The List

I woke up this morning with my little guy on my mind. Mostly because he was in the other room - ready to be up for the morning. The other reason was a phone call from the Geneticist yesterday. Many of you know Gavin has an "extra variable" on his first chromosome. In order to know if it would be a future problem, Jason and I got tested. Turns out, I am the carrier of the "extra variable" too. In simple terms it means that we are both a little extra awesome. This variable has nothing to do with the "problem list" that Gavin has had to endure. It is just a part of our genetic make-up...lots of people have this extra variable, so maybe we aren't the only extra special ones out there.

That got me thinking of his problem list. Which got me thinking of the ways God has provided. Out of that, I felt the need to praise the Lord with you all. So here goes - his "problem list" and the huge ANSWERS that God has given us!

"Problem List:"
Premature baby. He is still on the small side (5%), but he is growing, and excelling intellectually.
Esphagus not attached to Stomach. Repaired on day of life two. Besides needing to cut his food up very small, he is doing well!!!
Ineffective Thermoregulation. He doesn't have this problem anymore! 
Congenital Anomaly of Spine. Will be repaired on November 4th! Prayers for this!!!
Scalp Cyst. (Spina Bifida). Removed the cyst with a successful surgery! Follow-up MRI March 2015 to see if the hole in Gavin's skull has closed - prayers for that too!
Heart Murmur. Ruled out any structural problems in July of this year. Should grow out of this.
Congenital Anomaly of Ear. Nothing needs to be done with it - just adds to his cuteness.
Port-wine Birthmark on left leg. Ruled out any vein anomalies. Besides being asked frequently if it is a rash, it is doing great!
Tethered Spinal Cord. Cord released May 2013. Doing great! There is still fluid on the spine, but we are praying that it will go away on its own! Follow-up MRI March 2015.
Urinary Tract Infection. Had one during NICU stay, no more since!
Seizures. He is off his seizure meds, and we are praying he stays seizure free!
Multiple bouts of Pneumonia. God was with him each time. It was never easy, but he was such a strong kid. Praying this winter is pneumonia FREE!
Acid Reflux Disease (GERD). Still has a very acidic stomach, but for the most part tolerates it well! When he was very tiny the reflux was so severe it caused heart rate drops. Now he will throw up sometimes, and have hiccups. Overall - doing well!

From this: December 16, 2012

To this: October 18, 2014

Praising the Lord today!

Spring?

Spring showed up in a big way this past week. However, rumor has it that spring will be hiding for cover as we get some snow in a couple of days, but that won't stop me from sharing our adventures in the great Minnesota spring air!

There is something therapeutic about walks. I honestly don't even think about the physical benefits when I walk, although heaven knows they don't hurt. At the risk of sounding like a woodland hippie, I will spare you the "I just love being in nature" line - but really - I LOVE being out in nature. There is no building that can mimic God's creation, no sound recorded by man that can match a robin singing, and no smell quite like spring has ever been made by man (although the smells from the cows across the street leave something to be desired).

It's spring, folks - and this is why I love it:

Obsession with putting on last season's hats.

Mornings with Grandma

Cabin fever? No - just excited to be OUT OF THE HOUSE!

Isn't he handsome? Garsh...I think so! Garsh - really? Yep.

Again - the thrill of putting things on your head!
Never gets old, am I right?

Torn between the Huskers and the Bison.
OK, not torn - just has two options. GO BIG RED!

Swing, swing.

This look right here folks is why I love having a boy!
Thrill-seeker.

Happy to be out of the house!

Finally - GRASS!

Soaking up the rays. 

Fresh out of the tub.

A little extra CHEESE please!

As you can tell, we haven't done much out of the house besides walking to the park. Trying to keep Gavin healthy for his test (pH probe) on April 25th. Prayers are appreciated, for continued health and continued patience. Yesterday after a long (cold) weekend couped up in the house Gavin walked to the door and kept saying "buhbye? buhbye? buhbye?!!!!"

Hang on buddy, not too much longer and spring will return!

Health update: Gavin is doing great! We do nebulizers morning and night to help with any respiratory issues. The surgeon who repaired his TE Fistula when he was born looked at his swallow study and determined that he needs to have his esophagus dilated (stretched), so we will be heading in for that on 4/16/14. Prayers are welcome! Other than that, he is just peachy - and always ready to go "buhbye!"