Success Story...Emaline Musson...

Our precious granddaughter was featured in the booklet printed for a Gala Benefit for the Good Shepherd Hospital in PA. where Emaline

spent two months.

The hospital wants to do a follow up story on her, too!

Since leaving the hospital, Ema continues weekly therapy.

While Emaline's Daddy is at work, her Mommy spends a huge amount of time doing therapy at home.

There are different things she does to stimulate

the muscles in Ema's right arm & exercises to

encourage her to use her right hand.

Her right hand is mostly in a tight little fist

especially when she is concentrating on

holding onto objects with her left hand.

A cast (beautifully decorated by her Mommy)

was put on her strong (left) arm to

encourage Ema to use her right arm.

From under the cast,

she was able to sneak movement with

her little fingers so next time, the cast will go further on her hand. 

The plan is to have a cast on three more times this year.

Emaline is a very happy baby now that the spasms have remained under control.

She readily smiles all the time...until she is tired...then she wants to be done with everything, get comfy & sleep!

(Hmmm...sounds like some other people I know!)

We just cannot get enough of seeing her smiles &

hearing any little sounds she makes.

It is such a JOY to see her Mommy (our daughter-in-love) & Daddy (our son) so very lovingly, gently & continually taking care of this precious little one!

Ema went to Castle Rock Baptist Camp this past week.

She loved being around all the campers who mutually loved her!

Her first little tooth peeked through at camp!

The following are a few pictures I adore!

See the change in our little Bundle of JOY!?! 

 ~~~     ~~~     ~~~

This little poochy lip picture was taken at her

Aunt Maria's wedding in April. 

I imagine she was getting pretty tired by the time this was taken.

I love it!

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Ema in her tutu. 

I always notice her right hand. 

She is grabbing her left hand as if posing in her tutu! 

Any time her right hand does that, it is exciting!

 

happy, happy, happy...

The latest in sunglasses!!

 

Daddy told Emaline to give Gramma kisses...

Such a sweetheart!

Recently before falling asleep, I saw Ema holding a little, soft stuffed frog.

She would look at it in the eyes, speak softly to it & put the face to her mouth.

I KNOW she was saying, "I love you!  You're so pretty."

& was giving it kisses

since that's what she hears all the time!

All of a sudden, she's losing her "baby" look!

Just a couple more weeks and she'll be 1 year!!

It is very hard narrowing down the pictures to post.

They are all absolutely lovable & everyone melts my heart again & again!

Look at previous posts to see how much Emaline has changed. 

(Especially from those taken in January!)

Thank you for continued prayers!!

Praise God for so many answered prayers already!

Feathered cards...

The feathers from Rick's pheasant are not only perfect for Emaline's headbands....

...but for cards, too.

This is a graduation card I made

using Stampin' Up! decorator paper, stamps & punches.

A little gold cord & beads added...

To distress the cardstock,

I just ran my fingernail along the edges.

~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Pheasant feathers really are beautiful! 

They have such a variety of color. 

The feathers I used on this card have

"Bashful Blue" (SU! color)tips.

Also used is the Stampin' Up!

Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing folder.

What a year...and it isn't even half over...

 

Here's a happy picture to start this post... 
This baby just wants to keep smiling!

   

    This has been the hardest year for our family since 1996 when I spent most of the year on the couch with Crohn's Disease, feeling like I'd never get up again.  This year started with finding out our precious granddaughter had a stroke before she was born which led to some major health concerns.  (You can find out details in older posts on my blog.) 

     Since then, we've had many, many blessing seeing the improvement in baby Emaline & God providing for Rick & Melanie just when they needed it!  These blessings had trials tossed in now & then for the rest of our family such as a second surgery on Rick's foot and his Dad being hospitalized 3 times.  (once for surgery - a week after Rick's surgery).

     I would trade this year for '96 & back on the couch especially after this present trial for my family...

     After being sick for several weeks, my nephew Craig had surgery on May 9th.  A very rare and aggressive cancer was found in his colon.  Yesterday, June 13th, Craig had his first of 24 chemo treatments which he'll have over the next six months. 

     Craig is only 20 yrs. old (young)  The doctors were so shocked that this cancer was found in one so young.

It's good that Craig had been in good health and an athlete prior to his surgery.

     Our community has been so amazing in their outpouring of love, concerns and actions!  Food was taken in to Craig's family, their lawn was taken care of, fund raiser/benefits have been planned.  The first was a car wash and ice cream sale held on Sunday.  There were so many people out to help, offer support verbally and monetarily.  We appreciate each one so very much.  Although still weak from the surgery, Craig was able to sit and visit with those stopping by...oh...and to inspect how the car washing was going!  (wink, wink)

 

These pictures were taken shortly after Craig got home from the hospital.

He knows my favorite thing to do is wrap my arms around his waist for a hug.  Even though he wasn't feeling very strong, I got my hug.  He is so tall, I just put my arms straight out and I can wrap right around his waist.

As with Emaline, I show these pictures so we can journal the positive as Craig heals.  No doubt as with chemo, he'll become more tired and experience other side effects, so these pictures are also a reminder to please keep him in prayer!!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigcanape/journal

Ema is home!!!

We finally got to see the "new" baby!

We were greeted at the door with smiles 
& a sparkle in her eyes!!!

Such a blessing!

These are a few pictures from their last week in Philadelphia.

 

Her smiles seem to be never ending...and we love that!!!

Can you believe the flowers already blooming in Philly?!?

I love this family so much!

Easter morning back at home!

Ema is wearing the beautiful dress she wore to her

Aunt Maria's wedding before leaving Philadelphia.

Notice the "Ema*line" headband!


Ema has improved immensely which is so encouraging!!
She will continue therapy with her parents & with a therapist.
Even though there is such a visible improvement,
her parents still want/need continued prayer for her.

...more to follow as time allows!

Happy birthday....

My 15th birthday with
STAMPIN' UP!
...and I have the stamps to prove it!   ; )

I started out on a little table in the family room...
moved to one of the spare bedrooms...
then to the bigger of our spare rooms 
(made 'spare' after our kids left home).
I've been working on organizing my room
when I have a few moments here & there,
to get it the way I'd really like it.
I've also added a "beading corner",
& at the moment, my desk is full of "the EMA*LINE"
headband making items!
  I'm so thankful I have a separate room for all of it!

My room became quite full again
when we moved things out of the other room
to make a bedroom for my father-in-law.

S L O W L Y but surely, I'll get it done!  :)

*     *     *
EMA'S UPDATE!

Happy 8 months today,
little sweet bundle of J O Y !

This will be Ema's last week at Good Shepherd Rehab Hospital.

It seems like a very long time since we've seen her & her Mommy.

(We we're thankful to have a day with her Daddy a few weeks ago.)

Ema will have another EEG at the CHOP before they come home.

She is a new little baby compared to the last time we saw her.

We can hardly wait to see her big smile, shining eyes
& hear her little giggles & sounds in person!

I want to feel her little arms around my neck

and smother her with kisses!

From this...

The first week in January when the spasms were just beginning...

(Although we didn't know for sure at that time that it was spasms)

To this...

A happier healthier baby!

A sweet little girl that Melanie & Ema got to know.

She was able to go home from the hospital last week!

Ema & Aunt Maria have their Phillies shirts on!!

Grandpa Musson want equal Cubs time!  : )

I want to hold her now!

our little model...so beautiful!

Lovely in Lilac!!!



The Camo ~ Pheasant headband.

The first in the Ema*line!

  


What a little dolly!

Ema had a better day in therapy even though
fussy from the prednislone.
She is using both arms better,
sitting up very well, and has smiles!!!

the EMA*LINE headband

There's the Baby Gap,  Old Navy, Oshkosh lines of clothing for babies.

Here's the Ema*line.   ; )

Beautiful*Bow-dacious*Blingy!

made to scatter JOY

and my first attempt at baby headbands.

(I didn't have anyone to try them on

so I'm hoping the size is good.)

I made this one to go with Ema's camouflage outfit.

The feathers are from the pheasant her

Grandpa Musson got last Fall.

I had to add a couple beads & a crystal, too!

I sent the teal one for Ema to share if she wants to.

There are a lot of babies at the Good Shepherd Hospital and

maybe one baby & Mommy need cheering up.

 

Don't you love the muffin (otherwise known as cupcake) 

ribbon and charm!?

My Stampin' Up! Big shot and dies were perfect for making the

camouflage, pink & white glittered felt flowers.

...and Ema is sitting all by herself!

Remember the picture showing Ema sitting with the little drum

to help hold her?

Look!  She can sit all by herself now!

Our future little musician!

She loves looking at herself in the mirror.

I'm sure she is checking out her

beautiful bows!

(Do babies know they are looking at themselves

or do they like looking at a baby in the mirror?

Hmmmm....)

Look at the love Ema has for her Uncle James!

So precious!

 

 

~   ~   ~

 

 

Such sweet girls!  Ema & her Aunt Maria are reunited!!

They haven't been together since the week Ema was born

& both look very happy to be together again!

~  ~  ~ 

    Smiles....

smiles....





& more smiles...

There have been so many smiles finally able to come out!

 Melanie's family & long time friends have been able to visit Melanie & meet Ema for the first time...

but someone is missing in this picture!

....Ema's Daddy.

Rick is back home
missing his family...

 

 ...and they are definitely missing him.

In a few years, this will just seem like a passing moment

but right now it feels major to be apart & not at home together.

Even though we see tremendous improvements,

Ema still has a way to go.

She has had to take so many drugs,.

and is going off two so a new one can be started.

Her days consist of a lot of therapy.

So many adjustments for this family & it will be worth it all!

Even though this is true,

days can be long

and the desire for "back-to-normal" can be strong.

Ema has been doing so well, but

this week has been a hard week.

She looks so fabulous in her pictures

but still needs a lot of prayer:

 *to keep going

*for the right meds to be prescribed

*for her physical therapy

*for the spasms to remain under control

*& especially her brain activity

to stay normal in order for her to progress.

We can't thank you enough for your continuing prayers!

 ~   ~   ~

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;

for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,

I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."  Isaiah 41:10

...the BEST news yet!

Ema's hypsarrhythmias

(Infantile Spasms electrical activity on the EEG)

are GONE!!!

Her EEG showed a lot of normal activity and a tendency for seizures.

She will continue taking medicine for seizures but

will begin weaning off steroids on Monday, March 14th.

There is a 60% chance that the spasms will NOT return!

This picture was taken shortly after her EEG.

She slept in her Mommy's arms for the test

& must have had quite a refreshing nap!

Since she feels better, she can’t quit smiling!

Rick & Melanie say she is really interacting with others.

She likes to catch her Mommy's eyes then turn away with huge smiles!

A new little baby was in the therapy room with Ema.

She kept smiling at the baby trying to catch the baby's eyes!

She is making new discoveries every day!

Doesn't she look like she has lots to tell us?!

We are so blessed to see more answers to prayers!

Rick is home & back to work.

Dear friends of Melanie have been filling in the gap with visits.

Thank you to them!  What a blessing & JOY for all of us to know so many care.