Precious Hands and Feet

Ethan, Gracie and Lexie

Gracie, Lexie and Ethan

Lexie's tiny foot

E&G

Here is a little video of Ethan and Gracie goofing off. The have been doing so great with Lexie and I couldn’t of asked for better helpers. The first day we brought Lexie home, I was worried because Gracie seemed to be having a hard time sharing Mommy and Daddy but after that day she has been great. I wasn’t worried about Ethan and he will even let Gracie know when she is crossing the whole gentle boundaries. You know the whole let me cover the baby with a blanket but ends up covering her entire face kind of thing. When we first brought Lexie home, Gracie was excited to meet her and kept telling us, “Put on the floor, PLAY! PLAY!” So these past couple of weeks I have been really trying to fend Gracie off because she wants to treat Lexie like she is one of her baby dolls. Both she and Ethan enjoy talking to her and holding her little hands. Gracie likes to tickle her tummy and whenever she hears Lexie start to cry she says, “ooooh Lexieeee”.

High Hopes

Last week Eric, Lexie, and I flew down to North Carolina for a couple of days. We were there to get a Stem Cell infusion for Lexie at the Children Hospital at Duke University. All of Lexie's medical care is here in San Antonio but this is something that is not offered here because it is still in the trial stage. Our doctors here are a little skeptical of this "experimental" procedure but if it could possibly help Lexie in the long run we decided it was worth it. Seeing how it is experimental our insurance does not cover this procedure and it can get quite pricey. I didn't care what price they told me, her health is the most important thing right now. Plus, if we didn't get it done, I will always question if she did have it how would her life be different.

We saved the umbilical cord from Lexie's birth and sent it to Duke University where Dr. Kurtzberg collects the blood/stem cells that is contained in the umbilical cord. These types of cells are special because they are used as "building blocks" in the body and do the repair work. They are infused back into the body through an IV. It takes about 15 minutes and doesn't require surgery. The infusion can't cure the hydrocephalus but it may be able to help replace the cells that were damaged due to the pressure in the womb. There are no guarantees and we will never know if it has helped her but just knowing we may of helped her is good enough for me. Also, there is no risk because she is basically having her own cells put back in. It is her blood.

One more thing I wanted to share with you is a little clip that came to our attention the night before her infusion. Eric and I were watching TV at the hotel and this commercial comes on. After it was over Eric and I totally felt it was a sign. We both started laughing when it was over because it was a little eerie seeing where we were.....Stem Cell Research.

**2nd Stem Cell 12/2010 & 3rd and Final stem cell Summer 2011****

Dr. Kurtzberg is in the blue

Us with Lexie during the transfusion.

Playing peek-a-boo with us

Showing off her wings.

Grandpa and Grandma Haut came in to watch Gracie and Ethan while we went to North Carolina. The kids have had a full month of being spoiled by all of their grandparents.

Rub- a- Dub- Dub

Here are some pics of Lexie's 1st bath at home and the kids with Papo Dan and Grandma Teresa

Lexie

Coming home from the hospital

Snuggling with Daddy

Dreaming away

4th Birthday for Ethan

Our big boy turned 4 years old this weekend and we celebrated with a family party. We all chowed down on pizza, cake and ice cream. For the past couple of months he has been requesting that I make him a soccer cake. I tried to get him to change his mind because I am not a baker but he knew that we owned a soccer cake pan and was set on having that as his cake. I tried my hardest and it didn't quite come out like I had hoped but he loved it and thought it looked really cool. It seemed like it made his day and that is what really matters.

Soccer ball cake sitting in grass

Ethan sucking the icing off of the candles and showing me how old he is.

Gracie really liking the icing

Homeward Bound!!

Tomorrow Miss Lexie will be coming home!!!! We are so excited and just can't wait. Ethan is the really excited because he has been impatiently waiting to meet her. He doesn't like the fact that kids are not allowed in the NICU so this will make his day. She got her feeding tube taken out a couple days ago and has been doing great with her feedings.

I am nervous because she is so small and barely weighs 5lbs. I have never had a baby that small so hopefully I won't break her. We even had to go and buy a new car seat. We brought it in for a test run and it wouldn't even hold her in. The buckle had at least 5 inches between her and the seat belt. It was swallowing her whole which made me realize how little she is.

Grandma Margie holding her 10th Grand baby!

Of course, we don't want to leave the big sister and big brother out!