Quick Update

This will be quick...

First let me start off by saying, THANK YOU to everyone who so generously bought popcorn. Alex came in second this year, but that is okay. He worked really hard and sold over $1500 worth. Alex and I have talked about what a great job his packmate did to beat him and Alex will congratulate him on a job well done!

Alex started Taekwondo on September 17th. From the very first class he has immersed himself  wholeheartedly. He has worked so hard to learn everything necessary. Alex was one of only 2 white belts in the academy who were ready for belt testing. All week Alex was excited and really nervous. He knew he was ready, but was worried about not passing. Saturday morning Alex woke up asking for some bible verses to repeat to himself to try and stay calm. I was so proud of him for turning to prayer to calm himself. Belt testing was scheduled for 12:30. Once we got to the gym, Alex's nerves calmed some. His favorite instructor went over everything with Alex to be sure he was ready and the test started.

Alex waiting his turn

Stretching

Alex breaking his board

Alex Practicing

The incredible Staff at Kick Tiger Martial Arts

Proud of his new yellow belt

 

 

I cannot say enough about this gym and how they have accepted Alex and worked to challenge him and yet keep him safe. They really have gone above and beyond anything we could have expected! Alex had begged me before going in not to cry. (Anyone who knows me, knows I am quick to tear up) I made it all the way through the testing. However, when they were done the instructors had Alex sit on the floor and meditate with his eyes closed. They had Bruce and I come stand behind him and they laid the yellow belt on the floor. They had him open his eyes and turn around. Then he had to take off his white belt, fold it neatly and present it to us. We were then to tie on his new belt. As he hugged me and I thought back on all that he has been through in his short life and all that he has accomplished I was so proud. I couldn't hold the tears back anymore.As I look at this handsome, kind, funny loving boy, I am once again reminded how very lucky I am to get to be his Mom.

 

 

As for my trouble maker of a little girl....We have made it! Friday I will be full term! It has been a rough few weeks with contractions about every 4 minutes around the clock. I also have horrendous heartburn and nausea. But with all the complications of this pregnancy, she has made it a safe place to deliver. I am so grateful. Her room is ready, her car seat is in the car. We are all excited. I saw my OB today and I am fully effaced and 1 cm dilated. He feels like I could go into labor at any point. I have to put up with 1 more week of meds to try and slow down the contractions and my last week of bed rest and as of new Monday all restrictions are lifted. We are all anxious to meet this precious little sweetheart.

 

 

My Mom is flying in on Friday to help me for the last little bit and to make sure she is here for Maddy's arrival. Alex and I are excited to see Mimi. What an exciting few weeks we have coming up.

 

Ali

Time to catch up!

I am not even sure where to begin...

I guess I will start with me and Maddy. I continue to be on bedrest. I am pretty bored and cranky, but I know every day I can keep my little girl from being delivered is important. She continues to do well. We saw Dr. Wai (my OB) September 26th and October 3rd. I also had an ultrasound on the 23rd. I have not gained any weight and my fundal height has not changed, but miraculously she continues to grow. The mystery is where she is going. At this point I am measuring 6-7 weeks too small. Her estimated weight was 4 lb 12 oz which is almost exactly what Alex was estimated to weigh at the same point. I am a tiny bit dilated and almost 75% effaced. I have been on medication for the past 10 days, but I continue to have LOTS of contractions. We go back on Monday and will see if there is any change then.

Alex has been busy. He continues to love and thrive at Taekwondo. He is moving through his requirements extremely quickly and will actually test to move up a belt next week. He has accomplished this in just about 1 month. He is focused and respectful and has earned the praise of his instructors for how well he is doing. he has already received all 4 stripes he needed to be eligible for belt testing and this morning he broke his first "real"  (wood) board with a hammer fist on his first try. I am so proud of how hard he is working.

He has also continued to progress in cub scouts. We are only a few months into his Webelos I year and he has already earned 5 out of the 20 badges. Bug and Bruce were supposed to be camping this weekend, but potential bad weather caused it to be postponed.

Medically, we have finished up our last few appointments and procedures until after the new year. I have cleared the calender in anticipation of Maddy's arrival. A few weeks ago we saw Dr. O (GI) and Dr P (Palliative Care). We continue to be concerned about the strain Alex's GI system is causing to his pulmonary system, but we have decided to hold off on any changes for right now. The only issue we needed to address was Alex's jtube. After 18 months it really needed to be changed out. Dr. O scheduled us for October 9th in the OR to change it out. Tuesday we got a call from the hospital at 2:00 stating that there had been a mix-up and that Alex had to be to the hospital by 3:30 to be admitted or anesthesia was cancelling the procedure. Packing and getting to the hospital in an hour and a half would be a challenge any day, but adding in my pregnancy issues, it was enough to throw me over the edge. I tried to talk to them and explain that I did not feel an admission was necessary. They insisted and would not even give me any extra time. So against my doctors orders I was racing around the house trying to get everything we needed and get to the hospital before they cancelled the surgery. We did make it, but I was not feeling well the rest of the evening. Surgery was first thing Wednesday morning. Alex was a champ and did great both physically and emotionally. Both of his stomas (holes) had to be dilated to get the new tubes in. We also switched the tyoe of tube in his J. Poor boy was really hurting Wednesday afternoon and because of some of his complications we can't use either tylenol or advil/motrin. I felt really bad for him, but he has done a little better each day. We are grateful to have the tube changes done.

Alex and I are flying along in school. He is doing a great job with this new curriculum and we are hoping to get a few more weeks in before we take an extended break to enjoy our new baby. He is still loving his homeschool co-op and has made some new friends.

I think that pretty much sums it up. Thank you for keeping all of us in your prayers.
Ali

PS- As most of you know Alex has been the top popcorn salesman in his pack every year he has been in cub scouts. It is a goal he sets for himself and something he works hard to achieve. This year has been a little more challenging with me on bedrest, but his goals remain the same. We have 1 week left. If you feel so called, please consider helping Alex reach his goals and support an incredible organization that has meant so much to our family. The instructions are below:
Option 1: Please contact me if you are local 
Option 2: go to www.trails-end.com. When you go to check out it will prompt you to "support someone". You need our zipcode (76244) and he is listed under Alexander B.