Layna's Broken Arm :(

On Friday, September 3rd, 2010 Layna broke her humerus bone and dislocated her elbow.  She was outside in the backyard during cartwheels and running when she fell and landed on her elbow.  Jeromy took her to KU Medwest Urgent care at about 7:00 p.m.  I stayed at home with Lily and Lucy as to keep them on their routine.  Sure enough the x-rays came back and she had broken her arm.  The doctor was concerned because part of the break was right above her elbow so he sent Jeromy and Layna to Children's Mercy downtown.  There they took further x-rays and the Orthopedic surgeon on-call said she was going to need surgery to put pins in her elbow so it would heal properly and she would be able to fully extend her arm.  Jeromy called me at 12:30 a.m. and said they were waiting to be admitted into the hospital and waiting on a room.  He said that Layna was doing extremely well under the circumstances and was not in a lot of pain (they gave her pain medicine).  Layna said, "Dad this is the best night ever because I get to stay up all night."  Needless to say none of us got any sleep that night and Jeromy was still in his sweaty grass cutting clothes and stained green shoes.  Judy came out to our house at 6:30 am to stay with Lily and Lucy so I get to the hospital before Layna's surgery.  My parents came with me and we arrived at Children's Mercy around 8:00 am.  When I saw Layna laying in the hospital bed with a temporary cast on I wanted to sob.  But I didn't, for her sake.  She looked so little and she was uncomfortable and hungry but couldn't eat because she was scheduled to have the surgery mid-morning.  Before they wheeled her off to surgery they told us to give hugs and kisses.  Layna said, "I want you and daddy to come with me."  That just broke my heart.  The hardest thing was to hold back my tears (but I did).  She was so brave and just said, "ok".  She had the surgery at 9:30 and did great.  She had 2 pins put in.  Her surgeon was Dr. Paccica and was fabulous.  Everybody at Children's Mercy was kind, caring, and compassionate.  They explained everything to us, talked very nice with Layna and never rushed us.  If you have to take your child to a hospital, take them to Children's Mercy!  Layna was completely out of it (or so we thought) when the nurse asked me, "What would Layna like to drink when she wakes up"?  Just before I could answer, Layna opened her eyes and said, "lemonade" and then closed her eyes and went back to sleep.  That's my girl!  She did well the rest of the day and had pancakes and a blueberry muffin for lunch.  We left the hospital around 4 that afternoon.  She got a bright pink cast with purple hearts.  We took her out for ice cream on the way home because Jeromy promised her the day before that when this was all over he was taking her out for ice cream and she was holding him to that promise.  Layna, I am so sorry that this happened to you.  I am very proud of you.  You never cease to amaze me.  Here's to wishing you a speedy recovery!

Layna Marie starts Kindergarten

What?  Kindergarten how did we get here?  You are growing up so fast.  Your first day of Kindergarten was on August 23, 2010 at Basehor Elementary.  Your teacher's name is Mrs. Scruggs.  You have 17 kids in your class.  You attend all day Kindergarten from 8:55 to 3:55.  You did not want daddy or I to walk you in on your first day of school but we talked you into it and it was nice.  You hung your back pack up, sat at your desk, let us take a few pictures and then said, "Ugh, are you done taking pictures now?"  "You said you weren't going to stay."  That is our Layna.  You are so independent and confident.  We knew without a doubt that you were ready for this day.  With that being said I still had to hold back tears. One of my favorite memories with you is Umma and I taking you shopping for your back to school clothes and your school supplies.  We went to Zona Rosa for tax free weekend.  You were such a good shopper and we had a lot of fun.  Another favorite memory is daddy and I taking you to sneak peek night at your school.  We met your teacher, looked around your classroom, dropped off your school supplies and we toured the building.  You were so excited and eager to learn your way around the school!  Layna, we love you and are very proud of you- here is to a successful school career!

Lucy Jude's 1st Birthday

It is hard to believe that you are already 1.  Time sure does fly.  What a great year it has been.  You have been such a good baby.  Your sisters love you so much and take good care of you.  Layna and Lily love to wear matching clothes with you and they get so excited when you learn something new.  Lily will say, "Lucy said ma ma."  and Layna will say, "She is such a cute baby and mom look Lucy is crawling!"  By your first birthday you had 6 teeth, had crawling down, cruised all over the place and said da da and oh.  I still nursed you at nap time and bed time but other then that you love to eat table food and you are not a picky eater!  You have a healthy appetite.  You weighed 25 pounds and were 30 inches long at your 1 year wellness check-up.  We do have an appointment to have your eyes looked at again on Sept. 14th, 2010.  We had a cook out for your party and had friends and family over to celebrate your special day.  You loved the attention but did want mommy to hold you quite a bit.  You devoured your strawberry cupcake with vanilla icing!  You got lots of nice gifts.  It was a great day!  Lucy, you were meant to be a part of this family and we love you very much!