Sunday, June 27, 2010

first fathers day

I realize this is a week late, but Happy Father's Day Aaron! Everett loves you so much and I do too. You are an incredible man and an incredible dad. I pray that Everett will grow up and be just like you. I'm pretty sure if he could talk he'd let you know you really are his HERO :)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Thursday, June 10, 2010

a bump in the road

This is a difficult post, and hard to come up with the words to write it. Usually, I stick to the happy and fun things going on in our life, but we've hit a bump in the road. Everett was born with a heart murmur. Many babies are, it's a common thing and usually goes away we were told. So, we didn't think anything of it until his two month appointment when the doctor showed some concern that she could still hear the murmur. We were scheduled for an echo (ultrasound) and an EKG and finally got the testing last Thursday. Test results came back and he was diagnosed with something called aortic valve stenosis. We didn't really get a good explanation, probably because I was in a fog after they told me my perfect little boy has a not so perfect heart. We spent the next 5 days frustrated and bitter at times and sad and just upset. Millions of questions filtered through my brain --- was it something I did or ate or didn't do when I was pregnant? Will Everett be able to live a normal life? be a regular little boy that digs in the dirt and runs around the playground? The questions were unending, but also knew that the Lord had things worked out. So we prayed. Family prayed, friends prayed, and we waited (anxiously) for clarity. We had an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist from CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) on Monday. We spent 2.5 hours there, having tests done and re-done and watching poor little Everett poked and prodded. In the end, we got a lot of clarity on what was going on with Everett's heart. He does in fact have mild aortic stenosis and they also found that his aorta right past the valve is twice the size it should be. While that sounds grim, it's not as bad as it could be. For now, Everett can be treated just like any other little boy his age. In fact, the doctor told us to pretend we didn't have the conversation (I think he could see the worry on our faces as he told us the diagnosis). We will have to go back to CHOP in September to have another echo and EKG done and will most likely need to have an MRI done on Everett before his first birthday. As long as his aorta does not enlarge any more, Everett will just be monitored. And while a lifetime of pediatric cardiologist appointments seems daunting, we are SO SO thankful that that is all that needs done for now. We don't know what the future holds for Everett and if he will get to run around on that playground or play sports if he wants to, but we do know that the Lord has amazing plans for him... and for that we are incredibly thankful.


(Psalm 139:13-14) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and WONDERFULLY made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

what a difference 3 months makes...

It's hard to believe that Everett is exactly 3 months old today?! People always say that it flies when they're this age and they're right! He is growing into quite a little person--- smiles a lot, babbles, giggles, and is alert and active for longer periods of time. He has even been sleeping through the night! The past three months have been incredible! Everett has brought so much joy and happiness to our little family. We are so blessed by this little man and still daily look at each other in awe, realizing what an incredible gift the Lord has given to us! Every good and perfect gift is from above... James 1:17


1 week




3 months