Xander has been doing great work, even though he took a 3 week hiatus from all therapy and doctor appointments.His newest accomplishments include transitioning from the floor to sitting, getting on hands and knees and rocking while lifting and weight-shifting hands (we're almost to creeping on hands and knees people!!), sitting on our bottom and using our heels to spin in circles (have to make sure we don't miss anything!), and I'm also happy to report that he's been doing so well with different food and textures that our feeding therapy has been cut back to once a month, instead of weekly.
WOW - can you believe it!! It's only been about a month and a half since my last post and I have four significant things to share - that's lightning speed around here people!! I couldn't be happier and more proud of him.
Michigan was such a breath of fresh air for all of us and we have countless friends and family to thank for that. Cole was in heaven with room to run and explore at his own pace. He had so much fun with family that it breaks my heart we only get that chance once or twice a year - but when it comes around it is well worth the wait!
Now - to address the elephant in the room... well not really as far as you guys are concerned - but as far as I'm concerned, for sure!! I've been putting off writing a blog since I got back from Michigan because I didn't want to spill the beans too early and I couldn't focus on my thoughts and feelings without sharing them! So, here's the deal - the morning before we flew back to California, we found out that #3 is on the way!!
We couldn't be more thrilled! Nic was able to go to the first appointment with me before he deployed, which ended up just being a double edged sward, because they tried to do an early ultrasound, but couldn't see the baby and detected a uterine hemorrhage - which had me really concerned... and then he had to leave... But, I'm happy to report that last week I had a follow-up appointment and was able to see the baby and hear the heartbeat and the hemorrhage is shrinking!
Whew - can I just say that with this baby, I really hope that's my scare!! Cole shocked us all at the 20 week ultrasound when we found out he was going to have a cleft and we spent the next 20 weeks on pins and needles wondering how severe it would be and if there was anything else associated with it. Xander's pregnancy was very uneventful until that last appointment when they went to take his heart rate and it was 223 - off to Sacramento I went to deliver a baby and spend 2 weeks in the NICU - no warning or indication anything was going to go amiss. So, little baby number 3 - let this be your scare for us and the next 32 weeks can be smooth sailing!!
But, regardless of what this pregnancy has in store for us, I can't wait to meet and love whatever child we are blessed with.
The last few weeks have really gotten me thinking - I always hear pregnant women say that they just wish for a healthy baby. I used to say that too, but this time around I have finally realized, that if my wishes had been granted in the past, I would have never ended up with either of the amazing children I have today. So, I'm trusting that we will be blessed with the perfect child for us. Because healthy or not, this child will join our family and help shape who we are and who we'll become. I can tell you with certainty, that had my other children been born without challenges of their own, we would be a different family altogether. A child with special needs doesn't take away from a family, they add a whole new dimension that would have never before existed.
