Small update...

Thanks everybody for being so kind :) It really is a blessing to have so many people that care about us.

This update is pretty insignificant, but a bunch of people have asked to know anything new when we know. Our echocardiogram is scheduled for Monday, and after a talk this afternoon with my brilliant neurologist aunt, I now know that is NOT the same as an EKG, although we may need one of those as well. An echocardiogram is basically an ultra-sound of the heart. Also gleaned from my convo with Aunt Mia, cyanosis is actually just the name for Briella's skin (fingers) turning blue, not a disease. The discoloration is probably caused by a problem in either her blood, her lungs, or her heart. Since her blood work and chest x-ray came back fine, that (probably) eliminates blood and lungs. So Monday we begin the investigation of a heart issue. Still no closer to knowing what is actually going on, but at least I understand what we do know better :)

Feeling a lot better about everything today. I think my struggle over the speech issue with West was mostly do to finding out within an hour of hearing about what's going on with Briella. I really am actually looking forward to getting the help he needs, and trusting that we will be able to take care of things. And God knows how everything will turn out with Sis. He's taken us through so many trials in the past few years, and each one has given us another opportunity to grow as people, closer as a couple and family, and closer to God. Even if all that comes of this is a greater appreciation for my precious children and another opportunity to learn to trust my heavenly Father, I'm thankful for that.

Struggling

I love my children. And I want to do whatever it takes to keep them healthy, happy, and successful. But there are times the burden of love for them weighs heavy. Over the past and next few weeks my children have had (or will have) an appointment for croup for Sis, trips to the dentist for both, follow up vaccinations for West, allergy testing for Briella, speech and language pathology testing for West, and x-rays, blood work, and an up-coming echocardiogram to see if Briella has Cyanosis.

The last two are what concern me most at this moment. We expected, and I thought I was prepared for Westly's preschool teacher to let us know he is behind in speech. But hearing it today, even though his teacher was very delicate and kind in bringing it up, was hard. At home I had seen so much improvement since he started preschool, I guess I had hoped that between being at school and working with him at home we were succeeding in helping him. It's hard to not question if I've done a good job as his mom if his teacher can't understand at least 50% of what he is trying to communicate. Especially since Paul and I were either advanced or on track with speaking at his age, so Westly should have been pre-disposed to success. The creeping thought is, "If I had done a good job".

During our visit for croup with Briella the doctor became concerned with some blue discoloration we have been noticing in her hands and lips, particularly after she wakes up or when she is cold. We had to put my poor baby through a blood draw and chest x-ray (if you haven't done this- VERY scary and uncomfortable for infants), and today we scheduled an echocardiogram up at Doernbecher's. If that isn't a name to strike fear into the heart of a parent, I don't know what is. The doctor is worried she may have Cyanosis. I don't know all the details yet, but it is a condition where her blood pressure is too low and can be dangerous. The doctor wasn't clear on what we do if she tests positive, but my research online leans toward surgery. Scary.

I know God loves my children more than I do, I know he created them the way they are, and I know that every trial is for a reason. But I also know that as a mother I'm having trouble giving these issues up to God. I'm struggling to trust instead of worry. And the weight of all of these important doctor visits on top of our already hectic schedule is getting hard to bear. I would covet your prayers on these ones.