good picture dad

could she be any more beautiful?

another sunny day....

In my never ending search for a park with toddler swings we went to the Lynden city park. Brad road his bike over and we met him there. He has had a much harder time up here finding good/safe roads to ride on, but he really enjoyed the ride along Birch Bay/ Lynden. We had a great afternoon at the park and then dinner!





I can't wait to buy her croccs



she actually bit off a part of the pickle, she was mad that I scooped it out of her mouth

YEAH!!!

Our appointment with the neurosurgon went GREAT today!!! Though our chiropractor recomended I see someone else, Brad and I feel very confident with him and what he told us. He did some tests on me, gave us a lot of info and showed us pictures of the herniated disks. The lower disk bulges out ALOT and the one above it is not as bad, though both are compressed against the nerve. Since my pain has subsided so much already and I don't have much leg pain he thinks I won't need any cortizone shots or surgery. I have back exercises to do and he ok'd lifting TJ (YEAH, no more babysitters...jk) ....basically I can do what I would normally do unless or until it hurts.

He did not recomend physical therapy as they will most likely have me do the same exercises he recommended. The same applies for chiro in that he is unaware if it really helps. So, for now I will cut back on chiro and strengthen my back....I will most likely fit in a massage or two. I go back in a month to see him or sooner if it flares up again. Brad and I are both feeling so great about my road to self-recovery!!! Again, thanks for all the help, prayers, and kind words we have received!

oh....we love the sun

The sun has been out the last three days and we are enjoying it! We went to a park yesterday and to the beach today. Terrace really loved watching a large group of seagulls eat bread crumbs and "yell."

Terrace has gained some new skills over the last 2 weeks. She is now comfortable on her hands and knees, rocking back and forth, talks with assertion, and screams really loud and very high pitched so that everyone will look at her. She is also reacting to us when we laugh at something she does....her latest trick is turning her head sideways.....it is so cute! The other new trick is shaking her rattle eggs I made for her. Her new love: Chicken Noodle jar food :)

I am feeling better and better everyday. I am no longer taking pain medication and I have my neurosurgon appointment tomorrow. We are hoping that he will say it is ok for me to lift tj on a limited basis. There have been many positives over the last week; Brad and TJ's bond has grown and I am truly enjoying these slower days and more time playing with Terrace (on the floor). Thank you so much to everyone that has come over to help, especially Dottie who spent the weekend with me so Brad could go back to work.

bubbles

This is TJ's first experience with bubbles, it was pretty cute....please excuse Brad's conversation in the background.

our geese

here is a short video of our neighborhood geese walking down the street, we usually see them once a day but can hear them more often

painting time

We had some friends over last week celebrate St. Patricks Day and Spring time.






I am very proud of my cupcakes!

survived the chiropractor

So, I saw the chiropractor yesterday and today. I have always said I would never go to a chiropractor bc I am afraid of having other people adjust me and didn't want to have to go for the rest of my life. Well...at this point I will do anything to feel better and avoid surgery. Yesterday he showed me some stretches/exercises and today he did adjust my upper back and hips, though it did not hurt and I am still feeling fine, it was pretty freaky for me. Overall, I am doing better day by day (definitely feeling the effects of being on strong medication) and trying to cut back on the meds as much as possible though it is still pretty painful. I am proud of myself that I have followed the strict orders of not picking up TJ.....it has been tough at times.

It was great to see Lisa and Noah yesterday when they came over to give Brad a break and visit with us. Brad goes back to work Thurs evening and we have our "slots" filled up to help TJ and I through Sunday evening. Dottie will be coming up for the weekend which will be so helpful. Some very exciting news is that TJ is getting up on her hands and knee's and rocking back and forth. We were also able to go around town a little bit today after my appt. which feels so nice to be able to get out of the house.

back update (not much)

So I thought I would give a quick update....I started feeling a little better during the day Sunday though I think I over did it and was in a lot of pain Sunday evening. I have had a good Monday. I called the neurologist (gave them the info the ER doctor told me to tell them) and can not get in until next Wed, though I am on the cancellation list. Melissa and Isabella came over today with pizza and coffee for a great visit. I was feeling a lot better this am, able to move around a lot easier but am pretty sore this evening again. Though I have always been afraid of chiropractors, I have an appt. tomorrow to see if it will help with the pain until we can get into the neurosurgen. I am hopeful that I am slowly getting better as I can move around more than I was able to before.....but it still may be the medication. tata for now

broken back...

Well...not really. Some of you may have known my back has been an issue since October. I tried massage and physical therapy which worked at the time. I ran out of sessions and soon after I stopped my back began to hurt again, getting worse each week. At my doctor appt. on Fri. the doctor tried to switch my muscle relaxer and gave me a steroid to help with the swelling. I was to check back in with him after I started PT again early April if it wasn't working. I should have insisted on an MRI then but did not. Early Saturday am I woke up with horrible pains in my back and legs and soon after realized I could neither get out of bed or back into it...I was basically stuck (luckily brad was not working).

We headed to the hospital Saturday morning and Crystal thankfully took TJ for us (THANKS CRYSTAL). We spent about 6 hours there yesterday and after an MRI found out that I have 2 herniated disks. One of which is really bad and the one above is on its way. So, with talking to the doctor I mentioned our 7 month old and he then informed me I can not pick her up or anything over 5 lbs. They did give me pain medication so I am able to walk around but it is still painful and very slow. We will meet with a neurologist hopefully early this week and will get more info then.

As for now, Brad is taking some time off of work to care for TJ and I....he is a wonderful father and nurse :) I get cabin fever very easily so I am hoping to get out and about soon. I will update after we see the neurologist.
lesson learned: listen to your body and when it is telling you something is wrong, get it checked out asap!

and there she goes....

Terrace has learned to move!!! She is now pushing herself backwards! This video was taken a few days ago, sorry for the rockiness at times. Over the last few days she seems to get around more and more with pushing and rolling and is starting to get frustrated when something is out of reach. She is also starting to get up on her hands and knees.

time at home

cuddle time with dad


Idaho pride!!!


she moves.....backwards!!!

laughing

It was so nice out today and somewhat warm this evening. TJ was crabby from a busy day so we took a blanket outside to enjoy the wonderful weather. She was sooo content and smiley just sitting out there touching the grass and watching the cats (I thought I would let them enjoy some fresh air as well). I got her to laugh a lot and captured some of it on video....you will have to excuse the annoying noises I am making. I have some updated photo's to post though am having issues the past two days (they are working on the problem) so check back soon for around the house pics and craft party pics!

just hanging out...

here are a few pictures from this morning, TJ is having more fun watching what I am doing on the computer....and trying to grab at it as well. I am not as dark as the pictures look and I didn't notice TJ's "hair style" either....she isn't growing in a "patch" of hair as it looks.....ooops

Brad's brother just taught us how to talk over the internet and it is sooo much fun. I hope that KT and I can get it set up soon. I will post some blooming flower pictures from our yard soon as proof that spring is right around the corner.

7 months

Terrace is now 7 months old and is just a joy as her middle name implies. She did not change much (besides growing) while we were gone except she is making new noises. She is sitting up so well, starting to push her body up and pull her legs up, and is soooo excited about the cats that now will not come close to her. Just like her parents, she is not a picky eater and loves bath time.

mexico

We are home!!! here are some pictures from our trip, we had a great time but are so glad to be home with Terrace. Grandma and TJ had a great time together and we are so thankful to her.

Snorkeling!

Still having a great time. We are still taking so much time to relax, sleep, and nap. We went out one night and have been resting the others and ordering in food. I had a wonderful massage at the Spa yesterday! We went snorkeling today which was so much fun, I am over my fear of fish! We also watched a Mexican fiesta this evening which was beautiful. We are getting enough sun and Brad is very red!
love to all again

wonderful time....

We arrived with minimal complications (except for my 24 hr stomach bug I got starting on the flight down....not fun!)and it is beautiful down here. I am feeling almost 100% now. The all inclusive is the way to go. So far we have just hung around the hotel, got some sun and relaxed. We will we going to snorkling tomorrow and I will hopefully be visiting the spa later today. We are missing TJ so much, especially when we see other families and hope to come and visit again with family. Love to all....especially Terrace!

play time and vacation

We had a great time hanging out with Noah the other day. Terrace had soooo much fun playing with new toys and watching him. They were so excited to see watch each other and talk to one another. Here are a few pictures of them playing with toys and chewing on spoons....too cute! Brad and I are off to Mexico soon and I am having a real tough time leaving. I know we are going to have a blast and she is going to be spoiled while we are gone! I just always hope she know how much she is loved and will be missed. ok, enough sappiness. love to all!