New cast!

Emily did so well after her last hip surgery!

She did not even cry when she woke up from anesthesia. She was happy and smiling from that moment on.

I swear you would never know she was under for over an hour.

We checked in the hospital at 10:30 and were on our way home at 2:30.

The dr said her hip "looked and felt like a normal functioning hip" YAY!!



Pre-op-Happy girl!



The surgeon said her skin looked great and had no redness or breakdown. Score one for mom! :)

The cast was also very clean, thanks to the tip from another mom about lining her cast in duct tape.

We chose a bright green cast and I bought some zebra print duct tape!

It is very summer-y. It reminds Joe of 80's.

 I had to wrap tape around the bar because it was really rough and when we burp her we set her on our knees, the bar rest on our knees.

She has 5 weeks in this cast and then 3 months in a Rhino Cruiser brace just at night.

Also, for Emily's birthday she received several Amazon gift cards. I ordered a few things and wanted to share those with the sweet gift card givers :)

I got this swing. Our neighbours gave us the frame, it is a very small frame and perfect for Emily. The swing holds up to 100lbs so she will be able to use it for a long time!

I also got this lady bug constellation nightlight. I don't have a picture of the actual lady bug but I took a picture of the stars on the ceiling. It has 3 different colors and turns off automatically.

I have been trying to find something that will keep Emily happy at night when she is falling asleep. I, normally, have to let her fall asleep then place her in bed or lay next to her until she falls asleep. Soooo, tonight I tried it out and SUCCESS!!! I laid her in bed AWAKE and turned on the ladybug (purple light of course) and left the room. I checked back a little while later and she is sound asleep.

I also got this  molar teether. So far she does not care for it but i will keep trying. She needs those darn molar to break through! 

I am sure she will be glad once they all break through too!

2nd birthday party (Lots of pics!)

Emily's 2nd birthday party went great! I was nervous because she was sleeping at the beginning and she slept through her entire 1st birthday party. She woke up just in time and had a great time! She was happy and smiling the whole time!



Sleeping beauty before the party began



I made over 75 cupcakes for her party. I was trying to save money this year and it was a success! I even made my own icing! My best friend, Angie, came over and helped me decorate all of them! It was a lot of fun to do!

I love this picture of Sha, the children's minister at my church, praying because if you look all the way to the left of the picture just under the cross you will see Micheal praying. I just love the innocence of a child praying and Micheal has prayed for Emily many times before :) such a sweet boy.

This is Emily's cousin, Sam, "kissing" (more like rooting) Emily's forehead. Emily was still snoozing and we leaned him over and it just look precious!

Emily with her grandma and grandpa Johnson.

 Family pic minus Cayla, again. Dang, we gotta get this girl in some pics soon! Come back from Florida Cayla! We miss you aunt sissy!!

Singing "Happy Birthday". Looks like she is singing too! 

Yummy!

happy girl!

Love my family!

My sister, Amy, and our babes. Love this pic of Emily! She looks very mischievous!

The woman behind all the beautiful photos!

This is Rebecca, she is an amazing photographer. She also took our last family pictures. You can click on her name and check out her blog, which is fantastic too! You can also go here to see Rebecca's photography facebook page.



Thank you so much Rebecca! I love having such great pictures to look back on.

Also, thanks to everyone who helped with the party and came and celebrated with us! We are so thankful for each one of you!!

Birthday Party #1

We had a wonderful time celebrating Emily's 2nd birthday!

It was just us 3!



Helping daddy blow out her candle.





I don't know about this, mom!





It's not so bad!




She made this mess all by herself! We could not have been more proud!





She also did this all on her own!!





We are having her big party this Sunday at church. Everyone is welcome to come! If you need directions let me know!

Happy 2nd Birthday Emily

Emily Jean was born at 7:47pm. The single most happy moment for Joe and myself.

She could not have been more wanted and loved.

I loved everything about being pregnant! I will never forget the first time I felt her kick. It made everything so real.

It was not the easiest pregnancy but I would do it a million times over for her.

Our lives are not what we expected it would be and some days are really difficult. We ask "why us" or "why her" but then we look back on this past year and see that we really have so much to be thankful for.

We have ALL come so far this past year. Emily loves so many things! I love seeing her light up because something or someone has made her happy. A year ago there was not much she really liked. Now she loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, anything with lights and music, kisses on the cheek, for you to shake her arms back and forth, dancing, her puppy violet, still loves her paci, when we talk in a squeaky voice to her. I could go on and on.

She is really enjoying life and I think that has helped Joe and I tremendously.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for her.

I am lucky to get to be her mom.

I am so thankful that God chose me to love her.

Emily can not say that she loves me but when she reaches her little hand out to touch my arm, I know.

Emily, I can't imagine loving you more now than I did a year ago but I do. You have taught your daddy and I so much. We are better people because of you. You have brought more joy to our lives than we could ever express. Not a day goes by that I don't stare at you and say out loud how thankful I am to be your mommy. There is nothing else in the world that I would want to be. You are so strong and I am so proud of you.

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

I love you

Last pregnant picture



Getting ready!





1st time seeing her!




Daddy showing her off




So pretty




Going home!





party pictures!

Emily's 1st birthday party was amazing!

We are so thankful for all the people who came to celebrate with us.

She slept through the entire party and as soon and we came home she was wide awake!

I took a few pictures but as soon as people started coming in I forgot to take any more so if you have pictures please email them to me.

Here are a few that I managed to take before the party started.

This cake is so beautiful. My friend Lynn made this for Emily. She also made my baby shower cake.

Rebecca and Emily

The whole Neal gang.

Joe's dad, step-mom, grandma, and brother.

4 generations.

My best friend Angie and her baby Ava.

Emily in her new car seat.

This is Annie her son Collin was also diagnosed with infantile spasms. It is so nice to have met someone that really does understand what we are going through! Collin has the sweetest smile and a very contagious laugh!!

This is a rattle Annie made Emily. Very few "things" make Emily smile. Mostly just me and daddy but when I jingled this she smiled and looked in its direction.

She also made her an egg plant one. How creative! Thanks Annie!

Emily got so many wonderful gifts. Tons of clothes, a few super cute bathing suits, a car seat and a pool for her to use her waterwaybabies neck ring in. It is not a huge pool but big enough for us and her therapist to get in with her.

Thank you each and everyone of you came or sent a card. You all helped make Emily's 1st birthday wonderful.

Hopefully I can get some more pictures of the family with Emily .