Tummy time! Mila, left; Ella, right
We've stayed busy with weekly trips to Dallas for various appointments/procedures but have also enjoyed time spent with our sweet girls as we help out so Stacee can work some; definitely the highlight of each week! They are at such a fun age...smiling, rolling over, "talking" and really becoming interactive with people and their environment; as well as "blowing bubbles" and drooling like crazy!
Little Miss Sunshine, Mila!
They typically sleep 10 hours a night and still need to be fed every 3+ hours during the day; then play some and then nap about 45 mins between each feed. They are doing fabulous, especially considering their adjusted age! At their last appt they weighed in at: Mila 12 lbs, and Ella 12 lb 3 oz. and are 23 1/2 inches and 24 inches. Stacee and Ryan are doing a great job with them; they are healthy, happy, easy, babies.
Ella ready to hit the pool!
We've been blessed in so many ways the last few weeks. Several people randomly sent us financial gifts at a most difficult time; allowing us to not only pay off the new a/c compressor, but also put a little back into our savings. Why does it always amaze us to experience God's faithful provision? He promises to "supply all [our] needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus"; why do we struggle to trust Him in this? Forgive us, Father, help us in our unbelief.
Even more amazing to us, is that people would take it upon themselves to step out and bless us monetarily, as well as through acts of services. A special thanks to each of you for your generosity and a shout out to a special someone who gave of his vacation time to do some much-needed tree trimming for us. You're a blessing, brother!
On to Ron:
Between regulating the blood thinner therapy, implementing a low potassium diet (which has successfully gotten potassium level back within normal range) and tweaking meds to see if we can get increased yakking under control, Ron's not felt real terrific. Poor guy, the new med he was switched to made him even more sick for about 4 days until it was discontinued.
Dr A decided it was time do an Upper GI to take a new look at things, so Thursday morning we battled the traffic to be at Presby by 8AM, ugh! The results show definite reflux with significant esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)-nothing new there; but with as much medication as he's on, the hope is it would be better controlled. Unfortunately, all the yakking he does exacerbates this chronic condition.
The results also show the valve between the stomach and small intestine seems thicker than expected but looks to be functioning properly. Thankfully, there is no evidence of blockage or narrowing. Dr. A wants him to have an EGD-- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (scope of esophagus, stomach, duodenum) to evaluate these abnormalities; as well as a colonoscopy--yeah, we've reached that age! Fortunately, they are able to do them together, so he's scheduled for Tuesday, July 6, at Presbyterian.
Ron must be off the Lovenox (blood thinner) for a few days before these are performed, which actually works out to his benefit. For the 4th we are going to the lake and since he'll be off the Lovenox, he has been approved to ride the jet ski...as long as he doesn't do anything crazy...basically only allowed to cruise around the lake, but he's super-excited about this opportunity at normalcy!
Please pray as Ron has these procedures done next week. It would be so good to find something definitive that could be "fixed"; this daily yakking is not only frustrating for him and extremely wearing on him, but also has some potentially nasty long term effects.
As you celebrate the freedoms our country enjoys, I challenge you to be especially mindful of the freedom we have at Christ's expense.
"If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed" John 8:36
Much love,
Christie
Notes from random devotional readings:
"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness, I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
God gets the most glory in the life surrendered to Him, though it's hard for a self-sufficient person to submit. He does the most work in our helplessness.
Father, help me to see my weaknesses as a place where You can demonstrate your strength. God, I'm asking you to do something new and miraculous!
"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you"
2 Cor 12:9
Trusting God to do something new and miraculous! I know He is faithful and always provides everything we need...not necessarily in the way we would hope, yet better than what we could imagine!
Mila, pink; Ella, red
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