Health Update

The 2 weeks prior to Christmas were crazy here as both Taylor and I had 1 planned and 1 unplanned health issue.  The unplanned was me going to the ER at 4:30am on Wed Dec 7th in an ambulance as I was having issue breathing due to severe bronchitis.  I had a bad reaction to the contrast they gave me when they wanted to do a CAT scan.  I ended up sedated and on a ventilator for 2 days.  All in all I was in the hospital 6 days.  Fortunately my sister came down and got Taylor and between her and my SIL they watched Taylor until Sunday when they brought her home.  Saturday my Mom came up and stayed until Thursday. It was nice to come home and have her here for a few days to take care or me and Taylor.  I am now 100% better.

On Wednesday December 21st, Taylor had surgery to correct her lip.  This surgery was planned!!!!  The left side was higher than the right side and the plastic surgeon made them event and touched up her nose just a bit.  She came home the same day.  She wasn't a happy camper afterwards but by Thursday she was pretty much back to herself.  It is healing nicely.  All the swelling has gone down.  We go back to the doctor for a follow up next week.  This should be the last of the surgery for a few more years.  She will need her nose evened out a bit when she is older and most likely will need bone grafting in her mouth but time will tell on that.  No dental work will start until she starts loosing her baby teeth.

Here is hoping that we are both healthier in 2012!!!!!

Waiting for the doctor to start.

Leaving the hospital.  She enjoyed her ride to the car as much as anyone could after surgery and some pain medicine.

Christmas Day

Christmas was fun this year.  Santa brought both Taylor and Wesley some really nice gifts.  Wesley's new train kept both kids occupied for a bit so the adults could get some breakfast.  Both also enjoyed opening their stockings from Santa.  Then it was onto the gifts.  After about 20 minutes of opening gifts, Wesley took his new train pillow, layed down on the floor and put his thumb in his mouth.  It was time for a nap.  Taylor continued to open presents which she loves to do.  We all received some really nice gifts and some fun ones as you will see below in the pictures.  Friends of my sisters came over later in the day for dinner.  All in all it was a successful Christmas.  We came home on the 26th and Taylor has been enjoying all her new dolls, toys and arts and crafts projects.  There is enough to keep her busy for the winter.

Wesley checking out his new Ferrari from Santa

Taylor playing with Wesley's new train set.  She didn't even go see what Santa brought her.  More interested in the train!

Taylor told Santa she wanted red flowers and he delivered.  She was so excited.

She finally tired of the train and decided to see What Santa brought her.....red flowers, a doll named Avery and a music box from the Tinkerbell movie.

Stocking time!!

Taylor in her new hooded towel listening to her new music box.

This fake hair definitely took the prize for silliest present.  Taylor loves it.  Everyone had to try it on (see a few pictures below)

Wesley had to get in on the fun and try on the fake hair too!!!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we drove up to my brothers in Poughkeepsie NY for lunch and to exchange Christmas gifts.  Afterwards we headed over to my sisters to spend Christmas with her and her family and to be there for Wesley's first Christmas.

Taylor opening her gift with Aunt Amy.  Lots of arts and crafts projects that will keep her busy this winter.

Taylor and her cousins Meg and Max

Taylor watches in awe as Max plays his saxaphone for us.

Later that night at Auntie Linda's we spread the reindeer food over the front lawn in preparation for Santa's arrivval

Putting out cookies and milk for Santa

Holiday Party

On Sunday December 4th we headed down to Cherry Hill, NJ to JoAnne and Danielle's for our holiday party with our friends from NJ/PA that have also adopted from China.  The girls all had a great time playing together and exchanging Christmas gifts.

 Danielle, Taylor, Olivia, Charlotte, Jenna, Erin (in front)

Taylor received a Cinderella doll and princess purse.

Tea party time!!!

Taylor and Santa 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

For Thanksgiving Taylor and I drove up to my sister's to  spend a few days with her family and help Wesley celebrate his first Thanksgiving.  Of course we all ate too much but it was a nice day in all.

Taylor's Weekend with Wink

On Friday Taylor brought home with her the class pet Wink to spend the weekend with us.  It was so much fun having Wink here.  Taylor took him everywhere with her.  He even went to the bathroom.  She would hold him over the toilet so he could go and then she would wipe him with toilet paper.  He slept with her, ate with her and oversaw her homework. On Saturday he went to gymnastics and swimming and then rode the train and went to Disney on Ice with us.  This was Taylor's first train ride.  Right now they are watching Cinderella....more fun than helping Mommy with laundry!!!!  Later we are going to Target and the grocery store and I am sure he will be going with us.  I am sure Wink will need a long nap when he gets back to school tomorrow.

Taylor and Wink at the train station.

Waiting for the train.

On the train.

Waiting for the show to begin.

Enjoying their popcorn.

Halloween

Taylor had a big day on Halloween.  She got to wear her costume to school.  They had a Halloween parade at school that I went to see.  She was so excited I was there.  Ended the day with trick or treating and handing out candy.  She really got the idea of going up to a door ringing the doorbell this year.  Her timing of saying Trick or Treat is still a little off.  She was saying it after ringing the doorbell before the door was opened.  As soon as a door was opened out her pumpkin went for the candy and then it was off to the next door.  After we got home she liked opening the door and handing out candy to the trick or treaters.  Definately a fun halloween for Miss Taylor.

All ready for trick or treating.

Checking out her stash.

Look what I got.

WOW!!!!  All mine!!!!!

FCC Halloween Party

On October 29th our Families with Children from China had their annual Halloween party.  This day won't be remembered for the party but for the 3 inches of snow we got.  Yes you read that right....SNOW.  First time in over 50 years the area had snow in October.  At the party all the kids had fun and they all looked so cute in their costumes.

Strawberry Shortcake (Carly) and the Princess Fairy (Taylor)

I think that is Ryan behind the mask.

Adorable ladybug (Hannah)

The always adorable Addison

Ear Tube.....Again

Very early on Wednesday October 26th Taylor and I headed to a surgical center so Taylor could get another tube in her right ear.  Her previous tube had come out (usually last 1 year) and there was fluid back in ear and her hearing in the right ear was down 30-40%.  The surgery took all of 10 minutes and was a success.  When they took me to the recovery room, I walked in and there she was sitting up, eating a popsicle and entertaining the nurses.  I didn't get a Hi Mommy when I walked in, I got a "where's my bear?"  The nurses gave her a teddy bear when we were walking into the operating room.  Never would have known she just had surgery. 

Modelling our beautiful hospital attire! 

Taylor and her Pumpkins

More Catching Up

A visit from cousin Wesley.

The Feast of St Michael with Ryan

 

Ryan and Taylor and Addison....love this picture and these kids.

Italian Festival with Ryan

Both Taylor and Ryan love this big slide.  They went down it several times.

When you mix rain and sunshine you ge a beautiful rainbow.