Thursday, May 29, 2008

So, allow me a moment to be happy and a moment to sulk

So, I took Kathryn to the doctor today because she has had some tummy troubles (we'll just leave it at that!). Well, the good news is that she has finally crossed the double digits in weight and weighed in at 11 pounds .5 ounces. I am so thrilled to even be able to say that she has grown so much. The bad news about that is that although she has gained, Dr. Stansell mentioned that he felt like her weight gain is probably slowing over what it used to be. She will see Dr. Lozano at BPD Clinic on Monday and his team is who directs her nutritional requirements. I would imagine that Monday will include some nutritional changes and I pray that whatever is recommended will start to work and pack some pounds on our little munchkin! Otherwise, there may be some larger changes that they would consider making that could involve minor or major invasive procedures that I do not even want to think about yet!

I haven't asked for a specific prayer for Kathryn for a while, but I feel the need to ask for one now. She is doing so well and I ask that you pray for some really aggressive weight gain for her over the next few weeks. I pray that she can pull out of this "slump" by herself without the needs of medical intervention!!

Faithfully,

Kelly

Monday, May 26, 2008

Pictures

There were way too many great pictures from our night away so I had to post them this way! Hope that you enjoy.

 
Posted by Picasa

Reflection over the last week

So I haven't gotten a chance to post in a week now and I never posted about our crazy weekend last weekend. We had a wonderful time last weekend with Madelyn's recital and Kathryn's baptism. Saturday morning before the recital, we took Madelyn to breakfast with her two best friends Jalyn and Logan. The recital was hectic backstage, especially for a four year old, but the girls had so much fun getting into their costumes. They did a great job on stage! After the recital, Greg and I gave Maddie flowers and she was so proud! Sunday at the baptism was vedry special to Greg and I to look out and see so many of our family and friends who were there to support us. There were even new friends we have made since the birth of Kathryn, work friends, and friends and family that drove great distances to be there with us to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism with Kathryn! She did an excellent job and only gave a small cry about the water on her head. Sunday afternoon was the annual NICU reunion at Brookwood Hospital where Kathryn stayed from July to December so we went back to let her see all of the sweet nurses who took care of her! Dr. Mena was also surprised to see how big she had gotten!!

We spent the rest of this past week, just as crazy as the weekend. We both worked on Monday, then on Tuesday, I took the day off for Madelyn's end of the year school picnic in the park. Kathryn and I went to her school, we all walked to the park and spent two hours there with all of her classmates! She had a great time and I know that she will miss them over the summer. Also on Tuesday, Greg and I celebrated our eight year anniversary by going out to dinner!! We love our girls but we had a nice night out while Nini and Pawpaw stayed with them. Wednesday was the end of the year dancing party at school. Then Thursday was Maddie's last day of school. And on Friday, we took the girls on a much needed overnight camping trip away from our home (for the first time in almost a year). Like I said it was much needed but we literally packed the van full with the oxygen tanks and the concentrator and everything else. We had a great time and certainly needed a little relaxation, but it will be a while before we get out again!! I will try to get some pictures up from the weekend. Today we are just enjoying a wonderful Memorial Day and saying thank you to the men and women who put their lives in harm's way to defend and protect our country!

Faithfully, Kelly

Monday, May 19, 2008

The baptism

A picture of the baptism


Pastor Jim with Kathryn


Jim and John baptising Kathryn


Kathryn's Nanny ,Miss Cheryl with Kathryn


Kathryn with our favorite nurse, Miss Ginny!!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Recital

Madelyn and her friends had a great time at the recital!! She did just great!!





Saturday, May 17, 2008

Getting ready for the recital and baptism

As we get ready to start our busy weekend of recital, family, cookout, baptism, and NICU reunion, I am absolutely excited about celebrating the lives of my daughters. Madelyn is such a beautiful, sweet little girl with a tremendous heart and she has become such the big sister. She tells us all the time how much she loves Kathryn and that she will always be her best friend. I myself never had a sister, but I can only imagine the bond that these two will share as they grow older!! Madelyn looks at Kathryn like she hung the moon, but then again so do Greg and I sometimes!!

Madelyn performs today in her very first dance recital and is the second to last routine in the 2 1/2 hour program and yes, we have to be there (get to be there) for the whole thing!! She is so excited to be on the big stage and of course when she got up there for the rehearsal she too looked like she was perfecting the "deer in headlights" look! Last night before bed, she said "tomorrow is recital day" and had the biggest smile ever on her face!! Greg and I are taking her to breakfast with her best friends that are also in her dance class as a pre-recital party!!

As we get ready to celebrate the baptism of Kathryn this Sunday, I think back almost 10 months ago when Kathryn came into this world a fragile 14 ounces and my heart is overjoyed that this day is here!! There were so many nights that we never thought Kathryn would remain with us and the fact that she has still amazes me everyday. It's not too often that we get to personally see God's grace and His miracles, but we have the pleasure of staring into the face of His grace every day and she always smiles back at us. It's as if her smile means, "see, Kelly and Greg, I said to trust in me and I would bring her home!"

What a blessing this weekend is too us! We celebrate our children this weekend!! And we thank everyone who plans to celebrate with us!

Faithfully, Kelly

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

We received a phone call last night from some new friends that we have had the pleasure of knowing since the birth of our baby girls, Kathryn and Addie. Addie has been in the hospital (both Brookwood and Childrens) since birth, which is about 7 months. The family finally received news yesterday that they were able to take their baby girl home to Cullman for the first time today!! So welcome home Penn Family!!!!

At our house, we had Maddie's church choir program last night where all the kid's choirs sang. Maddie's choir, the Cherub Choir, sang three songs including the Tarzan song, My God is so great, and the third one escapes me (what a bad mother!!) Nini, Pawpaw, and Nana came too and then we went to dinner afterwards. Kathryn really enjoyed the singing and watched a lot!! She also enjoyed playing with the program!

Today was Maddie's (2 1/2 hour) dress rehearsal for her dance recital this Saturday. Of 21 groups, Maddie's is #19. It was a pleasant 2 1/2 hours, but at least I had the pleasure of Jen and Lisa's company - Maddie's two best friend's moms'!! (Smile)

Thanks for checking in on us!! We are keeping busy for sure! We are awaiting family from out of town this weekend as we celebrate Maddie's dance recital on Saturday and Kathryn's baptism this upcoming Sunday. It will definitely be a busy weekend !!

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me." erma bombeck

Faithfully, Kelly

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Who's Ready for a Laugh?

One of the sweetest sounds I know!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day!

These are from Maddie's Mother's Day party at school.





Monday, May 5, 2008

Keep it a secret from Kathryn . . .

but she's been on 1 1/2 liters for a week and 1 liter since Saturday and her sats are still staying at 100 almost all of the time!! She is doing so well lately!! But don't let her know about it - we want her to think that she is still getting the same amount of oxygen!!

Kelly

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Week in review

Nothing much at our house this week. Greg had a busy week with work and the Annual Summit on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Annual Summit is Hoar's annual meeting. Monday was a stay at home day for me and the girls and we enjoyed our day! Tuesday was a sick day for me because Miss Cheryl couldn't come to work. So Wed, Thurs and Fri were very busy days at work!! Friday night, Maddie spent the night with her best friend Logan and evidently had a wonderful time at the Movie in the Park!! Greg and I went to the Spouse dinner at Hoar's Annual Summit while Nini and Pawpaw babysat and hung our new screen door (which is wonderful!!!) Greg and I had a great time on our night out and ended up bidding on McWane Center tickets and won them at the Silent Auction. The money went to the American Cancer Society which is a great cause and we got the tickets for a great deal!!! Yesterday, Greg finished up the Summit, Kat had physical therapy at 12:00 and Maddie had a birthday party from 2-4. Last night we just relaxed and had a nice dinner on the deck!

Here's to a great start to next week!!

Kelly