Baby Lucy

Tony and I have some dear, dear friends that we've known for years, but have become so close with since our move to Virginia. (Erin and Phil, who have Parker, one of Lakely's BFFs.) Erin's sister recently had to deliver her daughter, Lucy, @ 36 weeks. Her and her husband were aware from early on that this precious baby had some things going on with her that made her special. On the 20 week ultra sound, it was confirmed that she had a cleft palate and some swelling in the abdomen. The pregnancy continued on without any complications until her 36 week ultrasound. That is when the doctors realized that Lucy had not grown in almost four weeks. They decided to go ahead and induce Kate hoping that they could help this baby stay alive. She was born later that day, and seemed healthy except for the lip. She didn't even have to go to the NICU nursery. They continued running tests on her and discovered at the end of last week that she was blind in her left eye. That was hard to swallow, but certainly doable knowing that they at least had there baby girl here on Earth. As the weekend ended and this week began, Lucy started taking a turn for the worst. Test results came back and concluded that Lucy had a fatal genetic disorder known as Trisomy-13. She passed away in her mommy's arms last night.

I have been beside myself all day, praying for Erin, her sister, the family and sweet baby Lucy. I know she is now in God's hands and in a much better place, but the thought of losing a child is unbearable. If you're reading this, take a look at your precious baby and think how blessed you are to have him or her in your presence. Thank God that you got to leave the hospital with your newborn and pray for those that don't.

ABC's

Big Girl Room

Lakely is moving on up! We have gotten her into a toddler bed and she has new bedding to go with it! I seriously think she's more excited about the comforter than the ability of getting out of bed on her own. She has yet to get out without me in there; she still calls for us once she wakes up, (I'm sure I'll be eating those words in a few more days!) Anywho, the new room is nothing like her nursery in SC, but I think it's pretty darn cute!

2 yr. check-up

We took Lakely for her check-up last week and were blessed, (reassured) with the news that our baby is perfect =) She only had to get one shot and a finger prick, which wasn't as bad as I had expected. Since she hadn't been since she was 15 months, I thought for sure that the shot would be a traumatic experience. But with silky in hand, only a couple of tears were shed. I feel like this was the most significant visit to the doc so far. We were told that she now needs to see a dentist, she is to switch to a toddler bed, she should have nap OR quiet time each day, and she is to attend preschool twice a week! I was shocked. So much to digest at once. She has officially turned into a little person. I thought I was ready, but now I'm not so sure. Each day her vocabulary explodes with new words; most of which, we haven't even practiced. She weighed in at 33 lbs (97 percentile) and measured 35.8 inches (90-95 percentile). She is a healthy little booger!



PERFECTION.

Lakely Loo just turned 2!!

Wow!! Lakely's birthday week was absolutely fabulous! It started last Saturday with a fun day on the playground and a great Father's Day spent at Harbor Park for the Tide game Sunday.


Big girl crossing the bridge by herself


Play time @ the park with Daddy!





Ready for the game!


He stole a kiss on the ferry ride


I Wuv Daddy!

The Monday after Father's Day, Lakely and I headed back to Atlanta to see my best friend Lauren. She was in town from Germany for only one week and I had not seen her in a year! Lakely also got to spend some quality time with family, which was completely necessary for a birthday girl =) Lauren and I also took Lakely to the Georgia Aquarium one of the days we were there. She loved it! Her enthusiasm was much greater than when we took her at 6 months old!



Lunch with Great-Grandma Jane


Look Mommy!!!


Watching the dolphins


They were HUGE!


W/ Aunt Lauren


Say CHEEEESSSSEEEE!


Fish!


Doll house fun with Gramma


One last visit with Nana before we left


Sleepy girl heading to the airport w/Papaw

We flew home to Virginia accompanied by Papaw and Memaw for several days of birthday celebrating! We went to the beach, shopped, and enjoyed a house full of little ones on Saturday @ Lakely's party. All went as planned and every one seemed to have a great time!


Let the festivities begin!


Birthday Girl!


Amazing art work from a family friend!


Yay for presents!


Sweet girl


Chllin'


Cheese!


Our lil mermaid


Lakely & cousin Ava...so sweet!

Thankful...

This post won't be about our precious baby girl, but about the trials and tribulations of life in general. This particular week of June has been tough for me the past couple of years. It was this time in 2008 when I was working at Wachovia and everything took a turn for the worst. I had been with the company for a couple of years and at the time, was running the drive-thru. Nothing too peculiar had ever occurred while I was working at any branch, but this particular day was different. It was early morning, the drive-thru opened at 8:30am. We had regulars come through, nothing out of the ordinary...until 9:30am when hell broke loose. I was in the drive-thru alone helping a well-known customer when out of the blue, I hear screaming and yelling from behind me. I turn to see two masked men with rifles jumping over the front counter and then another rushing into my secluded room with a gun in hand. I fell to the floor and covered my head hoping I would disappear. Only to find a double-barrel shotgun in my face when I removed my hands to see if he was gone. He screamed at me and told me to get up and give him my money. I did as I was told holding my breath the entire time. I didn't want to look, touch, smell, come in contact with, or anything else that would make him feel threatened in any way. I just wanted him gone! As hours, (minutes really), went by, the three thugs threatened, robbed, and scared enough people for their liking, and decided to leave. My manager briskly followed them out and locked the door. Oh how the emotions set in. Seconds after realizing the ass hole that had scared me like non other was finally gone, the dam broke. I was alone, hysterical and in a ball on the ground having life events flash through my head. Just days before, Tony and I had started the "family planning" talk. What would have happened if the terrorist had ended everything for us? I could have been gone in seconds. I HATE him for making me feel that way and having my mind play the coulda, shoulda, woulda game.

I say all of this not to bring back the awful memories, but to recognize and remind myself that life is short and not to take things for granted. My little family and I just returned from a fabulous day at the beach and as I watched Tony and Lakely playing in the water it made me thank God for the way every thing worked out. We are all here, healthy and happy and there shouldn't be a thing in life that I question or pity. We have it made and I THANK GOD for it.

Beach, Beach and More Beach!

We just spent our first holiday with our NEW neighbors, Mimi & Poppy!! What a fantastic weekend! We couldn't have asked for better company, weather and FOOD! I feel like I've eaten my weight in junk the past few days, ugh! We're so lucky to have some family close now!


Beach party! I love it when the beach is crowded =)





Water boy


Trying to be cute


"swimming"








w/ my girl


"see" food


w/ Mimi & Poppy


My fam


Pris-pot


Snuggle time!

Chucktown Trip

Lakely and I drove to Charleston this past weekend where we met up with Tony. We stayed with the Batliners and had so much fun! It's great to see how much Lakely and Charlie have matured each time they hang out. Friday we had a cookout just like old times with great food, drinks and funny stories...I didn't want it to end! Saturday we enjoyed some pool time before we all headed to Deanna and Joey's house for Beckham's shower. Garrett and Amanda racked up on great gifts for their baby boy; he'll be here before they know it! Sunday came too quickly, but we had a successful trip back to VA with only one stop, and a happy toddler! Can't wait to go back =)



Go Charlie, go!


Weeee!


Story time


Catching some rays


Little fishy





Beckham's shower


With the Mommy-to-be =)


Cornhole with Charlie


Silly girl


My Love