Brody's Miracle

This morning we went to the orthopedist for Brody's first club feet casting appointment. The nurse took us back to the casting room and looked at him and his feet. She said that she didn't know if the doctor was going to want to cast them or not because they straighten out pretty well. Ryan and I looked at each other not sure what to think. She brought us into an exam room and when the doctor came in he told us that they definately weren't club feet. They were just "molded feet." (Molded feet happen when the baby gets into a funny position in the uterus, or sometimes because it's too cramped. Club feet have nothing to do with space or position.) He checked everything else out and said that we needed to stretch his feet out for a couple of minutes after each diaper change and come back in one week to see how it looks. He said the left foot might need one cast, and he might have him start wearing the brace when he sleeps, but that's all.

Ever since we found out about the club feet my dad has been praying for a miracle. I believe God gave us that miracle. We've been singing his praises all day long.

Weight Update

Yesterday we met with the lactation consultant again for a weight check and to see how his sucking is improving. At the appointment yesterday he weighed 7lbs 13oz. Almost back to his birth weight. Praise the Lord. What a relief. We had a rough weekend because basically we were feeding him 2 oz every 2 hours. Well, it took a full hour to get 2 oz into that little body, so it was like one hour on and one hour off. Exhausting, to say the least. He is sucking much better so hopefully he will eat more at each feeding and we can lengthen the time between feedings.

Tomorrow we see the orthopedist for Brody's first set of casts. Pray for us. I'm a little sad about it because his feet are part of who he is and I love everything about them, but I know they need to be fixed if he is going to walk and run and play. I had a couple of photo sessions with him. Enjoy.

Brody's first check-up

We went to the Doctor's office this morning for Brody's weight check. They always check to see that the baby hasn't lost too much weight and that he is eating properly. We were so glad we had this appointment scheduled because he has not been eating well. He is bottle fed and he seemed to take the bottle fine in the hospital, but when we got home, he would fight every time we had to feed him. He was clearly hungry, but would not suck on the bottle. I resorted to squeezing enough formula into his mouth so that he was sort of satisfied and by then he was exhausted from fighting it that he would fall asleep. Once he was asleep I would shove the bottle into his mouth and hope that reflexes kicked in and usually he would suck a little. It took a good hour to get one ounce of formula in him. We were definitely getting frustrated and worried.

Brody weighed 7lbs 14 oz when he was born. When we left the hospital he was 7lbs 8oz and today he was 7lbs 6oz. He had lost 7% of his birth weight which is the most that they should lose. We told the doctor about his eating problems and he yelled out the door asking if the lactation consultant had an opening. She had just had a cancellation so we were able to see her right away. What a blessing. It was totally a God-thing. She watched him with the bottle and then felt in his mouth for his suck and basically she said he had a disorganized suck. He wanted to keep his tongue at the roof of his mouth and sometimes he would just forget what he was doing. Anyway, she worked with him and pulled out a special bottle for us to use. She also put him on a high-calorie formula so he can gain a little more weight. We have had two successful feedings since we saw her and are feeling really optimistic. A huge weight was lifted and this was yet another way we have seen our prayers answered.

God has blessed us so much and answered even the little "please let him fall asleep" prayers. I'm thrilled that Ryan is able to take quite a bit of time off work. The kids are enamored with Brody. Amelia must kiss him 50 times a day.

Brody Evan West

Sunday evening, November 1, 2009 at 9:57PM Brody Evan West came into our lives. He was 7lbs, 14oz, and 19 inches long (that was as far as they could stretch his feet). Just like our other two, he hardly made a peep as he opened his eyes and looked around. What a miracle. He is perfect in every way. There's nothing like the birth of a baby to give you a new view of God's love. I think about how much I already love him and how God loves him even more. I can't fathom that capacity for love. Sure, Brody has some physical imperfections, but in my eyes he is perfect in every way and God made him just the way he wanted him.

more funnies

We bought Micah a fish tank for his birthday. He was so excited. We gave it to him the morning of his birthday and then I told him that we would take him out that night to get some fish. ...We didn't know what we were getting in to. First the water needed to sit for 24 hours. Then we needed to buy a heater. Then we needed to check the ph of the water, which was way too low. Then we bought some plants - which needed another 24 hours to sit in the water. Anyway, we finally got 4 fish one week later. The second morning of having fish, Micah came up to our room in the morning and told us that it looked like one of the fish was dead. Ryan came down and indeed it was. He removed it and put it in a ziplock to return to the store (they have a 15 day guarantee). We were a little nervous about how Micah would take it. A little later the two of us were looking in the tank and Micah asked, "Where did the other orange one go?" I said, "It looks like he's looking for his friend. He looks lonely." Micah said, as if talking to a baby, "It's okay, fishie, he's just dead in a baggie on the counter."

Amelia and I ran an errand to Fred Meyer on Wednesday morning after we took Micah to kindergarten. I had to use the restroom, so we went in there and I was asking her if she wanted to come into the stall with me or wait outside the stall (we usually use the handicapped stall when she comes in because there is more room). I started walking into the first one because there was another woman walking in and I thought she might want the handicapped stall. Amelia proceeds to say, "Mommy, you should use the big toilet because that's the one that fits you." ... thanks honey...

"God don't want us to share"

I overheard this conversation as I was getting ready for the shower:
A: That's mine!
M: We share all our toys!
A: God don't want us to share!
M: Yes he does! It says in the Bible that we should share!
(I immediately call Ryan to tell him this story, then come down to see how they're doing)
A: Mom, I told Micah to God in my heart that God don't want us to share.
Me: Do you know what the bible says?
A: Uhuh. God is Love.
M: And God says to share all our toys.
Me: He doesn't say that, Micah, but he does say to treat each other how we would want to be treated. I bet you would like Micah to share his toys, huh Amelia?

I guess I AM that mom...

Micah had his first day of Kindergarten yesterday. Ryan took the morning off so he could take him and pick him up. Meanwhile I was at my school getting ready for the day when it hit me. I just started crying. My baby is in kindergarten. This has become one of the many things that has surprised me about being a mom. I've never had a problem letting go... leaving them in the nursery at church, sending them to daycare for the first time, preschool, it's all a natural progression and part of growing up. Kindergarten should be too, right? (do you see why we call him jack-o-lantern?)

In other news, this afternoon we head up to Portland to meet with the pediatric orthopedist to discuss the treatment once little Hoopty (that's what Amelia says we're going to name him) is born.