Pictures at Grandma's

I know it has been awhile and I have finally decided to just jump in again and maybe as I remember things that have happened in the last few months I can reflect and slowly catch you all up on our lives. It has been a little bit difficult keeping up on things and lots has happened. I will give you a sneak peak: sal manila poisoning, ER visits, stitches, Grandfather passing, trip to NC, Teaching classes, Adyson sitting up, eating foods,... So blogging has been last on my list. Sorry.

We went to my Grandmother's house yesterday who is now living in Cartersville, GA after the passing of my grandfather Ralph. We miss him greatly. However, we are very excited to have grandma Mary close by, only about an hours drive for us. The kids love it and we always feel at home. So while we were there I decided to take advantage of her beautiful views of the lake and get some family pictures done. So here they are:

Catching up...

Elijah's 3rd birthday:

Grandma Kathi arrived on Elijah's birthday. We decided to do a little something for his actual day and then go to my dad's on Saturday and celebrate there as well. I can't believe my baby boy is 3 - it just seems like time goes faster and faster...






















































Happy Graduation Ben!

Ben finished college around last November. It was not until June 28th that he was able to walk with hat and robe just like a true college grad. It took place in Atlanta, GA. Chris and Aimee were able to come as well and I know Ben really appreciated their support. My brother Chris is getting close to finishing college as well. We look forward to attending his when the time comes.













Afterwards we were all starving and the kids of course had enough of being made to sit for 3 hours. For the most part they did pretty good. Poor Aimee had the honor of holding Adyson when she exploded her diaper. I knew that was going to happen. Isn't that just how it is. We
went to CPK which Ben and I miss and had a great time enjoying our old favs. The kids also enjoyed their ice creams.

















More visitors!

Kelsi, John, Jacob, and Georgia came to visit a week after Kathi arrived. It was soo fun to see the kids and have all of them play together. Georgia was adorable and such a happy baby. The boys had lots of fun running and screaming with Jacob.
















4th of July:

We had a blast on the 4th. An excuse for a party! Chris and Aimee came out with Brien an old friend from Lancaster. Our neighbors Michelle, Greg, and their two kids Emma and Morgan. Of course our favorite visitors Kathi, Kelsi, John, and the kids. We bbq'd, hung out, and blew up some fireworks! We all had a lot of fun.

From left to right top to bottom: (Aimee and Adyson) (Kathi), (Kelsi and Georgia), (Emma, Caleb, Loryn, and Elijah), (Morgan, Greg, Michelle, and Adyson on lap), (Aimee, Chris, and Brien), (Cute boy Jakie)




































Adyson's Blessing:

July 6, 2008 Adyson Mae Doolittle was given her blessing in Ooltewah TN at the Harrison Bay Ward Sacrament meeting. It was nice to have family here to share in this special day.














































Trip to Grandma's House:

has been ill and we really wanted to go see them. So we took the 8 hour drive with four kids. ItMy mom came for a visit about a week after Kathi and Kelsi left. My mom and I decided that we would love to go visit Grandma and Grandpa Johnston in NC. Grandpa actually wasn't that bad. The kids did pretty good and Adyson slept a lot of the way. The kids had a blast running around the house, fishing, and going to the Botanical Gardens. Loryn caught a fish within the first 30 minutes of fishing, her first fish! Caleb caught one a few days later. He almost caught a huge one as he says but the line snaped. Overall we had a great time visiting with family. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for having us over and putting up with four young children! We already miss you!

Some bad news...

Tuesday we went in for Adyson's one month check up and found out that she has craniosynostosis. The pediatrician noticed her head shape even as I was asking him about it. He sent us to the hospital for x-rays right away, and so with 5 kids in tow we got them done and confirmed her condition.

Craniosynostosis as best said from Wikipedia is " a medical condition in which some or all of the sutures in the skull of an infant or child close too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth. It can result in craniostenosis, which is the skull deformity caused by the premature closure of the cranial sutures."

It looks like Adyson is going to need surgery to cut the bone and do a complete total reconstruction to open the sutures and to fix the shape of the head.

It is best explained from www.craniofacialcenter.com:

The surgical treatment of craniosynostosis has been transformed by the development and applications of craniofacial techniques to reshape the skull and upper face in the infant. Functionally, the goal in treatment is to release the fused sutures to prevent any problems associated with increased intracranial pressure as well as creating the potential for normal growth. Cosmetically, the goal is to obtain normal shape of the skull and face, thus minimizing psychosocial problems.

Here are some pictures of examples of a baby with this problem.
Left is preoperative - Right Postoperative



Here is a picture of Adyson's head.



Today we were supposed to meet with Dr. Strait, the neurosurgeon, as was set up by the pediatrician. We got there and the receptionist tells me that our appointment is not today but July 10th (a month away!). I was very upset. I told her the Pediatrician's nurse set up the appointment, it was supposed to be done this week and not to be put off. It is important to see how critical her specific condition is to make sure she is not having a lot of pressure. I kept telling her I needed to see someone and I was not going to wait. The doctor was not there and was actually away on vacation. And of course, as I am already very emotional, I start bawling right there in the waiting room. She says she will see what she can do, and after a minute says to come on back and we will figure things out.

It was funny though because this older man about my parents age, wispered to me to keep at them and not give up that I can do it and says okay? Then he tells me to say okay. So I wimper ok.

Well, it actually worked out better. We had a lady from the craniofacial center come over to speak with us and the chief nurse of Dr. Strait. They decided to go ahead and schedual a 3D Cat scan, because that will need to be done anyway, even before the doctors could really tell us much. So Monday she is having a 3d cat scan, we have an appointment at 115pm with the plastic surgeon Dr. Sargeon, and Tuesday we have an appointment with the neorosurgeon Dr. Strait. Today we spoke with an anathesiologist regarding the cat scan on Monday because she will have to be have anathesia for the scans. She is not aloud to eat for 4 hours before the scans and I am not looking forward to that experience.

We will keep you updated. Keep her in all of your prayers. We can only have faith that this is all in Heavenly Father's hands and to stay strong. I am trying - but all I can think - my baby, my poor baby...

Catch up

Well I have gotten waaaaay behind. Here are just some quick pictures and info on what has been going on.

Adyson and her baby ways
Bath time: Her first bath she screamed the whole time. Now she loves them.













Nap time: Mornings are her good sleeping times but when mom wants to go to sleep she likes to eat eat eat.


Nap time: again

And more sleeping... don't you wish we could be babies again sometimes and be aloud to sleepas much as they do!













All dressed up - off to church we go!


















And Loryn being Loryn.

Left: Loryn yesterday when we found her around 9pm when she was supposed to be asleep. It is just so exhausting playing with Barbies.

Right: Remember this photo - when Loryn was around 3 years old. Did you notice the cabbage patch shoe on her right foot and the bathing suit around her neck. These are the moments that make it all worth while.