Tuesday, July 29, 2014

27 candles on His birthday cake






When we lit the candles on Sunday, I told Tyson that his cake looked like it was going to set on fire! 27 candles seems like a lot, but really, He is still young and going strong. We celebrated with cake & family on Sunday but his real birthday is today. And what a day it is! I mean, someone who controls the weather must have known how awesome Tyson is and said, "Today, it's Tyson's birthday. So I'm going to make it 79 degrees, breezy, and not humid…..in JULY…..in VIRGINIA!!!!! Seriously unheard of for this time of year. It's because Tyson is that cool, he can control how fantastic even the weather is. 

We're looking forward to celebrating Tyson all day long…and even longer, for his special day. We love Tyson and all he is, does and provides for our little family. He is incredibly smart, handsome, funny, and caring. Us 3 girls are just so lucky to have him in our lives. 

Happy 27th Birthday, Tyson! 
We love you!

Monday, July 28, 2014

chocolate and leotards









After gymnastics last week, Taryn enjoyed a popsicle and some all around silliness once we got home. She is a cutie patootie 

Friday, July 25, 2014

Wheaton Park


Part II of our Maryland adventures/outing a few weeks ago was visiting our favorite park out there, Wheaton Regional. 
That slide is incredible. 
Taryn was super brave this time and went down all by herself without hesitation. 
She's that tiny little spec at the end



She walked away like it was no big deal




Giant rubber mat hill




Tyson snapped this one when she went down the smaller slide.
One of my favorite pictures of Taryn 



Ta-Da! 
As she throws another rock into the water




Practicing her skips

We found a trail that took us to this pond and we fell in love. This is where Taryn declared her love of nature and where we, yet again, declared our love for where we live. 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

The Temple



A few weeks ago we had some errands to run in Maryland so we decided to make a fun night out of it. We took the girls to see The Washington D.C. Temple briefly after picking Tyson up from work.




The lighting was not the best (hence why I look like a carrot top here)
but the following pictures of the girls make a smile and giggle each time I see them


That pouty face! 



Hadleigh wasn't really loving the picture taking experience but I think the last one counts as a semi-success!






Such a beautiful temple.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Sisters




Big sister kisses are the best 

Hadleigh lights up any time Taryn walks into the room. They have definitely grown closer over the past few weeks and it's been a lot of fun to see. Hadleigh will "chase" Taryn by rolling after Taryn who runs back and forth. They both find it hilarious.



Such a happy girl after bouncing around on her bed

 Amidst tons of kisses from big sister and trying to get them to look at the camera - I did catch this brief second in time when the window caught both of their attention. They sat there, arms around each other for a few brief but beautiful seconds.




Doing what all big siblings do best. Blowing raspberries on the baby belly. 



Back scratch or hair pulling???

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Hadleigh at the Hospital

The start of July was a rough one for our little family. Hadleigh had some blood lab work done and when the results came back abnormal, we were called and told to get to the E.R. immediately. I panicked and cried while talking with the N.P. over the phone who was telling me all about her lab results. We were admitted directly to the hospital  after they placed an I.V. in Hadleigh and a bunch of monitors. They told us she was a risk for seizures or a coma. This was so scary for us.





Those next few days in the hospital were scary. So much was unknown and it seemed like it was taken forever to connect the dots. Blood work, lab tests, screenings…. 7 days later, she was stabilized, started on a feeding tube, given antibiotics for an infection, and discharged with a lot of questions still unanswered. While in the hospital we were seen by urologists, endocrinologists, geneticists, G.I. specialist, speech, physical, and occupational therapists, lots of attending doctors, residents, nurses etc…. It was all so overwhelming. We are still in the process of finding out what is exactly going on in Hadleigh's little body but we are so happy that we were able to find an infection we didn't know she had. We are grateful that we found out her daily antibiotics were actually doing no good and masking her signs of infection. We were able to get her started on a better daily antibiotic.  It's sad that it will still take a long time to figure everything out, but we are happy that we took the steps we did (with her pediatrian and seeing a G.I specialist) so that we were able to discover these big problems.

We are grateful we live where we do. We have access to a special Children's Hospital that is known around the world for the great care, expertise, and specializations provided. We're grateful that despite all that was going on with her, Hadleigh was still a very happy baby, learning how to wave "Hi" and "Bye" to the nurses and doctors (and mimic what sounds like "Hi!" too!) We are grateful for the endless thoughts, prayers and fasting by our family and friends during this very difficult time. I'm grateful for those around us who provided meals and care for Taryn while Tyson was at work or with me at the hospital. Through this hard trial we have felt loved, blessed, cared for, and looked after.

During one of the most difficult days at the hospital, I remember crying so much, being so overwhelmed with everything and having to keep track of what was going on. I remember looking at my little baby girl and just feeling so sorry for her that she had to go through all of this. I couldn't believe how happy she was & how playful she was despite what was going on in her little body. I felt scared for the future and what it might hold for her. Then, I remember thinking about all those who were praying for her, loving her from miles and miles away, those who fasted for her and the doctors so they would find out what was going on. It brought so much comfort to my heart. It's what helped me pull through and survive the hardest week of my life and that of my family's. I know that we were blessed with a little angel whom regardless of what is going on in & around her, remains happy as can be. She is already such a great example and strength to me.

We continue to pray that we will find the answers to all of our questions and that Hadleigh will be strong and able to handle what's ahead in her life. 
Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts!