Awesome News!!

My computer crashed a few days ago...so I've been limping along and luckily (somehow) got the internet on my ancient desktop. Anyways, I have some awesome news about Ms. Noelle!! PT came on Wednesday for a regular visit. She said that Noelle is doing so well with standing...that she will be (hopefully) standing on her own and potentially taking steps in the next few months. YAY!!! However, her standing up now is a little scary because she hyperextends both of her knees and rolls her ankles. I'm guessing this is due to lack of strength and lack of support. So, on Friday, I took her to get fitted for her new orthodic shoes and leg braces. The lady that fitted Noelle said she had never met a mother so excited about leg braces and shoes. I was thrilled! I was unsure if Noelle would ever walk...so the thought of getting her something to help keep her steady and support her ankles and knees made me giddy!

Noelle will still have some challenges...the fitting lady told me that one foot is 1 1/2 sizes smaller than the other, one foot is longer than the other, but they were able to order a "toe lift" to help keep her toes in line. Due to her feet always being taped to keep the pulse ox on...her middle toes cross each other. Apparently, we have taped too tight. Oh well...back then it was much more imporant to get good readings! The lady also said that later down the line, we will have to address the legs turning out. They want her doctor to see if he can figure out if the rotation is coming from the legs or the hips.

The shoes and braces will come in 10 days and I am so excited! I'm hoping that this will make a huge difference and that she'll be on her feet before her birthday! I'm hoping and praying...what a miracle she continues to be!! We are so thankful and so blessed!!

I have been watching the Duggar family on the TLC channel lately. They had their 19th child at 25 weeks gestation. Although, I think they are partially crazy for having that many children...I totally stand behind them. The NICU journey simply sucks and no one should have to go through it. I have a hard time watching the babies oxygen saturations drop and the mom just praying. It brings back a lot of memories. Its time to face these memories and move on. I had a tendency to block out everything just to cope with the craziness of so many things happening at once. I knew one day I would have to deal with my feelings about Noelle's time in the NICU. So, it has been a great outlet to watch this show and know exactly how they feel. The first few episodes...I just cried. I'm doing better now and actually look forward to the new episodes. I think more time will heal me....on a good note...I'm actually looking forward to her birthday this year! Last year, all I kept thinking about was how scared I was on the day she was born and what a critical situation Noelle and I were both in. It was not one of my better days. This year...we are going to party it up!!! :) I'm already starting to plan!!! Her birthday falls on a Saturday and everyone is invited (6/26/2010...details to come in the spring)!!!


So, thats all from our house this week! By the way, of course, I was able to pick out pink and white shoes!! They are actually pretty cute! Keep up the prayers for Noelle and all the preemie babies fighting in the NICU!! As always, please consider donating to team GoNoelleGo!!

xoxo,


Stacie :)