"Normal"

Despite my fear of being alone with the kids last week, things went surprisingly well. It is amazing how quickly a day goes by when you're constantly changing diapers, feeding, pumping, changing diapers, washing bottles and dishes, picking up toys, changing diapers, and reading books. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed this week as a mother more than any other week since Libby was born. To have both of my children at home with me is an amazing privilege. Grandma Lyn and Cousin Reese came over on Thursday and took Libby for a couple of hours. She had been asking me all week to go bye-bye because she's gotten used to being out and about every day! She was happy for the excursion and I was happy to accomplish some things around the house while Will slept! Will went back to the doctor on Tuesday when Libby had her 18-month Well visit. She is 26 pounds and 33 inches tall. She showed off many of her skills for Dr. McRaven and he thought she was doing well. Will gained 11 ounces since last Tuesday and is now a whopping NINE pounds! We are so thankful for his weight gain and it feels like further confirmation that we made the right choice as far as his feeding goes. Andrew's cousin Emily came with me and I am so glad she did since we were there for an hour and a half. She entertained Libby, fed Will and, most importantly, quickly figured out how much he weighed since the nurse didn't have the conversion chart with her!

On Friday, we had a slew of visitors. The case worker for Help Me Grow (a state-funded program for kids who qualify for various reasons) came to do an assessment of him. She brought a speech therapist and an early intervention specialist as well. After his assessment, they told me he was not showing any delays right now so he didn't need any further visits until 3 months corrected age. He is able to have an early intervention specialist visit him on a weekly basis to do exercises if we chose to and we did. She'll start coming in two or three weeks to the house to play with him and watch his progress. All in all, it was a very helpful visit.
His Uncle James and Aunt Merideth came to visit him on Friday, too. Uncle James held him for the first time and couldn't believe how big he was. Last time Will and James met, Will was a little over three pounds! Libby was happy to see Aunt Meri. Since Will's been home, she's missed her weekly field trip with her Auntie.Then his Great Grandpa and Grandma came to see him. They were so happy when we told them to come to Ohio-- they changed lots of plans, packed the car and are staying with us for two weeks! Will was very comfortable on Great Grandma's lap and in Great Grandpa's arms.

Despite Will's homecoming, Libby has kept up her social schedule. She and Andrew went to her cousin Deacon's 2nd birthday party on Saturday. Then Grandpa and Grandma Thomas came over to visit on Sunday. They are both leaving to see Will and Libby's newest cousin Dylan Thomas who lives in Atlanta and was born on July 20th. They wanted to get a Will and Libby fix before leaving for the week! He's had lots of other visitors as well. Everyone has been so kind and excited about his homecoming and we couldn't be happier. Libby is more than happy to show off her baby to anyone who comes over. Then she promptly brings a book over and asks that the visitor read to her!

Thanks for your prayers for Will's continued weight gain.