Eggs?

After a couple of weeks on no dairy Grant started complaining of a hot tummy again. It has gotten pretty bad and now he is in pain probably 10 times a day. We are cutting out eggs now to see if that makes a difference. We are kind of at a loss. He is scheduled for food allergy testing the first week in February. If the food elimination and food allergy tests don't give us the answers we need we'll have to reschedule the scope. Boo.

Bye Bye Cindy

A week ago we said good-bye to our au pair, Cindy, who has been living with us for the past year. She has been a huge blessing to us and we will miss her. We won't be getting another au pair this year. Everyone is healthy and we are ready to embrace life as it comes. So far the kids are adjusting great and we are keeping busy with basketball, bootcamp, gym class, swimming, Bible school and playing with friends. All is well.

No Scope!

I called today and officially canceled Grant's scope and biopsy on Monday! So much has happened in the last 3 weeks since we scheduled it. After talking with others we decided to try a food elimination diet with Grant to see if that would have any impact on his "hot tummy." The first group that I cut out was dairy because he already hates milk so I thought it would be easiest. Within one day he stopped complaining about his tummy. Prior to this I don't think he went a single day without complaining. We tried to add cottage cheese to his pancake mix on Sunday and by afternoon he was in pain. Our suspicions were confirmed. So, we're going to keep him away from all dairy for now. I made an appointment for food allergy testing in February (first appt I could get). But, for now we are praising God for a (relatively) easy fix. Grant is being a great sport about giving up his chocolate chip cookies but I suspect it is because he doesn't have to drink the milk that goes with them!

We're finally all together!

Merry Christmas

We had an awesome Christmas! The kids slept in until 7:00, which is always a good way to start the day. After breakfast they put on their antlers and Jim read them the Christmas story. Then, he put on a Santa suit and made a surprise appearance. We opened our stocking presents of which the favorite was chapstick! After we finished the gifts under the tree we sang happy birthday to Jesus and headed over to grandma and grandpa Koss's house for brunch. Later that day Willa arrived and the kids got a chance to hold her. As I just tucked Kate into bed she was still gushing about Willa. Mostly she was interested in whether or not Willa had lips and would she like to borrow her chapstick.

Tea time

Health Update

I haven't posted on Grant's health in a while, mostly because we didn't have many answers. This week we went to a GI doc that Grant used to see as a baby. His "hot tummy" has persisted and treating him for reflux didn't bring him any relief. After updating the gastroenterologist he concluded it is definitely not reflux. He said the next step is to "scope" Grant and do a biopsy of his esophagus. This is scheduled at Beaumont for January 10th. We are first on the waiting list for an earlier date. We are praying for the procedure to be done earlier in the day (his current time is 4:00pm) because he can't eat all day! Try explaining that to a 4 year old!

Today Grant went to the pulmonologist who said that it might just be a way of life for Grant to have an intense, wet cough 9 months out of the year. He has been coughing heavily since late September and they have tried every remedy possible for the asthma. He said that with so many different viruses in the winter and allergies in the spring and summer Grant's asthma is almost always triggered. We are praying against this!

We know that God has the ability to heal Grant totally and completely. If you are a pray-er we ask that you would join with us in praying for total healing for Grant's lungs and GI tract. Thanks!

Grant's dino birthday party

Christmas Program

Happy Birthday Grant

4 years ago today...
-My baby boy was born with a very soft cry
-A dozen doctors piled in and tried to explain what TAVPR was
-Jim and I watched Grant's helicopter take off from the window in my delivery room
-Family met at U of M to pray and support us through Grant's surgery
-Surgery was a success but we were told that we still had a very, very sick baby

Today..
-Nothing can slow my boy down
-God continues to show His character to us through Grant
-God is faithful to provide through each health trial
-God's people have shown us a love we would have never known had it not been for our son.

Bethlehem

On Sunday we went to a live nativity at a church in Royal Oak. It was amazing! They had real camels, about 75 people dressed in costume and a petting zoo. All this, along with a marketplace for the kids to buy food with fake money, belly dancers and a real live baby Jesus. Grant's favorite was the Roman soldier because he pretended to be mean to people but then winked at Grant. Kate was most curious about the leper who kept yelling, "unclean." When we got home she went straight to her Bible to find pictures of the "people with boo boos." The funniest part of it all was the next day Grant kept trying to reference the whole thing but the best description he could come up with was, "mom, do you remember the Samaritan at the circus?"

The Trinity

Grant: Mom, watch out! Kate's going to touch the trinity!
Translation- Kate's going to touch the electricity (meaning the electrical outlet)

Lookin at you

Kate was resting like this while she watched Jim clean up the kitchen tonight. He put the lysol down and quick took a picture.

Christmas gifts

I finally did it. I ordered Grant a jackhammer for Christmas. Yesterday he was singing a song (he made up) about getting a jackhammer from santa. Jim was like, you HAVE you get him a jackhammer. So I went online, and who would have thought, but there are all sorts of kids jackhammers for sale. Now I just have to decide what kind of bus to get for Kate. I hope she doesn't expect one she can ride on...

Cousins

We welcome our newest cousin to the mix, baby Willa!
Grant and Kate love spending time with Oliver!

Santa

We don't really do the Santa thing. We tell our kids he is dressed up just like Mickey Mouse does at Disney World. (Don't worry, they won't ruin it for your kids.) Nevertheless, when we saw Santa at the mall yesterday the kids got really excited. Grant ran right up to him and jumped into his lap. When Santa asked what he wanted, Grant, in a very serious tone said, "a jackhammer." Santa didn't know what to do with that answer so he just gave a "ho ho ho." Kate was scared of the idea of sitting on Santa's lap so she just watched from a distance. But, on our way out of the mall she saw Santa was gone and got very sad that she didn't get to say bye to him. So, when we got home she wrote Santa a letter and told him that she wanted a bus for Christmas. What happened to trucks and Barbies?

Growing Grant

Here is what you're into, Grant:
- Spreading joy. You are always optimistic and can see the positive in everything.
-"Playing school." You love to learn and are always asking me to teach you things.
-Science books. You love to read about electricity and weather.
-Stealing Kate's stuff. Today you took a bite out of her pretzel when she wasn't looking even though you still had an entire one in your other hand.
-Using your tool set to do everything from opening my packages to helping dad change a light bulb.
-Computers. You've figured out how to use a mouse and you're loving it.
-Phasing out napping. You nap a couple of times a week now.
-Teaching Kate in whatever you are doing. You two are the best of friends.
-Little Einsteins, Mac and Cheese and apples with cinnamon.

Kate Update

Kate, here are some things about you:
-You are super sensitive, often asking me, "Are you feeling happy, mommy?"
-You are leery of strangers and most of our friends- with the exception of daddy's quiet, male friends. You ask if you can sit on their laps! You run in the other direction when I have loud female friends over.
-You are happiest when doing somersaults off the step, climbing over the couch or being thrown into the air by daddy.
-Every day when you wake up from your nap you ask, "where's my brother?"
-You become easily attached to parts of broken toys or games, carrying them around and calling them your "friend." Currently you are snuggling with a green boardgame piece.
-You love the Rhyme Bible and request the story of Jonah regularly.
-You are very attached to your pink blanket and your pacifier bib, which you call your pastor bib.
-You make us happier than we could have ever imagined. We love you, Kate.

Gym Class

Finally, an outlet for Kate's desire to climb, run, jump and climb some more...gym class! It is a class at the YMCA for 2-3 year olds. I originally signed Kate up because I wanted to see if she could follow directions. :) I also thought it would be a good idea to try something without Grant because she is like a puppy dog following him where ever he goes. The brochure said the parents were supposed to sit on the bleachers and watch but one minute in the coach said she'd prefer all the parents to leave. I did not think this would sit well with Kate but I gave her a wave and she said, "bye mom!" and didn't look back.

She LOVED the class. I watched through the windows the whole time and she listened to all the directions! They did things like the balance beam, bean bag toss, soccer and parachute. I can't even explain how much she thrived there. Can't wait for class next week.

Uncle Bryan's Halloween Costume

I had to include Uncle Bryan and his 9 month pregnant wife, Kristen's, Halloween costumes.