Seven Weeks with Nora

Nora in her "hip" harness

It is hard to believe that Nora is already 7 weeks old today. I feel like I just brought her home from the hospital. It is a constant reminder to cherish each moment. Nora is a sweet and mostly happy baby. She sleeps wonderfully at night, but is fussy during the day. She can get quite gassy and lets us all know. She really likes it if we undo her diaper and just let her do her business out in the open! I know, I know - TMI. :)

She's starting to notice her surrounding and gives us smiles. At Nora's first pediatrician's visit, the doctor found a very obvious "click" in her left hip. I had heard of this because all babies are routinely checked for hip dysplasia by ultrasound in the Czech Republic. Adela was checked at about 6 weeks of age and was fine. So, when Nora was 2 weeks old we were sent to Brenner Children's hospital in Winston for a hip ultrasound and then a visit with the orthopedist. They told us that she has "hip dysplasia" which occurs in about 4 out of 1000 births. It basically means her hips were dislocated at birth. The doctor fitted Nora with a special harness called the Wheaton-Pavlik harness. You can see a picture of it here and read more about it if you are interested. http://www.wheatonbrace.com/products/wpharness.html She wore this for 4 weeks and we just returned from her 3rd visit to the orthopedist yesterday. This is a picture of her above in the Pavlik harness. The right hip responded well to the harness and will basically be alright. But, her left hip is being quite stubborn. It is pretty much completely out of the socket and could possibly need surgery and a cast. We received a new type of brace for her as well. This one is more rigid and fits over her diaper. We can bathe and change her now. I actually preferred the harness because I feel terrible taking this brace on and off her. It just looks uncomfortable. The doctor said that we will try this one for about 3 weeks and then discuss the next step.

Nora looking a little grumpy. :)

We praise the Lord that this was discovered so early. I can't imagine how hard it must be to do this with a child who is already walking for example. Please pray that this brace will work and that Nora will not need surgery or a cast. I trust the Lord has this in His hands and His will would be done. We'd really appreciate your prayers for Nora and that the doctor would be correct in his diagnosis.

Waiting

Waiting is such a lovely word. There is a world of patience or rather impatience enclosed in that word. I think of all the nice things in life we have to wait for - waiting for an answer to a job interview, waiting for a special phone call, waiting to meet Mr. Right, waiting for the wedding day, counting down the days until our child is born. And, that is just a few of the wonderful things we wait for. The best thing to do is cherish these times of waiting and know that God has a plan.

I went to the doctor today and I could be waiting a little longer, but there is an end in sight. I had a non-stress test of the baby's heartbeat and all is fine. I'm finally moving along in the dilation process and have had a few contractions. The baby's head is further down as well. BUT, if she doesn't come over the weekend, I will be induced on Monday, which happens to be my birthday. Wouldn't that be a nice birthday gift! Although I hope that she will come much sooner and on her own.

I will go on waiting and cherishing these final moments of pregnancy and look forward to meeting our baby girl. Thanks for your prayers!

Čokoláda z „Paříže“
Nevím na kolik je vám můj nejoblíbenější narozeninový dort známý pod jménem „Pařížský dort“, nicméně mamka mi ho vždycky na narozeniny dělala. A tak jsem si řekl, že budu pokračovat v tradici i tady za oceánem a tuto kakaovou lahodu udělám Adélce k třetím narozeninám. Mamce jsem zavolal o recept a večer před Adélčinýma narozkama jsem se dal do pečení.

Zjistil jsem, že nejoblíbenější moukou v Čechách (bohužel) je mouka polohrubá... Nevím proč , ale rozhodně je unikátní. Ať jsem hledal jak jsem hledal, kohokoliv jsem se zeptal, nikde jsem ji tady v USA nesehnal. A to sem prosím obvolával i dlouholeté české imigranty. Kdosi mi říkal, že se dá nahradit smícháním hrubé a hladké... Jo, ale hrubou tady taky nemají. Na mouce jsem ztroskotal už na vánočce o Vánocích (sice vypadala pěkně, ale jíst se nedala – ideál tak do výlohy v pekařství). Měl jsem ale obrovské „štěstí“, že se na de mnou Amy slitovala a prohledala zásoby a světe div se, v jedné uzavřené nádobě jsme našli celé 1 kilo! polohrubé mouky z TESCA (viz obrázek)!!! Amy si ji dovezla jako suvenýr někdy v roce 2000. Sice na balení je napsané zkonzumovat do 6-ti měsíců od data vytištěného na obalu, ale to nepočítali s tím, že na druhé straně oceánu je tato mouka nad zlato (sůl tady mají:-).

Vše ostatní jsem sehnal bez problémů a tak jsem se dal do díla. Adélka mi „pomohla“ vše smíchat, takže po smetení části směsi ze stolu zpět do mísi jsem měl základ na spodní část připravenou k pečení. 180°C je cca 350°F, minuty jsou tady stejný, takže za 20 minut jsem vytáhnul z trouby krásný kakaový základ dortu. Druhá vrstva je kakaový krém, na ten jsem se těšil nejvíc. Každému je asi jasné proč. Musí se něčím míchat a to čím se míchá se musí sem tam „očistit“, že... Mňam. Taky jsem konečně pochopil jak se dělá jíška do krému. Vše dopadlo skvěle a krém chutnal stejně jako od maminky (fakt mami, nekecám, sám jsem se divil). Výsledek vidíte na obrázku. Teď je dort přes noc v lednici a zítra na něj dodělám poslední šlehačkovou vrstvu. Tři svíčky to jistí a tradice pokračuje dál.

Pokud by se někdo ptal, proč peču dort já a ne moje žena, tak vysvětlení je jednoduché... Jsem sobec a nikoho nenechám olizovat krém z vařečky;-)

Později přidám foto finálního produktu, teda pokud ho dřív nezhltám...
Tak zase něky, čauky! Leoš

Adélčina oslava třetích narozenin

Adélka má narozeniny sice až 3.února, ale oslavu měla o týden dřív. Hlavně proto, kdyby mamka Amy náhodou měla rodit předčasně:-) Mamka oslavu skvěle připravila. S Adélkou pozvali kamarádky, připravili hry a upekli malé dortíky. Taťka pomohl s výzdobou a foukáním baĺónků. Celá oslava se nesla v duchu princezen ... tady je krátké video, o tom jak oslava probíhala.

First Time Skier on New Year's Eve

We started off the new year on top of a mountain! Thanks to our good friends, we were invited to go skiing New Year's Eve and then see a fireworks show. You know that I was the best skier of course. :) Adela was so excited and eagerly put on her skis and headed to the slopes with Leo. She didn't mind the gale force winds that blew all evening, not to mention the snow blowers blasting in their faces. She did great and even rode on a little conveyor belt up the kiddie slope. We enjoyed the rest of the evening with our friends' youth group playing games and then watching the fireworks. You can see the slideshow of our pictures on the right, plus a short video below.

All day today we have spent cleaning and preparing the baby's room which will be shared with Addy. It will be an interesting transition to have a new baby in just a few weeks. It seems that I just blinked and Adela went from being a newborn to an almost 3 year old! Cherish every moment - that's what I tell myself everyday.

Celebrating Jesus

I love Christmas! I love the lights, the music, the cards, the decorations, putting up the tree, shopping, the Nativity scenes, church plays, choir performances and advent. Most of all I love celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Saviour. It is wonderful to enjoy all of Christmas through Adela's eyes. She lights up when she sees Christmas trees or lights on houses. We are continuing our tradition we started last year of Scripture reading during advent. We haven't really decided what "to do" about Santa. She has seen him in the mall, on TV and people ask her what Santa is bringing her. She sees Santa as a part of Christmas as Mickey Mouse is a part of Disney. I often wornder if she doesn't see Jesus and other biblical characters as just that - characters. I guess, "da-ta-ta-da!!" that is where we as parents come in! Helping her separate the truth of God's word from what the rest of the world teaches will be a constant challenge. I'll be sad when the Christmas music stops on December 26th. At least we have until the 1st of the year to enjoy the lights! Next year we will enjoy these special days again through our new baby girl's eyes - just 8 more weeks and she'll be here - maybe even on Valentine's day!


Merry Christmas to you all and may the Lord guide and encourage you in 2009!

Just after visiting our family for Thanksgiving, we got to stop by Atlanta, GA and see the home of Margaret Mitchell who wrote Gone with the Wind.

The fountains in Olympic Park, Atlanta, GA. Adela LOVED these and got just a little wet!

Enjoying the Christmas lights

Only 8 weeks to go!

Last Days of Fall

Last Sunday we took a day trip to the mountains after church to see the last of the falling leaves and enjoy a beautiful fall day. This is my favorite season and I am very sad to see it end and winter begin. We spent most of the afternoon in this park that a community got together and built themselves. Adela loved climbing, exploring, swinging and making new friends.

Fun times with Dad

I want to be in the circus when I grow up! :)

Adela never got tired of spinning in the tire swing!

25 weeks along