Annabel had her follow-up for her MRI today and thankfully everything looks great! She is now officially in the grouping of children where she won't be one who needs multiple surgeries early on to get the shunt working properly - yeah!! Someday (could be a few years, 5 years, 10 years, or longer) her shunt will malfunction and she will need surgery then. So the plan is to see her 
again in 6 months but to not do another MRI until a year from now and then do one every few years. Regarding the cyst that was somewhat in question in the past, the MRI showed that it is being drained by the shunt thru the ventricle so that is a huge relief and makes it of zero concern. The scan showed that the damage done from her brain bleed is in the area that affects motor skills on her left side (which was not a surprise since it's her left hand that is somewhat tight and potentially her left leg may need some extra help too). Dr. Maher reiterated that when brain bleeds occur at such a young age that the baby can redirect many of the signals used in that area elsewhere to be able to perform the same function - which is what it appears Annabel has done, at least to a degree. Dr. Maher was very happy to hear that although Annabel seems to be a touch behind her siblings, that she keeps getting there and keeps learning and doing new things. The appointment was a big relief!
again in 6 months but to not do another MRI until a year from now and then do one every few years. Regarding the cyst that was somewhat in question in the past, the MRI showed that it is being drained by the shunt thru the ventricle so that is a huge relief and makes it of zero concern. The scan showed that the damage done from her brain bleed is in the area that affects motor skills on her left side (which was not a surprise since it's her left hand that is somewhat tight and potentially her left leg may need some extra help too). Dr. Maher reiterated that when brain bleeds occur at such a young age that the baby can redirect many of the signals used in that area elsewhere to be able to perform the same function - which is what it appears Annabel has done, at least to a degree. Dr. Maher was very happy to hear that although Annabel seems to be a touch behind her siblings, that she keeps getting there and keeps learning and doing new things. The appointment was a big relief!
So leading up to today there have been so many things going on. Sunday B.J. and I took the babies to church all by ourselves for the first time and they were so good! We were pretty proud of ourselves for getting thru it fine and for even being on time! Then Sunday afternoon we lost power and didn't get it back on until Monday afternoon. That was pretty interesting with three babies to say the least! Tuesday night we took the babies to Meijer to get groceries for the first time (again, proud of ourselves in that we were in and out in about an hour!). Then today the babies went garage sale'ing with my Mom and I for the first time. It was such a beautiful day and we've all been itching to get out more so we went for a walk and hit up some sales in the area. It was nice to do something "normal" like that.
Tonight was bath night so their current weights are - Annabel 15lbs 5 1/2ozs, Madelyn 13lbs 1 1/2ozs, and Johnathan 14lbs 14ozs. We have been asked a lot lately if we can tell them apart - I have to admit that as they've gotten bigger they look more alike but to me it's not a question of who's who. It is pretty neat though because Annabel looks significantly more like B.J., Madelyn more like me, and Johnathan is a great mix!
Some new things lately... Annabel has been more and more interactive with her siblings and it's so great to
see! She's also figured out how to get her glasses off more often and doesn't leave them on quite as well as she used to. All three babies know their name and Johnathan even hears it without his hearing aids! It continues to amaze us how strong little Mady is and we're still waiting for her to make that first crawling move. Her and Johnathan are all over the place, rolling like crazy and Annabel has been rolling a lot more too (always over her left side, also a result of the brain bleed), but she's doing it! Johnathan continues to be such a happy little guy, loving his sisters and instigating them. If you haven't heard his deep laugh yet you're missing out! He's still not so great with eating, some days are better than others. All three babies are loving the fruit puffs though!
see! She's also figured out how to get her glasses off more often and doesn't leave them on quite as well as she used to. All three babies know their name and Johnathan even hears it without his hearing aids! It continues to amaze us how strong little Mady is and we're still waiting for her to make that first crawling move. Her and Johnathan are all over the place, rolling like crazy and Annabel has been rolling a lot more too (always over her left side, also a result of the brain bleed), but she's doing it! Johnathan continues to be such a happy little guy, loving his sisters and instigating them. If you haven't heard his deep laugh yet you're missing out! He's still not so great with eating, some days are better than others. All three babies are loving the fruit puffs though!I don't know what it is, if it's that the babies are approaching their 1 year b-day soon or what but lately I have had so many choked up moments over them. I was driving Annabel down to the hospital this morning for her appointment and all of a sudden all I could think about was our middle of the night, urgent trips down there where we weren't sure if one or two of the babies were going to make it. Granted, I have these thoughts from time to time but lately it's been fairly frequent. It truly amazes me what a miracle God has provided us. Overall they are doing so well! Just the fact that they are here is so huge! I thank God everyday for giving us the chance to be parents to His three precious babies.
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