End of Summer

Seeing how Lexie's surgery was canceled and Eric had already taken leave we decided to put it to good use and took a mini vacation. We drove down to Padre Island for some fun and relaxation. While we were there we got to visit Port Aransas and ate A LOT of seafood. We also toured the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. But, a good majority of our time was spent at the beach. We had so much fun and I am sure I have gained at least 10 pounds from all of the eating we were doing. The kids were cracking us up all weekend though. They LOVED our basic hotel room. They kept asking if we were going to live there forever and were over the moon about sleeping right next to us. Of course, the later bedtime was a bonus. Then when we toured the Lexington, Ethan just couldn't get enough of it. He has officially declared 'boat driver' to be put on the list of jobs for him when he grows up. Gracie replied with ,"When I GO up, I am going to be princess and Dora". They loved climbing up and down all of the stairs, but it scared the heck out of Eric and I. We are talking about a Navy ship here, these stairs are steep and barely have railings. Afterward we went to the Texas State Aquarium to cool off and see all of the sea creatures. Of course, the kiddos loved the dolphin tank. Ethan really liked petting the sting rays but Gracie would chicken out once they got close. There was even this one area that just reaked of fish and Gracie (little drama queen) starts dry heaving and yelling "UUGGGHH, THIS IS DISCUSTING. WHO POOPED IN HERE? DISCUSTING!!! ( She says it with a c instead of a g). Eric and I were cracking up and so was everyone around us. She is such a character but we got her out of there fast before she actually threw up! Out of the whole trip, the beach was their favorite. They loved it all! The sand, the waves and hunting for sea shells. Eric and I had to keep a sharp eye though because we have two really brave kiddos and they just kept inching their way out more and more. The waves would just toss them aside but they loved every bit of it. Lexie was even able to enjoy the water. We had to stay closer to shore because I was almost knocked down while holding her so she just played in the sand and lounged on the mommy's lap. It was such a great trip and we will be going back!!

The kids relaxing together

Just got done swimming

Kiddos may be joining the Navy

Ethan having fun!

Touring the flight deck
View from the Flight Deck

"I think I made it move Mom"

Captain Gracie

Captain Ethan

Someone has been bad!?

Our little lady Lex standing next to the sign about the USS Lexington

The kids enjoying the view

Dolphin exhibit at the aquarium

Petting the sting rays

Lexie catching the rays


Enjoying the beach!

She stayed in the shade the majority of the time but why does she look so tan?!
I am so jealous!

Lexie Rolling

Are we being punk'd?

This past week I was really busy preparing for Lexie's surgery. On Monday she had another CT scan and then on Tuesday, Eric and I both donated blood in case she may have needed it for surgery. Well, yesterday (4 days prior to surgery) we got a call from the doctor and she says that the latest Ct scan shows that all of her plates except for one are open and will not be needing the surgery. The one that looks to be closed was not going to dealt with at this surgery anyways. It is the plate around her forehead and that was going to be the surgery at around the age of 1. Of course, I was thankful that she was not going to have to go through such a grueling surgery and some what surprised at how they were all closed on the last CT and now all open. I was also glad for the surgery team that they caught this because if Lexie had to go through this surgery to find out that it was unnecessary, they would've had one pissed momma on their hands!!!

So it all worked out for the better but I still had questions. Being, how come her head circumference is really low on the charts and why are the plates overriding each other. She said that even though she is 7 months, her brain is not. It is still trying to catch up and fill in all the areas of the brain. There needs to be more brain present in order for the skull to grow. So time is basically our friend now and we just need to wait for her brain to catch up in order for her head to catch up to the ideal size for her age. We know from previous CT scans that her brain is filling in/decompressing really well.

I personally think she is doing remarkably well and we all have come a long way from the beginning. We just need more time to get where we are going. I am overjoyed at where we are but just giving her time to grow seems to be all that is needed. When we first heard the horrible news about Lexie's condition I remember praying that God would just give me a quick glance into our lives, so that I could see how it would all turn out. Of course, I never got that glance but when I think about it now it would've of really saved me so much worry and stress. I had prepared myself for the worst possible outcomes. I am thankful everyday at how well Lexie is doing. I know that it could always be worse than what it is and that alone makes me realize that she is doing amazing given her disability. I don't expect you to fully understand what I mean because you may just see what she is lacking but I see what she isn't lacking. She is reaching her milestones for her corrected age and that alone makes my heart want to burst. I will have to post a video of her talking to me and rolling over but right now I just need to decompress from this weeks events and spend the day with my babies.

Princess Lexie

I was in the kitchen and I over hear Gracie say "oooh LEXIE, you are so adorable!! You look like a princess"!!!! When I walked over this is what I found. Gracie had graciously let Lexie wear all of her jewelry and even made sure she had a crown to wear. Normally, Gracie throws a fit whenever she has to share her jewelry but I guess Lexie must have been on her good side. Lexie looks like she may be a diva like her sister because she was smiling the entire time. She enjoyed it as much as her sister did.

I love how she placed the big bracelets on her ankles and feet

Gracie trying to tame the hair.

Bumbo Baby

Here are some other pictures of Lexie from last Sunday. She sure loves her bumbo and we are thrilled with the progress she has done in a months time. Last month she didn't have enough trunk and head control to sit in it but has since mastered the task. I catch her all the time following me around the room. It gives her much more control compared to the bouncer and the kids love that she is sitting right along side them. Her occupational therapist seems pleased with her progress and we are all rooting for her.

Bowl-O-Rama

This Sunday we took the kids bowling and were actually surprised by how much they enjoyed it. Ethan had a really great time and would of been fine if we played it all day. He ended up beating me and even if he played without the help of the bumpers he still would of humiliated his poor mother even more. Needless to say, it has been quite a long time since I have been bowling. The last time was in Ohio at our friend KC's birthday party and I am pretty sure Ethan was one and half. Gracie enjoyed throwing the ball down and regardless if she struck any pins or not, she granted herself a congratulatory dance every time. It was hilarious watching her try to hold her own ball and using all of her strength to send it rolling on down the lane. Because if you know Gracie, she does not need any help! Of course, halfway through the game her appetite kicks in and demands a snack. I am sure people must think we don't feed her because everywhere we go within 10 minutes she begs for a snack. She has even sat an entire play date at the kitchen table stuffing her face. However, once she had her snack she was back in the game. All the while Ethan enjoyed rolling for her. We are definitely going back again, especially since I seriously need to work on my bowling skills.

I crack up every time I see this picture.
Ethan stood like that every time watching the ball.

Gracie rolling her ball down

Cheesers!

Way to go!!
(He even has the arm swing to the back)

Daddy making Lexie laugh

Ethan rocking it.

Gracie running back to watch her victory

This is how she started her dance.

As I was taking this picture Ethan asked me
"Mom, can we keep these shoes...I really like them"

Lexie- "What is with these people and that freakin' camera!"

Mr. Roboto

For the past month Ethan had been begging Eric to help him build a robot and this weekend they finally were able to do it. Ethan got a book from one of his grandparents showing kids how to make robots using household recyclables. I think it turned out really great.

Sweet Lexie

Her surgery has been scheduled for August 16th. The logical part of myself is happy that she will be getting this surgery but the mommy part is not ready to hand her over to them. I would rather we drive on by that hospital and never look back. The whole surgery just sounds horrible and I am really worried on how she will feel afterwards. Don't get me wrong, the doctor is really wonderful and comes highly recommended but she is still a doctor and not her mother.

She is such a mellow, happy baby. She doesn't give me the ugly face when I feed her veggies. She hardly whines or makes a fuss. Even when her physical therapist keeps making her do things she doesn't want to do. She has the cutest giggle and always wakes up with a smile on her face. I know this feeling will never ever go away but once again I think, it just isn't fair.

Giddy Up!!

Today we went to a western themed indoor playground.
The kids had a lot of fun and as we were walking out, Ethan asks, "When we can go back again?"
We all thought it was a really cute place.

Yee Haw!

Gracie being Gracie
I tried to turn her the other way but she made it clear that I was wrong and she was right!

This thing was really cool and was a favorite among the kids....and ,yes, myself too.
It rotates as you climb up on the sides.

I love this picture because it shows how gravity is working against Gracie.
She ended up falling on her face,
but she got back in there and remembered what to do.

Faith, Ethan and Samantha

I want Eric to put a zip line in our backyard because this was so much fun and Ethan LOVED it!

Since Lexie is too small for the playground she ended up playing on the floor with Natalie.
As you can see she was getting hungry and Natalie must of been looking really good.
I love Natalie's face in this picture "I know this girl is not about to suck on my head"!

Yee Haw Cowgirl!

Gracie behind bars!!!
This picture would of been fitting 20 minutes later during one of her tantrums.