Hard Hit...

Tuesday started off like any other normal morning. The boys were up, had eaten breakfast, and began playing with paper airplanes in the living room while I was cleaning up the kitchen. It was maybe 8:30.

I then heard the worst thud I had heard in a while, and I went running to the living room. I knew that whoever had taken the hit was hurt badly, but in those first moments following the sound I'd heard and dashing to the scene, there was only silence. It was just a matter of seconds, but I quickly realized Daniel had fallen into our coffee table while retrieving his airplane. He was screaming at this point, grabbing his ear.

It was huge, red and swollen, but he wouldn't stop crying. The tears continued to fall after Ibuprofen, ice, and an hour after it occurred. He then started getting really irritated with his brothers... every noise and move they made. I moved them to their room so Daniel could lay in the living room alone.

He was hysterical, though, complaining about my cell phone vibrating and the boys' whispers from across the house. Then, he got nauseated. I knew his ear wasn't the only place that had taken the hit from the coffee table...

The pediatrician said to be there in 20 minutes, and she was incredibly caring. Daniel still hadn't explained how he had fallen, but the swelling of his ear and head was quite noticeable. He was dizzy and not very clear. The pediatrician noticed an indentation on his skull behind Daniel's ear, fearing a fracture. We were sent to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for imaging, where we learned that the "pothole" on his skull was actually swelling. The CT scan showed bruising and swelling, and he had a concussion.

I am reminded that through these scary moments of the calm I felt... it was never overwhelming. I realized how thankful I was for God's protection of my family and how good it is to rest in His peace through the times that could have been so fearful.

Pictures are:
1) comparison of both ears a few minutes after falling, 2) sleeping for a few seconds on the way to Vanderbilt, 3) sitting with Dad in the waiting area, 4) Daniel beside the CT scanner, 5) the bruising behind his ear the day after the fall, and 6) feeling better more than 24 hours after the fall.

Opthamology Visit

We had waited for what seemed like ages for this appointment. When the week was finally upon us, a dear friend asked who we were seeing and I wasn't quite sure. She said she hoped Samuel was seeing a certain opthamologist because she knows his family well and he is fantastic. I came home to discover that he was who we were scheduled to see the next day!

Samuel and I headed to Vanderbilt on Tuesday, May 12th, for his appointment. They began with several tests, checking his vision. I was so impressed at how much he recognized at such a distance! They then started with a PIP 24 palette test, checking his ability to recognize colors. I was amazed at this point. Not only could he distinguish between the colors, he was recognizing numbers that are higher than we have learned.

It was here that the assistant said that most children with optic swelling have difficulty distinguishing colors and have a hard time with that particular test. Samuel did not!

We then had to have drops put into his eyes for dilation. It was awful, but we finished and waited until they were ready for the next check of his eyes. Twenty minutes later, the fantastic doctor came in! He checked Samuel and made his diagnosis very clear...

Samuel does NOT have papillodema (optic swelling)!

Praising God that this is all in HIS hands!

He was asked to wear some cool sunglasses home, but he wasn't keen on the idea... until he realized how bright it was outside!  All in all, it was a great day, and we are incredibly grateful for all of the prayers being lifted on Samuel's behalf.

* We will revisit the neurosurgeon in June, but until then, we are doing okay. 

Allergy Testing Revisited

We knew it would have to be done at some point, and since Elias has struggled some with runny nose and a cough since his adenoids and tonsils were removed in January, his pulmonologist felt now, April 22nd, was the time. He is one month away from turning three, and he handled this testing so much better than he did at 16 months old.

I kept him busy by playing with my phone and watching YouTube videos of Paw Patrol. The fifteen minutes flew by! He didn't cry or scratch at all, and that is probably because he isn't allergic anymore and hasn't added any new ones! Praising God for this great news!

Now, That's a Rash.

In the middle of March, out of nowhere in Sam's one afternoon, Samuel broke out in a rash on his face.  I have always known that his skin is extremely sensitive, so I've made our own detergent for years now.  However, while sitting at Sam's, his face continued to get welps all over his cheek.  By the time we gave him Benadryl and got home, we had a full on rash, all over his body.  It was on his chest and stomach, all over his face, and in the folds of his arms.  

The next day, symptoms continued, but didn't seem to bother him at all.  What really irritated him was all the attention this "rash" was getting him!

A few days and a doctor visit later, the welp rash subsided and these red spots came up all over his face.

... and they just kept spreading.

The next day, the red spots were more noticeable and a bit scary to him.

We saw the doctor again who wasn't really sure of the cause since it was essentially two separate rashes all together, maybe more.  He referred us to an allergy specialist.  While waiting for that appointment, we had another round of welps/welts.

Finally, we saw the allergist, and he refused to test Samuel because of his extremely sensitive skin.  He even did a "test" to see how Samuel's skin would react to being touched.  He took the tip of his pen (the pen was closed) and ran it down Samuel's arm.  Within seconds, his arm was red and had a long, large welp where the pen had been.  We were told to give Samuel two different medications daily to help this disorder, called dermatographism, and come back in two weeks to see if his skin improved.  I took him to Dairy Queen after being poked on at the allergist's office, expecting he'd want ice cream.  Instead, he chose a hot dog and was thrilled with his pick!

I also took him shopping with me, and let him choose one thing to take home with him.  Of all the things he could have chosen, this sweet kiddo chose marshmallows.  He fell asleep on the ride home.

We returned to the doctor after two weeks, and the skin was still easily irritated.  We're on a nasal spray and two medications daily now, but hoping that the doctor's diagnosis and dermatographism and low-grade sinusitis will continue to get better with time!

All Things Work Together

When I woke Tuesday morning (March 20) at 8:28 a.m., I found it as no accident.  On a day when I was expecting the worse (and still was), I was reminded so clearly of my favorite scripture, Romans 8:28, which states, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord...  I had no idea how timely that verse would be throughout the remainder of the day. 

I quickly got myself and the boys ready for Mother's Day Out.  Samuel had insisted on wearing his brother's John Deere hat from Grandpa, his baseball outfit, and his Scooby Doo Crocs, and I, despite my best intentions, allowed him to mismatch himself all the way into school. 

When backing out of the garage, I noticed the most beautiful tulip in our front yard...  One simple, red tulip.  My heart was overwhelmed with God.  While nothing else seems to grow in our yard other than weeds and bugs, the tree that had once been in the center of our yard had died, so Brian had planted what seemed to be rotten tulip bulbs in its place.  Two years later, this beautiful flower appeared.  I was in awe of how God had placed that one tulip in our front yard on this particular day, when I just-so-happened to be filled with fear and anxiety.

I ran errands that morning until time for my OB appointment at 10:30, expecting that this would be the appointment in which I went on bed rest.  After having had strong contractions all day on Sunday, I just imagined that at 31 weeks all of my "running" would be over.  Much to my surprise, my OB was not surprised.  He smiled gently and explained that he thought all I was experiencing was normal with my history of pre-term labor with Samuel. 

While waiting to leave my appointment, I received a text from Brian who had left work due to an injury he had received Monday while playing basketball.  He explained that he was at the chiropractor who had discovered his injury was in fact a bulging disc.  Brian was instructed to do no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 3 weeks. 

I went about my day so thankful for God's provision of keeping me off of bed rest especially when my husband was going to be unable to lift the boys.  Stockpiling diapers, getting groceries, and running errands were my mission for the day.  I also had made plans with my sister to pick her and sweet Natalie up around 1:30 that afternoon before picking the boys up from Mother's Day Out.  Natalie was to turn 5 in just two days, so we had decided to take the cousins to McDonalds for ice cream and play.  We had originally thought we'd go to Chick Fil A in Rivergate, but I thought it'd be less crowded at White House McDonalds (and get 50 cent cones).  So, we headed to pick up the boys.

We arrived at McDonalds with three very excited kids.  Daniel and Natalie went running into the Playplace while Samuel, his normal, timid self, took his time climbing up the one step and onto the platform.  Mimi had gone to order our ice cream while Aunt Ca and I watched the kids.  I had just told Jessica that Samuel would simply climb the stairs and platform but never enter inside the Playplace.  True to his usual fashion, he crawled up the stairs but stopped just before going into the tunnel.  We'd been there a whole 7 minutes when Samuel fell face first onto the platform while Mimi still waited in line.  He screamed for Mommy when Ca got to him first, and she passed him to me.

We were certain he'd just gotten scared and that his face was hurting him.  It was just a simple fall, from the step to the platform.  He had twisted towards his left side downward onto the platform, but it wasn't anything major.  However, Samuel continued crying...  When Mimi returned with our dipped cones, Samuel would not take his - an indication that his fall was more than a scare for him.  I would go to sit down, and he would sternly say, "Stand up!" over and over again.  When his crying lasted for over 20 minutes and people began to stare, I asked Mom if she thought this was normal.  She agreed that it wasn't, so Samuel and I climbed into the van, leaving our family behind.  Just before heading out the door, I looked at him and said, "Samuel, tell Mommy what is hurting.  Can you tell me what's wrong?"  He looked up with his tear-filled eyes and quietly stated, "My leg, my leg."

Samuel was very quiet as I carried him into the pediatrician's office which was just two lights away from McDonalds.  I found it strange that while being examined, he kept his leg bent and his toes raised, resting his whole left leg on my stomach.  We waited as they decided to send us straight to imaging down the street.  Being 31 weeks pregnant, I knew I'd need to return to McDonalds to get my sister to hold Samuel for his x-rays.  The x-rays were difficult; I waited in the hallway as I listened to Samuel yell for Mommy and allowed Jessica to hold him.  Jessica knew he was in pain, and it hurt her to have to hold his leg with the grimacing expressions on his face.  I think she realized the outcome before I did.

We returned to the pediatrician's office only to be taken straight back to Room 1.  The nurse entered with a significant dose of ibuprofen for Samuel, and I believe this was my first indication that something might actually be wrong.  Moments later, our pediatrician walked in and said, "Well, he has broken his leg...  (my heart is sinking at this point) in two places."  I began to tear up because the emotions of the day were finally catching up with my hormonal, pregnant self.  She informed us that we'd be looking at 8 weeks of a cast...  and here I was, almost 32 weeks pregnant.  We really didn't have 8 weeks!

Jessica, Samuel, and I were sent to Vanderbilt Children's ER because all of the orthopaedics were closing for the day.  Thankfully, Brian was able (despite his bulging disc) to drive to McDonalds, leave his car for my mom, Daniel, and Natalie, and my father was able to take him back home where he remained on the couch for the next day. 

The wait seemed like ages in the ER, but we were home by 11:30 that night, equipped with Loritab for Samuel's pain and a cast from his thigh to his toes.  He'd had to endure the cast saw, and the doctors saw fit to saw a slit from the top of the cast to the bottom to allow for swelling.  The next few days were hard, adjusting to life with Daddy down and out, Mommy 32 weeks pregnant, and Samuel unable to walk.  He learned very quickly to scoot and crawl despite his 5-10 lb addition. 

Frustrated at the possibility of NOT playing at the train table

This is really cramping my style.

Learning to sit and sing with his cast.

2 days after the injury, a smiling Samuel

climbs his way up onto the chair.

Yesterday, Jessica and I took Samuel to the Pediatric Orthopaedics at Vanderbilt where he received another round of miserable x-rays and a new "outer" coating for his cast.  He's sporting a heavier, blue-colored cast which he will wear for only 3 weeks.  A splint may be necessary when we return to take the cast off to help him transition back to walking. 

This isn't too bad!

My mind, throughout all 8 days of this, has constantly gone back to the clock that I woke to a little over a week ago.  8:28.  As clear as the sky (and Samuel's cast) is blue, my God is still God, and He will and has already worked all things together for good.

You'd Never Guess...

But Daniel is already two months old!

Here are some of the things that took place during his second month:

In his 5th week:
He found his Mommy's hair.
He took his first trp to west Tennessee.
He got a case of baby acne.
He started kicking and pushing off of whoever held him.
He was able to hold his head up for 20 or more seconds.
HE ROLLED OVER from his belly to his back!

In his 6th week:
He moved out of newborn diapers into size 1's.
He had his first sleepover at his Mimi's.
He was really recognizing his Mommy and Daddy.

In his 7th week:
He slept through the night for the first time... 8 whole hours!
Unfortunately, it hasn't remained consistant.
He stayed awake much longer throughout each day.
He began wearing 3 month clothes.
He started cooing like crazy.
He fell in love with his mobile.

In his 8th week:
He began trying to roll from his back to his belly.
He had a week-long visit from his second-cousin, James Evan.
He had his 2-month checkup which included his 1st round of shots.
He only cried for a minute during the 3 shots.

He took his rotovirus liquid immunization like a pro!
He weighed 12 lbs. 10 ounces (in the 75th percentile).
He was 23.5 inches long (70th percentile).
He got his very first pair of swimming trunks and sunglasses.
He started mimic-ing his mom (sticking out our tongues).
He tried sleeping through the night... 3 nights in a row.

Guess Who Is...

Daniel Benjamin is! He is one month old today, and I cannot tell you how much he has changed. It is such a blessing watching him grow, seeing his facial expressions, and hearing his sweet little voice. Here are just a few of the things that happened in Daniel's first month:

In Daniel's 1st week:
He spent two days in the hospital.
He lost a few ounces there.
He slept... a lot.
He was visited by many friends and family.
He finished the week by gaining his birth weight back.

In Daniel's 2nd week:
He weighed in at 9 lbs. and 6 1/2 ounces.
He had an ultrasound of his kidney.
He was cleared of any abnormalities!
He cried... a lot.
He began smiling in his sleep.

In Daniel's 3rd week:
He had his first church visit and got his Bible.
He took his first trip to Walmart.
He met his cousins for the first time.
He went to the playground with them.
He started crying/screaming after every feeding.
It was determined he has reflux and started Zantac.
He would not sleep through the night.
He weighed 9 lbs. and 11 ounces.
He had his newborn pictures taken.

In Daniel's 4th week:
He would smile while on the changing table.
He had his first Cracker Barrel visit.
He grew out of his newborn clothes.
He started blowing out diapers...
and messing over whoever was holding him.
He laughed and giggled in his sleep.
He slept three hours at a time.

Fits and Fusses

You wouldn't know about these if you've seen Daniel out in public yet. See, our little boy has learned how to impress people and get your attention at a mere 4-weeks-old. He is the best baby when he's around all of you, but as soon as we are by ourselves, he lets us have it.

Just yesterday, as we ate lunch with family and friends at the Cracker Barrel, Daniel slept through the whole thing... We get in the car, and on comes the tears. Saturday, Grandpa stopped by to see his perfect little grandson, and not ten minutes after he left, Daniel started screaming to no end.

It's become a joke with us... We wait to see how long it takes after people leave or we get alone before Daniel brings on the crocodile tears. It's almost like he knows he has everyone's attention, and then he also knows when he doesn't - thus the crying fits.

Everyone seems to ask how Daniel is doing, if he's sleeping through the night, and if we are getting any sleep. We always reply that he is growing quickly (a whopping 9.11 pounds as of 3 days ago), has his days and nights mixed up, and that sleep is a thing of the past.

Just last week, Daniel spent two days screaming after his 11:00 feedings. Both a.m. and p.m. might I add. He would scream for 3 hours until his next bottle. We were so afraid of colic, we took him to Dr. Cormier on Friday. Turns out Daniel has some reflux and he is now on Zantac, rice cereal, and sitting upright after feedings. It's amazing that you can be thankful for reflux, but we are.

Daniel will be a month old in 2 days... I have a lot in store for you then. Check back later this week!

Growing Like a Weed

I finally broke down and mowed the yard yesterday. I realize how ridiculous I may have looked, considering I just gave birth two weeks ago, but I wanted to help Brian out and feel like I had actually accomplished something. So, the front yard is mowed. Ha, I didn't say I mowed ALL of it.

Just like the weeds that had popped up in our yard, we have a little boy that's growing that same way... fast and totally unexpectedly. Daniel doesn't even seem like a newborn anymore. He went for his two-checkup yesterday, and he had gained 1.4 lbs. in seven days... He's now weighing WAY over his birth weight(8.8) at a whopping 9.6 lbs.! We also got the results from the ultrasound of his kidneys, which were "perfectly normal."

I'm amazed at how well Daniel is doing, and sometimes I forget, when he's up all night or screaming at the top of his lungs, what a blessing he truly is. We are honored to hold him in our arms, and we have become so aware of the perfectly, great God we serve! Enjoy the latest pictures of our growing boy!



It was 3:04 a.m., and Daniel was wide awake and grinning ear to ear!


I see God's fingerprints all over this picture. Look on the top, right side of the screen and notice Daniel's profile at 28 weeks... He is wonderfully made!


Daniel is two weeks old, and already holding his head up all by himself...


Daddy and Daniel needed a day-time nap.


Daniel's gift from our sweet friends, the Woodards. It's on the wall right as you walk into his room.


He lost his cord just days before Mother's Day, and just so happened to have on this "Mommy" onesie. Look how big Daniel is!

Daniel's First Day

Aunt Jessica waited patiently to hold Daniel...


Mimi was all smiles...


Daddy and Daniel


Daniel and His Family...


Dr. Nason, Daniel, and Daddy


Daniel getting checked out by the nurses after delivery...