Emotional evening at the NICU

Last night we went and visited some of Weston's evening NICU nurses. It was so great to see them and for them to see Weston walking and saying "hi".
As we drove to the hospital I started to get emotional and I told Timothy I didn't understand why. We have been up to the hospital so many times since Weston was discharged and it has never phased me. I think what it boils down to is that we were going at night when we would usually go up and see Weston. A flood of memories were coming back. It amazed me how your mind gets triggered by certain actions and it takes you back to a certain time.
It was so emotional to see Gretchen, Ricki and Carla all of whom took care of Weston while he was on ECMO and for a majority of his stay. Gretchen was there when we first where able to give Weston a bottle. Carla got Weston moved out of the ECMO room when he was more stable. Ricki was always a big support in both rooms. They were all such a big part of Weston's stay at Children's. We were all crying. They all mentioned did we know how blessed we were, I told them yes. They were so glad that we came up to visit so they could see how well Weston is doing. God is so good and continues to bless Weston with great health and a very healthy attitude.
On Thursday we go for his last developmental evaluation. The hospital follows all babies who were in the NICU until they are two. I'll post after his appointment to let everyone know how he is doing.
Weston is doing great and is picking up more words and saying more. His main word right now isWall-e, we watched that movie last week and he caught on to Wall-e and Eve. The other day we had the dogs inside to cool down and he walked over to the gate and looked over at the dogs and said " Hi doggie" we were laughing so hard. He loves singing Jesus loves me and bible bible God's best book.
We are planning a trip the end of this month to New Mexico and Colorado we are going to the Red River encampment we are so excited.

Busy Boys

Time has sure gotten away from me especially since I last posted. Weston is growing by leaps and bounds and is into everything and is so healthy and amazing just to watch him walk around everywhere. He thinks everyone should know him and knows how special he is.
This week has been busy and it is only Tuesday. On Monday we had Weston's hearing screening just to make sure he doesn't have any hearing loss especially since he was on ECMO it is a precaution we take until he is three. He has fluid in both ears, but passed his tested and the lady that did his hearing test was surprised that he did so well for having fluid on his ears. I was so proud of Weston, he sits so patiently waiting for the sounds, there were a few times that he was ready to get down and leave. After his hearing test we went to the NICU to see a couple of Weston's nurses when we were there, which has almost been two years, wow how time is flying. Both Darlene and Blake came out to see Weston. Timothy was holding Weston and when Darlene saw us she thought Timothy was holding Quinton, she was so surprised that it was Weston. It was so great to see these two very special people and for them to see how well Weston is doing.
Today we had another fun adventure, we went on a field trip with a group of our friends to PetSmart. We got to see and hold, a turtle, snake, kittens, lizard, rats(hairless and haired) and see a bird. It was so fun to see the boys different reactions to the different animals. Quinton is more leery of certain animals but more vocal. Weston touched all the animals and the only thing he didn't like was when they put the rat on his shoulder, he started crying. It was so much fun, to experience all these animals.

Hairless rat on Weston's shirt. Quinton with a rat on his shoulder.

Growing up fast

Our God is an awesome God! You cannot say much else when you see His power in your life.

Weston is doing amazing and its the little things that I always catch myself watching with him. For instance I love his laugh it warms my heart, I know what mother doesn't feel that way :)

Its hard for me to believe that Weston is going to be 21 months next Friday. Time is going by so fast! Weston is so independent and doesn't mind showing it especially if he doesn't get his way. He is a thinker, you can see the gears working when you ask him a question. He is a big helper he loves to sweep and vacuum. His newest trick is pushing buttons on and off. He thinks it is the funnest game ever. Last Sunday he walked to Bible class all by himself with his bible in hand.

Last year we were just getting out of the hospital for the third time. Weston had caught RSV and the RSV was turning into pneumonia, as a parent you try to be strong but with the ER doctor is calling for the crash cart that is when you break. I was calling everyone we knew as we sat in the waiting room while the doctors worked on Weston. Praise God He prevailed and Weston was stabilized. He had a hospital stay of 5 days. As I look back I praise God for our experiences even though they were bad it really makes you appreciate what you have. I praise God that we have been hospital free for a year!!(knock on wood) We have had to give Weston breathing treatments but other than that he has been a healthy boy. He isn't in any isolation which is nice.

Weston received his last RSV shot for the season. I thank God and his doctor that Weston had this extra protection for one more year to allow his lungs to get stronger. Of course Weston is excited he doesn't have to have a nurse come out to the house. He knows when they pull out the scale to weigh him what is happening it is so sad.

One thing about Weston that amazes me he loves lifting up his shirt which reveals his scar, I know he is just being silly but seeing it everyday and a smiling face above it always makes me realize how blessed we are.

Thank you all for following Weston's progress we are so blessed that so many people care and are praying for Weston's continued health. Don't forget to count your blessings and name them one by one because you'll be so amazed at what you have and what God has provided.

Happy 19 months!

Happy 19 months Weston!!

Look how far you have come my amazing little man, you have accomplished so much. This time last year you were on oxygen, NG feeding tube and pretty much being propped up by mommy or daddy.
This year you are on room air have been for 10 months, eating solids and pretty much everything in front of you for 7 months and walking every where for 4 months. Wow thank you Lord.
You continue to amaze me, you are km free even though we need to make a trip to the hospital just to see everyone. Your pediatrician's office loves you even though they probably wish we would go for well baby visits they know you.
You are start to get down a little run and trying to keep up with Quinton where ever he goes. You are getting very independent and when brother doesn't listen to you fuss at him you go to bite him to get his attention. You love to break free after church service so you can go and run up to the front of the auditorium and crawl onto the stage. You are an extreme momma's boy and do not like to let mommy out of your sight. You love looking at books and especially like the Tag reader that reads the story to you. You are getting another bottom tooth in so now you have 12 teeth. You love to go outside and play and love to bring me anybodies shoes. You say "hi" and wave. You are now sleeping through the night have been for almost a week.
You are an inspiration to us and we love you so much. You are brilliant and are so full of lose and to have all the attention on you.

Thank you Lord for 19 wonderful months of ups and downs, bumps and bruises it means we're growing.

So exciting!!

We are celebrating at the Rogers house and espeically Mommy. Weston has slept through the night for five nights in a row!! Weston had been waking up about four to five times a night and I was getting up with him and rocking him back to sleep which usually took about five minutes or more. So this has been great, last Monday night I let him start fussing for 15 minutes and then would go and comfort him it only took him two nights before he caught on and he has enjoyed sleeping in his crib and sleeping through the night.

A week and a half ago Weston was having some congestion and was not wanting to sleep laying down so I took him to the doctor and he didn't have an ear infection and sounded good in his lungs so we went home and thought he was on the upwards slide of everything. Well the following day he was acting worst so I took him back in to the doctor's and he still sounded clear but his doctor wanted to take a chest x-ray just to make sure and sure enough Weston had walking pneumonia. His doctor put him on a antibiotic just to help him get over the cold faster since walking pneumonia is a virus and you really have to just let it take its course but Weston is doing great.

We are so happy that Weston got over this hurdle. His appetite slowed down quite a bit but this was our first big sickness without his NG tube so I think he did great and so did we. We are continually amazed at how great Weston is doing and we praise God everyday for our little trooper.

God Sent to Me an Angel

This was posted in the CHERUBS newsletter this month and I wanted to share this with all my friends and family. God is so good and amazing.


God Sent to Me an Angel - By Paul Dammon (I found this poem on a CDH blog this past week)

God sent to me an angel,
it had a broken wing.
I bent my head and wondered
"How could God do such a thing?"
When I asked the Father
why He sent this child to me,
the answer was forthcoming,
He said "Listen and you'll see."
"My children are all precious,
and none is like the rest.
Each one to me is special,
and the least is as the best.
I send each one from Heaven
and I place it in the care
of those who know my mercy,
those with love to spare.
Sometimes I take them back again.
Sometimes I let them stay.
No matter what may happen
I am never far away.
So if you find an angel
and you don't know what to do,
remember, I am with you,
love is all I ask of you."

Slowing down services

I am so excited to write this post. Yesterday while meeting with Weston's therapist we decided that we should start cutting back on Weston's OT sessions from once a week which we have had since November last year and go to once a month. This is so exciting and an answer to prayers that Weston is catching up developmentally right where he needs to be. We wrote out a few goals for him they were speech and sleeping through the night :) I know great goals for any kid to have.

We know that it is the prayers and God that have helped our son get to were he is now and we praise God every day for our boy and how normal he is.

Please keep the CDH community in your prayers as new Cherubs and expectant parents are given this diagnoses every day. We need to see more of these kids survive and thrive.