6 months

Age: 6 months

Weight: 15..8 pounds (40th%)

Length: 27 inches (75th%)

Size (diapers, onesies, etc.): size 2 diapers, 3-6  month clothing

Eyes: blue

Hair: Getting a lot lighter and longer.  There is hints of red in it, but is becoming more blonde

Sleeping: One morning nap for about an hour, and then a 3-4 hour afternoon nap.  At night, you wake up once anywhere between 2-6.  Daddy moves you to the swing and you sleep until 7:30/8:00. You go to bed around 7:30/8:00 in your crib

Eating: You are still nursing about 4 times a day.  You have completely refused a bottle.  We have started baby lead weaning with you, and it is working pretty good.  You love bananas, and toast.  You are still not sure about sweet potatoes, and avocados.  We like carrots too!

Milestones: You have been sitting up by yourself since you were 5 months old. You can roll over both ways. 

Memorable outings: We went to San Antonio for your cousins birthdays.  We rode a train, played at the Kiddie Park, went to lunch, and then took family pictures all in one day.  You did fabulous for all that running. 

Favorite toys/activities:You love to jumper in your exersaucer, play with all sorts of toys.  Anything you get your hands on, you put it in your mouth.  But your favorite activity is playing with your brother. 

Words/sounds:Lots of different cooing sounds, and of course crying

Nicknames: Bryn, Sister

Funny moments: You have started making silly faces which makes us all laugh

Looking forward to: I am NOT looking forward for you to start crawling, this mama is just not ready.

 

3 months

Age: 3 months

Weight: 11 pounds

Length: not sure

Size (diapers, onesies, etc.): size 1 diapers, 0-3 month clothing

Eyes: blue

Hair:It is starting to get lighter, and some red is coming through

Sleeping: One morning nap for about an hour, and then a 3-4 hour afternoon nap.  At night, you usually sleep from about 9/9:30 until anywhere between 7:30 and 9:00.

Eating: You go anywhere between 2-5 hours between feedings.  I honestly just nurse you on demand, and it has worked and been great!

Milestones:rolled over twice, then haven't done it again!  You can hold your head up super.  You are also working on those ab muscles because you want to sit up so bad.

Memorable outings:You getting an MRI, very scary time for all of us!

Favorite toys/activities:You love watching your bubba no matter what he is doing.  You enjoy your activity mat, sitting in the bumpo, Sophie the giraffe, and of course mommy's hair and necklaces.

Words/sounds:Lots of different cooing sounds, and of course crying

Nicknames: Bryn, Bug-a-boo, Sister, Baby

Funny moments:Watching your brother trying to make you laugh

Looking forward to:  You have 2 road trips in your 4th month.  Hopefully you will be a rockstar.

Fun with Kysen

WITHOUT ANY prompting, ask your child these questions and write down EXACTLY what they say. It is a great way to find out what they really think. When you re-post put your Child's age.
Kysen (4 years)
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Do it, and no
2. What makes mom happy?
If I smile at you, and give you hugs and kisses
3. What makes mom sad?
When I make bad choices
4. How does mom make you laugh?
  Playing jokes, and tickling my feet
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Having a baby
6. How old is she?
18
7. How tall is she?
Tall as not my daddy
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Work and play with Kysen, and feed my sister
9. What does she do when you’re not around?
work
10. If she becomes famous, what would it be for?
I don't know
11. What is your mom really good at?
Doing running, and exercising
12. What is she not very good at?
jumping on the bed
13. What is her job?
print, and help my people, and put the persons in the right class
14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
Eggs, spaghetti, salad, meat, ham
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
When you do good jobs
16. If she was a character, who would she be?
Character
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Teamwork
18. How are you and your mom the same?
When we are sitting down, we look almost the same
19. How are you different?
Because I am medium, and you are up tall
20. How do you know she loves you?
Because you give me hugs and kisses, and I love you so much too.
21. What does she like most about your dad?
When he does good stuff and doesn't make bad choice, or when yall don't fight
22. Where is her favorite place to go?
church
23. How old was she when you were born?
1

ENT, MRI, results

We had n ENT appointment on Monday, April 27th.  The doctor was unable to see through the ear canal to check the inner ear.  We already had a MRI scheduled for that Thursday, so she added what she needed them to look at for her.  Brynlee will also be fitted for a hearing device in September so she can keep her hearing nerve active. She has also referred us to genetics to see if there is something wrong with her genetics, so we will know later down the line what we are dealing with.  I will say I felt pretty discouraged leaving there without answers AGAIN, and being referred to another specialist.  I know my baby girl is young and it will just take time.

Thursday, April 30th, we had Bryn's MRI.  We had to be at Cook's by 6:00 am to get registered.  Kysen had his first sleep over with some friends and LOVED it.  We are so thankful that people love my whole family and will watch my child.  I was ok with everything until Shaylor said, "What if she doesn't wake up?" That's when my nerves went off the charts.  I had felt a calmness about everything, I knew so many people were praying not only for Brynlee, but the whole family.  Anyway, we got to the hospital and got all checked in, and we had to wait for the MRI machine to warm up, then it was go time.  We used that extra time to just pray over our child.  She was all smiles even though she was hungry.  I got to go with her and Shaylor stayed behind.  They gave her gas to put her to sleep before doing the IV.  IT was cotton candy flavored, and she was out in about 45 seconds.  They then asked me to leave, and escorted Shaylor and I to the waiting room and told us it would be between an hour and an hour and a half.  Luckily, they give you a pager so you don't have to just sit and stare at each other.  We went and had breakfast in the hospital cafeteria, then grabbed a starbucks.  We went back to the waiting room, and Shaylor of course took a nap, and I did some work on my iPad.  Shortly after, they called us back, and it was on of the best feelings to hold my baby girl again!  She was a rockstar!  The rest of the day she was kind of out of it, and slept a lot.  Kysen was at school, so we took advantage of that and slept too.

We were told we would get the results in 2-3 business days, so we were shocked when the phone rang with the results.  The lady we talked to said everything was normal.  Her nerves are fully developed, she has an ear drum, and her brain is functioning the way an 11 week old baby's brain should function.  I just dropped to my knees and cried, and thanked God for the miracle.  Our daughter is definitely a fighter and she definitely has God on her side!

We go to the cranifacialist on Wednesday to see about the bone structure in her face and her half ear.  Not really sure what is in store for us with him, but I guess we will find out of Wednesday.

Prayer Request:
Please continue to keep Brynlee in your prayers as we still have a long road ahead of us.
Also, Kysen has been acting out more, and I think it is an attention thing.  I know Shaylor and I have had a lot of focus on Brynlee, so pray for us to be aware of our time.

Praise:
The MRI report came back so positive

                                               Waiting at the ENT's office

                                                        Prepped for MRI

' 

Waiting

                                                      Being reunited never felt so good!

2 months

Age: 2 months

Weight:9.2 pounds 10th percentile

Length: 22.5 inches 50th percentile

Size (diapers, onesies, etc.): size 1 diapers, 0-3 month clothing

Eyes: blue

Hair: dark brown

Sleeping: 2-3 naps during the day for about 1-2 hours, and sleeping 4-5 hours at night

Eating: You are nursed every 3-4 hours.  At night daddy gives you one bottle of mommy's yummy stuff, so she can get a little sleep

Milestones:smiles and cooing.  The doctors said you would never do a full smile, and you did it!!!!  Of course mommy cried!

Memorable outings: Your brother's first soccer game, and he scored a goal!  We are constantly on the go, and you are a trooper. Also meeting your GG for the first time

Favorite toys/activities:You love watching your bubba no matter what he is doing.  You enjoy your activity mat

Words/sounds:Lots of different cooing sounds, and of course crying

Nicknames: Bryn, Bug-a-boo, Sister

Funny moments:Watching your brother trying to make you laugh

Looking forward to: Watching you grow up

 

Easter 2015

                                                            St Patrick's Day 2015

                                                                    Meeting GG

                                                                    2 months old

Neurology

More good news... the prayers are working!!!!!

We went to the neurologist yesterday, and he is pretty sure her brain is functioning the way it should be, and most of her problems are external.  He did refer us to a craniologist which we will go to in May.  The craniologist will work with the ENT to come up with a plan together.  The neurologist wants to check her agin in June to make sure she is continuing to develop age appropriately.  He did let us know that she will probably have a speech delay because of her hearing, but also because of her asymmetrical mouth, and will more than likely need therapy.  We are thrilled to know that her brain is functioning like a 6 week old.

Please continue to prayer for more answers and good news!

Brynlee's Audiology Appointment

Yesterday, we took Brynlee to the audiologist.  She does have moderate hearing loss in her left ear, and has normal hearing in her right ear.  To a mommy, that makes my heart happy that I know she can still hear my voice!  The good news, her hearing nerve for her left ear is functioning and hearing noises.  The audiologist is pretty sure the sound is not able to travel through the small ear canal that she has.  So, we have now been referred to an ENT specialist that will be able to make the decision if she will need to have an ear canal built for her or not.  They will also decide about hearing aids for her.  More than likely she will have a hearing aid sooner than later so that the nerve will continue working and hearing sounds, and it doesn't get "lazy".  Bryn was also diagnosed with Atresia/Microtia.

What is Microtia / What is Atresia?

Microtia is a congenital deformity affecting the outer ear (pinna) where the ear does not fully develop during the first trimester of pregnancy. A Microtia ear is often smaller in size, can have a peanut shaped appearance, only have a small nub or lobe present, or be completely absent at birth. Microtia is Latin for the words micro and otia, meaning “little ear.” Microtia can affect one ear (unilaterally) or both ears (bilaterally). Microtia occurs in every 1 out of 6,000 to 12,000 births. The right ear is more commonly affected. Microtia is often accompanied by Atresia.

Atresia (also known as aural atresia) is the absence or closure of the external auditory ear canal. The malformation of the middle ear bones (incus, stapes, and malleus) may be affected including the narrowing of the ear canal, known as canal stenosis. Atresia is Latin for absence of an opening.

We meet with the neurologist next week to hopefully get some more answers.

Prayer Request:

For Shaylor and I to know what will be the best thing for Brynlee as far as hearing aids, implants, etc.

That Brynlee does not have chronic ear infections (With Atresia/Microtia she is more apt to get ear infections.)

Her neurology appointment next week

Praises:

She can hear!!!!!

We have felt such a peace during all of this.  (We know it is because of all the prayers)

 

1 month

Age: 1 month

Weight: 7 pounds 11 ounces

Length: 22 inches

Size (diapers, onesies, etc.): newborn diapers and clothes, and a few 0-3 month clothing

Eyes: blue

Hair: dark brown

Sleeping: During the day you sleep for about 1-2 hours between feedings.  At night, you are up for about 4-5 hours, then will finally go to sleep between 3:00 and 5:00 and sleep for 4-5 hours.

Eating: You are nursed every 3-4 hours.  At night daddy gives you one bottle of mommy's yummy stuff, so she can get a little sleep

Milestones: gained a lot of weight!

Memorable outings: We spent a lot of time in doctor offices your first month for weight gain, and jaundice checks.  We are on the go a lot because of big brother!  You love your car seat, and will just sleep in it.

Favorite toys/activities: You love listening to your brother sing to you.  If you are crying, he comes over and starts singing and you almost immediately stop.  You also love for someone to hold you, and cuddle with you.

Words/sounds: You are cooing and it is just so precious!

Nicknames: Bryn, Bug-a-boo, Sister, Lil Miss, My Little Nemo

Funny moments: Peeing all over mom at the doctor's office, it even got on her shoes. 

Looking forward to: I don't necessarily know if we are looking forward to this, but ready to start with meeting with all of your specialist so we can see what is ahead of us.

First time to the Kids Workshop at Home Depot

Ready for your first birthday party, Evan's princess party.  (Daddy thought the picture was funny with your bow over your eyes.)

First time in your crib

Monthly picture

Loving your bunny Bubba got you

First little smirk

BIG smile

Direction

First of all, I never realized how many people would invest their time into reading our blog and praying for our family.  The words of encouragement that we get daily are helping us get through every day.  With that, I am not a professional writer and by no means plan on becoming a writer.  I really am doing this blog to keep everyone up to date as best I can with what is going on with our family.

I am including her stats so we can remember them in the future.  6 pounds 15 ounces, 10th percentile, 21 inches, 60th percentile.  Doctor says she is going to have bright blue eyes, dark hair, and we are going to be in trouble!  

Now, the update and answers we were hoping for.  Yesterday, we took Bryn to her 2 week check-up.  Her pediatrician looked over her and told us the news we wanted to hear... "Your child is healthy!" PTL!!!!  With that we do have a long road ahead of us.  She filled us in about what all the audiologist will do, and basically it will be a really long, more extensive hearing test.  She said be prepared because it will take awhile.  Our pedi, Dr. Hull, did say her ear canal is very, very narrow.  She said she can't even tell if she has an ear drum or not, and that is why she did not pass her hearing test.  Once we go to the audiologist, they will more than likely refer us to an ENT who will actually build an ear canal for Brynlee, and she will be able to hear without any problems.  The medical world has come so far!  If she does not have an ear drum, then we will have to cross that road when we get to it.  Dr. Hull is also referring us to a neurologist.  She thinks that she born without a muscle in her face, but the only way to really know what is going on is to do an MRI, so that is where the neurologist comes in.  They are trying to get us in, in the next couple of weeks, so please pray that they will have an appointment really soon for us.  Dr. Hull never said anything about her hip, so I asked.  She was a bit surprised to hear that they had told us that she had a click in her hip.  She didn't feel it, but wanted to check again, and did a pretty intense hip check.  She told us, that Bryn has really strong hips!  She did say though that we need to keep watching it and checking it.  If she does have a click in her hip, and we catch it before she is 8 weeks old, she will have to wear a harness.  If we miss it, she will end up having to have surgery to correct it.  Everything else is pretty much put on the back burner for now.  Our doctor is wanting to focus on the main issues that we need/can take care of right now.  Everything else is something to keep watching to see if she outgrows or is something we need to focus on in a few months.

Once again, we are so appreciative of the love and prayers that our surrounding our family.

Please pray:
*that we get into the neurologist in the next couple of week
*that when we go to the audiologist that they will see an ear drum
*for the doctors that are all tending to our daughter
*that Shaylor and I have patience and know what we need to do as her parents
*for Kysen to continue adjusting to this new life, and that he has an understanding if we are having to tend to Brynlee more because of her medical issues.

My Feelings

I have been asked many times, "How are you feeling?" " How are you doing?" And of course my answer is usually we are doing good.

Part of this blog is so that I can be raw and write my feelings and emotions.  For the most part, we are doing good.  Of course, I am so scared about what is ahead for us, and what the future holds.  It is scary knowing our daughter is going to have to go through so many procedures.  I don't know how she is going to react to anesthesia, or even how much pain she will have to endure, but what I do know is we serve a Mighty God.  Through all of my fears, and unknowns, I have felt the presence of my Heavenly Father. Without Him, I wouldn't be OK.

We start the first round of doctor visits on Monday.  As much as I am ready to have some answers, I really want to freeze time where I know she is not going through any pain at all.

Please pray that we do get some answers, and for me to not have an anxious heart.

Last, here is a picture of our sweet miracle.  We chose for her ear to be exposed and a part of who she is, instead of laying her on the other side and covering it up!

New beginnings

We were blessed with our new daughter, Brynlee Shay, on February 11th at 12:01 am.  I had thought she would be here on the 10th, but missed it by a couple of minutes.  We were so overjoyed with her arrival because the doctors had told us we would not have another child unless we went through fertility treatments again.  Our God proved them wrong, and gave us our little miracle. 

Quickly, our world got shaken with news about health issues.  Brynlee was born with half an ear and a very narrow ear canal.  She failed her hearing tests in the hospital, and has been referred to an audiologist.  We go on March 17th for her first appointment.  The pediatrician told us she would go through a series of procedures to hopefully correct the problem. They will also do a sonogram on her kidneys because the ears and kidneys develop at the same time in the womb. She was also diagnosed with an abnormal jawline, and will be referred to a craniologist for this issue.  We are also going to be referred to a genetic specialist.  Bryn was also born with a click in her hip, and we are praying that that will go away with time.

There are so many unknown questions as to what our future holds, and all the procedures that our daughter will have to go through.  She has already proven to be such a fighter.

We are beyond blessed by all the prayers and support, and ask for the prayers to continue.  I will be updating the blog, as we feel this is the easiest way to get the information out about our sweet girl.