Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Eli update

For all who have been praying for our precious little boy, I talked to the doctor yesterday and he let me know that so far all of Eli's test results have come back normal which includes the results from his Cystic Fibrosis test Monday.  This is a huge praise for obvious reasons but also that God allowed the amount of sweat collected on Monday to be enough for a conclusive test.  It wasn't that the test was that difficult but anytime you do something like that you don't want to do it twice!  Thank you Lord!  We are waiting for one more test to come back.  It should be hear on Friday and it is testing how well he absorbs nutrients or something like that.  Please continue to pray for Eli and his weight gain issues.  We go back next month for a weight check and really want good news.  Also, if you could pray that Eli's doctor will have wisdom and will be able to look at Eli as an individual with an individual make up that could be different from the standard chart.  Thanks to all of the prayer warriors out there.  We love you!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Prayer and Pics






  
Just wanted to share some cuteness with everyone.  I love Eli's facial expressions in the above pics.  He was clapping and talking/yellling up a storm.  He's showing his support for the Dawgs even though his Daddy claims to be a Gator fan.  We'll see what happens during football season...  
  
We also have a prayer request for all of Eli's fans.  On Friday Eli had his 9 mo (eventhough he's almost 10 mos) "Well Baby"  appointment and after checking his vitals his doctor is concerned with his trailing growth.  He is growing in length, weight and head size but not at the same rate or on the same curve as he was in his first 3-6 mos of life so as I stated his doc is concerned.  On Friday, they suggested increasing Eli's formula intake which we are doing and they also drew blood to check for any problems with anemia, thyroid, or lead and then we have been referred for another test to check for Cystic Fibrosis.  Our appt for the CF test is on Monday and we are asking that you pray for a negative test and not only a negative test but a conclusively negative test.  The Dr. said the possibility of him having CF is very low because it does not appear in either of our families but they want to rule it out.  So we would also like to request prayer simply for Eli to be healthy, gain weight at God's rate for Eli, and for his docs to have wisdom in treating Eli.  Pray for my peace of mind because it is really hard to hear that it appears that your child is starting to 'fail to thrive'  just a term but still.  So that's what is new in the Jeff Hodges household...we are so thankful that so many people love Eli and are willing to lift him up to the Lord in prayer and have done so continually even before he was born.  He is such a precious gift from God as are all of you!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

New Pics of Eli



Here are some cute pics of Eli.  They didn't really go with the somber tone of the blog so I thought I would post them separately!

We're Back!

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated the blog.  We were out of town last week to celebrate our niece Caroline's 1st Birthday and to celebrate our anniversary.  Five years I can't believe it!  We had a lot of fun at the party it was all green because Caroline is a St. Patrick's Day baby.  The party allowed us the opportunity to spend time with Jason, Allison and Caroline as well as Jeff's cousins which we don't get to do enough. Jeff also planned a little escape for the two of us on Saturday night which was so much fun.  I spent my first night away from Eli (well other than my appendix removal but that doesn't count) and I was very proud of myself.  I wanted to call Eli's Mimi and check on him but as it turned out Jeff called her instead.  It was strange being without him but a much enjoyed mini-vacation from being mommy.

On a slightly different note, most of you know that last Friday two of the pilots in Jeff's old squadron were killed in a plane crash.  One was an instructor (David Yaggy) and one a student(Alexander Prezioso).  The instructor left behind a wife(Erin) and a little girl (Elizabeth, 18 mos) as well as his parents/siblings etc.  The student we don't know too much about but we do know he wasn't married but leaves behind his parents and a sister, etc.  Please pray for these families.  It will be several months before they know what happened if ever.  I have been told that the instructor's wife is a Christian and overall is doing okay.  I did not know the instructor and I still don't know his wife but this situation has burdened me in a way that I have never experienced.  I guess it is the reality of the danger that Jeff faces everyday settling in and the danger that so many of our friends face everyday as well.  So please pray for Jeff's safety daily and the safety of all the men and women in the armed forces.  Thanks in advance.

And finally, I wanted to wish Aunt Allison a very happy birthday today!  In the Nichols household we sing the following birthday song:
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, 
May you find Jesus near everyday of the Year, 
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,
May it be the best one you ever had! 


Thursday, March 6, 2008

Eli the Inchworm

Here is a video of Eli "crawling".  He has such a look of concentration on his face as he inches across the floor.  Most of the time he has to stop half-way to his destination for a rest.  I would too if I had to work that hard to go somewhere.


Monday, March 3, 2008

My First Blog

Well, I guess I am officially in on the blog trend.  I have been repeatedly encouraged by my brother-in-law to take the dive.  He's promised me that it is sooo easy so here I am.  Please don't expect too much from my blogs they will probably just be updates on Eli's development and the new adventures of Jeff, Edi and Blitz as we continue to adjust to being parents and a family of four (which has been awesome by the way!).  Also, please excuse my poor grammar as far as commas and semi-colon's go...I have always been horrible with writing. So what's new with us....

Jeff has recently transitioned to his new status in the military which is a weird spin on Active Duty Reserves.  For those of you who don't know, we will be staying in the military and in the Pensacola, FL area for the next 3 years, and Jeff will continue to train new pilots flying the T-34 trainer.  Also, in April Jeff will be up for a promotion to Lt. Commander in the Navy.  Please pray that God's hand will be on the board and that Jeff's professional efforts will be rewarded.  Anway, this opportunity to
 stay in the P'cola area has been such a blessing.  We have been able to relax for the past year knowing that Jeff has a job.  This probably doesn't make sense to non-military but many of our friends are wondering what their future holds now
 that their military commitments are up. They are worrying about selling their homes, job interviews, where they will live, etc. and we have been free from much of the anxiety our friends are dealing with.  Thank you Lord for your providence and that you are totally in control of our short-term and long-term futures.  It is so amazing when you realize that you are not in control and can look back and see how God has worked and moved in you life.  Okay enough about Jeff's job..

So now on to Eli...Eli  is just a blessing!  He is 9 mos now which I cannot believe!  Time has flown by and I know that we have had
 hard times but they just get overrun by all the good in our lives.  Eli is still toothless, is saying dada (and if I try to encourage mama he just smiles and says dada some more), is finally sort of crawling using an inchworm like move, and can stand for a few seconds holding on to something.  He smiles and giggles most of the time and I will never get tired of watching, holding and kissing him.  He's turning in to quite the little flirt and best buddy to Blitz our pup.  Blitz loves all the treats he gets from Eli during meals and has started to bring toys over to Eli for playtime.  Its so funny to watch the two of them.  At first Blitz wanted no part of Eli but he's definitely warming up to him.    

Well, I guess that is a good introductory blog.  I'm sure I won't be as insightful as Allison but I will try to update the blog on a regular basis.  Have a great day!