You Make Me Happy

The photo on the left is of Edie sleeping in a TJMax buggy. We had a "mommy - daughter" day last week. Edie was my side kick last Friday while we worked and played. We first went to the local Summer Classics store to do some work and take some measurements for a customer. Then we headed to Home Depot and Lowe's to track down some curtain rods for our Summer Classics Contract booth for our show in Las Vegas in a few weeks (still have not found those darn things). Afterwards we had lunch and headed to The Bell Center for class. Ending the day we somehow ended up at TJMax :) It was Edie's idea! She told me she wanted to go right before she fell asleep. So I made her a mat in the shopping buggy and she took a long nap.

The photo on the right was taken tonight by Scott. Edie is in her new "You make me happy" jammies that Gigi and Giddo bought for her. Scott sent this to me for a "Happy" as well. I have been in Houston for the past two days and I am missing my babies and in need of a "Happy". So Scott knew just what to do and sent me one!

Crash and Burn

My worst nightmare has come true. I had been having problems with my computer making funny noises and doing weird things so last Thrsday I went to Staples and purchased a backup drive just to be safe. Well before I had the time to use it my screen went black and that was that. I have been told the hard drive has gone bad and nothing can be recovered. I have lost work files, customer contacts, but most of all photos and other documents such as addresses, everything from the Ladybug Fundraiser, etc., etc. Luckily I had recently saved all of Edie's 1st year of photos on CD's. So that was a HUGE relief. But everything else that I use on a daily basis is gone.

I have a new computer on the way (I am on Scott's now) but it will not be here for a few more weeks. For now I have a temp computer (which I can not get to work either) and we have sent off the hard drive to see if it can be opened in a "clean room" what ever that is. From there we will be advised if anything can be recovered and how much it will cost to do so. So.......keep your fingers crossed.

I have been working on that computer for over 2 1/2 years. So there is over 2 1/2 years worth of stuff lost. So for me no price is too big. However, I am not sure Summer Classics feels the same way. Lesson learned. Back up your computer!!!!!!!

Anyway if my post are few and far between this is why. I will catch you up more in a few weeks once life is back to normal. It is ashamed how lost I feel without a computer. It makes work almost impossible and just the possibility of not getting ALL of my files back makes my stomach hurt.

A Day Game

Our dear friend Jason Quick hosted a crawfish boil for the A Day game raising over $500 for The Bell Center! Not only was it a successful fundraiser, but also a lot of fun! Hunter Lawley played the guitar and sang some old, new and redos of some of our favorite songs. He was even filmed by ESPN who was there documenting the day on the quad. Hunter was also mentioned in Tuscaloosa Times. Pretty neat! Edie had a ball riding around in the stroller looking at all of the people and playing outside. She got a lot of hugs and kisses from everyone and was a blast to be with. We had a lot of fun visiting and chowing down on over 100 lbs of perfectly cooked crawfish. We had four tents and turned a lot of heads with our tables full of reds, potatoes and corn. We got to catch up with old friends and make new ones. We had quite a few strangers who came to the tables and pitched in a few $$ and in turn got a belly full of cradaddys. It was a great idea and I look forward to next years A Day Game!

After the game we headed to Mack's 2nd birthday party. He had a Circus theme complete with a face painting clown, mini space bounce(s), putting green, bag toss, popcorn and hot dogs. We ate AGAIN and went home with our hands full of cotton candy party favors. (I can't EVER turn down cotton candy! It's my favorite!).

First Haircut

We finally did it. We took Edie in a few weeks ago and had her hair cut. She did great and looks like a doll. She got some bangs and the back shaped up. Edie had gotten to really hate bows and when we would put her hair in a rubber band she would pull it out as well. Over time she started to have a rooster tail on top of her head where her hair was breaking off from pulling out the ponytail. So now her hair is finally out of her face and she looks like a BIG Girl. She is growing so fast!

Gigi and Giddo's

After church on Sunday we had a great lunch at Gigi's and Giddo's. Edie had fun playing with all of the goodies in her Easter basket and looking for $$ eggs! Needless to say after such a big weekend Edie and Mommy & Daddy were due for a long nap. Edie was asleep before we got out of the neighborhood and I was not far behind!

Nan and Pawpaw's

Saturday we went to Billingsley for a Easter Egg hunt and dinner. Wyatt and Wesley hunted eggs for several hours. We had to quarantine Edie to the Wagon after she ate two handfuls of grass. She did find three eggs during her grazing. It is always nice to go home. Sometimes very chaotic - but without all of the chaos where's the fun? Right? Just think, next year we will have another addition to the Easter fun! (Wyatt and Wesley's baby sister)

Esater Photo Shoot

We gave it a go on an Easter photo shoot of our own. Not too shabby for amatures. I love taking pictures, especially of our cutie pie! One of these days I am going to invest in a larger lense and take some photography classes from Grethel. But until then we will just have fun playing around and being "wannabees".

Girls Night Out!

I had dinner with several of my dear friends Friday night. We had a delicious meal at Iguana Grill. From top left - Nicole Gaumond, Candace Shotts, Melissa Bailey, Kristina Wildsmith, Amanda Sanders and Me! We had a great time catching up and spending time together.

Tube Day

Photos of our baby in her first hospital gown. She loved the wagon ride home from Children's Hospital.

Tubes

We have so many loved ones who have contacted us to see how Edie did with her surgery. Thank you.....we love you! So just a quick update before we head out to The Bell Center.

Edie did great! She was actually able to get the larger tubes than most babies with DS. This means that we will not have to go back for a while to have replaced. Dr. D did not know this until he began the procedure, so it was some great news. It took about 2 hrs of waiting and 30 minutes more while Edie was in surgery. When they brought her to us she had obviously been crying and continued for about 20 more minutes. The nurse stated that the anesthesia confuses them and makes them scared. Once it got out of her system she dank some juice and we were able to go home.

She slept for the next 2 1/2 hrs! Then she was good as new. She even climbed the stairs for the first time ever! All by herself! So it is time for a baby gate. She has been such a busy body lately it is hard to stay still. Once I have more time I will post the photos from the big day. I have to get going....Edie is trying to eat Ziggy's food!

Tongue

I had to share these with you. Edie is talking up a storm lately. Everyday she makes a new sound, face, gesture - something we have never seen before that makes us laugh. She is so attentive (or as attentive as a 14 1/2 month old can be) while being read to. She loves the pictures, the words and especially the books with something she can touch and feel. It really amazes me when I read to her the "touch" books and with out ever pointing them out, even the new books, she will reach out and directly touch the "fuzzy" parts with her fingers. We have really made it a point these past few months to read to her several times a day.

These videos are of Edie doing the flash cards from the Your Baby Can Read Series. (Sandy, I promise I will bring them to you this week....and sanitized. As you can see Edie likes to kiss them). And to Ashley, my dear Speech Therapist friend, please excuse my terrible accent. I never notice how "country" I sound until I hear myself on video. AWFUL!!!

We had a very busy, great weekend. Saturday we went to our neighbors for their babies 1st birthday party. Edie LOVED playing with all of the other little babies and Scott and I LOVED seeing her playing with them. Maxwell had a sports themed party, which is appropriate since his dad played basket ball at UAB and his mom was a Golden Girl at UAB as well. They are a big sports fan family! Maxwell's mom made the cutest little party favor bags which was filled goodies including two baseball shakers. Which Edie LOVES!

Saturday night we had over some of our best friends, Jimmy and Vanessa Walters and their newest addition Audrey for dinner. She is precious. She never made a peep. The guys watched the games while V and I talked baby talk. V is about as interested in sports as I am, which is hardly any. However, I am going to make it a point this year (I think) to learn more and get more involved in Alabama football. Speaking of.....anyone who is interested, our friend Jason Quick is putting together a crawfish boil for the A Day Game on the 18th. He will also be raising money for a charity in honor of Edie. We ABSOLUTELY have the greatest friends! So come and tailgate with us for a good cause before the game!

Sunday we went to church where I heard the greatest message ever. I have never heard a message as clearly as I did this past Sunday. The Pastor of our church is so smart. He makes things so easy to understand, so clear to me. I finally feel like I really know what "Good Friday" or as he put it "Bad Friday for Jesus" means. My heart ached as he told us of how (in detail) Jesus suffered. I know how much I am loved by the Lord, it is obvious in everything he has done in my life and I am so grateful. I can't wait until Edie is old enough to understand how much he loves her too! We put Edie in the nursery again this Sunday. When we went to get her we were all smiles seeing her sitting in the floor playing with another little girl. The ladies told us she was sooo good - "she just crawled around and played with everything".

Sunday night we attended an Easter Program at one of my dear friends, Robert and Angela Taunton's church. They both played several parts in the play. It was a really nice, professional production. I loved the choir. These people could sing! Edie loved the lights, the music and watching all of the people go back and fourth from stage to stage. It really kept her entertained. She was so cozy in her daddy's lap. She just sat there watching until she eventually fell asleep.

Tomorrow will be one of Edie's biggest days yet. (Mommy and daddy's too) Edie will be getting tubes. I would be lying if I said I were not nervous - I am. But, I know that God will take care of her and she will do great. We have to be at Children's downtown at 5:45 AM. Surgery will be at 7:45. We have been told that the procedure is quick and easy. I am counting on that!

Crawling like Crazy!

There is no stopping her now! Edie is crawling EVERYWHERE and is in to EVERYTHING!! I have to search the floors over everyday making sure there is nothing that Edie can put in her mouth and eat. Thus far she has tried eating dust/fuzz balls, dog food, paper, leaves, grass, dirt, carpet, the plastic thing off of the door stop, jewelry, hair bows, etc., etc., etc. Every time I turn around she has something else in her mouth. Thankfully she has not swallowed anything out of the ordinary "yet" or so we think.

We took a trip today to Clanton to see Aunt Kelli, Wyatt and Wesley and baby on the way. BTW Kelli is having a baby girl! She is due to arrive in July and Edie will no longer be the runt of the bunch. We are excited to have another girl, not so sure Wyatt is though. I think he would rather a little boy.......maybe one day soon. Kelli has also started a blog! It looks like she started it back in October and never shared with me. It is the "Homeschool Adventures" blog so if you like you can now catch up on my big sis and her two & 1/2 munchkins.

Our mom has had an embroidery machine for a few years and we have recently purchased the pretty fonts, appliques and monogramming cd's to go along with it. So Kelli and I tried it out today, doing it the Chastain way (learn as you go). I made a cute monogrammed shirt for Edie, ruined a pair of Edie's shorts trying to make a matching - smaller monogram, almost ruined my beach bag doing my initials and did o.k. on (a) pillow case (now I have to do the same on the other one). So all in all it was a good day of monogramming. Edie played with Wyatt and Wesley all day. She was pooped once we got home. She ate, had a bath and went straight to sleep.

Speaking of sleep.....we have had some weird nights lately. Edie has been waking up several times during the night crying. We are not sure if she is having nightmares, having a growth spurt, still has fluid in her ears or it is because she is getting a new tooth. One of her back molars is coming in. I have given her baby orijel a few times - but I try to use it only when necessary (I read it is not good for babies). I am excited for the new tooth, I just hate they have to hurt so much. Hopefully the pain has passed and Edie will soon be back to sleeping through the night again.

Saturday we stayed around the house trying to get Edie's new playroom in order. We have a few more things to do yet. But once complete I will share some photos. Sunday Scott played golf and Edie and I went to Pratville after church. (By the way, I decided to put Edie in the nursery at church as opposed to taking her in the service as we normally do. This is usually her nap time so I thought she would just sleep. The ladies said she wanted nothing to do with sleeping or eating. All she wanted to do was play with the other babies. When I went to get her she was in the floor still playing. So sweet. She misses her buddies at MDO.) Back to Pratville - we met Nan and Pawpaw and had lunch then Nan, Edie and I went to see Uncle Zach's new house. It was a short visit - but we had fun getting out and just enjoying the pretty weather.

Growing Up

It seems like forever since I last posted. We have been so busy it has been hard to find the time to sit still long enough. I had a video of Edie I intended to share but for some reason the card is not working. So as I was looking though the old photos this one caught my eye. Scott took this picture of Edie when she was about 3 1/2 months old. He sent it to me while I was on a trip, my first trip, after being back to work. She looks so cute, tiny and peaceful. I can not believe how fast time goes by.

We celebrated Scott's 34th birthday this past week. Edie and I got him (us) tickets to Cold Play who is coming in May. Scott was very surprised and excited not only to get the tickets but to learn we will be having double the fun... we will also be going with some of our dear friends - Jimmy, Vanessa, Russell and Stacey. It should be a good time especially since we have not been to a concert in years.

Edie has also been grandparent hopping for the past few weeks. Edie and I went to Nan and PawPaw's for a visit a couple of weekends ago. We both spent the night Friday night. Edie stayed on with Nan Saturday night and went to church on Sunday. Then this past weekend Edie spent the night with Gigi and Giddo and went to church with them on Sunday. Scott and I played both weekends having dinner with friends and doing things around the house. Speaking of.....we are now in the process of turning our kitchen table area into a playroom for Edie. We are going to replace the chandelier with a ceiling fan and we have removed the kitchen table and have replaced it with a small sofa. We are going to add a small chair, a rug, some toy baskets. Don't get me wrong. We LOVE Edie and her 100's of toys, but it will be nice to have an area for her toys so that our company is not tripping over them as they walk through the front door. It will also be a lot easier to watch her play while I cook (whenever that is). So I am excited!

Another FANTASTIC thing that happened recently. Allie's mom Sandy was kind enough to lend us a copy of Allie's My Baby Can Read video. It is a learning video which includes flash cards and a book. Each flash card has a word on the front. When you pull the tab on the card an actual "real life" photo of the word pops out. Edie was so fascinated by these flash cards and book. I believe I went over them three times in a row while she studied each photo and word. When I would get to the Tongue flash card and pull on the tab to show the picture of the girls Tongue, Edie would stick out her tongue and wiggled it around! Se is AMAZING!!! Scott and I were so proud of her! Edie loves to read books. I have been reading about 4-5 books to her each night. She loves to turn the pages, say "ooo oooo" and sit in my lap while I rock and read to her. My dear friend Kristie form Florida mailed Edie a book about LuLu the Ladybug last week. Edie loves the illustrations in the book but she also LOVES the black and red dots on the back cover of the book. Every time we are in her room she will immediately crawl over to her book basket and pull out the Ladybug book. She will then sit and tap it saying "ooo, ooh, ooo". She is too cute!

Scott said Sunday night that "God could not have given us a more perfect, precious baby...we are blessed" and it could not be more true.

She's Back!

Edie has had a rough month being sick from a cold and two double ear infections practically just a few weeks apart. We have kept her out of MDO for the past few weeks until she is completely over everything. I can not help but think that all of these sicknesses has come from being in MDO. Edie was literally sick once until she turned one, which is when we started her in MDO. I know we can not keep our children in a bubble and eventually they will get sick - but I do hate seeing her feel bad. It is the most helpless feeling when your child is sick and you can not fix it.

One other thing Scott and learned from all of this is you must refrigerate your babies antibiotic. There is a tiny label on the bottle which we did not discover until Sunday night that reads "must refrigerate". Aha! This must be why the medicine is getting darker and darker each day! And to tell the truth - her medicine for her last ear infection I am sure was supposed to be refrigerated as well. Which we did not do. Anyway we panicked and called the pharmacy right away. We learned that 1. It will not hurt Edie and 2. Without being refrigerated it is not effective after 72 hrs!! Poor Edie......no wonder she got another ear infection. The first one probably never completely cleared because the medicine we were giving her was useless.

So we had a follow up visit with her ENT yesterday. He wrote her ANOTHER perscription which we will refrigerate!! And he advised us that Edie would need tubes. I have to say I am torn. On one hand I do not want to jeopardize Edie's hearing, speech and balance in any way. But I can not help but wonder....did the fact that we did not refrigerate the medicine have anything to do with the 2nd round of ear infection? Should we finish this perscription and see what happens? She may do great and never have another one. I know that over 90% of typical and non-typical children have tubes but the thought of making a hole in Edie's eardrum scares me. Dr. Davis's daughter also has DS so we do feel totally comfortable with his decisions because he is so aware of Edie's needs. So I know I just have to trust that this is the best thing for Edie and tell myself tubes are no big deal anyway. Right?

I got a new gadget last week - a mini camera. We have been wanting a smaller, more compact camera that we could just carry in our pocket when necessary. Although it does not take as great of photos as our big one I love the video option. We look forward to showing you a lot of Edie in "action"!

Chili Cookoff

Edie was feeling better so we decided to take advantage of a gorgeous day Saturday. We went the the Chili Cookoff in Homewood benefiting the Exceptional Foundation. I do not know a whole lot about this program but I do know it serves teenagers to adults with Special Needs. They offer everything from educational courses, to art classes, to physical education. They had a great turnout for the event. Edie turned lots of heads - it could have been the cool wagon with the canopy she was riding in that caught their eye. But we are convinced it was just because she looks so darn cute!!! She had a great day being outdoors!

Bell Center "Kids Marathon"

I would like for you to meet some of the kids you have made such a tremendous impact on. This is a slide show of The Bell Center "Kids Marathon". It was held at Samford University kicking off the Mercedes Marathon weekend. Unfortunately Edie was not able to enjoy this day with her friends as we were in the Dr. office being treated for a double ear infection (which she has again!). Even though Edie was not there - we were with them in spirit watching the event live on T.V. Laughing, crying and thanking God for Edie, the other children of TBC and you for making it all possible. Thank you.

If this does not melt your heart I am not sure what will.

http://byshea.com/bellcenter09/ And as with any slide show full of beautiful children, music is important. So turn your speakers on!

Snowy Day

Sunday we had the miracle of about 2"+ of snow fall to the ground. I was very sceptical of the predictions of snow for Sunday, but it really did happen! We put Edie's snow boots on and took her out to play before it melted. She looked so cute. We wanted to make a snow angel with her - but we were too afraid she would get sick from the wet snow.

I know our family in Arvada, Colorado are laughing at us right about now. Aunt Shirley, Uncle Jim, Kelly and Jolie see way more than 2" of snow every winter. They even continue to drive their cars - while we on the other hand stay indoors, buy milk and bread (before the snow comes of course) cancel church, school and other activities due to a couple of inches of snow. Really even just the threat of snow will close Birmingham down! Although it did snow heavily for about 30-45 minutes it was melting by noon and every ones lives were getting back to normal.

Hello Denver!

This is as close as we come to our family's snow days in Denver. Although not as heavy and linger some - it was still fun while it lasted.

"Team Ladybug" Won!!

With the help of our wonderful family and friends our team won 1st place for the Relay Team who raised the most money. We ended with $10,532.00 in total amount raised. As the first place winners our team won ipod shuffles. We will be using these as door prizes and auction items for the fundraiser we will have again in November. Our team also won a nice Bell Center duffel bag filled with goodies for being one of the first 30 teams to raise their goal.

When we began this journey our goal was to raise at least $5000 for The Bell Center. I am still so humbled and speechless by the love and generosity everyone showed. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful group of people surrounding and supporting our family, our Edie and so many other special babies attending The Bell Center.

Thursday night The Bell Center held a party at an downtown art gallery for all of the PIT members who ran in the Mercedes Marathon and raised money for TBC. There were several speakers, one of which was one of the running coaches. He said something that was so special to me and I wanted to share with all of you who helped us in this "Marathon of Love".

"These babies of TBC are all Angles sent from Heaven above. A gift from God. But like all Angles they must have wings to fly. And that is what you are. You are their wings. Lifting them up and helping them to fly"

So thank you. From the bottom of our hearts for helping our babies to fly. We love you!