Saturday, December 31, 2011

Year in review

What an exciting year we have had! There have been ups and downs, setbacks and progress. Some of the highlights would include Natalie being an accomplished reading machine (chapter books already!), Ryan being potty trained, Nikki joining the Worship Team at her church as a vocalist (Northwood Church), Daniel being able to make some dream purchases for himself (3D flat screen TV and a John Deer mower), being surprised by another pregnancy (trust me, we were not trying so Baby#3 is a Godsend and meant to be part of our family), our first real family vacation (to Navarre Beach, Florida for a week). God is truly good all the time. We are a blessed family and I find myself taking moments in the day to say a silent prayer of gratitude for what we have. I cannot wait to find out what God has in store for us in the future!

Natalie: star student at Madisonville Elementary, gymnast, dancer, performer all around (just like her momma), a smile that lights up her face and the entire room, an infectious personality, sweet and sassy, a concern for others, a loving sister, a wonderful daughter, favorite colors are pink and purple, likes ladybugs and hearts and polka dots and funky socks and hair bows, wants to be a dentist.

Ryan: rough and tumble wild child, 100 mph all day long every day, melt your heart and drive you batty at the same time, wants to play the drums and guitar, wants to play baseball and football, potty trained (woohoo!) with occasional accidents, cuddle bug who loves hugs, adores and admires his sister, loves to annoy his sister, a perfect brother, an awesome son, favorite colors are orange and green and blue, likes monster trucks and sports and dinosaurs and elephants and monster trucks.

Nikki: pregnant with #3 and due any day, still employed with YMCA as a Zumba instructor and childcare attendant, SAHM and loves every minute of it (even on the days she wants to pull her hair out), in the process of changing the home into an all natural environment (Daniel just shakes his head) free of unnecessary chemicals and processed food, active in her church, captain of the Zumba Krewe for Mardi Gras, loves to read, dedicated wife and mom.

Daniel: still trying to wrap his head around being a father of three when he only has two arms =), maintains good standing at Hood Chevrolet as a Finance Manager with a boss who is always quite pleased with his performance, started fishing with some of his buddies on weekends and is hooked (pun intended), works hard for his family and always tells his children "you make daddy so happy", is a master on the grill (yum!).  

Family Pictures 2011 (by Elizabeth Rigueira Photography)












Christmas 2011

 throwing reindeer food on the lawn so Santa can find his way

baking Santa some cookies! (Ryan had fallen asleep by this point)

Ready for the kids to celebrate Christmas morning!

LOL! These crazy glasses were from daddy

the Santa gift...a Wii!!!

Opening gifts together from Daniel's family

Ryan's big gift

Natalie's big gift (once put together, it's as tall as she is!)

Christmas at Nana and Papa's brought more cool gifts

Natalie made her monkey dance with Ryan's robot

Natalie's 7th Birthday!!!

Special guest Rapunzel came and entertained the kids for hours!

 Who doesn't love glittering face paint?

It was a nice enough day to play outside

 Dancing around the birthday Princess

Make a wish!

channeling Kiss 

one of my favorite pictures of Natalie and Ryan

December 2011

 holding an old wooden ornament passed down to me from my family

 decorating our tree

Natalie is a star in Angels Alert, the church Christmas program 

 Ryan singing with the girls from his Sunday school class. He actually looked at them all like they were nuts while they sang their hearts out. =)

First Grade Christmas Program at school (Natalie's class were reindeer) 

 Christmas party in Natalie's Classroom (her teacher, Mrs. Cockfield)


Dancing in our front yard

 Practicing his cast with his new fishing pole

hanging spoons on their noses =)

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

Cousins!!! (they love their cousin, Brandie)

taking a walk in the yard

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Natalie's Thanksgiving Drama

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Natalie's arm was broken. She attended a day camp to play with friends and participate in activities, but during a game in the gym, she was knocked into by a bigger boy and fell on her arm. She said she felt something pop...ouch! After picking her up from camp, I immediately took her to Nurse Nana. We made a call to one of the doctors she works for and made an appointment first thing in the morning. The area around the elbow was swollen and tender, so I wrapped a bag of crushed ice in a rag and placed it around the swelling. I then wrapped an ace bandage around the ice to keep in it place. Natalie slept next to me that night so I could monitor her (one of the few benefits of waking up constantly to pee). My mother's pediatrics office was very concerned and anxious about Natalie coming to see them. They all came to examine her arm and discuss...and immediately sent us to an orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon took x-rays and sure enough, a distal humerus break (above the elbow). They cast it and sent us home. Each week we returned for xrays to watch the healing process. I would take a picture of the x-ray with my phone and send it to my mother's office. Natalie's cast didn't fit properly and I voiced my concerns at her last appointment but was waved off. Nana's office decided to send us to an expert in New Orleans for a second opinion. He said that her arm is healing well but did indeed need a better fitting cast. So we now have a hot pink splinted cast that can be removed at home but worn outside the home. What an ordeal for our girl! Please continue to pray for healing. 

 X-ray number 1

 Natalie's first cast, and she even got to choose the colors

Taking a bath is a new challenge with a cast

November 2011

 Natalie won a contest at school and was able to take a limo ride to Chic-fi-la for a special lunch for winners!

 I participated in a Zumbathon (arranged by my Zumba Sista, Myka, far left) for Veteran's Day. The donations (over $700!) were given to the Wounded Warrior Project. My other sistas pictured are Tracey, Heather, and not pictured is Karen.

 Daddy's birthday!!!

 family birthday picture

Decorating Nana and Papa's tree =) 

We gave Sophia a birthday cake since we aren't able to have her on her actual birthday