4 Months and Counting...

2 weeks ago we put real clothes on and paid another visit to our favorite pediatrician.
Bryan is CONVINCED that Piper is her happiest when in a sleeper and crabbiest when I dress her for reals.   I have nightmares of sending her to preschool in footed pajamas -- but we'll cross that bridge when the time comes. We have LOTS of other bridges to cross between now and then!!

We officially have a 4 month old that is the size of a 6 month old!! 

Weight: 15# 12oz (90th %)

Height: 26 inches (95th %)

Hard to believe she went from the 50th percentile in height and weight to the 90th+ in just 2 short months!! 

Grow Heart Baby, Grow!!

The office was really busy when we came and Piper did her best to help!!

Piper and Monkey waiting for (4) shots!! She received her last RSV shot for the season. I say this very quietly -- but she seems to have made it through her first winter with no illnesses!!

We got the blessing to begin rice cereal. After the initial confusion\tongue thrusting -- she now inhales the stuff!!

 We are anxiously awaiting Papa (Grandpa Oosting) to plant his garden so we can make yummy heart healthy baby food. Bring on the veggies Piper says!!


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Our next bit of encouraging news came from a visit with Early On last week.

 In case you're not familiar with Early On here is their mission statement... 

Early On Michigan offers early intervention services for infants and toddlers, birth to three years of age, with developmental delay(s) and/or disabilities, and their families.
Research has shown that by addressing delays early on - especially between birth and age 3 - we can more effectively impact a child's development, even into adulthood.

Diane had nothing but positive things to report on Piper. She tested ABOVE her age in all areas except for one where she tested AT her chronological age.
 What a relief and answer to prayers -- I often worry what her morning on the heart\lung machine did to her brain long term!!

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Our last bit of Piper news comes from our follow up to Dr. Lee (the cardiologist) yesterday. She couldn't have been better behaved!! And the over all visit was (mostly) encouraging!!

Note: Why wouldn't we wear our cutest heart outfit to the best heart doctor in town?!? Thanks Meerman's for the pink heart ensemble!! Mama and Pippi likey!!

Katie did an EKG to start. Piper watched her like a hawk, but didn't move a muscle!!

Despite what these pictures make it seem... We do not shave P's head!! She does have hair!! 

Next was the echo with Mr. Jordan!! 

It was nice seeing a familiar face. He had scanned Piper during our stay in the hospital!!

She once again watched carefully, but didn't put up a fight!! Jordan made cool noises and that was enough to keep her attention!!

While waiting for Dr. Lee to come back in, she nervously chewed her monkey and then quickly fell asleep.

Dr Lee said with her shirt on there is NO WAY anyone could tell she's a heart baby!! She's obviously gaining weight beautifully!! (Haha!!) Her color is great and she behaves like a normal 4/5 month old!!

Dr. Lee was pleased with the echo -- but it did show some mild aortic valve leakage!! Leakage is obviously never a good thing... Whether it be your car, bladder, or air conditioner... Leakage = Bad!!

Dr. Lee was incredibly reassuring though. He said it's almost expected in these heart babies. It's not something he's concerned about (at this point) and he doesn't want to see us again till after she turns ONE!! Like 365 days old people!! SEVEN WHOLE MONTHS FROM NOW!!

I asked if there was a medication she could take to curtail the leakage -- That was a big fat NO!! He said if there was a medication that it would put our beloved heart surgeon, Dr. Haw out of business. 

So for the next 222 days (Yes, I counted!) I will be praying for my sweet hunny child's aortic valve!!

Giving God the Glory for three great reports on our Piper Noelle. 

In other news...

Piper welcomed cousin Brayden Ross into this world on Thursday!! 

He's cute as a button and most defiantly a keeper!!

Congrats Dan and Amy!!

We've started venturing the neighborhood!!It has been an incredibly long winter - so I welcome the warm, muggy, sticky weather with open arms!!

I promise she is under there!!

Piper LOVES bath time - and Mommy and Daddy love it more because it really seems to tire her out before bed!! 

Attitude is abounding... But we'll take it!!

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above. 

Until next time...

Let the aortic valve prayers rise!!

 

Baptized!!

Sunday was a day of much celebration!! Thank you to everyone who came out to take part with us! The wounds of the last 6 months needed some closure and Sunday was it!! 

Side note: Bry wanted P baptized months ago and I wanted to do June (when all the "ick" has died down.) Please take note of our great marital compromising skills. March 30th!! Bam! If you're engaged to be married and need counseling CALL US!! 

We have kept Piper on "lock down" since leaving the hospital -- I feared how she would take being exposed to the masses. (She's seen the girls at the lab more times than her Great Grandma's.) Turns out she's a people person!! Gee, wonder who she gets that from?? 

She was THE BEST little girl in church. She sat quietly in her carrier until it was her time to shine!! 

I wish everyone could have worshiped with us on Sunday!! I was not nearly the hot mess I thought I would be!! Thank you Jesus!! 

There was a super touching moment after the service. Our drummer came up to us and handed me his drum sticks! He said he didn't know what Piper would do with them, but he felt God urging him to give them to her. On them Harold wrote "stick with Jesus Christ." (Insert tears here!!) We have been practicing!! 2nd CRC praise team here she comes!! 

The drum sticks weren't the only things she got for her special day!! I think she is the only 4 month old with a flock of chickens!! Yes, you read that right!! A flock of chickens!! Her Great Aunt Judy bought a flock of chickens for a poor village in her name!! Here she is with her flock of chickens notice!! So fun! So cool! So sweet!

Piper received SO many memorable things in honor of her officially joining the family of Christ!! Thank you everyone for the gifts and sweet cards of celebration!! Her friends the Cebelak's made a donation to the HDCH Congenital Heart Foundation!! Thanks friends for helping save other babies just like Pippi!!

And the triplet cousins were once again gathered!! Such a blessing to have so many littles!! Even if none of them look at the camera while trying to take their picture!!

We head to the cardiologist at the end of this month. This will be three months from our last visit. (An ETERNITY in heart years!!) Please pray that everything looks perfect and that she continues (despite her rocky start) to be a heart rock star!!

We have some other sweet little heart babes on our radar right now too!! Please join us as we pray for Amelia (her aorta,) Charly (pulmonary arteries,) and Easton (following OHS!!) Each situation is very different - but nonetheless heavy on our hearts right now!!

In Christ alone - my hope is found - firm through the fiercest drought and storm!!

Thank you for letting the heart baby prayers rise!!