The Lone Star State

We made a quick trip to Texas this past weekend to visit my in-laws in Nacogdoches. The kids enjoyed visiting Grams, Nana, Pops, and Grandmother. This was Bryson's first trip down there and his first time to meet one of his three great grandmothers! I hate that I didn't take many pictures, it just seemed like the time flew by! We went to eat with some good friends and family at a great restaurant called Clear Springs. We make it a point to eat there every time we are in Nacogdoches. We had a HUGE table and it was hard to visit with everyone so we stood outside and visited a while afterwards. I did manage to snap a couple pictures with my phone before we left.

Bryson is now 6 months old, weighs about 20lb. and is rolling, rolling all the time. He is able to sit up alone for just a minute before he starts falling forward. I haven't started him on baby food yet, but I will soon. He is such a good eater!

B is sleeping about 10 hours a night. Goes to bed by 9:00 and up at about 7:00. I am still working part time so the kids go to the babysitter 2 or 3 times a week.

Rylee Kate is really talking now and can carry on a conversation. I can't believe she will turn 2 next weekend! We plan on just having a small party at the house with family and a few friends.

Chaney is growing big also and can spell her name and write half of it with no help. I need to spend a little more time with her and I know she would have it down in no time. She is a very quick learner and is very smart. We are very blessed. She has memorized all her books of the New Testament and can sing the apostles song. (Thanks to Mrs. Amber!)

Big boy

Sorry I have not updated in a while. I am not good at making time to do it!! B is doing great, growing like a little weed! Bryson is just a little over 5 months and weighs about 19lb. Everytime I go to pick him up at the babysitter's, it seems he's grown in just that 8 hour time.

We only have to go to the Pediatrician every two months for shots now. I did talk to nurse Renee the other day and she told me they are trying to get our insurance to approve a series of vaccines for B that are supposed to prevent RSV. The catch is the vaccine is about $2,000 a dose and B would recieve a shot every 28 days for 6 months! Because of Bryson's heart condition, she is pretty sure he will be approved. RSV can be VERY serious and even well babies that catch it can end up on ventilators.

We are planning a trip to Texas to visit Greg's family in September. We are excited about the visit and Greg is anxious to show off the kids. It is a 6 and a half hour (minimum) drive so we plan on leaving at night so the kids will sleep.

No more Little Rock

We took Bryson last Thursday to Children's for his check up with his cardiologist, Dr. Best. He weighs 14lb. 10oz. and is almost 25 inches long!!! They did a heart echo and found all 3 holes are getting smaller!!! The 2 holes in the bottom, VSDs, are tiny! Dr.Best said they sound like water squirting through pin holes and the hole in the top, ASD, is small! When we had our last echo, 3 months ago, the top hole was categorized as moderate to large in size. Dr. Dyamenhali, who took care of Bryson in CVICU, helped with the echo and doesn't think B will have to have another surgery! Dr. Best took him off two of his medicines so he now only takes one medicine twice a day. He released us for 6 months and we don't have to come back to Little Rock. We will be able to go to the Regional Childrens Clinic in Lowell. This clinic is a branch of Children's Hospital so we will get to see the same cardiologists.
Bryson is sleeping pretty well and is getting up about twice a night to eat. We've discovered he's quite tickilish and will even laugh out loud every once in a while. He's beginning to grab at the toys on his bouncy swing and carrier and is sometimes successful in getting ahold of them. He loves his big sisters and they're great help. (most of the time) Every once in a while Rylee might accidently be a little rough. :)

3months

We went to a local park the other night and met Ginny. The kids loved it and about wore us out pushing them in the swings. I guess that means we're outta shape!?

We went to the rodeo about a week ago to watch Blake's girlfriend Amanda sing the National Anthem and she also ran for Queen. She won 3 awards!! We enjoyed it but about sweat to death during the 3 hours we sat out in the sun with next to no breeze!

Bryson is now 3 months...where has the time gone? We are so thankful for this little miracle and we are loving every moment. He is now about 13lbs. (maybe even 14lbs.!) Once he started growing, he didn't stop.

What a wonderful world

We went to visit Great grandma and grandpa today. I cut grandpa's hair while the girls played outside and grandma rocked Bryson. We are lucky they live close so we can visit often.

Momma's handsome boy!

Ginny got the girls these sweet dresses last weekend when she went to Canton, TX. They're adorable! Thanks Ginny!

Bryson got to visit with another great grandma on Memorial Day. He just smiled and smiled. I guess great grandma has the touch. (I guess she would since she had 8 kids of her own and now over 60 GREAT grandchildren and even 5 GREAT GREAT grandchildren!!)

I took Bryson for a weight check last Wednesday and he weighed 10lb. 10oz.!! What a hoss! Dr. Froman said he looked and sounded great. No more weight checks for a month or so. :) We are so thankful for all the good news we have continued to receive since Bryson has been home. God has truly blessed us with 3 beautiful children. p.s I weighed Bryson at home today and he weighed 11lb. 5oz.!!

Tippin' the Scales

I decided to go ahead and take Bryson in to the pediatrician yesterday morning for his cough and stuffy/runny nose. His nose was making it hard for him to fall asleep with his pacifier in so he was having trouble sleeping for two nights. Dr. Froman said he looked and sounded great other than the slight fever and stuffy nose. The best news is: She still didn't hear the murmur and he had gained almost a POUND in about a week!! He now weighs 9lb. 12oz.!

Here are Bryson's 2 month pictures. Thank you for the continued prayers on Bryson's behalf, we know our Father is listening.

This one is for you Ginny! (She loves the little gowns!)

Smilin' and Cooing

Bryson has been smiling and cooing! He kicks his feet and uses every muscle in his body to get a "'coo" out. It is so fun seeing his little personality shine through. He has been really smiling the past few weeks. When he's not smiling and "cooing", he is whining to be held. I think this little boy is spoiled! :) I guess we wouldn't have it any other way.

Since Bryson is gaining weight, we only have to take him for weight checks every two weeks instead of every week! I got on the scale with B this morning and our scale said he weighs 9lb. 5oz.!! I know our scales aren't as accurate as the pediatrician's but I will be anxious to see what their scale says when we go back next week.

Here are a few pictures of our little man as well as the girls at their recent graduation from Thursday School . Chaney and Rylee both were such big girls and sang their little hearts out on stage. (You should see the video, so cute!)

p.s. Thank you to all those at church who have provided meals for our family the past few weeks. We are so blessed to have Christian family like you! Please know how much each and every one of you mean to us.