The Gavin Chronicles, February 28, 2008

















"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:6-7

Greetings to all of our family and friends-

I saw the news yesterday. It was making a bold statement by scrolling across the bottom of the screen that Spring begins in 3 weeks. What an incredible revelation that was. That means in 2 weeks we have daylight savings and in a little more than 3 weeks we will celebrate Easter. Four weeks brings Ian's 9th birthday and 5 weeks marks Brooke's 5th birthday. This week marks Gavin's 6 mo birthday. A half year already.

Seems like just yesterday we were hovering around a giraffe bed praying for this miracle to survive. We were asking medical staff to give us hope of things unknown. Today, we find ourselves hovering around a swing, stroller, pack and play and many more, rejoicing in the miracle of life. Spring is about the miracle of life. Spring brings forth a time of new birth. So this spring as you look at those flowers budding, the new bees buzzing, and the baby birds chirping....think of Gavin and the miracle of life.....From very small beginnings come big miracles.

Gavin had his 6 mo well child check yesterday. He is doing amazing. He weighed in at 6lb 15.5 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long. He has grown 7 1/4 inches in length in 6 months. Now if only I could do that.....I would have far more options in jeans . Gavin's head circumfrance was 21.5 cm at birth and at 6 mo he has grown that brain to a size of 36.5 cm. Most of all he has gained 5lb 14oz since August. In looking at development, Gavin is on the charts for a lot of things at his chronological age (6 mo) and definitely in line with his adjusted age on all things (he is 11 weeks adjusted). He will continue to receive PT/OT in our home 2x a month until he is at least 2 years old. We are so thrilled to be able to have the same PT we had at the hospital. She is so good at what she does and Gavin just adores her.

The doctor drew labs yesterday to assess where we are with regards to some of Gavin's meds. His levels have dropped enough with his biliruben that we can discontinue the use of the Actigall he was receiving daily. His alkaline phosphate levels still remains a bit elevated although it is 1/2 of what it was at discharge. We will continue his Drisdoll for one more month. He will remain on Synthroid for his thyroid functions until he is 3 years old. We increased Gavin's prevacid dose to 2x daily to help him with some recent reflux issues. Poor little buddy had 4 shots yesterday and was feeling a bit under the weather by bed time last night. He was a trooper though!

Gavin's new accomplishment these days is smiling. He loves to smile. He has the most adorable grin and if you smile at him you are guaranteed to get a nice big gummy smile! He has started to laugh and he loves to experiment with his voice. He has discovered the animals on his mobile that hangs from his swing and they are his new best friends. He will sit for hours and laugh at them and talk to them. He adores Ian and Brooke and loves to lay on the floor with them and just hang out.....makes him feel like the big cheese.

Gavin saw the eye doctor last week and had his final R.O.P. recheck. He got a clean bill of health and now will just be seen for regular vision check ups. We will go again in June. He will be seeing the pediatric endocrinologist in the coming weeks to re-check thyroid function and medication dosing. We will have a follow up appointment with the surgeon in April. At this time we will discuss surgery to repair his incisional hernia.

As for us....Colin's new job is going well. He is beginning to adjust to the answered prayers of no stress. When he got this job he was told it was no stress but I am not sure he realized that that really meant NO stress. Our pastor last week gave us words of wisdom about being careful what you pray for because you just might get it. We prayed for months for a job for Colin that was no stress and closer to home and here we are.....another answered prayer. Ian is doing well in school and will be performing in his 3rd grade program tonight. They are doing a performance of Stone Soup. He will be playing baseball again beginning in May. Brooke is still hanging out here at home with mommy and being a big help. She still goes to dance once a week and will be starting back up with soccer here on the 10th of March. As for me, I keep busy trying to find the balance between being mom, wife and Juanita. Life is hectic some days but enjoyable most. I have been trying to get to they gym at least 3 time a week.....hopefully a smaller size clothes by summer.....

Thank you for your continued love and support. Our journey continues and we are excited by the opportunities that lie ahead. Please continue to keep Gavin in your prayers for continued growth and strength. God is good and his grace amazes us daily.

I have included a few new pictures of the kids....Enjoy!!

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