Can't Wait to be Home!

See Cayman hanging out in what will soon be our new living room!
The house inspection checked out well and guess what we discovered under the carpeting!

HARDWOOD FLOORS!!

Madison & Cayman Pictures

Madison had her 4 year old pictures taken. Cayman felt she had to get in on having her cuteness captured too.

Our House

I am happy to invite you on a tour of our new house.

Well technically, it will become ours on Feb. 23rd, when we close.

Now keep in mind, I said the decor is stuck in the 1950's so I hope your expectations aren't too high. In fact it took me the second time around to look past it and fall in love.

Either way, we hope you feel welcomed as we warmly invite you on a tour of our house.

And feel free to share your makeover ideas you might have.

Here's the front of the house. Definitely needs some curb appeal. I look forward to having an attached garage.
There's a small foyer through the front door. Step up and you enter into the living room. I am ecstatic to have a fireplace with a mantle! And look, white crown molding!!
Just beyond the living room is the dining room. I love the built-in china cabinets.
Through the dining room is the family room with patio doors to the fenced in back yard. The built-in bookshelves are fun. I will have to take a Pottery Barn class on how to stage the shelves so they look classy and not cluttered.
Adjacent to the dining room is the eat-in kitchen. Through the kitchen is access to the basement and garage.
Down the hallway is three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

This is the main bathroom. I like the size of it. It's roomy. Above the beautiful gray tile there is wallpaper like I have never seen before. I wish I had a close up of it to share with you. It is velvet textured and everything!!
The other bathroom, which is the master has this awesome whirlpool tub. It will be enjoyed by our tired muscles after all the updates are done.That completes our tour. Thank you for stopping by!

4 Years Old!!!

She loves cake, princesses, and the color blue. She is a natural at singing and dancing. She just might star on American Idol someday.

Happy Birthday wishes to my sweet little sister, Madison!!

Today's Daily News

I come to you bearing lots of news!

I left you a few days ago with the news that I have been ill and was going to the doctor.

The doctor wasn't much help. I felt disappointed that there was not a clear answer to the cause of my illness and why it was attacking my eyes. The doctor said it could be allergies or it could be a fungal overgrowth. She prescribed me medicine for both but told me there was no good way of treating it.

Neither prescription worked. In fact just the opposite happened. It got worse!

I was miserable from the stinging pain around my eyes. I decided to do my own research. I spent an afternoon googling my symptoms. The more I read the more I determined it was a fungal overgrowth that I got from being on an antibiotic back in December for Mastitis.

I did, what I always do when I disagree with the medical field...I called the Naturopath. I am beginning to think I am doing things backwards. Perhaps the Naturopath should be the first opinion I seek, and the Dr.'s help secondary (if it's not life threatening of course).

I reported to the Naturopath what I had researched and what the doctor said. The Naturopath looked over my health record and was able to tell me exactly what to get for it and why it was occurring. After one days' treatment of the supplements I could see it was helping. It's taking some time to get over this but I feel I am on the road to recovery. Thank God! These have not been my better (looking) days!

I confess I seek out the doctor and their medicine first because usually a prescription takes care of the symptoms quickly. It's our culture...we want instant results. But the more I learn the Naturopath's approach to illness the more I am convinced it's the better way. The results may take longer to see but it leads to a healthier body.

My next news I have to report is Cayman is getting a tooth!! It's her first tooth!! How exciting! She's just growing and living in so many ways! What a blessing!

Cutting a tooth means she goes from

Happy...

to Sad...

Very Quickly!

My third news I have to report is we are getting a house!! It's actually happening! It's not like my dream house I wrote about before with the big porch, but that does not lessen my excitement. It's a sweet little ranch that was built in the 1940's and reflects that era from the inside out. The bones of the house are in great condition (roof, windows, foundation, etc.). The previous owners took immaculate care of the place. It just needs a lot of cosmetic work to bring the house into the 21st century. Retro is not my natural style so Mike and I have many great ideas to bring change to the space. I'll share pictures soon.

Off to the Doctor

Cayman, for a change, will accompany me to the doctor's office today.

I have not been feeling well off and on for about a month. I have had two head colds that have come and gone, and that other weird illness I had last week with a fever.

Once again, I am congested and my eyes are red, puffy, and itch like crazy!!

Possibly allergies?

I realized, it's been a little over a month since we moved to the Taj and shortly after is when this all started and has progressively gotten worse. I'm wondering if there's something here that I'm allergic to. I'm not really sure. I'm going to the doctor in hope to find answers and hopefully get rid of my hideous red eye look.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

***ice icicles on the front of the Taj.***

Cold is a Relative Thing

65 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat.
people in Ohio plant gardens.

60 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Ohio sunbathe.

50 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Ohio drive with the windows down..

40 above zero:
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Ohio throw on a flannel shirt.

35 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Ohio have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 above Zero:
People in Miami all die.
Ohioans close the windows.

Zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico .
People in Ohio get out their winter coats.

10 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Ohio are selling cookies door to door.

20 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Ohio let the dogs sleep indoors.

30 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Ohioans get upset because they can't start the Snow-mobile.

40 below zero :
ALL atomic motion stops .
People in Ohio start saying...'Cold enough fer ya?'

50 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Ohio public schools will open 2 hours late

Wishing you a Happy warm Monday!

What Cracks You Up?

Recently I discovered Cayman cracks up over the sound of paper tearing.

It happened the other day when I was multitasking. I was holding Cayman, I had a bottle propped up so she could eat while I opened my mail. Every time I tore an envelope she would stop sucking and laugh!

Later, I decided to test it and see if it was coincidental or if the sound of ripping paper was indeed hilarious to her!

Have a look...

Fitted for a Helmet

Yesterday we took Cayman to an Orthotics Doctor. He evaluated her head shape and measured her for a helmet. The idea of the helmet is to reshape her head so it's more round and smooth. Ideally, a baby should be younger than what Cayman is for this procedure to be more effective but the doctor still wants to try since Cayman is not a typical Hydrocephalus baby.

Those were his words.

When we asked him what he meant by that, he explained that Cayman's head shape is very different than that of a regular hydrocephalus case. The edge of Cayman's skull bones are very dominant and create a ridge that can be easily viewed and palpitated. If you look at Cayman's pictures you can see one of these ridges in the middle of her forehead. The doctor does not know why it is like that or if the appearance of these bony ridges can be lessened. He said he's never seen that before and wondered if it's another genetic mutation.

Great! Will there ever be an end to their findings?

***Maybe I should warn everyone...I get sarcastic when I'm very short nerved, which is how I've been lately, just ask my husband. Wait!! I take that back!! Don't ask him!! He just might be too honest. :o)***

There is a small possibility the helmet could help Cayman's head shape. We won't know unless we try. And if it doesn't work, oh well. That's minor.

Cayman was very entertaining while the doctor measured her head. She laughed, smiled, talked, and bounced while I held her on my lap. She did not mind one bit that someone was messing with her head.

The Dr. first put a stocking hat on Cayman and then covered it with dots.
Then he put a black "cape" over Cayman so the laser could pick up on only the white stocking hat and dots.Then he waved a laser gun (it looked like something from a video game) all over Cayman's head and the image was perfectly inputted onto the monitor.It will take a couple weeks for the helmet to be made.

Sitting

I'm so excited to report Cayman is working hard at sitting all by herself!!

Actually, that's not completely true. The more truthful statement goes: Mommy is working hard at getting Cayman to sit all by herself. Cayman is working hard to resist.

If I can distract Cayman with her favorite toy, which is this whoozit, she is much more cooperative.





She can sit unsupported just long enough for me to get a picture.***Sarah, thank you for the PJ's. They fit Cayman perfectly and they are really cute!

Caught on Camera

I laid the blanket on the floor.
I laid Cayman on the blanket.

Then I left the room.

When I returned Cayman was laying next to the blanket.
How did she get there?

I put Cayman back on the blanket and watched nearby.
She rolled onto her belly.
Then she rolled onto her back.
Mystery solved.

10 Month Old pictures

Thanks for the "get well" wishes. I am feeling somewhat better, just very tired now.

I didn't spend a lot of time today taking Cayman's pictures but it needed to be done. I feel a little disappointed on how they turned out. Cayman is cute of course, but the pictures lack creativity.

Still No Pictures

Sorry, still no pictures. I promise early next week there will be pictures.

Happy weekend!!

10 Months Old

Cayman is ten months old today!!!!

I woke up this morning very sick-fever, aches, headache, fatigue-so I don't have the energy to have our usual home photo shoot today. Hopefully tomorrow.

Watch for Cayman's 10 month old pictures!!

Story Time

Oh boy do I have a story to share!!!!
This house is for sale. Our Realtor brought it to our attention. He said the sellers moved out awhile ago and are very motivated. It would be a great house at a possible great deal.

It sparked our interested so we went by yesterday to view it. We walked up to the front door just as T.J. (that's the Realtor) was putting in the code to unlock it.

He turned to us and said, "Do you hear water running?"

It had snowed but it was too cold for things to be melting. We looked up and nothing was dropping from the eave spouts. We noticed water was dripping off of the front doorstep though .

T.J. cautiously opened the door. The house was flooded!! Water was gushing from the now fallen ceiling. Apparently a pipe had busted and with no one living there it was not discovered.

Oh it was so sad. What a pretty house. And the poor sellers....we hope it works out in their favor, assuming they have insurance.

It was so strange to see that kind of mess in person. My cushy life has only viewed something like that in a movie.

My Faith expressed through songs

I just couldn't seem to sleep tonight...which is a rarity for me since I became a mom. I decided to use my awake energy to write this post for you.

If you notice I posted a play list on my sidebar several months ago. These songs bring me peace. They tell a story of how my faith in God was directed during my pregnancy. Many of the songs I listened to everyday. The most popular one being Never Alone by Barlow Girls. Listen to these words:

I waited for you today
But you didn't show
No no no
I needed You today
So where did You go?
You told me to call
Said You'd be there
And though I haven't seen You
Are You still there?

[Chorus:]
I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone

And though I cannot see You
And I can't explain why
Such a deep, deep reassurance
You've placed in my life

We cannot separate
'Cause You're part of me
And though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen

Those words expressed exactly the way I felt after Cayman's 20 week ultrasound when her hydrocephalus was discovered. I was completely terrified of the words the doctors spoke to us that day.

Over those next weeks we prayed hard...harder then we ever have. We kept hoping we would return to an ultrasound appointment and find it better, or even all gone! But the very opposite of that happened. The hydrocephalus got worse. A lot worse!!

The next lyrics I grabbed a hold of was All I Have by Vineyard...

You're the hope I'm holding to
I might weep but still my faith
Rests in You

I still everyday kept hoping and praying we would return from an ultrasound appointment with good news but it never happened. New anomalies were discovered. A total of 5 systems were incorrectly forming in Cayman's body that the doctor could see on the ultrasound.

(My Savior My God by Aaron Shust)

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned

(You Are Still Holy by Kim Hill)

Holy, You are still holy
Even though I don't understand Your ways
Sovereign, You will be sovereign
Even when my circumstances don't change

I stopped praying that God would fix it. The only request I spoke was, "Please help my baby. Please help me to follow what it is You want." And I spent the rest of my pregnancy days listening to this song:

(Bring the Rain by Mercy Me)

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Cayman is almost 10 months old now! It's exciting isn't it!?! Now I sing:

(Amazing by Janelle)

You’re so amazing
You shine like the stars
You’re so amazing
The beauty you are
You came blazing
Right into my heart
You’re so amazing
You are, You are

You came from Heaven shining
Breath of God still fresh on you
The beating heart inside me
Crumbled at this one so new

No matter where, how far you wander
For a thousand years or longer
I will always be there for you
Right here with you
I hope your tears are few and fast
I hope your dreams come true at last
I hope you find love that goes on and on and on and on and on
I hope you wish on every star
I hope you never fall too far
I hope this world can see how wonderful you are

Home Sweet Home....really can it be?

The offer on the dream house did not work out. We feel it's for the best though. As much as we would love to have a house and settle in without a future move insight, that does not seem to be where God would have us. I'm alright with that. I trust God's decision.

We're slowing down in the house hunting. We still see a house here or there as new ones pop up. Nothing striking. We're just going to stay put for now.

Knowing that the Taj is going to be our home for awhile it was time to make it that way. I called on Mike's muscles and had him rearrange furniture, I bought a few things that have brought order and more storage to this place, and gave it a deep clean. What a difference that made. It feels like home.

What?! What was that I just said? The Taj feels like home?! Really, can it be?!

Yes, indeed, I am learning to be content.

***Here's the gross water after mopping the kitchen, just in case you wanted to see.

A Dream House

I can say I am officially exhausted of house shopping!! That's an unusual for me. Whether I'm in the market to buy or not I enjoy house tours. I love to see the way other people decorate, the differences in floor plans, and dream up home projects that would make the space beautiful and practical.

We have toured over 20 houses!! Only 2 we have liked. Buying a house is a huge deal and we have set our standards high. It's a large financial commitment and when you outgrow your house it's not as easy to trade it like you can your car. So when buying a house it's important for us to find one that will allow us to expand with our family. Plus when we do finally have a house, we don't plan to move for a very very VERY long time!!!

I'm not talking about having a mansion, not even what we had in Indiana. Just a place with adequate storage, a cozy family room, and 2 bathrooms. I grew up in a family of 5 and we only had one bathroom. While it was a situation that forced us to learn how to share it was a frustration that I dreamt I would not have as an adult with my own family.

Also as a child I dreamt of a house with a porch, white crown moldings, and a fireplace with a mantle. Our house in Indiana had a fireplace but no mantle. What a tease that was for me.

Now of course I understand that multiple bathrooms, decorative moldings, a fireplace, a porch-are all luxuries I would love to have but certainly don't need in order to make my life better than it already is. What I dreamt of most when I was a child God has already given me. I am truly happy which is why, now that I have found my dream house and we have put in an offer that will likely not work out, I can walk away and still be happy.

You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy. - Eric Hoffer