What a difference a year makes!

It is hard to believe that Grady's first year is complete. What a challenging, yet blessed, year my family has had. You all have taken this long journey with us. One of our many blessing, this year, has been your support, prayer and love. Without that, we would not be here today. Thank you.

A long time has passed since we last talked. With Grady home, it has been a little busy around here. Every time I promise to keep this up, something gets in the way. So, no more promises. Hopefully, there will be more time, now that Grady has us on a schedule. He is still taking his feeds every three to three and half hours, but has increased his intake to 6 ounces. Little G is weighing in at 14.2 pounds and is 25 1/2 inches long. He has moved through the 6 months clothes and into the 9 month sizes. That is a lot of growth in two months.

Grady has one of the best big sisters around. She can make him laugh more than any of us can.

This little boy will bust out with one of those smiles that just makes you laugh. The boy is also trying to talk around his trach. If you listen, he will push air hard enough to make a small squeak. Again, that makes all of us laugh along with him.

Grady had another surgery several weeks ago. He got to spend the night in Daddy's travel trailer the night before. All went very well and we had Pants back home Saturday afternoon. Ten days later the stitches came out and our little guy got an all clear. He will have a follow up MRI soon to ensure all is working as intended.

You have to know, the first picture is on Grady's birthday. As you can see, we did not get much response from him. He sat in his high chair and stared at the cake. Poor little fella did not know what to do with that big blue Cookie Monster on his tray. Emma blew out his candle. That was the high light of the cake. Daddy gave him a taste of the icing, but G was not so impressed. He shivered! So much for his sweet tooth.

OH, I almost forgot. This morning Grady woke up with TWO bottom front teeth. Guess this little man of ours is not going to waiste any time cutting teeth. Let's just get this over with and do it by twos.

Well, there is so much more to tell you, but this will go on forever if I don't stop now. And, hello everyone at CCSD and First Bank. I will be back with more news and pictures.

Talk soon,

JoJo

Snuggling In

Well, Grady is getting all snuggled in at home. He has had three weeks to learn how to rule the roost. He is doing a great job at that in case you were wondering. As you can see, Emma and Grady enjoy the same cartoon shows. You have to know how wonderful it is to see how Emma helps take care of our little man. She is such a wonderful help. We still have to remind her that Grady can not see her when she is that close to him, but most kids want to get nose to nose when they talk to babies. My favorite story, so far, is Emma getting up the second morning Grady was home. She came into the living room where Grady was eating breakfast. With sleep still in her eyes, she walked up to me and smiled at her brother as she reached for the alcohol gel to clean her hands before she touched Grady. You think we have asked her if her hands are clean a little too much? She is such a smart one, let me tell you.

Grady is doing very well on his new formula. He is gaining weight and growing out of his 6 month footed pajamas. We have not checked his length, but he is definately getting longer. We are still watching his calorie intake. He is enjoying some of the cereals and fruits Mommy got for him. This little boy might just get the hang of the spoon feedings. Since Grady has been home, he is beginning to control his head. It helps to have this many play toys holding and carrying him around. We have noticed that Grady is very interested in his surroundings. As you walk to a different room in the house, he is checking it out. It is a new blessing every day to wake up knowing that today Grady is going to enjoy another day at home.

Thank you, thank you for being patient with us. Once we get through the RSV season, Grady will be able to have more company. It is so hard not to just call everyone up and say come meet this little boy you have been praying for. One of these days, though.... Until then, just know how much you mean to us and how very thankful we are for your love and support. Your prayers have brought this little family together.

Talk soon,

JoJo

Home! Need I say more!

As most of you know, Grady is home. It has been a wonderful, busy time. Grady got home on the 22nd of December, just in time for Christmas. Needless to say, it was the best Christmas present this family has ever had. Now that we are settling in and getting a routine started, the days are just vanishing. Grady has a meet and greet doctors visit today. Our little man is doing wonderful and it will be encouraging to see what his doctor thinks of his progress.

Having an immune weak child in the house, will bring its challenges. We are not taking Grady out right now. Visitors are few and far between. We hope you understand if you have not been invited over just yet. The doctors have warned the kids to keep Grady away from groups of people and to avoid having other children in the house until we see just how well he does. The reminders of pre-term statistics keeps us holding firm on visitors. Just know that we would love to have every one of you over here and plan to do just that. It will just have to be one or two at a time. Very soon, we will invite the kids over to see him. For now, we want to ensure that Grady is not one of the children that returns to the hospital within the first month of being home. His survival is our priority, but know that we can not wait until we can share him with his extended family members.

Grady has a new formula that seems to be working great for him. He is taking 130 ml by bottle and seems to be loving it. Sleeping all night is a blessing. Every now and then, we are getting up to clear his airway, but no sleep filled bottles. But be warned, once this little man is awake, he wants his groceries. Although, he does enjoy laying on his changing table and checking out his room. Grady will lay on that pad kicking his legs and looking around. You get to see his adorable smile while he his doing his leg lifts and kicks. Maybe it is the height of the table, who knows. This boy is loving his home.

Well, looks like there is a little noise coming from the napping boy. Better get off of here and go see what is needed. Again, thank you for all of your prayers and support. Knowing you are there gives my family comfort. Grady is a blessed little boy and so are we.

Talk soon,

JoJo