I’ve been working on blog entries over the past few days, but first wish to express my heartfelt condolences to another local T18 family. Those of you that belong to the Praying for Nora page may recall mention of the Wehner family awhile back. I had the pleasure of meeting Kate and sweet little Eleanor (Ellie) then tucked snugly away in her Mommy’s belly in early June. Kate was due August 17th, which also happens to be Gavin’s birthday, and Nora’s upcoming 16-Month birthday. I received the heartbreaking news Wednesday night that Ellie had been born sleeping–her beautiful angel wings already sprouted. Amidst my sadness I contemplated what a special tiny person Ellie was to have completed her life purpose so quickly. I don’t believe for a second that God was asleep at the controls when he made Ellie and then brought her back to heaven so quickly. God does not make mistakes! So then what about grief? Why does losing a loved one, especially a child hurt so terribly!? If we really truly believe shouldn’t we just accept God’s will and then stoically go about our lives? No. Grief is a very normal and necessary part of healing and renewing. Just as a heavy rainfall comes to cleanse and nourish the ground, our falling tears cleanse our souls, watering the tiny seeds that will someday flourish and blossom joy from the cracks of our broken hearts. Kind of like a beautiful flower in an unlikely place!!

While fulfilling her life purpose, Ellie was cozy, protected and deeply loved from the warm embrace of her mother’s womb. At Kate’s request on her blog I had been praying for strength, perseverance, peace and trust in God’s plan. Those are my continued prayers for the Wehner family as they endure this terribly difficult time.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)

Please pray for Kate and her family!

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Since we’ve been back from Michigan Nora’s cheerful demeanor has waned into fuss mode. At first we chalked it up to classic gas pains.


I was able to get out of the house for a little bit and accepted an invitation to go swimming with the big kids.

We had a relaxing afternoon, but my thoughts were never far from Nora. By late afternoon we headed back home by way of the ferry. Beautiful day. Too bad my thoughts didn’t match.

Nora had another night of restless sleep with nothing more than a 45 minute stretches of sleep.

By Tuesday with no improvement throughout the day we were no longer blaming belly airs. The presence of snotties in the back if her throat hinted at the potential of another ear infection. We were able to get an appointment with ENT at 5:15 that evening, but would have to drive an hour away to one of the other Children’s Hospital outpatient campuses. No matter! We were eager to do whatever we needed to help her, so off we went! With only a few minor protests about being in the car, Nora quickly dozed off to sleep. She had barely taken any naps and had to be tired!

We waited for about 45 minutes before we were seen. Nora was awake, but had plenty to occupy her attention as we walked her back and forth down the lavish expanse of brightly colored waiting rooms.

Finally we were called back. Nora was extremely angry about being restrained while the doctor looked in her ears. It was quickly determined that she had a pair of inflamed tonsils (which explained her gagginess and pukes) and her left ear was infected. A prescription for another antibiotic was written and before long we were headed back home. We decided to take another try with the oral antibiotics instead of going back to the shots so soon after her last episode.

I’m not sure if some pressure was relieved when the doctor looked in her ears or what happened, but Nora was in noticeably better spirits.

She was awake the whole ride home with little or no fussing! She was still adept at being Travel Baby (accessories included!)

We picked up the antibiotic at the pharmacy, opting for grape bubblegum flavor since the strawberry hadn’t gone over well in previous attempts. Mixed with a half bottle of milkies and administered by syringe, it won Nora’s seal of approval!! Once a day? We can do this!!!!

When I woke up Wednesday morning to a report that Nora had had a great night, I had to restrain myself from doing cartwheels up and down the street in my pajamas (because that would have been weird)! With a sigh of relief, I fell back asleep on the couch only to be woken up by the sound of my phone’s camera. Gavin was using it to take a picture of me sleeping in an attempt to illustrate the similarities of Nora and I sleeping! LOL!

I’m not sharing the picture of me sleeping with my arms up over my head… in my giant Nap Nanny… wearing a onesie.

“Whe… Wh.. What’s going on here? You takin’ pitchers o’ ME!!??”

HAPPY BABY HAS RETURNED!!!

“Yes, my Mom n Dad are well aware of the Nap Nanny recalls, warnings, etc. I don’t move around like a typical baby my age, so I’m not at risk for rolling over in it or out of it or becoming trapped in it somehow. Mommy did stop duct taping it up on the hood of the riding mower though, just as a precautionary measure.”

“I love Greta like a sister. Oh wait. She IS a sister! Den dats probbly why den!”

“My chin. It’s double.”

In preparation for this weekend I had to do some clothes shopping! I daringly brought the big kids along with me. What else would I expect to find in my collection of photos after Greta asked to borrow my phone and ran off with her brother into the depths of TJ Maxx:

(There are about 50 more similar poses in various masks incase anyone is interested in ordering a glossy bound photo book.)

What’s going on this weekend, you ask? Our extended family is having a photo shoot by the fabulously talented Melanie Pace of Beautiful Beginnings Birth Photography. She’s the one who perfectly and precisely captured each incredible moment of Nora’s birth. This was an anniversary present to our parents, and undoubtedly a present to future generations of people we don’t even know yet! We’re all fretting over what to wear, and what color schemes to incorporate, if any. Truth be told, we could all be wearing jean shorts, tube tops and wife beaters and Melanie would make it look awesome!! Now hopefully the weather holds out for us!!!

William and I snuck out for the evening on date night extraordinaire. Amidst the chaos of day to day life with vacations and visitors mixed in, we’ve neglected to make time for each other. I think my sweet hubzbind was feeling a little lot under appreciated lately. I just wanted to publicly affirm my love, devotion and appreciation of this amazing man that I am so fortunate and blessed to be married to. William, you are my knight in shining armor. I love you, I love you, I love you! I’ll always get the door for you, and if I ever get a motorcycle, I’ll let you ride on the back! 😉 You do a good job, kid! 👍 Fo rill though!!

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
(1 John 4:12 NIV)