Happy 65th Papa!

A big congrats to Papa for an awesome performance on his 2nd full marathon last Saturday!  He shaved almost an entire hour off his first marathon, coming in at 4 hours and 23 minutes.  I had the honor of getting to run by his side for the last seven miles of it, remembering all too clearly how painful it can be when you hit “the wall.”  So proud of him for his amazing strength and perseverance, as he still managed to finish strong and with such an awesome time!  I just hope that by the time I’m 65, I’ll be able to WALK a marathon, let alone run one in 4:23!  Congratulations Dad!

His own personal fan club!

My mom had a little party for my Dad at their home following the marathon.  Got to snag a picture of “Tough” with Buddy and Susan!

This was one of Grayson’s recent school projects.  A five year old gets to wish for ANYTHING and this was his one and only request!  This pretty much sums up where we’re at with little miss these days!  It was the terrible two’s with Grayson and now the horrendous three’s with Colbie! 

 

This is typically how we find little Miss Precious….either in a tutu and whatever else she decides is appropriate and fashionable or completely passed out because she’s also decided she’s too big for naps now.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the news we were hoping for at Jed’s appointment last week :(  His cardiologist explained that there is a moderate amount of stenosis with his pulmonary valve again.  Although his oxygen sats have been incredible, we’ve learned that this is just a result of his little heart working on overdrive.  As a result, they’ve scheduled him for another cath and ballooning procedure in early March.  Basically, he will be having the same procedure done that he had at 5 days old, with the hopes that this time it will create an adequate enough opening in the valve so that his heart doesn’t have to work so hard.  There was talk about doing an artificial valve or shunt should this not take, but we are very hopeful that we won’t have to go that route. 

This was definitely not the news we were looking for.  The good news is that he continues to grow, gain weight and develop well in all other areas.  He’s gained another pound in two weeks!  The chambers and valves of his heart have also grown, which is another positive sign.  Buddy’s nickname for him is “Tough” and THAT, he is.  He is our little Jedi fighter and we trust in God that just like before, he will go through this like a champ and surprise us all with his strength.

Best Bros!

My dad recently shared one of his favorite readings with me, which I found so touching and true in so many aspects of life.  It reminded me that whether you’re running an actual marathon or running one of life’s marathons, never to loose sight of hope.

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”  - Romans 5:3-4

Two Month Check Up

Mr. Smiley had his two month appointment last week.  Jed is 23 1/2 inches, 12 lbs. and in the 75% for height and weight!  He’s smiling a ton these days, “cooing” and “gooing” and on the verge of laughing.  His colicky evenings are improving too.  He still makes us work a little harder in the evenings to keep him calm and doesn’t usually go down for the night until 9:30/10.  The good news is that he is sleeping a good 4-6 hour stretch and then another 3-4 hour stretch after that, giving me a little more rest at night.  Good boy!  We take him back to Phoenix this week for another follow up with his cardiologist.  We are excited to see how his eco goes this time and how everything looks, since he’s done so well over the past couple of months. 

The sucky about the 2 month visit is all the shots he had to get :(  Poor guy was a champ!

Front yard fireworks for New Year’s Eve and a day at the park fishing with the family for New Year’s Day!  After two hours of waiting, the boys did manage to pull up this scrawny sucker!

Still sportin’ the blue eyes! I’m dying to see if they stay, as Grayson’s changed right around this time and Colbie obviously kept her bright blue eyes!

GG is such a good big bro.  He is so gentle and loving and can always get Jed to smile!  He’s also a pretty good babysitter!  Ok, so I don’t leave him to watch Jed & Colbie while I go for a run, but every now and then when I’m trying to get dinner ready or just need a five minute break from holding and bouncing, my five year old is actually pretty helpful!

Loves his big sis! 

Also may be a bit scared of her too!  She’s pretty scary…don’t you think?!

Grayson started soccer again a few weeks back.  He’s made a total transformation from last year. Thank God!  Goodbye moody, clingy, cry baby…. hello speedy gonzales, can’t wait till game days and scored six goals first game!

We’ve also started Colbie back in dance class the beginning of this month.  She too has made a big transformation since the fall by going into the class without out clinging to me and paying attention well to Miss Moriah!  She is still so serious, but cracks a smile here and there when she thinks you’re not looking!  Now if I can just get her to pay attention to her Mama!!  That’s another post altogether! 

I was so proud of her fake bun!  Poor thing has pitiful fine hair like me and I have absolutely no skills when it comes to styling, braiding, etc., but I was able to give her an official ballerina bun with a fun new hair accessory!

Everyone says he looks like Grayson, but I sorta see sister in him too.  May be a combo!

Kimmie treated DeeDee, my mom & I to a pedicure for Christmas!  Even Miss Colbie got to join in on the girls day and got Hello Kitty toes!

It’s back to work for me on Monday :(  I will be back to my Monday, Tuesday schedule.  I am dreading it and looking forward to it at the same time.  I’m always anxious to go back after being away and don’t look forward to pumping again.  On the other hand, I couldn’t ask for better babysitters (Grammy & Papa, you guys are awesome!) and I am excited to have some adult conversation again.  Although it’s work, it will be a nice outlet and change of pace.