Christmas 2011

The week before Christmas we spent finishing up last minute shopping and I did some holiday baking with my good friend Kyla.  We spent one morning making fudge, toffee, three different cookies, and some home made turtles.  It was a lot of fun and definitely put me in the holiday spirit.  Scott and Dallin went sledding after we got some perfect fluffy snow a couple days before Christmas.  

Christmas Eve we spent with friends and had a traditional Christmas dinner.  Then we came home to read "The Night Before Christmas" and get the kids in bed at a decent time so Santa could come. 

For Christmas we got up and had breakfast and opened presents.  Then we went to church and let Daphnee open her presents later because she slept through it that morning.  Here is our annual Christmas morning shot in our pjs. 

Here is a shot with Daphnee in her Christmas dress.

We had a wonderful Christmas and are grateful to have been blessed with so many things this year.  We also love this time of year to remember our Savior Jesus Christ and the important role He plays in our lives.  We hope everyone has a great Holiday Season!!

Daphnee's New Things

Daphnee is doing really well.  As usual her doctor was pleased with how happy and healthy she is.  We can't get a height and weight with the cast on, but I can tell she is growing. 

We started her on rice cereal and food a couple months ago, and she eats great as long as she is in the mood for it. 

She jabbers all the time.  And this week she said "mama."  I know she doesn't know its me, but she is learning to make new sounds.  It's more like, "mamamamamama" over and over again. 

She also started clapping.  She's not exactly sure what she is doing with her hands, but she gets excited because she knows it something new.  It's so fun to watch her learn. 

I'm so excited for Daphnee's first Christmas this year.  I know she doesn't understand like Dallin, but I'm sure she will be able to tackle the wrapping paper pretty good since she is 5 months older than Dallin was at his first Christmas.  We already had a test run when I was wrapping presents with Daphnee on my bed haha!!

It finally snowed this week, so we will have a white Christmas after all!  Scott is super happy about that. 

Love You Dallin

I share a lot about Daphnee, but over the past several months I am getting to know Dallin really well.  He is so patient when I tell him I have to tend to Daphnee.  All the feedings, spit baths, and diaper changes can take longer than usual, and he always is understanding about all the time I use to take care of Daphnee.  We have had many ups and downs over the past several months and Dallin has been amazing through it all. 

When Daphnee starts to fuss or cry I often hear, "It will be ok Daphnee," as Dallin is trying to calm her down.  Its so sweet to see him sharing toys or getting her pacifier for her without being asked by me.  And Daphnee LOVES Dallin.  She is always watching him and concerned with what he is doing.  I can be playing with her, and if Dallin comes into view her focus is all on him and she could care less where I am. 

We tackled a huge mountain a few weeks ago.  Dallin is potty trained!!!!!!!!!  We now only have one child in diapers, and it is wonderful (even though Daphnee wears 2 diapers). 

To keep bragging on Dallin...his new love of puzzles amazes me.  He got a 60 piece puzzle at Thanksgiving time and he can put it together all by himself.  He will ask for help with it, but by the time I get to the table to help him he has already finished it.  He spends hours putting it together over and over. 

Dallin has always been a good boy, and we love him so much.  After adding Daphnee to our family my love for him has grown so much.  He is a wonderful brother to her, and I'm so grateful to be his mother.  

New Purple Cast

We went back to Salt Lake yesterday to get Daphnee's cast changed.  It was pretty simple and took less than an hour once she was in the operating room.  They put her to sleep, bathed her, examined her hips and re-casted them.  She is in a slightly different position but not enough to really notice. 

Dallin asked that her second cast be purple this time.  And she is going to be in this cast for about 4 1/2 weeks instead of another 6 like we originally thought.  We have a an appointment on January 9th to get her cast off.  Then she will be in the hard plastic brace that she was in before for several months, just mostly at night.  

  Daphnee is doing well and doesn't seem to notice that anything is different than before.  We only have about a month left of no stroller, no bouncy seat, no swing, no change tables (in public), no high chair and another special car seat. 

It's very awkward to hold her and try and not hit her feet on things, but she plays well laying on her play mat.  She also loves to be held a lot so she can sit up and does some tummy time propped up on pillows. 

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful week. Mema and Papa came to visit from Arkansas, and Dallin and Daphnee have been spoiled this week for sure. It was so nice to have family here for Thanksgiving because we won't be traveling for the holidays this year.

                                          

 

 

We have so  many blessings to be grateful for and glad to have this time to remember all we have. 

Daphnee's 6 Month Pictures

I am so excited to share these pictures with you.  They turned out great, and of course Daphnee is just the cutest ever.  Hope you like them as much as we do.  Thanks again Kyla!!



I could look at these all day long.  I absolutely love this little girl, and so grateful that she has joined our family. 

Family Pictures 2011

 Here are our family pictures we took in October.  Thanks again to our good friend Kyla for doing a great job!  We love them!!  Stay tuned for Daphnee's six month pictures to come soon. 

Let me know which one is your favorite.

Hospital, Halloween and Home

Daphnee had a follow up appointment and CT scan this morning.  Her hips look great and perfectly centered in the sockets where they need to be.  I am so glad to report that we are HOME now!  Daphnee is doing amazing!!  She is her happy self as usual and with being in the harness and brace for 2 months she doesn't really seem to mind being in the cast. 

Since we didn't really know what life would be like after surgery we didn't plan anything for Halloween. Luckily, Dallin isn't old enough to know what he is missing yet. :) I'm ready for just a quiet evening at home.  Knowing us we will celebrate with a movie and some yummy caramel corn. 

Happy Hauntings to everyone else who is celebrating!!

Hip Surgery

Daphnee's hip surgery went really well yesterday.  It didn't take as long as anticipated and wasn't as invasive as they originally thought it might be.  We were discharged from the hospital at noon today.  We will be staying with family in Utah until Monday because Daphnee has a follow up appointment.  Then we will travel home on Monday night.  

Here we are on our way to the hospital.

 Waiting in pre-op in her tiny hospital gown.

 After surgery trying to pull out her IV.

 Trying to rest before we were discharged. 

We are all doing well.  Daphnee is as comfortable as can be expected for now and just trying to rest. 

Pre- surgery Update

Daphnee had a check up with her Pediatrician today before her surgery this week.  He was impressed with how well she is doing.  He couldn't believe how much she had changed in 6 weeks and was pleased with how happy and interactive she was for her age. 

Just shy of 6 months stats:

Weight: 14 pounds 3 ounces

Height: 24 1/2 inches

I haven't been as worried with her weight because her eating has improved immensely!!!  She gained 3 pounds in 6-7 weeks and jumped from the 2nd percentile to the 18th.  Woohoo!!  I haven't been concerned with her weight lately, but it does give me peace of mind going into surgery.

For the last several days we have just been getting ready to go to Salt Lake.  The house has been deep cleaned, all the laundry is done, meals in the freezer and Scott was excused from his classes for the week. 

I will thank you all in advance for the thoughts and prayers that will be in Daphnee's behalf on Wednesday and through recovery. We will post as soon as we can on how the surgery went and how she is doing.

Help Choose Daphnee's Cast Color

You probably haven't been counting down the days like we have, but in case you were wondering Daphnee's hip surgery is coming up next Wednesday (Oct. 26th).  We will be in Salt Lake City for a couple days, but should be home by next weekend at the latest.  

We have been trying to decide what color we should get her cast?!?!  What do you think?  She will be in 2 casts over the 3 months, but we just need to decide what color for her first one right now.

Check out the right side of our blog and vote for your favorite color. 

Food Blog - My Tasty Table

After years of contemplating and a HUGE nudge from my husband I have started a food blog.  You can visit it here.

Please keep in mind it is brand new and a work in progress.  You can follow it or check back often as it continues to grow. 

Feel free to leave comments and tell me what you like or don't like about my posts.  I want to post what people are interested in. 

Thanks!!

The Kiddos

Dallin's 3rd Birthday

 Dallin turned three on Tuesday.  I know all parents say this, but I really can't believe how fast he is growing up.  We celebrated with having a few friends over.  The kids played while the parents visited.  Then we ate some yummy treats. I like simple parties that don't stress you out so much that you don't enjoy the reason you are celebrating.  

 Dallin requested a "car" birthday this year, so I tried to be creative with the food.  I served chocolate doughnuts and peach rings for "tires" and made "stoplights" with red, yellow and green m&m's on brownies.   Just in case you can't see them from the picture.  Then just cake, ice cream and punch. 

I let Dallin help me make and decorate his cake this year.  Its all he has been talking about for days.  I'm not a professional, but I was pleased with the cake.  Dallin loved it and that's what is important. 

 I had so much fun planning Dallin's party and can't wait to see what theme he will choose for his next birthday. 

Update on Daphnee's Hips

We went back to Daphnee's doctor in SLC on Monday after four weeks of being in the second brace.  The ultrasound still showed no change.  The hips weren't moving into to the hip socket on their own.  This means she will be having surgery to put them in for her.  Surgery is scheduled for the end of October (she will be six months old).  Then six weeks later we go back for them to recast her hips as she grows and then another six weeks in the cast.  Three months total of a body cast from her tummy down to her ankles keeping it open down the middle for a diaper. 

The good news is that she doesn't have to be in any kind of brace or harness until surgery.  So we have six weeks to cram as many photo shoots and other fun stuff in to our schedule that she won't be able to do once she is casted.  Not sure exactly what she is going to be able to wear so I'm sure we will be playing dress up all the time and making sure she gets to wear all of her cute clothes before then. 

Daphnee is already loving the freedom with her legs.  And she is so fun to take pictures of at this age because she is always smiling.  I now have to decide which pictures not to post instead of trying to find one that works. 

This last picture is totally a butt shot to see the cute matching flower.  I love baby girl clothes!!