I'm Back! Lockwood Update

Woohoo! I've dusted off the computer and cracked open this website again!

Through prayer and a series of events in my life the past couple weeks I have decided to take a break from social media (except for my Usborne business). However, I love posting on Instagram because its an easy way for me to update and look back on all these days that are going entirely too fast!! I just love seeing the pics of my kids. So instead I am hoping to capture more of our lives through this blog. We shall see how often I will post but it's my hope that I can capture our life here instead. Being that its been quite some time since I have posted here I thought it may help to update a teeny-tiny fraction of what has happened with us Lockwoods over the past 12 months.

This past year has been the fastest days of my life. Fastest year of my life for sure. We've welcomed our beautiful baby girl, Gracelyn Rose on June 10. She was almost two weeks early and we had to have an emergency c-section. After not feeling her move for longer than normal we went to the hospital and were told something was wrong and that we may lose her. (a whole lot of medical jargon here but basically we need her out NOW because it already may be too late.) We had an emergency c-section which was one of the hardest 45 minutes of my life. Lucas was still at the hospital with us, Jason was with him instead of with me, we were worried we were going to lose our girl and everything happened at lightening speed...none of which was physically comfortable...to say the least. After 40 min of prep, then 5 minutes after the incision our sweet girl was born!! She ended up having the cord around her neck twice but other than that she was perfectly fine. We had a healthy 6 lb 14 oz baby girl. Lucas was beyond thrilled to have a little sister asking if he could hold her ALL DAY LONG. Now,10 months later he is still excited to see her every morning and kisses her all day long, constantly asks to hold her and tells us how much he loves "Baby Grace," as he affectionately calls her. Gracelyn thinks he can do no wrong and no matter how rough he is, she just laughs and laughs at him. They have a very special bond.

Over the course of the past year we have had our ups and downs like anyone else. In December, Lucas was (finally) diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (seeking) which was an answer to prayer. We have known this about Lucas since he was old enough to move but it took A LOT of persistence to get someone to take us seriously and once we finally got the right services and providers in place, we were told, Yes, of course he has sensory issues. Then it was a huge rush to get 3 OT consults in before he aged out of services. Which, of course we need a lot more than 3 OT consults but in the meantime I am beyond thankful for my education and knowledge in this area. But oh how different it is with your own child and in your home compared to being a teacher in the classroom!

3 days after Lucas' diagnosis, Gracelyn had her 6 month well appointment and was diagnosed with hypotonia. Again, we knew something was up and had been pressing for answers but it wasn't until her 6 month appointment that her pediatrician gave us a name of what she had. We were told hypotonia is low muscle tone and we would need to see a neurologist for any further answers. Until then we were given the info that her hypotonia could be something as simple as Gracelyn needing PT and will be clumsy and unable to play competitive sports or as severe as her never being able to sit up on her own or walk. I don't need to share the emotions Jason and I went through hearing this news and then learning it would be 6-8 weeks before we would get in to see the neurologist and 6 weeks before we could have her evaluated to start her PT. Needless to say, we weren't too sad to see that month be the final in the year and welcome in 2017 with some hopefully good news!

Fast forward 4 months...we have been to the neurologist and Gracelyn has had an MRI. The neurologist thought she had a mild brain injury from the day she was born but the MRI in March ruled that out. We are back to square one of knowing what is causing her hypotonia so are praying over what our next steps will be. She has started PT and we have seen so much improvement in the short 2 months she has been receiving services. She sits up on her own and in the last week has started scooting backwards while on her stomach! She is just the happiest, most easy going baby. It's so fun to watch her hit these milestones!

I'm excited to get back into this blog again! I'm just as excited to take a break from Facebook and Instagram. If you're ever on and reading, please comment to say hi! :) Hope you had a happy Easter an thanks for stopping by!