More to Come...Promise

Just chillin with my milk. What a life!
Me and my chair. I can sit in it all by MYSELF!!! Aren't you proud of me?
I am a danger to all those around me.
Pre-op is going to come up on Friday and surgery is May 8th. We are going to find out when we can get the cast scheduled to come off and we will have to just figure out when the move will be after that. Our lives are pretty "flexible" at this moment. Thanks for all of the prayers:)

Not Ready for a Close-Up

Here K is trying to block the camera with her aqua pen.
I'm obviously not getting the hint here.
She gave up reasoning with me.
I said, "NO MORE CLOSE-UPS!!!" You are worse than the paparazzi mommy!

"Missing Parts"

This poem was written by one of the mothers from a support group for children with limb differences. I don't have her name, but this poem brought tears to our eyes. It is our daughter. Someday we will put this poem up in her room to always remind her that she is perfect just the way she is.

Missing Parts
God looked down, another child complete,
A smile so perfect, a temper so sweet.
But baby looked and some parts were gone,
Did God mess up and make me wrong?
God just looked at this perfect child,
He explained Himself as He just smiled.
"If I'd taken time to make that part,
you wouldn't be such a work of art."
I would not have had time to make that smile,
To list your talents would last a mile.
Your sense of humor, that belly laugh,
Where are these parts, you have to ask?
You are so lucky, these gifts of gold,
Those missing parts are mine to hold.
Forever they'll be, close to my heart,
So as you live, we are never apart.
Each time I move, you'll be on my mind,
You special child, you are quite the find!
So do not miss that part, you see,
It will always be safe and sound with me."

Isn't this beautiful? Just wanted to share it with all of you. Someday I hope to meet the woman who wrote this poem. She understands things much better than I do at this point. I'm learning more and more each day though. K is teaching me. - Christa

We NEVER STOP!

Here is K tackling daddy. He never knew what hit him.
This was the first day K was standing up when we went it to get her in the morning. I should point out that she is in the brace and standing up in the crib. That takes some major skill.
Side view of her in her leopard outfit. I tried to teach her to meow, but it didn't work. Maybe next year. Definitely know what she is going to be dressed up as someday. Complete with little black nose, whiskers, and cute little ears.
My students pointed out earlier that she was wearing sunglasses for adults and so we had to purchase some eyewear that was more "age appropriate." She'll actually leave these on for quite some time. She must know she looks really hip.
Words can't express how much we love this little girl. Surgery comes up on May 8th, but until then we are just "chillin'." Here K is relaxing in her recliner. She lives a very rough life.

A Day in the Life of...

Really daddy. Do I have to do everything for you? I told you the green beans go to the left. I don't know what he's thinking. Guess I'll just have to do this from now on.
I'm one stylin' baby thanks to Momma G. You can't appreciate the cuteness in this picture. It just doesn't capture my trendy wear.
I am a true southern belle. Black-eyed peas and ham are the meal of the day. I had to get used to the peas, but I think they are quite tasty. Daddy did a good job cooking. Thanks daddy.

The Weekend...Yeah!!!

Hey everybody! Just wanted to let you know that K is enjoying herself thoroughly each and every day. She is learning to eat with a fork, actually say the word "eat," and just be cute. Surgery will be coming up May 8 with pre-op the previous Friday. Needless to say, we are "quarantining" ourselves to keep the germs away. Obviously, we won't keep her indoors all day, but we are definitely going to be a little bit more cautious when it comes to the common colds. We need to get this surgery out of the way. We have not given her a breathing treatment for almost two weeks now. She is doing a lot better with that. Thankfully. Stay tuned for more "cuteness."

Sand-n-Stuff

K is now a walker. She only takes a few steps at a time and usually ends up on the floor, but she has decided she wants to walk. We are in Trouble!!!
Hmm, what do I do with this...Lets put sand in it!
Mmmm good!

As you can see, the buckets were switched so she did not eat any sand this time. She tried that before and she did not like it.

It is interesting watching K because she is learning so much right now. She is starting to walk, starting to talk, and starting to discover her difference more. The other day she took a few minutes to examine her right hand. She was fascinated by it. When she had finished her examination she started laughing at her hand. It is good to see that is the way she responds to it.

She is also learning to use it in different ways and trying to get it to work in ways it will not function. Just the other day she was trying to get her right hand to hold something and was determined to do it. Most of the time her determination pays off when she does this, but this time it did not. There are still no signs of any motor skills in her right hand. In spite of this she uses her right hand and arm 100% of the time. Sunday afternoon for lunch she was eating some things that she could use a fork to spear. She was also eating other things you don't eat with a fork. She would spear some mac and cheese and eat it. Then she would hold the fork with her right arm/hand while she picked up some corn and put it in her mouth. With corn still in her mouth she grabbed the fork once again to go after some mandarin oranges. She fascinates us with how good she is doing.

15 Months Old

The picture was not taken today, but I thought it worthwhile to note that K is now 15 months old now. Time flies. She is such a sweet little girl that I cannot imagine life without her. She brings smiles to our faces each day. Take for example the latest development that she has decided that Ba, Ba, Black Sheep is to be repeated multiple times and no other book or rhyme compares. If either dad or mom try to read a different book she may tolerate it, but at the least you will begin and end with "Ba, Ba, Ba!" (that is what she calls it). It is cute. So, for the past 15 months we have had a little girl who has brought many smiles to our faces with things like "Ba, Ba, Ba!" We never knew how much love a kid can bring into life. What an adventure!

Boxes and Shoes

This is daddy's idea of babysitting. j/k However, if it were I don't think K would mind much by the looks of it. Do you disagree? Well look at the evidence that led me to such a conclusion.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:
I could give you many more but I think it may be redundant if I did so enjoy what you got.
After having been stuck in boxes for the day, K decided to hit the road. She was trying to get her shoes on to go outside (as she says "outsigh"). She tells us she wants to go "outsigh" all the time! If she is awake at 5:00 AM all she wants to do is go "outsigh." It could be miserable outside and all she wants to do is go "outsigh." It is really cute but frustrating when she does not understand why we are so mean and not taking her "outsigh."
She did this for around 30 min. No kidding. She did not want to give up on this one. She was disappointed that she did not get them on and she did not get to go outside.

Busy Busy Week

K has now learned the art of couch jumping. Our little jumper is going to be a handful alright.
We love Clifford. K watched an entire episode of Clifford the Big Red Dog and she enjoyed cuddling with her own Clifford. If you ask her she will tell you that a dog says "oof."
That goofy Clifford.
K got up here all by herself. Then she didn't know how to get down. I'm telling you, we are really in for it.
Check out the hair. She is becoming quite the little fuzz ball. She now can say close to 20 words and this morning we realized that she can say "eieio." We didn't know where she had learned that until we listened to her barn and realized that she is trying to sing "Old Macdonald." She has been doing that the past few weeks. She also tried yesterday to put the van key in a filing cabinet keyhole. Don't know where in the world she learned that one, but we are definitely keeping her away from the car.

Easter Weekend 2007

Before M left, we got an Easter dress picture. Aren't they adorable?
Like my ears???
Riding in a basket is the ultimate experience.
Here I am typing up my secret message to my cousins. Don't you wish you could tell what I was thinking right now?
Here I am on Sunday morning modeling my beautiful Easter dress. I had to wear a jacket this morning to church because it was a little chilly up here. Mommy's best friend Kathryn and her husband Brent came to visit us today. I put on a great show for them because that is what I do best. If you haven't met me yet, just wait. I can "ham it" up for anyone I meet. Mommy threatens to buy one of those child doggy collars for me. I think she is afraid I will run away. I'd never do a thing like that. Unless I saw some really cool easter eggs. I just love those things.

I Miss You!!!

K learned much this past week with uncle James, aunt Amy, C & M. She is not happy that they left and has made sure dad and mom know. She was wanting to type something and it appears to have been an encrypted message to C & M.

h vghgggvbgfnngnffdddddbnbfffffffffffbnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnn cccccccccccccccccccccccccc c g ,,hhhhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,,66666ywe66eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee666yyyvz

Farewell...See Ya'll Soon!

We just love each other. Can't wait to meet up again to continue our adventures.
He was a little shocked by the gigantic fish that came right up to the glass. I guess that is what happens when you are trying to press your face up against the tunnel and you forget that there are fish there:) I'm so glad I caught this one on film.
I am one cool chickie in my mommy's glasses.
I dub thee, cute!!!
I just thought this was precious. There is something overwhelmingly adorable about daddies and their little girls:) Big brother watches to make sure that they don't drop them;)

K and M Enjoying their Cousin Time

M is trying to make a picture of herself. What a cutie:)
K tries the same, and yet doesn't seem as cute;)
K and mommy are enjoying bunny time. I just love being a mom.
M and K love the piano. They felt the need to grace with a duet performance. The most beautiful piece I have ever heard.
Watch them work. Amazing the talent in this family.
I'm ready for my closeup now.