A Little Heart Update

We have known since September of 2010 that Elle's heart was going to need another repair. When Elle had her first open heart surgery, her surgeon came out of the operating room and told us that Elle's pulmonary valve was almost completely restricted and he did his best to repair it but there was no telling how long the repair would last. So we kind of had an inclinition in September of 2009 (after her first open heart surgery) that she would be back sooner rather than later. Well...we got the news a few weeks ago that Elle's next open heart surgery is scheduled for the beginning of July. I'm glad to know that we finally have a date after waiting since September of 2010. Now that we have hit June 1 - that day in July is coming closer and closer. I have chosen not think about the upcoming events - rather trust in my God for his name to be glorified. We pray everynight that God's name will be glorified in all that we do and this is no exception. Of course we pray for Elle's healing and her strength. I'm actually terrified of the recovery. She was only 6 months old for her first repair...she wasn't sitting up yet and she was still a little baby. This recovery is going to be so different. How do you keep a 2 year old down? She knows things now - she knows about doctors and nurses and the blood pressure cuff. She knows about shots and needles. I suppose we will cross that bridge when we get there. Elle is such a super tropper so she will probably surprise us all in how she does during the recovery time. For now though, we are packing in as many things as we possibly can before we will be in the hospital and recovery for the rest of the summer. I spent a few hours (yes hours) a few days ago filling up Elle's social calendar for June....our little lady is a social butterfly! Thank you so much for your prayers and support as we gear up for the next adventure for Elle and her little heart.

Animal Print Friday.....Then and Now

Yep - I still dress Elle in animal print every Friday. It's a tradition...and one I absolutely love so it just has to continue! While I was cleaning up some files I found this picture...

Animal Print Friday - May 28, 2010

Funny enough....this is what Elle wore today (Friday, May 27, 2011)...

No planning on my part - this was just a coincidence...and almost exactly a year apart! Too funny. Today in gym class we had the end of the semester awards ceremony. Elle got a special ribbon that she was sooo proud of! She has therapy immediatelly after gym class and when we strolled in the doors of TCH - Elle immediately went up to all her friends (the employees and front desk staff) and showed them her special ribbon.

Triple Trouble...Maddie, Kayla and Elle...these little ladies are so funny!

Elle loves gym class - but I really think she loves being able to play with Kayla and Maddie...and swing from the uneven bars!

Elle's First Easter Egg Hunt

April 16 Elle got to experience her first Easter egg hunt. We have been practicing for what seems like forever for this moment. Elle's PT is always coming up with creative ways to get Elle to work and lately we have been doing mock egg hunts so Elle could practice on squatting down and picking up an object with just one hand...and not putting both hands down on the ground. Finally on Saturday Elle got to put all of her practice into play for our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. It was so much fun! We went with Elle's friend Maddie. The girls had a good time...but it is so funny to see the difference in the two girls. Maddie ran right up to the Easter Bunny - Elle ran away from the Easter Bunny. Elle enjoyed the egg hunt...Maddie wanted nothing to do with it. Elle loved the fire truck....Maddie still wanted more of the Easter Bunny. They are just so funny! I am so thankful that Elle has a friend across the street to grow up with! I cherish these memories!

And this is how we knew it was time to go home....

Elle's 2nd Birthday Party

March 19 we celebrated Elle's 2nd birthday party with a Mickey Mouse themed fiesta...including mickey mouse cakepops (thanks to directions from bakerella) and a moon walk. I'm not sure how many guests actually came but there were a lot! Which meant a lot of donations to the Ronald McDonald House because we asked guests to bring donations in lieu of gifts. So much fun and so many donations!!

We all had so much fun and were so blessed to have a house full of guests that love Elle!

After everyone left, Lee, elle and I went and enjoyed the moon walk - just the three of us. We had so much fun and I forgot how much fun moon walks are! Lee and I were doing flips and Elle was loving every minute of it!

After moon walk time, it was time to wind down watching mickey mouse before bed...

We are so thankful for our little miracle and neither Lee nor I can believe that our baby is 2 years old! Time has flown by way too fast...I wish time would just stop but then she does something funny and I see how far she has come. Everyday is a new day, filled with new wonders and new discoveries. I just love that little girl so much!

LaLa and Mad Dog's Wedding

March 10 - 13, 2011 Lee and I headed to Oxford, Mississippi for one of my bestie's wedding. It was an absolute perfect weekend and we had so much fun! It was so much fun to be with all our friends and get to celebrate the marriage of two fabulous people!

Friday night before the rehersal dinner, my parents, my bestie meghan and her fiance and her parents and Lee and I all met up at Meghan's and my favorite bar in college. I was super excited when I saw my "hole in one" plaque I donated to the bar while in college. I got the plaque after making a hole in one at a golf tournamnet I played in during college. My spirit still lives at the Burgundy Room!

The Wedding Party

Lee and me at the reception

My sorority sisters...love them!

We had so much fun at the reception! It was a total dance party and we had soo much fun! As usual, I wish I would have taken more pictures...but Lauren had a fantastic photographer and I can't wait to get a few of his pictures framed for our house!

Congratulations Lauren and Madison! We are so excited for y'all!

Elle's First Rodeo

Saturday, March 5 we took Elle to her first rodeo! March is Rodeo month in Houston and we were so excited when our neighbor Dan invited us to see Billy Currington with him. It was an all day event that started with the livestock show. Elle wasn't too impressed with the animals. She still isn't too sure what to think of animals up close and personal. She is fine when she can see them from far away. We did manage to get her on a longhorn for a brief second for a picture. The only thing that kept her from a total breakdown was that Mr. Dan was there. Elle is Dan's biggest fan and he actually spent a majority of the day carrying her around. She wanted nothing to do with mom and dad...it was only Mr. Dan!

She was fine on the longhorn until it started to move which was when the photographer decided to take the picture!

Elle checking out the cows...not too impressed

Elle and Dan. She was putting stickers on him and he was being such a good sport!

After the livestock show it was time for the Rodeo. Elle was thrilled by the "jumping cows" and "jumping horses" (bull riding and the bronco riding) and when the barrel races started Elle was totally amazed. Too bad her enthusiasm didn't last for the concert...by the time Billy Currington made his way to the stage...Elle was completely out.

Billy Currington put on a great show and we had a great time with Dan. He was such a super trooper spending all day with a 2 year old! Maybe next year Elle will enjoy the Livestock Show and Rodeo a little more...I'm hoping we can at least attempt the petting zoo (really because I want to go!) Despite being a little timid when it came to all the animals we still managed to have a blast! My how times change because pre baby - the Rodeo was about the concert and the beers!