Happy Shunt-a-versary!

(June 3, 2009 s/p VP shunt placment)

Ashlyn Grace's VP shunt is 3 years old!  Is it silly celebrating the birthday of an inanimate object?  Not at all!  After all, for a child with hydrocephalus, this medical device, which drains excess fluid off of the brain, is a matter of life and death.  Ashlyn is an energenic, normally developing 3 year old diva thanks to her shunt.  Many hydro kids are not as lucky to have such a reliable shunt and require frequent revisions and replacements.  I am blessed that we have gone 3 years with no major problems and pray for many more surgery-free years!    

We spent Ashlyn's "shunt-a-versary" at the Strong National Museum of Play, our favorite place in Rochester!!  We had a blast as usual, and I was overjoyed to be able to watch Ashlyn playing like any other normal, happy, healthy 3 year old.  Thank you VP shunt!  You rock and that excess CSF doesn't stand a chance against you.  Happy birthday!!   

 Ashlyn and Daddy giving hula hooping a whirl!

The gang hanging out at Sesame Street.

Papa teaching Ashlyn how to play the archaic video games from back in "his day".  

My 3 year old is a genius...she can play a mean game of chess!

(Of course, by chess, I mean just randomly moving pieces around with a intense look on your face.)

Happy Birthday Ashlyn Grace

Happy 3rd Birthday!! 

Here are some pics from Ashlyn's special day. 

 The birthday girl with her birthday surprise!

(I found the idea on....where else?  Pinterest!  http://pinterest.com/pin/203647214370626293/)

Another birthday surprise!

Good morning birthday girl!

A special breakfast of pancakes, syrup and sprinkles. PanCAKEs deserve candles too!

Ashlyn playing with one of her birthday presents, a new easel!

Birthday Princess

Birthday girl's dinner: Her favorite food, PIZZA!

Birthday Cake!

(Can't beat a cheap and easy cake from Wegmans)

 

Make a wish!

Whooooo wants to Paint? Bird and Owl Arts and Crafts

I admit that I can be a bit of an overzealous party planner, and when I have a vision, I run with it!  For Ashlyn and Maddyn's joint Bird and Owl themed birthday party, I decided I needed to incorporate birdhouses in some way.  I took a stroll through Michaels and lo and behold, there are paintable birdhouses for $1!  What a perfect arts and craft activity! 

(All supplies to paint birdhouses can be found at Michaels)

 

I found these adorable paintable masks at Joann's for $1 each. 

I painted them beforehand, and viola, perfect photo prop for a bird themed party! 

To the right, you can see a basket filled with supplies to make sand art necklaces. 

The birthday girl painting a birdie! 

This picture is classic Ashlyn...she is always such a hoot!

Pretty girl wearing her sand art necklace she made at the arts and crafts table. 

Second party outfit!  

Yup, we anticipated her gorgeous party dress getting paint on it and were prepared.  Great news: the crayola paint is definitely washable, and her dresses came clean in the wash!     

Painting a birdhouse 

 Braeden loved making the sand art necklaces. 

He made one for various family members and friends! 

I didn't realize that the sandart kids I purchased at Michaels did not include strings to make them into necklaces, but we improvised and used leftover ribbon from the party decorations.  I think they turned out super cute!

 The arts and crafts table

BEFORE

The arts and crafts table

AFTER

Suffice to say, the arts and crafts table was a hit with the kids and adults alike! 

A First Time for Everything

I love how exciting FIRSTS are!  

Braeden and Ashlyn's first experience bowling did not disappoint!   

She looks so tiny compared to that big ball! 

Braeden waiting for his first turn at bowling EVER! 

Daddy is a great football coach, and now I can say he also makes an awesome bowling coach! 

The ball was too heavy for Ashlyn so we used this handy contraption! 

Braeden quickly got the hang of bowling, and he couldn't wait for another turn. 

There was a mini meltdown in true 3 year old fashion.

The Final Standings! 

Ashlyn definitely had beginner's luck with a winning score of 106!  Triple digits?!  I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually bowled over 100!  It cracks me up that Chris came in last because he is always super competitive, but I will add that he and I allowed the kids to bowl our frames halfway through so the scores are not reflective of his true bowling skills. 



Updated Pictures!

It's been awhile....here are some updated pics of the kiddos:

Snowbunnies

Happy Birthday PaPa!

Happy birthday PaPa!! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving

This year I am thankful for FAMILY.

I am thankful for Ashlyn who continues to amaze me everyday. Hard to believe that late last December we were told by a doctor to consider termination! She truly is my inspiration.

I am thankful for Braeden who is the sweetest, most loving big brother. He may be entering the terrible twos early, but he is still my favorite little guy in the whole world!

I am thankful for Chris, my husband. He is a wonderful husband and an even better father. I am extremely grateful that he is such an awesome dad. He is very involved in every aspect of their lives. From playtime to doctor's appointments, he is there for the good times and bad, the hugs and the temper tantrums. It is great to have a partner when things get stressful with raising 2 under 2. I don't know how I could do it without him. Single moms out there, I am in awe of you!

I am thankful for my mom. She is my best friend and always so supportive of me. Now that I am a mother, I have come to the realization that I am my mother's daughter. I might joke that I am turning into my mother....but you know what? That is not a bad thing! Although I was not able to spend Thanksgiving with her this year, I am thankful that she was able to be in California instead. She treated herself to a trip to Cali to visit my brother. Speaking of my brother....

I am thankful that my brother (AKA Uncle Chris) is a Young American doing his thing on the West coast. He has a great role in the "new kid show," is making new friends, and seems to be very happy even though he is super busy now. I am very proud of my little brother!

I am thankful for my dad. I am very proud of him because he has finally kicked his nicotine addiction! YAY, no more tobacco!!! Braeden and Ashlyn need "Bop-pa" around afterall. As a nurse, I am know the importance of quitting, but I also understand how hard it is. I am also thanful for Chantix (tobacco users talk to your doctors about trying it...I have heard from quite a few people who finally found success quitting with it).

I am thankful for my in-laws. In-laws don't always get a great rap....but mine are pretty awesome! I feel right at home with them. I remember when I first met them when Chris and I started dating, and I was so shy and timid....not anymore!

Update on Ashlyn

We have something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving. Ashlyn had a wonderful appointment with her neurosurgeon yesterday. Dr. S was happy with her progress and says she is doing great. From now on, she will just need to go in for an annual visit to check her shunt (unless complications arise of course). Her head size is 43.5 mm, which puts her at the 75th percentile. Imagine that....my daughter with hydrocephalus who had been off the charts is in the 75th percentile! Absolutely amazing! We feel so blessed that Ashlyn is doing so well despite her rocky start.

Tomorrow, Ashlyn will be introduced to solid food at her first Thanksgiving celebration. I cannot wait, and I will definitely take lots of pics to capture the special day. :)

Halloween Party at Strong National Museum of Play

Sibling Rivalry?

No way! Braeden has become the most overprotective big brother. We cannot leave a room without him asking for "sissy." Cute, albiet annoying when I end up lugging a napping baby around in her boppy chair throughout the house!

Ashlyn is Absolutely Adorable

I might be biased, but Ashlyn is the cutest little pain in the butt ever! She might be a drama queen...but she is the most amazing little princess ever.

Bop, Bop, Bop!

Sophie la Girafe

I broke down and bought Sophie the giraffe for Ashlyn. I basically spent $20 on a squeky dog toy....but she loves it!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

On Sunday, my family went to Stokoe Farms Pumpkin Patch and had an afternoon of fun!

Corn maze:

Pumpkin Patch:

My Pumpkin:

Annabelle, the cow, was born on June 1st just like Ashlyn!

Papa and Braeden riding the train:

Now Daddy's turn:

Playing in the hay:

Mommy and B:

Mmmm....Fried dough: