A lot has happened since my last post. In August Matt and I took Addi back to Nashville for a one year follow-up for the study. Addi did wonderful on both the plane trips and through the testing. She did have a UTI at the time we went so we were unable to complete the urodynamics test, and did have to return one month later in September. Praise God the UTI was a 'fluke' occurrence and Addi's bladder and kidneys look awesome. He truly answered our prayers again!

Addi is progressing fast and furious!!! Hard to believe how fast and how much she changes daily!! She is pulling to standing now all by herself and walking while holding your fingers. We are going to try some little ankle braces to help support her feet. A far cry from some doctors recommendations (that wanted tall over the calf braces) but our physical therapist Dayna (who sees Addi every week) thinks this is best for Addi. We can give it a try and if it doesn't work, try something else, but at least we are giving her a chance to walk on her own. I am excited to report that Addi did talk a few steps by herself all together with a walker. The walker is not a permanent thing, but we are finding out that Addi is very independent!!!! :) She likes to do things her way and on her own. (Don't know who she got that from) :)

Addi's vocab has expanded dramatically as well. She now uses hi(loves to pretend talk on the phone), bye-bye, ball, puppy, down, ma-ma, pa-pa (for grandpa Wurtz), and daddy on a regular basis.

I have to admit I am enjoying thoroughly getting to stay home with Addi and be able to watch her take all of these 'small' steps in life.

We have also been busy helping Matt in the field drive grain cart,combine, cook, and help and drive things around to where they need to go. Addi is a trooper the whole time. God gave us the perfect child for us!!!! I know I couldn't have 'designed' a better child myself! She is truly a blessing.

A few pictures from Table Rock.

We are back home now, thankfully. It was nice to get away and spend time together but always nice to be home. We had quite a few days, but Addi was a trooper all the way through it. We did find out that Addi had an infection in her bladder so we were unable to have one of the tests completed which means we will have to go back to Nashville in a month. The doctors are unsure if this infection is just a fluke or if it is an indication of her bladder not emptying completly due to spina bifida. The test that we will go back for in a month will tell us more. Our prayer is that this infection is just a one time thing that happened, nothing more.

On a more positive note, Addi had an evaluation with the Early Education Center (Dana who works with Addi for physical therapy). Addi's cognitive, fine motor, and speech skills are right where they need to be NOT adjusting for her age. YEAH!!!! Praise God!!

Quick update for the day, Addi did really well with the sedation today. Praise God! We didn't learn anything today from the tests yet, but praise God for leading us towards kind nurses. Tomorrow is a new day.

It has been a hectic and joy filled summer so far. Seeing Addi grow and get stronger each day reminds of the blessing she is and how blessed we are that our heavenly father chose us to be her parents. I could never fully express the love I have for her! How lucky can I be to be able to spend each day with her. We are equally blessed that Matt works so hard to provide for us.
So........since I have last blogged our little one has finally found forward gear. Yea!!!!! Who knew I could get so excited?!??! Pretty awesome in my book.
I do ask for your continued prayers for her. We head to Nashville tomorrow to start testing with Addi. Nothing is wrong with her, the study that we were a part of when she was born requires us to come back for visits at 12 and 30 months non adjusted age. Physical, developmental testing, sedated MRI among other things. I know that God has lead us thus far and won't leave us now, but it still scary. Guess I shouldn't be an overprotective mom hun?
My prayer is that any fear that Addi has during all of this will be pushed aside and that she will feel the comfort and protection of the Lord. I also pray that God gives me comfort and strength to be faithful in knowing that He is watching over us. As we have seen before His power is mighty! I pray that the Lord will lead us to kind and compassionate doctors and nurses as he did before.

I can't for them to see truly what a miracle our little Addi is.
I will try to have daily updates while we are there. Matt is trying to keep me up-to- date with technology this year, he got me a phone with Internet for my birthday. No excuses now.

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. No news is good news, right?!?!?!?!? Everything here is starting to pick up quickly. We had rain for quite a few days by it has finally dried off and the boys are off to work again. Addi continues to grow each day, bringing smiles to our face! She is starting to try to crawl. She can get up on all fours now and go backwards but still struggling to go forward. She is getting quite frustrated that she can't go anywhere. She seems to be getting a mind of her own now. She definitly knows what she wants.
We enrolled Addi in a mommy and me swim class. I really think that she will enjoy it alot. I also have the pleasure of taking one of our good friends (whom are expecting their second child here in a couple of weeks) daughter to swim class as well. Our days are going to be filled with fun and busyness swimming and taking care of the boys.
Our weekends have been and are packed with lots of traveling. Addi is being a trooper. Kansas City for a graduation and Royals game and Texas and Arkansas for weddings. Fun!!!
We just can't praise our heavenly Father enough for all of his blessings!

As we wind down for the evening our thoughts and conversation turn back to exactly one year ago. We were preparing for our fetal surgery tomorrow morning. What an adventure and walk of faith that God sent us on. It is hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly and how much has happened in just that little bit of time.
From the bottom of our heart we thank everyone again for your unending prayers, thoughts, and kind words. It is because of your prayers and never-ending faith that God has blessed our family and brought our family through those troubled waters. Our Addilyn is such a blessing and brings so much joy to our family!

Just a short quick post today. Addi had water therapy yesterday and LOVED it! She is going to be a water bug just like her daddy!! We are thinking about enrolling her in swim lessons for the summer, a mommy and me class. Do they allow jeans and t-shirts in the pool? he, he..just the thought of a swimsuit makes me shutter. Good thing the nice weather has arrived! Addi and I have been doing a lot of yard work lately tyring to get all of the flower beds in order. Now, if we can only keep daddy and his roundup away when he sprays the fields. Well, today is a great day with aweome weather again. Addi and I are headed out to enjoy the sun.

Addi had physical therapy again today. She is doing very well. Addi has finally figured out how to maneuver all over the place by rolling. She wants what she wants. he, he, he She is now weighing a little over 17 lbs. and is trying to crawl. Especially when a cell phone or remote is spotted or seen. Those are some of her fav toys. Addi is standing up well. Trying right now to really pull/push herself up from the sitting position. She is getting very determined, which is great to see. Our physical therapist asked us if we would like to try water therapy. She thought that it might be something fun for Addi to try some new things. They have a nice heated pool and everything for Addi to play in. I just PRAISE God that he has brought so many wonderful caring individuals into our lives. Dayna is one that truly has Addi's best interest at heart!
On the farming front, all is going well. It is time to start planting corn. Matt is chomping at the bit to get going. God has blessed us with some wonderful rain...a little too much right now, but nonetheless a blessing for our crops. We did get a hard freeze a couple of weeks ago that we were afraid that might have hurt our up and coming wheat crop. Another repeat of 2007. We are keeping it in prayer that it will turn out okay. It was still pretty small from the lack of rain/moisture this winter, late fall-which is the only thing that saved it. Amazing how God always has things under control, isn't it? He always seems to know best! Otherwise we are just staying busy with our little one and praising God that he has allowed us to work for the good of the Lord in things that we love. Matt with farming, me with Addi and getting to be a wife to an awesome husband.

We had a great first Easter with Addi! We had my sister Catherine here to visit us all weekend which was so great. Her and Addi shared many laughs! On Sunday we drove up to my grandmothers' house had dinner and an Easter basket hunt. Family tradition. Papa Bruce gave her a dancing bunny with it's ears moving up and down to the music which she thought was GREAT!!! She loves the moving ears and clapping to the music. Grammy Julie made her some really cute washcloth puppets. Addi will laugh at those from across the room when she spots them. Grandpa Les and Grandma Kim sent some cute sunglasses just Addi's size that she enjoys. She actually leaves them on her face without pulling them off! She is just like her daddy now. Always wearing sunglasses. So, to say the least, she was definitly spoiled once again!

Physical therapy was here today. Addi and I really enjoy spending time with Dayna! She is such a warm and caring person, such a joy to be around. Amazing how God sends people into your life when you need them!
I am happy to report that Addi is doing awesome. Dayna is bringing out toys for Addi that take her back to the 'basics'. She thinks that Addi just likes to listen to the music and watch the lights flash. Nothing movitating. Today she brought wooden blocks for Addi to play with. Addi LOVED them. Crazy kid! She started chewing on them, one at first, then one in each hand, and then as if cue started banging them together. YEAH! Bring on the metal bowl, wooden spoons, and toys of days past. he, he, he Dayna said that Addi is a little advanced in that area. Babies should be doing that at 9 months and Addi is only 7months adjusted age. Dayna is very pleased with Addi's ability to stand for long periods, and her attempts to crawl. Addi is also finally sitting up all by herself, no help at all and can catch herself when she starts to teeter.
So...good progress has been made! PRAISE GOD-ALL GLORY TO GOD!

We have had quite the exciting time around here for the past few days. Hutchinson received 18 inches of snow and 40 mph wind gust in just a couple day period. Matt hass been gone for a large portion of three days. I know that he is exausted and that I am missing him. At the same time, I praise God that I have a wonderful husband who is not afraid of hard work and long hours so that he can try to fullfill Addi's and I every need and want. The sun in shining today, and despite all the snow the temperature is nice. I am thinking that when Addi wakes from her nap we will go play in snow. The dogs and I have already been out checking things over. The dogs seemed to have a tremendous time jumping through all the deep snow drifts.

Addi has come down with a sinus infection this past week. So, she hasn't been completly on top of her game. She still manages to smile and share her joy with me though. We started with amoxicillian to combat the infection which lead to a rash so we which to a different medicine that seems to be working out okay.
So with boutiful moisture for our growing wheat crop, soon to be planted corn crop, and a sick baby on the mend; we can't help but smile, look forward to a new week and praise our heavenly father for the MANY-MANY blessings to our family.

Just a quick update. All is well here. Addi is still as talkative as ever. She has now been clapping lately about everything. It is pretty cute! She has also started her growling phase again-just making new noises every day.
Matt was gone for a couple of days on a MKC trip and Addi and I dropped him off at the airport and picked him up. When we were at the airport, Addi kept looking around then looking at me.."da, da, da?" she kept asking. We were laying on floor playing with Addi that night and she was so excited to see and play with Matt. I had her standing up and Matt was laying on his back. Addi started jumping-yes I said jumping up and down clapping. It was the cutest thing! We also bought Addi the outdoor swing. I can't wait to try it out. As soon as I broke down and bought it, the weather turned cold. We will get some pictures as soon as the weather gets nice again. I haven't been very good lately with taking pictures.
On a different note, just a little exciting news about Matt. He was asked to be on the board of directors for MKC as an associate director. MKC is a company that owns elevators around the area. I am very proud of him.
Otherwise, not much going on around here. Trying to get the ground ready to plant some corn at the end of month. Boy, does time fly!
Thank you once again for your love and prayers.

Addi had physical therapy today. Speaking of today, what a beautiful day!!!! We got to have all the doors open and are planning on going to play outside when she wakes up. I am trying to talk Matt into one of the infant swings you can hang from a swing set or tree in our case to hang for Addi. I really think she would love it!
Sorry to get off track....Addi weighed 16 lbs 6 oz. today. Danya was very proud of the way Addi was sitting up by herself and of course her never ending social skills. We are still looking for something besides daddy that gets her super motivated, but she is doing GREAT. She is trying to stand supported for longer periods of time and seems to be stronger and stronger by the day.
Well...the little one is awake. Off to enjoy the sunshine. More later!
Praise God!!

Amazing!!!

I found on You Tube today a short clip describing exactly what spinda bifida is, how the hyrdochepalus develops that might answer alot of questions for people.



Also I found a clip that describes and shows the fetal surgery that Addi and I had at 25 weeks. It is a wonderful thing the doctors can do. But at the same time, listening to these doctors made me smile. Our God is SOOOOO good! The power of prayer is amazing. Bear with me for one moment. The doctors talk about how long the mother is expected to stay in the hospital 3 to 5 days. I was out in 48 hours!!! They also talk about the expected stay of the baby after it is born. They say "depending on when the length of thime the due date was" So....delivery was set for 37 weeks. They decided to take Addi at 33 weeks. 4 WEEKS. Addi's expected time in the hospital was 4 WEEKS. Addi stayed 1 1/2 WEEKS. Our family is so blessed that Addi is doing so well. By everyone's prayers-storming the gates of heaven with your prayers-God answered our prayers. Praise to you HEAVENLY FATHER!!!

All is going fantastic this week! Our God is good! Addi has been starting to eat some vegetable and fruits. I am afraid that she might have her dad's picky taste. :) Addi LOVES sweet potatoes and her teething biscuits, which she manages to get everywhere. Those biscuits seem to turn to cement as soon as they dry on her face. Once she figures how to the 'cookie' into her mouth she refuses to take it out to even take a break to breathe. I tried to pull the 'cookie' out of her mouth and she started putting her head down to follow the 'cookie' so she could get it back. She also has decided that she doesn't like peas or peaches but will tolerate squash. Addi thinks that she needs to drink out of your cup now whenever she see you taking a drink. She opens her mouth and sticks her little tongue out. After she takes a drink she always looks at you and makes a funny face. She seems to be saying..you really drink that? Put something good in there.
She has grown so fast these past couple of weeks. I am thinking that she was blessed with my talkative skills because she is never quite. From the minute she wakes up to the last minute we are trying to put her to sleep for the night-all we hear is her talking. It is quite cute!!!

Today my heart is a little heavy as I type this. Satan is trying to steal my joy and distract me from the blessings God has given me!!!! We just returned from a visit to Children's Mercy in Kansas City. We went expecting doctors to be overjoyed with the milestones that Addi has met and passed and we came home disappointed.
Good news first....Addi is very proportionate in size, length, weight. Her shunt is still doing well-Praise God. We had a renal ultrasound done on her kidneys and bladder with much satisfaction that they are functioning well! Again, isn't God awesome!!
On the other side on things....a physical therapist and the orthopedic doctor are telling us that she will need braces on her next visit in six months. Saying that ultimately Addi will be behind 6 to 8 months on her gross motor skills. They are saying that she has no muscle in her calves, hamstring, or much in her glut area. Without much muscle in her calves she will not be able to stand without the help of braces. Apparently, your calf muscles are the muscles that help you stand-without those your thigh muscle tries to compensate for the lack of calf muscle but will only do so much until they get too tired. If braces are needed, they will look like the shin guards that soccer players wear. Notice I said IF...I think with continue PRAYER and working with Addi every day-doctors will once again be surprised at what can happen. If she does need braces-she will still be loved and just as cute!!!!
We just Praise our heavenly father for this wonderful little girl that he blessed us with! She just warms our heart! Know matter what any doctor tells us we already know that she is perfect for us and amazing in God's eyes.
I do Praise God for doctors, but I also know that ultimately that God is in control and we know that Addi is an example of what the power of prayer can do.
So I ask once again of all of our prayer warriors to continue to pray for Addi so that God's healing hand will strengthen her leg muscles and also guidance and faith for me.

On a different note, when this blessing of Addi first started I had a friend mention starting a caring bridge page for Addi. (The site is similar to that of our blog page, but will email you whenever there is an update posted.) I know that it is a little late in game but was wondering if I should go ahead and start it. I know that some times I am not the best at posting on a regular basis, but plan to be much better.

Thank you for your love and continued support!!!

So, I guess this post is more about me than Addi-Sorry!
A friend of Matt's Grandma gave us a wonderful gift for Addi when she was born. A Childrens Bible with 365 stories, one for each day of the year. Everyday before Addi's nap, I have been trying to read a couple of stories to her. Knowing when I started this, that she was too young to understand the meaning of the words. What I wasn't expecting was to learn a lot about myself and the bible. I am finding out that I didn't know very much at all about what was in the Bible. How sad is it of me that I thought I had pretty good grip on things?!?! I mean, I had read the bible some of what I didn't really have a firm grasp on but I thought I understood well enough. I have been so interested to learn more that I think I have left Addi out of a few stories. I guess I just feel bad that it took a Childrens Bible to break it down for me to be able to understand. Then it makes me wonder what I am missing that isn't in the Childrens Bible. It has made me reflect and think about the things that I have done. Not all of which have been good memories.
For those that I have been selfish, mean spirited, hard hearted, controling, unwilling to help, unthoughtful, pushed you aside to get what I wanted..... I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart. Please forgive me.
The neat thing is that I can pin point many, many times that God had his loving hands wrapped around me and my family.

Not much going on this week. Addi has been fighting a little bit of a stomach virus but praise God nothing major. She is fine and still in her usual happy self. This week she has learned how to blow raspberries. Consistently blowing them all the time, and I mean all the time. When we eat cereal (how can get mad when she blows it in your face when she is so cute!?!?!?!), when she wakes up in the morning, when she takes a bath....non stop for this new found talent. She has started talking and blowing raspberries in the morning when she wakes up. God definitely sent her to us to make sure that when are praising him always. I don't think we could ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed after hearing Addi through the monitor. It just brings a smile to our faces, a good chuckle to start the morning, and a PRAISE GOD-THANK YOU JESUS for all the blessings. I couldn't think of a better way to wake up!!! PRAISE YOU HEAVENLY FATHER!!