Did Ya Miss Us?

Our dear friend Clint took our family photos and Audrey's 1 year pics... Grandparents do not print this out on your office/home printer, we will give you copies!!

Boy, have we been busy!!! This little princess has us so tightly wrapped around her little pinky!!

Or, should I say Daddy's pinky?
My most favorite thing about being a Mommy. Nothing feels better than to
have your baby rest their head in the "nook"
We should do this to her right before her first date... She would be so embarrassed!

Audrey had her first Easter and it was wonderful! We met her Nanny and PawPaw up at church for Easter Sunday and she was dressed so pretty!! Then, we ate lunch and came home to rest before heading over to Nana and Papa's for Easter Dinner. The day was wonderful and Audrey had the sweetest little dress on.

Audrey's 1st Easter!

Dress was chosen by Audrey's Papa!

We had our appointment with Scottish Rite and they said her feet look great and Dr. Morcuende in Iowa did a great job! Great news! They offered a different solution with her toes, though. We've heard the same thing from 3 different doctors and they've told us the second big toe is the one they would remove. Dr. Karl at Scottish Rite said she would remove the first big toe, which also happens to be the strongest of the two. She said that we have plenty of time to think about it and that's exactly what we're going to do. She also said that she would to an Anterior Tibula Tendon Transfer, which they will transfer the tendon in her big toe to the center of her foot. She said it will help with her dorsilflexion and she will be able to walk a lot easier. (Dorsilfexion is the movement pulling your toes upward - all you clubfoot Mommies know what I'm talking about) I'm very conflicted about these two procedures, although, I've had this strong feeling that she would need the ATTT anyway. But, I'm really leary about them removing the first big toe, the strongest toe. She didn't take any x-rays at our appointment, it was mainly a consultation and she said that if she does this surgery, we should also commit to Scottish Rite being the primary treatment center for her clubfeet as well. Financially it makes sense and I know they would put the best interest of Audrey in their treatment plan, but I'm very sad that Dr. Lund will not be treating her anymore. Dr. Karl gave us better news when she told us these two procedures would be an outpatient surgery and Audrey would be home same day!!! She would be in casts 6 weeks after the surgery so the tendon can heal properly. Shawn and I are leaning towards having the procedure done after Audrey starts walking. We feel that doing the procedure sooner rather than later would really slow down her development even more. Our goal is to have her up and walking by 20 months... so we shall see!

Audrey also had her hearing evaluation with a hearing specialist from Richardson Independent School District. She said Audrey's hearing at 2 month level with her receptive hearing and a 4 month level with her expressive hearing (and understanding). I half agree with this but I think her services would be really beneficial to Audrey. We set a goal that within the next 6 months, Audrey will be understanding baby signs and hopefully even communicate with them herself. She starts next week... if I can get the enrollment info in to her! I'm the world's worst procrastinator.

This photo was waiting for me in my inbox when I got to work one day!! (well, actually my birthday!!)
Shawn and I went to the Texas Rangers game on 04/19 with his family for Audrey's PawPaw's birthday. We did not bring Audrey because we weren't sure how she would do, but the weather was very touch and go so it's was best we didn't.

This past weekend, Audrey stayed with her Papa and Nana while we went camping for my sister and I's birthday. We had so much fun, relaxing by the fire and singing. Shawn brought out his guitar and I'm sure our wonderful singing kept our neighbors quite entertained!! We went with our friends Clint and Heather, who are always great company. My sister and I celebrated our 28th birthday... dundun dunnn... This weekend is the big celebration with friends at my house. Audrey's staying the night with her Nanny and PawPaw. I'm really starting to miss my little angel on Sunday mornings, but it's been nice to sleep in the last couple of weekends. Grandparents are the absolute best!!!

Also... If I might add, Audrey's therapists are very, very, very pleased with her progress physically and cognitively. She's reacting more to sounds and facial expressions, she's also communicating A LOT more!! She has become more and more vocal over the last month. It's wonderful to hear her start to babble.

She enjoyed Mommy's Birthday balloon!

I keep telling myself that she's moving at the pace she needs to be moving at. I love that she's doing it at her own speed (with some loving encouragement from all of us). Her Daddy works really hard with her leg strength every night during her free time. It's usually while I'm preparing dinner, but I can hear them work together from the living room. Audrey's wonderful Daddy will say "1, 2, 3, Up" and pull her up into a standing position. Every night, we see the improvement because she stands a little more each time. We're up to 5-7 seconds!!! GO AUDREY!

The house is coming along nicely. We've gotten all the painting almost 100% completed but need to go back and touch up the trim and ceilings. This weekend I'm hoping to do a little curb appeal but our weather forcast calls for rain, rain, rain and more rain.

I'm sorry for going almost an entire month without an update or photos for the grandparents... But, I promise I will not do this again to you. I get to see that little darling face every single day, I can't imagine going an entire month without even a photo to look at her... I fall to the mercy of the Mommy court, "Please, Please, Please forgive me for not showing off my beautiful baby... I vow to never, ever, ever, ever do this again to my family and friends."