Parenting Help!

I stumbled across a few pictures on the internet and had to share.  This is just in case any new moms out there need some help knowing what to do and what not to do!  They made me laugh!

12/29 - Neuro Followup

Just wanted to let everyone know that Toby had a CT Scan today and a shunt series x-rays to check up on things today.  Everything looked great.  The neurosurgeon said that one of the ventricles is draining more than the other but for now he wasn't worried about it.  We will go back during spring break to do it all again.  Tomorrow we go to the urologist to check up on things there.  I am so tired of Dr Appointments at this point, but am thankful not to get bad news!  I am starting to understand the long road people with Spina Bifida children are always referring to being on.  Night all!

12/27 - First Christmas -Toby is 3 months!

Toby had his first Christmas!  It was fun to have him this year, and I know it will be even more exciting for him next year.  Adam and I got Toby a walker that looks like a hot rod, but to be honest...we haven't even taken it out of the box.  He also got some clothes and a toy for his carrier as well, but I didn't wrap them!  I know I'm terrible...but it seemed like a waste for him to not be able to open...does that make me a bad mom??  Don't answer that!  I have to say that just having him there is the most special part of a baby's first Christmas.  I can always look back and know that he was there, he was happy, and most of all he was healthy.  The three of us went to Mom and Dad's house for Christmas Eve and the night after.  It really felt like a vacation :)  Mom and Dad gave Toby a little hand-made wooden train that one of our members had made and donated to the bazaar.  I thought it was so neat!  Mom also had a blanket that she had bought for me at the bazaar while she was expecting me.  Great idea Mom!

I can't believe it has been 3 months (tomorrow).  As you can see in the pic he is growing so fast.  He is really holding his head up so well now!  ECI has been working with us.  A therapist came to the house and played with Toby the other day.  It really seems like Toby is keeping up with all of his development.  I am so proud of him.  Right now there isn't anything slowing him down.  Our biggest obstacle at the moment is just keeping his casts from sliding off!  His feet are getting so straight that they keep popping right off.  Toby will go have another round of Dr visits this week.  He has a CT scan and an appointment witht he neuro-surgeon on Tues.  I'll let you know how it goes.  By the way...Adam got a flip video camera for Christmas so we will try to do a video blog starring the little charmer soon!  Happy Holidays to everyone!

12/4 Feeling Blessed

Last week we went to Covenant and had urodynamics done.  This was a test where they put a catheter in the patient and fill them up with water.  Then they monitor the pressure given when the patient releases the water.  We did this test because the Dr wanted to make sure Toby was capable of releasing all of his urine and that we weren't putting hid kidneys at risk if it wasn't.  The test was horrible.  Toby was tough through it, but the nurse doing the cath couldn't get it in.  So it turned a one hour procedure into a three hour ordeal.  While we were down in radiology the people working on him seemed like they were confused.  It felt like what was happening had never happened before.  They called the Dr. and asked if this was normal.  Unfortunately, when I asked the nurse if things were bad she would only tell me "The Dr will read your report and give you the results"  so I left with a heavy heart.  

I have been really worried about it since it seemed like it didn't go well.  Bad results would mean that we would go ahead and start putting in a cath on a daily basis and I am just not ready for that.  I really freaked out yesterday when they said they read the report and they want to talk about it next week.  I felt like there was urgency to it.  Today I called and basically begged them to just let me know what was going on.  They finally agreed that they would have the Dr call me.  He did.  It was really a blessing because he told me that he just thinks Toby has a small bladder, but that he looked good.  He also said that the technician that usually does these tests in radiology was not there, so the guy doing it really didn't know what to expect.  I was so thankful.  I guess I need to have more faith :)  

Toby is doing so good.  He has started cooing and smiling...a lot!  He is very social and happy.  Yesterday we went to the Pediatrician and he weighed 10 lb 13 oz.  He had grown in length 5 inches since his birth.  He had 3 shots and he didn't even cry!  I am so thankful to have such a good baby!

11/9 - Six Weeks!

Can you believe it has been six weeks?  We went to Lubbock today for another Dr appointment.  This time it was mine and not Toby's.  Everything went great.  Toby and I also stopped by to say hello to Dr. Atkinson and his staff (this was the Dr that found the defect in Toby's spine)  They were glad to see him.  Toby's casts are not near as dreadful as I had feared.  They are kind of just like little boots that can't come off.  He was fussy the first night he had them on, but no complaints after that.  Tonight I will take them off, give Toby a nice bath, and we'll go tomorrow for new ones.  The glue they use isn't quite as strong as a normal cast, so with some tugging I should be able to unwrap them (I do have permission :)). 

By the way...do you like the blog makeover?  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  I think it is the weather, the family, the good food, and it's also my birthday.  So of course I had to give my blog some turkey flair!  I wanted to know what everyone was thankful for this year.  Post what you are thankful for in a comment.  Here are some things I am thankful for this year!

1)  I am so thankful I am not living in an RV anymore!

2) I am thankful that God gave me a child to love.

3) I am thankful for my husband, family, and friends.

4) I am thankful that I have a job that I can enjoy everyday instead of dreading.

5) I am thankful that I am NOT related to balloon boy's dad.  haha

6)  Thankful a new dishwasher is on its way! (mine is worthless)

Please share yours!