On the Mend

We survived.

I'm not going to lie, though:

Those six days spent at Cook's were full of so many decisions.

Tears well up just thinking about the choices we had to make,

the control we had to relinquish,

the constant trust we had to put in someone else.

We experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows that week.

But we were surrounded by so much love and support

that helped to carry us through the days we were completely drained -

emotionally, physically, spiritually.

Thank you doesn't even begin to express our gratitude 

to all the people who came to sit with us in the hospital,

who watched Miles while we were with Max,

who brought (and are bringing) us meals,

who have texted, called, or emailed words of encouragement.

Wow - that pretty well sums it up. :)

 

Build-A-Bear with Aunt Rachel after pre-op

Get well cards from playgroup friends

Visits (and presents!) from the grandparents

 

 

 Lots and LOTS of wagon rides :)

Leaving Cook's to go home!

Max most likely will not remember any of this.

He will only know of his surgery by the stories we tell him and the pictures we share.

And of course by his scar, which we've told him 

is where the doctors fixed his heart so it can grow big and strong.

But really, it wasn't the doctors who fixed Max's heart.

The Great Physician had His hands in this from the beginning.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things He does for me.

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

 PSALM 103:2-3

Praise the Lord our little man is on the mend!

Of course, we realize there are still many challenges in the weeks ahead

(anyone got a toddler-sized straight jacket we can borrow??!!),

but we have seen God's faithfulness over and over,

and I'm pretty sure that's not going to stop anytime soon.

Four Months

Our littlest man hit the four-month mark last week. Craziness!

At his well-check on Tuesday,

Miles weighed in at 18 pounds 10.5 ounces 

and measured 25.5 inches long.

He is not taking this growing thing lightly. :)

He wears mostly 6 month clothing and size 3 diapers.

Miles nurses 6-7 times a day. 

He takes 3, sometimes 4, naps and sleeps a good 7-8 hour stretch at night,

although he still occasionally wakes at night wanting to eat.

I think the craziness of the past few weeks has something to do with it,

so we'll see how things go this next month

since we'll be mostly homebound. :)

The pediatrician cleared us to start solids if we want,

but this momma is in no hurry.

We may try some sweet potatoes in the next few weeks

and see how Miles likes it.

  

This kiddo is on the move!

Doc helped coach him to roll from back to tummy,

so now he can go both ways.

If he's got the proper motivation (Max's toys???),

then he will scoot himself around too.

He can also reach his toes and is pushing up well during tummy time.

I finally packed away the swing as Miles is just too big for it. Sad day. :(

We may pull out the Johnny Jump-up soon, though!

Gotta make sure Miles is wearing a bib

because he is a drool factory these days!

His coordination is really improving

and he can grasp chew toys or teething rings

and bring them to his mouth.

He also likes to suck his thumb but doesn't do that regularly

and still takes a pacifier at naptime.

He is also so much more aware of things.

Miles will watch Mommy or big brother from across the room,

and gets easily distracted by loud noises (ie: Max) while nursing.

He is drawn to the glow of the phone or iPad screen,

so I have to be careful when I check the time during his evening feed. :)

Miles is so generous with his smiles,

which has been a blessing for both sets of grandparents

who helped watch him while big brother was in the hospital.

In fact, Mini found this cute little sign

which I think describes MCR so well:

We've also gotten a lot more coos and laughs out of him this month.

Baby laughs are the best. :)

Miles is the sweetest baby in the whole wide world. (Nope - not biased.)

 

 We are so glad this little nugget is part of our family!

Thomas and His Friends

I had envisioned several adorable costumes
for the Rich brothers this Halloween:

Harry Potter and Hedwig.
Mario and Luigi.
Fireman and fire dog.
Kid and ET.
Oh, I could go on and on...

Then I realized this "holiday" is not about me

(even if it is my birthday), so I let Max pick.

And he chose Thomas the Tank Engine.

 So, naturally, Miles got to be Sir Topham Hatt. :)

For the sake of convenience, I was just going to buy 

one of those printed smocks for Max to wear,

but Clay refused and decided a three-dimensional costume was more appropriate.

He spent hours each night the week before our small group Halloween party

to create the perfect Really Useful Engine for our toddler.
I have to say I was a little skeptical he could get it done in time...

 

But in the end, he pulled it off. :)

Here is Thomas with his small group (girl)friends:

TOP:  Thomas, Agnes, a minion, Doc McStuffins, and two ladybugs BOTTOM: Sir Topham Hatt, Mr. Stay Puft, and a giraffe

This was as close to looking at the camera as it got. At least no one was crying - yet!

Max and Miles also got to showcase their ensembles
at our annual playgroup Halloween party.

He was so sweet to console Miles,
who was apparently very concerned we scheduled playgroup during his naptime. ;)

We got some additional mileage out of the costume
when Max wore it to Thursday school. (Oh yes, he did.)
I didn't get a picture of that cuteness because, well,
it's kind of hard to push a stroller,
carry a backpack, napmat, and giant train costume (with blustery winds, mind you)
plus wrangle a toddler on sugar high to the car AND get a photo.

After that, it was about all the Halloween excitement this 30 year-old could handle.

We opted out of the trick-or-treating craziness this time,
but I have a feeling there are many years ahead of us.

Now to start planning the costumes for next year... :)