Better every day!

Jamie is feeling better every day- and he has definitely increased his activity level over the past few days- again people would not believe that he had brain surgery two weeks ago! He is still in pain and the headaches still come and go - but all in all he is doing very well. We went to Emory on Friday to get his stitches removed and the nurse said he was looking great!

Life has sort of gotten back to normal, we even went to visit mom and dad and the Atkinsons at Hard Labor Creek state park on Saturday. It was a beautiful park and we had a great time. Evan and Jamie enjoyed fishing at the lake and we all enjoyed a shrimp dinner (thanks to Cecily!) and relaxing by the fire. Then we went to the pumpkin patch on Sunday- man is it nice to be doing fun things as a little family :)

I have gotten extremely spoiled the past two weeks as I have not cooked a meal since we came home from the hospital. Friends and family have been feeding us so many yummy meals that I may forget how to cook!

Today we had a halloween party at Tyler's playgroup- all the babies were too cute dressed up in their costumes.

It has been so long since I have posted pictures that I couldn't resist posting a bunch- so enjoy!

BLESSED!

Whew, what a difference a week can make! As I am sitting here typing this I cannot believe that a week ago today we were sitting in the waiting room (that the nurses opened up specially for our family because we had such a huge group) at Emory praying that Jamie's brain surgery would go well. Thanks to the many prayers, guardian angels in heaven, and amazing doctors and nurses that took care of Jamie, we are here at home today enjoying our little family :) Last Saturday was definitely the most difficult day of my life- it was the news you think you will never hear and although we now know that Jamie's prognosis is excellent and the doctors do not expect any further complications, we are forever changed. Hearing that a loved one has a potentially fatal medical condition puts your entire life into perspective and forces you to see just how blessed and fortunate you are to have each other and the wonderful life that you lead together. It is amazing to me the strength that God gives you in a moment like this. I consider myself to be a very emotional person that falls apart easily (I am such a scaredy cat that I have never even spent the night alone in my own house) but even when the doctor at Athens Regional sat us down Jamie and I both were determined that he was going to be just fine and we promised each other that we could handle anything. Jamie has been such a trooper and he is recooperating wonderfully. Other than the scar on the back of his head and a stiff neck you would not know he had brain surgery last week!
I am a true believer in the idea that you learn something from every experience, good or bad and there are defintely a few lessons we have learned. The first of those is that you know your body better than anyone and you sometimes you have to take your health into your own hands. The second is that you never know what tomorrow holds, so live today to its fullest. And lastly I learned just what an amazing family we have!
Prior to last week I knew that Jamie, Tyler and I were blessed to be in a very close, caring family (including the friends that we consider family) - but I think I had taken this comfort for granted. It amazed me how quickly EVERYONE jumped in to support us and help out. Phone calls, prayers from all over and hugs were abundant- and you all will never know how much each one of these meant to us. I don't know many people who can leave their six month old with nothing but the clothes on his back for a week and not have to worry about him one bit. A huge thanks to mom, Jess, and the Atkinsons and Williams for that. After Tyler stayed at the Willams house the first part of the week, Jamie and I took over their bedroom through Sunday so that we would be close to Emory and avoid the drive back to Jefferson until Jamie could tolerate the car more comfortably- man was that generous of them! I know that in addition to family here all of our Guardian Angels (who created the special bond that our family shares) were watching over our family this past week and all I can say is we are BLESSED!

Camping

We had a great weekend camping with family at Stone Mountain Park! We went to Crossroads with the kids, rode the sky tram to the top of the mountain, and had a picnic at the laser show. I still love going to the laser show- it brings back wonderful childhood memories. Also, Jamie and I took our mountain bikes and rode around the mountain. Tyler's cousin Ella who is two months younger than him was camping with us- and they both love to be outside so we were all able to enjoy the weekend! Needless to say all three of us were exhausted by the time we got home on Sunday!

We also went to see Jamie's Grandmother and Aunt on Sunday- they had not seen Tyler in a couple of months so that was nice. Today Tyler and I went to his playgroup where we learned how to give baby massages (I wish there had also been massages for the mommies!)

In family news Alana Sullivan was born September 12- she is just beautiful and we cannot wait to meet her!

It has been a while since I have posted, so I thought I would share some pictures of what has been keeping us busy. Tyler has his first little cold :( It is amazing how quickly we have forgotten what it is like to wake up during the night with him. Other than that we are doing great- just staying busy. I have been working on Tyler's scrapbook - which I have really enjoyed, and Jamie and I got mountain bikes (hopefully I will not hurt myself!)

Tyler went to his first Georgia football tailgate on Saturday! He was only there for about thirty minutes before mom and dad came to pick him up so that Jamie and I could hang out with friends for the night, but it was still fun for him to make an appearance! He loves being outside and around people, so tailgating is right up his alley!

Check out Wylie and Tyler's cowboy boots- I thought this picture was too cute!

It sounds like baby Sullivan will be coming soon - so keep Lesley and the newest addition to our family in your prayers.

Back to work! I have started back to work this week- I had forgotten what it was like to get up at 6 a.m. (and stay up for the day!) I left Jefferson Elem. to go to Barrow County to do a job share with a friend of mine. It was hard to leave Jefferson, where I was so happy- but I think it is going to work out. I am working Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Friday, so I think the schedule is going to be perfect. We will be teaching first grade reading- which I am very passionate about- so that is exciting. I am so thankful that family is going to be taking care of Tyler - except he is going get even more spoiled than ne already is :)
It has been a happy week in Jefferson- John's health has been improving and Wylie got a big boy four wheeler! He is so cute on it- he rides in circles on the turn-around in front of their house.

Tyler had his four month check-up last Thursday and the doctor said he looked great. He had to get shots, but it was a better expereince than the two month shots. He pitched a royal fit during the two month shots and then he did not sleep very well for a couple of nights- but this time around we did not miss a minute of sleep! He is sleeping about ten hours at night now- so we are all enjoying that! Also, he started on oatmeal and carrots this week, which he has thoroughly enjoyed. We cannot get the carrots in his mouth fast enough! In between bites he kicks and squeals.

Friday night we went out with some friends in Atlanta. It was very fun to get to hang out with friends that we do not get to see as often as we would like. I can already tell that Sara and Kyle are going to spoil Tyler rotten, considering that they had toys waiting on him- even before he can play with them! Also, we recently found out that two of our friends are expecting- one in March and one in April- so we are all excited about that!

Then Saturday we had a celebration dinner at a friend's house for the completion of our Specialist degree- we are so thankful to not be making that drive to Tennessee any more. I really miss my friends from Jefferson, so it was very fun to catch up with them. It was difficult to leave such an awesome school, and great people. However, I still feel like the job share is going to work out- it has just been difficult to let go of such a good thing. I start pre-planning at my new school next week- so that is exciting!

Again this week we have been enjoying Wylie and Ashley (I included some pictures of the three kids playing- they are so much fun together!) Please keep Jamie's brother, John in your prayers as he continues to battle TTP.

We have managed to stay busy the last two weeks and I am just getting around to posting. We have been spending time with Ashley and Wylie, which has been very enjoyable for all three of us! Tyler loves to watch them play. Ashley has been at our house a lot and every once in a while when she is playing she will stop and say "Hi Ty Ty" it is so cute! She and Wylie both are so sweet to him and you can tell he already looks up to them. Tyler and I go to a playgroup on Mondays called Bundles of Joy, which we both really enyoy. He has really started to acknowledge the other babies, which is really fun to watch! Here are some pictures from the last two weeks- I have forgotten to pull the camera out as much as usual- but I did capture a few playful moments! Tyler and Ashley love to be read to- one of the pictures is of Jamie reading Tyler's favorite book, The Little Fish Who Cried Shark- he loves the pop-up pictures and all the colors.