Almost Walking

It's been a long journey, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

When Sweet Pea was born, we knew she wouldn't hit milestones on the same timeline as her brothers and sister.  But still...

Almost 3 and she's only now taking an interest in pulling herself up and standing.  And then the other day she did this: 

Of course the first time I didn't have the camera ready and didn't catch that she pulled herself up and did it by herself.  So the second time, so I could have proof, I had to *encourage* her =)

Wister Lake

This last weekend Sarge's uncle and aunt came down for a visit.  He's an avid fisherman, so we took him out to go fishing.  We found a beautiful spot over by Wister Lake.

The kids were excited to get started.

He didn't care what he caught, as long as he had his boots and glasses.

Learning from the pro.

After a little bit, we headed over to the docks.  This one had a sign posted that said "No swimming, no wading and no shin allowed."  We think it meant no fishing, but since we all still have our shins we decided to move over to the other dock ;)

By this point she was really bored and didn't want to be fishing anymore.  But since I don't have a license, I have to have a kid by me to pretend I'm fishing.

She finally cheered up when we headed over to the playground.  It was full of things that spin (and make you dizzy and nauseous)

This one was easy to get stuck in and hard to stop spinning.  I had to have Junior help me stop it and let me out.

I'm so thankful we live in an area that has so much to offer for family fun.

Thankful Thursday: Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

Two years ago, the cutest, most precious baby entered out lives.

The first few months were filled with heartache and uncertainty.  Even after having three kids, we were in unknown territory.  Two days after she was born, we found out she would need open heart surgery.  It was confirmed that she has Down syndrome.  

But, it doesn't matter.  She is ours and we love her unconditionally.

Yesterday we celebrated.

Two years of giggles, smiles, stubbornness and squishy hugs.  While we're still waiting for her to decide to stand and walk, she has found her own way of getting around (Please turn off the sound, there was a political discussion going on in the background ;) ).

When trying to figure out what kind of cake to make for her, I came across this idea: 

Ice Cream Cone Cakes

The instructions looked easy enough.  But...

Oops.

But to be fair, they didn't all turn out like that =)  And the kids had fun decorating the *fails.*

See.  I just had to make sure I didn't fill them too full and there were no cracks in the cones =)

Today I'm thankful for squishy baby hugs and the chance to be Sweet Pea's mama.  

What are you thankful for today?

Peace and quiet...

We decided to go camping over the fourth.  Kids were so excited they got up earlier than normal.  Only to find out they had to wait until daddy got home from work.  Instead of going back to bed, they crashed where ever they could find room =)

Our first night on the land.  This is looking west/ northwest.  I could enjoy seeing the sun set over mountains all the time.

Sarge and I took off on a hike up the mountain on one of the trails and then back down on the road.  This "little" guy was bookin' it across the road as we came by.  Okay, he really wasn't that little.  But I wasn't freaked out.  Not that I would have picked it up, but tarantulas are okay spiders to have around lol!

Next day we took off hiking again (one of the benefits of having grandma and grandpa along- they watch the kids =)).  This time we skirted the mountain and followed the rock line.

Sarge's park bench.

In the "rainy" season, this is a waterfall.  Now, it's just a really cool rock formation.

A trip into town and a stop a a farm supply store.  This Gator is Sweet Pea and Junior approved ;)

While we were cleaning things up and moving things back to the storage container, we scared up a critter that looked like this (not my picture, and can't find the link...).  The kids really enjoyed looking at him until the mutt came along and scared him off.

The mutt thought the air conditioning in the van was too cold...  He buried himself in the blankets to take a nap while we drove.

While it's nice to get away for a few days, it's even nicer to get back home to running water and hot showers.  

Another month already?

How did another month sneak up on us?  Sweet Pea can't possibly be 9 months old already, can she?

In the last month, she's started doing this:

Oh wait, that's not it...

That's better =)

Now we just need to work on her getting her arms underneath her so she can build up some arm strength.

She's decided she likes prunes.

And of course, she's started doing this.

But most important, at her cardiologist appointment today, the doctor decided that her heart looks about as perfect as it can get and doesn't want to see her again until she's 2.  Can y'all see me doing a happy dance right about now?

7 months and 6 days...

Yeah, I'm a bit behind on this one =)

Sweet Pea is 7 months old now.  What??  Seven months??  How did that happen?  Yeah, that's what I keep thinking.

She had her monthly therapy session the other day.  Our initial goal was to have her sitting supported in our laps and laying on her tummy (without fussing) for 3 minutes by February. We thought that was good, after all, she just had her heart surgery a month, no wait, two months ago.  Really??  Where did I loss a month of time?

Anyway, we've had to revise our goals.  Now she's supposed to be sitting (tri-pod sit) unsupported and start rolling from her tummy to her back.  This little girl just keeps amazing me.  She's already sitting unsupported for a few seconds before she leans back into my lap.  And she's figured out rolling from back to tummy in the last couple weeks...

I can't seem to find a picture of Sweet Pea without Girly- girl in it too.  

No matter, I love that Girly- girl loves her sister enough to always want to be by her.  Now if I could just get her to ease up on giving her kisses and hugs ALL. THE. TIME.

{31 for 21} Day 26: Wordless Wednesday

{31 for 21} Day 22: Progress

Two days post- op

Sweet Pea is making progress.  Her chest tube and pacer wires came out this morning.  The nurses are optimistic that the atrial line will be out today as well.  I'm glad the tubes and wires are slowly disappearing.  Nursing has been a bit of a challenge- trying to get her situated without getting tangled up =)  But we're making it work.

The other kiddos came up for a visit yesterday, and I, of course, forgot to get a picture of them with their sister.  I am very grateful for the staff here at the hospital.  Before the kids went in, they brought out a doll that had all the same wires and stickers on it that Sweet Pea had.  The Child Life specialist went through each one and explained why each one was important.  All three were excited to see here and can't wait for her too get home (and neither can we ;))

The other kids have been completely spoiled by grandma and papa.  My dad has been doing lots of projects with the kids- yesterday it was soap carvings.  There's been campfires and s'mores and trips to the "man" store.  I'm very thankful that they're both retired and can come down and spend this time with the kids.  It's been a huge weight off my shoulders knowing the other kids are well taken care of =)

{31 for 21} Day 19: Tinker with your ticker

Today was the day.

After an early, early wake up, we headed to the hospital.  Everyone we came into contact with was wonderful- so willing to let us know exactly what was going on and how long things would take.

We were met in the holding area by our pastor and our children's pastor.  They both prayed with us before Sweet Pea was taken back to the OR.

When we came out of the holding area, pastor was waiting along with another friend from church.  Pastor stayed with us until Sweet Pea was taken over to the ICU.  We were so blessed to have so many friends come and sit with us while we waited.  It made the time pass by so much quicker.  

Our other kids were kept entertained at home by grandma and papa.  They are having fun, but are looking forward to seeing their sister again.

Now we wait.  Wait for her to come off the ventilator.  Wait for them to start removing tubes and wires.  Wait for her to wake up.  Wait to hold her.  That's the hardest for me right now- I can't snuggle with her.

Continued prayers are greatly appreciated.  The surgery was a success, but she still has a long road ahead of her.

{31 for 21} Day 17: Getting Ready

Posts the next few days may be sporadic.  Sweet Pea has her pre- op appointment tomorrow and then Wednesday morning we need to be at the hospital by 6am.

I'm anxious, scared and a whole mix of emotions, but I also know she needs to have her heart fixed.

My parents are here to help out with our older kids- which I'm so thankful for.  It's one less thing I have to worry about right now.

My dad made this bench for our anniversary.  He's so talented when it comes to woodworking =) 

{31 for 21} Day 16: Twelve Years

This post has nothing to do with Down syndrome, but yet it has everything to do with it.  Without this one event, I wouldn't be were I am today.

Twelve years ago I married my best friend.

Wow, we look so young!

Didn't everyone cut their cake with a sword?

So many things have happened in the last 12 years.  

Four beautiful children...

Junior                                          Girly- girl 

Squish Bear                                      Sweet Pea

Deployments...

And homecomings...

And so many more.

As we start this journey down a path that neither of us expected to take, I'm so glad that it's you walking with me.  

I love you Sarge, now and forever.