Baby 2's Heart looks PERFECT!

We had an ultrasound today at my old high risk doctor’s office. They showed us all of the different parts of the heart where Daniel had defects and they all looked perfect so far!

We go back in at the end of January to have an Echo done of the baby’s heart and will be watched throughout the rest of the pregnancy. The doctor said that things could “evolve” but the chances are very low.

The baby was approximately 15 oz and we were told that it was measuring a bit large – funny to us since Daniel’s weight has been low. It was crazy busy too – bouncing all around inside!

It was a very happy moment for us and a great early Christmas present!!! We wanted to share the good news with you all.

We had some professional pictures of Daniel taken recently. Even though he was sleepy and crabby that night, they turned out really cute! A few of them can be seen here: http://imagesofessencephotography.blogspot.com/2008/12/miracle-man.html

God Bless – Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men’”!

(Luke 2: 1-14).

Merry Christmas from the Emmitt family –

Andy, Beth, Daniel and Baby 2!

This Christmas ends a year that has brought us even closer to God and each other. We have been blessed by support, prayers and even through music. As in 2007, this past year had its bumps in the road – but God has helped us and shown us the detours.

Daniel has grown from a beautiful baby to a handsome little boy. Last month his cardiologist told us that he didn’t see any real changes in his condition in the past 6 months and thought he was doing very well. We go back in April for his next check up.

Just two & a half teeth so far (one is currently poking through), and he has just become brave enough to take those first steps! We’re not pushing him though – he will be our big boy before we know it!

Speaking of big boy – Daniel will be a big brother sometime in May 2009. Baby Emmitt #2 is what we are calling an “unexpected blessing,” and we couldn’t be happier. We don’t plan on finding out the gender of this baby – the surprise is just too much fun! We have an ultrasound scheduled for December 23^rd with the high risk doctor I saw with Daniel. We are praying for a 100% healthy baby! This baby has been a beautiful reminder of the verse we have had on this site from day one – God has a plan!

Andy’s company – Air-Tite Insulation – has also been blessed this past year. His hard work and dedication and lots of prayers have lead to steady jobs in this tough economy. Now is the perfect time to add insulation to your attic and save on your energy bills – just give Andy a call! : )

2008 saw me to my sixth year working for Terri Lynn Land. It has gone by so quickly! Two more years with this term, but we should soon see the direction in which God is calling her. I am blessed with an amazing group of co-workers that I am proud to call my friends!

We thank you all so much for your continued support and prayers!

Merry Christmas!

He's 13 months and I'm 17 Weeks

The Emmitt family is doing well!

Daniel’s birthday was great – he didn’t quite understand the cake and all he could do to it the first time, so we celebrated twice :D

He had his Cardiologist appointment a few weeks ago. The doctor told me that he looks great and from the EKG results, he didn’t think that there had been much of a change in the past six months. He could still hear his heart murmur, but didn’t think it was necessary to do an ECHO. We will go back in April for another check up.

The Pediatrician appointment was much the same.
Weight: 19 lbs 14 oz
Height: 29 ½ inches
Head: Huge! (90th percentile)
The doctor ordered another round of RSV shots for Daniel this winter. Downside, he will have to get a shot every month. Upside, he will be more protected from contracting RSV. Overall, he thought that Daniel was doing really well! We go back in February for his 15 month shots.

Daniel is just starting to get brave enough to take some steps on his own – I believe that 7 or 8 steps are the record so far. He can do it, he just needs a little more courage!

Food… oh, my once wonderful eater that would eat anything we feed him is now being picky. We’ll keep pushing the veggies, but its tough not to laugh when he just opens his mouth and lets them fall out. Laura is going to get fat! I can’t imagine feeding a toddler without a dog below!!

Baby Emmitt #2 seems to be doing great so far. The ultrasound pictures in the post below were taken when I was 11 weeks 6 days. I had the first trimester quad screen done to test for Downs and the Trisomies - tests I had done via amino after Daniel’s heart condition was discovered. This time I just had to have some blood squeezed out of my finger and the ultrasound done. The test results were negative – things looking good so far!

I had morning sickness for about a month, but am now in my 4th month and feeling really good. I’ve really “popped” and almost look pregnant and not just fat :D

I’ve had a lot of personal struggles with the issue of giving birth this time around. I’ve done a lot of research on VBACs and feel that if this baby is 100% healthy, that is the route I will take. This requires me finding a new OB and new hospital, which I will do after our big ultrasound.

I’ve been seeing the OB I had at the beginning of my pregnancy with Daniel and will see her one more time tomorrow. We will then schedule my big ultrasound with the high risk doctor I saw in Grand Rapids during the second half of my pregnancy with Daniel.

I will update the blog with any news. Please continue to pray for us and baby 2!

Being Fruitful and Multiplying!

Here comes number two!

Daniel will welcome a brother or sister (sorry, but we like to be surprised!) in the beginning of May, 2009.

These ultrasound pictures are from a few weeks ago, when the baby was just 12 weeks old. Technology (and God!) is amazing.

The babies will be about 18 months apart! Anyone that wants to babysit next summer is more than welcome :D

ONE YEAR OLD!

Praise be to God!

Daniel is one year old today!

It has been one amazing year.

We were blessed with the charge to take care of this beautiful little boy.

We thank God for every day with Daniel.
Next week we have a cardiologist appointment - his first in 6 months!

We pray that Daniel's heart is functioning perfectly!

Watch our boy grow!

Thank you so much to all of you who have followed our blog

and prayed for our family!

God has a plan!

11 Months

Getting in to trouble is easy for Daniel.

He can scoot in and out of any room.

He’ll play with his toys for about 3 minutes, and then it’s off to the dog bowl!

He is even crawling on his hands and knees.

He is such a good boy.

It is tough to believe he’ll be one in less than a month!

Soldier Steven

We had the privilege of driving to Fort Knox, KY and watching Daniel’s Uncle Steven graduate from Army Basic Training. We are so proud of him!

We arrived Wednesday night and stayed at the military campground in a nice cabin. Granny, Jed, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Nate were also with us.

Thursday morning we went on to the base and walked into a gymnasium to see 218 of the most brave guys in the United States. After brief “instructions” on what the soldiers were and weren’t allowed to do, we were able to see Steven for the first time since July 8th.

He was allowed to leave the base for the day, but had to be back by 9:30 pm. We went to lunch and then went back to the campground for the rest of the day. It was great family time.

We took him back to the base early (so he’d have enough time to change!) and got to spend a few more minutes with him. They allowed the families to stay around and watch the formations of the platoons – hearing them chant the Soldiers’ Creed brought tears to my eyes. These guys look so young (most are 18 years old) and they have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom.

Friday morning we went back to the base and sat in the stands as the soldiers did a ceremonial graduation. Just 15 minutes after it ended, Steven had to get on a bus and travel to Maryland for the next 17 weeks of training. We’re hoping that he’ll get some good leave time around the holidays!

It is impossible to describe how proud we are of him!!!

Update!

Yes, we have been busy. But that is no excuse for not giving you all an update!

At his 9 ½ month check up, he was 18 lbs 6 oz – finally up into the 12th percentile.

His head size grew to the 94th percentile!

The doctor said, “He sure is growing big brains!”

Daniel is crawling everywhere, sitting up from his stomach and pulling himself up to stand.

The day I caught him standing in his crib was awesome!

Except now he’ll only play with his toys for about 20 seconds before he is off going after a cord in the wall or the dog dish.

He grew up so fast this past month!