Today I am Grateful For...
I've been tagged by Stephanie over at Megan's Got 47...the task: three things I am grateful for. It took me all day yesterday to narrow this down to only three as I am grateful for so much, but here goes...
1. Yesterday was my 4th wedding anniversary, so I think it is fitting to say I am grateful for my husband John. I really found a good one in that one I tell ya! I could go on and on about him, but really, he is a wonderful provider for our family, works his a$$ off every day so that I can stay home 90% of the time with our kids, and he's an amazing father who adores his children with everything he has. As for me, I am grateful for my kiss goodbye every morning and my kiss hello the second he enters the door...I am grateful that I hear the words "I love you" every day. It may seem little, but that kiss in the morning is enough to put a smile on my face all day...for that I am grateful.
2. Yesterday was also Jack's closing ceremonies for the summer program at ICEC. They had an "Olympics" theme with gold medals (Jack's was for gymnastics...boy that kid likes to move!), pretend fireworks, a torch parade, and T-shirts...it was adorable! This leads me t number two. I am so grateful for Jack's therapists: Donna, our in home PT, is an absolute Godsend...we just love everything she does for Jack, and I don't know what I would do without her. I'm also grateful for all of the therapists and staff at ICEC; Letty, Rondele, Rachael, Lisa, Celeste, Amy, Jeannie, Kathie, Pam, Lupe...for all of their knowledge and care for our children, I am grateful.

Jack waving his torch at the "Olympics"

3.Last, but certainly not least, I am grateful for all of the angels and their parents I have been blessed to know and fall in love with this past year. Never in my wildest dreams did I think there was a love like this that existed...I love my husband, my children, my mom and dad, brother, etc..with an unconditional love that goes very deep, but the love these children have brought into my life is different. It's unmeasureable and amazing...I am so grateful that I have that.

One of Jack's Many Girlfriends...One of the sweetest angels ever, Miss Macy

It is now my turn to tag three people...so Bethany over at "Life with Bubba and Chicky," my girl Shelbie at "Maddi's Site," and Renee at "The Parker Family," you're it!

Itsy Bitsy Spider...The Wheels on the Bus...Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...The Elephant Song...these are some of the many songs we sing at Jack's group therapy at ICEC. We also sing them at home, along with a slew of others. Along with each song, there are hand gestures. Jack has been doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider for about a month now, and slowly he has been experimenting with the others. Well tonight, I had a truly endearing moment. Just before bed, my girls and I sat with Jack for some singing. He imitated EVERY SINGLE SONG with gestures...every one! Each time we finished, he'd turn around and look at his daddy with a look of satisfaction and giggle like there was no tomorrow...so proud of himself! My girls cheered their little buddy on the entire time...I just kept thinking to myself, with my family all sitting together enjoying this small, but monumental moment, that it doesn't get any better than this right here...and it doesn't. We are blessed.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and prayers. After sleeping on it, I have decided not to have an amnio. I really never wanted to go that route, but that perinatologist just got my head spinning! I really feel at peace and know that whatever is meant to be will be, and I'm OK with that...I go into these last three months very comfortable with the L2 Ultrasound and Echo results. Thanks again to all who helped me with this one! ~k

Today we had our follow-up fetal echo cardiogram at UCI. I'm not sure why, but last night I was filled with anxiety about it...and it continued until we were done this morning. To update on the background, we asked for a fetal echo because of Jack's heart defect. We just wanted to be as prepared as possible if something was wrong...so three weeks ago, we did our L2 Ultrasound and fetal echo. After five perinatologists searched, they weren't sure for the longest time if they saw a VSD or if it was a shadow. After moving me to my side, they finally agreed that there was nothing there...it looked fine....BUT, please come back in 3-4 weeks for a follow-up when the baby is a little bigger. Fast forward to today. New perinatologist...thorough as could be...her colleague walked in for part of it and told me she didn't think a heart had ever been analyzed that thoroughly...and the end result was that she saw nothing and is 100% sure that there is no major heart defect. This, you would think, would make me feel better, and it does, somewhat...BUT, I constantly have all of the mistakes made while I was pregnant with Jack running through the back of my mind, and it makes me anxious. SO, I have two choices: Accept that which I have no control over and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy OR get the amnio to know for sure and have peace of mind, one way or another, for a more relaxed third trimester...decisions,decisions...

I got Jack doing some signing on my camera today...in the past two weeks, he has really started applying what we have been doing with him since he was a newborn! As of now, Jack knows these signs: more (his first sign), I want, eat, all done, mama, ball, milk, and all of the gestures to Itsy Bitsy Spider (and he is waving and clapping). I feel like things are clicking for him all of the sudden...the expressive is catching up to the receptive...so here he is!
Edited to add: He just added please and happy to his signs. :-)

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