This and That

"Sitting"
We are working with Jacen on sitting, but he prefers to fall back on the pillows

Texas Tech
We have to support Tech (Daddy works there!) He wanted the camera :)

Nathan Happy

"Boxing Gloves"
Nathan is now using the gloves that Jacen used to wear from ECI. They are to keep his hands open instead of clenched.

Sleeping
We have found another place that Nathan will sleep. I think that Nathan just prefers to sleep during the day. Hopefully we can fix that over Christmas break.

Eating
Last week it was squash which Jacen did pretty well with if it was room temperature.

This week we are starting on carrots. He wasn't too sure, but he ate them all!

Twin Shots

Play Time

Nathan

We are still practicing tummy time and holding toys. He is more content now on his back and even enjoys to kick his legs and move his arms. We have decided he will sleep anywhere (even laying flat on the frog toy) during the day. If only we could convince him to do that at night. We have caught Nathan grinning and making noices this week. Yay!!!!!!

Jacen

He loves to grab toys and knock them down, suck his thumb, and spend time with Patches. I thought I would try to get a picture of Jacen in front of the tree, but he really wasn't interested.

Nathan and Jacen

The boys enjoy playing with their toys, reading stories and even looking at each other during Bumbo time.

Patches

He has found a new hiding place under the Christmas tree especially when he decides to eat something that he isn't supposed to eat.

Snow, Patches, Christmas Tree, and Peas

Snow

It snowed in Lubbock on December 1st. Here are some pictures around our house and one at Tech. I decided not to get the boys out in their first snow.

Patches

Jacen has become very interested in Patches lately. He loves to try to touch him, smile at him, and get his attention. Nathan is still Patches favorite. He is very protective of Nathan.

Christmas Tree

Laura came over to help me get the tree up. She of course spent time with the boys as well! We have not put our tree up since we got Patches. He wasn't as curious as I thought he would be about the tree. We only got one picture before he was interested in something else.

Peas

This week we are eating peas. He still doesn't like the green beans from last week. I got a few pictures tonight, but it was interesting trying to feed and take pictures. Kyle was at church watching/listening to Legacy. These pictures don't show it but he even smiled during the peas which is a lot better first reaction than last week with the green beans.

Prayer Request

At the 6 month appointment today, we received some new news about Nathan's condition. Lately on his bloodwork we have been doing a basic metabolic panel (bmp), but the Hospice team asked to have a complete metabolic panel (cmp) run this week. The reason behind it was to look at all the liver enzyme numbers. His bilirubin level has been in the normal range and for those of you who have seen him he doesn't look yellow anymore. Kyle and I assumed based on the bili level that his liver was recovering and functioning more on its own. When we inquired at the appointment this morning about adjusting his Actigall, Dr. Gray said that the bili looks good, but there are three other numbers related to the liver that are still really high. I knew that we needed to be praying for a miracle for his kidneys and brain, but I am now asking for prayers for his liver as well. We will be rechecking his bloodwork Monday instead of waiting the normal 2 weeks. Thank you for your continued prayers!

6 Month Appointment

Jacen
Head: 44.5cm
Height: 27in
Weight: 16lbs 30z

Nathan
Head: 35cm
Height: 22.5in
Weight: 11lbs 12oz

Nathan is still under the curve, but going at his own curve upwards.
Jacen is in the 75th percentile in height and head circumference and 25th percentile for weight.

We didn't take any pictures at this visit. I, as always, had lots of questions, and the boys cried during their shots. We will do bloodwork on Monday for both of them. Their next visit with Dr. Gray is at 9 months.

Nathan's Hands

Nathan decided last night that he wanted to help me hold his bottle. I didn't put his hand there like I have to with Jacen. Yay Nathan!

We also practiced holding toys again yesterday.

Green Beans

We tried veggies for the first time Sunday night. As you can tell by the pictures though, he didn't like the green beans at all. He didn't like them any better today. On the up side, we have been giving him a spoon while we feed him, and he has actually managed to get it in his mouth!