Cystic Hygroma

Here are some photos of Alex's neck and back and what we think is a Cystic Hygroma. Never did I think that my first weeks of having this baby would be spent going to so many Dr's and so much uncertainty. I guess no one does, no one sees things like this coming. I have my good moments just full of faith and trust in God that this is just a bump in the road. Then I have those dark moments.....fear takes over and I only think of the worst things it could be, if it's not CH and even if it is in fact CH, many many complications can arise. I don't like those dark moments, it's the most horrible feeling right in your heart. I guess it's all a part of being a parent, just living life for that matter. We never know what will come our way. I am so blessed to have a God that knows my heart, comforts me when I am in the darkest of places. He loves Alex more than I do.....it's so hard to even comprehend how that can be. I am also so blessed to have Stephen. He is just so amazing as a husband,father and a follower of Christ. There is no one I would rather walk this road with than him and Christ one on each side of me.

Holly

Update on Alex

As you know, from the previous post Alex has a mass on his neck and shoulder. We went to our family Dr. who ordered an ultrasound. Alex had the u/s this morning but they really didn't know what it was, so they sent us over to the pediatrician at the hospital where Alex was born. We saw the same Dr. that looked over Alex when he was born and discharged him from the hospital so that was good that we were able to see the same Dr. The pediatrician feels like he is 90% sure that Alex has a Cystic Hygroma, which is not life threatening or cancerous….thank you Jesus!!! He will have to have surgery though. The Dr. talked to the pediatric specialist at Greenville Children’s Hospital and sent over the images from the ultrasound as well. The Dr. in G’ville agreed with the preliminary diagnosis but will see him next Friday Oct. 17th to confirm. He said Alex will likely have to have surgery but that they would prefer to wait until he is 3-4 months old before doing the surgery depending on the confirmation and severity. I thank you all for your prayers. I feel so much more at peace and calm but the past few days and especially the hours and hours spent going from one Dr. to another with most of them saying, “I really don’t know what this is” today has had my nerves shot! I ask that you continue to pray as the diagnosis still has to be confirmed and no one likes to see their baby have to have surgery! I did some research and the fact that we found it after birth is actually a good thing and not associated with a chromosome issue. Many are found while still a fetus and if that is the case it's usually Turner's syndrome or other abnormalitis like Trisomies. But his was found after birth meaning that it probably developed in the last month or so before birth, which means it's not associated with a chromosome abnormality. So anyway, I feel much better but will be anxious to get a confirmation and will be glad when the surgery is over. The research does say that even wiht surgery it can come back. So we will just have to wait and keep praying. Thanks you guys for your prayers and support. It means the world to me!

Holly

Prayers Needed for Baby Alex

Last week we found a lump on Alex's neck. We went to the Dr. and she ordered an ultrasound for Monday at 9:30. She thinks that it is probably nothing to worry about but wants to be sure. He is only 11 days old and I just keep praying over and over that it's nothing. I don't know how I would handle something serious. Please lift him up in prayer. Overall I am dealing with this ok, but I have my moments where I just totally breakdown too. I will just be glad when it's over and we know what it is and can deal with it.

I attached a photo of Alex and Ella both at one week....can you tell who is who???

Holly

It's A .......BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some photos of our new addition Stephen Alexander Howard "Alex" He was born Wednesday 9/24/08 at 11:20 am 7lbs 8oz, 19 1/4" long. He is healthy and just beautiful. I am doing ok. A few health complications..had to have a blood transfusion that Friday because of anemia and then my BP shot up on Saturday. It is still up and down but we are keeping an eye on it. Stephen is great and so proud to have a son. I will post again soon the story of the birth as it was quite eventful. Ella is a great big sister and loves her baby brother! She is having a time of adjustment but is enjoying her brother.

All set for 9/24/08!!!

Well, it's Sunday night and all is set for delivery on Wednesday. I went to the Dr. on Friday and my BP is back down to normal and he said I was doing great. I am doing much much better than I did at this stage with Ella so that is good and I feell good. I get tired and can't do as much as I'd like but I am able to do more and feel better than I thought I would. I still can't believe that it's almost here....after a year of trying, and a miscarriage along the way, our baby will be in our arms soon. I am excited, but when I think about this pregnancy (and it's probably the last one) there are things I will miss as well and some things I will not miss about being pregnant. I will NEVER miss going though the 1st trimester again!!! I will miss the first flutters of movement when you are not even sure if it's the baby or not. Then the kicks that are unmistakeable. In a strange way, I will miss my belly button poking out and being able to enjoy having a belly. I will miss people walking by and looking at my belly, tilting their head and smiling. I will NOT miss complete strangers walking up and feeling my belly or telling me their personal delivery story and all the horrors they went through.....I will miss my friends feeling my belly and me being able to watch their faces when the baby moves and they feel it. I will miss the strange reactions I get when people ask what we are having and I tell them we don't know, it's going to be a suprise. Some think it's great. I get the feeling that others think it's crazy and are frustrated with not knowing, but when it comes down to it, it's about us and no one else. I will miss Ella giving my belly hugs and kisses for the baby. I will not miss fat ankles and getting up 4-5 times a night. I will not miss having to practically get out of bed just to turn on my other side. I will miss my family of three, but at the same time, I am sure I will not miss my family of three because my family of four will be so much more than I can even imagine. Thank you God for this gift.....I look forward to meeting this little life that you have planned for us!

Holly

Ella Open House and saying the pledge...

Here is a link showing a video of Ella saying the pledge. Really cute.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6071597643964450568&hl=en

Last night was Ella's first school Open House. It was really fun for her to show us her room and her projects. We just love her teacher and her teacher assistant. Ella is loving school and has been learning a lot!

Ella and Soccer

So Ella is enjoying playering Upward Soccer, which is a good thing since I work for the Upward organization!!! Well, she loves it for the first 30 minutes and then she is more interested in pouring water into a snowcone cup from the cooler and picking weeds than playing. But all in all she is having a fun time. It's a joy to see her play and not care which direction or even if it goes into the goal. She just loves chasing the ball. What joy there is in childhood! God bless her I just love her so much, I can't imagine that in 2 weeks I will have another child that I will love just as much.....I know I will but I don't know how I will have that kind of capacity. God makes room I guess :)

As Ready As I will Ever Be.....I think

Well, 19 days and we will have a new family member. I went to the Dr. yesterday and she said that all is well and she thinks the baby may have dropped a little. I can't really tell though. My iron is really low but other than that everything else is going well. Ells is doing great and loves her big kids school and teacher Miss Vaughn. She is coming home with books to read for homework and singing songs she learned in class. I am glad she enjoys it and is getting a head start to Kindergarten next year. We had a nice Labor Day holiday although we didn't go anywhere. We did go to the Labor Day festival in Simpsonville. Ella loved it and enjoyed the rides and the pony's. My highlight of the day was a very good corndog....they are just not the same anywhere but at a festival!! Anyway, we had a nice time. Ella continues to enjoy her soccer and does a really good job. She is getting better with kicking it in the right direction now so that is good.

Upward Soccer

Ella started Upward Soccer this year at a local church. It is so much fun to see her out there. I have worked for Upward for 2 1/2 years and now to see my girl playing in a league is awesome. It's so much fun to watch these 4-5 yr olds run around without a clue and kicking it in the wrong direction. But they don't care and we don't either. They just have fun and enjoy playing.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today is a milestone....it was Ella's first day of "Big Kid's School". She started half day K4 classes at the Elementary school. She has been asking for weeks if the school was open yet. She was ready to go. She didn't even cry when I had to wake her up this morning...we'll see how long that lasts! Stephen and I walked her to school and met her teacher Miss Vaughn. Ella just walked in like she owned the place and made herself at home. When it was time to leave Ella gave us kisses and waved goodbye then showed other children coming in where they were suppose to put their stuff. She loves to tell people what to do, I have no idea where she gets that from hmmmmm??? I held it together but I have to admit, it was really hard when we left her class and walked down the hall to realize that my baby is not my baby anymore. She is a little girl growing into her own. It won't be long before she is teaching Stephen and I new things and we won't be able to spell words we don't want her to know when we are talking. Yes, time is marching on and she is just so ready to tackle the world. I pray God's protection on her as she makes her journey.

Holly

6 Weeks to go!!!

I can't believe that it's only 6 weeks until my c-section. I think we are just about ready. I have bought most of what we need, just need to get stocked up on diapers etc but other than the little things we are ready. I don't know about being ready for the sleepless nights again but it will be worth it. It took us 13 months to get pregnant and now the time is just about here!!

Ella started Upward soccer on Tuesday. She had a good time. It's a joy to see the 4-5 yr olds run around. They have no clue which end to go to, or to stop when it goes out of the lines. Just a lot of fun to run after a ball, that's what it should be all about anyway. I am looking forward to seeing her in her uniform for her first game on the 23rd.

As well as starting soccer, Ella will start her first day of K4 or "big kids school" next Tuesday. Stephen and I will take her there and meet her teacher. We got a sweet letter in the mail from her teach and am looking forward to having Ella in her class. Doesn't seem possible that she is old enough for school though. She will go from 7:30 - 10:30 and a bus will take her to her day care she goes to. I am glad she gets to go 1/2 day this year, it will make the transition to full day school next year easier. She keeps asking if school is open yet, so she is looking forward to it. We will go and buy her school supplies this week, I think I might get teary eyed buying her back pack and other items!!!

Holly

50 Days and counting

Well I only have 50 days until my c-section. I still can't believe it. I went to the Dr. today and my BP is starting to climb and I am in the beginning stages of water retention. Woo Hoo! Lucky me! He mentioned that at the very least we have to make it to 36 weeks...that's only 4 weeks away YIKES! I still have a lot of things to buy to be ready. The baby's room is pretty much done but I need to do an overhaul of our bedroom, move the bedroom around and really dust and mop behind the furniture and in those nooks that never seem to get cleaned really well. Oh and I have yet to pack a hospital bag.....I have more to do than I thought!

Holly

Link to Photos from Ukraine and Budapest

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28870200@N02/

Copy and paste the link to go to my photos at Flickr Photos. I hope the link works.

And by the way, I promise I didn't wear the same top the whole time I was there. I just happened to wear the same shirt on my touring day in Mukachevo and Budapest.

Holly H

Ukraine - Budapest

These are two photos from my trip, more to come later. One is from Ukraine and the other is on a river cruise in Budapest, Hungary. I had a wonderful trip. Baby and I did great!! I am glad to be back home but wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I will fill in more later about the trip along with photos or a link to my photos.

Holly H

Ella 4th Birthday

Ella had a wonderful 4th birthday this past weekend. We had a pink princess party and she really enjoyed it. She got lots of presents and attention!!! Mom, Dad, Ricki and Ron came from my family and Stephen's sisters Robbie and Mary Kay and her husband Chip came as well. We missed not having my brother and his family there as well as Robbie's husband Bob. Ella enjoyed her day but it's hard to believe that my little baby girl is 4 years old already! I can't believe that time goes by so fast, and she will be in 4K school this fall. She is growing up fast!!! Thanks to everyone for coming to the party and for all the great presents!

Holly

Dr. Appt - 25 Weeks

I went to the Dr. yesterday and all is well. The baby's heartbeat was in the 150's and my blood pressure was great at 100/60. Hope that keeps up! They gave me the all clear to travel to the Ukraine on July 4th. I do go back to the Dr. June 30th for a final check and to do some standard tests. From here on out I will have appointments every 2 weeks. I can't believe I am at that point already. Last weekend my parents came over on Saturday and got a lot done. Stephen and Dad put up a swing set for Ella's birthday on June 29th, which she loves. Mom and I got the baby's room set up with the furniture and an area rug. Mom took all the neutral infant clothes we had for Ella home with her to go through and wash. So we are getting closer to being ready. I just have to start buying little things here and there like diapers, wipes, bottles, bibs etc. I guess we have everything else we need. I am really looking forward to having this baby. With Ella I think I was so terrified because I had no idea how to be a Mom or what to expect. So I think I am a little more calm and excited with this baby. I mean I was excited to have Ella but it is scary with your first as you have no idea what it's really like until you experience it. I think I will feel better once I get back from the Ukraine and I can really concentrate on all the final touches with the baby's room and getting the things I need.

Holly

Beach 2008

We went to the beaach with my parents all last week. Stephen stayed back at home because he was training for a bike race. We had a wonderful time and Ella loved the ocean, no fear of it at all! It was a great week to just relax. We spent a couple hours in the morning and afternoon at the beach most days. On Monday we took Ella to the Acquarium at Ft. Fisher and she loved it. On Wednesday we took the ferry over to Southport and visited the farmers market, christmas shop and had our traditional hot dog at the Trolly Stop. Other than that we didn't do much else except get doughnuts from Britts just about every day. Thursday night they had fireworks on the boardwalk but we could see them from the front of our cottage so that was nice too. All too soon it was time to pack up and come home. It was nice to get home though, me and Ella missed Stephen.

Everything is going well with the pregnancy. The baby is kicking a lot more and a lot harder now! I am 24 weeks and have my c/s scheduled on September 24th. It will be here before I know it. Hard to believe!!

In 3 1/2 weeks (July 4th) I leave for the Ukraine. I am so excited to go but know that it will be tiring. I will return on July 12th. I am going for work to help with some camps there. We will fly into Amsterdam and then to Budapest and drive from there to the Ukraine. On the way back we will have a day in Budapest to tour the city so that will be nice too. Looking forward to getting there just not the traveling part!!!

Well, I am really proud of Stephen. He completed the bike race the Assult on Mt. Mitchell yesterday in 100 degree heat. It was 103 miles and went to the top of Mt. Mitchell which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi. I can't even imagine. He said it was brutal, he was glad he did it but was really glad it was over!!! Over 1000 cyclists from all over the country come to participate in the race. We are really proud of him!!!!

Holly

Latest Dr. Report

We went to the Dr. yesterday and had our ultra sound. Everything was normal and looked great. We got to see the baby move around a lot and several photos. We have one where you can see the side of the head and then it's whole leg up in the air with the toes touching the top of the head. It's really cute. I am 21 weeks and feeling really good. Stephen is taking Ella to Ky. tomorrow and I will fly up and meet them on Friday. Then the next Saturday, I will be going to the beach with Mom and Dad and taking Ella. Stephen will be staying home that week :( I am looking forward to the week at the beach and I know Ella will have a great time!

Holly

Video Link of Ella

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8779541180021789355&hl=en

The Bad, The Good, The Awesome, The Bad and Good

The Bad: Two weeks ago on April 23rd, I was on my way to my Dr. appointment. I was stopped at a light and the next thing I knew, BAM!!! A girl hit me from behind. I called 911 and told them and she asked if I was hurt. I told her I didn't think so but the seat belt got me on my belly and I am pregnant. Well next thing I know 3 fire trucks, 2 EMS, and about 6 cops show up in a matter of minutes. I called my Dr. to see if he wanted me to go with EMS to the hospital or to go and see him first. He said to come in his office after we get done with the police and he would check me.

The Good: All was fine with the baby. The heart rate was up but that was just because I was stressed. The Dr. was fine with how everything was going.

The Awesome: The girl who hit me, her insurance called me (Geico) and set up an appointment a few days later for me to have my car repaired. I took it in and it would be about a week, they had a rental car waiting for me.....a 2008 Red Mustang. Now I am not a Mustang kind of girl, but it sure was fun to drive for a week. Not so much fun getting a 3 1/2 year old in and out of the back but still fun. I got my car back yesterday and it looks as good as new. I have to give Geico credit, they made a frustrating, stressful situation a really good experience with no stress at all!!

The Bad and Good: The day before I had to take the Mustang back and get my car, I was in a drive-thru waiting to order and the next thing I knew, BAM! I got hit from beind AGAIN!! The good news, it was just a bump so no damage at all. But still, can you believe.....hit twice in less than 2 weeks!!!

Other than all that,things are going well. Ella has started to Yodel, something she picked up in a cartoon. It's hysterical. Next week I go to Orlando for work for 2 days, but all work, no play :( We will be taking a family trip to KY to see Stephen's Dad in 2 weeks and then we are off to the beach for a week. I am really looking forward to that!!!

Later,

Holly