Wednesday, July 9, 2008

The 4th & update

We spent the 4th of July celebrating Rob's dad's retirement from the steel factory after 33 years. Congrats to Papa!

William's been having lots of trouble with burps. He gets lots of air when he's sucking on the bottle, and this causes him great discomfort, and also causes him to loose some food when he burps it up. It's not reflux because you can almost always hear the burp that brought it up. Also, the pain from the burps causes trouble with him eating more food.

Also, William's been noticing other around him more, he has some pleasent looks that almost look like smiles, and his legs and arms seem a little looser.

We're still treating the yeast, and symptoms seem to be improving, SLOWLY. The white on William's tongue is much smaller, Micah still has the diaper rash, but it is showing signs of improvement. My nipples are much better and don't have the pain and cracking and bleeding they did earlier from the yeast. Also, William's pain from the thrush seems to be much better, and I haven't had to give him ibuprophen as much, and his limbs have been staying loose without the ibuprophen. Since we're still not symptom free we still need to stay on the medicine 10+ days longer.

2 comments:

Liz said...

congrats to papa!!

Jana Griffin said...

Lydia, try Grapefruit Seed Extract for the yeast--it will treat it and keep it at bay. I used a mixture of 30 drops of GSE with 2 oz of water. I kept it in a bottle and dripped it on my nipples each time I nursed. I was CURSED with yeast the entire time I nursed Ella. It started to flare up with Brenna, and someone recommended the GSE to me. We didn't have a problem the entire year + that I nursed her.

Mother of a "Special" Child

When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all

I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough

The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you

This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak

So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry

To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday

But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't very good

But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too

A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth.

God Choose a mother for a "Special" child

Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But she has patience?" asked the angel.

"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."