Alrighty, it's about time huh? A lot has been going on. I decided to post all of those pictures so that those of you who don't see Ava a lot can see just how far she has come over the last few months. I started at the bottom with the older ones, some may have already been posted and most have correct dates on them. We have had our hands full with appointments, summer fun, working, and finding time for just the two of us. I have taken shifts at work on and off for the last couple of months since some of Ava's doctors have been slowing down on seeing her a little. This is a good thing:)
Ava is doing very well, she just had her 4th laser procedure to help the ulcerations on her face heal and we don't go back for about a month to see how much this one helps. I am still quite upset that we could have gotten a jump on all of this and treated it before any open sore ever started. looking at pictures I remember taking her in even before the scab started to ask about these little dark black areas under her skin on her cheek and on her nose and the nurse thought maybe she had scratched herself. Now knowing that this was just the start of the skin breaking down which happens sometimes and that it was not the result of a scratch or anything like that is frustrating. We now know to treat (with the laser) any areas that have started to look like that and it prevents them from opening up as those ones did. It was amazing looking back at just how bad it had gotten and how much better she is doing now though. As far as everything else goes we really have had no bad news. She is developing as she should be for her age as far as Neurology says. She is talking a ton and laughing and smiling at mama, daddy, and Nicholas among others. She is holding on to toys and whatever else we give her. She seems a little more behind in neck strength than other 4 month olds to me but if thats the case I think it's because she was limited in her tummy time and things that would help strengthen her neck and back since we were scared she woud hurt her face on the floor facing down or playing with toys. She always has her hands in her face!
Nicholas is doing great. In the last 4 months we have done a lot with him. We moved, had Ava, still continue with Life Group and church and socials, etc. We have spent time with some good friends and tons of family. He went camping with Eddie and I and my parents, he went to the fireworks and saw inside of a fire truck, we've spent time at the park, the zoo, and Holt Hometown Parade as well Nicholas getting to see his Grandpa and other family members get baptized this summer. Also he started potty training a little over a month ago. He goes whenever we tell him to but he's just starting to say when he needs to go every once in a while.
He doesn't really seem jealous at all an half the time not even really interested in what's going on with Ava...this makes it easy for me since he isn't always in her face or wanting to hold her. He has his moments though where he gets really cuddly with her.
I definitely see God and his amazing will at work in all of our lives and I see how Ava's life is affecting others around her, including us, and know that God is getting the glory for this. I know he has a plan for her and for all of us. She has forever changed us and our family:) Thanks for checking in!!
