Finally!

Sorry it's been a long time since our last update. Ian is doing well, or at least I think he is! We have been having trouble getting his second neurology appointment scheduled due to Dr. P's very limited schedule. I have been calling and trying to get an appointment scheduled for over 3 weeks; it's been very frustrating. Finally, someone called today to schedule him to see a different pediatric neurologist on August 2, at 4:40. Of course that's my first day back to work. I have inservice that day and will be at a conference, but we finish at 3:00, so I should be able to make it to the appointment with them. I also contacted Early Intervention just as a precaution; it can't hurt, that's for sure. Marilynn is coming on Friday to start the process, but she said that Ian qualifies no matter what because of his diagnosis. She also told me that she was recently contacted by another family in our county with an infant with DWS. She said she would get us connected. She believes that the other baby has some other syndromes along with Dandy Walker. It is very rare to have Dandy Walker alone it seems. There is so much to learn about this syndrome. We celebrated Ian's christening this past weekend. You can imagine what was going through my mind as I watched my beautiful baby boy get baptized. Ally continues to be a great big sister. The other day she noticed that he looked bigger in his car seat and she said, "Mommy! Baby brother is bigger now! Now can he play with me?" They both melt my heart. We have seen lots of smiles from Ian, but I don't think they are real smiles just yet! I'll let you know how it goes with EI. Until then!

Praising God!

Ian's appointment went very well yesterday. Dr. P is extremely pleased with everything so far. His head circumference is measuring just as it should for his age. This along with the head ultrasound showed that hydrocephalus hasn't set it. It could happen at any point in life, but Dr. P said that in all likelihood if it is going to happen, the first three months are the most critical time period. He wants to see us back in a month. Scheduling that is going to be fun. Joe and I both feel that we won't see Dr. P many more times before he fully retires, and as sad as I will be about that, I know that God sent him to us just when we needed him. I still tear up and if I let myself I'd sob thinking back to those dark days in January. Dr. P was my sunshine. Ian will be one month tomorrow. He is so sweet. He loves belly time and raises his head super high and can even turn it from side to side with work! I could go on and on about him. Still living life one day at a time and loving every minute with him! Thank you God for my special gift, and thank you friends for all the prayers.

Appointment rescheduled

Ian's neurology appointment has been rescheduled for June 22. I hope everything is okay inside of that tiny head of his. Probably won't be much to say until then. I actually hope there isn't! Prayers and hope till then.

Appointment coming up

Due to scheduling conflicts, we head to Children's this week for Ian's first head ultrasound and neuro consult. I am a little frustrated because I was happy with the appointment set for the end of the month. I feel it's too soon from his MRI, but we'll see how it goes. I have been told that Dr. P is one of the best pediatric neurologists in the country; I believe it, too. But, he's semiretired, so appointments could get tricky. We have been so blessed that he was available to see us during our pregnancy. As I have said before, I thank God for him. Ian is doing well. I stare into his eyes and sing to him and talk to him all day long. I do wonder if he sees me and hears me, but there's no reason to think he isn't. He's super sweet, and I am partial, but I must say he's a cutie! I am enjoying our days and falling more and more in love! I have pushed myself physically and will be spending a few days in bed. Prayers that his head ultrasound looks great and we aren't facing fluid build up. Thanks!

Welcome, Ian!

Ian Joseph Grodz arrived on May 24, 2011, at 9:25 am. He weighed 8 lbs 15 oz and measured 21 1/4 inches long. Needless to say, Joe and I are in love with him. He is so adorable and sweet. He has a full head of light brown spiky hair with blonde tips just like his big sister! His APGAR scores were 9 and 9; we couldn't be happier with that. The NICU docs did take him pretty much right away to await his fetal MRI. My doctor and the pediatric neurologist were a little ticked at this. They felt he could easily wait with me until his procedure, but all worked out in the end. Joe spent most of the day with him in the NICU. I missed them both terribly, but my sister, Linda, and my sister-in-law, Kelly, stayed with me. We just received the preliminary MRI results. His ventricles are normal sized; no need for a shunt at this time. YAY! Dr. P (his pediatric neurologist) called to talk with us, and he is thrilled with what he is seeing. He has the variant, so when you are researching Dandy-Walker you'll run across malformation and variant. It's all very confusing. Anyway, he is happy with what he is seeing, so I am going to be happy, too! Dr. P will be here tomorrow to go over the full results with us, but as of now, he'll be monitored every two months. That's about it for now. We thank you all for praying. Prayer is so powerful. I know your thoughts and prayers are why he is doing so well and the only reason I have made it through these last 4 months. Please continue to pray for our Ian. We are so blessed.

2 Weeks To Go!

It's hard to believe that 2 weeks from today (hopefully at this time) I'll be holding my baby boy. Pray that this is possible, please. I am so excited to meet him..to look into his eyes and whisper in his ear that I will always protect and take care of him. We'll be amazing together. He'll see me. He'll hear me. And, I know he'll hold my hand and walk along side of me someday. I just know he will.

Thank you to all of you that are praying for us.

Counting down!

In exactly four weeks Baby Boy Grodz will be here and maybe some of our wonders and worries will be answered. I am getting anxious to meet him! He continues to be an active baby. He doesn't let me forget for one second that he is busy growing bigger and stronger. I have entered that uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. It is hard to sleep, heartburn is a killer, and I am quite swollen. I am actually sitting with my feet up now while Joe gives Ally her bath. It is hard for me to sit still; I keep thinking of the many things I hoped to accomplish before our new addition. Joe says what gets done will get done when it gets done. Perhaps he's tired of the nagging! I go for my weekly appointment on Thursday which feels like a giant waste of time. We have seen so many doctors! Oh well, anything could come up I'm sure. That's about it. As we get closer, my fear of the unknown gets stronger, but I know deep down, we'll be fine. Change is never easy, so I am sure I am scared of "rocking the boat" as well. I just hope our future isn't hospital stay after hospital stay keeping us away from Ally. I pray that he is healthy and happy, and I ask you to pray for that, too. Thank you!