Dada

He's now saying "Dada" new as of about 10 minutes ago! It is so sweet to hear :) We have been working with him, saying all kinds of noises over and over again trying to get him to repeat us. He said Nana the other day (which is what we call Josh's mom) but it was one time and not again since. Today, in his swing, he was just babbling...Dada, dada, dada, dada...over and over again! Sooo cute :)

We've scheduled his Broviac removal for August 12th...three months to the day from his transplant. I'm ready to get rid of it and give him a normal bath! That means no more weekly labs...but now he'll have to go once a month to actually have blood drawn, something he hasn't had done since beginning of May :( Not looking forward to that, but definatly looking forward to getting rid of the Broviac and not having to flush it daily and worry about him yanking it out or getting an infection because of it.

Makena had her first gymnastics class yesterday with her cousin, Emma. She's still a little young I think to truly get the idea, but she had a good time. I think once she gets used to the structure, it will be alot more fun. They had a long trampoline that I think was her favorite part. Each of the kids got a turn jumping from one end to the other. She was definatly the most outgoing and energetic one there! Here are a few pics of her first class.

Happy 10 Months, Malakai!

I can't believe he is already 10 months old! It's been a very long, and very exciting 10 months. We have one very handsome, very healthy baby. We couldn't be any happier! To think where he was a few months ago, and where he is now...it's amazing. Every month is a milestone. We will have something GREAT to celebrate on his first birthday.

Speaking of milestones, he started clapping today. All those hours of "patty-cake" have payed off :) and he's very proud of himself. He's also starting to "inch" across the floor. He'll reach as far as he can with one arm, then switch...reaching as far as he can with the other. He doesn't get very far but it's so cute to see him moving! It won't be long and he'll be all over the house!

And I'm proud to say, his menu has finally expanded to include something other than lasagna and spaghetti! I'm starting to get tired of people asking me if "he's still a little jaundiced" His face and hands have an orange tinge to them because the base of the meals he was eating twice a day is carrots! Haha! It was actually starting to turn his skin orange because he was eating it so much! He's now liking sweet potatoes with turkey and peas! Hopefully soon he'll be moving off baby food and starting to eat table foods more.

Having a great summer!

We are having a blast getting out of the house and enjoying Malakai as a healthy baby! We got some good pictures this weekend at a family reunion. It was freezing for July...we were all dressed in sweatshirts and jeans! Is it seriously July?? A good break from the heat, but glad it's warming up again.

A normal person looking at him may think he's small for his age, but I think he's a chunky little guy! I love watching him grow! Looking back at where he was just 2 months ago, it's amazing how much he's grown! I can't believe he's almost 16 pounds!! Here's a few pictures from this weekend!

Mommy, Makena and Malakai

Makena being Makena...Sassy but sweet!
Aw, shucks!

Look at how chunky he is!

I talked to his transplant coordinator (Penny) and she said they're going to schedule his Broviac removal for the 10-14th of August..I CAN'T WAIT!! I changed the dressing on it today and his skin is so sensitive, it's all red under the tape and looks so irritated. We are going up to Michigan, just the kids and I with my mom, sisters, nieces, and nephews the following week and I'm excited he'll be able to get wet!

We went to the zoo today and I forgot my camera. Thankfully, my sisters brought theirs so hopefully I can get some pictures posted later! Makena rode a horse for the first time. She loved it, wanted to go again as soon as she got off! LOL They have a little water park where water squirts out of the ground...not big at all but the kids all had a blast!

No more steroid!!!

Penny (his transplant coordinator) called today and said all of his levels were GREAT and he no longer needs his Prednisone!!!! He HATED his prednisone, it went down super hard and was very hard for him to swallow! So that's exciting, plus it is one less medication each day and one step closer to being a "normal baby" He can now go in public places, which is something I took for granted before. Although, I have saved alot of money because I can't just run to the store!! Great news :)

Another good appointment!!

A few things to update, but nothing bad! He's doing FANTASTIC!! We had First Steps out yesterday to do an evalution to see if he was eligible for physical therapy. After watching him and asking a ton of questions, they determined....He didn't need their services!!!!!! He's doing THAT well! He's only behind because of his hospitalizations, and they said he's technically not behind. He's only not doing things because he hasn't had enough time to. So they're going to come back out and re-evaluate if we want them to in 3 months!

Today we went out to St. Louis for his first check up since leaving. They were all impressed with his progress. His Tacro level on Monday was 9, I'm assuming it isn't much different now, but we haven't heard back yet. He weighed in at a whooping 15 pounds, 11 ounces! He is a chunky, chunky baby! He loves to eat and it shows :) They want to see him again in a month and then they'll take out his Broviac (central line). They've decreased his steroids to a very small dose and it looks like his next appointment, they will get rid of all but three of his meds!! I am so very pleased with him and how well he's doing. I couldn't be any more proud!!!

Super Cute Hairbows!

Hi friends!! My sister and I have recently started making hairbows for our little girls. After several requests from friends and family, we have decided to start making them and selling them to others. If you have any little girls, or know anyone who might be interested, please feel free to forward our information along. These hairbows are perfect for newborns, as well as toddlers, and even older girls. All of the bows come on non-slip alligator clips that can be attached to one of our crochet headbands (perfect for infants and toddlers), or directly into her hair.

Prices for our current inventory are:
$2.00 for crochet headbands (when purchased with a bow)

$3.50 for large bows and flowers (or 3 for $10)

$2.00 for small bows (or 3 for $5)

We can arrange local pickup, or will ship for an additional $2.50.

Here is a link, these are only samples; hairbows can be made in any color combination/size you would like. If there is something specific you are looking for, feel free to ask. We can probably come up with something to meet your needs.

Check out our blog at Kenaddiesbowtique.blogspot.com!

Contact us via email at supercutehairbows@yahoo.com.
Thanks!!

Carah (and my sis Rita)

Happy Birthday, Josh!

It's Josh's 30th Birthday! Happy Birthday!!! I took Makena to the store with me and let her pick out Daddy's cake. What does she pick? Cupcakes with Princess rings on top. I let her get them and she was so excited to show him. He was equally excited, I think :)

Malakai had his lab draw yesterday, everything looks good except his GGT was alittle high. They're waiting until they get his Tacro level to make any sort of changes. I went to flush his Broviac (central line) this morning and it wouldn't. It kind of had me scared but thankfully after his home health nurse came out she was able to get it to go through. We would've ended up at Riley's ER tonight..not a fun place to be on a Friday night! Praise the Lord!!

Makena has become such a cute little kid! She's also become quite the little dancer. It's so sweet to watch her. She's been watching So You Think You Can Dance with me a little before bed and she tries to do what they're doing. The other night it was on, and she insisted on getting her ballerina dress on and stood in front of the TV trying to do what the girls were. Then she said "I have to go get Daddy!" because she needed a partner. So sweet!!!

I taught her a tough life lesson yesterday. We were driving home from Walmart with the windows down. I've told her multiple times not to throw anything out her window...well she threw her little toy purse out the window and screamed "MY PURSE!!!!" and immediately started to cry. My sister was driving behind me and said "Oh, no..she threw her purse out the window!" So I told Makena that was why we didn't throw anything out the window and now it was going to be gone forever. Her response? "It's ok, Mommy...we'll just buy a new one!" Priceless!

More pics...

He just keeps looking better and better! I would've never thought less than 2 months post-transplant he would look this amazing! What a miracle he is!

I really need to do a better job blogging! The summer is flying by and I am enjoying it being so nice out! Malakai is doing terrific. He's really growing and getting stronger by the day. He's sitting up well and just the other day starting taking small steps when he was holding onto my hands. I really had to help him out but he was getting the idea. And he's napping very well during the day, something we've been working on since his transplant. He's also sleeping alot better during the night. I'm only getting up 1-2 times, compared to 4-6 right after.

Josh's birthday is Friday, and we're planning a cookout/bonfire on Saturday night. That should be fun and nice to see some friends! Let's just say, this is a birthday he's not looking forward to and it ends in a 0 (wink, wink!)

I've been thinking about what I'm thankful for lately, and to be honest, I have more to be thankful now than I ever have in my life! I have two beautiful, healthy, children whom I love more than the world! I have a terrific husband, who's also my best friend...we've been through a lot together, more than alot of couples ever have to go through. He supports me and encourages me when things are tough. I have wonderful sisters... I honestly don't think I could ask for better :) I have a great mom who's had to endure alot in the last 6 years. She's stronger than she thinks she is and I admire her. My in-laws are terrific! They love my kids and my kids love them! They have a relationship I hope continues the way that it is going now :) I have great friends and family. I am truly thankful for everyone who loves me and my family! I'm thankful to live in a time and place where Malakai's life was able to be saved and organ donation is possible. I will forever be thankful to our donor angel and their family. I'm thankful we found Children's Hospital in St. Louis. We were blessed to have such an awesome team of doctors, nurses, and a terrific transplant coordinator.

Nothing really new to report, I guess that's a good thing! Things have calmed down and I'm enjoying trying to get back to "normal!"