasn't figured out quite what this white stuff is (and her snowsuit is a little small) but that doesn't stop her. Next year I think she'll tackle the downhill!

Even though I haven't left the house since Tuesday we have had lots of fun playing inside and out. 

Baking. 

Cleaning (yes, Eli is starting to become so helpful).

Making the birds a treat. 

And eating. LOTS of eating. 

Snow cream. ❄️

Cookies. 

And more cookies. 

I guess all the extra energy being exerted outside makes the little ones eager to eat more and more. 

We've had lots of fun finding inside activities to do when Mama just can't drag 2 kids outside another time. It's really been fun, and not filled with movies like I was expecting. 

Snow, it is nice that you came and even nicer that it seems to be warming up this week and we won't be stuck with you for too long. 

Here's to all the fun memories. Thankful for each and every one of them. 

Plugging along

This was Hannah (& I) last Thursday morning for her hearing test. 

We haven't had one of these since August and even though it's still the same test (for better or worse) Hannah has grown up a lot since then and it's getting harder. 

First of all it's just emotional. For Hannah, because she had to wake up early, go out in the cold, she doesn't want to sit on the bed and wait for the doctor, she wants to move around, get on the ground and more. Of course, since it's only 6:30am she forgets how tired she is and remembers how hungry she is so there's lots of bumps and tears and you get the picture. 

For me, it's also emotional. I think I've started tensing up when I pull into the hospital parking lot. I am tired of the silly questions about her delayed development and doctors and nurses who think they are pointing it out for the first time. Really? 

Since Hannah is getting older she is also more able to fight the sleep induced sedation and gets mad when we wake her up and force her to drink something so we can be discharged. 

So yes, just fun all around. 

The result is her hearing remains the same. Good news! Also, the doctor hopes to try a booth test next time instead of sedation. Even better news! Of course we will continue to monitor her speech and hearing. 

We have lots of professionals and professional parents keeping a pretty close check on Hannah. She is one of the sweetest children I know (not showing any bias here) and I am so thankful that she is part of our family. 

As she gets older her cries in pain, discomfort and confused looks hit me harder and make me get more defensive when doctors want to do yet another test.

But today we are well. 

The hospital is forgotten (by most of us) and we are anticipating the 1+ feet of snow predicted for this week. 

Thankful. 

Trying Hard

Hannah has always been the worst most challenging sleeper in our household. Since the day we brought her home she hasn't wanted to sleep. She went down to 1 nap/day at 11 months and when she was around a year old she finally slept through the night (after much trying) but at times it's still touch and go.

I always heard stories that kids don't sleep well when they are learning a new physical skill. I guess Eli went through this, maybe, for a couple of hours 1 night a long, long time ago.  So yeah, I don't really remember. 

Since Hannah is approaching 16 months and delayed physically I kind of thought we skipped the sleeping issues due to skill learning. Wrong. Last night she woke sitting in her bed, trying to pull up on the railing and very awake. Yes, the bed will be lowered before bedtime tonight. 

I'm really so proud of her and she's proud of herself. She is the child that really wants to move, she wants to get up, see, follow the big kids, etc.  But many times her body will not allow it. 

We still have to put her in the infant room at church because she's not walking, which she hates, and I get called out about every other week because she's so unhappy. One week I went back and they had her in a swing, so yes she has graduated from the infant room, but there's just no other place to put her. 

Her major mode of transportation is rolling right now and she has perfected it to a tee. She will roll from the living room to the kitchen, down the hall, into her room, Eli's room and everywhere else. And she's gotten really, really fast. Of course she doesn't realize that it would be faster and easier if she crawled, but her left side just won't allow it. We have been told once she's walking we can do things to help strengthen that left hand and arm, but at this time crawling just isn't happening. Her brain cannot figure it out. So, she rolls. 

I'm sure I will look back on the rolling days with fondness in the not so distant future, but now I just want it to be easier for her. I guess that will never change. 

Whatever you do, 

work at it with all your heart, 

as working for the Lord.  

Colossians 3:23

Christmas came early

Since we will spend time with family on Christmas Day we decided to have our family of 4 Christmas this past Saturday. 

We woke up to two little elves in our bed. 

After Keith made a delicious breakfast the present-opening began. 

Eli still has a little trouble moving on after he opens a fun gift (because he wants to play with it right then and there) but he's getting better. The fact that most of his gifts were in bags helped out big time! 

Helping Hannah with her gift from him. (So excited!!)

My two little munchkins had a blast. Eli with the toys, Hannah with the massive amounts of paper. But, I have to say this has been the most fun little people Christmas yet. It is true what people say, Christmas is better through the eyes of a child. 

From our family to yours we wish you the merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year too!

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:2

All the way my savior leads me

This morning I woke up earlier than all others in my house, probably because my mommy brain just turned on early and not because I was fully rested. Facebook reminded me of this post that was written a year ago. A post that was shared and commented on more than 700 times.

As I read over the re-posts and comments and tears ran down my face I was reminded of just how many of you have held us this past year. How many of you have prayed, asked your bible studies and churches to pray, and truly cared for Hannah and our family. It's almost too much to express in words--the power of prayer.

There have been times, many times, we did not know what to pray or how to pray and you prayed for us.

Thank you. 

As I think back on those dark days I'm reminded of those of you who never left us and a God who hasn't either. Through all the questions, unknowns ups and downs the Lord has been leading us and keeping our heads up. 

When we didn't feel like venturing out to a doctor appointment on a cold winter day the Lord motivated us and helped us through. When we felt at the end of our rope and very sad in the diagnosis a friend would call and encourage us. When I felt very alone in a house with two youngsters a friend would call and ask to stop by. 

All of this was the Lord leading us and you praying for us. 

This morning we also had Hannah's one year assessment for first steps--Kentucky's early intervention program. 

As I sat there, across the room from Hannah, watching her engage with therapists, jibber jabber with strangers, point, make eye contact and sit up the whole time my heart was glad. Of course glad at the progress, but also glad about the girl she is becoming. A girl who yes, needs a little more help, but doesn't let that stop her. A girl who, through God's grace, is determined and willing to work hard to accomplish every day tasks. 

I started to think if she works this hard at simple tasks how hard will she work when the goal is larger and and the outcome greater? 

So much of her personality is just emerging and it's a sweet sight to behold. 

There is still so much we don't know about Hannah's future, but we know who holds it. The same One who has walked with us this past year and since the beginning. 

It's hard to find the right words to thank you all for your prayers and love so I'll simply say thank you. 

From the bottom of my heart. 

A Year Later

This time of year has new meaning for me since the birth of Hannah. 

You see today marks one year since Hannah was diagnosed with hearing loss. It was one year ago today that I took my 2 month old to the audiologist, prayed she wouldn't cry too much and fall asleep for the test. 

I never expected the results I got. 

After what seemed like forever and a lot of little lines on a screen, the doctor, sweet Dr. Moats, turned to me, put her hand on my knee and told me Hannah had hearing loss. She just sat there so I could take it in. 

We had started the day thinking everything was fine, no problems, just normal newborn stuff. 

We ended the day with a new reality that would define Hannah for the rest of her life.  

If we wanted Hannah to speak normally and hear she would have to wear some sort of device for the rest of her life. 

You see, since we thought there was nothing wrong with Hannah and this hearing test was just to make sure of that, Keith didn't come with us. 

I called him shortly after she was diagnosed, put him on speakerphone and he asked all the questions, thank the Lord for that, because I was speechless. 

We left that day with hearing aids ordered, a list of doctors to contact and Dr. Moats telling me of a virus, that was very rare, that started with a 'C', that she was going to call Hannah's pediatrician about. 

That was all I could remember from this day a year ago. 

As Thanksgiving approached we learned much more about that 'C' virus that she did indeed have. 

Yes, the Thanksgiving season has forever changed for me. 

It has shown me that everything in life has meaning. Not just every person but every circumstance. Hannah's hearing loss and other issues are meaningful and will be used for God's glory somewhere along the journey in this life or in the life to come. 

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but  at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Happy Hallo-week!

I must say this year has been the best yet for dress-up, trick or treating and make believe. 

About a month ago Eli decided he wanted to be Po, the Kung Fu panda for Halloween. Since the movie hasn't been out in a few years there is zero out costume-wise. So, I started thinking maybe E would want to be a dragon since Po is the "dragon warrior ". Haha. 

He was an adorable dragon and even won "scariest" in the 1-3 yo category at our neighborhood's party. 

Honestly, I don't think the completion was very fierce, but we were all still excited. 

The next day we broke down and bought a panda costume and added shorts for the kung fu effect. 

Also adorable. And believe me I am packing up all these costumes. Hannah can be a panda in a couple of years too. 

Since Eli was Po he decided Hannah should be Tigris (Po's friend and tiger on the movie). Sweet, huh?

Hannah, in her go-with-the-flow manner adapted to the tiger costume with ease. 

Her costume was a lot easier to find. 

We even got our picture with Olaf at Boo at the zoo. 

Fun at the onset, very scary as we got closer and Eli said "he's big!" And stopped moving. 

Another thing that made Hallo-week fun was Mawmaw coming to town! She initially came because we had lots of appointments and Keith was going out of town but it was fun that it coincided with Halloween. 

Her visits bless me because both kids warm up to her quickly, especially Eli. He could probably play with her all day if she didn't get tired. It's fun to watch. 

Sweet skeleton Hannah. 

On Halloween night Eli decided he wanted to be Po (it is always a discussion since there are 2 to choose from) and I dressed Hannah as a giraffe (Eli's 1st Halloween costume) because it was warmer. 

Trick or treating was fun but handing out candy was a blast. Eli had so much fun seeing other kids costumes and giving them candy. He even got to stay up late. 

Having kids has its ups and downs, sometimes by the minute, but Halloween is completely an "up". I love this season and love my cute characters.