Through the Storm, He is Lord of All

During pregnancy, one can expect routine ultrasounds and doctor appointments.

Routine.
 
Tuesday's appointment certainly started off routine. But then the sonographer invited the doctor in to give me the news. I sat there on the table of the dark room with a tired Little T as the doctor described to me that little Baby Boy has numerous bilateral choroid plexus cysts in his brain and dilated kidneys. The problem really isn't that they are there, but more so that them being there can indicate a genetic abnormality. Something could be very wrong with the baby. The doctor said simply that he wanted me to speak with a genetic counselor before I left the hospital that day. An incredible load of information had been dumped on me to process about the precious boy growing inside, all while being mama to a perfect little boy who had not yet napped that day. My two-appointment routine day had turned into a three-appointment day definitely-not-routine day. My mind couldn't help but wonder...what if there really is something wrong with Baby? I never thought about being a parent of a special needs child. What if he didn't even survive the pregnancy? What if I never got a chance to meet my little boy before he returns to his Savior? What if I didn't bring this baby home from the hospital? What if Little T and Baby Boy never had the opportunity to play together?

I did go today to have blood drawn for further genetic screenings and they will continue to closely monitor Baby's growth and the progress of the cysts over the next months until delivery.

To say I was nervous going into my appointment today would be an understatement. Driving in, I turned on the radio to focus on anything else. At that moment, the song "Cornerstone" by Hillsong started playing. I was moved to tears.  

Thank you, Lord, for this sweet reminder that you are in control. The weak are made strong in Your love. That You will alone give us the strength we need to get through this pregnancy regardless of the outcome. That You can give this little one the strength he needs. You alone will give us all we need to parent this beautiful child that You have loved and planned for even before conception. Through this storm, when in moments it does feel incredibly dark, You are there and You are Lord of all.

The Lord knew I needed to hear this today!

To the Birthday Boy (well, Man), Happy Birthday!!! I'm sorry I couldn't manage to get you a day off work for you as your gift this year. At least this year I will try not to end up in the hospital on your special day. We are excited to celebrate the wonderful man that you are, the incredible surgeon you are becoming, and the amazing Papa and the incredible husband that you are. We hope you enjoy your day! P.S., Thank you for my beautiful roses! You really surprised me that you would bring me flowers the night before your birthday just as a thank you and that you appreciate me. Words cannot truly express how thankful I am for you!
To Little T, You have your Papa wrapped around your little finger! We had a family outing to the grocery store the other day (to replenish our very very empty fridge from Masters week) and when Papa saw how much you loved the golf ball helium balloon, he convinced me that we needed to buy it for you. :) I am glad to see it has become your favorite toy! Although chasing bubbles outside became a close second today... 

Proof of the "Up!" old man face. :) Oooooh, I can't help but laugh every time I see this.

To Little T, You've grown up significantly since the last time I blogged (about when he figured out how to walk and I've been on the go ever since)! Can't believe that you are more of a little boy than a baby and I am nearly the mother of a one year old! The fact that you have had your first haircut and are going to a big brother really makes you seem like a big kid. Thanks for being such a trooper! You had quite the crowd watching at the salon. :)
To our Masters Renters, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Despite coming with a great recommendation, I must admit I was a little nervous to come home today and see what condition my house was in. My heart was so full when I saw that you treated my house with a pride like it was your own...you even washed, folded, and put away almost all of the linens! You are welcome back any year you have badges.
To Adam Scott, Congrats to you on the big Masters win! Way to go Australia! I watched a ton of golf coverage this weekend, but nothing could beat watching it in person. Can't help but be a little disappointed to not set foot on the property of the Augusta National this year, but I am incredibly grateful for the fun filled week we had with family.
To our wonderful families, Thank you for hosting me, Little T, and Long Dog (and Handsome Hubby for part of the time) this week... we had a blast! It was a little crazy trying to childproof all the places we stayed, but thank you for being flexible and making time for us! And thank you Papa Peter for not holding us to the you-can-stay-here-for-half-your-Masters-income deal we jokingly made. :)

Before the haircut...post nap time hair :)

Visiting Granny D at work

On his new big boy tricycle from Grandmother...thank you! Little T loves it! He may not be able to pedal yet, but he almost has the "Flinestones" method down. P.S. This face reminds me of the old man from Up!

 

Coolest kid on the block!

Little T at the playground with my cousin (the other Little T)

To Weathergirl, Happy Birthday (a little belated...)! I was so blessed and so thankful that we were able to spend our special day together this year...a real treat! Thanks for helping to make my day absolutely wonderful. To Mama Ne', Congratulations on being a mama for 28 years! And what a wonderful mama you are!
Dearest Celeste, I did not know you well, but I watched your celebration of life last night and was so incredible moved. Father, when you call me home, may I leave that kind of legacy for you! May my life bring such honor and glory to you that it could be celebrated in that kind of way.
To Little T, You're in a hurry to grow up! Now almost 8 months old, you are cruising around on the furniture, walk around while holding only one of my fingers, and absolutely boycott crawling. Try not to grow up too fast... I'm grateful that you and Long Dog have become playmates!
To Handsome Hubby, Last weekend you used your one afternoon off to paint Little T's nursery. I am so thankful for all that you do around the house! His room looks great. What's next to be done on the honey do list?!

To Uncle Drew, To say that we are proud of you is the understatement of the century! :) Way to go! You're D.O.N.E. We loved celebrating your accomplishment with you this weekend and can't wait to hang out during the holidays! Oh, and thanks for increasing the number of Yellow Jackets in the family! To all the family, It was so wonderful to spend Saturday with you!
To the Lady at the Post Office, For a women of your age (mid 60s??), you looked surprisingly trendy in your jeans, riding boots, sweater, and scarf. And then I saw it... You had the long narrow sticker indicating size running down the back of your leg. I immediately knew I needed to spare you from further unknown embarrassment, and let's be honest...I know what its like to feel mortified after finding said sticker after a whole day out, and I have never gotten a look of such gratitude from a stranger. May you have a Merry Christmas.
To Little T, The days of being content sitting and playing are over. You may still be completely dependent on two adult hands to hold onto, but you want to walk (and sometimes in a hurry!) everywhere. I thought surely you would crawl or scoot first, but I guess will we be skipping those and jump (almost literally) on to walking!
To Handsome Hubby, Poor Little T was such a trooper on Saturday with all the traveling, but he was definitely not a happy camper on the way home. Who knew that your mad beat boxing skills would entertain our little man so well?! I'm just hoping this is not an indication of the kind of music he's going to listen to as a teenager...

Never Under Estimate the Strength of a nearly 7-month old...

To the Naive Mama (aka, me), Upon entering in on a conversation about Christmas tree safety with some other moms, I can remember saying, "I don't think I really need to worry about [Little T] this year. I think it will be more of an issue next year when he's 18 months old." Oh, how very wrong you were! I now wish I could go back, undo those words, and take my own advice to fasten the tree to the wall with fishing wire or a bungee cord to keep the tree from falling over.
To Little T, In a matter of only a few days, you went from barely knowing how to move the walker to racing around in it...even on the carpet. You had been playing right next to me yesterday, when I heard a crash across the room and saw the Christmas tree laying completely on top of the walker (with Little T legs sticking out the bottom, but no other signs of him...). My heart nearly leapt out of my chest! Thank you, Lord, for protecting my little boy! Thank you that my sturdy little guy didn't have a bump or bruise (or tears) to show for the incident. Poor kid was thankfully only covered in Frasier Fir needles. Unfortunately, this has not made him any less interested in the tree... If Little T not being seriously injured wasn't miracle enough, not a single ornament broke.
To those of you who asked if I got a picture, Um, no... I was too concerned with collecting my buried child from the Christmas tree wreckage. If I could go back, would I take a picture? Probably not...but, my, would that have been a picture to cherish over Little T's lifetime!

To Santa, Thank you for making a special visit from the North Pole this week to meet my little guy. He obviously hasn't reached the age of being afraid of you (maybe next year?!) and found you quite interesting instead.
To the Jesse Tree, You have been such a wonderful daily reminder to our family of the reason for this Christmas season. I hope to make you an annual tradition! Little T may only look at the leaves as we add them to the tree, but I know next year I will appreciate decorating the tree himself! Thank you, Lord, for drawing in our focus during this Advent season.
To Weathergirl, I've decided it would be nice to have winter weather during this holiday season. Would you mind placing a special order for me? How about snow? That would be nice on Little T's first Christmas! Thanks. You're such a dear.
Jagbirder, It warmed my heart that Little T loved the one-on-one time he had with you at the Ladies Christmas dinner. You may officially be our go-to babysitter. :) Besides, who else is going to teach him about the birds that are visiting our feeder?
To Uncle Drew, Congrats on winning first place for your Mechanical Engineering project! We are so very proud of you and can't wait to celebrate your graduation! Wahoooooooooo! You did it!
To the Hubbster, Last week you performed a two-man procedure solo. Half way threw it, the attending whipped out his phone and started recording it. Simply put, you became the talk of the department. It's no wonder PawPaw's nickname for you was "Hot Shot". :)

He's still looking at Santa...

...and we're back!

To the Move, No offense, but I'm so glad you're over! You have absolutely consumed my time since the last time I posted... 1 house packed up, 2 houses cleaned, 1 house mostly now unpacked (not to mention helping host a baby shower and caring for a little man who only wants to jump, but is too small for the door jumper...)
To Little T, Happy 5 months!...a little belated. 5 month pictures coming soon. They just need to be taken before 6 months, right?! :) You are becoming such a big boy and you have been a trooper with all of this moving and transitioning. You are just about out of your 3-6 month clothes and you've started growling and roaring all day long (quite appropriate that it started on the day I dressed him in a dinosaur outfit). The fun just never ends with you!
To all our friends and family, we couldn't have done the move without you. Thank you for collecting boxes (largely from my work family), thank you for literally helping us move (the guy's Bible Study), picking up and delivering our new fridge with your trailer- and even having to take off the doors to get it into the kitchen- (Fritz Landscaping), providing dinner for us (Morris family!), painting (Mama Ne'!), building a temporary fence for Long Dog (Popmiester!), watching Little T so that I could get lots done (Granny D and Mama Ne'), and countless others who helped with words of encouragement and support that helped me keep my sanity (Ray Ray and Weathergirl... I promise I'm not normally this emotional). Thank you all for being part of our amazing community of family and friends. We are so humbled by your never-ending acts of kindness.
To Handsome Hubby, I love our stay-at-home date nights. Your schedule is so unpredictable and you come home so late, that the only way we can go on dates is if we bring it home. Last week your brought home frozen yogurt (my favorite!) and we ate it out on the oh-so-cold screened porch and just caught up on life. Then we had a pumpkin carving date night! I feel like we've never spent this much time together...it helps that we got rid of the DVR when we moved and we are no longer compelled to "catch up" on missed TV.

Proud homeowners! Just after closing...

Carving pumpkins...can you guess which one is the surgeons?

My happy boy!

Sitting in his new chair in the new kitchen

We voted! it cut into nap time a little...can you tell?

Visiting Papa at the hospital

Little T's Nursery

I thought I would post pictures of Little T's mostly finished nursery in this house before packing it up for the move. Be sure to check out the before pictures! Once we get settled into the new house, I'm hoping to finally finish the last nursery project: a picture collage above his crib of all his grandfathers and great-grandfathers in their military uniforms. I'm excited to see how it turns out! We have some handsome gentlemen in our family! :)

The changing table is an English Buffet that actually still have pink baby contact paper in the drawers and on the shelves. My mama used this piece of furniture as the changing table in Weathergirl's and my nursery.

I love the wooden frame from Weathergirl! Look closely...that is a ultrasound picture of Thomas around 32 weeks. I was so surprised by how much he looked like that picture when he was born. Technology is soooo amazing!

Banner handmade by a sweet sweet friend. Mama Ne' made the bumper pad, the crib skirt, and the curtains.

Alarm clock from Pottery Barn Kids

Popmiester helped transform the corner media cabinet into a wardrobe since the closet in the room is fairly small.

Model vintage planes that I found at Hobby Lobby

Prints ordered and framed by another sweet friend. Thank you! Thank you!

"Hudson" rug from Pottery Barn Kids... I got an amazing deal on it! The model plane on the stand is from Handsome Hubby's aunt.

Vintage Airplane fabric that Mama Ne' found! I love it! It will definitely grow with Thomas.