Prayers for our baby niece

Bill's brother, Ethan and his girlfriend, Coral are having a baby girl soon, Alaxa Skye. We request prayer for her, the parents and the family.

We recently learned that she has been diagnosed with a diaphragm hernia, which I believe is a birth defect called CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia). It basically is where the diaphragm didn't close properly early in gestation and so abdominal organs were allowed to move into the chest cavity. It is life threatening because the lungs and/or heart are prevented from fully developing because of space constraints from the other organs invading the chest cavity. She has been given a 60/40 chance.

There is a surgery that can be done after birth to rearrange the organs and repair the hernia, but the real key is getting the lungs and heart to work properly.

They are in Montana and are going to come here to Seattle's UW Hospital for delivery and then Children's hospital for surgery, healing, etc.

We first request prayer that God's will is to be complete healing for Alaxa Skye. We also request prayer for new Mom & Dad as they go through the tough road that is to come, emotionally and physically. Also pray for their situation logistically. Ethan seems to only be able to be here for a really short period of time due to work obligations, which then leaves Coral by herself recovering from delivery (c-section maybe) and baby in the hospital. Pray that we can be a support to them all since we are in the area. I have never met Coral, but want to be as much support as I can and show God's love.

Coincidentally, I was following a blog in April/May of a friend of a friend going through the same situation. They are very strong in their faith and continually showed that in their daily blog posts as they were with their daughter for her 20 days of life. Looking back, I may have been lead to follow that blog to prepare me with words of comfort for my brother in law and "sister in law". Ethan is a young 22 years old.

Thank you. I will post updates as I know them.

Happy Summer!!

I thought it was time to post an update on the boys if there is anyone out there that reads our blog. Time gets away from me in blogging lately! The boys are both doing great!

Logan is jabbering up a storm. He says a bunch of words, not totally clear, but we can tell what they are. Some that he says are: ba (ball), boo (book), fich (fish), peace (please), Abby (clear as day!), Daddy, Mommy (both very clear), cu (cup), gul (Wiggles!). And I'm sure there are more that I can't think of right now. He is Obsessed with The Wiggles! He is always pointing at the TV and wining, "gul, gul, gul!", however we don't always give in, but in a pinch it occupies him nicely!

Logan also started swim "lessons" in April and toddler school this month. He loves both. "Tiny Tots" is for 6 month old to 3 year olds. He wasn't too sure about the pool at first, but after the 2nd time, he was having a good time. It is twice a week for 30 minutes and we'll do them through August. We even got to join cousin Antonio for his last few sessions before he moves up to the preschool level. Antonio got to join Shaun for his last season too, so it was a nice overlap for both boys!

The toddler school is at the Children's center at the Pavilion for Women &Children at Providence. This is the same class "system" that Shaun went to from 3 weeks old to 3.5 years. Their schedule didn't allow them to go with Logan before this month, but they will be able to continue also when Shaun goes back to preschool in September. The baby classes were more for the parent for the young babes, so I didn't feel too bad about Logan not getting to go, but oh well, the life of a 2nd born! I'm glad Shaun and I went when I was on maternity leave because that is where we met our playgroup friends that we still see twice a month! He is also running around like crazy trying to keep up with big brother.
Logan goes back to the doctor in a month for his 18 month checkup so we'll see then what his stats are!

Shaun is and has been having fun in all of his activities. Sports wise, he did basketball in January/February, indoor soccer in March/April and now is in T-ball; all through the Y. He enjoys each one. It gives him somewhere he can run around and maybe even learn something about the sport and getting along with others.

Preschool ended mid May. He LOVED it and was sad that it had to end. We have a preschool workbook that we bought last fall, but had only done a few pages. One afternoon Shaun got it out and wanted to do some “homework”! How can you say no to that? So, for a couple of weeks now, Shaun has been doing about 5 pages out of the book each day. There are sections on writing letters, numbers, sounds, matching, etc.

Shaun has also started to READ! He knows most of the letter sounds and has started to sound out a few words like cat, sat, mat, etc. I can’t believe that he is putting sounds together in words! He is one smart boy, but I’m a little biased.

Shaun continues his swim lessons in the mornings. He moved up to preschool level 2 in January and is progressing nicely through it. I don’t know how long it will take him to move up. He was in level 1 for 10 months, so we’ll see. He is having fun. They do a lot more under water and swim strokes, etc on their own.

Last week the boys started going to the Children’s museum once a week for the summer. We got a membership last December and had gone a few times since then, but not a ton. It only took 2-3 visits to make up the cost so the rest are all “free”. They have had a blast these first 2 times this summer. Today they even got to go on the roof where they have a gigantic play structure; so much fun for boys!



Happy first day of summer!!!!

Double Check ups!

The boys had their annual check ups today! I can't believe I have a 1 and 4 year old now! They are both healthy and doing well! They both did great, even getting 2 shots each and the shots happened to be the same ones; MMR & Varicella (chicken pox). Here is all their stats and comparisons:

Shaun @ 4 years:

Weight: 42 3/4 pounds, 92%. He gained 7.2 pounds in a year, up from the 84%.
Height: 3' 6", 85%. He grew 2.75 inches in a year, up from the 83%.

Logan @ 1 year:

Weight: 22 pounds 1oz, 33%. He gained 1.7 pounds in 3 months, down from the 48%.
Height: 2' 6.5", 66%. He grew 1.5 inches in 3 months, down from the 76%.
Head: 48.9cm, 96%. He grew 1.5cm, up from the 95%.

Here is how Logan & Shaun compare at 1 year old:

Weight: Logan is 1 ounce heavier at a year old.
Height: Logan is 1/2 inch taller at a year old.
Head: Shaun's head was .5cm bigger at a year old, but both of their heads are in the 96+%!!

Logan is supposed to stay rear facing in his car seat until 2 years old! This is a change since Shaun. He was allowed to change at 1 year. Sorry bud. He is trying to talk. He babbles so much! The "words" he babbles are "Dada", "boo" (balloon), and a bunch of others. He is eating everything we are pretty much, even milk with no apparent problems yet. At first we were doing part milk and part formula because he wouldn't touch it, but in the last couple of days he is totally on just milk. The next step is to switch to a sippy cup instead of the bottle. We tried that at first, but with his total refusal, we decided to take it one step at a time and work on the content first.

Shaun is not behind the curve in the area of not staying dry at night. The doc explained that the left end of the bell curve is 5 years, the mid point is 10 years and the right point is 16 years! So, at 4 it is fine to be wet at night! We are working on it, but not much luck. He continues to have fun in all his activities. The current sport is Basketball, which he enjoys, but doesn't have as much coordination/skills as it takes in soccer at this age. Next up: indoor soccer through the Y!

Happy Birthdays Boys!!

Happy New Year!

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted a blog! Life has been busy! Let's see if I can give an update on the boys:

Logan:

He is growing and maturing before our eyes!!! I can't believe his first birthday is less than a month away! He is now crawling like crazy. He is pulling himself up on everything and walking along whatever he can hold onto. He watches big brother do everything. He is also "talking" up a storm. He has at least 4 sounds that he says. It's hard to say if they are directly correlated to what they appear to be, but sometimes they seem to be! mamamama, dadadada, babababa, doidoidoi, etc. He is always jabbering away!!

Logan also travelled with Daddy & Shaun to all of Shaun's activities. Daddy & Logan went by themselves after dropping of Shaun at school on Thursdays to baby story time!

Logan at 11 months!

Shaun:

He is loving all of his activities! Morning activities are: swim lessons, story time and preschool.

Swim is on Monday/Wednesdays. The last session ended the week before Christmas and he graduated to preschool level 2, Jellyfish! He has been in the preschool level for 10 months and improving greatly the last few months. He loves to swim with the noodles, life jacket and jump! The last couple of sessions he was always way above the level of the other kids, so the teacher said he was ready to advance in January! They start the new class on Wednesday!

They all go to preschool story time at the library on Tuesday mornings. First they do a few songs with a guitar, which Logan really loves too and then are some stories. Then they pick out a few books to take home! The library has a list: "Countdown to Kindergarten; 100 essential picture books". We started the list in September. With about 2 years before Kindergarten, we are reading a book on the list every night for a week, so should finish the list right before K!

Thursdays and Fridays is preschool for 2 hours. There are 12 kids in his class. They do fun activities, crafts, a lesson, and a bible lesson. I love that they get a bible lesson every time! He can't wait until it is school day! They had a birthday party for Jesus on the last day of school before Christmas break!

Shaun & Mrs. Herbison

Evening activities include AWANA and usually a sport.

AWANA is on Wednesdays and church has dinner beforehand so I don't have to cook! He has to memorize a verse for it every week. He is good at it too! They wear a Cubbie vest where he gets a patch every few weeks or month or so after doing all the required memorization and activities.

In September/October he did outdoor soccer through the Y & LOVED it! They named their team the Lightening Rushers. The season had 6 hour games and about 8 45 minute practices.

Then he did indoor soccer in November/December for 35 minutes for 6 weeks through Kids Love Soccer.

Then he begged us to sign him up for basketball, so practices for that start this week and games start on the 14th! He is counting down the days! Who knew that he knew as much to ask to sign up for it?!?!?! My boy is a sports boy!

Well, happy new year to everyone! I hope that the year is a good one for everyone!

9 months!

Logan was 9 months yesterday! Today we had his well baby checkup; all is well!

He is super close to crawling. He can scoot across the room on his bottom, but not the traditional crawl on his knees yet. He is also trying to pull himself up. He doesn't quite have enough strenth yet. He is eating well. We will be starting table foods soon!

Here are his stats:

Weight: 20lbs 6oz; 48%

Height: 2' 5", 76%

Head: 47.4cm, 95%!

Here's how he compares to Shaun at 9 months:

Weight: 20lbs 1 oz; 44%, Logan is 5 ounces heaver

Height: 2' 5.75", 91%, Logan is .75cm shorter

Head: 47.6cm, 96%, Logan's head is .2cm smaller, but still BIG! :)

8 Months!

Logan is 8 months old! He has started clapping. He has 4 teeth. He pulls himself onto his tummy from a sitting position, but then is stuck and gets mad pretty quick. He hasn't had any desire to turn over yet. I have a feeling that there is going to be a very short period of time that leads up to full on moving, like walking from nothing at all.

Here is my happy little 8 month old!

Logan's dedication

Last Sunday we had Logan dedicated. This means that we are committed to raising him to know Christ. It is not a baptism, but a public showing of commitment. I pray for the day that each of my boys comes to know Christ personally and then publicly shows that by baptism.

Logan was also dedicated with 3 other babies; Madelyn, Drew & Leyla. It was fun to do it together with all of them and raise our families side by side.

We also have the dedication on video. We are not posting it online, but I can send it to you if you are interested in seeing it. Let me know.

Pastor Jerry showing off Logan; he did great!