Super Hero Status

 Happy Fall Y'all!

   The weather is gorgeous, football season is in full gear, and pumpkin spice is calling the names of people everywhere. Some people long for the change of the seasons. In Texas, we obviously don't really have the opportunity to experience much seasonal change, since shorts can be worn well into November. Let's face it, when the temperature dips into the 70's, people start to break out boots and fall clothes just to embrace the idea of fall. That crisp air is a change that many long for after a hot Texas summer.
  However, change isn't always met with complete excitement.
Many of you may remember the show, "Friends". There is an episode where Monica Gellar and Chandler Bing are about to get married. Throughout their engagement, Monica is expecting Chandler to go all "Chandler" and panic. Chandler was actually completely happy and confident until he heard their new answering machine message, which emphatically asked callers to leave a message for, "The Bings"! The thought of their married name brought some immediate apprehension.

  Change can be a welcome transformation or a challenging adjustment. Many times, we find a norm that is comfortable and resist transition. We continually want to be in control of the situation. The truth is, life brings change and it's not the change that we should focus on, but how we choose adapt to that change.

 Hunter was fitted in his first TLSO brace this week. Essentially, a TLSO brace is a custom brace made specific to his body. It is used to hold his torso in place and prevent further regression. Prior to our appointment, we talked with Hunter about getting a brace and what it would look like. He seemed open to the idea, but the day came and he was very upset. The appointment was lengthy and he had to try on the brace multiple times in order to get the correct fit. By the last fitting of the day, he was kicking and screaming to get it off. The orthotist was very understanding, but Hunter had reached his limit.  Apparently, most children going from cast to brace, actually receive the brace the same day that their cast is removed. Obviously that would have been a lot easier.
Hunter's doctors didn't expect the amount of regression he experienced during the cast break he had in July, and therefore weren't expecting him to immediately need a brace.
Hunter will have to wear the brace 20 hrs. a day, which includes sleep. We were instructed to begin with one hour of bracing that night and add an additional hour every day until we reach that 20 hr. period. Right now, we are anticipating long-term bracing with potential casting again, until he will need surgery in his teens.
  Honestly, I was dreading putting Hunter back in the brace after the rough morning and a long, napless car ride home. We left the hospital and I began to question what I could do to make this an easier process for Hunter.  A good friend reminded me to make the experience fun and make him feel as though he's a super hero. I decided to sketch a picture of Hunter in his brace with Hayden by his side. When we got home, I held him in my lap and we looked at the sketch. We talked about his brace and I told him that it would help him to grow and become strong and mighty. He willingly put on the brace that first night and wore it without being upset. We're hoping the trend continues! We have offered him opportunities for distraction while bracing. I'm obviously not above bribery and at this point and will do whatever I can to help him adjust. :)

  Yesterday afternoon, during brace time, I sat on the floor and watched my son play with his new train set. The train is battery operated and creeks up a track suspended in the air only to spiral down through a cave onto the track below. The track is laid out and is constructed so the train can complete  the drop without any problems. Hunter kept watching the train climb to the top of the track's peak and then would hold the train to control the drop, rather than letting the train follow the prepared track. As I watched him, I thought about how often we try to control situations and their outcomes and how often we resist the plan that is set out for us. I didn't envision Hunter growing up with a cast/brace and battling this condition, just as you may not envision yourself experiencing job changes, disappointment, divorce, or the loss of a loved one. I love this quote from Karen Ehman's "Let.It.Go." study, as she says, "Learn to let God turn your predicament to purpose." 
  It is hard to watch children experience these battles, and as adults, we want to control the outcome. There is a purpose and plan already laid out for Hunter and all who experience challenges or suffering. Maybe one of those purposes is to teach us to let God take control.

  Hunterman is going to continue to grow strong and mighty, whether in cast or brace. We are going to try our best to find the purpose in his predicament and help him develop into the super hero that God intended him to be.

  
  I want to thank all of you who continue to keep Hunter and our family in your prayers. He has a wonderful cheering section and we are so blessed and honored to have people who genuinely care for him. A special thank you to my friends in my bible study group (MYC). These special ladies have brought care packages, given encouragement, shared ideas to make the transition easier, shared our hurts, and rejoiced in our triumphs.

Please continue to share Hunter's story so that we can help others who may be in a similar situation. Your continued prayers are much appreciated and we'll continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers, as well. Blessings from Hunterman and the Ladybug!
Stay Tuned!

A Hero's Strength & Happy Birthday Hunterman!

    Superheroes are chosen for their strength and ability to fight for the greater good. There is always a villain that tries to creep in and put a wrinkle in the plan, but good always overcomes.

Our superhero has been without his cast for almost two months. He's been using his super powers to splash in the water and using his imagination to pretend he's on a pirate ship, singing, "Yo ho mateys away, there'll be treasure and adventure today..." While our superhero has been cheering and searching for adventure, his scoliosis villain has been scheming. Hunterman's curve translated from 18 degrees in his last cast to 36 degrees out of cast. Since his last x-ray in July, it has increased to 44 degrees. Our superhero is going to keep fighting and will be getting a new disguise at the end of September, as he will be adorning a brace specifically made and molded for his body.

 It's not the cape that makes the hero, but the strength and heart of the hero that defines him.

   Please continue to pray for our little superhero and share his story. We know that God has a plan for him and will give him strength to overcome.

 



Happy Birthday Hunterman!

  You are 3 years old today! We are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents. You are such a kind-hearted, affectionate, and outgoing little man.  Your laugh is contagious and your spirit is one to be reckoned with. I love that you have a love for music, singing along to your favorite tunes, making drums out of anything that makes noise, and dancing with a twinkle in your eyes. You are a daily reminder that we need to embrace life, don't take things too seriously, and enjoy every minute.
   You have your daddy's engineering mind and like to take things apart and see how things work. You can spot a train, bus, trash truck, tractor, and fire engine from a mile away. You are as stubborn as the day is long, but I know that your strong-willed character will, one day, make you a devoted leader.
   My prayer for you this day, is that you continue to face trials with strength, be loyal, love fiercely, and continue to dance like no one is watching. In the words of Sally Clarkson, "God has given you the capacity and ability to grow strong inside, to live courageously, to have great faith, and to become a person of considerable influence in your lifetime; God has made you with such wonderful potential."

We love you BIG and you are our favorite Hunterman! Happy 3rd Birthday!

Cast Free!

One week.
One week without the weight of a plaster cast after having spent 17 months carrying that burden.
One week without suspenders rubbing the back of his boyish neck.
One week without the feeling of his skin itching around his torso.
One week of bubble baths and splashing in the pool with his sister and cousins.
One week of "squishy" hugs and affection.
One week of being cast free!

Hunterman!

(Posing before cast removal with all of his previous casts except for the very first one.)

Handsome Hero!

X-Ray, Weight Check, and Sitting with sister after cast removal.

Relaxing pool side

  Our Hunterman went into cast as a sweet 17 month old baby, and one week ago, he emerged as a handsome little boy. After some persuasion and good old fashioned bribery, we were able to get him into the bath tub and the swimming pool. Now it's hard to tear him away. It did this mama's heart good to bathe both of her babies in the bath for the first time. It's the little things that make such a difference!
  Hunter is doing great. He was able to adapt fairly quickly after the cast removal. He falls occasionally, but his balance is improving every day. He LOVES the water and threw the worst temper tantrum I have ever seen when I pulled him out of the pool to take a nap. That's a story for another day.
  He is very affectionate and wants to hug and cuddle us numerous times a day. I think he really missed the feeling of physical touch. We're enjoying all of the sweet hugs we can get.
  We are scheduled to meet with the doctor at the end of August to determine a health plan. At this point, we aren't sure if that will entail continued freedom, bracing, or future surgery at some point down the road. Right now, we're just enjoying watching him adjust to freedom.

I love my little models. Blessed to have happy children to photograph!

Dear Blue Bell,

If you read my last post titled "Under Construction", you learned that Hunter has recently lost weight. We are trying to help him pack on the lbs. so that hopefully he can get the most improvement out of this last cast as possible. Lord knows I have more than enough to donate, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way. ;) 

  When a picky toddler finds something he likes, you stick with it. Blue Bell was his favorite treat and  nothing else quite compares. Praying for the day Blue Bell will restock the shelves, so Hunterman can have a full belly again! God bless Texas and Blue Bell!

Dear Blue Bell Family,

  Growing up Texan meant saying “No, Sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, having faith in God, being kind to your neighbor, giving a firm handshake, loving your family, and eating Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla on the back porch. It’s natural that we pass along these Southern institutions to our children, because of course, we are proud to be Texan, and that’s the way we should raise them.

  Our little man had his first taste of homemade vanilla heaven when he turned a year old and he has begged for it every day since then. Our son is almost three years old now and here’s his toddler speak about the Blue Bell he loves and misses:

“It’s baseball ice cream!”

“Yummy, yummy in the tummy!”

“It’s cold and sweet and tastes like a cupcake.”

“It’s Tasty Good!”

From the mouths of babes!

Blue Bell, we miss you so!    

~Hunter Sitton (2) and the Sitton Family

 (Our son has a condition called Progressive Infantile Scoliosis. He is undergoing treatment for his scoliosis called Mehta casting, which uses the child’s growth, paired with gentle growth guidance casting, to correct the severity of the curve. Weight gain and linear growth are essential for the treatment to be successful. Our little man has trouble gaining weight and Blue Bell was his favorite treat and some “Tasty Good” medicine”. Please hurry and bring back Blue Bell for our baby!)

Under Construction

  Under Construction...

 The gold and black mystery that lures inquisitive little boys everywhere. There is something about a hard hat and a digger that immediately peaks the curiosity of those mischievous little people who are always covered in dirt and are filled with infectious belly laughs.

The obsession seems to be innately wired into the interests of many little boys. 

(As a side note-I was looking for some descriptive words/phrases referring to little boys. I typed in "Little Boy" and the first thing that came up was that it was an actual code name for an atomic bomb. Boy moms, that pretty much sums it up! It's always easy to see where our little tasmanian devils have been. Ha!)

   I have been anxiously awaiting a time when I could chat with you all and tell you that our remodel is FINALLY finished. Unfortunately, the padlock is still on the door and we are desperately waiting for a few little things to be completed. Longest remodel ever!! James keeps referring to it as "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks, because of its never-ending nature. 

  I had a conversation with a friend recently about our contractors, as I had recommended them to her back in March. I admittedly confessed that things have taken much, much longer than we could have ever anticipated, and while we are very happy with the overall results, we are just ready for them to be finished. 

  That conversation made me think about construction, the anticipation, the monotony, and the eventual finished product. Construction always seems to take longer than promised and inevitably hiccups come up along the way, but the finished product is what keeps construction bearable.

   June is scoliosis awareness month and the last few weeks have been a bittersweet time of reflection for me. I am determined to use Hunter's experience to teach others and have recently started a pursuit with two childhood friends who are forging a similar journey with their nuggets. 

  We are so blessed to have been able to find the appropriate treatment and a community of support for our Hunterman. He's been "under construction" of sorts for the last 16 months. We've had great progress and success, but we have also recently had some moments where we seem to be at a stand still. May was one of those months. Hunter has had two casts now with no improvement and seems to be stagnant at 18 degrees. The months that were marked by little to no progress, seem to be directly correlated with weight loss spurred by colds, allergies, and ear infections. My family and my sweet husband continually remind me how far he has come on his venture to grow straight, but as his momma, I keep looking at the next step and what that means. 

  His doctor has decided that since he has had little progress recently, that he wants to take him out of the cast.  This will allow Hunter to have some summertime water fun and will enable the progression of growth of his chest cavity. His cast off date is set for July 13th, which will be followed by an x-ray and the development of a health plan. We don't know if this is permanent or temporary, or whether he will need a brace or future surgeries at this point.  I am excitedly cautious...Excited for Hunter to be a kid splashing in the water, but cautious in hopes that he won't have regression. Hunter is only 2.5, but I feel like I can relate to the emotions of some of you who have college age kids as you excitedly await the unknown. When his cast comes off in July, he will have been in cast for 17 months. His first cast was ironically placed at 17 months old. He will have had half of his life out of cast and half of his life in cast at that point. 

2 Corinthians 4:7-9But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 

  Right now I am trying to daily remind myself of his infectious laugh and how much fun he will have splashing with his friends in the water. I am encouraged by 2 Corinthians 4:7-9. His spine is bent, not broken. The curve he sports, is a curve marked by character and strength. While he is still "under construction, I am excited to see the finished product and how God will use our little man in the lives of others.

Cousin Time! Boys will be boys.

Tupperware makes the best hats :)

Thanks for reading. Please continue to pray for our little man and share his story with others. Scoliosis awareness for littles is essential and sharing just may save another life and help another little spine to grow straight.

As always, God bless from our little part of the world to yours. Stay Tuned!

#ScoliWarrior

June is Scoliosis Awareness month and in honor of all of those who are Scoliosis Strong and our own little Scoli Warrior, I will be posting some info throughout the month. Please share with family and friends so that we can promote early detection and treatment!

    Progressive Idiopathic Infantile Scoliosis is found in about 1% of the idiopathic (no known cause) scoliosis population in children. When scoliosis is detected in the juvenile and adolescent years, it is most commonly detected in females. However, about 60% of all infantile idiopathic cases are male. Less than .1% have curves that measure greater than 40 degrees and Hunter is in that .1% 
    Our Hunterman began his scoli casting journey at age 17 months with a 60 degree curve. He is now holding at 18 degrees in cast #8. If you have been following his journey or are just joining us, Hunter wears a Mehta plaster cast that stays in place for 2 month periods in hopes that it will correct his curve as he grows. The goal of the Mehta casting treatment is to use the child's growth to gently correct the curve. Early detection is imperative to treat and correct the curvature of the spine and to prevent any organ deformation and lung compression. Children who are diagnosed with PIS-Progressive Infantile Scoliosis have a short timeframe for corrective treatment and it is crucial to attempt to begin casting before 24 months of age, if at all possible. The best results occur when casting begins prior to 12 months of age. After the 24 month mark, growth and progress slows. 

  I, like many people, was only accustomed to seeing teens and adults with scoliosis. However, it is so important to be informed and know the signs of Progressive Infantile Scoliosis in young children. PIS is life threatening if not diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Know the signs and share!

http://www.infantilescoliosis.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ISOP_screening_guide.pdf

  

The Friday Five

   My hungry ladybug woke up a little earlier than normal this morning and easing back to sleep next to a snoring husband and our two golden children is going to be impossible, so I will sit awake and write to you all. In times like these, I lay awake reflecting on the time and events that surround our days of controlled chaos.This week seemed to fly by like many others, but there were a few moments that put exclamation points in my mind. Here's my Friday 5.

  1) Getting a tire changed with a toddler and an infant in tow is NEVER a good idea. The hour they promised turned into almost two, and snacks, Mickey, and the Endless Alphabet app only get you so far. I found myself looking at the time barely ticking away as Hunter was running in circles around the tire shop. Hayden was crying and I may have flashed a mechanic or two while trying to feed her. As you can tell, it was a completely uneventful visit. I'm sure the staff at the tire shop probably learned their lesson and won't hold moms hostage for that long any more. Any moms needing to have their tire changed in Katy, you're welcome!

2) Mama bear moments are becoming more frequent and I find myself in awe at the parenting or lack there of around. A kid in Hunter's gym class was picking on him--pushed him in the back of the head, tapped him in chest/cast, and just would not leave him alone. I found myself frozen not knowing what the best reaction was for the situation. The kid's mother was standing right there and pulled him away, but said nothing to him. Okay, they are two and I get that, but discipline your children! Hunter gave the kid a look like, "What's your deal, dude?!", but didn't retaliate in any way. Hunter just went on doing the class activity and let the kids actions roll off his shoulders. We may not be perfect parents by any means, but I think we are doing something right.

3) Get your Jesus in however you can Monday through Saturday. When I listen to Christian radio it puts me in a better state of mind. There were several moments this week that I wanted to scream because of the disarray in our house and give the contractor an ear full as our remodel project creeps to a finish. I'm sure I might have said something I probably would have regretted had I not been singing at the top of my lungs just minutes before.

4) I know that one day he will pull her hair and she will tattle on him, but right now, sibling love is so sweet!

5) Humbling moments catch you by surprise. James and I took Hunter to meet with his neurosurgeon, Dr. Dauser, at Texas Children's on Tuesday. (The cysts within his spinal cord are unchanged, so we say a prayer of praise for now and continue to monitor for another year. ) As we walked into the clinical care center, as we have numerous other times, we saw several very young children with visible health issues being wheeled into the facility. In these moments, we find ourselves praising God for our many blessings, admiring the strength of the people who care for those amazing kiddos, and being thankful for the opportunity to meet other families that walk through those halls needing extra care. 

James and I both talked about how humbling it is to walk into Texas Children's and Scottish Rite and while we'd love for Hunter's spine to be straight, we are thankful for the journey. 

After a conversation with some dear friends yesterday morning, I started thinking about the word "normal" and the fear that surrounds the unknown or "different". Hunter's condition may some day be a blip on the radar and he may lead a seemingly "normal" life. To be honest though, I don't want Hunter to be "normal" or to forget the path that he has walked. I want him to be different. I want him to be a world changer and to use his distinctive personality and experience to be an example for others. Sometimes I think we let worry consume us as we attempt to plan the details of our lives. Yes, James and I decided to have children, but ultimately we no more made that choice for ourselves than we chose the number of hairs on our heads. I've typed these words before, but God doesn't always call the equipped, but equips the called. He didn't choose us to make the plan, he chose and equips us fulfill it. 

Cheers to the weekend to come! 

God bless and Gig'em!

Looking straight

      Life as a party of four has brought tears of joy and precious moments, small doses of frustration, and at times, has been a comedy of errors. After two and a half months, I can say that we are finally getting into the swing of things. Hunter hasn't launched his sister out of her bassinet yet, so I consider that a marked success. He does seem to think he needs to poke her in the eye on a daily basis ("Hunter poke her in the eye?!"), but that's a story for another day.
   Not too long ago, we returned from our first road trip with the double H (Hunter & Hayden). The Sitton Casa is still under construction from the renovations we began before Christmas and we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will have everything completed by the end of March.
  We worked with our contractors to complete the majority of the staining and painting while we were out of town for Hunter's last casting surgery. It seemed like a great plan to be able to visit family and friends and check out a few fun locations, like the Dallas Zoo, on our travel adventures. After 11 days of car rides, frigid weather/snow, and a restless toddler and two-month-old, while traveling from Georgetown, to Dallas, to Crawford, and to College Station; we finally made it back safely to Katy, America.
  The nomadic way of life isn't for the faint of heart. Hunter saw snow for the first time, but it was really too cold to be outside and no zoo fun was to be had. I guess in my mind, as usual, I envisioned this perfectionistic view of us seeing all of our friends and family and doing tons of fun things with our little man and ladybug, all while singing songs as we happily drove down the road. We were able to visit with some family and a few good friends, but the crazy Texas weather put a damper on numerous plans. In the words of Merle Haggard, "That's the way love goes, babe".
  We arrived in Dallas on the Tuesday prior to Hunter's casting, hoping to avoid the anticipated snow. Which of course, in Texas, feels like a blizzard, since the state seems to shut down and people forget how to drive when cold weather and icy conditions creep in.
  James loaded the hotel cart with all of our things and Hunter was "helping" to push the cart as he likes to be a good helper these days. My hubby has the loading/unloading part of traveling down to a science and we have learned how to pare down on what we pack, even though I'm sure it still looks like we are packing as if we were moving to a foreign country.
  Hunter is coming into his age and absorbing knowledge like a sponge. He knows how to count from 1 to 10 in English and Spanish, with a little help along the way. Sometimes he forgets where the number 5 fits in the mix, but I'm sure he will figure it out with all of the "fives" he's been giving to the new friends he meets. Since he enjoys counting, recognizing numbers, and pushing buttons, an elevator is like a fun carnival ride to him. Elevator going up, Sitton party of four makes their way onto the elevator. James pushes the cart onto the elevator stepping to the right of the cart and Hunter steps to the left. Hayden and I move to the right with James. The cart is piled high as I am tall. The door closes. Hunter is stuck next to the numbered panel. We ask him to push the number 3. Then we realize he can't reach the number 3. Smart little man can't help that he's vertically challenged! All I could do was laugh. Luckily someone pushed the button from outside the elevator and James was able to step out and get onto the other side of the cart.
   As of February 21st, Hunter has been in a cast for one year. It has been an interesting year learning the ins and outs of cast life, but we are so thankful for this process and his progress. This last casting surgery was a bit different than the others, because Hunter had to undergo an MRI prior to casting. The MRI has to be completed yearly to monitor several syrinx/cysts within his spinal cord. Scottish Rite worked with Hunter's neurosurgeon from Texas Children's in order to complete the process back to back to allow minimal time out of cast and one anesthesia experience. Hunter had to have the cast removed for the MRI, so we went into the hospital on a Wednesday afternoon for a removal and returned bright and early Thursday morning for the MRI, followed by casting. Some doctors believe in taking cast breaks for a few days or weeks and allowing their patients to have some water time. Hunter's doctor believes that the breaks allow potential time for regression, so he performs continuous casting. Since he couldn't be in cast for the MRI, that allowed us less than 24 hours for cast free water time. We were eagerly anticipating that Hunter might want to splash in the tub and play like many littles that I have read about within our scoliosis group. When they cut the cast off, our little man, who many people mistake for having football pads, looked like a newborn calf. He struggled on his feet, almost falling, and scared himself with the uneasiness.

 Before cast removal

  We didn't recognize the body of this little boy that had been hiding underneath the plaster cast. After all, we had put a 17 month old toddler into the cast, so we weren't expecting a gangly little 2 1/2 year- old boy underneath. He continually grabbed at his shirt throughout the evening and you could tell that he didn't remember the feel of his shirt on his skin. I bought bubble bath and plenty of lotion to rub him down with. He has some skin breakdown (nothing like some of the other children that I have seen) and I wanted to be able to treat it before we had to put him back in cast. Hunter loves to take a "bath". For our casted Hunterman, that means bathing in two inches of water in our kitchen sink, with a trash bag protecting the cast. He likes to splash and distribute water from one cup to another. I thought he would enjoy taking a real bath and want to splash. He was Terrified. James tried to coax him into the tub and even got in the tub to lure him in. Hunter screamed and shook his cold little body. James and I put him in long enough to wash off his back to clean him so that I could apply lotion.

                        

 
Looking straighter! Skin doesn't look too bad.

Rise and Shine...ready for cast #7!

  Hunter completed the MRI and was relieved to be back in cast. Everything went as planned during the procedures and little sister was a trooper through the process.

Waiting for the goofy juice.

Post surgery..waiting for Hunter to wake up.

Always plenty of room in Mama's arms for her babies.

  Hunter was sick for the majority of November and December and had lost weight. This was challenging, because correction in cast is directly correlated with growth. At the end of December we were told that he had had no change in cast. We chose to take that as a positive and focus on encouraging weight gain. It was a pleasant surprise to find out from his nutritionist a week before casting that he had gained 3 lbs. and grown 1 1/2 inches since his last visit. Praise God! At this point we were just praying for positive correction.
  A few days after casting, I spoke with the nurse and she told me that Hunter is currently sitting at 17 degrees.

  I am little confused about the progression of numbers, but thankful for the positive progress. In October, we were told that Hunter's curve was at 19 degrees. Again, we were told that there was no change in December. When the nurse called after the most recent cast, she told me that Hunter was down to 17 degrees from 23. I'm not sure if there was a mistake or if he had actually regressed in December. Either way we are counting our blessings for continued growth and positive progress.
  Hunter has creeped into the terrible two's, and while there is some normal discord, we are thankful for a polite, vivacious little man who is full of personality. Never a dull moment around here. My favorite Hunterism right now is "Hi Baby, it's Hunter!" as he joyfully greets Hayden. His strength continually amazes us and we are certain that there are great things ahead for him.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."-Helen Keller

  Watching Hunter out of cast for that brief period made me think of the weakness of his spine in the shelter of his cast. He has become so used to its security and its comfort. I've never broken a bone, but I'm sure that I would resist the cast, rather than be thankful for its protection. I was recently drawn to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." God has a plan for our little man and he is teaching all of us strength in the process. I am so thankful for the security that we have in Him and the fact that God's power shines when my weakness is apparent.

  Hunter is scheduled to meet with his neurosurgeon on March 24th. We are saying prayers that the syrinx have remained constant and haven't increased in size. As always, please continue to keep Hunterman in your prayers and share his story with others.
Blessings to you and yours from the Sitton party of four!
Stay tuned, more to come...

Faith, Hope, Love, and Joy-ready or not here she comes!

 Happy New Year from our family of four to yours!

  December was an eventful month in our household. The last we spoke, the remodeling of our home was well underway and Ladybug's arrival was scheduled for December 31st. Hunter's casting had been postponed due to fever and we were working on scheduling a new casting date for either December 30th or January 15th. In retrospect, probably a few too many balls to juggle at once, but what can I say, that's how we roll.
  James had told baby girl that she could come anytime after December 10th. I, on the other hand, was coaxing her to stay comfy a little longer, in hopes that we could finish the remodel and get Hunter squared away. Look at me trying to think I could control the situation!
 Anyway, after talking with the nurse at Scottish Rite, I remembered that our next casting date must be before the end of February, because Hunter must have an MRI of his spinal cord done prior to the beginning of March. So, we had to move forward with the December 30th date.
   I'll be honest. I was a little anxious about sending Hunter and James to Dallas the day before our supposed c-section date/Ladybug's birthday. Little did I know, God's plan to our story was going to unfold a little differently than what we were anticipating.
  I had had issues with my blood pressure at the end of my pregnancy with Hunter, so I was already being monitored a little more closely this go around. I started having issues with my blood pressure again after James returned from Colorado. My doctor decided that she wanted to continue to monitor, but gave me a range to watch for and told us that we must come in if it got up to a certain level. I tried to keep things as low key as possible and basically had as much voluntary bed rest as my two- year old nugget would allow me to have in a home that was/is under construction. Ultimately, based on bloodwork and my blood pressure reading at the next doctor's visit on December 18th, it was determined that the best option for safety was to deliver early on December 23rd. Definitely not what we were anticipating, but we knew that it would actually be better for Hunter and his casting scenario.
  The irony in the situation....last year, on December 18th, we received a call that Hunter was scheduled for surgery on December 23rd to untether his spinal cord. The same calendar dates a year apart...what a difference a year makes! Here's to hoping that next year we will have a hospital free Christmas.
  We went into the hospital on December 23rd, little girl's birthday, and it ended up being a blessing as my blood pressure was excessively high and the nurses remarked that they were thankful that we didn't wait any longer. She was almost two weeks early, but our little ladybug was perfect.

   Hayden Ansely Sitton

December 23, 2014

4 lbs. 9 1/2 oz.

17 in. long

   A mother memorizes and recognizes her baby's cry. When they lifted Hayden up and showed her to us, it was somewhat surreal. She looks so much like Hunter, yet her cry is so different.
  After recovery, they brought her to me and my nurse was commenting about how tiny she was, yet she appeared to be alert and strong. Hayden ate like a champ from the word go, no jaundice in sight, just tiny. My nurses commented that Hayden was "tiny but mighty" and "tiny but tough".  Even at two weeks early, we were very surprised at how small she was, but somehow I don't think size will ever be a problem for her. You see, dynamite comes in small packages, and I'm sure that she will give her brother a run for his money.

  I love quotes and really anything motivational. One of the things that I used to take pride in doing at the end of every basketball season, was to choose a quote for each player that I felt embodied their personality or character. So, it's probably not surprising that I would choose quotes/verses for our own children. One of the quotes that I chose for Hunter's room is, "Let him sleep, for when he wakes he will move mountains." I decided to do the same for Hayden. The two quotes/verses that I had picked out prior to her arrival are below. I think they will fit her perfectly.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25

"Though she be but little, she is fierce!" -William Shakespeare

Sibling Comparison

Hunter 

Hayden

               Hayden's features are a little more dainty, but as you can see, they look so much alike.

Name Trivia

  We actually didn't intentionally choose two "H" names for our nuggets. While you don't hear the name Hayden a lot for girls, we both really liked the name. Coincidentally, Hunter and Hayden actually have the same initials. Hunter's name is Hunter Anderson Sitton and as I introduced earlier, we now have Hayden Ansely Sitton. Hunter's middle name, Anderson, was after James' grandfather, L.A. (Lucius Anderson) Sitton and Hayden's middle name is honoring my grandfather Ansel Holmstrom.

(We're pretty content with two, however we'll see what God has in store for us. If we were to decide to grow our family any more we are really going to have to put some effort into choosing another name to fit the H.A.S. trend.)

What I've learned in the first two weeks as momma of two:

1) I am so incredibly thankful for my husband, my mother, my sister, and my brother-in-law. James was at my beckon call in the hospital. I only had to hit him with a pillow once to get his attention, so he's done a really great job. Ha! He has been diligently cooking for us since we've been home. Marriage advice--if you find a partner, whom you love and adore with all your heart, that can also cook, don't let them get away.
My mom, sister, and brother-in-law stayed with Hunter while we were in the hospital. He was obviously in great hands and well taken care of. They got him through the adjustment of being away from us for the first time. (Hopefully he wasn't too much trouble.) My mother continued to stay after we were home to help us get adjusted and give Hunter special attention, especially since I am unable to lift anything heavier than Hayden for a while. While in the hospital James and I looked at one another and agreed that we couldn't have made it without them. Hunter was glad to see his Momma and Daddy when we came home from the hospital on December 26th, but has been continually asking for his Mimi, Aunt Cara, Uncle John, and Preston, now that they have all gone home.

2) Our children don't like to be dirty for long. Hunter had to be changed immediately after a wet or dirty diaper. James used to say that I changed a diaper like a pit crew changes a tire. He admired my speed, but I'm sure he was also trying to get out of changing diapers. We haven't potty trained Hunter yet, because of the cast. Since we have two in diapers, we have been tag teaming and either my mom or James has diapered Hunter and I have taken Hayden. I was telling James that Hayden is quickly following suite on the clean diaper front. He joked that our kids are like artists that just like to have a clean canvas.

3) Naps are like dessert. You get a taste of sleep and you just want more. Too bad the kiddos are trying to limit my sweet tooth.

4) Retouching makeup takes on a new meaning when you wake up with a baby in your arms and yesterday's makeup on your face.

5) There's nothing sweeter than watching your first born learn to love and protect his little sister.

Update on little man:

  Casting surgery # 6 was December 30th. James and Hunter were troopers as a Daddy and his little buddy made the trek to Dallas. Hunter did well with the casting, however, for the first time, he had no improvement from cast to cast. To be honest, I don't want to over-analyze or speculate as I tend to do. I am choosing not to worry or question the details. I am reminding myself of the words of Kay Warren that have crossed my mind many times in the last month, while trying to stay focused on God's plan and not my agenda.

“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life; the quiet confidence that ultimately everything will be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.”                            Kay Warren

  I've referenced this quote before, but it seems to continue to have valued importance. As we begin this new year and make resolutions and goals, I am going to focus on letting God's story unfold rather than trying to alter the details. I challenge and encourage you to do the same.
  Hunter actually lost weight over the last two months and was continually sick. We've decided to  focus on what we can control and try our best to encourage Hunter to eat higher calorie foods, gain weight, and hopefully, in turn, encourage growth.
  Hunter's next casting will be on February 26th and will include an MRI. We will have his cast removed the day prior to casting and he will have some water time, which will be so exciting for him after a year of no water play or true baths.

Hunter's story is now featured on the website of the Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program.
You can access his story at the following address: http://www.infantilescoliosis.org/hunters-story/

Please continue to keep Hunter and our family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to pray for growth and correction and we will be thinking about and praying for all of you.

Cheers to 2015 and the blessings to come! May God bring you and your family Faith, Hope, Love, and JOY!