Times Flies When You're Having Fun!

WOW! At the risk of sounding like a cliche, "It has been way too long since I have blogged." Apparently, life marches on whether you blog about it on not.

For those who do not follow me on FB, I have a LOT of catching up to do.
 
 So, let's start from the beginning.

Since September 2011,

From November 2011 until January 2012, Ruth was in and out of SLCH.  She suffered from double pneumonia and neutropenia (extremely low white blood cell counts). While searching for an answer to her neutropenia, Ruth was diagnosed with Turner's Syndrome. This new discovery has lead to another set of doctors and specialists on Ruth's ever-growing list.

Although the holiday season of 2011 was spent primarily in SLCH, Ruthie still had a lil fun dressing up on Thanksgiving.
 

After leaving the hospital (for good!) in January and becoming pros at home health care visits, home IV use, and a port,  Ruthie learned to walk on her own. WHAT A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT. (Click the highlighted text for video of her first steps).

After what seemed like a lifetime of constant blood draws, temp checks and needle changes, Ruth's white blood count was considered stable enough to remove her port in early May 2012.  
Just in time for this Heart Momma to focus on a growing belly and a growing family.... 
                                              
 

  

                       

 Charlotte Joan was born happy and HEALTHY (and Yes! We did ask for a pulse ox in the OR.)


 After welcoming Cha- Cha (Ruth's first attempts at Charlie or Charlotte), we spent most of the summer just getting to know each other. In no time, Ruthie became my little helper and such a loving big sister.

 

Then the real fun began!

We visited Grant's Farm.

 

We had swimming lessons with Paw Paw

                                        
                       Ruth stayed cool with her shades and a water bucket through our crazy heat wave.

                   As the summer came to an end, a new beginning was ready to challenge us all...

                                                                 PRE- SCHOOL!! 
Ruthie is now attending school 4 mornings a week. She is receiving OT, PT, ST as part of her normal school day.She is also a big bus rider. She rides from home to school and back again each day. Let me tell you that is was not an easy transition for any of us. It took a while, but now that Ruth understands her routine, it is smooth sailing.

With Ruthie expanding her horizons and becoming more independent, Charlie and I have been getting more one on one time. We are able to play and connect each day. It is wonderful to spend time with each one of my girls.

 

The best thing is watching them share their love. It just melts my heart.

                                                           
 As for Joshua and myself, we are still holding onto this wild ride we call life. We are tackling each problem, each adventure, each poopy diaper or projectile vomit- head on. We are making it happen and rolling with the punches.
I am currently staying home with the girls during the day while my partner in crime works hard for the money. Come afternoon time, we switch duties. Josh walks into the "chaos", we call home, and I walk out into the land of the living.


We may not have it all figured out yet, but we are making leaps and bounds to where we want to be.

Keeping our heads up, our hands folded and our hearts lifted in prayer.

Until next time....