tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49538766972328389202024-03-18T15:58:03.046-04:00Fierce Pierce..."you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress." Psalm 71:3Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.comBlogger301125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-31500461495520743322015-11-20T16:06:00.000-05:002015-11-20T16:52:28.849-05:00Thank you, Carolina PanthersWe stopped by your practice field today for a quick glance and to see the BofA stadium up close. We pass the stadium twice a week on our way to therapy and every time we pass it, my four year old asks to get out and see it. Today, I decided to indulge his request.<br />
<br />
As we walked up, we noticed a crowd of folks waiting with football gear in hand. I must've looked confused because one of the men waiting quickly explained that the team was just about to finish practice and that if we waited around long enough, we might just catch a glimpse of the players.<br />
<br />
Of course, my boy, a die hard football fan (heck, he oftentimes introduces <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2014/10/happy-halloween.html" target="_blank">himself as Steve Spurrier</a>) decided without hesitation to forgo lunch (y'all really have no idea how big of a deal that is for him) so that he could wait and see the players.<br />
<br />
After about 20 minutes of waiting, the gates opened and a steady stream of players piled out. I watched as Greg Olsen stopped, stooped low enough to meet eyes with my boy and then gently reached out his leather gloves. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH4p9tlswNH6ElWsRXj0TvVNgyMIiA7VlGaVjPztLWTrCdVyZ9TxZBcWggXkfSvotA46pQQD1wETSID81EIrPOa_0VadCuDSbUQsSVE1pKPJ_YBEV9lbOE_GnrXpBjEwmFCKWGJ8t_s8I/s1600/12227064_591012735218_195400271317050674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH4p9tlswNH6ElWsRXj0TvVNgyMIiA7VlGaVjPztLWTrCdVyZ9TxZBcWggXkfSvotA46pQQD1wETSID81EIrPOa_0VadCuDSbUQsSVE1pKPJ_YBEV9lbOE_GnrXpBjEwmFCKWGJ8t_s8I/s640/12227064_591012735218_195400271317050674_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And then this amazing player came up and not satisfied with the gate between them, opened it and knelt down beside Pierce. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4vgDF6gXHzIec5Ikq_QO_xqOZVaL2ejD-ZvbujeGTo2CBmXw3GyWGCE-FOFl1BQbIvpPWhVHdz3i23WYLosjdZKPkbd2Bj1B-1FpFaQnF_Byrny5XHoekvYomS9BSve53tAb26-wZx5B/s1600/12249743_591012710268_5254027995145442433_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4vgDF6gXHzIec5Ikq_QO_xqOZVaL2ejD-ZvbujeGTo2CBmXw3GyWGCE-FOFl1BQbIvpPWhVHdz3i23WYLosjdZKPkbd2Bj1B-1FpFaQnF_Byrny5XHoekvYomS9BSve53tAb26-wZx5B/s640/12249743_591012710268_5254027995145442433_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Another player passing by offered his gloves as well. Two sets of gloves?! What's a boy to do? Guess he'll be doing a lot of catching practice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq967OaKFM3fyXfUbxGXOcHoZLzQiOLNVRq0_o4ynTl9miYjtXgik7B4GG6a6rIN6O6EvQWOFLGMgTmYbaNnfeqJWupwXzUnr6MMkwyvG4tMacYBfxiqOrFK2TaGIYzRMNdGjXdbmj3tJ/s1600/12274600_591012650388_91228048451190597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq967OaKFM3fyXfUbxGXOcHoZLzQiOLNVRq0_o4ynTl9miYjtXgik7B4GG6a6rIN6O6EvQWOFLGMgTmYbaNnfeqJWupwXzUnr6MMkwyvG4tMacYBfxiqOrFK2TaGIYzRMNdGjXdbmj3tJ/s640/12274600_591012650388_91228048451190597_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
We were just about to leave when Pierce spotted Cam. I heard his tiny voice say "Cam, keep pounding!" Cam catching sight of Pierce, walks over to him. "Hey man, how are you?," Cam asks. Silence. Our boy is star struck and in awe. Cam leans over the gate and places his arm bands on Pierce's arms. Still silence on our end. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZY0NGo5YBRCQFVy-4r14-n5q_bmgPTFjfqgY6c_3BduZyITNVAKhnR3q7vP4K8vWx67WmWbOLZDbxYuuiMLZy-N6YZG0kxmBKv6JQ4yWdD904Zy7V1yKll_IpvmxnrsTv_N3v1oBriyP/s1600/12227804_591012605478_824506035333002740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZY0NGo5YBRCQFVy-4r14-n5q_bmgPTFjfqgY6c_3BduZyITNVAKhnR3q7vP4K8vWx67WmWbOLZDbxYuuiMLZy-N6YZG0kxmBKv6JQ4yWdD904Zy7V1yKll_IpvmxnrsTv_N3v1oBriyP/s400/12227804_591012605478_824506035333002740_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIhJlFO5hSthE0c-_r7hJI4OqLXn8KmNm6gwbdINc2kEg3z7vtNtoeWrAhTKB3LSH6bRU-Q6InSvDW4ClT0e85Q9KkgPwvwMuFJrliVeAXva4lVduxdcrSLxP5bgh_cgw78nwCq01YY8b/s1600/11202808_591012625438_3489260973358622367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIhJlFO5hSthE0c-_r7hJI4OqLXn8KmNm6gwbdINc2kEg3z7vtNtoeWrAhTKB3LSH6bRU-Q6InSvDW4ClT0e85Q9KkgPwvwMuFJrliVeAXva4lVduxdcrSLxP5bgh_cgw78nwCq01YY8b/s640/11202808_591012625438_3489260973358622367_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
As Cam walks off, I hear Pierce say, "wow." We make our way back to the car and sitting quietly, he clutches his newly acquired goods. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzxQ16PC3AUzcyGiCj5xr8XCloM3AwDODtV8yHNx0gtvFcpWugDJIq3PR5MI4Q-jrIr0KYX1OW_HpTtgTJhR9b8zSy7GzXwvUzY_k28eBfvxtjdv7UYLdYZZkOM0dWUGh9950IKpxRfvp/s1600/12279180_591012775138_2379536320180010019_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzxQ16PC3AUzcyGiCj5xr8XCloM3AwDODtV8yHNx0gtvFcpWugDJIq3PR5MI4Q-jrIr0KYX1OW_HpTtgTJhR9b8zSy7GzXwvUzY_k28eBfvxtjdv7UYLdYZZkOM0dWUGh9950IKpxRfvp/s640/12279180_591012775138_2379536320180010019_n-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
As we pull away he whispers, "I like the Panthers. I like Cam Newton." Yes buddy, I do too. I do too. <br />
<br />
This week on social media there's been a lot of back and forth on Cam's dancing in the end zone. Last week it was on his removal of an opponent's banner. But today, none of that mattered (not that it really mattered before either). Today we saw Cam's heart and compassion and that's really what it's all about, isn't it? So to Cam and the rest of the team, we just wanted to say "thank you." Thank you for taking the time to stop by and chat with Pierce. Thank you for your gifts that will serve as reminders of his favorite players on his favorite team. You made his day, and it was a day he'll remember for a long time to come. I'm sure he will talk about this day each time we pass the stadium. I also know for certain that I won't be able to get those armbands and gloves away from him anytime soon. I'm already debating on how to convince him that he can't take them in the bath tonight!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-58145685452067533762015-08-13T21:09:00.001-04:002015-08-13T21:09:30.578-04:00UpdateIt's been a week since Pierce had surgery to replace his VP shunt. Thankfully, since then, it's been smooth sailing. We were able to be discharged from the hospital on Saturday and thankfully, have been settling in at home. Fortunately, the take away for Pierce has been that he got a new ipad at the hospital, so we are thankful that he doesn't seem to have any fear or bad thoughts towards all he has been thru.<br />
<br />
We wanted to thank you all for your prayers and support. And for the many gifts that were showered on Pierce. Thank you, thank you, thank you!<br />
<br />
Please continue to pray that this shunt (now on a new side of his noggin') will work a LONG time (forever would be nice!) and for no infections. Pierce has big plans of starting preschool next month (cue the tears) and we would love nothing more than for him to go through the school year uninterrupted by medical complications.<br />
<br />
Thank you for walking this journey with us,<br />
<br />
Nik, Lindsay and Piercelindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-2504927106539437562015-07-31T21:56:00.002-04:002015-07-31T22:02:49.758-04:00Reflections<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiCFZ_nz_lXdKxDjTBihahgB1dONjOvn9qyejzUrHR-JxQwYr4RSxKpiBARyTY0JFEY08_Wx9H8GxxMbCjVEBGiepDWah8MxDLl5IxB7K78V1NU0DG2J_Axmv3l3xlY1eraEwlegCqi7S/s1600/photo+copy+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiCFZ_nz_lXdKxDjTBihahgB1dONjOvn9qyejzUrHR-JxQwYr4RSxKpiBARyTY0JFEY08_Wx9H8GxxMbCjVEBGiepDWah8MxDLl5IxB7K78V1NU0DG2J_Axmv3l3xlY1eraEwlegCqi7S/s320/photo+copy+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still in business, making phone calls and answering emails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Update on Pierce: </i>We've had a few quiet, good days. Overall, Pierce is himself with little to no pain. Thankfully his biggest ailment is boredom and for that, we are so, so thankful. Thanks to everyone who has sent our boy mail and care packages to help pass the time. Yesterday Pierce had his PICC line placed to help with the administration of his antibiotic (before he was needing a new IV daily). Infectious Disease finally identified the bacteria that caused the infection- Micrococcus (kudos to anyone who has ever heard of that). They said the good news is that he is/has been on the right antibiotics. However, they'll need to wait 10 full days since his last positive culture before re-internalizing the shunt. That means that next Friday is the first possible surgery date. He will then need to be hospitalized for a few more days to finish out the antibiotic course. And so we wait, and pray that nothing new shows up in his cultures so that surgery can proceed as expected. <br />
<br />
I'd be lying if I acted like this time around has been pie in the sky and fairy dust. Nothing about watching your child endure pain and suffering is easy. Nothing, not even the boredom they face because they are stuck in a hospital bed. It all stings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This isn't easy<br />
This isn't clear<br />
And you don't need Jesus<br />
Til you're here<span class="t402-elided-ellipsis">... </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="t402-elided-ellipsis">("When A Heart Breaks," Ben Rector)</span></i></div>
<br />
We find comfort in our good and loving Father and knowing that His sovereign plan is at work. These are the times where the darkness seems so thick<i> </i>and so pervasive that He is hidden from us. I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns which states "when darkness seems to hide His face,<br />
I rest on His unchanging grace." Indeed it is true that His grace sustains us. It repairs us. It restores us. It is His grace that spurs us to hope. It is where we find our rest.<br />
<br />
Almost every night as I've fallen asleep on the <strike>parent bed</strike> rock hard chair, I've thought about <i>why</i> God has us here. Why here, why again? And why with future surgeries almost a guarantee? <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then I hear the reminders of His grace that come rushing in: This trial, <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-06-15T09:37:00-04:00&max-results=3&start=3&by-date=false" target="_blank">just like the others you've faced</a>, is preparing you for something far greater, and grander- an unseen place where Christ's glory reigns and sickness is no more<i><b>.</b></i> This suffering is not in vain. It is demonstrating God's glory and His all sufficiency to those around you. This suffering- Pierce's suffering, your suffering- it is not wasted. It will not be wasted. It will make you, and him, and your husband more like Christ as you join in His sufferings. This suffering, it will be used this to bring those you love, those you pray for, into the Kingdom. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He is enough. He is good and he is True. He is where we find our peace and rest. And thanks be to God that we can rest in His grace and not in our own efforts or temporary feelings.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/4-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
<span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/4-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>as
we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are
unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that
are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thanks for walking this journey with us.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Love,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nik, Lindsay and Pierce<br />
<br />
PS- Shortly before I posted this, we learned that a dear friend's son is also having a shunt revision surgery tonight. Please pray for him as well. We love him and his family dearly. </div>
lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-79779441742971461412015-07-27T12:32:00.001-04:002015-07-27T12:32:12.872-04:00updateFirst off, thank you so much for the outpouring of support for our boy. We are so humbled by the thoughtful messages, calls and visits we've already received.<br />
<br />
Pierce is doing well. For those who don't follow us on Facebook, here is a brief recap:<br />
Pierce had a seizure Saturday morning, was taken to the local ER where it was determined he was in a shunt malfunction. Within a few hours, he was airlifted to Duke Children's where he underwent a shunt revision surgery. During the surgery, the neurosurgeon discovered an infection along the entire tract of his shunt. She was baffled as he was asymptomatic (no elevated WBC, temp, etc) and it had been 14 months since his last surgery (typically these infections show up closer to a surgery vs further out). Because of the infection, the entire shunt had to be removed and instead of the shunt, an external drain was placed (essentially a tube that drains the fluid to a bag on the outside). The external drain is very positional, which means Pierce is limited to only moving when the nurse is with him to adjust the position of the drain. He will be in the hospital on antibiotics until they identify and clear the infection (no less that 10 days). Once the infection is gone, he will have another surgery to replace the shunt. Then he will be in the hospital until he recovers and we make sure the new shunt is working well.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, he's been through a lot. On top of the surgery recovery and lack of mobility, he's developed an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, so that every time he receives a dose, he gets covered in red, itchy hives. It's pitiful to see.<br />
<br />
His IVs keep blowing so they've suggested placed a PICC line, but cannot do so until his infection is clear too. He has been stuck more times than I can count at this point.<br />
<br />
We've definitely seen him sick, but this is going to be his longest hospital stay since his NICU days.<br />
<br />
We are heartbroken at all he has to endure, but are thankful for the graces that have met us along the way. The entire staff at Duke is nothing but superb. In all of our time here, we have yet to have had a bad nurse or doctor. Incredible.<br />
<br />
<i>Funny story: </i>Our boy is handling things in stride and with such
grace. He is tough as nails and tougher than any grown adult I've ever
met. Yesterday they took him for a CT with contrast to check his belly
for any infections, abscess. While he was in "the donut" (his words, not
mine), I hear a little voice start talking. It went something like
this, "Dear God, Thank you for Needtobreathe. Thank you for Bear, and
Bo, and for my mommy's ipad with Needtobreathe music.And thank you for
Mr. Ben Rector. Keep my shunt working properly (he hasn't gotten the
memo that it is out). In Jesus name, Amen." Y'all I was in tears. The
fact that he was just 10 hrs post surgery, still doped up from
anesthesia and I'm sure, still had a massive headache, but he still was
sitting there thanking God for his favorite band and asking him for healing. It was humbling and so
neat to witness. And the funniest part of it all, he gets out of the CT,
and the technician says he has a surprise for him. Pierce's response,
"yay! I get an ipad." Let's just say the stuffed animal he received was a
little lower than his expectations.<br />
<br />
Here is how you can pray specifically for our boy:<br />
1. For the infection to be identified (as of now, nothing is growing on the cultures, which is also a mystery), and for the doctors to have wisdom in choosing the right antibiotic to treat it.<br />
2. For Pierce to be free of pain, to rest comfortably and for mercy as he is already stir crazy and only on day 2.<br />
3. For continued protection against any other illnesses that would delay his next surgery.<br />
4. And of course that after this next surgery, he will be back to healthy and able to go home and enjoy the remainder of his summer.<br />
<br />
Several of you have asked about care packages. We do have an address for that and will be happy to give it to you if you'd like to send him something. Just email Lindsay at franks.lindsay@gmail.com. Also, if you have the ability to Facetime, our boy would love to chat! Those who know him, know he is very social. He's asked about his friends a lot already and would just love to see them on the ipad. It may help the time go by a little faster. And of course, the best thing you can do for us is to pray.<br />
<br />
Many thanks for those walking this long journey with us,<br />
<br />
Nik, Lindsay and Pierce<br />
<br />
<br />Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-44158641224673237122015-07-25T23:47:00.000-04:002015-07-25T23:47:41.941-04:00UpdateFirst of all, thank you all for praying. Nik and I are just so humbled at how our community rallies around us every time we go through a crisis. We feel so fortunate to have such an incredible support system.<br />
<br />
Pierce just went in for his 6th brain surgery. 6, y'all. And it never gets easier. If anything, it gets harder. But apparently for this kid, he is a pro. Give him some an ipad with some needtobreathe and he's good to go. His sense of humor and joyful spirit hasn't left him, even when he is in what I'm sure is, intense pain. <br />
<br />
I don't have much brain power left to write a long post with all the details, but in short, Pierce had a seizure this morning shortly after waking up. It was scary to see, as seizures always are, but thankfully he responded to his emergency meds and came out of it quickly. He was taken to the local ER, assessed and determined to be having a shunt malfunction. After spending the day in the local ER, he was airlifted to Duke (about 3 hours away by car) so that the neurosurgeon who has followed him for the past 3 years could perform the surgery. <br />
<br />
We are sad that he has to have another surgery and tired, but we are trusting in God's goodness even in this situation. We want to thank everyone for the prayers and support.<br />
<br />
<i>John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." </i><br />
<br />
<br />Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-46019618161681995002015-04-12T23:47:00.000-04:002015-07-25T23:48:22.790-04:00Fourth Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpC6xhTW1mDBQmJswFXsPfOrS9kTtXm4au2sBS2nCTH9pL9Z5ejiyIca1fhMmRTQ2sA73XA-nA45jgAxBH8FYv993d47TIPk4Xg5iNZy8zi11D4TlKrDBePUH4LuMIoptaz0UbtRb7GwA/s1600/IMG_6518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpC6xhTW1mDBQmJswFXsPfOrS9kTtXm4au2sBS2nCTH9pL9Z5ejiyIca1fhMmRTQ2sA73XA-nA45jgAxBH8FYv993d47TIPk4Xg5iNZy8zi11D4TlKrDBePUH4LuMIoptaz0UbtRb7GwA/s400/IMG_6518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECa5MxGh19B_rcgJwLOjUgjf8s1HCiQ16dhpukUI-scKxTAZQugP-2WgGg0a2VORgxjjWSlIhT3yypxLWPiW16VyH2SHXWWZGPHQfkA6RrvkIIBlab_Cn9narr_UmhuScybYHpdBsEyv_/s1600/IMG_6564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECa5MxGh19B_rcgJwLOjUgjf8s1HCiQ16dhpukUI-scKxTAZQugP-2WgGg0a2VORgxjjWSlIhT3yypxLWPiW16VyH2SHXWWZGPHQfkA6RrvkIIBlab_Cn9narr_UmhuScybYHpdBsEyv_/s400/IMG_6564.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj9RqW6YHvxnz4FTiFzB7XVuRKOlDqtncYOyrvU4pr6i0ZyZc6HplMXAHUqI-t-2w5szcxnnD5ApOwhS2aB6KTz3QDY8PXfj-tCW_47ae7alt7ZG0qIjph7YoHHpzkdS8cORUiaMyYbR7/s1600/IMG_6573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj9RqW6YHvxnz4FTiFzB7XVuRKOlDqtncYOyrvU4pr6i0ZyZc6HplMXAHUqI-t-2w5szcxnnD5ApOwhS2aB6KTz3QDY8PXfj-tCW_47ae7alt7ZG0qIjph7YoHHpzkdS8cORUiaMyYbR7/s400/IMG_6573.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVqip2mMQ535pTh6zfJXqpf2OICnh-mk5VfvQ6OhpKyYYLKyQC4sVjj2EjPwTtaAqiXmqsm2S5TbmKF0XCNRgEyfwuJUAnPuM9WjYdRqfhoNdp3cik7qB09b1Za8xx-pvk57wxfrrpxJX/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVqip2mMQ535pTh6zfJXqpf2OICnh-mk5VfvQ6OhpKyYYLKyQC4sVjj2EjPwTtaAqiXmqsm2S5TbmKF0XCNRgEyfwuJUAnPuM9WjYdRqfhoNdp3cik7qB09b1Za8xx-pvk57wxfrrpxJX/s400/IMG_6576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAQu8zMR9Q_wvYQPf2gQ-F4umLDnt8poIgwxt8b56-4yJHnufyxKyz5HgzPiyNc8Q8pMuAMXV3EDF7ALnI55kLg_COz6lTAOE4GH2leSafSj_0k63Pxo7DjVTcC8Fb6VSviFHSORvfbmv/s1600/IMG_6547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAQu8zMR9Q_wvYQPf2gQ-F4umLDnt8poIgwxt8b56-4yJHnufyxKyz5HgzPiyNc8Q8pMuAMXV3EDF7ALnI55kLg_COz6lTAOE4GH2leSafSj_0k63Pxo7DjVTcC8Fb6VSviFHSORvfbmv/s400/IMG_6547.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_kvBNtCFvU2RMrrqwYEEOcXRwgqKVM_GHyzNIln0wd8G8_YsZgRChheuTcDUd9Oz2OtKwu8-8RHJsSQovQLBwLW43LPFuC4Exl_XlZFsDq5VsMdR9ld-2BmHi0OKKgy6eQhCucMw-wwi/s1600/IMG_6596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_kvBNtCFvU2RMrrqwYEEOcXRwgqKVM_GHyzNIln0wd8G8_YsZgRChheuTcDUd9Oz2OtKwu8-8RHJsSQovQLBwLW43LPFuC4Exl_XlZFsDq5VsMdR9ld-2BmHi0OKKgy6eQhCucMw-wwi/s400/IMG_6596.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-57692253421895660872014-10-31T14:50:00.001-04:002014-10-31T15:20:15.522-04:00Happy Halloween! This year, we let Pierce pick his own Halloween costume. We were fairly certain he would chose from one of the two these- football or baseball. The kid LOVES watching his sports. So when we asked him what he wanted to dress up, it didn't surprise us a bit when he promptly responded with, "a football coach!"<br />
<br />
And so, I give you....<br />
<br />
<br />
Mr. Steve Spurrier, king of Carolina football.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNLfPy_tjee51oMaWN1skFkPcu4xPRlTF2LmIKO7XqALkIj6dZ69O4dZQ1PLnpg9HBMjMhdU-yO8dZQmA_92CWqx9ZGsIEqBHdSxiyAmpAedgMZNM9mVwgHY6ieHbInZ_A6saHndn-HMx/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNLfPy_tjee51oMaWN1skFkPcu4xPRlTF2LmIKO7XqALkIj6dZ69O4dZQ1PLnpg9HBMjMhdU-yO8dZQmA_92CWqx9ZGsIEqBHdSxiyAmpAedgMZNM9mVwgHY6ieHbInZ_A6saHndn-HMx/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Halloween!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvGR-CNEhhGWMHWddeL8CoPOdQeDw8DHmXJmqe0v8dvUU-_05RxBscRPPouNJiL_oSy0SQWIczyA0WUWvw5EflvA54IJoZZa6uqboCQygd-M9A1L2MlbHoCt7nxYYJJiLCtzpVDxMV1-g/s1600/IMG_6432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvGR-CNEhhGWMHWddeL8CoPOdQeDw8DHmXJmqe0v8dvUU-_05RxBscRPPouNJiL_oSy0SQWIczyA0WUWvw5EflvA54IJoZZa6uqboCQygd-M9A1L2MlbHoCt7nxYYJJiLCtzpVDxMV1-g/s1600/IMG_6432.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnLJjFIskaM3W8580G-eCqLdU_qpqJszPIzBTINlTPUiUkuGwvFfaesjsRaX1EcHqJU_NJm-n4EIInAuIwmKW3QA0BHbR1xq4C85lmI5vVjGD4VOdIg7aH1COSqcPjY0HleMI1kNxWwik/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnLJjFIskaM3W8580G-eCqLdU_qpqJszPIzBTINlTPUiUkuGwvFfaesjsRaX1EcHqJU_NJm-n4EIInAuIwmKW3QA0BHbR1xq4C85lmI5vVjGD4VOdIg7aH1COSqcPjY0HleMI1kNxWwik/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_T47WxagLP65i4SjTy4ixVGEE0aLMseY2R8nJAAWUtg4JGUQjqJ8UK_18yivF1U69pYFh1cInfJQ5I9CUReDEMwBEINJrb4eHgdf0xH4sfqIS7EiyEDgCbu7DpVC9Ex0CUUEDhPQuXH_/s1600/IMG_6457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_T47WxagLP65i4SjTy4ixVGEE0aLMseY2R8nJAAWUtg4JGUQjqJ8UK_18yivF1U69pYFh1cInfJQ5I9CUReDEMwBEINJrb4eHgdf0xH4sfqIS7EiyEDgCbu7DpVC9Ex0CUUEDhPQuXH_/s1600/IMG_6457.jpg" height="400" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75F_9kH-W43jPWSPI4DF57YC3ROA1pd7KbPKwg4XpK6KqsrZPKyKoNWhv1W0FJVEeu8hJUTUR4tAwHu8trrn7ElDUvwAEUcwUqfR0KY273t2-J06trw4l9yVrsZWopjhG0xHPirArHNfP/s1600/IMG_6481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75F_9kH-W43jPWSPI4DF57YC3ROA1pd7KbPKwg4XpK6KqsrZPKyKoNWhv1W0FJVEeu8hJUTUR4tAwHu8trrn7ElDUvwAEUcwUqfR0KY273t2-J06trw4l9yVrsZWopjhG0xHPirArHNfP/s1600/IMG_6481.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiiAfK-bwaw0_wx2ic_ULBrcTySNP_yYW9dzDkXBr3F60o60o_GGh-WuV9VC1XHZ_0VKXBsH0EMYbo3iiLKs6uM2xlcjtFr7vUeMdqZE3dHdlumUWldeeW87jNf9tB6iLsTyaqNk8SWmV/s1600/IMG_6487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiiAfK-bwaw0_wx2ic_ULBrcTySNP_yYW9dzDkXBr3F60o60o_GGh-WuV9VC1XHZ_0VKXBsH0EMYbo3iiLKs6uM2xlcjtFr7vUeMdqZE3dHdlumUWldeeW87jNf9tB6iLsTyaqNk8SWmV/s1600/IMG_6487.jpg" height="400" width="242" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO2JiL2UFMnlPF4GScCp6qnDmT7dPjjtWnD-4nhUdSCP2AqAMLFg-O5CSTZKXKTf99f8gIUHlsKuzm4lf9REo58Mr6upCy4zFOc_3KrJmO4MnoZFf4ELXmrZENogq5h1KyHhXmDQ33pT1/s1600/IMG_6490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO2JiL2UFMnlPF4GScCp6qnDmT7dPjjtWnD-4nhUdSCP2AqAMLFg-O5CSTZKXKTf99f8gIUHlsKuzm4lf9REo58Mr6upCy4zFOc_3KrJmO4MnoZFf4ELXmrZENogq5h1KyHhXmDQ33pT1/s1600/IMG_6490.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHnBIsnRaFx_cE47YnCTGQypdyWbmZiO6TR2vconvrpHcqZ8iqWiDjuISjZoFczrXtqraFpX8r87gu7O8R8XmXP-CislnSZfG9hc-tznCjCTeT3FrcfXq1es2D9txYero9U9fAb4isSnw/s1600/IMG_6494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHnBIsnRaFx_cE47YnCTGQypdyWbmZiO6TR2vconvrpHcqZ8iqWiDjuISjZoFczrXtqraFpX8r87gu7O8R8XmXP-CislnSZfG9hc-tznCjCTeT3FrcfXq1es2D9txYero9U9fAb4isSnw/s1600/IMG_6494.jpg" height="400" width="251" /></a></div>
lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-88893810210715884142014-08-10T20:40:00.003-04:002014-08-10T21:05:23.263-04:00A sand dollar & a shark's toothWe just got back from a week long beach vacation (Can I get an amen, hallelujah?!). It was SO wonderful to just sit back, relax and enjoy the ocean with my boys. Really, the 7 days just flew by.<br />
<br />
Last year our vacation came on the heels of <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-plan-for-tomorrow.html" target="_blank">Pierce's shunt scare</a> and after he had endured a grueling recovery from his <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2013/04/post-op-morning.html" target="_blank">April 2013 brain surgery</a>. Flash forward this year and he's got <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2014_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">two more surgeries</a> under his belt.<br />
<br />
I'd be lying if I didn't say that the weight of it all- the surgeries, the doctors visits and the therapies- has really been heavy. There have been many dark and scary days since last years beach trip. Times when I've asked how long, how much we must endure. And yet, God has remained faithful to us. He has given us way more than we ever deserve. We've watched our boy grow from a tiny, quiet toddler to a happy-go-lucky, always talking little boy and for that, we are so thankful.<br />
<br />
Earlier this week I took a long walk to clear my head. As I walked along, I remembered a story I once heard of a lady who had prayed for God to send a ladybug to remind her of His love. And then it occurred to me, a quick thought, but one that stuck. I was going to pray for God to remind me of his love by sending me a sand dollar. And being the indecisive and over achiever that I am, I quickly added a shark's tooth to the list as well. <br />
<br />
Before I go any further, let me add that this particular beach had recently had a 3 mile sand bar blasted up and the beach was full of literally thousands of large black rocks. (Taking a walk while pushing a stroller was no easy feat.) I hadn't seen a sand dollar yet and I knew for sure, the chance of finding one unbroken was going to be pretty hard. (I know you can sometimes find them on the bottom of the ocean floor, but the week before we were there a 5 ft shark washed up on shore and then while we were there a little boy was bitten by a 5 ft shark, so no thank you, if I was going to find a sand dollar, it was going to be on the beach, in the sand. This momma ain't losing a leg.)<br />
<br />
And a shark's tooth? Really, not sure why I asked for that, maybe I was being nostalgic about my teenage Myrtle Beach days and those tacky shark's tooth necklaces you bought at Wings. I don't know, it's always something I've wanted to find on the beach, but never have.<br />
<br />
I went home that day and told Nik about my prayer. But as the week went on, my rationale started to turn. Well that was a silly prayer. God doesn't have time for that. Wait, is God even real? Of course he is, he just doesn't have time for sending sand dollars and sharks teeth. Thoughts poured through my head.<br />
<br />
Finally Saturday came, it was time to go home. We decided to visit the beach one last time for a quick splash in the ocean before heading home. Literally right before we start to pack up, I look down and find a baby sand dollar. I quickly rush over to Nik, big grin on my face and show him. I immediately say, "Now I just need a sharks tooth," to which Nik chuckles and laughs. I guess he found it funny that a sand dollar wasn't enough. He did ask me to clarify whether I had prayed for "both" or "either." Of course I needed both. <br />
<br />
As I go down to the water to wash it off, I look down and there sitting in the sparkling sun by it's lonesome self, wouldn't you know there was a shark's tooth. At this point I was a little in shock. Both of the things I had prayed for were now sitting in my palm, literally minutes before we left the beach.<br />
<br />
As I stand there stunned, a man approaches. Oh no, do I look odd standing here, mouth gaping? I quickly adjust. As he approaches, I could see he was holding something. "Excuse me, ma'am, these are yours. I just grabbed them out of the ocean." I quickly glance into his sandy palm and see 2 giant sand dollars. Who is this man and where did he come from? And why isn't he just keeping the sand dollars?<br />
<br />
I managed to play it cool until the man walked off and then the tears just started to come. I walked over to the boys, stunned, but flashing my new found treasures. Nik just smiled at me and said, "See, He loves us." <br />
<br />
There I sat staring at 3 sand dollars... one for each of us. And a shark's tooth.<br />
<br />
And with that, we left the beach, sun shining on our backs, walking away for another year and knowing He is faithful. He cares. He takes the time to answer our prayers, even the silly ones. I may not know what challenges lie ahead for us this year, but I know He is loving, kind and merciful. Oh, how He loves us.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-8-3" id="en-ESV-14016">"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-8-3">the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,</span></span><span class="text Ps-8-4" id="en-ESV-14017"><sup class="versenum"> </sup> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-8-4" id="en-ESV-14017">what is man that you are mindful of him,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-8-4">and the son of man that you care for him?</span></span> </i>"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Psalm 8:3-4 </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimavRmwj1UU5Xpoi-HLwM9yXtHhyphenhyphen-LMm8ESpMot2sfvYaffG5iTg-cevGwmc32ktCH1IQOz9IN57gGbOUbRylj2yxX_msZln1EnF_j9maFdnBChZ7WJw8zDg5qyfqS1QJy665y8wah8H7n/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimavRmwj1UU5Xpoi-HLwM9yXtHhyphenhyphen-LMm8ESpMot2sfvYaffG5iTg-cevGwmc32ktCH1IQOz9IN57gGbOUbRylj2yxX_msZln1EnF_j9maFdnBChZ7WJw8zDg5qyfqS1QJy665y8wah8H7n/s1600/photo.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
PS- I may be the only person who wasn't aware of this, but the sand dollar actually has a pretty cool Christian symbolism. <a href="http://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/f024_SandDollar.htm" target="_blank">Check it out.</a></div>
<br />
<br />lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-43300182705210092092014-06-15T09:37:00.002-04:002014-06-15T09:38:32.737-04:00Father's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBWmXf4gGdq8SSMO6KTL0FByLgXIwvEjXH-YMuBnRMCTGhkh1s8N1LakU3hXuaCW8ZAP3vQuw8IycjvCorV3v9TA8PKYFQlKR87t_sFHbTpwyAHMfcEhLHJ5oN-_IlYlUzQ2kuncstbCP/s1600/dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBWmXf4gGdq8SSMO6KTL0FByLgXIwvEjXH-YMuBnRMCTGhkh1s8N1LakU3hXuaCW8ZAP3vQuw8IycjvCorV3v9TA8PKYFQlKR87t_sFHbTpwyAHMfcEhLHJ5oN-_IlYlUzQ2kuncstbCP/s1600/dad.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a><br />
It's Father's Day! Today we are celebrating the BEST daddy in the world. This parenting gig has been far harder than you ever imagined, but you roll with the punches, always by our side to be our rock and our protector. You provide for us. You laugh with us. We love you Daddy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_eGPbFHPReQqJYc9FeqYzCH29WO4akVCEF4mzr_zOARKi-8MxU5frCjse3Ct0AZaVZczdTvJHF_tQwqn_lkVka5H4S5Uh0spStGKoFajg21VsaF7R-8MPsoDpeUj6QJ4BdPuT2RX1Jlc/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_eGPbFHPReQqJYc9FeqYzCH29WO4akVCEF4mzr_zOARKi-8MxU5frCjse3Ct0AZaVZczdTvJHF_tQwqn_lkVka5H4S5Uh0spStGKoFajg21VsaF7R-8MPsoDpeUj6QJ4BdPuT2RX1Jlc/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" height="271" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are also thankful for the many other fathers we have in our lives! They have all supported us, loved us, and been there for us whenever we needed them!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZ6T_a6mQnPknOJ53cRsFOxF7BkwMdywWm7Rdj3GbBg4rahgzHKcPhirxhkQIgHKWn_EhUENxLvwBvBil9qAlQJQjCG5OJ8_dMhfzCLLJhDW6-KHDf0zSkzJJiodPXAkCLpGM0blhR3uS/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZ6T_a6mQnPknOJ53cRsFOxF7BkwMdywWm7Rdj3GbBg4rahgzHKcPhirxhkQIgHKWn_EhUENxLvwBvBil9qAlQJQjCG5OJ8_dMhfzCLLJhDW6-KHDf0zSkzJJiodPXAkCLpGM0blhR3uS/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierce with Grandpa Jim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ujZbAaoyFaungEK0e7s_CtOStNjfE4KFwZ23KowNmjRzvL6FK8M-kY57D9CD-_V3L93woljyjy0rsrkZMH_jUPFQmmYa8-HaACwBgnSdPe6HNWdybwmq00pLyzfXDtEG5K6SaTt12We5/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ujZbAaoyFaungEK0e7s_CtOStNjfE4KFwZ23KowNmjRzvL6FK8M-kY57D9CD-_V3L93woljyjy0rsrkZMH_jUPFQmmYa8-HaACwBgnSdPe6HNWdybwmq00pLyzfXDtEG5K6SaTt12We5/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierce with Papa</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZCPmCBDJSBg_3n6RG4sphq86UW7jgfq3byCel3kbKTB2-5UOYOwBCsMeSpmJWknKnC_oeUoU0ZKbjMZIbesZRYonBIinSP8cjHSeOQmXr7tK4UHCNsjuIKFClkEIO2EO-42IT-6U8b1g/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZCPmCBDJSBg_3n6RG4sphq86UW7jgfq3byCel3kbKTB2-5UOYOwBCsMeSpmJWknKnC_oeUoU0ZKbjMZIbesZRYonBIinSP8cjHSeOQmXr7tK4UHCNsjuIKFClkEIO2EO-42IT-6U8b1g/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierce with Grandad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNjcbspOcN5_vtJUpXzLgfRe6oIvHAqZ96PE7jhxibzJYrSe6GVReU3HoqGJyi_yV2y4mVA2bTAh9wMIW-ltdC-i-fGmXkxSU31cN1FbDxwWgixMDxl8d_CZyn_G7scbPPFoXrCFlW79g/s1600/photo+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNjcbspOcN5_vtJUpXzLgfRe6oIvHAqZ96PE7jhxibzJYrSe6GVReU3HoqGJyi_yV2y4mVA2bTAh9wMIW-ltdC-i-fGmXkxSU31cN1FbDxwWgixMDxl8d_CZyn_G7scbPPFoXrCFlW79g/s1600/photo+copy.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierce with Great Grandfather (also known as Papa) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />We love you all and are wishing you a very, happy Father's Day!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-91981609421263730902014-05-23T04:37:00.001-04:002014-05-23T04:38:35.784-04:00Thoughts before surgery<div>"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 </div><div><br></div>This week has held more than we ever imagined. 2 surgeries, a seizure and three hospital stays. In the past week, we've watched Pierce endure more than I think I've ever had to in my 27 years.<div><br></div><div>When we arrived in Durham yesterday, Pierce woke up, realized where we were and pathetically said, "Go home, please." It broke our hearts to take him back to the hospital for the third time this week. We knew what was coming. He knew what was coming. And when the surgeon told us he would need surgery yet again, our hearts broke again. </div><div><br></div><div>We are all so exhausted it's hard to describe the emotions. </div><div><br></div><div>We are so thankful for you. Every text, call, email, Facebook message- they have carried us.</div><div><br></div><div>Trials have a way of bringing us to the end of ourselves. It's easy to trust when you have nothing else to cling to. And therein lies a silver lining- trials shatter the veil of self reliance that we put up. They remind us how little control we truly have. And they point us to the One who can share in our suffering. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Trials also fly in the face if the notion that if we can just bring more to the table, be happier, have a better attitude, etc. then God would rescue us. Maybe God wants us right where we we are. This dark hospital room is part of his perfect plan for our lives. The heart of the Gospel is that His mercies are not reliant on us. Thank goodness because this week I have had a pretty bad attitude. But his mercies have come. Maybe not when we expected or how, but they are there. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow morning at 1pm Pierce will undergo another brain surgery to revise his shunt. Please pray for protection against any adverse affects, against malfunction and infection, against post-op seizures and for a quick recovery.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you for walking this journey with us.</div><div><br></div><div>Lindsay </div>lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-5215854470228839322014-05-18T22:49:00.001-04:002014-05-18T22:59:33.590-04:00Shunt revision/ Brain surgery número 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFApZzmMGYCYz5Y0aNdCRFzftmGnSvDlhSHqv-YA1TtY9qa_te7abD-kRmuwnZVVr4DEqa4flNDkzuPZCn52fuO-O_CXN7ALNGl1FbVUXsHhuztQFIX6dflEg-hbOwR0_s1Tjtf20idzH/s640/blogger-image-1983260673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFApZzmMGYCYz5Y0aNdCRFzftmGnSvDlhSHqv-YA1TtY9qa_te7abD-kRmuwnZVVr4DEqa4flNDkzuPZCn52fuO-O_CXN7ALNGl1FbVUXsHhuztQFIX6dflEg-hbOwR0_s1Tjtf20idzH/s640/blogger-image-1983260673.jpg"></a></div>Most parents of kids with shunts wonder how they'll know when their kids shunt malfunctions. You're given this vague list of symptoms to watch for ranging from lethargy and vomiting to severe apnea. Honestly, if you have a premature baby, in the beginning you can find almost daily some symptom that fits in the "shunt malfunction" category. But obviously that's just them and shunt malfunction is not the source. And so I've always heard from other parents who've been there, that when a shunt fails, you just know. It's obvious. I always wondered what that meant, now I know! <div><br></div><div>Yesterday morning when Pierce woke up grabbing his head and saying it hurt, I just knew. He never complains of pain. Never. So this had to be serious. Within minutes the vomiting began. And minutes later he was falling asleep on my living room floor. This is not an ear infection, not a stomach bug...no I've seen those things even in Pierce and they are minor. This was serious. I just knew. </div><div><br></div><div>I quickly packed a bag, called my mother in law (since Nik was out of town) and we headed for Duke, which is 2.5 hrs away. The whole trip Pierce was puking, sleeping and crying. Every mile. As soon as we arrived, we were whisked away and in an hour or so Pierce was having CT scans and an x-Ray shunt series. And within a few hours it was confirmed that 1)his ventricles were very enlarged with extra fluid that should not be there and 2)his shunt was on the wrong setting. Pierce had a programmable shunt which has a magnet inside of it that controls the rate at which fluid flows. The neurosurgeon sets the setting externally by holding a powerful magnet over top of the shunt and turning a knob (very cool!). He was supposed to be on fastest setting, but he was really on a much slower setting, which could cause fluid to back up over time. A lot of people are probably wondering how he could be in the wrong setting and the truth is we don't know. They do know that microwaves, iPads, cellphones and earbuds are all things that can change a shunt setting when introduced in close proximity to the shunt. Nevertheless, we were hoping the fluid build up was just a result of he wrong shunt setting. So they dialed him down and waited. But Pierce did not improve, in fact he declined. By 3pm he was extremely difficult to wake, unable to talk and his eyes were rolled back in his head. As a parent, this was very hard to see! </div><div><br></div><div>So the Neuro team decided to tap his shunt by placing a needle into it and draining off excess fluid. They were convinced it was just the wrong setting. I mean what are the odds it would be the wrong setting combined with a malfunction that just happened to coincide at the same time? (I laugh now typing this because Pierce has always been one to fall into the small percentage category. Always.)</div><div><br></div><div>After tapping his shunt, they realized that the shunt was indeed malfunctioning because they were unable to draw off any fluid. At this point, he was unresponsive and his heart rate was dangerously low with high blood pressure (tell-tale sign of increased pressure in the brain) and so they knew they needed to act fast. His neurosurgeon who had been calling to check in on him all day came in quickly and then they took him into surgery around midnight, some 13 hrs after we arrived in the ER. The surgery took about 1.5 hrs (although he was away from us for 4) as Dr.Muh searched for the issue. She found that the end of the shunt inserted into Pierce's ventricle was completely occluded by scar tissue. So they installed a new proximal catheter, and while they were at it, they changed out the shunt from a programmable to a fixed, non-programmable shunt. The non programmable shunt flows at a rate comparable to what his programmable shunt was (supposed to be) set on. Having this type of shunt will save Pierce from having to avoid magnetic things his whole life. And it will mean he can have all of his MRI scans without having to have his shunt reset afterwards! Woo hoo, one less thing to worry about. Fortunately the tubing that runs from his head to his abdomen (where the shunt drains) was working beautifully so they left it alone. That was one less painful thing as that means an abdominal incision and soreness where the shunt tubing is pushed through the fat layers. Ouch!</div><div><br></div><div>And so around 430am, Pierce woke up feeling much better. He was able to sleep last night with the help of heavy pain meds and then this morning played a bit before the pain got to him. We have struggled to find the right combination of pain meds for him but he was able to sleep this afternoon and then now. Fortunately, and so comforting to see he has improved tremendously neurologically and is back to talking and eating. </div><div><br></div><div>For now the plan is to stay here another night and see how his pain management is before heading home. You guys can be praying that his shunt works correctly for a really, really long time (like forever!) and that he does nor develop a post-op infection.</div><div><br></div><div>In a crazy twist of irony, a year ago yesterday we were also at Duke dealing with severe brain pressure issue related to his cyst fenestrstion and thinking it may have caused a shunt failure. I think May 17th may be a day we avoid next year :)</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you to all who have written, called, texted and shared our story. We are so thankful to have you on this long and sometimes weary journey. We love you guys and are so thankful to have the support system that we have! </div><div><br></div><div>-Lindsay</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-76471364067789279392014-04-26T16:29:00.000-04:002014-04-26T16:35:48.003-04:00Let's Pawty!Last weekend we were so blessed to celebrate Pierce's third birthday
with lots of friends and family. Even though our outdoor plans were
washed out, everyone was a good sport about it and it didn't stop us
from having a blast. Pierce LOVED seeing everyone (have I mentioned the kid is a major extrovert?) and has been asking for another "puppy party" ever since. Thanks to everyone who came out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LR8jP-DSt4shCc3HVEd-2kz9srw0eL-IwiLwDScr59bzJhbk2QDeT8N6pBWCRu4B5MxuOzEKFEg18hkCDh_rhQIt0TUniJFd0LfpJBvmVh0lej8RwNCEXnnlpnIEm0EL-zv6qvcL5fCf/s1600/P3rdbirthday+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LR8jP-DSt4shCc3HVEd-2kz9srw0eL-IwiLwDScr59bzJhbk2QDeT8N6pBWCRu4B5MxuOzEKFEg18hkCDh_rhQIt0TUniJFd0LfpJBvmVh0lej8RwNCEXnnlpnIEm0EL-zv6qvcL5fCf/s1600/P3rdbirthday+copy.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Invite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOhOTJ8T-CEPKhqF2r2CX-qrGnNFjyTjRmI6mWcdkUZNxAtvQqSuWRoi-tAu4qfCgoWCDSm9aiPCO6QyfAHoSR98fQ2U9bnW5_w5fkiAkKBJCrzS0HK2ChF8zTuZiBC_hXHKC20P1JHCQ/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOhOTJ8T-CEPKhqF2r2CX-qrGnNFjyTjRmI6mWcdkUZNxAtvQqSuWRoi-tAu4qfCgoWCDSm9aiPCO6QyfAHoSR98fQ2U9bnW5_w5fkiAkKBJCrzS0HK2ChF8zTuZiBC_hXHKC20P1JHCQ/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main course: "Hot Diggity Dogs"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8V5ouPUSW8ZcycQqNmUjO9pZBjDuGNUCPo4Kptt-7tjAX8ynzfn9LT2-1Id5q47YHBb3FIXkdkJOHvie3UhHzg5yoQbYOlSgGymZ5HYHWExhwL0uDI8axpzceYc7ViIdpA3QhOcx06pNU/s1600/IMG_4434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8V5ouPUSW8ZcycQqNmUjO9pZBjDuGNUCPo4Kptt-7tjAX8ynzfn9LT2-1Id5q47YHBb3FIXkdkJOHvie3UhHzg5yoQbYOlSgGymZ5HYHWExhwL0uDI8axpzceYc7ViIdpA3QhOcx06pNU/s1600/IMG_4434.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Paw-sta Salad"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ogt7PkOdBs4e7v6cUXcvC-o6M2fFKiyKhB31nZFiU0YR-Zl6tSONi8RRux2BkmS1ULqmwcPsrMlul9pEbFHZ_dRTLtu6CXxmp-v1t6QmjWbYVhdjKxbTGqrillhF4gwKbL9uLKVAHCuN/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ogt7PkOdBs4e7v6cUXcvC-o6M2fFKiyKhB31nZFiU0YR-Zl6tSONi8RRux2BkmS1ULqmwcPsrMlul9pEbFHZ_dRTLtu6CXxmp-v1t6QmjWbYVhdjKxbTGqrillhF4gwKbL9uLKVAHCuN/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Water Bowls" (Blue Jello)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCNJSl1u2T_qZhuulHWcmDSv8fEkX6qLjUE9Ky3bYESJFA-wxY9hd-oDUP0tjePBi6I7wKLmEzQLU9rF4QQrUPJMlgQMqv6-EjyEJV4qntXpjzQlZqccbUjW01d_Vv6ut9u3EWDNb1rVy/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCNJSl1u2T_qZhuulHWcmDSv8fEkX6qLjUE9Ky3bYESJFA-wxY9hd-oDUP0tjePBi6I7wKLmEzQLU9rF4QQrUPJMlgQMqv6-EjyEJV4qntXpjzQlZqccbUjW01d_Vv6ut9u3EWDNb1rVy/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi909ulvuCnbEEDcd1DsiYDWNdxkcaAXcE3rxsf_JyvazwUit40CJvC36wTvzoEDp37bLc8nTcswfgTMcLyJ66k96dAWXAAECuD0nxKlsgbQtujOJaEot7zF3OHACf0VF2LZixsvNKv38u3/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi909ulvuCnbEEDcd1DsiYDWNdxkcaAXcE3rxsf_JyvazwUit40CJvC36wTvzoEDp37bLc8nTcswfgTMcLyJ66k96dAWXAAECuD0nxKlsgbQtujOJaEot7zF3OHACf0VF2LZixsvNKv38u3/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Chew Sticks" (Green Apple Twizzlers)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jOO7l95DMdxUlXBifOj4LmLG42kY4jJ30PK4z3TEDGVSgyogn5Q7bXCdmon6RIqDsW3mngcMoR4a4QWV2gEU_KlHICCryi5PGd7TkvC1VdvxDjLkUog9VyPjL7TEGIPjDuckfZxa1e8e/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jOO7l95DMdxUlXBifOj4LmLG42kY4jJ30PK4z3TEDGVSgyogn5Q7bXCdmon6RIqDsW3mngcMoR4a4QWV2gEU_KlHICCryi5PGd7TkvC1VdvxDjLkUog9VyPjL7TEGIPjDuckfZxa1e8e/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Kibbles and Bits" (Cocoa Puffs and Pretzels)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsujmNW9OajNRK48jHjUi7I95Ai24mAMcbAxwRip7vYzmBigRLckSPJtyuac8xpr1BgVTvvNNn2YjQTI6O3mjhUEYMzoY5gNBWXl5-YUe4ZK34-JRR8lezHFusuKyI6fy_xwJ95oDYo4S/s1600/IMG_4442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsujmNW9OajNRK48jHjUi7I95Ai24mAMcbAxwRip7vYzmBigRLckSPJtyuac8xpr1BgVTvvNNn2YjQTI6O3mjhUEYMzoY5gNBWXl5-YUe4ZK34-JRR8lezHFusuKyI6fy_xwJ95oDYo4S/s1600/IMG_4442.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Toilet Water"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0BsxodM1Go2iEAdLWrh_xsKLT0sybivFIH6W2RA3IkvXEFSZMzp7tUMnu41RZPst85uJr_GE46lD7e8hctBGwpVPi0nV0-pX8Fbj9wREhK4h_k3AfgpQxu1QMBsdIBnDDxrOBrxziBSq/s1600/IMG_4492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0BsxodM1Go2iEAdLWrh_xsKLT0sybivFIH6W2RA3IkvXEFSZMzp7tUMnu41RZPst85uJr_GE46lD7e8hctBGwpVPi0nV0-pX8Fbj9wREhK4h_k3AfgpQxu1QMBsdIBnDDxrOBrxziBSq/s1600/IMG_4492.jpg" height="400" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cake, as requested by the birthday boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpMuqxSeQDq8M57JAqIldqlfe_mGwiYYGnhm8_4mw0tVEmMNPAHmfSSC-9rXkeZcHGoHWVBOjpDORDD78wzfpAp9E_CIB3mbooOo6JUSyQcpbi7zwTCyY7YGNkozIX_Nb_ghL3FdAm57X/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpMuqxSeQDq8M57JAqIldqlfe_mGwiYYGnhm8_4mw0tVEmMNPAHmfSSC-9rXkeZcHGoHWVBOjpDORDD78wzfpAp9E_CIB3mbooOo6JUSyQcpbi7zwTCyY7YGNkozIX_Nb_ghL3FdAm57X/s1600/IMG_4493.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Happy Birthday to our big 3 year old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAzkuArv0aW8fC7hXu4KU4-mc3j1UO5M5vNeeoCtwbeS1AYwILevxAyiB5zGQTRgglnpz6mRBuQueUHHWnlvv5A4p3wdrkIR__eCOhr3B0D0oR9emOlPZBUq6zJVjIh8YtjcGoi5AKM73/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAzkuArv0aW8fC7hXu4KU4-mc3j1UO5M5vNeeoCtwbeS1AYwILevxAyiB5zGQTRgglnpz6mRBuQueUHHWnlvv5A4p3wdrkIR__eCOhr3B0D0oR9emOlPZBUq6zJVjIh8YtjcGoi5AKM73/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing out the candles </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWBRj_vwZ9v59leYsMF5bP0q_zkNIj07-t6p2AlvdHtWHXT4KG-_kh1dge5VqpXZRDdFE4DfLO1-3MOFPC5YKR6HBbWHyl2ZlPA44j5_BfZlPgQPFrVd7PwXpkomGoXqqMK4vqo6GCRvp/s1600/IMG_4580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWBRj_vwZ9v59leYsMF5bP0q_zkNIj07-t6p2AlvdHtWHXT4KG-_kh1dge5VqpXZRDdFE4DfLO1-3MOFPC5YKR6HBbWHyl2ZlPA44j5_BfZlPgQPFrVd7PwXpkomGoXqqMK4vqo6GCRvp/s1600/IMG_4580.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pet Adoption Center" (aka birthday party favors)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizajtgil-z0GYz-wqAyIw9PqNLr5JFgmB7jHj1-8CTbNywXdTi8LIyDs8Jxks77H2xYCQUFs-sV6jtlESo7tAchWkLrNL_wVNyKv86yuQxAIc72m-qNVekcuxJqXHtcMJNIJgxIKZAp8Ea/s1600/IMG_4596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizajtgil-z0GYz-wqAyIw9PqNLr5JFgmB7jHj1-8CTbNywXdTi8LIyDs8Jxks77H2xYCQUFs-sV6jtlESo7tAchWkLrNL_wVNyKv86yuQxAIc72m-qNVekcuxJqXHtcMJNIJgxIKZAp8Ea/s1600/IMG_4596.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids had to fill out their certificates of adoption </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFehYiItZhPP11EOqEXbKn-VXS7CS6xt8NrwtMFaf_xntoRMCx6pM6CLRbYTp2cWYh2PKw-8b0W5cOzIz8pPysaUhNPqt7PReR5r5OmMlzzcQowG8SBiKkdCrPbLM5VfIvr8apFf0fOAn0/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFehYiItZhPP11EOqEXbKn-VXS7CS6xt8NrwtMFaf_xntoRMCx6pM6CLRbYTp2cWYh2PKw-8b0W5cOzIz8pPysaUhNPqt7PReR5r5OmMlzzcQowG8SBiKkdCrPbLM5VfIvr8apFf0fOAn0/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7ULtNTUraRr-1cOtflMdmdY6MFW-xYVsm8ApiWkJlfLKmn6VAC3eaCzbDscs58YJoyg2AljnB3vLL9_hfY4WpY4qSLEFE1eRQoaT4sNS2jnva08h8rKYDg4lH5f6funRhx8bLVOgt3S6/s1600/IMG_4450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7ULtNTUraRr-1cOtflMdmdY6MFW-xYVsm8ApiWkJlfLKmn6VAC3eaCzbDscs58YJoyg2AljnB3vLL9_hfY4WpY4qSLEFE1eRQoaT4sNS2jnva08h8rKYDg4lH5f6funRhx8bLVOgt3S6/s1600/IMG_4450.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruthie picking out her puppy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI17q4z4MOz4k7T_0QGv_xV6aBBF_91SACY1_VkUohvvMfwu3jEHnpqqqf2fHhKb3SBu-5KfXcufj0_KOeRghn32-BL5PurLzv36lBkwZdENum7Np0GoumCl7H6WO6oUfqw2MXzHAirYY/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI17q4z4MOz4k7T_0QGv_xV6aBBF_91SACY1_VkUohvvMfwu3jEHnpqqqf2fHhKb3SBu-5KfXcufj0_KOeRghn32-BL5PurLzv36lBkwZdENum7Np0GoumCl7H6WO6oUfqw2MXzHAirYY/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dog Bone Prints"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQUF2nb8Qf84jrwKOdegwOA8Np-79cw08W09FkF463DcVpJsw_Gfj_3PmGr4JcQwFw78wn6k5ONl1vTy0C5DHFP9t2sXBgpls1kC2QZWIRADXtdT8BFrtiEtJUHWTyAZYQBQuPbf0TQIe/s1600/IMG_4463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQUF2nb8Qf84jrwKOdegwOA8Np-79cw08W09FkF463DcVpJsw_Gfj_3PmGr4JcQwFw78wn6k5ONl1vTy0C5DHFP9t2sXBgpls1kC2QZWIRADXtdT8BFrtiEtJUHWTyAZYQBQuPbf0TQIe/s1600/IMG_4463.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie stopped by to get a bone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigah1w5w_VjfHPKPaFzd-rd-TCos3WJwcgd8i-oWTUtMZ71uoBR9XRhjNQq7BistWIDs4qk4m_dEZ3bOBFwn0w70Itb76uNp8SFPNazvAmTQbqXsLZDRawTDHLRxWzihi4lpef2BC0Iip0/s1600/IMG_4446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigah1w5w_VjfHPKPaFzd-rd-TCos3WJwcgd8i-oWTUtMZ71uoBR9XRhjNQq7BistWIDs4qk4m_dEZ3bOBFwn0w70Itb76uNp8SFPNazvAmTQbqXsLZDRawTDHLRxWzihi4lpef2BC0Iip0/s1600/IMG_4446.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPnmkmTAYKlbsSraXIvycj3enrqRPn8iuXio_FC8qzzfAldUuswGiUWUlYMfyywmbR8hEBHh9DLLykN0kNRavY6MN-6Z5bDMxVzVJZCGjFd9rzw8NTWX5QUzTQmcUlJKprw4_wnDeHLXu/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPnmkmTAYKlbsSraXIvycj3enrqRPn8iuXio_FC8qzzfAldUuswGiUWUlYMfyywmbR8hEBHh9DLLykN0kNRavY6MN-6Z5bDMxVzVJZCGjFd9rzw8NTWX5QUzTQmcUlJKprw4_wnDeHLXu/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puppy love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmAEPUD7rVKP0z0tyZmEaa713N3s46n7XeOlzo7EvkCvfloqIpdtn7bNNWNyrR5bpJ7hKPpAOT2KB7FwNSOWBiull9Q1L6xEUzWpCn9fvI3B4bDhgn2u5dnZxwfqj2JPDb0eSLOpYDsqj/s1600/IMG_4478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmAEPUD7rVKP0z0tyZmEaa713N3s46n7XeOlzo7EvkCvfloqIpdtn7bNNWNyrR5bpJ7hKPpAOT2KB7FwNSOWBiull9Q1L6xEUzWpCn9fvI3B4bDhgn2u5dnZxwfqj2JPDb0eSLOpYDsqj/s1600/IMG_4478.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beau came all the way from Greenville to celebrate </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsXAz6LO7pXctnRZwodIKf_Af2qYTTvTee8DYTh5SlxNPR-mipcgnfhzxzCEgqCxhAZkuNpZT15E2u5FiE3govRFDcRoj37zupUsXGyyld8c54VdjA7SyKZxe8rSvC6EXu_KdpP-NwJO0/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsXAz6LO7pXctnRZwodIKf_Af2qYTTvTee8DYTh5SlxNPR-mipcgnfhzxzCEgqCxhAZkuNpZT15E2u5FiE3govRFDcRoj37zupUsXGyyld8c54VdjA7SyKZxe8rSvC6EXu_KdpP-NwJO0/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you to all who gave in honor of Pierce! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkuydKgIva4Uw-413EqMIfZYCJbssOiOoRfudZdVN_aNVAJ9Y3TqxILSusUEGiQzLuh-VnQd9k1pEbZUQR_xVV5-N5SNtXT8RyqEGnkyEV1e6SEJk6NrpkM0KzeFFXp73S7MV3rWFSWWL/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkuydKgIva4Uw-413EqMIfZYCJbssOiOoRfudZdVN_aNVAJ9Y3TqxILSusUEGiQzLuh-VnQd9k1pEbZUQR_xVV5-N5SNtXT8RyqEGnkyEV1e6SEJk6NrpkM0KzeFFXp73S7MV3rWFSWWL/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday boy and his Grandpa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-18954482520780362772014-04-12T19:52:00.000-04:002014-04-12T19:52:35.555-04:00Happy 3rd Birthday Pierce!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." <span class="p">Romans 8:28</span> </i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAhIwNJwEIUBWOAa-3MOIM6yLmpAAnbz9o9BlSE_BSr5GOljN3trsn-zaO5qqmm5xi7QyRlmFPznpg3zqASuYXdfyoOpnOEzoKCp6popB4bYzxxR8EjY5ZTpRGzldr7qr2ZrTgSRlv0mA/s1600/IMG_4354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAhIwNJwEIUBWOAa-3MOIM6yLmpAAnbz9o9BlSE_BSr5GOljN3trsn-zaO5qqmm5xi7QyRlmFPznpg3zqASuYXdfyoOpnOEzoKCp6popB4bYzxxR8EjY5ZTpRGzldr7qr2ZrTgSRlv0mA/s1600/IMG_4354.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Dear Pierce,<br />
<br />
Do you believe in redemption? That beauty can rise from ashes?<br />
<br />
I do, because I've witnessed it in your life.<br />
<br />
Over the past three years, we've watched you grow. We've seen God time and time again rescue you from dire circumstances, and we've seen Him use you to defy the odds. <br />
<br />
In your life, we see that God uses what the world deems as weak or unworthy to shame the strong. And we've been reminded that the labels and diagnoses that people so often fear mean so little in comparison to the future glory that is coming. <br />
<br />
If I could go back to this day three years ago, surrounded with all the trauma and pain, I would tell the doctors, the nurses, the blog readers, and all of the doubters; I'd tell them this: that our God is a mighty God. Nothing can change His plan for your life. I'd tell them that the same tiny baby that they are doubting, he will change the world. He will impact so many in a way that we could never have imagined. God will take this chaos, use it to captivate people from all over the world, and then use it to fulfill His purposes. He will redeem and make this mess beautiful again.<br />
<br />
We are so thankful that your story did not end three years ago as so many predicted. Today, you are full of life, love and happiness. <br />
<br />
Your smile is contagious.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7Wav9MHodAaVRmOS78jfALKy5maltJ_gxqmNj-b0sZgeJxwdNOR9wN9dE7HKLGxji5uArEiia1ec_pu8Rp07fbvWJ7uVAOWIV4BiBxPaCmmK6J2PnznA9Bq7fZPJHGxRSPqxvS3nF-lY/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7Wav9MHodAaVRmOS78jfALKy5maltJ_gxqmNj-b0sZgeJxwdNOR9wN9dE7HKLGxji5uArEiia1ec_pu8Rp07fbvWJ7uVAOWIV4BiBxPaCmmK6J2PnznA9Bq7fZPJHGxRSPqxvS3nF-lY/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Your determination and persistence point us to the sufficiency of God's grace.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wN6gD6t0sRmUC9pryMNsPCF3_49miX-pPCtifIm3IXpCeGgzw6f9qGdrm9EdVk1hufJoOGm-_JJEsxksaJewyor4pe8WT_dmfya26L030pBsEcaoppgxkWLk6ZM-HpJRpHSupi6oN7Cb/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wN6gD6t0sRmUC9pryMNsPCF3_49miX-pPCtifIm3IXpCeGgzw6f9qGdrm9EdVk1hufJoOGm-_JJEsxksaJewyor4pe8WT_dmfya26L030pBsEcaoppgxkWLk6ZM-HpJRpHSupi6oN7Cb/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Your sweet disposition teaches us to find joy in all circumstances.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmnwY-mfRRTkcT5QoWz6zuArV-BwxLGfcdomQd6mF4rk40bAG3u-cqtjovhszZ9RbLsLkils3SLsZXk3_vQsIDLfZ_upirZNAaLuJQNC-bhEsK6fZG-0oDgNibqKWYkn3dnQBnaq4uDOh/s1600/IMG_4386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmnwY-mfRRTkcT5QoWz6zuArV-BwxLGfcdomQd6mF4rk40bAG3u-cqtjovhszZ9RbLsLkils3SLsZXk3_vQsIDLfZ_upirZNAaLuJQNC-bhEsK6fZG-0oDgNibqKWYkn3dnQBnaq4uDOh/s1600/IMG_4386.JPG" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNMhyphenhyphena4MsPigD1CRKHB4d7z1DmMyhEstWe5vMmsg9YzcAkbb8cm6Ti_53jrO21xtZRCJWp1yiFwxGebeLjiCx-EMbFDOupFWn-QghGhahdVEUmBfEDH6yxAVQXJHklVNHrWU7BAeeOuNC/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNMhyphenhyphena4MsPigD1CRKHB4d7z1DmMyhEstWe5vMmsg9YzcAkbb8cm6Ti_53jrO21xtZRCJWp1yiFwxGebeLjiCx-EMbFDOupFWn-QghGhahdVEUmBfEDH6yxAVQXJHklVNHrWU7BAeeOuNC/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />
Your empathy and care for others who are hurting and sad is beyond our comprehension. It not only reveals that you can identify because of your struggles, but also shows us your capacity to love. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_m5IbbN-u37h6kL7V-wbKM_yVfNJs-rVb7MXMhnHakvsFuzWl0Q3LfiKaN_uvMzcP-mhY_VfGMATNkE6_NK3U8f7-Pd6iBSCj5_J0tTnN3s69n3ZC4N4dqLrymSaamVUeD7hsgNeOzjS/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_m5IbbN-u37h6kL7V-wbKM_yVfNJs-rVb7MXMhnHakvsFuzWl0Q3LfiKaN_uvMzcP-mhY_VfGMATNkE6_NK3U8f7-Pd6iBSCj5_J0tTnN3s69n3ZC4N4dqLrymSaamVUeD7hsgNeOzjS/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>And your struggles, they do not define you, but rather are being used to teach you that your dependence is solely in Christ.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrUTEV0n1BUUI7vKiCi-2MqeffOIUWh60lS-BqyqpxYVcrWQMFl_y6iGOMKtzEp3pjtbH8WvxtgwH4AACathpnrYWidgHSz3gJZ6dLqacb4oxZkMpYL0DXITc-IPNDlHZE5NLXhllZh0f/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrUTEV0n1BUUI7vKiCi-2MqeffOIUWh60lS-BqyqpxYVcrWQMFl_y6iGOMKtzEp3pjtbH8WvxtgwH4AACathpnrYWidgHSz3gJZ6dLqacb4oxZkMpYL0DXITc-IPNDlHZE5NLXhllZh0f/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We are so, so thankful for you. And so proud to call you our son.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao0b0p2QhrvvGXaZenRFOHWW05dKYvOeM8xvvOCJ04hzw6sKoZRLQk0gD4F9fgc9nGPMgMZ9qwC5-RK6t3Wp2E96Gz42-7VS_MpZ9I4KbHorNWNx9vFJp5zYGAlxhdWYrZmq0N994nJj2/s1600/IMG_4368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao0b0p2QhrvvGXaZenRFOHWW05dKYvOeM8xvvOCJ04hzw6sKoZRLQk0gD4F9fgc9nGPMgMZ9qwC5-RK6t3Wp2E96Gz42-7VS_MpZ9I4KbHorNWNx9vFJp5zYGAlxhdWYrZmq0N994nJj2/s1600/IMG_4368.JPG" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We love you, Pierce.<br />
Happy birthday.<br />
<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mommy and Daddy<br />
<br />
<br />
lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-48946063362087352102014-04-07T20:22:00.000-04:002014-04-07T20:22:59.252-04:00Conductive Education RecapWe are now home from Michigan and so thankful to be back in our normal routine. We're also so grateful for the 70 degree days vs the single digit temps in Michigan! <br />
<br />
Our trip to the Conductive Learning Center was so incredible. Everyone on the staff was just amazing. Their desire and passion to see kids with CP thrive is awe- inspiring to watch. We really cannot say enough about this place. It really is a neat environment for the kids to be in- to be with and learn with other kids who struggle in the same or similar ways as they do. Pierce really seemed to just take it all in and everyday asked to go to "skoo" (school). Our little socialite loved the classroom setting!<br />
<br />
As a parent, it was incredible to see kids with greater limitations than Pierce performing advanced tasks (like walking with a standard walker- no seat) because the Conductive Education has taught them to adapt in incredible ways.<br />
<br />
Sadly, Pierce was only able to attend a portion of the sessions due to being extremely sick (dang preemie lungs). We tried taking him back to class after he was feeling better, but it was clear that the pneumonia had zapped his reserve energy and he just wasn't quite ready. And so the decision was made to head home a little early with the intention that we will be coming back soon. We were sad to cut the trip short, but knew it was best because we
have so much to work on at home and we knew another sickness could land
him in the hospital for even longer. We are also so thankful that the program director was so flexible and understanding towards the situation. <br />
<br />
Even though Pierce was sick, I (Lindsay) was still able to sit in and observe the class without him which allowed for a great opportunity to pick up new tips and ideas of things we can work on at home. Already we have a new found routine, incorporating parts of the school routine- unsupported sitting, walking and potty training (yes, Pierce has successfully gone in the potty quite a few times!!!) into our daily life. And just tonight, we watched in awe as Pierce fed himself from a fork with no assistance! (Let's hear it for those fine motor skills!)<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for us during this trip- especially when Pierce was in the hospital- it means so much to have such a strong network of friends/family who love us and are rooting for us.<br />
<br />
Lindsay <br />
<br />
<br />Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-43259438580242591072014-03-22T14:23:00.000-04:002014-03-22T14:23:05.298-04:00Conductive Education Week 2Friday marked the end of our second week of Conductive Education. Unfortunately Pierce was not able to attend any of the 5 sessions this week due to illness.<br />
<br />
Last Friday he started running a fever, which quickly progressed into a cold and then of course moved to his chest. For a kid with a compromised immune system (here's to catching up by 4!) and damaged lungs, chest colds are very dangerous. We immediately started his steroids and went into watch and wait mode. On Monday we had to take him to the ER because his fever was still dangerously high. They were able to get a baseline chest x-ray, but since his breathing was still ok, they sent us back to the hotel. We thought we were on the upswing, but Wednesday night he took a turn for the worse. Every preemie momma dreads watching the pulse oximeter and seeing your child's sats fall. Once it was obvious he was going downhill, we took him back to the ER and from there he was quickly admitted.<br />
<br />
We are so thankful for the team at Helen De Vos Children's Hospital- each and every person we encountered was truly incredible in coordinating Pierce's care. We spent 2 days at the hospital, but thankfully today we are at home (well, the hotel) resting. Pierce seems to be improving since they up'd his steroid dosages and we are hopeful he truly is getting this virus behind him.<br />
<br />
We'd like for you to pray for us as we consult with Pierce's doctors and therapists to make a plan for the remainder of camp. We are only halfway through and would hate for Pierce to miss out on this wonderful opportunity. On the other hand, we are also very aware that a virus so soon after this one could put him at even more risk and land us in the hospital once again. (We loved Helen De Vos, but will be happy to never go back!)<br />
<br />
Please pray for wisdom. Pray that Pierce will be protected from illness for the remainder of the trip. And pray that this whole experience won't drive me to be like this when he's 16:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLnKzng6mf_A92vhgLqTbBOUpkEefOW1eR8e6CXUkktuxHO1XqVv039qmhYYJ8oaCG5PfMw-tC7kQmDCTjBcXe7NkEjQumQLqFJx7XYvFzda9WytzKXnPkVKtjGQ99q8WvrfGNAGQscbR/s1600/844a0055d376fe540503117dd6572c8f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLnKzng6mf_A92vhgLqTbBOUpkEefOW1eR8e6CXUkktuxHO1XqVv039qmhYYJ8oaCG5PfMw-tC7kQmDCTjBcXe7NkEjQumQLqFJx7XYvFzda9WytzKXnPkVKtjGQ99q8WvrfGNAGQscbR/s1600/844a0055d376fe540503117dd6572c8f.jpg" height="640" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of "Bubble Boy" :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone who prayed for and are praying for us while we are here. It means so much to have such an incredible support system. Y'all are the best!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Nik, Lindsay and PierceNik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-44255833526836521072014-03-11T21:08:00.002-04:002014-03-11T21:17:03.199-04:00Conductive Education Day 1Today was Pierce's first day of Conductive Education. To say amazing is just to scratch the surface. Pierce is in a class of 7 kids, all of whom have CP or some sort of motor delay. Pierce and Colin were the only new kids- everyone else has been in Conductive Education before so it was nice to see the "pros" doing the routine and to see how much progress they've made. Pierce LOVED meeting new friends and his new teachers. Since he's never been in a group setting, I was a little leery of how he'd do, but I was pleasantly surprised. <br />
<br />
Conductive Education uses basic equipment (cheap, wooden things with specific purposes) to help kids learn motor planning. For instance, today Pierce sat in a regular toddler-sized wooden chair (just like you'd see in a nursery setting) and used a special table with slats to learn to hold on and balance himself. It was really amazing to watch him sit and hold on while feeding himself a snack. Did I mention he needed little assistance from us? For a typical kid this would not be much, but for a kid with CP it is tremendous. Life changing, because it means the one thing we've worked so hard to gain- his independence.<br />
<br />
There are so many things we are learning about how to challenge Pierce in new ways and I'm so excited to see his progress once he finishes this intensive. <br />
<br />
We will check back in soon. For now, please pray for these things:<br />
1) Protection against germs (preemie mommas know how hard it is to throw your once isolated kid into a cesspool of germs!)<br />
2) Protection as we travel in this yucky Michigan winter weather. I really miss the southern weather already. <br />
3) Progress. Progress, progress, progress! <br />
<br />
Thanks for walking this journey with us!<br />
<br />
Lindsay<br />
<br />Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-77455320724655318212014-02-19T19:51:00.001-05:002014-02-19T19:54:24.121-05:00UpdateI can't believe it's been two months since we updated this blog! Time is just flying by. Pretty soon, we will have a three year old. Crazy.<br />
<br />
Pierce has been making great strides these days and is talking up a storm. It is so fun to see his language emerging, and it's definitely not something we ever take for granted as we were told grim predictions early on. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hyo-iseTVoTMjZZ33Jr4LTq9doU7Whc2bA2UWP5GUPu3FY1SbR20O7M9Gra-e7fkZclqU8wvQEBsQFUUsoZGNNFLWgl4rKBlNuRSiUD-8OPMlYi-0GtsZdtJ7cJaUiARlZcPgRcUCpbx/s1600/valentines3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hyo-iseTVoTMjZZ33Jr4LTq9doU7Whc2bA2UWP5GUPu3FY1SbR20O7M9Gra-e7fkZclqU8wvQEBsQFUUsoZGNNFLWgl4rKBlNuRSiUD-8OPMlYi-0GtsZdtJ7cJaUiARlZcPgRcUCpbx/s1600/valentines3.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgot to post this one on the blog on Valentine's Day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBhqFjvN_X2B21L7dVv7s-AgV7v0rG3CwabIQBrYw9eBZgMgk55lrx0PtHt906SxQZ6yiKyj9QW3sIIhL3HLDAJNA3qSqwqSS2uvpU2qCVURDwJVexxkWnU1ZHXeRK6p4MEqYavSw6t1S/s1600/IMG_4213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBhqFjvN_X2B21L7dVv7s-AgV7v0rG3CwabIQBrYw9eBZgMgk55lrx0PtHt906SxQZ6yiKyj9QW3sIIhL3HLDAJNA3qSqwqSS2uvpU2qCVURDwJVexxkWnU1ZHXeRK6p4MEqYavSw6t1S/s1600/IMG_4213.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've had 2 big snows this winter and Pierce LOVED both.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkfSX2kGx3xxS57uuzsvRubm-L4sTjCNGfYADtsK0ST9abjj7np16bTxgI0X58QXBvp0_ZmrZo-vaqV4UDglatKEjkoVIi9vjtWrdWya5NfHhGzodDedBWeZBgzsy_vxwMKS2lADQzS5A/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkfSX2kGx3xxS57uuzsvRubm-L4sTjCNGfYADtsK0ST9abjj7np16bTxgI0X58QXBvp0_ZmrZo-vaqV4UDglatKEjkoVIi9vjtWrdWya5NfHhGzodDedBWeZBgzsy_vxwMKS2lADQzS5A/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhDC_gPRGYOeQhSbV02lUsowFCx9quEGOGAe4b2q1XDU1uh5dynVyguOmRzcXwxPB7o68XsJUBBOy-lQs14-VhPF82ASNR-XpCNKnJcYXacjW5dAOCA8O16ehF1H7oCToDsoz4JtCgWYs/s1600/IMG_4086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhDC_gPRGYOeQhSbV02lUsowFCx9quEGOGAe4b2q1XDU1uh5dynVyguOmRzcXwxPB7o68XsJUBBOy-lQs14-VhPF82ASNR-XpCNKnJcYXacjW5dAOCA8O16ehF1H7oCToDsoz4JtCgWYs/s1600/IMG_4086.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 2013 Christmas classic (Back by popular demand)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have some pretty big news- we are going to be traveling to Michigan for an intensive therapy program for Pierce. Pierce and I will be out of town for nearly a month! It's a big trip for us, and an even bigger one in terms of what it means for Pierce.<br />
<br />
<b>Here's the scoop on the camp: </b><br />
It is a <a href="http://conductivelearningcenter.org/" target="_blank">Conductive Education Program</a>. Here's a little script taken from their website that should give you a snapshot of what they do: <i>Conductive Education integrates medical knowledge with educational
methods to enable the individual to learn how to gain control over his
or her movements. Children are taught to see themselves as active and
self-reliant participants in the world. </i>In short, Conductive Education was designed as a therapuetic approach to help kids with motor delays/disabilities learn how to integrate and function in the "real world,"with as little adaptive equipment as possible.<br />
<br />
Pierce will attend up to 6hrs a day for 5 days/week, so when I say intensive, I really do mean intensive. He will be grouped with 7-8 other kids and several teachers. At the end of the program, Pierce will leave with new skills, no doubt, but also with a whole packet of information to take back to his home therapists and teachers.<br />
<i> </i><br />
We are just so thrilled to see how much Pierce learns during this time. And we know our social butterfly who loves being around new people, will thoroughly enjoy being in a classroom setting for the very first time.<br />
<br />
To make the deal even sweeter, we are so excited that our friend Colin and his mommy will be joining us in Michigan. It's going to be so fun to watch the 2 boys interact and learn together!!<br />
<br />
<b>How we got the funding to go:</b><br />
I really just want to take a moment to thank a really awesome organization, <a href="http://beemighty.org/" target="_blank">Bee Mighty.</a> We have been so blessed to be awarded a tuition scholarship from BeeMighty that makes it possible for us to pursue this opportunity with Pierce. When we received the word that BeeMighty would be covering Pierce's tuition, we were so humbled. So, if you feel inclined to send a little "thank you" gift on behalf of the Franks family, head over to <a href="http://beemighty.org/" target="_blank">BeeMighty's site</a> and do so, please. 100% of their proceeds go towards funding therapy for NICU graduates in Charlotte.<br />
<br />
<b>And finally, here's how you can pray for us specifically:</b><br />
1. For protection in traveling to Michigan.<br />
2. For protection against illness. This will be Pierce's first time in a classroom type setting, and to be honest, he's been semi-quarantined his whole life, so this will be his immune systems first big test. Though it's hard to tell by looking at him, his preemie lungs are still pretty damaged from being ventilated for so long in the beginning and the slightest cold could still land him back on o2, which means he'd miss out on some of the program. Please pray that he can remain healthy throughout the program. Pray also for Colin as he's in the same situation as Pierce.<br />
<br />
Thanks for walking this journey with us! Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-56799428140568306832013-12-21T20:34:00.000-05:002013-12-21T20:34:52.979-05:00Christmas came earlyFor those who don't follow us on Twitter/Facebook, you may not have heard the news- scan was stable! That means Pierce's shunt is still working well (not bad for something that has an average life span of 1-2 yrs). While his cyst has not decreased in size (sort of a bummer), the surgery was successful at stopping its growth, which means we are likely going to avoid placing a second shunt. Woo hoo!<br />
<br />
And the best part is that, as long as Pierce does well, we don't need to return to Duke for 6 months. Hooray!<br />
<br />
Thank you all for praying with us. Also, thank you for praying for Gabby. We were able to visit with her while we were there and she is now home with a brand new shunt. Pray that her symptoms resolve now and that she too, can go on hiatus from the neurosurgeon.<br />
<br />
We have some pretty exciting things happening around here, but you'll have to wait until I'm able to catch a few on camera (otherwise you may not believe me!). We'll be checking in soon. Until then, enjoy the holidays!<br />
<br />
And Merry Christmas from the Franks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX9Iix7_-ocys4EgERV2xWxcRk9xivJCZOhlvTsjR7csiGRvubldrjbZn-lc8ap_GjIhUyfApkaJSKXipnhXeZn1-TVmb8cuk6ZbOzPMJRq7zSyfRQRCsmGj1xBiZrgARUBUo7UExo5eu/s1600/christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX9Iix7_-ocys4EgERV2xWxcRk9xivJCZOhlvTsjR7csiGRvubldrjbZn-lc8ap_GjIhUyfApkaJSKXipnhXeZn1-TVmb8cuk6ZbOzPMJRq7zSyfRQRCsmGj1xBiZrgARUBUo7UExo5eu/s400/christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-33996220038062609522013-12-17T20:20:00.000-05:002013-12-17T20:20:20.265-05:00All we want for Christmas......is a good neurosurgery report when we go to Duke tomorrow!<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we'll be headed to Duke for a routine MRI to check on Pierce's shunt and to also see if the <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html" target="_blank">surgery in April </a>was successful in treating the cyst. We've prayed daily that the cyst would be gone, or at least much smaller in this scan. Would you please join us in praying for positive, encouraging results?<br />
<br />
Also, while you're praying. Pray for our friend, Gabby. Awhile ago, <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2013/09/prayers-for-gabby.html" target="_blank">I asked for you</a> to pray for her as she was undergoing a similar surgery to Pierce. Since then, Gabby has been in and out of the hospital with complications, keeping her parents and doctors puzzled as to what may be going on. Today she underwent her third surgery in two months to revise her shunt. Would you please pray that this is the solution to her troubles and also for protection against infection or shunt malfunction?<br />
<br />
We are so thankful for the many who join us in praying as we walk through scary appointments, surgeries and procedures. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.<br />
<br />
To finish the blog, here's a photo dump from the last few weeks. Pierce has been doing well in therapy and seems to be responding to the Botox well. He's learning to use new muscle groups when standing, which will help him as he learns to walk in his gait trainer. We've been busy having fun and just enjoying the "normal" things of toddlerhood. Pierce even took his first pony ride a few weeks ago!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFtDyVTdAv-6tup9ZfHNp8H0owBK-xm0vwvsHMpW-dodGKjACr24-e_IJmQ977OxxDG-WWqi5VoQFmmMZLpETyF7xXCH18_RI7V5wA5pZCwndVgcj773YatQX3Jv3bNnrq8PNqBduWhl_/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFtDyVTdAv-6tup9ZfHNp8H0owBK-xm0vwvsHMpW-dodGKjACr24-e_IJmQ977OxxDG-WWqi5VoQFmmMZLpETyF7xXCH18_RI7V5wA5pZCwndVgcj773YatQX3Jv3bNnrq8PNqBduWhl_/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's getting SO tall! (36 in/ 3 ft to be exact!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XzfSzoJg-MNEO1xXrIIGuXrJpevhSQT_eQAV7vKf1BZCn6KzivcQTc66BcNOzU8pqAdw1T6wADiE68o9H_okJsNyW4_tLW6oJ-Va7mjgvfcaDYmucOmtVMiv1gRnhJnWe7WO5pMmT4rX/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XzfSzoJg-MNEO1xXrIIGuXrJpevhSQT_eQAV7vKf1BZCn6KzivcQTc66BcNOzU8pqAdw1T6wADiE68o9H_okJsNyW4_tLW6oJ-Va7mjgvfcaDYmucOmtVMiv1gRnhJnWe7WO5pMmT4rX/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding a pony for the first time at Christmasville Rock Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIbBeMNwOBgw6DJWTpjTSRmOSZ8sd0AwEPXNISrmsblYHqkBRj6T8ZCvPeoET6W9TCtNIZxzm9EUJzN2sM7i_neIO_lGxqiDw9YZM-fsCthptI_Xi3DKaQ8bAXsS2cucHCQDcrXsZHaYR/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIbBeMNwOBgw6DJWTpjTSRmOSZ8sd0AwEPXNISrmsblYHqkBRj6T8ZCvPeoET6W9TCtNIZxzm9EUJzN2sM7i_neIO_lGxqiDw9YZM-fsCthptI_Xi3DKaQ8bAXsS2cucHCQDcrXsZHaYR/s400/photo+3.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa snuggles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-59026182619561198372013-11-20T18:59:00.001-05:002013-11-20T18:59:10.750-05:00Botox baby!Tomorrow is a big day for us. After much debating, Pierce has decided to rid himself of those pesky wrinkles that come with old age by getting a heaping dose of Botox. Just kidding. <br />
<br />
But really, tomorrow Pierce is going in for 12-16 injections of Botox. Fortunately, he will be medicated so he shouldn't remember a thing. <br />
<br />
For those who are wondering why in the world a 2 yr old would need Botox, the short answer is this: the Botox will help with the spasticity (tightness) in Pierce's calves and hamstrings. The hope is that this will help him move with more ease.<br />
<br />
Would you please say a prayer for him? That he does well, no negative reactions and for good results. And for us? For peace as we take him in.<br />
<br />
Also, while you're praying add Noah and Bella (former micropreemies too) to the list as they both have big weeks this week too?<br />
<br />
Thanks for walking this journey with us and for your prayers!<br />
<br />
Lindsay<br />
<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID2a4neiX1q22kHfcbAsEgFKnxKliGTjI_1XA4uDs9557vwpziQMT5Hv5tmyovMzjKFUusGYEFBfcIyS6wdgVAp9O08Hxld50cocOW_aBchv4bnrkq91iALDwrlYRbYbkvvbK5mwDQ3Q1/s640/blogger-image--1178646845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID2a4neiX1q22kHfcbAsEgFKnxKliGTjI_1XA4uDs9557vwpziQMT5Hv5tmyovMzjKFUusGYEFBfcIyS6wdgVAp9O08Hxld50cocOW_aBchv4bnrkq91iALDwrlYRbYbkvvbK5mwDQ3Q1/s640/blogger-image--1178646845.jpg" /></a></div>lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-1144577574055325472013-11-05T14:10:00.000-05:002013-11-05T14:11:34.691-05:00Memory Lane<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i>The following is something I've never posted about (except <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-04-17T12:27:00-04:00&max-results=3&start=3&by-date=false">when the actual events unfolded</a>). You'll probably want to have some tissues ready and if you've lost a child, I'd suggest skipping this post.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
The room was dim as he entered. He did not delay in waking us as we lay in sleep room #4. Of course, we'd only been asleep for what seemed like seconds. The slightest sound jarred us from our sleep. I'll never forget the look in his eyes. The look of care, tenderness and sorrow. Deep, deep sorrow.<br />
<br />
As he sat on the bed, taking my hand in his, he explained that he'd had a rough night with Pierce. Things were up and down, but now, now it seemed that his worst fear, our worst fear was true. The tiny baby we'd hoped would survive, would not be coming home.<br />
<br />
The pleading doctor explained to us that in his 1lb 2oz body, our tiny son had more potassium than a grown man could survive. In all his years of experience, he'd never seen a child survive a potassium this high. The medical jargon did not register until he laid it out in terms we could understand, which we'd soon learn was one of his talents. He explained that potassium is used for criminal executions because it is deemed "certain death." <br />
<br />
And then, his attention shifted to me. My heart was on the floor, somewhere between a nightmare and reality. He spoke to me with clarity and precision explaining that his job with Pierce was coming to an end. There was nothing more they could medically do to save his life. He went on to explain that in a short time, Pierce's heart would certainly fail due to the enormous amount of potassium. With tenderness he whispered out, "I never want a mother to not hold her child while they're alive. I want you to hold Pierce while he's still alive. And I think, I think the time is running out."<br />
<br />
From there it's all a blur. I remember Dr. Kueser and Nik loading me into a wheelchair (I was 4 days post c-section) and then a sudden phone call to let Dr. K know that Pierce's heart rate had gone into an arrythmia. As we raced into the NICU, I remember the intense feeling of wanting to jump up and run to my baby. Not knowing if he would be alive when we went through those doors was excruciating.
We didn't even scrub in.<br />
<br />
We came in to see a swarm of people hovering over Pierce's bed. His tiny body lay there. Once they saw us coming, they silenced the monitors and stepped back. You could tell they had all determined the time had come. No more medical interventions could be justified. It was now time to grieve. To let Pierce die with dignity. To let him die in his mother's arms.<br />
<br />
I remember waiting at his bedside for what seemed like hours (really only about 15 minutes), coaching myself and praying that God would forgive me for doing what seemed at the time like giving up. How would this tiny baby survive us holding him? (After all, we hadn't even touched him at this point.)<br />
<br />
I remember Dr. Kueser standing beside us. Praying with us. Holding our hands and gently urging me to pick him up. He reminded me that's what Pierce needed most- to be held.<br />
<br />
And so we did just that. We held him. We said our goodbyes. We took pictures and we mourned. As Dr. Kueser and Pierce's primary nurse, Jennifer left that day, we said goodbyes for the final time. <br />
<br />
But of course, our story doesn't end there. Pierce's story doesn't end there.
What we witnessed next was nothing short of a miracle. For the next 24+ hrs we watched as Pierce's potassium fell. His heart rate stayed stable. And he remained stable. By the following night, Pierce's potassium was back in the normal range. His kidneys were functioning again. His oxygen saturations had remained stable. <br />
<br />
And the best part, there was absolutely no medical intervention that could be pointed to as life saving. Nothing.<br />
<br />
For the remaining 113 days of Pierce's NICU stay, it wasn't always easy, but we remained hopeful, knowing that God had saved him from "certain death" on that day and that He was with us every step of the way.<br />
<br />
Now, almost 2.5 years later, all that's left of that horrible day are scars, vague memories and a photo album hidden deeply away. And then there's a special bond. A bond with those who worked so diligently to save our boy. And a very, very special bond with those who were there to care for us when they could no longer care for Pierce. <br />
<br />
Because Dr. Kueser was the doctor on call that dreaded day, because he was the one who gave me my first opportunity to hold Pierce and because he then went on (along with Dr. Engstrom, who we will have to save for a whole 'nother post!) to be Pierce's primary doctor for 15 out of the 18 weeks he was in the NICU...because of all of that and so much more, we have a very, very special bond with this man.We will never forget the ways in which God used him to save our once tiny, sick son.<br />
<br />
Remember how I told you this Halloween was going to be big for us? Well, while the <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2013/10/trick-or-treat-2013.html" target="_blank">Uncle Si costume</a> was fun, Halloween was really special because we had the opportunity to do this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbX575SH6BmeQHiH5tHk3CpNfAYXTSDBYdkHd2goDDjdNgq2MO1THWRjhb-4-PWCzusrBaTxufIWyMdf6pP_FjbWUadlKZLvfi8mXLcWJGQC0K-jh6agd58dtHIOPDyJ_vDfbrp8AhVih/s1600/IMG_3920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbX575SH6BmeQHiH5tHk3CpNfAYXTSDBYdkHd2goDDjdNgq2MO1THWRjhb-4-PWCzusrBaTxufIWyMdf6pP_FjbWUadlKZLvfi8mXLcWJGQC0K-jh6agd58dtHIOPDyJ_vDfbrp8AhVih/s400/IMG_3920.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special thanks to Pierce's Primary Nurses, Laura and Lindsay for making the badge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXdMmj_-p7CQjB4BD_0aVlh3yi7m9aodUfYPq0RN0o9_fTTXmtbQ3YNFJR1bxOjTZmLX98d0VScKlRJoXTELckmRpvYXYtXFQGpVfZnb_asy-y9jSyKFU_z9ouFJZ2gHmdlh1VHVRBqXV/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXdMmj_-p7CQjB4BD_0aVlh3yi7m9aodUfYPq0RN0o9_fTTXmtbQ3YNFJR1bxOjTZmLX98d0VScKlRJoXTELckmRpvYXYtXFQGpVfZnb_asy-y9jSyKFU_z9ouFJZ2gHmdlh1VHVRBqXV/s400/IMG_3927.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing the younger version of Dr. K complete with gray hair </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmuMmG9-sTT6L31-Ou5WRaKiXJfYl7W56QDY2si7Eex6la9lioUicVop8ZsELYzsClMYbWpWFQsXItPE8J19vhMjK1eX25wN9K0gJ0vWjRrNc62MVj2ETg4F9Ol8yYEMCNAolkrkXHdfQ/s1600/IMG_3931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmuMmG9-sTT6L31-Ou5WRaKiXJfYl7W56QDY2si7Eex6la9lioUicVop8ZsELYzsClMYbWpWFQsXItPE8J19vhMjK1eX25wN9K0gJ0vWjRrNc62MVj2ETg4F9Ol8yYEMCNAolkrkXHdfQ/s400/IMG_3931.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Dr. Kueser again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacBwOILppdfsTIrPEPMTPy9TlaiE51ghwit_inuKaxYPtg7sbP-AKv5V_9SZ_Dx81R84rekrV537l703y58ssKnvK3iW6bJa8WMhz4uW3SCkDm159xWUp1rozPS5aSz90aNwa7YHoezWj/s1600/IMG_20131031_123403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacBwOILppdfsTIrPEPMTPy9TlaiE51ghwit_inuKaxYPtg7sbP-AKv5V_9SZ_Dx81R84rekrV537l703y58ssKnvK3iW6bJa8WMhz4uW3SCkDm159xWUp1rozPS5aSz90aNwa7YHoezWj/s400/IMG_20131031_123403.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
And here is a photo of the NICU neonatology dream team,
Pierce's primary doctors. Without a doubt, my son is alive because God
used their skill and intelligence to save him. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What a tremendous blessing it was to be able to stroll through the NICU, our healthy 2.5 year old in tow and listen as he called out in his cute little toddler voice "Dah-der KEY-zur!"<br />
<br />
We are forever grateful to you, Dr. Kueser and Dr. Engstrom and to the many, many others who cared for our son during his sickest months. <br />
<br />
Love,<br />
The Franks Familylindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-79642889154781380162013-10-28T21:50:00.000-04:002013-10-28T21:52:04.733-04:00Trick or Treat 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
We've waited our turn, sat out Halloween two years in a row due to RSV isolation and Pierce's immature immune system/damaged lungs. <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-halloween.html" target="_blank">The first year</a>, Halloween wasn't so bad. We were just enjoying having our boy home, even if it meant incorporating all of his extra gear. But <a href="http://littlebabypierce.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-halloween.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, last year I LONGED for normal. I was bummed that Pierce was another year older and yet, his crappy preemie lungs were still holding him back. Out of part denial (that we were back in isolation), we didn't even get him a costume. Rather, we just tried to make the best of our situation and find a laugh or two.<br />
<br />
But this year, this year I was determined to make Halloween different. Pierce is talking more, and is becoming quite the toddler. He's more aware of Halloween- the candy (please don't tell him that his parents will eat 95% of his candy this year), the people, the costume. He deserves a good time. We deserve a good time. This. This is our year. <br />
<br />
So without further ado, I give you this year's award winning costume. Ok, it hasn't won any awards yet, but we're sure with this cute face and clever idea, he'll be donning the cover of magazines all across America.<br />
<br />
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you.....<br />
<br />
<br />
Uncle Si (from Duck Dynasty) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzc7qYFhGLyk0x8jmHMKIjlm4-5QtcQZlz6dg4XpPzlGJITuezMHjF6P8NM9dGP3f9rTKKSRrPTlxcnTwbVeoily0UKnMLT-YLrp0VcpcV8DnwPPnGsP_ct6-qggxsH55Sf0NmELE6jug/s1600/IMG_3822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjadisNkA4wTfCEfCZuNkw_td9MjQrPMraWQ3s0UUnSgp07TQNsI3sZBWgO06xOXbb5a82FbX6YkvbHPAsjgwdZgtfzjYsUB3iBaKJsTqXfdAAvos1lVIsgHwj0DLLyU7NCMNJastwONX/s1600/IMG_3837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjadisNkA4wTfCEfCZuNkw_td9MjQrPMraWQ3s0UUnSgp07TQNsI3sZBWgO06xOXbb5a82FbX6YkvbHPAsjgwdZgtfzjYsUB3iBaKJsTqXfdAAvos1lVIsgHwj0DLLyU7NCMNJastwONX/s400/IMG_3837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8zJ0lDZpRLr7kxqnkaCeUe8_cXWuN21NpvqTB0DgXd7BY6rgSkBGvxLqEEyF0uEkBOu7yD-stcJpX6JCB2Nkkv7E5-EVrKWuxdOJc8-4bGgvdHfNUdwM3hA4cz4lq3TfvTufoHVPkAAm/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8zJ0lDZpRLr7kxqnkaCeUe8_cXWuN21NpvqTB0DgXd7BY6rgSkBGvxLqEEyF0uEkBOu7yD-stcJpX6JCB2Nkkv7E5-EVrKWuxdOJc8-4bGgvdHfNUdwM3hA4cz4lq3TfvTufoHVPkAAm/s400/IMG_3836.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv_KBh0M9jqwGiQiURGnP7VAQZk5BDMIN2tU4qoPdOR1i2N8-RlCkaGHW9nyl6xEx6I447v4O2jKjLESksyT5GwvOk3rKPV0WiIboBN1RKN3IOLPAwxGDLCuusP7o0XOSmTM-7r48z0yV/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv_KBh0M9jqwGiQiURGnP7VAQZk5BDMIN2tU4qoPdOR1i2N8-RlCkaGHW9nyl6xEx6I447v4O2jKjLESksyT5GwvOk3rKPV0WiIboBN1RKN3IOLPAwxGDLCuusP7o0XOSmTM-7r48z0yV/s400/IMG_3841.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTu9kcUDVxtGZh6S6GGHVxA4kxxPB70fxDdtI_TyM-vP9p9XPiaAcPh8SMpsXAGQFB9pwUjIzLWuYD9Q_FO689hPFtJ0Ra9GbZODwqXe6eYpKqtmBAoC1-u8gdQ3vyTuydG8yjqHBlv_WR/s1600/IMG_3838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA90NhNR-1o0yg_tN0Znmc2EP_Afh6RhFOyRxmchb2Fuczn33es7ClcxD6c5ynmm8n7y1L7XcE-fBTcmojNLv9v0q1NsUJeJO271tQMe5L7G2oFhbw54RxmFh-kir1iIeMQqMoujlTvZG8/s1600/IMG_3842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA90NhNR-1o0yg_tN0Znmc2EP_Afh6RhFOyRxmchb2Fuczn33es7ClcxD6c5ynmm8n7y1L7XcE-fBTcmojNLv9v0q1NsUJeJO271tQMe5L7G2oFhbw54RxmFh-kir1iIeMQqMoujlTvZG8/s400/IMG_3842.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgyndiD_QmXPf8-QqtJo4wdkrQxFrgR-YRYR0q76-lTZbIOGc5rXrpYu05SyzORwujx9YyUGPJB9-MSGRc28F4-XHqipjHP6qni4ZjbsN46qwm8s40a1BpKspb0TBtXeha57-R-Ap90D8/s1600/IMG_3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgyndiD_QmXPf8-QqtJo4wdkrQxFrgR-YRYR0q76-lTZbIOGc5rXrpYu05SyzORwujx9YyUGPJB9-MSGRc28F4-XHqipjHP6qni4ZjbsN46qwm8s40a1BpKspb0TBtXeha57-R-Ap90D8/s400/IMG_3849.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then there was Willie and the newest cast member, MJ (Yes, we created a new character for our friend. Personally, I think he fits right in)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sY496msKh003yoSBZywi2_Yj9NM_MpZmkks4EYuWKFxZADMmVhKbC-FAvkVhde2d6h7zSU1hKjswaq1TAIPgh_vzF9YVk-ulsQxN0tOg-qScbMnbBYkacuVXBS7fDmUTb4Yc2bsmY62B/s1600/IMG_3852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sY496msKh003yoSBZywi2_Yj9NM_MpZmkks4EYuWKFxZADMmVhKbC-FAvkVhde2d6h7zSU1hKjswaq1TAIPgh_vzF9YVk-ulsQxN0tOg-qScbMnbBYkacuVXBS7fDmUTb4Yc2bsmY62B/s400/IMG_3852.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4vZ-cQal_HrRr2ipbR3xO9JprjxSyT5If9xIgGScwSOca5kGHjA-H6NcWnQsQUAcJW6WxSlVHRyyGyM77mBJjM3dr3TmOzEj2AZkU8S8UbiubDThOcDYrFSWLTI1XbQkdmZlLjtO16FP/s1600/IMG_3857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4vZ-cQal_HrRr2ipbR3xO9JprjxSyT5If9xIgGScwSOca5kGHjA-H6NcWnQsQUAcJW6WxSlVHRyyGyM77mBJjM3dr3TmOzEj2AZkU8S8UbiubDThOcDYrFSWLTI1XbQkdmZlLjtO16FP/s400/IMG_3857.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our best attempts to be Korie and Willie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj174WEyLdZ8ftzGRgQHTOy3ojQch7BKC5fsgRKJ-ogpoEGxcQLVcxY3x0XSaYJWASOsUe6A1GRjb-8MhmgX9S62kr_h5DFBTsF_GxmlNnggcz_9Mju92k942UTUwn8oXGQKvBSa19qlhKk/s1600/IMG_3862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj174WEyLdZ8ftzGRgQHTOy3ojQch7BKC5fsgRKJ-ogpoEGxcQLVcxY3x0XSaYJWASOsUe6A1GRjb-8MhmgX9S62kr_h5DFBTsF_GxmlNnggcz_9Mju92k942UTUwn8oXGQKvBSa19qlhKk/s400/IMG_3862.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPepDGBcAeop6FeXi3bhhZ6KXWJAjNF_v8nqSQlszJVa-WIVhG2I-fUzQZMoKI1kbEkgrOY0DJVlxveW0YAxeHY-OMi3-6R61iX6SQffHSCBlRkcnM_bLb2rT5YNr3iXy8KWB5YRiAAvJ9/s1600/IMG_3868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPepDGBcAeop6FeXi3bhhZ6KXWJAjNF_v8nqSQlszJVa-WIVhG2I-fUzQZMoKI1kbEkgrOY0DJVlxveW0YAxeHY-OMi3-6R61iX6SQffHSCBlRkcnM_bLb2rT5YNr3iXy8KWB5YRiAAvJ9/s400/IMG_3868.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArkGPO2y3zhdDX_vK0TMS0i64YtTLeQ9Qrj1cFhjSWMgv_s53yueHJO8oUW62n2gwOfx1ZAMQJmsizbYa1J8tBZAI-BsQU8ksOBW1nHuv3mqtII7AuiaNbuP4PWmB-Mm8gihGFvK32cXO/s1600/IMG_3873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArkGPO2y3zhdDX_vK0TMS0i64YtTLeQ9Qrj1cFhjSWMgv_s53yueHJO8oUW62n2gwOfx1ZAMQJmsizbYa1J8tBZAI-BsQU8ksOBW1nHuv3mqtII7AuiaNbuP4PWmB-Mm8gihGFvK32cXO/s400/IMG_3873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLCO4RuUrmW-NHFhQRVy7oLwl8ynZlLSdTps9FBou1HpSBH8GAzFZgJW-OYedn3OhyWm7uk_d66mobk_t-kWK38YmVswW_zJgA0OQzPD1SmAG0Aott5btTzuixRCTjxuQ7NPHle45f3Px/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLCO4RuUrmW-NHFhQRVy7oLwl8ynZlLSdTps9FBou1HpSBH8GAzFZgJW-OYedn3OhyWm7uk_d66mobk_t-kWK38YmVswW_zJgA0OQzPD1SmAG0Aott5btTzuixRCTjxuQ7NPHle45f3Px/s400/IMG_3883.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Haven't had enough laughs? Try these original memes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF5cLDOaGhvTgInw1f_g5f-ZFb9QRi8cjF59aj1S6r1zSVMrpZw0Snbf3BnZP98qvrYF9M8oEDByWmA0aq_JguHUWOSeerpxtW0Y9KoshbXZRHSLMJYsonPAS1F4Fmk6VHp34Vv7kSuAc/s1600/DOPE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF5cLDOaGhvTgInw1f_g5f-ZFb9QRi8cjF59aj1S6r1zSVMrpZw0Snbf3BnZP98qvrYF9M8oEDByWmA0aq_JguHUWOSeerpxtW0Y9KoshbXZRHSLMJYsonPAS1F4Fmk6VHp34Vv7kSuAc/s400/DOPE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP0d4tGChAXFXF1HFn7Zum1UyZ6ac9O2WUQBvFqERNXICwN6CrEfW263yUBS5KDqf07h8CW_7nk7yqgg3Oa2HDhh7FqiocFnMVXFXgk1ogDEt43UzsBd-L3nw8qgtVEl9Qg1BwTF2nIqE/s400/50SHADES.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1q8OL0b-zcyrA45ziSaYUa2tBPq7jdhW5IBNwiTejp2rcWs8hsoq0DACO62dyQCg3h7oQ8wuUxCofRSUUEAr35eQ5BqFIcUYsqthQ8bUXnAAITfsdE_EjVSbfN1mDnYDhXODXkgLkWkU/s1600/factjack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1q8OL0b-zcyrA45ziSaYUa2tBPq7jdhW5IBNwiTejp2rcWs8hsoq0DACO62dyQCg3h7oQ8wuUxCofRSUUEAr35eQ5BqFIcUYsqthQ8bUXnAAITfsdE_EjVSbfN1mDnYDhXODXkgLkWkU/s400/factjack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Halloween from our family to yours!</div>
<br />Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-46045302253582176512013-10-21T14:10:00.002-04:002013-10-21T14:10:35.676-04:00When Colin Came to TownIf you have a micropreemie, chances are you've found support within
our tiny online community. The wealth of blogs, resource websites,
facebook pages and twitter accounts have made it easy to connect with
others traveling down a similar road.
<br />
<br />
When Pierce was in the NICU, our main source of
support was found in several women (moms of micropreemies) who heard our
story and reached out to me. And then as Pierce grew more stable and
eventually left the NICU, things started to turn and suddenly I was in
the position of reaching out to others and offering advice.
<br />
<br />
Sometime in early 2012, Arianne (Colin's mom)
contacted me. Our boys were so similar- similar brain bleeds, similar
surgeries, similar trials. Colin was still in the NICU and was facing
his VP shunt surgery.
<br />
<br />
We instantly hit it off and this started a friendship
that grew out of countless hours on skype calls. When the boys were both
in isolation, they found company in their online "playdates." Over the
almost 2 years, Arianne and I have swapped therapy tips, medical advice
and even plain ol' parenting tips. It's been so much fun that I'd have
to stop and remind myself that we've never actually met in person. In
fact, we live on separate sides of the country- her on the West Coast, I
on the East.
<br />
<br />
So imagine my surprise when I heard that Colin and his
family were going to be traveling to Charlotte to visit us! I could
hardly contain my excitement.
<br />
<br />
The weekend really was magical. Real life playdates,
endless face-to-face conversation time, and Arianne even managed to make
it in time for our Pierce's Project Mom's Support Dinner.
<br />
<br />
So. much. fun! We had SO much fun, that we only snapped a few photos (I wish now that we'd taken even more!).
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMX7IjAHsWeoD4N4vnkUFtMj0tBB80LOV_tLMKkuEIK2PoKZP89gQ01ubMdPslxH2Dcrg7RunEnQchsePAj1w8px5qP8-PlYC9IG-1d7xTh74b9JusDZScgCO0siHWSDH_5OXoKrpT6hT/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMX7IjAHsWeoD4N4vnkUFtMj0tBB80LOV_tLMKkuEIK2PoKZP89gQ01ubMdPslxH2Dcrg7RunEnQchsePAj1w8px5qP8-PlYC9IG-1d7xTh74b9JusDZScgCO0siHWSDH_5OXoKrpT6hT/s400/IMG_3432.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamming it up for the camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O_aC2WnAq3Pg6EI6C4xg2h59A4q0py1RYjW4C1eRyOTh43uRqBr4zuwpfVPEb1t9Ugav8blokl_pgEtFBd0uA0WFjJfuiQyN0kTdf9M2e7bTK2hZ7CqBqNpmDvPmV7UwCO41YjgiJCyf/s1600/IMG_3442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0O_aC2WnAq3Pg6EI6C4xg2h59A4q0py1RYjW4C1eRyOTh43uRqBr4zuwpfVPEb1t9Ugav8blokl_pgEtFBd0uA0WFjJfuiQyN0kTdf9M2e7bTK2hZ7CqBqNpmDvPmV7UwCO41YjgiJCyf/s400/IMG_3442.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hey! You look familiar?!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_DYv-FfgInMn43GCRGar9-feHPc3sdN52kKFPWsXxiHyh_wVHvkdB9atR5DKBchgVQUBvC_Zaxv7No0Nx_XhlBQh1tmTzfq97pJbIJmBcJ69SltOY4u7jPj74g7Y2e8SOyRkg4dLWtIu/s1600/IMG_3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_DYv-FfgInMn43GCRGar9-feHPc3sdN52kKFPWsXxiHyh_wVHvkdB9atR5DKBchgVQUBvC_Zaxv7No0Nx_XhlBQh1tmTzfq97pJbIJmBcJ69SltOY4u7jPj74g7Y2e8SOyRkg4dLWtIu/s400/IMG_3476.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could've cuddled this babe for hours!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1XFgTcCTPYfArqK2akFmsg0Js7NhnlqGAOgeQrMH41ywnwep9iH719aVZ_tLlIzBBqXsp-8ttfnZXdcuoKZ8LtY_jkJJufwkHJfzAyB_xtHNrqvagzCyKfH-PjXYw9GJ2T68MC4ZkTUd/s1600/IMG_3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1XFgTcCTPYfArqK2akFmsg0Js7NhnlqGAOgeQrMH41ywnwep9iH719aVZ_tLlIzBBqXsp-8ttfnZXdcuoKZ8LtY_jkJJufwkHJfzAyB_xtHNrqvagzCyKfH-PjXYw9GJ2T68MC4ZkTUd/s400/IMG_3466.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierce loved Mrs. Arianne, especially when she sang the bubble song</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_DYv-FfgInMn43GCRGar9-feHPc3sdN52kKFPWsXxiHyh_wVHvkdB9atR5DKBchgVQUBvC_Zaxv7No0Nx_XhlBQh1tmTzfq97pJbIJmBcJ69SltOY4u7jPj74g7Y2e8SOyRkg4dLWtIu/s1600/IMG_3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUbeP0b4VsbJfykRbd5_HW0iFTIaNo_YDZoutr1Mmx367ojClLDQhuYQocmlB3WJqAYcLrAW2Mc-qys2wmmlEcY39cCuw8c3HLwglAO3BZccJScHoFIizwBZPaNSzJ6wB8mtzt5EZxzMf/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUbeP0b4VsbJfykRbd5_HW0iFTIaNo_YDZoutr1Mmx367ojClLDQhuYQocmlB3WJqAYcLrAW2Mc-qys2wmmlEcY39cCuw8c3HLwglAO3BZccJScHoFIizwBZPaNSzJ6wB8mtzt5EZxzMf/s400/IMG_3436.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The miracle duo united at last!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Nik, Lindsay and Pierce Frankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914427099218563113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-74325734980741576862013-09-17T14:49:00.001-04:002013-09-17T14:53:22.987-04:00Prayers for GabbyHi friends! I wanted to ask you to join me in praying for this sweet girl. On Friday, Gabby will be undergoing a surgery similar to the one Pierce had in April. <br />
<br />
Gabby's mom and I have a special friendship and I'll always be so grateful to the Lord for sending her into my<br />
life at just the right time and for her leading us to our fabulous neurosurgeon. <br />
<br />
Please join me in praying for a smooth surgery on Friday and for a quick recovery for Gabby. Also pray for Gabby's<br />
parents, Josh and Lisa as having to watch your child go through such a major surgery can be so emotionally taxing and difficult. Pray for peace and comfort. <br />
<br />
Thanks for joining us in prayer for our precious friends!<br />
<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsa8inYCddI2cdmpL7a841onx6fwALhdGg6lozr9LzcH5DznF_E2IXP7BhopM8X7ghAEwkN58qOtB5R2sT-ov_oq4T15BVZBOh1rMY79_sGm3UBc10cvQoYHOD6TH9OCk5jla_6-LpP_A/s640/blogger-image--1880651089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsa8inYCddI2cdmpL7a841onx6fwALhdGg6lozr9LzcH5DznF_E2IXP7BhopM8X7ghAEwkN58qOtB5R2sT-ov_oq4T15BVZBOh1rMY79_sGm3UBc10cvQoYHOD6TH9OCk5jla_6-LpP_A/s640/blogger-image--1880651089.jpg" /></a></div>lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953876697232838920.post-39257642020537831832013-09-09T13:48:00.000-04:002013-09-09T13:48:48.278-04:00DIY sock baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcXodU42vFZDCneRkmQyLoXL0VH32-5i-fKCrBNOC9SvW2prWy9fvIfQFnxDTOA3jHDj4F0zMKM4gitx2gs2stzzCkdbWMhk_EVDg-dxMrXvEB8RY3RBygfzIPDadK4xCQQaaz3MuAJ9R/s1600/1236602_632359096796004_792826518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcXodU42vFZDCneRkmQyLoXL0VH32-5i-fKCrBNOC9SvW2prWy9fvIfQFnxDTOA3jHDj4F0zMKM4gitx2gs2stzzCkdbWMhk_EVDg-dxMrXvEB8RY3RBygfzIPDadK4xCQQaaz3MuAJ9R/s320/1236602_632359096796004_792826518_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG3HUbf9J16DBCJqL5i0-rovPnFf8vFNO25aN8JSd611qEDt29Gqbn8ZI2KG-61AS2b2jE_nYUmcWppVaLk1h5uskyERsN2_4S6nVB75hDsMt2ZhODAjkvMp2w3J-E7Qb4G79khfsVR_d/s1600/1267445_632357283462852_983268624_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG3HUbf9J16DBCJqL5i0-rovPnFf8vFNO25aN8JSd611qEDt29Gqbn8ZI2KG-61AS2b2jE_nYUmcWppVaLk1h5uskyERsN2_4S6nVB75hDsMt2ZhODAjkvMp2w3J-E7Qb4G79khfsVR_d/s320/1267445_632357283462852_983268624_o.jpg" /></a></div>
We've gotten a lot of requests on how to make the rice-filled "sock babies" that we made at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.632351390130108.1073741828.335672026464714&type=1&l=078ac68c36" target="_blank">preemie playdate</a>. They are a fun and easy way to remember how tiny your premature babies once were!<br />
<br />
Here are printable, .pdf instructions (thanks Jenny!) that walk you through how to make your very own replica of your child's birth weight and length. Enjoy and feel free to share.<br />
<br />
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/166770905/Sock-Baby-Instructions" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Sock Baby Instructions on Scribd">Sock Baby Instructions</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_41987" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/166770905/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15751680955664811432noreply@blogger.com0