Random pics

I have a lot of pictures over the last month that I have been wanting blog, but never found the time. Here are some of them:

Presley and her playgroup girls playing in the sprinklers at our house and my friend Amy's house:






(yes, she is drinking the water)




Tutu day:(she played in this tutu all day!)








Presley at music class:

(dancing!!)

Here are some dresses that I just adore P in:

(looks like an Anne of Green Gables dress!)

Reading with a little friend:


Presley's new swim suit for th 4th of July from Mumsie:



This is what happens when you leave a 1yr old alone for a few minutes to put away clothes...or maybe when you leave Presley alone

(crawling out after getting caught)

This is Presley putting on make up. That is a nalgene bottle lid and a popsicle stick. These were videos taken all day. Yes, she put make up on ALL day! She is going to hate hearing how that will affect her acne later in life. Oh, and Daddy dressed her this day. I do have to say she even makes athletic wear cute!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Bandage is off.....

We took Presley's bandage off tonight. Not fun! I was nervous because I was afraid I would pull open the incision. That tape is really secure stuff! My mom said it best, "It is amazing that something so small would be responsible for all this worry and concern!" It was crazy but it is all over now and Presley handled it like a total PRO!!
Just wanted to show you some more pics we got of her this week with the bandage and the pics of her incision without the bandage. Just click on the picture to see all the pics. For those of you who think this is gross please forgive me for posting it. It is really for my family who aren't here to see her. It helps them to feel connected to this! Thanks!

The bandage is off

I also have a video of her this evening at dinner. I was having a little conversation with her tonight about taking off the bandage and it was so funny. However, when I went to video it all she could think of was her drink. She loves crystal light. We give it to her so rarely that she really loves it when she gets it! So, she couldn't pay attention to me! It's cute, anyways!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Surgery

Well, we are home from surgery. What a crazy day. We got up this morning around 5:45 because we had to leave our house at 6:30am to make it to the hospital by 7. When we arrived we had to do a lot of paperwork and get her all signed in for surgery. Then they called us back into pre-op where we met every doctor and nurse who would be present during Presley's surgery. While they checked her vitals and got her all ready for surgery they put on a Baby Einstein video for her. It was so wonderful. All she wanted was to talk to the birds, monkies, and tigers on the screen. When it was time for her to be taken back into surgery the Dr came to pick her up and I was worried that she wouldn't go, but no! She almost jumped in his arms. I will have to say that watching them walk through the door with her and see her disappear behind the glass was a horrible feeling. The 45 min wait til they called us was the longest 45 minutes. I just kept wondering how scared she must be. However, Dallas kept reminding me she was ok! Sure enough she was. at 9:15 we got called back to recovery. She was on her little hospital bed crying with disorientation. They let Dallas pick her up and help carry her to me. I held her in the recliner for an hour as they monitored her. She was pretty cranky when we put her in the car and when we got her home. She would try and walk and then just fall to the ground. So, I picked her up to keep her from falling and hurting herself and man she did NOT like that. She threw a fit unlike one I have ever seen. I know it was the medicine and being in pain. Poor baby. I finally got her to calm down when Ben(our doggie) came by and sat down next to her so she could pet him. He proceeded to lay there and lick her face to which she sighed with huge sighs of relief! It was the sweetest thing! I finally got her to sleep and resting for a little while!!
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and concerns for us over the last few days. It went well and now we just have to watch her recovery!! We got some pictures of her in her gown, some pics of the spot after Dr. Chen marked it and some of us in recovery.

Presley's Branchial Cleft Fistual

Myrtle Beach trip

We met my mom and dad in Myrtle Beach last weekend.
When we arrived Friday afternoon the Razorbacks were playing LSU in Baseball so we met up at a sports bar to have some drinks and watch the game. It was so funny because we all showed up in all our Razorback apparel and the game was in rain delay. So we sate there for over 2 hrs waiting on the game. Eventually, as all babies do, Presley grew tired of waiting and sitting. She needed to run, run, run. We packed up our stuff and decided to go on to the hotel and watch the game. Well, the Hogs lost. Boo hiss! It was a sad game. Not only was I disappointed we lost, but it took up the rest of our evening. By time it was over Presley was ready for bed. I got her all dressed in her PJs then heard Dusty say “So when are we going to eat?!” HAHAHA! My life has so changed. Gone are the days when you could go out to eat at 7:30/8pm. Actually, my mom chimed in and offered to stay with Presley so we could go out with Dad and Dusty. I was so glad she did. Although, I was sad her and P weren’t there. So, Dad, Dusty, Dallas(wow that is a lot of Ds) and I loaded up to `go to dinner. We went to a great restaurant on the beach. We stood out on the lawn of the restaurant which overlooked the dunes and the ocean while we waited to be called in. The four of us laughed and had a great visit. Dallas and I had wayyyyyy to much to eat so we decided to walk back to the hotel.
Our hotel was wonderful. It was the Best Western Carolinian Resort on Ocean Blvd. WE had a two bedroom condo with 2 full beds in each room, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, washer dryer and a pullout sofa. The only thing we didn’t have was a DVD player. Dallas and I had to get creative to do our workouts. The balconies, however were incredible. There was one out the living room area that was really big and another that wrapped around both bedrooms. I wanted to stay much longer than we were able to.
Saturday morning Dusty and Dallas got us really early to have a game of golf. Mom and Dad had to go and look at condos(the price to pay for getting such a deal on the room for the weekend) and Presley and I went to the pools. Presley is getting so comfortable in the water. I took her to the little 1 ft baby pool so she could have more control of her feet while she swam. Well, first thing she did was try to float. This, of course, landed her face first in the water. I calmly picked her up expecting her to be gasping for air instead all I got was a squeal of excitement. The rest of the time we were in the pool all she wanted to do was go under! Such a dare devil. After her and I hung out at the pool we went back to the room to do lunch and her nap. Mommy took a nap too! I was tired! When we woke up we had a snack. While we were eating everyone came back from their mornings out. So, we got our suits on again and headed for the beach. At first it was just Mae, Presley and I but then Dallas joined us. We had a great time.
That evening we went to Bass Pro Shop with Popa so he could pick out some lures for Father’s day. Presley loved the fish tank and made lots of friends throughout the store. One guy even picked out a cute orange hat for her to wear. It said “My First Fishing Hat!” Popa was tickled. After the Pro Shop we went and had Japanese. It was Presley’s first time at a Japanese Steak House. It was sooooo funny to watch her. She didn’t really like the fire.
Sunday was an easy morning. WE all got up and had breakfast and coffee as we sat around and visited some more! I just can’t say how blessed I am that my family are my best friends. I loved the whole weekend. It was way too short but well worth it to see everyone. I miss my mom and dad already. I would say I missed Dusty but I get to see him regularly. I make sure of it!

Myrtle Beach 2009

Weekend at the beacheS

Two weekends ago we had a busy time jumping from beach to beach.
That sounds crazy, I know! It was crazy!
On Thrusday Dallas, Presley and I went to Clearwater Beach, Fl to meet my Beachbody coach and business partner, Melissa Hudgens and her family. It was great to finally put a face with a name. Her husband, Robert,is a crazy P90Xer and was able to give Dallas and I LOTS of tips and encouragement before we started our P90X program. Her little boys were so sweet. Her little boy, Ty, took to Presley right off the bat.

Then, on Friday we loaded up with Dusty and headed to Destin to hang with some of my family. One of my mom's sisters, Brenda, was celebrating her 40th wedding anniversary to her husband, Jack, by having all of her children and their kids vacation in Destin for a week. She invited us to come along since they would be so close. She knew it would give us an opportunity to hang out with family we seldom see. We also got to finally meet my coucin Joyce's new husband, Perry, and his three children Jessica, Cole and Drew. I have to say I am attached already. They are so sweet! Presley really took to Perry! One of the greatest things for me of the weekend was getting to see the older 4 grandkids all grown up. Taylor and Megan were in our wedding and to see them as 13 year olds is incredible. I, of course, will always see them as 7 year olds!! However, they are growing into such gourgeous young ladies and with insanely cool personalities! Dalton and Jordan have grown so tall. They are both taller than me-I know that doesn't take a lot- and are way cooler than I ever was at 15/16!

We had such a relaxing weekend and I didn't want it to end. Oh well! Sunday came and we were back on the road home! It would only be for 2 weeks, though! We are headed to Myrtle Beach, SC this weekend to see my mom and dad! Stay tuned for pics. It might take a while, however, because Presley has her surgery Monday. Enjoy the pictures and I will be blogging again soon!

Destin trip with Sprinkles Clan

Cool Video...

Being a mom to a little girl many worries cross your mind. One major one is if I will raise her to be a confident and know exactly where her beauty comes from. I want Presley to know that who she is as a person and her virtues and integrity are what make her beautiful. I worry often that with all the pressures out there to be "perfect" that Presley will fall into thinking that is where she finds her worth. I know that in our eyes and, more importantly, in Christ's eyes that Presley is the most beautiful young lady! I guess I will have to follow my mom's advice and just pray with all you have, as often as you can and know that God is the one in control!

All that rambling to say that I found this video on Tangle which is the Christian version of Youtube. It is the message I want to make sure Presley hears daily! I hope if you know little girls or women in your life that you are daily putting major daily deposits into their "spirit" accounts. Make sure that their integrity and values are noticed more than just their looks if they are 1 years old or 55 years old!
If you are of the female gender and are reading this please know that there will never be a more beautiful you!!!

Surgery update and Power Outage

Hi all!
Two things I want to let you know.
For those of you who are Beachbody Fanantics please note that the Team Beachbody webiste, http://www.teambeachbody.com/, will be down for transformation until the 10th. It has only been down 1/2 a day and I already miss it. I want to encourage those of you who are not Beachbody Fanatics to go to my website and join the craze! It is totally free to join the site. You don't have to even buy a product. Who doesn't need encouragement and motivation to live a healthier, fuller life? If your life is perfectly balanced and you couldn't use any more tips on having a more balanced life then by all means don't join the site!! hee hee!!

Quick update. Presley's surgery has been scheduled for the 22nd of June. Is mommy nervous? Yes! Will mommy most likely cry on the day of when they take Presley back to the OR? Yes! Does mommy know this is the best thing for Presley and trust the doctors? Yes! Does she trust God more? Absolutely. That is why I know this will all be ok! Just wanted to let you all know when the surgery was scheduled for!

Here are three pictures I got of her cyst. They are very blurry. Sorry. I will get a better on. It is the tiny hole abover her collar bone just about my index finger. Looks like someone took a ballpoint pin and stuck her!

We just got home from two trips. I can't find my camera battery charger so I can't upload the pics. As soon as I do I will post about them!

Also, I am going to be starting a fitness blog. More details to follow!

Branchial Cleft Fistula/Cyst

When Presley was born her pediatrician told us that after doing her initial check of Presley she found a dimple like structure on her neck just above her collar bone. She called it a cyst and said that it rarely becomes a problem but that we should watch it and keep it clean to avoid infection. She also said that at some point she would have to get it removed but that if we can make it til she is 1yrs old then it would be best for anesthesia purposes.

During the 4 months that Presley had chronic ear infections we noticed a lot of puss like white stuff that would ooze out of her little hole. Normally it is just clear or a tiny piece of white stuff, but when she had the ear infections it was considerably more. So, Dr.Worthington said, "At her one year birthday she has to go in."

So, off we went yesterday to the Pediatric Surgeon and had him look at her. He took one look at her neck and said "Yep! It is a Branchial Cleft Fistula and it has to come out! We will need to schedule it this month or next month."

What is a branchial cleft fistula? branchial cleft abnormality is a congenital (present from birth) defect that occurs during early embryonic development when the structures and tissues that form the neck and throat do not properly grow together. The tissues form pockets and pathways that contain cells from other parts of the neck and throat. Branchial cleft cysts are lined with skin and lymph cells and contain fluid that is secreted by these cells. Branchial cleft fistulas also contain skin cells but drain mucus and fluids from other internal areas of the neck and throat.
These aren't typically a big deal. What can be a big deal is that since there is essentially a hole to the outside world the internal structure can potentially get badly infected. Presley's fistula seems to be the more common of the tracks that leads to the back of the throat. Which explains why when she has had upper respiratory infections there is more secreted out. It is basically her drainage! Ok, yuck. I realize that is nasty.

Now I am trying to find out if we can get a scan or dye test to make sure the track goes where the doctor expects it to go. Once we have that done they hope to have her in to surgery around the 26th of this month. I know that it isn't a big deal and in the grand scheme of things it could be worse, but I can't help but be nervous. I just think the anesthesia could be scary. Augh! Please keep us and the doctors in your prayers!

If you want to learn more about Branchial Cleft Fistulas/Cyst click here

Olivia Rose Smith

Missy and Bailey welcomed Olivia Rose Smith into the world this morning at 2:36am. She was 6lbs 7oz and 20in long. Olivia was born a little early so she is experiencing some breathing problems, but is being monitored very closely. Missy is doing well and I imagine happy to have Olivia and not be pregnant anymore! I have a picture of her on my phone. I will try to post it tonight.

Congrats Bailey, Missy and Bella. I love you!