Trying this again...

It has been so long since I have blogged that I don't know if anyone will ever read this....but that is ok, I will know it is here!!

I recently purchased a real camera! Finally. I have played around with photography in the past, but that was when you actually had to load film in the camera! I am going to be taking a class or two and decided to participate in the Sunday Snapshot over at Nihao Y'all.

I put my best subject on the couch and took a few shots! She is the only one who doesn't have a *camera* smile yet, you know that fake forced smile they put on when the camera comes out!?

I have a Canon T3i 

My setting were ISO 3200, aperture f/5.6, shutter speed 1/15 second

I used the SchwinnBreezeLE, Sarah Ji preset

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday (Wheelchair Swinging)

Pop Star Pink....

....is the color of Rubea's new power chair!! This thing is AMAZING!! I just know it is going to be great for her!! She will finally have some independence!! We are over the moon excited for her!!!!! Pretty fancy don't you think???

I just can not believe the technology of this awesome ride! She can put the seat all the way to the floor enabling her to join in *circle time* at school with her friends.

Or, she can raise it up to be at eye level with her friends and siblings! This allows her to be at their level while going down the hall or taking a walk.

Check out her name on the back of the seat!! :-)

She can lay back and take a nap!! Of course she probably never would!!

I love that she is at the same height as Ethan when she raises the seat up!!

She is learning how to use the buttons. She is really catching on and learning how to get around in her environment. She LOVES the independence. Until now she completely relied on us to move her, position her, etc. She has a manual chair, but is not strong enough to move herself around. I fear in a month that she will be able to run from us!! lol

This is her first venture out of the house with it. It goes fast enough that the kids have to run to keep up with her. In the house we slow it ALL THE WAY DOWN!! She has had such a great time outside *running* with the kids!! We are truly blessed to have such great insurance so our kids can have the equipment they need to be successful at being independent!!!

It's FALL y'all!!

Harvest cookies

(pumpkin, white chocolate chips and pecans)

We like pumpkin and baking, so we made these cookies....yummy! I haven't met anyone who did not like them...oh, except Rylea! lol She won't eat them....but Rubea LOVES 'em. I think she could eat her weight in them...but she is still little!!

Tracheostomy

Kaylea had her trach placed on Thursday. Life has been, well, um, busy! She was suppose to have her first trach change Monday or Tuesday so we could go to Scottish Rite for her next surgery on Thursday. Well, as is normal with Kaylea, she had some complications! Unfortunately she is facing a possible second surgery here at Children's before she can be released to Scottish Rite. We will not know the details until at least Thursday!!

She is, however, doing absolutely wonderful! She is even trying to talk! She is still bossy, even without a voice! Everyone should watch out. I am sure she is bored and I know she is uncomfortable.

John and I are taking turns staying at the hospital with her and the other at the RM House with the little girls. My parents are taking care of the rest at home! So, for now things are good. The staff and volunteers at the RM House are all fantastic!

We were given tickets to the Mavericks vs. Memphis game tonight. Thankfully my sister, Karen, is able to come and sit with Kaylea and John's parents are watching the babies.

Thanks for checking in on us....

Wordless Wednesday

For Marjorie

This is one of the wires in Rubea's feet!  More cute pics of the girls on the Rylea and Rubea blog!!

Marjorie, this was for you!!  :-)

Life can wear you out

Yes, she was really sleeping like this!
This girl LOVES her food. I couldn't believe she fell asleep :-)

Life is rough!!

Hugs,

Carla

Home again

We are home again! YAY!! Rubea of course lost her breakfast on the way home :-) But, at least we are home! She is comfortable and sleeping. So, she goes back in Monday (3/30) for a cast change in the OR. Then the next Monday (4/6) to finish the surgery. Then hopefully we'll be done! lol

Thanks for all the prayers,

Carla

Update...

Good Evening!!

Rubea is out of her 5 hour surgery....it was suppose to take only 2-3 hours! WHEW!  She is resting comfortably with daddy and Emilea. Mommy is home taking care of the rest of the crew! They were able to do a big portion of the surgery, but did not finish. She will be going back in so they can finish in 2 weeks. The doctor (whom we love and trust) said she could not withstand him trying to finish. So, back to the OR in a couple of weeks! She has been nauseated and mad, so it was a fun time for me this afternoon. She has been an ANGEL for her daddy! Little sinker....

I'll update again tomorrow when we get her home!!

Carla 

Surgeries....

Rubea will be having club foot surgery tomorrow to correct both of her feet. She went through casting soon after coming home in October 2007. However, her tethered cord really did some damage so she will now have to have surgery.  After recovering from this surgery, she should be able to get up in a stander. This will be a whole new world for her. She has only been able to play sitting assisted or laying on the floor on her back or belly! We are so excited that she will finally get to be up right and start bearing weight! Of course, shoes are now in the near future for her!! She really can not keep shoes on, so we are REALLY EXCITED to go shoe shopping!!  

Kaylea had a minor surgery Friday afternoon. She had some complications with healing from her tethered cord surgery. So now her titanium rib surgery will not be happening in April, but we are hopeful she will be cleared for that surgery in May!! 

Thanks for checking in......

Carla

Wordless Wednesday