Let's see... what has been going on??? The past two weekends Mike and I have been away from each other. We have a "getaway" at church called the Encounter for which Mike and I were chosen to be on the "team". These weekends are just an opportunity for people to leave kids, spouses, cell phones, tv, computers, and any other distractions behind to have an "Encounter" with God. It really gives you a chance to get back to what is important in your walk with God and that is first and foremost your relationship with Him. I had a wonderful weekend. It amazed me how the hearts of women were changed over the course of the weekend. Mike and I both were "servants" but both still had a chance to get something out of the weekend. I actually had to leave early Saturday morning- I got a horrible stomach virus while I was there. I really hate that I missed out on the last day but would have been miserable if I would have stayed. These weekends will take place every six months so I will have another opportunity in September. I think I forgot to mention that the men and women go on separate weekends. I went this past weekend and Mike the one before.
We went to Physical Therapy at Vandy today for visit number 2. This session was much better than the last one. Mikayla one cried for a couple of minutes in the beginning!! Thank God! However, found out today that our therapist is leaving at the end of the month to take another job! I am disappointed but I guess that is life- just when Mikayla gets used to her she will leave and we start over. oh- well!!
Mikayla is officially starting preschool in the fall. Her first day is August 16th(I think that is right??) There is a private school about 10 minutes from our house in White House that starts at age 2. The name of the school is Heritage and Hope Academy. I am really excited about how much she is going to learn with a real teacher and curriculum!! I have heard many good things about this school and the program they teach the little ones. She will be going on Tuesday and Thursdays from 8am - 2:30pm! Long days, hopefully she will do ok after she gets used to it!! She will do art, music, math, reading, bible every day. She gets to bring her lunch in a lunch bag from home and they have snack in the morning and take a nap (on a mat). Her chair fits in the room perfectly. We toured the school on Monday and all the kids wanted to touch her and her chair - she was a little overwhelmed!! It will just take time like it did with the kids at church, now it is a normal thing. We have not decided if we will put her in public school next year or keep her at this school- depends how it works with her therapy. She get "developmental" therapy in our home until she is three then the school system takes over... not sure what happens if they go to private school?? The only therapy she really needs is physical. She is great in every other area!!! We will see!!
I put some pictures on here from her class last Wednesday night- Mike and I worked our parent rotation in there that night!
Mikayla getting hugs from one of her buddies

Jackson

Eating snack... look how small Mikayla is compared to the other kids. This was her first time to have snack in a regular chair not her wheelchair- she did great! Luke, Matthew, and Jackson are in this picture.

She is really looking at something!!

I cannot believe that Mikayla's 2nd birthday is a month from today!!!! This past 2 years has absolutely flown by me. She is getting to be such a big girl. Her communication skills are amazing and she is getting around with ease now. She can get wherever she needs to go now(except for the obvious places) and gets into everything!!! Mamaw says that Mikayla does not need to walk to get into trouble and that is the truth. We are one hundred percent in the terrible twos now. I will say that her terribleness is not anywhere near where it could be... guess that means I am in for a real treat in the threes, hahaha!!! Mikayla is very conscious of what she wants and will definitely let you know what it is. She loves pretending. Her favorite thing to do is make a cake in her kitchen she got for Christmas. She has some of the Little People sets and she loves playing with her "girls". We have sing-a-longs in the car. She knows all the songs on one CD and sings them all. Her favorite songs are "Happy", "b-i-n-g-0", and "apples and bananas". She loves her animals (Pootie, Duke, and her "fishies"). Breakfast is her favorite meal and she loves to "help" Mommy make it. She eats pancakes six out of seven mornings- that is what she likes so I am not going to argue with her. I know that is one meal that will be all gone.

Over the last week I have really come to the realization of what people think of kids in wheelchairs... they think it is a death sentence. Yes - for me, her mom, I would love for her not to use a chair but that is life for her right now. She gets where she needs to go independently, to an extent. There are some places she cannot go and some things she cannot do but she does everything she can do. I don't want people to feel sorry for her or us... we feel blessed!!!! She is here and breathing and thriving with an unbelievable life ahead of her. I am not going to lie there are days when I wish things were different but those days are becoming fewer and fewer. God has a wonderful, magnificent plan for Mikayla's life. Her story and what God has already done through her has touched lives and ministered to people... I cannot imagine it any other way. On the other end of the spectrum, we have a president who does think very highly of people in wheelchairs- comparing his bowling game to that of the "Special Olympics". Talk about ticked off... you could say I was that!!!! I will not go into that anymore... I have had time to simmer down. Writing more will restart the fire!!!
Hope that everyone is making plans to join us for our March for Babies walk on April 25th. I do need to know how many people will be walking with us. We are having shirts made so I need a number set in stone by next Friday- April 3rd. I will be ordering the shirts that day so if you want one let me know that morning... the cutoff is 12:00 noon! Please sign up to walk or donate at www.marchforbabies.org/teams/641903 . We appreciate everyone's help in our cause. We are so excited about being able to be Ambassador Family and to share our story. The day of the walk is also special because is Mikayla's birthday and party!!!
Speaking of her birthday... I had a request for ideas for her birthday so I registered her at Toys R Us. They have a wish list kiosk in the store that you can print out. That will be easier for people that want to know.
We started today with a new Physical Therapist. For the past little while, maybe a year, Mrs. Julie had been coming to the house to do therapy but recently her husband had to take a job in another state so she is leaving us. We will miss her!! This gave us an opportunity to expand Mikayla's horizons and start therapy outside the house, where Mommy is not in the same room. We will be going once a week to Vanderbilt Pediatric Rehab facility at 100 Oaks(about 50 minutes away) to work with Ms. Ellen. Wish us luck with that. This morning we just played(I did stay in the room this morning) because Mikayla just wanted to cry. Each time should get a little easier, remember I said should.
Sorry, I have not been keeping up with the blog like I should, I will try much harder. Enjoy the pictures below. The first two were of Mikayla using her artistic side to paint and use marker on her face, um I mean paper!! The next few I took today after lunch. She got bead necklaces today at therapy and she loves them. She is such a girl - loves jewelry!!!

This last one I told her it was time to give Mommy her necklaces so we could go "night, night". She did not like that idea!!

My husband told me I have to update the blog so I am taking a few minutes to do that. We have had so many things going on and I just have not taken the time to sit down to update. A few weekends ago we (with Mamaw) took Mikayla to see Playhouse Disney Live. She really enjoyed herself and she actually stayed attentive to the show the whole time. I think it lasted about an hour and a half. This past Saturday we(along with all of middle TN) went to the Nashville Zoo. Mikayla is so much fun to go to the zoo with now. She loves animals!!! The elephants, merekats, cows, and sheep are her favorites. She thinks the merekats say "meow"... it is the cutest!

When Mikayla is not in her chair at home, she scoots around on the floor. She has gotten very good at getting around- long distances very quickly. It is one of those things that you really have to see to understand REALLY what I am talking about. Her new favorite thing to do is feed Duke his food from his bowl- she throws handfuls of food at him. The other day I was unloading the dishwasher and Mikayla was feeding Duke. During this time she has her back to me. A few minutes into feeding him, she turns around to face me. I then see her put a piece of dog food to her mouth. I told her not to eat the food that it is for Duke. Well, she gets this I know I am in trouble look on her face and kept her hand in front of her mouth. I asked her if she had dog food in her mouth. Well, the little stinker shook her head yes, gave me a huge smile, and had a mouthful of dog food. I guess while she had her back to me she tried the ole' one for Duke, one for me. She even had dog food in between her teeth. I actually laughed out loud for a second. By that point she had already swallowed most of the food so I just let her finish it (that sounds really bad now that I write it). Just so you know, I did get on to her and now I keep more of an eye on her when she is "feeding" Duke. We have actually made her quit feeding him because it was so tempting for her. If you ask her if she liked Duke's food she tells you "yes".
She is getting so grown up. Since she had her tubes put in her ears it is amazing how much she talks. I thought she was a jabber mouth before but that was nothing. She seriously never stops talking from the time she opens her eyes in the morning until she goes to sleep at night (unless we are at church- and then she says nothing!) She loves playing with her kitchen. Her favorite thing to do is make a cake in her oven. She also loves her "girls"(fisher price- little people sets). And books, she loves looking at them. She loves singing in the car. We have one CD that we listen to over and over and Mikayla has memorized the songs. I could go on and on about all the cute, big girl things she does that I love to watch. I just can't believe that she will be two very soon. She is very excited about her Abby Cadabby birthday party.
Oh - yeah - Mikayla is going to have a cousin. Uncle Philip and Aunt Ammie are expecting, due in late August. I am really curious to see how Mikayla will do with sharing the spotlight and attention of the grandparents.
Anyway- sorry to write so much - it has been a while. Hope everyone is doing well.
Mikayla with her new fish that Daddy bought her the day of her tube surgery. She loves sitting on the table and watch them.

Playing with Pootie.

At Playhouse Disney

With Daddy at Playhouse Disney(Mamaw in background)

All the characters of Playhouse Disney(Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, My Friends Tigger and Pooh, and Handy Manny)

Daddy and his girl at the zoo on Saturday

Watching the ducks

March of Dimes

Just wanted to take a minute and let you guys know that we are going to take part again this year in the March for Babies for March of Dimes. We are actually going to be the Ambassador Family for Wilson County this year. We are really excited to share our story of our little miracle. We would love to have your help in making this year's walk and our team a big success. Please consider helping us. You can join our team by going to the website... www.marchforbabies.org/teams/641903 .
Thanks so much for your help in advance. You can learn more about March of Dimes by going to www.marchofdimes.com .

Love you all-
Leshia

Surgery complete

We have tubes! Surgery went great and Mikayla did great! I was worried about her being hungry and asking for food but she did not even once. The surgery itself took about 10 minutes. By the time we went back to see her, she was awake and talking. We had to stay until she started drinking and of course she did not want to do it. Finally, we started putting sprite in a straw and dropping in her mouth. Every time we mentioned anything about drinking she started SCREAMING! That was the only bad part about the whole thing. After we made it home she wanted some pancakes to eat and milk to drink. She devoured the pancakes and wanted more so I think she is feeling ok. She is taking a nap now so I am sure she will feel even better after she wakes up. The doctor told us that she had fluid on both ears, but had a very thick, fluid on the right ear. Poor thing! Also, I saw today that she is cutting two teeth right now. She is such a trooper to have all that stuff going on and still be as happy as she has been. Anyway- just wanted to update everyone. Thanks for all the prayers and text messages. Love you guys.
Top picture is before surgery after we dressed her in the cool Vandy Kids pjs. Bottom picture is when we were trying to get her to consume any fluids that we could. I am holding a popsicle in this picture, which she did not want any part in eating. The white thing wrapped around her arm is called a "no no" to keep her from pulling out her IV.

Yes - I know it has been a while... sorry AJ! We have been so busy and my free time during Mikayla's nap time is slammed too. I am not even going to try and fill in all the details since I blogged last soooo I will just start with last weekend. Actually, I will start with last Thursday. We went to ENT(ear, nose, and throat) dr. at Vanderbilt to see about Mikayla's ears and like we thought she needs tubes. Since she has fluid on both ears they went ahead and scheduled her for Tuesday(tomorrow). So keep her in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. We have to be a Children's Hospital at 6:30am and surgery is scheduled for 8:30. We will have to leave the house about 5:30... I am not looking forward to that!! I have heard so many good things about tubes so I am thinking positively about the whole thing!!
Had a crazy weekend. Friday, Mikayla and I went to story time at the library then to McDonalds with our friends Amy, Cole, and Wyatt. Friday night Mikayla spent the night with Mamaw and Papa. Mike had to work Saturday so I had the whole day to myself. I should have spent it relaxing but of, course, I had too many things to do. Had to do shopping for baby shower, birthday party, and Mike's Valentine's gift. Then, came home, worked out(Mike and I are doing a workout program called P90X), ate lunch, and went to a baby shower. Got home, Mikayla came home, did dinner, bath for Mikayla, made phone calls for church, and bed. Sunday, went to church, came home, ate lunch, birthday party, nap for Mikayla, dropped Mikayla at Mrs. Shannon's, went to training at church, ate dinner at McDonalds, picked Mikayla up, then home to bed. Where in the world did my weekend go?????
Since Mikayla is having surgery tomorrow and it is SOOO warm I wanted to do something fun today so we packed our lunch and went to the zoo. She had so much fun!! She was so aware of everything- we talked about what the animals were doing, what they looked like, and what noises they made. This was the most fun I have had with her since we have started going and I am sure it is going to only get better. She is getting to be such a big girl!!! I love watching her play when she does not know I am watching. It is amazing how well she really plays with things now... the correct way. Santa brought her a kitchen for Christmas and she loves putting things in the oven, turning the timer, then saying "all done" and taking it out of the oven. Can't believe she is almost 2- it has flown!!!! She is in the terrible twos for sure- cannot stand to not get her way and gets frustrated when she cannot get things to work right. She has also started running over kids in her wheelchair at church. Mrs. Shannon had to get on to her yesterday but I am glad that she got in trouble - I don't want her to think that is ok to do.
Again- please keep us in your prayers tomorrow. Thanks. Below are just some pictures of Mikayla being silly. Hope everyone is doing well. We love you all.

I am so glad this is a new week. Last week was not a very good one at all. Took Mikayla back to the doctor, last Monday, for follow up on ear infection. Well, she still had fluid on left ear but now she has infection in right ear. The next step of course is tubes... in both ears. I knew it would probably happen but I was hoping not. In order to get rid of the infection she has, we have to do shots this time... one a day for three days. So we went to the doctor every day for our shots, in the meantime Mikayla is getting sick. Found out that we had some cases of RSV at church so we have to be careful with Mikayla because she is still so tiny. The bad thing is RSV looks like a cold and guess what... Mikayla has a cold. She had a cough since Sunday afternoon but she now had rattling in her chest so the doc checked her out while we were there for her shot. The doctor was not concerned but said to watch for wheezing... well guess what she woke up Thursday doing... exactly that. Because we were watching her for RSV, we had to go back to the doctor. After examining her, he determined everything was ok but we still had to watch to make sure nothing got worse. Luckily nothing changed so we stayed out of the doctor's office on Friday. Thank God!

Thursday was my birthday so my sweet hubby stayed with Mikayla and I went for a massage and manicure. I needed it for sure after my week. The massage was the BEST I had ever had- I so enjoyed myself!!! Saturday, Mikayla spent the night with Mamaw and Papa. I was not ready to take her back to the nursery with her immune system down. Mike and I went and ate at Chilis on Saturday night. Then got up and went to church on Sunday then to the grocery store afterward. Sunday afternoon we went to Mike's parents for Sunday to dinner and to pick up our little baby.

Monday, Mike was off work. We woke up that morning to SNOW!! I was so excited! We took Mikayla out in it for a few minutes. We spent more time getting her dressed to go out than actual time out in it. She liked looking out the window at the snow (it was "pretty") but when Mike sat her down in it she flung her head back and started crying. Maybe she had too many clothes on and she did not like it... who knows. We actually still have a little snow in our front yard where the sun doesn't shine.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we have come into the "terrible twos". We have started battling at mealtime. She wants her select few things that she likes and nothing else. I actually put her in time out last night for throwing food off her tray at dinner. Nothing seems to work with her. I think we are in for war... she is very headstrong and so are we... it could be very interesting. I forget at times how old she is because she is so small.

Oh yea- I almost forgot her new favorite thing to do... play on the computer. I introduced her to the website kneebouncers. com and she loves it. It is just for little ones - they can play different games just by banging and typing on the keyboard. She is constantly wanting the "puter". You have sit close by and watch her for the times when she might push the wrong button.

I am not sure I typed this before but Mikayla is feeling better but for some reason she has still been whinny and a little clingy. Not sure about this. She did give Mommy her cold.

Ok- I was getting ready to post this and realized... I don't remember what we did last weekend! That is horrible- I guess now that I am 31 it is starting to affect my memory. First- I start finding gray hairs and now my memory is going! I think I need to dim the lights in my bathroom because every time I am brushing my teeth - I find more gray hairs. I always thought having blonde hair they would be hidden... well not on my head!!!

I do remember what we did - Friday, Mikayla and I went to story time at the library then we met Mamaw at Chuck e Cheese. Last time we were there Mikayla was afraid of the characters but she loved them this time- she did not want to leave. Saturday- I went to the grocery store- all by myself. Saturday afternoon we went to Mike's parents. Sunday - we went to church and then to Mamaw and Papa's. Philip and I both have birthdays today and Bonnie surprised us with birthday cake on Sunday night! Speaking of birthday - my wonderful hubby surprised me with a Baskin Robbins mint chocolate chip ice cream cake on Tuesday night!! I got my presents early too and this morning he left cards for me from him and Mikayla. Props to my honey!!! Thanks to everyone who sent me cards also- thank you for thinking of me!! Love you all!!

She wanted to get in the basket then wanted to do raspberries in this picture!

She was really into the show at Chuck E Cheese





My YUMMY b-day cake!!!

Invisible Mother

A friend sent this email to me today. I have read it before but for some reason it meant more to me this time. There are times I am sure all us mothers wonder what it is all for... all the doctors appointments, being up all night, fussy days, ear infections, cutting teeth, etc. With Mikayla being in a chair sometimes I wonder what that is for then I remember the reasons I cannot see but they are far greater than I can EVER imagine. Just like all the not fun stuff about being a mom- we are doing something far greater than we know... we are shaping lives. Hope you all enjoy - it may bring a tear to your eye- it did mine.

Invisible Mother.....

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking,'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this?? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order,'Right around 5:30, please.' I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!? One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip,and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.' In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths,after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into abeam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Be cause God sees.' I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you,Charlotte . I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become. At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong,stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.' As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Comparison

I love doing comparisons from one year to the next- here is mine for Christmas. Amazing how different she looks and how much she has changed and learned! Just wanted to share!

6 random things

I have been tagged again... I have to list 6 random things about myself and then tag others to do the same- before my list I tag Jessica, Heather, Julie, Anna, Laura, and Jennifer. Here goes...

1) I LOVE Pf Changs! I could go there every other week. LETTUCE WRAPS!!!!!

2) I am TERRIFIED of storms!

3) I am terribly addicted to fruity candy- tropical starburst are my FAVE! I can sit and eat the whole bag in a matter of about an hour! Sad but true!

4) I LOVEEEEEE driving with the windows down and the radio cranked up(when I am alone) on sunny days during the spring and fall.

5) I am very insecure about meeting new people.

6) I make lists for EVERYTHING - from my daily to do list, grocery lists, Christmas shopping list(who is getting what and from what store), food prep order for Thanksgiving Day(what and what time to put in the oven), and Mikayla's packing list for Mamaw's house - just to name the few that come to mind!

I am waiting so long after the weekend to post this I don't even remember what we did- I should keep up a little better I guess. Let's see... New Years Day we had Christmas with my Dad's family at my Grandparents' house. My grandfather was in the hospital around Christmas so this was the first opportunity. Mikayla got lots of good stuff as did Mike and I. That evening we went to Mamaw and Papa's for dinner which consisted of pork and sauerkraut. We had a special guest for dinner. Uncle Aj has a girlfriend now- Kara- who lives outside of Detroit. They have been commuting back and forth for months- finally we all got to meet her. After meeting her we wished she lived closer! Can't wait for her to come visit again. Mikayla seemed to really like her- she went to her without hesitation (mommy was even holding her at the time)! That is BIG!
Friday - I had to take Mikayla's chair in for some adjustments. Saturday evening - I had a candle party at the house and after that went to Mamaw and Papa's for dinner. Sunday - went to church and that evening had a meeting/training at church. Mrs. Shannon and Mr. Alan (and Seth) watched Mikayla for us. Mikayla loves Shannon - every time we pull up at church Mikayla says "Shannon". I never have to worry about Mikayla in the nursery because I know that Shannon does such a great job with that area! We love Mrs. Shannon!
Monday - we had a visitor with us - Seth came to play with us while Shannon was working. We had fun playing on the wii - Seth had to show me how it is really done!
Tuesday - we had another meeting at church so Mamaw came to stay with Mikayla while we went. Wednesday - we had church and Mikayla & Mommy went shopping. Thursday (today) we had physical therapy and played. And that brings everyone up to date!
Just to update everyone on Mikayla's ear... it seems to be getting better. She has stopped putting her fingers in there! She gets her last dose of antibiotics on Saturday, then we will go back to the doctor next week and we will see what is going on. If it is not one thing it is another- she is now getting more teeth!! I guess that is the way it is with kids!


Picture with her cousins on New Years Day- Ian, Mikayla, and Trent

Mikayla coloring with Aunt Renee

All the grand and great-grand kids

Uncle Aj letting Mikayla drink out of his glass

Kara, Aj, Mikayla, Mamaw, and Papa- teaching Mikayla to use the camera

Kara and Aj

Happy 2009

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! I am excited for things to come in the new year! Wish everyone much happiness- love you all! These are just a couple of pictures from last night at our celebration at church. The first one is Mike and I right before midnight. The second one is me, Tammy Reid, and Andrea Johnson- love you girls!!

In need of a little prayer...

Just wanted to ask for a little prayer out there... we went back to the doctor yesterday for a recheck of her ear and discovered she still has an ear infection. We are on round 3 of antibiotics!!! This is the last antibiotic they will give her- if this doesn't work we will have to do a round of shots(one a day for 3 days). After shots comes ENT visit. So... we just have to pray and believe that this medicine is going to work!!! She was so fussy yesterday and to be honest I am just tired of it! I want her to feel better and be Mikayla again! Thanks in advance for the prayers!