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!!