19 Kids & Counting

For those of you who've never watched TLC's 18 Kids & Counting now 19 Kids & Counting you may want to watch this next season. TLC will repeat tonite's episode but this family had their 19th child at just 25 weeks. Her name is Josie and at the end of tonite's program they showed her in her little isolate surrounded by family. Pictures just can't show you what Braden & Kaleigh looked like when they were born. But the video of this large family surrounding this 1 lb 6 oz baby really shows just how small and fragile. It really made me cry for many reasons. But I am glad that they are sharing their story with the world.

New video

So today is a snow day. The first real snow we've had in a while. I decided to take some new video of Braden. He has been making circles around the house. It's so nice to see him have soooo much energy. I just hope I can keep his weight up. I would love to let Braden out in the snow but just can't. I am too afraid of him getting sick. I mean really if he could walk it would be different but crawling in it just doesn't sound like a good idea.

Pics and update

This week has been fairly uneventful. Which is a good thing for us. :-) Braden has been getting into things alot more and having a few mishaps. Today he got a bruise on his forehead. Picture below... Not sure which incident caused it since it showed up later in the day. He never did cry. So at least he's still our tough little man.

Next week Braden is being re-evaluated by TEIS (Tennessee Early Intervention Services) to see if he still qualifies for services. It'll be interesting to see if they will keep him on the program.

In Loving Memory

It was 2 years ago today that we lost our little girl Kaleigh Grace. It was a day we never imagined would happen and one we will never forget. We still don't know why she was taken from us and we may never know. Really it isn't something we need - we know God has a plan for Braden and Kaleigh and we accept and continue to look for God's will to be done. Through God's promise we take comfort in knowing that Kaleigh is in a better place.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God and believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3

The twins continue to touch so many lives. It is amazing to us the number of people who continue to follow Braden's progress. As I am typing this he continues to pull up on my leg to watch me type. Braden is a testiment to the power of prayer and God's grace. Thank you all for all of your support and prayers over the past 2 years.

Sorry for such a long post but I also want to include something that was posted after Kaleigh's passing.

For Kaleigh:
I just wanted to let you know
that I made it home.
The journey wasn't an easy one,
but it didn't take too long.
Everything is so pretty here,
so white, so fresh and new.
I wish that you could close your eyes
and that you could see it too.
Please try not to be sad for me...
Try to understand.
God is taking care of me...
I'm in the shelter of His hands.
Here there is no sadness,
no sorrow, and no pain.
Here there is no crying,
and I'll never hurt again.
Here it is so peaceful
when all the angels sing,
I really have to go now-
I've just got to try my wings

New professional Braden pics...

My sister came today and did Braden's 2 year old photo session. Please use web address below to view some of his new pics. They really show just how grown up he is and I am so happy he coorperated for the session. Hopefully, in February we can do some new FAMILY pictures.

http://www.momentsbypaula.blogspot.com/

For some reason I can't get the web link feature on this blog to work properly. :-(

Pics and update

Ok well the battle continued today with the HME/nose being pulled off. So after a post from our friend Rochelle I used a trach tie on the O2 mask. It works... :-) He can't pull it off so now he can't get to the HME/nose. So that is a relief. I put a few not so great pics of it for those Mom's in the same or similiar situation.

Tomorrow Braden has therapy with OT at 7:45 am and PT at 9:15 am. Then my sister is coming to take 2 year old pics of Braden sometime after lunch. So we will be busy. I sure hope Paula can get some good photos of Braden. It is really difficult to photograph him now. He is always moving. Pics with my phone are almost impossible. I'm just not fast enough I guess. :-(





So here Braden has his hand on his HME/nose fixing to pull it off.

Some high calorie foods

Braden is doing great. Although he has been really tired and cranky lately. He's been napping at least 2 hours a day. Which is great for me. I really need the rest. Braden is moving faster than ever. As soon as you get up he bee lines it for the remote or whatever you may have that he shouldn't. :-) We have been having a tough time keeping his HME or we call it his nose on. He is back to taking it off constantly and fighting us. I'm trying time out techniques but he is really giving me a tough time. Today went pretty well though. He did better today than when we tried a few months ago. It wouldn't be so important but he gets plugged and can't breathe if he doesn't wear it. Which means deep suctioning every day or having to change his trach. Neither of which your suppose to do daily. On a happier note Braden is doing well trying new foods. Today I fed him a new Stage 3 from Beech nut called DHA PLUS™ WHOLE WHEAT PASTA PARMESAN. It has a whopping 230 calories. Beech nut has a few other higher calorie foods Braden likes HOMESTYLE CINNAMON RAISINS & PEARS which has 200 calories, HOMESTYLE PEACHES, APPLES & BANANAS with 150 calories, and HOMESTYLE APPLES, CHERRIES & PLUMS which also had 150 calories. He also loves Gerber Stage 3 lasagna 160 calories and the Spaghetti and meatballs which has 180 calories. He'll actually eat a whole jar of any of these in one sitting. Which is just amazing. Makes things so much easier for me to since he is not on the overnite pump feeds. I can still get all his calories in without getting up in the middle of the nite. I still don't get to bed till 11:30 or 12 and have to get up around 6:30 or 7am. Sometimes even 5 am so that's why I still need the 2 hour naps. Makes for a long day but we better get use to being sleep deprived with baby brother on the way. I am really hoping Braden will be able to feed himself a little before the baby arrives. He still only randomly eats a puff or cheesy poof. I've been giving him the biter cookies and he tastes them but doesn't really eat it. Well it's time for Braden's last feeding of the nite and for me to go to sleep. I'll try and post more pics this week.

It's a BOY!!!

Today we found out our wonderful new baby is doing awesome. It's officially a boy. Braden guessed it a long time ago. That's according to his Daddy. :-) We are very excited. The ultrasound today was the big one to check and make sure everything is going well for Mommy and Baby. Both of us are doing a great job. It's always nice to get a good report.

As for Braden.. he is opening file drawers at the moment and making a mess. We've had a long day and have another appt. tomorrow. This time a routine check up for Braden with his Urologist.

Braden turns 2

What an amazing year. Today Braden turns 2. It's so hard to believe it's been two years since Our Little Miracles were born. So I thought I would do a recap of year one and include a pic from birth, one year and today.
January - Braden starts eating stage one foods by mouth. Starts lifting his head and shoulders and begins rolling one direction from tummy to back. He weighs 15 lbs 8 ozs and is 25 inches long.
February - Braden masters jumping in his door jumper. He averages just one ounce of baby food by mouth twice a day. We also find out Braden has something wrong with at least one of his hips. :-(
March - Braden gets his official 1st baby tooth. He learns how to sit independently. He finally gets set up for all his therapies. He gets big enough to ride in a forward facing carseat. We find out Braden needs surgery on both hips.
April - Braden has his 1st NICU reunion. His 1st out of town trip to visit family and friends in Erwin, TN. Braden starts therapy for feeding, OT and PT. He signs "Daddy"
May - Hip surgery (ugh!!!) Then a 10 week journey with the Spika Cast. Thankfully all turned out well.
July - Braden gets his cast off :-) Now he begins wearing his brace. Poor baby has his first and hopefully last Kidney Stone.
August - Braden eats Cheetos, goes to his 1st Nicu party and gets his 1st haircut.
September - Braden now has 13 teeth, goes on his 1st trip to the Zoo. Can make us sign for him "all done" and "more". Drinks from a sippy cup. Starts pushing up in therapy and learning crawling skills. Braden's finally off his oxygen.
October - Braden starts crawling backwards but not forward.
November - Braden eats Oreo Stiks and begins eating puffs in purees. Braden finds out he is going to be a big brother. Braden eats diced peaches and stage 3 foods. Braden crawls. YEAH!!! Braden and the dog become friends. :-)
January 2010 - Two years old and check up with Pediatrician goes great. He is now 21 lbs 10 ozs and 31 inches long.

Pics from this week...

Here are some new pics of Braden on the move. He also got a much needed new haircut this week. Hopefully, we can get some new professional pics next month. Pop John and Nana are down for a visit. Just in time for our mini snow storm. In a few pics Braden and our dog. Just know the dog only lets Braden hang on her when she is begging one of us for food. :-)