There is nothing better...

than being a mom!!!

Nothing better than Gage hearing my voice and looking around the room to find me

Nothing better than the sound of his laughter, cooing, and spitting

Nothing better than the smell of fresh diapers (or dirty ones for that matter)

Nothing better than the sight of baby clothes filling up a closet (and then some)

Nothing better than a fridge full of formula and juice

Nothing better than a living room so full of toys that I can barely see the couch

Nothing better than the memory of all that God did in Philadelphia

Nothing better than thinking about the present and also the future

There is just nothing better!

Play days with Mommy, Daddy and Gage

Gage LOVES his daddy! He loves to look at him, laugh with him, and talk to him!

Gage also LOVES to be naked...

He is getting so big isn't he!

He has found his hands and loves to put them in his mouth!

There are few things on this earth as precious as spending time with family! I am so blessed!

Good news from the Doc!

We went to Emory today with Gage...the Pulmonologist said everything looks great. He explained more in detail about what happened to Gage's lungs prior to surgery due to the CDH and told us how GLAD he was that Gage didn't need ECMO! The bottom line for now is as long as Gage keeps eating good and gaining weight (13 lbs 6 oz) they aren't worried. We will have a follow up visit this summer and in the meantime he is going to be in touch with CHOP to get more details about Gage's specific case and how big his hernia was and so forth. If all looks good there we won't need any more X-rays or anything like that any time soon. Once Gage is about 5 years old he will start doing Lung Function Tests...but for now...he just has to continue to get fat and happy like the rest of us! We are SO thankful for a good report! Thank you for praying and continuing to follow along on our journey! 

Why can't I be two places at once?

What was the first thing I did when I got home today you may ask? I hugged Gage so tight I thought his little eyes were going to pop! I kissed him and then I hugged him some more...he gets sweeter every single day. I held and played with him for a while, and then into my "baby bookbag" he went. I love it when he sits in that thing and walks all around the place with me! I LOVE when he hears my voice and starts looking around the room to find me. I love when he is fussy until I hold him real close and rock him to sleep. I love when he holds on to my shirt sleeve really tight (even if he doesn't realize when he is doing yet). I love coming home in the afternoon from work to see a big smile-2 dimples included. I love being a mom more than I ever thought possible. The time I have at home with Gage is so much more precious now that I have gone back to work...every laugh, coo, sneeze, and even diaper change are all the more sweet and enjoyable now. I am so very grateful for my job, but this week I really tried to figure out a way to be in two places at once...never could do it. I would be fine at work- listening to and laughing with my kids-when all of a sudden-I would start thinking about the past 4 months...and all that has happened...and I just wanted to be a home hugging and loving on Gage. Whenever I stop and think about all that God has done and still continues to do- I am overwhelmed with gratitude! He is a specific-gracious and merciful God! He is truly a miracle worker! 

Gage's stats

Have you ever seen such a cute hunter? 

Gage got his first shot gun this Christmas from his Uncle Kenneth in Statesboro-I know he will be proud when he sees this picture!

I forgot to tell you about Gage's visit to the doctor today. He weighs 12 pounds and 15 ounces. He is a little over 24 inches long and is now considered to be in the "normal" range on the growth curve.

We have an appointment next week in Atlanta with the Pulmonologist (lung doctor)...we will keep you posted!

Happy Tuesday!

We made it...my first day back to work

I am so grateful for the many friends and family members who prayed for me today as I went back to work. Last night was actually harder than this morning was. I rocked my sweet little man and kissed his cheeks until they were almost raw and then put him to bed. Precious!

Today went very well at school. It was so good to be back- I felt like I was home, and I felt like I was in my element...well, my other element now! I LOVE to clean, straighten up and organize. Mrs. Mary and I worked hard today and I enjoyed it- I also had lunch with some really good friends. Not only am I thankful to have a job, but one that I LOVE!

The main reason today went so well though is because my mom, Gage's "Nana" was with him. She is going to stay with us during the week and go home on the weekends. Sunday in Sunday School our teacher talked about sacrifice, and my mom is the true definition of the word. She was with us every step in Philadelphia and now is taking time out of her life to make sure our family is taken care of. I will be forever grateful!

A few new pics taken this weekend