theothegrey

Happy Birthday, Mia!

It’s been a little over a month since my grandmother passed away. For someone who “talks” as much as I do as part of my vocation, I’ve been unusually silent about her passing. In fact, I was completely silent during the open mic session of her memorial service. I had so many emotions running through my heart on that day, I couldn’t get a word out of my mouth…probably because I accidentally stumbled my way past the Buddhist monks to a front row viewing of the cremation, something I don’t recommend for the faint of heart.

Last week, I tried to write something down but the same thing happened. Again, for someone who writes as much as I do, it was unusual that I couldn’t get anything out. Maybe something will come in the future.

For now, I’ll simply post a couple of pictures. My family — aunts, uncles, and cousins — found a treasury of photos among her things. Priceless…

We had a two “first evers” today. Amy’s sister, Grace, returned to California. We’ve had extended family with us for over 2 months. For the first time ever we are on our own as a family of four. The second thing is that we let Emi wear underwear without any diapers or trainers. Scary stuff…

Mia crying in my lap while taking her med + Emi throwing a tantrum =
My worst moments…

My character is being put to the test and I’m not doing so well. I lost my cool a couple times this past week and I was really in touch with my ugly side. There’s plenty of inner work I’ve got to do, no doubt!

Mia making her first smiles + Emi giving me a huge hug and saying “I love you, Dad!” =
The moments I hope I’ll never forget.

I thought B&W would bring out more of the terror of infant crying. Working in a newborn nursery would probably be my worst nightmare.

I wonder what her personality will be. She’s got this really serious look. I try and give her a light massage on her eyebrows to take away her stressed out look.

This was hilarious. Emi was pointing at Mia and calling her “Hubert.” Emi was rolling on the floor laughing and I couldn’t stop laughing either. The teasing has begun…and it’s kind of funny at this point.

She’s curious!

I was working at home on Thursday. Emi crawled into my lap and took a nap.

We were all in the van today after picking up Amy’s sister at the airport. We stopped by the supermarket so I could return “Million Dollar Baby.” I grabbed a couple of free sugar cookies on the way out as a snack. I was hiding them from Emi when I got back into the van. About a minute later, as I was secretly munching away, Emi piped up from the back seat.

“Mommy, where’s the cookie?”
“I SMELL cookie.”

Whoa! This girl has a serious sniffer. I was eating the thing and I could barely smell it. We were all laughing on the car ride home.

When the storm was moving in yesterday, I took Emi out to fly a tiny “Strawberry Shortcake” kite. The wind was too erratic so it was hard to get the thing going. Emi was having fun until the thunder started.

Here’s Mia at four weeks. We got a call from her pediatrician today. Her bloodwork came back and her thyroxin levels are a bit too high. We’ll need to adjust her medication this week. You can tell from her eyes, though, that she’s a lot more responsive and awake than before the medication. Thank God!

We found out some bad news about Mia’s health. Apparently she suffers from congenital hypothyroidism (CH). The condition has the potential of being very serious if untreated. The condition can lead to abnormal physical development like stunted growth and stubby hands and even more serious, mental retardation. The pediatrician’s office gave us a call when the results of her newborn screening revealed abnormal hormone levels. We were asked to come in immediately to take a second blood test. The second test was fouled up at the lab and we returned for a third. Our poor little girl has been a regular at the lab! The tests confirmed the original findings and we were asked to make an appointment with an endocrinologist.

Last Wednesday we went to see the endocrinologist at Texas Children’s Hospital. We were grateful that we could even get an appointment. Apparently, there are only two such endocrinology offices in Houston and the doctor we saw, a Dr. Parvin Yazdani, is currently booked solid thru October. She’s already overbooked with patients, but when she saw Mia, she said that she had to make time for her. It’s critical for infants with CH to get care immediately.

What does this mean for Mia? We’re still learning about this condition. I’ve read a little on the web and I’ve searched some forums. Hypothyroidism is more common in adults but rare in infants and the stakes are much higher. CH babies may never even learn to speak and if untreated in the early stages of life the damage is irreversible. There are so many things that go on inside these little ones during the first few years of life. With treatment, it seems that CH babies can live “normal lives.” I read on a forum of one teenager that is heading for college now. But I also read of kids that have not responded so well. So far, my mind has been comforted by what our pediatrician has said, “With early treatment, Mia should have a normal life.”
Mia needs a daily dose of a medicine called synthroid. It’s a little blue bill that we have to cut in half, grind into powder and dissolve with liquid. She takes it on an empty stomach. We have to wake her up, tease her with a “snack,” and let her sit around for at least an hour before she gets a real meal.

Amy and I are still processing this. It’s definitely brought out the compassionate side in Amy. You can read some of her thoughts at espressoaddict. It’s brought out more of my tough mindedness. I feel a bit cold saying this, but I want her to grow up tough and disciplined. There’s a strong likelihood she’ll be on lifelong medication and she may have various complications. She needs to hang when things get tough. I guess it’s good that we have some kind of balance.

Emi has been a great older sister so far. She sees Mia and she says “she’s so cute!” She’s been incredibly supportive for a two and half year old. (Emi went thru her own nightmare this week. She fell down and split her chin. We rushed her to the emergency room — five stitches. It was intensely bloody. But she has been intensely tough. She didn’t cry anywhere near as much as I thought she would at the hospital. And two days later…she was back to climbing. I’m thinking of making some signs around the house with a picture of her stitched up gash. Bold letters. “NO CLIMBING!”)

Somehow God has chosen to give us two special daughters. They both need our love and we’re blessed with both of their presence. It’s amazing how much affection I feel for them. My prayer for Mia has been the same prayer I’ve been praying for Emi, that they would fall passionately in love with God and be a blessing so that others may know God thru them.

We’re still reeling from this last week. We’re still processing our feelings. But we have a lot to be thankful for — great doctors, supportive friends, grandparents in the house, and God’s presence. We would deeply appreciate your prayers for us.

Check out Dr. Greene’s site for a brief description of CH. It’s a pretty helpful medical site in general. Dr. Greene

Check out what Amy has had to endure postpartum.
espressoaddict.

EmiOpeningDoor

Originally uploaded by theothegrey.

Emi started opening doors yesterday. She must have spent 20 minutes opening and closing doors after her initial success. She was so happy with her discovery.