Thursday, February 9, 2012

Almost on the move

Kendall has started to discover a way to be mobile (with a little help from us.)  She is learning how to scoot her right leg while she is on this ride on toy.  As long as we are on the kitchen floor, she can move it with the right as the left just drags alongside.  It is almost as if she doesn't even realize her left leg is even there.  Today she moved about 3 feet before getting mad and wanting up.  She just so happened to make it to the wall and guess who has to now baby proof the kitchen outlets!!


Kendall has been working very hard at building her upper body strength.  We have made a little progress in this recently.  Today Kendall was able to hold herself on her hands and knees for about 5 seconds.  I know this doesn't sound like much but trust me, it is huge for her.  It is really important we build up her arm muscles for her to be able to get around.  In order for her to learn to move from a chair to the floor, she will have to be able to use her arms to bear her weight.

Nights are still a little difficult around here.  She is usually up about 3-4 times a night.  Matt had the wonderful idea of buying a memory foam pad for her crib.  It should be here in the next week.  Her crib mattress is very hard and it could possibly be uncomfortable for her at night with her painful tumors.

Kendall's next scans are quickly approaching.  We will have to go back to Cincinnati on the 20th.  She will get anesthesia for the 27th?? time.  The best case outcome would be to hear the word STABLE.  We have yet to ever hear that in Kendall's life.  If the tumors in her spine are still growing or have started growing faster, we will have to move up her next surgery. If they are stable or slow growing, we will still be on schedule for waiting until spring for her next surgery.  Also, she will be doing another HVA/VMA to test for neuroblastoma.  The last two tests have been elevated but the doctors have not been able to find the cancerous tumor.  Please pray that they are still unable to find it.  I am believing 100% that the levels will be back down and we won't have to even consider cancer again.

Thank you everyone for all of the prayers.  I love reading your comments on caring bridge and here.  The benefit to this blog is that I can actually respond to your comments!  I sometimes didn't like that aspect of caring bridge.  Next week is a big week for Matt and I.  We will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary.  Recently, Kendall has spent a few hours with my sister while I had errands to run or training at work.  Each time Kendall managed to survive (and so did my sister) without any tears!  Matt and I may actually get to go on a date for our anniversary.  Crazy huh?!

Love,
Steph

PS.  Had to add in here that the reason she has such a serious face in the pic where she is sticking her finger in the light socket is because I had already told her "NO" about 10 times.  This is her "I do what I want" face!!  Lord help me when she is 16!

11 comments:

  1. Hi there!!

    Olivia is sitting here with me and wants to say hello also. :)
    I love this site and I LOVE the pics of Kendall on her riding toy. Awesome that she is mobile!!
    Much love and constant prayers for you all. Hope to see you soon.
    xoxo
    Andrea n Liv

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    1. Hi Andrea and Olivia!! Glad you like our new site. It is way better than caring bridge!

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  2. love her serious look in the first pic. good to hear she learning to move around on the toy.

    Several here in MN are continuing to pray daily. Will be thinking of you all on the 20th for the upcoming scan. Noah has his late March.

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    1. Brian, I updated the end of the post to explain that serious face. It is pretty funny. I pray for stable for Kendall and Noah.

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  3. Was thinking about you Today! So excited to see her scooting around on the ride on toy! Hope to see you soon. Praying for you!

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  4. I'm so proud of Kendall and her increasing physical strength. I just watched the video of her eating ice cream and it made me laugh. Hope you guys are doing well! Hang in there!

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  5. Oh my, Kendall looks so grown up on that scooter! Good for her! I'm sure it delighted you in some small way when she tested the limits with the light socket. After all, the "normalcy" is what we pray for with these special kids we have, isnt it? I still have those moments with Jesse and he's 14!!! As always, we will be saying prayers for stability. When I told Jesse how many times Kenall has had anesthesia he said a very sympathetic, "awwww!" Jesse does not enjoy that experience because he always throws up afterward and he's got a surgery coming up in March. I'm sure he will be thinking of baby Kendall this time. :)

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  6. I was so thrilled to see Kendall on that riding toy. That must be so exciting to see her moving around like that. Thanks for posting these pics of her. :)

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  7. WOW! I've seen that look before! Way to go Kendall!

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  8. Debby Mooney - COLE's Prayer TeamFebruary 10, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    I love these pictures! But what is it that makes a kid want "test" their parents, LOL! Oh well, I guess I understand why "no" is a word every child seems to pick up on early in life (even if they do choose to ignore you!!) I hope that you and Matt do get to enjoy your anniversary, you have certainly earned a fun night out! God Bless, you're all in my prayers

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  9. I am so glad to see Kendall getting around on the ride-on toy! I love the pictures and the serious face! My daughter is 6 and we have said the same thing about Lord help us when she's 16!:) I am praying the memory foam mattress pad will help everyone get more sleep! Also praying for stable scans and absolutely no signs of neuroblastoma! Happy Anniversary this week...I hope you guys get to go out and celebrate! Love and hugs to your precious family!

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