The good, bad and ugly

The good: Gabriel had his 16 month check up the pediatricians office (on his 17 month birthday ;)). He is doing awesome. He weighed 19lbs 4oz and is 30 inches long. The pediatrician is happy with his progress. He did refer us to a ear, nose and throat specialist to make sure that things are going well in that department. He wants Gabriel's hearing tested. Gabriel has an appointment on Tuesday next week to have his hearing tested. I am not too worried about it, he can hear.

The bad: We had an eye doctor appointment today. Gabriel has not been good about wearing his glasses. We have not been good about forcing him to wear them on a regular basis. It is a fight that at the end of the day there is not enough energy for. I know this is very bad but it is a fight that takes so much time and energy, I just have other things I would like to spend that time and energy doing with him.

We knew his eyes have weak muscles. The glasses were to try to help him focus without becoming cross-eyed. The eye doctor said that his eyes are more crossed more than they were on his last visit. His glasses may help but it is not much. We are to try to get him to wear his glasses but he is still going to require surgery. If he wears his glasses or not will not change that he needs surgery. She likes to do the surgery that he needs before the age of two. We go back in two months to see where his eyes are and if they seem to be close to where he was this visit we will be scheduling surgery.

The surgery has a 90% success rate. The 10% that are unsuccessful are because the muscle does not act in a manner that could be predicted and at least another surgery is required. As far as the chances of Gabriel losing his eye site following surgery the chances are very very minimal. We will get more details as we get closer to surgery but the surgery itself typically takes about a half hour, is done under general anesthesia and is done as an outpatient.

I will know more information as we get closer to surgery.

The ugly: I thought everyone needed a laugh :) Isabella at 36 weeks... She is taking over! Gabriel is going to be a great big brother!

is it really Monday already?

Things have been very busy at our house. Gabriel has been working on walking. He is getting stronger and stronger each and every day. It is so amazing to watch him walk between Gabe and myself.
On Friday, I dropped Gabriel off for his Friday fun time with Adri. I wasnt feeling well when i got up and continued to feel worse and worse at work. I called my OB and explained the symptoms. They wanted me to go into labor and delivery as soon as I could. So, I picked Gabriel back up about 11am and dropped him off at Mimi and Papa's then headed to L&D. They ran a lot of tests and hooked me up the monitors. Isabella's heart-rate was a lot higher than they like to see. After the tests they decided that I had a pregnancy induced migraine and that I was in major need of sleep. As far as Isabella they gave me some food and that seemed to get her heart-rate down to where they wanted it.
I was sent home with directions to go to bed and not get up and do anything all weekend. Easier said than done when you have a little man at home work is working very hard on his walking skills. I am very lucky that I have a lot of support all around. My mother came up Saturday morning to help with things. I had an OB appointment today and I am clear to go back to work tomorrow. Isabella's heart-rate was very good today.
Here are some pictures from this week. We have yet to catch Gabriel walking on video. Every time we are ready to record he refuses.

Sheriff Buckethead





Naughty



Friday with Adri - Thanks Michelle for the pictures!





Viking Game at the Purdy house!!! THEY WON!!
Oddly enough Gabriel was not afraid of Gabe with his face paint on.


We even found Grandma a jersey!



Isabella and Gabriel's room
Sleeping 1/3 of the bedroom


Gabriel's side

Isabella's side

Playroom 1/3 of the bedroom

Closet (last 1/3 of the bedroom)

First steps

Gabriel took his first steps by himself this morning. He loves to play keep away from mommy in the morning. He crawls around the room trying to stay naked as long as possible.
This morning he was going extra strong (mommy is getting slower as she gets larger). Gabriel then decided to crawl to me. He got about a foot away from me and stood up all on his own. WOW, as I sat there in complete dis-belief he took two steps toward me and went straight into my SHOCKED arms. My baby is getting so big!!!

Fridays

One of my good friends (Michelle) is expecting a little boy in April. She has a little girl (Adri) a few months older than Gabriel. Michelle offered to watch Gabriel on Fridays so that Gabe can get some extra sleep until Isabella is born. The interaction will be good for both Adri and Gabriel, getting them both use to having another little one around.

Gabriel is not so sure about Adri sometimes. She is a mover and a shaker. Gabriel is not always sure how to take her. Here are some fun pictures from Gabriel's visit Friday.



"Good Gabriel" ~Adri

"is that bottle yummy?" ~Adri

"want me to help feed you?" ~Adri

Boog blowing kisses

Friends





Thanks Michelle for the pictures!

busy bee

We have been so busy lately I have not had a chance to write a new post. We have been working on getting things ready for Isabella. We have the kids room all set (we hope). I will have to take some pictures soon. I was able to switch clothing with a good girlfriend. She has a little boy due in April and a 2 year old. I was able to give her Gabriel's old clothing and get her little girls clothing! How nice is that!!!!

I have a feeling that Isabella is going to join us early. I told her that she has to wait until she is 5lbs at the very least. If she is less than she earns herself an automatic stay in the NICU. Who knows? She will come when she is done cooking. We will be here waiting.

Thursday Gabriel had a play-date with his friends Ryse, Adri and big man Will (Erika's son). Mommy got to hang with her friends Erika (Ryse's Grandma), Michelle (Adri's Mom) and Julia (Ryse's Mom). We went to the Grand Rapids Childrens Museum. I have to be honest, it took me a bit to get over the germs but it was amazing to watch Gabriel mimic other kids. He doesn't have to go to daycare but I think sometimes that is a detriment because he does not get to see what other kids are doing. He wants to go go go, so watching other kids be able to do that is very good for him!


Gabriel, Me. Julia and Ryse


Ryse, Erika and Gabriel


Erika and Gabriel


Mommy, how did those big kids get through this circle?


So big!


Gabriel and Adri playing with the balls


Gabriel standing like the big kids


Gabriel, Will and Adri


Gabriel, Will and Adri


the mirror Gabriel blows raspberries too


this is great!!!!


Erika, Gabriel and Ryse


Michelle and Gabriel


Such a fun day!