Update from My Follow Up Appointment

(we took Madeline with us to my appointment and she loved every minute of charming everyone she saw =))

As I mentioned in my last post, I was scheduled to have my follow up with my cardiologist last week on Friday. Upon arrival, I had another echocardiogram done first, but I didn't have to be put under for this one, so it was a much simpler process. 

At the meeting afterwards, my cardiologist wanted to know how much better I felt since the surgery. It was hard to quantify how much I have improved, since my mitral valve stenosis really just affected my "bursts of energy". (like I mentioned before-exercising, playing sports, birthing a baby, etc) I told him what I've been telling everyone , though, and that is that although I don't notice a difference daily, I definitely can tell it is so much better! My cardiologist said he wants me to "hold nothing back" for the summer; to do anything and everything I want to do, to basically "test" how much improved I feel. At the end of the summer/three months, we will meet with him again to discuss. He said that, with having had this condition likely for most of my life, I have no idea of what it is like to feel normal. (very true, and it all sure makes a lot more sense now!) His concern is that because I have always struggled, I won’t know what is actual improvement. 

Sadly, there was bad news. My valve leaks now, which we knew was a possibility. (they told us there was a chance ahead of my surgery, and then they told us afterwards that a leak developed during the surgery) However, after looking at the echocardiogram, he feels that the leak is worse than they even initially thought. That means the next time my heart needs intervention, I won't be a "candidate" for another valvuplasty surgery, but instead will have to have the valve completely replaced. (open heart surgery)

For those curious about the actual condition of my valve and the numbers and that sort of thing...the cardiologist said the valvuplasty surgery opened my valve from 1.1cm to 1.8cm. It is wonderful to have that improvement. For reference,  a "normal" persons heart has an opening of 4.5cm or better. 

A huge blessing is that the surgery helped me gain about 60% improvement in the opening, and that I am feeling much better when exercising/etc. And it really is a big difference. I literally felt like I was going to pass out so many times before in my life, when exercising/walking. Whereas now, the first time I went on a walk after my surgery, and the first time I did a workout, I felt out of shape, yes, but I felt good when I was done! I am starting to realize what people mean when they say, after a workout, "wow that felt good." I never felt that way before now!

Although the leak/future open heart surgery isn't what we would have chosen, we know Jesus will continue to take care of me. He saved my life by Madeline arriving early. I am so sure of that. (As a side note, John read the other night that a number of moms with this condition, die within 30 mins of giving birth, due to the change in fluids and exertion) The fact that I am even here to tell this story is still such a miracle to me! And we are thankful for the very first cardiologist at the hospital where I delivered Madeline, who insisted on an echo to get to the root of the issue. If it wasn’t for all that and the ensuing surgery that followed, I likely would not have survived another pregnancy. 

God is good all the time, even when the future is uncertain, and I am just really really thankful for the knowledge and belief of that. 

Thankyou all for caring and praying. We are so thankful!

-Chelsy

Easter Sunday and An Update

Good morning! I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend and Sunday! Ours was lovely---sweet family times just the five of us, amazing service at our church, and then a big Sunday dinner with all of our local extended family.

Something was wrong with my phone camera so the pictures all turned out fuzzy, but they are priceless to me just the same! 

Many people have been so kind as to ask how I am feeling since my surgery and if I can tell a difference?! It is really hard to explain because, again, this condition didn’t affect me on a daily basis-it was only if I was exercising/playing sports/hiking, or doing something extremely strenuous like birthing a baby. :) So on a daily basis, no, I can’t tell a difference---I feel great, just like I mostly did before! I’ve started working out and that is going really well. I’m out of shape of course, but I don’t feel like I am going to die from the exercise like I would’ve pre-surgery. I rested very well for a week after my surgery and I think that also has helped me pop back quickly! 

I'll be meeting with my cardiologist for a follow up echocardiogram on May 13th, so will know for sure the current status of everything then. However, all should be well, as the doctors were happy with the surgery and how everything went.

In other news, my Bells Palsy is truly healing, and I am more happy about that than I can say! SUCH A BLESSING. I also got a temporary tooth as the implant process won't be fully completed until August (such a loooong production!) so I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to having my full smile back again and I could literally CRY with happiness. 

My parents came for a week after my surgery and took care of us. It was such blessing to have them here and the kiddos LOVED every minute!

Accidental matching with Gramps!

My four siblings still at home, got to come for a few days also and that just filled the boys' happy cup to overflowing to have their aunties and uncles here!

Can't believe Madeline is nine months old!

(check out her Cuddle & Kind Charlotte Dog, here! My kiddos LOVE these dolls!)

Such a little ham! =)

Flowers from my sweet former church family in Iowa.

Morning smiles!

Easter morning table. (pre food and people)

Table settings: plain white sheet for a table cloth, wooden coaster (I don't think mine is bamboo, it was gifted, but looks identical to this one!) toddler silverware & sippies courtesy of Walmart, toddler plates from Ikea, these gorgeous goblets, this white corelle, and other pieces from random and various places/gifts. 

Our first cookout of the season!

Snuggles.

Elliot was struggling with finishing his breakfast one morning. Axton went over, picked up his fork, and helped him finish, all the while speaking the sweetest little words of encouragement, "good job Elliot! You finished!" Melted my heart!

Love my babies.

And that's just a little pop in to say that we are well and thank you all for your kind well wishes and prayers! We are truly grateful for each of you.

Happy Weekend, friends. 

-Chels

(Note: all of the items linked in this post are items that I own and love. The Amazon links are affiliate links. Please read my affiliate disclosure here)

Sundays During Quarantine

This past Sunday was our first quarantine Sunday. It definitely had a different feel to it than our usual, but, as it looks like this will be the new normal for the indefinite future, I wanted to share what we are doing for our Sunday services! Maybe you are looking a good livestream option and would like to "join" us!

(If you haven't already taught your little ones to sit quietly during church services, these "home church" Sunday's are a prime opportunity for you to do so. Kids don't turn four or five and automatically learn how to sit still--the best trained ones learn when they are little!)

For our church services (11am and 6pm) we watched the livestream from my previous church back in Iowa. Both messages were SO relevant and encouraging to both of us, and we were so blessed! Marion Avenue Baptist also did a fabulous job "re-creating" a service without the typical full building of people. They had worship, announcements, special music, AND a message! It literally felt so similar to one of the many services I have attended there.

Marion Avenue will be livestreaming their services (Sundays and Wednesdays) for the coming weeks, and I highly encourage you to tune in if you are looking for a service to watch! 

I'll end with a fun picture for you all! Axton greatly preferred the evening service since he got to watch the beginning of it from his favorite location-the bathtub. Pretty sure his ideal church service would look just like this one, every Sunday, if he got to chose. =)

Be blessed, friends! 

-Chels

Pregnancy, Motherhood, & Marriage Update

(reading to my babies. As you can see, my lap is filling up these days!)

I am just over 27 weeks into my second pregnancy, and wanted to pop in with a little update on things, like I promised back in my pregnancy announcement post. This time around has been quite different from my pregnancy with Axton, in a number of ways.
First of all, I already have a baby this time! Axton has been a champ but it is definitely different to figure out how to get extra sleep, deal with morning sickness, etc, while running after a very active little toddler, as you other mamas know!
Secondly, it is one thing to grow a baby; but entirely another to figure out how to do so while transitioning baby #1 to the next stage of things to make way for baby #2! Namely, this happened in the area of weaning. Axton really wasn't interested in solids at all and if I would've had the milk for him, I'm guessing he would've been one of those children who would've nursed exclusively until age one or something. But right away when I got pregnant again (he was almost eight months) my supply started to dry up, so ready or not, it was time to wean. The first couple of weeks were a little rough with the transition, but we kept going, and by the beginning of December (just in time for our first night away from him!) he was totally weaned and doing great on his new diet. He even chunked up a little more! Contrary to the recommendations of almost all online sources, I went ahead and let him try raw milk by ten months, and he has loved it. (I was raised on a dairy farm with unlimited raw milk consumption and I am so passionate about the health benefits of it!) It has been a huge blessing to be able to give him a warm bottle every night before he goes to bed, and know that he is getting great nutrients from such a healthy source. It also makes me feel like he is staying a baby longer...totally mental I know, but it makes this mama heart happy!
Thirdly, speaking of morning sickness, with Axton, I had a very unusual type of morning sickness. I would get sick about one morning a week, from my second trimester, right up until a few weeks before he was born, and the rest of the time I felt amazing. I was really quite spoiled. Basically no cravings, smells didn't "set me off", and as long as I got enough sleep, I really felt like quite the energizer bunny! However, this second pregnancy has been much worse with morning sickness. When I feel good, I feel great! But about half of the days of the week I start my days with throwing up. (Not to be TMI with that, but I discovered lately that when some moms say they have morning sickness, they just mean feeling a little "off", or nauseated. I'm not much for exaggerating, so I thought I'd just explain it straight =))
I am not complaining, though-I am still SO extremely and abundantly blessed in this pregnancy again, even if there are extra challenges. And it is such a gift to have the opportunity to be sick and carry another little life. I'd do it again and again in a heartbeat for such a blessing! (I'll be sharing more about this in the future)

(post bathtime smiles! Isn't he just SO squish-able?!)

Motherhood is amazing. A number of people have asked me if having babies this close together is an overwhelming thought for me. Honestly, it isn't! Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I will have moments, especially in those early days of adjusting to caring for two babies instead of just one! But I saw my own mother have five babies in six years, and if I can do it with half the grace and energy she did, I'll be just fine. =) I suppose I would be much more overwhelmed depending on what kind of a child my current son was, but we have been pretty intentional in ordering his life, and not letting him run ours, and as a result, he is a super happy and very scheduled little guy. I don't say that in a prideful way, at all-there have been many learning moments for me and many times when consistency has stretched me as a mama! I have failed often and growing in this is a continual process. But having him on a schedule early on, and giving him a little life of order and routine, has paid off HUGE dividends in our quality of life now, and I am confidant that will just continue as we transition this summer into life with two babies.

(date night-out for dinner and an overnight with my hottie husband for my birthday)

And marriage continues to be so blessed as well. Does it take more intentionality to stay connected in these days of parenthood? Absolutely! But it is so worth it! Just today, after lunch, we were sitting on the living room floor, talking, while Axton bounced around walking and crawling all over us. I turned to John and said, "isn't it just mind-blowing how he is half you and half me and just the sweetest little thing ever?" Axton adds so much spice and energy to our lives and it is hard sometimes to remember what it was like before he came along! Impossible though it may seem, our marriage is even richer and fuller WITH a baby, than it was before! Axton has taught us both so much about who we are as individuals and parents and just people in general. I know not everyone is given the gift of children right off, and it is one that I definitely don't take for granted; rather, I am just overwhelmingly grateful that we have been given the gift of not one but two little babies in our first few years of marriage. It has truly grown us even closer to each other and been such a blessing in our lives!

That's a little update from my world! I would love to hear from you mamas in the comments below-how was your transition from one to two babies and how do you work to stay intentional with balancing motherhood AND marriage?

Happy Thursday!

-Chels

Axton's First Birthday Party

Axton turned the big ONE on January 26th! I'll say the typical mom thing because it is TRUE---I have no clue how he is one already?!?! The past year has flown by! 

We had his party the evening of his birthday, Sunday, with all the family that was able to make it. He gained a couple of brand new playmates-to-be the weeks before his birthday, in the form of two tiny cousins, and between that and sickness, party attendance was quite a bit smaller than the initial plan. We still had a grand time with all of those who could make it!

My father in law captured a whole row of Axton's expressions during dinner. Pretty adorable! He was SO THRILLED to have people over. We had just completed a very quiet week of no company and really no social activities either (as we recovered from the prior week of John being out of town at a funeral, me out of town at a wedding, and all three of us getting some level of sickness afterwards)  so we decided Axton's social cup must've been quite depleted, based on his extreme happiness to see everybody!

For some reason, though, he got very serious at dessert time!

He looks positively concerned. =) Not sure why, as he was loving little tastes of frosting before dinner!

The actual "cake smash" situation didn't go quite as planned. The sticky frosting was quite frustrating for him (see above, him trying to "fling" it off his fingers) and he wasn't even interested in getting to the actual cupcake. I guess the prior training to keep hands clean and not touch his food had been very successful! =) He loved dinner though, so even though the cake wasn't such a hit, it was okay!

After dinner he had fun practicing his walking skills. A roomful of cheering fans was a big plus. =)

So fun!

And then it was time to open his gifts!

Amongst other things, he received:

These adorable little bath "bubble" toys. His daily bath time is his favorite time of day, so these have been such a fun addition to his little supply of bath toys. They are little floating toys and he loves them.

This Wooden Ramp Racer Set. It is the cutest little thing and Axton loves watching the cars race up and down. It's almost as fun for daddy and mama too! =) At first he was mainly interesting in watching and chewing the cars, but lately he has figured out how to make them go on the track himself, and he is quite proud of his accomplishments in doing that.

This Duplo Truck & Tracked Excavator Set.  Axton adores this set! They are his first real duplos and a huge hit with him thus far.

We ended the night out with the uncle/aunties staying later to chat, and Axton got to stay up an hour past his bedtime, which quite thrilled his little soul. He always gets a bottle of milk every night before going to bed, so here he is, quite worn out after all the festivities, enjoying his bottle while being snuggled by one of his aunties. 

Of course there is no way to really know what is happening in their little baby minds, but based on his smiles and laughs and overall joyfulness all evening long...I'd say Axton loved his first birthday party!

If you're a mama, what did your babies do to their cake at their first birthday? 

Any special traditions you have?

-Chels

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Our 2019 Holidays

Today I thought I'd share a little about how we did our holidays this past winter season. It worked out perfectly to spend time with both of our families as well as our own little household, and we were so blessed by each experience!

We hosted Thanksgiving for the first time in our little home, and I LOVED every minute of it! There is something just so fun about being in charge and responsible for making the Thanksgiving feast come together, and preparing a warm and inviting atmosphere for those joining. It was truly a delight. The "farm fam" (what we call my Bontrager family who lives on the farm) came from Iowa to join us, along with my Grandma Bontrager. Due to complicated work schedules, they only ended up being with us for less than 24 hours, but it was a treat nonetheless!

My grandma is the gravy queen (well actually she is the queen of anything in the kitchen) so I was very honored to have her assist in the gravy preparation. 

As always, Axton adored all the people and the extra attention. He is little Mr Social, just like his daddy. =)

Fresh bread!

Axton enjoying stories with Grandpa! This "Five Little Monkeys" book was given to him by one of his Maxwell aunties, and it is one of his favorites!

My dear husband oversaw the prepping, cooking, and carving of the turkey. It was the most flavorful and delicious turkey I have ever had! One of his secret ingredients? Homemade apple kombucha! 

The beautiful spread.

Game time! 

One of my younger siblings favorite games to play when they visit us is this Dr Eureka Speed Logic Game. It is a super fun logic game that keeps you speeding along and thinking fast! We also gave it to one of John's brothers' and his family for Christmas and it has been a hit with them as well. You definitely should check it out if you are looking for a fun new game to add to your collection! Great for young and old alike!

Another favorite game here that our guests seem to love, is this Ice Cool game. Just get it and play it and then you'll know. I've seen adults get SO into this game-it's pretty great!

After Thanksgiving, it was time to set up Christmas decorations! Axton loved the process. =)

In December, we enjoyed a number of holiday activities, such as the annual favorite of Christmas caroling with the Maxwell tribe. We even got a beautiful snow this year for the event!

It was COLD but we bundled up WELL and Axton didn't fuss a bit! He really loved it, and when he and I quit early after two hours, it wasn't because he wasn't doing well but because mama was getting cold and because it was past his dinner time!

Our hats kept us warm and snug! You can get my mustard one here and Axton's black/grey marble one here!

We had the "late nighters" of the group over afterwards for soups and bread! The perfect ending to a cold evening!

John put up this garland and lights around our window and it added such a fun touch to our living room! I still haven't taken it down-I think it is winter decor, not just Christmas decor. =)

Out on a special December date!

Just hanging out helping in the kitchen! Temporarily! =)

Gift wrapping has always been one of my favorite things. I got my wrapping paper from Home Goods this year and went with a gold theme. Ah, so pretty!

Holiday babysitting so their parents could go out on a Christmas outing. Practicing being parents to six is a riot and we had a grand time! =)

We took Axton to his first Christmas nativity, "A Walk Through Bethlehem".

The animals were his favorite!

My parents came for a super brief visit in early December and we loved the time with them!

Our anniversary isn't a holiday, technically, but with it happening right in between Christmas and New Years, it sure feels like a holiday! We celebrated with a 24 hour trip to Vegas to see the NFR. John had been before but it was my first time to that particular rodeo and it was a TREAT. It was also our first time leaving Axton overnight but my mom came to stay with him and he did just great for her, as I knew he would. It was so special to spend time away, just the two of us, celebrating two wonderful years of marriage.

We went to a very classy restaurant and my favorite part was the made to order crepe station. Amazing!

Take a farm girl to a rodeo and you'll have a happy happy HAPPY wife. =)

We walked in amongst hundreds of people also wearing boots and denim, and I smelled the sawdust and animals, and told John, "I LOVE IT ALREADY." It was SO much fun. Of course, being there with my incredible husband was the BEST part of all!

Christmas Eve Day was spent with John's family, per tradition. It has been super special to join in on John's family's traditions for three years/Christmas's now! They go all out and it is SUCH a fun party, not to mention a full and lively house!

It was such fun to watch Axton experience everything!

Axton had his auntie Anna's name in one of the gift draws and he got her this very fun auntie theme shirt.  

He also enjoyed "helping" her open it. =)

Opening his set of adorable new clothes from Grandma!

John had a rather interesting placement of his gift. He was quite creative in retrieving it, and the whole process offered great entertainment for a collection of onlooking nieces and nephews in particular. =)

Let's just say that in the days since then I have discovered that there are literally countless items that can be shot with salt. Who knew?? =)

Axton loved the whole day, especially doing one of his favorite things-climbing into the toy box and just enjoying himself. 

Auntie and niece smiles!

The expectant (at the time) Maxwell mamas (two little boys have since been born!)

We came back home Christmas Eve...and while I put Axton to bed, John was putting the finishing touches on a surprise project: a fire in our downstairs fireplace (first time!) along with Christmas lights and greenery strung all over and a bed made up on the floor in front of the fireplace! It was like that perfect magical Christmas eve moment and so so beautiful.

Christmas Day found us at home, just the three of us. We continued on with our little family traditions started last year-sleeping on the floor on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning breakfast, opening our gifts to each other, a special Christmas lunch (not the "typical" Christmas spread, just a meal we've picked ahead of time that is extra special to us) games and family time Christmas afternoon, and an added new thing this year--playing with Christmas gifts with Axton throughout the day.

Quite serious about daddy's new cologne. =)

Axton was quite thrilled about this little bunny that he picked out for his mama. Sweetness.

LOVE his little expression of intensity as he opened his gifts!

John picked out the PERFECT gift for Axton-this remote control dump truck. I texted one of my friends a video of John and Axton playing with the truck and she responded: "Hmmm. Was that a gift for the daddy or gift for the son?" =) It has definitely been very mutually enjoyed! John runs the remote and Axton chases the truck all over and giggles when it "moves on its own!" 

And then...Christmas lunch! This year it was hot ham and cheese sliders (with poppyseed/butter/brown sugar/dijon mustard sauce goodness) chips, veggies, and one of our favorite drinks, Welches Sparkling Rose'.

A special Advent celebration time, Christmas evening, at Gigi's house, with a few of the others.

And finally, we closed out 2019 and began 2020 with a family vacation with my side, the Bontragers, in southern Iowa. My parents rented a lovely place big enough for all of our little growing families, and we enjoyed three days of delicious food, lively games, and wonderful conversation and reconnecting. These four little kiddos add a ton of spice to our get togethers now, and are doted on by, well, everyone. Nana Bontrager brought these healthy lollipops that were a highlight. All involved enjoyed them greatly but took the process quite seriously. =)

Auntie Rebs in her glory, surrounded by all four babies.

We had a very fun gift exchange one day! Taylor's gift wrapping skills are INCREDIBLE, don't you agree? Or maybe he has a very gifted sister who helped him? =)

Case IH tractors for all the little grandsons because all good Bontragers GO RED. Axton was thrilled!

He knew what to do with it right away!!

Great conversations, with beautiful live background music.

Coffee/tea/chocolate station. Open 24/7!

Blanket rides with Uncle Mitchell and Auntie Liz. The babies all really did love it but weren't sure about the very close quarters of all riding together.

Breakfast time! We all took turns doing meals and wow, as always, we ate like kings and queens!

There were many lively games!

Movie night!

Puzzles! 

It got finished at 11:27pm on December 31st. Just in time. =)

More yummy food!

These two are six weeks apart in age and the best little buds. It was so cute to watch them play together so well! I think part of the reason they just jumped right in and loved each other was because they are very familiar with seeing each other on a regular basis through their mamas' Marco Polo chats. =)

Baby swap! Just for a few minutes. =)

And there are our holidays and celebrations of 2019! Hope you enjoyed!

-Chels

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