Friday, June 24, 2011

Good Reports

We made another 24 hr trip to Duke this week for several appointments for both girls. Good reports all around. Tricia lungs continue to show no signs of infection. Gwyneth continues to grow and develop, and she has finally broken the 25 lb mark...only took her about 2 years to go from 20 to 25!

Gwyneth had her first visit with a new doctor. She is now officially diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy, which we had assumed for a now. She continues to wear her AFO (ankle braces), but is making great progress. She is falling less and less while walking on her own, and is now able to step up and down short steps.

We're also making plans for Gwyneth to have another dual surgery...eye muscle surgery for her stabismus which has returned, and another ear tube placement as her first set has recently fallen out and she is continuing to experience ear infections. Hopefully these can both happen on the same day in the same ER as before.

While we were at Duke waiting for mommy to get done with her appointments, Gwyneth and I walked over the the gardens for a few shots...








Nate

38 comments:

Colleen said...

She is so sweet! Glad to hear good reports on both girls. :)

Liz said...

You know, sometimes a diagnosis is hard. But sometimes having a name to say "This is what it is!" helps. I'm not sure where y'all are in that...but I hope that having an official name for things will be helpful and everyone is comfortable with it.

Cristi said...

If she isnt completely precious! What a miracle.

Tina Kewy said...

Nate and Tricia, she is just getting prettier and prettier every time I see her. I can see her mom in her so much but also you, Nate! God bless you all!!

bobbie said...

What a sweetie! And YAY for Tricia's good news!!!

BMom said...

Hi Nate - I've followed you and Tricia's blogs for a long time now and just had to tell you, I think those first two pics on the blog, in the garden, are two of my favorite pics of sweet Gwyneth. What a sweetheart. Thanks for sharing and so glad to hear how the check-ups went.

ShEiLa said...

What a PRECIOUS little girl... and I have not forgotten what a miracle she is!

ToOdLeS.

Unknown said...

so happy for the good news!! gwyneth is true beauty all around...we love you guys!

Full of JOY said...

What sweet, sweet pictures!!!

Beverly said...

I am seeing more of her mom in the pictures you take of her....I used to think she looked like you. I think she is a remarkable little girl!

Jenn... said...

Gwenyth is soooo cute! Congrats on the good reports for both of your girls!

Terri said...

Great news - Love the pictures - so cute!

raw said...

I check in on your blog now and then - and I just can't get over that Gwyneth is not a baby anymore! She's got that big girl look! What a sweetheart she is.

Glad Tricia is so healthy and hopefully the eye and ear surgeries will be a breeze for Gwyneth. God bless!

Nadine said...

Gwyneth just continues to grow more beautiful with every picture you post. Keep those pictures coming! And congratulations on all the good reports!

Susan said...

Gwenyth has such a sweet face. I hope it is a relief to get confirmation of what you suspected. Personally I think it's best to know the truth and move on with the business of living life. I'm glad to hear Tricia's still doing well. Good luck with the surgeries.

Justine, Romy's Mama said...

So glad that the girls are doing well. I will pray for a good outcome and swift recovery for the little one and for Tricia and her lungs. My little one has CP too, hers is more involved than Gwyneth.

Elizabeth said...

Such a sweet, joyful, beautiful, face. Gwyneth is perfection. Hopefully having this official diagnosis will only make it easier for her to get the kinds of appointments and services she needs. So glad she and Tricia got good reports.

Joy said...

She is just precious!!! My little one has mild cp as well and I remember being SO upset with the original diagnosis but she is now 7 and thriving!! :-)

Rhonda said...

Her sweet smile makes me smile.

The Beaver Bunch said...

Gwyneth's just as beautiful as ever! So glad both ladies got good reports!

Vivian said...

oh my she is getting so big and so pretty! i just can't get over every time i see her the changes. also, so happy to hear the good health report for Trica. I will keep praying for both your girls! God is good!

Vivian said...

oh my she is getting so big and so pretty! i just can't get over every time i see her the changes. also, so happy to hear the good health report for Trica. I will keep praying for both your girls! God is good!

Rick Lawrenson said...

So who's taught her to jump over the cracks in the pavement? Walking with her through the parking lot at the pier the other day she had to stop and jump over the cracks.

Scott said...

God is so good! That is awesome to hear all is going well!

Jen said...

I am so thankful for the update! I continue to follow your family and appreciate it!

Kate, Alek, Hank, and Cash (RIP RED) said...

I am glad everyone is well, I rarely comment but the Duke Gardens..........the memories I have of that place! Thanks for sharing.

libby @ ninesandquines said...

Nate, she is so beautiful - truly a miracle and such a blessing!

Mandi said...

My Addie just had that same eye surgery and her second set of tubes put in a month ago! She also has mild hearing loss.
I hope they can do the surgery's at the same time, it makes everything so much easier.
Gwyneth is just beautiful! I love these new pictures!

KrazyMom said...

I love, love, love your updates! Gwyneth is doing so well! I find inspiration in reading of her progress. My husband and I adopted a large sibling group last year, and our daughter is the same age as Gwyneth. She also has mild Cerebral Palsy, wears leg braces, glasses and had the stabismus surgery last year. Though our little Peanut isn't walking on her own yet and also has hydrocephalus, I see so many similarities. It is comforting in just knowing we are not alone in this journey. Miracle babies (not to mention Tricia's journey) certainly do make you all the more aware of the preciousness of life and love.

Happy 4th of July to you all!

Amy said...

Glad to hear the good reports! I think Gwenyth is doing amazingly fantastic! And Tricia too.

I'm a CP parent also. My Elena is older than your little girl, but we share some of the same challenges. One thing is for sure--we celebrate each little mile (inch?) stone as they come along!

Anonymous said...

Hello. I have been reading your blog for a while (since your little girl was born). I work with children with autism (some have other special needs too). I am glad that she is healthy and doing so well even though she does have a few challenges. I think with wondeful parents to fight with her and her determination, your little girl has a bright future. My biggest advice (as someone who grew up with a different disability, Asperger's Syndrome) is to do everything possible to prevent bullying and to educate Gwenyth when she is old enough how to advocate for herself.

Kate said...

I've been following your blog since Gwenyth was born and it just warms my heart to see her grow into such a beautiful little girl. Diagnosis aside, she is a miracle and I know you both treasure her!

Kristi said...

I haven't checked in on you in a long time and it's fun to see your little girl so grown up!

Queen Mommy said...

I can't believe how big Gwyneth is getting! She looks so much like both you and Tricia. My daughter Lily had Sure Step AFO's for a few months, and they were wonderful for her. She doesn't have CP, but she does have reflex integration delays, which can affect gait patterns, coordination, speech, etc. (You mentioned the falling. I know all about that.) Within 5-6 months, Lily had completely outgrown her need for AFO's. She still needed some additional foot support, but we found that Keens and kinesio tape/e-stim nearly eliminated the need for foot orthotics. We still could have gotten them, but in other ways they were limiting her progress, so we opted not to. I know how my heart swells when I see how much Lily can do now that she couldn't have done even a few months ago. I'm sure you guys are so excited with Gwyneth's progress as well! She looks great, and I'm so happy for your family!

Froggymama said...

Wow, it's so incredible to watch Gwyneth grow. She is such a big girl now! Much love to you all! xoxo

The Balch Bunch said...

I have been reading your blog for a long time... I just wanted to tell you what a sweet family you are and what an encouragement you are. Little miss is just a doll. Be blessed!

Bailey said...

I'm new to your site, but I just had to tell you how beautiful your daughter is!

Tony and Myra said...

precious! Her glasses remind me of my little Joshua. He had severe cerebral palsey due to a placental abruption at birth. Will keep you in prayer.....Myra Vidal...http://triumphantjoshua.blogspot.com