Passing of Time

Nora at 12 weeks

Last night Leo was looking at some old video footage from my first year in the Czech Republic. I realized that I didn't even want to watch it. For some reason, it bothered me to see that I've gotten older and that those special days are already past. I didn't think I was a person who would mind "getting older." I even wondered if there was any point to videotaping events in our lives if I never wanted to watch them! I must admit though that I do like rewatching our wedding video. It was a fairytale wedding (I absolutely loved my dress) and truly a gift from the Lord that He would bless me with such an amazing and Christlike husband. I also love to videotape our daughters (wow! I have daughterS!) I like to compare pictures of Adela when she was 3 months old to pictures of Nora now. I'm constantly reminded how quickly time passes and the huge responsibility I have as a parent. May the Lord give me wisdom daily to use my time wisely to teach my sweet girls to walk in His ways. "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways." Psalm 128:1

Nora Update 3

More good news today! Nora's hip has continued to improve. She will continue to wear the brace for the next 4 weeks at least until her next appointment on June 3rd. Thank you all again for your prayers. Here is a video of Nora in her crib. You can catch a hint of a smile. We think she looks more like Leo's side of the family.

Thumb Sucking

About 3 weeks ago, Nora or Norinka as we affectionately call her, discovered her thumb. Since then, she often happily soothes herself to sleep with her little thumb. I think it is cute and I'm actually quite happy that I don't have to keep up with a pacifier and that she can soothe herself. Of course, I have heard all the horror stories: "My son sucked his thumb until he was 12 and cost us thousands in dental work...oh,no, you have a thumb sucker, she'll never stop...it's easier to throw away a pacifier than to break them of a thumb..." I'm sure you've heard them too.
For now I think I'll take the advice of the authers of "What to Expect The First Year." Here is what they say about thumb sucking: "It isn't easy being a baby. Every time you latch on to something that gives you the comfort and satisfaction you're searching for, somebody wants to take it away from you...stop worrying and start letting your baby indulge himself." Of course though, "if you yourself are disturbed by the thumb sucking because of prior programming, try to psych yourself out of it. If that doesn't work, you might want to substitute a pacifier for your baby's thumb temporarily - assuming you don't also have an aversion to that. But, of course, that will leave you with a new habit to break."

Finally found that thumb!

Adela's idea of fun is loading Nora up with all her toys! This morning as I was doing some laundry, I noticed that Adela had gotten very quiet. I went down the hall to find her in the crib with Nora! She had used a step stool to climb over. She said she DIDN'T wake her, but I'm not so sure about that.

New Pig E. Bank

Thank you Aunt Grandma for my new Pig E. Bank! It's great! I had fun finding it on the table this morning and putting coins in it! Now I'll start saving for college. :) Love, Adela

Progress and Pancakes

Waiting for Nora's Ultrasound
I'm really happy to tell you that Nora's hip has improved! Praise the Lord! Thank you for all your prayers and keep praying! We go back in 2 weeks - May 6th. If this brace continues to work then Nora won't need a cast. I've heard so many stories from different friends who had hip dysplasia or knew someone in their family who had it. It's quite common and so far Nora's been quite fortunate. Some kids have braces, harnesses or casts for a year or more.

Our family is into pancakes and I don't mean the Bisquick kind. I love to experiment with different pancake recipes, especially ones made from whole wheat flour. And I almost always add chocolate chips to mine! Anyway, if any of you also like making your own pancakes here is a delicious recipe that I found in a Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking magazine ( I loved and made at least 15 of the recipes in the March issue). The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, but I use whole wheat for at least half of what it calls for. Try them, they're delicious!!

Banana Pancakes
2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1 cup whole wheat/1 cup all-purpose)
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom (or cinnamon)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk (you can use 2 Tbsp. vinegar added to 2 cups regular milk)
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 small firm banana, finely chopped

_ _ _ _ _

1. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and cardamom. Combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in banana.

2. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot griddle coated with cooking spray. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until second side is golden brown.

Nora Update

Thank you so much to all of you who are praying for Nora. I appreciate all your notes of encouragement. I've felt such a peace in the last few days not only about Nora's hips, but about other "obstacles" we are facing in our lives. I feel that God has a special plan for us and that I need to trust Him, be patient and continue to "work" hard at being the mom He has called me to be.

We had a good visit with the orthopedic yesterday. Nora's right hip is fine and the doctor isn't worried about it at all anymore. Her left hip has not changed but it has also not gotten worse. The doctor said this is a good sign. Keep praying that this brace will work.

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.