Our Family of Five
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Emerson turns 6 months old!
Can't believe our little princess is already 6 months old, and I can't imagine our life without her! She has brought so much joy to our lives. She is such a happy girl and doesn't let anything get in her way. Hoping her little personality stays like this...especially during her teenage years :). Here are some of her 6 month pics. I'll add some more of the boys when I get a chance too.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Blessed beyond belief!
I am writing tonight with a heavy heart and and box of kleenex beside me. It has been an overwhelming week to say the least, but a blessed one at the same time. On Monday we took Emerson in for a follow-up appointment for her recent UTI. Little did we know that it would lead to more health concerns, and waiting for me and Josh. I pointed out a "swollen" spot on Emerson's inner thigh to the doctor, and that is when she noticed her resistance to movement of her leg. We already knew that the doctor probably would be recommending a sonogram of her kidneys - based on her UTI, to make sure everything was working properly, but she also recommended x-rays of her hips now as well.
On Thursday we went to Children's Mercy for these appoinments. Unfortunately, once again, this appoinment lead to more concerns - unrelated to the previous ones. During the sonogram of her kidneys, the radiologist noticed a "concerning" spot on her right kidney. After much time studying the pictures and a second sonogram, the radiologist told us that she believes that Emerson has a "pronounced" blood vessel around her kidney. She told us that she wants to re-check this spot in 2-4 weeks to ensure that it hasn't changed. Which, of course, means even more waiting. We are praying that the suspicious spot is not anything serious (the radiologist seemed confident to be able to rule-out the possiblity of it being a mass). Josh and I may have to make the decision of whether or not to go through with a CT scan if this is recommended, which has been mentioned by the doctor. We are worried about the radiation affects, especially to a little female and issues with fertility in the future, so again, we are praying that it doesn't come to this.
The GOOD NEWS is that after a dye test to check her kidney and bladder functioning, we found out that these organs are working great! She does not have kidney reflux, which can be a cause of UTI's in young children.
On Friday, we got a phone call from the doctor's office letting us know that Emerson's hip x-rays show that she has a condition called Development Displaysia of Hip (DDH). We've been told that this is caused by an abnormality of the tissue surrounding the hip. As a result, little Em is now going to have to see a pediatric orthopedist to determine what treatment is needed. Because of this condition, she has one leg that is signifantly longer than the other (which he had never noticed until Monday at the doctor's office either). This could cause problems with her being able to stand and walk, but we've been told that finding this early is to her advantage. We are anxious to go to this appoinment, and have been told that treament may include a brace and/or surgery, and more than likely can resolve this problem. Emerson is also having to see a pediatric urologist for another questionable area.
On a positive note, Emerson is doing great in her helmet! She doesn't really even notice it's there. She is still sleeping 12-13 hours at night and is such a happy girl - doesn't seem to be in any pain with all of this stuff going on, which we are so thankful.
Although this has been overwhelming, and scary, and stressful, we know that we are still blessed beyond belief. I won't lie, it's been really tough for me! I've probably cried every day this week. But, I am reminding myself that it's in God's hands, and that is settling. I know that there are many other people in this world dealing with similar, or far worse, situations and I pray that they too will find a sense of peace knowing that God is in control.
I am truly grateful for the many blessings that God has given me...my wonderful husband who works so hard to ensure that he can provide for his family's needs; my three beautiful children, who although may be facing some health issues, are so resilient and strong, and loved by so many; and the support of our loving family and wonderful friends. We truly are blessed beyond belief!! Thank you for all of your support and prayers! It mean so much to us.
On Thursday we went to Children's Mercy for these appoinments. Unfortunately, once again, this appoinment lead to more concerns - unrelated to the previous ones. During the sonogram of her kidneys, the radiologist noticed a "concerning" spot on her right kidney. After much time studying the pictures and a second sonogram, the radiologist told us that she believes that Emerson has a "pronounced" blood vessel around her kidney. She told us that she wants to re-check this spot in 2-4 weeks to ensure that it hasn't changed. Which, of course, means even more waiting. We are praying that the suspicious spot is not anything serious (the radiologist seemed confident to be able to rule-out the possiblity of it being a mass). Josh and I may have to make the decision of whether or not to go through with a CT scan if this is recommended, which has been mentioned by the doctor. We are worried about the radiation affects, especially to a little female and issues with fertility in the future, so again, we are praying that it doesn't come to this.
The GOOD NEWS is that after a dye test to check her kidney and bladder functioning, we found out that these organs are working great! She does not have kidney reflux, which can be a cause of UTI's in young children.
On Friday, we got a phone call from the doctor's office letting us know that Emerson's hip x-rays show that she has a condition called Development Displaysia of Hip (DDH). We've been told that this is caused by an abnormality of the tissue surrounding the hip. As a result, little Em is now going to have to see a pediatric orthopedist to determine what treatment is needed. Because of this condition, she has one leg that is signifantly longer than the other (which he had never noticed until Monday at the doctor's office either). This could cause problems with her being able to stand and walk, but we've been told that finding this early is to her advantage. We are anxious to go to this appoinment, and have been told that treament may include a brace and/or surgery, and more than likely can resolve this problem. Emerson is also having to see a pediatric urologist for another questionable area.
On a positive note, Emerson is doing great in her helmet! She doesn't really even notice it's there. She is still sleeping 12-13 hours at night and is such a happy girl - doesn't seem to be in any pain with all of this stuff going on, which we are so thankful.
Although this has been overwhelming, and scary, and stressful, we know that we are still blessed beyond belief. I won't lie, it's been really tough for me! I've probably cried every day this week. But, I am reminding myself that it's in God's hands, and that is settling. I know that there are many other people in this world dealing with similar, or far worse, situations and I pray that they too will find a sense of peace knowing that God is in control.
I am truly grateful for the many blessings that God has given me...my wonderful husband who works so hard to ensure that he can provide for his family's needs; my three beautiful children, who although may be facing some health issues, are so resilient and strong, and loved by so many; and the support of our loving family and wonderful friends. We truly are blessed beyond belief!! Thank you for all of your support and prayers! It mean so much to us.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Such a pretty girl!
Day #2 and Emerson is doing so well in her band! I got it all decorated today with dots and her name. I met a wonderful woman on a support group forum who sent me the decals for free! Both of her twins had to wear bands and she had some extras . As you can see, little Emery isn't even phased by the band. She wears it happily and doesn't even seem to notice it's there. She's such an angel!! She'll start sleeping in it tomorrow, so we are praying that goes well for her. Thank you all for your prayers and support!!
Love this pic! Such attitude :)
Love this pic! Such attitude :)
So pretty!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
2010 brings many changes for the Kindler clan!
Another tooth lost (that makes 4 total for Masen this year!), another pair of glasses (this time it was Dawson's turn), and a new "hat" for Emerson...whew! So many changes in so little time for the Kindler kiddos.
Masen proudly pulled another tooth out last week. His toothless grin is quite a sight as you can see below. He's been holding on to the tooth for the past week. Anxiously awaiting Papa Kindler's arrival so that he can show it to him. In the meantime, the tooth has broken in half somehow. This means that he is hopeful that the toothfary will bring him double the money...and for some reason he thinks she is going to bring two $5 bills?!? Don't know where he got that amount. Hope he's not too disappointed when this doesn't happen.
Dawson has had his new glasses for about a month now. We've already had to have them adjusted - too much wrestling with them on. I'm sure this will be a frequent thing as it has been for Masen. He thinks it's pretty cool that he is more like his big brother now. This probably won't last long!
And finally, little Emerson just got her new "hat" today. She was recently diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly (flattening of the head on one side). This was caused by her torticollis and the fact that she has not been able to turn her head in both directions, so she has favored sleeping to one side. She's starting out just wearing the helmet an hour or so at a time, but by the 4th day will be wearing it for 23 hours/day and for up to 6 months. This whole experience has been overwhelming to say the least. However, we are adjusting and have had an out-pour of support from our family and friends. We know that she won't even remember this experience in the future and that we are blessed that we are not dealing with a more severe medical condition. And of course, she would look cute in anything she wears!
Here are some pics of these changes. We were so blessed in 2009 and know that 2010 is going to be a fantastic year for us as well, changes and all!
Emerson is such a happy girl! Even with this big thing on her head :). We've yet to decorate it, but plan on making it even more girly with some cute decals.
Doesn't Daws look so handsome!
Here's our toothless boy, Mase. So proud of that smile!!
Masen proudly pulled another tooth out last week. His toothless grin is quite a sight as you can see below. He's been holding on to the tooth for the past week. Anxiously awaiting Papa Kindler's arrival so that he can show it to him. In the meantime, the tooth has broken in half somehow. This means that he is hopeful that the toothfary will bring him double the money...and for some reason he thinks she is going to bring two $5 bills?!? Don't know where he got that amount. Hope he's not too disappointed when this doesn't happen.
Dawson has had his new glasses for about a month now. We've already had to have them adjusted - too much wrestling with them on. I'm sure this will be a frequent thing as it has been for Masen. He thinks it's pretty cool that he is more like his big brother now. This probably won't last long!
And finally, little Emerson just got her new "hat" today. She was recently diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly (flattening of the head on one side). This was caused by her torticollis and the fact that she has not been able to turn her head in both directions, so she has favored sleeping to one side. She's starting out just wearing the helmet an hour or so at a time, but by the 4th day will be wearing it for 23 hours/day and for up to 6 months. This whole experience has been overwhelming to say the least. However, we are adjusting and have had an out-pour of support from our family and friends. We know that she won't even remember this experience in the future and that we are blessed that we are not dealing with a more severe medical condition. And of course, she would look cute in anything she wears!
Here are some pics of these changes. We were so blessed in 2009 and know that 2010 is going to be a fantastic year for us as well, changes and all!
Emerson is such a happy girl! Even with this big thing on her head :). We've yet to decorate it, but plan on making it even more girly with some cute decals.
Doesn't Daws look so handsome!
Here's our toothless boy, Mase. So proud of that smile!!
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