Carter Update #3

For those of you following along with Carter's journey to healing, here's a quick update on his condition. 
We had expected a procedure to be done on his left eye, given there were some complications in the surgery prior.  We were all pretty stunned that, when measured, the pressure in his left eye was...NORMAL!  This is crazy awesome, people!  The normal range for an infant is 10-20.  It was 13 on Friday.  It was 60+ last month!  We PRAY that this pressure remains low, meaning no more invasive surgeries would be necessary!

His right eye was a different story, though not horrifying.  His pressure was 30, so they proceeded with a trabeculotomy.  His eye is much more swollen than last time, but otherwise he is handling the recovery as well as possible.  He even gave us smiles before leaving the hospital.  He will continue to undergo exams under anesthesia every 4-6 weeks to check his pressures until they are stable.  Pray that this is SOON!  (The 4-hour drive is not fun!)

If there is sour news in this whole mess, it's that none of these procedures address his sensitivity to light, likely caused by cracks on his cornea from past high pressure.  He might outgrow it, he might not.  I suppose lots of sunglasses and hats are in his future if he wants to enjoy the outdoors!  In the meantime, it's nice to have Grandma here to take Kendall outside from time to time.

If you would like to know more about Pediatric Congenital Glaucoma, please visit our surgeon's new informational website.  It has a wealth of resources and FAQs. 

Daddy's Shoes

I love to wear my Daddy's shoes

Although my feet are small

When they are in my Daddy's shoes

I feel ten feet tall!

Some day I'll grow to fill them, 

I only hope to be

As fine a man and great a Dad

As my Dad is to me!

Chris- Happy Fathers Day to the BEST Daddy my kids could ever ask for! 

(Photo:  Elation Photography.  Kendall, age 2 1/2, Carter, age 6 months.  Shoes compliments of Daddy's closet.)

Praying With Expectation

I just handed our baby boy off to the nurse, and am sitting anxiously in the waiting room trying to distract myself.  If this post seems incoherent, please excuse me.  Lots and lots rolling through my mind, and my fingers are just trying to keep up.

I've always been told to "pray with expectation," calling on the authority we have in Jesus Christ.  I believe it...most of the time.  How I admire those who run headstrong into adversity with such confidence.  "She will be healed!" "Ready for our miracle!" That's not me.  I will confess that when I pray, I hold a little bit of doubt in my pocket.  I'd like to think it's not "doubt," but preparedness for the reality that my will may not align with God's will.  MY will is that Carter will not need ANY surgery today.  God's will may be different, and I don't want to set myself up for crushing disappointment.

So I pray...I pray for peace.  I pray for healing.  But for a miracle?  That's a hard one.  I believe God can do it, but WILL He do it?  Life experience has proved that often God has other plans.  I prayed for my brother until I physically ached...and then some.  I prayed for my parents' marriage until I didn't have any other words....and then some.  I was disappointed at the end of each.  It doesn't mean God is less powerful.  It just means I am more human.  There are limits to my understanding.

The Bible says that God can move mountains.  Oh, that my baby boy would be a testimony to the great healing power of the Almighty!  In the meantime, I pray for God to pull me CLOSE to Him so that my faith can be a testimony in and of itself. 

Carter Update #2

I am asked on a regular basis how Carter has responded to his recent surgery.
It doesn't bother me at all...in fact, it makes me feel loved and cared for.
But, for the sake of repetition, I'll post my official thoughts here.

The actual surgery was fine.  He responded well to the anesthesia and his post-op recovery went better than expected. 
We had a stringent drops regimen that gradually lessened over the course of a few weeks.  He has, subsequently, had NO drops in the past couple of weeks.  And, unfortunately, I believe I see a difference.
All the symptoms that were present when we were initially concerned about his eyes are still there.
Watery.  Irritated.  Extreme light sensitivity. 
I would be surprised if his pressures WEREN'T sky high again.
Therefore, I'm expecting the worst when we return next week for his procedure:
the Trebeculectomy that the surgeon discussed with us earlier.

Aside from hating seeing my baby boy in discomfort that I can't fix, my biggest challenge lately has been moderating between a toddler who would live outside if she could, and a baby who HATES being outside.  I have enjoyed playdates with friends who graciously watch Kendall play outside while I hang out indoors with Carter. 

It's summertime, the weather is beautiful, and I hate not being able to take Kendall to the park to play, or even in our backyard.  Hats, sunglasses- it's pretty much futile to make Carter comfortable outdoors, at least until the sun sets.

Despite his challenges, he is a bouncy, happy kiddo.  And Kendall, for the record, is a gracious and patient sister. Please continue to keep us in prayer, and I'll continue to update you all.

Favorite Things- Summatime

Howdy Ho!
I have literally had this new post screen open for days, and not a moment to get it done!  Thus is my life these days, sorry for the slow blog business here. 

Because there are so many things rolling around in my brain, I'm going to throw down some total randomness and hope it relates.  I'll call it, "My Favorite Things". 

 New shoes!  Now I'm cool like my daughter, with my own pair of TOMS!  I was considering getting them in off-white, but seeing as I've already spilled balsamic vinegar on them, I'm glad I went with black.  LOVE them, thanks Mom!

 Carter has been loving on his CA teething block (it has been noted that CA is a much more interesting shape than the North Dakota block....).  It's a drip-drooly mess, but I smile when I see him giving it wet, slobbery kisses :)

 Cookie Crumble Frappucinos on days when my kids are being psycho.  This particular day, I loaded them in the car, got myself this little number, and drove around for an hour.   It was necessary for my sanity, not necessary for my diet. 

 Grandma Donna hooks us up with F.A.O. clothing from time to time, which seems to be exclusive to Babies R Us (we don't have it here).  Kendall LOVED this polka-dot ensemble! 

 Emerging sibling love.   Awwww, my heart melts.  Kendall has been asking to hold Carter lately, and entertaining him often.  "Kendall, what do you love about your baby brother?" "Oh!  He's so shuuuute!" (cute)

Giggle Giggle

Sometimes you just need to giggle.  And sometimes hearing a baby do it can brighten your morning :)