Day 209

We had a fun morning at a local farm/park! T. enjoyed the goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys and the bunnys. The animals are SO tame - this bunny hoped right over and put its nose right up to hers. It was SO SO cute!

Day 208

The plant - my mom gave this to me maybe 13 or 14 years ago. Its from a plant that she and my dad received in a promotion "gift" from the bank he worked at during his early years in his career in the early 1960's. Talk about pressure! I can barely keep anything alive, but somehow, this one waxes and wanes and right now its pretty happy. =)

Day 207

Today the stitches came out. Not super fun - hard on T. and Mama, but one more step! We were waiting to be called and T. likes playing with the giant Lego bricks in their waiting room.

Day 206

So I took a photo of C. with her new sneakers - she's officially a size 1!! No more "teens". Makes me want to cry. So while I was taking the shots, she leaned down into the camera and I just love her eyes. Her eyes that say - "Yeah, I'm growing up and I'm just so darn excited about it!" *sigh* Not too fast, my sweetheart!

Day 205

T. has been royally spoiled by all of her admirers since her operations. Today my friend Tammy sent this cool Buzz Lightyear sleep matt and the girls decided to demonstrate it. Then they rolled each other up "like burritos!" They wouldn't stay still enough for a better photo but this pretty much captures them "fake sleeping" before the became burritos!

Day 204

The oldest daughter (at least in my heart!) This is my good friends daughter who has been like a daughter to me all of her beautiful life. They came to visit T. and bring her some more Buzz goodies. I don't get to see her nearly as often as I would like, we live a little ways apart, but the connection never fades. I love seeing her with my girls now!

Day 203

Just a cute photo. We were taking some photos for a layout I am doing for a challenge and she was just so excited to participate. She is such a darling!

Day 202

Guest photographer - Eric! He borrowed my camera to take the girls to the zoo with our cousins that are visiting from Ireland. I just love this photo - at the playground at the zoo.

Day 201

"Mom, take my picture!" Man I love this face, this sweet, somehow wise, somehow my baby, face. The child that changed my life in so many ways.

Day 200

My kids have great fans! So many fun things have been sent to the house to make recovery fun. Today, our friend Ray sent his wife's newest game Counting Rainbows. The girls had a ball with it tonight - they played it as a game and then spent another hour just playing with the rainbow pieces. Thanks Ray and Colleen!

Day 199

This one is a little blurry but I couldn't resist. The girls were playing so nicely, crowded onto the tiny little kid sofa, pulling stickers out of a book together and T. yelled "take a picture! Puleeeze!" so here you go. Aren't they the cutest sisters ever?

Day 198

Today was a day when I had like 12 great photos to choose from. T. is feeling really good, although she did take a huge nap mid day. She received her request - we took her for the cutest haircut. She's a shorty now. Not as short as I would like to go, and definitely not as short as she would like to go, but the stylist had a vision and its cu-ute! Anyway - this picture is about Dad really and how sometimes, he has the best best ideas. He took the kids to TRU over the weekend and T. picked out this remote controlled Humvee. I never would have thought to get something like this. The kids have been delighted to go out with him and race it all around our driveway and court. They both just love it and so does he! I love the excitement you can see in them in their body language. I also giggle at T. - she got cold so her sister came downstairs with another dress to put over her current dress (rather thana jacket) and she ended up with this one on backwards. Just makes me giggle.

Day 197

Okay, so who had surgery on her spinal cord 3 days ago and had a small bone removed? This one? really? She's protective about her back but she's up and mobile. We keep a close watch over her and no stairs, but man, kids are great!

Day 196

Out of bed! Today was the last day in the PICU! She had to get up, stand and pee and we were able to go home today. Pretty amazing - spinal surgery on Thursday, sitting up (in short intervals) by Saturday!

Day 195

Where there are sisters, there is a way. Watching a movie together in the hospital.

Day 194

Surgery day! We weren't planning on this this week, but opportunity knocked and we answered! We are gowned up and waiting to meet the surgical team. T. is watching - what else? Cars.

Day 193

A long day but a face that makes it all worthwhile. =)

Day 192

Dude...I got a DELL!

Day 191

THE cutest pajamas ever. Seriously. Ever. Thank you, Walmart. Made me mom of the year. Ever.

Day 190

C. decided to fiddle with her earrings and lost one so I just spent 30 minutes tearing the house apart, looking for the other earrings we had bought - special nickle free ones that don't seem to irritate her ears. *sigh* Finally found the mystery bag and so here is the fruit of my labor. A new earring...

Day 189

Weird weather today - I even heard thunder earlier! Went out to pick up Thai food. Disappointing Thai food, but really awesome evening!

Day 188

I took our buddy to the movies tonight. We had a really fun time. Sorry for the bad photo - camera phone and poor lighting and very excited boy in line for the IMAX!

Day 187

The Sleeping Beauty - My six year old recently gave up her daily 2 hour nap - so in the evening, she crashes out pretty regularly, wherever she is. Last night, it was up in the loft while playing with her fashion dolls. Tonight it was in the car on the way to swim lessons and then again on the sofa while watching a movie. I couldn't resist this pose!

Day 186

Eric brought home presents for the girls from his friends in New York. Both girls LOVED their gifts - here is T. playing with the best part!

Day 185

Daddy is coming home tonight from a 1 week trip on the East Coast. The girls made him a banner to welcome him home since they will be asleep when he finally gets here.

Day 184

Two cuddle bugs - ready for bed. Big sister actually gave little sister her shower tonight and dressed her. It was absolutely adorable!

Day 183

So - this is what my little darling did to me today. Luckily, I speak fluent "Pixar". Got a clue where her new move is from? Let me give you a hint...

Day 182

Happy Independence Day! This is T's first 4th of July and the newest U.S. Citizen in our family! We had a fun play date with good friends and otherwise hung out at home (T isn't fond of fireworks...) Hope everyone else had a great day!

Day 181

One of those days - we were out and around and C. was playing next door almost all day. T. and I went off to Costco to "fill the new fridge" - but the funny thing is, when you've done with two coolers for 10 days, its hard to fill the fridge, and I haven't figured out what to do with the shelves (I seem to have one more than I need). So, kind of a boring photo, but some days are like that!

Day 180

What all the fashionable six year olds are wearing to a sleep over after playing dress up. Can you really have too many accessories?

Day 179

Watching movies in Mom and Dad's bed. This is C.'s favorite place in the house I think and she was pleased as could be to have the whole bed (and tv) to herself!