What a Month!

February is shaping up to be quite an eventful month in these here parts...here's a (kinda long) rundown:

1) PACKERS WIN THE SUPERBOWL!!!!! Unbelievably awesome, and a great way to lift our spirits during the winter doldrums/deep freeze!

Packer Backer Fun!

So sad that my Charles Woodson (#21) got injured during the game :(

Went icefishing with my sweetie (above).

And Lyla in a little Packer recliner being incredibly cute (below)--I was sorely tempted to buy it!

2) I finally got my on-call position back in IV therapy! Super pumped about not having to learn a new area, and being able to work with my IV therapy friends again! I'm so glad I'll be able to be on-call or per diem, so I can choose when I want to work. I plan on working 1-2 shifts a week. :)

3) LYLA: Lyla got her Suresteps! She's actually not too sure about them yet--she's adjusting to the new sensation of having them on, but they do keep her feet and ankles aligned much better.

Here's a video of her walking with her Suresteps on--

Also, Lyla had a doctor's appointment yesterday with her primary physician. She now weighs 22 lbs 12 oz (3rd percentile on the regular charts) and is 33.5 inches tall (somewhere between the 10th and 20th percentile on the regular charts!). Her doctor was very pleased with how well Lyla's doing, especially her progress in gross motor skills--crawling, cruising along furniture, getting up to standing next to furniture, walking with a walking toy. We are now going to try to focus a little more on communication and some fine motor stuff. I would love for her to be able to do just one sign. I have been working on "all done" and "more" with her for awhile. The OT says once she does just one sign, she'll take off from there. Also, I want to start working more on her ability to communicate preferences with even just a noise, and helping her to understand that when she makes a sound that it is meaningful rather than just babbling.

Another thing I want to work on is getting Lyla to eat more independently--she will be having a "feeding study" done at the clinic with a dietician. I'm pumped because they'll be able to see where she's at with chewing and textures and swallowing so that I can have more guidance on how to help her progress toward self-feeding. I do ask for prayers for Lyla in these areas. It seems that she will be able to walk some day, and I would really love it if she could talk and feed herself as well. I never feel that I am very good at knowing how to move forward with helping her to progress--it just doesn't come naturally to me, so I am very grateful for all the professionals who do know how to help. I am also grateful for prayers for Lyla and for prayers for Joel and I--that we have wisdom in our parenting with her, and that we can help her along as much as possible! We certainly can't do it on our own!

As I said in a recent post, Lyla is becoming more social lately and is enjoying being around other kids so much! I have joined our local MOPS and have been enjoying it immensely--such a great way for Lyla to get some kid time, and for me to get to know other moms. Also, we are going to start some music therapy for Lyla--we went to a group music therapy session last week and Lyla really seemed to love it. She got really excited and was crawling up to all the kids and smiling and being a little nut. All the other kids in the group have Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome)--it's pretty neat. We are also going to be starting an Early Childhood Family Education class called Toddler Time in March. Should be fun!

4) We are closing on our house on February 25th! Can't wait to have a place of our own. Pics to follow...

5) Lyla's newest cousin, Ethan Thomas, will be arriving at the end of the month! Most likely he will arrive by scheduled c-section, since he is breech. Joel's brother, Joshua, and his wife, Bryana, are eagerly awaiting his arrival (as are we!). Can't wait for Lyla to have another playmate. :)

Though February (up north here anyway) tends to be kind of a downer month sometimes--as winter wears on--this year it has been a time of encouragement. The Lord has really been working in my heart and in my life. The Lord (very clearly) helped me to realize that I was starting to think that my happiness and joy was based on whether or not Joel and I would be able to have another child. It was becoming a big struggle for me. But the Lord, in His gentle way, reminded me that no matter what happens in life, He is enough. He is the source of true joy and happiness. And if I make my relationship with HIM my priority and my goal, then I will have joy regardless. I had lost sight of that. I fully trust God's plan for us, and if that does not include more children, I am okay with that. God is good all the time, and He sees the big picture. He set my heart right and has given me peace and joy in the process. Thank you Lord. And thank you for your prayers too!

Isaiah 40:31 "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

(one of my all-time favorite verses)