All about me, part 2

You have been warned.

I have been feeling quite overwhelmed lately. It seems like everything has happened all at once. Trying to figure out child care for Madelyn for the fall with 5 different options falling through, having our house no longer rented & trying to sell it, among other things. I now only have a week and a half before I go back to work, and I feel like I haven't even had a summer. So much has been on my mind, to the point that it's been hard to sleep, and I think Madelyn is starting to notice because her schedule has been crazy off. Anyway, on a positive note, I went back to the orthopedist on Monday. I got the brace off permanently - yay! I will still be going to occupational therapy to work on strength. My left arm still seems incredibly weak. I think the right is almost back to normal, but the left is far behind, in strength and movement. I think it will definitely be good, even though it will be hard once I start back to work. Can't really think of what else I wanted to post about, so I suppose I will end it there. I have some new pics to post, but I can't get to them yet until David fixes my computer =)

Randomness

I so want to be taking a nap right now. Just can't though. So I'll be ambitious. I think this is my 3rd post in a week. Not much news, just a few pics.

When we went to IKEA we got a few things to add a new touch to the house. For the living room, we got some pillow covers and a new lamp! Love the new lamp. We also got some new lamps for our bedroom. I liked them because they looked like little vases.

Those were the major things really.

On a happy note, we got a new niece over the weekend! We were very excited to meet Julianna. Madelyn was fascinated and yelled "baby" at her over...and over...and over...it will be interesting to watch them grow together!

Sunday at lunch, my midgy got her first taste of Oreos. Messy but yummy apparently! Bear in mind this was only half of one side of the cookie.

Madelyn loves to show you her "bellybutt" - keep trying to get the "on" in there, but for now that's what she calls it.

Someone loves yogurt! She just wanted it on her tongue for some reason. It was very amusing to her.

Speaking of amusing! This smile (and giggles) was all caused by....

Yes, the cat. He decided he wanted to play with me while I was doing my arm exercises, and to her it was the funniest thing ever. She continued to laugh at him while he just layed in the floor. Poor kitty.

I think I'm going to be adventurous this week. I think Madelyn & I are going to hit up a couple of story times. I had all these plans for our summer together - trips, story time, McWayne center, parks, lunch with David each week...but once I got hurt nothing happened. I can tell she gets tired of being at home, poor baby. She has though become a completely independent feeder, spoon and fork.

The good, the bad, the pretty

So this post is going to be all about me. Just a heads up. Today, I went to OT as usual. I must say, it is still weird being the youngest person in therapy. Not to mention the fact that I usually work with OTs and am now on the other side of the therapy table. Moving on. After a moderate set back on my left arm extension, things were looking good today. In fact, she said I met all of my goals. This presented me with mixed emotions. Yes, I am glad to have met all my goals. But, this means that we won't really be working on getting my arms any straighter, instead, focusing on strength training. Granted the right arm is barely noticeable, only -8 degrees from normal, but the left is still about -50. Flexion on the right is normal, but still not on the left. I don't go back until the 21st to my doctor, but basically I already know what this means from my knowledge on the therapy end. If I am within functional limits, then I'm finished. I am having a hard time accepting that. And I'm not going to yet. She said she thinks I can get even more extension on the left. So I'm going to keep doing my happy little exercises until they have no more pull. So that's the good & the bad. Now for the pretty! These are some pictures I took in Savannah.

Prepare for the onslaught!

This is the lovely hat David made for Madelyn the other day out of the paper. Miss mess!

Sunday before last, our church had a family fun night. Madelyn had lots of fun! She thought she was big enough to play badminton.

She especially liked the bouncy house. And playing with her friend!

Wednesday we headed out for a nice little vacation. Our plans had changed a bit since my grandmother was injured, but we did still get to see my family. Thursday we went to IKEA and got lots of cool stuff. I swear could have wiped out our bank account there, but I was good. Got some lamps & things to redecorate as well as some toys for Madelyn. She was tired before we even got started!

She did nap for a while, but she also had fun!!

BOO!

This is her new face - the surprise face! I still can't get a good picture of it, but it's hilarious!

Silly girl

This is an actual stop sign in Dublin, GA. I think there is nothing more I can say about that.

After a couple of days in Atlanta, we headed to Savannah. While there, we visited the Oatland Island Wildlife Center. It was pretty there, and thankfully not too hot.

Something tells me that boat is not supposed to be there.

All the animals were lazy & sleepy!

Looks like Daisy!

Someone else was sleepy too...

The birds! Madelyn's favorite =)

Bald eagle. Very 4th appropriate.

Bats...creepy...

Bison are huge!

Possums are creepy looking.

We tried to get to Paula Deen's restaurant, but it was too busy. Instead we went to Uncle Bubba's. It was really good!

He was there too, so we got to meet him. He was very nice!

Giving daddy "5"

We went to Hilton Head Island, SC for a few hours too. Upclose & presonal woodpecker!

She looks like she's sleeping, but she's really just playing.

On Sunday we drove down to St. Simon's to visit my family. Had lots of fun! Here are some pics from that.

My cousin Sophie - so pretty =)

Madelyn warmed up so quickly!

Messing around while visiting mu grandmother.

Little miss is starting to love dress up. I need to get her some dress up clothes!

The child racked up on presents! Here she is enjoying her new puzzle.

Look at the bunny!

Playing with the cousins.

After a nap for MJ, we spent the afternoon at the beach. She was a water baby the whole trip!She really enjoyed the sand too.

In the cute dress my mom made her.

Building sand castles...kind of. When it got dark, we sat on the beach and watched the fireworks from all the surrounding islands. It was beautiful. Madelyn even enjoyed them. Not afraid at all!

I will stop flooding you with pictures now. I may flood some more when we get all the new decor up.