So, I realize that it has been an ENTIRE season and I've missed blogging about Avelyn's birth, Halloween, Thanksgiving, AND Christmas. It's been a BUSY few months. I suppose an update about all of us should cover most of the bases.
Avelyn
Our little surprise was a little GIRL! She was born on September 3, 2012 (Labor Day!) No surprises during her birth, just your average contractions, to hospital, to epidural, to birth! I did have an app on my phone to time contractions because I was not sure I was actually in Labor, but sure enough, I was! They sure do have an app for everything these days! After about 9 hours of contractions, and 1.5 pushes, our little angel was born! 8 lbs 1.5 oz! She was due on Sept 9, so I'm glad she decided to come early! Thankfully, Mom Marquis was down to help watch Cache while we were in the hospital. Today she is 4 months old! She's been growing so fast and has been off the carts big for her age for all of her doctor check ups so far. She's the sweetest little thing and she just loves her big brother. She smiles at him and you can just tell that she admires him. :) Recently, she learned to roll over (both ways), turn in circles on the floor (very slowly!), eat solid foods, and sleep in her own crib! I'm so glad that this little miracle came to live with us!
Cache
He has been so good welcoming his new baby sister into our family. He's so protective and concerned about her. Whenever she cries, he asks if she's hungry, or wants to go "night night". He brings her blankets and toys and tries to feed her m&m's (scary!). I just love watching him give her kisses and ask her if she wants to dance at the end of a movie. I couldn't ask for a better big brother. He is such a light and happiness in our lives. He loves to make movies interactive and runs and hides at the scary parts, laughs at the funny parts and talks to the characters as if they can hear him. He currently is in love with "Rawr" (Brave), "Louise" (Meet the Robinsons), Wall-E, and Stitch (Lilo and Stitch).
He has had a rough few months, though. Our poor monkey slowly lost his ability to walk and even sit up about mid October. He woke up one day from nap and was acting like a drunken sailor getting out of bed. I didn't know this at the time, but this was the beginning (at least from what I noticed) of a slow, downhill trend that would lead to many doctors visits and a hospitalization at Sanford Children's for almost a week. At first it was called "post infectious cerebellar ataxia" and given about a month to improve on it's own. However, because this was a diagnosis of exclusion, and he hadn't had a recent infection, it was a shot in the dark. After he lost the ability to sit up by himself, we took him to the hospital where they ran lots of tests. So far to date, he has had 2 MRI's, 1 lumbar puncture, a chest exray, multiple blood tests and genetic testing. Nothing has come back with an answer. He was given steroids to help with the inflammation in his cerebellum, and he has regained the ability to walk, dance and even run again. His movements are still stiff and wobbly, but he's back to his normal happy self at least. We still don't know why this happened to him, and we don't know when/if it will get completely better, but I'm glad to have my sweet boy feeling better. We have taken him off gluten, as one of his blood tests came back sensitive for gluten, so we will see where that takes us. People around the states, friends, family, and people we don't even know have been praying for him. It's so touching to have so many people thinking about our little boy. Much love to all of you!
Jared
My strong, hard working husband has kept busy at his job, though not as busy as he would like. He's so smart and a very good worker, but they don't seem to acknowledge this or utilize him as much as they should. I'm so pround of him and I can't believe that his 2 year anniversary for his job is coming up next month! That will make him a Trainee 3. 2 more years to go! He's an amazing daddy and husband and I just love watching him play with the kids. Cache gets a kick out of being tickled and tackled and chased. :) Avie is still pretty young, but she does have lots of smiles for daddy!
Randilinn
Being a mother of two is so much more work than just a mother of 1! I just want to give them both all my time and love, but I have had to work to find a balance. Cache was so used to having me to himself, but he has not showed too much jealousy. I just love that he wants to cuddle so much. I suppose it's all the typical things, like sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Especially since, for a while there, Cache was waking up at night throwing 1-2 hour tantrums while he was really sick. I am loving my little family and couldn't ask for more love and laughter in our house. I'm still working as a casual RN at the local hospital, but don't work very often. Honestly, I miss being on the floor, but I wouldn't change watching my kids grow up for anything. I just wish we lived closer to family so we could share them with them! I am currently going to ZUMBA here in Tyndall 1-2 times a week and I love it! So much fun.
2013 has so much to look forward to. There is always a sense of new beginnings at the start of a new year. Hopefully Cache will continue to get better and maybe we can find some answers. If no answers, then I hope he just gets better. I kind of find myself shocked to know that this year is my 10 year high school reunion. I remember watching movies about such events growing up, always saying that I WILL attend my reunion! Being so far away and knowing that there are no set plans yet, I'm not sure if that will happen, but I might have to rig a small one of my own with friends! This year I will turn 28, Jared will turn 30, Cache will turn 3, and Avie will turn 1! It will be 12 years since I started dating my husband and 8 years since we got married, 2 years since we moved to South Dakota and 7 years since we left Washington. It's a crazy life, but it's mine and I wouldn't change it for the world. I love my family and friends and wish you all love and luck in the new year. I know this is long with no pictures, but I'm not able to add any at the moment. I will update it when I can!
