Our Health is Such a BLESSING!

We've had a busy week...two well checks for both of the girls, a sick little Georgia Claire, and Shelby was out of town for a few days. BUT, the weekend is here, my house is clean, I have two babies sleeping, and the last load of laundry is washing...YIPPEE!

First things first...

Ivy Jane had her 6 week well-check (even though she was 7 weeks yesterday) and is doing great! She is 23 inches long (87th percentile) and 12 lbs 6 oz (95th percentile). She has started smiling at us and yesterday it actually brought tears to my eyes. She smiled at me so big that her nose wrinkled up and her eyes disappeared! Love this baby girl...

Georgia Claire had her 15 month well check and is also doing very well. She is 25 lbs (80th percentile) and 32.5 inches long (95th percentile). It's looking like we might have a tall girl on our hands! Georgia started sneezing last Saturday and by Sunday she had developed an awful cough. On Monday we went for her well check and she was wheezing, so the doctor wanted me to start breathing treatments with her. Let's just say she hates them BUT her cough sounds MUCH better! I always start by putting the inhaler & mask on one of her stuffed animals and then on me and she laughs and laughs but when I walk over to her she crawls away as fast as she can! Poor baby! Another thing we are working on is getting rid of the bottle and using a sippy cup...she hates it, too! I have spent a small fortune in sippy cups because what I've read says to try different types. So far, she doesn't like any of them...wants to chew on the spout instead of suck. It's been a frustrating task for both of us but I'm determined to get her drinking from a cup! Please pray that she would get the concept!

I'm also asking for prayer for Georgia Claire...specifically walking. She has been referred to a physical therapist for PT Evaluation because she is not walking. She is walking beside the coffee table, chairs, couch, etc. and will even walk behind a walker but will not walk on her own. On Monday I asked the doctor about getting her evaluated (I've been worried for awhile now) and she was in complete agreement. According to her, if a child is not walking by 15 months, they are considered delayed in their gross motor skills. Georgia has always been somewhat delayed...rolled over very late (but I think that had something to do with her herniated belly button when she was an infant), she didn't crawl until 11 months, and now she is not walking at 15 months. I have jokingly said from time to time that her little feet and ankles couldn't support her chunky thighs but now I'm beginning to think there may be some truth to that. It seems that her ankles are very weak. I'm very anxious to hear what the physical therapist has to say. I should be hearing from them next week to set up the initial appointment. She is SO precious and can crawl so incredibly fast...she is going to be so excited when she learns how to walk!

One thing that has been a great addition to our life is Mother's Day Out! My sister Kathy is the director of our church's new MDO program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Georgia goes from 9-2 on those days and LOVES it! She and another little boy named Kipton are the only ones in their class. Their teacher, Ms. Janice, is like another grandmother to them...it is absolutely precious! I've been leaving my two seater wagon each day and she takes them on walks, her cousin Caroline had her cackling last week when she was blowing bubbles at her, they swing, they play...it is WONDERFUL! I was feeling a little guilty at first, but I've since gotten over it! It is a small program and Kathy pops in to her class several times (she loves Kat!) and Janice loves on her like she were her own! I love waking her up on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I go into her room and I ask if she wants to go play with Kipton, Ms. Janice & Kat and she says, "YEAH!" She usually starts crawling to the door before I can even get her dressed! I was worried she might cry when I left her, but she goes right to Ms. Janice & tells me "Bye Bye"and waves! Wow! I don't know if I should be happy or sad! Seriously, it gives me a few hours a couple times a week that Ivy & I can go to appointments or run errands. I refuse to get out by myself with two girls and go to the grocery store or another errand...if it doesn't have a drive-thru it's just not worth it!

(On another note...our friend Jimi Mankins is improving. He has been transferred to a rehab hospital in Houston but is dealing with paralysis. It's still too early to know what the outcome will be. A couple of things he has going for him is that he's young & very strong and he has the prayer support of our whole town!. Also, my nephew Will is facing surgery on October 5th. He will have his bad lung removed. It is a 6 hour surgery and will be performed at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Please pray for Angie, Joe, Gabe & Will...and also Dr. Darrell Cass-Will's surgeon and Dr. Chris Glover-Will's anesthesiologist. The great thing is that his other lung is beautiful and the pictures from his GI surgery back in April look fabulous. Angie, Joe & Dr. Cass (as well as all of us) all truly believe that removing this sick organ that is not functioning properly is what will help Will more than anything.) THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

While thinking about Will, Jimi, and Georgia I am reminded today that our health is such a blessing. God is a good a faithful God...he has proven that to us time and time again.