Life As We Know it

Life is good and very busy. Here's a few things that we have been up to.

Can't believe how big Oliver's getting.

My boys having night time snuggles together.

Lacey adores her little brother and loves holding him.

Feeding time!

Mini Golfing with cousin Abigail.

Oliver's first real bath. He loved every minute of it.

Lincoln and Lacey loved pouring water on Oliver to keep him warm. By the end of the bath Oliver had fallen asleep.

First 5 Weeks Of A Mom of 3

Oliver jointed our family five weeks ago. Five weeks ago, I became a mother for the third time over. We are now a family of five! I see my firstborn Lincoln, Oliver's big brother. My daughter Lacey, Oliver's big sister. I see my husband, Oliver's dad. I see myself, Oliver's mom. But more than that, I see sweetness and beauty and resilience. I see heaven in his big beautiful eyes. I see strength and I see our little newborn, who has blessed our family.

These weeks has been tiring and busy. If you've ever brought home a newborn, you know. The days have blurred into one another. Add two rambunctious kids on top of that, and life is pretty busy at the moment. While still running my Day Home, thanks to the help of my sister in-law Sara.

 I'm feeling the pull between my three kids. I'm torn between giving my newborn my everything and letting his two older siblings know they are still my everything, too. My love has multiplied, but my arms haven't. And that's hard, but I know it's something I'll figure out, in time. The pieces will eventually fall into place and we'll get our rhythm down.

As with everything in life, it's just going to take some time. So for now, I'll continue to give my all to three kids, as much as I possibly can. I'll continue to love them with everything I have and pray that they feel it's enough. And yes, this is hard. Nobody ever said parenting would be easy. And parenting three is a whole new ballgame. Plus adding in the many appointments that come along with Oliver having Spina Bifida. But there's a reason not all people stop at one baby. There's a reason we decided to have another one and another.

The night time feeds that turn into exhausting days are worth it. The guilt and fear of not being enough will subside. I will soon be more than just a milk machine, as beautiful as that may be.

And we will be left with these three precious beings to call our own. I'm already so in love, and I can't imagine once I adjust better this our new normal, just how much deeper I will fall.

Physiotherapy

Oliver started physio. this week.

Reason for Physio. Assessment:

- Oliver has Spina Bifida, hydrocephalus and chiari 2.

Assessment Finding:

-Head shape- mild left parietal flat spot, he favours his head turned to his left side. Hydrocephaly being monitored by his doctors.

- Full passive neck rotation.

-Oliver holds his left leg bent up at his hip and outwardly rotated. The right leg flaccid. Full passive arm and leg movements.

 Plan:

- Since Oliver is so young they start out real slow. Right now we are working on proper positioning, stretches.

- Gentle range of motion activities for his legs and arms.

- Encourage Oliver to turn his head to his right side.

- A variety of play postioning.

Off to Oliver's appointment. He's still unsure of he's carseat as he doesn't go in it much other then we go to his appointments.

Follow Up Appointments

Today we met with the neonatal neurosurgeon who did Oliver's back surgery. It was a follow-up appointment, the doctors main concern was Oliver's head circumference it has been increasing about a centimeter a week since we come home from the hospital three half weeks ago. Oliver's soft spot on the top of his head is still soft so he doesn't need that shunt right now. But he said to be prepared to have one done in the next couple of weeks as Oliver's head is been increasing in size. We will just keep watching his head circumference for now, if it keeps growing then we need a shunt. I'll phone in the measurements next Tuesday. Then when we go up on March 7 for the mylomenigocele spina bifida clinic, where we meet with multiple specialist, the neonatal nuero surgeon will check Oliver again. If Oliver's head gets worse by then we might be staying up there to get the surgeon done that week... Oliver's pediatric plastics doctor are very pleased with how Olivers back is looking. He said the scar tissue is looking very healthy and the purple color will fade as it heals overtime. We are forever grateful for the prayers of everyone that has followed our story.

Oliver's First Shower

We waited quit a while before we gave Oliver a shower, as we wanted his back to heal up. So we have been only giving him cloth baths. Oliver back has been looking really good so we felt that he was okay to give him a shower. We still want to wait till after his follow up appointment this week before we give him a bath. AS we don't want his back to sit in water. Oliver loves the shower! Which is no surprise to me as I would have a long hot shower almost every night when I was pregnant, as it was very relaxing, especially with the pelvis pain that I got.

Oliver will calm down when he hears he shower water running.

Oliver all relaxed.

 One clean baby.

Pink Shirt Day!

Today is Pink Shirt Day -Anti Bullying Day! Learning to be kind, be nice, use kind wards, say I'm sorry, share, smile and be a good friend to everyone. We all have our differences and that's what makes us all special.

Supporting our pink shirts

 Our crafts for Pink Shirt Day.

Oliver's 4 Weeks

Oliver's doing well. His spinal surgery went very well and is healing up good. We have the follow up neuro surgeon and plastics appointments this week. He has full bladder and bowel function, which is so nice. He has hip movement, and slit upper leg movement in one leg. We think he has feeling in his legs. He also has normal muscle mass in his legs which is good. We start physiotherapy this week with Oliver, so we hope this helps his leg movement. We also start the mylomenigocele clinicMarch 7th with all the other specials. We ares still monitoring Olivers head circumference to see if he needs a shunt. He's head circumference is increasing a bit, so this week we meet with he neural surgeon at the follow up, we will see how much of a increases is okay.

I love that he has taught me to appreciate all the little things in life. 

Valentine's Day/ Family Day Long Weekend

We had a good Valentine/ Family Day Long weekend.

 Lincoln's had his first school Valentines party. He had a great time and loved getting cards from all his friends.

Josh had to work Saturday. Nana-moto helped make it possible so we could get out of the house.  It's a bit tricky on my own as I can't carry anything over 10 lbs (so I can't carry Oliver in his car seat) and I can't drive for 6 week post c-section. We also got to visit Papa-moto at work while we do our Home Depot Kid Workshop.

Valentine's morning we woke up and made a Valentine's breakfast together, red heart french toast with pink milk. Lincoln an Lacey loved it!

Lincoln and Josh even got a nap in together.

Valentine's Day 2016

Happy Valentine's Day

Will you be my Valentines?...I am always thankful that we are married.  I love how we are together. I love that we still find things to talk about. I love that we can still make each other laugh. I love that we know each other so well. I love how you understand me. I love how we're a team. I love that our kids love you so much. I love that you love being a dad. I love your hugs. I love it when you kiss. I love falling asleep with your arm around me. I especially love when you help around the house. I love that we enjoy many of the same things, but are fine with having our own seperate interests as well. I love that we have experienced so many adventures together and have grown closer together because of them. I love our life together.Most of all, I love you. I'm grateful every day that we are together. The past 8 years have seemed like no time at all.  Luv you tones, Kayla

I will definitely be your valentine, you amaze me.  You are such a strong woman with a strong spirit to do what's right and what's best for our family. Always making sure that we are on the straight and narrow, being an amazing mom, wife and friend. You are a rock for our family and I don't think I could get through life right now without you. You are so good at seeing the good in a situation and pushing through a trial in our life. I love you so much for everything that you are and what you do for our family. You make my life worth living and each day worth trying harder to be a better husband and friend you. Happy Valentine's Day - Josh

The Spina Bifida Journey

Love this!!! I'd love to share this post from Summer Hinton. I couldn't have said it better myself. I love finding others who are on the same life-long journey of Spina Bifida, like our family. I remember our ultrasound day in September 2015, when we found out our little Oliver has Myelomeningocele Spina Bifida, it's a day I will never forget. A day I just bawled. Wish I knew then what I know now. I love my little Oliver!

"On this day last year, no one told me how my life would be more beautiful when I had my baby. They didn’t tell me that his smile would make the worst moment, the best. They didn’t tell me how time could stand still, soaking in the moments. No one told me that I would wake up beside the happiest baby alive. No one told me the joys that I would have with him. They didn’t tell me how my chest would burst with pride when he figured out a new skill. No one told me how willing I would be to do anything for my child—anything he ever needed. No one said he’d light up the room. They didn't say his eyes would be the biggest, brightest, twinkling brown you've ever seen. They didn't tell me he would look just like me. No one said that I would laugh so hard I would cry when I heard HIM laugh. No one told me how much fun playing with plastic animals at bath time would be. They didn’t tell me how 8 months could seem like yesterday. No one said I would need him like I needed my next breath. No one told me what a precious soul he would have. No one told me I wouldn’t care if he could walk, just as long as he was mine. No one told me he would complete me. No one told me that I would grow closer to my husband. They didn’t tell me my heart would beat faster when I saw my husband with him. No one told me I would grow closer to God. No one told me I would be willing to lay down my life for him without a second thought. No one told me how in love with motherhood I would be. They didn’t tell me he would be the best thing that ever happened to me. No one told me all the happy moments I would have with tear-filled eyes. No one said that 3 am would be one of the sweetest hours in the day. They didn't tell me how "normal" my life would be. They didn’t tell me that life would go on. They didn’t tell me to take the next breath. No one told me any of those things...

On this day last year, they just gave me facts. Cold. Hard. Facts. An opening in the spine. The spine didn’t close. Spina Bifida. Myelomeningocele. The most severe form. Paralysis of the lower extremities. Bowel issues. Bladder issues. Possible hydrocephalus. Nerve damage that can’t be repaired. A possibility of brain surgery days after being born. A surgery to repair his back the day he’s born. Time in the NICU. Learning disabilities. No movement. Wheelchair. Braces. Therapy. Hospital stays. Clubbed Feet. An appointment to see a specialist. Permanent damage. Continue the pregnancy. Abort the pregnancy. Fetal surgery. Post pregnancy closure. Bed rest. LeBonheur. Philadelphia. Surgery while he's in your belly. There's major, life-threatening risks. If you go into labor, whatever you do, make it to Memphis. They told me these things. 

February 4th will be a day I will always remember. I can still feel it. Not like I felt it that day, but the feelings are still fresh. I had only planned to take half a day at work—I would be back right after lunch. Little did I know I would only work about 8 more days. This day last year was the hardest day of my life thus far. Hands down. I prayed. I prayed a lot. It was about the only thing I could do. That, and cry. I often look back and give a little chuckle. We were in a whirlwind. We didn’t know which way was up. If only I could go back and talk to myself and tell me what I know now. Better yet, I wish I could have just fast-forwarded life about 8 months and see us now. See him now. But, I am thankful for the struggle we had. It brought us to where we are today. It makes us more thankful. It makes us take joy in the small things. It makes life more real. It showed us that we’re not in control of our lives. Do I wish Paxton didn’t have spina bifida? Sure I do. What mother wouldn’t? Would I trade him for anything in this world? Not a chance. This guy, this guy right here, was our “bad news.” Praising God for "bad news," news that's not our will, not what we want, because this is what's on the other side of that news. Something far greater than what was in our plans. You may not understand it, or you may think there's no way this can be good, but in time you will see.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28"

-Summer Bree Hinton

Oliver's 3 Weeks

Oliver's 3 weeks old today! I wish we could just freeze time for a bit. Yes my days are busy with three kids. Some days are hard and long But I love my life. Being a wife to my best friend. Being a mom to three kids.

Weight: 8 lbs 1 oz.

Length: 21 1/4 inches

Oliver's New Born Photo Shoot

I'm grateful to know that "our family is forever."  I love getting pictures of our family. Lincoln's 5.5 yrs, Lacey 3.5yrs and Oliver 3 weeks.

first week home

We've had a good first week home. It's nice to be in our own home and together as a family. Oliver is still doing well. He's a very content baby. He loves being on his back, but there are still times when he likes tummy. We are still monitoring his head circumference daily and calling the Nuerosugeron the numbers weekly. We also see our paediatrician and family doctor weekly. Oliver starts physio therapy in a week too. 

This is the hardest thing I have had to go through. I've had to rely on our Heavenly Father more then I have ever had to before and have faith that things will all work out. Was this what I had planned for my life, no it wasn't. But I know it's god's will and I wouldn't change it. We love Oliver and are so glad that he's apart of our family. 

We have felt all the prayers on Oliver behalf and the love that our Heavenly Father has for us during this time. 

2 Weeks Old

We love being home and having our family of five all together. Oliver has been enjoying being on his back. Lincoln and Lacey have been great help with Oliver and love having a little brother.

Oliver is a good little baby. He eats and sleeps. If he fuss’s it’s because he’s hungry, needs to burp or has a dirty diaper. we’ve been blessed1 he eats every 3 hours in the day, then a 2 hour feed in the evening. At night he goes any where from 3-4 hour feeds. which is so nice and once he’s feed, he goes right back to sleep.

Oliver knows how to put himself to sleep. With not being able to hold him for his first 11 days, he has learned to put himself to sleep. If he does get fussy, we can calm him down by holding his hands. As thats what we did in the hospital.

Lincoln and Lacey are adjusting very well to having a baby brother. They both were so ready for us to come home, so I think that helped. They both love helping with everything. I try to make sure they feel included as I believe that helps with adjusting to this big change in their lives and our new life with Oliver.

Lincoln loves and adores Oliver. He loves watching him and taking with him. Lincoln’s going to be a great big brother, as I already see the love he has for his little brother.

Lacey loves Oliver too. Lacey is still worried that I will be leaving again to go to Calgary, so she doesn’t leave my side. Not even to go play at Nana’s for a few hours with Lincoln.

Discharge Day!

Oliver got discharged today! 

The drive home went good. We only had to stop twice to let Oliver stretch and give his bottom and back a break. It's so good to be home and to have our family all together again. Lincoln and Lacey were happy to see Oliver again, especially since it was in THEIR house. :)

Day 10 of Recovery - Monday

Tomorrow morning Oliver gets discharged! The doctors have said its okay for Oliver to travel home in a normal car seat. We might have to make some extra stops on the way home since he's not used to being on his back yet... We are excited and ready to have our family together again. 

Big thanks for all the help we have received from family to make this challenging time a bit easier. Thanks for stepping in and helping out with my Day Home and taking care of Lincoln and Lacey. We couldn't have done it without you.