Great News!

We just received some great news from our insurance company. We were very concerned because Humana only authorized 20 sessions of therapy per year for each individual, and James used them up back in May. We had written a letter of appeal to Humana and had not heard back, so we planned to decrease James' therapy frequency from once a week to once every other week. John spoke to someone from Humana on his way home who said that there are two exceptions to the 20 sessions per year rule: 1) traumatic brain injury, and 2) a dependent child with developmental delay. That means James should not get denied and we can continue with weekly therapy. Praise God!

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6

Galveston

As you can see, we had a great time in Galveston. James spent a lot of time sleeping on the beach (under the canopy, of course). The girls enjoyed digging in the sand and playing in the water. My new favorite picture of James is the one of him lying on his mat on the beach and grinning. He's so cute!

Bathtime, Haircut, and Sitting

James right out of the bathtub. Look at all those rolls on his arms!




















James right before his first haircut. The hairdresser was so nervous about cutting his hair, she dropped the clippers on the floor.




















James right after his first haircut. The hairdresser was impressed with how well he did.
















James poses with Daddy after his haircut.




















Look at me sitting up!

Finally, An Update!

I promise to post a longer update later, but we are still here, and James is doing well. He is prop sitting for short periods of time and rolling all over the place. He loves all kinds of fruit, but he really doesn't care for broccoli and cauliflower. He got his first haircut a few weeks ago, and he looks so much older with his little buzz cut! Last week we rented a beach house in Galveston for a few nights, and James loved the beach. Actually, he loved sleeping on the beach, because every time we took him out there, he fell asleep! It must have been the sounds of the ocean that relaxed him. We will upload all our recent pictures and post them very soon. Stay tuned!

No Tube and Growing!

James saw Dr. Scheimann Thursday. He weighed 14lb 6oz, for a weight gain of 3oz this week! Dr. Scheimann and Norma, our dietitian, said he was doing great. He's getting enough calories from his milk and solids so we can officially say goodbye to the tube. Praise God!

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:1-3

James is still struggling with reflux, though. He still arches his back quite a bit during feedings, so I usually feed him when he's half asleep or completely asleep. Dr. Scheimann added a new medication which will take about five days to work. If his symptoms don't improve after five days, he may need an endoscopy. Please pray that it won't come to that.

Here are some new pictures I recently uploaded:
James went swimming for the first time with John. He seemed to really like it!












James has discovered his toes. He loves to mouth them!

Long Overdue

This post is so long overdue, but things have been really busy this last month.

James has been pulling out his NG tube a lot lately, so we took it out and have been trying to really push him with milk and solids. During the first week without the tube, he lost some weight, but we are happy to report that he gained five ounces last week! He now weighs 14lb 3oz and is about 24in long. He takes about 4-5 4oz bottles a day plus breakfast and dinner. He is our growing boy.

James is also doing well developmentally. He has been really interested in playing with his feet and he can roll clear across the room. He can hold up his head pretty well now and he is working on sitting. We recently tried putting him in the exersaucer and he loves it!

Here are some recent pictures:

Elisabeth decided to dress her little brother up in her Snow White dress.












James takes his first bite of banana during a speech therapy session. That's Bridget, our speech-language pathologist, on the right.
















Family shot at a gathering celebrating Abigail's birthday.

Happy Mother's Day!

We dedicated James to God this morning. We want to raise him up to be a godly young man.
















One of the children's choirs sang a song for Mother's Day that really touched my heart this morning. These were the lyrics:

You knit me together in my mother's womb
You knit me together in my mother's womb
I praise You, I praise You
You knit me together in my mother's womb

Because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I praise You, I praise You
Because I am fearfully and wonderfully made


I praise God because He knit James together in my womb and he is fearfully and wonderfully made.