Fall Experiences: CORN HARVESTING

We like it when the corn is harvested.
Finally we can see around the road intersections.

Fall Experiences: HOT APPLE CIDER

I drank a lot of apple cider during the Fall of '07 when I was pregnant with Cayman. We kept a constant supply of it in the refrigerator, right next to the crunchy Kosher dill pickles. When the Fall season was nearing the end and the Apple Cider supply was dwindling in the stores, we bought several jugs and froze them for the months ahead. It was a classic experience of an intense pregnancy craving I had.

So I would almost expect Cayman to have a natural love for apple cider.

But she looked at it in disgust...


Then she looked at me....

Looked back at it...

Then she tried it...

She drank just one ounce...

And then went on her way.

Fall Expreriences: PUMPKIN CARVING

Mike and I were excited to dig in and pull out the guts of the pumpkin for Cayman to touch and explore. Her tactile sensitivity has been at its all time low lately and we were anxious to watch her reaction to the slimy mess. Knowing our girl well, we figured she would not love the feel of the gooey guts. So I was ready with the camera to capture all the gross faces we anticipated Cayman would make.

And once she had enough of it....

Well, you'll just have to take a look for yourself...

Daddy showed Cayman how to scrape clean the inside walls of the pumpkin.
Then it was Cayman's turn...

She took the spoon...

Put it inside the pumpkin...

And then tried to eat it.

Lisa, I included this picture just for you. Do you see your Grandfather's print so beautifully enhancing our dining room?



I put a pencil in Cayman's hand and with her help, (or more accurately stated, with her resistance), we drew the face of her pumpkin.

The Ghost Mike.

The Headless Mike.


"Hey, this thing's looking at me!"

"Ok, I am officially creeped out!'"

Fall Experiences: LEAVES

The tree in our front yard, produces the most amazing bright, yellow leaves. When the sun shines through its branches, the leaves practically glow in the light. It's gorgeous to look at!

This tree is quite generous with its leaf production. So when the leaves fall, the ground is completely saturated. That means lots of raking. But that is a small price to pay for the lovely enjoyment of this gorgeous tree.

This look on Cayman's face has me imagining that she is thinking, "Where did all these leaves come from?? We just raked a couple days ago!"

And here she might be thinking, "What's this?? Not another hat!"

"Mom, I'm taking this ridiculous hat off!" -Cayman
"Cayman, don't you take that hat off. Mommy worked hard making it!" -The Mommy

"Oh man, now I have hat hair!"

"I guess I'll put the hat back on."

"Hey, why won't this go back on? A little help please!"


"You're right, Mom. I do look cute in this hat!"

Fall Experiences: HALLOWEEN

Cayman lived out her Summer experiences fully.

Summer Experiences #1
Summer Experiences #2
Summer Experiences #3
Summer Experiences #4
Summer Experiences #5
Summer Experiences #6

Now she is getting acquainted with Fall and what this beautiful season brings to our lives.

Fall Experience #1: Halloween

Cayman dressed up as a Ladybug and greeted each child that came to our door Trick-or-Treating. She stared in quiet, wide-eye wonder as Daddy made a loud, abrupt appearance at the door for each child that came knocking. Once Mike received a satisfactory scare from each child he gave them some candy. And for the kids that he could get to say "Go Buckeyes" he gave them several pieces of candy. One little boy was even dressed up as an Ohio State football player. Mike nearly emptied the candy bowl in that kid's bag. :)

Maybe next year Cayman will experience what it is like to be a little Trick-or-Treater herself.

Cayman as a Ladybug

Halloween

To Scare?
or

To Be Scared?That is the question.


Happy Halloween!

Praying for Matthew

Remember Cayman's betrothed, Matthew?

In the last month and a half he has been in the hospital from the H1N1 Flu. He recovered and went home. Then he was readmitted for pneumonia. Again, he recovered and went home. And this time he is in the hospital for seizures. Matthew is being kept sedated and put on a ventilator just in order to control the seizures. He is in the PICU in critical but stable condition.

We are all hoping and praying for a full recovery for him. Please join me, will you?

I remember when Cayman was in the hospital, receiving comments and emails, brought so much delight to me while being in such a stale situation. I know Jill (Matthew's Mommy) would love it if you would hop over to her blog and say something. Even if you don't know them that's OK. The comments to us bloggers, even from complete strangers, has the power to make our day brighter.

Thank you and God bless you all for caring so much!

To comment on Jill's blog, click here.

Cayman's First School Pictures

Taken at her Tuesday morning Playgroup

Bath Time

Refrigerator Art

On Tuesday mornings Cayman attends Playgroup, an Early Intervention program for children from the age of 18 months up to 3 years old.

Stories are read...

Toys are played with...

Fish in the tank are viewed...

Snacks are eaten...

Crafts are made...

Music is heard...

Here is some of Cayman's artwork she has made at Playgroup. I hang them with pride on the front of our refrigerator.

Apple

Pumpkin sprinkled with Nutmeg

Footprints turned into ghosts

Cayman Likes to Move It

Today...

Happy Birthday to my little brother, Tyson!

{Cayman's Uncle Ty Ty}

Good News, Good News, Good News

Yesterday's CT scan and Neurosurgeon appointment went beautifully. Thank you for the all the notes and comments letting us know you were thinking about us. That always touches me.

We arrived to the radiology department almost on time. We were just eight minutes late. Once upon a day, I would have been horrified by that. I use to think that if I arrived at the exact scheduled time I was late. My opinion of on time meant being early. My how I have changed.

The staff accommodated us so kindly and patiently regardless of our tardiness. We were even shown to a private waiting room secluded from the other patients. I had requested for the technician to perform the CT scan without sedating Cayman first. Usually in a new setting Cayman is quiet and I thought there might be a hopeful chance she would hold still during the imaging. They agreed to this with no questions asked especially once they saw how calm and sleepy Cayman was upon our arrival. The receptionist stared tenderly at Cayman with a look in her eye that gave me the feeling that the desk between her and us was the only thing holding her back from snuggling Cayman into her own arms. Cayman is quite the snuggle bug when she is sleepy.

Putting us in a solitary room was meant to be unstimulating in the hopes of keeping Cayman quiet. The nurse turned off the lights and we patiently waited for her to return.

I stayed with Cayman during the CT scan which was successful without sedation! I could tell by the look in Cayman's eye she was alarmed by the machine and each time the table passed her through the ring she lifted her head completely off the table bringing her chin to her chest. I did not even know she was capable of doing that!!

The technician showed me a trick. By placing my hand on Cayman's chin with my fingers stretching across her jaw helped brace her head and Cayman felt more secure about being less mobile. With my my other hand, I held up her favorite toy as a distraction. All of that along with the technician holding another flashy toy, froze Cayman's attention just long enough for them to perform the scan.

It was then off to the Neurosurgeon's office for the review of the scans.

Mike and I felt fairly confident that there would be good news delivered to us but sometimes it feels scary thinking that way. The weight of bad news can feel like a heavier hit when there is an expectation for only good news. But by the end of the appointment we had big smiles on our faces and a slip of paper in hand saying Cayman's next return visit is in 8 months!

It was ALL good news!

Cayman's brain has grown...

Her skull bones have not prematurely fused together (a condition called Craniosynostosis that Cayman is at high risk for)...

And the distal catheter of her VA shunt has plenty of room for growth before it pulls away from the heart vessel. Which means it pushes the replacement surgery for her shunt farther into the future. We know it will need to be done someday but that someday will not be soon.

Here is Cayman's brain scan from yesterday's appointment:

Review: the blackened areas in the center is all the fluid. The gray area around the fluid is the brain tissue.

It looks significantly better than it did when Cayman was first born. Her head was filled mostly with fluid and only the tiniest amount of brain was noticeable on the edges and none at the roof.

Here is the scan from the day after she was born:

I cherish days like these!!

Here is a few more random pictures from the day...

Mike allowed this picture to be taken only because Big Bird was willing to hold Mike's Ohio State hat.

Mike and Cayman playing with their ipods.
Notice the expression on Mike's face. Does it look familiar from this post?


Getting Cayman's weight. 18 1/2 pounds. She's a little peanut.

Cayman watched Judy intensely as she took her axillary temperature.

4:47 a.m.

Cayman and I are heading out for the day. I know it's early but we have to leave at this time to make it to her scheduled 7:30 a.m. CT scan in Ann Arbor, MI. When radiology called this week to notify us of our arrival time I remained set in my natural, mild personality and just said, "Ok! We'll be there!" while calculating in my mind what time that means I will have to wake up at.

Have I ever told you that I am not a morning person? I try to be and want to be but my body refuses. My body is most happy starting a day at about 8 a.m. not before, especially not at 4:45 a.m.

Mike has taken part of the day off work to come along with Cayman and I. I for one am glad about that. I never do well with these long trips alone when they are very early in the morning. Plus I am feeling a bit edgy about this appointment and Mike's presence always soothes my nerves. It is just a routine CT scan but Cayman is older now and will need to be sedated for it.

It's the sedation part that leaves me feeling fidgety. I am sure it's a bigger issue in my mind than what it really is in reality. And that is what I am telling my mind but I still feel a bit jittery and I will be glad to have this appointment behind us.

My mind has never forgotten how fragile and tiny Cayman was as a little baby. She fit into preemie clothes until she was 2 months old. She had six surgeries within the first 4 months of her life. The familiar beeps of the vital monitors pacified her to sleep just like a Lullaby.

But my mind is pulled back to our blessed present day and I am reminded how strong and healthy Cayman is. I am reminded how far she has come and has thrived so beautifully. Can you imagine the emotion I felt when this past August I took Cayman into the Pediatrician and the doctor's words were "she is one very healthy little girl."

Well we better get out the door.

I leave you with a picture of Cayman's morning messy hair. If only I could look that cute upon waking up I would have slept in a little longer and spent less time fixing myself presentable.

Happy Birthday today to Cayman's Aunt Cara!

A Gift that Speaks to My Heart

I love taking pictures. Back in the day, before digital cameras, I went through plenty of film. I was about ten years old when I received my first 35 mm camera with the manual winding film track. I would take a hike in the woods with a friend and snap pictures, pretending I was a great photographer. My dolls, guinea pig, or my little brother, Tyson were just some of the many willing subjects I would pose. I am sure Tyson regrets that now since my collection of props and wardrobe consisted mostly of TuTu's and tights. :)

I have oodles of shoe boxes filled with photographs from those days.

Almost two decades later and not much has changed. The camera technology has evolved greatly but my love for taking pictures has remained strong. I still walk around taking oodles of pictures and pretending I'm great at it. The first time a digital camera was placed in my hands I was sure I had been given a little piece of Heaven on Earth.

It is not just about snapping pictures that holds my enslaving passion for photography. More specifically, it is about freezing the moments that I know I never want to forget. My desire to retain every vivid memory in my mind and heart has led me to explore the stunning art of photography.

I started a separate blog where I have been posting my favorite photographs. Check that out here.

I am all the time trying to perfect my skills and learn news one's. In doing so, my many Google searches have led me to some photography blogs that I follow. But there is one specifically that I follow very closely.

Kim Fordham Photography

Her work captured my eye the instant I saw it.

The clarity...

The lightning...

The elegant colorful style...

The collection of knit and crochet hat...

Oh yeah, I was hooked. Each new photo Kim posted deepened my love for her photography style and stirring within in me the desire to not just pretend to be a great photographer but perhaps the pursuit to become one.

I have followed Kim's photography blog for many months, secretly, watching and waiting for new posts to pop up. Then one day I decided to write her. I told her about how beautiful her pictures are and how I dreamed of booking a session with her someday. Kim wrote me back and gave my family a gift that will forever mark our walls and hearts with her kindness.

Want to know the rest of the story?

Click here. Beautiful pictures of Cayman awaits your viewing pleasure.

Signs of Teething

Gnawing

and

Crying

Business Trip

Last week Mike went on a business trip. Cayman and I got to go with him!

You didn't even know we were gone huh? We're kind of sneaky like that.

It was a short trip. Just three days. While Mike attended his training seminar, Cayman and I spent our time vegged out at the lovely hotel we stayed at. We were living the life of luxury.

Room Service...

King size bed...

Spacious bathroom...

Maid Service...

Fresh towels...

Pool Spa...

Our Bed

Cayman's bed.
Yea, she thought she was getting jipped too after seeing the king size bed.

Out My Window

I woke up this morning, opened the drapes, and was greeted by a beautiful Autumn view...

The exquisite Fall view from our front window

{My 500th Post}

Drinking from a Cup

It was an ordinary day...

Cayman was sitting on Daddy's lap watching some football.

I was in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner.

Then something extraordinary happened...

"Kris, get in here quick! Look at Cayman!" Mike excitedly yelled from the family room.

I came running.

Cayman was holding Daddy's nearly empty cup and drinking the last little drops of juice from it.

"She just picked the cup up herself and started to drink from it!" Mike said with a proud smile on his face.

"I wonder if she'll do it again." I replied, reaching for the camera.

Playing Hard To Get

Back at the beginning of July I wrote about Cayman's stinginess on giving kisses. It's been over three months since that post and she's still playing hard to get.

Have a look...

Her friendly playfulness cracks us up!

Wardrobe Change

Last week I emptied Cayman's dresser drawers of her summer clothes and filled them with warmer outfits. I did the same in her closet. I felt sad to know that by next summer Cayman will have out grown them and they will not be brought out again.

My sadness melted away quickly though as I looked at the new collection of sweaters, hats, and tights. I felt giddy imagining Cayman in her new fall/winter wardrobe. That set me in the mood for a photo shoot!

"Let's take some pictures, Cayman. Which outfit do you want to wear?" I said holding her up to the clothes hanging in her closet. Cayman fanned her hands through the hanging clothes, a favorite thing of hers to do, and she giggled in delight.

I had my eye on one particular outfit and I moved Cayman's hand down the line until it stopped on that exact one. "Oh, you want to wear that one?" I said with a little snicker. "Yep, that one is perfect!"

I pinned the waist-band of the jean skirt, giving it a quick custom tailor fit to Cayman's tiny waist. I tugged and pulled the tights onto Cayman's little legs explaining to her what all this girly stuff is. She watched as I strapped the sparkly pink shoes onto each foot. Then I gathered her hair on top and held it together with a white, satin bow. I buttoned the blouse and pulled the sweater vest over her head.

"Uh-Oh, the little bow on the vest is all scrunched up." I noticed. "Oh well, we don't have time to iron it, we gotta go." I said to Cayman. It was an overcast afternoon and it looked like the sky could let loose rain at anytime and I really wanted to take outdoor pictures. I had the perfect spot in mind. A short distance from our house there is a beautiful display of flowers. We wasted no time and out the door we quickly went with a spring in my step. I was having so much fun dressing up my little girl that I wondered, "What would I have ever done if Cayman was a boy?"

Happy Birthday to Cayman's Uncle Dan!

Cayman, That's Not Nice

~2 months old~

~5 months old~


~17 months old~

Content No Matter What

An email newsletter from Gerber

I was recently asked, "Is it difficult for you to look at the developmental charts when your child is delayed?"

I thought for a moment, thinking about how I wanted to respond.

I thought about what I felt when Cayman was just a few months old. I had thrown out all the developmental charts her Pediatrician had given us. As Cayman fell further and further behind, it was painful to be reminded of her delays and the charts only left me feeling stressed. I was still learning how to process Cayman's delays. I wanted to be content yet I never felt content when I looked at those charts.

Standing over the trash can staring into its darkness I prayed, "Lord, I throw these charts out because right now they are a hindrance to me but please grow in me the ability to be content no matter what."

Seeing another child Cayman's age, or even younger and surpassing her abilities would sting my heart. I once again would feel stressed and discontent.

Loving Cayman exactly how she is has always been the easy part. It was never a question about love. It was about wanting more for her than what she might be limited to experience in this life. That want and desire, though rooted in a mother's love, can easily rob a blessed life of the simple joys.

After my interactions with the other children, my mind would ponder and sort through the heavy thoughts that weighed on my heart.

I am truly grateful for the moments with those other children Cayman's age. Some were our friends' kids that we hung out with and others were short, brief encounters at the grocery store of passing strangers. Each one was an opportunity for me to learn to be content.

The question:

"Is it difficult for me to look at the developmental charts since Cayman does not match their suggestion?

My Response:

"Not so much anymore. Sure there are still moments when I feel a sting of pain in my heart but it's always a smooth trip back to complacency. It's easy not getting discouraged when I recall the day we were quoted our baby's survival statistics. Our hearts grieved as if we had lost her. Experiencing that kind of heartache has now left us rejoicing at everything Cayman does because it feels like a gift that we weren't suppose to receive but did."

A relaxing evening looks like this...

Ah, Life is Good!

Belly Button Book

This is a fun book to read to Cayman. Her two cousins, Sidney and CeCe gave her this book last year for Christmas.


Cayman has learned where her belly button is through our story time of reading this book to her. She will pat her belly and then lift up her shirt and take a peek. Or she will lift up our shirt and check our belly buttons out too, which is super cute. However, it's not so amusing when she randomly chooses to lift our shirt up in public to show off our belly buttons for all to see.

So we have learned a little bit of humility and what it feels like to have your child embarrass ya.

My Little Diddle Dumpling...

went to bed with one sock off and one sock on.


We went out and bought Cayman several pairs of footie pajamas. Now she cannot remove her socks and pants while she sleeps.

Football in the Park

There is no doubt, when you step outside it is fall here in Ohio. The air is cool, splashes of color are starting to appear in the tree tops, and pumpkins adorn the porches.

Buckeye fever peaks in the Fall and every Saturday Mike's plans are coordinated around Ohio State's football game schedule. But along with watching football, the Autumn season also has Mike wanting to play football.

What's a better day to play football with your friends than on a peaceful, Sunday afternoon in the park?

Tall

Months ago Mike and I had an entertaining conversation about words and how they are used in certain context. For example, a baby's body length is referred to as long and it seems that once they begin to stand up their length is then referred to as tall.

That conversation came back to me this week when my baby became tall.

At therapy Cayman stood on her feet for the first time for several minutes! Her only support was leaning against a bench in front of her. It was amazing! She looked so grown up and so tall. Her therapists and I sat there in complete awe at this milestone that came out of no where.

I had the camera nearby in the diaper bag but I was so stunned and amazed watching Cayman stand that I did not even think to take pictures. All my focus went to controlling my tears and cheering for her.

If my mind can forget about taking photos during such a moment as that, I know I was quite emotional.

At home I wanted to see if Cayman would duplicate her standing achievement.

And she did!!

Take a look at my tall girl!

{The laptop was used as a persuasion to get her to stand up to the couch.}

I just can't believe it!! I keep standing her up to see if she'll do it again and again. Perhaps this is Cayman's way of getting me over my obsession with her sitting ability, in which I am still recovering from the shock of her newly conquering achievement in. It's been almost two weeks since she started to sit all by herself and yet I still exclaim, "Look, look!! She's sitting!!"

And now with this new accomplishment in standing I find myself staring in wide eye amazement all over again.

I think if Cayman could talk she would say, "Take a picture Mom, it lasts longer!"

Oh and believe me, I have!

Prayers for Matthew

Do you remember little Matthew, Cayman's betrothed, from this post and this post?

Well, Matthew is in desperate need of your prayers. He fell victim to the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and is in the hospital. He is very sick and very fragile.

Please allow this family that is so dear to me to enter your prayers.

To visit their family blog and surround them with support click here.

It's Fall

At our house, you can tell the Fall weather has arrived when....

Mike is wearing a sweatshirt and pants...and I'm snuggled under a blanket (I even have a heat pack over my shoulders).

And where's Cayman??

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Laying on the floor taking her pants and socks off.