More Great News!

Happy belated Christmas! There is much to report about Amelia's first Christmas as it's been a good two weeks since my last post. We were in Michigan for a lengthy stay over Christmas. I will be posting more in the days to come...but first...
Thought you might like to know...before we left for Michigan I received an e-mail from Samantha, Peyton's mommy. If you recall I posted a prayer request a few months ago for Peyton. He too was born a Collodion baby just a few months after Amelia was born. Though they reside in Iowa, we heard of his story and were put in touch with Peyton's parents through April, one of our fabulous NICU nurses. Just before Christmas, I got an e-mail from Samantha letting us know they had been to a dermatologist in Chicago who gave them much to be thankful for this holiday season! Peyton's skin is healing and looks just great. From what I understand, his membrane was also mild but like us, they had to wait until he was a little older to see what his skin would do. Though I don't know many of the details, his story sounds very similar to Amelia's and it sounds like he is just fine! Samantha was very excited and so relieved. I know just how she feels. God is soooo good. Thank you to those who have prayed for Peyton.
I don't really know the percentages as I chose not to focus on numbers (because what do they really matter) but I do know this condition is very rare which makes it interesting that our nurse happened to know 2 babies born with the Collodion membrane within months of each other. Again, although percentages don't really matter, I think it's important to mention that the percentage of Collodion babies who do not go on to have a life long condition is only 10%. If anything, this just reminds me that nothing is impossible with Him. It so amazing and gives me such hope for anyone who struggles with illness or disease or for that matter, any type of suffering. God does not work according to percentages and numbers. He works according to prayer, faith, hope and love...nothing is too big or too small to pray for and no matter what, it's worth it to believe.

Cindy Lou Who

Nice One...

Real nice bubble! She's practicing for when she can chew bubblegum.
Just a quick Amelia update. She's almost 19 weeks old. She keeps us constantly entertained. We even fight over who gets to hold her sometimes. She is reaching for everything and if she gets it, it goes straight to the mouth. Occasionally, she finds her feet pretty interesting to look at. She is really exploring language and has gone through several phases using different sounds. Right now she is practicing her screaming. She likes to see just how loud she can get. She LOVES to give kisses and she squeezes your face as hard as she can while planting a slobbery wet one right on your cheek, she even makes special cooing noises, it's the cutest. She loves music class with her dad, lately it's been Ford's Christmas Carols Hour to which she screams/squeals along...she thinks her daddy is the bees knees, that's right, I said the bees knees. To her, he is the funniest daddy in the whole world and who knows, he just might be. But of course, she still prefers mama for snuggling and sleepy time. She has had cereal every day for the past 3 days now and she's really digging it. The first time we tried it a few weeks ago, she didn't seem to care for it and it did a number on her digestive system, poor bugger. But we tried it again this week and she ate it like a big girl. She actually holds your hand and guides the spoon to her mouth with sheer excitement and anticipation for each bite. What a difference a month makes. She seems so much older and she is so very interested in the world around her and to her father's dismay, she loves the mall. :)
We are gearing up for another traveling adventure to MI in the next few days. Please pray for great weather on our drive and a happy and especially sleepy baby who loves being strapped in her car seat for 10 hours straight...
Wishing you all the happiest, healthiest, and safest of holidays!
love
Kim

Elf

For those of you who share Amelia's affinity for
Elf culture...

Amelia had her 4 month check up today! She is a healthy 16 lbs 2 oz which falls in the 95th percentile...no longer off the charts :0 ) She is 25 1/2 inches long (90th percentile) and her head is in the 92 percentile at 43 cm around. She had two shots today and took them like a champ, she hardly cried, she's getting so big. All is well and she is a very healthy 4 1/2 month old.
Happy to report a happy report! Have a good day today!
Kim

Peace

I started this blog on the 6th, but today is the 9th, I never got around to finishing the commentary. It's the Christmas season and we are running around like chickens! What to get this person, what to buy that person, we have to get organized for our next big trip to MI. Did you feed the cat and where is the cat? The house is a mess, we have to balance the checkbook, pay the bills, who's going to go to the grocery store this time? Christmas card? How bout a New Years card? For some reason this season feels extra busy and somewhat more stressful.

So, from now on, it's about the reason for the season...Amelia's picture says it best, and with a bit of drool...
Wishing you Peace this season and God's blessings.
Kim, Ford and Amelia

Big girl stuff...

Just wanted you to see a few big girl things I've been doing lately. Happy Sunday.
love
Amelia