Two weeks old and two casts and she can still roll over!!!!!

Lauren rolled over the other day and shocked me because she is only two weeks old and she has the heavy casts on her legs. I got out the camera and recorded for awhile and then stopped the video. Right when I stopped it I saw she was about to roll over so I started again so here are both videos. One she is trying hard and the second one she actually rolls over!!!!

Lauren getting her first set of casts off!

Lauren's first trip to Childrens Mercy Hospital

Lauren was born perfectly healthy but with two clubbed feet. We are so thankful for the doctors and treatment that she is able to have working with her. It is going to be a long process but it will be well worth it when we are able to watch our beautiful little girl walk, run and play sports. Our pediatrician referred us to Children's Mercy in Kansas City and we made our first trip there last week. The treatment plan is to apply casts on her feet weekly for five to eight weeks. This requires us to travel to Kansas City every Tuesday for new casts. I have to say I hated watching them cast her because she cried and I cried but she doesn't act like they bother her at all. After her feet are turned in the right position she will have a small out patient surgery. Then she will have casts for three weeks. Then she will have a brace and shoes that she has to wear 20 hours a day for two to three months. After that she will have to wear a brace only at night until she is three years old. They way that they explained it to us is that her feet are like teeth when you put braces on them. They might be straight but if you don't wear the retainer then they will turn back to the original state, that is why she has to wear the brace. Here are some pictures from her first trip.

She was not happy when they put the cast on until they gave her the sugar-water pacifier.

Lauren's first days!!!!

This is the day before Lauren was born!

Family of four is a new concept in this house but we are quickly getting used to it! Lauren is a great baby and likes to cuddle. She is still in the sleepy stage and we know this time to enjoy this stage because it will soon disappear! Here are some pictures from her first days!!!!

Here is Lauren meeting Grandma and Grandpa Dye for the first time!

Hello Grandpa Blackard!!!!

Precious Mommy and Baby moment!

Drew seeing baby sister for the first time! He was a little scared of all the stuff hooked up to Mommy.

Grammie and Lauren meeting for the first time!

First failed attempt for a family photo. I had to lay down for six hours after surgery so I couldn't sit up and no one is looking in the same direction. Oh well I am sure there will be more chances!

Here Drew is taking a picture of Lauren with his play camera!

Jerry came to visit!

Thank you Megan for the beautiful flowers!!!

Kiss kiss!!!

Hospital gave us a steak dinner. It was surprisingly good!

Cousins Brandon and Kyle

Aunt Mandy

Drew was helping Daddy put things together for baby sister!

Amy and Jerry!

Don't you just want to hug her?!?!?!?

LAUREN ELIZABETH BLACKARD

Lauren Elizabeth was born at 8:26 on March 12th! She was 5lbs 13oz and 18 inches long! She is beautiful, calm and better than we ever expected!!!!! We are in love!!!!! More pictures to come!!!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Yesterday was my moms birthday so Drew and I decided to make Grandma some brownies!!!! My good friends Amy and Jerry bought Drew this apron and chefs hat for a big brother gift so we broke it out and got dirty! They had it personalized for Drew and the apron says "Drew Bear"! So cute... thank you Amy and Jerry.
When we finished the kitchen was a disaster and we were both dirty but we both had smiles on our faces so that is all that counts in my book!!!

Now what?!?!?

Dumping the oil! Messy, messy tasks as you can tell by all the oil on the counter next to the bowl!

Stir, stir, stir!!!

Taste test! That is the best part!

Isn't he the cutest?!?!?!

Eating the finished product! Grandma loved them!!!! and so did Drew!

And One More Makes Four!!!

We are so excited for the next stage of our life to start. As of right now the plans are this baby girl will complete our family. It is such a great feeling to feel like the next stage of our life is starting. Our family will be complete; Sam, Mindy, Drew and Lauren!!! Most of you know but if you do not we have chosen the name Lauren Elizabeth. No special meaning, we just love the name and feel like it is a good name to last a lifetime.
We are trying to prepare for her arrival both physically and mentally. So much to do and they have scheduled a c-section for March 12 (the day after my birthday) due to Lauren being breech. Drew seems to be enjoying the idea of having a baby sister and has done well with the changes going on in the house (painting, new furniture, clothes, mommy getting big), but I do worry how he will be when an actual baby is here in the house taking time away from his mommy and daddy. I am trying to enjoy the time that we have left with just him as much as I can. We went to get his hair cut at the barber shop and he did such a good job sitting and waiting his turn. He watched all the older men in the shop talking to the barber while they got their hair cut so when it was his turn he followed their example. Poor barber Joe, Drew talked his ear off. He kept calling him by name and saying "Joe... Thank you Joe." Then he would say, "Joe.... my Grandma has a comb Joe." "Joe.... My mommy has a hair dryer at her house Joe." At one point he said "Joe... I need a tissue." Joe went and got him and tissue and Drew blew his nose with such force that everyone in the shop was laughing. Then Drew said "Thanks Joe." He looked at the other barber in the shop and said "Thank you too Jason!" We had a great time and I was a proud mommy!
Drew has been keeping us on our toes and laughing all the time and we both just want to try to remember to stay in the moment with Drew while dealing with a newborn. Drew has so many funny great qualities about him it makes me sad to think I may miss something! I have added some pictures of Drew and of the new nursery. We are not done with the nursery yet and we are still waiting for the mirror to arrive that goes above the dresser but here are a few pictures!

Drew giving baby sister a kiss! He is such a sweetie!