It's been too long!

We are all doing well, and I will try to get back to blogging on a regular basis. I have missed taking the time to document our growing family!

Here is what has been going on in the last 8 months (GASP!) since my last post....

1) We started the fall finding out on Grandparent's Day that we indeed would become grandparents!! Our youngest son and his wife were expecting a baby due in May. In November, we found out they were having a GIRL!!

(more on THAT exciting news later)

2) We have had our first REAL winter in years with not one, but TWO snow storms that we absolutely loved. We took a Disney trip with my sister, nephew and brother and made memories that will last a lifetime. Disney gave us some "extra Pixie Dust"  due to Celia's fragile medical condition and we were able to meet all of the characters, had VIP seating for all events, and had unlimited passes to attractions. The new system is horrible, but Disney redeemed themselves in our eyes by making some exceptions for our family.

3) In December, we were finally approved for nursing for Celia. We have a nurse 3 days a week and after we went through a few nurses to find the right one for our family, AND I got over the mom-guilt in letting someone else care for my sweet baby, it has been nothing short of a HUGE blessing. Our nurse, "Miss M" has become part of our family. She loves the Lord and loves Celia and has been a God-send to us.

4) Due to reflux issues, we had to change Celia's feeds from her G-tube (Stomach) to her J-tube (her jejunum or intestines) Since your intestines cannot handle the amount your stomach can, we went from 4- 1hour feeds per day to a continuous 13 hour feed during the day. It has been a HUGE transition because she can no longer roll around the floor and play without danger of pulling out her tube. It has limited her "free play" and has been a difficult adjustment.

5) Gianna has had two surgeries since my last post and has logged 12 surgeries in 5 years. We have a wonderful team of Drs here locally and even a wonderful Anesthesiologist who makes SURE she is on every single surgery and personally escorts her to the O.R. Her next surgery in the fall will be a much bigger deal, as she has outgrown these rods and will need new ones which is more incisions, and more pain. Not looking forward to that for our brave girl.

6) Aria has had violin, piano and ballet recitals and expressed a recent interest in soccer. Gianna's Dr. even approved her for the season and we all really enjoyed watching them play. We are DEFINITELY adding soccer to our next spring as well.

7) We have suspected that Sofia has some language processing delays and possibly some learning disabilities. We are happy to say that something "clicked" for her and she is beginning to read. We are very proud of her for trying her best and not giving up. She is my spunky monkey who is quite hysterical and keeps us laughing.

8) We have had wonderful visits with our oldest son and his beautiful wife and have managed to see them almost every month. It's a 10 hour drive so it is no small feat but we are all committed to being a family unit. We are proud of them for buying their first home and decorating it with their own special flair.

9) On Mother's Day, May 11, 2014 Finley Dianne was born. She is beautiful and perfect and we cannot stop gushing about her to anyone who will listen. It is THE BEST present I could ever get for Mother's day, and I am embracing the name MiMi with gusto. Did I mention she is beautiful and perfect? She is. We couldn't be any more proud of our son and his wife for jumping head first into parenthood and including us along for the ride. They are so generous in letting us all hold her, even Celia thinks she is really amazing.

10) Greg started a new job in December for a Canadian company. Our insurance benefits are STELLAR! We have been approved for nursing, diapers, a power wheelchair that Celia will drive with her feet (Due to be delivered any day now) and an eye gaze computer that she can talk with her eyes. We added a new medication for her spasticity and a wonderful side effect is that it has relaxed her vocal cords and she is able to speak now more than ever.  Even so, she tires easily and an  eye gaze computer will help her converse  back and forth with others.


Well, I think that is the latest and greatest. I am having a problem adding my photos so I will bid adieu for now with hopes I will jump back in to the blogging world on a more regular basis! A huge THANK YOU to all our sweet blogging friends who checked on us!