Thumb Sucking Trigger Thumb

So Little Man has not seen any specialist since his gastro-interologist let him loose several months ago, which has been a huge blessing in deed.  However, after observing Little Man's thumb sucking thumb getting stuck in an almost locked bent position a few times, that trend ended.  After witnessing his thumb get stuck and Little Man running to us to help him free it from its locked position a few times that often included a small popping/snapping sound (as well as he snapping it back into place himself once), we decided to discuss it with his pediatrician who recommended that we take him to a pediatric orthopedist.  And so we did.

Little Man was seen this week and right away the orthopedist agreed with our pediatrician that he has trigger finger/thumb when he felt the knot and after an x-ray was performed.  Trigger finger and thumb is a problem that is associated with inflamed tendons, which are located within the protective covering known as the tendon sheath.  Thankfully, the doctor believes that Little Man's trigger thumb is a minor case at this point and nothing else further will be done.  We are to keep an eye on it, and if at some point, it remains in a locked position, or starts causing him pain, we will look at options.

At this point, however, we are happy to pursue nothing further, because even at age two and a half, he still loves to suck that thumb and we did not enjoy ascertaining the thought of dealing with any fits or extreme loss on his part at this age because he has been forced to be unable to suck his thumb.  We do realize although that at some point soon he will need to stop, and that surgery, or a brace, could have aided that for us...but well...for now he is still able to suck his thumb! 

Candles

A few weeks ago, I celebrated another birthday.  Like many birthdays, there was a cake and some candles.  In my case, my husband and my crew provided me with an ice cream cake complete with some candles.  We gathered around our table as the kids were excited to see me blow out the candles and started singing to me the usual chorus with some of their own twists from which I am still puzzled as to where their newer renditions have come from like "Cha! Cha! Cha!"  Anyways, as their singing concluded it was time to blow the candles out for which the kids shouted, "Make a wish Mommy!"

Like years past, my wish was more of a quick resounding prayer that I would pray to myself than an actual wish.  As I closed my eyes after looking around the dining room, the usual wishful prayer changed.  It was different from years past.  It became one of thankfulness and gratitude instead of want and desire.  When I had looked around the room, I truly realized how blessed I was because for the very first time in a very long time, I felt that my family was complete.  I felt like finally all the missing little pieces were together.  I no longer had anyone missing from my table like I had felt for so long.  There were no more empty seats at the table.  I felt content and tears welled up in my eyes.  I quietly thanked God for my four little blessings and for Scot, and I blew out my birthday candles. 

In a post a long time ago, I had alluded to the fact that Scot and I had been thinking about adopting a fifth child.  As of right now, that is off our table.  I feel like God has told me at this time, the birth of Big Boy has completed our family--our family of six.  While I am blessed to no end for every single one of my children and I love them all, I do believe at this time, God has whispered to me that this is the number of children we are to have right now and not to actively seek anymore.  While I love my children deeply and have plenty of love to spread around to them all, I do feel that physically there just isn't enough of me to go around some times, especially when more than one child so often seems to need me at the same time any given time.

Sure, when the dust settles, and my newborn isn't a newborn anymore, and after we all have adjusted, some of you may think that my feelings will change.  And perhaps it will.  However, for now, I do not believe that will be the case.  Scot and I have considered many things about adoption and don't believe it is the best for us, or the adoptee for that matter, at this time, and will not be pursuing it any further.  While we believe in orphan care and I desire to some day do something in regards to it, we have been careful to consider the affects of adoption upon us, our marriage and family as a whole.  Also, for lack of better words, we want to ensure that we are not jumping on the band wagon, or trying to join a fraternity or brotherhood so to speak.  (And by no means am I trying to offend anyone and speak ill about the work that is going on and growing in my church and other churches around the area. Please understand that...  Hopefully, you will know what I am trying to say.)  We need to feel absolutely led by God.  If it is to happen, He will lay down the road before us.

As of now, we are to be a family of six.

Not In Vain

When I made my last post for this blog, as well as for my other blog, I did not at all imagine that this post would be the next one I would write.  I definitely had other ideas in mind; however, the awful events that took place on 12/14/12 at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the 26 innocent victims, especially that of the 20 precious babies that were lost, my original plans changed.  I want to let people know that those lives that were ended so soon and so abruptly will never be forgotten in my eyes; and that they simply, not a single one, died in vain, especially for me and in my personal life. And I want to explain briefly how and why they have affected me more deeply than just the tears I have shed for them since.

These victims will leave a mark in this world--a legacy--that goes much deeper and much farther than the political platforms and forums that will arise in regards to gun control and mental health care in this country.  (Not negating that may be gaming especially that of a violent nature and violence in movies for the seemingly purpose of just displaying acts of violence, should also be addressed.) As I do admit that I have been re-evaluating some aspects on my own beliefs of the subject matters at hand, I am compelled to describe that for which has affected me more deeply and personally than politics at this time; and it stretches far beyond just me but to my family as well.

Over the last several months to a year, I sadly admit that I was becoming an angry mom.  I would choke up when people would tell me how good of a mom I was and am, and that is why I can have four kids and handle it so well...so well?  I wasn't handling my children and motherhood as well as I should have been and as well as people thought.  I often knew it when people spoke so highly of me.  Behind closed doors and some glimpses in public, angry mom would rear her ugly face.  Over the last year, life hasn't been easy for me and as I mention that I will not divulge on it any further or try to make it into an excuse, but I handled it all poorly. When the four walls of life came closing on in, my children who are with me so often got the brunt of it with me yelling at them.  After my kids would be at the receiving end of me losing my patience, with yelling, which was simply not edifying to them nor to me as their mother, I would repent to them and to God as well.  True, some people could state that I was pregnant and dealing with hormones, or that I was dealing with post-pardon, but it was beginning to become more frequent than I would like and I knew it.  I struggled with how to overcome it I am afraid.  I didn't know how and I tried various ways.

I wanted to be slow to anger, which I simply wasn't at the time  And I knew there was the difference between being stern versus raising my voice to the point of yelling.  Over the last several days I have approached motherhood differently and more calmly.  I have become slow to anger with the many trials that come up in being a parent.  After this shooting and when thinking of those children coupled with that of my own, I realized that I don't want my children to remember me as being angry, or yelling.  I don't want them to ever question my love for them up until the last breath that either they, or me for that matter, will take.  I want them to go out in the community with out remembering the rush of the morning or the hustle-and-bustle of the day, that yelling at them to do things in a timely matter, for instance, was the last thing they had to reflect upon of me and my relationship with them.  I want more for them.

I have CHOSEN to change and it is because of those lost at Sandy Hook Elementary.  And if their lives lost meant that my life was changed, as well as that of my children and inherently my childrens' children, then I know in my heart of hearts, that those 26 lives lost, and of that, the 20 angel babies who died that awful day, DID NOT DIE IN VAIN.  They have affected me deeply, more than these words can express.

Blessed to Have Mac (A Grateful Heart)

 

 

I am proud to announce the birth of Mac on November 13th at 3:56 PM.  He weighed 8 lbs 4 ozs and was 21 inches long.  We are so very grateful for Mac's safe arrival and so very blessed to have him in our arms and our family. 

Today, as I thanked God yet again for Mac and reflected upon his birth of two weeks ago, tears filled my eyes as I remembered how we were unsure as to whether he would make it or not, as an anomaly was discovered with his placenta during his first ultra sound during the first trimester.  When the doctor discussed it with us, I remember the fears that ran through me as I looked at his first pictures and had seen the beats of his tiny little heart; and not knowing what was ahead of us and for him as I already loved him so deeply.  All I knew was that many, many prayers went out on his behalf; and in the end, God would be along side us as well as a long side my baby in whatever the outcome.  

Here we are about nine months later, and I have to admit, I am so very grateful that Mac is safely here and healthy.  Completely blessed to have Mac here.  In fact, I am constantly thanking God for Mac as well as for all my children.  I do not take for granted my four little blessings...  What a time to remember a thankful spirit than to have a baby around Thanksgiving.  It has really given me a deeper perspective.  I have a grateful heart.  I have four precious blessings and miracles... Giving God praise and glory!