Big Family Moments

It has been too long since my last post.  I have wanted to post, but time doesn't allow for it with all the new changes that have entered our life.  But, for now, I have a moment and want to share what we have been up to in the last 4 months.

First, Maggie had her last clinic appointment to see Dr. French almost 2 weeks ago.  Andy and she made the trek down to Dayton together.  Her blood counts looked great (Andy didn't ask for the numbers and they didn't give them so even though it was very hard for me not to know the numbers, I am moving forward knowing she is good).  Maggie told me she talked to Dr. French for the first time.  She is really opening up to others and while her talking was probably a few words, it was an improvement.  Maggie is now 2 1/2 years off treatment- another little milestone.

A big moment in our family's life was the introduction of Grant Sebastian on August 13.  He weighed in at 9 lbs. 6 1/2 ounces.  Another big baby for us!  I was worried about how Colin would welcome him and handle the change, but he has shown us that he is very flexible and ready to be a big brother.  Maggie has been wonderful.  She loves on Grant and wants to hold him all the time.  She is a big help, getting diapers, burp cloths, giving him baths, and calming his fussiness.  Even Colin has joined in the help of trying to change his diaper, not necessarily something I'm ready for, but he is trying to be helpful.  Grant has been a very good baby, sleeping much of the day, and getting up every 2-3 hours during the night.  He seems to be pretty laid back, which is a good quality considering the crazy family he has been born into.  He is able to sleep through the screaming and yelling of children playing (for the most part).  Not to say though that Andy and I aren't really tired and back to the old sleep deprivation that we remember so well with the other two children.

We have struggled for the last almost 4 weeks of illness, which has been very frustrating.  Colin started with the stomach bug for 5 days, gave it to Andy and Maggie, and now we are dealing with colds in our family.  So much so, that we had to take Colin to the ER this morning due to retraction in his ribs, fast breathing, and grunting.  Thankfully he doesn't have pneumonia, but it's just one more thing.  Everyone is sick except for Grant, and I pray it stays that way.  We can't afford to have Grant sick.  So, I am very ready to have some normalcy in life- life that doesn't consist of illness.

Another big moment in our life was Maggie's first day of preschool!  She is going twice a week in the afternoons and was to begin on September 11, however, do to the stomach bug, she missed her first week.  Andy and I were so disappointed, but Maggie didn't seem to mind too much.  She started this Tuesday and loves it!  I was very worried there would be tears, but she left my side and didn't even turn back.  She has really matured in the last year and we are so proud of her.  Four years ago, we weren't sure she would ever see this moment, but here she is and we have met another HUGE milestone!

Maggie's first day of school- 9/18/12

Grant- 5 weeks old

Colin being Colin- 9/16/12