Praise to God for Recent Milestones Met!!!

Cole is crawling and pulling to stand!  At 9 months!  On time! Praise the Lord that our son has overcome his birth injury in many ways.  Praise the Lord for making our son so motor-coordinated and motivated.  Cole started crawling last week for family in California (Calla first crawled in CA and later first walked in CA one year ago, last Thanksgiving).  The last video is him pulling up this evening.  We are so proud of our little guy!

'Tis the Season

We just bought our Christmas tree last night!  The Georgia weather urged that we must do this to make the cold weather a little more bearable.  I don't know that we have ever bought a tree so soon after Thanksgiving.  Besides the weather, having an excited toddler shout "It's Christmas!!!" upon seeing the city lights from the airplane as we descended into Los Angeles last week made us realize how much fun this Christmas season would be, urging us to start quickly.
I'm extra excited about starting to celebrate Advent with Calla.  We are actually a little late starting, but some friends posted this Advent resource: Free Jesse Tree Advent Devotional Book and it looks fun.  Check out my friend Ashley Turner's blog about her advent tree: My Owlet
I'm also extra excited about our Christmas cards this year.  Partly because my friend Ashley Lee from  LoveLee Imagery took our first family photos since Cole was born.  Also, there are so many deals going around the web for free photo cards, that we can have something nice without breaking the bank!  I have always been an avid Shutterfly user, but just discovered Tiny Prints and their Rainbow card collection!  Rainbow Christmas cards?  Sounds funny, but I love bright colors.  Just ask Calla.
I found a good tip on Pinterest for how to take a picture of your child in front of the tree, it's from the  Ashley Ann Photography blog.  The big thing - take the picture in the day time!  Click on her link to see the differences.  I'll let you know how mine turns out.
Can't wait to blog about the fun Christmas season!  I'll also have a post up soon about our trip to California.  In short, it was a great time with family and friends, with answered prayers along the way.  Love to you all!

Happy November!

Some recent pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Right before our family pictures, we are practicing her smile.

Hanging out on the porch watching Daddy do yard work.

The only "pumpkin patch" we went to this year, this is in front of Kroger!  

Took Calla to a pet store for the first time.  If you didn't know, my Mom owned a pet store all while I was growing up, so it was fun to introduce the kids to the family business!  They loved the animals, of course.

Cole is enthralled with the fish tanks.  

We are proud of Calla for her Scripture memory this year.  

At the park, Calla is driving the train.  This is probably her favorite thing to do at the park, because it doesn't involve any risk taking!  She told me that she is driving the train to church, then to California.

What a big girl, she can do the slide all by herself now.  She  loves it and will do it over and over.

 
 

Terrified of swinging. :(  Poor thing didn't even want to be bribed with M&Ms.

Cole, on the other hand loves to swing!

God's Design for Parents

I'm so thankful for our church and our pastor.  I just wanted to pass on a link to the sermon we heard on Sunday, God's Design for Parents.  It's one of those messages I want to listen to a few times, and then again in a year or so.  Pastor Koehler is preaching through Ephesians, and is in Ephesians 6.  We are praying that the Lord would help us to be the parents He has called us to be!

Minnie Mouse and the Fussy-Breathing Dragon

Calla and Cole got all costumed up for our church's Reformation Day celebration.  Calla wanted to be Minnie Mouse, and Cole wanted to be something fussy.  :)  

Calla with her friend Laney, who is the world's cutest Little Red Riding Hood

 

Photo Fun

Got my hands on a nice camera and took these pictures at a park outside of our subdivision.  It was almost a month ago, but I haven't made myself just sit down and share them!  There are more that haven't been edited, but this is a lengthy "sneak peak!"  

On Passing the Cookie Test

"...everyone

would pass more tests

if they involved cookies."

~Scott Lang, deep thinker and beloved Uncle

Today was a critical 7-month appointment with Dr. Ratner, Cole's Brachial Plexus Specialist. Would he pass the Cookie Test? Or would he need surgery to repair his nerves?  As his parents, we hovered around the tension of really wanting surgery if it would help his prognosis, but not wanting our fussy sweet baby to have to go through all that is involved with nerve surgery.  Our prayers leading up to today involved placing the situation in the all-wise hands of our faithful, sovereign, loving God.  We especially prayed for Dr.  Ratner, that the Lord would direct his mind to recommend the exact course that Cole would need.  At this point, only God knows the exact nerve damage.  Dr. Ratner makes his recommendations based on observation of Cole's progress throughout the months. 

In the end, it all comes down to...

                     The Cookie Test...

                             It beat him last time, but he won't let it beat him again...

                                       

Cole is in the zone, he has his eye on the prize, he is staring down that cookie test.... 

                ... he is taken aback... a moment of doubt... I have to do what?  Are you serious?  You do realize that I don't actually eat cookies yet...

BAM!!  Take THAT, Cookie Test!!!

Based on Cole putting that cookie in his mouth, Dr. Ratner sees no need for nerve intervention, and does not need to see him back until he turns one.  There are still some things Cole needs to do, like supinate and externally rotate his arm, but those are the last things to usually come.  There is always the possibility that Cole could need surgery down the road, but for now, he is in the clear. 

Thank you, God!  He has heard the many prayers given on Cole's behalf and spared our baby a lot of pain! 

But let us just add this.  God is good.  Always.  God's goodness is not dependent on Cole passing or not passing the Cookie Test.  Though there are sufferings and trials in this world, God's goodness has never been in question for us, because we believe the Bible, which tells us that "God works all things together for good, for those who love Him," and "goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." 

"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not with Him graciously give us all things?"

Rom 8:32

God is good! 

6 Months, Much Anticipated

6 Months

~

26.75 inches

16 pounds, 4 ounces

~

Rolling and Rolling

Cooing

Tripod Sitting Sitting Up

Hungry, but Not On Solids (Yet)

Sleeping through the Night (Yay)

~

Bending Arm

Reaching for Toys

Still Trying to Pass the Cookie Test

~

Little Guy

Fussy

Bay-Cole  Be-Cole (changed due to family protest of the husbandly kind)

Happy Half-Birthday to sweet little Baby Cole!  We have anticipated Cole turning 6-months since about 6 weeks after he was born.  His doctor told us that would be the age by which we would see if he passed the Cookie Test, which is the test typically used to indicate a need (or lack of need) for surgery.  For babies with Upper Brachial Plexus Palsy, the doctors tend to wait 6 months for elbow bending, and if they can bring something (like a cookie) to their mouths in a natural way, they probably won't need surgery right now.  You can check out our last post to read our prayer and hopes for that visit.  Many of you have asked us for an update, sorry to make you wait so long!  

So no, Cole did not pass the Cookie Test.  Though he can sort of bring his hand to his mouth when sitting up, he does it in an unnatural and probably compensatory way (using the shoulder too much).  Cole's doctor earned our trust yet again, in that without us even saying what our hopes were, he vocalized them as his recommended course of action.

 ~Wait~

More waiting.  This has been what we have been doing for the past 6 months and are thankful to continue to do!  The doctor agrees with us that since Cole is continuing to make progress on his own and with therapy, let's wait a couple more months to see if he can pass that Cookie Test.  If he starts plateauing, or isn't passing that test, then we will have a conversation about surgical options.  

Thank you so much for praying and thinking about our Little Guy.  He is a gift from God, and so is the extra time we can wait!

Time to Pray!

Please say a prayer for our appointment at the Brachial Plexus Clinic tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.  Cole is a week away from turning 6 months, so this might be a big surgery-determining appointment for him.  Then again, they might give him until one more appointment to pass the Cookie Test.  That's what I'm hoping for, because as of today, he is not able to bring something (such as a big yummy chocolate chip cookie) to his mouth from the sitting position.  But, he is making progress all the time!  So, maybe if they give him a couple more weeks?  Either way, we are so thankful for each and every prayer lifted up to God for Cole.  Cole bends his arm regularly now, plays with toys, puts his hand in his mouth when reclined.  He can touch his eyes and reach straight out for toys (when reclined).  I just pray for Dr. Ratner (and us) to have wisdom to make the best decision for Cole's little (chubby) body.  Only God knows exactly what kind of damage is there and what Cole needs, and if he needs surgery then I want him to get it!  Thanks everyone!

For those of you dying to see new pictures of my kids, here are a few:

 

And if you made it to the end, a fun video of my kids playing together!

And the winner is...

#8, Audrey Jones! 

Hope sweet little Laney loves her new diapers!

Seventh Generation Diapers Review & Giveaway!

 

Have you tried Seventh Generation diapers before?  I have seen them in stores before, but finally just now tried them for Calla this week and really liked them!  I was sent a package for the purpose of having Calla try them out, give my opinion in this review, and then give my readers and friends a chance at winning a pack to try on their sweet kiddo!  So, I'll give my review first, then giveaway details at the end of this post.

What's Different about these Diapers?

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers are different from other brands, because they are free of chlorine, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions.  The company makes efforts to keep them thinner to reduce landfill waste, as well as the packaging being smaller to reduce waste.  In their efforts to protect the environment, they ensure than no chlorine is released into the environment in the making and processing of the diapers. 

My Experience

When I received my package and opened them up, the first thing I noticed (and loved) was that they are a simple off-white color (Calla calls them "khaki") with no characters or designs.  While this might be a silly observation, I tend to be a little frustrated by Calla's character-loud diapers that she wears underneath her church dresses!  I love that it is neutral and coordinates with her outfits.  Okay, aside from that, I was surprised at how well they fit Calla.  They have very sturdy straps that do not tear when you pull on them, they have a thin feel, and good texture.  We experienced no leaks, and their absorbency was great for Calla's needs.  I really did like that there were no chemicals or fragrances that might possibly be on her skin.  Calla is not prone to rashes, but her baby brother is, so I could see these diapers being very helpful for his sensitive skin!  The only negative thing I can think of at all is the price compared to cheaper brands.  I tend to buy whatever diaper I have  a coupon for.  However, I do see the brand's benefits as worth a little extra money, especially if they help keep unneeded chemicals off of baby's skin.  I do appreciate that I often see coupons for Seventh Generation products, and now I will be looking out for coupons and buying these if I can!

Some Helpful Links

• Seventh Generation on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/SVGDiaperFbook
• Seventh Generation on Twitter: http://bit.ly/SVGDiaperTwitter
• Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers on SeventhGeneration.com: http://bit.ly/SCGDiapers
• For information about the whitening process: http://bit.ly/TCFProcess
• For information about the role of pigments in diapers: http://bit.ly/DiaperPigments

A Coupon for You - $2 Off

Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers coupon: http://bit.ly/seventhgendcoupon

 

The Giveaway

Seventh Generation wants one of my readers to try these diapers out!  They will be providing the winner with 1 package of Free & Clear diapers mailed to your home.  Size options are 2, 4, & 5.  

How to Enter (1 entry per option below, do one or all, you pick.  Odds of winning go up the more entries you have):

1) Leave a comment telling me what you think about Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers or Eco-Conscious baby products in general.

2) Visit this link: http://bit.ly/SCGDiapers to read about Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers, and leave a comment telling me something you learned.

3) Become a fan of Darby Hughes Music on Facebook and leave a comment saying you did or comment that you are already a fan.  (Hey, why not do a shameless plug of my husband in my first giveaway?)

So you have 3 entries available to you. Entries will be accepted through Tuesday, July 12 at 12:00 pm Eastern Time. Winner will be announced on the blog and e-mailed.  Winner must respond to my e-mail in 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen.  Good luck!!

*Disclosure:  My free diaper pack, the diaper giveaway, coupon links, and information were all provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Happy 4th of July

Two Years

In 2 years, a little person can go from this:

 To this:

 Happy 2nd Birthday to the little girl who has shown us how fun the little things in life can be!  We love looking at life through your sweet and curious toddler eyes.

Calla Grace Hughes....

... loves to greet people everywhere we go and is generally pretty enthusiastic about life, with a contagious giggle

...loves to sing at the top of her lungs 

... requests "Jesus Loves Me" be sung to her almost every night

...knows all her letters and many numbers and the sounds of some of the letters

...plays very gently on our piano, while singing songs like "Baa baa black sheep" or "Where is pumpkin? (meaning thumbkin)"

...loves accessorizing and all things girlie

...likes to push her dolly stroller around the house - "where are you going, Calla?"  -"to work.  church. Daddy." or "Alaina's birthday party."

...is a big sister who just can't wait for her baby brother to grow up and play with her (evidenced by the time Mommy came into the room, and Cole had a plate sitting on his tummy with play things surrounding him)
...has the order reversed when she tries to blow a kiss 

... says adorable things like, "good morning, Mommy, sweet dreams?" and "I love you Cole, I love you Daddy, I love you fan!!!" and when asked her full name says, "Calla Shoes" 

...  is terrified of bubble baths - we tried it again this week, and one bubble rested on her finger, and she held it up to me crying, "napkin!!"  She was able to make it through the bath with the bubbles on one side of the tub and her on the other, like a showdown

... just this year since her last birthday, has learned to crawl, walk, run, climb, squat, kick, go up the step/ladder on a baby slide and slide down by herself, ride a toddler ride-on toy, reach for things from her tippy toes, and the big accomplishment of late is stepping down from a little step without holding on to anything.  Still working on jumping, which is the cutest thing ever to see her try to do

...loves balloons everywhere we go, except isn't too into them at her balloon birthday party

...still, months later, talks about her last trip to the zoo - "gumbrella (gorilla) spit"  and "wake up Kangyroo" and "pandy bore scratchin' back" and "eat bamboo."  

... finishes sentences like "Daddy is a ...." "Penguin!!" and "Mommy is a...." "Gumbrella!"  Thanks. :)

...knows 3 Bible verses

.... makes our lives and family so BRIGHT and JOYFUL!

 

 

Praise God for a Perfect Gift

Today is Mother's Day. 

I had planned on writing some sweet blog post about my sweet kids and everything that I had learned since first becoming a Mommy. 

And that is a whole lot. 

I was going to include some sweet things about my Mom and Mother-in-Law.

I will have to do that another day.  Because today, all I can think about is my sweet baby Cole. 

On April 20, I asked you to pray for him.  See the post here.  The very next day, we saw some arm lift that we had never seen before.  Thank you, God.  And then yesterday, he started bending his arm.  Praise God!  What a sweet Mother's Day present from the Lord.  In our internet research, we have read about compensatory movements, and our doctor warned us at Cole's first appointment that Cole's body can trick us into thinking that we see the right arm movements, but he is actually using other muscles.  So I emailed this video to Cole's doctor, and this is what he had to say:  "Very encouraging! That does look like good active shoulder and elbow motion."  Now men rarely use exclamation marks - my husband and I laugh at this all the time, because he will sometimes dictate messages to me, and I fill them with lots of "!!!!!!!!!!" and he makes me delete them!!!  I have learned more than I even know from this trial that we are going through, but I can tell you 2 things that I have learned to treasure: the bending of an arm and a well-timed exclamation point.

Please join with us in rejoicing the Lord's work in our son.  He probably still has a lot of therapy and hard work ahead of him, but we rejoice in this new development.   
James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."