How do I even begin this? Monday afternoon I got a call from Andy while at work saying that our house was broken into and that we had been robbed! WHAT??!?!?!?! Not possible, I thought. I was wrong. At around 3 in the afternoon 2-3 people broke in through our side door and took 2 tvs, 2 computer monitors, both of our cameras (lenses, batteries, memory cards, and everything else that goes along with them). UGH!! Luckily, they left our computer so all of our pictures and other stuff that was on there (i'm not really sure, andy does all of that:)) is safe. Our neighbors saw them taking stuff from the house and got their license plate number and called the police. They've located the car and house, but our stuff is gone. It certainly isn't the best feeling knowing that someone has been in your house, but we just remind ourselves that no one was home and that no one was hurt. Andy's dad is helping us out with a new (safer) door, and we're just in the process of filing all of the insurance stuff. Luckily we had some reciepts for our cameras and the monitors so thats good. I just wanted to update you all on our situation and ask that you add another Gibbs family prayer request to the list. :)
No Gibblet news to report, I have an appointment today, but no ultrasound. Just a quick check-up and the glucose test. He is still kicking, moving and growing away!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
our promised pics...
Well, there you have it...the begining stages of g-man's room. Sorry it took so long to post those!
Now...an update on our appt. Tues. IT WENT GREAT!! No real news to report, he is doing fantastic. He now weighs approx. 1 lb 4 oz. His little feet are still straight and he was moving and kicking all over the place! The ultrasound tech had the 3-D ultrasound on for awhile and we even saw him trying to suck his thumb! I know that being his mom, I'm probably a little biased, but I'm pretty sure that he is the cutest baby ever...by far. :) We can't tell you enough how much it means to us knowing that there are so many of you our there praying for us and our family, your prayers are felt each day and we feel so blessed! Andy wants you all to know that he has started growing out the beard...again. ugh! :)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Jim and Emily's Wedding
Andy here:
This weekend I had the honor of cleaning up (ie shaving) yikes look at that thing!!! and standing in Jim and Emily's (my sister) wedding. What a great time! Interestingly enough, a number of those attending commented to both Leigh and I about this blog and how they check it frequently. Thanks!!! we appreciate the thoughts. It was great to sit and chat with family members we have'nt seen in a while, thanks for all your encouraging words, it means so much.
In other Gibblet related news...Leigh has her monthly appointment tuesday morning at 8 AM. Please pray that the G-man is growing properly and no other issue creep up.
leigh here: just to let you all know it was NOT my idea to post this picture!!! don't worry, he never left the house with that thing! :)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Getting the G-Mans room ready
This past weekend we had some time to role up our sleeves and start on the little guy's room.
Painting is something I'm horrible at, I cant just stay in one spot, i have to move all over the room and start in this corner and then move to this wall, its really bad. So thats why I;ve been transfered to the taping crew. For some reason I'm great at this, and actually dont mind it. So thats how it worked, i taped, leigh, her sister and mom threw down the paint and it's looking pretty good. Mallory, our niece, acted as supervisor :)
Coming SOON... more pics of a more "finished" room.
No appointments this week, its been kinda nice. We have one next week tuesday and will keep you all posted on how things go.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
APPT with DR Foody
It's been a while since we've posted and we had one other Dr's apointment last week that we'd like to chat about. It was with Dr Foody, a pedatric neurosurgeon at Spectrum Health. After giving us more in depth detail on what would happen after the G-man was born, we felt confident that he's the right Doctor for our little guy. So this is how things typically work out in a case like this...
Dr. Foody would like Leigh to have the first c-section of the morning (at around 37 weeks), and then that afternoon, he and a plastic surgeon will close the opening in his back. At this time, they may or may not know if a shunt is needed. If they are 100% sure that it is needed, they will do that during the same surgery. If they aren't sure, they will wait. Most likely it will be known in a few days if a shunt will be needed. 80-90% of all babies born with spina bifida end up needing a shunt. Overall, we both feel that having the surgery in GR will be whats best for the baby, having all his Doctors nearby will be what's best in the long run. We've heard excellent things about Dr. Foody and have full confidence in the decisions he will make and the surgery he will perform. Continue to pray for us as we get new information, as it is helpful to know, but at times can be overwhelming.
We get stronger everyday and are more at peace with the situation, please know that is from the prayers we have been receiving. keep it up!
love,
andy and leigh
Dr. Foody would like Leigh to have the first c-section of the morning (at around 37 weeks), and then that afternoon, he and a plastic surgeon will close the opening in his back. At this time, they may or may not know if a shunt is needed. If they are 100% sure that it is needed, they will do that during the same surgery. If they aren't sure, they will wait. Most likely it will be known in a few days if a shunt will be needed. 80-90% of all babies born with spina bifida end up needing a shunt. Overall, we both feel that having the surgery in GR will be whats best for the baby, having all his Doctors nearby will be what's best in the long run. We've heard excellent things about Dr. Foody and have full confidence in the decisions he will make and the surgery he will perform. Continue to pray for us as we get new information, as it is helpful to know, but at times can be overwhelming.
We get stronger everyday and are more at peace with the situation, please know that is from the prayers we have been receiving. keep it up!
love,
andy and leigh
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
U of M trip
4:15 AM is ungodly early.
This was confirmed by both Leigh and I this morning. Somehow we managed out of bed, into the car, and on our way to UofM hospital to have a consult with a genetics counselor and to have another round of ultrasounds. The reason being is if we plan to have the surgery at U of M this intial consult is required by them. So off we went, not knowing exactly what would come out if it, but we both prayed the news would not knock us down again, as we are currently in a better state of mind and finding peace in the situation.
So, what did we find out... overall, a lot of the same stuff, but were much more prepared to take in any new info they threw at us and were able to ask questions we had jotted down beforehand.
The ultrasound was very complete as they measured all his parts (yes even that one :)
So this is what we know:
1. the opening in the spine is at an L2-L3 level, not the best, but not the worst, right in the middle as far as mobility and other functions are concerned. Good chance he'll be able to walk with crutches and braces , but they said as he gets older, wheelchairs are often the easiest way to get around and keep pace with the world. W'ell cross that bridge when it arrives.
2. His legs and ankles appear straight and were moving all over! We know his legs will not be as strong as normal, but seeing this gave us Hope and we were encouraged!
3. It appears as the G-man is suffering only from spina bifida and not any other chromosonal abnormalites that can appear in instances like this.
4. Heart and everything else looks great and functioning properly.
5. getting up at 4:15AM makes us tired :)
So, overall we felt this trip was positive for us. It shed light on a few new things and we both feel like we can face this situation with Grace.
Thank you all for your love and prayers,
we love you,
Leigh and Andy
This was confirmed by both Leigh and I this morning. Somehow we managed out of bed, into the car, and on our way to UofM hospital to have a consult with a genetics counselor and to have another round of ultrasounds. The reason being is if we plan to have the surgery at U of M this intial consult is required by them. So off we went, not knowing exactly what would come out if it, but we both prayed the news would not knock us down again, as we are currently in a better state of mind and finding peace in the situation.
So, what did we find out... overall, a lot of the same stuff, but were much more prepared to take in any new info they threw at us and were able to ask questions we had jotted down beforehand.
The ultrasound was very complete as they measured all his parts (yes even that one :)
So this is what we know:
1. the opening in the spine is at an L2-L3 level, not the best, but not the worst, right in the middle as far as mobility and other functions are concerned. Good chance he'll be able to walk with crutches and braces , but they said as he gets older, wheelchairs are often the easiest way to get around and keep pace with the world. W'ell cross that bridge when it arrives.
2. His legs and ankles appear straight and were moving all over! We know his legs will not be as strong as normal, but seeing this gave us Hope and we were encouraged!
3. It appears as the G-man is suffering only from spina bifida and not any other chromosonal abnormalites that can appear in instances like this.
4. Heart and everything else looks great and functioning properly.
5. getting up at 4:15AM makes us tired :)
So, overall we felt this trip was positive for us. It shed light on a few new things and we both feel like we can face this situation with Grace.
Thank you all for your love and prayers,
we love you,
Leigh and Andy
Thursday, October 2, 2008
QUICK UPDATE
I just wanted to give you all a quick update on what is going on over here, it's been awhile since I've posted. Last night we were able to meet with the couple who is also expecting a baby boy with SB. What a blessing that was!! They are such great people, and it was so nice to talk with someone who knows EXACTLY what we are going through! What was even nicer was that I think that we would actually be friends even if we weren't in this situation together! :) They are pretty much at the same point that we are, just starting to meet all of the doctors and gather all of the information that they can. Speaking of doctors...we have a few appointments next week and could use your prayers. On Tues. we are going to the University of Michigan hospital to meet with their high risk ob, we wanted to talk with their pediatric neurosergeons but in order to do that, I first have to be seen by their ob. Then, on Wed. we will be here in Grand Rapids meeting with the pediatric neurosurgeon here, learning more about the surgery that he will need right away. So please keep us in your prayers this upcoming week. Pray that we know what questions to ask and that we don't get too overwhelmed with all of the new information. On a VERY happy note, the baby has been moving ALL around! Especially at night and in the morning he is just kicking away! What a great feeling, even through all of this he is letting us know that he is OK!
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