Update on Little Chicadee

We have had baby girl for 6 weeks now.  She is growing like a weed and looking healthier everyday.  A few weeks ago, she had her 2 month checkup.  We were excited to see that she had gained 2 pounds and had grown 2 inches in the month that we have had her.  The doctor said she looked great but she detected a heart murmur.  We immediately made an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist. 

Last week she had her cardiology appointment.  They did an EKG and an ultra sound.  The doctor found that she had a small to medium size hole in her heart, between the bottom two chambers.  This is allowing blood to flow between the chambers of the heart.

So far, it hasn't caused any problems for her.  She is eating and gaining weight as if she doesn't have the issue.  There is a 50% chance it will close on it's own and there isn't concern that it will get any bigger.  I will take her back in 6 months for a follow up ultra sound.

As far as we are concerned, we are loving on her as much as possible.  The boys adore her which makes my heart happy.  I wasn't sure how they would react to a new baby in the home.

Josh continues to pick her up every chance he gets....spoiling her rotten.  They have fallen asleep on the couch together more times than I can count.

This whole process has been very strange for me.  I'm a new mom in every shape and form but by name.  I hug her, hold her, change her, feed her, I'm up all night with her and I tell her I love her 100 times a day.....yet, I'm still not Mom. 

There was no baby shower, no presents on her arrival, no excitement.  Just a frantic call from DSS saying they had an urgent placement.  She was at the office and needed someone to come get her.  Who could say no to a 5 week old baby girl? Instant baby.

People constantly ask me how I have been coping with all of this.  How do I not totally fall in love with her?  How can I let her go?  Well, I do love her.  Yes, I do but I am guarded on the inside.  I love her but keep one small door in my heart Shut. Locked. Bolted. If I open that door, my heart will shatter into a million pieces when she is taken away.

I'm trying to live and love in the moment.  For now, she is happy, healthy and much loved by this little family.

Greenville Zoo

Saturday morning rolled around and we made a spur of the moment decision.  We packed up and headed to the Greenville Zoo.  It was a beautiful day and we knew it would be even warmer in South Carolina.  The zoo didn't disappoint   It was small but perfect for our little guys. Their favorite exhibit was the reptile house, go figure.  

After the zoo and the playground we went downtown.  Greenville has really revamped the city.  We had never been down to the new area near the ball field.  It was such a well planned out area.  We enjoyed the green spaces and played by the river.  Greenville is much more appealing with all of the new improvements.

Three pot bellied pigs.

We had to find the alligators right away.

These monkeys belong in the zoo.

Baby enjoyed some time in the sun

We saw the baby giraffe, Kiko.

The boys loved this giant hill in downtown Greenville.  They rolled down it until they were sick.

The double roll down the hill.  Looked painful....

It turned into a wrestling match.

Down by the river

Look at this amazing tree!!!

They could have spent all day playing on this tree. I wish it was in my back yard.

Global Warming Weekend

Last weekend was unseasonably warm, almost 70 degrees.  While we enjoyed the warm weather, it was strange to be outside in January without a jacket.  I have to say, I'm ready for a few good snows.  After all, we do live in the mountains of North Carolina.  It is supposed to snow in the winter. 

We took advantage of the weather and went on a hike up Lookout Mountain.  It was a bit muddy but that didn't stop us.  I think the boys enjoyed the muddy trails more than they would the dry ones.  We tried to stay outside as much as we could.  Snow could be right around the corner.......

On the top of Lookout Mountain.

Gotta love the mountains of NC.

Kind of hard to hike with 3 monkeys hanging off you.

Baby girls first hike.  She loved the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

Heading back down.

The little ones favorite past time is watching the boys wrestle.  They do some pretty cool moves just for her enjoyment.

This weekend I attempted to make homemade pop-tarts.  The boys keep asking for pop-tarts and I refuse to give them that junk.  My homemade version was all natural and tasted nothing like the highly processed favorite.  The boys seemed to like them and hopefully that satisfied their pop-tart craving.

Christmas #2

After a grueling drive to Virginia we finally made it to my folks house.  The kids and I left the day after Christmas.  Josh stayed home and worked.  The drive up there was the worst drive of my entire life.  It usually takes 7 1/2 hrs and it ended up taking 11 1/2 hours.  The kids were amazing but it was horrible.  The roads were full of traffic and the weather was awful.  The slushie roads caused tons of accidents and backups.  At least we made it safely for our second Christmas.

Right when we got there, the boys wanted to open presents.

We waited until the next morning to open the stockings.

You gotta love a stocking that you can fit in.

The boys got the movie Brave for Christmas and happily sat and watched.

Mimi found Army outfits for the boys.  They loved them.

He is half monkey

Papaw came with us to the Air and Space Museum.  Mimi accompanied us to the National History Museum.  Thanks Mom and Dad for helping me out as the museums are a must.

The boys watched the planes come in at Dulles Airport.

This little nugget slept most of the time

Meeting Mimi

First time seeing snow

Grady loves Baby

What a Christmas

We love Christmas!!!  Gramma and Grandpa came to see us for the big day.  They brought tons of presents and really made the boys Christmas.  It was great to share the holidays with our family.  Shelley and Peter, thank you so much for everything.  Christmas was so special because you were here.

The gang.

Santa and his elves were busy this Christmas.

Even our little Chickadee got a bag full of goodies.  I have to say, we have never had a pink bear in the house before.

In true Gramma fashion, she arrived with delicious homemade Christmas cookies.

Let the unwrapping begin......

They dove into the presents.  Myles requested dinosaur toys and Grady asked for Army things.

Gramma and Myles played with the cool magnet building blocks Santa (Gramma and Grandpa) brought.

Gramma and Grandpa were quickly put to work taking out all of the toys.

Little Chickadee missed the main event as she slept soundly.

Twister!!!!

Grandpa serenaded us with Christmas carols.

The aftermath.

Josh, with a little help from Grandpa and Myles, made homemade pasta.

Video chatting with Uncle Nick and family.