tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740424747382203092024-03-13T11:24:55.476-07:00Growing a VioletAmber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-89533984646264395732017-04-02T22:30:00.000-07:002017-04-02T22:54:55.360-07:00Forget Picasso, Watch Out for Violet!<span style="font-size: large;">I started painting with Violet as a way to let her be creative and have some fun indoors. She is quickly approaching her next open heart surgery and we have to limit contact with outsiders in a reasonable manner. So most of her activities are here at the house. Painting seemed like a great fit and boy did I hit the nail on the head with this one. She adores it. Every single day she asks to paint...which gets expensive lol.<br /><br />The first few weeks was us basically finding out which mixtures and paints worked best for the types of paintings she was doing. We mix several things in with the paint and if you get the wrong consistency the painting will crack...and all that money just went down the drain đ We finally figured out the correct ratios for her paints and she hasn't slowed down since.<br /><br />I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree in the artistic department đ Violet has such a passion for the arts and I love that she can show her paintings off to everyone.<br /><br />Here are a few of her paintings. She actually has a <a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/" target="_blank">website</a> set up to sell her paintings and all profit from the paintings will be going toward expenses for her open heart surgery. More paintings will be added very soon, we are just waiting for the varnish to dry before I can photograph them for her....and lord knows with her painting every day that there will be a ton more here soon, so keep checking back on her website to see what else she creates!<br /><br />Here is her website: <a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/" target="_blank">Ma Petite Fleur Violet</a></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jV9avEJZzg_OVtS8Gv3H9pjybbvg4o3B4Amken0c2YqC0T5WBYd8D2zdtscN2af5-tdxG9jxkp25OpdCjRAzlmIHAj5t0OfrPJ1hpFm3I1nTW_6dW6hzoZpP5Sgy0YptC0P7mTEemZg/s1600/_DSC3987+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jV9avEJZzg_OVtS8Gv3H9pjybbvg4o3B4Amken0c2YqC0T5WBYd8D2zdtscN2af5-tdxG9jxkp25OpdCjRAzlmIHAj5t0OfrPJ1hpFm3I1nTW_6dW6hzoZpP5Sgy0YptC0P7mTEemZg/s400/_DSC3987+copy.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/7-sold" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Saree Sold</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo46gmhnbVeedHVZamEOsC02NTqbudgK5waD2aksHGKKSc8qNyBnSG97pPJtnnntEszj7aM99wQ_-9WVxF4NmOFvvZIPErfWQHFOLdOZdx2ZZvlXAshA3xBkeEoFHiTGlCrdfP5SYu78/s1600/_DSC3972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo46gmhnbVeedHVZamEOsC02NTqbudgK5waD2aksHGKKSc8qNyBnSG97pPJtnnntEszj7aM99wQ_-9WVxF4NmOFvvZIPErfWQHFOLdOZdx2ZZvlXAshA3xBkeEoFHiTGlCrdfP5SYu78/s400/_DSC3972.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/9-16x20" target="_blank">Parisian Flare </a></span></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoqQbxrpuWD5At50SnL8esCeNrQA3EbP9bFdU6KCb_omEpX12WF9ugN2oYAIe2YjaT3X2BJV7JSWiGXcPr0DACvhaq6Lq-7KyUNhPDISsMckGwX5XIz255VbaeypPN-lkMz-RselAuVk/s1600/_DSC4025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNoqQbxrpuWD5At50SnL8esCeNrQA3EbP9bFdU6KCb_omEpX12WF9ugN2oYAIe2YjaT3X2BJV7JSWiGXcPr0DACvhaq6Lq-7KyUNhPDISsMckGwX5XIz255VbaeypPN-lkMz-RselAuVk/s400/_DSC4025.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/5" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Purple Haze</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-niHMp1xL3V8wuWv6DY8wAE9Fk2WHEum208JV-HSaYM6cygGuj3D6TLQjaFSvfiBGPuppNEqkiEIjVa2lExs1nY3MQauWj86DA7Z5vozjR8qWk5bbhp-vUYcbW_LJoS2-ZTo_857LvIs/s400/_DSC3980.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Purple Cascade</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-niHMp1xL3V8wuWv6DY8wAE9Fk2WHEum208JV-HSaYM6cygGuj3D6TLQjaFSvfiBGPuppNEqkiEIjVa2lExs1nY3MQauWj86DA7Z5vozjR8qWk5bbhp-vUYcbW_LJoS2-ZTo_857LvIs/s1600/_DSC3980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAomTvfRn3eXmt27iQ5ZzDt2jsbbq8KH2oOQn5RXQEpzf0bZHBM74LaSdAy54wp-lVn3lyWvn8FqGHZyoQ5PkTg8clIz4tdmFewOI9OQPaOC8eMICU6UtTHoFRKTcTbR99M6sVefPnuE/s1600/_DSC4015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAomTvfRn3eXmt27iQ5ZzDt2jsbbq8KH2oOQn5RXQEpzf0bZHBM74LaSdAy54wp-lVn3lyWvn8FqGHZyoQ5PkTg8clIz4tdmFewOI9OQPaOC8eMICU6UtTHoFRKTcTbR99M6sVefPnuE/s400/_DSC4015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/7" target="_blank">Grand Canyon </a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDh_rg1WkC6TKcZec8UBd3O4lV6vkj_YAP2tbvcthVU1qsc-wmi2XX7BlFqqzakMlddlHliv0yZSuewXCMKwlOeD5mrl26kdFhg6Mx3_gMQO2S7Jhr5AyidfCFnhkJ-8HuvF4vxFCO78/s1600/_DSC4010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDh_rg1WkC6TKcZec8UBd3O4lV6vkj_YAP2tbvcthVU1qsc-wmi2XX7BlFqqzakMlddlHliv0yZSuewXCMKwlOeD5mrl26kdFhg6Mx3_gMQO2S7Jhr5AyidfCFnhkJ-8HuvF4vxFCO78/s400/_DSC4010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/3" target="_blank">Acidic Pool</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ralu9Mw4nn5XAA8AmjepiBmeXMg-dfT3o3wno6Mxe1WX2kdVtcUecYdTXk7crRPZvOWf9Zehlk_YAqawHJjTiBJTA3IDln_wDxv_TwbrD1Y2eX9s1QPMPUxM8r1LyjLOVGpE2itl-o/s400/_DSC4022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/6" target="_blank">Raspberry Melt</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8yyNugL4nHl7rfcueltSvMgbZWUQFEAbybMpnSm9IKahuvhBfpAhYjHf_BjklXASDba9ngoGciNy1uXRveQ7MNWJUaapPyMRnsp_LQz3u60o_7Gn3mwIOQ1Sq6s8zRv8A6WcKqW_hHA/s1600/_DSC4034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8yyNugL4nHl7rfcueltSvMgbZWUQFEAbybMpnSm9IKahuvhBfpAhYjHf_BjklXASDba9ngoGciNy1uXRveQ7MNWJUaapPyMRnsp_LQz3u60o_7Gn3mwIOQ1Sq6s8zRv8A6WcKqW_hHA/s400/_DSC4034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/pink-swirl" target="_blank">Pink Swirl (1)</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYpdoK8-0-OIMBoI1sfgddlF21urKoD7RZdm6abglvDtgM2vjNPBb2BpS_mmv802jrlgEpy5zmdkwo9hZ_DRqEIybwzGEoT1pQEa3XUlmCaj6goX5fK1ls_Y2pAoTQbLgUHMCqAaoi90/s1600/_DSC4040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYpdoK8-0-OIMBoI1sfgddlF21urKoD7RZdm6abglvDtgM2vjNPBb2BpS_mmv802jrlgEpy5zmdkwo9hZ_DRqEIybwzGEoT1pQEa3XUlmCaj6goX5fK1ls_Y2pAoTQbLgUHMCqAaoi90/s400/_DSC4040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mapetitefleur.myportfolio.com/4" target="_blank">Pink Swirl (2)</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com0Mobile, AL, USA30.6953657 -88.039891230.2584712 -88.6853382 31.1322602 -87.3944442tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-43319546396277186092016-04-12T15:33:00.002-07:002016-04-12T16:50:17.829-07:00There's so much to say...<span style="font-size: large;">I don't even know where to start. This year so far has been hell and we're just trying to stand on both feet at this point.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It all started back in March on my birthday (the 12th). Violet was standing in front of the TV watching cartoons when I heard a pop and she collapsed on the floor screaming like I have never heard this child scream before. Urgent care tried to tell us she had a virus that causes inflammation in the joints and sent her home. But you could clearly see there what something wrong with her knee. It looked deformed. So on Monday I called her pediatrician but they don't have xray capabilities so I called her ortho. The ortho she normally sees was between moving offices and out for the entire week. We finally got her in with a different orthopedic dr and they did xrays and discovered that Violet's kneecap is completely dislocated and on the side of her leg. They sent us home saying there wasn't anything they could do for us. The red arrow is pointing at the white oval. That's her kneecap. The red circle is where her kneecap is supposed to be. This is looking straight down at her leg.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLWcThpXDuLKa57bYJgV988y2BPQY_iREG0Yr4MCKS4BK4OztAeJMzZ2J2jfxgmI0vaYp6_EfjgGlrpYqsuBvE4GyJ0dVsO8tF-aQCbfQYYFvJ818Fexwx-98XGZAvvQNrXJdBUrXZQs/s1600/10170922_993627887396517_7000992298800691363_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLWcThpXDuLKa57bYJgV988y2BPQY_iREG0Yr4MCKS4BK4OztAeJMzZ2J2jfxgmI0vaYp6_EfjgGlrpYqsuBvE4GyJ0dVsO8tF-aQCbfQYYFvJ818Fexwx-98XGZAvvQNrXJdBUrXZQs/s400/10170922_993627887396517_7000992298800691363_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was a bit miffed for not getting any answers. No hope. No nothing. Just a pat on the back and sent us on our way saying for us to contact the Shriners. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I contacted the Shriners hospital that we normally go to in Shreveport, LA but they said Violet would need to see a sports medicine Dr and that the Sports Med Dr wouldn't be in until April 18th...over a month away at that point. There was no way I could leave her in pain for that long. So the local Shriners and I started calling every single Shriners orthopedic hospital in the country trying to find SOMEONE that had a Sports Med Dr on staff sooner. We started with Greenville, then Houston, then Chicago, then Tampa,....the list kept going. So I was bouncing between calls at around 12 different hospitals trying to coordinate days that someone would be able to see her. Trying to email over the reports from her orthopedist and the copies of the xrays that I had. It was complete chaos. I would be on the phone from 7 in the morning until around 7 at night and not get a single moment off of the phone. I just switched from one call to the next.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We finally found a sports med dr at the Shriners hospital in Philadelphia that would be able to see her but they needed us to get a sedated MRI first since the Shriners hospital in Philly didn't have the capabilities to do a sedated MRI. If the surgeon in Philly agreed to proceed with surgery, she wanted a very clear look at the knee before hand so it just made sense for us to go ahead and get the MRI before flying all the way to Philly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I called the orthopedist that did Violet's xray and left 4 messages for them to call me back and that I needed them to order a STAT MRI with sedation so that we could fly out to Philly. It took days before I could finally get one of them on the phone. By this point I had already called around to different hospitals to see what the wait list is like for a sedated MRI and had been told by the imaging department here locally at the Childrens hospital that they were then booking in to the third week of May...it was March at this time. There was once again no way I was going to make Violet wait that long. She couldn't walk. She couldn't even stand up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I started calling children's hospitals in different states trying to find ANY of them that could get us in sooner. I knew Children's in Birmingham, Alabama would be able to since I had spoke to them on the phone. So the orthopedic office finally calls back and I inform them that the surgeon needs a sedated MRI scheduled and could they please send the orders up to Birmingham, Alabama (5 hours away) instead of to the local hospital. Finally got the order through and everything scheduled. Violet and I drove up for the procedure and since she was already going to be under anesthesia I asked if they could do her echo on her heart at the same time since she was due for the test and they agreed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They sent the results of the echo down to her local cardiologist in Mobile (back home) and we had our completed MRI to bring to the surgeon. We were scheduled with the hospital in Philly on the 7th of April and started making the arrangements for us to fly up to Philadelphia on the 6th.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So the 6th arrives. I've had the flights arranged, rental car, hotel and spoke with TSA to make our screening process as easy as possible. I had all but forgot about the echo results that had been sent to Violet's cardiologist because they honestly weren't even on my radar. We never worry about her echo anymore because for several years we have had nothing but good results and each time they have told us that she should never need another open heart surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had just made it through TSA screening and I stopped to buy a water in the small cafe before I had to board my flight. I was chatting with the woman behind the counter when my phone started ringing. I saw it was the cardiologist office and figured the nurse was calling to tell me that everything was fine and they would see me in a year...but that didn't happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As soon as I answered the phone I knew something was wrong. It wasn't the nurse on the phone but the cardiologist herself. She never calls. The only time a Dr ever calls us directly is with bad news and my heart sank into my stomach. The minor defect with Violet's heart had got worse and she needs another open heart surgery. I'm alone in the airport, having the rug pulled out from under me and I'm trying to keep it together in front of Violet. It didn't work. As her words started sinking in, all the emotions from the first open heart surgery came flooding back in and I crumbled. (to read about her first surgery click <a href="http://growingaviolet.blogspot.com/2011/03/two-mended-hearts.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The sweet lady from the cafe came from behind the counter and was my shoulder to cry on and my support during one of the most "alone" moments of my life. I wanted my husband there with me. I needed him to be strong so I could fall to pieces. But he was working and I was in an airport about to fly halfway across the country in hopes a surgeon could make it so my child could walk again. I had to suck it up and put a happy face on so I didn't stress Violet out and get us on the plane. As we were about to board I heard a voice calling my name. It was a very dear friend's dad. He was on the same flight as me. Talk about a blessing. A friendly face to keep me grounded and not feel AS alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We got to Chicago for our connecting flight but missed it by 5 minutes. So we had to get put on standby for the later flight which we were able to catch with no issues. We arrived in Philly and got to our hotel without a hitch. The next day was our appointment with the sports med surgeon at Shriners.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">First let me start off by saying that Shriners hospitals are top notch. The staff is always incredible and treat you like family. I love our Shriner's family and will always be thankful for what they do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon arriving at the Shriners we were informed pretty quickly after they found out about Violet's cardiac issues that they would not be able to perform any surgery (if they were even able to do the surgery) until her heart was fixed.<br /><br />A bit later we finally were able to see the Sports Med Dr and she informed me of the VERY severe risks of the surgery for Violet. It wasn't good. We would likely have more than a 50% chance that the surgery would fail and it could damage Violet's leg causing loss of mobility. That isn't a gamble that myself or my husband is willing to make. They might "possibly" be able to do the surgery once Violet is over 10 years old and her growing slows down quite a bit but we will have to revisit that option at a later date. So until then, we will be focusing on rehab therapy, physical therapy and we're trying to get her into hydrotherapy and possibly hippotherapy. We now have a loner wheelchair from the Shriners and 2 leg braces that will keep her leg fully extended so that she doesn't use the muscles that tighten around her kneecap. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX63Pmr9E5DsUK0dewYqf4rWRuCxCbvCRqUwYmvmcxDGKBeEsKg9o-_6-pvOHfMTCL_3VaygmXueefOhJ6lNNSudn6NNYNT1wUmlXni_9P3pSQPuMuq-y1msJzZiv49zL2N8imL02EDW8/s1600/12931267_1011235585635747_5684501732921350381_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX63Pmr9E5DsUK0dewYqf4rWRuCxCbvCRqUwYmvmcxDGKBeEsKg9o-_6-pvOHfMTCL_3VaygmXueefOhJ6lNNSudn6NNYNT1wUmlXni_9P3pSQPuMuq-y1msJzZiv49zL2N8imL02EDW8/s400/12931267_1011235585635747_5684501732921350381_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We will fly back up to Philadelphia for another leg brace that needed to be custom made. They made a cast of Violet's leg so they can custom fit it for her. We also have to fly back up to get her wheelchair that is being made to fit her with the adjustments that she will need. This will be a long term ordeal for us. She's only 5 now and the option for surgery won't even be available until she is over 10. It's a tough pill to swallow. We worked so hard to get her walking. She started walking shortly before her third birthday. Then just 2 years later she has the ability stripped away from her in the blink of an eye.<br /><br />I'm honestly thankful that she doesn't understand anything about needing another heart surgery. Right now she just thinks we're going on fun trips where we also stop at hospitals during the trips. I wouldn't know how to explain to her that she needs surgery again. That she might need a follow up open heart surgery to the surgery she's about to have. Because she will likely be receiving an artificial valve...and since the valve doesn't grow with you, they will likely need to replace it in a few years.<br /><br />After everything was done and we were back home from Philly, I did find out that her left atrium and left ventricle are both dilated. Not severe at this point but it could signify that she is either going back into heart failure...or possibly already there in the beginning stages. She has moderate to severe mitral valve insufficiency so it's pretty definite that the valve will need to be replaced. Two pediatric cardiologists have looked at her report and both have said she needs open heart surgery. We're just waiting to hear from her heart surgeon at this point to see what the game plan is going to be after we do a couple more tests. Then we will be heading back up to Birmingham, armed with all of her information to see the cardiologist (the Director of Cardiology) up at UAB which is in the same practice as her heart surgeon. Then they will make the call. We have an appointment on the 27th with the Director. It's an exhausting process, trying to keep everything organized. Which Drs scheduled which tests. Making appointments with several different Drs that don't overlap other Drs. But not only are we doing this for her heart...but we are having to schedule everything for her legs around everything with her heart. So our flights back and forth to Philly and her getting her wheelchair all depends on when her heart appointments are and if she will be cleared to fly for the appointment.<br /><br />Now we are trying to sell my SUV so that we can get a more handicap friendly minivan. Her chair is extremely heavy so lifting it up and down out of the back of the SUV is proving to be quite the challenge. We had a rental minivan while we were in Philadelphia and it was so much easier to put all of her equipment in to the vehicle. Then we are building a ramp on the back of the house so she will be able to get her wheelchair in and out of the door easily. There's just so much stuff to do all at once and my brain actually hurts.<br /><br />I know several have sent me private messages asking about a gofundme site so I will include the link at the bottom of this blog post for everyone to be able to share. And we would greatly appreciate you sharing if you are unable to donate. Like I mentioned on the gofundme page...we never planned on her needing another open heart surgery. We never planned on her needing to be confined to a wheelchair. We sure didn't plan on both happening within 24 hours of each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/Violetsmedicalfund" target="_blank">Violet's Medical Fund</a><br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="338" title="Click Here to donate!" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="258"><param name="movie" value="//funds.gofundme.com/Widgetflex.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="flashvars" value="page=Violetsmedicalfund&template=3" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="//funds.gofundme.com/Widgetflex.swf" quality="high" flashVars="page=Violetsmedicalfund&template=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="258" height="338"></embed></object>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-70114423392179064322014-11-23T23:56:00.004-08:002014-11-23T23:56:36.371-08:002014 in photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1-21-14</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet's birthday was a trip to the Dr to update her shots </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_DSvvL3NL0A0Du9DjeoFaaep6c2sA9IY-p7TCfl-v5Rv6loUKwjmbeSzRmUZYPIu9JfshpSw6SzPOHLHGqw1e0DdrINXNzdIIAbvcrJz6Ls5lZkk_W2ooFAlVvqYqw4V_wjxCzzlR0Y/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_DSvvL3NL0A0Du9DjeoFaaep6c2sA9IY-p7TCfl-v5Rv6loUKwjmbeSzRmUZYPIu9JfshpSw6SzPOHLHGqw1e0DdrINXNzdIIAbvcrJz6Ls5lZkk_W2ooFAlVvqYqw4V_wjxCzzlR0Y/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet's actual party was a cowgirl theme. The cake was made my my mom and I made the </span><span style="font-size: large;">horses for the cake.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8o_iV5UTA1GRrmfWOo3hKeWMx46rJVOMm0um6nxG2Ik_3t46jSF96DPPOB0-GW4xoYQQw8VRjavz7JozblAhsDF7oNqOG0hE2reJFt7aEKNErqTVz0nm23gq9xraAxCOeO4JurKHWO8/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8o_iV5UTA1GRrmfWOo3hKeWMx46rJVOMm0um6nxG2Ik_3t46jSF96DPPOB0-GW4xoYQQw8VRjavz7JozblAhsDF7oNqOG0hE2reJFt7aEKNErqTVz0nm23gq9xraAxCOeO4JurKHWO8/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNFIwJjFcEGmfcYp1nBAKuNgfTytAcyTsXm-mJYzmSLwHuuHX2EF0MYNWUL5Ep5CFt-hiy9193rZBTV9kc9mLWX5A3Suuu-4QzKsmrutiny5Qk1tFCcA4GC1b3OHMeoKJcLzhkYmIsSA/s1600/IMG_1954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GfPqJWzgf0B7NX5j-adTHQ56QoOcIAcoj0jgpMn3ndVnscPGveXCzKj439t6HeTRev9_SF2lXMeixgiCjtKHczzB97UZddA7KhSpJCia6vDn9pgDRFUd7Sbpw1kIrXhXYRKvzL1HetY/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GfPqJWzgf0B7NX5j-adTHQ56QoOcIAcoj0jgpMn3ndVnscPGveXCzKj439t6HeTRev9_SF2lXMeixgiCjtKHczzB97UZddA7KhSpJCia6vDn9pgDRFUd7Sbpw1kIrXhXYRKvzL1HetY/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNHdItcl-qe8CCdfXbxb748QN88lpKs7Ow102E_McOxw89_3S5iBWqY5HlKyUl324iaDluXVtQiH6lazaG0u98sPdlDcG4CE219GtN1dDBDxwA9DsdDfv2x7jrU4xIlGCiao62hvl5kA/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNHdItcl-qe8CCdfXbxb748QN88lpKs7Ow102E_McOxw89_3S5iBWqY5HlKyUl324iaDluXVtQiH6lazaG0u98sPdlDcG4CE219GtN1dDBDxwA9DsdDfv2x7jrU4xIlGCiao62hvl5kA/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">violet loves this hair piece</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-peSnpljjBEOUV1-GPS9z-fCBA0_VL1WVkn4qnqFBVF6N5RoTaKEIL5Dxs2bZFxA3lyeHJQSgQ-vGTGJ3cx3nBb9jb8qu2PCCzix7JCt9W1g8rks8IQtMPgLsNhqbDonR2lAHRslYVU/s1600/1553438_604530502972926_2104530805_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-peSnpljjBEOUV1-GPS9z-fCBA0_VL1WVkn4qnqFBVF6N5RoTaKEIL5Dxs2bZFxA3lyeHJQSgQ-vGTGJ3cx3nBb9jb8qu2PCCzix7JCt9W1g8rks8IQtMPgLsNhqbDonR2lAHRslYVU/s1600/1553438_604530502972926_2104530805_o.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet's one and only day in Pre K before we pulled her</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">from the program</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HTYXttdrG68MvVcTzjGKpCwdRLpAHJcY3hb3izAp_Vl95PG2DbRh6RQvIGmeOrw14Ta8URvUM0awXBW4ehDV0AO_dx59hj6AJ5_rr4IQqDWKPVzeTEzuVuPGPTkkQvpQd4OsAxgN9IY/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HTYXttdrG68MvVcTzjGKpCwdRLpAHJcY3hb3izAp_Vl95PG2DbRh6RQvIGmeOrw14Ta8URvUM0awXBW4ehDV0AO_dx59hj6AJ5_rr4IQqDWKPVzeTEzuVuPGPTkkQvpQd4OsAxgN9IY/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> The photograph was taken by me but edited by a dear friend, <a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_1" class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=526640084044978" href="https://www.facebook.com/C.RamseyPhotography?ref=br_rs" id="js_2" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 1;">Christina Ramsey</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10wAW1SMReRn5NPfAC9PaY9xvGwOE4qCCZQms0s0WtQZGe40zpkWqT7J05ImBqdNcdDlAXPG_rHyrjH9d1FKX_0bDhYTBATkblEIQSk_H9tk-4aZZNRwZtEaRcn8mzQSQvO0ONoWyxYU/s1600/10470832_721767024532282_5981405726429742379_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10wAW1SMReRn5NPfAC9PaY9xvGwOE4qCCZQms0s0WtQZGe40zpkWqT7J05ImBqdNcdDlAXPG_rHyrjH9d1FKX_0bDhYTBATkblEIQSk_H9tk-4aZZNRwZtEaRcn8mzQSQvO0ONoWyxYU/s1600/10470832_721767024532282_5981405726429742379_n.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MyoKoX1XpHTUJrpo5uOzbZV5nOLv0Y45tAd9lIT5aYrQzPl-9xRnufQByIe89dMvomKD5lOUdYyewsj8b7ZzgciWYsl5udo-zoaUU12UnL8Dx82w9GLt5ljelRqQwYY0cncnjPwzKRA/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MyoKoX1XpHTUJrpo5uOzbZV5nOLv0Y45tAd9lIT5aYrQzPl-9xRnufQByIe89dMvomKD5lOUdYyewsj8b7ZzgciWYsl5udo-zoaUU12UnL8Dx82w9GLt5ljelRqQwYY0cncnjPwzKRA/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XnTsiB-E1CptD0WR3ci0j2VhWKZxbmK_DRBayO1cOiq1Y1fPa6Qf2dARr0R-BGIOP8vgDGkH75YaAkGwvYpEjyJjX3Xo0v9ySQLzucnytC1YPU2_VCCqj8Pnt-ig1ViPSoms7rNH74w/s1600/IMG_2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XnTsiB-E1CptD0WR3ci0j2VhWKZxbmK_DRBayO1cOiq1Y1fPa6Qf2dARr0R-BGIOP8vgDGkH75YaAkGwvYpEjyJjX3Xo0v9ySQLzucnytC1YPU2_VCCqj8Pnt-ig1ViPSoms7rNH74w/s1600/IMG_2245.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet took a sign language class but she enjoyed playing much </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">more as she already knew all the signs lol</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrDFRYgSATjyDAWAni_dEifq7tiEOB45uuzMvD4cx36o62EbXqhFq4S0jEa70TnRvyS0oqM86uV8FjfxK6QfdFFeF6RXL05xU3bXWV8aoejM9qRB3WoW7Cub_Tq1Hei_DAsvRPZQFzz8/s1600/IMG_2394.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrDFRYgSATjyDAWAni_dEifq7tiEOB45uuzMvD4cx36o62EbXqhFq4S0jEa70TnRvyS0oqM86uV8FjfxK6QfdFFeF6RXL05xU3bXWV8aoejM9qRB3WoW7Cub_Tq1Hei_DAsvRPZQFzz8/s1600/IMG_2394.PNG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> She also loved shopping while at sign language class</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQa5hItsJtuMx8yXZ3Q3mX1x4eW6M5LVcgv7dYrzn9oNcvOXuJ1xOdcrlaUoxE1yli-gm1JbcE3C0N4KzPe3Wisxus8iu1wUEyzPy1zEWepxiduxWMuaQW6NFhybSFZXzFpQ-_JW1n64/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQa5hItsJtuMx8yXZ3Q3mX1x4eW6M5LVcgv7dYrzn9oNcvOXuJ1xOdcrlaUoxE1yli-gm1JbcE3C0N4KzPe3Wisxus8iu1wUEyzPy1zEWepxiduxWMuaQW6NFhybSFZXzFpQ-_JW1n64/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And playing the piano</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hmZWnx4gJlYxwJsyV56asEx_0nZy8cxXAw0r1SQCdl75HPO3_BVCLp3LRWTnMBRlz1S4u7s-HTLV_0rAjCKmzslldu20NyO39gCZ1lcwrsgEK2JvgC3pt42pArq5dgP0rnqf8Xh1aUc/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hmZWnx4gJlYxwJsyV56asEx_0nZy8cxXAw0r1SQCdl75HPO3_BVCLp3LRWTnMBRlz1S4u7s-HTLV_0rAjCKmzslldu20NyO39gCZ1lcwrsgEK2JvgC3pt42pArq5dgP0rnqf8Xh1aUc/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Further in the year Violet was diagnosed with C diff yet again. In this photo</span><span style="font-size: large;">you can see the busted blood vessels in her face from screaming so much.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTTzWoJDn2xJz_N5yuRDJwkZsAeSHuHbEndnPmy-gS61vS8_uhDooCTFOrakXaZ425ljdDCmhNx_JoC57vaTap-mTaAUp37Yq7BA7J_WFdlZTjSI3SWBjcHu_d9x31fRo6amQZTtS9LE/s1600/10570339_679885832104059_7586020556414423173_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTTzWoJDn2xJz_N5yuRDJwkZsAeSHuHbEndnPmy-gS61vS8_uhDooCTFOrakXaZ425ljdDCmhNx_JoC57vaTap-mTaAUp37Yq7BA7J_WFdlZTjSI3SWBjcHu_d9x31fRo6amQZTtS9LE/s1600/10570339_679885832104059_7586020556414423173_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> My beautiful little flower</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QynNrJ2JpFMZQdu6pMiBH2veUjCii5ePHGmIhqqdLzs-IN1QdRYZFaJnzZT8WD7sXFoNfmjDPOn1AzkWgBRvb6fR3kL7VZ-H_aoYg5Ut1fw1Rn-YFZlBRSLG_XBFkjHQrEU8OvuS_gs/s1600/IMG_2501.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QynNrJ2JpFMZQdu6pMiBH2veUjCii5ePHGmIhqqdLzs-IN1QdRYZFaJnzZT8WD7sXFoNfmjDPOn1AzkWgBRvb6fR3kL7VZ-H_aoYg5Ut1fw1Rn-YFZlBRSLG_XBFkjHQrEU8OvuS_gs/s1600/IMG_2501.PNG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She loves her mommy :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9W5HyPPWBi42149X56VdoaBddfEbdbhkcXKqLY5QnM0rQ7wgnhStkdj4o52bMOlIhVuzHmD6NtXak9gA2M7OduN6NWSGJ7PUkJDlX5ipNEttkzasWBoCFomPpj7-VGxTfnp1d7_i47Q/s1600/IMG_2490.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9W5HyPPWBi42149X56VdoaBddfEbdbhkcXKqLY5QnM0rQ7wgnhStkdj4o52bMOlIhVuzHmD6NtXak9gA2M7OduN6NWSGJ7PUkJDlX5ipNEttkzasWBoCFomPpj7-VGxTfnp1d7_i47Q/s1600/IMG_2490.PNG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> The Easter basket was almost as big as she was lol</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ZRZ4r3Tmy5FB7SmGnU-KAe-b_oLnPVT0AIhS71V9uGHkwoMIqc_8kqC07pF4vJa5hBOCE9BNFXkowaAlrTm_hoJJcdR1JhH6nlKZ5nK64K1Ke1xFREVtrFz0ur6u4_rglXTq6WncMc/s1600/IMG_2951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ZRZ4r3Tmy5FB7SmGnU-KAe-b_oLnPVT0AIhS71V9uGHkwoMIqc_8kqC07pF4vJa5hBOCE9BNFXkowaAlrTm_hoJJcdR1JhH6nlKZ5nK64K1Ke1xFREVtrFz0ur6u4_rglXTq6WncMc/s1600/IMG_2951.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hanging out with Uncle David</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTR1mTBBmxAvKmMWZvqvXCyOc75zYj3VDCRG6VWkeT0YFxDoJAWqkwBz820WOsxOOsYoFwKI7-hOr4E6fc1HzrwIrhfR1gPrTG7WKfx6aEOlrcsOVUzLzaMNm66SnEc4jaLuJ_l8yhp0/s1600/_DSC8781.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTR1mTBBmxAvKmMWZvqvXCyOc75zYj3VDCRG6VWkeT0YFxDoJAWqkwBz820WOsxOOsYoFwKI7-hOr4E6fc1HzrwIrhfR1gPrTG7WKfx6aEOlrcsOVUzLzaMNm66SnEc4jaLuJ_l8yhp0/s1600/_DSC8781.NEF" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Took some photos while visiting family in Kansas in May</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6VzgMHiNcQ3a3YxmiXC_SMRumBrIk4Gj9nhRxiQiQ6Cu_AqXx-9ZQqtBAtpecunwVCG9AumWR3PNM5MVE_mBZJsEvrg-wtgLcL0BNds8cvoRIM9hU41GBgb0ap_ABdTXBTC5DeYuZ9U/s1600/_DSC1456burst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6VzgMHiNcQ3a3YxmiXC_SMRumBrIk4Gj9nhRxiQiQ6Cu_AqXx-9ZQqtBAtpecunwVCG9AumWR3PNM5MVE_mBZJsEvrg-wtgLcL0BNds8cvoRIM9hU41GBgb0ap_ABdTXBTC5DeYuZ9U/s1600/_DSC1456burst.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuRQAVO9CjtJS7wqGUcqocP6fncMfRZ4JaneIX7ShHVf7iEfmwIDxqTTwZmtcdjmLbGT5YKZzKSI-5DXFqicTVvkWyB0cJT3OGPTI8QH73mP9Y08cInBPsFTzurft_WcsesYqx_Hu5aA/s1600/_DSC1498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuRQAVO9CjtJS7wqGUcqocP6fncMfRZ4JaneIX7ShHVf7iEfmwIDxqTTwZmtcdjmLbGT5YKZzKSI-5DXFqicTVvkWyB0cJT3OGPTI8QH73mP9Y08cInBPsFTzurft_WcsesYqx_Hu5aA/s1600/_DSC1498.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv09cJ5AV7xycCuBQ53MSBBKJ311wFUG71XWZePS6o-NBgyVHLB04zH-KQnSzdKJrVLCV-1qgdk8dEwnGL0aeoED1ZSrhDhNbwUKBfRxAWu8_TyHGq_g4uiTbDFzw6894vQYTWZpgOt3E/s1600/_DSC1536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv09cJ5AV7xycCuBQ53MSBBKJ311wFUG71XWZePS6o-NBgyVHLB04zH-KQnSzdKJrVLCV-1qgdk8dEwnGL0aeoED1ZSrhDhNbwUKBfRxAWu8_TyHGq_g4uiTbDFzw6894vQYTWZpgOt3E/s1600/_DSC1536.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Violet supporting one of our home teams</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteNICSvaekjsTQVem_9AQTJO2NGIcXAnkwmb5pIZbDfp8EwlRGwJM1Mv83m3rZCVb0PPoiCrvr_CxjdcaxuR5vyBhD5z466FXp6Di6rpR4AL134c4enTdnY4Gpjd6D19E7wlIJ9pixj8/s1600/Lyn-Taylor-Photography-auburn-football-session-mobile-alabama-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteNICSvaekjsTQVem_9AQTJO2NGIcXAnkwmb5pIZbDfp8EwlRGwJM1Mv83m3rZCVb0PPoiCrvr_CxjdcaxuR5vyBhD5z466FXp6Di6rpR4AL134c4enTdnY4Gpjd6D19E7wlIJ9pixj8/s1600/Lyn-Taylor-Photography-auburn-football-session-mobile-alabama-5.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhyuyP-QTQgTe8gso7GZxCFMPRgW1gKBBbYi4yttZCqWdCR15LEr7wXjwAPXSAKRA2MAJwql3tv9YFZK_vDbjoneS1GFSlmA3dSvC5c0hDqT38jC6qDYIFxJPjewyJd-i09-FuGa1eJM/s1600/Lyn-Taylor-Photography-auburn-football-session-mobile-alabama-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhyuyP-QTQgTe8gso7GZxCFMPRgW1gKBBbYi4yttZCqWdCR15LEr7wXjwAPXSAKRA2MAJwql3tv9YFZK_vDbjoneS1GFSlmA3dSvC5c0hDqT38jC6qDYIFxJPjewyJd-i09-FuGa1eJM/s1600/Lyn-Taylor-Photography-auburn-football-session-mobile-alabama-8.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Playing with her ipad</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJSFPmPxKiSNLvVeSwNzh-q8LxaDdzhF_6bK3qOHZRPPAFyJe_FbgV84SbW3uyjHNRXRyNdX-QNZOQbm0eugjVy4w6Y7nRkWBwTcqYfrWGb41uZHgLPfeJHISREuUiK5FA15qfDW1zoc/s1600/_DSC4131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJSFPmPxKiSNLvVeSwNzh-q8LxaDdzhF_6bK3qOHZRPPAFyJe_FbgV84SbW3uyjHNRXRyNdX-QNZOQbm0eugjVy4w6Y7nRkWBwTcqYfrWGb41uZHgLPfeJHISREuUiK5FA15qfDW1zoc/s1600/_DSC4131.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ehFUts-JNTGFNE2qK9qj1vl1KxP8CFg2VZilHsx6t8ujOLYEUbseCIY5OyPeqc1L-w_HDqmQZxa0n9RgMN5S66_LS2AFNTtL4ahd7tTA4UQC_nr-qN6_xs_jJWJjUPt8aSZJoLxN1M/s1600/_DSC4135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ehFUts-JNTGFNE2qK9qj1vl1KxP8CFg2VZilHsx6t8ujOLYEUbseCIY5OyPeqc1L-w_HDqmQZxa0n9RgMN5S66_LS2AFNTtL4ahd7tTA4UQC_nr-qN6_xs_jJWJjUPt8aSZJoLxN1M/s1600/_DSC4135.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Early May we were blessed to be sent to the Shriners Childrens Hospital </span><span style="font-size: large;">in Louisiana for Violet to receive custom braces</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for her legs.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict3pHqdJgc7JwE3xFdH6al_1jJf_pwFrWRPq3Aw_XMkYAb0oith4vDgYUs9sdc2bl3fdP5lOgspnskgjeZe2IPzpCxFYMLVbR0O-Y8s0nSrOOrkJht9Tn2gO1m-8H6jWRL8pm4wU29Z8/s1600/10273706_632120783547231_3960619918872075946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict3pHqdJgc7JwE3xFdH6al_1jJf_pwFrWRPq3Aw_XMkYAb0oith4vDgYUs9sdc2bl3fdP5lOgspnskgjeZe2IPzpCxFYMLVbR0O-Y8s0nSrOOrkJht9Tn2gO1m-8H6jWRL8pm4wU29Z8/s1600/10273706_632120783547231_3960619918872075946_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUJ6dWwTlzKbvtX_RxsmhM-a9Fk4K_jAiUup8hjNxXlUzDL2OglskzDTb9JQ3bdmP2-lzFDgoogHcWyhsCAr7y0WWoDVZ3_8rSDnklNsFe4G9pKSi4TVcMc__4W2JFE4C8JFzQ0br6iA/s1600/10341817_632156670210309_6860158495557795372_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUJ6dWwTlzKbvtX_RxsmhM-a9Fk4K_jAiUup8hjNxXlUzDL2OglskzDTb9JQ3bdmP2-lzFDgoogHcWyhsCAr7y0WWoDVZ3_8rSDnklNsFe4G9pKSi4TVcMc__4W2JFE4C8JFzQ0br6iA/s1600/10341817_632156670210309_6860158495557795372_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet trying to destroy the blanket I had JUST finished making her not 10 seconds before</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFSrLYC_NrL52oYXbF41X9hGTx_QcCnKf3JI9lSLSjZJe7FzvwKLtW85X8YO-Toatveog9GBUGkLcPwnD73arpmtYMudLX5x0JzCv2jMF9YDzaEIn671BkWHEQoNOZ6StjMng4PXAWYk/s1600/10252045_709569509135691_1633762294819223262_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFSrLYC_NrL52oYXbF41X9hGTx_QcCnKf3JI9lSLSjZJe7FzvwKLtW85X8YO-Toatveog9GBUGkLcPwnD73arpmtYMudLX5x0JzCv2jMF9YDzaEIn671BkWHEQoNOZ6StjMng4PXAWYk/s1600/10252045_709569509135691_1633762294819223262_n.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet playing with her new puppy Niko </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNVhv358J78Lg86lBgjTKb6AdPd_6xxgsdR8RJiKlfKQegNE5HXAUuHqH9F16czdBq7YORJZmiBrAMqb4br2Kv-ovhryWhxKsw-vOF_Q5d93hCQ6C0cnWDOhJpoEBYo6ZRjI28ewnmfk/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNVhv358J78Lg86lBgjTKb6AdPd_6xxgsdR8RJiKlfKQegNE5HXAUuHqH9F16czdBq7YORJZmiBrAMqb4br2Kv-ovhryWhxKsw-vOF_Q5d93hCQ6C0cnWDOhJpoEBYo6ZRjI28ewnmfk/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpZSW0_0v0sgr8M2lXqcb9jiwWZyW8esBYyeFhmjwra2YmQzc5hXlHyGzDNHf7HrFp4kRZQJX54hDia6xZzCo7YmAwBy_bGfKU-5BsTVwa2G6n0usKleFoC07dWvqzWGZIf6MEf2cVXc/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpZSW0_0v0sgr8M2lXqcb9jiwWZyW8esBYyeFhmjwra2YmQzc5hXlHyGzDNHf7HrFp4kRZQJX54hDia6xZzCo7YmAwBy_bGfKU-5BsTVwa2G6n0usKleFoC07dWvqzWGZIf6MEf2cVXc/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet playing with her best friend, her older cousin KK</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VIHC2B_1ONZkhXo2Bfoeqy4u_ig_mrfrlMoD1GuiA2UjZF7G0fkumfv2Kkls2mvtJxPoFPzdvrtPT5FVHHRhgWMMn_sNgx87XncHKIDCi2d-bYPfHRaAkR8zaUIgtyELbQ3pYfRSeMU/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VIHC2B_1ONZkhXo2Bfoeqy4u_ig_mrfrlMoD1GuiA2UjZF7G0fkumfv2Kkls2mvtJxPoFPzdvrtPT5FVHHRhgWMMn_sNgx87XncHKIDCi2d-bYPfHRaAkR8zaUIgtyELbQ3pYfRSeMU/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyRf7S2pKAIEuWh9bckgOrN790T37WyurvQ-diKUeOTmmG_rGwdR19vVFCfRRxK4xQ-ePfbvTaeZjvOCnsPoXeMypUBa3qkHGBrxfgjKZdRbeLej1LS9Pw0bQ0ktD0OY8upMphjqjkyU/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyRf7S2pKAIEuWh9bckgOrN790T37WyurvQ-diKUeOTmmG_rGwdR19vVFCfRRxK4xQ-ePfbvTaeZjvOCnsPoXeMypUBa3qkHGBrxfgjKZdRbeLej1LS9Pw0bQ0ktD0OY8upMphjqjkyU/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Violet with her cousins at Easter</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSvj8YF16MCHN2S3zaixcwUqgM3JcamNX5kD51pyE3XA_7i1GQZbZs0NBcDBZhwx1GHqm67-A0HEEmujdMneDH_P4wWwSEnE6JJMTJ2CdAqHwmI9uVbZd_HnOfkNHosQkJYVNab9nQrE/s1600/_DSC8515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSvj8YF16MCHN2S3zaixcwUqgM3JcamNX5kD51pyE3XA_7i1GQZbZs0NBcDBZhwx1GHqm67-A0HEEmujdMneDH_P4wWwSEnE6JJMTJ2CdAqHwmI9uVbZd_HnOfkNHosQkJYVNab9nQrE/s1600/_DSC8515.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet with her Papa at Easter</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfhqc7EDAThR5d0LEFz-IBnB7G2VBiCBN5itq9sUlLEg24Pa_weixC1M1xNLNXY8DmSA-WSQcQz2qUbdmzYArNYN6VkhDeIA2cqwE4PtYpsJ_Urs3_L7-74OEdH1tYSAyfezpfzYCNks/s1600/_DSC8555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfhqc7EDAThR5d0LEFz-IBnB7G2VBiCBN5itq9sUlLEg24Pa_weixC1M1xNLNXY8DmSA-WSQcQz2qUbdmzYArNYN6VkhDeIA2cqwE4PtYpsJ_Urs3_L7-74OEdH1tYSAyfezpfzYCNks/s1600/_DSC8555.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Violet with her Nana at Easter</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQi_-7Yn59ihdFlsLyVUPrCuAEjawbaJXEnzLY-z6Jbryew-dFs3-SzbtjyTR99tttdEABZYE2ubJFgXzc7IGg4-iASDzJyCL6WMctHAcJDg-jKGWl86xRioJhH0csdjEyOfwNestnlM/s1600/_DSC8566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQi_-7Yn59ihdFlsLyVUPrCuAEjawbaJXEnzLY-z6Jbryew-dFs3-SzbtjyTR99tttdEABZYE2ubJFgXzc7IGg4-iASDzJyCL6WMctHAcJDg-jKGWl86xRioJhH0csdjEyOfwNestnlM/s1600/_DSC8566.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJJARpJL0N6sqt0nezohhX7ULxWhphHxsrHOsETBin8YqYmEIsy7Ey0PCQdf-MK3SGKBl87xhWYhedDxBE7a5jmZcHDcCWbhk4Y4XNcw2AJ3iq8XYoyr-gfwMk02uWPkJ2yjS6pENbs4/s1600/_DSC8649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJJARpJL0N6sqt0nezohhX7ULxWhphHxsrHOsETBin8YqYmEIsy7Ey0PCQdf-MK3SGKBl87xhWYhedDxBE7a5jmZcHDcCWbhk4Y4XNcw2AJ3iq8XYoyr-gfwMk02uWPkJ2yjS6pENbs4/s1600/_DSC8649.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Halloween we decided to make use of Violet loooooooong hair so</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">she was Rapunzel.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0z9jhJ-XTW99F2uzuvT7Ff3yBpLoIDpPct5HwrYLJ_324nhlQ0tNw-wUsHEKdLnjCGIAVRbHlZv26t_0urYtqLsOBYi-Xh5mMK-GR1hOPigo1LNxmuaprMtXaNHYGArQqFqMvuKk0330/s1600/_DSC4720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0z9jhJ-XTW99F2uzuvT7Ff3yBpLoIDpPct5HwrYLJ_324nhlQ0tNw-wUsHEKdLnjCGIAVRbHlZv26t_0urYtqLsOBYi-Xh5mMK-GR1hOPigo1LNxmuaprMtXaNHYGArQqFqMvuKk0330/s1600/_DSC4720.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nUi0Wu_JE5gSnpSQkb-4_yKfsr8r2QUgQ2FLgZDYxmML0SZ1YhJoZthP-6uMCnRXIeAGtmtpCXsY3-UH5A9bg5QuBAhA7ypwKlq0f_fGU_1ldwhjKhJS94oSqOWqOsHWNqmmyfYV4ro/s1600/10658927_732036403555668_8043782583372161021_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nUi0Wu_JE5gSnpSQkb-4_yKfsr8r2QUgQ2FLgZDYxmML0SZ1YhJoZthP-6uMCnRXIeAGtmtpCXsY3-UH5A9bg5QuBAhA7ypwKlq0f_fGU_1ldwhjKhJS94oSqOWqOsHWNqmmyfYV4ro/s1600/10658927_732036403555668_8043782583372161021_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Daddy's birthday dinner</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNI2e_-YrmS0q-DkeqckdkSBsebc9_J594lijp4ea4enP6YszFAQ2zRdVu2bU0N2bcW1qkPa4Sq3LLP6pCywwykSg9FZ5RZCW6rBxlf0-MW5qP4WKaitTr6DBXIXl4yWl6WnQuoIPWQA/s1600/20140705_172421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNI2e_-YrmS0q-DkeqckdkSBsebc9_J594lijp4ea4enP6YszFAQ2zRdVu2bU0N2bcW1qkPa4Sq3LLP6pCywwykSg9FZ5RZCW6rBxlf0-MW5qP4WKaitTr6DBXIXl4yWl6WnQuoIPWQA/s1600/20140705_172421.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She wanted a desk like mommy's</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6imwqKenDWWq57BAyLLLAvJp8c0uWqt6vAr6viv8cldV3GE6PBHk2zV_oy4KLFX7oVGonwjal5ifefTLhCsGjl7wZD06WQUOElDGRkB_H5TC1lQPNeVOsEYu0o0dNeEBS3kxpA0WJGg/s1600/20140709_163745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6imwqKenDWWq57BAyLLLAvJp8c0uWqt6vAr6viv8cldV3GE6PBHk2zV_oy4KLFX7oVGonwjal5ifefTLhCsGjl7wZD06WQUOElDGRkB_H5TC1lQPNeVOsEYu0o0dNeEBS3kxpA0WJGg/s1600/20140709_163745.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Baby girl was sick with RSV</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y3dyskeml2e3II98In7UR2c0et2-6VYgIUQdyZERSOSwjjlim13AdUbvouPEH_jP1-VAZMOAMimqXlDdkd47BYXTzZBauAmUmkCSGo3xvlUavLQSGu-aSh9YzHAjYaO-FnvsOI3A27M/s1600/20140715_044257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y3dyskeml2e3II98In7UR2c0et2-6VYgIUQdyZERSOSwjjlim13AdUbvouPEH_jP1-VAZMOAMimqXlDdkd47BYXTzZBauAmUmkCSGo3xvlUavLQSGu-aSh9YzHAjYaO-FnvsOI3A27M/s1600/20140715_044257.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvHMuOFvbMFehMWfR1_x7mZCsVdkskrYxaQaDvyq0xvWK-MvPl21rT-TukKDvM4zpoofNdqcXgK-8fNZHnrUapi2YHQE4FoSsUfAIsCzPGeMdjKM14doM832PjxYnajVEhhwMDrhIxbs/s1600/_DSC1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvHMuOFvbMFehMWfR1_x7mZCsVdkskrYxaQaDvyq0xvWK-MvPl21rT-TukKDvM4zpoofNdqcXgK-8fNZHnrUapi2YHQE4FoSsUfAIsCzPGeMdjKM14doM832PjxYnajVEhhwMDrhIxbs/s1600/_DSC1271.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Mommy got her a desk of her own right next to my own desk so we can </span><span style="font-size: large;">"work" together.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS0NxPKK0gsbuqzacqEM2Aj8lPfbz5OpOXtkKHUue__ExDH1ZlyIMY4NFg4tQQR5tl2NSRKykt1BYhB8NxETarDM5OyqSMFj8FjVWKrdaTxwSiM2s0-lcDMwKSMQa-ISMejNSo9Hk4gQ/s1600/20140722_203338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS0NxPKK0gsbuqzacqEM2Aj8lPfbz5OpOXtkKHUue__ExDH1ZlyIMY4NFg4tQQR5tl2NSRKykt1BYhB8NxETarDM5OyqSMFj8FjVWKrdaTxwSiM2s0-lcDMwKSMQa-ISMejNSo9Hk4gQ/s1600/20140722_203338.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Trying on glasses...she was not impressed LOL</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIcdhu9o44jRZqxwhVDoGz_rdVQQLYfyupFEwFQHL6fIe0-Fu7nsMxwOierHfZoSMcGbodkDW3Ptr38Bb9JcirOJSyo73hmYXNkPZKCew3yfGvf054Mp9FvHgFFl1lwirRZfc0VACQX0/s1600/20140725_154317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIcdhu9o44jRZqxwhVDoGz_rdVQQLYfyupFEwFQHL6fIe0-Fu7nsMxwOierHfZoSMcGbodkDW3Ptr38Bb9JcirOJSyo73hmYXNkPZKCew3yfGvf054Mp9FvHgFFl1lwirRZfc0VACQX0/s1600/20140725_154317.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the Dr for C diff :/</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAj6HPogq9O6aVm4dbRHeZHaaSmy4yaH7mvSKIPDO3glRf0t2Pf1vczNTIH_qt4g3tBH9GiDsPB5dOME307WOD6KmQb05Di1Ixd2Mn-r4F3xsHwqqQxNF36TXsnlf-W-Tq148VRjAAxk/s1600/20140730_111904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAj6HPogq9O6aVm4dbRHeZHaaSmy4yaH7mvSKIPDO3glRf0t2Pf1vczNTIH_qt4g3tBH9GiDsPB5dOME307WOD6KmQb05Di1Ixd2Mn-r4F3xsHwqqQxNF36TXsnlf-W-Tq148VRjAAxk/s1600/20140730_111904.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My little goofball</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8dhIXR9idN93Q16iDDa5y50ZrU2g19Q311UFifPf3yfEjoFPoXqeQBm4FaPm5Pe-8EQn4XUdLEBOgmtvr6Xl8ILKMTaU1s9fD-0UAbnSZxWpLI_jmjmuWgQBMTngDSfwGPH4va3suv0/s1600/20140818_235333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8dhIXR9idN93Q16iDDa5y50ZrU2g19Q311UFifPf3yfEjoFPoXqeQBm4FaPm5Pe-8EQn4XUdLEBOgmtvr6Xl8ILKMTaU1s9fD-0UAbnSZxWpLI_jmjmuWgQBMTngDSfwGPH4va3suv0/s1600/20140818_235333.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violet playing with Niko</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoxPxbrlftzsZVVYou7chaFtcta-5ZBLcMzxd8qKSAYBF-Y7tBVDCqz6KzVIo21R-g-FKaU-4t9FTp9bGbrBBqMnu3txr06o9JnWu98C4VPeaIuwa3oDdTeZNG8hesmq2Tu-1_yGL_wI/s1600/20140828_195336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoxPxbrlftzsZVVYou7chaFtcta-5ZBLcMzxd8qKSAYBF-Y7tBVDCqz6KzVIo21R-g-FKaU-4t9FTp9bGbrBBqMnu3txr06o9JnWu98C4VPeaIuwa3oDdTeZNG8hesmq2Tu-1_yGL_wI/s1600/20140828_195336.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsuzDUDFsfecX-GmEhzFv7d37mHpR1N_rqVt0e79d-q68dvCG2UJL5V3R0DiiAHHKxFEMdXnM09ab-Tn8JHlb3U3M0o3PY2DkNJGlu143_7d5qhmMSsPpV4_RvPyLLHHKcbCoCAU7BKY/s1600/20140828_195348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsuzDUDFsfecX-GmEhzFv7d37mHpR1N_rqVt0e79d-q68dvCG2UJL5V3R0DiiAHHKxFEMdXnM09ab-Tn8JHlb3U3M0o3PY2DkNJGlu143_7d5qhmMSsPpV4_RvPyLLHHKcbCoCAU7BKY/s1600/20140828_195348.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Loving on mommy</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d_KLyuKVt7OcCUrzeTnymXWazdvicn3Oq3ic4EQWwfLsl-d1MViO5VIgDueHV_7gox-1R46a4whc0-J4QZUu6iuda1TJL8am7fDrLt-cb3tY4bdFYRFX9-8580ACI9ZpPvf80TnaVBA/s1600/20140925_234155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d_KLyuKVt7OcCUrzeTnymXWazdvicn3Oq3ic4EQWwfLsl-d1MViO5VIgDueHV_7gox-1R46a4whc0-J4QZUu6iuda1TJL8am7fDrLt-cb3tY4bdFYRFX9-8580ACI9ZpPvf80TnaVBA/s1600/20140925_234155.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ygn1vFRLHfpNC212IjIhVkJ-hmgyUsmhHxR4BMKz28mIydYAfyL8wVT6QHUfYtWqeeNPiVOejDowVg8luH6u0XC31PWKZzOLuMM2SkWh7pVWAUuW2WGYk9VQ8piK6I3DUZWxcghby_Q/s1600/20140926_080927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ygn1vFRLHfpNC212IjIhVkJ-hmgyUsmhHxR4BMKz28mIydYAfyL8wVT6QHUfYtWqeeNPiVOejDowVg8luH6u0XC31PWKZzOLuMM2SkWh7pVWAUuW2WGYk9VQ8piK6I3DUZWxcghby_Q/s1600/20140926_080927.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> First sip from a straw!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-ZX1uM2g430Cir5MI_fSJWY98a0YMQb1fbM2m68vZQLB88cEZbM82VNMxb3y2Jf55mOI08HKhbRiTFjYywHB-85ubH4Ed6CLA2vK4-49uWBtBqrzbZ4rxz-1JCbTl2otSgPhwKBEeF8/s1600/20140909_034908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-ZX1uM2g430Cir5MI_fSJWY98a0YMQb1fbM2m68vZQLB88cEZbM82VNMxb3y2Jf55mOI08HKhbRiTFjYywHB-85ubH4Ed6CLA2vK4-49uWBtBqrzbZ4rxz-1JCbTl2otSgPhwKBEeF8/s1600/20140909_034908.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Silly faces</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q98A6v-1w1dHEUu1X0FVUmcnpYoJuHo1Ozc2xPGyCVSsXtlplg82nFP_El0GLzEXYozZXlgRaU6B4gJADw6kHBNmlslANKWlXYPVB7q29wC2sD213yvktMTevxeLXqZAJEJzNtd55dc/s1600/20140915_033521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q98A6v-1w1dHEUu1X0FVUmcnpYoJuHo1Ozc2xPGyCVSsXtlplg82nFP_El0GLzEXYozZXlgRaU6B4gJADw6kHBNmlslANKWlXYPVB7q29wC2sD213yvktMTevxeLXqZAJEJzNtd55dc/s1600/20140915_033521.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Sitting on mommy's wedding dress</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwaELN3urXrC0qntUSwiwDCXXX3QGkmYIaBsc3A7iLtgmUlLWdRPQ7N_LRu37HXq1wDMgvjVjFGzTwCOtf9nFxZze2Oul9N5llc4cOeyV-_nF7XduK9kYe5105IwUXBvpwCIua9IJxQk/s1600/20140927_202734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwaELN3urXrC0qntUSwiwDCXXX3QGkmYIaBsc3A7iLtgmUlLWdRPQ7N_LRu37HXq1wDMgvjVjFGzTwCOtf9nFxZze2Oul9N5llc4cOeyV-_nF7XduK9kYe5105IwUXBvpwCIua9IJxQk/s1600/20140927_202734.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Opening night of Mommy's art exhibit</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzfAHj2K6M_RP5s4RBbP6cR5Mg4sxNT3A1CEQpycveT55L6pAN4Q6IbA3o_3wPI3ZjX0_ZQ2ZjTexwMvIM-QkWQByhlHrGmnGgOP9eZfH6fJexkWn-U0XU4GkewTOjPuysehnqnPeXQs/s1600/20141003_175505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzfAHj2K6M_RP5s4RBbP6cR5Mg4sxNT3A1CEQpycveT55L6pAN4Q6IbA3o_3wPI3ZjX0_ZQ2ZjTexwMvIM-QkWQByhlHrGmnGgOP9eZfH6fJexkWn-U0XU4GkewTOjPuysehnqnPeXQs/s1600/20141003_175505.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Giving her great grandmother love</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgFQO5Z3alfDUEEYJ5VQj-RwTEjY1frusvQCktdV3EPiSIVC9dfYY4RhiWJLTQvu-H-f9iyrbNmYH_ysfytgnJwKD6vEqoWjvMb4W5Clvw2dvkWp32RfTp9DUI3SuUUS5QI3MSA5e92k/s1600/20141011_194100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgFQO5Z3alfDUEEYJ5VQj-RwTEjY1frusvQCktdV3EPiSIVC9dfYY4RhiWJLTQvu-H-f9iyrbNmYH_ysfytgnJwKD6vEqoWjvMb4W5Clvw2dvkWp32RfTp9DUI3SuUUS5QI3MSA5e92k/s1600/20141011_194100.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmv7I-yrF93yvKhq1RM3oEGBFKDgHLEsZq6QYdqErg5VJtw9fTrNf-RcRlLY3oiTxygzntoCS_ZlcptcIXxxI5Bm7GPCdIInxnHYzPUnrE51ksMQ6S_LDkvjR0rPASY-8ccHyScmdtLs/s1600/20141026_180727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmv7I-yrF93yvKhq1RM3oEGBFKDgHLEsZq6QYdqErg5VJtw9fTrNf-RcRlLY3oiTxygzntoCS_ZlcptcIXxxI5Bm7GPCdIInxnHYzPUnrE51ksMQ6S_LDkvjR0rPASY-8ccHyScmdtLs/s1600/20141026_180727.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvVOgdTh1Bu3RxCX-c_CVaR0P6aLI89k3v1GdHFkRCefiGd27e2fzofWPiJB6_c6xWebwjOuUvpyBwHhuCtgSDhNwCj9bLvB42KgNP_CXsQ7qkc-FgeVRBjkaAMyeSVoFF7eY_Gi86YY/s1600/20141104_190735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvVOgdTh1Bu3RxCX-c_CVaR0P6aLI89k3v1GdHFkRCefiGd27e2fzofWPiJB6_c6xWebwjOuUvpyBwHhuCtgSDhNwCj9bLvB42KgNP_CXsQ7qkc-FgeVRBjkaAMyeSVoFF7eY_Gi86YY/s1600/20141104_190735.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsaA3naKtfUeCWkWg9bSn2HeCPizgo3lfEYykVqPggP_R7o2DVQ3RZMl201T0yK2yXsdK7wa0gZtJm73Gjjx5EtEcc4S4rXejVxE5MlTumhO3WyoGTNJJN0gLsu4TQlqkGQVsm3Yz08U/s1600/20141111_185100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsaA3naKtfUeCWkWg9bSn2HeCPizgo3lfEYykVqPggP_R7o2DVQ3RZMl201T0yK2yXsdK7wa0gZtJm73Gjjx5EtEcc4S4rXejVxE5MlTumhO3WyoGTNJJN0gLsu4TQlqkGQVsm3Yz08U/s1600/20141111_185100.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Girls trip to New Orleans</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz7rK3t1OON3p5-i0_ojOOlHLNPjdaNFMOWhdrLHE0o1KFN6rIgYMUdwwEr6Z5w0uRXitW9l0xTXAGelIUXI9VokDsxMJOsIiUvlYUtVpvppdDA384ibZx405zCXKSxErf2iI2MN4qpQ/s1600/20141108_114639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz7rK3t1OON3p5-i0_ojOOlHLNPjdaNFMOWhdrLHE0o1KFN6rIgYMUdwwEr6Z5w0uRXitW9l0xTXAGelIUXI9VokDsxMJOsIiUvlYUtVpvppdDA384ibZx405zCXKSxErf2iI2MN4qpQ/s1600/20141108_114639.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH1kEGrnf9BAILfO1VYu0x29tUd8SGb-kVcZQEn0kLlHNCioIHrwABolC2LS3FasSG0pRapPteRzKyKx0cGl-I0LMluLOZr2GR1BpO7UQ_A80eAWcLZdXL-6pcyoxo7Rl3atei3pzeLU/s1600/20141108_185536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH1kEGrnf9BAILfO1VYu0x29tUd8SGb-kVcZQEn0kLlHNCioIHrwABolC2LS3FasSG0pRapPteRzKyKx0cGl-I0LMluLOZr2GR1BpO7UQ_A80eAWcLZdXL-6pcyoxo7Rl3atei3pzeLU/s1600/20141108_185536.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r1mEU2J4zq839wTUKYovFl-iiy8lTPkvyChoDCRnymk_9Ns6HVQ4m1mTglQYCbNJtUtt97uLDnPzlWXbuxcVcbaa1D7RjhSs1eQj4Jd7uRTxTfNt0IppOMVRPArz6_x9lK93pAgxjnA/s1600/_DSC6220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-r1mEU2J4zq839wTUKYovFl-iiy8lTPkvyChoDCRnymk_9Ns6HVQ4m1mTglQYCbNJtUtt97uLDnPzlWXbuxcVcbaa1D7RjhSs1eQj4Jd7uRTxTfNt0IppOMVRPArz6_x9lK93pAgxjnA/s1600/_DSC6220.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCK_jAsi4IXVldKS2n97WtfkOj2oI5Dc54wdQs_5s4dZcDLpS_h4zNNhnEluzUbjFudAN1MKtM0bwqw6Iap3MuxjnMnIlPucg-L7lwpvGISIFvt6o28O56_8BfLN5_TDddAPpDv_8F0s/s1600/_DSC6231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCK_jAsi4IXVldKS2n97WtfkOj2oI5Dc54wdQs_5s4dZcDLpS_h4zNNhnEluzUbjFudAN1MKtM0bwqw6Iap3MuxjnMnIlPucg-L7lwpvGISIFvt6o28O56_8BfLN5_TDddAPpDv_8F0s/s1600/_DSC6231.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-30533688222644864952012-11-23T19:08:00.001-08:002012-11-23T19:08:27.941-08:00Guess who is STANDING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So a few days ago Violet decided she was going to use the mirror to pull
herself up to stand! 22 months old but she finally stood up all on her
own! And mommy got it on video lol (please ignore the mess, we've been
sick for two weeks now)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OKXKKIf_-vA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKXKKIf_-vA?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKXKKIf_-vA?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We've been battling a bug around our house for the past three weeks.
First my husband got it, then I got it two weeks ago and then Violet got
it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/R8ODgX3yQuY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gOrVORuGSfA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now since she got sick she has started having night terrors which absolutely breaks my heart. The first night it happened we thought it might be her medication. We had no clue what was going on. But she has since had them almost every single night :(<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qCf5NmbmiuU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/crWls_FYlCI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/crWls_FYlCI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/crWls_FYlCI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We are now FINALLY over the bug. The night terrors continue but hopefully they will start easing off now that she is feeling better.<br />
<br />Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-5809942331051460892012-10-23T22:46:00.000-07:002012-10-23T23:26:02.698-07:00Making HUGE strides!Wow, so much has changed in such a short amount of time. I have a full blown mobile toddler on my hands....you heard me correctly. MOBILE! Violet has learned to scoot and mastered it in a day lol. She has also started saying a few small sentences like "I love dada", "hey there dada" and "it night night" when she is ready to take a nap. She has currently claimed mommy as her personal jungle gym (I have the bruises to prove it lol). Of course she is still a little diva and we are ok with that :) We are planning our first big family vacation down to Disney World for a week in around a month where we will be visiting with one of my long time girlfriends.<br />
<br />
Here are a few videos....<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is Violet standing while leaning for the first time. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/u8gHBB7hNpI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Violet scooting for the very first time<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jMyEbqWHWMM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Violet showing her signing skills...watch till the end :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YIo5h2-O8sc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Violet cracking up</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uf4ttFzSLpI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Violet shaking her bootie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/C8INUCiHSXA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
NO MORE CHEETOS!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/X_8PRO-KtGQ/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X_8PRO-KtGQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X_8PRO-KtGQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
Violet's first sentence...I love dada...toward the end...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCVCqBPYNg4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are a few pictures I have taken of Violet over the last couple of months :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GJ6A-trYLFrb4EU0-5ZFYm0_Yb_hCYfCVvaAi1_5a4EEjVBU3mRTMyqxtd-KkmVhrdaxUr00UqC8lf1gsSWMgnrxMcqGl3pQh73vEacGHITDn5jtToqYUfhXCQsqGiixd5dTgTwNczk/s1600/DSC_0182b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GJ6A-trYLFrb4EU0-5ZFYm0_Yb_hCYfCVvaAi1_5a4EEjVBU3mRTMyqxtd-KkmVhrdaxUr00UqC8lf1gsSWMgnrxMcqGl3pQh73vEacGHITDn5jtToqYUfhXCQsqGiixd5dTgTwNczk/s320/DSC_0182b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_V10v75t-9hcGTjwrLwcX6RByXWX_yjy8kn4gJNYoGpxizV-EArdPxDUqhwK2t5TImxz1EzKKLUCPj1F_8U9A53lcFSKKH9tgJR2YRyzojRwgxELZduoCVW_SYiE5PI8iCezWRxfhzU/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_V10v75t-9hcGTjwrLwcX6RByXWX_yjy8kn4gJNYoGpxizV-EArdPxDUqhwK2t5TImxz1EzKKLUCPj1F_8U9A53lcFSKKH9tgJR2YRyzojRwgxELZduoCVW_SYiE5PI8iCezWRxfhzU/s320/DSC_0304.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ep9C4ECZf-hsRpRC2eNpOrvgTP2_BfcdG_KVGwdsdLzAMYMDF82QVD5yiE4cbPhvTmCRxf7Yl4PaV3-517P8qQLPVnY7zkekARsJdu-ByPLnzciakhHQ79VK0_YxJoOIdIQKAGXjBuc/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ep9C4ECZf-hsRpRC2eNpOrvgTP2_BfcdG_KVGwdsdLzAMYMDF82QVD5yiE4cbPhvTmCRxf7Yl4PaV3-517P8qQLPVnY7zkekARsJdu-ByPLnzciakhHQ79VK0_YxJoOIdIQKAGXjBuc/s320/DSC_0444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1uPfwCiJRGUdmr7vX53miriR2JeJwM7GDlPY8HLbZpyElKO-8DPhC6ii8vsybgvwe0aLj3fDVoVfr1zN5XIr0HTTLSc1Q73GhpBlAs0HJBCelhAgnlO-NXMRIi0QhRwrxINrk5d_ASE/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1uPfwCiJRGUdmr7vX53miriR2JeJwM7GDlPY8HLbZpyElKO-8DPhC6ii8vsybgvwe0aLj3fDVoVfr1zN5XIr0HTTLSc1Q73GhpBlAs0HJBCelhAgnlO-NXMRIi0QhRwrxINrk5d_ASE/s320/DSC_0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VSFKd7kpoRX2uFJAviyCoPXp5hnbsO3xdRh5YbFsD0fThGYcDYfcJvB4dq-1u-fzgIW2Mtwq_K1XlNw5L2tZzi0v7ULzIKLr8f_BrChnOP7sMToD6mhdU8bp3aOYr_xfdVIcFiOOM_8/s1600/DSC_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VSFKd7kpoRX2uFJAviyCoPXp5hnbsO3xdRh5YbFsD0fThGYcDYfcJvB4dq-1u-fzgIW2Mtwq_K1XlNw5L2tZzi0v7ULzIKLr8f_BrChnOP7sMToD6mhdU8bp3aOYr_xfdVIcFiOOM_8/s320/DSC_0664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
She was NOT giving up her pumpkin!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha72nlutJ3kDc42VFgfWkZbkcJlOtjw-4TVVomJ47kKyFRoVZppEWFuh9gb70JKA36ffwpZU6MlfV9-PX2Osucn1hwQWuMYYVswyJzLEdIVKNVEjY5E8EnS7bG658xMPW8Bja6Ili6uz8/s1600/DSC_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha72nlutJ3kDc42VFgfWkZbkcJlOtjw-4TVVomJ47kKyFRoVZppEWFuh9gb70JKA36ffwpZU6MlfV9-PX2Osucn1hwQWuMYYVswyJzLEdIVKNVEjY5E8EnS7bG658xMPW8Bja6Ili6uz8/s320/DSC_0809.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuco7DVFxJ_fQLpN40HncZ2_8lr-_kR2zFdZt3r9zeharu6IVJoKfiEiA6rKB85wsDAbfZ_n35Oc_I31TnJ6HWGHkB-ViiWHQk0SUxZPhuZDDfmlyjEZh35E7Fq8Kf9pTMTxdSYA03ENE/s1600/DSC_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuco7DVFxJ_fQLpN40HncZ2_8lr-_kR2zFdZt3r9zeharu6IVJoKfiEiA6rKB85wsDAbfZ_n35Oc_I31TnJ6HWGHkB-ViiWHQk0SUxZPhuZDDfmlyjEZh35E7Fq8Kf9pTMTxdSYA03ENE/s320/DSC_0829.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-59734383819077632892012-08-14T07:00:00.003-07:002012-08-14T07:05:33.680-07:00People First Language What is people first language you might ask? It's putting the person
first and their disability second. Showing the person as an individual
first and foremost and not defining them by their condition.<br />
<br />
My daughter is not a Downs child. She is not a Down syndrome kid nor a
Downs baby. She is a baby that happens to have a medical condition
called Down syndrome. She has Down syndrome...Down syndrome does NOT have her.<br />
<br />
You would not refer to a child with leukemia as a leukemia kid or a
cancer kid...then why do it with Down syndrome? There are so many things
that show <i>who </i>my child really is....she is funny, loving, mischievous,
precocious, energetic, goofy, tough, a fighter, inspiring. All of which
have nothing to do with her disability but simply who she is as a
person. She is a child. She is my child. She has a third copy of her
21st chromosome but that does not define her as a human.<br />
<br />
By calling a child by their condition first, you devalue them. You
separate them from their peers. You shove them aside as "different" and
it leaves the person to feel "less than".<br />
<br />
So please, when referring to an individual with any disability, refer to them as a person before you characterize them as just a disability. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EAltDOi95mgs0VV0QQvCJReLdVrNMgs_ZpmAsKZArrxnwfk0hg1B4cnFoR6aje4OJBIwFDwYVMz1KkYKbGltre6Q8PqNfzG9Nj9reEXszgCTGDpt31YV9CKIV07v4K7CaxFrJlMYGqI/s1600/295033_460154510668817_266972959986974_1999148_598561201_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EAltDOi95mgs0VV0QQvCJReLdVrNMgs_ZpmAsKZArrxnwfk0hg1B4cnFoR6aje4OJBIwFDwYVMz1KkYKbGltre6Q8PqNfzG9Nj9reEXszgCTGDpt31YV9CKIV07v4K7CaxFrJlMYGqI/s400/295033_460154510668817_266972959986974_1999148_598561201_n.jpg" width="400" />e</a></div>
<br />Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-73556912406799321082012-07-14T19:43:00.001-07:002012-07-14T22:52:11.893-07:001 1/2 years old!Ahhhhh it's been a while hasn't it?!? Life kind of sneaks up on you every now and then :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIgPCFyaiDU0BgQA1z_eODXVHacPxij4WmjwLapP-bzmwIEnTj_A5meeuVVVO9R4u9D-iMHcXlCqcBy7YD3Z2U2klWleQ5H9MNh-QX8pETdZkG4vFxLSdgmg9P4sNi6M3BG-7EDIHDHk/s1600/DSC_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIgPCFyaiDU0BgQA1z_eODXVHacPxij4WmjwLapP-bzmwIEnTj_A5meeuVVVO9R4u9D-iMHcXlCqcBy7YD3Z2U2klWleQ5H9MNh-QX8pETdZkG4vFxLSdgmg9P4sNi6M3BG-7EDIHDHk/s320/DSC_0977.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Violet has been doing absolutely wonderful and amazing us more and more every day. She continues to prove the Drs wrong time and time again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppx2ikBdd_frKbE6xq7p7qT75nVN0QEbsMNeHGBQT2Q-sqjTGvFDADzh7CCSxhmupKMZ6ubAchw_iaHCTDH7jJ5tzwEO9lM2CRnE32mpui2Eju3i1QsvRU0mZPrRN2ExKsKELVtwzSNc/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppx2ikBdd_frKbE6xq7p7qT75nVN0QEbsMNeHGBQT2Q-sqjTGvFDADzh7CCSxhmupKMZ6ubAchw_iaHCTDH7jJ5tzwEO9lM2CRnE32mpui2Eju3i1QsvRU0mZPrRN2ExKsKELVtwzSNc/s320/DSC_0185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Her speech is coming along very well. She can now say mama, dada, pup, ball, baby, book, kitty kitty, cat, nana, papa, go...and a couple other words that I'm forgetting at the moment. She doesn't say them all regularly, she usually gets stuck on a couple words at one time. Right now she is stuck on mama, dada and baby.<br />
<br />
Her sensory issues are better in certain areas. She is still scared to death of laughter but she is doing much better around larger crowds. Her sensory issue with her hands and feet are SLOWLY getting better. It's a labor of love. The other day she put her feet down on the carpet and kept them there for over a minute. That is HUGE for her. This is a picture of her during sensory/physical therapy with her feet down, sitting up all by herself and reaching for a toy all at the same time... <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QdkaDGTdcQ-0_5CVMXq98zTzJDi-RkJkBbNRX270dmq7gk1Ohz7HzJvEaQOL9KnemNNn-v7PeIxweI576oHKYOZeWEMdH4y1MXMSFPZpYcZv-5V32VxFHkEjgqc5LE_FuojtHTkDjJI/s1600/532280_320675524691760_927725406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QdkaDGTdcQ-0_5CVMXq98zTzJDi-RkJkBbNRX270dmq7gk1Ohz7HzJvEaQOL9KnemNNn-v7PeIxweI576oHKYOZeWEMdH4y1MXMSFPZpYcZv-5V32VxFHkEjgqc5LE_FuojtHTkDjJI/s400/532280_320675524691760_927725406_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Her nystagmus is almost nonexistent unless she is extremely tired or really upset. Her Patikia is getting better with time too. During her meltdowns not as many blood vessels burst as they used to. So all in all we are very happy with this. She still has bilateral cataracts and bad vision so we will see what the vision specialist has to say about it on our next appointment. He had wanted us to get glasses for Violet at a year old but I know my child...she will NOT keep anything on her face right now so there is no point in getting them just yet. We will wait until she is 2 or 2.5 before getting her glasses.<br />
<br />
A couple months ago we traveled up to UAB to get clearance from her cardiologist for her to have surgery on her stoma.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieprD2s7n1mb75a9FMqnSSjN5kBO8gX3zuHIBhIas2AWuZXC4hFnNiehnTKiYtHj2KD0yKq2vtL46uPUPIbjkQ_UObSTO9olreDHeSDmHnIFH4gSoqKubTK1X9LIsMoPDYjbuWHqCDiwY/s1600/531449_262525400506773_1077248061_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieprD2s7n1mb75a9FMqnSSjN5kBO8gX3zuHIBhIas2AWuZXC4hFnNiehnTKiYtHj2KD0yKq2vtL46uPUPIbjkQ_UObSTO9olreDHeSDmHnIFH4gSoqKubTK1X9LIsMoPDYjbuWHqCDiwY/s320/531449_262525400506773_1077248061_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I knew her heart was doing well but I never could have guessed HOW well it was. The hole had almost completely closed on its own. The coarctation of her aorta was no longer able to be found and her LV to RA shunt was very very tiny. We got the news we never thought we would hear...there would be NO MORE OPEN HEART SURGERIES (and she was clear for her stoma surgery)! I was absolutely beside myself with joy. The first surgery tore me apart with grief...I couldn't imagine going through it all over again. For everything to have closed on it's own and healed on its own is an absolute miracle and we praise God for it every day. <br />
<br />
While in Birmingham we made it in to a small vacation and went to the Desoto Caverns (we were not impressed). Violet had more fun at the mall shopping lol.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOenyZFCMoJBSu7DYIcBstDfs_AG3WWaVCwilj0eUXqfe-z56H9Rdfdg85GrIPUIStAGU5Cgpx1-GSO8Lj7XG-mrFOjJYsS-hMtN-XsU6nskDgM25E4vDHT3-6YwkhQAii1FGrpaeuJM/s1600/543143_263232717102708_1527305197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOenyZFCMoJBSu7DYIcBstDfs_AG3WWaVCwilj0eUXqfe-z56H9Rdfdg85GrIPUIStAGU5Cgpx1-GSO8Lj7XG-mrFOjJYsS-hMtN-XsU6nskDgM25E4vDHT3-6YwkhQAii1FGrpaeuJM/s320/543143_263232717102708_1527305197_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Shortly after returning to Mobile we scheduled her stoma surgery. The problem with her stoma was that too much granulated tissue was forming around her Mic-Key (this is her Mic-Key)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmAvytuzLWvO1swIf9GF3Y06cl4hOTaLi8VhKZFZqr3dPopW3PSBLzF5-ChyphenhyphenfWJ65urBmYensN7skm-w2cBbFo6b2SEzTpRf5a-KRnJ5XE-MatuD7ROYMSU35vRYkwSLFAVFeIPGe9fo/s1600/1.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmAvytuzLWvO1swIf9GF3Y06cl4hOTaLi8VhKZFZqr3dPopW3PSBLzF5-ChyphenhyphenfWJ65urBmYensN7skm-w2cBbFo6b2SEzTpRf5a-KRnJ5XE-MatuD7ROYMSU35vRYkwSLFAVFeIPGe9fo/s320/1.1.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
Her Mic-key button is where her food goes through directly to her stomach. Anyway...the tissue was swelling up and around her Mic-key and getting infected all of the time and causing her a lot of pain. So we prepared for surgery where they would stretch her stoma to fit a larger Mic-key and then remove the excess skin. This is us the morning of the surgery. She was loving on the baby doll the volunteers made for her and gave her at the hospital (it is now her favorite baby doll).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArSOg_4f0PLowX8nxhaBVfNMzbC_jbo1S4Nb8RxOOdu5fhyphenhyphenoUvkPFG-fMs5OIFsspQ943uNqRpMvEtoQJQV8XNPm-Evzo-54vdJWu5EdJaV__iX-SiHynGK_la6x3Nt3hE0nHBps1sA0/s1600/554486_298871890205457_1471790003_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArSOg_4f0PLowX8nxhaBVfNMzbC_jbo1S4Nb8RxOOdu5fhyphenhyphenoUvkPFG-fMs5OIFsspQ943uNqRpMvEtoQJQV8XNPm-Evzo-54vdJWu5EdJaV__iX-SiHynGK_la6x3Nt3hE0nHBps1sA0/s320/554486_298871890205457_1471790003_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
You would think after surgeries like her open heart surgery and chest tube surgery and the original gtube surgery that this surgery would be a walk in the park....at least I thought it would be. Boy I couldn't have been more wrong. I cried like a baby when they took her away. I cried till the minute they told me she was fine. Then I got to see her and I cried some more. I just hate seeing her so helpless and in pain. I didn't think my heart could break any more than it already has in the past, but seeing her screaming in pain after the surgery...it killed me. I tear up now just thinking about it. But it true Violet fashion, she was fine in a couple of days. She was tender for about a week or so and then she was back to pulling on her extension tube like the rip cord for a parachute lol.<br />
<br />
She had an MRI and an EEG around the same time because of some severe regression that she was going through. They still dont really know what the problem is so we just take it one day at a time. For months she will go backwards. Not showing affection, severely banging her head, forgetting how to roll over, forgetting how to clap or even wave and say certain words. Then out of nowhere months later it all comes back to her all at once.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1m47-Mno6vCC2R_GA7xtsbRtTp3Ru5ANMS1kKwXJE6QD97YQ9PTA8thLF0tDuUz-LDc_Soh5N5If1M7mPz4IWljABafaLoSgu4TzcqcD7kHGhqj1hWS3SSxVKzRVi_I7C9IxdjugJfVU/s1600/IMG_2976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1m47-Mno6vCC2R_GA7xtsbRtTp3Ru5ANMS1kKwXJE6QD97YQ9PTA8thLF0tDuUz-LDc_Soh5N5If1M7mPz4IWljABafaLoSgu4TzcqcD7kHGhqj1hWS3SSxVKzRVi_I7C9IxdjugJfVU/s320/IMG_2976.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
She had to relearn how to roll over and she still struggles with it every now and then but I think it is more because her stoma hurts when she rolls on to it. She has just begun trying to crawl/scooch herself over our laps when we are sitting on the couch so it shows that she is wanting to use her legs now...she just doesn't know how.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xE6yqZcQgRv4_dPNW1OhUBk4GOGnNKgA22WyVZbUp5TCaqVLiplTPrnmZnhtal3ux1l-MFYspAJaPBUaoyk21DSms6AUlBIb0D-xKjfs-AslGSUwrkuqHrsVMsP5yFPP2lUev3BjjeA/s1600/IMG_3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xE6yqZcQgRv4_dPNW1OhUBk4GOGnNKgA22WyVZbUp5TCaqVLiplTPrnmZnhtal3ux1l-MFYspAJaPBUaoyk21DSms6AUlBIb0D-xKjfs-AslGSUwrkuqHrsVMsP5yFPP2lUev3BjjeA/s320/IMG_3269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In February we had Violet's heart birthday. The one year celebration of her heart being fixed. A celebration of one more year God has granted us to spend with her. I think her heart birthday was more emotional for me than her actual birthday. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgPQGooCSx0Xhurh-7ivcGQZAMUHtQxNeEpq41iy36yzHIqug5VJrVsLMXc1aaJCDAEqOGsV2AYRYm4_8wzQLdDYMFdJWMxyCey4DAXPs3W4GVXsi-MLaxmONdQFVe4WaavYg2ZkgRyY/s1600/DSC_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgPQGooCSx0Xhurh-7ivcGQZAMUHtQxNeEpq41iy36yzHIqug5VJrVsLMXc1aaJCDAEqOGsV2AYRYm4_8wzQLdDYMFdJWMxyCey4DAXPs3W4GVXsi-MLaxmONdQFVe4WaavYg2ZkgRyY/s320/DSC_0782.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i3XI_u7GHpBQZfEsfaBfsnScz86wedcYxpp17m4ZKE4ks6Jsnde9YYisKDf6h9TkrNaDGZJScYaKSHtgROVR0uuOqrBA90gDMPx1J0sskWzByygNvfieU0oBwlP9uky3Hiu3DuV5NPg/s1600/DSC_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i3XI_u7GHpBQZfEsfaBfsnScz86wedcYxpp17m4ZKE4ks6Jsnde9YYisKDf6h9TkrNaDGZJScYaKSHtgROVR0uuOqrBA90gDMPx1J0sskWzByygNvfieU0oBwlP9uky3Hiu3DuV5NPg/s320/DSC_0777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8354BH9Pmc5nAe0fiCtaAo9ucEYVI64KzwlPHCoaVv0B-B1vXJLlgwRWaLPeOPeMqUxa-nmvZxiAY0DL9MRCnvE2jE5VKy7cpQBeP9NxXXLSzAcJBFuebW2AqV0tBi8I28oCzF09ayw/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8354BH9Pmc5nAe0fiCtaAo9ucEYVI64KzwlPHCoaVv0B-B1vXJLlgwRWaLPeOPeMqUxa-nmvZxiAY0DL9MRCnvE2jE5VKy7cpQBeP9NxXXLSzAcJBFuebW2AqV0tBi8I28oCzF09ayw/s320/IMG_2236.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</b></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Random Pictures... </u></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Talking to her Facebook friends</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsWm50ULBYzjCZCP4JBsWgSBRQTT7oFSUywVrYoHqnOmEVENQP7MwffiUoj_9dBdo4q0m73dlPV4MTrFxoEYZyWqySMbWFgwAyLMWYC-ckGNlWs3mYtoQAMXLAE36a1BBt5yJSdITSxY/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsWm50ULBYzjCZCP4JBsWgSBRQTT7oFSUywVrYoHqnOmEVENQP7MwffiUoj_9dBdo4q0m73dlPV4MTrFxoEYZyWqySMbWFgwAyLMWYC-ckGNlWs3mYtoQAMXLAE36a1BBt5yJSdITSxY/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Playing at Bellingrath Gardens</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvBM68XY0MSH8hk0Cx4MEAeQu828o_Z4q7bDGxXGQarY9UdChOUuZGBILa7mDfj7SAryTQ2UWcFo0gFAvjelsPGQ5j4T3KlvrzfxHhyphenhyphenmcYUHoTWyihrGVFgEfRtM_yLoUW9O-sijVqpc/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvBM68XY0MSH8hk0Cx4MEAeQu828o_Z4q7bDGxXGQarY9UdChOUuZGBILa7mDfj7SAryTQ2UWcFo0gFAvjelsPGQ5j4T3KlvrzfxHhyphenhyphenmcYUHoTWyihrGVFgEfRtM_yLoUW9O-sijVqpc/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Visiting Nana</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMdUvSu7LS5oNMtflIblpSSIdiybiE5MNsBXSVrYOwJcYhQuuS9p39oTBBDQbEW8bDQ1CRuX03SYFDAz-UGK01qso8Qn3plYqB0m1CRWlKIW08c1Uitng_4iPsBxRYv9RzwUvbixPxzQ/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMdUvSu7LS5oNMtflIblpSSIdiybiE5MNsBXSVrYOwJcYhQuuS9p39oTBBDQbEW8bDQ1CRuX03SYFDAz-UGK01qso8Qn3plYqB0m1CRWlKIW08c1Uitng_4iPsBxRYv9RzwUvbixPxzQ/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Playing on her Ipad</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs6i7tRJi79JfPlwd-M8pIV6mtAftWdC-qg1-afixgfe-A8R_2-1x-P8pRTFGnntMgylxqd4WvwOhBth6LrX87pFzrA488tDQzfCvrp7Nz-05bpDeVQiphfOERkitalNoONVNExs1yB4/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs6i7tRJi79JfPlwd-M8pIV6mtAftWdC-qg1-afixgfe-A8R_2-1x-P8pRTFGnntMgylxqd4WvwOhBth6LrX87pFzrA488tDQzfCvrp7Nz-05bpDeVQiphfOERkitalNoONVNExs1yB4/s320/IMG_2321.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> She LOVES books!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwJ2xqiuWBsjrmNPvl0TSTbj6Qnko6Aiy6gbifDECrnbiNnamoMcG7D8J42oEwOsPj6JqW8koZJCfF_uv_RjVQLaHgEHanw0S3JwZxF0PGkPXvAtsPmwTjbO00fGomyGVNPJIqjSwlmk/s1600/IMG_2378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwJ2xqiuWBsjrmNPvl0TSTbj6Qnko6Aiy6gbifDECrnbiNnamoMcG7D8J42oEwOsPj6JqW8koZJCfF_uv_RjVQLaHgEHanw0S3JwZxF0PGkPXvAtsPmwTjbO00fGomyGVNPJIqjSwlmk/s320/IMG_2378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Just a wee bit Irish :)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbtXG87WS1klYl99AaZKzZrYuNsW4TPpc6nQD2WaLYQCxbdW2C4uqmzQBr5kabAkTJLuj7gP0gNPA8BAEtrQ01OoZIFTYETG624SqMg1_HPw5mbnwCSM5Pfy2I0Tb0JAHQqA9GtiSLq8/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbtXG87WS1klYl99AaZKzZrYuNsW4TPpc6nQD2WaLYQCxbdW2C4uqmzQBr5kabAkTJLuj7gP0gNPA8BAEtrQ01OoZIFTYETG624SqMg1_HPw5mbnwCSM5Pfy2I0Tb0JAHQqA9GtiSLq8/s320/IMG_2472.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Violet at an arts and crafts show with the Azalea Trail Maids</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET4Ojg1fTHLsWsjVtCKIMMa23PiExMZlhVckgBujjUxNVhJ1A4cerZ6bgLYtiRqrZZdEZ0qDxvWL5AIfZlu8Q1JUdVtxnYbLcha5o3uokJMAff54siqHDKGWzCRaEQ1XtMkMESbFTDbk/s1600/IMG_2442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET4Ojg1fTHLsWsjVtCKIMMa23PiExMZlhVckgBujjUxNVhJ1A4cerZ6bgLYtiRqrZZdEZ0qDxvWL5AIfZlu8Q1JUdVtxnYbLcha5o3uokJMAff54siqHDKGWzCRaEQ1XtMkMESbFTDbk/s320/IMG_2442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DqhKSsf039FrNZwNbYRsseofBgCrzgcWhGi2Ci-UKVM3RWtpQ9m_jF7kCzeZ7mHeEWzohHvfYceMYxtF-9ThMqiv1_J38lmOeHscHcR0ku5Va34fbNRr7lFG_whY7SvSAJhyphenhyphenyQjZmxs/s1600/IMG_2403.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DqhKSsf039FrNZwNbYRsseofBgCrzgcWhGi2Ci-UKVM3RWtpQ9m_jF7kCzeZ7mHeEWzohHvfYceMYxtF-9ThMqiv1_J38lmOeHscHcR0ku5Va34fbNRr7lFG_whY7SvSAJhyphenhyphenyQjZmxs/s320/IMG_2403.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeCZJZu7lrJF9t_94uPNQjWaQaFFcAZ64E1hHascdwEXsBFxrzBJKumzjJzCDzu5hsUvQcN6FVPBcbbIbGSMQEGUeg4gD_3KIzfha76dTwHZNk6EsGv6YBiWv0x5Izyr60kQM-o3lUJQ/s1600/IMG_2401.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeCZJZu7lrJF9t_94uPNQjWaQaFFcAZ64E1hHascdwEXsBFxrzBJKumzjJzCDzu5hsUvQcN6FVPBcbbIbGSMQEGUeg4gD_3KIzfha76dTwHZNk6EsGv6YBiWv0x5Izyr60kQM-o3lUJQ/s320/IMG_2401.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV1glchYTulEKhE6WTy91Pa-hwEyNw7sVWORMcvti5mYGupJh19pj7cdxiaTbzW3lQgqNelbO_FintKx6GEO0NNWbr3PQ2pLGPTGWqNFxcKeryYBfivhXyAUuqZc4aSNEKH8hhAAr224/s1600/IMG_2493.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV1glchYTulEKhE6WTy91Pa-hwEyNw7sVWORMcvti5mYGupJh19pj7cdxiaTbzW3lQgqNelbO_FintKx6GEO0NNWbr3PQ2pLGPTGWqNFxcKeryYBfivhXyAUuqZc4aSNEKH8hhAAr224/s320/IMG_2493.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Violet playing a song for mommy. She prefers to use objects to hit the keys :)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnuDQ0KaEgI8FilZKB6kJ3ApSbE_-tZTPaenHhXU9Nb3eu6vupgitrR-VVVA57ILU_gjH6GCx8o94u8qBXrVpyK2-VYZIZPT55E74nOvnKF7FIhARKSzrAABWR3-A55ZlM7gTRATOxT8/s1600/IMG_2591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnuDQ0KaEgI8FilZKB6kJ3ApSbE_-tZTPaenHhXU9Nb3eu6vupgitrR-VVVA57ILU_gjH6GCx8o94u8qBXrVpyK2-VYZIZPT55E74nOvnKF7FIhARKSzrAABWR3-A55ZlM7gTRATOxT8/s320/IMG_2591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Violet and mommy at a birthday party</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz4IIbsx3rdBB88mmGFvsPp4q0j6bkBDgmswqL2VM0lBOVLcgvZlRgNsJt1JLZN8sSPMi531RXH9OtftH1FKociU2L-RGBbVzhKBPHOgPS5d1t7mgPaBu41eSDYjNk-LlAQ_76za-c6k/s1600/IMG_2684.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz4IIbsx3rdBB88mmGFvsPp4q0j6bkBDgmswqL2VM0lBOVLcgvZlRgNsJt1JLZN8sSPMi531RXH9OtftH1FKociU2L-RGBbVzhKBPHOgPS5d1t7mgPaBu41eSDYjNk-LlAQ_76za-c6k/s320/IMG_2684.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Violet swinging for the first time</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjD9GETyupllAXicDvawstpjBr1cMDhsaE4aDm1Vk2i1f6rL3sgSFewK0Q8C5JzY7m9HzQYwdBuOgLBOxzK94o1mNd-K6ko6plpMbYRLIgSd3Kh11sQJkXVRfKYd0pcTKN8fWLYPoiXQ/s1600/IMG_3149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjD9GETyupllAXicDvawstpjBr1cMDhsaE4aDm1Vk2i1f6rL3sgSFewK0Q8C5JzY7m9HzQYwdBuOgLBOxzK94o1mNd-K6ko6plpMbYRLIgSd3Kh11sQJkXVRfKYd0pcTKN8fWLYPoiXQ/s320/IMG_3149.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Violet with her Nana</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVPAbpPYY81d6HVpSUx6M3T27NAHgJuz_70O-_xwy-LcUqWqfjY2pRl5njMRE1fS0gfFLAQL5msxvM4QsATOnr6Zm-vG_XUOmhPOCJGPyg6AL2gDheeewrVB6H3E-kDtdPNkqALGhu04/s1600/IMG_3384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVPAbpPYY81d6HVpSUx6M3T27NAHgJuz_70O-_xwy-LcUqWqfjY2pRl5njMRE1fS0gfFLAQL5msxvM4QsATOnr6Zm-vG_XUOmhPOCJGPyg6AL2gDheeewrVB6H3E-kDtdPNkqALGhu04/s320/IMG_3384.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOmTOtvIpxZKv1AOyDp698_LmZoTuBdHUl-soabkY3rR9QAcYWlPinKrMUJ0Hz0KKWGJ6DjRVsPx7j60r5Z_kUQ0_OSX9sdL5QcOtmXSESt5e7CT_BVtRLZ_nER9bWAlWtoGg9tD7LEU/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOmTOtvIpxZKv1AOyDp698_LmZoTuBdHUl-soabkY3rR9QAcYWlPinKrMUJ0Hz0KKWGJ6DjRVsPx7j60r5Z_kUQ0_OSX9sdL5QcOtmXSESt5e7CT_BVtRLZ_nER9bWAlWtoGg9tD7LEU/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Violet plays peek a boo by putting her hands behind her head...she thinks you can't see her :)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpWfm7zzVFW4b2gJwJgdb8-OU5Kq_jMwz0Sl1yZF7MHEUwGsrFllEcXqB8fUvA6BaUPFJsDqerlFC3lQoD33JtERahfbJAiXGeJc9667pZdMm6OcsSadbOCHMnXi3KrYGasfJfyOBzrI/s1600/IMG_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpWfm7zzVFW4b2gJwJgdb8-OU5Kq_jMwz0Sl1yZF7MHEUwGsrFllEcXqB8fUvA6BaUPFJsDqerlFC3lQoD33JtERahfbJAiXGeJc9667pZdMm6OcsSadbOCHMnXi3KrYGasfJfyOBzrI/s320/IMG_3488.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Practicing for her future Facebook profile picture LOL</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg6pgsxoRq-UOcYfJ1aTwmuCKCgrHlnqnVNRDcNSTxH1Nojnkw-ROfg0evMiWAx7gxHUaLxbtJIJ2hOv1EyFoVY-JU-gPgGxS4POSWEv8ZyG-QXKRjS3qmLVr2xPBXPjV-wW3m7sp8OA/s1600/IMG_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg6pgsxoRq-UOcYfJ1aTwmuCKCgrHlnqnVNRDcNSTxH1Nojnkw-ROfg0evMiWAx7gxHUaLxbtJIJ2hOv1EyFoVY-JU-gPgGxS4POSWEv8ZyG-QXKRjS3qmLVr2xPBXPjV-wW3m7sp8OA/s320/IMG_3437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Smiling in her sleep </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-syUcXxS439jWqW8-8edhEUzHcanTJBOsImX3Ts6zpk2EqpmuzixyYIl0Xx3L_s8owyj4OAOgrSuoU6DNI3fsuKQfbJUhqAKZxEoOgjYfzl925x1COugyWOxEMKjyCG8gOrnF7sRQDY0/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-syUcXxS439jWqW8-8edhEUzHcanTJBOsImX3Ts6zpk2EqpmuzixyYIl0Xx3L_s8owyj4OAOgrSuoU6DNI3fsuKQfbJUhqAKZxEoOgjYfzl925x1COugyWOxEMKjyCG8gOrnF7sRQDY0/s320/IMG_3435.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Waving at the camera</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r7vB3Z2gB81KxZoBfJVwosCXPektYdBHa2VNwRougcXnbtitr_q1Gs4ivaz1J8UK7-AtYYaii5Qb46IvUa2JGqD5YNWPlNeeUKunK3yByFZcVr7b-0cAJfefbtrtDnoBGcKnkQ2R_8E/s1600/IMG_3431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r7vB3Z2gB81KxZoBfJVwosCXPektYdBHa2VNwRougcXnbtitr_q1Gs4ivaz1J8UK7-AtYYaii5Qb46IvUa2JGqD5YNWPlNeeUKunK3yByFZcVr7b-0cAJfefbtrtDnoBGcKnkQ2R_8E/s320/IMG_3431.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkAnIabn-aJdEgyAv1uEnoU4VVDMvGEI3g8DDht9FQn9fsXkUOQPVqeZTnHm4yvxriLAH_56yixzioFq6n9scFbdlsd4moQhc4Fs2ZTh7PNk9lljycURcIWXYQW2zL_4ZOgRKhq7NPvw/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkAnIabn-aJdEgyAv1uEnoU4VVDMvGEI3g8DDht9FQn9fsXkUOQPVqeZTnHm4yvxriLAH_56yixzioFq6n9scFbdlsd4moQhc4Fs2ZTh7PNk9lljycURcIWXYQW2zL_4ZOgRKhq7NPvw/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> I call her my Nala because she has the heart of a Lion (her favorite movie is The Lion King) </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHtNXIH6q9zCHX3rMP20HmwyVNFRMvfp6Tzei-sH5Hxm-e6r5js3-6zYqcftLxu5Shtav3EoMIpkUSI82pl5u_a1sNZfAdIKL_5MXaZxMilMFZ3fykTzYLNW-FDZMYrb4p4rfwZb7OEw/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHtNXIH6q9zCHX3rMP20HmwyVNFRMvfp6Tzei-sH5Hxm-e6r5js3-6zYqcftLxu5Shtav3EoMIpkUSI82pl5u_a1sNZfAdIKL_5MXaZxMilMFZ3fykTzYLNW-FDZMYrb4p4rfwZb7OEw/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwQ_AdijFT3PNZADSbihWF3mfUung4tt8pddI511mSWkMwIYIyzZIUrhNMO79afPeb6DnYUAQTxSlsh1UZceqin2KWJo5rwIYeRd2Q9z0LCdyEnmDdB0RJXGaY70UtdAMnoFMHvFuDxs/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwQ_AdijFT3PNZADSbihWF3mfUung4tt8pddI511mSWkMwIYIyzZIUrhNMO79afPeb6DnYUAQTxSlsh1UZceqin2KWJo5rwIYeRd2Q9z0LCdyEnmDdB0RJXGaY70UtdAMnoFMHvFuDxs/s320/DSC_0062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Already rolling her eyes at me :)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXLzWoxpXWy16BMAf0LPQbNOtdgWgpgXX9ZD8fZ4ctdYXUT9kAH6u5qnp-it6ER5fQ-X1AQ5ODvirURMLnH_w0GtL9RAIT5cL7Xa9uYvC-QxbBZnef78a-ztQUV8U6m6rCxTUNxIH7F0/s1600/DSC_0145+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXLzWoxpXWy16BMAf0LPQbNOtdgWgpgXX9ZD8fZ4ctdYXUT9kAH6u5qnp-it6ER5fQ-X1AQ5ODvirURMLnH_w0GtL9RAIT5cL7Xa9uYvC-QxbBZnef78a-ztQUV8U6m6rCxTUNxIH7F0/s320/DSC_0145+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwwr0BrGB5rfeLyGy2gzDWeooAlgV4pRFDRNtkHAesafRKo7Y8vJ6eUaMVfGEtL4-YNor_hylX77arDxBbt2cj3oOBbqRtml98FM4oTM3RltlGyzuDrkgY92642S9mLa1YvR2MFcBd3o/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwwr0BrGB5rfeLyGy2gzDWeooAlgV4pRFDRNtkHAesafRKo7Y8vJ6eUaMVfGEtL4-YNor_hylX77arDxBbt2cj3oOBbqRtml98FM4oTM3RltlGyzuDrkgY92642S9mLa1YvR2MFcBd3o/s320/DSC_0128.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeE_FfKlMNKzYLlxVAhG5Pk9LgrP0DMYEbU5b8SWE6-ZzilSHbpNIPiRABNFfe6yjE0eGFu6xl-qjmrgr5lHwbIOLAJoLB1VPX_CbQ5zFiOuCvL4IVJjWHoas4vpFZU-1bN6g6ynSAeE/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeE_FfKlMNKzYLlxVAhG5Pk9LgrP0DMYEbU5b8SWE6-ZzilSHbpNIPiRABNFfe6yjE0eGFu6xl-qjmrgr5lHwbIOLAJoLB1VPX_CbQ5zFiOuCvL4IVJjWHoas4vpFZU-1bN6g6ynSAeE/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Having fun with mommy on the sofa </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkRA4g7vBo8t83yBwyBPRxJD3EWtKpW5Ob2JuKbSe6VX37OPmWGullT0lxZ7Yzs23ls7F3Yi_5N_hiVcocjT4QY41mtsY0bhSNc1TZWCT8BgscgangztyIX2gFJD3v2SbEDRW8l2JtkA/s1600/DSC_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkRA4g7vBo8t83yBwyBPRxJD3EWtKpW5Ob2JuKbSe6VX37OPmWGullT0lxZ7Yzs23ls7F3Yi_5N_hiVcocjT4QY41mtsY0bhSNc1TZWCT8BgscgangztyIX2gFJD3v2SbEDRW8l2JtkA/s320/DSC_0950.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-35026315709310823322012-05-02T20:11:00.001-07:002012-05-03T06:29:13.231-07:00RegressionRegression is an evil word. A word that is stealing my child away from me. My beautiful baby girl no longer wants to be held. No longer gives love. No longer plays peek a boo. No longer hugs. No longer waves. No longer.....just keep the list going because this is what Autism has taken from us and keeps taking from us. Regression is the term the Dr.s use to describe what she is dealing with. We are being scheduled for an MRI to check for a brain tumor or brain damage just to be on the safe side...but this is common for Autism.<br />
<br />
I miss my baby girl's arms wrapped around my neck. I miss her snuggles. I hate seeing her work so hard to learn something only to have it stolen away from her memory. I'm holding on the best I can but sometimes the threads holding me together seem so weak.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><b>Of all the things I miss....I miss this the most.</b></u></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcETVmua_vEbVQ5HhyTUacyQ8uBEULiu3mOWQiYnUhfAtvaiFUZrJ1SUCcdXgouAFXdO5aWp75gQw_F6-wgJVk1NLbj0LvvFSP0Rm063lSwAa8Rmi_lGiRDm3War_d0mCLcF7zlE_NNI/s1600/Taylor+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcETVmua_vEbVQ5HhyTUacyQ8uBEULiu3mOWQiYnUhfAtvaiFUZrJ1SUCcdXgouAFXdO5aWp75gQw_F6-wgJVk1NLbj0LvvFSP0Rm063lSwAa8Rmi_lGiRDm3War_d0mCLcF7zlE_NNI/s400/Taylor+06.jpg" width="266" /></a><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/S2N_uvnvGbI/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S2N_uvnvGbI&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S2N_uvnvGbI&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-23071397541735778282012-04-15T19:31:00.001-07:002012-05-03T07:26:17.671-07:00Sucker PunchedOnce again I feel like I've been punched in the gut...<br />
<br />
On Wednesday we met with our neurologist, (our fourth opinion) to have the words I was dreading said to me. Your daughter is on the spectrum, she has Autism. We saw the diagnosis coming for months and it was very evident that she has it....but it's so much worse to actually hear the words said to you in that official voice.<br />
<br />
It's one of the main things I have always feared. I have seen the children that have been stolen away at to young of an age. Not able to show emotion. Trapped within themselves. And my heart breaks. My heart breaks wondering if Violet will ever hug me again. It's been months. I wonder if she will ever give me a kiss which she has never done. Will she tell me she loves me? Will she want to hold my hand when she is scared? Or will my heart continue to break if her condition closes her up away from us. These are my fears.<br />
<br />
I'm in the beginning stages...anger. Lots and lots and lots of anger. I don't want to hear the niceties that everyone is throwing at me. I don't want to hear the "it's just a label", "everything will be ok", "God has a reason for everything"...because while people mean to be nice and give hope by saying these things it diminishes the emotions and very realness of the situation my family is facing. Tell me it is just a label when it is your child banging their head so hard you are afraid they will have a concussion. Tell me it is what God intended when your child looks through you with no affection. Don't tell me everything will be ok as I sit at night crying because my child has been put through more crap than any child should ever have to go through. Yes there are children much worse off....but this...this is MY child and damn it I am angry.<br />
<br />
All I want right now is to crawl in to a hole and cry. But I can't do that. I have a child that needs me to be strong and to be her way out of the darkness. I dont know how I will achieve it but you can bet your ass I will find a way. God as my witness I will find a way to help her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mwlqjVbUkLWLv7dH3cQFGICbC3rYHap6cRPGSR3l-NHdOC9cJ26OWKCnLya92XSoEnDDRhS6qiDhSYoj8bGH6hybUxF6U3aN89vJW2KqCkToYyqebkNtkZR4m5ATlryQNicb3IYF60Y/s1600/424873_10150592437487781_99432047780_9109320_348925638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mwlqjVbUkLWLv7dH3cQFGICbC3rYHap6cRPGSR3l-NHdOC9cJ26OWKCnLya92XSoEnDDRhS6qiDhSYoj8bGH6hybUxF6U3aN89vJW2KqCkToYyqebkNtkZR4m5ATlryQNicb3IYF60Y/s400/424873_10150592437487781_99432047780_9109320_348925638_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/G69QC1brPyQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-41964914354701521382012-03-03T09:22:00.001-08:002012-03-03T09:23:30.336-08:00One more year...The 28th of February was one year since Violet's open heart surgery. It is amazing to see how far she has come and how wonderful she is doing! Please leave your well wishes and encouragement for her in the comments section. It will be great for her to look back on one day!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>There once was a little girl that had so much love in her heart that it was spilling out. So the Drs had to go in and put a patch on her heart to hold all the love inside. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mommy and Daddy love you Violet</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwievunq7ROYz6wvVC77PV3eoQYnH_VC8b9hXDBz1zbnf3BnBjUHUZUe6S8kvXOjnt_ocOtuFzOtELmFopBZ5Z3vSmZh5bCaKPXE-6u8NFwks4PFF6_MAFjIp5KNSTsLGvsj3jDHCw9eM/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwievunq7ROYz6wvVC77PV3eoQYnH_VC8b9hXDBz1zbnf3BnBjUHUZUe6S8kvXOjnt_ocOtuFzOtELmFopBZ5Z3vSmZh5bCaKPXE-6u8NFwks4PFF6_MAFjIp5KNSTsLGvsj3jDHCw9eM/s400/IMG_0266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x0Hqmt594hWBL-GdjINoZmtOSmjEOg4WwQRCSGoinbWU2hJS_eIZha8wDyagHrsyGkhT0EHQRdQ0a-SqEteI4m1iIB6ZzUdv4OAea9lrSClt3YnEnjUN-0KE-peQAXxlfo8WyN1t2YI/s1600/044.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x0Hqmt594hWBL-GdjINoZmtOSmjEOg4WwQRCSGoinbWU2hJS_eIZha8wDyagHrsyGkhT0EHQRdQ0a-SqEteI4m1iIB6ZzUdv4OAea9lrSClt3YnEnjUN-0KE-peQAXxlfo8WyN1t2YI/s400/044.PNG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLiPw9KdmH_-TQYSy77oAhDCRCo0Gn7kPGExMIjrfwtxJc6L-kGqLl4gDCThvUpvvKWRFbWUXaVGDPg9rRvh1b-M3TC9GHUvvo18q3vJPdztPWJJcNrnNGG05plQRQr_pruTzMFZ82Mg/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLiPw9KdmH_-TQYSy77oAhDCRCo0Gn7kPGExMIjrfwtxJc6L-kGqLl4gDCThvUpvvKWRFbWUXaVGDPg9rRvh1b-M3TC9GHUvvo18q3vJPdztPWJJcNrnNGG05plQRQr_pruTzMFZ82Mg/s400/036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULckLxfZ2JoRKrHQFLe2r2FuRJ0s5yExTUp8OOejGxJXYE81c41xALDK4HeehnodLAdy-q831DL5YrAecVWTTwtP4gfx8jx10W1X2_bzh5a5FbsoYjLh4nJNOCcMtMUD_2QcEzeGj2wI/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULckLxfZ2JoRKrHQFLe2r2FuRJ0s5yExTUp8OOejGxJXYE81c41xALDK4HeehnodLAdy-q831DL5YrAecVWTTwtP4gfx8jx10W1X2_bzh5a5FbsoYjLh4nJNOCcMtMUD_2QcEzeGj2wI/s400/IMG_0466.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhokyAH_PQNKgZTAlBhY4Pn-gvdP0aqxbbINVwAriXpAsEbClmugLPT-m1knnq1KtRBSDukW6og7Ia_OZ24_fomz6UfycLapP_lbPlgxD9gZist1nUs_CqbCu_124ruSH2PGG9-tK3I-A/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhokyAH_PQNKgZTAlBhY4Pn-gvdP0aqxbbINVwAriXpAsEbClmugLPT-m1knnq1KtRBSDukW6og7Ia_OZ24_fomz6UfycLapP_lbPlgxD9gZist1nUs_CqbCu_124ruSH2PGG9-tK3I-A/s400/IMG_0485.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And look at her now...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDbWAd2APcx-OjLXdkRR7HWTflmD5afQ7Jo8VlkYhvbehqdmZZYQYw_ELM76cymw7SgCvSTspl6938wqtFvsJGWeY2fg56ghBJaLQNOKweX8N5dVIC1z3Bm2g26PWWNU_YUOHuA0Rvnk/s1600/_DSC0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDbWAd2APcx-OjLXdkRR7HWTflmD5afQ7Jo8VlkYhvbehqdmZZYQYw_ELM76cymw7SgCvSTspl6938wqtFvsJGWeY2fg56ghBJaLQNOKweX8N5dVIC1z3Bm2g26PWWNU_YUOHuA0Rvnk/s400/_DSC0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6yGpzcjsO9IkoKAYLGMbCbpXFwyA8VaiCZ29eX7kkaExy_vEsokhAu8SDOw6IEvgOiqUwU_18aU09X4AuGqJbeG0pbbSVM06NLJmVSJ8BTxG_rWHJiT3EaZfoZn2lAkzDJojjAliTxY/s1600/416958_10150592438167781_99432047780_9109328_25219265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6yGpzcjsO9IkoKAYLGMbCbpXFwyA8VaiCZ29eX7kkaExy_vEsokhAu8SDOw6IEvgOiqUwU_18aU09X4AuGqJbeG0pbbSVM06NLJmVSJ8BTxG_rWHJiT3EaZfoZn2lAkzDJojjAliTxY/s400/416958_10150592438167781_99432047780_9109328_25219265_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFNy1ZsYqwm7FX9vJfhgvQQ45sDEMoglblBJAZXR2TWIBVkqDJ2mgSIhjHDDF1MCwnqxtQhG6ftJC6Q-qJvikc0dwgb6sCILqx51cj0cYhbKGwTr6iDQEtRDLXyPxk07Sn9gAjSI8FXg/s1600/419282_10150592438222781_99432047780_9109329_575885755_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFNy1ZsYqwm7FX9vJfhgvQQ45sDEMoglblBJAZXR2TWIBVkqDJ2mgSIhjHDDF1MCwnqxtQhG6ftJC6Q-qJvikc0dwgb6sCILqx51cj0cYhbKGwTr6iDQEtRDLXyPxk07Sn9gAjSI8FXg/s400/419282_10150592438222781_99432047780_9109329_575885755_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-22225513956035667172012-03-01T07:08:00.000-08:002012-03-01T07:08:53.179-08:00Lisa Lyon Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Violet has now had her pictures done with my dear friend Lisa Lyon twice now. All I can say is "stunning". The only downside to using Lisa is that you can't pick a favorite and she makes it so darned hard to choose between all of the beautiful shots to order your prints because you want them ALL! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An amazing Christian woman, loving mother, caring wife and wonderful friend. I am honored to know such a talented artist with such a wonderful soul.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/lisalyonphotography">Lisa Lyon Photography on Facebook</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lisalyonphotography.com/">Lisa Lyon Photography Offical Website</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:lisalyon@lisalyonphotography.com">Email Lisa Lyon Photography</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFNy1ZsYqwm7FX9vJfhgvQQ45sDEMoglblBJAZXR2TWIBVkqDJ2mgSIhjHDDF1MCwnqxtQhG6ftJC6Q-qJvikc0dwgb6sCILqx51cj0cYhbKGwTr6iDQEtRDLXyPxk07Sn9gAjSI8FXg/s400/419282_10150592438222781_99432047780_9109329_575885755_n.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUGbslGMm9TpX3QUivLcJ29EKoyyEin4-HPJWbVDz7LwjvwqIT43Rr5veyFoaDxH4fA8-_8ezu9QBXCkwAIY80SyNgFd7nTanxZRywg9GRx8U401GHo9l1MYMhWB47-Xw_PCaTtzHMuA/s1600/431453_10150592437737781_99432047780_9109324_1566760256_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUGbslGMm9TpX3QUivLcJ29EKoyyEin4-HPJWbVDz7LwjvwqIT43Rr5veyFoaDxH4fA8-_8ezu9QBXCkwAIY80SyNgFd7nTanxZRywg9GRx8U401GHo9l1MYMhWB47-Xw_PCaTtzHMuA/s400/431453_10150592437737781_99432047780_9109324_1566760256_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxW-HT3hEG0rQckWebQ0T4jIrAnFULs0dYxRitkskeQgXlUREWFg0SdIuXC0nFuxzZ8etpkSK4Hpp5xHFVPL-SgfrIMN1ocrY2P3OF9APDdZsiLgeBIthT8E-hs0zPvAyJdqp2dV7Y3yk/s1600/424873_10150592437487781_99432047780_9109320_348925638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxW-HT3hEG0rQckWebQ0T4jIrAnFULs0dYxRitkskeQgXlUREWFg0SdIuXC0nFuxzZ8etpkSK4Hpp5xHFVPL-SgfrIMN1ocrY2P3OF9APDdZsiLgeBIthT8E-hs0zPvAyJdqp2dV7Y3yk/s400/424873_10150592437487781_99432047780_9109320_348925638_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nIIfE3bDUIE4qNbzz1goLhil7BTFH2Fuki8MrYHSZ1qRdmJgy8CBaNOMczmfV8bcJfwM9AuCM1GS1eO16PmQjXJX-053ObwkqiSPuN6Ne9prkfd2emnB6v5a7c7Yg4wzzCjpWR7XxtY/s1600/424052_10150592437587781_99432047780_9109321_1937307139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nIIfE3bDUIE4qNbzz1goLhil7BTFH2Fuki8MrYHSZ1qRdmJgy8CBaNOMczmfV8bcJfwM9AuCM1GS1eO16PmQjXJX-053ObwkqiSPuN6Ne9prkfd2emnB6v5a7c7Yg4wzzCjpWR7XxtY/s400/424052_10150592437587781_99432047780_9109321_1937307139_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDC-ePP1bcKdduXdv6GnGWFZul_xh22m_X2JaT4lxOH-c6bTpFR5o6ssgpuBOjh0NDEsSH3ACrFDWZBCKIJ-hVGXaql2uOlXTYXDQrAX1yPGEP8yt7z5gE1Kb2JPjPQpBXt-H2lLwPlU/s1600/429058_10150592437077781_99432047780_9109316_612553307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDC-ePP1bcKdduXdv6GnGWFZul_xh22m_X2JaT4lxOH-c6bTpFR5o6ssgpuBOjh0NDEsSH3ACrFDWZBCKIJ-hVGXaql2uOlXTYXDQrAX1yPGEP8yt7z5gE1Kb2JPjPQpBXt-H2lLwPlU/s400/429058_10150592437077781_99432047780_9109316_612553307_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTcFKdXF1I6y9SEE7u29ohwTpESBH8czw_CXjL-2oI-kEmTnqlDgrW4dMwp0vkkSFO5s6N4B4GgENyXnlCgVAD5a2xeUgp3l4-qtHRU1t_M56_cuTl2UZSZJzF56QwcuLjW8ACD7PYnE/s1600/421846_10150592437167781_99432047780_9109318_1292942869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTcFKdXF1I6y9SEE7u29ohwTpESBH8czw_CXjL-2oI-kEmTnqlDgrW4dMwp0vkkSFO5s6N4B4GgENyXnlCgVAD5a2xeUgp3l4-qtHRU1t_M56_cuTl2UZSZJzF56QwcuLjW8ACD7PYnE/s400/421846_10150592437167781_99432047780_9109318_1292942869_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwE6Wt9EkrjuJa4hcwvijL3TiVyOm6FX5XzdMLCUVZ1w8WsiLMkkruFwYqaD3LVgHfyo8NvWEpNR9Ab2bn57v3bumL-Ke7vgTLimn-eDYipS0LNltyZKX8WC1iTLD7V_VLisbMcQ9mYRM/s1600/420775_10150592437322781_99432047780_9109319_186720201_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwE6Wt9EkrjuJa4hcwvijL3TiVyOm6FX5XzdMLCUVZ1w8WsiLMkkruFwYqaD3LVgHfyo8NvWEpNR9Ab2bn57v3bumL-Ke7vgTLimn-eDYipS0LNltyZKX8WC1iTLD7V_VLisbMcQ9mYRM/s400/420775_10150592437322781_99432047780_9109319_186720201_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBpM8Xyv_g6Sz9vpMERMp0vB-G-cn-2RpiZHSg9TeKMuAgP2Dr__EzIs9fp-Vld_orJ3rO8-UI50tT1xHDnqwHv4yu6l9lDfRnfVvB1ucTOju_RaJyplkozklMrc2tMwIfCjmSJlwzZk/s1600/426960_10150592438042781_99432047780_9109327_1675888594_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBpM8Xyv_g6Sz9vpMERMp0vB-G-cn-2RpiZHSg9TeKMuAgP2Dr__EzIs9fp-Vld_orJ3rO8-UI50tT1xHDnqwHv4yu6l9lDfRnfVvB1ucTOju_RaJyplkozklMrc2tMwIfCjmSJlwzZk/s400/426960_10150592438042781_99432047780_9109327_1675888594_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsgPVFIUpeTRU8F-RcRq1L_fEt0R3GSIryhL-GiGVWtimDkgYLF-AR6i-X6NcdVMEV_jQtSUpZAiEhO8RtadchvWA5jwaISHJjJMANLNdSji-12FX_t0hXHuMFqrFP8m_krEurbpEpsA/s1600/421974_10150592437627781_99432047780_9109322_1026998308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsgPVFIUpeTRU8F-RcRq1L_fEt0R3GSIryhL-GiGVWtimDkgYLF-AR6i-X6NcdVMEV_jQtSUpZAiEhO8RtadchvWA5jwaISHJjJMANLNdSji-12FX_t0hXHuMFqrFP8m_krEurbpEpsA/s400/421974_10150592437627781_99432047780_9109322_1026998308_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVfehFouKBd2nGEi888XUfeY6cGArIEmFX9UlT36maUxLz8W1hVcmSXRnALliK7cgfH8Y1ZmTEmUcmtNjd_p5Tk68joqi133r4HRTa-JJKKzYmz_88Ubv-BQwwTTIn9BhP9Y8YYbFUEs/s1600/426721_10150592437942781_99432047780_9109326_367392119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVfehFouKBd2nGEi888XUfeY6cGArIEmFX9UlT36maUxLz8W1hVcmSXRnALliK7cgfH8Y1ZmTEmUcmtNjd_p5Tk68joqi133r4HRTa-JJKKzYmz_88Ubv-BQwwTTIn9BhP9Y8YYbFUEs/s400/426721_10150592437942781_99432047780_9109326_367392119_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K4NskloffXZlNynbdXyHZW8JKOZ_t6T3hBSEGWsj-ZItPhZVyYV-52ocpIXzEWXBXDLfZA_Hj3E9YIbzR324nsgX5oYwQGrIr6dzumK466JU9zQDJVms0NlkeRBziYZbw6fCBus6QDg/s1600/417110_10150592437822781_99432047780_9109325_1877046725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K4NskloffXZlNynbdXyHZW8JKOZ_t6T3hBSEGWsj-ZItPhZVyYV-52ocpIXzEWXBXDLfZA_Hj3E9YIbzR324nsgX5oYwQGrIr6dzumK466JU9zQDJVms0NlkeRBziYZbw6fCBus6QDg/s400/417110_10150592437822781_99432047780_9109325_1877046725_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6yGpzcjsO9IkoKAYLGMbCbpXFwyA8VaiCZ29eX7kkaExy_vEsokhAu8SDOw6IEvgOiqUwU_18aU09X4AuGqJbeG0pbbSVM06NLJmVSJ8BTxG_rWHJiT3EaZfoZn2lAkzDJojjAliTxY/s1600/416958_10150592438167781_99432047780_9109328_25219265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6yGpzcjsO9IkoKAYLGMbCbpXFwyA8VaiCZ29eX7kkaExy_vEsokhAu8SDOw6IEvgOiqUwU_18aU09X4AuGqJbeG0pbbSVM06NLJmVSJ8BTxG_rWHJiT3EaZfoZn2lAkzDJojjAliTxY/s400/416958_10150592438167781_99432047780_9109328_25219265_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Lisa Lyon is a professional photographer based in Central Florida. Lisa specializes in Maternity, Birth, Newborn, Children, Family, Senior, Engagement,and Wedding photography. Lisa attended Daytona State College where she studied Photographic Technology. Lisa continues to further her education in photography by taking classes and attending seminars. She opened Lisa Lyon Photography in January 2008. Lisa is a member of Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographers of Central Florida, and currently waiting for approval to volunteer for the non profit organization "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." </span></div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-19859149337912131482012-01-15T21:36:00.000-08:002012-01-15T21:37:37.536-08:00FrustratedIm frustrated tonight. Baby girl is just starting to get over her stomach virus and now she's congested. I want to pick her up and put her in bed with me but she has that damned tube. It's a love hate relationship with her Gtube. Love it cause it allows her to eat thus saving her life...hate it because I can't just pick my child up and move from room to room. Instead I have to pack all her equipment up in to a book bag for us to move around. Not just carrying a heavy baby but a book bag with a pump and feeding bag in it too. It's cumbersome. <br />
<br />
I want to snuggle with her but can't because her pump is charging across the room and she is always hooked to her pump. So she's over there...and I'm on my blow up mattress across the room pouting.Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-35165109572664125352011-12-22T05:59:00.000-08:002011-12-22T05:59:20.239-08:00Growing up so fast!All of these videos were shot while Violet was 10 months old.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>V rolling over for the first time...</b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3rZ8v025Us4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>V learning how to yell...</b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/TUwwmR6OTcI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<b><u>V babbling for the first time...</u></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Mnks7oVHTY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<b><u>Later that same day...</u></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OzDAHFtoWxc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Random videos...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9SWQ21dToAc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ODgLQhxw46E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/D8VrxnwErlE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ynXAhhjAvlw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/i4aBx9Yfe9w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zMbfVODlIT8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7pqlYfc2-1k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XbFwmHX59Uw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
</div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-81246566244643098092011-11-02T21:30:00.000-07:002011-11-03T19:08:53.931-07:00RetardedI bet the title got your attention didn't it. To some people it's a bad word...just as bad as a four letter word. Not to be mentioned in their presence in any way shape or form. To the people on the other side of the fence it is a funny word. Said in jest because "I didn't mean it <i>THAT </i>way".<br />
<br />
How do you mean it? When you say the dreaded "R" word? Do you mean that someone is beautiful, smart, amazing? No. You are saying it because you think something or someone is stupid, "slow", or...Heaven forbid...a mentally retarded individual. (Society at large now uses the term cognitively delayed). There is no "nice" way of saying the "R" word. It's rude, offensive and shows a lack of respect for people who are a part of this world. Who live this life every single day. I am not trying to be the word police. You are more than welcome to use the word and hurt people's feelings. Go for it. But why use it when there are so many other words that you can use? So many other adjectives to clearly state what you REALLY are trying to say.<br />
<br />
I am no saint and I've never claimed to be. I was so completely self absorbed before I had Violet. I never took in to consideration how my words could possibly hurt another individual. I used terms back then that honestly make me sick to my stomach to even think about now. You know I even have cards addressed to me as "window licker". I swear the word retarded, tard or retard probably left my lips 20 times a day. I guess I just never stopped to think about what I was actually saying. Ignorance is bliss right? Wrong.<br />
<br />
I look back now ashamed of the person I was... But proud of the person my daughter has helped me become. Since the day I found out that Violet has Down syndrome, August 18, 2010, I have not used the word in any form. It makes my skin crawl to hear it come from people's mouths the same way I used to use it. I WISH someone had told me it was hateful. I WISH someone had told me I was being disrespectful. I WISH I had known how bad I may have hurt people's feelings. I WISH I could personally apologize to each and every person that was offended by my hateful language. Because now, I know. I know how much it hurts. I've been the mom crying on the next aisle in the grocery store because people are making fun of those with intellectual disabilities. I have had my daughter called a retard. I have had people whisper and stare at her, laugh and call names. And it hurts. It hurts down to your bones. And unless you have ever been in that situation, you can't even begin to understand HOW bad it truly does hurt. <br />
<br />
So, if you have been educated about the word, why continue to use it? If the word means nothing to you, it's "just a word" why use it? The word evidently means so much to an entire community of people. Of families, of children. To us, the word is acid on our skin. Out of respect for people that just want to live their lives in peace, dont use it. Find a different adjective.<br />
<br />
I'm not saying that people that use the word are evil or bad people. Just misinformed or maybe they were like me...they just never stopped to really think of how it would hurt people.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to one of my favorite articles. I hope you will read it and take something from it. The new "R" word needs to be Respect.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2010/08/people-who-are.html">The People Who R</a><br />
<br />
also, another wonderful organization that is fighting to make a difference<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.r-word.org/">Spread the Word to End the Word</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you use the R word, you are insulting a large population of people with intellectual disabilities. Make a difference and take the pledge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI6crDnL27yOi3nYNmBlRqtj0lrh2_MSbKe6pin0DGOruBylIrOLWk82v3P8oS0Bz4hw-Cydm38icuhalsT37T9vYxsIq6fYKkO9XthQl0n5PxuzBhDtZCDcb8Wc6SIqNoH7pmlEPFYw/s1600/294050_151109454981702_100002479448188_257178_1966225782_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI6crDnL27yOi3nYNmBlRqtj0lrh2_MSbKe6pin0DGOruBylIrOLWk82v3P8oS0Bz4hw-Cydm38icuhalsT37T9vYxsIq6fYKkO9XthQl0n5PxuzBhDtZCDcb8Wc6SIqNoH7pmlEPFYw/s320/294050_151109454981702_100002479448188_257178_1966225782_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-43308556970860100392011-10-13T10:33:00.000-07:002011-10-13T10:33:43.982-07:00TEAM VIOLETGuess who has !<b><span style="color: red;">FIFTY TWO</span></b>! yes you saw that number correctly... <u><b><span style="color: red;">FIFTY TWO</span></b></u> walkers!!! Last year I think we had nine if you include me and my husband! I am so excited and want to thank each and every one of you for sharing the link, donating and registering to walk. So many people have stepped up to show their support for Violet and I am honored to have you all in my life.<br />
<br />
You still have until 4:30 this evening to donate and have it go toward our team totals. We were holding steady at second place but are now in third. But hopefully we can at least stay in the top three for Violet's first official <b><span style="color: blue;">Buddy Walk</span></b>!<br />
<br />
To register or donate please go here: <a href="https://secure.ezeventsolutions.com/fr/DSSMC/2011BuddyWalk/TeamViolet">Team Violet Registration</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zjfJ1-aDGw3zHQLHFLgZ1hugpKUo73LuU0GWtCjthQU5HxvZtD_vOl5p_Bs6X7sFRtoLUOlbo2GIbonvt-vI6ujyPT_u2Ze2a3WKRn3BmzzBzY6sgpN5KBRrTnZiCq9chpa-G8AXqVw/s1600/304283_153688281390486_100002479448188_266979_1543703576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zjfJ1-aDGw3zHQLHFLgZ1hugpKUo73LuU0GWtCjthQU5HxvZtD_vOl5p_Bs6X7sFRtoLUOlbo2GIbonvt-vI6ujyPT_u2Ze2a3WKRn3BmzzBzY6sgpN5KBRrTnZiCq9chpa-G8AXqVw/s320/304283_153688281390486_100002479448188_266979_1543703576_n.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9CFd88PTU5-tn6GRNhnvFobTIy_xk8wQPSW3k5tASLJ_h3mJIgLnT1TmYfOBGWCa3bOhbzIaNYaKkJboC3oEFBzXiAXl4Q_-dQ-sycGeXiZ7cH24NF8yz8uLOglbrYcfAbwqjHcm_CI/s1600/294050_151109454981702_100002479448188_257178_1966225782_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9CFd88PTU5-tn6GRNhnvFobTIy_xk8wQPSW3k5tASLJ_h3mJIgLnT1TmYfOBGWCa3bOhbzIaNYaKkJboC3oEFBzXiAXl4Q_-dQ-sycGeXiZ7cH24NF8yz8uLOglbrYcfAbwqjHcm_CI/s320/294050_151109454981702_100002479448188_257178_1966225782_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkxmBfRcLkZR6vQ0FUFp-eqEAq6fdD_JHZ1OFV37ZlrBIydrHZr7XMldlRZKoIwlbPhdvrJjSl65kNh1OBUU5-Lfw1EoCKsKCdGz3lM3nTQ8BqX49A4nnl4o-n5x0x_6L6Wt2xz2_G5o/s1600/296217_151955711563743_100002479448188_260443_352933090_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkxmBfRcLkZR6vQ0FUFp-eqEAq6fdD_JHZ1OFV37ZlrBIydrHZr7XMldlRZKoIwlbPhdvrJjSl65kNh1OBUU5-Lfw1EoCKsKCdGz3lM3nTQ8BqX49A4nnl4o-n5x0x_6L6Wt2xz2_G5o/s320/296217_151955711563743_100002479448188_260443_352933090_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc2zbO-log8YWUJcfT-dOz-E2BP6uY495fSrhyphenhyphenNzayF4zDzz22TCTR5IvXrggcvnSYkjoeHRfU-A3PHpZ6sVBdeIR5HuWXnSl68rl0CjRYntD6bcmxFO6wCi8Yl6EZRbitvNmCLMzCxo/s1600/303266_153144331444881_100002479448188_265375_2004039854_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc2zbO-log8YWUJcfT-dOz-E2BP6uY495fSrhyphenhyphenNzayF4zDzz22TCTR5IvXrggcvnSYkjoeHRfU-A3PHpZ6sVBdeIR5HuWXnSl68rl0CjRYntD6bcmxFO6wCi8Yl6EZRbitvNmCLMzCxo/s320/303266_153144331444881_100002479448188_265375_2004039854_n.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-21947550275862500262011-09-13T14:42:00.000-07:002011-09-13T14:42:37.798-07:00The sweetest sound in the world!Violet just said mama. I cannot think of any sweeter sound that has ever graced my ears!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr4qlzHCqC2IybvlgNjZDUg3ucXicANt8Ay0R9190GYZSwPwBYvSt8SrqRqFhPgkbXbEvApui4fVzEkMu7OauJ07Wn_CEMts2YD9YUjz96z8gP5F3cbPWibrY2qyAgVUb7JF3yTJhBWQ/s1600/321421_146803915412256_100002479448188_243040_2080234886_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr4qlzHCqC2IybvlgNjZDUg3ucXicANt8Ay0R9190GYZSwPwBYvSt8SrqRqFhPgkbXbEvApui4fVzEkMu7OauJ07Wn_CEMts2YD9YUjz96z8gP5F3cbPWibrY2qyAgVUb7JF3yTJhBWQ/s320/321421_146803915412256_100002479448188_243040_2080234886_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-55992069370741386202011-09-11T21:55:00.000-07:002011-09-11T21:55:06.203-07:00Just in case you need a smile today!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceBYkEWlDSFSBZHHOpgiDpTaW7mh06IuyTaTDIeGy59irzYj_2FPMa11Cel6wesl3IeVlRnz-n5Yx8XSdPseFhbSfPYUmab1xhaZPWU3Ki9srH5YMehwspm4mu6DhUKkoNKsNJhoF958/s1600/215047_130661607026487_100002479448188_187255_2069560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceBYkEWlDSFSBZHHOpgiDpTaW7mh06IuyTaTDIeGy59irzYj_2FPMa11Cel6wesl3IeVlRnz-n5Yx8XSdPseFhbSfPYUmab1xhaZPWU3Ki9srH5YMehwspm4mu6DhUKkoNKsNJhoF958/s200/215047_130661607026487_100002479448188_187255_2069560_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQpvyqhIAhDZ31g1MIt7GW1Air5fvaiwN9ZhyBtW3-2_IB9y0SSuzpailZx7KBgPT51kuZHAkCbN3jiJFCdAD-Mog_Rk6WMKdqbPueT6qNvxIcf9djpmovmzFBo0yBggwQtjKht70KZU/s1600/303068_146312922128022_100002479448188_240930_438029080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQpvyqhIAhDZ31g1MIt7GW1Air5fvaiwN9ZhyBtW3-2_IB9y0SSuzpailZx7KBgPT51kuZHAkCbN3jiJFCdAD-Mog_Rk6WMKdqbPueT6qNvxIcf9djpmovmzFBo0yBggwQtjKht70KZU/s200/303068_146312922128022_100002479448188_240930_438029080_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4VI9xkDfLCpQL4jpFYrkxnBWTdNCT5Ur5-k83nFSifPfGtapsirnnw3ZQsJa3RhkbBJf9kaKX17PpL6yU4SSJD_ugoe7G_DpnQFspDpdfQv-Alho0CUNIpg71EnoU_DgrQEBKicwDRo/s1600/262490_138853926207255_100002479448188_215851_3405521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4VI9xkDfLCpQL4jpFYrkxnBWTdNCT5Ur5-k83nFSifPfGtapsirnnw3ZQsJa3RhkbBJf9kaKX17PpL6yU4SSJD_ugoe7G_DpnQFspDpdfQv-Alho0CUNIpg71EnoU_DgrQEBKicwDRo/s200/262490_138853926207255_100002479448188_215851_3405521_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VjCFtZK4Ozyda7jvpx3dHromTBv5WzllpB8ElwpkwQLR60fsfoN4tNpKnO4vaVXPhn3817IvaJtl4hK7Mi9W4vQRtJnJ8qLe0Wnk8GJ7n9LWNynAX7PTKBCL1x1GX9laG5I6E7x_28o/s1600/229735_130100933749221_100002479448188_184747_1606285_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VjCFtZK4Ozyda7jvpx3dHromTBv5WzllpB8ElwpkwQLR60fsfoN4tNpKnO4vaVXPhn3817IvaJtl4hK7Mi9W4vQRtJnJ8qLe0Wnk8GJ7n9LWNynAX7PTKBCL1x1GX9laG5I6E7x_28o/s200/229735_130100933749221_100002479448188_184747_1606285_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxvkfSbGswgmPwe0j2yy2NHoXb1fG4LOlFt4rzOrvLn-Kjy3V0VayKAppnuuoH0HlZGjW-qZ-JuBeEesRjjZeS-oalqit5WrRjwFMJ4LIjoi2hrwsEpKxWoIU9O1Dm-xU3XjwDwmMX1c/s1600/300684_134485546644093_100002479448188_201293_1875896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxvkfSbGswgmPwe0j2yy2NHoXb1fG4LOlFt4rzOrvLn-Kjy3V0VayKAppnuuoH0HlZGjW-qZ-JuBeEesRjjZeS-oalqit5WrRjwFMJ4LIjoi2hrwsEpKxWoIU9O1Dm-xU3XjwDwmMX1c/s200/300684_134485546644093_100002479448188_201293_1875896_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBr_Lo799aXhuHbprLXDtMmaz-yWQjq3xwQc30y2k4i-_tAMEncFjfYAH1gXM-qpvO-4MIj33lL3YZoHkdNU_b-prVW3D1Dj9OZUuHq1mzRHPD0q-UH5gRii-oDmQTFTTPJnQtaaV7CQ/s1600/263329_130740103685304_100002479448188_187466_7044994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBr_Lo799aXhuHbprLXDtMmaz-yWQjq3xwQc30y2k4i-_tAMEncFjfYAH1gXM-qpvO-4MIj33lL3YZoHkdNU_b-prVW3D1Dj9OZUuHq1mzRHPD0q-UH5gRii-oDmQTFTTPJnQtaaV7CQ/s200/263329_130740103685304_100002479448188_187466_7044994_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGGC4rYVK-KANM-N1FG2HIPs9Q3ICWNNfElGEKwtwqACV67zaGFL03zNc34_iV04SBcbnJV_LT7OL7n4qBpNsN1YcoR5OzGbqQwy7uOGPXKCZHSNGGq2AQzjJABH3wlqyEHyj5Ip1D7U/s1600/318726_140111036081544_100002479448188_219511_421049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGGC4rYVK-KANM-N1FG2HIPs9Q3ICWNNfElGEKwtwqACV67zaGFL03zNc34_iV04SBcbnJV_LT7OL7n4qBpNsN1YcoR5OzGbqQwy7uOGPXKCZHSNGGq2AQzjJABH3wlqyEHyj5Ip1D7U/s200/318726_140111036081544_100002479448188_219511_421049_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwCCwy_7EjdmkppoBB53mj0yarG7qnWcJVzbZOgDsgrNJopFLfMt4bzWgin-wc3aRySL-ubUyKiYG3BB8bGI6FuX_kEswVxeUPGtrAgO63rwND-BoT0peYLG6dnLHgIEo5A3rp3AQfb0/s1600/304016_140592009366780_100002479448188_221456_2610361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwCCwy_7EjdmkppoBB53mj0yarG7qnWcJVzbZOgDsgrNJopFLfMt4bzWgin-wc3aRySL-ubUyKiYG3BB8bGI6FuX_kEswVxeUPGtrAgO63rwND-BoT0peYLG6dnLHgIEo5A3rp3AQfb0/s200/304016_140592009366780_100002479448188_221456_2610361_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UU3MmrkpLug?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wj2hAckSFBo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KCglZI5fefg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MDjeRftqcaw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-56439748052597218352011-09-02T20:31:00.000-07:002011-09-02T20:44:06.954-07:007 monthsJust a few updates!<br />
<br />
Time is flying! It seems like we were just coming home from the hospital. NICU nurses on speed dial and the list of every Dr under the sun wrote on every piece of paper we could find. Has it really been four and a half months already? Our little girl is growing up so fast and developing such an adorable personality. She loves to play bashful. She dips her chin to the side where it touches her shoulder and gives the most adorable grin ever....boy her daddy is in for trouble!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4G_BWNTgZ_YbOP4DUboEyPy62qJ4BqA28gb8PZUZSaIbRy9cyUcKx_zF-z2YUJJeF6Uk4zPmH3gQvsjpTMsGsZ7aSUiIBsWTDyd8Lh1AWA5lJnvcqbdvSap7YrtqKUwKIM1Q4qnlrY8/s1600/262808_124933880932593_100002479448188_166895_1244012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4G_BWNTgZ_YbOP4DUboEyPy62qJ4BqA28gb8PZUZSaIbRy9cyUcKx_zF-z2YUJJeF6Uk4zPmH3gQvsjpTMsGsZ7aSUiIBsWTDyd8Lh1AWA5lJnvcqbdvSap7YrtqKUwKIM1Q4qnlrY8/s320/262808_124933880932593_100002479448188_166895_1244012_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
She has been reaching a lot of milestones lately. She is so close to rolling over but she still hasn't figured out how to move her leg and arm out of the way. I think she will get it in the next couple of months. She started reaching out for items the other day. She actually came to mid line to reach for a leg warmer I was holding up. I give her another couple of weeks and she will be flexing her fingers to grasp the item.<br />
<br />
She is such a smart little cookie...which gets her in to trouble :) She has figured out that if she grabs her g tube cord with her toes she can bring her legs up so that she can reach the cord. She then yanks and pulls on it like she's trying to get a push mower started lol. I swear she's going to rip that thing out one day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUiZ90Lv4_lJCN4T-7Rcg1pEwjzyf5JSXy6gt-JlpjXELE3Vm0apuKGgia8TyfDhIjGy_ym7DGdL7lN4PTE432_LTv6dsvWD2vKRrhVJ30ZzePzkjYpL8owOrrWEbKpel8lHJiQMdgg8/s1600/301503_141066089319372_100002479448188_223233_4469875_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUiZ90Lv4_lJCN4T-7Rcg1pEwjzyf5JSXy6gt-JlpjXELE3Vm0apuKGgia8TyfDhIjGy_ym7DGdL7lN4PTE432_LTv6dsvWD2vKRrhVJ30ZzePzkjYpL8owOrrWEbKpel8lHJiQMdgg8/s200/301503_141066089319372_100002479448188_223233_4469875_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
She is holding her head up all the time now and doing great! I'm working on her trunk muscles now so she will eventually sit up. We do our physical therapy several times every day and it's amazing the difference you can see from day to day. Last week she actually put pressure on her legs for the first time.<br />
<br />
And here is the BIG one....she SUCKED a bottle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, you read that correctly! She sucked around 1 ounce out of the bottle and swallowed around half of that if not a little more. I am SUCH a proud mommy :) She has done it once since then and she just amazes me. I started adding thick-it to her bottles to help her swallow and it seems to be helping a lot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So here comes the medical part of the update...I'll just go over each item in a different section...<br />
<br />
Cataracts: At our last appointment he didn't say anything about them so I am guessing they have stayed the same...no larger, no smaller. They are not interfering with her vision so it really isn't a big deal.<br />
<br />
Nystagmus (A rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball.) : Its about the same still. It gets much worse right before a seizure so I have learned to look for it to prepare for a bad night.<br />
<br />
<br />
Full brain and partial seizures: Still not better. She has a lot of issues at night. We can go a week with little activity at night then all of a sudden we get three days of constant nightly activity. It's exhausting but at least she is calmed a bit if I hold her all night. Luckily the worst nights have happened during the weekend so I can hold her the entire night and then as soon as the hubby wakes up I can go catch some sleep and we trade off.<br />
<br />
Her neurologist has since upped one of her night time doses of anti seizure medicine and it seems to help a little. We have a follow up appointment here in the next week or two and they will probably up her medicine yet again. We are in the process of waiting for an MRI through the local children's hospital. She has to be put under for it and it evidently takes forever to get an appointment. They said we could be waiting around 10 months.<br />
<br />
<br />
Oral aversion: completely gone! It's actually been gone for a few months now. She's teething like crazy so she will stick anything she can get her hands on in to her mouth to chew on. Bless her heart. She's been teething since around 4.5 months old and not a single tooth has come through or even looks like it is going to come through. I'm about to call her Cardiologist up in Birmingham to see if it is ok for us to use the teething tablets with her.<br />
<br />
<br />
Taking a bottle: as you read before....she is slowly getting there. She has taken a bottle twice and sucked one ounce of the bottle each time and drank about half of the ounce. We are SOOO very proud of her!<br />
<br />
<br />
Her heart: After having been back in the hospital and getting the heart cath it seems the pressures in the different chambers of her heart are fine. We are still having to keep a very close eye on it though because she still has a 3mm residual hole, an lv to ra shunt and a coarc of the aorta.<br />
<br />
<br />
Liver: we have to get more blood work next week to check her liver enzymes to compare them to the blood levels last month to make sure they are not rising.<br />
<br />
<br />
GI surgery: We will be setting up V's first appointment to get her Mic-key changed. This will be the first scheduled change because all of the other ones were only changed because the balloon popped inside of her. Boy am I glad those days seem to be behind us! I still don't think I will be changing her button at home. I would prefer to bring her in and let the Dr do it for the simple reason that I have had to watch her suffer so much and have to be the bad guy holding her down during stoma dilation, mic-key changes, seizures, countless blood draws etc. I refuse to be the bad guy anymore. The Dr will just have to do it. For most it is not that painful for the mic-key change but for Violet it is excruciating even with Morphine.<br />
<br />
Gastrointestinal issues: They are thinking she might have reflux now but aren't sure. We are trying her out on reflux meds just to see and if it doesn't help within a month we will be doing a scope to look for other possibilities like with her liver. She's been grunting and groaning all day long and will start screaming out of no where. She is acting exactly like she did when she had the protein intolerance until we switched her to Elecare formula. They said if it turns out to not be GI related it could in fact be neurological related....it's just yet another thing we will have to wait and see about.<br />
<br />
physical: She is lifting her head like a pro, lifting herself slightly while at an incline, rolling halfway and discovered her feet a few weeks back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanMuaB7NpUHVafUxJVAPIPauwuBGeIZgVLYdRaE5gHTI100Pd4ckw41EuPjt1tbFH1355Xwdd_JWjivahk2frtncobvDOIK0mkC4ICP_L0rQv3UGGXgg4f3_3cSc-53z0hn_feO8vZuE/s1600/254609_124469054312409_100002479448188_165043_6131193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanMuaB7NpUHVafUxJVAPIPauwuBGeIZgVLYdRaE5gHTI100Pd4ckw41EuPjt1tbFH1355Xwdd_JWjivahk2frtncobvDOIK0mkC4ICP_L0rQv3UGGXgg4f3_3cSc-53z0hn_feO8vZuE/s320/254609_124469054312409_100002479448188_165043_6131193_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Even on her worst days she is a joy to be around. Sure I get tired and cranky like any other new mom does. But hey, that's what a good hubby is for. I look forward to the weekends because I get to catch up on sleep! Oh glorious glorious weekends!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-IzAEn86fhZYX099uB8i-ks8SAjfPiIpHMCV04GEGm9LvOXAJyLouWeB4Z3co9-FH_pVDR5FxdcNge_JZSE_KY4vCXUxh4SLBSafKaqkgmVSQk5jSYJ_Ywh8kQLmy_EN5QI_xR90dZ4/s1600/284509_129224370503544_100002479448188_181586_2157793_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-IzAEn86fhZYX099uB8i-ks8SAjfPiIpHMCV04GEGm9LvOXAJyLouWeB4Z3co9-FH_pVDR5FxdcNge_JZSE_KY4vCXUxh4SLBSafKaqkgmVSQk5jSYJ_Ywh8kQLmy_EN5QI_xR90dZ4/s200/284509_129224370503544_100002479448188_181586_2157793_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-43686862656551773982011-07-22T21:40:00.000-07:002011-07-22T21:41:09.471-07:00BUDDY WALK TIME!<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So it's that time of year again!...no not Christmas, <b style="color: #351c75;">THE BUDDY WALK</b>!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ezeventsolutions.com/fr/DSSMC/2011BuddyWalk/TeamViolet">Team Violet registration and donations!</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0XDANv00DO3ZO-LT6GLriWUSeO9nMEm-vv4YfUBbEwrXmWEGKyQZGG3eOxsbbUd0Ovqr1r2uTd7-n3Yixv5hhZQZx_c4Fq9q-cuTRw5nzScXTLkvU82o0TPT4O5H3RWcPWX8nyVCW5Y/s1600/buddylogo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0XDANv00DO3ZO-LT6GLriWUSeO9nMEm-vv4YfUBbEwrXmWEGKyQZGG3eOxsbbUd0Ovqr1r2uTd7-n3Yixv5hhZQZx_c4Fq9q-cuTRw5nzScXTLkvU82o0TPT4O5H3RWcPWX8nyVCW5Y/s200/buddylogo2.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This will be Violet's "first" Buddy Walk unless you count when she was in mommy's tummy :) I can't wait to see all of our friends and family out there showing their support! We did really great last year but I'm hoping to double our total this year. High hopes huh? I think we can do it though!<br />
<br />
There are big ideas for the Down syndrome society and I can't wait to see these ideas actually come to life! Every donation counts, even if it is just $1.00 you will be helping to pave the road that Violet will one day walk down. The funds stay in our local community to help educate the community and assist individuals with Down syndrome.<br />
<br />
The date is October 15th and I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning than making a difference in the lives of so many individuals. Just click the link above to register as a walker (only walkers will receive a tshirt) or you can make a donation if you will not be able to attend. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b style="color: purple;">Go Team Violet!</b></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE1jrfMPhv9AfPQbA05uh3xjj3Y6CQF3TrrxTqiEqR9VwAeWr3jzfyRUUpWa7Xq10HPSPwC09s_1PBURRO8eSiVEMxcWz-K_69CXj8hfGNi6lc-LKsO7dBWx0QYQcqsKqHKQTFAuG8Gc/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE1jrfMPhv9AfPQbA05uh3xjj3Y6CQF3TrrxTqiEqR9VwAeWr3jzfyRUUpWa7Xq10HPSPwC09s_1PBURRO8eSiVEMxcWz-K_69CXj8hfGNi6lc-LKsO7dBWx0QYQcqsKqHKQTFAuG8Gc/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-36224297052081500732011-06-26T18:42:00.000-07:002011-06-26T18:42:35.907-07:00Gummy smiles!The title says it all...I think we need a post of nothing but pictures of Violet's big ole gummy smiles, smirks and grins!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zL5SUV5O5IB6w6Qy1YYN7D0VJq6AhRAfToqHxfCvOEaTmHXvHTkIk_0y9mFalXZRJZL0IGAyQOq-dN7XdX4OexbusH9B7M_fna37ox0EmNgAnJNl1HsD7Oy6CW3PWHeHmKptY4HJn5Q/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zL5SUV5O5IB6w6Qy1YYN7D0VJq6AhRAfToqHxfCvOEaTmHXvHTkIk_0y9mFalXZRJZL0IGAyQOq-dN7XdX4OexbusH9B7M_fna37ox0EmNgAnJNl1HsD7Oy6CW3PWHeHmKptY4HJn5Q/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+243.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig37F-yS3ETb9zRA0A1o-1D1GElzBmoe0ieQXWAcq3Z9fgrImKHnJmV6-5scn0FfWhDgjYfO4AkcSLJqVaYfIaX1lqZq3r1Sr45iXGqTZ0aQmCCsX1Omn7QYtDJB6okguMFVFYDIV7eHM/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig37F-yS3ETb9zRA0A1o-1D1GElzBmoe0ieQXWAcq3Z9fgrImKHnJmV6-5scn0FfWhDgjYfO4AkcSLJqVaYfIaX1lqZq3r1Sr45iXGqTZ0aQmCCsX1Omn7QYtDJB6okguMFVFYDIV7eHM/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+225.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHwKmPTVX9WSI3_l1LrsOmONyXgiQXCaFcrxYxIEZhrQP1XwxdvtW-r3-V7WRf98cGPNdjySOzZB4wnVPQGCKPfYGCoxtzMnCW3pNmLZlNytR82WYiVQNz1e7aMZPaN4lraXQDftGNyk/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHwKmPTVX9WSI3_l1LrsOmONyXgiQXCaFcrxYxIEZhrQP1XwxdvtW-r3-V7WRf98cGPNdjySOzZB4wnVPQGCKPfYGCoxtzMnCW3pNmLZlNytR82WYiVQNz1e7aMZPaN4lraXQDftGNyk/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+194.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWWlMH9H6NA60orSgLCN6ruDxEtHJSNvwlLNZRWrcVbICPRegtNI-LLkvgwI1yZ4bdMbX2AbxO1dPOLZOlvy8h_VRfgAqX-PlZPwav1VwRXvpE6MArKYboJVFUjL17qnqbfgLvkurPBE/s1600/may+iphone+2011+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWWlMH9H6NA60orSgLCN6ruDxEtHJSNvwlLNZRWrcVbICPRegtNI-LLkvgwI1yZ4bdMbX2AbxO1dPOLZOlvy8h_VRfgAqX-PlZPwav1VwRXvpE6MArKYboJVFUjL17qnqbfgLvkurPBE/s200/may+iphone+2011+060.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YNffOt32iVzrWGvf1rkcTJPjWTVv5fOJDrJ_x-NX1VbGUOD976yCzOSGgzXBNvryf0uwwBXusYVvQO29m18yWIQimB2xYWdHHVJD37sZtueLnmrjU8ubQOpMxabmu7tncYar7_U7RD8/s1600/may+iphone+2011+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YNffOt32iVzrWGvf1rkcTJPjWTVv5fOJDrJ_x-NX1VbGUOD976yCzOSGgzXBNvryf0uwwBXusYVvQO29m18yWIQimB2xYWdHHVJD37sZtueLnmrjU8ubQOpMxabmu7tncYar7_U7RD8/s200/may+iphone+2011+156.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAuvtCHrl07bxmsaVQlUE1dcGAT7MIQv2hOr7TbzfRUl8J07HVnJlJ8qwpqUJFuV5sm91c2TCuLlU_g68bRZRbZsyrsoV4Rkfu73nZCMWGDW7ovF3Nhbl_YsUawKkBxYEVZ1TM0meb6s/s1600/may+iphone+2011+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAuvtCHrl07bxmsaVQlUE1dcGAT7MIQv2hOr7TbzfRUl8J07HVnJlJ8qwpqUJFuV5sm91c2TCuLlU_g68bRZRbZsyrsoV4Rkfu73nZCMWGDW7ovF3Nhbl_YsUawKkBxYEVZ1TM0meb6s/s200/may+iphone+2011+087.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMp0e9NwL4758rh1_k3ywAh3_vzuRSmdDAk-emA94OIRKhTMtUUGInxk3yDZN2jaNVSCHkHyATiWM6cgtkWEcxuUX4e-UeetnHdFoTlv5mD2mixNHkAU8-12wsM8POlAla9GTPdWtO-s/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMp0e9NwL4758rh1_k3ywAh3_vzuRSmdDAk-emA94OIRKhTMtUUGInxk3yDZN2jaNVSCHkHyATiWM6cgtkWEcxuUX4e-UeetnHdFoTlv5mD2mixNHkAU8-12wsM8POlAla9GTPdWtO-s/s200/IMG_0534.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMsfZE4D_OSzz6PmldQrHWC3WHX4p6otp05HqE1o_9erBNKnlDmOfGntbIn_vHk6ad5q7oGdFuk29VzR5bJgAmX5w5ECl2kzdTHO6h5_nVf_va0uWT1Vu-6FlrRRVnZBnhnHprYpr628/s1600/may+iphone+2011+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMsfZE4D_OSzz6PmldQrHWC3WHX4p6otp05HqE1o_9erBNKnlDmOfGntbIn_vHk6ad5q7oGdFuk29VzR5bJgAmX5w5ECl2kzdTHO6h5_nVf_va0uWT1Vu-6FlrRRVnZBnhnHprYpr628/s200/may+iphone+2011+182.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX8kjKIF0xE_BfZ6OgE7EDho9-D2-51knj64rCkydYKI97TIFZd1UJ_Jp2UfbEpnqmClYA9uVtzhWR6oN4cINBHkq9Ks-xsSUrMnyThwsffqOhN6486_2GqucuUHMDv-fEh6XUAiz3-I/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-egi6RyO2Uqnpr4HuXYcZlZuHrBjLd3TvfolgIlGjWDnxsbXQ4HRw0aPq2E4NbQBVVTbuwJXLjRsgR3dG0WgXKrEQu223McUkNqfwIJ-Bxp14zDhGl38mGDdC-LvAywLx6uGX6cdSi8/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-egi6RyO2Uqnpr4HuXYcZlZuHrBjLd3TvfolgIlGjWDnxsbXQ4HRw0aPq2E4NbQBVVTbuwJXLjRsgR3dG0WgXKrEQu223McUkNqfwIJ-Bxp14zDhGl38mGDdC-LvAywLx6uGX6cdSi8/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+051.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEmDfQ87oteVrHgpUGIOlV663frXbLsn6zfwNjObdOCrHxAQZyL0sFWIItQeHM9l-opKVtYPKk6LjoWWC-IXAXr3g5Vjc64vTJnRxrMKGnbDDxclaW0WjGJ-p_3OCLQBZb8MQh8SS5UE/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEmDfQ87oteVrHgpUGIOlV663frXbLsn6zfwNjObdOCrHxAQZyL0sFWIItQeHM9l-opKVtYPKk6LjoWWC-IXAXr3g5Vjc64vTJnRxrMKGnbDDxclaW0WjGJ-p_3OCLQBZb8MQh8SS5UE/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+262.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLwzb-kJAR-i8R6VQopgVudbsS8mZsy-JNChUQXFVSvxaRP1Rjrre5rkQp6CU0KakgyiaR9x5ipswLUdLngrksCWhB5qzOVa3vDz5DsBfMJOGhp3-06dOi0zuJWcFj6oHn1MLACHvopw/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLwzb-kJAR-i8R6VQopgVudbsS8mZsy-JNChUQXFVSvxaRP1Rjrre5rkQp6CU0KakgyiaR9x5ipswLUdLngrksCWhB5qzOVa3vDz5DsBfMJOGhp3-06dOi0zuJWcFj6oHn1MLACHvopw/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+259.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpkwyz34-JzLpezTmr41whU0pbz3ruGUOwaKuPbqUofqD0TANIJbnEFlp8z168bh08T1joE9daZgrrKjEwhsz6RcETbSsRt9I5e0TxCftjzKEb6sP9ebzzDvU4fMd4vTeXAhDjU_FizQ/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpkwyz34-JzLpezTmr41whU0pbz3ruGUOwaKuPbqUofqD0TANIJbnEFlp8z168bh08T1joE9daZgrrKjEwhsz6RcETbSsRt9I5e0TxCftjzKEb6sP9ebzzDvU4fMd4vTeXAhDjU_FizQ/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+276.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj2EHj51MOjwQQHzzvcCL3caxXjWYUTObpDSWuhEp9ErVEkel3khFRdLohgiaLSd4kgY5OgAhgwG5Q5Of1AKWMFGuUFAML6o9rc-fiCFmHhr7VUtcvdWCxGdR-qZWGRhkBdUyhBcrxx0/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj2EHj51MOjwQQHzzvcCL3caxXjWYUTObpDSWuhEp9ErVEkel3khFRdLohgiaLSd4kgY5OgAhgwG5Q5Of1AKWMFGuUFAML6o9rc-fiCFmHhr7VUtcvdWCxGdR-qZWGRhkBdUyhBcrxx0/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+277.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IN4tpyK02GxS9skOt77LLSXTgwfL4MOQ60kZsUvnaDQ-SGr5Wq3_275_GXweTHW7tUscSLYC15bL8axcYwpWX9MqAgrhQd4TRtSjJB8y61LmOs7HMJHvOnm3E9WCF7and_2jx8GhFcI/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IN4tpyK02GxS9skOt77LLSXTgwfL4MOQ60kZsUvnaDQ-SGr5Wq3_275_GXweTHW7tUscSLYC15bL8axcYwpWX9MqAgrhQd4TRtSjJB8y61LmOs7HMJHvOnm3E9WCF7and_2jx8GhFcI/s200/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+334.JPG" width="150" /></a>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-73831036261170562882011-06-24T23:05:00.000-07:002011-06-24T23:26:49.370-07:00It's been a while!Where do I even begin! Violet has been home for around 2 1/2 months now and we have had our ups and downs but life is good....so very good! Every morning I get the honor of waking up to a baby that smiles and coos and shows the utmost love in her eyes. I am blessed!<br />
<br />
I guess everyone thinks our lives are completely different than a typical family and I guess in some ways we are very different...but there are so very many ways we are just like everyone else. Let me walk you through our day.<br />
<br />
We wake up each and every morning at the latest 6:45. Violet finds this amusing because mommy is NOT a morning person and she completely is. I am woke to the sound of chit chatting from her crib. She has a party every morning with her big stuffed zebra, her monkey, her rabbit blanket and her Dumbo. I pick her up and she gives me the biggest gummy smile you can imagine. She does her "lovey eyes" as I call them. When she grins so big she can't keep her eyes all the way open. Ah it just melts my heart! Her laugh is absolutely infectious! The sweetest melody my ears have ever heard!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4YGaxRTkwVHg2WiI7XzfFRm9rLSuP5PpQZ1ex4LFrZTdSPH6vfRTaJ2pgyRDtBrcNQtF9TfRlG1gw36WsP8HMmD3Rsn2NaHwGlGB7OPa0USsrIuI-dT0-gYUKTL4sXunSR-VJ75cEDQ/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4YGaxRTkwVHg2WiI7XzfFRm9rLSuP5PpQZ1ex4LFrZTdSPH6vfRTaJ2pgyRDtBrcNQtF9TfRlG1gw36WsP8HMmD3Rsn2NaHwGlGB7OPa0USsrIuI-dT0-gYUKTL4sXunSR-VJ75cEDQ/s320/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We have some loving time in the rocking chair after I change her diaper. Just cuddles while mommy tries to wake up. Then it's time to draw up her meds. In the morning she has her trileptal, lasix, zantac and tummy drops. Boy her having a gtube is a blessing sometimes! I dont have to fight with her to take her meds, just open the port on her gtube and push the syringe of medicine in and BAM, I'm done!<br />
<br />
After meds it's time to make some formula up to replenish her feeding bag for her gtube. I make 4 hours worth at a time during the day and the pump delivers it to her at 38 mls an hour. The pump comes with a back pack that you can put the feeding bag and pump in to so you can move around the house and where ever else you need to go. So I pack up the back pack because we are constantly moving around the house. We come in to the living room to watch some Signing Times, Dumbo or Strawberry Shortcake while mommy gets things situated for the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYfCDHDfnXD2CQrXMxoYP2e-ueITqUU_el8kTS8loDqMaO3_gjMWuWcR92Sq1QyIHT2AzFJX2IGTf4uD_9QmZafgC6YdZAy4DL66jVz92DJUrL20LGhqUdwWEQqnqCS-X3ioPcxvcHGI/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYfCDHDfnXD2CQrXMxoYP2e-ueITqUU_el8kTS8loDqMaO3_gjMWuWcR92Sq1QyIHT2AzFJX2IGTf4uD_9QmZafgC6YdZAy4DL66jVz92DJUrL20LGhqUdwWEQqnqCS-X3ioPcxvcHGI/s320/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+191.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The Lasix has already started kicking in at this point so there are a few teetee diapers to change. We play with her paci and work on her sucking skills. Every other diaper change we work on neck strengthening exercises where she is laying flat and I hold her around her arm area and pull her to a sitting position. This makes her use the muscles in her neck to lift her head and just with a week of doing this she has made a HUGE improvement.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wBOdJzJh62YS8bCsC38pZWgAxmbGpm9HJEEWc-9CMgG0VD7U7qN8cEOHGpfwz5q8_V2sVKgqzUY_fCts3yS7iwMLgplF4XeyPeiqGcl_brFlYvAWWBChyphenhyphenEpazP1grGhh7UTRtEEWKEQ/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wBOdJzJh62YS8bCsC38pZWgAxmbGpm9HJEEWc-9CMgG0VD7U7qN8cEOHGpfwz5q8_V2sVKgqzUY_fCts3yS7iwMLgplF4XeyPeiqGcl_brFlYvAWWBChyphenhyphenEpazP1grGhh7UTRtEEWKEQ/s320/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+286.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>At this point she's getting a bit tired and it's nap time. One of my favorite times in the day. I don't put her in a crib, in her bouncer or anywhere other than my arms. I love this time. Just me and Violet rocking in the nursery with a Celtic cd playing in the background. Ahhhh, so this is what complete and utter happiness is!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4_niG3Ig-ixSI3l2pfZ4-_cRGt4eCurlW2pUEsC17unDsieeUWmYMPOzBNtpRgARPdYxsp08Y0yCaaoIODW2iOSIphtj2EO4fHG5KtvgjM_CzKMVhKH8R8c177750cVl5PpL0DX31GA/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4_niG3Ig-ixSI3l2pfZ4-_cRGt4eCurlW2pUEsC17unDsieeUWmYMPOzBNtpRgARPdYxsp08Y0yCaaoIODW2iOSIphtj2EO4fHG5KtvgjM_CzKMVhKH8R8c177750cVl5PpL0DX31GA/s320/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
After nap time we usually hit the road to do some shopping or visit friends and family...it's a hard life but someone has to do it :) She's a star wherever she goes. Whether it's the Drs office or Wal Mart we can't go anywhere without people stopping us to ohh and ahh over her. She is such a little Diva! (but mommy loves every minute of it)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6JbaNKjKivEQfbn1wztVDW7BoW1V9fxqMHQjK0Cqd0i1a8_fCDXhVmHVVWBRUdqwwUQDyaxHrfhw4ruMSbSq5NC4jiqQ2O-15-86gMrhVcYYmLIFWO3qK5OqIf7T6Xl4YP1_jZKKgyc/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6JbaNKjKivEQfbn1wztVDW7BoW1V9fxqMHQjK0Cqd0i1a8_fCDXhVmHVVWBRUdqwwUQDyaxHrfhw4ruMSbSq5NC4jiqQ2O-15-86gMrhVcYYmLIFWO3qK5OqIf7T6Xl4YP1_jZKKgyc/s320/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Car rides are her favorite! She usually falls asleep before we are out of the neighborhood. We go do our grocery shopping, appointments and visiting and then head home for the day. We change the feeding bag every night and give the night time round of meds which is trileptal, phenobarbital, zantac and tummy drops.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96kz752HC6267OvD971e-fP8eV4XOYDaXQiP5hfoNSFZsmsFyYt9ccvDDaU5fxDu000k6-lMk1qVpNOzviHCtmlfK2sO2dhiB7PBwcJ1Xmr7RYI91lQu6qh7m_mA-Txy8zEnLrUtZv_g/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96kz752HC6267OvD971e-fP8eV4XOYDaXQiP5hfoNSFZsmsFyYt9ccvDDaU5fxDu000k6-lMk1qVpNOzviHCtmlfK2sO2dhiB7PBwcJ1Xmr7RYI91lQu6qh7m_mA-Txy8zEnLrUtZv_g/s320/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+207.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
then it's time for the rocking chair. Within minutes she is sound asleep. Usually with her face nuzzled up in to your neck and her hand resting against your cheek. The glow of the nightlight as the only source of light and the wonderful sounds of Enya playing on the radio. During that time I reflect on my life. Yes, we have a lot of hard times, but it just makes those good times that much more special.<br />
<br />
My daughter is perfect. Every single extra copy of the 21st chromosome is perfect. She is my heart and the reason I wake up every morning and I could not even begin to imagine my life with out her. No this isn't the life I pictured for myself when I was growing up...then again that "other" life had me married to Brad Pitt and I was a super model....guess we can't have it all LOL.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqO4PavEvzlnZzzSMaP15jNn7Wot1OmDozM7JlD6-kbBuezlJB1WskfMVYM9CcrvKQxhr3ux-H7zysV1M7rVAhT5bLulicEVdDrezHlFYEmg9EBjeQe-EL7r-qi5xATwdaN2z8rSxG_U/s1600/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqO4PavEvzlnZzzSMaP15jNn7Wot1OmDozM7JlD6-kbBuezlJB1WskfMVYM9CcrvKQxhr3ux-H7zysV1M7rVAhT5bLulicEVdDrezHlFYEmg9EBjeQe-EL7r-qi5xATwdaN2z8rSxG_U/s320/newest+uploads+from+iphone+5-22-11+069.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
So welcome to my life, we are more alike than different! As one of my other friends says...it's a perfectly imperfect life!Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-18026122212459790142011-03-30T21:20:00.000-07:002012-09-18T06:17:50.536-07:00Two mended hearts...On February 28th I had to put my trust in a man I had only met once the day before. I had to trust him with the life of my daughter. He would be stopping her heart and I had to trust him to get it to beat again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypIUYC6DJj5Exmn1O0UTuiDQkLLS4Rw-vI7kLs-zoJf9XNGQ23oFMPQN3CfbufWZ6nkI0bQOz_dVssBipiva2FJ3rf_i-1NxKjK8dyt6qmLaMLjMIxSKb3C6wEs1wUH93epx8znmqNZw/s1600/141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypIUYC6DJj5Exmn1O0UTuiDQkLLS4Rw-vI7kLs-zoJf9XNGQ23oFMPQN3CfbufWZ6nkI0bQOz_dVssBipiva2FJ3rf_i-1NxKjK8dyt6qmLaMLjMIxSKb3C6wEs1wUH93epx8znmqNZw/s320/141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I held on to my daughter and tried to memorize every curve of her face, her smell, the way her skin felt under my hands...every single detail of my little angel. Because even though I should have been thinking positive thoughts, I was in a very dark place. A place no mother should ever have to be. A place of despair and broken hearts. Every outcome I thought of all ended with God taking my baby girl away from me. I was petrified. People were in and out of the room speaking to me but I had no clue who they were or what they were saying. I was busy praying like I have never prayed before. Praying with the desperation that only another mother in this situation can even begin to understand. They put Violet in an isolette and we made the long walk over to the surgery area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaySRfGhBy5NCvJYcciAp_0Zh5wUx_zB94Hhh9ktrcp7mZaBNwYtds_6TIz5p_WK5k32-5BWJ4RMwpi4W-x2pmOeMA2IyTexuahiip8Y8XlwVdYy48xlgNv-GVCGUkqhpq2k9mRWLzrs/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaySRfGhBy5NCvJYcciAp_0Zh5wUx_zB94Hhh9ktrcp7mZaBNwYtds_6TIz5p_WK5k32-5BWJ4RMwpi4W-x2pmOeMA2IyTexuahiip8Y8XlwVdYy48xlgNv-GVCGUkqhpq2k9mRWLzrs/s320/IMG_0465.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWv5sQ_fN-g4_t2DOWrpgFk4IEUTzBpvzjMf4mgJU8ckYZ7INCBEoTAAEhdAgf-LutInGkSfwD6fZ-_-UHEVAKkgqGWOGvXcadbxCHeQq8fsCDr0fFHTSMZxmHvAryGmK7HocRMJR1PQ/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWv5sQ_fN-g4_t2DOWrpgFk4IEUTzBpvzjMf4mgJU8ckYZ7INCBEoTAAEhdAgf-LutInGkSfwD6fZ-_-UHEVAKkgqGWOGvXcadbxCHeQq8fsCDr0fFHTSMZxmHvAryGmK7HocRMJR1PQ/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Before I really understood what was going on they were wheeling her through the double doors. Tears streamed down my face. I was numb. It was a silent cry because I just didn't have the energy to do anything more. After the double doors shut I glanced in the other direction. My dad had walked away and now I saw why...he was crying. My dad who NEVER cries was in tears watching his daughter have to say goodbye to her daughter. This was now the second time I had to say goodbye to her not knowing if I would get her back.<br />
<br />
We waited, waited...and waited some more. We were updated when they started surgery and the blood transfusion. The next update was the hardest one, she was on bypass, they had stopped her heart. Now I prayed that they would be able to start it back with no problems and bring my baby back to me. She was so young, only 5 weeks old and not the weight they wanted her to be for the surgery. The waiting was agony. <br />
<br />
<br />
We heard our names announced over the intercom letting us know we had a message at the desk. I jumped up from my chair and took off. They told us she was off of bypass! Oh thank you God! We would be able to talk to the surgeon in around an hour.<br />
<br />
After a while they led us in to a room and the surgeon came in. He explained the entire procedure and all of the holes he fixed and said her VSD was the largest he had ever worked on. Scott and I went in first to see Violet. I knew what to expect because my friends had sent me pictures and videos of their children after open heart surgery. I was glad I prepared myself in advance. She was swollen, tubes and wires were everywhere. A wall of beeping machines surrounded her. It was so intimidating.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULckLxfZ2JoRKrHQFLe2r2FuRJ0s5yExTUp8OOejGxJXYE81c41xALDK4HeehnodLAdy-q831DL5YrAecVWTTwtP4gfx8jx10W1X2_bzh5a5FbsoYjLh4nJNOCcMtMUD_2QcEzeGj2wI/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULckLxfZ2JoRKrHQFLe2r2FuRJ0s5yExTUp8OOejGxJXYE81c41xALDK4HeehnodLAdy-q831DL5YrAecVWTTwtP4gfx8jx10W1X2_bzh5a5FbsoYjLh4nJNOCcMtMUD_2QcEzeGj2wI/s320/IMG_0466.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQOy41UfU-792JoybD-aF3t_ZdgOHJMIcRMlcIi-HoN1qqCP2aRtoeXMn5Gr1S32SAy0ZQN_X0Ev1cp9EeG4dRoVahac1rclIFygEYMdrQcVSpY3ghjW9xB4PN0DXy062kFKEWLR0mks/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQOy41UfU-792JoybD-aF3t_ZdgOHJMIcRMlcIi-HoN1qqCP2aRtoeXMn5Gr1S32SAy0ZQN_X0Ev1cp9EeG4dRoVahac1rclIFygEYMdrQcVSpY3ghjW9xB4PN0DXy062kFKEWLR0mks/s320/IMG_0468.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The worst part was now over. The surgery was complete and she had been brought back to us. We knew we had a long journey ahead of us but at least one of the scariest parts of the journey was over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBtswAmHuV2UNyARSN_bS6v6CQkCcRLyiCeGdvgxQFf48WkNtfysymh8nxo9fhXUlCS_RjL8YE-Fw6pa7iiYIvcv7ojwy2cctlpRH6M9q0ywePdupTX9pgoJ75Zwzsvs6KDftNKqcOXM/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBtswAmHuV2UNyARSN_bS6v6CQkCcRLyiCeGdvgxQFf48WkNtfysymh8nxo9fhXUlCS_RjL8YE-Fw6pa7iiYIvcv7ojwy2cctlpRH6M9q0ywePdupTX9pgoJ75Zwzsvs6KDftNKqcOXM/s320/IMG_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Two days later she had to have emergency surgery to insert a tube in to the area around her right lung because of severe fluid build up. Her lung was in a collapsed state and could not expand so she wasn't able to breathe properly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhokyAH_PQNKgZTAlBhY4Pn-gvdP0aqxbbINVwAriXpAsEbClmugLPT-m1knnq1KtRBSDukW6og7Ia_OZ24_fomz6UfycLapP_lbPlgxD9gZist1nUs_CqbCu_124ruSH2PGG9-tK3I-A/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhokyAH_PQNKgZTAlBhY4Pn-gvdP0aqxbbINVwAriXpAsEbClmugLPT-m1knnq1KtRBSDukW6og7Ia_OZ24_fomz6UfycLapP_lbPlgxD9gZist1nUs_CqbCu_124ruSH2PGG9-tK3I-A/s320/IMG_0485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Wow, two surgeries in less than a week. She was transferred back to the RNICU at UAB for the rest of her recovery. Each day there was a huge difference. She was so much more alert, her breathing was in a normal range, her heart rate was better and there wasn't anymore heart rate drops. She was going to make it.<br />
Here are a few pictures from her birth, before surgery and now after surgery. She's come a long way!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLiPw9KdmH_-TQYSy77oAhDCRCo0Gn7kPGExMIjrfwtxJc6L-kGqLl4gDCThvUpvvKWRFbWUXaVGDPg9rRvh1b-M3TC9GHUvvo18q3vJPdztPWJJcNrnNGG05plQRQr_pruTzMFZ82Mg/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLiPw9KdmH_-TQYSy77oAhDCRCo0Gn7kPGExMIjrfwtxJc6L-kGqLl4gDCThvUpvvKWRFbWUXaVGDPg9rRvh1b-M3TC9GHUvvo18q3vJPdztPWJJcNrnNGG05plQRQr_pruTzMFZ82Mg/s320/036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x0Hqmt594hWBL-GdjINoZmtOSmjEOg4WwQRCSGoinbWU2hJS_eIZha8wDyagHrsyGkhT0EHQRdQ0a-SqEteI4m1iIB6ZzUdv4OAea9lrSClt3YnEnjUN-0KE-peQAXxlfo8WyN1t2YI/s1600/044.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x0Hqmt594hWBL-GdjINoZmtOSmjEOg4WwQRCSGoinbWU2hJS_eIZha8wDyagHrsyGkhT0EHQRdQ0a-SqEteI4m1iIB6ZzUdv4OAea9lrSClt3YnEnjUN-0KE-peQAXxlfo8WyN1t2YI/s320/044.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
(2 pictures above) were take right after birth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6cvLMuMeh73jUNShCmAxZVBO7mQ1-gVkJ_ua1dwkZSC1SZsIjnP9UYguVk7MqfxDHgGwxOC7mPNyt4yYcMNUO_R6m8u9pO7oOfd7CZpvhBk5tk2YgcdUs99qfYJ1kT2gVn5nP1B8auk/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6cvLMuMeh73jUNShCmAxZVBO7mQ1-gVkJ_ua1dwkZSC1SZsIjnP9UYguVk7MqfxDHgGwxOC7mPNyt4yYcMNUO_R6m8u9pO7oOfd7CZpvhBk5tk2YgcdUs99qfYJ1kT2gVn5nP1B8auk/s320/064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
(above) around 2 weeks before surgery.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhokyAH_PQNKgZTAlBhY4Pn-gvdP0aqxbbINVwAriXpAsEbClmugLPT-m1knnq1KtRBSDukW6og7Ia_OZ24_fomz6UfycLapP_lbPlgxD9gZist1nUs_CqbCu_124ruSH2PGG9-tK3I-A/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhokyAH_PQNKgZTAlBhY4Pn-gvdP0aqxbbINVwAriXpAsEbClmugLPT-m1knnq1KtRBSDukW6og7Ia_OZ24_fomz6UfycLapP_lbPlgxD9gZist1nUs_CqbCu_124ruSH2PGG9-tK3I-A/s320/IMG_0485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBtswAmHuV2UNyARSN_bS6v6CQkCcRLyiCeGdvgxQFf48WkNtfysymh8nxo9fhXUlCS_RjL8YE-Fw6pa7iiYIvcv7ojwy2cctlpRH6M9q0ywePdupTX9pgoJ75Zwzsvs6KDftNKqcOXM/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBtswAmHuV2UNyARSN_bS6v6CQkCcRLyiCeGdvgxQFf48WkNtfysymh8nxo9fhXUlCS_RjL8YE-Fw6pa7iiYIvcv7ojwy2cctlpRH6M9q0ywePdupTX9pgoJ75Zwzsvs6KDftNKqcOXM/s320/IMG_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(above two pictures) taken in the days following open heart surgery)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGzi9WvDXfys4O5GInpQe-xPZQwFrndzkUC8IOrKyw-Ml6Ep5lopVtn_HU5YqLCZKgAqJIIpFRTpluAJ4ZuXq7FM86rJ9iBA9JRj94cgf5kM__ms89DRUpLVMkJBGqJ1TAEW8_9LRhg0/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGzi9WvDXfys4O5GInpQe-xPZQwFrndzkUC8IOrKyw-Ml6Ep5lopVtn_HU5YqLCZKgAqJIIpFRTpluAJ4ZuXq7FM86rJ9iBA9JRj94cgf5kM__ms89DRUpLVMkJBGqJ1TAEW8_9LRhg0/s320/IMG_0534.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmXBTR4yVv2sJfmFgs8bie0s08ikMN2x1Yi2oNTGgDpee4CXA33Ykcd6CTmfhs5JsWv2L12PobaVYudTGSkuvZYtSUp02OYZDOIps6hD6oUe_wbg3oJ8xJFaurK4sNiUSL4OOnuD0I3g/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmXBTR4yVv2sJfmFgs8bie0s08ikMN2x1Yi2oNTGgDpee4CXA33Ykcd6CTmfhs5JsWv2L12PobaVYudTGSkuvZYtSUp02OYZDOIps6hD6oUe_wbg3oJ8xJFaurK4sNiUSL4OOnuD0I3g/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U82Tn_wT5D3_K6UO9LSUVFgJRCFFV90ecoP41U_Lkr0a8o1tVaZyTeJA75X6_rCsIdjj2PEozEUgLLxqK82eSCtvBgYy1sSsPFkXGOj774VyfC8zcOd3j2MdVcNT69uTzk2-eY44hxc/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U82Tn_wT5D3_K6UO9LSUVFgJRCFFV90ecoP41U_Lkr0a8o1tVaZyTeJA75X6_rCsIdjj2PEozEUgLLxqK82eSCtvBgYy1sSsPFkXGOj774VyfC8zcOd3j2MdVcNT69uTzk2-eY44hxc/s320/IMG_0528.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX8kjKIF0xE_BfZ6OgE7EDho9-D2-51knj64rCkydYKI97TIFZd1UJ_Jp2UfbEpnqmClYA9uVtzhWR6oN4cINBHkq9Ks-xsSUrMnyThwsffqOhN6486_2GqucuUHMDv-fEh6XUAiz3-I/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX8kjKIF0xE_BfZ6OgE7EDho9-D2-51knj64rCkydYKI97TIFZd1UJ_Jp2UfbEpnqmClYA9uVtzhWR6oN4cINBHkq9Ks-xsSUrMnyThwsffqOhN6486_2GqucuUHMDv-fEh6XUAiz3-I/s320/IMG_0526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8QRLyXfQpcjL6PRf0WO5fR0r3tj1eHttgQc-rykOpgEuGy2oVUqdLxjBLXM50xVbFwyU1YxDZGJvok7dKnzA4jDCJd6YftNapFoRXvM-GCtXVgR2n2eCJ9wWA0_vssJiMvgGHsarIGY/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8QRLyXfQpcjL6PRf0WO5fR0r3tj1eHttgQc-rykOpgEuGy2oVUqdLxjBLXM50xVbFwyU1YxDZGJvok7dKnzA4jDCJd6YftNapFoRXvM-GCtXVgR2n2eCJ9wWA0_vssJiMvgGHsarIGY/s320/IMG_0514.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE1jrfMPhv9AfPQbA05uh3xjj3Y6CQF3TrrxTqiEqR9VwAeWr3jzfyRUUpWa7Xq10HPSPwC09s_1PBURRO8eSiVEMxcWz-K_69CXj8hfGNi6lc-LKsO7dBWx0QYQcqsKqHKQTFAuG8Gc/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE1jrfMPhv9AfPQbA05uh3xjj3Y6CQF3TrrxTqiEqR9VwAeWr3jzfyRUUpWa7Xq10HPSPwC09s_1PBURRO8eSiVEMxcWz-K_69CXj8hfGNi6lc-LKsO7dBWx0QYQcqsKqHKQTFAuG8Gc/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
(above) these are all pictures of her now. She's alert and just a bundle of joy. She's my little heart warrior :D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-10688048400947766352011-03-25T22:39:00.000-07:002011-03-25T23:05:48.370-07:00In the BeginningThere are certain things that I have not shared through my journey. I did not share the story of the day Violet was born. I did not share the emotions nor some of the pictures from one of the scariest times in my life. Why? I really didn't know how to put it in to words at the time. I didn't want to say my fears out loud for fear they may come true. I didn't want to put my full emotions out for the world to see because instead of staying positive and keeping my faith...I questioned God. My faith was rocked to the very core of me.<br />
<br />
Hello World 1-21-11<br />
We got to the hospital early that morning. I remember telling my husband I was going to drive because I had to keep my mind busy. My stomach was in knots. I was hungry and thirsty because I hadn't been able to have anything after midnight since I was having a c section.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYIBLZFqN4pjUu72ZOrHlEntOI6UTdxHP30j5oXYyI-LEZgckjdEmy_JW-0IExVSwM1-8UvY0-K7ZFCCIxfKEE2lJu_Q6SrGy1NA76-aQvko1IYRyglS1Cn4x9V8KZ2svsSq295NYz4A/s1600/103_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYIBLZFqN4pjUu72ZOrHlEntOI6UTdxHP30j5oXYyI-LEZgckjdEmy_JW-0IExVSwM1-8UvY0-K7ZFCCIxfKEE2lJu_Q6SrGy1NA76-aQvko1IYRyglS1Cn4x9V8KZ2svsSq295NYz4A/s320/103_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
They checked me in to my room and we waited the 2 or 3 hours until it was time for my c section. They wheeled me in to the operating room while my mother and husband scrubbed up. I remember the table was hard and it was freezing. They had me lean over while they did the spinal to numb my lower body. I was so afraid that since I could feel a tingle in my feet that I would feel the surgery. I was scared to death. I've had many many surgeries but I've never been awake for them. I didn't have any medicine in me to calm me (wish I did though!).<br />
<br />
I remember my mom and my husband walking in to the room and one of them saying "oh my God" (I guess they saw that the surgery had already began lol). They sat in a seat behind me and Scott held my hand. I kept seeing him glance over the curtain that blocked my view and I was hoping and praying he wouldn't pass out like everyone does on TV. <br />
<br />
I was of course on oxygen and felt like I was going to pass out. The smell of cauterizing turned my stomach in ways I had never imagined. The nurse then told me that I was going to feel a lot of pressure and tugging. Fear set in! Yet there was no pain, I was floating. I heard the faintest gurgle of a cry and I came back to reality...that was MY daughter! My daughter was crying! They lifted her above the curtain for me to see and I did not look at her face. I did not look at her hands...I looked straight at her feet. The Dr's had told me she would have pretty bad clubbed feet and I was left confused and dazed....Her feet looked perfectly normal to me. She was a big healthy beautiful little girl with or without clubbed feet. A big 8lb 3 ounce baby girl with a set of lungs that would make an opera singer proud!<br />
<br />
They took her away to clean her up while the Dr finished the surgery. I was wheeled back in to my room and they brought her in to me. I was smitten! I held her, kissed her forehead and thanked God for giving me such a blessing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLIGHG0It5iPMvTrI4OqVLSf6jm3XjvPgHzrLYPI7h782gfPM278xmW94Zc2XSulbeANlb2SKGQf_3AjRAzTWNg_W1EsLLjDGaWvzKfH328VWhqWYWllkLB37eyFQtUiyrTCjSwQW-YQ/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLIGHG0It5iPMvTrI4OqVLSf6jm3XjvPgHzrLYPI7h782gfPM278xmW94Zc2XSulbeANlb2SKGQf_3AjRAzTWNg_W1EsLLjDGaWvzKfH328VWhqWYWllkLB37eyFQtUiyrTCjSwQW-YQ/s320/IMG_0248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyqXdDkqhyaDW4d_Xc28-ILIT8HWmyoPrsM6jgeNC9FSUqJQO_PfBQ3ZlFxr1OmtBuDi2RfSctrnuGaNbyOSA-DPMFomlnR1l1yNi2chM1XTRM2tzbHv-Dr8mF1MCLpJgKt8hJBB_VVY/s1600/103_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyqXdDkqhyaDW4d_Xc28-ILIT8HWmyoPrsM6jgeNC9FSUqJQO_PfBQ3ZlFxr1OmtBuDi2RfSctrnuGaNbyOSA-DPMFomlnR1l1yNi2chM1XTRM2tzbHv-Dr8mF1MCLpJgKt8hJBB_VVY/s320/103_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The lactation consultant came in and we worked on breast feeding. Violet latched on but fell asleep after a few sucks. She was so tired. So I let her sleep and just stared at her. They came to take her for a bath but decided to do an echo cardiogram first. Time went by so slowly and the nurse kept coming back to my room to see if my family had returned yet. I knew something was up. After this point everything gets very blurry because of emotions and a constant drip of pain medicine.<br />
<br />
The Neonatologist showed up in my room once my family had returned. Violet still wasn't back yet and I wanted my daughter in my arms. Something wasn't right... As Dr.B. began to speak my heart sank in to my stomach. He was saying that Violet wasn't breathing properly and was going to be transported to the NICU at a different hospital. She was on a very high amount of oxygen and not doing so well. All I could think was this can't be right, I just saw her and she looked healthy. But then the vision of her laying in my arms started coming back to me. She was tinted blue around her mouth. How had I missed that before??? I asked them through my broken sobs if they would wheel her in before they transport so I could say goodbye to her and that I love her. Goodbye...would this be the last time I ever saw her? Would I ever get to hold her in my arms again. I couldn't remember what her skin felt like against mine. How she smelled... her face started blurring in my mind but then I realized it was my tears spilling over the rim. <br />
<br />
Strangers...more strangers entering my room. I guessed it was the transport team as they wheeled Violet next to my bed in her isolette<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_3HCTahFmfsjxeVfgdoA0tjlWvA5uCNj1cCKbMXTSkMcLUnXrlOrIN9yvN_hflV8yCxFgC9mjJoJnO4XZfGFxzMSYaUaTp6dYyUbfaP7kjvEUtVEt7o4ve9CNR3ZEehXmTPxOKuKHis/s1600/Baby+pictures+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_3HCTahFmfsjxeVfgdoA0tjlWvA5uCNj1cCKbMXTSkMcLUnXrlOrIN9yvN_hflV8yCxFgC9mjJoJnO4XZfGFxzMSYaUaTp6dYyUbfaP7kjvEUtVEt7o4ve9CNR3ZEehXmTPxOKuKHis/s320/Baby+pictures+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
They allowed me to open the small round window on her isolette to hold her hand for a couple of minutes. Scott and I sat there, barely touching her hand and arm because she looked so fragile. But then it was time to go. I had never before felt such anguish and helplessness. I was stuck in a bed hooked to machines instead of going with my daughter. As they wheeled her out the tears took over and I don't remember much after that point. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwievunq7ROYz6wvVC77PV3eoQYnH_VC8b9hXDBz1zbnf3BnBjUHUZUe6S8kvXOjnt_ocOtuFzOtELmFopBZ5Z3vSmZh5bCaKPXE-6u8NFwks4PFF6_MAFjIp5KNSTsLGvsj3jDHCw9eM/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwievunq7ROYz6wvVC77PV3eoQYnH_VC8b9hXDBz1zbnf3BnBjUHUZUe6S8kvXOjnt_ocOtuFzOtELmFopBZ5Z3vSmZh5bCaKPXE-6u8NFwks4PFF6_MAFjIp5KNSTsLGvsj3jDHCw9eM/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRcmsGnCFGVvULD7rkA5ltV03GN0WghBy71t3noLha0AddNMPwe6rLKfW8m5rm6wHNfozTgQoVfol9W15RLb399X-46zlEHTBVS9tEsnXAbQjexDosNgJ5huqjiw-6yh6saz7990ygxk/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRcmsGnCFGVvULD7rkA5ltV03GN0WghBy71t3noLha0AddNMPwe6rLKfW8m5rm6wHNfozTgQoVfol9W15RLb399X-46zlEHTBVS9tEsnXAbQjexDosNgJ5huqjiw-6yh6saz7990ygxk/s320/IMG_0267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Swollen and hurting with my world being ripped apart...I questioned God. Why me? Why <u><b>MY</b></u> baby? Why bring us through so much to get to this point to now have to go through this. What did I do wrong to be punished like this?<br />
<br />
I still don't know the answer to all of my questions...and I may never know. All I do know is that Violet has shown so much strength in her life so far. The prayers we have received from all over the world has been astounding and has helped to get us through some of our darkest days. We still have a long road ahead of us. But hopefully the worst is behind us, I pray the worst is behind us...Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-19917732978144962702011-03-24T22:32:00.000-07:002011-03-24T22:32:15.563-07:00A Heavy HeartMy heart hurts. Not for me or my daughter but another mom that is longing for her son. For a mom that is fighting a battle that could forever change the face of adoption from a country where so many children with Down syndrome are hidden away in orphanages and mental institutions.<br />
<br />
When Tesney got to court she was excited and hopeful that on that very day, St Patricks day, the judge would declare her and her husband the official parents of Kirill. Kirill is an adorable little boy, full of love and lots of smiles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNq0GZrZBNCDRBC-jogJdKi4rpTRf5qq-lUtDmmDQ6TrVtDRgysOkAnCbkq7jB1JIM1sDQnf6uXCJn4V2zPzLERllQw-RwpvgwkzMfaBMa2tZyplIfPBxKIJmokZqVRRZ4kRiIrtWJ6E/s1600/195440_100001874373356_6338872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNq0GZrZBNCDRBC-jogJdKi4rpTRf5qq-lUtDmmDQ6TrVtDRgysOkAnCbkq7jB1JIM1sDQnf6uXCJn4V2zPzLERllQw-RwpvgwkzMfaBMa2tZyplIfPBxKIJmokZqVRRZ4kRiIrtWJ6E/s1600/195440_100001874373356_6338872_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here is her story...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Two years ago Greg and I began praying for God to do whatever he wanted with our lives. We handed him a âblank checkâ so to speak, and told him to cash it. He opened our eyes to children with disabilities wasting away across the ocean in Eastern Europe. We joined God and started our adoption journey. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our family is more than equipped to handle a child with special needs. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I am a member of the Board of Directors of Best Buddies of Alabama. I have volunteered for RISE and Eaglesâ Wings. All of these organizations serve individuals with special needs. My husband I have close friends and family who have special needs and we are a big part of each others lives. Our wedding party included some of these special people. Our involvement with individuals with special needs led us to adopt a child with special needs; specifically, we chose Down Syndrome.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As we prayed over the faces of thousands of orphaned children with Down Syndrome, we ultimately chose a little boy named Sergey from Russia. Eight months later, as we neared the finish line of our adoption, one of Sergeyâs family members in Russia stepped forward to adopt him. We were heartbroken for our loss, but God showed us that we were following him, and his ways are perfect. We knew we still wanted to adopt, so the way we saw it, two children would find homes because of our journeyâŚSergey went to his family and now we would choose another child to come into our family. We took great comfort in knowing that God could see this when we first committed to Sergey! We were honored to be a part of his plan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Shortly after losing Sergey, we received a new referral with a grainy photo of a four-year-old blond-haired boy wearing pink glasses named Kirill. We were instantly in love with him. We had to re-file a lot of our paperwork because of the change in referrals and regions of Russia, but we were fast and we thought we were looking at three more months at the most until we would have Kirill home.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That was well over a year ago.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since then so many things have happened. A tragic story of an adoptive mother sending her child back to his country alone on a plane with a note pinned to his shirt rocked our worldâŚhe was from Russia. Adoptions in Russia came to a screeching halt. Kirillâs region stopped processing adoptions for eight long months. The judge refused to accept any American adoption cases until an official treaty was signed between the United States and Russia. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Even though we wouldnât be able to finalize the adoption in court until the treaty was signed, we were allowed to go visit Kirill and sign our official petition to adopt him in August 2010. We fell more deeply in love with him. This was our son. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkPS6rkB2I73Dc032E_jU5mJ0LtFYn-V10KQbtD3B2cdGVftW6w96K_JZHLDtB76_6o0Qf6dmT3_iaGAR0Y9wFyR-sZ04T0vHyZqTC3Lt9SYRxKlJJyLmkS4sN2GuGn9UUwC_EjL3vrM/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkPS6rkB2I73Dc032E_jU5mJ0LtFYn-V10KQbtD3B2cdGVftW6w96K_JZHLDtB76_6o0Qf6dmT3_iaGAR0Y9wFyR-sZ04T0vHyZqTC3Lt9SYRxKlJJyLmkS4sN2GuGn9UUwC_EjL3vrM/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI3LM9x3BXD40EjYNvcYYHy9_MlkW0HC7YMWb-RBTRqbk4DUEbsrD1d2wt-6ygDCkrHcT9pHsxFAAPZqYL2x3ijAIlREZLvpUTEnMKhyphenhyphenj1w8N4PERyYKt2UphkkrADB_Sw3tO54ussJ4/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI3LM9x3BXD40EjYNvcYYHy9_MlkW0HC7YMWb-RBTRqbk4DUEbsrD1d2wt-6ygDCkrHcT9pHsxFAAPZqYL2x3ijAIlREZLvpUTEnMKhyphenhyphenj1w8N4PERyYKt2UphkkrADB_Sw3tO54ussJ4/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">During that time, we found out that Kirill is the first child from his region EVER to be adopted with Down Syndrome. A birth mother keeping her child with Down Syndrome is unheard of in this area of the world. Adoptions of children with Down Syndrome just donât happen there, these children are literally hidden away from society in orphanages and mental institutions. As our process continued, it became apparent that Kirill would be a pioneer. If our adoption was approved, it would pave the way for other children with special needs to be adopted from this region. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-67AN4isHcmI/TYwlJqZd98I/AAAAAAAAACI/VwOSQ5voiaI/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-67AN4isHcmI/TYwlJqZd98I/AAAAAAAAACI/VwOSQ5voiaI/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then, a miracle happened around Christmas and the judge in this region suddenly changed her mind and began processing American adoptions again. We were elated. <span> </span>Could this be the light at the end of a very long tunnel? I was somewhat nervous about Kirill being the first child adopted with Down Syndrome from his region, but our agency was very confident that if we got a court date, our adoption would be approved. In seventeen years, they had never had a case rejected IF the family was issued a court date. We were told not to worry, so I didnât. After meeting the judgeâs requests for several supporting court documents, we were finally granted a court date-March 17, 2011. St. Patrickâs DayâŚI was thrilled. This would be our new favorite holiday! Our son was coming home! </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_RHYm0adPII/TYwlHxpTEdI/AAAAAAAAAB4/PFCTEz_sRcY/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_RHYm0adPII/TYwlHxpTEdI/AAAAAAAAAB4/PFCTEz_sRcY/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vAqM9LmIXlg/TYwlITG35OI/AAAAAAAAAB8/JJE8XrfLzRQ/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vAqM9LmIXlg/TYwlITG35OI/AAAAAAAAAB8/JJE8XrfLzRQ/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our other son, Clayton, who had just turned three when we started this adoption process, has prayed fervently for his brother. He is now almost five. When we told him Kirill was coming home, oh myâŚwe had an excited big brother on our hands! At one point he even went to his room, dumped out his toy cars and divided them into two stacksâŚone for him and one for Kirill.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp9X8eQpAEY8UcRu6CmIw2BUCZZSpLNNkRoF9f1FmG9LIxOKwdxAymKc0LtA55Qk62rHXuG6mTLQu-Pp-16p62EZRfmalIbTf94d87gIABSU6jHRMuRuzHKngwVkuMH-JM51e2qkya-Y/s1600/104_6127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp9X8eQpAEY8UcRu6CmIw2BUCZZSpLNNkRoF9f1FmG9LIxOKwdxAymKc0LtA55Qk62rHXuG6mTLQu-Pp-16p62EZRfmalIbTf94d87gIABSU6jHRMuRuzHKngwVkuMH-JM51e2qkya-Y/s320/104_6127.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last week, as we sat in the courtroom and suffered through five agonizing hours of difficult questioning, we were not prepared for anything but an approval of our case. Two doctors, two social workers, and the Minister of Childrenâs Services all made very strong statements on our behalf. They fought for us. Hard. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Kirill was ânot socially adaptableâ due to his âmedical conditionâ and he was better off in an institution than in a home with a family. As the judge read her ruling, she stated several times that we were a good family, that we met all the criteria to adopt a child, but that she would not approve our adoption because Kirill has Down Syndrome. She told us that we could adopt another child, because legally our application had no problems according to Russian adoption law. She said she would approve our adoption for a âtypicalâ child, but not this child. Why? The only reason? Because he has Down Syndrome. Even though we were approved by our home study and by the USCIS to adopt a child with special needs. It makes no sense whatsoever. Denying a child a family because he has Down Syndrome is a violation of human rights at its most basic level! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was like a terrible dream. We were so unprepared for this outcome. As we left the courthouse in a mental fog, the doctors and social workers that had testified came to us and said, âIf you appeal, we will fight for you. Appeal. Fight this decision.â Of course we were going to appealâŚI could no more walk away from our biological son, Clayton, at this point. Kirill is just as much my son.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha79ZsRCBwXMGIsQM70Bf4ixhGdTRRHusYy81ZcVEoObLKHjcg4iS4wSr2L8NSa_Fbw4S83aroDE_XywyPIZukwJGPt_6QdEuXAwSpNUQ_WGZFjDyEIUN_eVvRWduj5aXE7JyXxhIY4K4/s1600/104_6104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha79ZsRCBwXMGIsQM70Bf4ixhGdTRRHusYy81ZcVEoObLKHjcg4iS4wSr2L8NSa_Fbw4S83aroDE_XywyPIZukwJGPt_6QdEuXAwSpNUQ_WGZFjDyEIUN_eVvRWduj5aXE7JyXxhIY4K4/s320/104_6104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So here we are, asking God to move the mountain that is standing between Kirill and us as we appeal to the Supreme Court in Moscow. There are also three other families who are in various stages of adopting children with Down Syndrome from Kirillâs region; one of the families has a court hearing set for next week. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OPMxhEVg3Cg/TYwlJL3LlaI/AAAAAAAAACE/G4hvfor5k58/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OPMxhEVg3Cg/TYwlJL3LlaI/AAAAAAAAACE/G4hvfor5k58/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FuoeOAdbwecNww7JyojMExhTuH6uLGvCkZHJCPcVrQ9_ChVGlMzZ7_lCmJK2CxYadB-528DYoe_aBWHcXmIwCfZMDxBm9oFKQd-bCvEf6_Yn-EB_kfyTfs3S7azNjLsteuErM2c_I1g/s1600/8c2c-update-kirill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FuoeOAdbwecNww7JyojMExhTuH6uLGvCkZHJCPcVrQ9_ChVGlMzZ7_lCmJK2CxYadB-528DYoe_aBWHcXmIwCfZMDxBm9oFKQd-bCvEf6_Yn-EB_kfyTfs3S7azNjLsteuErM2c_I1g/s1600/8c2c-update-kirill.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"> </div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">This is a video of Kirill meeting his mommy for the first time...now tell me he is not able to love like any other child!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/I7LO6Tfvd3I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"> We ask that all comments stay positive as the family is still trying to fight a long and hard battle and any negativity might be used against them in court. Storm the Heavens with prayers!!!</div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-874042474738220309.post-43168546170972361382011-03-23T09:05:00.000-07:002011-03-24T00:05:40.126-07:00First picturesI think this is the first time I have done something since Violet was born that actually feels "normal"! I scheduled her to get her Easter pictures made with Four Seasons photography :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Four-Seasons-Photography/6647013068">Four Seasons Photography link</a><br />
<br />
For many years I dreamt of having my child's pictures made at Four Seasons. (I'm a picture NUT!) They are a little pricey but the quality is top notch. I knew as soon as I got pregnant that I was finally going to get to have my child's pictures taken there the first chance I got. Can we afford it...no. But after coming so close to losing Violet I will not put it off. We will live for the day and baby girl will have the cutest Easter pictures ever...well of course they will be the cutest, how could they not be with her in the picture!<br />
<br />
I spoke with one of the ladies at the studio and she scheduled me for the first appointment of the day, the day they do the real bunny pictures. Because Violet's immune system is so low we cannot take the chance of being there in the middle of the day when there are a bunch of kids lined up to take pictures.<br />
<br />
The real bunny pictures are a ten minute photo session for $10.00. So people are seriously running all around you and it is chaos. So to be able to get one hour alone without other people in the studio is amazing. I am so very thankful that they took my daughter's health in to consideration and allowed a one hour photo session (which they do NOT normally do). Yes the one hour will cost us more, but we can make sure we get the pictures we want and make sure they capture the true beauty of "ma petite fleur".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eoEPr3gO7hy6-Hg_3RH-8EHuxENIr73N2AOVEQKYcMMmnLkPOHP9MyWSr5UI2hzfjd6NI2NZogHTdmEbMsuhSqN0AAtp15oAoEXdBvQ-FkL8SnyPsFblSU-uKjJPVMDEa4saz5sGk0Y/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eoEPr3gO7hy6-Hg_3RH-8EHuxENIr73N2AOVEQKYcMMmnLkPOHP9MyWSr5UI2hzfjd6NI2NZogHTdmEbMsuhSqN0AAtp15oAoEXdBvQ-FkL8SnyPsFblSU-uKjJPVMDEa4saz5sGk0Y/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Amber Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08636946528610580637noreply@blogger.com3