happy valentine's day from cupid and his little cutie!
love, us
thanks omi and opa for making this cute heart picture!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
{ new niece }
we are thrilled to welcome to the world our new little niece helena hailey! congratulations to my brother trent and silvia! she was born in spain on december 29th and was only 5 lbs 8 ounces. that's 7 cousins so far for hayden and holland and another one is soon on the way. we can't wait to meet her this spring! she will most likely be trilingual (so awesome!) since her mother speaks spanish, portuguese and english!
yeah for little girls!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
{ h&m }
yeah! we just saw found hayden on the h&m website! we are so proud of him! he shot this back in september and was chosen out of hundreds of kids. he was photographed in 2 other outfits so we will keep our eyes out for more. i will have to visit the store to see if he is on any other collateral pieces as well. the shoot was at a gorgeous home in malibu and they didn't want him to smile so the picture is very candid- he looks so grown up!
hayden recently modeled for striderite and are keeping our eyes open for that too! happy 2012!
Friday, December 23, 2011
{santa baby}
well, here it is, the infamous santa picture! and the best thing about it? it was free! we went to the fashion valley tree lighting back in november and the first 100 families in line got a free picture with santa that night! woohoo!
this was the first time since a baby hayden wasn't terrified of mr. claus but now it's holland's turn! she was completely screaming in fear and just for a moment i got her to smile and this was what we got. works for us! hayden asked santa for the "apple" car (the rare disney car) and santa said he would see if his elves would be able to make it and then hayden asked for a doll for holland- so sweet.
we've done a lot of fun christmas traditions this month and can't wait to share! merry christmas!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
{ vertigo }
Staring at this picture, how does it make you feel? Dizzy?
Welcome to my world. I am dizzy 24/7/ 365 and nobody can tell me why...
Over a year ago, after I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, I woke up 2 days later with the room spinning so violently that I could barely sit up. What was happening? Thank goodness I was still in the hospital, but the ER Doctor, OB/GYN Doctor and the Nuerologist all came to visit but could not tell what was wrong. Little would I know, I would still be suffering with this over a year later...
This has been the HARDEST challenge of my life. When your life is flipped upside down, literally, it is so difficult to get anything accomplished. The worst part about it is nobody can tell me what is wrong or when or if it will ever go away. The scariest part is- will I live the rest of my life like this? I pray I won't, but at least I am living.
Rewind 20 years ago. I was 10-years-old and I was complaining to my mother about being dizzy. I do have memories of this and remember hating going to bed. I remember laying down was the worst (it still is- I feel like I am rolling down a hill or in plane turbulence-ick) so I would stack as many pillows as high as I could so my head would be up tall. Not as comfortable as it sounds, but hey, it kept the dizzies at bay. The Dr. then told my mom to put me in activities that would strenghen the inner-ear, which controls your balance system, and so gymnastics, figure skating, cheer, dance- you name it, I did it. I would then get "dizzy spells" a few times a year but identified my triggers- lack of sleep, oversleeping, not eating, etc. Also, the weather was a huge trigger. October and February were bad months for me as this was when the season and pressure changes in San Diego happen. But, why was this causing me to be dizzy?
After Hayden's c-section, I was SO dizzy the next day, so bad that I couldn't even get up to the NICU to see my new baby boy. The next day it had settled down, but what was it? The medications? Who knows?
Fast forward to the present. After numerous visits with Dr.'s, including "witch doctors" (i've tried them all! ;) inner ear specialists, nuerologists, accupuncurists, chiropractors, testings, mri's, vestibular rehabilitation therapy for 6 weeks, etc. nobody is able to "cure" me. it is beyond sad, depressing and very frusterating. it has worn and torn me down but i refuse to give up. i don't have a choice. i can't either sit and feel dizzy or be pro-active about it. I have learned that i need to be my own advocate and I need to perserve and keep going forward.
my current nuerologist is beyond impressed with all of my research and i have taught him a few things or two! because of this, i have been diagnosed with migraine associated vertigo. imagine that, a migraine that causes dizziness? i don't get the headache either (although I would perfer that if i had a choice) this is what i believe i had when i was 10-years-old. i have learned what my triggers are and i have started a migraine preventative medication that i've been taking since june. i have not had a migraine attack ever since!
it's just this other 24/7 dizzy rockiness that i can't get rid off. it's hard to explain, almost like i'm almost on a boat, or walking on a cloud. i tell hayden, "mommy feels like she is on the teacups at disneyland and can't get off!" (although i used to like that ride before! not anymore!)
these are a few of my hypothesis of what could be wrong with me...
Theory #1
I was sick with a cough/cold when I went into holland's c-section surgery but didn't have a fever so the Dr. thought I'd be fine. Because all of my brain testing has come back normal (thank goodness) my nuerologist now agrees with me that i could have had an inner ear virus aka vestibular neuritis. unfortunately, there is nothing i can do about except get back into vestibular rehabilitation and do exercises that will strenthen the inner-ear. I've had 2 Doctors say my inner-ear is fine so it's so tricky with the conflicting views? I guess the inner-ear is so tiny and small that it's really hard to see. I've met 2 friends on-line that took them 5 years before they felt 100%. This will be a long road to recovery if this is what I have, I am hoping this is what it is!
Theory #2
I had a spinal block, could I still have a small leak? There are 2 Doctors at Duke University that are treating chronic dizzy patients with abnormal Cerebral Spinal Fluids. Ever since that fateful day, I've had blurry vision, (tinnitus) ringing in my ears, brain fog, and of course vertigo which could all be signs of a spinal leak or abnormal CSF pressure. There are people that have been dizzy for years that are walking out not dizzy. I am hoping to be one of them! I just have to undergo a spinal tap (ouch) and see if our insurance will cover this...
Theory #3
I hope I am not this one, but Doctors at the Mayo Clinic have come up with "Chronic Subjective Vertigo" and bascially there is nothing you can do about it and you'll be dizzy the rest of your life-blah. My nuerologist doesn't agree with this diagnosis at all and doesn't think I have this so that's some good news!
Here is a diagram of the inner-ear. Basically, my brain and the inner-ear are not communicating and I'm guessing the virus attacked the vestibular nerve.
Inner-Ear
This is an invisible illness. On the outside, I might look "normal" but really I couldn't feel further from this (my face should be GREEN) It's been a really tough time on me and my family, but I try to carry on and keep busy. Even though I have gained 25 pounds from medications, I'm thankful for modern medicene that I can trial to see if anything will bring comfort. I'm thankful that I can go to work and still be a wife and mother even though I don't give myself the credit for being the best I can be. I am thankful for my amazing husband and my sweet kids that make me laugh and smile.
I am more than ever grateful for health. I've always taken that for granted and know without it, everything is more difficult and uncertain. I know that Heavenly Father doesn't give us anything we cannot handle and wants us to learn lessons and I have learned some very important ones such as slowing down and valuing the ordinary things that I wouldn't have done so before such as preparing my children's lunches, washing dishes, cleaning up toys, etc. These things become part of everyday "chores" when they are in fact so special and a wonderful duty as a mother.
Now, try shaking your head back and forth 20 times really fast and go do a task! That is how I feel. It's really hard but I have learned to live with it (gulp) and have hope my world will be non- dizzy once again.
i've had friends and family inquire about how i feel and i have found this wonderful, helpful website if you are interested...
http://www.labyrinthitis.org.uk/knowsum1.htm
i will keep updating with what is hopefully progress and i pray one day i can say that i am dizzy-free. thank you for reading my post and i appreciate any and all prayers.
godspeed.
i've had friends and family inquire about how i feel and i have found this wonderful, helpful website if you are interested...
http://www.labyrinthitis.org.uk/knowsum1.htm
i will keep updating with what is hopefully progress and i pray one day i can say that i am dizzy-free. thank you for reading my post and i appreciate any and all prayers.
godspeed.
Friday, November 4, 2011
{ halloween happenings }
halloween time...our favorite time of year! pumpkin patches, colorful leaves, crisp autumn air, we just love it. we were definitely busy this month taking the kids to as many activities as we could and here is a small preview of all the fun we had!
the kid's costumes definitely got their use! hayden decided to be "woody" from toy story and we thought it would be cute to dress holland as "jessie." however, they don't make costumes smaller than 2t so i decided to make hers all by myself! i think it came out pretty darn cute if i say so myself!
{bates nut farm}
grammy bought hayden this cute pirate cape and hayden just loves it. he thinks it makes him run faster (well, that was what we told him) and he had a blast running through the pumpkin patch!
"catch me if you can!"
{seaworld spooktacular}
what a great event! they had trick-or-treat stations set-up and they passed out candy along they way. holland has a few dress-up outfits and we thought it would be appropriate for her to be dressed up as a mermaid!
this boy melts my heart
holland on a pumpkin- san diego-style!
hayden of course brought his woody doll along!
mermaid holland along with her other mermaid friend!
also the highlight of the day- touching and seeing the sea stars!
hayden was so excited he got to touch and feel baby "tick-tock!"
holland couldn't get enough of the pretty in pink flamingos!
{ pumpkin patch } my work puts on a special pumpkin patch for it's employees and gives out pumpkins to their families (they are so awesome) and we thought it would be fun to dress the kids up and get some cute pictures of them in their costumes!
woody!
little jessie
halloween girls!
{ halloween costume photoshoot}
cutest cow ever!
the kids were both booked to model costumes for next year's products so look out for them on costumes next halloween! they did so well, the company called them both for a 2nd shoot! Holland wore 5 more costumes and Hayden wore a vampire costume. ricky and i both got to go and it was so fun to watch our kids in action!
our little pumpkin!
our little pumpkin!
cutest cow ever!
little black cat
hayden wasn't sure about the vampire but then totally got into character! it was hilarious!
hayden wasn't sure about the vampire but then totally got into character! it was hilarious!{trick-or treat!}
both the kids and i were sick with colds but we weren't going to let that rain on our parade! ricky and i quickly made a "bullseye" costume and we mainly passed out candy but did a quick trip around our neighborhood. it was really fun to watch hayden actually be old enough to "trick or treat" this year. he would run from door to door, ring the door bell a few times, knock, ask kindly and say thank you.
can't get enough of this sweet boy!
love this little cowgirl!
all ready to go trick or treating!
can't wait until next year's halloween! hope you had more treats than tricks!
can't get enough of this sweet boy!
love this little cowgirl!
all ready to go trick or treating!
can't wait until next year's halloween! hope you had more treats than tricks! Tuesday, September 20, 2011
{ first birthday }
look who's one!
holland taylor is!
today we woke up,
and celebrated turning { ONE! }
we started a tradition with hayden by coming into the nursery in the morning and singing "happy birthday" to start their special day just right. holland had the biggest smile on her face and knew something was special!
daddy baked her a cake and most notably... cake pops! (his first!) i love my 'marty' stewart! seriously. who knew that my husband had a passion for cookin' yummy stuff in the kitchen! i love it.
we had such a fun day and took the kids to see the lion king in the theaters.
eyeing her cake...
it's finally cake time!
big brother doing what he does best! helping her eat cake and frosting!
ready for bathtime!
we took a family vacation to utah last week and had a photo session with shine photography. karen is amazing at taking pictures. i had a blast coordinating holland's outfits for her 1st birthday shoot and LOVED the way they turned out! (more to come!)
{ swoon }
at 12 months you-
...are still the cutest little girl in the world!
...just took your first road trip! you've been to 4 states already!
...have 4 top teeth and 3 lower teeth.
...cruise along everything, everywhere. you like to stand and so far have taken 3 steps!
...your favorite word is "bah-bah." you love to say it, especially when you want your bottle! you also enjoy saying "uh-oh!"
...you've already got "bieber fever!" daddy taught you how to sing the chorus in justin bieber's "baby, baby" and you sing the "ohhh" part. it is so cute and you perform every time! i think you just might be a singer?
...you are an angel sleeper. you don't need to be rocked, we just lie you in your crib, sing your favorite lullabies and you fall asleep.
...still naps 2x a day most days, but only in your crib or in the car.
...getting more squirmy! you like to move and crawl!
...hate wearing head bows which makes mommy so sad! hopefully you'll want to wear them again...pretty please?!
...will grab hayden's toys any chance you get! you are especially a professional at grabbing straws out of drinks and glasses off faces. man, you are quick!
...laughs- like a champ. mom and dad will laugh back and forth with you. you will try and mimic our laugh. it's really funny!
...is most definitely a FAN of her bottle, puffs and strawberries. you really are a great eater!
...loves bath time with your brother.
...ADORES your kitties. you cry when they leave the room.
...wants to "climb me" any chance she gets.
...is still in 6-12 month clothing.
...is just beginning to watch television but still not very entertained. would rather play!
...will crawl into my lap to get close when i'm sitting on the floor with her.
...gives great waves and blows kisses!
...has the cutest shoes but is happier without them on
...is closely "monitored" by mr-home-from-preschool Hayden who lets me know if Holland is puts anything in her mouth which I really appreciate.
...& is showing more and MORE personality daily. Which we love!
what a milestone and what a special day a first birthday is! we cannot believe our sweet baby girl is one years old but have cherished every second with our little princess. happy birthday holland taylor and thank you for every joy, laugh and smile you have brought to our family. i have always wanted a daughter and could not have asked for anyone sweeter or more beautiful than you. i cannot wait for all of the fun "mommy and daughter" experiences we are going to continue to share together and i love you so much! you are also the best other thing that has happened to me!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
