15 Nov 08 - Papa, Gamma & the babies

.... and my first attempt at photoshop.

This was a rare event to have all three of them at the same time. we had someone snap a pic of us holding them. Brookie was getting a bit fussy and all AJ was interested in was Jhace... but it was a good picture. I changed out the background and "fixed" my shirt as well as softened the edges a bit. its not the greatest photoshop job, but not too bad for my first try.

Papa (47), Gramma (41), AJ (1), Brooklyn (4 mo) & Jhace (1 mo)

15 Nov 08 - Papa George & Brooklyn

even though these were taken at AJ's party... I really felt they needed a post of their own. Brookie is getting so big. she's 4 months old in these pictures.

here is papa singing to her... all the kids are mesmerized when he sings to them.


here she is laughing at papa...


and although this pic is a little blurry.. I had to include it because she has such a beautiful smile!! can't help but laugh when she does.

15 Nov 08 - Ashdan's 1st birthday party

although Ashdan's birthday was the 14th.. they had his party on Saturday the 15th a the Horton Armory. Lots of folks came and everyone had a good time celebrating his birthday.

the birtday boy!!


his cakes: before............ and after!! LOL


YUMMY.... this is my favorite picture !!


mommy helping him open gifts... all Ashdan was interested in were the balloons.


video of his birthday song and "digging into" his cake... so cute.




here he is "driving" his elmo around on his tricycle. (mommy has to push him cuz he can't reach the pedals yet)


Brooklyn loved the ice cream... auntie Cady showing her how to open wide!!


Norah telling a story...she's so adorable.


OMG, so funny... Norah had went to the bathroom to go potty...she came running out with her pants, shoes and ONE sock off... wanting her mommy to help her get dressed... LOL

14 Nov 08 - Ronald McDonald house

The first night Cady was in the hospital PICU, George and I stayed at a small hotel right across the street from KU. However, I knew I wouldn't be comfortable staying there without him (didn't feel really safe). I was put on the list for a room at the Ronald McDonald house over by Childrens Mercy. The 2nd night after her surgery, I was told I had a room available and we went to check in. George stayed there that night as well. The room was very nice. We had our own private bath with a shower. Even though there isn't TV in the rooms, they do have wireless internet and I brought my laptop. The kitchen was well stocked with necessities and there was a group there every night that week that I was there to cook for the families staying there. There was even a night where a couple of KC Chief's families were there and the players were giving autographs... however, Cady was having a bad day as far as her pain so I didn't go back until late and I missed them. Anyhow, they offer such a nice service for families to be comfortable during a time when they are going to be exhausted the most.

the beds.... select comfort mattresses.


the bath... even though we weren't supposed to have food and drink in the rooms, I did set up my little hot pot to heat water for hot tea during the night... kept it right on the vanity.


view from our window.. see the windows right across? that is a small TV room where George watched a football game the first night we stayed there. One neat thing to point out is the rocky area on the ground... at night that is sparkly with blinking lights... supposed to look like a little stream.


and ol' Ronnie himself... this guy greeted me every evening when I arrived to the house.... and scared the shit outta me every morning when I was leaving...I would just catch a glimpse of him outta the corner of my eye and it was just dark enough that I thought it was a real person sitting there.... never failed... EVERY SINGLE MORNING...


ALL THIS for only $7 a night!!!

14 Nov 08 - Cady's new "do"

We were able to get Cady an appointment with the hair salon that is right in the hospital. The ladies there did a fantastic job cutting and styling her hair so that you can't even tell she had surgery. It really perked her up and she was more than ready to go home! When the doctors made their rounds and asked if there was anything she wanted... she replied, "whatever it takes for me to go home today".... we were out of there by 3pm... LOL

13 Nov 08 - Jhace's 1 month pictures

While I was in KC with Cady, Victoria and her mom took Jhace to Sears in Topeka to get his 1 month pictures taken... so cute. The pics posted here are small because they are just thumbnails from the sears website that I downloaded. The first picture is the one Victoria & Drew got framed for their wall.

12-13 Nov 08 - Cady at KU

Nov 12th - they removed the EVD and bandage from her head. I honestly wasn't prepared... I stayed at the bedside while they removed the tube and although I've been a nurse for 13 years and have seen my share of stuff.... I got a bit nauseated and wobbly in the knees. I'm sure it was only because it was Cady and if it had been a regualr patient, it wouldn't have bothered me.



I attempted to wash her hair before I took this pic, but it was still too tender. the "gunk" that is in her hair is bits of wax and adhesive from when they did her EEG.


Nov 13th - She was feeling much better and was moved out of the PICU into a regular room. Even though she was still having headaches, they weren't nearly as severe as when she had the tube in. She was able to watch movies, had access to PS2 system and games as well as better wireless reception for her laptop.


they shaved quite a chunk of hair... she showered and we pulled it back but it's obvious that we need to get her hair done...