our newest blessing

Born April 27, 2011 at 8:06 am weighing 6 lbs. 9 ou. , 19 1/2 in. long.

The pregnancy is over! My cravings were crab legs, butterfingers, funnel cakes, nachos, apples, applesauce, apple juice, spaghetti, and sweet tea. This pregnancy came as a shock to us, and as we announced it most people thought we were insane (we still are) The name came to me as we were driving down to La for one of  Carson's dr. appointments (This was before I was pregnant, Carson was about 3 months old) I said to Bob, "What do you think about the name Silas?" He said something along the line of "Ya" or  "I like it." At that moment it was a hidden message we were both sending to each other. Yes, we will have more children, and NO, we are not going to let having a child with Spina Bifida change that.

After Carson's birth, We decided together that we were going to allow the Lord to time the birth of our next child. We knew that we would always have a "what if" or a "but". Always have fears, and always have questions. But ultimately the Lord is in control, and the Lord knows what's best, sooooo. We'd wait on Him. Well sooner than we imagined, I found out that we were expecting again. I, of course, questioned His judgment, and I said Lord were not ready. I gave him a list.... of things I thought needed to happen before our next child came. I shamefully gave him my terms. Well, each one of those terms came to fruition and each one of my prayers were answered.

So ready we were. Well, Monday following Easter we discovered Carson had broken his left femur. This left him in a bright green full body cast. Yes, this was 2 days before my scheduled C-section.

Oh well... The show must go on...

That's my what?

Ok, if there's cake involved.

Welcome home!

Now we have two. Two very cute (might I add) boys. Both are pretty similar in appearance except Carson has Bob's head and Silas has mine.

 We loaded up into the car on Sunday morning to head to church... It was a crazy morning, and we were out the door late. I had wet hair, Carson's hair wasn't brushed, I forgot the extra's bag, Silas' pants did not fit, and Carson was laying face down on the backseat in a body cast.  As we headed down the road, Bob chuckled, and said "This is fun." "What's fun?",  I asked. "Having two." All I could do was laugh. Laugh and praise the Lord. This really is going to be fun. :)

 Thank you so very much for the prayers, and the sweet acts of kindness many of you have done. We have had meals delivered this entire week. We've had some sweet gifts given, and have felt just giddy with others kindness. Thank you!!!

Ready!

We're all set. The bags are packed, the rooms are ready, the clothes are ready, I"M READY!!!!! SOOOO READY!!!!! for Silas to arrive. We had our appointment this morning with the ob and he gave us the news that the hospital was booked for surgery on Monday morning. The earliest available appt. was at 5:30 in the evening. This would mean that I would not be able to eat, drink all day long.... which would result in me being very very sick because of the "morning" sickness that YES, I still have. As much as I would still be willing to go through all that for Silas getting to be here, and me not being pregnant any longer.... Dr. and Bob said no. The new scheduled c-section (and this ought to be chiseled in a stone tablet) is Wednesday, April 27 at 7:30 am.

The Rooms are ready!!!! After much much much hard work and a month of Saturdays... the boys rooms are ready to go. carson moved into his new "big" boy room about 2 weeks ago. This room includes shelving which Bob made (proud smile) that will work as a perfect table/desk with his wheelchair.He is able to slide right in and have a area that he can play on.

He loves the cars.... we are constantly having to go along the road and talk about the cars.

Yes, that is a big boy bed.... and yes, I cried.

Here's the shelving. Way to go Bob. :)

Now the nursery. :) I chose a cowboy theme and i set out to find some cowboy gear. Well everything was just too pretty or too expensive. My Uncle has been in ranching for years so I sent my aunt a message asking if they had anything leftover that I might take a look at it. :) HUGE YAY!!!!! She brought me some amazing things and I couldn't be happier with how well they fit into the room.

These were my cousins when they were little. :)

There we go!!! The only thing missing is the quilt, the boots and the hat. They will be up as soon as I can get the laundry caught up. :)

And what would be an update to the blog without some pics of a cute smiling face. :) Here's Carson.... He is watching his favorite videos on Youtube.

What's up

He loves to ride!!! This has however been harder with my big belly chasing him around the house. :) Lots of laugh I guarantee you.

I took him to Toys r Us in his wheelchair. This was our first shopping outing with his chair. Yes, I cried. Carson did very well scooting his chair around to look at the toys. We're improving!!!!

He knows he's cute.

Oma and Opa Gray were in town with us!!!!!

He does look like his dad... I admit.

Eats like him too. :)

We went bowling with the youth group. Carson got in on the fun. :)

Yes, I cried about this too. :)

He did a good job at waiting his turn.

Loved to be cheered on.

I intend to get back on here today or tomorrow and put up pictures of the boy's rooms. That's what has really kept us busy the last few weeks. I am so excited about how they turned out. :) Silas is set to arrive on Monday, April 25. If I don't make it on here before though. We do want to wish you all a very Happy Easter!!!! Love from our family to yours.

Catching up

Well it has been a while since our last post so I thought I might go through a little synopsis of what we've been up to around here. Silas' "planned" arrival is only 4 weeks away. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel like such a nerd taking my  own snapshots in the bathroom mirror. Just  havent had a chance to get any otherwise. LOL But here is a baby bump picture. I hate it now but I am sure I will regret later that don't have so many more.

OK. So that is big news, and there is so very much to do before this little guy arrives. He is doing great.... Wiggling constantly leaving me feeling very much like I'm riding in the teacups at Disneyland. My dr. asked me yesterday about being sick.... and yes, I am still sick. His response was merely a "Hmmm,  your'e one of those. "  Lucky me right? Any ways this pregnancy really has already helped me to make Carson become more independent. He is doing fantastic with independent play. He is also showing fantastic improvements in.....

     Crawling around- He doesn't fight me with it anymore. He is enjoying the discovery aspect and likes to get into things. :) YAY!!!! Sounds odd that a mother wants her child into the cabinets and drawers...But Oh how I do. Part of our problem I feel was that he didnt have the desire to "go check it out" That desire is increasing and so is his ability!!!!! Today he even came and found me!!!!

 And the wheelchair has come back into our lives!!!! We put it up about 2 months ago. Everytime we put Carson into it he would cry and act like he was scared. No idea why, but his therapist recommended that we remove it and just wait. Well one of our house projects includes some shelving in Carson's room where he could sit with in his chair and play, almost like a desk. We needed to measure the height so we placed him in the chair. Without hesitation he took off- both hands on the wheels and wheeled himself from the hallway into the kitchen and then back to the living-room. It was AMAZING!!!! Bob and I stood there dumbfounded yet cheering him on. Here he wheeled himself with one hand and pushed the broom with the other.

 Mom's already putting him to work- He thinks he's playing broom-ball.

It has been my prayer for months now that he would gain more independence and more mobility especially with baby #2 coming so quickly. Please pray for that as well. The Lord is hearing that prayer I know and giving me the assurance that He did plan this all along and it is for good. :)

Carson also got his first set of Spiderman pajamas. In our families this is sorta like getting your driver's license or going off to college. ITS BIG!!!! LOL.

We also recently visited the Reagan Presidential Library. What a amazing trip that was. Carson was absolutely wonderful and I made it safely through all the walking. It was so worth it, and I look forward to going again. Here are a few pictures from our trip. I will put some more up on the next post. (different cameras on different computers)

Doesn't this just speak volumes to our hearts spina bifida moms. This is our kids.

Have I ever mentioned my son is a huge flirt?????

This is Lexi- one of Carson's girls.

She is also a girl who has so much faith in Carson, so much trust in the Lord's purpose for his life. She is twelve years old and frequently she will mention something about how special he is. How much a gift he is. She has a spina bifida t-shirt and wears it frequently in support for Carson. On this particular trip she almost brought me to tears. Just off to our left here is a picture of Ronald Reagan walking what appears to be a corrider in the White House. The purpose is a photo opportunity where you line yourself up and look like you are walking beside him. Lexi noticed this and simply said, "Wouldn't it be great to see Carson walking there next to President Reagan?" She said it with such hope too, such faith. She is a special gal to us and obviously to Carson. :)

He was pointing and trying to say plane. SOOO cute!

More to come of the library-- promise. Thank you for your continued prayers!!