The Best Christmas Gift.

I can breathe.

I mean, I can really breathe.

The kind of breath that you can feel from the top of your head to the very tips of your toes.

And I am Thankful.

Today we received the very best Christmas gift. The One Gift that I was most hopeful for. It came early, not on Christmas morning, and wasn't wrapped nicely with a bow. But it made my whole heart happier than any material possession ever could.

We heard the news today that Cayden's genetic testing was all normal. My baby is safe, and his parents can breathe. Really breathe. The genetic counselor told me that these tests rule out 95% of all possibility of an Osteogenesis Imperfecta diagnosis, and then I told the genetic counselor that she made my Christmas. And then I cried. I hung up the phone, kissed my baby boy and gave him a good squeeze and told Meme the news - Of course I would have told Cyle first if he happened to be standing there watching me cry like Meme was! But he was at work. So then I called The Daddy. Cyle was as elated as I was of course, and told me a story of how he asked for a "sign" today and actually saw something earlier in the day that was his "sign" and he new everything was going to be okay. AND IT IS. This means more to me than I could ever explain in words. This means the health of my son, the future of our family and children to come, this means...we can breathe. So that's what we'll do. I know that nothing I might receive this Christmas will even come close, but I will cherish this season, and truly love and enjoy every minute I spend with my family and friends. Everyone has been SO SO SO supportive to us through all of this, and I know that our strength and Cayden's has been helped by all of the prayers and well-wishes. I could never thank all of you enough.

I'm off to breathe...and snuggle my baby. :-)

Merry Christmas!

...

Still Waiting...

A Bit of Good News!

Yesterday, Cayden had an appointment with his Favorite doctor...

the wonderful and brilliant Dr. Ballock!

This appointment was a follow-up to last months appointment, during which we were told that Cayden's club foot repair was being so well maintained that we would be able to take a trial "One month without his 'special shoes' at nighttime." So we did. And yesterday was the day we returned to have him check out Cayden's feet to see if going "braceless" for that period of time reversed any of his results.

And the verdict...

NO MORE BRACE!! Yep...We're done!

After 15 months of repair and maintenance of my boy's precious little feet, we're done. Of course, if in the future he needs a second surgery or has any reversal of repair we may need to go back to the brace. But I'll take it!!

I'm amazed by this for so many reasons. First, the fact that Dr. Ballock is so freakin' good that my baby's once so twisted little feet are SO much better (and so functional for him) in a mere 15 months. This "defect" that seemed like a nightmare to us for what seems like so long, is now hardly even an issue. Of course we'll see Dr. B every 3 months...just to check in! I'm amazed...and SO thankful. That's all :-)

But I cannot give the good doctor all of the credit on this one! I am so so so proud of Cyle and myself for being so very diligent in the things that we needed to do in order to succeed in this. We followed our instruction so well, and for that I'm thankful too (can I thank myself for that!?)! Needless to say, Cayden has been my little Champion through it all as well. He rarely made a fuss when The Daddy and I spent so much time strapping his poor feet into shoes that could NOT have been very comfortable. But it became routine and he did it. Night after night. So along with everyone else, I'm thankful that I was blessed with such a strong, tolerant and brave little boy.

It's been a roller coaster these last 16 months...but when we receive good news after working so hard, everything seems to fall into place and I'm reminded of the joy I've been blessed with!

"I did it!!"

Thankful...

Today I'm thankful. Everyday I'm thankful. I'm thankful for my family - my loving husband who has given me everything I've ever wanted; my beautiful baby boy who lights up my life on a daily basis.

I'm thankful for our support system...our families and friends who've made our lives better just by being there.

This year, I'm most thankful for healthy days, bare feet not burdened with casts or braces, smiles that come so frequently, the innocence of a child, helping hands around the house, squeals of happiness, and belly laughs. These things, and many more, make my life amazing. And with the sights and sounds around me on a daily basis, I am constantly reminded of how lucky I really am.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Picture Post!

Cyle and I were looking through tons of old pictures the other night, each of them bringing back such vivid memories of the exact moments they were taken...I never want to forget.
Here are some past pictures that never quite made it to the blog.

Enjoy!!

One of my favorites...Cayden - 1 month old

Sept. 2008. Cayden, 2 months, taking a quiet rest.

An all-time favorite: Daddy and his boy, 3 months.

December 2008. Cayden's first taste of snow! Thanks to daddy's snowball-making abilities!

Cayden, 5 months. Such a happy boy.

Seven months...still smiling!

Such curiosity! He learns something new everyday!

These last few have all been taken of Cayden at 15 months. He continues to amaze me daily, and make me smile more often than I ever have!

Absolutely precious to me. Love the contentment and the little crossed feet.

Halloween 2009 - My cute little monkey!

A trip to Van Wert...and a bowl of Grandpa's chocolate pudding!!

Playing with one of his very best friends!

And this is the face I wake to daily..."Good morning Mama!"

And that's what I call LOVE.

Did you know?

So I know these last few posts have been filled with words, not many pictures, but it's all important stuff that I need to get out! I promise I'll post lots of GREAT pictures in the next few days (it's currently 3:30am, and I'm at work, without access to my photos...But I just can't stop thinking about my baby tonight so I thought I'd put a few of my thoughts here...)

Did you know?... My son has such a FUN personality!! Like everyone, he's got his moments...the ones in which tantrums are thrown and cries are heard loud and clear. But the majority of his day is filled with laughter and playing and such a curiosity about everything that goes on around him.

Did you know?... Cayden loves, loves, loves to dance with The Mama! His all-time favorite is Mickey's "Hot Dog Dance," but really anything will do. I hoist him up on my left hip, and we start to dance...I hold his arm out in true 'ballroom' fashion. If for some reason I let go of his hand, he quickly reaches for my finger to hold onto again...Then he laughs...from deep in his belly. And my heart smiles.

Did you know?... My big guy can give the correct responses when asked what sounds the following animals make...every time!: Monkey, Elephant, Doggie, Cow, Duck, Lion, Bear, Birdie, and even Snake! That's talent! He sure loves his animals!

Did you know?... Cayden has a new love for Trains. His eyes light up when he sees them, whether in real life or on tv. We have to cross a set of tracks basically every time we leave our house, and without fail, as we drive over them I hear from the back..."Mama? Choo-Choo!!" And more giggles.

Did you know?... This boy has a way of brightening my day...each and every day. He's got so many little quirks that are unique to only him, and I can look at him from across the room and pick up on them in an instant. And immediately I find myself smiling, without even realizing I am. I fall in love again every passing day...and I'm a lucky girl...