Check-up

Last night, we went to the pediatrician for Joshua's 9 month well-baby check-up. We told Dr. Tifft the findings from CHOP, and he seemed confident that Joshua will outgrow his reflux issues. I was surprised by his confidence, but that's what I'm believing for, too. NO MORE SURGERIES! Joshua weighed 21.6 lbs - the 70th percentile for weight - and is 28 inches long - the 40th percentile for height. He is advanced even for a 9 month old in talking, but is still behind in mobility as most kids this age are crawling. Dr. Tifft noted that you want to see advanced cognitive skills, and we still have to adjust for his age when considering his mobility. He listened to him and checked his ears, too, which is good because of me worrying about this cold he has, which should be done within 7-10 days. The doctor also noted how strong Joshua is - he did not want to let him check his ears! All the comments were very positive. Joshua can also eat what he wants to (within reason), and not eat what he doesn't. So, table foods are okay, and we don't have to worry if he doesn't drink the full bottle, so long as he gets 20 oz. or more each day. Hooray! I've always been so worried about his eating since he was born, and now this is a big relief.

Here are some pictures of Joshua enjoying time with Grandma & Grandpa Ginder. I forgot to get a picture when mom was here today - a friend of Jamie's stopped in and told her she could get out for a little bit. I said "Great! We can shop!" however, just after she left, Joshua threw up everywhere. He had gagged and thrown up on his tray at dinner, so I had taken it to wash it, only to have him spew more all over himself, the highchair, the floor, etc. Thank God Shawn walked in the door at that moment. As the two of us gagged together, we pulled the Bean out of the highchair and put him in the bathtub clothes and all, and Shawn cleaned up the high chair while I bathed Joshua. Poor little guy! Poor us! Mom came just as he was in the bath tub, so instead of going shopping we just hung out here for a little while. Hopefully next time we can do something fun instead, but she didn't want to be gone too long, which I completely understand. She also said Jamie wasn't feeling well today and didn't eat anything.

This morning we had a meeting with the Lancaster Housing Redevelopment Authority about updating our house. We'll see if everything goes through - we're close to the cap on everything (how much Shawn makes, how much our house is worth, etc.) and the process takes awhile. I applied back in December, and we still may not hear anything for another three months. While we were there, Joshua stayed with Grandma & Grandpa Jamie. After we came back, I walked across the street with them where their neighbor was having a women's Bible study. The worship was amazing, but when Joshua started getting tired, we snuck out to go home so he could rest. Afterward, they prayed for mom & Jamie, who both truly need it right now. Jamie couldn't walk yesterday or today, and they're both feeling pretty down. They see the neurologist on Friday, so hopefully he can help them.

Last night I went to worship practice, and afterward there is always a time of "Harp & Bowl" worship with people praying & interceding. It was an interesting night with more people there than normal, and Bill & I took turn leading the songs for this portion...I love how they are allowing me to grow in this ministry, and I truly love playing the piano, singing & serving the church this way. We are moving into a new type of worship where we play a melody & allow the Holy Spirit to speak through God's Word and sing prophetic songs. It is stretching, but fulfilling in declaring God's word through music. Bill & Kim (two of the worship leaders at church) were both very sweet when hearing about what's going on with Joshua, and Bill declared healing over his life while Kim took a stand of protection against all the children of our church - a couple our age just had a baby who died at six months gestation, and it seems like there is a lot that the enemy is trying to do with kids. We say, "No way!" Thankfully, we have Jesus on our side.