haylie b photography

kd is a mom.

ethan update.

I got this email update today for those of you interested...

After 8 days in the NICU we were able to bring Ethan home on Tuesday. He was born with a rare skin disorder called Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis which, in infancy, causes his skin to blister very easily (touching, diapers, etc.). He is doing much better now, and this phase of the disorder should pass within 2-3 months. He is eating better now and his skin is already far less sensitive than before. The biggest concern is of course infection in his open sores, which so far have been healing well. This is not something we ever expected, but we are dealing with it now thanks to all of your prayers and support. It was so hard to see him in pain and not be able to hold him at first when he was in intensive care. It is much easier for us to care for him at home, and we are finding ways to diaper him without irritating his skin too much. It is good to be home with him now so we can control his environment to suit his needs.

Thank you all for your help and your thoughts and prayers. This condition is something that Ethan will have to deal with his entire life, but he will manage. We still think he is the cutest baby ever, and we have plenty of photographic evidence to support that claim.  As far as the sleepless nights go...I think they will be around for a while.

Casey

meet ethan.

Congratulations to Casey and Kaydee!

Hedo toot diddo bee bee! (only Kaydee will understand me).

Ethan William Gehrke was born February 18th!

He weighed in at 6 lbs 7 oz.

As many of you already know, he came into this world quite dramatically. Besides some feeding problems, Ethan has a rare skin condition that, for a little while, was undiagnosed, mis-diagnosed then re-diagnosed. The medical staff thought he had Epidermolysis Bullosa.

"Epidermolysis Bullosa is the name given to a blistering condition that varies widely in severity and forms. There are many who are diagnosed with milder froms which, while they can be extremely difficult to live with, are non-disfiguring and non-lethal. Other patients are much more fragile, much more severe and live in constant pain, disability and often early death" (from EB info World).

Obviously, we were all very sad, shocked and very scared to hear this. For a few days, nobody knew how severe his EB was or what type he had. The hardest pill to swallow was the part about it being VERY life threatening, especially for infants, and very painful. Skin biopsies and other tests were taken soon after his birth. There was a lot of nervous waiting going on. I felt so bad for Casey and Kaydee. I soo wanted to take all the pain away.

Miraculously, last Thursday evening, the doctors got preliminary test results back. The results ruled out EB! Casey and Kaydee were then given the news that he has an extremely rare skin condition called Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis. Basically, with this condition, after the skin is stressed during birth, blisters form. Then, after a few months or so, the skin starts to develop rougher, scalier skin (keratosis). This condition is still somewhat "high-maintainence" and it looks like he will have it for his whole life. On the bright side, it is more treatable and seems less painful than EB. Thank goodness.

I'm so happy for Casey and Kaydee. I'm so glad Ethan is here! They FINALLY have their gift. They have been waiting for so long for this little guy. Welcome, Ethan!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

deployment stinks.

Lynn and I have several close friendships we have maintained since childhood and high school. We love every one of them, their wonderful spouses, their growing families and consider ourselves blessed for having them in our lives.

Justin and Sue are one of those dear friends.

I just read that our dear friend, Dr. Justin, will be deployed to Afghanistan this Spring. We already have a tremendous amount of respect for the military and their families. That same level of respect has now shot through the roof as we think of this family and our dear friend, Justin, serving far away. I personally want to say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for Sue as well. She is such a sweet friend and through the years I have watched her hold up strong through a lot of trials while trying to raise their family while Justin has been in medical school and residency. I don't know how she does it. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, hang in there! We love you!

Love that picture!

so so very very blessed blessed.

Very exciting to have 2 boys blessed on the same day. One is always exciting but 2 is like super super exciting! Some of you couldn't make it because you were stuck in South America or something (likely story). There were some parts I wanted to remember so I decided to blog about them...

Look how handsome all the Bowler boys are. Speaking of handsome, Lynn did well. He makes it look so effortless. There was a strong spirit there, I will always remember it. I always say I'm not going to go up and say my testimony on my kids' blessing days because it always seems so cliche. I always end up doing it though (I know, "nerd"), just like I said I would never drive a Suburban or a mini-van. Lynn bore his first then I went up a little while later.

McKay's blessing:

• health and strength (he had a cold--glad it was mentioned)
• go on a mission
• take a sweetheart through the temple to be sealed together
• that many people will come to know the gospel through him
• have the strength to overcome the ways of the world
• be best friends with his brother (of course nothing could hold back the tears after that one)

After his blessing, Lynn held him up and he coughed the cutest little baby coughs. It made the congregation giggle.

Here is Jack's:

• blessed with a delightful smile
• go through the temple with his sweetheart
• be a leader and serve the community
• go on a mission
• raise a righteous family

Of course Jack was just happy to be held by all the pretty ladies. Glad to have lots of family and a few friends visit including Haylie's mom, Jena, Matt and Kristi and their kids, Haylie's dad, Shayn and Kristen and Alpine, Cody and Judy, Chase, The Smith Family, President and Sister Longhurst. We missed Lynn's parents, Susan, Kendall, pregnant Kaydee and Casey. It's OK though, that's why we have blogs and email.

 

olive with a toothpick stuck through it.

my bloated sister. Ha! We ah so et-sited to see da ditto bee bee!

President Gordon B. Hinckley.

"Love is like the Polar Star, in a changing world, it is a constant. It is something that, when sincere, never moves. It is the very essence of the teachings of Christ. It is the security of home. It is the safeguard of the community life. It is a beacon of hope in a world of distress."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley (Standing for Something)

Love is President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Definitely one of the "Polar Stars" in my life.

He was a constant.

We will miss him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KRISTEN!

[insert funny picture of Kristen here]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MATT!

YOU ARE ALL OLD!

Lynn's other job.

Check it out!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1221618471

swearing puzzles and pretty toe nails.

Remember Maddie? She is the sweet little girl that became victim to the Bowler girls' artistic talents. If you need to be reminded, click here. These guys are her parents:

Aren't they sweet to introduce me to Su Doku--I mean swearing-- and Sara painted my toe nails. What more could a pregnant girl want? I have the best neighbors in the world.