Rob let John David sit on Ellie's Dora Four Wheeler yesterday just to see what he would do...it took about 3 seconds after foot to pedal, before he was MOVIN! I have a feeling there just might be a new set of wheels in the near future around here...Happy Birthday or Merry Christmas...Mommy is probably ordering a Hummer for her little men!!!! And you gotta notice at the end of the video how he is standing up with handle bars clenched trying to scale the yard....so fun...such a blessing to spend the afternoon outside playing with all of our kids.
Our blog is the story of two precious, miracle baby boys, James Daniel and John David. Check out "Our Story" link for the full details of our story!
John David Pate-3years old
James Daniel Pate-3years old
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Two Years Ago today...Brookwood Bound!
November 22, 2008
Two years ago today I walked into Brookwood Hospital with a suitcase of 'the simple things' without knowing what the outcome would be. My pregnancy had sustained to the 27th week gestation..which was miraculous in itself after all the scares along the way. However, I still stand to this day with one particular memory of that first afternoon. I sat on my bed, looking around at the white walls that felt as though they were closing in around me....tons of emotion flooding my mind and heart...mostly terror...worrying with not knowing what would happen..what the outcome would be...and then all of a sudden, as if a switch flipped, I opened a book called "Divine Moments from God", opened it randomly, and the first page I turned to was titled "Miracles"...yep..freaked me out a little bit, and the verse written under the title read, "Come and see the awesome miracles God performs for His people" Psalm 66:5....and at that moment it was so clear to me as my heart stopped racing, my soul felt peace and my mind calmed down...It was as if God was telling me, "Dana don't worry, You are about to witness a miracle with these little boys...I have them taken care of, look how far I have carried you already"
I think for the first time in my life, God spoke to me. Some people would call it a real crafty coincidence, but I felt the Holy Spirit in that room, Rm 223, on November 22, 2008. Somehow, at that moment I realized that not only had He carried me (and the boys) through this pregnancy of doom, but He was not about to leave me on this journey, and His miracle had just begun....
November 22, 2010
Two years later, these boys are thriving unbelievably. The are very near their second birthday, and are developing wonderfully. They are speaking around 65 words the last time I listed them out. Our pediatrician said, "I am astounded, really Dana, how well they are doing"
We are so thankful. Then, Now and Forever...
I am sure I will be 87 years old one day and say, "Boys, do yall know what today is...57 years ago on this day, I entered the hospital and God spoke to me...I wanted to worry, but He told me He had you taken care of!"
Two years ago today I walked into Brookwood Hospital with a suitcase of 'the simple things' without knowing what the outcome would be. My pregnancy had sustained to the 27th week gestation..which was miraculous in itself after all the scares along the way. However, I still stand to this day with one particular memory of that first afternoon. I sat on my bed, looking around at the white walls that felt as though they were closing in around me....tons of emotion flooding my mind and heart...mostly terror...worrying with not knowing what would happen..what the outcome would be...and then all of a sudden, as if a switch flipped, I opened a book called "Divine Moments from God", opened it randomly, and the first page I turned to was titled "Miracles"...yep..freaked me out a little bit, and the verse written under the title read, "Come and see the awesome miracles God performs for His people" Psalm 66:5....and at that moment it was so clear to me as my heart stopped racing, my soul felt peace and my mind calmed down...It was as if God was telling me, "Dana don't worry, You are about to witness a miracle with these little boys...I have them taken care of, look how far I have carried you already"
I think for the first time in my life, God spoke to me. Some people would call it a real crafty coincidence, but I felt the Holy Spirit in that room, Rm 223, on November 22, 2008. Somehow, at that moment I realized that not only had He carried me (and the boys) through this pregnancy of doom, but He was not about to leave me on this journey, and His miracle had just begun....
November 22, 2010
Two years later, these boys are thriving unbelievably. The are very near their second birthday, and are developing wonderfully. They are speaking around 65 words the last time I listed them out. Our pediatrician said, "I am astounded, really Dana, how well they are doing"
We are so thankful. Then, Now and Forever...
I am sure I will be 87 years old one day and say, "Boys, do yall know what today is...57 years ago on this day, I entered the hospital and God spoke to me...I wanted to worry, but He told me He had you taken care of!"
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Prematurity Awareness Day....
Today is Prematurity Awareness Day and I guess as long as I live, I will remember this day. Not that November 17th has special meaning specifically, but the day of remembrance and support of spreading awareness for prematurity is a reason this day will always be special. The memories of the NICU are still very fresh in my mind. I guess once you experience something as such, you never forget. For those moms out there that never experience the NICU preemie life, consider yourself blessed, and for those moms out there that have experienced the roller coaster ride of the NICU with a preemie, consider yourself especially blessed! Preemies are specially designed by God and so are the moms he chooses to bless one with.
Ironically, today we had the boys' two year check up. Our pediatrician was amazed at their development. She said, "I am astounded at the cognitive and verbal development"...Other than being smaller than average, these boys have NO concerns from their prematurity...they have achieved every single milestone for a 2 year old, and they really aren't two years old until Dec. 11th....what a huge blessing! Thank you God for the beautiful lives of James Daniel and John David!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Two Phrases the BOYS are OVER--Using....
"NO MOMMA NO"...
and
"MOMMA DAT, MOMMA DAT"...
The boys are talking up a storm...thankful for the chattering, but boy does it make the noise level in our home ten times louder and seemingly more chaotic than this time last year. I remember sitting on the couch last year each morning working with the boys "trying to talk" and learning to communicate, and this year, they are constantly talking, yelling, even whining...yes, both boys have learned the art of 'whining'....it is comical to listen to them hover at my feet with arms reaching upward and whine "Mommmmmmmmmaaaa"....:)
Daddy watching Auburn football while Mommy was wiping up the explosion of ice-cream sandwich all over the kitchen, but forgot to wipe off the little monsters that made the mess...ha!
Playing with their sisters' markers and marker tops...keeps them busy for a long time, taking a part markers and reattaching the tops!
New vocab both boys are speaking lately...
B-Ball (for basketball)...more so John David...he is infatuated with balls
Mess-Mam (for yes mam)
Doan (for Miss Joan)
Mulk (for milk)
E-yee (for Ellie)
Jis Jee (for Jenna...thinking they are confusing 'Jenna and Sissy'
Funniest conversation lately...
Me: "John David, do you want to watch a movie?"
John David: "Pete, Pete, Pete" (for Pete's Dragon...they love it)
James: "Bite, no Bubba, Bite" (Because James thinks every animal bites)
Me: "Who wants to watch Pete's Dragon?"
BOTH BOYS RAISE THEIR HANDS AND SAY ME!
I love how they are communicating with us..it is funny to sometimes figure out what they want, but for Pete's Dragon...very clearly, one says, "PETE" and the other one says "BITE"...
The boys are doing great at school. They are learning so much every single day. I told one of our caregivers this morning, that there really aren't words to describe how thankful I am for our situation. Our boys (and Jenna) are able to be in a home (cleaner than my own home) where they are cared for and loved on all day. We have been 'in school' for about 12 weeks and they have learned so much, they are happy when I drop them off and happy when I pick them up, they eat wonderful meals, they play outside in the best backyard ever, they have not been sick AT ALL, and they spend their days with the same group of friends that they have been with since birth. Truly, truly, truly thankful for the daily care my babies receive from Joan Brock and Jenn Goode (and even Lee Fogle and Joan's husband Mr. Ronnie when he is home from work) It is just awesome to be able to go to work and enjoy my day knowing they are happy, well taken care of, learning and playing...a definite blessing I acknowledge daily..
Lastly, I wanted to mention a family at our church that recently lost their 9 month old daughter, Olivia, to SIDS last weekend. It is so heart wrenching I don't even have words....just please if you don't mind, pray for this sweet family. Their names are Cannon and Kristen Prickett. They were out of town visiting family. They layed Olivia down to sleep Friday night in her pack n play and Saturday morning when Kristen went in to get her up, she was dead. My heart just ached Sunday morning as I worked the nursery..sweet Olivia wasn't there...and I can't get the thoughts out of my head...the absolute horror of walking into wake up your beautiful, healthy baby girl like you do every morning, to find that she is dead....horrible, sickening, tragic...and I know my faith says to not question, so I won't, but I am asking God who is the author of life and holds the keys to our future in His hands, to embrace this family and comfort them as they now learn to 'do life' without their only daughter, Olivia.
and
"MOMMA DAT, MOMMA DAT"...
The boys are talking up a storm...thankful for the chattering, but boy does it make the noise level in our home ten times louder and seemingly more chaotic than this time last year. I remember sitting on the couch last year each morning working with the boys "trying to talk" and learning to communicate, and this year, they are constantly talking, yelling, even whining...yes, both boys have learned the art of 'whining'....it is comical to listen to them hover at my feet with arms reaching upward and whine "Mommmmmmmmmaaaa"....:)
Daddy watching Auburn football while Mommy was wiping up the explosion of ice-cream sandwich all over the kitchen, but forgot to wipe off the little monsters that made the mess...ha!
Playing with their sisters' markers and marker tops...keeps them busy for a long time, taking a part markers and reattaching the tops!
New vocab both boys are speaking lately...
B-Ball (for basketball)...more so John David...he is infatuated with balls
Mess-Mam (for yes mam)
Doan (for Miss Joan)
Mulk (for milk)
E-yee (for Ellie)
Jis Jee (for Jenna...thinking they are confusing 'Jenna and Sissy'
Funniest conversation lately...
Me: "John David, do you want to watch a movie?"
John David: "Pete, Pete, Pete" (for Pete's Dragon...they love it)
James: "Bite, no Bubba, Bite" (Because James thinks every animal bites)
Me: "Who wants to watch Pete's Dragon?"
BOTH BOYS RAISE THEIR HANDS AND SAY ME!
I love how they are communicating with us..it is funny to sometimes figure out what they want, but for Pete's Dragon...very clearly, one says, "PETE" and the other one says "BITE"...
The boys are doing great at school. They are learning so much every single day. I told one of our caregivers this morning, that there really aren't words to describe how thankful I am for our situation. Our boys (and Jenna) are able to be in a home (cleaner than my own home) where they are cared for and loved on all day. We have been 'in school' for about 12 weeks and they have learned so much, they are happy when I drop them off and happy when I pick them up, they eat wonderful meals, they play outside in the best backyard ever, they have not been sick AT ALL, and they spend their days with the same group of friends that they have been with since birth. Truly, truly, truly thankful for the daily care my babies receive from Joan Brock and Jenn Goode (and even Lee Fogle and Joan's husband Mr. Ronnie when he is home from work) It is just awesome to be able to go to work and enjoy my day knowing they are happy, well taken care of, learning and playing...a definite blessing I acknowledge daily..
Lastly, I wanted to mention a family at our church that recently lost their 9 month old daughter, Olivia, to SIDS last weekend. It is so heart wrenching I don't even have words....just please if you don't mind, pray for this sweet family. Their names are Cannon and Kristen Prickett. They were out of town visiting family. They layed Olivia down to sleep Friday night in her pack n play and Saturday morning when Kristen went in to get her up, she was dead. My heart just ached Sunday morning as I worked the nursery..sweet Olivia wasn't there...and I can't get the thoughts out of my head...the absolute horror of walking into wake up your beautiful, healthy baby girl like you do every morning, to find that she is dead....horrible, sickening, tragic...and I know my faith says to not question, so I won't, but I am asking God who is the author of life and holds the keys to our future in His hands, to embrace this family and comfort them as they now learn to 'do life' without their only daughter, Olivia.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
John David playing "bawl"...aka...ball!
Here is the child that "had a very slim chance of surviving" and then a very slim chance of "being normal" and then a kid with "substantial delay and fine motor skills" who now appears to be SURVIVING, NORMALLY WITH PRETTY DANG GOOD FINE MOTOR SKILLS!
I love the miracle God gave us in these boys...It is just really cool to witness it each day. I don't take it for granted one single moment...I am reminded all the time what an amazement these guys are.
And by the way, John David is obsessed with 'bawls'....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)