just audrey

  

This little girl is getting big wayyy to fast… such a sweetie~!

Such a TROOPER!

This little girl has blown me away this week.  After all the research, talking to doctors, asking friends… All I heard and read was the same thing.. this recovery will NOT be fun, it’s going to be horrible.  That is what I prepared for mentally – I was ready for the worst.. but ended up with the best. This little one sure is tough.

Day 1: Morning of Surgery

We left the house at 6:00 a.m. and arrived at Doctor’s Surgical Center just before 6:30.  The kids played in the waiting area and then we went to the back and waited and waited for Audrey and Will’s turn for surgery.

Will went first and as expected it was quick quick.  His body didn’t take well to the plastic tubes that are standard for most kids.  The doctor said they work great 99% of the time… you would know MY kid has to be that 1%! Will’s ears had created polyps over the openings of the tubes, blocking all fluids – causing swelling and of course fluid build up.  This time he got titanium tubes and we are hoping that this will do the trick for him.  He woke up out of anesthesia and didn’t even cry! He had a popsicle and off he went to Lake Charles with my parents.  Within 30 minutes I got a text with him smiling and being himself again. whew.. one down one to go!

After getting him settled in my parents car I went back upstairs and back into the waiting room.. felt like hours, but it was probably 30-45 minutes.  Audrey started to wake up from her adenoid and tonsils surgery with a little gaging and coughing – since this isn’t ideal for the ‘bo-bo’s’ the nurse gave her some phenegren (sp?) and off to sleep she went for about an hour or so.  When she woke up the second time she didn’t cry, fuss.. nothing. she wanted to go potty and tore up a popsicle – couldn’t eat it fast enough!!

After she had been in recovery for 2 hours we were allowed to go home.  I was shocked how calm she was the kids all around her were screaming and thrashing around… (which was totally what i expected for her too).  We got home and back to bed she went.. forever. she napped for hours and hours.  When she woke up she ate everything in sight… her favorites were popsicles and boiled eggs (chopped up).  We played games, watched movies and really had a fun time together.  I put her back to bed at around 8:30 at night and she woke up at 3:00 a.m. like it was morning. We watched another movie, she ate a popsicle and a yogurt and back to bed at 4:30 a.m. We both woke up just before 8:00.

Here are some pictures of before surgery…

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Day 2:

We had a full day of fun around the house doing more of the same… playing, coloring, painting, cooking, movies… LOTS of fun for Audrey without brother around. I put her down for a nap at around 1:00 and when I went in to check on her about 30 minutes later, she was still wide awake and asked to get up.. how did she stay awake all day?!  I was very detailed about her medicine – she took her Tylenol with Codeine prescription every 4 hours (even thru the night *i’d set my alarm) for the first 2 days.

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Day 3:

Another awesome day of more cuddles, snuggles and one on one time - I switched her to regular tylenol, but still keeping her on it every 4 hours to stay on top of the pain (that may or may not be there).  She actually napped for a while this afternoon and when she woke up she had visitors and played some and after that, Mere and Cappy came back to drop off Will.  They missed each other! It was so cute to watch them laugh and hug.. buuuut that didn’t last too long.

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Day 4:

We got up and immediately wanted to send will back to LC. He was whining and complaining and fighting and fussing.. none of which he did for my parents of course. He tore up the house from one side to the next and all I could do was run around behind him trying to clean up. ugh. this boy.  My friend Megan kept him for about an hour for me to go to the dermatologist and I took audrey with me.  When we picked up will we also picked up Addison and she stayed to play for 4 hours! the girls had a ball together!!  Audrey had no meds after 8:30 a.m. and hasn’t complained at all. she even ate cheese-its.  Per her request she had pancakes for dinner and it is looking like we are back to normal….. somewhat.

 

All better!!! in just a few short days!  I will always cherish those sweet days we had together.. one on one time with Audrey was absolutely amazing and totally priceless. I haven’t had time alone like that with her since before Will was born and I didn’t realize what I was missing.  I would like to make an effort from here on out to spend more one on one time with each of my babies.  Big thanks to my parents for allowing me to focus on Audrey’s recovery by taking Will to Lake Charles (where he also had a blast!) It was a win win for us all.

All in all this experience was way better than I anticipated…. prepare for the worst and hope for the best –

Now on to preparing for the move!

ENT

With the move quickly approaching, we needed to make sure the kiddos were in good health before having to go overseas.  Will had tubes in a few months ago, but after a couple of follow up appts. we found that they have been blocked and there is swelling and fluid build up.  The doctor tried to replace the tubes in office today but we couldn’t keep Will still enough to get the new ones in.  Their doctor is amazing and should receive an award for staying so patient and working with Will while he had a dirty diaper – the smell was horrible and I couldn’t change him because I forgot the diaper bag as I was rushing out to be at our 8:30 apt. what a mess!! Will was very unhappy as we left the office and his kicking and screaming knocked my “to-go” coffee cup out of my purse and ALL over me.. also trying to wrestle him into the carseat, my phone got catapulted out of the car and hit the concrete – luckily it came out unscathed…

Audrey has sleep apnea and will be having her adenoids and tonsils removed on Friday…. Will is also having surgery on Friday to get his tubes replaced with a different kind.  All the while Charles will be out of town!!!  My parents will be coming and helping out with the morning of surgery and they’ll take Will to Lake Charles for a couple of days while I take care of Audrey here at home.  It is certainly a lot on our plates - all the while having to prepare for our big move and keep the house “show” ready since it is on the market. what a nightmare. We’ll get thru it though.

say cheese

Fall Line Up

I am super excited about our new fall schedule & routines! Audrey is at an age where she just loves getting out and doing things and I have found much joy in providing that for her.

On Mondays she is thrilled to go to her dance class, Tuesdays she and Will enjoy 2 hours of play at the church while I get a much needed bible study (Beth Moore - Living Beyond Yourself, Fruit of the Spirit). Every other Wednesday I have MOPS and Audrey attends MOPPETS (childrens bible curriculum) while Will gets loved on in the nursery. On our off weeks of MOPS we attend the Library Story Time where we are entertained with a mini movie, stories, songs, puppet shows and arts/crafts. Hopefully we will also squeeze in playdates with friends on the off days - but the older they are getting the harder it is to sync up their schedules.

During our home time, Audrey is getting VERY good at playing independently right now and I enjoy working with her using preschool workbooks, puzzles, games etc. I am so blessed to live in a town that provides us options where I can stimulate her little brain and imagination since Charles and I have chosen to hold off on preschool until she is 4. I know that next year she would absolutely love it, heck, I know she'd love it now - however, these years go by too fast and even go by faster now that Will is here... I LOVE being a stay at home mama and enjoy so much when there is balance in our weeks as we are finding this fall. Time for me to get together with other moms at church, through bible study and MOPS and time for Audrey to interact and play with others and time for all of us to play and learn together. Like I said, I am thrilled with our schedule and just know it is good for all of us.

Ballet Today

Audrey loved her first day of dance class! The class is split up into two parts 40 minutes of ballet and then 20 minutes of tap. I loved watching her being so independent :). She was such a big girl and even when she fell down she got up and got right back into place without even a whimper. She was eager to please her teacher, {who also taught her gymnastics}. She was super excited about it and can't wait to go back next week!

New Blue Playroom

I love the new blue color.. it is so calming and it coordinates nicely with the yellow painted furniture. Audrey's furniture in her room is painted the same color *her headboard and dresser.. so as she gets older we can switch out furniture as needed since all of it is a soft yellow.

there's the yellow desk from the previous post - there is supposed to be a fish tank on there thanks to my mother - but the fish didn't survive our trip to Mexico... We'll set it all back up soon.

audrey in the play kitchen..

in the closet - we hung hooks for all her dress up clothes and a shoe organizer for all those dress up shoes and we even stuff cheerleading costumes into the pockets sincet they don't take up much room!
We fit so much stuff in this cube organizer... also in the closet


I'm going to paint the table and chairs yellow too. Audrey was already enjoying some Leapster in her cozy new playroom.

Audrey at Play

Audrey was being extra quiet and usually that means trouble.. but the other day I was pleasantly surprised to see her cozied up in her bookshelf surrounded by all of her books! :)

This is Audrey's new favorite toy~ A wonderful bday present from lots of her friends. It is Click Start by Leapster. She has a ball playing *independently* {my favorite part} on her computer, following directions and playing educational games!! yay! I took these in our old playroom - I'll post pictures soon of the new one - We decided to switch Will's room and the playroom since he and Audrey shared a wall. I have learned this week with them being sick and crying in the night it is best to have them apart at this point in their lives...

Happy Birthday Audrey!

4 days old

1st Birthday:

2 years old:

Today, 3 years old Oh, sweet girl - Happy Birthday! I am so blessed to be your mama. Thank you for making me laugh every single day and challenging me in ways that I've never been challenged before. You bring such joy to my life and my heart leaps every single morning when I see you. You've been such a champ throughout all the changes we brought to you this past year with two moves and a baby brother... wow what a year it has been. I love you so much - I'll never be able to explain it until you have a child of your own. You will always be my "sweetie" - since you told me that boys are buddys and girls are sweeties. Gosh, tears stream down as I think about how fast you've grown up and how much faster it will go by. These years are fleeting fast and I want to savor every bit of it. I am grateful for all the memories you've brought us and all that are to come. Happy Birthday, Audrey, We Love You!

Geaux Team, Geauuuux Audrey!

listening to her teacher

following directions - how to do a cartwheel :)

waiting her turn


working well with others


Charles and I decided to enroll Audrey in gymnastics to help with some life skills that she'll need since she hasn't yet started pre-school. Our goal was for her to listen and follow instruction from other adults, take turns, and be in an environment where she has to follow structure other than what we do at home.. SHE LOVES IT! Audrey has a blast in gymnastics class and is getting a lot out of it... she isn't the next olympic hopeful or anything, but is getting skills that will help her when she does attend school. I love that she is having a blast and I enjoy peeking in at her interaction with others.
Watch the video below: she made this cheer up and was doing it over and over and over again - not sure where she saw cheerleaders before... but after hearing it for a few minutes I asked her to do it for the camera - of course my little "ham" was all about it and wanted to watch herself on camera afterwards.. geez! *the part i found funny was how she used her whole body to say "cheerleader" like she is hot stuff. LOL

Week End Review

took the new stroller for a spin.. thanks so much ms. christi!! love it!
crazy. out of control. bubble bath.

party in the tub.
woah.
i pulled a cake out of the freezer and let her decorate it -she had a ball.

a little crazy looking with the sprinkles!

my little man after church

playing with daddy


enjoying his cereal.. he loves it!

I wish I took pics at the pool sunday night.. he loved the water and his new float.. he was so relaxed that he actually fell asleep in it! Audrey had a ball jumping off of the side and going completely underwater without any floaties or anything.. good family fun!