EXCITING THINGS!!!

MAX: Max had a sleep study done last night. It was to see if he could sleep without the support of his ventilator. We won't get results for a month or so but, he did great (in my opinion)! He slept the whole night with out the vent and even had his oxygen level turned down. I am a happy proud Mama!!!
Max continues to amaze us. He is crawling all over and starting to verbalize more and more as well as signing things. God has really brought us through some difficult times, but to look at my son today makes it all worth it.

WES: We have a walker!!!!!!! Wes took his first steps Sunday morning!!! I don't think he realized what he did but Mark and I were beside ourselves with joy! Since then he only walks to Mark, which to be honest I am jealous of, but I'll get over it.
He has also started to vocalize. No words yet, but the fact that he is making any noise at all is FANTASTIC. He doesn't quite have as many signs down as Max. I can't keep him still long enough to learn them.

Every stage is better and better. I keep saying this is my favorite stage but it is true. It just keeps getting more fun....for all of us!
I looked through some of the boys baby books and can't believe how far they have come in a year. God has truly blessed our little family. He is showing us the way through this storm. We can finally see the sunshine through the clouds...and it is a beautiful thing!

Go Boys go!!! We are on the move!!!

We just got back from a fantastic pulmonary appointment! Max can be off his vent while he is awake!!! He needs to be on a small amount of oxygen. But, he can crawl around with only one small tube instead of 3!!! The doctor also got rid of one medication and lowered the dose of another. We are so thrilled! Things are moving in the right direction.

Wes is also doing great! He is standing up without help. No steps yet but he has his balance! He is starting to make more vocalizations. He is full of energy and spunk. He has learned to crawl through the end tables to escape into the kitchen. He is very...spirited.  :)

We are loving this new phase! We are enjoying every minute of all these new developments.

Thank you God for all of these amazing blessings! Thank you for our little Miracle Men and their amazing growth and development! Thank you for everyday we have to watch them change and learn new things!

MAX'S ONE YEAR

Today (January 4) Max has been home for ONE YEAR!!! The time has flown by! We have loved every second of our little family living under one roof! Max has done so well being at home. We have only had one weekend in hospital, and another visit but no admission.
Max is still struggling with trach infections, but other than that he is a HAPPY little boy! He is doing great on his vent weans when we are able to do them. He is on the verge of crawling and loves to "talk."He has the sweetest little voice ever. Thank you for all your prayers and support! God has given us 2 AMAZING little men! I cannot wait to see what He has in store for them.

Wes is also doing great! He is trying to vocalize more and more, it sounds like grunts and screams but it is a step in the right direction. He is the fastest crawler you have ever seen, man that kid can go! He loves his freedom to walk along the stuff and between furniture. He is getting a little to smart for my liking though. He has figured out how to move his barriers/gates and he steals toys from his brother and puts them just out of reach so Max can't get to them.

We are so thrilled with how our little men are doing! God has blessed us so much over the last year. 2011 is going to be a fun year.

Tis the Season!

Wesley giving kisses.

Showing off his standing abilities.

          


              

Check out those brown eyes. Watch out girls!

 

Max wasn't feeling so great so I was thrilled we got some great shots of him.

Our little Miracle Men. 20 Months old.

Max cuddling with Daddy.

Smiley even when sick. What a guy.

Not completely sure what Wes is doing, but I like it anyways.


 Thank you Lindsey Iverson for taking these adorable pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!  This year we are extra thankful. Both our boys are home, fairly healthy, and making big strides in their development.
We have amazing family and friends who love us. A church that supports us in immeasurable ways. And a God that holds us tightly and leads us through our ups and downs.
We have come so far since last year! God has truly blessed our little family. 
Thank you for you thoughts and prayers. We are so touched.... I don't have words to express... THANK YOU.

God Bless you on this day. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Love,
Mark, Kate, Max and Wes


 

Max is On a Roll!!!

Max's ween went great Friday. We can do half hour weens twice a day at home! Pulmonology would like us to take the first week easy. Max has been having some "off" days lately so they want to ease into the process.  If he does well this week we can do 1 hour weens the next week. We are ECSTATIC!!!!! The process has begun!!! 
It is so fun when we turn the vent off. Both boys look around to see how it got so quiet in the house. Max gets so proud of himself. He sits up super straight and giggles at himself. It is soooo cute. Wes crawls over to Max and stares at him. I think he is wondering where all of Max's tubes are.
It is such an amazing feeling. I am so proud of Max. He is absolutely amazing. We didn't expect to start this process already and he is handling it like a pro. We feel so....I can't find the right word. It is just wonderful!

Max's BIg Day

Friday (Nov. 5)Max is going to have an the opportunity to have a vent ween. They (Pulmonology) will turn his vent off for 1 hour and see how he does. If he handles it we will get to try it at home. And then, as the days go by we can slowly increase his time off the vent until he is off all day long (he will remain on the vent at night for a while yet). This is a HUGE step! We are thrilled that we are even talking about it. Please pray that it goes well. And, that he can continue to take steps towards being less dependent on his ventilator.
Thanks for your thought and prayers! We appreciate all of them. God has blessed us with these amazing boys. I am so excited to see what God has in store for them.