Parks for Days..

Just a photo dump today.

Another day at the park.

Babygirl's Surgery-Part 2

Post-Op

Babysister and I hanging out in the waiting room while Babygirl was in surgery.

My parents were a Godsend.

Daddy sent a special gift for me to take along to the hospital with us.

He always knows how to melt my heart.

 

10:18- Nurse called me back to the recovery room. I spotted another nurse holding Babygirl in a rocking chair. She handed her to me so I could rock with her. She was dead-weight and sooo heavy. She was floppy like a newborn baby. When she heard my voice she opened her eyes and they were looking in opposite directions. It was so creepy! I just rocked with her and clutched her tight. I stroked her hair and just talked gently to her. Asked her if she was going to wake up soon and whispered in her ear of how brave she was and how much I loved her.

 

10:28- The nurse brought her tonsils to me so I could see them. Yes, I am gross like that and wanted to see. haha. They were huge! They compared them to the size of quarters. No wonder my girl couldn't ever swallow anything!

 

They had a hard time putting an IV in when she was back in the OR.

They tried 2-3x in both hands and eventually found a good vein in her right foot. Even the anesthesiologist tried to place her IV. Apparently Babygirl has veins that roll just like her mama.

I can't get over how blessed hubby and I are. We have perfect, beautiful, healthy children.

I can't imagine the heartache and pain that comes with having a seriously ill child.

Those parents that are in and out of the hospital with their child.

The numerous surgeries and hard medications.

 

We are so blessed.

I have the greatest parents.

They have gone above and beyond for me during this deployment.

Holding my hand and supporting me through dark days, illnesses, birth, surgeries.

I could never thank them enough.

 

 

10:47- Finally got her to take a sip of apple juice.

11:00- Passed Babygirl off to MoMo because I was starving and still hadn't eaten. As soon as I had been called back to recovery, my brother had walked in the waiting room with breakfast.

11:15- My dad came back to recovery. I was a little surprised because I know he doesn't really like to see anyone in a hospital setting. This was the first grandkid to have any sort of procedure done. I think he was the most nervous ;)

 

11:25- Babygirl is finally stirring more. Once up she took a few more sips of apple juice. She realized there was an IV in her foot and freaked, kept trying to scratch at the paper covering it. I had the nurse give her anti-nausea meds before she removed the IV for the ride home. (Babygirl has random bouts of car sickness)

 

11:49- Off to the waiting room. Mommy finishes signing discharge papers and we are headed home! Babygirl receives presents for being such a big brave girl.

First Cereal

In the midst of all the craziness that has been going on..

Babysister is a few days shy of five months old!

Wait...what!?

She is breaking my heart with this fast growing up business.

 

 

The past week or so we have noticed her mimicking chewing.

Anytime someone is eating something she stops what she is doing and stares.

She usually puts her tongue in her cheek and starts to act like she is chewing food.

 

I am not going to start foods with her until after she is six months.

But I figured a little cereal mixed with breastmilk could be a small treat for her.

 

 

 But then we started.

And I remembered how much I hate feeding babies. ha

I lucked out with Babygirl because her daddy stayed home with her every day and he was the main one feeding her.

 

But Babysister was more interested in snatching the spoon and just licking it like a popsicle.

 

Too big.

Way too big.

Easter 2012

Our Easter was... 

Let's just say it was interesting.

It started out with my waking up about 20 minutes later than usual for church.

That was fine.

I would just spend less time on myself getting ready.

About 10 minutes before we needed to leave I woke up babygirl.

She was grouchy and irritated that I interrupted her beauty sleep (as usual).

She was all dolled up.

I handed her a banana and some milk and snapped a few pics.

Into the car we went.

My church is 8 minutes from my house. 

At the 5 minute mark I heard a gag.

I peeked into the rearview mirror and lo and behold...

Babygirl is puking.. 

everywhere.

If you know me, you know I can NOT handle puke.

Even if it is my own kid's.

I pulled over and flipped the van door open trying to keep myself together while consoling babygirl.

Ten minutes later, I have her stripped down, windows cracked and we are headed home.

She was fine. 

Nothing like ramming your fingers down your throat to get your morning going, eh?

I threw her in the tub and went to scrubbing out the carseat and van.

YUCK.

So I found another dress that obviously wasn't the big awaited Easter dress and got her ready again.

Needless to say, we arrived to service 30 minutes late and life went on.

 Egg Hunt at my mom's house.

Babygirl found the golden egg with $3 in it =)

She was excited to feed it to her piggy at home. 

 The wind on Easter was ridiculous!

Counting up the goods! 

Marshall showing off his loot. 

Zoe ate just about every piece of chocolate in her basket in one sitting.

For such a tiny thing, that girl can put away the chocolate! 

Chasing bubbles 

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve was spent at my in-laws house. We had a lot of fun and babygirl was more sociable that usual. I was so glad. This separation anxiety is just about pushing my last button.

Crazy girls dancing

Real classy, kid.

She doesn't get that from her mama!

I swear!

Santa Claus took a break from his very busy schedule to stop by the Carter house and bring the kids some special gifts! Lily was very excited, smiling and pointing.

Until it was her turn to sit on his lap.

Then it was terror, screaming and lashing.

Everyone else did great!

The older kids started yelling about who that costumed guy really was.

But Hannah (who is 3) was in awe of Santa.

It was a great Christmas Eve.

We were very blessed as a family.

It is always fun to get together as a whole family.

There are so many people!

Hopefully there will be a few more added next year..