Update on me

I am good. Surgery went well. I was out of the hospital on Tuesday around lunch time. Many more restrictions than I thought I would have - no driving for one! ahh Justin and Jecca are my two life savers. Justin has been doing laundry, vacuuming, bath time with the girls and the grocery shopping. Jecca has been my right arm Monday-Friday. She takes K to school, gets meals ready, and in general just helps! I would be lost without either of them.

Pain has been rough in the morning, last night I took some meds in the middle of the night and that defininitely helped! Other than that, very stiff and ITCHY! 3 more weeks of restrictions and wearing the brace. Follow up dr. appt is on October 27th. On a positive note - I have had NO arm pain/numbness or migraines since the surgery!!!

Here are pics of my progress- WARNING - one is graphic :)

Surgery Soon

I am scheduled for surgery Monday am at 9 for my neck. I have a bulging/herniated disc between my C6 and C7 vertebrate. They are removing the bulging part and fusing the discs together with a titanium plate. I will stay at least one night in the hospital (which is amazing - Southwoods Surgical Hospital in Boardman, OH).

I have done everything possible to avoid this surgery - 6 weeks of physical therapy, 3 different rounds of neck epidurals, and countless medications.

I am nervous for the actual surgery, but am very nervous for the following 4 weeks of recovery. I will wear a soft collar. I am not allowed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk (3lbs.) for all 4 weeks. I am also supposed to avoid bending or reaching up, and avoid stairs if possible.

Plus - I am a little OCD :). No vacuuming, mopping etc. I am worried about my kids, preschool pick-up/drop-off, loading/unloading the car for drop-offs to babysitter's etc, grocery shopping....need I go on?

I know I will have some help in Justin and in our wonderful Jecca, but I am just uneasy about the 4 week time period. I don't know how I will feel, if I will be able to do things like walk around a lot or really what to expect as far as recovery pain.

Please pray for me and my family during this time! Thank you!

Week in review :)

This week has been crazy busy and full of fun! Thursday night, our friends - The Navarro's - came and stayed overnight with their little girl, Landry. Unfortunately, late that night Bandit rolled in something outside that made him smell FOUL! Thus - he received a bath - somehow he ended up getting a mohawk that totally cracked me up, so I had to take a picture:

K brought home more artwork from preschool. In this one, they used orange and apple halves to paint. They also had red show and tell on Friday - she took in her Tickle Me Elmo. Next Friday is their first field trip to a learning farm.

Most exciting though, was Grove City High School's Homecoming. Justin's cousin, Carlee, is a senior this year and was chosen as a princess. For their Homecoming festivities, the princesses choose an aide to 'help' in their duties :). Carlee chose Kaelin. It was SO adorable to see the only redheaded girls in the family dressed up together. Kaelin got to ride in the convertible with her and throw candy during the parade, ride a golf cart during the beginning of the football game and then go out on the track for the half-time announcements. It was cold, but she did pretty well. She was not able to stand still during the half-time announcements....the band was playing in the background and she couldn't help but dance a bit :). She felt so special to be with Carlee and loved EVERY minute of it.

Hailey did great that night as well, cheering for her sister and staying up WAY past bedtime (10:30)! She was such a trooper!

Where's Hailey?

All About Kaelin

Kaelin is LOVING preschool. She loves her teacher Mrs. Doyle - she wants to stay all day every day! Really, she does! Here are some projects she has brought home:

Project #2 - The Green Ocean (her name for it)

Project #3 - Painting Bubble Wrap and then pressing it onto paper

Project #4 - Gluing and making flowers

Today I heard she painted a picture of a pumpkin. Upcoming is Dad's night at preschool on Friday, October 22nd.

Also, the girls had their hair trimmed yesterday. Hailey got a trim. Kaelin's stylist got a little carried away. Her hair is really short! It grows fast, but here is the new look:

Kaelin's First Day of Pre-K!

Today was Kaelin's first day of Pre-K. I was sad knowing she is growing up so quickly, but am so proud of her. She was SO excited to go to school, she did want to ride a bus, but we explained she has to wait another year.

Hailey wanted to stay and go to school with Sissy, but seemed content to stay with Mommy. We told her she had to be four first to which she replied, "I not four, I two."

Here are some pictures of Kaelin this morning.

Hailey and I caught a glimpse of the preschool playground on the way home and saw K's class lining up - she was guiding the kids in line and copying the teacher as they did a head count. I have a feeling she is going to be the bossy kid in class :)

When I picked Kaelin up she said she had fun and informed me, "I was a good girl Mommy, but some of the other kids weren't." She also told me that one boy called her mean because he knocked something down and she picked it up. Not sure I understand that one, but I am glad she is still excited about school.

This is one of their projects Kaelin brought home today. They are reading The Kissing Hand this week at school - A GREAT Book! (My mom actually gave me a copy when I went away to college - Thanks Mom!).

Hailey's first movie

Yesterday I had to work and Daddy was with the kids. Here are a few pictures he took of Kaelin and Hailey being 'rockstars' - that was Kaelin's word. :)

Then yesterday evening we took the girls to the $2.50 theater to see the newest Shrek. Hailey had never been to a theater. She did really well and seem to enjoy it - especially the popcorn.

Canfield Fair

It has been a fun summer that is quickly becoming fall!

Last weekend we spent the evening at the park, followed by a trip to Handel's. The girls ENJOY their ice cream.

Friday night we spent at the Canfield fair! We had a large group - we went with Chris and Jecca, then met Papa Tom and Grandma Barb and then our friends Tami and Brian.

Hailey LOVES her Unca Chis!

K got to hold a duckling with Daddy.

Watching the baby chicks hatch.

The girls got a kick out of seeing this black squirrel run the power lines.

A lot of rides were ridden by the girls! We are still surprised by how adventurous our shy little Hailey has become. She loved riding with her sister!

For those of you who live in the area, guess who we saw?! Wierd hat guy!!! He left the Boardman Mall for a bit to attend the fair - I had to get a picture :).

Hailey won crown on the ducky game.

Kaelin likes to wear grandma's glasses - I think she looks like a DIVA.

Hailey likes to eat cotton candy, especially if its blue! :)