Ava and Kennedy slept most of the morning for me, so I was able to take a shower and update the blog! lol They were so cute because I had them laying together on the couch. They are best of friends already...when one gets upset, the other one follows. It's almost like having twins when I have Ava...lol.
I was invited to Kaylee's school today because she was selected to receive the Trail Blazer award! This award is only given to one student per class each year and it is the award for overall excellence in every area of school. Kennedy and I showed up to support her while her dad was at work, and we took pictures so she could show him when he got home. She was very proud, and Mrs. Funkhouser let her tell everyone that she had a new baby sister this year to share her award with. It was very sweet, and I was filled with pride while I watched her get the award. It even has her name engraved on it!
Kaylee, Kennedy and I went shopping in Winchester so I could get a few shirts for the summer time. Kennedy wasn't feeling well, and screamed the entire time we were in the store. I was so frustrated because I didn't know how to help her. We went to the dressing room and Kaylee fed her a bottle, and that didn't even calm her down. I was very eager to pass her off to Larry as soon as we got home. Kaylee and I needed a break!
Friday, June 6, 2008
June 5, 2008 Kaylee's School
Today Kennedy and I went into Kaylee's school so she could show off her little sister to her class. This is something Kaylee has been begging me to do since the baby came home, but I wanted Kennedy to be a little stronger before I put her in with 27 little kids. So Kaylee had her very proud moment showing off Kennedy, and then we went to lunch together in the cafeteria.
I had to leave after lunch because I had an appointment with Anna to see my proof pictures. She sat me down and showed me a slide show of most of the pictures with background music. OH MY GOODNESS...it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen! I started to cry as soon as the first picture showed up on the screen and didn't stop crying until it was over. The sight of all those pictures took my breath away. I am so glad we were willing to invest into professional pictures by Anna. I wish I could show you guys all the pictures, but I don't have the capability of doing it online.
I made Mariah come over to watch the slide show of the pictures as soon as she came home from school. She was so impressed, and it just got her more excited to see Ava's proofs next week. I am excited to see Ava's too now that I have seen what Anna can do with her camera.
Dad came over to have burgers on the grill and to watch National Treasure movie tonight. Yep, I sat him down and showed him all the pictures too...lol. I am such a proud mom of my children, and this is just one way I can show them off. I swear these pictures belong in a magazine somewhere because my girls are so beautiful. Kaylee is so photogenic, and her eyes just melt your heart when you look into them in those pictures. Dad was really happy with them, and he is going to decide which ones he wants for himself.
So Larry came home from working overtime, and we had dinner together with Dad. National Treasure Book of Secrets was a really good movie. I liked the first one better, but it was a close second. Kaylee really like it too!
I had to leave after lunch because I had an appointment with Anna to see my proof pictures. She sat me down and showed me a slide show of most of the pictures with background music. OH MY GOODNESS...it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen! I started to cry as soon as the first picture showed up on the screen and didn't stop crying until it was over. The sight of all those pictures took my breath away. I am so glad we were willing to invest into professional pictures by Anna. I wish I could show you guys all the pictures, but I don't have the capability of doing it online.
I made Mariah come over to watch the slide show of the pictures as soon as she came home from school. She was so impressed, and it just got her more excited to see Ava's proofs next week. I am excited to see Ava's too now that I have seen what Anna can do with her camera.
Dad came over to have burgers on the grill and to watch National Treasure movie tonight. Yep, I sat him down and showed him all the pictures too...lol. I am such a proud mom of my children, and this is just one way I can show them off. I swear these pictures belong in a magazine somewhere because my girls are so beautiful. Kaylee is so photogenic, and her eyes just melt your heart when you look into them in those pictures. Dad was really happy with them, and he is going to decide which ones he wants for himself.
So Larry came home from working overtime, and we had dinner together with Dad. National Treasure Book of Secrets was a really good movie. I liked the first one better, but it was a close second. Kaylee really like it too!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
June 4, 2008 Childrens Hospital Appointments
Today was a wonderful day!
Mariah dropped Ava off to me this morning bright and early so she could head off to work. Ava ate the rest of her morning feed, burped, and then fought sleep for about 30 minutes before she gave up and crashed. Josh came to pick her up when he got off of work at 8:30 a.m. so I could leave to head over to Children's in D.C. for Kennedy's appointments.
Larry worked today, so I headed to the hospital alone. The long drive wasn't so bad because I left after the morning rush was over. The way home was horrible and very scary because I got stuck in the tornado storm...it was not fun. But while I was at Children's, I enjoyed my stay very much.
I found out last minute last night that they could squeeze Kennedy in for her ultrasounds on her tumor and her brain bleed, so we didn't have much time to plan for anything. I wanted to get there early so I could see the Concierge staff that I love so much. I have been getting together gift bags for the three of them, and I was excited that I could give the gifts to them in person rather than in the mail. I went in to see Kathy first and she was so surprised. She immediately held the baby and just couldn't get over how great she looked. She called Paula and Nikki to come up too, so I was able to hang out and chit chat with them for a little over an hour before the ultrasounds. Kathy showered us with presents too, as usual, and gave us a hand made blanket from someone and a baby toy. She also gave me a lunch voucher so I could eat, and a free parking sticker. I don't know what I would do without that woman! It was awesome to hear how God is working in all of their lives because each of them are doing well, and their children are healthy. Oh, I miss them so much! All three of them have a special place in my heart forever. Before I went downstairs to Radiology, Kathy and I told each other that we knew God was taking care of Kennedy and that her results were going to be more miracles to add to her life. We were both confident that everything was going to be fine.
The ultrasound technician was very nice, and she was so excited to see Kennedy. It turns out that she was the first one to do an ultrasound on the tumor when the baby arrived at Children's. She said that she has wondered how Kennedy was doing, and was very happy to have her again today for her check up. We took a look at the brain bleed first and found that it was completely healed!!! She couldn't believe how great her brain looked! She kept showing me different spots where it should have been bleeding, but there was nothing there but healthy brain tissue! I just kept praising God throughout the appointment, and I couldn't wait to scan her tumor.
Well, she looked and looked and could not find any trace of the tumor that she left the hospital with. She had that wand all over Kennedy's back and butt area, but there was nothing to find. She called in a doctor to try to find it and she too didn't have any luck finding it. I kept saying it was gone and that God had healed my baby...but the doctor wouldn't say that it was gone. I know that both of them were in shock, but very happy for our family. They even called the NICU to have the copies of the previous tests sent to them so they could compare the two tests. The doctor ended the appointment requesting an MRI to scan for the tumor. I am totally fine with that, because I know that it is gone and I have no problems getting further tests to prove that God took care of the impossible. What's another couple of thousand dollars to show them that...lol?!?!?!?!
I didn't get home until after 5 p.m. and immediately threw something together for dinner so Kaylee could eat before gymnastics. I went and watched her gymnastics practice again while Larry stayed home with Kennedy. Of course everyone there wanted to know where the baby was...lol.
Long day, very tired, and SO ready for bed. Just another day of witnessing the awesome work of God's hands on my family.
Mariah dropped Ava off to me this morning bright and early so she could head off to work. Ava ate the rest of her morning feed, burped, and then fought sleep for about 30 minutes before she gave up and crashed. Josh came to pick her up when he got off of work at 8:30 a.m. so I could leave to head over to Children's in D.C. for Kennedy's appointments.
Larry worked today, so I headed to the hospital alone. The long drive wasn't so bad because I left after the morning rush was over. The way home was horrible and very scary because I got stuck in the tornado storm...it was not fun. But while I was at Children's, I enjoyed my stay very much.
I found out last minute last night that they could squeeze Kennedy in for her ultrasounds on her tumor and her brain bleed, so we didn't have much time to plan for anything. I wanted to get there early so I could see the Concierge staff that I love so much. I have been getting together gift bags for the three of them, and I was excited that I could give the gifts to them in person rather than in the mail. I went in to see Kathy first and she was so surprised. She immediately held the baby and just couldn't get over how great she looked. She called Paula and Nikki to come up too, so I was able to hang out and chit chat with them for a little over an hour before the ultrasounds. Kathy showered us with presents too, as usual, and gave us a hand made blanket from someone and a baby toy. She also gave me a lunch voucher so I could eat, and a free parking sticker. I don't know what I would do without that woman! It was awesome to hear how God is working in all of their lives because each of them are doing well, and their children are healthy. Oh, I miss them so much! All three of them have a special place in my heart forever. Before I went downstairs to Radiology, Kathy and I told each other that we knew God was taking care of Kennedy and that her results were going to be more miracles to add to her life. We were both confident that everything was going to be fine.
The ultrasound technician was very nice, and she was so excited to see Kennedy. It turns out that she was the first one to do an ultrasound on the tumor when the baby arrived at Children's. She said that she has wondered how Kennedy was doing, and was very happy to have her again today for her check up. We took a look at the brain bleed first and found that it was completely healed!!! She couldn't believe how great her brain looked! She kept showing me different spots where it should have been bleeding, but there was nothing there but healthy brain tissue! I just kept praising God throughout the appointment, and I couldn't wait to scan her tumor.
Well, she looked and looked and could not find any trace of the tumor that she left the hospital with. She had that wand all over Kennedy's back and butt area, but there was nothing to find. She called in a doctor to try to find it and she too didn't have any luck finding it. I kept saying it was gone and that God had healed my baby...but the doctor wouldn't say that it was gone. I know that both of them were in shock, but very happy for our family. They even called the NICU to have the copies of the previous tests sent to them so they could compare the two tests. The doctor ended the appointment requesting an MRI to scan for the tumor. I am totally fine with that, because I know that it is gone and I have no problems getting further tests to prove that God took care of the impossible. What's another couple of thousand dollars to show them that...lol?!?!?!?!
I didn't get home until after 5 p.m. and immediately threw something together for dinner so Kaylee could eat before gymnastics. I went and watched her gymnastics practice again while Larry stayed home with Kennedy. Of course everyone there wanted to know where the baby was...lol.
Long day, very tired, and SO ready for bed. Just another day of witnessing the awesome work of God's hands on my family.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
June 3, 2008
Mariah and I got up first thing this morning to walk Wildflower Ridge again. We walked at 11 a.m. and that was definitely too late in the morning to walk. IT WAS SO HOT and I was dizzy towards the end of it. Last night we didn't start until the sun started going down, so we need to stick with it being cool like that if we are going to walk. We decided to either stick with leaving earlier in the morning, or late in the evening. She hung out so I could round up all the thank you cards for the people at school and give them to her. She is going back to work tomorrow morning from her maternity leave, so she can put the cards in everyone's mail boxes for me.
Pretty uneventful day for us here at the house. I spent time with Kennedy, did laundry, and worked on bills online for a few hours and then Larry came home. Kaylee and I ran out to Food Lion to return a rotten watermelon and pick up some odds and ends there for the night.
Went to bed by 10 p.m. so I could try to get some sleep for the early morning tomorrow when Mariah drops Ava off. I hope Kennedy helps me out and sleeps better than she has been.
Pretty uneventful day for us here at the house. I spent time with Kennedy, did laundry, and worked on bills online for a few hours and then Larry came home. Kaylee and I ran out to Food Lion to return a rotten watermelon and pick up some odds and ends there for the night.
Went to bed by 10 p.m. so I could try to get some sleep for the early morning tomorrow when Mariah drops Ava off. I hope Kennedy helps me out and sleeps better than she has been.
June 2, 2008 Rice Cereal
Not a whole lot of fun stuff to talk about today. It was so hard to try to get to the computer today because I was busy taking care of Kennedy. She is starting to get really needy and I can't get anything done because she is eating so often. The NICU told me to feed her every 3 hours and not to give her anything in between if I could help it. Well, this child eats like every 1 1/2 hours and it takes her a good 40 minutes to eat it...so I feel like I have a bottle in my hand all day long. If I feed her more formula every 3 hours, she ends up vomiting it up because her stomach can't hold it.
I ran errands part of the day with the baby and even saw Larry out while I was at the bank. I went through the drive thru and when I wrapped around the corner, I saw Larry getting out of his car to go into the bank! I asked him if he would arrest me...but he said no. lol.
We had Annette's lasagna for dinner tonight. It was a very nice dinner. I had never had lasagna like hers because it had vegetables, wheat noodles, and ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
Mariah and I started walking around the neighborhood tonight to get exercise. Kaylee wanted to join us, and we pushed the babies in the strollers to add more resistance to our workout. Wow, we were very tired after were done our walk. Pushing the stroller was definitely an added weight to the workout! Kennedy seemed to really enjoy the walk, and Kaylee talked our ears off the whole time. She was planning out when Mariah and I would walk just so she wouldn't miss all of them. Kaylee wants to walk every other day with us because she said every day would be too exhausting for her...lol. She is so funny.
I bought rice cereal today at the grocery store to try out with Kennedy tonight. Larry and I gave her a little bit to try out tonight just to see if we can get her back on eating every 3 hours, but she spit it all back up. We didn't burp her in between the formula and the rice...so I am not sure that was why, or if it was just too early. Maybe we will try again in a couple more days.
I ran errands part of the day with the baby and even saw Larry out while I was at the bank. I went through the drive thru and when I wrapped around the corner, I saw Larry getting out of his car to go into the bank! I asked him if he would arrest me...but he said no. lol.
We had Annette's lasagna for dinner tonight. It was a very nice dinner. I had never had lasagna like hers because it had vegetables, wheat noodles, and ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
Mariah and I started walking around the neighborhood tonight to get exercise. Kaylee wanted to join us, and we pushed the babies in the strollers to add more resistance to our workout. Wow, we were very tired after were done our walk. Pushing the stroller was definitely an added weight to the workout! Kennedy seemed to really enjoy the walk, and Kaylee talked our ears off the whole time. She was planning out when Mariah and I would walk just so she wouldn't miss all of them. Kaylee wants to walk every other day with us because she said every day would be too exhausting for her...lol. She is so funny.
I bought rice cereal today at the grocery store to try out with Kennedy tonight. Larry and I gave her a little bit to try out tonight just to see if we can get her back on eating every 3 hours, but she spit it all back up. We didn't burp her in between the formula and the rice...so I am not sure that was why, or if it was just too early. Maybe we will try again in a couple more days.
Want to get family pictures done??
A few of you were interested in getting some pictures done, so I wanted to post Anna's information on the blog for you.
Anna G Photography
Check out her beautiful website at: http://www.annagphotography.com/
Her blog with sample photos: http://www.annagphotography.squarespace.com/
Her phone number: 304-839-2681
*You will be very happy with her work. She pays attention to detail to get the perfect shots.
**Tell her Kristen and Larry Ruffner sent you! :)
Anna G Photography
Check out her beautiful website at: http://www.annagphotography.com/
Her blog with sample photos: http://www.annagphotography.squarespace.com/
Her phone number: 304-839-2681
*You will be very happy with her work. She pays attention to detail to get the perfect shots.
**Tell her Kristen and Larry Ruffner sent you! :)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
June 1, 2008 Baby Dedication
Oh my oh my, Kennedy and I barely slept a wink last night. I didn't go to sleep until 2:30 a.m. and she was up screaming at 4:00. By the time I fed her and got her back to sleep, I only had another hour of sleep before I had to get up for church. I got up early for church because I had to get myself and two kids ready and be there by 7:30 a.m. for rehearsal. Larry would not get out of bed...he said he was too tired. He slept the whole way through the night and didn't even hear her crying...lol...and he was tired! We both should have been in bed WAY earlier than we were, but the time just got away from us. I paid for it today because I was so weak from being so exhausted.
We had an awesome speaker today at church, and the baby dedication went perfectly. I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but Mary Beth made me (I will blame it on her). All the children were so beautiful and we were so blessed to have the church pray over our families. Kaylee came up with us to support her sister's dedication, and she wore her new pink dress to celebrate.
Annette totally surprised us by bringing in some lasagna for our family to eat! She said that she was going to make us meals when we first got home from the hospital, but never got around to it, and it was still weighing on her heart to make us something to help us out. It was an awesome surprise, and she was the first one to cook us something. So many people had planned on cooking for us, but when Kennedy got out of the hospital so unexpectedly...it made things a little more hectic.
We went to eat chinese again, but this time Larry's parents joined us with the kids. They came for the dedication, and made it just in time for us to have her dedicated. It was great to have them there for the special day.
I finished up most of my thank you cards the rest of the day. I wanted to take a nap, but there was no time for one. Larry helped out with the baby so I could sit down and focus on playing catch up.
We had an awesome speaker today at church, and the baby dedication went perfectly. I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but Mary Beth made me (I will blame it on her). All the children were so beautiful and we were so blessed to have the church pray over our families. Kaylee came up with us to support her sister's dedication, and she wore her new pink dress to celebrate.
Annette totally surprised us by bringing in some lasagna for our family to eat! She said that she was going to make us meals when we first got home from the hospital, but never got around to it, and it was still weighing on her heart to make us something to help us out. It was an awesome surprise, and she was the first one to cook us something. So many people had planned on cooking for us, but when Kennedy got out of the hospital so unexpectedly...it made things a little more hectic.
We went to eat chinese again, but this time Larry's parents joined us with the kids. They came for the dedication, and made it just in time for us to have her dedicated. It was great to have them there for the special day.
I finished up most of my thank you cards the rest of the day. I wanted to take a nap, but there was no time for one. Larry helped out with the baby so I could sit down and focus on playing catch up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
