June 28th, 2007 - Zoo Pics!

Okay, so, Jessica has requested zoo pics. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of Brianna, and only one of Evan and Kara. But I do have some other pics of Brianna to post as well. Let's see what I can come up with.

Beavers "grooming" each other

This black bear kept pacing back and forth in front of the window

Evan and Kara

Elephants

Tiger...we almost missed him...we passed by while the trainer was putting down ice for him, and went to the restroom. When we came out of the restroom, the tiger was out.

Over Memorial Day weekend, we went with Bob, Mary and Damien up to Bob and Mary's cabin in the mountains, to celebrate Memorial Day as well as Brianna's second birthday. We had a great time. These are some pictures from the weekend.

Smiling at Damien's silly antics

Enjoying her new bubble maker, from Mary's lap.

Going home.

June 26, 2007 (for Jessica!)

Okay, so, since Jessica scolded me for not updating, here's the newest update.

Since I've recently started working (the day after Memorial Day was my interview, and I started work the next week, if I remember correctly), things have been really hectic. Fortunately, we have a wonderful daycare provider who is very flexible and doesn't get too exasperated by my scatterbrained last-minute needs, or my late arrivals. She and her daughters absolutely love Brianna, and I am very happy with the arrangement.

So the latest news is, we started Brianna on her feeding pump around the clock. She ran out of Prevacid and it took a while for the doctor to authorize a refill. So she was out for a few days. Because I didn't want her to suffer from the lack, I decided to give the around-the-clock pumping a try. The doctors have been urging it, because it will help get more formula into her, but I was hesitant because she is such a squirmy little thing, I was afraid she'd pull it out. She has done excellently! We just tape down the tube securely, prop up the pump beside her in its little backpack, and let her play! If she's doing therapy or anything, of course she comes unplugged. But for the most part, she stays hooked up to it. Sue, the DCP, is okay with the pump, though she won't put her down for a nap while she is hooked up to it. She would be entirely too worried if she did, so I told her, if she isn't comfortable with it, then that's fine. But I am very anxious to see if Brianna has made any significant weight gains since we started her on the pump full time.

Oh, we went to the zoo on Sunday, as well. It was a lot of fun. We went with a friend (maybe someday more?), Evan, and his ten year old daughter, Kara, and we had a blast. Kara absolutely loves Brianna. Who doesn't? She was very curious, and asked a lot of questions about her condition, about her tube, and all sorts of stuff. She's such a smart girl! She definitely made the trip more enjoyable! I hope to get to spend some time with them again soon. I can honestly say, Evan is the type of guy I am looking for. He isn't needy. He is steady, honest, and loving. And he is a Christian, which is awesome. He doesn't have any illegal habits, or any legal addictions, either, unless you count that triple shot espresso he HAS to have in the morning :-P. Oh, and did I mention that he is a Vin Diesel look-alike? Oh, baby, that in itself is enough to make your heart skip a beat! But add in the facts of his personality and his utter devotion to his family, and you've got one amazing guy. Let's just say I REALLY hope I get to see more of him in the future :-D. And I didn't mean that in the LITERAL sense, you nasties!

June 2, 2007 - Saturday Market

Today marked our first trip to the Saturday Market! And, of course, Mommy, the big dummy, forgot the stroller!

Okay, so here's how our day has shaped up so far. Brianna woke up at about 10am, at teh same time her feeding pump alarm started going off, my cell phone bleeped at me to tell me I had a text message, and I started hearing doors slamming next door through my open bedroom window. Eh, no big deal. Brianna had a very poopy diaper, but she had a great big grin on her face, so she KNEW what Mommy thought of that.

We sat around and relaxed for about an hour, then I took my shower, got us both dressed and all that, and went for a drive. One of Mary's friends, who helped organize a Military Moms' group here in Salem, which is throwing an All-Military Ball soon, was having a yard sale to raise funds for the packages the group sends out. This is a woman who is absolutely in LOVE with Brianna! The first time she laid eyes on Brianna, she wanted to babysit her! I thought she was joking at first, but she's serious! She's anxious to get to babysit! So, anyway, I showed up to the yard sale, which was pretty slow by this time (it was about 1pm, and really hot outside). So Cynthia kept telling me to load anything I wanted into the back of my car. She told me she'd rather give it to me than have it go to Goodwill after the sale ends tomorrow. So, I got a cute storage basket, a lamp set, a small trash can for my desk, two stuffed dolls for Brianna, and two matching Carry on suitcases. Cynthia held Brianna while I perused the sales items.

After loading up the car with all these treats, I thought about dropping them off at home first. But it was already 1:30, and the Saturday Market closed at 3, so I wanted to get there first. Got there, didn't even think about needing a stroller until we were parking. So, I ended up packing Brianna around, squirming, arching, head butting and causing mischief the entire hour. But we got to see lots of stuff. I really wanted to buy some plants, but I knew I couldn't carry a hanging basket and Brianna at the same time. So I settled for two small bouquets of mixed flowers...tiger lilies, greenerie and some wildflowers. Beautiful flowers. Made my day.

So now, we're home, after I stopped at Carl's Junior's for a burger (Darned radio ads for the new Teriyaki burger did me in). I'm trying to get hold of Damien, so that he can take Brianna for the night tonight. I have a few errands yet to run, and then I'd like to go to church this evening.

Anyway, before I forget, I ran into one of my former Lit. professors and his wife, who works in the registrar's office, while we were there. Stood and chatted with them for a few minutes. Bonnie was really sweet, and remembered me talking about Brianna when I came in a couple weeks ago to request a copy of my transcripts. She asked some questions about Brianna and the prognoses for her walking or talking. It was nice to get to chat. Dr. Hills is one of the professors I most admired and enjoyed learning from at the school.