Hard Work Pays Off

Our Little Man is working so hard in physical therapy and we are so PROUD of him. We have seen so much improvement in 2 weeks with Gavin and we are confident that it is only a matter of time before he is 100%. The tilt of his head has improved from 20 degrees to 12 degrees to 10 degrees as of today's therapy session. His joints in his neck on the side that has the issue were not movable at all 2 weeks ago and I am proud to tell you that they are now able to be moved a notch. Thank you Jesus.

Our therapist, Trish has been such an Angel to us. She is so good with Gavin and has such a big heart for children and helping others. She actually has a little boy that is only a few weeks younger than him, so she relates to us really well. She goes above and beyond to try and make us feel good each session about the progress that our angel baby is making.

Look at this sweet boy...he is working so hard. His therapy is alot of work and he often gets frustrated, but NEVER gives up and we are so proud him. I can not tell you how thankful we are to have discovered this problem early on before things got any worse.

This week we have gotten a second opinion on Gavin's diagnosis and have also been referred to a specialist that deals specifically with these issues. He will be seeing the specialist on August 4th and from my understanding we will know the severity of his condition and have an exact treatment plan. As you can imagine, we are very anxious to get this taken care of immediately.

My heart just breaks for parents of sick children. As I aforementioned, this is a minor setback for us that we will get through and be just fine. However, I can not help but ask myself daily...what about the parents that don't have an end in sight? What about those with no hope? What about those that are watching their children suffer? What about those that lack a relationship with God? What about those that have lost their children? What about those that can not seek proper medical attention? What about & the list goes on and on!

The truth is, I have so much to be thankful for and I am so incredibly blessed in more ways than I could ever even begin to list.

Thank you so much for your continued thoughts and prayers on our behalf. I challenge you today to find a child, any child and lift them up in prayer. Afterall, you might be the only person praying for that child today!

Back & Busy

We have made it home from our little getaway and we are still a family of 4. Just kidding of course, but I am here to tell you it is alot of work traveling with a 2 year old and a 4 month old. We had a great time, the kids were wonderful, got to visit with family and enjoyed just being away.

We started our vacation off at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas. I am here to tell you that this is a kids resort. If you have little ones, they will love it and so will you. Everything from an indoor water park, story time, kids spa, game room, craft center, bear stuffing and much more. We really enjoyed our stay here and will return again someday. I will post some of our pictures later this week. We were also blessed to have Aunt Debbie, Uncle Wayne & Cousin Kaiden drive in from Dallas to spend the day with us at the water park.

After checking out of the GWL, we then drove about 30 minutes to the Westin at the Dallas Galleria. Oh, this place was comfy womfy... I loved it. We really enjoyed our stay here and did some more fun stuff. We were able to have dinner with with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Wayne and Cousins Wyman, Kendra, Jared and Kaiden at Mi Cocina....yummy Mexican food.

The best part about the Westin was what was located about 200 feet away. We made reservations to have breakfast at the Bistro in the American Girl Doll Boutique. Thank you Jesus for giving me a baby girl to share this with, this store was every little girl's dream.

Oh, it was so girly and so much FUN. All you GIRLY Mom's out there, this is something you MUST do once with your daughter. We took tons of pictures and I will be posting some soon.

Of course our sweet Emma had to bring a dog-dog with her and not just her American Girl Baby to have breakfast. They attached high chairs to the tables for the girls to have breakfast with their babies. How cute is that? Just wait till you see all the other stuff they had, I could have spent tons of money in this store. I came to my senses before I got to the register...thank goodness!

We also made a visit to the Dallas World Aquarium for the day. I am not a big fan of Aquariums, but this place was AWESOME...if you are ever in the Dallas area you must go see this place. We really enjoyed seeing all the animals and the layout of the aquarium. They had everything from sea otters, penguins, turtles, leopards, flamingos, monkeys, owls and so much more.

A trip in Texas would not be complete without a stop coming and going to Buc-ee's. This place in itself was a vacation and will allow you to drop some cash in no time at all. You name it, they have it and it all looks so GOOD.

All in all, this was the perfect little trip for the Frazier Four. The HOTY did a great job planning this little getaway, getting us there safely and making sure we had a great time. Thank you Curtis, you are the best Daddy and Husband ever!

I am so thankful we did not try to get on a plane with our 2 little ones or head to Destin like we originally wanted. I am thinking that we will wait until they are 2 and 3 to take a big vacation. It was so much work, but so worth it. Thanks again Curtis for convincing me to take a vacation closer to home.

This makes my heart smile every time I look at it. This is how my sweet babies rode in the car and their double stroller our entire vacation. Siblings are the best gift of all, aren't they?

Things have been busy since we have returned. Gavin has been going to therapy and is doing great. We have a session tomorrow night, so I plan on blogging about that and the progress he has already made. We are so proud of him and are still praying daily that we can avoid the helmet. We have obtained a second opinion and are consulting with a specialist on August 14th. Please continue to keep our Little Man in your prayers.

PT & Safe Arrival

Our Little Man had his first visit with his physical therapist today and he was such a cooperative little patient. We learned so much today about Gavin's little condition. It is believed that the torticollus is a result of him being so smashed in the womb from being a large baby at birth.

We are confident that with the help of PT and us working with him at home that this is 100% correctable, However, we were informed today that this could be muscular or skeletal. Skeletal is much worse and not correctable, so we are prayerful that ours is muscular and can be corrected over time. The skeletal version is only diagnosable through Xray and we are going to try and avoid that for a while due to his age.

As his parents we refuse to accept that it could be skeletal and we stand strong in our belief that we serve an awesome God that is already at work on our sweet boys behalf.

The PT was very confident that she could correct this through several sessions a week and with us stretching him at home 5 times a day. I am sure we don't need to tell you that we are committed to do whatever we have to do in order to correct this immediately. The PT was not real optimistic that we would be able to avoid the helmet. Once again, we will continue to pray and believe that the ultimate healer will be in control of that too.

Part of the process of PT was determining the degree of the head tilt which was only 20 degrees. From our understanding Gavin has a very mild case. Our PT currently is working with a 6 month old that had a 40 degree tilt and it has been reduced to 17 degrees with only 16 therapy sessions ~ Praise God for that sweet baby.

We are believing that Gavin's condition is muscular and is going to show great improvements in the weeks ahead. We will also continue to pray that at his 6 month check up he will get a "that a boy" and avoid the helmet.

Thank you for your prayers and your kind words on behalf of our little man. I appreciate all the emails and I will continue to share with you how successful Gavin is going to be with his PT.

We arrived at our vacation destination and quickly got settled in for a few days of fun. I had to share with you that we pushed the 2 queen size beds together so the Frazier Four could snuggle up.

4 Month Check Up

Our BIG BOY went for his 4 month old check up today and he was a trooper.

How much longer is he going to be able to fit on the little infant scale? Just look at him...he is hanging off everywhere. Don't squint, I took an up close picture of the scale for his Daddy to see how BIG this boy has gotten.

You saw it right....20lb 12oz....26 inches long and his head measured 17 3/8 inches. The boy is HUGE! Yes, that is all from being nursed too...nothing else. I have had people doubt me on this one, but I promise I do not give my babies food till they are 6 months old.

Poor little thing...honestly, he barely cried. I think he has enough protection on those chubby little legs that he did not feel it until the 2nd one and that is because it burned.

Look at the brave Big Sister...she did not want any part of watching her "little buddy" get shots. Oh no, she told the Dr. we were leaving on "cation tomorrow to the ocean to see the sharks and the dolphins"...she really believes it. We have told her over and over again that we are not going and we would go next year.

So, we found out today that Gavin has Torticollis and Plagiocephaly which is a tightening of the neck muscle which is causing some flattening of the head on one side. We were told if it does not correct by the time he is 6 months old, he would have to be fitted for a helmet that must be worn 23 hours a day.

We were referred to physical therapy. I wasted no time and drove there immediately to see what we needed to do and sign him up to begin. Needless to say, my 4 month old will be beginning physical therapy in the morning at 9:30. We are scheduled to leave for vacation in the morning, so we will just leave as soon as we learn a little more about what we can do to help correct the torticollis.

Please say a little prayer for Gavin if you get a chance. It is not a big deal and it is totally correctable, so I feel a little selfish asking you to pray (but who couldn't use a few prayers on their behalf, right?). As for me and his Daddy, we will be praying daily for this problem to be corrected before he is 6 months old.

P-L-A-Y-T-I-M-E

We spent the day yesterday playing with the little ones and they seemed to have a good time.

Emma got this little water table from her Nana for her birthday and she loves it. Afterall, what kid does not enjoy playing in the water? We had company last week and I looked out the window and she had climbed up in it and sat down. Silly kid!

I have a feeling the days of this little guy laying around are over. He enjoyed some exersaucer time yesterday for the first time and really enjoyed it.

Emma has been wanting to play with this sprinkler ball for a while, so we finally set it up yesterday. Daddy enjoyed playing in it too, but told me I could not post any pictures of him. Oh, they are funny.

Look at this sweet boy... don't you just want to squeeze him?

This kid would stay outside from sun up to sun down if we would let her. This picture just makes me smile.

Just think, next summer both of them will be running around and playing...I can't wait!

From the cradle...

to the crib. Oh my heart is aching, my baby boy is in his crib for the first time tonight. I am sure I will not sleep as I adjust to listening for 2 monitors opposed to 1. Yes, Emma still sleeps with an Angel Care Monitor and now Gavin is using his too. Well, he has been using the sensor part, but not the handset since he has been sleeping in a cradle only an arm reach away from his Daddy.

We knew it was time to make the move when we woke up the last 2 mornings and he had flipped over on his belly and had his little neck stuck out like a giraffe staring at us. It was really cute, but probably not a good idea to leave this big ole boy in a cradle.

No doubt in my mind he will sleep so much better, but the selfish part of me wanted to keep him in here forever. There is something about knowing it is your last baby and you have to move him to his bed...hard to explain, but I am sure someone out there understands.

Sweet dreams baby boy, sweet dreams!

Hot Summer Days

We have spent our days in the neighborhood pool this summer and it has been lots of fun. Emma is getting braver everyday, but is still a little nervous at times.

She normally wears either the floaties or the ring, but yesterday decided to wear both of them and it worked out better for all of us ~ seems to keep her a little higher up out of the water.

Gavin loves the water too and is so good when we go to the pool. He just hangs out, kicks his little feet, babbles and watches the big kids.

Next week we will be going on a little mini vacation (Emma calls it a cation) with the kiddos. Emma is so excited and keeps walking around here saying, "get on an airplane, go to the ocean on cation to see the dolphins and the sharks". Hmm...she might be a little disappointed when she discovers we are traveling by car and there is no ocean, sharks or dolphins. I don't even know where she came up with this, she just started saying it.

If you're happy and you know it...

say Amen, Amen...if you're happy and you know it say Amen, Amen...if you're happy and you know it then your face will surely show it, if you're happy and you know it say Amen, Amen!

This is one happy little fella right here... day or night, dark or light, what you see is what you get...he is a LOVER of life.

Drooling up a storm, might be a tooth making its appearance soon. We go to the Dr. on Monday to find out what "our little man" weighs? I am thinking those cheeks alone are about a pound each. Oh, and check out those cute little feet and toes...they are so darn cute. We finally got some shoes and wore them for the first time last week. However, I must admit...my favorite baby feet are shoeless.

Just dawned on me that I completely forgot to post on July 3rd...that was the day 1 year ago that we found out that the 4th Frazier would be joining our family and I am so glad HE did. This is the picture we shared with our family to announce that we were pregnant...took them about a second to catch on.

Look how much the "Itty Bitty" has changed in 1 year. If I could only slow down the hands of time, I would do it in a second and I am sure many of you would join me.

Emma vs.the Dentist

This Mommy should have known that it was not going to go over well, when her little feet hit the floor this morning and she started saying, "no, I am not going to the dentist". Well, needless to say we made our way to the dentist and as soon as we hit the reception area she started crying and saying, "I want to go home" over and over and over!. At that point I should have just left, but decided that we would stay and just try it. The picture belows says it all...it was NOT a good experience.


She was much happier when we got in the car and she knew we had left there for good. She then started saying, "I like the dentist, I got a pink toothbrush Mommy".

She got over it pretty quickly and they are expecting us back in 6 months for her 1st cleaning...uh, I am not sure we will make it back.

Tonight as we were getting her ready for bed I asked her to show her Daddy what the dentist told her today. She had me open my mouth and she began counting my teeth all the way up to 12 and then in a very high pitched voice as she got super close to my mouth she said, "your teeth look good, your teeth look pretty". This kid is so FUNNY and does not miss a beat, remembers everything she hears and can hardly wait to repeat it.

I was so proud of you today Emma, you were certainly the loudest patient in the office and also the CUTEST!

4 Months already?

You might be looking at a future linebacker right here friends. This boy is solid as can be and growing more and more everyday. I am not kidding you one bit at all when I tell you I could just stare at him all day. Have yet to put my finger on it, but there is something super special about little boys.

He is one of the sweetest little things I have ever laid my hands on in my entire life. Always smiling, always laughing, always happy and always looking for his MOMMY. Yep, I think I got me a Mama's boy and I am just fine with that...can you blame me?

Where has the time gone? It does not feel like we should be singing Happy Birthday to this little guy again. Yes, we sing Happy Birthday to our sweet babies on their monthly Birthdays too ~ big fun, big fun! So, what is Mr. Gavin doing?

• Wearing size 4 diapers (your sister is in a size 5)
• Weighed 19 lbs 11oz last week, but we will have an accurate weight on Thursday at your check up
• You are still just nursing exclusively, no formula for you big boy
• Constantly have a smile on your face
• Daddy can make you belly laugh
• You love to listen and watch your sister
• Taking baths in the big tub, you have outgrown your baby tub
• No longer wear footed pajamas, you are wearing big boy ones and you look so cute
• Wore shoes for the first time yesterday 0-6 month Pedi Peds
• Wear size 6-12 month clothes, but only 2 lbs from being in 12-18 month
• Enjoy listening to Mommy sing
• We have been in the pool all summer and you love it
• Roll from your stomach to back
• Sit up in your bumbo seat
• Your little neck is getting stronger everyday
• Love to be held and cuddled
• Babble and coo all the time
• Enjoy rides in the double stroller with your Big Sister
• Try to suck your thumb daily, but we take it out
• Eat about 5 ounces at each feeding
• Never take your eyes off your Big Sister
• Enjoy the swing for short lengths of time
• You are sleeping all night and have been since you were 2 months old (at least 11 hours)
• Have started drooling in the last 2 weeks

It is time for you to be moved from your cradle on your Daddy's side of the bed to your crib, but I continue to put it off. There is something about knowing you are our last baby that has kept me from moving you in your own bed. I would keep you in here forever, but I know in my heart it is not what is best for you. I know that you will be so much more comfortable on a mattress that is thicker than 2 inches and probably sleep so much better.

Gavin, you are such a blessing and we love you so much. Thanks for being such a sweet sweet baby that just goes with the flow. You have given us so many reasons to smile in the last 4 months and there is nothing more enjoyable than that big ole grin of yours "little man".

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is Curtis' 35th Birthday and he was not looking forward to this one. I think he is feeling a little old. Just a simple little celebration with our sweet little family, The Frazier Four!

I asked Emma what she wanted to get you for your birthday and she said, "uh Caillou". Gavin just grunted when I asked him.

We love you so much. Happy Birthday to the BEST Daddy and Husband I know. I pray that we get to celebrate 35 more Birthdays together.

Hurry home, your baby girl wants to see, "my Daddy blow a candle out"...oh she is such a Daddy's girl!

Catching up...

is hard to do once you get behind. I am sure you all know this feeling, seems like the longer I wait to post the harder it becomes for me to finally do it.

Our days have been filled with ER visits with Emma being sick, her 2 year old check up, back and forth to the Dr. to follow up on the infection that landed us in the ER, Curtis' grandmother went to be with Jesus, our AC unit went out at our house and the list goes on. However, I feel like we are finally back on track (at least I hope so).

You be the judge, do you think she loves this boy or what? She is an awesome big sister. This was taken at her 2 year old Dr's. appointment. We are just blown away that she is already two!

We have been spending our days at the pool with Emma's Best Buddy. Brook is a brave one and makes me a little nervous at the pool. She prefers to be in the big pool opposed to the kids splash pad area. As a matter of fact today she just jumped on in, laughed at her Mommy and went under. We don't have to worry about that with our "Itty Bitty", she is so dramatic and likes to scream and yell, "don't drop me Mommy, don't drop me".

We are getting ready to go on a little family vacation in about 11 days, so I am really looking forward to getting away for a few days.

I am off to bed, have an 8:00 meeting in the morning with a sales rep to purchase the ID badge system for my new school...woo hoo. Poor guy, he is coming to my house to meet with me since I am home for the summer. Little does he know he is going to walk into kid craziness over here....