6.23.09 - Swimming Lessons

Tonight we started swimming lessons near Kemah, TX. Grant had a wonderful time and afterwards he hung out with his Cousins Ryan and Cameron. Here are some photos...

I included a photo of the shad that they caught in the net. He was so proud on the fish and I kept trying to get a photo of him with the fish and they kept getting away before I could get the shot (you can se the sliver blur in one photo) well I finally got the picture and he tossed it back into the water and then a segull that we had not noticed swooped down and grabbed it just as it hit the water! We all froze to see what Grant's reaction would be and luckily he was ok with it.

Here is an updated photo of Aubrey, we snapped a photo before I had to put her NG Tube back in. Her face is so irritated from the tape.

6.18.09 -- First Award

Today I received my first blog award from a fellow blogger Caroline. Thank you so much for the award that is so sweet!!!! I cannot believe that there are so many people out there praying for my family and I cannot tell you how much we appreciate it and need it right now. Thank you so much for lifting us up it is truely helping us thru this difficult time.

The award was presented by: http://ohpicklesmommy.blogspot.com/

I present three awards back to:
The Kelly Family (I totally love Wende, she is amazing check out her header photo =) ):
http://thekellyshandsarefull.blogspot.com/

Sturgmom (Her posts crack me up, I love the way she articulates her experiences):
http://sturgmomingeneral.blogspot.com/

Amanda (My favorite new family blog, check out her pig and donkey =) not everyone has one of those around the house):
http://harterpix.blogspot.com/

6.15.09 -- Dr Appointment

We had a WONDERFUL appointment today. He scoped her throat and found that everything looked good airway wise but she had irritation from reflux so we are now on two meds and we are going to do a sleep study at Herman Hospital in a month. We LOVED the Dr. and I am so relieved to know that her throat looks good airway wise.

6.15.09 -- Alpha Cord

Today we are going to the medical center for the ent appointment. I can't wait to see what they say.

After everything happened with David I did not have very long to research and select a cord blood banking company but I decided that I really needed to bank the blood because it would be my last chance for the perfect match for my children. I knew how expensive the companies that the Dr's offices push were and I know they spend a fortune on marketing so i started researching companies and I found Alpha Cord . I was very impressed with this company and decided to use them, they were significantly less expensive than the others but I was comfortable with their experience and their qualifications. They even called me to let me know they had received everything in perfect condition and sent me a certificate once they processed everything with all the infromation for retrevial.

I just wanted to share this information and my experience for any of you that are expecting and might be interested in these services. I would have done it with Grant also if I had found them before because they make it much more affordable/attainable. My Dr. even commented on how much she liked their kit and how easy everything was to use, and when I told her how much I saved she said she was going to start recommending them to her clients.

I would also like to say thanks to everyone for the comments (I really enjoy reading them) and it is awesome to see the comments from all of the people that I know in real life also!

6.12.09 -- Texas Childrens (Feeding Expert)

Today we went to Texas Children's again to see the feeding expert (yes they exist). She was amazing!!!! We spent two hours working with her and learning and left with some more feeding items (I have included a photo of most of the feeding items that we have been trying)



We learned alot about positioning her and trying to help her along, but it sounds like we need to make the decision in the next few weeks if we are going to have a g-tube (feeding tube) inserted directly into her stomach. It is minor surgery that only requires an overnight stay and will help prepare her for the surgery that will be coming later. Where it takes a normal baby a few minutes to finish off a bottle it can take 30 minutes to an hour to complete a feeding for her because after you attempt to bottle feed then you must tube feed the remainder and to keep her tummy from getting upset you must go slowly. The feeding expert really felt that she had more airway issues than cleft pallet issues.

Monday we will be back for the ENT Appointment (with Dr. Edmonds) he is the Dr. that they cleft pallet team recommended and I will let everyone know what he says, he is going to be looking into her airway issues....

6.11.09 -- Aunt Lee Visited Aubrey

Today my Aunt Lee (My Dad's Sister that I am named after (Emma Lee)) stopped by to meet Miss Aubrey and to see Grant again (he kept her pretty well entertained). Here is a photo of her holding Aubrey. She stayed for a nice visit and then we went to a little Italian place for dinner and it was really nice.

6.9.09 -- Aunt Rachel

Tonight Aunt Rachel stopped by to visit and I just happened to get a photo...

6.7.09 -- Blog Meets Real World/Carter & Beau's Party

Tonight I ran into a fellow blogger Rachel at a local dining establishment, and unfortunately I did not have my camera or there would be a photo. It was so funny because she looked up and recognized me from the photos of my blog and I am so glad that she came over so we could meet. The funny thing is that she goes to Church with a couple that until today were my neighbors (we are really going to miss them). Well we talked for a few minutes and hopefully we will have the opportunity to meet again.

We also went to Carter and Beau's Birthday Party (THE TWINS) they are so adorable and the kiddos had a great time playing in the pool and the silp and slide. It was really unfortunate that I missed out on the ribs that Robert was cooking!!!!

6.8.09 -- BATHTIME

Tonight we took a bath (I forgot to take photos the last two times) so I thought I would share a photo of my little cutie. She loves baths and I am beginning to think that she keep making these stinky diapers just to get another one :-) but she is so cute that I will let her get away with it.

6.4.09 -- First Pedi Visit/Grant's Last Day of School

Today we went to see Dr. H for Aubrey's first Dr. Visit. She weighed in at 8.75!!! So we are still gaining weight after being left to the amatures. Dr. H was so excited to see her, I told her that she would be seeing big brother next week. She could not believe that he was 6 and going into the 1st grade!

Today was Grant's last day of Kinder and Paw Paw went to the school for the party and to take some photos for me. Here is one of him and Mrs. C (the most awesome Teacher) and this was her last year of teaching (and it had nothing to do with my child).

6.3.09 -- NG Tube

Today was a plain ole boring day (the good kind) where nothing exciting happens all day UNTIL...11 PM when Aubrey sneezed and her NG Tube came out about 1/2 way well they did not cover this in my training so I removed it and put a new one in. I was really nervous because this is the first time I have done by myself and curious George (Grant) was standing right there asking 10 million questions while I am trying to concentrate and make sure I am doing everything correctly. Well everything went perfectly after all and it was over as quickly as it started! Well I am glad that this is over. Aubrey goes to her first pedi visit tomorrow and I can't wait to see how her weight is doing.

6.2.09 -- Happy Birthday/Grant's Kinder Graduation

Today is my 32nd Birthday!!!! I started the day with a trip to my OBGYN for a checkup and all is well (good news) then I rushed back to this side of town to get Aubrey dressed for Grant's kindergarden Graduation. 1/2 way thru the ceremony (but before Grant walked to get his certificate I realize I have not hit the record button (see prior post on the difficulty level of this camera) But I did catch the song that they sang and Grant walking (It was to cute).

6.1.09 -- Texas Childen's Hospital

Today mom and I took Aubrey to Texas Children's Hospital for her first visit with the Cleft Pallet team (they were so impressive). I have already received a call from her new Speech Pathologist and I have the name of the EENT that they use and I am going to have to set her up an appointment with him. I am so excited that she has access to such wonderful healthcare. Also it appears that she will have her surgery around November. I took a photo of Aubrey and Mom in front of the cows in the entry because they were cute (everything is cute here). It is totally designed for kiddos and to try to make it not as scary.