Eat At Chili's Monday September 29th!!!

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Discovery in NB!!!!

Hello all,

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. It just doesn't feel right writing about Andrew on Austin's blog. I will update about Andrew though, so don't worry but first about the discovery in NB. I nearly fell on the floor when I read the title but Scientists have discovered gene mutations that are the main cause of the inherited (familial) version of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. In addition, the researchers found that the same mutations play a significant role in high-risk forms of non-inherited neuroblastoma, the more common form of the disease. Clinical trials are planned to target the gene product in children with neuroblastoma. Here is the link if you would like to read the article. http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543628/

Now about Andrew. He is doing well. Getting so big. Right before his two month check up I noticed that his right side of his head was kind of flat. I was so mad at myself. I would rotate his head but he would always go back to the right side to lay. I even woke up in the middle of the night to move him but he would always go back. It is so different this time around because with Austin he was on his side so I would just rotate sides. Now they have them sleeping on their backs so it is very important that you rotate their heads. We went to the doctor for his two month check up and I voiced my concerned about his head. The doctor said "yeah I see that and am about to jump all over your case". I told him that I rotate his head but he keeps favoring his right side. He worked with a little and discovered that he has Torticolis. He favors the right because the left side neck muscles are tight. His case is mild but man do I wish it was diagnosed sooner. But this diagnosed is way better then getting diagnosed with cancer any day. Treatment is going to physical therapy. We have gone twice and they have given me exercise to do at home and that is pretty much it. He is doing oh so much better!!! Now he holds his head up and turns to left all the time!!! LOL He is already wanting to sit up. Doesn't want to lay down and be a baby. That is just like how his brother was.

There are days when I go in to pick him up out of his crib and boy I have flash backs of Austin. It kind of scares me. We talk about Austin all the time. We call him "bubba". We look at pictures of him all of the time. We watch videos of him all the time. Andrew just smiles at him like he knows him. That's the way I want it. On the way to church on Sundays we pass by the cemetery and we shout out "We love you and miss you Bubba!!".

I am now back at work and Andrew is staying with my mom. They are finally getting on a schedule and enjoying being with each other. It is hard not being with him each day but I know he is great care of someone that loves him so dear. In the morning we are up so early that we get to watch the Wiggles. This of course as you all know was Austin's favorite show. So we watch it in memory of him. Andrew loves it. He almost acts like he already knew about them. I swear he even started cooing like he was singing with them like Austin use to do.

We go back to the doctor in September for his four month check. Boy do I have many questions for the doctor. Especially with this new discovery with NB. I am thinking we will want to check Andrew out to be safe. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel on Andrew looking for lumps but I knew I would do that. I think he is getting use to it.

We want to thank everyone for keeping us in your prayers over the years. We are so thankful for the blessings in our lives. We miss Austin everyday but know that he is here in spirit. When I look at Andrew I see a little of Austin smiling at me saying "I love you Mommy". He has given us such a wonderful gift, his little brother Andrew.

Andrew is home...

Sorry guys for not posting earlier. I have had my hands full. But yes Andrew is home. He only had to stay the one night in the NICU and they kicked him out. YEAH!!! We got home Thursday about 11 pm. We got out so late because he had to stay until 9 pm, waiting on the 48 hour culture to come back negative. See I tested positive for the Group B Strep and the antibiotics they gave me didn't fully get in me in by the time he was born. So they were concerned that it would be passed to him. They also thought that might of been why he had some breathing problems. It turned out it was because he was early.

He had to go back to the hospital on Friday for his hearing test. He passed. He also had his first Doctor's appointment on Friday. He did very well with his shot and was maintaining his weight very well. He is a little jaundice but the doctor thinks he will be fine. We go back to the doctor for follow up on Tuesday.

It is so different having a baby in the house again. We are still trying to adjust. Especially the night time. I hope to take Andrew to the cemetery soon to visit his brother Austin. But it is so hot. I talk to Andrew about Austin all the time. We will post some pictures soon so you can see Andrew grow.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend.
Elizabeth

Andrew Foster Akin

Hello all,

Wow... Andrew decided to come 4 weeks early yesterday.. He weighs in at 6 pounds 14 ounces and 18 inches long.. He is having trouble filling up his lungs and is breathing fast so they have put him in the NICU... We are so excited that he is here but then again so worried.. We know that his big brother Austin will be watching over him as I know he was watching over me during delivery. I had a very nice delivery with hardly any pain... Thank you Austin!!!! We will keep you updated on Andrew's condition...

Love,

Elizabeth

Mommy to Angel Austin and Andrew

Austin's 1st Angelversary....

The day has come. He has officially been gone a year. It's been a quiet day for me. I have just been thinking about him and all of the good memories we have of his short but wonderful two years of his life. There is not much for me to say other then he is missed dearly and will forever be carried in our hearts.

Gizmo, one of Austin's dogs, made me laugh today. I had just picked up the living room and he started bringing out all of his toys. Just like Austin would do. When I laughed at him he just turned and sat and looked at me like he knew what he was doing. In some strange way I think he knows what today is. He seems to be sad just like the rest of us.

One of our friends ran a marathon today in memory of Austin so we will post the pictures from that on here and on his website later on.

I will end with a quote from Abraham Lincoln that makes me think of Austin's life.

"Live a good life.. and in the end, it's not the years in a life, it's the life in the years."

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY AUSTIN!!!

Wow... A year has gone by so fast...Our little man would be 3 today!!! Jason and I knew this would be a long week with Austin's birthday and then of course him passing 4 days later. Working has kept me busy and we had a wonderful Chick-fil-a (Austin's favorite) lunch with an ice cream sundae party at work in memory of him. I am surrounded by wonderful people at work that know when to lift my spirits.. I am thankful and very lucky to have them in my life.. After work we went to the cemetery to place flowers from Austin's great grandmother and some balloons... I have just realized that this is the first time I have posted pictures of our headstone..

Austin-

Mommy and Daddy think and talk about you all the time and miss you so much... We know we will reunite with you someday in heaven but know that we need to be here on earth to take care of your little brother, Andrew... There are so many days that go by and I am so lost without you.. You were everything to me and now I feel empty... I know you are giving us a wonderful blessing that is growing in Mommy's belly... I sat in your room last night and just wondered if you were there because it sure did feel like it.... I am learning more and more each day of why you were sent to us and why God wanted us to be your parents... thank you for always loving us with your sweet smiles and big hugs that are missed ever so much.... We love you....

Mommy and Daddy

Baby update...

Hello all,

Things have been going well here in the Akin casa. Baby Andrew is growing and so is Mommy. I had a doctor's appointment today. It is strange how they fall on or near the 6th of the month. Everything looks good. It is hard to believe that he will be here in three months and Austin has been gone for eleven months. I can't get over how time flies but it sure does.

We think and talk about Austin everyday. I even put one of Austin's videos on the headphones and put the headphones up to my belly for Andrew to hear. He moved around alot when listening to Austin.

I had a dream that Austin was hear while I am pregnant and hugging my belly and kissing it. I know he would be so excited.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. We are praying for good health for Baby Andrew.

If you get a chance and haven't checked out Austin's website lately, take a look at it. Uncle Alan has changed the look and it is a wonderful memorial site for Austin. He would be so proud.

Elizabeth