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April 25, 2012

Gage is doing marvelous.  If he was to compete in the speed crawling olympics, he would definitely win gold.  When he wants something (normally to pull the dogs tail or play in their food or water) he can scurry across the room in lighting speed!  Now that he is moving so much he isn’t gaining much weight but we are working hard with the speech therapist and dietician to make sure he continues to grow.

I don’t ask for favors very often, but I need everyones help.  A friend of mine, who was such a help to me while Gage was in the NICU, is trying to win a van for her very special daughter, Bailee.  Emily, Ben and Bailee are the absolute sweetest family, they deserve to win this van.  Please go to this link and vote for them.  You can vote once per day and if you add promo code 889 or 935, it will give them an extra 5 votes.  Please vote every day.  30 seconds from your day could greatly impact their lives for years to come.  WSLS did a piece on the Masters family last night asking for the publics help with this contest.  Here is the link to it and a glimpse into the challenges they face everyday.

Thank you so much!

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April 13, 2012

Instead of writing a lengthy post about how FABULOUS Gage is doing.  I am going to let the pictures and videos speak for themselves!  =)

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March 1, 2012

  Gage is terrific!  He got his last RSV shot today!!!!  He is thrilled that he doesn’t have to go back and get stuck every month.  Gage has remained healthy throughout the winter, not even a runny nose!  Gage is a strong, happy, healthy boy!  =)

Dick and Dave’s Care for Kids radiothon starts at 6am tomorrow!  The broadcast with all the stories of different families from throughout the region will be tomorrow and Saturday.  Gages story will be told between 7am – 8am & 3pm – 4pm tomorrow.  And again on Satuday from 10am – 11am & 3pm – 4pm.  Make sure to tune in to hear Gages story and all of the other stories about the brave kids that have benefited from the children’s hospital throughout the region.  These stories will pull at your heart strings so definitely have a box of kleenex handy.  This is the link to read about some of the families that will be sharing their stories.

There are lots of different ways you can help and donate to the Care for Kids radiothon and help babies like Gage or other children in the region.  Starting at 6am tomorrow you can call in your donation (877-335-5437) or give a donation online . You can swing by Express Jet Car Wash in Bonsack in front of the Kroger and select their premium $12 wash, half of the proceeds that are collected tomorrow will be donated to the radiothon.   On Saturday, Carrabbas (YUMMY!) will be at Q99 (near Tanglewood mall) serving lunch for donations from 11am – 2pm!  There are lots of ways to help out! I hope you can find it in your heart (and wallet) to donate a little to this great cause.  Every single cent collected is given to local hospitals (Roanoke and Lynchburg), to help our children.   That kind of dedication to our region and our children will be hard to find with any other charity or organization.  Thanks so much to everyone involved with this radiothon.  It is so encouraging and heart warming to have the support of our community.  It’s important for parents that have been through the NICU or parents that will in the future, to know that they are not alone.  It can be an awfully lonely place, that NICU.  You feel like nobody in the entire world could possibly understand what you are going through.  When Gage was in the NICU last year and I heard the Dick and Dave radiothon and the stories from the families it gave me a HUGE amount of comfort to know that I was not alone.  I hope, that this year, Gages story can give just one person that sense of relief, comfort and hope, that I felt.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone involved.

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February 25, 2012

  Gage is doing FANTASTIC!  He turned one on February 6.  Look at how far he has come in a year!  It’s unbelievable.  I am so proud of him and absolutely amazed at the transformation that has taken place over the last 365 days.  He had a great birthday and TWO wonderful birthday parties.  Over the past week and a half he has really started to make amazing progress.  He is now tolerating tummy time and is almost ready to crawl.  He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth.  It is only a matter of days before he is scurrying across the floor!  Gage has said his first word.  Can anyone guess what it was?  Mama (said mum ma)!!!  My heart melted when he first said it and I thought I was hearing things.  But when Gage said it in front of his speech therapist on Tuesday, then it was confirmed!  He is such a sweet little man and I just love hearing his little squeaky voice belt out “mum ma”.  Priceless!   Gage official one year weight and height are 17 pds and 26 1/2 inches!  He has gained 16 pounds and grown 16 1/2 inches in one year!  You would think that I was sprinkling miracle grow on him.  But, that is just a combination of determination and bravery from the best little boy there ever was.

Gage is a local celebrity now!  His dad and I were invited to Q99 to tell his story for their radiothon for kids to benefit the Childrens Miracle Network.  It just so happens that Dawn Jefferies and WSLS were visiting that day and doing a story on the radiothon.  We spoke to Dawn Jefferies about Gage and his NICU journey.  I can’t tell you how much we appreciate charities like Childrens Miracle Network, the Ronald McDonald House, and March of Dimes.  We hold these close to our heart.  Without the selflessness and generosity of these charities and everyone who gives to them and is involved with them, Gage would not be doing as well as he is today.  It’s an absolute blessing to have the NICU in Roanoke and have so much talent, ranging from the neonatologists to the nurses and therapists working there.  It’s a gem to have something as precious as the NICU available in this area.  Gages story will be told during Dick and Daves radiothon March 2 – 4.  Please tune into Q99 and listen to Gages story and stories from other families throughout the region that benefit from Childrens Miracle Network.  Make sure to have some tissues handy.  The stories of these children and their will to survive is beyond inspirational and amazing.  I know times are tough for most families out there right now, but if you can find it in your heart please considering donating to the radiothon.  They will be taking online and over the phone donations starting March 2.  Once I have a link I will post it here on the webpage.  Check out our interview with WSLS here:  http://video.wsls.com/v/51762474/cmn-radiothon.htm?q=Children%27s+Miracle+Network

  Gage continues to charm the pants right off everyone he comes into contact with.  Everyone always comments about how happy of a baby he is.  His dad and I strive to make sure that all of his wants and needs are met everyday and that he knows and understands just how special and loved he is.  His pediatrician made the comment that he is the best, healthiest 1 pd 26 weeker that he has ever seen at a year old.  My heart swelled with pride and happiness when he said that.  I think I’ve said it a time or 500 but I am honored to be Gages mother and so extremely proud of him.  I am honored that God chose me to be his mother.  I promise to protect him and love him with every fiber of my being.

I am posting two videos.  Gage thinks it super funny when I say he has stinky feet.  You can hear him laughing so hard he snorts (something his mama also does) in the video.  PRECIOUS!  The second video is of Gage swinging at the playground.  You can hear our pug, Lola breathing deeply in the background.  I am not sure if Gage was laughing at Lola or something else.  But he had the WHOLE playground laughing with his deep belly laughs.  A little nourishment for you soul.

I want to thank everyone that has supported, prayed, helped, thought about, encouraged, hugged, laughed, cried, and/or read this blog about Gage over the past year.  Without your love and support we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today.  Thank you so much.  It means so much.  Thank you for continuing to read Gages story.  Please relish and rejoice with me in how healthy and happy he is.  We all could learn a great lesson or two from our little fighter.  <3 <3 <3 <3

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January 29, 2011

Gage will be one year old a week from Monday! GO GAGE GO!!! It’s so hard to believe that a whole year has passed.  It went by so quickly.  Gage is doing wonderful.  I will be updating the website sometime this week with a post for Gage’s first birthday.  I have a video I wanted to share with everyone until then.  Gage and I finally got a chance to go to the park last week.  It was a nice, over cast day (the sun bothers Gage and always makes him sneeze and his eyes water).   He loved the swings and being pushed around on his motorcycle.  Please enjoy the video and Gage’s laughs and giggles.  I wish I could bottle them up and keep those laughs with me forever, they warm my heart and nourish my soul!

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January 7, 2011

Look at those dimples!  Absolutely perfect!  Gage is doing fabulous.  He is sitting up like a champ!  Such a big boy.  He is “talking” up a storm.  He is definitely a happy baby, constantly laughing and smiling, all while melting the hearts of everyone he comes into contact with.

We have been busy with doctors appointments this month.  Gage is doing great with eating baby food.  Some of his favorites are bananas, apples, and oatmeal.  He loves toys that he can bang on and that light up and make noise.  He also loves watching Sesame Street in the mornings.  He has his mama wrapped around his finger and he knows it!  =)

Gage is now 11 months old, he will be one year old (Go Gage Go!) on Feburary 6 at 1:25pm.  He weighs 16 pds (BIG BOY!).  Is 27 inches tall.  Is the cutest baby EVER!  =)  Gage had a head ultrasound done on Friday.  The results are concerning but I am really not sure what they mean yet.  He has extra axial fluid outside of his brain and his ventricles in his brain are mildly enlarged.  The developmental pediatrician told me not to worry (obviously she doesn’t know me b/c I am naturally a worrier).  It’s the unknown that scares me.  At the end of the ultrasound report it said “clinical significance, unknown”.  UNKNOWN?!  Well, someone has to know something… Right??  I just want the best for Gage and for him to grow up to be a healthy, happy boy.  I don’t want him to be uncomfortable or in any pain.  Of course, the first thing I did was consulted Dr. Google about this and what I found was down right scary.  We are going to take everything one day at a time and what it boils down to is that we will take whatever is thrown at us.  At the end of the day, no matter what, I love Gage and would give him the world if I could and that’s not going to change b/c of anything.  He is amazing and totally inspiring and nothing is going to change that.

Gage has an EEG scheduled for Wednesday.  I am hoping after that we will have some more answers after that.  Please keep in your thoughts and prayers.  He is a strong little boy but a little help from up above would be great.  I appreciate everyone that still follows Gages story.

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December 26, 2011

Right there is the reason for the season!  Gage had a great first Christmas and loved eating the wrapping paper!  Thought I would write a quick update with a picture and a video of Gage enjoying his new rock and roll elmo!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and has a very happy and healthy New Year!  Bon Voyage 2011, HELLO 2012!!!!