Growing up Tingle

Blessings and Struggles

2010-03-10T10:17:00.002-06:00

So, It has been 7 months since I have updated this blog, but if you know me, you know that we have had a busy 7 months. My sweet Caleb has grown so much and has been through so much more than any baby should have to go through. He has been poked and prodded, stuck with needles and spent many nights in a hospital bed rather than his own bed at home.

He has been diagnosed with severe iron-deficiency anemia for sure, and we are waiting on the rest. Although it is "just" anemia, this particular version of anemia can be real troublesome and very dangerous if not constantly monitored. He cannot bleed for more than a few minutes, he must take a lot of iron every day, and he will be weak a lot of the time.

I continue to ask myself why God would allow such a precious baby to have to spend so many nights away from home and so many of his days with doctors and hospitals. I know God has a purpose and a plan and although, admittedly I am not trusting that right now, I know to find peace I will have to find trust.

Caleb's struggle has really brought out my weaknesses. I find it daunting to do quiet time and a chore to get ready for church. I am so exhausted all the time and I wish I knew what wall I am putting up, but I just cannot identify it. I do not trust where God is taking me and I feel kind of lost along the way, but these things take time and I will find my way back.

On a happy note Caleb has been to the Zoo for the first time and loved it. He is behind developmentally due to all of his issues, but he has rolled over both ways and can sit up for a few seconds by himself. He still struggles with solid food and with gripping toys. Although he does have favorite toy that he plays with on car rides pretty well.

Jeremiah is growing up too fast. He is a typical two year old. I clean up some mess everyday that he knew better and he is always getting into something. He LOVES to read though and LOVES to learn. He talks very plainly and is not shy about telling you exactly what he wants and is the cutest, of course I am biased. Well there he goes again, so I am done with post.

Our Crazy August

2009-08-16T10:22:00.000-05:00

Today I am finally updating, although most who read this already know what has been going on. The day I turned 34 weeks I went into the hospital with back pain and contractions, and I was not in labor. Thought it was a false alarm, and then in the middle of the night the next night, sweet Caleb's heartbeat dropped in to the 30's -50's and required an immediate emergency c-section. He was born at 34 weeks and 1 day at 4 lbs and 15 ounces. He was whisked away to the NICU and is still there as I write this. The NICU has been a whirlwind and a roller coaster. Caleb is proving to be a fighter through all of it though! We started out with breathing machine and are now down to just sweet Caleb in a crib just like the ones they use for full term babies in the hospital and we are expecting for Caleb to come his home for the first time tomorrow! I have certainly been on an emotional journey as not only have we been dealing with Caleb, but both my other boys have been sick, finances are screaming at us, and school starts Tuesday. However, the LORD is faithful and just and promises to be with us always. He can move mountains and he takes care of even the birds of the air so he can certainly take care of us. He knows the future and it his in his hands. He is sovereign over all. Our Savior NEVER fails! I am remembering these promises and clinging to them.

Other updates in August, Jeremiah was a whopping 28 lbs at the doctor when he went last week, which is a long time coming for us. I am so excited and Jeremiah knows all these new words and phrases, too many to repeat on here. He loves his new Sunday School Teachers, which is a blessing.

We have found that we have many friends and people that care about us and it is so refreshing. People have brought meals, bought us extra preemie clothes, extra diapers, etc. We have received financial help from family and friends. I could not be more grateful, and thank GOD for blessing us with our surrounding friends and family.

Last night I was praying and thinking about all the crap we have had to deal with and are dealing with in the past three weeks and then God reminded me of all the Good, and all I could say was bring it on Satan, cause everything you do God makes it good! Here are some pictures from our journey at the NICU

29 Weeks

2009-06-25T17:46:00.001-05:00

Well here I am updating two or three days later, I am proud!

Anyways had my appointment today and did the gestational diabetes test, and had an ultrasound to check on baby tingle's kidneys. Everything went well, as some of you know I have been on bed rest, and praise God, I was taken off of it today, that's how good everything looked. He has moved out of my pelvis and off my back and therefor a lot less pressure and has reduced the contractions I was having. YAY! Anyway, I passed my Gestational diabetes sugar test and that is good, and I still have only gained 9.5 pounds which is good for my BMI and for my asthma.
The ultrasound was amazing because he was real active. The fluid in the kidneys has increased so we have to make a trip to the high risk doctor to be further evaluated, but they are still confident that the problem will most likely correct itself, so I am just praying that this will be the case and if not and he has to be in NICU for a little while then God will still be in control and will know what is going on. Other than the kidneys though the baby looked great, they said he was perfectly along with my due date of September 8th. He was three pounds today! So 3 of those 9.5 pounds are the baby. We got some great 4d images of his head and facial features pictured below. I go back in three weeks for appointment with normal doctor and a week for my appointment with my high risk doctor.

To add to this post real quickly, Jeremiah has a new favorite pasttime, jumping off furniture on to a pile of blankets :)

Life as we Know It

2009-06-21T23:47:00.000-05:00

So here is all the updates from the past couple of months...A lot has been going on around here, and we have been busy busy busy.I finished fall term and started summer term. School is going great and it is nice to only be taking two classes. Michael got double the vacation at work at his 3 year mark and I could not be more excited.

Jeremiah has gone potty three times in the past two weeks and poop once!! We are trying to formally start potty training, but just trying to take it slow. He has also started repeating everything we say, I mean he has always tried and repeated us a lot but now every word that comes out of our mouth comes out of his mouth. He also has taken to love being read too, he wants us to read a book to him constantly, which is not something I am complaining about :)

My pregnancy is moving right along.I am 29 weeks today! only 11 more to go.We have had a couple of contraction scares, but everything has been settling down this past week, and I have faith that everything will be fine. I have been praying continuously for peace and an energy that can only come from my savior and he has granted it to me. I really feel like the rest of the pregnancy will go off without a hitch. ( We still have no name for the baby ).I have also gained a lot less weight this pregnancy and it feels good!! We are just right at 9 pounds right now, and the doctor said that 15-20 is enough, but no more than 35, so i think i am doing just fine, I might actually get the baby weight off from my first pregnancy after this one, haha :)

Anyway, so what have we been up to besides normal life. Well we have been to THE BEACH, birthday parties, Alabama Adventure, family events, swimming at the pool, playing at the park, family fun night at Trussville, and then some relaxing days at home. It has been a very busy summer, and it's about to get a whole lot busier!

Here are some pictures from the beach forward (and a couple of shots from Wilbanks photography from back in March)

Being Attacked

2009-05-21T13:02:00.001-05:00

Lately it seems that Satan is attacking our family from all sides of the ring. He is attacking Michael mentally and emotionally because of his work schedule, he is attacking me in trying to spend more time with God and fellow Christians with my schooling. I feel like sometimes I have to choose between school and God. I just want a degree to be able to help provide for my family and so Michael has time for his. I have noticed lately that around here when it rains it poors. Michael's job in jepoardy, Jeremiah's medical expenses exceeding our income, and Michael's income being cut. I feel like we lose out on fellowship because we can not go anywhere due to Gas, and the one place I could go and get fellowship, which is Bible Study, I cannot go to because I have to take a certain class at a certain time. I know God is good all the time and that he is faithful, I just have to keep my faith through these storms. God does work all things for the good of those who love him. I just need to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. Ok, I am done burdening the readers with my personal issues, but we would appreciate a little prayer sent up for us.

Update on Jeremiah. We are trying to get him to sleep in his bed all night and it is not going over so well, so we are exhausted, but I know the end will justify the means. On a more upbeat note, He is learning so many words, the doctor put him at a clear and concise 60 word vocabulary (these are words said at the doctors office that he can clearly understand!). He is still in the lower 5th percentile on his weight, but I have a feeling it will always be that way. He is in the 95th percentile on his height he is a whopping 38 inches (3ft 2inches tall)! We are still struggling with him being sick all the time and are working on getting tested for selective IgA deficieny, google if you want to know more, takes to long to explain! He most recently had 2 ear infections, stomach bug, and sinus infection (in the past 2 weeks) meanwhile he had tubes put in 1 1/2 months ago.

Family update,we just recently went to the beach which was amazing and we had a blast! Jeremiah loved the beach, and still asks almost every day to go the beach :), if only it was that simple.

Baby Tingle(hopefully Josiah :) ) is doing well he is just over a pound and growing very well. He tested negative for Cystic Fibrosis , which is awesome and a huge blessing. However, the only issue is that his Kidney's are backed up with fluids, and he could require surgery postnatal, we will have to watch and wait to know what will have to be done! I am due in 3 1/2 months, and it is going by way to fast. I have only gained around 5 pounds thus far ( I am 24 weeks 2 days), so I feel relatively healthy, however my belly is starting to POP!

Well sorry for the long update, its been a while, will post pictures from beach and baby tingle in a few days!

14 weeks Pregnant and other updates

2009-03-15T08:57:00.000-05:00

My ultrasounds keep changing my due date, but we now have an official word from both Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Gregory. The due date is September 13, 2o09. Which is the same due date as Jeremiah's. This due date makes me 14 weeks today. I had a very long week. I went to the doctor to get some first trimester screening tests done and we had a huge mishap. While making a tiny slice with a razor blade they hit a blood vessel which resulted in loss of blood and 24 hour bed rest. Everything turned out okay, but it was a long weekend. I cannot believe how much I am already showing, this pregnancy is so much different from the last one. I have not really been sick and just have not been as miserable. Which are great things!! Here is a picture of my ultrasound, labeled. The baby is sucking its thumb and did the entire hour of the ultrasound (Yes I got to look at my baby for an hour on the ultrasound while did the first trimester Screening!).

So that is the update on the new baby. I will add a belly pic starting with week 16. So far I have not gained any weight. In fact I have lost some. Anyway, now an update on Jeremiah. He has gotten so big , here are some pictures from our zoo trip with the Champion family. We had so much fun!

Baby Number Two!

2009-01-10T08:21:00.001-06:00

Well guys, some of you already know, but we are officially pregnant. My period is due in about 3 days and I took 5 positive pregnancy tests this morning.
I am going to the Doc in a Box for blood test confirmation today! I cannot believe we are doing round two already!
I am nervous, scared, but excited. I love being pregnant and there is nothing like newborns, but also, I am in school and Mike is in school. So we will see what happens, but I know that God will provide and God is sovereign and in control! We would appreciate prayers!

Our last few week happenings...(warning: naked baby)

2008-12-18T09:19:00.001-06:00

Well there are many events that I should have posted on here a long time ago, but the time just got away from us!

Last night Jeremiah crawled off of his crib after being asleep took his clothes off and his diaper and ran through the house naked, well it was funny because I was chasing him to get his clothes back on and he just kept running and running from me, well the TV caught him because he stopped to change the channel on the TV and I got him finally! haha..

Yesterday he also said.... War Eagle with the fist pump and everything...

We have had sick days, Jeremiah got a cough and cold with a 104 temperature... :(

We had a really fun day where Jeremiah decided he wanted to start feeding himself...here is the first he tried...by the way he does with no mess now...daddy and mommy are very proud of him and thankful for not having to clean this mess up anymore...

The next adventure came with his first real meal that included these watered down mashed potatoes that mommy messed up cooking but he loved them!

And last but not least, for the first time in his entire life, he fell asleep during nap time on his high chair while he was eating...

Needless to say the past two weeks have been fun, busy, and new. Michael and I finally finished school for the semester and have 3 weeks till the next semester starts!

Also Jeremiah told his daddy that he loved him and then told me later on and he finally has found the Christmas tree and likes to pull down all the ornaments !?!?

Hope all is well and all your holidays are going good!
Just in case I do not get back on here...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanksgiving with the Tingle's

2008-12-02T10:07:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving this year was fun and together. The love that flows through this family is astounding and makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! I know cheesey right! Well I love the family I married into and would not trade them for the world and I just want to thank them for the acceptance of me and for letting me in! They are amazing people! Hope everyone's thanksgivings were as good as mine and my family's! I love you all and thank you for being there for Mike, Jeremiah and I!

Below the photos include my son Jeremiah, my niece Alaina, my nephews gabriel, timothy, and Jacob, my mother-in-law Bonnie, my sister-in-law Shannon, and my brother-in-laws Patrick and Wayne, and my other mother-in-law, sorta kinda, actually my husband's sister's mother-in-law Clarice. Haha sorry that was confusing, however she is just like another mother to us all.

Also thank you to Melissa, our photographer, and the person who I stole these pictures off of facebook!

Home Photo Shoot

2008-11-17T16:37:00.000-06:00

Well, I am not the best photographer in the world, but I do very much like these photos of Jeremiah. He is so photogenic and loves the camera! Ignore the snot, we cannot seem to get him well these days!

Following The Trend

2008-11-17T12:43:00.000-06:00

A lot of my friends at church have a blog of their family. I do not know who care about reading about mine, but I love reading about my friends' families and adventures. There are three of us: Michael my husband, me, and my beautiful 14 month old son Jeremiah. We are a very busy family, but love to catch those precious moments and soak them up. I look forward to reading and keeping up with the people I care about.