Raspberries

Shelley has learned a new trick - Raspberries! Jorgen never really did raspberries but Shelley has mastered the art of spitting her slobber! It is so cute to watch. She loves it when we do it back to her too and then she'll copy us.

Justin is imitating her in these pictures. I think she looks so much like him!!! Also, if you look closely at the last picture, you can see her contact in her left eye. It's not totally centered in the picture but the doctor assured me that it is ok because most of the time is centered. The contact also is bigger than what you can see. You can't really see it in the picture, but there is a rim that extends beyond the thick part of the contact to shape her eye better. Another doctor appointment tomorrow and it'll be the first time I take out her contact and practice putting it in. Wish me luck - well, you better wish Shelley luck too;)



Oh, and we are moved in to our new place and things are feeling quite homey here. It is a little smaller than our last place but so so much better! I'll take some pictures once things are more organized. We had a lot of help with moving and are so very grateful for the generosity of those in our ward; we had movers, meals, and babysitters galore! Jorgen was in heaven playing with his friends so much! And we are so blessed to have wonderful friends here who are so selfless and helpful!

Monkey Socks

Jorgen l-o-v-e-s monkeys! He recently started watching Curious George (once I packed up all of his toys this week and have been occupied packing up other rooms I now turn to TV to entertain my child...hopefully he won't go through withdrawals once packing is finished and I don't need to rely on the TV for babysitting). He noticed that these oh so cozy and not so attractive socks I own have monkeys on them. So what would you do if you were him? Try them on of course!

He attempted to do the splits.
Just by accident though. Monkey socks can make you do crazy things on linoleum.

Easy Breezy!

It was craft night last night amidst all of the boxes and clutter for our upcoming move. What fun we had making cute little clippies. And I can't believe how much people sell these things for - it's a crime! They are so easy to make and so fun! They are going to be so cute clipped into my daughter's hair or clipped on her cute headbands! My little Shelley will be dazzling in her new clips...well, once she grows some hair! Hurry hair, grow, grow, grow!!! I can't wait to make some more once we get settled in our new apartment!

At Shelley's appointment today, Dr. Nyong'o let me see through two different clouded lenses that typify Shelley's cataract lenses. They were so blurry, with the left one so much more blurry than the right! I'm so glad she can now see! We will be patching her good eye for two hours each day to strengthen her weaker eye. A few minutes ago I was holding Shelley and we had our first 'alone time';) since she got her contact and it was so cute because she just stared at me for five minutes straight! She didn't move much, just looked at me while I spoke to her. I wondered if she was seeing me clearly for the first time and was just taking it all in. I wish I knew what she was thinking. Her world just got clearer and I am forever grateful to the doctors for finding and fixing this.

And isn't she cute now with her new munching toys...her toes!

After the last post, my mom wanted to assure me that there were cute ones out there...

I actually pulled all the funnier looking ones off the website - just to be dramatic and try and be funny. My blue humor (as my mother calls it) isn't always very funny;) but I amuse myself so that's all that matters;)

Shelley had an appointment today to check out her eyes and get fitted for her contact. The appointments went really well - she is a super patient! Dr. Nyong'o, the ophthalmologist, dilated her eyes and checked her right eye to see if the cataract had become more cloudy. It hasn't changed so they are not going to do surgery at this point. If the cataract becomes worse, more cloudy, then they will do surgery but at this point they will wait until she's older and an artificial lens can be put in. If it gets any worse then they will do the same surgery as they did on her left eye.

The contact on her left eye is so tiny! It looks different from adult contacts because it has a super thick lens part and then a rim around the rest of it (if that makes any sense-you need to see it...i'll take a picture one day and compare it with my lens). I have horrible eye sight and I wear a +5 prescription...well, little miss Shelley wears a +32!!! Can you believe it! I was shocked at the strenght of it and also so glad that they even make infant contacts that are that strong. Her prescription will change about every two months they said so it will come down eventually.

It's going to be interesting getting used to taking her contact in and out but soon it'll be as easy as changing her diaper!

Ummmmm....

So we are going to need to get Shelley a pair of infant glasses in the next few months so I looked them up online and here are some of the results....(I hope you can see them...sorry they're so small)...








Not to be rude, but let's just say that not all of the glasses become the babies very well! Especially not the ones with the super thick lenses! I'm having childhood flashbacks looking at these because I looked like a monster in my glasses when I was young; my left lens was super thick and my right lens was just glass - so I had one golf ball size eye and one quarter size eye. Yeah, the kids ran from me when I looked at them (ok, so I don't remember them running but I'm sure it crossed their minds!)

I don't want Shelley to look like a dork! I know she won't because she is just so stinking cute anyway - but some of the glasses look funny on even the cutest babies! Hopefully her lenses won't have to be too thick but even if they are, it won't really matter because she will be so happy to see well! I will get over my superficiality and just be grateful she has glasses to wear!

Happy Baby Pose

Yay, the day has arrived! One of my favorite milestones (yup, it's a definite milestone to me) is when my babies find their feet! It makes me so happy! While doing yoga when pregnant with Jorgen, one of the poses at the end of a specific workout is called 'happy baby pose.' And don't you think babies that are playing with their feet are just delightful!?! Shelley has found a built in toy and loves to play with her toes and feet. Today at church she had on shoes and that made feet grabbing even more exciting! She is such a cutie patutie!!

Burrito-Style

As we were getting ready for church this morning, Jorgen ran into our room where Shelley was laying and asked to be "waped yike a bawito yike sheyee." And after we wrapped him like a burrito, he was so content laying there and watching his cute sister while he held her hand. He is definitely going to be protective of her as they grow up. I was always so glad I had an older brother (yes, Jase, ALWAYS!) and I'm so glad that Shelley has Jorgen. He's so sweet to her!

Friends Forever

My mother-in-law, Gloria, has said before that some of her greatest joys have come when she sees her children getting along and hanging out together. I am now starting to understand that. Jorgen and Shelley can't really play together a whole lot yet but Jorgen does love more than anything to just be around Shelley. She is a built in toy that is so entertaining. He loves to share his toys and make her smile. He also tries to mimic Justin and me and what we do to Shelley - it's so funny to watch! Jorgen was given this little party favor at a school event and when he opened it he went over to Shelley to share some of the toys with her. I only turned my back for a few moments but turned around to find this: (at least they're not totally lopsided)



I anticipate times when they will be not the best of friends, but hopefully those times are few and far between. For now, they are best friends. When asked "who's your best friend?" Jorgen used to always respond promptly with "TUTU!" But unfortunately for Tutu (my mom) "She-yee!" is now the most common answer.

My Little Pirates

Shelley's left eye is recovering really well and she is getting used to her patch. The doctor originally gave her the patch Jorgen is wearing in the picture. As you can see, IT'S HUGE! It didn't protect her eye very well because she could stick her little fingers in through the sides since it didn't fit against her face. It's an adult one and after pestering the doctor/nurses enough they found an infant one and sent it my way. You'd think they'd do everything they could in the first place to get her the right patch but since this is a rare surgery I guess they weren't as prepared as I'd hoped they'd be.

Shelley gets fit for her contact next week. The doctor wanted to wait for her eye to heal from the surgery before putting on the contact. Shelley is such a trooper and I'm glad her eye doesn't seem to be hurting her. I'm so excited for her to be able to see well out of both eyes! She only has to wear this patch for another week or so and then she'll be patching with a different patch on her right eye to strengthen her left eye. I'm glad I wore patches as a child and now wear a contact so this isn't too new for me.

Surgery Day

Shelley went in for surgery early this morning. Everything went well and we are sure glad it's over. Shelley did so well in the morning without eating. Everyone was surprised at how happy she was, Sweet Shelley Eliah! She fell asleep in my arms while the nurse was putting in six different eye drops, each five minutes apart. Both doctors came over and gave another rundown of what will be happening and what to expect for recovery. When that was over and her drops were finished, another nurse came and took Shelley away from me. That was when I broke down. There was nothing I could do from there on out but hope for the best (and say countless prayers of course!). I wasn't so much worried about the cataract surgery, but putting her to sleep. It took them an hour and a half longer than they estimated so that was hard to wait out. Nurses kept coming out and telling us it would be a little longer but that everything was going well. The nurses kept saying that they were taking it slower than normal and making sure Shelley was completely comfortable before proceeding (I know the doctors want to make sure the parents don't worry, but I kept wondering what was really going on with the anesthesia and why it took so long but that is for me to wonder, Shelley is fine so I am glad they went slow and didn't rush anything).

I was so happy when they finally came and got us. The anesthesiologist warned us that she may be discombobulated when she wakes up but that it will only last 15-20 minutes. When we walked into the recovery hall we could hear Shelley crying the saddest cry. It was heart breaking! When we came into her room, they gave Shelley to me and she calmed down for a moment but then just started crying again. This lasted what seemed like forever, but was probably around 15-20 minutes, like the doctor said it would be. Nothing would comfort her, she tried to suck her thumb and nurse but couldn't suck. Finally she started to nurse and calmed down. I never wanted to let her go again. Did any of your moms out there with children that had to get surgery have the same experience? It is so sad! She nursed so much and fell comfortable asleep. She has been so sleepy today but has been eating well so that is a great sign. So far she is pretty annoyed with the patch but it comes off tomorrow. I'm glad this surgery went well, it prepared us for her next surgery on the other eye (the doctor is going to keep checking her right eye to see when and if surgery is needed....he thinks she will need it but it may be two weeks away or a few months....we'll see). Also tomorrow she gets fitted for her contact. Wow, four months old and wearing contacts. Justin wants her to be a pirate for Halloween because she'll have to start patching her right eye soon to strengthen her left eye!

I know Shelley was in good hands and I know angels were around her and the doctors guiding and directing them and comforting my little sweetheart. I am so glad everything went well and that Shelley will be able to see now. This has been a huge blessing and I am so grateful to Shelley's pediatrician for catching this when she did! Thanks to all of you who kept Shelley in your prayers!

In her oversized gown before the surgery

After we got home from the hospital, fast asleep sucking her thumb

Her first awake time at home after the surgery
yes, they let us keep the gown

This picture was taken a few days ago but I wanted to post it. Both kids ready for bed in their pajamas. They're going to be the best of friends.

First Day of School

I wanted to pretend that Justin was going to first grade and I made him let me take a picture of his first day of school! He started on Monday and it's been a busy couple of days but he is enjoying it so much.

I love my boys!

Justin's sister, Natalie, just sent Justin this picture of him as a baby and then attached a copy of the picture that we used for Shelley's baby announcement. She noticed that Justin and Shelley look a lot alike! I've always told Justin that I think Shelley looks like him and now I have proof;) Thanks Natalie for sending that!!!

What do you think?

Justin
(in Natalie's arms)

Shelley

Brenley

Shelley is scheduled for surgery on her left eye for Tuesday. She was able to get the first surgery time for that morning because the surgery before hers was canceled! We are so grateful to Siena's mother, Dixie, for coming to watch Jorgen and being at our place at 5:30am while Justin and I take Shelley to the hospital. All the sadness and uncertainty is shifting over to gladness and hope! We feel so blessed and grateful to the doctors for finding this before it was too late to fix. Shelley is in good hands and we want to thank all of your for your support and prayers. So many children have much more challenging problems, we are grateful there is a solution for her cataracts. Everything will be just fine;)

We love her so much!!

Cataracts

Shelley had to see a pediatric ophthalmologist today because at her four month check up on Monday the pediatrician noticed the light wasn't reflecting symmetrically in both of her eyes and wanted a specialist to take a look. So we went in this morning to see the pediatric ophthalmologist. After dilating Shelley's eyes, the pediatric ophthalmologist found that Shelley has cataracts in both of her eyes. Her left eye is worst and so she has to have surgery on Tuesday to remove that lens and then she will have surgery on the other eye at a later date.

So for those of you who don't know what cataracts are and would like to know more, here is my layman explanation:

Cataracts are cloudiness on the lens of the eye. They cause your vision to blur. In Shelley's case, her eyes are developing so much right now that he brain is having a hard time focusing her vision because of the cataract that her eyes shake a little (we have never noticed it but the doctor said he noticed when she went from looking down to up) and if she doesn't get surgery immediately then as the cloudiness continues to get worse, her brain would eventually stop trying to focus her vision and shut down her eyesight, causing blindness. Shelley's left eye is more severe than her right so the ophthalmologist will do surgery first on that eye and then on her right eye in a few weeks. It makes me so sad. My little girl has to have surgery and who knows how her eye sight will be later on. We'll pray for the best. The doctor said the good news is that she does have them in both eyes. If she only had a cataract in one eye, then the brain might have already given up on that eye but since both are clouded, then the brain is still trying to make her vision work.

In older people, when ophthalmologists take out cataract lenses they can put in an artificial lens. Since Shelley's eyes are still developing, they can't put in an artificial lens until her eyes stop developing (around five, I think) so she will be wearing contacts that I put in and out.

The surgery makes me so nervous. I know everything will go well and that she is in good hands but it is hard not to worry. Because she will be getting anesthesia, she has to be fasting before she gets surgery. My poor little girl won't know why I can't feed her and why she has to be hungry but it is a necessary step and a good precaution. The doctor is trying to schedule her to be the first surgery so she doesn't have to fast as long but he is still working that out - pray that the other surgeries scheduled ahead of her are alright switching appointments with us so Shelley can go first. But more importantly, pray that the doctors will be guided during the surgery.

Keep my little girl in your thoughts and prayers. I'm so grateful for the support and love of family and friends like you.

I'll keep you posted.

Three Wonderful Years!

Today is Justin and my third anniversary! It's crazy how time flies by so fast. So much has happened! I feel so blessed to have the amazing husband and best friend that I have; Justin is everything to me. When I started writing this, the most fitting song came on, Burn by Jodee Messina:

...Be anyone you want to be
Bring to life your fantasies
But I want something in return

I want you to burn
Burn for me baby
Like a candle in my night...

Justin does just that! I love him so much!

We had such a fun afternoon. Justin came home from work and we dropped Jorgen off at Kelli's home (Thanks Kelli!!!!) and took Shelley with us to Outback Steakhouse. Justin has been wanting to go there for over a year (we don't get out much;D) and so tonight was the perfect occasion. We had a yummy meal and then finished our date by stopping by Cold Stones and shared some tasty ice cream. And though we weren't alone (Shells Bells was wonderful company though) it was just fabulous to go on a date with my best friend. We decided the three most important things that have happened in the past three years are:

1. Jorgen's birth
2. Shelley's birth
3. Being admitted to the Stanford MBA program.

What a busy three years! Two babies! We love love love our children. We would do anything and everything for them. I used to think I couldn't love a baby more than I loved my nieces and nephews (I love them THAT much!) but then I had my own child and I started to understand how much it is possible to actually love someone. Words just can't express the love I have for my children. The amount of love our hearts are capable of loving is endless.

We finished the evening by what we usually do before the kids go to bed....just hanging out together. I don't know if I've mentioned this before but Jorgen LOVES his dad! I don't think capitalizing the word love expresses just how much Jorgen actually loves his dad. Justin means EVERYTHING to Jorgen. Jorgen's favorite part of every day is when his dad gets home. Justin is the best dad! We spent some time making Shelley smile and laugh and also had fun laughing at our funny Jorgen (I know I posted pictures of him trying on my shoes before but I couldn't resit this one...He is so funny! I wish I had on film when he tried to run to me in my shoes). You can tell how excited Shelley is by how straight her legs are, when she gets excited she stiffens her body up like she can't contain the happiness she feels;). She loves her brother and dad (and me too of course;D).
























I have loved the past three years and I am excited for the many many years to come.