Happy Halloween<):)

Happy Halloween to all! This year has flown by so fast it is unreal. We are in Bismarck, getting the last of our stuff unpacked and settled. The kids are gradually getting into school and we are getting a routine established. The schools are so different, but so far the kids, boys, are liking it. They are making friends as they usually do quite easily. The kids went trick or treating at Rob's work yesterday and loaded up on candy and will be heading out tonight. I will hopefully get the home computer set up so I can post some new pics. I know I need to get busy keeping up with the blog again, and promise to do so regularly. Kelcie is enjoying her first Halloween, and has a very cute costume:) I cannot believe she is 3 months and 18 days from her first birthday! It makes me sad my last baby is growing up, but after all she has been through it is also a huge blessing! When looking back at some of these pictures from previous post it is hard to see HOW much all of the kids have changed, esp Caleb, from a baby to a Teenager, wow. Well I hope you all have a fun and safe day and night. Pictures to follow soon!

Woohoo finally updating!

Ugh, I have been horrible at updating the last few months. So much has been going on lately I feel like I don't have enough hours in the day. We will be moving to North Dakota soon, like in 4 days and i still have got to finish packing. Robert has been there for a couple of months getting settled at work and getting us a house. The kids have missed him and are excited to get moved. I am so excited for the snow, will have a real white Christmas. October brings my most favorite time of yr, all of the holidays from Halloween to New Years day, LOVE it!!!! It's so magical and so many memories can be made.

The boys have been doing good in school here in Boise. It is so different than in Mississippi, and unfortunately that is a good thing. The kids have made good friends and the schools are really good. Caleb just finished his football season and they finished 2nd in the district. Christopher also finished up his first season of cross country.I am very proud of both of them for doing so well. Kyan is growing into a big boy, of course thats what he is supposed to do, but it makes mea little sad. He is still crazy over his baby sister and is a good big brother. He also keeps me on my toes and is at that stage where he has a thousand questions for everything. Keely is doing well she has loved getting spoiled my Mawmaw, and Josh and playing with Lakota. She thinks it is funny to make him do things he isn't supposed to do. Luckily she has only had a couple of minor seizures this summer and will start school in Bismarck when we get moved. Last but not least, Kelcie is doing amazingly well. She has gained weight and is eating like a little piglet. So far she likes everything but oatmeal. She still has some testing to get done on her heart and another EEG, but it's just follow up stuff and hopefully things will be fine. She is not sitting up yet, but is trying to rock back and forth on her hands and knees. Of course I have to keep reminding myself and be reminded:) that she is about 3 months behind because of her rough start in this world. She will catch up. She loves her brothers and sister and smiles and laughs ALL the time. Everyone comments on how happy she always is. She has not eased up on me at all as far as her sleeping through the night. She loves me sooo much,lol, she gets me up 3-5 times a night still:) Hoping that changes real soon!

We have had a great time here in Idaho. We got out and fished, I love fishing:), and went into the mountains some. The boys went dove hunting with my mom and Josh and loved it. I have gotten to finally spend some time with my nephew and neices, I really miss not getting to see them more often. Had some good sister time too, and even more with time Josh. You know I am his favorite sister:)lol Even got a new brother-in-law and neice! so it had been a very busy eventful 4 months. Even though I won't be here in Id, Bismarck isn't that far and will get to se my family more than in the past. I am excited to start a new life in North Dakota, never know what the future brings!

So i finally updated!, I know I will have tons of pics to post soon and I will keep up with my updates, Jennifer! lol I have actually missed working on my blog. But would like to add it has been fun reconnecting with old friends on Facebook this summer! Till next time- take care all!

Christi

Happy Mother's Day

Moms make the world go round. It's that first look at our child, that first sweet smell of their skin, and the first cry that makes us a mom. We love our children endlessly, kiss their hurts, cheer their achievements, and watch in awe as they turn into smart, beautiful big people. So if you've been a mom for many years, you know the trials, tribulations and ultimate rewards of motherhood. And if you are about to become a mom, Jennifer, I wish you all of the joys of being a mom. While most days are crazy and hectic, and I don't always get a shower or enough sleep, I would not ever trade one second of having my 5 beautiful children. It's the toothless smiles, sweaty hugs, sticky kisses and puke in the middle of the night that make it all worth it. I hope you all have a wonderful, special day because you are all wonderful, special Mothers! I love you all:)

Caleb

13 years ago today our first son was born. Caleb was such a sweet beautiful baby. He was strong from the beginning. Walking at 7 months, never even bothered to crawl. He would rather climb cabinets to get his own stuff rather than ask for help. And if he didn't like the furniture he would move it himself! He still likes to be independent these days. He has been such a wonderful, caring brother to Keely, taking care of her from as early as I can remember. He has such a sweet caring heart, and because of how he has been with his sister it has carried over into his social life. Most parents love to hear when their kids make a good grade, ace a test, win a contest. While we love to hear those things about Caleb, the thing that means even more is when his teachers, and there have been many, will compliment Caleb for his compassion and willingness to help another student who has special needs. He will help them get to class, carry a lunch tray or books,or just takes the time to acknowledge them. We feel so proud of what a kind gentle heart he has, most kids his age don't always make that effort. He's a good big brother to Christopher and Kyan. Most days he loves to torture Christopher, tackle him, put him in a headlock or give him the occasional wedgie, but you better believe no one else better mess with Christopher. It is also so sweet to watch Caleb's face light up when he walks into a room and sees Kelcie. He is very protective and cautious of her, it's cute but you better not leave him in the same room as her by himself! It's hard to believe he's
13. We are proud of him for so many reasons, we love him just because. He's so smart and handsome, or as he likes to say "sexy", geez. He's growing up and we can't wait to see what lies ahead for him. But......He will always be my baby boy!

Kyan's 4th Birthday

Easter Antics

Many Faces of Kelcie

What a week.....

It has been 1 week and 1 day here only 6 more days to go. Hope they fly by. Le Bonheur is a great childrens hospital. Everyone has been really nice and not only are they accomodating to your kiddos but they go out of their way to make sure the parents are comfortable too. It sure makes the stay and long, scary ordeal much easier to cope with.

Kelcie is presumed to have had meningitis and is being treated for bacterial meningitis. All of her cultures have come back negative, all bloodwork has been negative and all mri and catscans of her brain have been normal, Thank God. She is still not having much luck eating or keeping on good weight, she is a very skinny baby girl. Now that is the next step to get the digestive issue solved. They did an ultrasound this morning to check her pyloric muscle, a sphincter at the base of the stomach that is sometimes to tight that it won't let food down so it comes back up, hers was negative. While all these negative test results are positive, it stinks to not be getting any difinitve answers! So now it will be an upper gi or a ph test, they place a probe into her belly and leave it for 24 hrs and it gauges how high up the acid comes into her esophagus. Those will probably happen Monday.

So while she still has some stomach issues, she is otherwise doing great. Since being treated for this infection with antibiotics and coming off the vent she is like a new baby. As scary as the vent and sedation were to deal with it really helped her. Her little body was just to little to fight that kind of bad infection. She now is alert and her color is perfect, no more purple hands and feet and most of all no more apnea spells, it feels niceto have our baby healty and like she should look and feel. Hopefully the tummy problems will be as "easy" to fix.

I have added a picture, she is frowining probably because she is sick of all the pictures I take of her!

Thank you all for your many thoughts and prayers, she needed them and obviously heard:)!

I would also like give a special Thank you to all of the wonderful people at Sitel. The gifts were so nice and such a surprise. You have all been so good to Rob and our family being so understanding in this difficult times. We have appreciated all of your call, texts and prayers!

Love to all!

Failure to thrive........

What a horrible term to associate with a brand new beautiful baby. That is the term they have labeled Kelcie with. Not because we are neglecting her, not feeding, bathing, clothing, or loving her, but because her little body has something going on that it can't absorb the nutrients and calories she needs to maintain and gain weight. There are many causes for the term, hers could be because she has an infection, allergy to milk or gastric reflux. It just takes time to try and figure out what is causing it. Someone should find a new term.

She had another set back yesterday and we had to take her to the dr because we were afraid of another 911 situation if we didn't. They were so nice and saw her almost immediately, she has great drs. She had lost another pound, was starting to throw up everything she ate and was beginning to choke again. They sent her for an Upper GI, thankfully she has no intestinal problems, just really severe reflux. She had to be cathed and they discovered she has a U.rinary T.ract I.nfection and is now on antibiotics again. The dr said "babys are very suseptible to UTIs", which I didn't realize. They have switched her to a new formula and we go back on Friday for a followup and weight check. Let's all hope she has gained weight and not lost. Not sure I could handle another hospital stay, she has had to endure so much in her short 3 wks. 1day in this world.

Now on a brighter note, Kelcie had her first real bath. No more sponge baths for her! When I first put her in the water she had this look of "Ahh I know this warm familar place", it was so cute. She just relaxed and she closed her eyes and layed there. Just like going "home":) So of course we had to take some photos to capture this first bath. Enjoy!

Home at Last!

Ugh, finally our baby girl is "thriving" as the drs called it. She is eating well, having regular poops and pees, her billirubin count is 9.4 anything under 10 is great and it was 25.7, the Axid for her reflux is working and she has gained almost a pound since Tuesday and looks good. She is still a tiny baby girl but she is getting healthy and has had her last hoorah at the hospital. We did have one bump today before we left. We had been watching her IV for swelling in her lower arm or hand, but didn't think to watch her upper arm. Well this morning I was changing her and discovered her left upper arm was 3 times bigger than the right. The IV had burned her vein and the fluids had run into her arm tissues. She was crying and it was very red but she is beter now. It will take 2-3 days to for the fluid to absorb but no lasting complications. We go to the pediatrician in 1 week for a check up but expect her to be doing well. So I took her first picture at home in her bassinet and she was very happy and content, looking pretty in pink:) Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers for Kelcie and us, it's been a trying couple of weeks but with all of your love and support it's all ended good. Love to all!

Kelcie's tough day.......

Yesterday Kelcie started having some bigger issues with choking than she started out with when she was born. She had swallowed so much fluid coming out that she had some mucous issues, but yesterdays issues were alot worse and more frequent. She and I went to bed about 2:30-3 this morning and she slept until about 8 when she woke up choking and gasping for air. I got her mouth suctioned and she caught her breath but again choked this time harder for her to get past. Rob came home from work so we could take her to the dr. While I was getting dressed he was holding her and she turned purple and started flailing her arms, she was choking. I grabbed her and tried the normal things to help her, nothing was working and then all of a sudden this yellow and green fluid started coming out of her nose and mouth and she stopped breathing for about a minute. We called 911 and the fire truck and ambulance got there very fast, as we live 1 street over from the medical complex, and they took her to the ER. She had another choking spell in the ER and has been admitted to the hospital again. She is on oxygen and an IV and they are running blood tests and did chest xrays. Her billirubin count is back up to 19 and she is dehydrated, breastfeeding is going ok, but she isn't getting enough milk because I am not producing enough. She has lost weight down to 5.7 lbs, adding to her body being weak. She also has reflux that is adding to her choking as she isn't strong enough to "fight" down the milk and bile that is coming up. So we will be here for a few days probably. Think good thoughts for her:) She's had a tough go of it the short time she's been here! Here is a picture of her Isolette, heat, oxygen and billirubin light, bed.

Our family

Here is my first family pic with short post until I can go through all the pics we have to make a slide show. Tonight is my first night with all 5 of my kiddos by myself, and it has been really nice! Fed Kelcie, bathed Kyan and am doing a post so we can play Uno. Not bad for the first time:) Rob and his parents went out to dinner, it was nice to have a first night home with my babies! So here is our first pic......There will be more!

We're coming home!

Well as you all know by now, our little sweet baby girl was born Feb. 18th, 2009 at 11:35. She was 7 lbs and 18 in. long, she is a tiny sweet girl. After her day in the nursery in the incubator for oxygen, we got busy trying to get the nursing routine down. I have never had luck with that as you probably know, but trying it again with more success each day, woohoo! She has to learn not to go straight to sleep:) Anyway, we are going home today around 10:30, hospital time that is:)
I am going to get some more pictures on here today once I get home and settled, so check back!

Update!

Tomorrow Kelcie will make her debut into this world! A new daughter, sister, granddaughter, neice, and cousin and bestfriend to Bella! I cannot wait to smell her! Finally, I am so excited for it to be here but now the panic and nerves are setting in. Making sure I am ready for her to come home, clothes washed, diapers bought, enough blankets, socks, ugh, the list could go on. Then anxious for how this labor will go, but as my Dad said "I am an old pro." Hopefully it will go smoothly and be over quickly! Guess it is way too late to worry about all that though. We got some really cute 3D pics of her I would like to share from this mornings ultrasound. The first is of her head, what a cute squishy face!:) The second is of her hands crossed in front of her face, her favorite position! So enjoy these and then tomorrow we will have better pictures!

Happy Valentines Day!

Today should be like any other day when we show everyone in our lives how much we love and cherish them. We hope everyone of our family and friends know how much we love them. You have all been so good to our kids and they are lucky to have such special people in their lives to offer something that they can take and add to themselves. Take the day to celebrate long lasting loves and new ones, it's what makes us who we are! Be kind and sweet to someone everyday, try to make them feel special and show them how much you appreciate them. Seems like such a task, but if we can do it all day on February 14th, why not take a minute to do it EVERYDAY? I thought I would take a minute to tell my kids and husband why I love them so much today.
Robert- your such a hardworker, a great Daddy and husband. And you still make me laugh at your silly behind:)
Keely- because you are very strong and brave and still love ALL stuffed animals
Caleb- because through that tough boy exterior, you are sweet and caring and thoughtful and sing and dance when no one is looking!
Christopher- because your soft hearted but have a big temper, and you can lay in bed for hrs watching cartoons shutting out everything around you
Kyan- you love all of your family very much, are so proud of yourself when you do something new and "big boy", and you always try to take care of me.
and
Kelcie- because I haven't met you but can't wait to, and because your have made your brothers so excited with your little kicks and hiccups and that you little girl will complete our family!

Dang pregnancy hormones! I love you all and and appreciate each and everyone of my huge family and my friends. If I typed something about each of you I would be here all day long, lol! So it's safe to say if your reading this blog then you know who you are, so have a special day and know I love you. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Kelcie Update

Well besides some new photos of Kelcie, there is not much new on the due date front. Common sense says I know it's best to wait and give her time to "grow" and mature, my heart and body is saying enough already, let's get the show on the road! The best estimate now is the 23rd- 25th, appts. Tuesday and Thursday should shed some light on what the dr has decided. The first picture is of her cute little hand waving to me! The second is her face, if you look good you can see her head on right, go down her forehead to her nose and her sweet little pouting lips! She has obviously been practicing:). They aren't the best ultrasound pics, but they rarely are. Hope you enjoy them like we all did.

Belly picture finally!

Okay as promised to all of you who have been hounding me for one, Susie and Jennifer, here it is.

Another dr appt today, stress test and it went fine. Kelcies' heartbeat runs between 169-139 during contractions which is really good the nurse says. I only gained 2 oz. the last 3 days, which is much better than the 5 the last week! My blood pressure remians good and I am very ready to have this baby. The "usual pregnancy" complaints at 36ish weeks, no sleep, indigestion, swollen feet, back and belly aches and pains. Blah Blah Blah! Plus can't wait to meet this little girl who moves ALL the time and seems to have her days and nights messed up, probably a repeat of her sister Keely! Finally getting everything finished up, and sometime between now and the 25th, we will have a grand finale to this long, incredible journey. Then our family will be complete:)

Betty and the Mermaids

The name of the band courtesy of band member Kyan Woodruff. Coming to a venue near you soon.

Rob is 38!

Today is Rob's 38th birthday. He got to spend some time at home this morning, while I went to the dr. and he had some "work" he had to do before he went in at noon. As most of you know he is a very hard worker, and is usually all about working the long hours. So I thought I would share what my very hard working dedicated husband was working on.

Happy Birthday Robert! We all love you!

Only 17 more days!

So, I know the ticker says 34 days to go, but because I am so old :) and have gestational diabetes, again, I will be induced by Feb 18th, if not sooner. We are working on getting her stuff done. Baby bed set up, which Kyan is not happy about giving up, but today says "if Kelcie wants it she can have it", so we will see. Getting clothes and blankets washed and folded. Also most important need to get a bag packed! Getting ready for the 5th should be cake, but for some reason I am stressing more now than I remember doing in the past. Rob says it's becasue I am older, so sweet!, I think it's just because it's getting so close and have so much to finish up. Still have to get the swing and bassinet/playyard ordered, since we've made 2 trips to Alabama and none of the stores have them in stock, figures! The kids are not sure if they are excited, Kyan is ecstatic, another crying baby or wow another sister. I'll let you know in about 6 wks:) They will have Spring break about 3-4 wks after she arrives, so we'll see how they adjust to late nights and early mornings with a new vocal baby in the house. We have so many b-days in Feb, Susie/4th, Art/8th, Rob/9th, De/13th, my day(no not my b-day!)/14th:)!, and Gabriel/22nd. and our cousin Deannas'/13ish. Kelcie needs her own special day, so the 18 works nicely, but the 15th or 16th would be nice too. I am ready to have my breathing room back! Not much left to report at this time. maybe this evening or tomorrow I will have some pics of her bed and stuff we get done, keep your fingers crossed! Happy Sunday to all!

Finally Updating!

So I felt the need to update finally, for everyone who has been hounding me:)! The holidays, while once again were a day full of memories, I am so glad they are over! They wore me out this year, probably being 7 1/2 months pregnant didn't help. Believe me though I will be thrilled when they come around next year! We all managed to stay up until midnight on New Yrs eve, even Kyan, we played Wii and PS3 and made our resolutions, toasted with sparkling cider and passed out asleep at around 12:09! The kids have gone back to school, they are in the 2nd half of the year, and just began their 3rd 9wks. Report cards were fine, they are working hard and probably just ready for school to be over. We are only weeks away from little Kelcie's arrival, and while I am so ready, I haven't gotten much ready for her as of yet. It's very nerve racking but, I am hoping it will fall into place very soon. She will at least have a nice ride home thanks to the carseat/stroller combo from my family! My mom sent me some of Keely's baby clothes, and after 16 yrs. it's hard to picture her so small. She also sent Kelcie a couple of really cute new outfits. Wow, won't be long! Kyan is so excited for her to get here, every morning he wakes up and asks "did the baby come yet"? I ask him, "does my belly look like she came yet"? His answer is always the same, "Nope your belly's still big", sweet kid! Rob is going to be going to Las Vegas this week from Wednesday until Friday, let's all hope the kids have some college money when he returns! :)lol He will be having some client meetings, but I'm hoping he will get to see as much of Vegas as he can. So not much more to report right now. I will be posting some new pictures very soon as well:). Happy New Year to all!
I would also like to tell my sister Susie that I am so proud of her for updating her blog! I love getting to see the kids and how big they are getting finally!!!! Denise keep posting pics, I can at least see the girls grow online!