Promise...I'll do better!

So, it looks like since my last update we were almost out of the full spica cast that Uriah was in for his two broken femurs! Wow, do I have some things to update you on. Well, we had the cast removed on July 1st, which was just in time for our yearly family vacation with the Priests. This year, we went to Sevierville, TN which was absolutely wonderful! If you've never been to the Smokey Mountains, get yourself online right now and book a cabin with Timber Tops Realty (http://www.yourcabin.com/) ! Amazing homes with even more amazing views. Everyone had their own rooms and bathrooms, it was almost like being in a hotel inside a hotel! Since Uriah was only two weeks out of his cast at this point, he wasn't moving around a whole tone but it was a great thing that he was out of the cast...it was hot as a dickens!! The trip went off without anything overly nerve wrecking and we really enjoyed our time with family. Definitely looking forward to next year!

Uriah has been continuing his physical therapy twice a week and since the femur breaks, we've been including aquatic therapy because its really good for his gross motor development. Who knew that there could be so much muscle regression in such a short period of time. Many of the skills that Uriah had mastered, like crawling and his now infamous bear walk are things of the past that we are having to learn all over again. It's more frustrating for me though because I can see in his face how badly he wants to move towards a toy, but I can also see the lack of confidence that he has. This condition affects so much more than the bones. Of course, we're throwing every prayer we can muster up to God because we really believe that in our worship is healing! So, out of the cast for one and a half months and then BAM...another broken femur. Here's my praise report though; three broken femurs in three months time and none have been displaced! Hallelujah! We may not be happy that he has broken legs, but praise God for protecting his body and keeping those bones in their place.

Well, I think I'll use a different post to update you on our Pamidronate (PAM will be the reference from here on out) infusions. The doctors who we prayed for have been delivered and we're so excited about this connection. You know I'm a praying Momma!

Love you too pieces!

Embrace Yours

So,  yesterday was a little hectic in our household as I prepare to go on my first "trip" away from my family. It's actually a much needed respite that I plan on following once a month from now on. I realize as Uriah gets older that though his needs are important, I need a little R&R every now and again. This will probably be the longest 36 hour period of my life thus far, but I'm sure we'll all be refreshed when I return home. Who knew that leaving your husband and child at home for one night would require so much planning! LOL.

As I was thinking of my impending separation anxiety and since I'm not a drinker, I was focused on how I'm going to calm my nerves while I'm away. I've really been praying about it and to some people it may not seem like a big deal, when you are the primary care giver for your child there develops a very strong bond between the two of you. It will be good for me because I need to have some time to Leatrice, but also it will be great for Uriah because he will have to depend on his Daddy to provide all of his needs while I'm away. It's good to make sure that you involve your partner in the nature of your child. One day there will be another addition to our family and we will really have to work as a team to make sure everyone is happy and attended to. Which brings me to a question; how is it that you develop more love in your heart when you add a child to your family? Does it occur naturally or do some people have to focus on it?

Keep on moving, don't stop now!

Oh boy, oh boy!

Uriah was born with an unexpected diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. In layman's terms its commonly known as brittle bones disease. This term is actually quite alarming to most because they hear disease and think its contagious! Its actually medically more of a disorder because it is the bodies inability to produce proper levels of collagen which is what makes our bones hard. I usually describe it to people as a liking to women with osteoporosis but on a grander scale because it occurs at the beginning of life when your body is trying to develop all that it needs to be compatible to a typical life. I'm happy to explain in further detail, so feel free to email me. We are currently putting together our vision for a book in hopes to encourage other families who may not have the same situation in life, but need the same faith! Pastor Otis Lockett of Evangel Word Fellowship may never know the impact that he has had in our lives, but he truly is a man of God with unwavering faith. God knows where to place you under His leadership because Pastor Lockett was doing a series on becoming a Lion Chaser and we knew then that the message was meant for us and our guidance. We had a lion to chase and we were definitely up for the fight!
When Little Uri (that's what his PaPa calls him) was born, we had every expectation that he was going to be a healthy baby boy. Unfortunately in the medical community, you are provided with hardcore and alarming diagnoses that can trigger the innermost unsettling feelings you could experience in life. After being told in our initial anatomy ultrasound that we should terminate the pregnancy because all of the possibilities that could be present were not likely to be compatible to life for our child, God scooped us up in His big arms and its been smooth sailing (with a little turbulence) ever since! Its not easy having a child who can break both his legs in a matter of days simply because he reached for a toy and fell over at a weird angle OR was testing his new courage out by standing at the couch holding on with one tiny hand. The days are filled with thoughts of "what will his strength be like when the casts come off" or "will he regress from all the strides we've made in his physical therapy", but I have to keep on my game face because Uriah needs every ounce of support he can get! We've been blessed to have made it 15 months with no breaks and we have every expectation to not make them a routine part of  our days once we get over this hump. I will admit that it wasn't as spirit crushing as I thought it would be with our first break, but it was a reality check for sure. Uriah's spirits are out the roof and seeing his chunky, toothless grin every morning when I walk in his room gives me far more pride than the two degrees, fat paychecks, or pre-baby accomplishments that I've had! Our lives have been enhanced since February 2010 and I can only jump with excitement for what is to come.

Well, he's taking a nap now and that means its time for a shower and a bite to eat...maybe even some reading out on the patio...ta-ta lovelies!

Romans 5:1-5 - ¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Hello World

When deciding to complete a blog, there are a lot of things to consider in my opinion; what is the purpose of your blog and do you really want anyone to read your thoughts?! Since I've been home for almost two years now, I decided that there was certainly a need for me to express all of the thoughts that go through my mind during the day since Uriah doesn't make well for a conversation at his age! LOL. Hopefully, this blog will serve a two-fold purpose...to educate the world about Osteogenesis Imperfecta (more on that later) and to create a positive dialogue about my adventure as an African American stay at home Mom (there really is a difference).