We've learned that Tyler is very prone to staph infections. He got a very normal bug bite (ant, spider ... not really sure) almost two weeks ago. It developed a hard, golf-ball size knot under the skin, and the red, tender area was spreading. Upon the advice of my mother-in-law, we took him to the doctor first thing this morning. Our pediatrician sent us straight to a specialist/pediatric surgeon and explained that he would need surgery to remove the infectious lump.
On the way to the specialist, God intervened. See unexpected blessings
The pediatric surgeon was able to drain the mass without surgery! He used localized anesthesia that slightly numbed the affected area, made an inch-long incision and squeezed to release the infection. (I'll spare the gory details). As expected, Tyler cried fervently. However, I believe the pain was eased by our prayers. Within five minutes, Tyler was smiling and laughing at the nurses, who were very impressed by his quick recovery.
We have to go back on Thursday to have the area rechecked, but it looks like our little boy is healing perfectly!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
unexpected blessings
Last Wednesday, I was driving to BabyGap to buy Tyler new summer clothes. On the way, I passed a church with a humble sign advertising free lunches for kids under 18. Three miles later, I realized exactly what this meant. It was summer vacation. There are kids in my own area who go hungry, when meals are not provided by the school. That broke my heart and convicted me. Here I was ... driving to buy my son more clothes when there are children who don't even have food! I mentioned it to Chad that evening, and he said we should definitely give to the ministry.
On Sunday, we tried a new church. The message was about using spiritual gifts, including the gift of giving. Again, my heart ached for these children who wake each morning with hunger pains and no pantry to open, no refrigerator to rummage through and no lunch box to fill.
Today, I left for the specialist several hours early in an effort to distract Tyler from the meals he had to skip before surgery (which is another blog post). I was driving down Rowlett Road, when I remembered that church. I made a u-turn and pulled into the parking lot. Tyler and I walked in through the tattered door and passed the giggling children running through the halls. We peeked around the corner and met the most gracious lady. I explained the incredible randomness of our visit and handed her a check. She looked down with astonishment. I quickly apologized because it wasn't a large gift. She looked back at me and said that today they were praying for that exact amount! There were four children who wanted to go to summer camp. Their parents couldn't afford it, but the church promised they would be able to attend. However, they are a small, underprivileged church that was already over-extended in giving. They didn't know where the money would come from, but they trusted God to provide. Hours later ... God led Tyler and me to their door with the exact donation to sponsor summer camp for four children!
While we were there, we met the pastor and several other church leaders. They asked where we were heading, and I explained that Tyler will most likely need surgery today for his leg infection. They asked if they could pray over him. We gathered around, the pastor placed a hand on his leg, and we asked God for healing. With faith, we believed that he would be okay. And this afternoon, God used the doctor to heal Tyler without surgery ... just as we asked!
I'm inspired and filled with thankfulness.
On Sunday, we tried a new church. The message was about using spiritual gifts, including the gift of giving. Again, my heart ached for these children who wake each morning with hunger pains and no pantry to open, no refrigerator to rummage through and no lunch box to fill.
Today, I left for the specialist several hours early in an effort to distract Tyler from the meals he had to skip before surgery (which is another blog post). I was driving down Rowlett Road, when I remembered that church. I made a u-turn and pulled into the parking lot. Tyler and I walked in through the tattered door and passed the giggling children running through the halls. We peeked around the corner and met the most gracious lady. I explained the incredible randomness of our visit and handed her a check. She looked down with astonishment. I quickly apologized because it wasn't a large gift. She looked back at me and said that today they were praying for that exact amount! There were four children who wanted to go to summer camp. Their parents couldn't afford it, but the church promised they would be able to attend. However, they are a small, underprivileged church that was already over-extended in giving. They didn't know where the money would come from, but they trusted God to provide. Hours later ... God led Tyler and me to their door with the exact donation to sponsor summer camp for four children!
While we were there, we met the pastor and several other church leaders. They asked where we were heading, and I explained that Tyler will most likely need surgery today for his leg infection. They asked if they could pray over him. We gathered around, the pastor placed a hand on his leg, and we asked God for healing. With faith, we believed that he would be okay. And this afternoon, God used the doctor to heal Tyler without surgery ... just as we asked!
I'm inspired and filled with thankfulness.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
new tyler-isms
Tyler has started doing several new things lately. I feel like I get to know a different baby every three months, as he's constantly changing and developing more of his own personality! I definitely understand other parents who say they grow to love their child more and more each day. I certainly adore this little boy!
Speaking of showing his personality, I can already tell little Tyler is going to be incredibly outgoing. He makes friends everywhere we go, just like his daddy! His new thing is waving. He thinks he needs to announce his presence every time we go into a new place. As soon as I open the door to a store, he starts waving, parade-style. He waves from the left to the right and makes sure everyone notices him. I haven't been to a single store lately where he didn't flag down the store associate and wave to tell them "hi." It's a little embarrassing, but for now, everyone still thinks it's cute!
And while I'm on the subject of Tyler introducing himself, I should also mention that he loves girls. Yes, I am definitely in for it, when he's 13! When we are out and he sees a baby girl, he gets very excited. He claps, smiles and starts jumping up and down. If I let him go, he immediately crawls over and gives her a hug and kiss. At a baseball game, he fell in love with a little girl who he hugged, kissed and then crawled away from to play hard-to-get. Just as he planned, she proceeded to chase him around for the rest of the game!
Tyler's other recent development--clapping--also embarrasses me often. When he does anything well, gets excited or hears music, he starts clapping. I believe he uses this to get attention because he loves hearing people tell him how cute he is! He doesn't have a shy bone in his body!
Although he has known how to shake his head "no" for a while, he has just now learned to use it appropriately. Yes, I ask him to do something. He looks at me ... and just shakes his head "no." When he is done eating, he shakes his head "no." And most amusing, when he is fighting going to sleep, he lays in my arms, eyes closed and frantically shakes his head "no" until he eventually gives up and falls asleep.
He's growing up so quickly! From vocabulary to mobility, I can hardly keep up with his constant developments. Last week, he took his first steps! We were at the library playing with new friends when he just let go of the chair and took three steps forward. I'm pretty sure he saw the other little boy walking and thought, "Ah, I can do that too." He hasn't mastered independent walking just yet. Since then, we've only been able to get him to take one, unassisted step at a time. I'm not rushing him though. I need a few more weeks to mentally prepare for a walking Tyler!
Speaking of showing his personality, I can already tell little Tyler is going to be incredibly outgoing. He makes friends everywhere we go, just like his daddy! His new thing is waving. He thinks he needs to announce his presence every time we go into a new place. As soon as I open the door to a store, he starts waving, parade-style. He waves from the left to the right and makes sure everyone notices him. I haven't been to a single store lately where he didn't flag down the store associate and wave to tell them "hi." It's a little embarrassing, but for now, everyone still thinks it's cute!
And while I'm on the subject of Tyler introducing himself, I should also mention that he loves girls. Yes, I am definitely in for it, when he's 13! When we are out and he sees a baby girl, he gets very excited. He claps, smiles and starts jumping up and down. If I let him go, he immediately crawls over and gives her a hug and kiss. At a baseball game, he fell in love with a little girl who he hugged, kissed and then crawled away from to play hard-to-get. Just as he planned, she proceeded to chase him around for the rest of the game!
Tyler's other recent development--clapping--also embarrasses me often. When he does anything well, gets excited or hears music, he starts clapping. I believe he uses this to get attention because he loves hearing people tell him how cute he is! He doesn't have a shy bone in his body!
Although he has known how to shake his head "no" for a while, he has just now learned to use it appropriately. Yes, I ask him to do something. He looks at me ... and just shakes his head "no." When he is done eating, he shakes his head "no." And most amusing, when he is fighting going to sleep, he lays in my arms, eyes closed and frantically shakes his head "no" until he eventually gives up and falls asleep.
He's growing up so quickly! From vocabulary to mobility, I can hardly keep up with his constant developments. Last week, he took his first steps! We were at the library playing with new friends when he just let go of the chair and took three steps forward. I'm pretty sure he saw the other little boy walking and thought, "Ah, I can do that too." He hasn't mastered independent walking just yet. Since then, we've only been able to get him to take one, unassisted step at a time. I'm not rushing him though. I need a few more weeks to mentally prepare for a walking Tyler!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Our little model
We did a photoshoot with Tyler last weekend to get some good 10-month shots. It took two attempts, but the second time around, he was loving the camera. He was positioning himself in all kinds of funny poses. So great! I sure do love this little guy.
Monday, June 7, 2010
10-month update
Tyler turned 10-months old on May 30! He's getting big so quickly! Here are a few of his new developments:
(it took him a minute to figure out what we wanted him to do, so be patient with the video.)
- He has 4 teeth, including his canines. He currently looks like a vampire.
- He is obsessed with his paci, so funny!
- He is eating mostly table food now, and he loves meat!
- He is napping a lot better, too. He's on a new schedule where he sleeps in until 9 a.m. and naps from 12-2 and 4-5:30! I'm loving all this extra time I have during the day.
- He can say three new words: "baba," (bottle), "booook" and ballll."
- He has only thrown up a couple times in the last couple weeks! I think the allergy medicine is really helping.
- He is getting a lot better at trying to walk. He can take about 8-10 steps if we are holding one hand. He can push the wagon and highchair around the house, too. He's working on standing on his own for more than 3 seconds. He'll need to master that before he really starts walking.
(it took him a minute to figure out what we wanted him to do, so be patient with the video.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)