.Too Much Cuteness.

First an update on Scotty:
I just couldn't go through with taking him in for his blood work today. I do not do well with needles and blood myself, and the thought of watching Scotty go through it was too much. Jim was so great and offered to take him. Cadi and I stayed behind, prayed together, and then had a really nice time of schooling.
Jim came back with a happy, bubbly boy in his arms, along with a special treat - a box of graham crackers shaped like dog biscuits!?!! We do not usually purchase graham crackers (I have been making them), and I did not even know that they came in dog biscuit shapes these days! It was rather amusing watching Scotty chomp on them. {giggle}
Jim said that Scotty did as well as can be expected. He of course cried, but settled in Jim's arms quickly. The nurses I hear could not get enough of him. They were very reluctant to actually do the draw. Scotty came home with a sweet gift from the nurses clutched in his chubby fist - a little plaid scotty dog. How perfect is that? I am going to keep it forever displayed in my Christmas decor as a reminder of this time in Scotty's life.

He looks pretty good for just having oodles of vials of blood drawn, doesn't he? It's amazing what a {graham} dog biscuit will do!
Jim also filled a prescription for some ointment for Scotty's eczema. We are hoping that helps. The doctor also suggested bleach baths - can you believe that? I still want to do a bit of my own research before I attempt that one. It is bad, though, and I am willing to try {almost} anything.
We will not receive the results for Scotty's tests for around ten days. I am earnestly praying for some answers.
Thank you to all of you who prayed and shared such kind words and encouragement to me through my blog and email. I was overwhelmed with your compassion.

And on to other {cute} things. We visited my sister, her husband, and their daughter this weekend. Kaylen turns one this Thursday, and we celebrated with a party on Saturday. Here are a few quick snapshots that I took of the little princess.



My sister bought her the most adorable tu-tu, hair pretty, and appliqued tee to wear for her party. Isn't she so cute??



Cassie is my only sister. She is amazing. She is beautiful, silly, crazy, kind, and the best sister I could have ever dreamed of. I love her and her sweet daughter so much. I wish that we lived closer. Jim was asking me on our drive home if I had a nice time with her. I said "yes, but it is never long enough." And that is the truth - it never is.



Kaylen is amazing, too. She was walking at nine months, and has so much cuteness and personality squeezed into her tiny body. I could spend hours hugging and kissing on her sweet cheeks.



My sister's husband, Caleb, is my sister's perfect match. He is an excellent Daddy. Kaylen seems pretty smitten, too.



Too much cuteness.



I am thinking that cuteness must run in our genes. {wink}

.Praying for my Christmas Elf.

My sweet elf, who "hacked" my computer a few short days ago has been on my mind and in my prayers so much.

I took him to his twelve month well child appointment (four months late - long story) on Friday. His last well child was at nine months. So if you do the math that was seven months ago. At that appointment our doctor was concerned because Scotty did not seem to be growing right. He had dropped on the growth chart significantly. His height was actually not even chartable. Our doctor decided to take a "wait and see" approach. I worried and prayed about it, but then I pushed it out of my mind - until last week, I was nervous knowing his doctor's appointment loomed ahead at the end of the week.

In my heart of hearts, I knew that he was still not growing right. I didn't want to face the truth that, yes it was strange that my sixteen month old, beautiful boy was still fitting nicely into some six month clothing. He looks so chubby and perfect - just tiny. But I am fairly tiny stature wise at just 5 foot 1, and my dad is tiny as well, at just around 5 foot 4, so I thought maybe that is all that it was.

I took Scotty into his appointment, my heart in knots. I was just praying and hoping everything was fine, and that he was only a bit on the small side. Unfortunately, to my dismay, he has fallen even farther down the growth chart and at 16 months is just shy of 20 lbs and is 28 inches long. My heart thudded as the doctor told me that something just does not seem right.

Scotty's head is growing right on track, which is a huge praise, but this tells us that there is most likely something wrong with the rest of his growth. Scotty suffers from many allergies and asthma - we believe he is allergic to mold, dust, animals, and cow's milk.
Tomorrow he is going to go through a myriad of testing to see if he has any other allergies and to confirm some of the others. He will be tested for an allergy to eggs, soy, milk, wheat and several others. He is also being tested for celiac disease and for a thyroid problem. I am nervous for these tests. One because he is sixteen months old and has to get his blood drawn - should be interesting, and two I am nervous about the results. On the one hand, I am hoping everything comes back normal, but on the other hand, it would be so nice to have an answer and something to work with.

This sweet boy has given us a lot to deal with medically already! Between his allergies and his hydronephrosis (which praise God is very minimal now!!), he has kept us on our knees. My heart is heavy, and my mind is filled with questions. God is good, and He knows exactly what is going on in Scotty's tiny body. I am choosing to remember that at this moment. I am also reminded of the parents who today are dealing with much scarier situations with their children - whether it be health or other. I am so thankful for how gracious God has been to my family, and I pray for that to continue.


I think this is my all-time favorite {for the moment} photo of my boy and I. Isn't he gorgeous? I cannot get enough of his sweetness. Praying for my Christmas elf.