Goodbye Flats, HELLO HIGH HEELS!

14 weeks of wearing flats has really gotten old. You know me, I love my high heels. My outfit isn't 'me' unless it's paired with some 4in heels! Well today I went for my final visit with my surgeon. He said everything looks great!! He looked at my xray and said its perfect! Of course I will continue to have aches and pains after being on my feet and while exercising especially these next few months. But he set me FREE! No more visits with him and no more physical therapy. WOOHOO!! (Mom - how about that Margarita night with the girls that we've talked about?!?!) Best news of all - was when I asked (the question that's been on my mind during the entire time I've been off my feet) - "When can I wear high heels again?" His answer - the best news I had heard in a long time - "NOW! (just not everyday all day)" (all I heard was NOW though!) Perfect timing - James Bradford is getting Baptized this Sunday and I did not want to wear some flats - so Ill be breaking out those high heals!

GOODBYE FLATS - HELLO HIGH HEELS!!!

Half Birthday and Back to Work

Happy Half Birthday to my sweet James Bradford!!!

It is so hard to believe that he is already 6 months old. He is at such a fun stage and age. I just love spending time with him. He has such a cute personality!

Things that I want to remember:
- He loves to smile and laugh - last night he laughed so hard every time Cory or I would say the word 'sneeze'
- He is now eating food!! So far we have introduced rice cereal, sweet potatoes, peas, apples, and bananas. Surprisingly he loves everything but the bananas!! I'm going to try the bananas again in a few weeks.
- He is sleeping through the night - FABULOUSLY!! He goes down around 7pm and wakes up around 6:30/6:45. Cory says he has the Grinnell morning gene. He wakes up smiling and happy. I usually let him just talk and play in his crib until 7 and when I go in there, he is as happy as can be!
- He is rolling over! He has rolled several times from tummy to back. Although he refuses to perform - even for his daddy. And several times he has rolled from his back to tummy while he is sleeping. (which then he doesn't wake up happy!)
- He LOVES his exaursaucer. He loves to play in it.
- He has 2 bottom teeth coming in!!
- He loves books. Each night before bed we read 3 books - one story from the children's Bible, random book, and we always end with Goodnight Moon. I love that he loves for me to read to him.
- He loves Sabrina! - he loves it when he is playing in his exarsaucer and she comes over and gives him big kisses. He grins from ear to ear.

Last week I took him to get his 6 month picture made. He was such a good boy. I have to brad - the photographer said he was the easiest and happiest 6 month old that he had ever photographed. He then proceeded to offer me a job - prob because of all the singing, sounds, and silly faces I was making to try to get JBH to smile. I loved the result of his pictures. This was may favorite.


Here is another cute shot!

In other news, I started back to work today. After being out on medical leave for 12 weeks, it was extremely hard leaving James Bradford this morning with his Grandma (its Spring Break at Mothers Day Out). I don't see how people do it everyday. Drop them off early morning and then pick them up to put them to bed) Working Moms - I admire you. Stay at Home moms - I admire you too! Staying home is Hard!! I hope and pray that it will work out for me one day to stay home with my baby.
It was nice seeing everyone back at work today. Everyone was glad to see me and I was glad to see them. And of course everyone wanted to see my war wound - there was a lot of scar showing off today! Overall its been a good day back, although I missed my 6 month old baby very much!

Look Mom - No Crutches!!

This morning I went to the Dr. for a check up on my leg. He cleared me to kick the crutches. Woohoo!! I am so excited!! He is very pleased on how my leg is healing. He also said I no longer need to wear my brace. It has been a long 10 weeks, and finally I am able to walk freely again!!
As of right now I am free to walk, but still need to take it easy. He has recommended me to still wait another two weeks from returning to work - so I will go back on March 14th. He also says I am only to walk short distances right now. That's fine with me! Although I cant wait to get out in the pretty weather and stroll with James Bradford and walk with Sabrina. I will be able to do that in 2 weeks!! Woohoo!!
The only other limitation I will have is that I will have to wait another 6 months until I try jogging and or running.

Oh it feels so good to be back on my feet again! God is so good!! Thank you for all your prayers and support!! I couldn't have made it without you!!

Moving Home!!!

This past Saturday we moved home! Debbie and Nanna came down from Nashville and helped us. It feels so good to be home. 9 weeks is far to long to be away from home - even for a vacation!! Sabrina is o happy to be home too! We missed her.
Because I am still on a crutch, I'm still not able to carry the baby up and down the stairs. But hopefully in about a week I'll have kicked this crutch and be able to move around more freely around the house.
A BIG HUGE THANK YOU to the Davis's for letting us stay in their fabulous home. We had the best accommodations and are so thankful for their generosity.

On a side note - in the middle of the night, sweet James Bradford woke up coughing and with a fever. Poor baby! This morning we called the nurse on call at our pediatrician and she heard him coughing over the phone. She said he has croup =( I'm enjoying all the snuggles, but am so sad he isn't feeling well. James Bradford and I are staying in his room with the humidifier and hanging out in the bathroom every few hours with a steam shower running - in hopes it will help with his congestion. I hope he feels better soon!! It makes a mamma sad to see her baby sick!

A lesson in patience

Yesterday I went for my 6 week post surgery Dr. appointment. I was all excited to go, as I had high hopes that I would be able to kick off my brace and put some weight on my leg. Sunday night I barely slept as I was so excited, thinking that I would be able to walk soon and care for James Bradford and have life back to normal.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the news the Dr. gave us. He said that my leg was healing nicely, but I still needed to continue to be non-weight bearing for another 2.5 weeks. After that I can become toe touch weight bearing for a week, then 50% weight bearing for a week then finally 100%. So pretty much 5 weeks until I can walk on it without a crutch.
The Dr. continuously told me why we couldn't cut any corners - that I it could break again and I would have to start over being non weight bearing.
I was bummed! Even my physical therapist was bummed!! But hopefully these next 5 weeks will go by as fast as these past 6 weeks.

Everything happens for a reason. God is good and I know I will look back and will have learned from this situation. What will I have learned? - Well, I am learning patience and how to rely on others for help. God teaches us life lessons when we least expect it.

Doctor Update

I was getting tired of writing about my injury so I had to do a couple posts not really related to my injury. But I could not, not journal about some of the hospital stuff!!

**Warning, there is a picture of my leg, if you get wheezy you may want to skip this post**
My all time favorite visitor was of course my baby!! I went 24 hours without seeing this little guy. I am so thankful he was able to come see me. Definitely by far the best medicine. - See that leg all wrapped up . . .

. . . well this is what the inside now looks like. 8 screws and a plate later.(Reminds me of those 'Erector Sets' my brother had growing up) I will forever beep as I go through metal detectors - guess Ill be going for the pat down at the airport from now on!

And here it is - my leg. Count them if you want - or I can just tell you - 17 staples and 3 stitches (one hiding) Unfortunately, I'm going to have one nice scar=( (please, excuse the hairy leg!)

Monday we went to the Doctor and received a grand report. Everything is looking good, although it will be at least another 6 weeks until I can put any type of weight on it. But that sounded better then the original additional 8-10. They removed my staples and my stitches. The guy that removed them all actually went to high school and Samford with me, so that actually calmed my nerves some while they were being removed. It actually didn't hurt! - Just a little pinch each time, not to bad!

The Dr. cleared me to start outpatient therapy, rather then in home. Woohoo! So I start Physical Therapy out of the home next week. Which will be nice to get out and get fresh air at least 3 times a week.

If you ever need an orthopedic doctor, I have a great recommendation! (hopefully you won't ever need one, but let me know if you do!) The Dr. did a fabulous job - plus he is young and handsome! (Sorry single friends, he is married else I would try to work my magic!) He understood my want and need to nurse James Bradford again and to be able to get around and care for him - as he has a wife and they are expecting their 3rd child. Also, he told us that he thought about us over Christmas and wondered how we were doing, adjusting and where we were living. I just thought that was so nice and showed concern for his patients.

Well that's all for now. Hope I didn't gross you out! Over all I was happy with our Dr. appointment! It made for a good start to the week!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & Lots of shoulders to lean on

You would think being cooped up these past few weeks, that I would have more time to blog. Where does the time go?! Well my days go by quickly - my leg is in a continuous motion machine for 6 hours a day - yes you read that correctly 6! I also have in home physical therapy 3 times a week and 24/7 care means lots of visitors! Plus a battery on the computer which doesn't hold charge long - means it must be plugged in - ugh, what a pain!! haha!

Anyways - since my last past where have we been? We have been flooded with love and support from family and friends. Food, Flowers, Cards, Phone calls, Emails, visits - wow how we appreciate them all. Thank you so so much!

On Tuesday when we told family about what had happened, Cory's mother and Nana dropped everything to spend Wed - Sunday in Birmingham taking care of James Bradford. Their help was much appreciated and they even cleaned our house and took down our Christmas tree. It was great that they were here so they could take care of James Bradford while my mommy came to be at the hospital with me. There is nothing like a mommy's love when you need it- and I needed her!

David and Laura also were heading out of town to spend Christmas with Laura's family, so they generously gave up their home for us to stay at. We were unable to go home because of the steps in our house. So we moved into their house!

Christmas was just another day for us. Although it was a white and beautiful Christmas. It was snowing. Although I didn't get to enjoy the snow, Sabrina was able to get out and about in it. Debbie, Nana and James Bradford came over for the day. We had a good day. Layed around most of it, and watched movies, and I got lots of good cuddle time with the baby. It was definitely not how I pictured James Bradford's first Christmas - but it was a memorable one and I look forward to next year being an extra special Christmas for him!


On Wednesday we moved out of David & Laura's house. We still of course couldn't go home because of the stairs. A family friend of my parents - generously offered to let us live in their basement. (little did they know we would actually take them up on that fabulous offer!) So Wednesday we moved in - with the help of two of Cory's close friends that came in from Nashville - Jamie and Robert. It was so nice of them to come down and a special time for Cory to spend with his buddies.

We are know living in a fabulous basement that is bigger then our own home. Its so spacious and is easy for me to get around in the wheel chair. Its great - We all basically have our own room, James Bradford sleeps in the music room, Cory loves the TV room with the comfy leather chairs, and I have the play room where our bed is set up. We are so blessed to have such sweet and generous friends to open up their home to us. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Good Bye 2010, Hello 2011! And how did we spend our new years - dancing the night away of course! Yeah right, I wish!! I went to bed at 7:30 and Cory wasn't to far behind me. I saw 2011 the following day! And I was fine with that.

2011 though has started great. My sister and nephews arrived first thing Jan 1. They brought a burst of fresh air to my life. Cory got to get some work and house stuff done while Ellen and the boys helped me with James Bradford. It has been so much fun having them here. The boys have been a big help and great entertainment. One day we set James Bradford in the bumbo on the floor and Davis (4) showed off his super cool dance moves. And the cutest thing yesterday - Isaac (2.5), sang him Jesus loves me several times. Oh how the sound of that sweet little voice melted as he sang to my baby at nap time.

And last by not least, most importantly my sweet husband has been a fabulous help. He is such a wonderful husband, daddy and nurse. He has taken on a lot. He has basically become "Mr. Mom". He is now in charge of James Bradford's bedtime routine which includes a bath, feeding him and putting him down, and if he wakes up in the night attending to him. And not just bedtime routine, anything else he needs during the day - bottles, diaper change, clothes change - the whole thing!
He also has been a fabulous nurse. He has taken care of me since the moment he stepped through those emergency room doors. Changing my bandages, helping me pump, bathing me, taking me to the bathroom. Helping me up and down. Reminding me to take my meds, waking up in the middle of the night when I need him - wow he has taken on a lot!


And of course - what an amazing husband - its a miracle he still loves me through all of this. (Just kidding, but really!) He has listened to me cry, complain and yearn for my mommy to be with me. He is helping me keep sain when I think I am going to go crazy. He does it all, husband, friend, daddy, and nurse - I love you Cory!

I am so thankful for the outpouring of love and all the shoulders to lean on. I am forever grateful for all of you. Thank you Thank You!

Sleep Training Set Back

**This post was written via iphone and while on medication in the middle of the night - no spell check was used and grammar is awful! I have been advised note to change anything as it makes for future reading humorous!! haha**

Well we have run into a bit of a sleeptraing setback! Just when we were making great progression - a kink was thrown into our plan.

It was just another day at work on tuesday - rather slow though because of it being Christmas week. At about 3:45 I decided to go upstairs and pump. I went in the roomm, grabbed my pump and was sbout half way down the stairs when suddenly I tripped and bamm I was smashed against the stucco wall and was immediately screaming for help. Within seconds I was surrounded by everyone in the hospital and an ambulance was on it's way. I was unable to get and could not move my right leg at all. I was so scared,

I was surrounded by all my sweet coworkers as the brought me water , paper towels to wipe tfe tears and the blood away.they were all so sweet and encouraging - reassuring me that help was on the way and everything was going ok.

The ambulance arrived and whisked me way in the ambulabce. Joe, one of my coworkers accompanied me fir my first ride in an ambulance. On arrival at the emergency room, Cory was waiting for me although he was not able to come to my room utility all paperwork had been completed and I was admitted to the hospital. After the longest 20 minted of my life, I finally got to get lots if hugs and encouragement from my sweet husband.

During the 4.5 hors we did alot of waiting and and people watching. I had a set of X-rays done which showed I had broken my leg in 2 places close to my right knee cap. They wanted a closer look at the fractures so they ordered a CT scan.

Between X-rays and the ct scan I was able to pump. I was so upset another possibility of not seeing my precious baby and not being able to Nurse him.

CT scan - done! There was not an orthopedist on site so they were emailed to him for him to view. He spock with ou ER doctor and told him that he couldn't get a close enough look at them and that he would discuss with us the results first thing in the morning. I balled crying - I dint want to spend the night at the hospital, I wanted to be home with my baby.

We were moved to a room and my sweet mama came up to the hospital to comfort me whil Cory ran home to get some things for us. It was an extremely rough night accompanied by no sleep and a lot of pain medicine - it was finally almost morning.

The orthopedist came in and discussed with us my fractures and that if the crack is 1-2 mm surgery would not be necessay BUT my crack was 3-4 mm so surgery was going to be a must and I wouldn't be able to put any weight on it for 8-10 weeks. I was devastated! Howxsm I suppose to be able to take of James Bradford if I can't carry him around and if I can't drive?!

After we meeting with the dr. - my sweet and precious James Bradford came up to my room with my mom until they took me back for surgery.

I was in surgery for about 2 hours and came out just fine - exhausted of course tough. Cory, james brafmdford my daddy, my mommy and my sweet sisterinlaw were all in my room. I was so so glad to see all of them - although I really can't remember it!

I am so thankful for all the thoughts and prayers. And so blessed to have family and friends that love me and will drop everything to help us and the baby. Debbie and nana drove in yesterday to take care of James Bradford. Mommy and aunt Laura had been taking Carr if him prior to their arrival.
Thank you, thank everyone for everything y'all have been doing and will be doing'z

Pleas continue to pray for me. Here are some specific requests of mine:
1- fast and speedy recovery
2- patience - both physical and mental ( this had already been an emotional rollarcoaster for me)
3- understanding - I know God has a perfect plan, but why Lord?! Why now with a 3 month old?
4- that I will let others do things for. I am very independent - I would much rather get up and do whatever for myself then have others serve mr and be reliant on others.
5- lactation. I am still nursing James Bradford - planned to nurse him for a year. I began having to supplement some do that may of been a set back and now this. I will be having to be pumping and dumping as there is morphine and all sorts of other medicines in my system.

Thank you for all your prayers, love and support.