My loves...

2010-12-31T16:26:00.001-06:00

Look alikes?

2010-12-31T16:04:00.001-06:00

After you have a few children you begin to see double... I was loading more pictures onto our Apple TV and began to see some pictures that looked familiar. What do you think? Ofcourse, Jackson has a couple more pounds on the Coop and bigger ears! And Cooper is stuck in a pink bumbo. But you can tell they are brothers. Oh and I just had to throw one of Lily Tater in there, because really how can you resist!

Old pictures...

2010-12-30T20:47:00.000-06:00

I found these while going through and cleaning off my CF card. Couldn't resist sharing them. This shows how we like to entertain ourselves!

Christmas 2010!!

2010-12-30T20:45:00.000-06:00

Christmas this year was fabulous! My parents joined us from DC and got to enjoy a very mild and humid holiday. The kids got everything they could have possibly wanted, as you can see Lily Kate's favorite was her new shaker. We did have to explain to Jackson that just because you ask for it doesn't mean Santa will bring it. But he did love his new guitar!!

New Man in My Life

2010-12-12T10:20:00.002-06:00

Cooper James Purdy was welcomed into the world on July 30, 2010. He came 6 weeks early but was still at a great fighting weight of 6 lbs. 0 oz. He enriches our family everyday. Promise to have more pictures to come!!

Little Ballerina

2010-12-12T10:09:00.003-06:00

I took theses pictures back in October and didn't even realize until looking at them how thin Lily Kate was looking these days... Then at her 3 year check up her pediatrician and I came to figure out that she has not gained any weight in the past year. Actually lost almost a pound. We are now on the path of trying to gain weight, 4 pounds hopefully in the next 6 months. Which sounds like such an easy task for me but for her it is very difficult! We have been adding butter and cream to everything. Also, having her drink prescription pediasure, 2 cans a day. Gross. But luckily it has paid off and she gained 1 pound!! WOOHOO! But, last week she came down with a stomach bug and didn't eat for 4 days... so here we go again. The uphill battle has begun.

Yikes...

2010-06-22T11:01:00.005-05:00

It's been a long time since I have updated the pics of the kiddos, but this seems to be a trend... We've had a very busy summer so far! To the beach, Sea World, Gama and Boss' house... and I am sure we will add to the list as the summer continues. Just trying to get through the Houston heat as best we can and patiently awaiting the arrival of child #3!

Yankees vs Dodgers

2010-04-13T08:48:00.003-05:00

The first match up of the season!

Easter

2010-04-13T08:38:00.002-05:00

Long awaited...

2010-03-09T08:15:00.005-06:00

As promised, although it was a few months ago, here is a sampling of some things we have been doing in the burbs these days. I wish I had more pics of Lily Kate but I obviously need to take some more! Everyone is doing well under this roof. Spring break is right around the corner and we are going to head down to Port Aransas for a few days to enjoy the beach, hopefully the weather will hold out.

Jackson trying his first sour candy...

Riley giving Tater some lovin

and helping her put on her socks

This little boy loves bubbles!`

Snow, snow everywhere!

2009-12-10T09:23:00.005-06:00

Only once in a blue moon does it snow in Houston. Jackson and Lily Kate got to enjoy it this year! Jackson loved it and Lily Kate enjoyed the first few minutes and then enjoyed the rest of the time inside!

The Beach

2009-12-10T09:08:00.003-06:00

We had the most amazing time at the beach! Our house was right on it which made for very easy access early in the morning with 4 kids in tow! The weather was great and teh boys including the dads actually got in one day! Enjoy!

Enjoying the tide...

Dance moves with the 'ginormaous' lollipop from Gamma
More moves
Gotta love Riley's cheeeeeese
A brief moment of calm
The boys
My boy!
They could have run up and down the beach for hours.
Lily Kate lounging

Riley stretching!These manta rays were awesome! They were literally right up on the shore!

Lily Kate is needed!

2009-11-06T21:08:00.001-06:00

I was looking through the blog and took notice of how few pictures there are of Lily Tater... My new mission is to take a ton and post them ASAP! Jackson's birthday party is tomorrow so we will for sure have the camera out for that. Until then...

Trick or Treat

2009-11-01T19:47:00.005-06:00

Halloween went off without a hitch! Jackson and Justin were the best skeletons ever and Lily Kate dazzled as Dorothy although her ruby red slippers kept falling off!

Jackson trying on his uncles awesome costume!
Justin and Ryan
Andrew as Lego man and Jackson in awe.
Cool skeletons
Skeleton dance...
more dancing

Whitney and Andrew
Lily Kate's friends at school

Great big brother

2009-10-16T19:57:00.003-05:00

While sometimes it is harder for Jackson to bond with his sister, ie fight, bicker, argue, knock down... because she is literally perfect :) He does find many ways to show his love for her and we happened to catch this one on film.

ESPN...

2009-10-16T19:48:00.003-05:00

Jackson has been going around tonight humming a very familiar tune... dududu dududu. Ok probably not the right way to type it but you all know what I am talking about. Then after I asked him why he kept repeating it he replied with, "Well Mom how come that is all I hear on the weekends?" Guilty as charged. By way of Alabama football on Saturdays and Fantasy Football (Justin) on Sundays and Mondays he probably does hear that fabulous tune a lot! Out of the mouths of babes...

MUD!!!!!

2009-09-29T10:34:00.003-05:00

It has been raining so much here lately! When we finally get the chance to play outside there is nothing but mud so Lis and I let the kids go at it! They had the best time and as you will see were completely covered...

Promised Pictures...

2009-09-22T19:40:00.003-05:00

Here are a few pictures that I have taken over the last month or so! I can't believe how fast my babies are growing!

Jackson and his first girlfriend... Riley Grace! (Although he doesn't know it yet :)

Jackson and Jakey glued to the tube watching Scooby Doo! Oh and eating Hot Tamales... terrible parents we are.

Lily Kate loving the swing. The higher she goes the more she laughs!

See what I mean! Growing like weeds!!

NANNY NANNY BOO BOO!!

Long time no post...

2009-09-15T21:06:00.002-05:00

So sorry! Really have no excuse for not updating... Purely lazy. Unfortunately, I am posting on Justin's laptop so I won't be able to put pictures up. My computer's keyboard is not connecting for some reason and when I call MyApple to get help they tell me that my 30 days "out of the box" time has run out and I need to go search the website for help. Ummmm, well I can't search the website if my keyboard isn't working. Wish I had some family member that worked for Apple and could help with some troubleshooting. Hint hint.
Jackson is completely consumed by Legos these days. He was so lucky to have gotten my brothers ancient Legos, literally over twenty years old, and we have ofcourse added to his collection and what do you know you can't tell the difference between the two. Amazing these things are. Hours are lost just putting together make believe creations. Guns, ships, cars, planes, houses, space stations, Riley attackers, you name it we make it. So into it that he wouldn't let Justin clip his thumb nail because it was needed to take his Legos apart! Which is true. If you don't have one long nail those things are stuck like glue. He's doing fabulous.
Lily Kate is sitting up. She has shown us that she can sit up for several minutes. Her record is 20! She is such a happy little girl. We are continuing to play with her medications. Weaning her off two and probably starting a new one soon. She continues to have one or two seizures a day, just depending on whether she naps or not. She is really loving being in the swing these days. We have on on our playground in the backyard and she loves going high. Literally lets out cackle laughs. I have a few pictures of this that I will upload soon!

Jackson, Jackson everywhere!

2009-07-28T16:10:00.004-05:00

Jackson has been on several adventures this summer! Lately, he got to go to a Cardinals baseball game (it just so happened they were playing in the Astros ballpark). He was decked out in his Card gear and ready to cheer on Pujols! He also went to the Butterfly center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science which was awesome! There were butterflies everywhere and it was so hard for him to not touch! But one of the men that worked in the center was very nice and let Jackson hold some of the butterflies that were swarming around him. He left a very happy boy after spending two hours surrounded by butterflies and insects of all kinds!

White Boys Can Dance!

2009-07-28T16:00:00.005-05:00

There is really no introduction needed for this video...

TATERS LAUGHING!!

2009-07-14T18:13:00.004-05:00

I got a new iPhone and took this video of Lily Kate with her new ponytails and cracking up at the zerbert sound. Is that the right word? Anyway... how can you not laugh with this girl!!

Woohoo!

2009-07-14T16:11:00.003-05:00

As many of you know Lily Kate has had almost 15 months of bad hair days... And I have been hesitant of what I could really do with 'it'. Well today I broke out the rubber bands and came up with your good old baby ponytails. And they look pretty darn cute! In the pictures you can also see the new chair she got. It is perfect because now she has a place that is comfortable and safe for her. Enjoy!

Seizures, seizures go away

2009-07-06T00:12:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately, Lily Kate's seizures have returned. Almost 6 months to the day. I have kind of always had this feeling in the back of my mind that they weren't going to be gone forever. I have found that other children with this diagnosis have what they call honeymoon periods. They go 6 months sometimes even a year seizure free and then out of nowhere they pop up. Her neurologist has decided to try out a newly approved drug called Banzel. We'll let you know how it goes!

All I want for Christmas...

2009-07-01T20:13:00.004-05:00

Well as some of you know Jackson's two front teeth were capped back in December because of a cavity. In March he hit them while doing some graceful pose on the toilet, yes the toilet. So now an infection popped up between the two front teeth and he had to have them pulled today! He will be asking for his two front teeth for many Christmas's to come! Here are a few before and after shots!

Crack me up!!

2009-06-27T22:19:00.002-05:00

I know people always talk about how funny their kids are... but Jackson just cracks me up! He has found a new phrase and uses it all the time. We have no idea where he heard it or got it from! He used it the other day standing on the side of the pool and said "Mommy look, Mommy look!" Finally I turned to pay attention and he screams "I LOVE YOU IN MY LIFE!" and jumps in. How can you not laugh hysterically at that. He says it all the time. To Lily Kate, Justin, Lucy our dog, the neighbors... everyone. And it is not just said but yelled! I ask him "where did you hear this" or "why do you say that" and his nonchalant answer is always "for I just do." I mean really Mom no big deal I just love you in my life. He is so full of life, his teachers would probably tell you he is full of something else but I choose to approach it this way. He approaches everything with such intensity. He either LOVES YOU IN HIS LIFE or he is SOOOOO ANGY AT YOU. Seriously, this is what he says to people... me, the lifeguard, his bff Jakey, "I am so angry at you!" I guess it is better than physical force. Oh lord the days we have ahead of us with this one!

Technology

2009-06-22T20:32:00.004-05:00

So we bit the bullet and bought a desktop computer... I love it! We went Mac, not that I am so tech savvy that I have to do cool stuff with pictures or record my own music I just like it better and their commercials are great. Jackson seriously loves it too. He is hooked on playing the Noggin games and has also figured out how to print stuff. How do they catch on so quick? I was feeling so technologically cool that I also did up a facebook page. Not sure if that is correct grammar but either way I did. I only have 12 friends... No one knocking down my door! I think half the people on there just do it to legally spy on others! Me too!

We also bought Lily Kate a new bath chair which is working out well especially when Jackson gets in with her. She does love her brother but only when she wants to!

An Answer is Found

2009-06-14T09:02:00.002-05:00

After two years of countless tests, scans, surgeries and prayers we were finally given the news we have long awaited. Lily Kate's CDKL5 test came back positive. She has a mutation on this gene. Deep breath. In so many ways this is such closure to finally know what exactly is going on with our little girl. At the same time it is something you would never hope for. Justin says the diagnosis doesn't matter because it changes nothing about how we love her or how we are giving her everything we can to be better. He is right. It does however give me a group to relate to and a group of other mothers that understand exactly what I have been through and will continue to struggle with. She truly is a joy. This genetic condition affects a very small number and only girls. Around 50 cases have been diagnosed in the world. They believe there may be a total of 200 but the test is so new that many have not heard of it. Please feel free to check out the website www.cdkl5.com to find out more. I began feeling like a pro when dealing with doctors, hospitals and such but now I have been thrown back to the minors with this. One day at a time we will learn. Thank you all for caring. Much love!

And we're back

2009-06-08T20:58:00.003-05:00

We loaded the car and headed back west yesterday morning. Me, Jackson, Lily Kate, Lucy and the several hundreds of dollars worth of toys that neither of my children needed drove 11 hours back to Houston! It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Although I received many pity looks when I was carrying Lily Kate and trying to keep Jackson confined, especially when I loaded both of them in and then got Lucy out of the back. I could just see the words running through some of those old ladies minds, "Oh bless her heart...". Ha! But I did it and not only that I did it well! I made the same time, maybe even a little faster, than Justin and I driving together! Most importantly we had a great time with my parents. Even when Jackson pulled stunts like calling Boss an idiot. (I don 't know what he was thinking) It did make me feel better when the next day in the car he said "Mommy, what does idiot mean?" Followed by me explaining it and his response was "Oh I didn't know that." Believe me he quickly learned after saying it that it was the wrong thing to do!
We are now back in the swing of things here. LK is back in school and Jackson will be going on Tues and Thurs. I woke up this morning and felt no rush to get somewhere and leisurely made lunches and got dressed. Oh I love not working!!

Celebration!!

2009-05-31T16:09:00.005-05:00

There are many things we celebrated this past Saturday... The fact that we had our entire family together is a major one! Bill also became engaged to his girlfriend Angela! And last but definitely not least Lily Kate turned 2!!! We had such a great weekend. Jackson was his usual self, catching lizards, bugs and butterflies and having so much fun playing with his cousin Addie. Ofcourse, I think they must have gotten the wrong invitation because someone led them to believe it was a costume party!

This trip was definitely needed. It is so relaxing to be at my parents house. You know when you are just in a place where you feel safe and loved, that is here for me. With a huge yard for Jackson to explore and two more sets of arms to hold and cuddle Lily Kate, who could ask for anything more!

Update on Tater

2009-05-27T16:13:00.001-05:00

Just realized we really haven't sent out any mass emails about Lily Tater since her last surgery and wanted to give a quick update on how our girl is...

She is enrolled in a wonderful school, The Arbor, and she loves it. She receives constant therapy there from the occupational, speech and physical therapist along with her two teachers which are trained by the therapists. We have seen so much growth. She is drinking from a straw and can sit up on her own for a few minutes. She is verbalizing a lot more and we love it! Always laughing unless she is hungry or wants to be picked up and cuddled! Still no seizures since January 2!! She has had a few more genetic tests run and one has already come back and was negative, this one was for Rett syndrome. There is sitll one we are waiting on and it is for a genetic syndrome called CDKL5. It will probably be about 3-4 weeks before we hear anything. As always she lightens our days!

And we return...

2009-05-25T21:28:00.001-05:00

We have made it back safe and sound! It was a wonderful trip. Gorgeous weather, beautiful scenery and great family to enjoy it with. Although, I don't think I would do the plane ride again with 4 children under 4!! The obvious highlight of the trip was Whitney's wedding but we also got to enjoy the beach, Sun River and Bend. Oh and did I mention snow in May... yes snow! Lis was able to catch so many good pictures of the kiddos and a few of us adults as well! We are home for two days and one night and then off to Gamma and Boss's for 10 days!

OREGON

2009-05-18T23:07:00.000-05:00

We made it!!! We are here in Oregon and enjoying every minute of the beautiful beach weather. Here are a few pictures to give you an insight into all the fun times we are having. Enjoy!!

Check 'em out!

2009-05-03T21:55:00.000-05:00

My wonderful sister-in-law, who happens to be an amazing photographer, took pictures of our kids with my brother Jae's children. Check them out on her website... www.purdyphotos.com
Our password is barclay. Enjoy!

Up and Blogging...

2009-05-03T14:00:00.001-05:00

As a first time blogger I have no idea what I am doing... hopefully the learning curve will be small! I have taken a leap into the unknown to put up pictures of the kids and it seems to be a great way to keep family and friends updated on us. So here we go-

I am counting down the days left in school, which happen to be ten for me! The next few weeks hold to be very busy. We are leaving for Oregon for Justin's little sisters wedding. We have planned to make a vacation out of it, so we get to spend a few days at the beach and then head to Bend for the big event. Following that we are going to the homeland, ALABAMA!! Spending ten days in lower Alabama with my parents should be a blast. While there we are having Lily Kate's 2nd birthday party. Check back to check out some pics of our travelling days!