Another Chapter Has Begun!

Well, I know it's been a while, but let's just say I've finally got my sanity back. We decided to throw a big 1 year birthday bash for Amos and everyone but him seemed to have a good time. Poor guy ended up having a stomach virus, as you can see from the pictures he didn't seem to be enjoying his birthday cake. Once we got him all taken care of, we discovered that I was pregnant again! Yep, our babies will be 20 months apart. I keep telling myself God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. I only hope this next one is a little more laid back than Amos! I started to feel sick almost right away, it seemed to be worse than when I had Amos, so it was very hard at times trying to take care of Amos when all I wanted to do was sleep, but I'm almost 16 weeks and starting to feel better. I also started doing in-home daycare in August and I'm finally starting to settle into that. I consider it successful since all of the kids are still alive and no one has gotten hurt! So, know that my sanity is back, I've finally found the chance to update this blog with some pictures! Enjoy and we will let everyone know when we find out the sex of the baby (mid October).

11 Months and Walking!

As you can see from the pictures Amos is our little trouble maker! He started walking a few weeks ago and now he thinks he's hot stuff, mr. cool who can get into anything. He is as cute as ever and makes us laugh like crazy. He's saying things like "ba" (ball), "bu" (book), "num, num" (cracker) and he is able to sign a lot of things as well. He is still in love with the computer and anything electronic (daddy's phone, especially!). He still has no teeth, so feeding him "big boy" food isn't easy, but I have a feeling they will come in very soon (okay, I'm just hoping they do).

We went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago and his blood platelet count was up to 264,000! This was great news, but I knew that it was possible for the count to go down, and indeed it is back down to 26,000. We were very disappointed, but we know it is a long process, so we are just staying the course. We decided to treat him with something called WinRow. It is an injection that is supposed to "distract" the spleen from destroying the platelets. It will at least help temporarily, but we are hoping for the best. With Amos walking, the doctor decided (and we agree) that it would be better to be safe and treat him so if he does hit his head his platelets are at a less risky level for a serious injury. We would appreciate all your prayers! Thanks again!

He's 10 Months!!! Yikes!

Well, it's been a while since I've updated this blog, and a lot has happened since. Amos is now a crawling machine. He has been crawling since about 7.5 months and now is pulling himself up and standing alone for a few seconds. He takes steps when someone is holding him up, so I know he'll be walking before a year! He is still Mr. Curiosity and we are convinced he's going to be a computer geek. If we are in the vicinity of a computer, that is immediately where he goes and he won't focus on anything else! He loves chasing his various balls around the house and he tries his hardest to dribble them like his daddy, it's so cute! He also loves to look at books and he's an expert at turning the pages. His favorites are, Peek A Zoo, My First Animal Book, and Noah's Ark. Just in the last week he has learned to clap and understands what to do when we ask him to clap. All of these things just amaze us. He is such a happy baby and very fun. Amos is constantly making us laugh!

The biggest thing we are dealing with right now is Amos has something called ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). It is basically a low blood platelet count with an unknown cause. We went into the doctor on March 19 to see if he had an ear infection and also because he was bruising like crazy. The doctors immediately told us to go get a CBC blood test and found that his platelet levels were at 5000 (normal is 150,000 to 400,000). At first we thought we had to take him to the hospital, but then were told to take him to the hematologist/oncologist the next day. When I was told to take him to the oncologist I was very freaked out because we immediately thought cancer, but the doctor assured us first thing that there was no indication of cancer. In children ITP is usually a one time thing that often there bodies just need to take care of. The reason for treatment is usually for kids who are very active and you can't tell them to be calm and still. Amos is Mr. Activity, so we tried treatment, but it only worked temporarily (which happens frequently), so we were a little disappointed. We have been going back once a week to check his levels and they are only at 10,000 at this point. We have decided to wait on treatment and continue to pray that God will heal him quickly. It could take 6 months to 1 year to get his levels to normal. Right now we just have to make sure he is careful and doesn't hit his head too hard or start bleeding, otherwise we will have to treat him immediately. The nice thing about all of this is Amos doesn't feel any pain (except for those darn teeth that are coming in!). He is the same happy active baby, he just looks like a leopard with all his bruises! We would appreciate all your prayers!

Amos...7 months already!!

We can't believe Amos is already 7 months! He is getting so big, he changes everyday. At his 6 month check up he was 19 lbs 10 oz and 27.5 inches long! He is our little wiggle worm, he can't sit still and there is really no way to hold him in your arms. He is very curious and loves to be outside. I think he is going to crawl very soon. He is scooting on the floor, backwards of course, but that's how it starts I guess. Just this morning he started waving "hello"! It's so amazing!
Greg and I are just keeping busy at school. Greg is coaching girls basketball right now, so that keeps him on his toes and very busy. We are just enjoying every moment we have with Amos!

Amos' First Christmas

Well, Amos has had his first Christmas and he was showered with lots of love, clothes and toys! He was very excited to open presents and loves all of his new toys. He is able to practice sitting up by himself with all of them. We were able to travel to the East Coast to visit with Angela and Connor and the kids and my mom and step-dad and Angelina. We had a great time and Amos did pretty well traveling on the airplane, just a few bumps in the road. Unfortunately Amos has his first cold right now so we will see how he does in the next few days.

He went in for his 6 month check up and is doing well. He weighs 19lbs 10oz and is almost 28 inches long. He is a big boy! He is rolling over like crazy. He is still having trouble sitting up by himself, but he is well on his way. He is eating a lot of different fruits and veggies and even tried yogurt today. It is amazing how big he is getting and all the many things he continues to be able to do.

Thank you again for all your love and support. We have been very blessed this year and appreciate all the joy you bring to our lives!

Amos is getting so big! He is probably around 17 lbs. by now, and Greg was only 18 lbs at a year old! His cousin, Lydia, calls him a chunk-a-lunk. Hopefully he won't have a complex when he gets older, but he is so cute with all his rolls! He is rolling over, sort-of sitting up, laughing and babbling like crazy, and being the cutest kid alive!! It's amazing how much he has changed. We are trying to absorb as much as we can and enjoy every minute. He's our little cutie!

Lovely

Well, what can I say, Amos Donavan makes our lives so lovely! He is such a wonderful blessing and if I do say so myself, he's a cutie. He is continuing to grow. We call him our little chunk, he's got the rolls every baby should have. I think he has a good mix of both Greg and me in him, but I'd like to know what you all think, so post a comment and let me know!

We are very excited to continue to see him grow and we are so thankful for all of your love and support!