We had a GREAT time last night - thank you for coming if you came!!  :)

We stayed almost the whole time last, but left about 5 minutes before it was over.  I'm glad that we did b/c In n Out was packed & we didn't have the fight the crowd from the game added in too. 

We went to church this morning & right before "big church" started, Diane came & got me saying that Zachary had a fever.  I was like," really?"  I was shocked b/c he had been feeling just fine.  Sure enough, when I walked in he was not feeling good at all.  He came with me and I gave him some tylenol & he fell asleep on Les.  After I nursed Sadie; then I took the kids & left.  I brought them back to my parents' house so that everyone else could stay and enjoy the service.  Zachary ended up falling asleep in their bed for about 2 hours.  Poor baby!  He's feeling better this evening, but still some fever; which is his only symptom for now.  Hopefully it'll pass fast & he'll be fever free! 

Have a good evening & be safe w/ the storms a brewing out there!!!

Football Mame

No, I didn't type it wrong - this is how Zachary says it!!  :) 

Tonight after our HOA social/clean-up/meeting; then we're heading up into Allen to see the Allen Wranglers play tonight at the AEC.  Zachary LOVES sports, so he has been asking everyday for over a week yet if it's time to go to the game.  So, we have been counting down the days!  Today he was SUPER excited when I told him that today was the day for the football game. 

I'll try to take some pictures at the game tonight, so stay tuned!

Enjoy the day & praise God for another breath of life!!

Discharged

Miss Sadie was discharged from her GI doc yesterday.  What an exciting day it was for me!  :)  We were going there b/c she had a very high bilirubin, but the thing is; it's not the normal jaundice that goes away with light therapy.  She was taking a medication to help get the sludge moving out of her gall bladder and get that bilirubin down.  The last 2 visits it has been normal & Dr R said," I'm going to have to say goodbye now."  While we just love the guy - so nice, compassionate, gentle, etc; what a BIG praise for my little girl.  Dr R said," you told me in the beginning that it would do this and I believed you.  That's why I didn't run all those expensive tests."  Praise the Lord!!!

We will still be seeing the hematologist for a while, but that's okay!  We love Dr C & have been seeing her since Zachary was born, so we have a very good relationship with her.  Her & I talked several times during my pregnancy with Sadie when I was worried about something.  If you ever need a Hematologist or GI doc - you call me!  Sadie does have 4 weeks off from seeing the hematologist, but does have to go back in 2 weeks for blood work.  She has actually gone up by .2 since the last visit 2 weeks ago; which is a HUGE praise b/c that means that she is MAKING her own red blood cells now.  Which also means; more than likely, NO MORE BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS!!!  I just keep praying that this is the case & if so, she's JUST like her big brother!  So, 3 & that's it.  Time will tell especially when we go back in 2 weeks.  If it's still up where it was this last time; then that's pretty much a sure sign that blood transfusions are over & in our past. 

I hope to blog more b/c I have really missed it, but I have been busy with Zachary & Sadie.  They're definitely worth having my attention & then Les gets my attention at night when he's home!

We have also been working on getting our Lucas house on the market, so sometime in the next few days (once our Realtor has a sunny day for pics).  He's hoping for Monday, but really all depends on the weather!  We have filled out the paperwork and gave all that to him today.

I'll leave you with a few pics.....just one........we're about to get hit with a severe storm.  ENJOY!!!!

2 months old.........already?!

Yep!  Our big girl turned 2 months old last week, May 4th.  I can't believe it.

Let's see, she weighed in at 9 lbs 1.3 oz at her check-up.  She was in the 25th precentile for both height and weight - I was proud!

She's still breastfeeding exclusively & does not want a bottle.  She'll just fuss & fuss till she gets what she wants.  She also doesn't want the paci, so she goes al la natural..... :)

Zachary loves her so much & I think the feeling is mutual.  She is now awake some throughout the day & she just watches him, reaches for him, and even grins at him.  He enjoys watching her, laying by her, kissing her on the head, helping with her, etc.  He's a very big helper!!!!!!

Her grin just melts my heart & I just love it when she grins!

Here are some pictures of our big girl along with a few others over the last month.  :)

Family picture w/ the bluebonnets up at Eisenhower State Park

1st bath together - he wanted to help bathe her.  Such a sweet big brother!!!

She loves bathtime!!!

Here they are at the 2 month check-up - they just adore each other.  This makes me SOO happy b/c if you read a blog before she got here; I was upset w/ not knowing how they would do together, my time split between them, etc.  My heart overflows with love for our completed family!!

2 months old!!!  (9 wks)

Another "pose" - Aunt Donna made this blanket for me - it worked perfectly as a background for the picture since she's in pink!!

This was before they got in the bathtub - getting ready to get their clothes taken off to get in!

7 wks old - She was grinning - it was really sweet!!!

7 wks old & grinning real big again!!!  This blanket was made by Becky Gardner - thank you!!!

Here is a pic of me, my mom, and Z with 4 of the Allen Wrangler football players!!!

I layed Sadie down to enjoy this toy & Zachary immediately got under it with her.

He had just kissed her (his lips are still pursed).  We were all 3 on our bed & playing in there.  We had been playing a few little games with Sadie & singing to her.  :)

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!!!!

Check out my photo on Parents.com

Hi Everyone, You have been invited to view my 2011 Parents Cover Contest photo gallery on Parents.com. Please use the link below to view, rate, and recommend my photos!

Vote for Sadie!!!!!

Gallery Link: http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/2011-parents-cover-contest/4030300001

 

Thanks!!!

Kimberly

--
Pampered Chef Consultant
www.pamperedchef.biz/kimberlyskitchen10
214-405-3924

www.kimberry25.blogspot.com

1 month

REALLY?!?!

I can hardly believe that Sadie is 1 month old. 

She has had 2 blood transfusions so far & I'm hoping that's it, but I think she'll need 1 more before it's all said & done.  God only knows though!  I'm putting my trust in Him & know that she's in the BEST hands that she can be in - His hands.

She weighs 6 lbs 14 oz, and almost 20 inches long now.  She is eating, sleeping, and pooping very well.  She is going most nights now about 4 hours in between feedings & that has been going on for about 4 nights now, so I hope that's the new night stuff. 

She is currently breastfeeding only & doing great with that so far.  YAY!  It's definitely very cost efficient (FREE!!!) for now.  She does NOT like paci's & will just spit it out or gag on it if offered to her.  She did suck on a paci better in the beginning, but now she wants NO part of it.

She enjoys swinging & so does Zachary.  Yes, he is crawling up in the swing & latching himself in.........quite funny for sure!!!  We keep encouraging him to swing his babies instead of climbing in himself, but that only works most of the time. 

She doesn't know that she's wearing bows, but I think it's hilarious b/c Zachary will actually put the bows on it.  It totally cracks me up!!

1 month old

1 month old

1st bath - she was about 2 wks old - Zachary was being a sweet big brother & helping MiMi give her a bath. 

She's about 3 wks old here

I can't remember if I have any OR pictures on here, so here are Les & I after she was delivered.  I think that I was all done with surgery at this point & just getting cleaned up.  Les & Sadie were getting ready to leave to go to the nursery.  She was in the nursery for all the fun pictures & then off to the NICU after that.  They had a NICU RN in the OR to examine her once she was delivered.  Once the neonatologist came in to see me in the recovery, my question was," What is her hemoglobin?!"  When he told me it was a 7.6; then I knew right then that she had the trait & I cried.  Not that I was dreading the course it put us on, but I knew what the path held for Miss Sadie. 

Here is daddy & daughter - 1st picture together!!!

Zachary & Sadie

St. Patty's Day!!

Here is a picture of Zachary after he put this big flower on - CRACKED ME UP!!!!  He is such a ham - oh my gosh.  :)  Love this kiddo!!!!

Hope you enjoyed the pics that I put up - thanks for reading the blog.  :)

my kiddos

Sheesh, does time really have to fly by so fast?!

My boy just turned 2 yrs old last Friday & we celebrated at home w/ cake & ice cream w/ the grandparents from both sides.  It was nice to have both sets there to enjoy in on the fun celebrating our big boy's 2nd b'day.  We love you, Zachary!!!!!!

He is doing amazingly well w/ Sadie & I'm so proud of him.  I thought it would be harder for him to adjust, but really, so far he's done excellent.  He's talking so much these days & it's hard to keep him quiet.......LOL  I just love to hear him learning new words literally EVERYDAY!  He loves to have his hair fixed w/ mousse in it.  He loves to be outside.  He loves candy!  He loves his train table.  He likes to bite or pull the dogs hair/ears, etc.  He enjoys going down slides.  I could go on and on about our little guy.  Just love him so much & he's been such a great little helper now that the baby is here.

Our little lady Sadie turned 2 weeks old yesterday, really?!  She had her 2 wk checkup yesterday and she had gained 4 oz in about 4-5 days.  She is nursing exclusively for now & I really hope to make it as long as possible with her.  She slept 4 hours or so at a time last night & it was wonderful!  I feel great today - YAY!!!! 

Both of their rooms are painted at the new house & the kitchen has been painted RED; which I just love!  We're planning on actually living over there by next Thurs, so we'll see how much we're able to get done next week in between doc appts.  :)  I'm getting very excited, but the change is also kind of scary.  I just love where we live now & I'm starting to adjust some as we work on clearing the house out.  I know that it will feel more like home once we're over there & all moved in w/ boxes gone & everything put up.  However, right now I am already missing our current home & I'm STILL living there.  I like change on smaller things, but this is a big thing.  I know that we need more room & that God has directed our paths to this place - absolutely no doubt on that at all.  So, here is a hoorah for the new house!!!!!!!! 

I need to download the pictures that I have on my camera b/c we've gotten some really cute pictures of the kids.

Have a great weekend & get out & enjoy this beautiful weather!!!!  :)

Coming Home!!!

Here is our sweet angel coming home with us yesterday.  :)

She is actually sitting here next to me right now as I type.  She's usually wide awake from about 9 PM till her next feeding & then goes down for several hours.  We'll see how long she's on this schedule.  :)  We had a great day today as our 1st day home & I couldn't have wished it any other way.  Zachary is definitely liking her & wants to kiss her still, pat her head, and mostly - watch her sleep while in her bassinet.  It's really sweet, but trying to monitor him so that he doesn't decide to throw something in there with her or accidently tip the bassinet by chance.  Hope you like the picture!!!

SHE'S HERE!!!!!!!!

Les & I are proud to announce the birth of Sadie Jewell Cornelius!!!!  She was born on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 7:59 AM.  She came by c-section & we're so glad that she's here.  She's an absolute doll & once I download pictures from my camera; then I will post some.  She has a tremendous amount of hair & the color is a goldish brown (BEAUTIFUL!).  I am already madly in love with her & just can't get enough of her.  However, our time with her is limited b/c she inherited the Thalassemia trait from her daddy.  There was a 50/50 chance that she would inherit it like her brother & she did.  She's doing great though!  She had her 1st transfusion today & we're hoping that she gets discharged with me tomorrow sometime.  The doctors have said that it all depends on the blood work in the morning.  So, we'll see, but I am comforted that she is in the BEST Hand's possible - Our Father in Heaven.  He knows what she needs & we're just trusting Him. 

We can't tell you enough how much we appreciate the visits, calls, e-mails, texts, etc.  Thank you for thinking about us & praying for us as we start the newest chapter of our lives with 2 kids and a new house that we're working on moving into.  Talk about a lot going on!!!!  LOL  I know many have called me & I apologize for not returning the calls or texts everytime, but we're nursing every 3 hours.  Know that I have received every call/text & I say," Thank you!  Love you! I will eventually call you!  :)

Oh how I love thee...

ZANTAC!!!!!!!!!  I know you thought that I was going to say Les or Zachary or Little Miss C, but no, my new best friend is Zantac.  As of right now I have been taking it for about 1 week now or less, but what has it done for me??!!  I can now sleep w/o feeling like my throat was going to burn up.  I knew I had enough of the heart burn when I actually choked one night when I was sleeping.  The acid literally burned my throat for the rest of the night & a little bit the following day too.  I have been having heart burn the last 3 weeks or so.  I haven't ever had it like this before, so the Wive's Tail says," if you have heart burn in the last 6 wks; then your baby is going to have a lot of hair."  It was true for my mom when she was prego with me, so I can't wait to see if it's true for MY little girl.  I only have 3 weeks left till she gets here & I can hardly wait.  When I was born; I literally had hair that was an inch long or longer & I NEVER LOST IT!!!  Today I had a moment where I was so excited about meeting her that I almost couldn't contain the excitement that was building up inside of me.  I don't know how to express the feelings that I was having, but believe me, I know the next 3 weeks are going to FLY by!  I can't wait to hold her in my arms, love on her, cuddle her, hold both my babies at 1x, see Les with his daughter, etc.  I get all giddy like a teenager holding a crushes hand for the 1st time.  I love it & I love her so much already!!!!!!!!! 

Well, I'm going to go and take my new best friend who is pink, small, but does a wonder on that acid for me.  :)

Silly Boy(s)

I decided to post some more pictures of what's been happen' around the Cornelius household the last month (Z will be 23 months in 6 days).  These are in no particular order, but I hope you enjoy looking at a few pictures.  :)

Les has discovered that the dog LOVES flying on the "airplane" (NOT!).  Then as he's got her in the air; Zachary likes to crawl between Les' legs & it's just too funny.  Kodi usually has this scared look on her face, but she's getting used to it since it has become a frequent happening for her!

One day Zachary started taking off the pillows & arm rest covers off the couch and covering Kodi.  So, here is a picture of her kind of covered - he was very proud of himself.  :)

Not sure what's going on here, but no one is crying, so all is well.  ;)

This was in Galveston.  Zachary kept pulling his pj pants up past his knees.  My mom & got a good laugh at him.  So, this is the front of him and below.....

is the backside.  He looks like a little old man with his socks pulled up and his pants pulled up looking like shorts. 

You ask," what is on his feet?!"  Well, he thought this was HILARIOUS and had wipes on his feet.  Not sure why this was so much fun, but it kept him occupied, so yeah, we're having fun!

I had my feet propped up on the couch one night in Galveston & Zachary crawled up there to be like mommy.  I was glad that we got a shot of it - I thought it was sweet of him to sit with his mommy.

No we're not actively potty training, but we do keep his potty in the bathroom.  It's been in there for several month now (I think).  I wanted to start getting him used to it b/c he wanted to sit on our toilet, but it kind of scared him b/c of how wide the seat is.  So, that's when we bought him a toilet.  It took a while before he would sit on it, but then one day he sat on it with his clothes on.  Now, he wants to sit on it w/o his clothes on.  He knows exactly what to do in, but hasn't gotten anything in it yet.  We're not pressuring him at all & just offer when he cues.  He likes to have a Guidepost Magazine while sitting there.  For about a week now, he has been wanting to sit on it everyday.  We're definitely making progress, but no pressure for him.  :)

Everywhere that we go, the hat is sure to follow.......:)  He loves wearing the cowboy hats & we always have one around somewhere.

This was our picnic inside a few days ago since we've been homebound with all the ice/snow.  We put out a few blankets & he ate his spaghetti for lunch one day in his Curious George PJ's.  A little messy, but it was fun to have a little bit of a change of scenery. 



Galveston Trip!!!!

A few weeks ago, me, my mom, & Zachary went to Galveston for a few days. My mom was feeling better since she is recovering from her chemo. I only had a few more weeks till I was no longer allowed to travel, so off we went! We had so much fun eating seafood, going to the fresh seafood market (right at the bay), walking along the beach & collecting a few shells, eating seafood, eating ice cream at this huge tourist shop & dancing to the music, driving around looking at everything, eating seafood, watching a few movies & just relaxing, etc. Can you tell that we LOVED the seafood part?? Oh, I know one day we even walked this jetty that was over a mile (to/from the end of it). Needless to say, it took us over an hour b/c Zachary was walking it too. The weather was nice & not windy, so we enjoyed our walk. We say porpusis/dolphins and that was sooo cool!!!!!!! When I told Les he said," were they wild in the ocean?" I said," Yes, it was GREAT!"

Here are a few pictures from our trip - enjoy!!!!

Here are Zachary & I eating our ice creams.

Here is Grammy & Zachary eating their ice creams.

Here is a hotel that is all damaged from the past hurricanes.  The first floor is completely gone.  There are various windows that are knocked out, but I couldn't get everything from where I was taking the picture.

Here we are after eating our ice cream - the ocean behind us.

HAHAHAHAHAHA - this makes me laugh so hard!

Here we are in the car - not sure where we were going or what we were doing.

Here is a picture of the cold front approaching - it was NASTY looking.  It approached so fast & then our temps dropped!

This was on our way down to Galveston.  I had my feet propped up on the dashboard, so here is Zachary trying to copy me.  He has his little feet in the air too.  He's a cutie!

Here we are downtown after we left the fresh seafood market & Zachary is talking to his daddy as we start our drive home.

Here is Zachary trying to put Grammy's hat on.  He is so funny!

This was the 1st morning.  They were up in bed watching TV.

Here we are on the Ferry - we rode this 2x b/c he loved it so much.  This night was very cold!!!  You can see the moon behind us, so that was neat seeing it reflect in the ocean.

Poem

I have been contemplating on when to post this poem that a friend of mine put on her blog months ago.  The first time that I read this poem; I cried through the whole thing.  I had been feeling EXACTLY this way about our new baby girl.  As we get closer to her arrival; I am preparing myself to share my time with Zachary, but honestly it does not make it any easier and as I read the poem again today; I cried.  Am I excited about Miss Baby C - YES!!!!!!!  I can hardly wait, but I can't help but think of my little Zachary and how this is going to affect his life too.  Will it be rough in the beginning, absolutely, but I just keep telling myself that he & I will adjust to this precious little girl.

Here is poem:
I walk along holding your 22 month-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship.



Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.


And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?


Then she is born, and I watch you.


I watch as the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.


I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me" and I hear myself telling you in mine "I can't".


Knowing in fact that I never can again.


You cry, I cry with you.


I almost see our baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.


A relationship we can never have again.


But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty.


I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her — as though I am betraying you.


But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.


More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.


The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.


But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two.


There are new times — only now we are three.


I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.


I watch how she adores you, as I have for so long.


I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments.


I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.


I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.


I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.


And my question is finally answered to my amazement.


Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.


And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I know you'll never share my love.


There's enough of that for both of you — you each have your own supply.


I love you both and I thank you both for blessing my life.


—Author Unknown

30 weeks!

I figured while Zachary slept; that I would update my blog for today's post - 30 weeks & counting.  :)  Here is my 30 week belly shot, so I think that I am looking pretty darn good for being 30 weeks. 

My stats for this week:

*I have gained around 15 lbs - YAY!

*Measuring about 1-2 wks ahead or somewhere around there b/c of the excess fluid.

*I have Braxton Hicks contractions daily.  I don't remember having them this often and much with Zachary.

*I am still planning on a VBAC, but it all depends on what my body does between now & 39 weeks (that's as far as they're letting me go!)

*Sleeping well besides getting up to the use the potty.

*I usually take a few naps a week, but don't need them daily again yet.  :)

*We still don't have a name - just thought that I would throw that in there too.  HA!

Well, I hope you all have a great day & I will try to get another update done of the rest of our Christmas in the next few days. 

Happy New Year!

Les, Kimberly, Zachary, Miss Baby C, & Kodi want to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

A few things that will be going on this year:
*Zachary will turn 2 in March - can't believe this!
*Miss Baby C will arrive sometime in the next 9 weeks - YAY!!!
*Les & I will celebrate 4 yrs of marriage in October - what a great life we've built!!
*Continue our house looking.  Waiting on God to bring that perfect house!
*Hopefully making a trip to Chicago to see family on my side.
*A few vacations somewhere! 

We're looking forward to this year & to what it holds!

Wowzers!

Holy cow, where has the last year gone?!  Is it really almost 2011?????


We've had a great CHRISTmas holiday enjoying our family & friends.  :)  We finished celebrating last night with my family.  Christopher's kids finally made it into town 4 days late b/c of the snow storm that the  East coast had.  We had a great time last night with them & then they leave Sunday.  Next time that they come down; they'll have a new cousin.  :):)  They're SUPER excited about that & that it's going to be a girl this time.  LOL


I am adding a belly picture that was taken just a few weeks ago, so I would venture to say that it is a 27 week shot & I am currently at 29 weeks.  I figured out that I am actually measuring about 2 1/2 - 3 weeks ahead w/ the fluid.  My current guess of when Miss Baby C will come is February 20th - what do you think?!  I hope she stays in as long as possible, but I am having Braxton Hicks everyday, but so far NOT effecting my cervix....praise the Lord!  

27 week shot

Here is a comparison between my brother & I.  As you can tell, he has sympathy weight for his sister....LOL  Of course, I have a reason to be where I'm at, but NOT HIM!!!  We tease him that he's due before me.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Happy New Year's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Time!!!!! (part 1)

I figured that I would do a blog on the few Christmas pictures that I have.  We hope that you have a Very Merry CHRISTmas.  Remember, Jesus' birth is the REAL reason for the season. 

Santa Cow & Zachary - we were picking up dinner for my parents, thanks for Chick-fil-a for providing for them 1 evening.  As you can tell, Zachary is in his pj's.   

Here is our Christmas tree lit up one evening - I just love it all lit up, but this was really the best "lit up" picture that I could get on my camera.  Now that I think of it, I guess I could have used some different settings, OH WELL!!!!

Here is our sweet baby boy with the tree.  Do you see that BIG box in the background?!  Well, that is Zachary's ATV that he's getting for Christmas.  It's so cute & it goes 2 mph.  We think he's going to LOVE it since he can't get enough of the 4 wheeler when we bring it out.  We always knew that he would have a 4 wheeler before a bicycle.  :)

Here is Zachary & I in front of the Christmas tree at the Villages of Allen.  I feel like I have grown alot since that picture.  Zachary & I were there meeting Santa & Mrs. Claus.  We had a good time walking around, playing, & eating sugar cookies.

Here we are with Mrs. Claus.  Zachary's holding his sugar cookie from her & was wanting us to open it so bad.  After the picture, we opened it up & I stole a few bites too!!  LOL