Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Updates on the Loves of my Life!

As crazy as the last two months have been, so much has happened in terms of my babies growing and changing! It's crazy that Aubrey is already over seven months old and Brady will be three in less than three months!

Brady, Brady--our sweet little boy who is always on the go. He is ALL boy-playing with his planes, trains and automobiles and always wanting to go outside. We have been so fortunate to have such beautiful weather that he has been able to play outside almost every day! Brady is still going to school two days a week, but will be home with me every day this summer!! He has his buddies at school that he is always telling us about and I am thrilled to be able to do all sorts of fun things with him on the days that he is not in school! His favorite things to say are "Oh man," "I love Aubrey Grace/Mommy/Daddy" and "Louie is the best dog." While he loves to play rough, he has his moments of snuggle time too-where he wants to cuddle up with Mommy or Daddy and read a book or watch "Rio" (his recent favorite). Potty training continues to be a work in progress, but we have until he starts preschool in August!


How would I describe our Aubrey? She's our little chunky monkey (around 20 lbs+ at 7 months) and has the best personality. She is ALWAYS smiling, whether she is with her us or at a restaurant smiling at strangers-she is all smiles.  She is a tough girl, as Brady gives her tight hugs and pushes her around on the floor, but she can stand her ground! Aubrey is officially on the move. She has been rolling from back to tummy since she was about five months, but now she is moving all directions and her most recent trick is to "Army" crawl! With a 2.5 year old who is always on the move--he's either running or he's sleeping, it's going to be interesting to see how we manage two mobile kiddos! I know we will be fine though.



Brady was an easy baby, but Aubrey has been even easier (other than her initial colic and figuring out the formula situation)! They say that God gives you an easy first child to get you to have a second--if this is the case, there may be more Cone babies in the future--not for a little while though!

Last but not least, Chris--I think I pretty much summed up my feelings in my previous posting, but he is a great Daddy! We miss him during the day, but when he gets home late in the afternoon, we are excited to see him and Brady can't wait to play cars and trains with him! Chris is also convinced that Aubrey is starting to say "Da Da"...but I am convinced that it is still baby babble (and I also work on her saying "Ma Ma" during the day when Chris isn't home!...shhhh!!! :) Just kidding!)

Please say some prayers for Chris, he had some moles removed yesterday and will get his biopsy results in about a week. Melanoma runs rampant in his family, so please say a prayer for him that his biopsies are all negative. Thank you. <3


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

In Sickness...and In Health

Forward:
The day after posting my previous post, I ended up in the hospital..again, for complications from my gallbladder surgery. I was in for two or three days, I can't remember at this point and they did an endoscopy (putting me under, again!) At the time there was discussion of doing a procedure called an ERCP which is an endoscopic surgery where they cut the sphincter and put stents in for a few days (this is also a procedure that has to be redone every 2-5 years due to scar tissue forming and each surgery includes  a 3-4 day hospital stay-blech!). They decided not to do this at this time since I was two weeks out from gallbladder surgery. Two weeks later, February 29th-my hubby took me back to the ER for dehydration, drastic weight loss (30 lbs at this point from December) and yes, continued pain. My blood work came back at this time with an elevated liver enzyme level-so at this point they decided that the ERCP/sphincterotomy needed to be done and I ended up having a double sphincterotomy. I have the best support group in the world-since being in the hospital so many times really begins to mess with your head and everyone has been so supportive with help with the kiddos, meals, cards, messages on FB and so much more!  The person that has been there for me through every step of this journey (nightmare!) is my wonderful husband, who even reminded me as I was laying in the (uncomfortable) hospital bed that it was our 11 year anniversary on March 1st. (I was so doped up, that it was the first year that I wasn't thinking about it!!!) The letter below is to my beloved.

Dearest Christopher Michael,


Where do I even begin? Eleven years ago you asked me on our first date, six and a half years later we are married with two of the most gorgeous children that I have ever seen (okay, so I am a little biased!) and we recently hit a roadblock in terms of one of us having health issues.  We have been through so much together-the good, the bad and the ugly. 2012 has really been the bad and the ugly. Who would have thought that I would have met my insurance deductible by March?  You are my partner in life, parenting and love and have shown your true colors through advocating me through this whole ordeal. I have never had a doctor tell me before how great it is to work with my husband and how special you are for keeping the lines of communication open between us and all of the doctors who have handled my "issues." There are so many people that would not have done what you have done. I can't think of a better partner that I would want to go through the trials and tribulations of life with, you are my Prince, my Ragin' Cajun and all of my heart and I look forward to spending every day of my life with you and I know whatever rough tides and rocky terrain that we encounter ourselves and with our children-we will embrace them with open arms and with God's help. When I made those vows, seven years ago in November 2005, at Ladue Chapel, I never knew how applicable they would be until we have met them. "In sickness and in health" Your love, support, positive attitude on days that I feel hopeless and miserable and unconditional love are everything to me.  I love you with all of my heart and soul and will forever be yours.


Love,
S