Peyton Turns 2!!!

This weekend our baby toddler turns TWO! Where has the time gone? ( I always thought this saying was cliche until I became a mama) But, it is true... I remember Peyton's arrival on September 1st at 5:29pm vividly.  We LOVE watching Peyton grow & the fun-loving boy he is becoming.  This weekend we will celebrate his 2nd birthday & Nolan's baby dedication.  Most of our family is coming into town & I can't wait!
Here are some of my favorite pictures of Peyton this past year -

Sept. 2011 St. Simmons Island

Nov. 2011 Jonathan's birthday

Dec. 2012 Peyton announcing Nolan's arrival!

March 2012 Destin, FL

April 2012: Peyton's favorite pastime!

May 2012: Playing at home

June 2012: Myrtle Beach, SC

Aug. 2012: Peyton & Nolan

What a year it has been - learning to walk, learning to talk, teeth coming in, Mama going back to work full-time, temper-tantrums, Nolan's arrival, the list could go one! What joy children bring to our lives!!!
"Every good & perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

A Glimpse of God's Goodness

Since Peyton was born, I have always said, "How does one not believe in God after having a child?" I believe the miracle of pregnancy & birth is truly God's greatest gifts to us.  As Peyton has grown the past two years, I continue to be amazed how this child teaches me about God's grace & goodness.
After Nolan was born, I was reminded that I serve a God who heals.  I was reminded of this lesson during my quiet time last week as I read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (I have blogged about this book in a previous post).  It states,
"I am a God who heals.  I heal broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives, & broken relationships.  My very Presence has immense healing powers.  You cannot live close to Me without experiencing some degree of healing." 
Isn't this true? Our God heals us & many of you prayed for a complete healing for my little baby boy.  Thank you, because I was praying for the doctors, surgeons, for Nolan's reaction to anesthesia, & for a 'peace that passes all understanding.' Looking at the reality of the situation & what we were facing, I did not often pray for a complete healing for Nolan, but you did (as many of you have told me).  Thankfully, God heard the prayers from you. I continue to be grateful.  Many prayers to you & your family this weekend.

Our new reality...

This week, I have had to adjust to my new reality of being a mama of two little boys.  Jonathan went back to work full-time.  My mom has returned to Kentucky.  All family (my in-laws & sisters) who have visited in the past two weeks have also returned to their lives.  It's only Tuesday (& now it is Wednesday...it's taken 2 days to write a blog), & Jonathan & I are exhausted! :) But, my attitude - my little boys are BOTH HEALTHY, so I can handle anything!
Here are a few snapshots of the Barlow Bunch - 

Peyton holding Nolan for the first time (with Grandmama's help)

A few things I have had to let go -
1. Making sure the house is in tip-top shape before going to bed  (although my mother cleaned it from top to bottom so it's still super clean)
2. Caring what my boys wear when we are staying at home (now - going out is a different story)...please see picture below.  Peyton is in pj pants & a homemade t-shirt from Grandaddy.
3. Jonathan & I have agreed not to take anything personally from each other in the middle of the night.  (We aren't very nice to each other!)
4. Coffee is our new best friend!
5. If I can get one thing completed on my "to-do" list each day, I need to consider it a successful day! 

What is my child wearing??

Nolan on his way to the doctor

 It has been wonderful to not be in a doctor's office or hospital this week!!! I continue to have tears of joy over Nolan's news.  I will forever be grateful to you for your prayers & to our great God. Much love to you & your family!
 

WONDERFUL NEWS & ANSWERED PRAYERS!

We can truly sleep tonight for the first time in since Nolan's birth...Nolan's did have a tumor, but it was benign!  Nolan had a juvenile grandiose cell tumor that was completely removed during surgery.  We will have a follow-up with the surgeon in two weeks, but can begin a normal life with two little boys.  We are truly grateful for ALL the prayers that have been lifted up for our son.  THANK YOU! I am forever grateful!
A few of Nolan's visitors - 

Grandmama Fraley, Peyton, Me, Auntie Anna, & Nolan

The Holland Family came to visit!

Eden & Lily Brister!

Peyton holding Nolan for the 1st time!

Thank you dear family, friends, Facebook & Blog community.   I have tears of joy because of such wonderful news!

Praises & Prayers for Nolan

THANK YOU for the prayers for our little Nolan! I have been overwhelmed, humbled, & grateful for the response & outpour of love for our baby. 
Yesterday morning, Nolan had his surgery at Egleston Hospital in Atlanta.  It was amazing the sense of peace I had Monday morning.  I know it was because of the many, many prayers from each of you.  Some of my biggest prayers requests were answered - the care for Nolan, the removal of the entire mass, & his reaction to the anesthesia.  Our doctors & nurses were wonderful- clearly communicating the needs of Nolan & taking care of him.  The surgeon did take the entire mass, ensuring anything unusual was removed.  Nolan was a rock-star - his little body handled the pain, IVs, Oxygen tube, tapes & tubes so well. We were able to be discharged this morning.
Now, more waiting...we will hear from our surgeon by the end of the week concerning the results of the mass.  Jonathan & I do have a peace that God is completely involved.  We have a peace of the steps we might have to take moving forward.  We have a peace because we know that all of you are praying.  THANK YOU!

NOLAN: on his way to the pediatrician

Two miracles in our home: Anna & Nolan

Watching Anna (another walking miracle in our family...another blog post) hold Nolan reassured me God works miracles.  It brought tears to my eyes.
We had a painting done for Nolan's nursery.  It reads, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15.  We are thankful for Nolan.

Our Unexpected News

Our second little boy, Nolan Crosby arrived early Monday morning, July 30, 2012.  We had an exciting birth story, which will come in another blog post.  But, with this post I am sharing my heart & soul, as I haven't been able to share until now. 
If you are our Facebook friends, you have been able to see the status updates from Jonathan.  I thank you for the prayers you have already prayed for our Nolan. 
Early after Nolan's arrival, the team of nurses noticed an unusual testicular mass on Nolan.  Nolan underwent a series of several ultrasounds & doctor consults.  After speaking to a neonatal specialist & then a pediatric urologist specialist, it has been decided that the mass must be removed.  The doctor is thinking the mass is a yoke sack malignant tumor, but will not be determined until the surgery is completed & mass evaluated.  If it is a cancerous tumor, we then will meet with an oncology team on our next steps.
The surgery is scheduled for early Monday morning in Atlanta.  As a mama, I prayed for a healthy baby boy, but I did not specifically ask for a cancer-free baby.  Who would? As a mama, I have questioned, was there something else I could do during my pregnancy? The doctors reassured me that there was not.  As a mama, I worry about my one-week old undergoing anesthesia & his little body recovering.  My list could go on...
I am determined to have a hope in our great God.  I am determined to stay positive - for Peyton, for Nolan, & for Jonathan.  I am determined that we are being taken care of by the best doctors in the country.  One of my best friends sent me the verse, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; Indeed, I will heal you." 2 Kings 20:5.    This is my prayer.

The Barlow Bunch! July 30, 2012

Minutes after Nolan's arrival at 8:25am

Nolan Crosby

 I am asking for prayers - please pray for the team of doctors, for our Nolan as he has this major surgery, for Jonathan & I as we anxiously await the results after the surgery, & for a peace in the midst of it all. A verse I read tonight that I plan to memorize for Monday - "Now the God of hope fill you all JOY and PEACE in believing, that ye may abound in HOPE, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:13