So Proud!

I just have to brag a little on my little monkey! I came home from work and Ken had him standing at his Exersaucer. He was playing with the toys switching hands...so holding on one-handed at times. He stood for several minutes and actually seemed to being enjoying it. Yay!!! PROGRESS!!

A little side note: Brody has been sick again. He was well for a couple of days after his birthday and then seemed to relapse. Tuesday when he came home from daycare his little nose was so raw. Poor thing! Wednesday when we got home, his face started swelling. Mainly the left side of his nose, his cheek, and his lip. (When he smiles, he looks like Elvis. Only one side goes up. ha!) Ken stayed home with him today and took him in to see Dr. Jones. He treated him for Staph! The inside of his nose is infected, but he never told Ken it was definitely Staph. But he also didn't want to take any chances. So after a trip to Walgreen's, we now have a very expensive, very disgusting antibiotic and an ointment. They flavored his antibiotic as best they could, but told us this was one of the worst taking that they make. The pharmacist told me that she gives her daughter a spoonful of chocolate syrup after she takes it. Hmm...

Brody's PT

Brody's physical therapist came today for the first time. To give a little background, I have had some concerns with Brody's development since about 7 months. He was not able to push up on his hands from his tummy, scoot, crawl, or pull up. At his 9 month checkup, I voiced my concerns to his ped. doc and he suggested an early intervention program (First Steps). Around Thanksgiving (10 months) they came and played with him and did an evaluation. They put him at about 6-7 month age on his gross motor skills (large muscle movement). He was close to being on target in the other areas: self help, small motor skills, communication, etc. So he only qualified for PT (physical therapy).

For whatever reason, it has taken 2 months to get him started in PT, but she came out today and she is WONDERFUL! She re-evaluated him and he has bumped his age up to around 10 months. YaY!!! I asked her if we could have him walking by 18 months and she was very confident if not a couple of months before.

He, once again, almost brought me to tears, and course made a liar out of his momma! I had just gotten out of my mouth about how he tucks his legs when you try to stand him up instead of planting them. And wouldn't you know it, he held on to my two fingers and just stood. All by himself!

Now, I have such amazing family and friends. And I know that they are so SICK of me talking about what Brody can and can't do and what milestone he hasn't reached yet...yada yada yada. But of course being the wonderful people they are, they have never let me know that. = ) I think with the year I've had in school (with 5 DD (developmentally delayed) children) I became so apprehensive of what might could happen to Brody. I just realized tonight, it doesn't matter if there is or isn't something wrong with him. I love that little boy more than I have ever loved anything in my entire life. And nothing will or could ever change that! I have prayed and prayed about what to think, feel, and do for my sweet angel face. I don't know what has taken me so long, but after tonight's visit, I am just leaving it in God's hands.

"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:10-12

I KNOW the Lord has amazing plans for Brody. And he will get there!

Brody's 12 Month Pictures

We just got the proofs from Brody's 12 month session. I LOVE them! Bless his heart, it was the day before his birthday and he was miserably sick. But his daddy can make him smile just about anytime and we got some cute pics. It involved Ken jumping out from behind tombstones which completely freaked him out. We took his pictures at Chapel of the Cross and they have a small cemetery out to the side of the church. Anyways...daddy got him to laugh. My absolute favorites ones are the ones of him standing. He almost brought me to tears! We had him sitting on the bench and he went to sitting up on his knees. He was trying so hard to pull up. I stood him up and he stayed for a couple of minutes! I will definitely be ordering those!!!!

If you want to check them out here's a link. http://dchappelear.photobiz.com/cart/photo_detail.cfm?photoID=1098726
If it asks you for my email address its: nbernard@jackson.k12.ms.us

Happy Birthday Ken!

We always have lots of family birthdays in January and now with the addition of Brody and Ryan's birthday, we have even more. Ken's birthday gets, not neccessarily overlooked, but its just not as big of a celebration as I'd like it to be. I'm a sucker for birthdays, and we always have a big crawfish boil for mine (in May).

Last Wednesday was Ken's actual birthday...29th to be exact! I decided to throw him a surprise party Saturday night. I actually pulled it off! I stink at keeping secrets especially from the person I see everyday. I tried suprising him this summer with a beach trip for Father's Day but of course let it slip. So needless to say, I was very proud of myself for keep his party a secret. A big thanks goes out to Rob who took Ken hunting that afternoon.

Here is Ken walking in the house. We all were facing the garage door, thinking he'd come in that way. I mean really, who comes in their own house through the front door. But ken did and actually snuck up on us! He was very surprised and touched that so many people came.

Yay Rob for helping me pull this off!

Emily Kay and Molly...oh and in case you are wondering why Brody is not in any of the pictures, my parents kept him Saturday night. I had way to much to do in a very short time frame and dealing with a 1 year old was just not an option. Thanks mom and dad!

Ella Kate and Bryce

Ella Kate in the Jumperoo

Ella Kate and Emily Kay

Ken's Birthday cake with LOTS of candles = )

Birthday Boy!!

Happy Birthday Ken! We love you!

Slowly But Surely...

Brody's daycare sent me a picture of him standing the other day!!! Yay for Brody! He is still having to be put in standing position, but he is standing for longer amounts of time.

Praying For Harper

If you have some time today, please read this sweet lady's blog. She is going through a rough time with her newborn. Just to give you a tidbit, she was induced just over 40 weeks and had a very rough delivery. Her baby weighed 9lbs 12oz and was born with pneumonia. Each night they are worried she won't make it until morning. Kelly, the mother, has such an incredible amount of faith. I don't know, if put in the same situation, I could be as strong as she is. Please pray for Harper's recovery and you can read more about their story at Kelly's Korner. This family is a true testament to the power of prayer as each day she is only getting stronger!

Just One Year Ago...

As I think back to this time last year...whew! He was born 20 days early with fluid on his lungs and was purple. He was bruised from being smashed against my pelvic bone for so long. But he was the most beatiful thing we'd ever seen! They took him to the NICU so they could regulate his temp and give him oxygen. 3 days later we took him home. We were so not prepared for what was to come. We thought he was going to be so big. He measured insanely big at 30 weeks, doc thought he would way between 9-10lbs. All of his clothes were 3-6 months and up. He came home needing preemie clothes and two sets on at a time. After a mad dash to Walmart, Brody was toasty and warm.

12 Month Stats:

We went to the doc today and these are Brody's stats:

Weight: 19.14oz (15%)...for all intensive purposes 20lbs! (Forward facing seat...YAY!!!)

Height: 30.75 in (75%)

Head: 48 cm (95%)

My LONG string bean with a big head. He needs room for all those brains!

Oh What Fun...

Brody Turns One!

Sunday, we celebrated Brody's 1st Bday with lots of family and friends.

This is his invitation I made. I have been dying to use his halloween pictures. He's so cute!

Here is part of the table. I didn't get a picture of the other half. SORRY!


The cake was just as yummy as it was cute!


I copied this idea for his birthday sign from a fellow blogger. Really easy to make, just a little paint, scrapbook paper and ribbon. I also painted a sign to hang from our garage but Ken took it down before I could get a picture.

I bought this cute hat from a store on Ebay. He did NOT want to put it on. Brody wasn't feeling to well. How fitting that he is sick on his birthday. We had few pics where he was smiling and this definitely is not one of them.

And now, on to Brody's cake...

After we sang Happy Birthday, he just was not touching the cake. Finally we put his hand in it for him. He was not to happy about having his hands dirty. The cake was not touched again! Ha!

Brody was MUCH better after some Cheerios!

Here is Brody in front of all his presents.

We had help opening his presents from his cousins and Bryce. Thanks boys!

My parents gave him a wagon. We can't wait for warmer weather to try it out!

I have no idea what this face is from, but it was too cute not to post!

More Birthday Pics

Summer enjoys an animal cracker.

Pretty Ella Kate

Ryan has fun with Brody's new blocks.

Sick Brody was tired after opening all his presents.

M.E. and Papa gave Brody a Jumper!

Brody recieved TONS of gifts. Thanks to everyone for being so thoughtful!

Congradulations, Casey and Dane!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Ryan turned ONE on Saturday. We had so much fun at his party. So did he! Congradulations!!

DeLoach-Hayman Family Christmas 2008

Well...technically 2009, but with a sick baby before Christmas and crazy family schedules, we had to postpone until last night. We had a yummy dinner, took pictures, and let the boys open their presents.

Bryce read Brody Merry Christmas, Curious George.

Say "Cheese!"

Brody would rather take the camera than let you take a picture of him.

Opening presents...

Brody got a new basketball goal!

Bryce got a new computer!

The Haymans and The DeLoach's

Bryce had a BLAST!

So did Brody. Can't you tell?