Joel's hair was getting a little out of control. It was super long in the front (just down the middle), and it was starting to flip out by his ears. Daddy said it was time to get a haircut, so off we went to the barbershop..

He wasn't too sure about it at first. Oh but when the clippers turned on he totally freaked, and he was definitely sure he wanted the heck outta there! He was all smiles once we got to the car and he was able to have his first lollipop though. :) (and before I get rude comments--he only had the lollipop for a few seconds!)

I seriously felt terrible for making him freak out like that though! I wished I would've just cut it at home. The lady cut it shorter than I was ready for wanted anyway. Plus he looked way too grown up afterwards, which made me want to cry!! I want him to stay a baby forever! Waaahhh! haha

Snow!!

A few weeks ago we had a snow storm! Joel LOVED it. He would take off crawling as soon as we sat him down in it. He had a hard time moving in his little snow suit though. Speaking of his snow suit.. We couldn't stop laughing when we first put it on him because he couldn't move and it reminded us of the kid on A Chr!stmas St0ry! haha!

Jer was so sweet surprised me by making a snowman family for us. It was too cute!

All the snow brought back memories from my first snow storm here when I was prego. Jer and I had fun looking back at a few of the pictures we took during that time..

Thank You

I realize most of my posts lately have been about Joel's health.. and I'm sure people would rather read about something else.. but you know what, I can't/won't apologize for it. It's what we're going through. And it's usually the only thing on my mind when I have a moment to myself. There have been numerous times when I've tried to sit down and blog about something else.. but my mind wanders and I end up writing about this whole TS situation.

This whole thing has been alot to process. I can't really describe how overwhelmed it makes me feel.

Anyway, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to those of you that have been praying for us. Thank you to those of you that have contacted me to see how things have been going. Your prayers and support mean so much more than you know. Honestly.

{Joel's camera face}

Four Years

On this day

four years ago

 I married my best friend!

* Happy Anniversary, My Husband! *

His Little Heart

Joel had an echo of his heart + an ultrasound of his kidneys on the 22nd. We found out today that the ultrasound of his kidneys was normal. His heart, however, has rhabdomyomas (non-cancerous tumors) on it. Definitely not the news we wanted. But the neurologist said from what she could see the tumors didn't appear to be in any of the major parts of the heart which is good news.

So, the next step is for Joel to see a cardiologist.

Also, we finally have an appointment set (in March) to have his eyes checked. Please pray the results for that will be normal!!

(Catching Up) Thanksgiving / A Trip To The South

We spent our Thanksgiving traveling. We took a red-eye flight to the South.. and let me just tell ya.. we will never fly a red-eye ever again. Oh man, it was terrible. Thankfully Joel slept during the long flight, but Jer and I didn't get any sleep. We were beyond exhausted when we finally arrived in Mississippi. The long trip was completely worth it though after I was able to see family that I've missed!

We had a birthday party for my nephew on the first Saturday we were in town. The party was suppose to be a surprise but the stinker figured it out! He had no idea we (Jer, Joel, and I) would be there though, so the look on his face when he walked in and saw us was priceless! He ran over and gave me the biggest hug I've ever had! He kept telling everyone it was the best birthday he has ever had--just because I was there. :)


Other highlights from our trip:

• finally getting to meet my new nephew, Eli!
• seeing my baby play in my old room with his cousins
• taking my nephew & niece bowling
• taking Joel to the same beach park where we took our engagement pics
• spending time with a good friend/Joel's godmother
• getting my nose pierced (thanks to peer pressure from my hubby & mom of all people! haha)
• watching football games in the "Saints room" at my dad's new house

We had a fun trip, but we definitely missed our own beds. And yes.. we kinda missed WA too.  ;)

Follow-Up EEG Results

{On the ferry headed to the big city}

Yesterday Joel had a follow-up EEG + a clinic appointment to see the neurologist. The EEG went well. The worst part of the whole thing is having to keep him still while the tech places everything on his little head. He usually cries big big tears during that process which breaks my heart & makes me want to cry with him! But after everything is placed on his head I am able to hold him and he ususally falls asleep right away. (We have to keep him awake two hours prior to make sure he will be sleepy for the test. If he moves around during the test they won't be able to get a good reading.)

The neurologist said the EEG showed discharges, but that is an improvement. Dr. R, the neurologist, said the discharges are basically like small sparks in ash after a wild fire. (Does that make sense?) So unfortunately he is still at risk of having more seizures.. but the good news is that the medicine is working! In fact, Joel has been seizure free for almost three months!!!

{Waiting for lunch at J0hnny R0ckets}

We finally have appointments for the tests to check his heart, kidneys, and eyes. Please keep praying!