SCHEETZ FAMILY

2011-04-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it has been 2 months since I have posted... it has absolutely flown by!! Let's see what is new... I guess I will start with Luke. We have been seeing doctors and therapists dealing with cochlear implant surgery for him. We have a tentative date of June 3rd for that surgery. Then after we get back from the beach (july 2nd) he will have them activated... be able to hear. We will be going to speech therapy once a week... and nightly with non-stop talker Mikayla!! We are so excited for this process to begin... so ready for him to be able to hear us. Luke is mobile now... crawling all over this house...pulling up on everything that he can get to. He is in to everything!!! His favorite thing to get in to is the dog food and water... I have to dig dog food out of his mouth at least twice a day before I hide the bowls. He is also loving the climb Mikyala's steps to her bed!! He falls a few times a day... I don't like that part but I know it is all par for the course. He does not cry for the most part when he does fall... sometimes he falls pretty hard though... then he wants mommy. He is such a good baby! Sleeping 12 hours+ each night... napping is another story though. He has gotten accustomed to our on the go lifestyle so that is how he naps... 10- 30 minutes at a time... even when we are home. Still a pig when it comes to eating. He weighs 18 pounds as of yesterday. I had to take him to the doctor for a rash. He has a rash all over his body from an allergic reaction to something he has come in contact with. It looks so terrible but does not seem to bother him. He is doing great. Not sure if I posted since we had the flu... Luke had it then I did. Mike and I have had bronchitis... Mike had it twice. Not much new with me... doing bible study on Tuesday mornings and leading a small group at church for stay at home moms. Just doing mom stuff... busy, busy!! Mike and I both have gotten new vehicles... he got a mustang and I got a minivan. I actually love my van... was not thrilled about getting it but very glad I did. Makes it much easier getting kiddos in and out. Getting ready for a little girl's birthday, Easter dinner at our house, and Mikayla was nominated to be a pageant next weekend. She will be accepting a crown and sash just like all the other winners. She calls herself Miss Tennessee. Will try and put pictures on here when I get some time. Enjoy our pics. Luke got a haircut... Daddy made me do it. This was the before picture.

After the cut... looks like a little boy more than baby.

First time in a swing... LOVED IT!!!

Luke learned to drink out of a straw this past weekend.

2011-02-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

Things are moving right along here in the Scheetz household. Just celebrated two birthdays... mine and Mike's... getting ready for Valentine's Day. Mikayla loves holidays... regardless of which one it is. She loves all the decorations I have around the house. She now associates hearts with Valentines Day. She is getting to be such a grown up!!! Getting smarter every day... trying boundaries more and more every day too!! Her favorite thing to watch on tv right now is Food Network and Alvin and the Chipmunks movies. Brother and sister are loving each other more and more each day. They have started playing together more...mikayla loves taking toys from her brother and loves hugging him even more. Luke is getting so big. Went for his 6 month check up and everything looked great. He is 15lbs 10oz and 25 1/4 inches. Loves baby food... has not really disliked anything. His favorite right now is oatmeal with pears and cinnamon. Everything is going well. Enjoy the pictures!!
Starting to play more on his own.

Looking like such a big boy!!

My beautiful baby girl!!

Being silly together!!

Bath time... he loves it!!

Six months old!!

A few recent pictures

2011-01-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

Luke getting so big... sitting up on his own.

New Years Eve

A few girlfriends

Jackson and Mikayla at Peekaboo Playtown

Dressing up with Jackson

Talking on the radio in the firetruck

Luke hanging out at Peekaboo

Hanging out in Papa's chair

Sweet siblings playing nice together... few and far between that she actually wants to play with him... usually too busy.

Playing cars

Mommy and her baby boy... this picture was taken by Mikayla.

Silly guy

Doing pushups

Snow day

Played hard... worn out!!! So so sweet!!!

2010-12-30T06:02:00.000-08:00

Playing with her new leapster explorer at Mamaw's house

View of the snow at Mamaw and Papa's house

Mikayla's new dollhouse

Mamaw and kaykay

Cuddled up in her new Dora sleeping bag

Luke hanging out

Cheesin' for the camera

2010-12-30T05:33:00.000-08:00

The kids had such an incredible Christmas... now to find room for all the new stuff!!! I am a horrible multi-tasker... I took video of Christmas morning but NO pictures!!! I cannot believe I did that. I guess our hands were a little full with two kids!! I set the camcorder up on the tripod and we opened gifts with the kids and had such a great time. Mikayla was so much fun she loved everything about Christmas!! Christmas Eve we opened some presents... the ones from the kids to us and from the kids to each other. We also baked a birthday cake for Jesus and had a little birthday party for Him. We woke up Christmas morning to presents from santa and a white Christmas!! Mikayla was soooo excited about both!!! We are so blessed to be able to give our kids a great Christmas... Thank you Lord!!! We got ready and headed to Mamaw and Papa's around noon. Santa visited there as well. Mikayla had wanted a new dollhouse for Christmas... well santa did not deliver the house here. She was very disappointed but little did she know it was waiting for her at Mamaw and Papa's!! Luke is enjoying his new stuff... some things are a little too old for him... he got a lot of 6month stuff. We all had a wonderful Christmas!! We did miss AJ Christmas morning... it was not the same without him sneaking around the tree shaking all the presents!!
Can't believe my little guy is 5 months old today!!! He is getting to be a big boy!! He is eating 6.5 - 7 oz every 3-4 hours, eating baby food, and sleeping at least 10 hours every night! He loves bathtime, laughing, "talking", his sister, sportscenter, and his jumparoo!! Oh, and his fingers and toes!! He is trying to crawl, if he could get his knees under him he would be gone. Not sure if I am ready for that yet!! His favorite foods right now are squash and peaches.
Mikayla is loving all her new toys... I think her favorites right now are her dollhouse and her leapster explorer(handheld video game). She is going through a rotten stage right now... testing her boundaries. She likes to ignore us when we ask her questions and likes 500 kisses and hugs at bedtime!! Typical 3 year old, I guess!! She got an easy bake oven for Christmas and last night we made soft pretzels, which she loved!! Had a playday for her friend Isabella yesterday. They played with castles and a ball pit, and had a picnic is the kitchen!! Last night when she was going to bed she told me "I miss Isabella". So sweet!! She loves Disney channel shows (the big kid shows)... Zach and Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, Good luck Charlie, and Phineas and Ferb... she still likes Mickey Mouse the best though. She has informed me that she wants a Micky Mouse birthday party and Luke should have one too. And she also loves cooking shows on the food network... Rachel Ray is her fave. Well, Luke is waking up... will have to put pictures on here later.

2010-12-22T08:32:00.000-08:00

Lots going on in the Scheetz household. Mikayla is soooo excited for Santa!! She loves EVERYTHING Christmas... songs, decorations, lights... she loves it all!! Her being this excited makes it more exciting for us... we cannot wait till Christmas morning. Obviously, Luke could care less about Christmas. Here are a few pictures from things lately.
Mikayla and her buddy Colton at their Christmas program at school.

Luke waiting for excitement to begin at big sister's program.

Mikayla with her class during the program. She practiced for weeks and knew all the songs by heart... well when it was performance time she just wanted to watch the other kids sing!! Imagine that!! It was fine... maybe next time. At least she did not freak out and cry.

Getting ready to play in the snow

Making a gingerbread house

I think she ate more than she put on the house.

The kiddos with Santa... yep that is actually a smile on Mikayla's face!!!! She did great this year. We had Pancakes and pictures with Santa at our church this past Saturday. It is such a fun time!!

Mikayla getting hugs from our friend Sarai

Mikayla with Pastor Derek and Mrs. Rachel

Luke with the Wallers minus Sam

Having Christmas at Pepaw's house on Saturday afternoon

Getting ready to rip into her gifts!!

Daddy helping Luke open his presents

Mikayla putting on her real lipstick from Pepaw

The great-grandkids at my grandparents house where we celebrated Christmas Saturday evening.

All us cousins at my grandparent's house

Luke with Pepaw

We celebrated Christmas with Kara and Aj on Sunday. Aj has been here working since after Thanksgiving but Kara surprised us by coming for a visit. We were so surprised and excited to see her!! They headed back to Michigan today (Wednesday) and stopped by our house to see the kiddos on their way back. The day after Christmas they are headed on their honeymoon to Mexico. We will be using Skype a lot I am sure. I am so thankful for Skype!!

2010-12-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

Luke doing one of his favorite things right now... chewing and biting on his and our hands.

Luke and Pepaw

Mikayla and her cousin Ian eating Thanksgiving dinner at my grandmothers house

Mikayla and Ian playing destroy the cups... they were hitting and breaking cups with plastic bowling pins.

Mikayla helped mommy put all the ornaments on the Christmas tree... she did a great job. I thought she would want to put just a few up but she helped for the whole tree. She developed her own name for the ornaments... decorates.

Luke's favorite toy, his tiger teething blanket, along with another favorite toy, his foot.

Happy 4th month birthday Luke!! I took him yesterday for his checkup and he weighed 12lbs, 13oz and was 23.5 inches long. Everything looked good!! He is a chunker. Started on cereal and a few fruits and veggies. Like cereal with pears and likes squash.

Luke LOVES his big sister!! They can really get each other laughing... one of the best sounds in the world to this mommy!!!

Going to the chapel and they're gonna get married...

2010-12-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from our weekend in Michigan for Kara and AJ's wedding. They got a little out of order... sorry.
Mikayla all dolled up to be the flower girl.

Luke and Mikayla all dressed up!!

Mikayla and Georgie the first night we got there.

Mikayla, Ms. Debbi, and Auntie Kara during rehearsal

The girls in the wedding party... Mikayla with the "big kids" as she called them!!

The boys in the wedding party and the dads... papa and big daddy!!

Mikayla waiting for the wedding to start

Cheesin' with Uncle AJ

Giving Aj hugs after coming down the aisle during the wedding

Kara giving her daddy a hug

Big Daddy(Kara's dad) giving his baby girl away.

First pic as husband and wife

Luke dancing with mamaw

2010-12-02T07:58:00.000-08:00

Mikayla as Little Red Riding Hood

Mikayla and Alana Beth at Aj's going away party at his work

This starts Luke's 3 month pics!!

See what you think...

2010-10-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

Comparison of Luke and Mikayla at 3 months old...Mikayla is the one with the Princess bib.
What do you think... do they look alike??? Would love to have your comment!!

Three Months Old

2010-10-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

My how time has flown by and how Luke has changed!! Just a few things he is doing... rolling over, "talking", loves his lovey... tiger blankie, smiles like crazy, sleeping through the night (7-9 hours every night), loves things that light up, LOVES his sister, loves watching people, ceiling fans, and people while they eat, loves bath time, eating 5 oz of formula every 3-4 hours, and is a happy baby majority of the time. He is so different, like night and day, from a few months ago!!! Such a happy guy!! Will post more pics of things later... after Halloween.
Right after he was born

One month old

Two months old

Three months old

luke rolling over

2010-10-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

2010-10-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

Took some pictures this morning outside with the leaves... it did not turn out the way I wanted it to. I wanted to get some with kids together but neither one would really cooperate...imagine that!! I got some ok one though. We are getting some done next week for Luke's 3months... cannot believe he is almost 3 months old!!

2010-10-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Things are moving right along here. Mikayla is loving school and is learning so much. She loves her teachers and friends. You would not know Mikayla's social personality if you watched her in the classroom... she hates having the spotlight on her. If you talk to her on a one on one basis, she will talk your ear off. However, at circle time forget getting her to answer any questions, sing, or really talk at all. I hate it for her... she is such a joy to be around I wish she would share that with everyone. We have to stay late after church every time we go just so Mikayla can socialize... but if all those people were to stop and look at her at the same time she would freeze up. Her favorite CD to listen to in the car is Jonas Brothers (Camp Rock 2). Her favorite shows right now are the big kid shows on the Disney Channel (Hannah Montana, Suite Life, and Good Luck Charlie). I think I have a 7 year old instead of 3 year old!! Such a great big sister. She loves Luke!!! Wants to give him kisses and hugs all the time( oh and high fives also). He is getting so big!! We went to the doctor for his two month checkup this week. He weighed 10lbs and was 22 2/3 inches. Is mostly a happy guy, especially after he eats. He is eating between 4.5 oz and 5 oz every 3-4 hours. At night he is going about 6 hours between feedings. Although, 2 times in the last week he has gone over 7 hours ( I love this!!!!)!!! We are making many trips to Vandy for hearing aids and different doctor appointments. After he turns 12 months, he will be having cochlear implants inserted so we are getting prepared for that. We have lots of people to meet before then... surgeons, audiologist, speech therapists, doctors... fun, fun!!! I know the outcome will be worth it. I have put some recent pictures from this week.

2010-09-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Luke's first trip to the zoo was today... this is what he thought of our trip!!!

Mikayla did enjoy our trip to the zoo. We went with our mom at home group from church.

Our baby boy today... cannot believe tomorrow he is 8 weeks old!!! He is smiling and sometimes I think he is trying to laugh!!

Sweet faces!!

Luke is getting so big!!! As of yesterday, he weighs 8lbs. 13oz. He has gained 3 lbs since we left the hospital!! He is a pig... I guess that is why.

2010-09-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures...

Luke sitting up like a big boy in his bumbo seat!!

Daddy and the kiddos... with Georgie watching!

Papa and AJ playing with the kiddos ... on dining room table.

Mommy and her baby boy

Mike's grandparents were in this past weekend from PA... MomMom with Mikayla

Sweetest little face... or maybe she's up to something!!!

Silly Papa!!

Luke and Mikayla with their great-grandparents!

One Month

2010-08-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

Can't believe it has been a month since Luke was born. I have to be honest... the first three weeks seem like they took 3 years but the last week flew by us. Probably Mike going back to work may have something to do with time going faster. It was not too bad with him being gone... only a few days were bad. Lots has happened in the last month... having to do with Luke. It has been very trying for Mike and I both to learn Luke and his habits and ways. We forgot just how hard it was to have a newborn. Mikayla was a much better sleeper... all you had to do was put her in bed and she was out. Not with Luke... he likes to fight sleep. Since we are getting used to the about him it is getting a little easier... not easy but easier. At two weeks, we found out that he is allergic to my milk so we had to switch him to formula... expensive formula at that. Before we found out about the milk, if Luke was awake he was screaming... and when I say screaming... I mean SCREAMING!!! It was about enough to make Mike and I both lose our minds. Since being on the new formula things are getting better. He still is not a good sleeper but he does not scream all the time.
Around the same time as the milk issue we also found out that Luke is deaf. He did not pass the newborn hearing screening test but we did not think it was a big deal. Mikayla never passed it as a newborn, we just finally knew she could hear. Well, we realized he was not responding to any sounds... including Duke barking right beside his head. To make a long story short, we had him tested at Vanderbilt and the result was that his ears are not working properly. On September 10, he is going to be fitted for hearing aids. Lots of things to come for little Luke. I will try to keep updates when we have any. It is harder to keep this updated these days... I want to sleep during my free time.

Updated pictures

2010-08-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

2010-08-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

Some updated pictures of baby Luke and big sister Mikayla

2010-08-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

Luke went for his first doctor appointment today. They wanted to get a weight check and a check of his jaundice... both were fine. He lost 5 oz before we left the hospital but had gained 2oz when he was weighed today. His jaundice number was fine also. To check his jaundice the nurse had to take some blood so he got his heel pricked and he was soooooo mad. Poor guy. He is eating great... I feel like that is all I do is feed him. Much change from the way Mikayla was as a baby. Last night he slept for a 5 hour stretch and also a 4 hour as well. I had to wake him up for both feedings!!! Mikayla was a good sleeper from the beginning also. Mikayla is still loving he little brother. She didn't know what to think today at the doctor when she was not the one being examined. I am feeling good... for the most part, enjoying having Mike home with us. He is such an incredible daddy and hubby!! So thankful for him!!
Mikayla reading the newspaper.

First Night Home

2010-08-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Our first night home was exactly what I expected. We were up about every three hours to eat. Eating is going very well. Luke is just a really good baby. We have been blessed with two beautiful, good kids. Put some pics on here from our first day home. Off now to feed my little man. More to come.

Luke's Day 2

2010-08-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Luke and Mommy are doing great. He has been such a good baby in the hospital... hoping when we get home today that this will continue. Mikayla LOVES, LOVES her baby brother!! She wants to kiss and hug him, show him her toys, and she also wants him to color with her. We are going to really have to watch her with him so she doe not squish him!! He is eating good. As of yesterday morning he had lost 2 oz. The pediatrician has him right now to do all his observation for today. He is also getting his circumcision this morning. Poor guy. Ready to get our whole family home... going this morning. Ready to sleep in my own bed and shower in my own shower. We will actually go on our first outing tomorrow. I have to go to the dr. to get my staples out. So glad that Mike gets to have 3 weeks off with us... have a feeling we will really need each other for these first few weeks. We ask for prayers for our first night home tonight.

Luke is here!!!

2010-07-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

Luke Michael is here!!! He arrived today at 8:09am... weighed 6lbs, 3 1/2oz... 19 inches long. He has blonde hair!! Crazy since Mikayla had Dark Brown. We are all doing great. More later... wanted to get pictures on here though.

2010-07-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Don't have time to post anything but pics for now. Some of Mikayla's 3 year pics. 11 days till Luke comes. Hopefully finishing up our kitchen this week... finally!! More later!!

2010-06-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

Let's see... where to begin??? Mike went back to work on light duty... and by light duty I mean very light!!! He is going to physical therapy three times a week. Not sure how much longer he will be going that often. He goes back to the doctor on July 19th... hoping he is release to go back to regular duty at work then. Hopefully he will be released to help with Mikayla then since I am having a baby soon after that. We have also had some bad luck with our house... water damage. Our dishwasher line busted and got our cabinets and floor. We have to have a few cabinets, entire floor, and dishwasher replaced. The general contractor is hoping to be done in a few weeks... just in time for Luke. For the time being I have cabinets and two dishwashers in my garage. Also, we have part of our pantry in Luke's room, making it a little hard to finish things. I will be glad when it is complete.
Mikayla and I had vacation bible school a couple of weeks ago. I worked with the 8 and 9 year olds and Mikayla actually went through. She had a blast... it is amazing how social she became that week. School really helped with her social skills but there was something about VBS that made really a social butterfly. She cracks me up... she loves to make people laugh.
Last Friday, we had Relay for Life for Cancer Society. Our group, which was through our church collected the most money of any group there. It was a good time but REALLLLLLYYYY HOT!!!
Saturday, I had my baby shower for Luke. We got lots of good stuff. I have such a great group of friends and family. I am going tomorrow to pick up a few more things for little Luke. Cannot believe he will be here in less than 5 weeks. I am at the point now where I am ready for him to be here... I am over being pregnant. Everyone in this house is ready to meet our little guy. He is very, very active... all elbows, knees, and feet at this point!! This pregnancy is completely different from Mikayla.
I have put lots of pictures on here.
Mommy and Kaykay... she is sitting on my belly... we are leaving for girls night out a few weeks ago.

My big girl... looking sooooo grown up in this picture

Showing her silly side

At VBS dinner/show with her friend Isabella

With her Shannon

In the firehouse at a new place we like to play at called Peekaboo Playtown

With one of her best buddies, Allie. They are playing in the school house at Playtown

Playing in the house with Isabella, Tessa, and Mrs. Liz (allie's mommy)

Cooking with Isabella

More fun at Playtown

Showing off her red tongue after eating all Allie's gummies

Playing with Allie at the Lego table

Mommy and Kaykay before Relay for Life

Showing off her sassy face before the shower on Saturday

Being a princess

Yummy food at the shower

Diaper cake that sweet Donna made for me

Presents for my little guy

Yes, this is Mikayla opening presents too... for her. We didn't want her to feel left out!! After she got gifts, she could have cared less what else was going on!!

Another gift for Mikayla... I think Brilee is ready to play

Bonnie, my aunt Susan, and my sweet grandmother... love these ladies!!

Kristy

Sweet Madeline

Mikayla playing with Brilee

My wonderful, beautiful friends who made this shower possible... Debbie, Shannon, Tabitha, and Christy.

With my sweet girl.

2010-06-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Lots of stuff going on in our house... getting ready for Luke, Mike healing from surgery on his shoulder, every day stuff with Mikayla.

About 8 weeks left till Luke comes... my c-section is scheduled for July 30th at 8:30am. Excited and nervous at the same time. Ready for him to come but then we will go from one child to two. I know it will be different and hard at first but not impossible to handle. Mike will be here for 3 weeks after he is born so that will help A LOT!! Thank God he has a job where he can do that!! Have finally started on his room. Some things are on the wall, curtains hung, dresser , crib, and rocking chair are all in. Oh and bedding is washed and all on bed!! Mikayla wanted to get in the crib and play while I was doing some things in his room... and she liked it a little too much!! Afterward she did say she does not sleep in a crib but in a big girl bed. I was glad!! However, she did find a baby bottle and told me she wanted to drink some apple juice out of it. I told her only babies drink out of bottles and her response was "well, I am a baby". Mike said oh no...get ready for that. When we reminded her what big girls get to do versus babies she did not want the bottle anymore. She is getting to be such a big girl!! Cannot wait to see what an incredible big sister she is going to be.
It has been a little slow getting things done for Luke's room since Mike had surgery last week. He tore his Labrum in his shoulder at work a few weeks ago. He had surgery ten days ago and is very limited in what he can do. He has not been able to pick Mikayla up, give her a bath, or really play with her since before surgery. He is supposed to be healed before Luke comes. He has to be ready because after my c-section I cannot pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk for about 3 weeks. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out. It will all work out... I just don't think about it... I don't need to stress about it!!! The recliner has been his bed since surgery and he has a sling on his arm that prevents him from moving his shoulder at all. He started physical therapy last week and will go two to three days a week for no telling how long. Follow up appointment with his surgeon is on Wednesday. After his appointment, he is hoping to go back to work on light duty. Basically, he will not be able to do anything at work. He is ready to go back... boredom has set in here at home.
Took these pictures today in Mikayla's pool. She loves the water!!!

2010-05-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Mikayla with MomMom and PopPop

Mikayla playing with her new fingerpaint for the bathtub

In her new stander. She is actually standing on her feet... using the wheels to move.

2010-05-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Been very busy since Mikayla's birthday. Since the big rain, Mike has been working crazy hours... 12- 16 hour shift, seven days a week. The last week has slowed down some. Before the flood, his crew was working on new convention center downtown. Since the flood things have gotten a little behind for the convention center so now is it catch-up time. Well, catch- up time for everyone except Mike. He has hurt his shoulder!! He had a MRI on Tuesday but will not know anything for sure until Friday. Thinking he will probably need to have surgery which is fine if the problem is fixed. The craziness of the situation is that recovery time is 8 weeks... well, we are having a baby in 10 weeks. I am having a c-section which has a recovery time(as far as picking up Mikayla) of about 3 weeks. This could be very interesting!!! Not to mention, we have done NOTHING on the nursery!! The room we are using for nursery is our current junk room... and when I say junk room that is not an exaggeration!! Luke's room will just have to stay a brown color which is fine... goes with his decor perfectly. It will all work out... just stresses me out a little. Things are definitely different for the second baby!!
I am done working now which makes it a little easier to work on things for the house... I guess it would help if I could get motivated to get to work in the junk room. Struggling with that motivation thing these days!!
Mikayla's last day of the first year of preschool is next week. She has really done a lot of changing this year. She has really come out of her shell socially. We are going to put her in summer "camp" two days a week this summer... hopefully that will give me a little alone time before having our addition. In the fall, we will add a day so she will go to preschool 3 days a week. Mondays, she will be going to the preschool in the elementary school here in Portland. Wednesdays and Fridays, she will be going where she is now. The school in Portland will be more for accessiblity training and the school she is in now is more for education. Hopefully that makes sense.
Mikayla is really getting excited about being a big sister!! She hugs and kisses my belly, talks to Luke, and says she loves him. Wonder how long the excitement will last once he gets here.
My c-section is scheduled for Friday, July 30th. So, unless Luke decides he wants to make an earlier apperance we will be having a baby that day!!

Happy Birthday Mikayla!!!

2010-04-25T18:14:00.000-07:00

Had a fantastic, busy weekend!! It started on Thursday night with Mike's grandparents coming in town... dinner at Mike's parents house, doctor appointment, dinner out at Longhorn, lunch at Cracker Barrel, Mikayla's birthday party, incredible church service, meeting after church to vote in our brand new senior pastor, and dinner at Mike's parents house again. Whew... I am exhausted!!! It has been wonderful!! Cannot believe my baby girl is 3 years old. Remembered the day of going in to have Mikayla three years ago... the miracle that so many people witnessed that day. God continues to amaze me every day through her. He has brought her way beyond all the stuff the doctors said and expected of her. She continues to amaze the doctors also!! We are so thankful for the decision we made over three years ago to have faith in what our eyes could not see and our minds could not understand. Could not imagine not having Mikayla in our lives!! There are days that I am exhausted from all the continued doctors appointments, specialists, cathing, UTIs, and all the other special needs but I look at her and would not give HER up for ANYTHING in the world!!! She has such an incredible future ahead. I cannot wait to see the person she will become and the lives she will continue to touch!!

Her party was scheduled to be at the park here in Portland but the weather did not want to cooperate with us!! We were under a tornado watch pretty much all day so we did not want to chance it and moved the party here to our house. We had probably 35 people in our tiny house... crazy!!! It stressed me out quite a bit but ended up being fine... we just all got really close!! We had a good turnout for the weather being so yucky!! I am so thankful for all the friends we have and the people that love Mikayla. The kids had a good time playing with all Mikayla's toys... it looked like a tornado came through here... but all that was important is the kids were occupied and happy!!!
Mikayla and her buddy Brayden(Brayden is going to marry Mikayla)

Some of the kiddos playing in Mikayla's room...missing several kids in this picture

Mike, Gary and Debbie Frye, Bill Bryant, Heather Street

Justin Reid, Tim and Ashley West(and Nate), and PopPop

MomMom, Geoff and Tammy Reid, Andrea Johnson, and Sarai Laguna

Mike(sitting in Mikayla's chair), Brayden, Heather Street, Aj, Kara, Papa, Mamaw, PopPop, MomMom...there are several families that I did not get in pictures who came in after I stopped taking pictures.

Aj, Kaykay, part of Kara- getting ready to blow out candles

Mikayla would not blow out the candles so Aj did it for her

Enjoying her cupcake

Aj and Kara

The happy girl on her official birthday!!!

First time for Mikayla to get flowers and they are not from Mommy and Daddy... Thanks Pastor Bobby!!

Opening presents at Mamaw's with Aj, Kara, and Georgie

Crazy Aj - measuring his head using tape measure from Mikayla's new tool set

No, that is not a crazy hat... those are Mikayla's capris on Aj's head

No, that is not our form of punishment... that was them just playing around

Yes, Mikayla is insistent that Kara get in on the fun too!! What a good sport Kara is!!

Happy Easter

2010-04-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

Yes- I know it is a shock... two posts within a few days of one another!! We had a beautiful, fun Easter weekend. We had egg hunts, visits with family, and just some good relaxing time. Sunday we remembered why we celebrate Easter... Jesus rose from the grave and all our sins were forgiven and we were given an eternal life with Him in heaven. I am so thankful that I can be forgiven for my past and also for everyday sins. I am so thankful for the stripes Jesus took on his back for our healing. Our church service Sunday was incredible - we have some really talented people in our church. It was an illustrated service.
Mikayla got WAYYYYYY too much candy from the Easter bunny both at our house, Mamaws, and Memaw B's.
This picture we were just playing around with curlers to see how her hair would do.

KayKay and Mommy before church Sunday

Mikayla in her pretty dress.

Being silly- wish she would have given me a real smile

Daddy and his girl

Hunting eggs at Mamaws on Sunday

Cheesin'

2010-04-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

We have been doing pretty good. Dealing with getting closer to "threes" with Mikayla. She is really trying to test her boundaries in everything. Some days are very stressful for Mommy!! I wonder how in the world it will be with a newborn and a three year old. Could be very interesting!!! At least I have people close by who are more than willing to help out!! Mike is taking off at least 3 weeks when Luke gets here so I am super thankful for him having a job the enables him to do that. Everything is going great with the pregnancy... besides feeling like a blimp lately!! I am pretty much the same size at 22 weeks with Luke that I was when I went to delivery Mikayla. Pretty crazy!! Loving the weather lately... today is around 80 and sunny!! Mikayla is enjoying being able to go outside and play. Someone wanted to see a baby bump picture so ... here it is!

Mikayla got a new four wheeler... she loves to ride it as long as she does not have to push the gas... she will steer it but will not push the gas button on the handle.

We went bowling a few weeks ago. Mikayla was terrified until Puppy started "bowling". By the time we left she was doing it herself. I actually got in trouble over the loudspeaker for taking pictures... there was league bowling going on and I guess my flash distracted them. Whatever!!

Silly girl... I put her hair in sponge rollers today. When I showed her in the mirror all she could do is stare.

This what her room looks like while she is playing today... loves getting all her toys out. She is actually pretty good about cleaning up.

Duke loves to share the bed with Mikayla.

Great News

2010-03-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

We went for our ultrasound today and ALL IS PERFECT!!!! We also found out that IT'S A BOY!!!! So excited!!! I feel like we won the lottery! Thanks to all of you for you prayers... we know they make a difference!!! We also have a name picked out... Luke Michael. Thanks again for all the prayers!! GOD IS AWESOME!!!! We love you all!

Deja Vu

2010-02-27T12:29:00.000-08:00

Last Monday I went to the doctor to have a test done called a Quad Test. This tests for possible birth defects with the baby I am carrying. I got a phone on Friday from my doctor say that the test came back positive for a possible defect. I don't want to go into details about what it is or any of that but please know it is a terrible situation... much worse that Spina Bifida. We are asking for prayers from here until the baby gets here. We are believing that the test results are WRONG. We all know for a fact that can happen... just look at our beautiful, sweet Mikayla. We are standing on our faith in an AMAZING God... He is the ultimate physician!! We are asking for positiveness (is that really a word?) throughout the rest of my pregnancy. We are so thankful for the amazing friends and family that stand by us in prayer and love during our time of need. We are TRULY blessed!!! Thank you in advance for raising this baby up in prayer and for standing with us in the faith that all is well!!! Love you all!!

On a note that makes me smile... I put some pictures on here that we took of Mikayla yesterday.

2010-02-24T05:35:00.000-08:00

Many things going on in the Scheetz home... surgery, pacifiers disappearing, big girl beds appearing, big belly appearing...

We have had more snow since the last time I blogged. We are so tired of snow and cold weather... ready for spring. We had a couple of 60 degree days last weekend... what a tease!! And guess what we have today... snow on the way!! UGH! I guess there is nothing we can do about it so what is the sense in complaining... I am still over winter though!

The pacifier has left building!!! Mikayla got a slide for getting rid of it. And no... we did not persuade her... she woke up on a Monday morning and said to me..." Mommy, I want the fafa to go away". Well, away it went into the trash. She had a couple of times she wanted it back but all it took was for us to remind her it went in the trash and she was fine.

With the baby coming, we have to get her out of the crib. We bought a new dresser and toddler bed. New sheets are on order but still waiting for those. Mikayla wanted Princess and the Frog sheets for her big girl bed. This is more of a struggle than the pacifier. She has slept in the bed a couple of times but wants her crib the rest. I know it will take time. We have a few months so I don't want to push her and make it a horrible experience. I am wondering how you people reading this handled the transition... please leave me comments. Thanks.

My belly is growing everyday. My sweet husband looks at it quite often and says things like wow your belly is HUGE!! I guess if I wast not pregnant I would be really offended but I guess I will let him slide for now!! Everything looks good. We go for the big ultrasound on March 5th. We are going to a specialists for the ultrasound so they can look at everything with supersonic pictures... so they don't miss anything. A little nervous about it... but excited at the same time to find out the sex of the baby. Then we can settle the argument in our house of blue vs. pink. Stay posted!!

Mikayla had to have surgery last Wednesday. We took her to Vandy on Tuesday evening. She was complaining of headaches (and had been for a week or so), fever, and was very lethargic. They did a CT and head xray, shunt tap, and tested spinal fluid. This determined her shunt was not working properly. So... surgery was Wednesday. We stayed in the hospital Tuesday and Wednesday in a room the size of a closet with no shower!! I have never been so ready to be home. Surgery was a success and she is doing great. She went back to school yesterday and all went fine.
Mikayla's mini snowman

Daddy's snowman

Working together to perfect Mikayla's

Being silly, taking pictures of Daddy, taking pictures of her.

Picture from my recent girls night out... dinner at Chop House and Bowling... love these girls!

Helping Daddy put together her big girl bed... look at the determination on her face!!

The finished product... her room is a little cramped until we get the crib out... don't know when that will be.

Her recent incision from surgery last week.

SNOW

2010-02-01T05:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know I am a slacker with the blog. AJ reminds me of this every time I see him. I will be honest, in my spare time for the last few weeks I sleep. I have been extremely tired (more than I remember with Mikayla) with this pregnancy. On my last doctor visit the doctor informed me that I am anemic so that could add to the fatigue. Tomorrow I will be 14 weeks so will be officially in the second trimester. Was really nauseous up until last week. The same thing happened with Mikayla, I hit 12 weeks and all the sickness was pretty much gone. I lost 6 pounds from one doctor visit to the next so hopefully now that my appetite is back I can start gaining. Mikayla is so excited about the baby. She says we are having one baby and it is going to be pink. I have taken her to doctor visits with me so she has seen the baby on ultrasound and heard the heartbeat. She calls my OB the "baby heart doctor". According to her, the baby's heartbeat says "beep, beep, beep". The baby's heartbeat is around 160 which a friend told me is a guarantee of a girl. Wondering if that is true?? Mikayla is going to be such a great big sister. She can't wait to teach the baby to color, play, and eat. She rubs my belly and lays her head on it and says "sweet, sweet baby". Mikayla is just too cute and loving. Wonder if she will stay that way after baby comes??
Mikayla is doing great. She is gaining weight. We have moved up 2 sizes in clothes from a 3-6 months to 12 months. Hopefully, she will just keep on growing. She has started sitting up from laying on her back, rolling completely over, and commando crawling. To some of you that may not be a big deal but for her is it huge. She does not have the use of her legs so it makes these feats very hard. Trying doing them without using your legs... it is a lot harder than it sounds. Her physical therapist is wonderful... they have an incredible bond. Mikayla is actually excited to go every week and extremely disappointed if we have to cancel.
We go next week to an evaluation in Lexington, KY to the Shriner Hospital there. We are trying to get Mikayla accepted as a Shriners Kid. The bad thing is there are no hospital's any closer than Lexington which is a 2-3 hour drive. The orthopedic specialists are in Pittsburg. We have to be seen by them as well. So family in PA, we will have to make a trip up there.
Mikayla is getting be a big girl. She is turning into a 3 year old... the good and the BAD!! Her temper fuse has gotten a little short but we are working on it. HA, I know you are all out there saying "Good luck with that". She never stops talking, except when she is approached by strangers. She is really doing great! We are sooooo VERY blessed! And AJ, I will try to do better with the blog!
All curled up in her big pink chair watching a movie.

Curled up with Duke watching a movie.

Ready for the snow on Saturday- we had about 5 inches

Daddy and KayKay

Crazy Duke- he loves to eat the snow.

This is AJ taking a fall on the disc on Sunday.

Daddy, Kaykay, and Duke at Mamaw and Papa's on Sunday

Aj with all the puppies

Mike and Mikayla in midslide on disc- she loved it!

Christmastime

2009-12-31T05:44:00.000-08:00

We had wonderful, busy Christmas! I have posted lots of pictures. Hope you enjoy!
Christmas Morning at our house!

Christmas Day at Mamaw and Papa's - with Uncle AJ

This Uncle Aj in Mikayla's princess tent with her... you can't see Mikayla but she is in there.

I could not have timed this picture any better!

Loving on her AJ

SURPRISE!!!

Christmas with Pepaw- her new chair- she was so excited. You cannot tell but she is bouncing up and down on the chair in this picture.

Opening her cars- she loves playing with cars... which Daddy loves.

All the goods from Pepaw!

Mikayla with Pepaw

Playing at Memaw B's with her new game. I did not take any pictures of her opening gifts because I got a new camcorder for Christmas and it has been put to good use.

Not so happy girl- not wanting to sit in Santa's lap.

This is what we got!

Perfect distance for her!

Big girl making cookies

I think she ate more than she put on cookies... best way though!

Tada!!

New puppy she got for Christmas... a little early. Family sent from PA and Mikayla saw the package under tree and just could not wait.

In her new igloo tent that she wants to be in ALLLLL the time!!

Hanging out with Duke- she is eating a cracker and he wants it.

Showing off one of her Christmas outfits

Not real sure what she is doing but she wanted me to take her picture.

2009-12-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

Lots going on in the Scheetz home. Mikayla did get her casts off but had to get another set put on. She needed them for 4 more weeks. We were supposed to get them off this coming Monday but her braces are not finished so we must suffer a little longer. The doctor does not want her casts off until they can put the braces on. Last I heard, yesterday, the braces will be ready middle to end of next week. In addition to the cast situation, Mikayla had surgery on December 1st to repair a hernia. She had quite a bit of pain the next day but that was really it. For a few days after surgery she would tell us it hurt if we moved her a certain way. She was back to scooting around like crazy within a couple of days afterward. We are getting ready for Christmas. Thanksgiving night we went to Opryland Hotel to look at the lights and decorations. Mikayla LOVES Christmas lights and really anything associated with Christmas. She will be upset when it is over and we have to take everything down. We took her to see the Rockettes a couple of weekends ago. She was a little scared when the lights first went down but really enjoyed it after that. I think Santa was her favorite thing about the show. Can't wait to see how she does opening presents this year... she is very dramatic... it should be a blast! I think Mike and I are more excited for her to open presents than she is... I am feeling like a little kid with anticipation. We are doing Christmas with my dad and family next Sunday.
Mikayla and Daddy waiting to get cast off.

Poor thing was terrified when they turned on the "saw" to take the cast off.

Just look at this sad face.

Her feet after the cast were off... the thing sticking out of her big toe was a pin.
Also, the white paper had a pin under it.

Here are her new orange cast. They are not as high as the other ones.

Mikayla with our friends Kayla, Heather, and Brayden Street.

KayKay just being cute.

Mamaw found some old toys and this fire hat was one of them- she loved it.

With her AJ

Mikayla in Aj's "Waldo" glasses... where's Mikayla??

"Where is AJ?"

Showing off her purse

Papa and Mamaw with KayKay at the Rockettes. I actually got in trouble for taking this picture! Apparently you are not supposed to take pictures at any time in the Opry House. Sounds a little silly to me if no one is on stage.

Update on us

2009-11-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

CASTS COME OFF TOMORROW!!!!!! YAYAYAYAA!!!! We are all so excited for the casts to come off... Mikayla is on the countdown!! We have an appointment tomorrow(Tuesday) at 2:45pm! Have been very busy! Not sure if I have even written on here about my job. I started November 2nd with a financial consultant in Goodlettsville (about 25 minutes south of our house). I work Tuesday and Thursday while Mikayla is in school. It is great! I was a little apprehensive about giving up my two days alone (one being my cleaning day) but it has been good so far! It will be nice to bring home a paycheck. It is a little strange to drop Mikayla off at school and go to work.

We have had LOTS of things going on lately... Mike's grandparents came in town from Pennsylvania 2 weeks ago. His grandmother got to spend her 80th birthday with us. They got to spend lots of time with Mikayla, which I am very glad of. Last Friday Mamaw, me and Mikayla went to Christmas Village at the Nashville Fairgrounds. We got there around 10am and it was slammed! There were sooooo many people there... even some we knew. The whole way there Mikayla was so excited about seeing Santa. Well, when we got there and she layed eyes on him... she had a different perspective of the situation... and not a good one. She freaked out. She did NOT want to get near Santa. However, when we got back to the car she wanted to see him again. I guess the car was far enough away to forget how scary he is. We will try again in a couple of weeks. Saturday, Mikayla and mommy went to have lunch with some new friends. We met with Faith and Christy. Faith has Spina Bifida like Mikayla... with lots of similarities in the two. From very early in Mikayla's life, we have heard how much Mikayla and Faith are alike but we never met. Well, after talking on the phone and on facebook we finally arranged a meeting. The girls were instant best friends. Christy sent me a message on Sunday telling me that Faith is already asking when she is going to play with Mikayla again. I am really glad that God brought our families together... it will be really nice to have each other. Sunday was our busiest day of the weekend. That morning we went to church as usual, then to Lebanon for Thanksgiving at my Memaw & Papa's(dad's family), then back to this area for Hometeam meeting. Very busy but good weekend! I love thanksgiving food so I am super pumped that it is this time of year!! I am cooking Thanksgiving but I love it still!!! Have started my Christmas shopping and am finished with Mikayla except for stocking stuffers. I cannot wait for Christmas morning this year!!! She is already aware of Christmas stuff... she gets so excited whenever she sees Christmas trees. She picked out and bought her ornament for this year... Handy Manny. She had a choice of that or Tinkerbell and she picked Manny. We talked about decorating for Christmas and her response... "I help". I have so much excitement for Christmas this year... it is so exciting to see things through her eyes!

I have added just a few pictures. The first one is for Mike's grandfather. Neither one of his grandparents had been to Hooters before so that was one of our restaurants we visited during their visit. He looks pretty happy here!!
This one is of Faith and Mikayla

Mikayla and Ian(cousin) building a huge tower with styrofoam cups. I think after they were finished a whole sleeve of cups were used.

Mikayla and her great-grandmother and great-uncle Charlie

Halloween

2009-11-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

Tinkerbell at Trail of Treats on Thursday night before Halloween... she got way too much candy!! She was very scared of some of the costumes!!

Mikayla and Sam waiting for Trail of Treats to start

Mommy and KayKay

Eating her sucker from Cracker Barrel

Painting her pumpkin

Waiting on Daddy to take her trick or treating on Saturday night. She did not get very much candy at all this night. Mike said only 1 out of every 4 or 5 houses were giving out candy.

Our pumpkins

"Trick or treating" at Mamaw and Papa's on Sunday

Hanging out with Aj and Kara

KayKay and her Kara or as Mikayla just told me... "Mommy, that's MY Kara"

Recent pictures

2009-10-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

I am short on time but wanted to post some recent pictures (just for you AJ). The first few, my friend Christy took at her home last weekend. They have a beautiful place to take pictures. Thanks BUNCHES!! The last ones were taken at Mamaw & Papa's this past Sunday. More writing when I have a few minutes.

KayKay and Uncle AJ playing around!

She is flying!! She LOVES her AJ to fly her!!

Touchdown!

Duke

Georgie

Bud

2009-10-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

On the countdown... four and a half weeks to go to get rid of these casts!!! Things are really going great. Mikayla has not let those bulky things slow her down one bit!! Mommy on the other hand is ready for them to be gone... sponge bath and washing hair on the kitchen counter, we are over it. It is also harder to change her diaper and her clothes don't quite fit right!! If she is going to be able to stand after all is said and done then all is worth it!! I am so curious to see what is going to be after the casts come off. Can't wait to see her new feet! After this she will have braces on her feet, permanently, until God decides to heal her!! The braces of today are quite different than the ones from the movie "Forest Gump". They will not be metal and bulky. Her braces will look almost like plastic and they will be white. I think she can get them with designs on them... if not we will decorate them ourselves.
Cathing in going ok. I hate it!! I wish she could just be healed of this already!!! I know that God knows what he is doing and it is all in His timing!!! Waiting is sooooooo exhausting though!!!! We just have to keep praising him and thanking him for her COMPLETE healing!!! He is NOT finished with this little girl!! I wonder why God chose Mike and I to be parents of such a miracle!!! What a huge responsibility we have to tell everyone what miracle and work of God she truly is!! I am so blessed and in awe of what He has placed in my hands!!
I have to tell a story about our visit to Kroger the other day. I went to get my flu shot last Friday. Mikayla wants to go in her chair when we go places now. I let her, with the exception of the grocery store... no thanks... not yet! She waves and smiles at EVERY single person we pass or she sees. She creates smiles everywhere... it is contagious!! Well, in Kroger, there was a very grumpy looking man standing at the end of an aisle. Mikayla waved and smiled at him but he did not see her. She made it her mission to get this man's attention. Wheeling a little closer to him( but not too close), she waved, smiled, and yelled "hi"(in the sweetest voice). He looked at her dumbfounded for a second and she repeated the same sequence. He got the biggest grin on his face, waved back, and said hi! She kept waving and smiling until she could not see him anymore. I cannot help but think, maybe only for a couple of minutes, she improved his day! I love moments like that!!
Little miss Mikayla does have her tough moments too. She is so scared of loud noise. Now if she is doing the noise it is fine... having her songs blaring in the car is fine but kids laughing loud terrifies her. Last Saturday, we went to a pumpkin patch here in Portland. In order to get your pumpkin, you had to go on a hayride to the pumpkin patch. Well, Mikayla did not want anything to do with the tractor and trailer hauling to the pumpkin patch. So, even with much begging and pleading from Mommy and Daddy she did NOT go on the hayride... and did not get her pumpkin. I think we might try it again next weekend with some friends... this one you do not have to ride to get your pumpkin!
Mikayla has been out of school this week for fall break. I thought with her being on break she might be bored but we have been running all week. This morning she was a little fussy and told me she wanted to stay home and play... so that is what we have done ALL day today!

Riding on Duke

Playing with Daddy last night

Surgery

2009-10-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

Well, surgery is complete. Last Friday we got to Vandy Childrens Hospital a little after 8am. We were a little late due to traffic. They called us back to holding pretty quick. We had some wonderful nurses... one in particular that Mikayla was very fond(Sara). Sara even came to visit with Mikayla after her surgery... which she did not have to do. I was so afraid that Mikayla would start asking for food or drink but to my surprise, she never did. I think all the things going on and people coming in and out kept her occupied. She had a few visitors before surgery... Pastor Bobby, Pastor DJ, Kate, Pepaw, and Mrs. Shannon. They kept her spirits up along with the help of Barney and Dora on DVD. After surgery and during she had visitors also... Mrs. Christy, Aunt Sandy, Aunt Susan, Memaw(great-grandmother), Uncle AJ. She also got lots of goodies... a new baby doll, mini animals, balloons, a stuffed Foofa doll that sings and dances, a stuffed monkey... hope I am not forgetting anything. You would have thought it was her birthday or something. I guess I should talk about surgery itself. Surgery did not last as long as they had first told us. The nurses took her back(which was hard on me) at 10:45ish and she was in recovery around 2pm. Dr. Mencio originally told us 4-5 hours so this was much better. We actually had 2 families (their kids) that we know in the hospital this day as well so going to visit them helped with time going by. We walked into recovery expecting to see her still partial asleep or crying but we were surprised at what we saw. She was awake, drinking Sprite, and was very excited to see us. After we had been back there for a few minutes, she wanted a cracker. She ended up eating 2 whole graham crackers and drinking 2 cups of Sprite. She did not seem to be in any pain at all. We wondered about this since we are not sure how much feeling she has in her feet and legs. I guess in this case it is a blessing that she did not feel much. The staff was very surprised at how well she recovered. Usually you can expected to stay in recovery for 4 hours but we went home after 2. The doctor said that he was pleased with the way surgery went and would see her in 6 weeks. She has 2 pins in her left foot that will be removed when she goes in 6 weeks. Her two casts are bright HOT PINK and will stay on for 6 weeks. She rubbed them a lot at first, saying "they are pretty". Now she does not pay much attention to them. Friday night she was pretty alert, a little sleepy but good. The guys at Mike's work pitched in and bought her a goody basket with LOTS of candy, stickers, coloring book, Tinkerbell movie, and Tinkerbell doll. One of the guys and his wife brought it over to her on Friday night. Saturday morning, I got up early and went to the grocery store. Mike called before I got home to tell me that she was scooting around on the floor. So, less than 24 hour after surgery she was up playing like normal. We were really afraid that the casts would keep her from scooting but they haven't stopped her yet. We stayed in on Saturday. She needed to keep her feet propped up most of the weekend. We alternated her sitting up playing and laying down with her little feet propped up on a pillow, watching a movie. Sunday, we went to church. I think she was glad to see all her friends and get out of the house. I know I was glad to be out of the house. Sunday evening, we had a meeting at church so Mike stayed here with Mikayla and I went to the meeting. Today, has been a good day. Mikayla has been wanting to get her ears pierced. I wanted to wait until after surgery to get them done because she could not wear them into surgery. Well, we decided that today was the day. She did great. She did cry but not much and not for very long. She was such a big girl. Even Puppy got his ears pierced!!
Before surgery, showing off her "bracelet"

Loving on Daddy

First picture after surgery

Puppy got casts too

At home on Friday night watching a movie

Playing with Daddy on Saturday

In the big chair before getting her ears pierced

With her new earrings

Surgery Update

2009-09-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

Mikayla had her pre-op appointment this morning. She had some x-rays done of her feet and we met with the surgeon. This surgery is a little more complicated than we had first thought. They will lengthen tendons in the top of both feet. Her left ankle has some structure damage to a couple of the bones... they basically are going to have to reform the inside part of her ankle. She will have pins put in this ankle. For 4-6 weeks she will have a cast on both feet... the right will stop below her knee, the left will go well above her knee. This morning Mikayla picked out her cast color... hot pink. They also let her pick out the scent of she will smell when they put her to sleep that morning... cotton candy!! The doctor actually rubs scented chapstick inside the mask before they put it on her. I think that is very cool... anything to make this easier on her!! I know it will be harder on me than her... she gets to sleep through it... I have to be awake waiting!! UGH! Dr. Mencio told us this morning that surgery would be 4 - 5 hours long!!! Maybe he will knock me out for that time period too... anxiety city!!!!! I know it will be fine... and this is for a great purpose. It is just hard on Mommy!! That will be a very long day!!! Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know what is going on.

2009-09-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have not done an entry in a while because to be completely honest I have not wanted to share in our latest news. Mikayla had a urodynamics test done almost two weeks ago. This test checks to see if her bladder is emptying and filling up and functioning like it should. Well, to our total shock... Mikayla's is not working properly. This news felt like a punch in the face for us. Things seemed fine and we had started the potty thing. Most people with spina bifida have bladders that don't function properly, we just thought that Mikayla was going to be the exception. What is happening with her bladder is that it is only filling up halfway and then only emptying half of that... so she has a lot of stuff sitting in her bladder. This is causing there to be extra pressure on her kidneys which could eventually cause her to need dialysis. The solution to the problem is to catheterize her every 4 hours and have her on two types of medications. The two exceptions to the 4 hours are when she is at school and sleeping at night. The first few days were very hard for me. I know that Mikayla has differences from other kids but I wanted this to not be one of those. I wanted her to be able to go to the bathroom like every other kid. Hasn't she been through enough??? That was the mommy in me but the Christian and Believer needed a little bit of time to come out. I know that there is a reason for this... God's ways are not our ways. I cannot sit a dwell on this anymore... it is the place where we are for now and that is just the way it is. For now. Not for one second do I believe that this will be forever!! Does that mean it is not hard on me... no way!! But it helps to believe in God and believe that there is a higher purpose for EVERY single trial we go through. So for now, we are just doing this thing and taking one day at a time.

Her surgery has been changed... it is now Friday, October 2nd at 10am at Vandy Children's Hospital.

I have put some random pictures on here.
At the Wilson County Fair... she could not get enough of petting the animals. We could not get her to ride any though... maybe next year.

Sporting her UT jersey

Showing off her piggy tail braids!!

Flowers from my sweet hubby for our anniversary

playing with the straw from capri sun

enjoying her juice

Funny face

Petting her buddy, Duke

2009-08-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

Monday's visit to Spina Bifida Clinic went great. Mikayla was such a good girl... so good that Daddy wanted her to have a trip to Toys-R-Us. She picked out a train and a movie(Yo Gabba Gabba). After watching this movie over and over and over, I don't know which is worse this one or Barney. Pretty close race!! Anyway... back to clinic visit. We got good reports from all the appointments. I was quite surprised when she got a good report from nutrition since she is soooo small. The nutritionist said that according to Mikayla's growth chart she is right on with HER chart... she is still growing. She grew an inch and a half in 6 months. I think that is pretty good for her. Well... she got a thumbs up from Orthopedics but she is going to have surgery on her feet. Both of her feet have issues that need to be corrected. A goal for Mikayla is to be able to use a stander(self explanatory) but with the direction of her feet and some things with one of her ankles a stander is not an option for her. I DO NOT want her to go through surgery but if it means more out of life for her... whatever it takes. After surgery she will be in casts for 4 - 6 weeks. Mommy is not thrilled about this but again, whatever we need to do. I hope that she will be able to scoot on the floor with casts. This could be a small mountain for us so I am asking for prayers for little Mikayla. She may have to spend the night in the hospital but that is not a for sure thing... depends on a lot of things I am sure. The surgery is scheduled for Monday, October 26th at 7:15am... which means we have to be there at 5:15am!!! At least it is early since she will have to go without food or drink.
School seems to be going good!! This week she decided no nap was needed. Tuesday, she and another little girl wanted to talk to each other the WHOLE nap time. Thursday, she wanted to sing the ABC's the entire time. She is rotten! She has made some new friends... but cannot tell me their names. All she tells me about is Barney!! lovely!! She has picked up possessiveness at school. She never really called anything"my" but she does now. Today, I was covering her up with her blanket for nap and she looked at me then said "it is my blanket". Yesterday when I dropped her off I tried to tell her bye after she was in her class, she said bye back to me but did not even look back. What a big girl she is becoming... it makes me sad. Just part of life I guess!!
Daddy and Kaykay playing with playdoh

Kaykay's Kara

Learning to floss her teeth!

Playing with floss and Aj

2009-08-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

I just posted a new video of Mikayla racing Daddy in the driveway from last week. She is getting to be such a big girl. She is enjoying school. Much to my surprise, she is taking naps at school on a mat... might be time to look into a big girl bed. We had planned on changing to a big bed before preschool but the night time issues we had after vacation did not allow it. We are going to do her room in Dora the Explorer when we change over... she LOVES some Dora. Not much going on... pretty boring around here. I guess that could be a good thing. We have a super busy weekend though. Mikayla had a haircut yesterday, which went great. No fits at all... I think she is growing up. She even got a sucker afterward. After haircut we had our favorite thing... grocery store!!! Last night, Mike and I had meeting a church so Mamaw came over to stay with Mikayla. Thanks Mamaw!! Last week we had a check up appointment with the ENT and everything looks good with her ears since her tubes went in- Thank God!!! On Monday we have an all day appointment at the Spina Bifida Clinic. Not a fun day... we will probably be there for at least 4 hours... having about 6 appointments. It all starts with an ultrasound to look at her bladder and kidneys to make sure everything is functioning properly. She hates this!!! Will put an update on here to let everyone know how all the appointments go... and our busy weekend. Enjoy the video!! Love to all.

2009-08-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

First day of preschool

2009-08-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

Well, we made through the first day of preschool. I say We because I had a little bit of a difficult time this morning. I was fine until I got back to the car and was by myself... then it hit me. I held it in for a few minutes until Mike was out of my site(he drove separate) and then the tears came. The tears did not stop until I got home(about 12 minutes). Hopefully, Thursday will be easier. She had a great first day. When we dropped her off and she realized we were leaving her, she started to cry but by the time we got to a second door(about 5 feet away) she was fine. Isn't that the way it always happens... harder on mommy!!! The only difficulty she had was naptime... imagine that!!! The teachers were not sure how to lay her on the mat so they had to end up calling me to figure things out. She never actually went to sleep so tonight we have a tired little one... it is 7:30 and she is sound asleep for the night!! The teacher sends a paper home with all the details of her day so we can see what she did each day. She came home singing "Jesus loves me", which is one of the songs they sang today. The class had bible time, outside time, science time, math, shapes, colors, etc... lots of good stuff. She wants to go "back, again"... I am pleased with that!!! She does have a bodyguard... a little boy in her class followed her around all day, putting his arm around her and if someone tried to touch Mikayla he pushed them away. The teacher said everyone wanted to touch Mikayla and one little girl wanted to push her around. That will calm down once the kids get used to her chair. I am so excited to see what is to come this year... how she will change. I will keep everyone updated!! Below are pictures from this morning.

2009-08-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Mikayla starts school tomorrow. I have been a mixture of emotions, which I am sure will continue in the morning. We had to buy her a mat for naptime and she loves it... she wants to sit on it ALL the time. She is going to miss it when it goes to school to stay tomorrow. She does not want to lay on it, only sit... good luck Ms. Carrie at naptime. Wish I could be a bug on the wall in her classroom. We met with the teachers on Wednesday so they could see how they needed to adapt things to Mikayla and to answer some questions. Mikayla loved it!! She was all over that room getting out all the toys. Then, Thursday night we had open house at school and she did great!! She went right to her classroom, leaving us behind. We had a little social butterfly and a showoff that night. I am very excited about the little person she is going to become!!! I will post pictures and details tomorrow.
Along with open house on Thursday, we went over to the Johnson's house to play. Mikayla and Kate played very well together. There was a pink ball that they both wanted to play with and kept taking it from one another. They never got mad at each other about the ball- it was really kinda cute. Friday, we had a VERY busy day... walmart, doctor appt, publix, parent teacher store, clean out the pantry, play, and many other things around the house. Saturday, Mikayla woke up at 6:30 so we decided to go to the zoo. It was so hot even at 9:00 when we got there. We had a good time... Mikayla enjoyed Daddy going with us. I actually got to run some errands by myself... because Mike went to the race track that night!! lol!! Sunday, we got up and went to church. We had a meeting after church so we had lunch there (pizza). After rushing home and changing clothes, we headed over to Mamaw and Papa's. We had a YUMMY dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, and chocolate cheesecake!!!! It was soooo good... thanks Mamaw!!! Last night we watch the Titans win against the Bills.... yay!!! Our house is very excited about football starting!!!
Thirsty Kate!!

They were so cute imitating each other!!

Mikayla pretending to be asleep.

Not quite sure what they were doing here... funny picture!

Mikayla on her "big girl" mat... she is pointing to her name in this picture. I wrote her name on it while she was napping(in her bed) and when she got up she pointed to her name and said "mikayla". I did not even tell her that was her name. She amazes me!

Kaykay and Daddy at the zoo

Mommy and kaykay at the zoo

She is petting a goat for the very first time... we have been to the zoo tons of times and she has always been afraid of petting ANY of the animals but she did it on this day!!

2009-08-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Many, many things have gone on since my last post... sorry about the time gap. The sleeping situation has gotten MUCH better. She still whines a little when we put her to bed but only for a couple of minutes and that is it. Praise the Lord!!! The mood in the house is much, much, much better!!! Again, praise the Lord!!!! We have our Mikayla back!!
My grandfather lost his battle with Parkinson's Disease and went to join the Lord last Wednesday. His funeral was this past Saturday. So many emotions I have gone through. Sadness... relief (no more suffering)... regret (there were times when I was not around because I could not stand to see him going through all this). My sister, Mikayla, and I were with him the day before he died. That day he opened one of his eyes to look at me and I was able to talk to him... I am glad for that day. We went a few times while he was in Hospice but I am especially glad we went that one day!! He was an incredible man. I was able to speak at the funeral and talk about a few things I will remember and forever love about him. Please keep his wife, Margaret, in your prayers as she starts her time without him.
On to a lighter note... Mikayla starts school next Tuesday(11th). She is getting to be such a big girl!! I cannot wait to see how much she is going to learn. Mike's work gives them 2 hours of time to take kids to school on their first day. I am so fortunate that he will be with me for support! I am just wondering what I will do with myself while she is there??? I am looking forward to a little alone time!
Brushing her teeth like a big girl!!!

Playing with Daddy at Isabella's birthday party a few weeks ago.

She actually let them paint on her face... it is a smiley face.

Heather and Isabella(not looking), Mikayla and Daddy

Playing with her jewelry

She wanted to put on every bracelet she owns!

2009-07-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

I finally put the pictures from Hilton Head on here... sorry it took me so long. We have been dealing with some issues in our house. My sweet baby girl has been a wonderful sleeper from day one. She has always been on a schedule and done so with ease. Well, all that went down the toilet when we went on vacation and has not been regained since. We are still dealing with sleeping issues. We do our normal bedtime routine and prepare for bed with ease. Well, as soon as she realizes it is time to actually get in the bed, she starts throwing a fit. This goes on anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. The past two nights (actually early morning) she has waken from sleep and not wanted to go back to bed. She will so much as fall asleep in my arms but as soon as she realizes I am putting her back to bed the screaming comes. Nap time is just as bad. I am absolutely exhausted!!! This has been going on for weeks and I really feel at time that I might lose it!! I told Mike today that I am having a memorial service for my sanity!! I know, I know, I am silly. I just honestly feel at a loss for what to do. This morning she was up for good at 6am. I tried to get her to go back to sleep with me but that did not work. I let her lay in my bed and watch tv while I took a shower. As soon as I left her side she started screaming and crying for me... and continued the WHOLE time I showered. As soon as she saw me again the crying stopped. That made me realize that maybe this whole thing with bedtime is separation anxiety. So... I got online and started reading about things to do with kids when they deal with this. Hopefully, I can try some things tonight with a little bit of success!! Please pray for our household as we are all tired and exhausted... and pretty much desperate at this point!!!
To add to matters yesterday after therapy, Mikayla felt warm so I took her temperature when we got home. Um yeah, it was 102.8!! I thought, "no more please Lord". Because of Mikayla's shunt we have to be very careful with high fever. I took her to the pediatrician and they checked her blood, urine, ears, throat, everything they could think to check. Everything came back fine!!! Crazy. The doctor said it could be a fever bug(that only causes a fever with no other symptoms), the beginning of a stomach bug(she complained that her tummy hurt and gagged as to throw up once), or just a regular old virus. Today her fever is non-existent because she has been on stuff to keep it down. Besides being sleepy and clingy she is acting fine. I am letting the medicine wear off to see if she still has a fever and it is very close and she is singing and playing. I think she is going to be fine later today.
Again, please keep us in your prayers for this sleeping stuff- I feel like it is never going to end and I need a miracle.
Hope everyone is doing great. We love you all.
oh- one more prayer request... my grandfather(maternal side) has been placed in hospice care for Parkinson's Disease. His wife is having to adjust to not only not having him at home with her but having him an hour away. Keep her and him in your prayers. Thanks.

2009-07-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hilton Head

2009-07-07T05:38:00.001-07:00

Things are getting back to normal after our trip to Hilton Head this past week. I will have to say we had some craziness. This is kinda how the week played out... we left Friday night around midnight. Our sweet sleeping baby decided she wanted to wake up as soon as we moved her to the car from her bed and remain awake the ENTIRE drive (9+ hours) except for about 30 minutes!!! This drive was a nightmare!!! After getting to Hilton Head, she still did not nap and did not want to go to bed that night. We had intended on her sleeping on the pull out bed but after 2 nights and nap times of screaming, we thought maybe she did not like sleeping without a crib. We decided to find a pack and play so we spent hours driving all over Hilton Head Island looking for one- nightmare!!! We finally found one only to discover it was not the sleeping arrangement that was upsetting her... it was sleeping in general. Two mornings she woke up around 3, screaming... so much so that I slept on the couch with her in my arms. Lack of sleep made her into a crying, whining, mess the majority of our trip- which in turn made me feel the same way. After returning home at 2am this past Saturday morning, Mikayla screamed in her bed until after 4am before falling asleep. She did however sleep a few hours on the drive back so that was nice. We are still working on getting her back to normal with sleeping... she usually goes right to sleep- no problems (and sleep for 12 hours)- I want that child back.
Besides the sleeping thing and being exhausted most of the trip, we had a great time. I could not have asked for better weather... sunny every day. We had a couple of late afternoon storms but that was it. We saw lots of animal life while there... sharks, stingray, starfish, sand dollars, and LOTS of crabs. Mikayla loved the beach!!! She could not get enough of the ocean and sand. We spent the whole time at the beach instead of the pool. We actually did spend a couple of hours one day at the pool but that was it. I am having problems getting my pictures onto the computer so hopefully in a couple of days I should have lots of pictures. Oh yea- our first morning on vacation the condo facility had a fire in their electrical room so the whole place had to be evacuated. We got to stand outside for a few hours, hot, hungry, thirsty, without showers... fun times. It really was not that bad though. It was a very interesting trip... but it was great to get away and enjoy time with family!!

2009-06-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

Let's see... what did we do over the weekend?? Friday, Mikayla and I went to Lana Beth's birthday party at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. Saturday, we went to my dad's in Lebanon to celebrate Father's Day and his birthday( was the 18th). We visited for a while and then went to eat at Demo's. Sunday, we did the usual (church and Papa & Mamaw's). We did go eat at Las Maracas after church with some friends.

Potty training is going well. Like other kids, she has a hard time stopping to go potty when she is playing.

Here are pictures of Mikayla helping Daddy to water the flowers... she loves helping.

She is trying to give Daddy her sucker.

These are some of the clouds that went along with the storms last night. The sky looked so strange... these pictures don't really do it justice. I was a little freaked out.

2009-06-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

Wow- two posts in one week, that must be a record!! I forgot to post this past weekend when I made the previous weekend post so here goes... Friday, we went with Mamaw to the zoo. That was Mamaw's first trip to the Nashville Zoo. We picked a crowded day to go... it was Senior Day(as in senior citizen). There were soooo many seniors there, more than little kids. It was crazy but we had wonderful weather. Friday night, Mikayla had her first trip to Pf Changs. She did not really eat very much just the rice sticks in the lettuce wraps and white rice. We tried to get her to eat chicken but that was a no go. She is really not into trying new foods. I guess she gets that from me. Saturday morning we did the Kroger/Walmart trip. I am really tired of Walmart not carrying the same grocery items every week... so I decided to go to Kroger instead for grocery items. Actually, Mike did the grocery shopping and I did the Walmarting at the same time... I dropped he and Mikayla off at Kroger and I went to Walmart then back to pick them up... to save time. Yumm- O, we grilled steaks Saturday night and had baked potatoes, salad, and strawberry shortcake for dessert!!! I love, love steak and baked potatoes!!! Then, Sunday we did the usual, church and Mamaw & Papa's!!
I have to brag a little... the potty training thing is going soooo well!! She is such a big girl! There were a few days last week when her diaper stayed completely dry and she used the potty all day!! She is even pooping in the potty, which she did today!! I am so excited and thankful to God for this!! I have to thank Him every single day for the miracle that she is and what He has done in her for us to see!!! There is a verse in the bible, I should have looked it up. Sorry, cannot quote it for sure. But someone asks Jesus about a child who is disabled or blind. The person asks who sinned, the child or his parents. Jesus responds by saying, no one sinned it is so God can show his works (miracles) through this child. I think is truly beautiful what we have in Mikayla. Yes, we have hard days and many more to come... there will be many questions to come on her part, but she is such a testimony to God!! I am so thankful for her and the things that we have gone through. God has shown me things and taught me things I probably would have never learned otherwise!! I mentioned before about Mikayla being such a big girl and she is but honestly the Lord is the only one I can give credit to... he took the doctors reports and threw them out the window. We stood on our faith and said we don't care how small the percentage is, we know she will be potty trained!! That just really makes me excited!!!
I have included one picture of Mikayla on the potty... it is a little blurry but I had to post it anyway. She likes to read and play with animals while on the potty. I have been trying really hard to get a picture of the reading and finally I did only to have it come out blurry. She is such a character!! Gotta love her!! She will resent me for this picture later but it is just too cute!!

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-06-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to post... this site would not let me upload pictures last week. So here are pictures from two weeks ago. I think I remember what we did. Friday, Mikayla and I went to Bottom View Farm with our Mommy at Home group to pick strawberries. I wanted to take some better pictures than I did but I slacked on the picture taking. I did manage to take a couple. That night we went to Mamaw & Papa's for dinner... we had ribeye to eat, I think. Saturday, I don't think we really did much of anything. Sunday, after church we went to a reunion at Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet. It was for my paternal grandmother's family. We had a good time. We ate too much food, saw people I had not seen in years, and played on the playground a little. Because we had so many things to remember to take, I forgot to take my camera so no pictures from the reunion. Monday, we went to a cookout at our friends the Bryant's house. We had a good time hanging out with good friends. I hate that it rained and we were not able to swim that much... it was still a wonderful time. As always, Bill and Debbie were fabulous hosts!!!
Picking strawberries

Mikayla is giving her baby at bath!!

Hanging out with friends on Monday.

Tammy and Kate

Ashley and Nate (andrea & kate in background)

Bill getting into the desserts!!

Dj and Kate hanging out in the pool

Mikayla being a teenager

Mikayla and Cassi

Jackson making "the face"

Mikayla and Jackson playing... I think he is playing with her feet

Jackson patting Mikayla on the head

Some pretty flowers from our yard... too bad they don't last long.

Loving on Daddy!!!

2009-05-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

Not too much to write about. Mikayla is feeling much better now... finally!! We had a rough time with her sickness- I think the medicine was the worst part. They had her on a steroid and she had a horrible reaction to it. We had a couple of really rough days. One night in order to get her to sleep, we had to sleep in her floor together. Even then we did not sleep good. I felt so bad for her. She is pretty much back to herself except she has started this whining thing that I think she enjoys doing!!! We have also bought Mikayla her own potty. She has really shown a big interest in going. I can't even count how many times she has gone potty and has even pooped in the potty once. Once again she is going to prove the doctors wrong!!!
We had a pretty slow and relaxing weekend. I had a great Mothers Day... hope everyone else did also. My husband got up Sunday morning and made me french toast!! He makes THE BEST french toast!!! Yummmmmyyyyy!!! I wonder if I can talk him into it this coming weekend??? He likes it just as much as I do so maybe. We did eat out too much this past weekend... Olive Garden and mexican!! So much for our nutrition plan!!
I am super excited about this coming up weekend... we are both having nights out with our friends. It has been a while for both of us. Then on Saturday, we are going to the Strawberry Festival here in Portland. Hopefully, the rain will hold off until the evening like they say it is supposed to do. Anyway... more about all that stuff later. Hope everyone is doing very well!! Below I included pictures from before church on Mothers Day.

2009-05-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Not really much to post this week. Mikayla has been a bit under the weather. She went for her 2 year checkup last Tuesday. On Thursday, she started running a fever with a cough but the nurse and I thought the cough was from allergies and the fever from her shot on Tuesday. She continued to have a fever throughout the weekend with a yucky cough and her little voice has been hoarse. This morning, took her to the doctor and she has croup. It is a virus that attaches itself to babies voice boxes and cause airway constriction in little ones' throats. We now have some medicine so hopefully in a few days she will feel better. I don't have any pictures to post today, just wanted to let you know what is going on with little miss Mikayla.

Happy Birthday and March of Dimes

2009-04-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

We had a busy weekend!!! Mike's grandparents came in town on Friday from PA to visit for Mikayla's birthday. Mike decided to take the day off from work on Friday so he had a long weekend. Grandparents came to the house with Mamaw after their flight arrived and we all went to Cracker Barrel to eat lunch. I spent a lot of time preparing for Mikayla's party so I was glad that Mike took off work. Saturday we got up bright and early to leave for Lebanon for March for Babies walk. Because it was Mikayla's birthday and she was the Ambassador child, they set up a birthday tent decorated with Abby Cadabby stuff. They even had a cupcake cake!! I was so thankful to Leigh and all the people at March of Dimes for doing this for Mikayla. We had a great turnout for people to walk with us. Some people planning to walk with us had sicknesses at the last minute and could not come. We had Memaw(my grandmother), Aunt Susan, Mamaw & Papa, Mommy, Daddy, Mikayla, Brian & Aimee Lomax, Brian & Courtney Mansell, Chad, Kristy, & Calleigh Kemp; Allie & Liz Courtney, Mike's granparents, Michael, Lisa, Jacob, & Joseph Spencer; and I think that was it. Hopefully, I am not forgetting anyone. We could not have asked for better weather. We won two awards for raising money- Top Overall Family Team and Top in our division. Thank you to everyone who gave toward our walk we could not have done it without each one of you.
After the walk, we went back to Portland so the birthday girl could take a nap(a Very short one) to get ready for her party. The park was a great idea since the kids had a blast playing. We had great weather - I was a little disappointed at the wind. I had table cloths and decorations that I could not even use because the wind was blowing so hard. The presents were blowing off the table and I was a little worried about the food. Mikayla got soooo many presents!!! I need more room at my house or just a bigger house. I have had to change some toys out and put some away to make room for all the new ones. There were so many for her to open that she actually got very bored toward the end. She loves playing with all her new stuff. I had it all spread in the living room for the first couple of days after the party and she would just scoot around the room from toy to toy- it was very entertaining for her and us. She also got money and instead of toys she got clothes, books, dvds, some new cups and utensils, bathing suits, and her own potty chair. She has been showing an interest in the potty lately and has used the big potty twice. She is getting to be a big girl!! After her party we had some family over and had
bar-b-que. I was exhausted!!! Sunday, we got up and went to church. Mikayla moved up to the two year old room. She cried this morning, all the kids wanted to touch her and her chair. Mikayla doesn't like to be crowded and is very particular about the way people touch and push her chair. I guess I would probably be the same way. We went to Mamaw and Papa's for dinner Sunday night and spent time the Great-grandparents. Monday, Mikayla and I went grocery shopping. We met up at Longhorn for dinner with Mike's family Monday night. And today, Mikayla had her two year checkup with Dr. Murray today. Everything is good except her size. She needs to be bigger!!! We have tried lots of things but are going to try some other things. Hopefully we can get some size on her.

I posted some pictures below. The all say Ritz-Pic because I got the printed there and they have an option of sharing your pictures on your blog. Instead of having to post them all (there are many) somewhere else I decided to try this. You can click on any of the pictures and there is an option to buy it. There are pictures from Easter egg hunts, Easter day, just hanging around the house, March of Dimes walk(the orange shirts are from there), Mikayla's birthday party, and at Mamaw & Papa's on Sunday. Hope you all like them. Sorry I have not posted recently. Enjoy!!

2009-04-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

2009-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry I have not been updating on here. I have so busy getting ready for Mikayla's birthday, March of Dimes walk, and various things I feel like I don't have enough hours in the day. We have had lots of things going on. Mikayla, Mamaw, and I went to the Women's Show, Predators game with Kara and AJ, Nashville Zoo two times, Mikayla had three Easter egg hunts to participate in, physical therapy about 40 minutes away every Wednesday, and therapy at home every Tuesday. I will try to keep up better... I know I keep saying that! This past weekend Friday evening we went to eat at Red Robin (my first time). The food was so goooood!!! Mike has been wanting a zero turn mower so after dinner we went to Home Depot and he bought one. Mike got called in to work at 11 on Friday night and worked till Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning Mikayla and I went to the grocery store. After the store it was cleaning day until Mike came home - he needed to sleep so I could not vacuum. Sunday was a busy day. We went to church, then to Lebanon to my grandmother's for lunch, then back home for our small group meeting. Our small group structure at church has changed - before, we met once a month for strictly a fellowship type activity. Now we meet the first and third Sunday evening for a discussion group meeting. The discussion is based on Pastor Dan's message that morning at church. These groups really give people a chance to get to know each other on a level that you might not normally get to know each other. We are really excited about our group. As group leaders Mike and I will host the meetings for our group at our house.

I have lots of pictures to post but don't have anymore time right now so I will try to do it later today. Sorry.

2009-04-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

Let's see... what has been going on??? The past two weekends Mike and I have been away from each other. We have a "getaway" at church called the Encounter for which Mike and I were chosen to be on the "team". These weekends are just an opportunity for people to leave kids, spouses, cell phones, tv, computers, and any other distractions behind to have an "Encounter" with God. It really gives you a chance to get back to what is important in your walk with God and that is first and foremost your relationship with Him. I had a wonderful weekend. It amazed me how the hearts of women were changed over the course of the weekend. Mike and I both were "servants" but both still had a chance to get something out of the weekend. I actually had to leave early Saturday morning- I got a horrible stomach virus while I was there. I really hate that I missed out on the last day but would have been miserable if I would have stayed. These weekends will take place every six months so I will have another opportunity in September. I think I forgot to mention that the men and women go on separate weekends. I went this past weekend and Mike the one before.
We went to Physical Therapy at Vandy today for visit number 2. This session was much better than the last one. Mikayla one cried for a couple of minutes in the beginning!! Thank God! However, found out today that our therapist is leaving at the end of the month to take another job! I am disappointed but I guess that is life- just when Mikayla gets used to her she will leave and we start over. oh- well!!
Mikayla is officially starting preschool in the fall. Her first day is August 16th(I think that is right??) There is a private school about 10 minutes from our house in White House that starts at age 2. The name of the school is Heritage and Hope Academy. I am really excited about how much she is going to learn with a real teacher and curriculum!! I have heard many good things about this school and the program they teach the little ones. She will be going on Tuesday and Thursdays from 8am - 2:30pm! Long days, hopefully she will do ok after she gets used to it!! She will do art, music, math, reading, bible every day. She gets to bring her lunch in a lunch bag from home and they have snack in the morning and take a nap (on a mat). Her chair fits in the room perfectly. We toured the school on Monday and all the kids wanted to touch her and her chair - she was a little overwhelmed!! It will just take time like it did with the kids at church, now it is a normal thing. We have not decided if we will put her in public school next year or keep her at this school- depends how it works with her therapy. She get "developmental" therapy in our home until she is three then the school system takes over... not sure what happens if they go to private school?? The only therapy she really needs is physical. She is great in every other area!!! We will see!!
I put some pictures on here from her class last Wednesday night- Mike and I worked our parent rotation in there that night!
Mikayla getting hugs from one of her buddies

Jackson

Eating snack... look how small Mikayla is compared to the other kids. This was her first time to have snack in a regular chair not her wheelchair- she did great! Luke, Matthew, and Jackson are in this picture.

She is really looking at something!!

2009-03-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that Mikayla's 2nd birthday is a month from today!!!! This past 2 years has absolutely flown by me. She is getting to be such a big girl. Her communication skills are amazing and she is getting around with ease now. She can get wherever she needs to go now(except for the obvious places) and gets into everything!!! Mamaw says that Mikayla does not need to walk to get into trouble and that is the truth. We are one hundred percent in the terrible twos now. I will say that her terribleness is not anywhere near where it could be... guess that means I am in for a real treat in the threes, hahaha!!! Mikayla is very conscious of what she wants and will definitely let you know what it is. She loves pretending. Her favorite thing to do is make a cake in her kitchen she got for Christmas. She has some of the Little People sets and she loves playing with her "girls". We have sing-a-longs in the car. She knows all the songs on one CD and sings them all. Her favorite songs are "Happy", "b-i-n-g-0", and "apples and bananas". She loves her animals (Pootie, Duke, and her "fishies"). Breakfast is her favorite meal and she loves to "help" Mommy make it. She eats pancakes six out of seven mornings- that is what she likes so I am not going to argue with her. I know that is one meal that will be all gone.

Over the last week I have really come to the realization of what people think of kids in wheelchairs... they think it is a death sentence. Yes - for me, her mom, I would love for her not to use a chair but that is life for her right now. She gets where she needs to go independently, to an extent. There are some places she cannot go and some things she cannot do but she does everything she can do. I don't want people to feel sorry for her or us... we feel blessed!!!! She is here and breathing and thriving with an unbelievable life ahead of her. I am not going to lie there are days when I wish things were different but those days are becoming fewer and fewer. God has a wonderful, magnificent plan for Mikayla's life. Her story and what God has already done through her has touched lives and ministered to people... I cannot imagine it any other way. On the other end of the spectrum, we have a president who does think very highly of people in wheelchairs- comparing his bowling game to that of the "Special Olympics". Talk about ticked off... you could say I was that!!!! I will not go into that anymore... I have had time to simmer down. Writing more will restart the fire!!!
Hope that everyone is making plans to join us for our March for Babies walk on April 25th. I do need to know how many people will be walking with us. We are having shirts made so I need a number set in stone by next Friday- April 3rd. I will be ordering the shirts that day so if you want one let me know that morning... the cutoff is 12:00 noon! Please sign up to walk or donate at www.marchforbabies.org/teams/641903 . We appreciate everyone's help in our cause. We are so excited about being able to be Ambassador Family and to share our story. The day of the walk is also special because is Mikayla's birthday and party!!!
Speaking of her birthday... I had a request for ideas for her birthday so I registered her at Toys R Us. They have a wish list kiosk in the store that you can print out. That will be easier for people that want to know.
We started today with a new Physical Therapist. For the past little while, maybe a year, Mrs. Julie had been coming to the house to do therapy but recently her husband had to take a job in another state so she is leaving us. We will miss her!! This gave us an opportunity to expand Mikayla's horizons and start therapy outside the house, where Mommy is not in the same room. We will be going once a week to Vanderbilt Pediatric Rehab facility at 100 Oaks(about 50 minutes away) to work with Ms. Ellen. Wish us luck with that. This morning we just played(I did stay in the room this morning) because Mikayla just wanted to cry. Each time should get a little easier, remember I said should.
Sorry, I have not been keeping up with the blog like I should, I will try much harder. Enjoy the pictures below. The first two were of Mikayla using her artistic side to paint and use marker on her face, um I mean paper!! The next few I took today after lunch. She got bead necklaces today at therapy and she loves them. She is such a girl - loves jewelry!!!

This last one I told her it was time to give Mommy her necklaces so we could go "night, night". She did not like that idea!!

2009-03-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

My husband told me I have to update the blog so I am taking a few minutes to do that. We have had so many things going on and I just have not taken the time to sit down to update. A few weekends ago we (with Mamaw) took Mikayla to see Playhouse Disney Live. She really enjoyed herself and she actually stayed attentive to the show the whole time. I think it lasted about an hour and a half. This past Saturday we(along with all of middle TN) went to the Nashville Zoo. Mikayla is so much fun to go to the zoo with now. She loves animals!!! The elephants, merekats, cows, and sheep are her favorites. She thinks the merekats say "meow"... it is the cutest!

When Mikayla is not in her chair at home, she scoots around on the floor. She has gotten very good at getting around- long distances very quickly. It is one of those things that you really have to see to understand REALLY what I am talking about. Her new favorite thing to do is feed Duke his food from his bowl- she throws handfuls of food at him. The other day I was unloading the dishwasher and Mikayla was feeding Duke. During this time she has her back to me. A few minutes into feeding him, she turns around to face me. I then see her put a piece of dog food to her mouth. I told her not to eat the food that it is for Duke. Well, she gets this I know I am in trouble look on her face and kept her hand in front of her mouth. I asked her if she had dog food in her mouth. Well, the little stinker shook her head yes, gave me a huge smile, and had a mouthful of dog food. I guess while she had her back to me she tried the ole' one for Duke, one for me. She even had dog food in between her teeth. I actually laughed out loud for a second. By that point she had already swallowed most of the food so I just let her finish it (that sounds really bad now that I write it). Just so you know, I did get on to her and now I keep more of an eye on her when she is "feeding" Duke. We have actually made her quit feeding him because it was so tempting for her. If you ask her if she liked Duke's food she tells you "yes".
She is getting so grown up. Since she had her tubes put in her ears it is amazing how much she talks. I thought she was a jabber mouth before but that was nothing. She seriously never stops talking from the time she opens her eyes in the morning until she goes to sleep at night (unless we are at church- and then she says nothing!) She loves playing with her kitchen. Her favorite thing to do is make a cake in her oven. She also loves her "girls"(fisher price- little people sets). And books, she loves looking at them. She loves singing in the car. We have one CD that we listen to over and over and Mikayla has memorized the songs. I could go on and on about all the cute, big girl things she does that I love to watch. I just can't believe that she will be two very soon. She is very excited about her Abby Cadabby birthday party.
Oh - yeah - Mikayla is going to have a cousin. Uncle Philip and Aunt Ammie are expecting, due in late August. I am really curious to see how Mikayla will do with sharing the spotlight and attention of the grandparents.
Anyway- sorry to write so much - it has been a while. Hope everyone is doing well.
Mikayla with her new fish that Daddy bought her the day of her tube surgery. She loves sitting on the table and watch them.

Playing with Pootie.

At Playhouse Disney

With Daddy at Playhouse Disney(Mamaw in background)

All the characters of Playhouse Disney(Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, and Handy Manny)

Daddy and his girl at the zoo on Saturday

Watching the ducks

March of Dimes

2009-02-21T07:28:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to take a minute and let you guys know that we are going to take part again this year in the March for Babies for March of Dimes. We are actually going to be the Ambassador Family for Wilson County this year. We are really excited to share our story of our little miracle. We would love to have your help in making this year's walk and our team a big success. Please consider helping us. You can join our team by going to the website... www.marchforbabies.org/teams/641903 .
Thanks so much for your help in advance. You can learn more about March of Dimes by going to www.marchofdimes.com .

Love you all-
Leshia

Surgery complete

2009-02-10T10:33:00.001-08:00

We have tubes! Surgery went great and Mikayla did great! I was worried about her being hungry and asking for food but she did not even once. The surgery itself took about 10 minutes. By the time we went back to see her, she was awake and talking. We had to stay until she started drinking and of course she did not want to do it. Finally, we started putting sprite in a straw and dropping in her mouth. Every time we mentioned anything about drinking she started SCREAMING! That was the only bad part about the whole thing. After we made it home she wanted some pancakes to eat and milk to drink. She devoured the pancakes and wanted more so I think she is feeling ok. She is taking a nap now so I am sure she will feel even better after she wakes up. The doctor told us that she had fluid on both ears, but had a very thick, fluid on the right ear. Poor thing! Also, I saw today that she is cutting two teeth right now. She is such a trooper to have all that stuff going on and still be as happy as she has been. Anyway- just wanted to update everyone. Thanks for all the prayers and text messages. Love you guys.
Top picture is before surgery after we dressed her in the cool Vandy Kids pjs. Bottom picture is when we were trying to get her to consume any fluids that we could. I am holding a popsicle in this picture, which she did not want any part in eating. The white thing wrapped around her arm is called a "no no" to keep her from pulling out her IV.