Camryn's beautiful friend!

Though pale, she looks like she feels better, it's been a while since we've seen this. Her levels will tell us more, but the doctors think she looks pretty good, so we are going to enjoy it while it lasts! I wish this picture would have turned out, but the sun was going down already... More pictures tomorrow!

True Generosity Still Exists...

Things have been tough with Camryn, I'm not gonna lie. I can't tell you how we get through it, aside from putting one foot in front of the other. I can tell you we get our strength from somewhere, from those around us who remind us with one generous act at a time that people out there are generally good. With the price of everything going up lately and everyone paranoid that their job is next on the chopping block, everyone is tightening their belts. Well last night, Dan's co-worker Rhonda brought over a gift, from his team at work. 12 people who thought of us before themselves. A truely selfless act. Dan was excited about the gift and how it will make things a little easier for us in taking all those trips down to St. Paul to help her get better. Me? Excited about the fact that 12 people thought of us in our challenging times when they are I am sure facing their own. And the creative one inside me of course, LOVING the card! Lovely work Rhonda!

Melt snow, MELT!

I really can't wait for spring!

One little tube...

This little tube means so much. Do you know where that fluid was 2 minutes before that picture was taken? In my daughter's brain. Crazy, huh?

Camryn's surgery went well, she did well after, until the 48 hour mark. She started getting headaches, stomachaches and couldn't do much more than sleep. We were concerned, so we took her to the NP and had her culture her CSF fluid (yes, that's what is in there!) after checking the setting (normal) and tapping her shunt (good flow), so that we can try to come to a solution or at least get some answers as to what is going on. It has been so scary waiting for those results, Saturday can't get here fast enough!

...and people think she's so cute!

This is the Elli we know after a long day. Look at that expression!

Mikayla's St. Patrick's Day Program

Mikayla had her first instrument program and she was so excited. Just thought I would share ;)



Can you tell I need an SB-800? Putting that on the wishlist :)

So I have been reading...

And I am starting to learn more and more about how to get what I want to actually come out of my pictures the FIRST time.

Who thought water could look so good?


I am going to keep playing with it :)

How do you celebrate a child's homecoming?

With no clean up of course!

We're HOME!!!(some pictures might be graphic!)

And I have put my new toy to good use.
Camryn was admitted to the hospital on Friday for surgery and it was short notice. She went in for a CT on Thursday at 2, an appointment at 4 and by 5 she was scheduled for surgery. It was quite the worldwin, so here are some pictures, chronologically :)
Camryn waiting for her CT.

Camryn goofing around waiting for Dr. Partington

The look on Camryn's face when she found out she'd have to go to surgery the next day.

Camryn getting a weight check and pre-op physcial.

Camryn is always happier when she can be in control. A doctor in the making :)

Camryn's last popsicle since surgery time was pushed back from 3 to 5 pm.

Camryn getting her hair washed by a fellow shunt friend, Nick ;)

Camryn pulled her IV out when she was waiting for her turn in the OR, so Matt fixed her up.

Camryn then had to go to surgery, once the doctor left his mark :)

This is how she came back to me.

Two hours later, she had a popsicle and she was feeling...

After several doses of medicine, she still had to maintain her medicine schedule. Did you know with new HIPPA laws that the name tags have to be torn off of the syringe before throwing them in the trash. REALLY? I mean seriously, what lengths will people go to to get personal information to steal?

After Eggs went well the next morning, we were allowed to have a full lunch for her!

Then it was off to a bath! It was a cool ARGO tub, google it if you need a $20k tub!


And then she was free to go :)

I took about 350 pictures in the 48 hours and plan to put it in a book for her to know what she goes through in the process.
I hope it wasn't too graphic for you!

It's HERE!!

I have been waiting for a couple of months for this bad boy to replace our broken camera and now it's here! I am such a picture junkie! I mean, my blog was almost paralyzed without one! I already started taking pictures, but can't wait to see what this baby can really do :) Look out! There might be several posts!!!!