Made it past the surgery!!!

Yesterday Lauren had her surgery to lengthen her Achilles Tendon and the surgeon said that she did great! It went much better than I had imagined in my mind. She couldn't eat past 3:30 and had to be at the hospital at 6:30 am, with surgery starting at 8:00. I pictured a screaming child so hungry she couldn't stop crying. She proved me wrong, we woke her up at 2:30 and fed her and she went right back to sleep and slept until it was time to go to the hospital. They gave her a flavored pacifier and a warm blanket and she was peaceful. Great start to a long day.... then they brought in the waivers that we had to sign. I told Sam, "I know it is a tiny chance, but that word possible 'death' on that waiver looked like it was written in 72 font." I really couldn't see anything else on the page. Sam was calm as a cucumber and I was sweating like a pig, but that is typical.
I do have to say that Childrens Mercy Hospital is wonderful; the nurses, doctors and staff communicate with parents very well and sit down to answer as many questions as you have for them, never making you feel uncomfortable for asking. The hardest part of the whole day was handing her off and walking away. I really try not to judge people in my every day life, but when you are handing your baby off to people you all the sudden catch yourself inspecting each and every person that comes close to her.
Her surgery took about an hour and the doctor came down to the waiting room to meet with us and report to us that she did great. He said that she has to wear the casts that they put on after surgery for two weeks, five days and then she gets her brace. After speaking with the doctor we had to wait about thirty more minutes for her to wake up and then they called us up to the recovery room. She woke up a little cranky but not bad. I expected that we would have to stay awhile, but they let us leave with her right then.
Lauren is doing great! Yesterday she seemed a little sore but she is back to normal today. Thank you to everyone that was praying, calling and emailing. We really appreciate the support and will keep you posted!

Walking Masterpiece!!!!

Drew has really been into painting lately and it is a messy job! The other day it became a little messier than ever before and that says alot considering some of the messes he has made in the past. Here is the process of Drews' Walking Masterpiece:

Drew is having a blast painting with the paints from Aunt Aunt Mandy! A little dirty but you expect that when a two year old is painting.

Beautiful work Drew! Then we went and changed his clothes, got cleaned up and I had to change baby sisters diaper! While I was changing the diaper the real work started and this is what I came out to find.....

Needless to say this kid keeps me on my toes! Later in the day he wrote all over the carpet with a red dry erase marker (to all you moms out there... dawn dish soap and a little arm work will take it out of the carpet). If anyone would like him to come and do some artwork in your house I am sure he is up for the job!!!!

Progress!

We have put in a lot of road time traveling to Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and it has been well worth the time! Laurens' feet are looking wonderful, it is amazing how fast they can change. She still has a long road ahead of her but the doctor is satisfied with her progress. She is currently wearing her fifth set of casts and will have surgery Wednesday the 28th (so say a little prayer) to have her achilles tendon lengthened. I am so thankful that they have these procedures! After the surgery they will cast her for three weeks and then we are done with casts and onto the brace! We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here are the latest pictures of her feet before they put the last set of casts on.

There is a wonderful play area outside the hospital and Drew made some new friends. He seems to make friends every where we go.

Drew has been staying busy at home doing projects. Here he is playing play dough.

Slow down!!!

It is funny how this parenting thing works.... with Drew I was always excited for him to grow and see him meet all of his milestones. However with the second child, especially since this will be our last baby, I am wanting Lauren to stop growing so fast. I know that this baby stage won't be here forever and it makes me a little sad to think about it. I love watching her sleep, holding her while she sleeps, listening to her noises, smelling so good like a baby and many other things. I wish that I had enjoyed this stage more with Drew. I feel so blessed right now as I look around at both of my children and I want to stay here forever (well I would like Lauren to sleep through the night). This morning after everyone woke up we put all four of us in our bed and I was looking at everyone and I told Sam "these are the moments we need to treasure because it won't be like this forever". Drew seems so big to me right now... he is changing so much. He is doing great with his new sister and is loving spending extra time with Daddy. I love watching him learn new things and his eyes light up when he knows he has done something good or has made us proud. So I just have to remind myself, even on the stressful days, to just take it all in and try to make the best memories out of the situation. If you can't tell already... I love my family and my life!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

I feel so blessed by all of the support that we are receiving from friends and family during this exciting but tiring time in our lives. Sam and I always feel blessed to have each other and our family but it is times like these that we realize how many people love and care about us. We are receiving gifts and phone calls every day. We had a group of wonderful ladies bringing us dinner for a couple of weeks, aunts and uncles helping with Drew and grandmas coming out to save the day!!!! We are fortunate to have great doctors and hospitals available to us and Grandpa Blackard allowing Sam to leave work to attend Laurens weekly doctors appointments. I have friends calling to check on me, give advice, offer assistance or just listen while I talk about things. Thank you to everyone in our life. Sometimes peoples lives are so busy we forget to tell each other how much we appreciate each other and I just want to take this time to tell everyone thank you.