Holland Fest and Slumber Party

Last Saturday we had a fun filled day.
First we went to Holland Fest in Cedar Grove and spent some time with Mya and her family. We watched Mya wash the streets in her cute little costume(Dutch thing), watched the parade, enjoyed the food, Mia got to ride a little train, and we watched part of a bike stunt show. It was a very busy and fun afternoon.

Then after all that, we rushed home to meet Mianna's slumber party partner! Thats right, Mianna had her very first slumber party with Brianna. I wasn't sure how she'd do not having a nap and have such a busy day, but she did great. The excitement was her adrenaline! First we went to pizza hut for dinner since Mianna earned two free pizzas through the reading program at the library, then we came home with ice cream and ate it outside followed by a little bike riding in the drive way. Then we got the girls settled in their sleeping bags in the living room and put in a movie for them with snacks. They were so cute! Mianna definitely enjoyed her first sleep over. And Hadley enjoyed tagging along. I asked Mianna if it was ok and she said it was :) I think she was just as excited for Mianna. I remember those days, being the little sister! :)

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy! We took Andy to the aquarium on his birthday since we were already in Chicago! It was a great trip overall!

Hadley's Cast # 2 Follow up apt

Hadley had her follow up apt for her 2nd cast yesterday in Chicago. Everything went very well. Mianna joined us this time since we had fun plans to do after the apt. It was nice to get to show her the place where Hadley gets casted. We always leave her behind since casting is such a long process where Hadley needs our individual attention. But now at least she knows where we go and what it's all about.
Hadley had an Xray and her back measured at 23 degrees. Not bad. Could be better, but could be a lot worse! Remember, she started this cast at 12 degrees. So, her back relaxed 11 degrees in one month.
The dates for the recasting are not set yet. The Dr says he would like to recast her in October. I honestly don't know if Hadley will make it that long in this cast. I already think it is tight on her. However, it is better for her to stay in a cast because results are usually better.
The reasoning for him wanting to recast her in October is because the Hospital is going to be closed the months of Nov and Dec for renovation. So, if she's casted in Oct. she should be ok until the hospital reopens in Jan. This makes me a little nervous knowing the hospital will be closed. Hopefully we still have communication access to the nurses in case we need it.
If you could please continue to pray for us, we would appreciate it.
Things to pray for:
-that Hadley can make it till October in this cast without growing out of it.
-for any correction when the cast is taken off
-and always for us to relax and trust God with it all!

Thank you!

In the waiting room




Andy trying to do the elvis impression...
Great entertainment while waiting for the Dr! :)

UH OH

Hadley loves going through the cupboards. Well, she found the snack cupboard and as you see, she found the crackers!



Snackin'


Attempting to pick them up


And trying to put them back in the bag....

Sprinkler fun

It's been one hot wk and unfortunately, it's a little bit too hot for Hadley to be outside with her cast on. So, we've been inside in the AC most of the wk. But today I set out the sprinkler and while Hadley took her afternoon nap, the older girls' and I went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather finally! It was so nice to be outside! And the girls had a lot of fun running through the sprinkler!

Storytime

What would we do without storytime? I really don't know! Every Tuesday the girls' and I go to the Library at 9:30 for Hadley's storytime. It is 15 min. of music and books, then 15 min. of free play time. The older girls enjoy helping Hadley out and being an example for her. I think it builds Mianna's confidence. And Hadley loves it. On Wednesdays, we go at 10 am for Mianna and Mya's storytime. It is also 1/2 hour. Mostly listening to books, songs, and at the end, they do an art project. This last Wed. they made spider hats. Mianna was very proud of hers and wanted to show it off!

Hadley's new fun thing to do

Hadley's new thing to do is push Mianna's little grocery cart around. She'll push it to one side of the room, then walk around it and push it to the other side of the room. This would literally keep her entertained all day. And she's so proud of herself :) Good walking practice!
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Our 4 year Anniversary

Bike Ride to Belgium

We've been doing a lot of biking this summer! Including a bike ride from our house to Lake Michigan, biking around town, and today we biked from Port Washington to Belgium on the trail with my parents! It was a long trip, but a lot of fun! A little bit windy, but the trees protected us for the most part. Were feeling good today, but im sure we'll be filling it in our legs tomarrow!


snack time...




Hadley couldn't quite make it home...

Messy eating

Problem:
Hadley rubbing food in her hair every time she eats. With any other kid, you can just throw them in the tub after, but thats not so easy with Hadley. Washing hair is not always a fun time for her.

Solution:
A shower cap. Every time she eats we put it on and therefore she can not rub food in her hair. It works pretty good so far! Looks kind of silly, but works good!

Happy 4th of July

Heres a couple pics from our celebration of the freedom that our soldiars faught for us!

Cedarburg parade:

Saukville Parade:

















Cedarburg Fireworks:

Hadley's 2nd Cast

We are finally back from getting Hadley's 2nd Cast put on! The overall procedure we feel went pretty well. We got to the hotel last night rather late because of rush hour. Then right away ate dinner since we were all starving. Then we hung out and gave Hadley her last bath that she'll be able to have for awhile. Then went to bed.
The next morning, we had to be at the Hospital at 6AM. After we arrived, we were sent to radiology right away to get an xray of Hadley so we could finally see any results from the cast. Right after that, we had to get Hadley in the pre-op room so they could prepare her for the procedure. The Doctor was waiting for her since she was the only one being casted so everybody was kind of rushing around... Hadley took some medication to make her a bit sleepy; however, they took her before it actually started working so as they were rolling her away in her bed, she was screaming. It was very hard for Andy and I to see that!
In the meantime, Andy and I went to the cafeteria for some coffee and breakfast to take our mind off her, then we headed back up to the waiting room. Not long after that, the Dr came out with all the news: Now, Keep in mind, We were told not to expect any correction on her back with the first couple casts... BUT God took control and gave us something completely out of the ordinary. He gave us a correction of 27 degrees. Not only is that amazing for the 1st cast, but from a curve being 74 degrees! When it comes to trusting God, statistics mean nothing! HADLEY NOW HAS A 47 DEGREE CURVE!!!!!! That is ALL God's work! The Doctor came out surprised and extremely happy to tell us the news! He said there is a much better rotation as well which is awesome! We were ecstatic! Thanks GOD! After telling us such amazing news, he also told us he was able to get her curve down to 12 degrees in her new cast. That is just amazing as well! So, we are praying for even more correction next time, but only God can tell!
After all the awesome news, we had to wait a little longer until we got to see our little babes! But we finally got to go back there, and Hadley was not happy. Actually she was plain miserable. She wouldn't stop crying. She had dry tears because she was so dehydrated. Her eyes were puffy marshmallows. And she couldn't barely cry or make any sounds because her throat was so hoarse from the tube that was put down her little nose. She was in bad shape. It took us a good couple hours to get her into a decent shape. We gave her 3 Popsicles and that helped, but she was still in bad shape. They then had to tape her cast up which made things a little worse. But finally we were done and ready to go. She again got lots of little presents! Its like Christmas every time we go there! :) She deserves it though for what she goes through!
We finally got her in the car and drove home. She's still struggling, but is a bit better. She's just very soar, tired, and irritated from the anesthetics. She is still hoarse, but sounds a little better after a couple more Popsicles! She still wont let us put her down so we don't know what she's like on the floor yet, but in her crib she could not get up, so it might just take a little while for her to adjust to a cast again.
Were hoping for some improvements tomorrow!
Thanks for all your prayers and love! It worked, God answered our prayers! Thank you!!!!!