Big Boy

Wow - I can't believe this big boy of mine was born as a little 7 pounder.....you can tell he doesn't miss a meal !!! ;)

My long long fingers and huge hands!

Fast asleep!

He looks to be enjoying his paci.....
Don't you just love my little butterball?!

Eating Out

We ate lunch outside today, per Will's request - and because it was the most warm and sunny day that we have had in a WHILE! It was nice too because Abby eating spaghetti with sauce is always a treat.

Will enjoyed himself.... can you tell?


This face has rascal (and sauce) written all over it!

Survival Mode

So, we had our first round of the stomach bug already and Nate is only 3 weeks old! We didn't think we would run into this until winter time. However, there is a bug going around.... go figure. Josh and I decided to go out to eat after dropping Christy off at the airport and Will and Abby stayed with my in-laws. On our way home we got a call that Abby had a fever and threw up...... oh no! So, after praying most of the way home.... we got Abby ready for bed and didn't know what things were going to look like for the rest of the family. Abby was a mess that night and threw up a lot.... which meant Josh and I up a lot and me changing my clothes often so that Nate wouldn't get it. Will ended up getting a fever also, but no stomach issues. Nate got a fever and it only lasted about 6 hours... family was praying!!!! I should have posted sooner so more would pray, but I was running on only a couple hours of sleep and I couldn't think straight. I know that people are still praying though and I know that helped us and Nate through. Nate's doctor was so helpful in that she gave me her cell phone in order to call her on our way to the hospital if Nate started getting sick - she said she would talk with the ER before we got there... Wow, that made us feel so much more relieved! We are all starting to feel better now and know that we will be sustained through all of this by a God who cares so much more about Nate than any of us can! We were definitly in survival mode the past couple of days... just taking things one step at a time and knowing that it's not in our hands....

Sista Christy

Last week my sister Christy flew in with her son Zac (who is 5 weeks older than Abby) to help me out. It was such a blessing to have her. She made us meals every night, entertained my kids, cleaned, and gave haircuts :)! Thanks so much Christy - you were a huge help and gift from God to us!
(most of these pics i stole from her blog)

The boys playing in the sandbox. Zac loved the sand and was constantly covered in it !

Will going to give me a kiss.... what a character.

Zac and Abby in the boat at the play center we went to. What a fun place to take your kids on a rainy day..... but boo because i think thats where we picked up our sicknesses.

Abby hugs and kisses!

Christy got this cute picture of Abby posing all girly... where did she learn that?

Christy reading to the kids.

Abby's second haircut ever. Both have been from Christy.

Family is a true blessing!

Scroll Down the Page

After the Results post, I have two new posts. One of when my mom was here. You just have to go down the page some more... I had them ready a while ago and forgot to post them until now.

Family Pictures

It is SO hard to get pictures with 3 little ones under the age of 3 1/2 ! haha

Here are some pictures my sister Christy took for us. A few good ones considering Nate was crying the whole time and Abby was starting to get sick.

The Results

I got a call yesterday from the Nurse Practitioner of the genetic specialists in Rochester. She informed me that Nathan definitely has MCADD. She said his bloodwork confirmed 100% that he has this metabolic disorder. His biochemical markers were all off and elevated which is what they look at. Also, his L-carnatine level was very low which is another indicator. Nate has to be re-tested for his L-carnatine levels in 3 weeks to see if he is bringing it up on his own at all, and then again re-tested at 3 months. This is the supplement that he will be on most likely if he doesn't bring it up, which most people with MCADD can't make this level come up with out supplemenatation. He will also have DNA sequencing on Aug. 4th to see if he has two sets of this cromosomal abnormality or just one. That will let us know if it is more or less severe of a case. However, the nurse said that the only real indicator of how severe it is, is the first time they get sick and need intervention. So that is why they treat each baby as if they are severe. So, now we are to just pray he stays healthy and well taken care of in cases of emergency. Also, she said I will keep waking him at night every 4 hours until the doctor sees he is able to be stretched slowly (they determine this with follow up exams on an individual basis), so that hopefully by a year old he will be able to go 7 to 8 hours between night feedings.
When I first found out, I was crying again because I thought for sure they would tell me he was fine. He seems so healthy and perfect to me. And I know he is perfectly made by God and I have to trust this is his plan for now. I know it is manageable and the nurse kept saying that we just have to watch for signs and know when to take him in for treatment, but otherwise he should grow up like any other child. We just have to make some adjustments for him. We know that once he starts to eat he will have to eat a low fat diet and will have to keep from going long without eating. I thank you all again for your concerns for us and all of your prayers! We know that is what is getting us through and we are so thankful Nate is such a good eater right now. He is already 8 pounds and is getting chubby cheaks. We will pray now that his carnatine levels will rise and that if he has to be on this supplement, that his body will handle it well (supposedly harsh on the stomach sometimes). I will keep you updated as we have more testing and if sickness enters our house I will post it so that we can have more people praying!
I wanted to share one of the things that brought tears to my eyes. It is really humbling to hear when people are praying for your family and are taking time out of their day to bless you. My dad called me to tell me that Nathan is being prayed for around the world. My parents have a couple living with them from Chile and their church over there prayed for Nate for an hour in their church service last Sunday and then had Nate on a 24 hour prayer chain so that for an entire day someone was praying for him each hour. How amazing!!! We are confident that God is taking care of our baby and is using you all to help.
Thank you thank you!