Little Leah

Friday was a long day...Leah had a doctor's appointment with a pediatric orthopedic specialist because they thought there might be a problem with her hips. Let me back track for a minute...when she was a couple of weeks old, her pediatrician noticed that her legs were different lengths. She had to get ultrasounds twice on her legs and that led us to this appointment Friday. Her legs seem more even now, which made me think there was really no problem. I used to joke around that my daughter was going to have to wear "special shoes". Let me tell you, "special shoes" sound pretty good to me about now!

To make a really long story short, Leah has a severe case of some type of hip displacia. Her right hip socket is not formed properly. For the next 3 months she has to wear this splint 24 hours a day. After that, depending on if it is doing any good, she will have other splints and hopefully wear them less and less (night only) until she is about 3. By then, she will be able to take it off herself and they will not do much good. If the splint does not correct the problem, when she is 4 or 5 she can have a surgery where they reshape her hip bone and she can live a normal life.

You know, I know that this is not really a very big deal. This is not some sort of terminal illness. But it is really hard. When the doctor told me, I just about had a heart attack. While he was telling me about it, he was putting this splint on her and I was just thinking, "my little daughter has to wear this 24 hours a day for at least 3 months." "My daughter can only wear oneies and socks for the next 3 months and I just took the tags off and washed all of her 3-6 month clothes." "People are going to look at her everywhere I go and wonder what is wrong with her." "Leah may never be able to go to gymnastics, or ballet, or play soccer...." You get the picture. I know these are things that don't matter, but I do have a crazy brain. It was a hard, hard day!!

I am feeling much better about it now. Leah has yet to wear it for 24 hours. It is a little uncomfortable to sleep in, so we cheated the first night (she kept waking up ever 30 minutes screaming and when I finally took it off her she stopped immediately) and the second night (had a babysitter and wanted to make it easy on her). I did put her to bed in it tonight. We will see how it goes. I know that we will both get used to it and it will be no big deal.

There is a harness on top

Leg straps on the bottom, and velcro straps connecting the top and bottom in the front and back holding her legs in an open squatting position (New nickname...froggy). She has to wear socks past her knee so the velcro doesn't irritate her skin. Does anyone know where to get those leg warmer things at? Those might be perfect if they come small enough. At least the splint is pink!

SISTERS

Couldn't resist putting this one in!!

Big Dummy

Today, was just one of those days, the not so good type of day. When I was on my way to pick up Travis from preschool, I stopped at a red light. I looked at the clock and then down at my lap and was thinking about if I was going to be late picking him up. Stupid me takes my foot off the break (& I might of even pushed the gas?) and slammed into the car in front of me. Leah started screaming immediately and then Sara started crying "mommy, that hurt my neck". Luckily, no one was really hurt (we might be a little sore tomorrow). It did not do too much damage. It just tore off my license plate. I did a little more damage to the other car (the trunk and bumper). I think that I was so lucky that the lady I hit was so nice! She was just worried about my girls. You know, this kind of thing is just sometimes a wake up call to the reality of driving. I think about how many times I drive and just don't pay attention. I might be talking on the phone, or eating, or looking at the kids, or holding the pacifier in Leah's mouth. It really is so easy to get in an accident. I guess this time I was real lucky. Hopefully this will be a reminder to me to pay more attention.
ps... I am not saying that I am a bad driver. I do usually pay attention, but I do allow myself to get distracted.

Valentines Day in Arizona

Jay had to be in Arizona for business on Valentines Day, so I decided that I should join him. My parents took Travis and Sara, and Leah and I drove out to Arizona. We met Jay there on Wednesday night. We stayed at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. It was kind of cool. It was built in the 20s. It had a lot of personality. We would not mind staying there again. Jay was there for the opening of an EPL in Phoenix. My brother, Clint, was there to help with the opening and get some experience opening stores for when he opens his ELP in Utah.
On Valentines Day, I hung out with my sister in law, Becky, and Callie. We went to El Pollo Loco for lunch. For dinner we went to the Cheesecake Factory with Clint and Becky. It was yummy, like usual!
This is a great story....I brought up 3 sugar cookies for Jay. It was a miracle that they made it all the way to Arizona being that I don't have much self-control. Anyways, they were left on the dresser of our hotel room. When I went to the room in the afternoon, I found that a cookie was missing and the bag was open. I thought that was really random. I called up Jay and asked if he ever went back to the room and ate the cookie, but he hadn't. The housekeeping lady ate the cookie. How weird is that. Actually, that is creepy!!! We were really weirded out! Who does that...eat a strangers homemade cookie in a ziplock bag? Jay went down and spoke with the manager. He wanted to upgrade our room, but it really was not worth it because it would have been a hassle. He took off $100 a night off of our bill and had some yummy deserts sent up. After Jay got back to the room, he kicked himself for not getting me a spa treatment thrown in. Moral of the story...when you stay in a hotel room, either put all your stuff away and the housekeeping people will leave it alone, or leave it out to lure them in and you can get stuff out of it.
Well, the trip was going good...until Friday that is. Jay was not feeling very good on Friday. He had to go look at some sites, so I went along. Then he wanted to go show me some great neighborhoods in Gilbert that he wants to live in. We only went to one neighborhood. The houses were FANTASTIC, but it smelt like cows outside. Jay really was not feeling good, so we went back to the hotel. To make a long story short, Jay ended up throwing up on Friday night. That is fun in a hotel room! Saturday, while Jay was sick in bed, Leah and I headed to the Scottsdale Fashion Mall. LOVED IT!! I told Jay that I was more of a city girl and if he need to move to the AZ, I would perfer the Scottsdale area. Jay was feeling a little better by Sat. night and on Sunday more felt fine. We drove home. Leah was great, not a peep out of her til we hit Corona. Great little break, minus Jay's flu!

ps...is it just my computer, or is it all blogs....my spell check has not been working for a while and it is making me crazy! How do I fix this?

What's Your Color?

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Yellow

You're yellow, the color of joy and energy — two things you definitely bring to everyone around you. It's hard for anyone to be sad or lonely in your presence; your sunny disposition and cheery outlook just won't allow it. The warmth of your personality shines through in the kindness you show friends and family (and strangers, too). Always ready with a lighthearted joke or heartfelt compliment, you know how to make people feel good about themselves, so they can't get enough of you. Yellow is a warm and inviting color for a warm and inviting person — you!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

Dinner Ideas Needed

Alright, I need your help. I used to love to cook....a long time ago. Now, not so much. Jay used to be a VERY picky eater. Thankfully, he is getting better, but I am in a huge cooking rut. I have set a goal to cook more. I need some help. What are some of the "regular" dinners that you make for your family?

Time Flys

I can not believe that Leah is already 3 months old. She is the greatest!

My favorite things about Leah today are:

• her smile-she is a very smiley, happy baby
• her noises-she is very talkative and it is so cute
• her cheeks-the bottom picture says it all & I love them!
• her bottom lip-so big and so cute
• her baby blues-I hope they stay that way!
• putting her to bed-she will only fall asleep for the night with me laying down next to her on a bed. I don't need to be feeding her, but have to be right next to her. If she falls asleep anyother way, when I go to lay her down she wakes up and cries until I lay down with her. I just can't resist. She just stares at me while she is falling asleep.
• the way she looks at me-I love when she gets the biggest grin when she sees me

Bag Tag

I have been Bag Tagged by Laura. I was suppost to take a picture of everything in my purse. Let me tell you, this is a very interesting post!
1. my wallet
2. case with diapers, wipes, and a changing mat
3. "letter" from Nordstroms thanking me for being such a fantastic shopper!
4. goldfish
5. block (don't know where that came from)
6. Travis's eyepatch
7. car
8. my cell phone
9. Sara's princess cell phone
10. 2 Juicy tube lipglosses (love them...thanks Sandee!)
11. gum
12. apple crisps
13. nursing cover-up
14. burp cloth
15. lotion
16. my collection of gift cards and case I keep them in (i love to hord them!)
17. expired Costco coupons
18. Babystyle coupons

I tag Becky and Camille (yes, it is time for a new post!).