Yesterday was a busy & fun day...


I had a bunch of errands to run.  So, B dropped me off where I needed to be for those.  Then, we had a doc appt.

We got to see our sweet girl again!!

 Peek-a-boo!!  Just in time for Halloween!!

 B says she's wearing her skeleton costume!

For those of you, like me, that have no idea what I'm looking at on the ultrasound screen, this is her face (sideways-eyes to the left, mouth toward the middle of the screen)!

She is doing very well.  The doc said that she weighs 2lbs 2oz.  That is just so hard for me to believe!  Our little girl is 27 weeks (almost seven months), only 13 wks to go...doc says she is measuring right on schedule.

Then, we went and picked up some of the fabric for her room!  A precious friend that I grew up with is making her bumper, crib skirt, etc.  I need to find out if I can post her info on here for those of you that may want to be blessed by her talent, as well!!

After dinner, we went to the RHS football game!  Boy was it cold out last night.  We are guilty of leaving a little early, but the boys won!!  We watched the Stingerettes and then watched the boys come back and score.  Then, we had to go...it was just too cold...Brrrrr!!  

Here we are before halftime with Congressman Hall.  Have you voted yet?

Finally, we won't get to see many Trick-or-Treaters tomorrow night.  B's b-day is next weekend.  For his big day, Mom got us tickets to.....

THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!

We will be on the 1st base side, foul line, about six sections down from the dugout!!!  We are so excited!!  Go Rangers!!!

Update from Nate's Mommy

"Nate is now 36 days post transplant. He had an MRI and PET-Scan this week, both tests showed good results and no new developments. The doctors are very pleased with the results so far. He is getting stronger everyday and I have decided Jake and Luke are the best medicine for him. He gets so motivated when they are around and has shown improvement after just spending a few hours visiting with his brothers this week. He is now almost off of all IV medication and most of his meds are being taken orally. This makes him one step closer to being released. He is taking in more calories each day, but isn't where he needs to be yet. Thank you for your continued prayers. We are so thankful that Nate is doing so well. Please keep praying for his full recovery and for all the kiddos who are fighting this battle. Much Love, Jackie"

Bellies & Puppies!

I must thank each of you that takes the time to pray for us!!  After I posted last week, the seizures backed off a bit.  In the first 19 days of the month, I only had 10 seizures.  This is the best EVER!!!!!  Praise the LORD!!  In the next three days, I had 15 seizures.  It was so yucky!  However, in the last four days, I've only had two.  I'm still having auras.  Those need to disappear, as well.  They just don't knock me out as badly as the seizures do, though.  So, please keep those prayers coming and thank you!! 

Now, on to the little girl!!!

I always thought I would take belly shots throughout a pregnancy.  I'm just not there, though.  I can't quite bring myself to do it.   However, when you have family in different states and they are all requesting pics, somethings got to give...

So, this is my best effort at belly pics.  K & I grew up together and she is about a month ahead of me.  This was at her baby shower.  In this pic, I'm about six months prego...

It's hard to believe that we are getting so close to our sweet little girl arriving.  We only have about 13 weeks until her due date!  WOW!!!

Since I know that my belly isn't the last image you want in your mind, here are some much cuter pictures to put a smile on your face.

Anyone for a belly rub?!?!?!

Time For an Update

Sorry that I have not updated.  You can see that I'm just not that great at staying on top of the updates.

October has been one of my best months ever and this last week was wonderful.  However, something went crazy on Tuesday.  The seizures started coming back and Wednesday they were full speed ahead (I had 4)....it's so frustrating.  I've already had three today before noon.

I'm not real sure as to what the trigger would be...I have been completely off my seizure meds for over two months!!!  I've had fewer seizures on no meds and doing the Ketogenic Dietary Therapy (and being pregnant with our sweet little girl), than I had on high dose meds or anywhere in between.  So, we are so grateful that the Lord allowed us to find this nutritional approach.

We are continuing to pray for wisdom that we are able to see what the triggers could be...

Thank you all for being such incredible prayer warriors!  We love you!

Baby Stuff

Okay, more questions for the Mommy experts out there:

Do I really need to wash all of her clothes in something like Dreft?  Or, can I use our regular detergent?

 


Pacifiers?  Bottles?  Nipples?  etc.?  What have you found to be the best?  What do you look for in each?

 

Thank you!!  We tried registering the other day and it was so overwhelming!  So, I need the advice of the experienced professionals out there!!

Thank you!

Update from Nate's Mommy

"Nate is three weeks post transplant this week and he continues to do well. He is getting a little stronger everyday. The test they did last week showed that Nate's bone marrow is now 100% Jake's, which was the goal. We were thrilled by this news. He still is not eating or drinking so he is getting all his nutrition by IV. We are really trying to encourage him to start taking things by mouth as this is important for his recovery and release. We are encouraged by his daily improvement and pray this transplant was the cure for Nate and for others in the future. Thank you for the continued prayers and love for our family. Much Love, Jackie"

From Connor's Mommy

Monday, October 11, 2010

Suffering, the great teacher, has also taught me to try to look at the situation through a heavenly perspective.  It's only normal that we should look at everything through earthly eyes, but there is so much more to be seen.  We often do not recognize God's bigger picture or plan.  As we were studying Mark 8 :31- 33 in Sunday School, this became so apparent.
 
"Jesus began to teach the disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.  He spoke plainly about this and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. 'Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'"
 
Pretty strong words.  I was trying to think of the words that Peter may have said to Jesus, like...This is your great plan?  You came to earth to die?  Why don't you just take over your rightful authority on the throne?  You are the King of Kings, so use your power to rule here on earth.  There has got to be a better way. Why does there have to be a cross?
 
I have to admit that I've asked some of those questions to God 
myself.  I sensed the same frustration in Peter that I have felt.  
This was your great plan for Connor?  There's not a better way?  
Wouldn't Connor serve you better if he had lived?  I've offered many different scenarios that seem a lot better than this one.  But, I can just hear God answer  me, "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
 
We often think that Victory has to be won through strength instead of weakness, military might rather than selfless surrender, self promotion instead of sacrificial submission and humility.  I'm sure that was how Peter saw it, but I'm sure his perspective changed when he and John arrived at the empty tomb. I wonder if that was the AH HAH moment for Peter.  Or was it when Jesus appeared to the disciples that same night?
 
When I think of Connor, I wonder if I will have that same clarity this side of Heaven like Peter did, or will the clarity come once I've entered the gates of Heaven.  I pray that whether answers come this side of Heaven or not, I will continue to cling to my faith and hope in Jesus Christ.  Like Jesus said in John 21:29, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  I pray that I will focus on the things of God and not the things of man.
 
"Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him.  Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.  Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want."
I Peter 4:1-2 The Message
 
Always believing,
Joy Cruse

From Nate's Mommy

"Nate has had a good week. His counts are continuing to trend upward, which is a good sign of recovery. The next big step is for him to start eating and drinking again. He is only taking sips at this point. His legs are very tight and weak because he has been in bed for several weeks and has gotten such intense treatment. Our prayer is for him to continue to get stronger everyday and make progress in these areas. Of course there is always the concern for infections and complications from the transplant, but he seems to be doing really well overall. We continue to be amazed and inspired by all the support for our family and Nate. Much Love, Jackie"

Nate Update

Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers for Nate. The doctors treating Nate have been very pleased with his progress following the stem cell treatment. Tomorrow Nate will undergo a test to make sure that the cells have grafted like they are supposed to. His counts continue to improve daily and symptoms continue to improve as well. Please continue your prayers for Nate that his improvement would continue and the tests would go well.

Nate Update

9/29 Update from his Mom:

"The doctors have decided to give Nate some meds in his line that would possibly get rid of the infection, so he can keep his current line. He really needs to have a central line to get all his meds, it would take many IVs for him to get everything he needs. He will have another echocardiogram on Thursday morning. They feel confident the antibiotics he is on currently are addressing the infection. We are praying that the test tomorrow shows the infection gone, as well as Nate's heart in good shape. The doctors increased his pain meds and he has really felt some relief. He is sleeping a lot, but we are very thankful he isn't hurting so much. Thank you for your prayers!!!

Nate is not the only one, please remember all these kiddos who are so sick and the doctors and nurses who care for them daily."

9/30 Update from his Mom:
"The echocardiogram showed that the growth on the end of Nate's line is gone. We are very happy that he will be able to keep the line. He also has a white count starting. It is very low, and he is still very sick, but I am celebrating each small victory!!! He seems to be on track at this point. Today is a good day!!!"