6 Month Check-Ups

Today was Aden's 6 month check-up with his pediatrician.  So far, Aden's appointments have been MUCH easier than Carson's since Aden is what Dr. Stecklow calls my "boring" baby.  Health-wise he may be boring but as far as personality is concerned, he is far from dull.  Both of my boys are happy little dudes, with huge smiles and great laughs.  Aden is laid back and easy going, while Carson is more structured and loves his routine.

Carson, 6 months old.  14 pounds 2 ounces, 24 1/2 inches

These appointments always take me back to Carson's first year a life, and make me think about all the differences in my boys.  By 6 months old, Carson had major surgery when he was 2 days old and was in the NICU for 2 weeks.  By 4 weeks old, he was back in the hospital for a few days having tests run.  He had spiked countless high fevers, had several chest x-rays, had been sick more often then he was well, and his mommy never slept.  He saw 2 specialist besides his pediatrician, took more medicine than any newborn should have to take, he was on a heart/apnea monitor when he slept, and he took nebulizer treatments like a pro.  Brad and I got very little sleep during the first 6 months; stress, nerves, tension, a sick baby all adds up to a very tired Mommy and Daddy.  Having Carson taught me humility, made my faith stronger, caused me to grow up a lot, and gave me strength that I had no idea was in me.  Carson made a lot of loud noises when he was a baby; we were stared at, pointed at, talked about, and I was VERY protective.  My heart still stops a little bit when he coughs or runs a fever.  BUT by the amazing grace of God, Carson is a healthy (mostly), active, talkative 3 year old boy who is, by all medical standards, a true miracle.  I may never know why God chose me to be Carson's mommy, but I am so incredibly blessed to have traveled this journey with him.

Aden, 6 months old.  18 pounds 2 ounces, 26 1/2 inches.

And then there is Aden....6 months old, been to the doctor maybe 4 or 5 times, has a little bit of reflux but nothing a good bib and not bouncing him won't take care of, eats like a champ, and currently has no health issues.  Let me tell you though, Aden scared me to death when he was first born.  What do you do with a "normal" baby?  Those crazy people at the hospital just up and let me take him home when he was 2 days old! 2 days old!!  Every noise he made, every noise he didn't make, every little thing he did made me jumpy.  I made Brad check on him countless times, just to be sure he was still breathing.  And here we are with a healthy, chunky, precious 6 month old boy.  His pediatrician is so great and patient with me, knowing I am nervous about simple things like feeding him baby food, giving him medications, and his reflux.  He does a great job of reassuring me, making fun of me a little bit, and making me feel at ease with this little "normal, boring" kiddo.

I don't know why things God does surprise us, isn't He the one with the perfect plan for our lives? All I could ask after Aden was born was "is he ok?" "is he breathing?' "is anything wrong with him" and my wonderful, sweet doctor looked at me and said "he's perfect"  What an awesome God, I serve.  God knew I needed Aden.  He knew I needed easy.  He knew I needed rest.
I am so incredibly blessed to be the Mommy to both of these boys; my not so boring, not always so healthy Carson and my boring, healthy Aden.  Words cannot describe how much I love them and how thankful I am to have them.  I know God has great things in store for them both, and I am looking forward to seeing what that is.