10 month update and RSV

Honestly, I can't believe its been 10 months. I started writing this update at 9 months (sorry Nancy) but life has kept us busy - in a good way! Then today hit us and Stella has RSV. So we are back in the hospital keeping a close watch on her fever, oxygen saturation's, and just making sure she gets better! This girl is a trooper and we have had a good day reuniting with old friends on the 7th floor who are working on getting her healthy and HOME!

Backtracking for a moment, the fast few months have introduced us to a whole new phase of life. The twins are terribly two - one moment sweet, smart and full of joy, and the next moment the living spawns of satan. Its entertaining at best, and certainly explains Mommy's 5 pm glass (chalice) of wine at worst. But remarkably, in this new phase, they have decided they like Stella! They still refer to her as "baby" but are champion paci fetchers, peek-a-boo players, and stand up older siblings. I knew they had it in them!

And Stella is a delight. She is non-stop happy, full of smiles and laughs and everything a 10 month old should be. A few weeks ago we had the privilege and blessing of baptizing her at Central Presbyterian Church - where I grew up, where Adam and I were married, and where we baptized the twins. My dad (Bubby) was the elder that prayed for our family following the baptism and I for one felt the Lord squeeze us - a reminder that he has been with us through this entire journey.

Other milestones:

With the help of our new Occupational Therapist, Stella sits up on her own easily and has recently started crawling! We love watching her scoot around for toys, and are just beaming with pride over her progress.

Stella also traveled with Mommy to Montana to visit our dear friend, Jeannie. She rocked her first couple of flights, had lunch with a Senator (seriously) and enjoyed all the summer had to offer from the 4th of July to the Olympics. We also made a quick and very special trip to Chicago to visit Great Grams and celebrate her 86th birthday and then dressed Stella as a happy elephant for halloween. And finally, in other news, headbands are back.

As I was wrapping up this post, Stella's latest illness hit and we ask for prayers while she fights this virus in the hospital. We know she is strong and will pull through, but are grateful to have a team that can hook her up to monitors and keep my mommy heart at ease. And then we want her smiling, bursting with joy and HOME as soon as possible.

Thanks for checking on us, praying for us, and loving us with your FULL hearts!

The Stacy Family