Update since surgery

Knee surgery went well and I've not had the swelling or pain that Dr. Hester thought I may. That's great for me! But he did say that even though the pathology report says it looked to be one type of degenerative joint disease he's afraid it's the beginning stage of rheumatoid arthritis. He says only time will tell for sure what it is.

While at my check-up in Montgomery we received a phone call that Mema Moore's home had burned. This is what we found when we got there.

Completely gone. Everything. Heartbreaking to say the least. They've done very well since. They are staying in a travel trailer that was set up in the back yard. JoAnna thinks that is the neatest thing to be able to run from one end of the house to the other in about 10 steps. And jumping on the bed is now her new favorite activity. If y'all would pray for their sanity during this time it would be greatly appreciated. Papa forgets very easily that the house is gone and will make comments like he didn't need JoAnna to buy him a new cap because "I've got a closet full in the...oh wait, it's gone." We laugh to keep from crying. I think the hardest will be when it's time to decorate for Christmas and Papa realizes the rocking reindeer that sings "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" is gone. He loved to push the hoof and listen to it go! But those things can be replaced and they got out of the house with the two most important things...each other.

Dear R. Knee,

Dear R. Knee,
You have really been a pain in my butt. And my back. And my legs. So, I think tomorrow I will go have you fixed. And if by chance you decide you don't want to, or can't be fixed, then I will replace you. That is a promise and a threat. Doesn't matter to me which way you take it. You will be allowed to bother me for a little while longer, but after an ample recovery time you better be straightened out. I mean literally, I'd like to be able to straighten my leg. Thanks in advance, Monica.

We've been up to alot and nothing all at the same time. Someone at my house likes mashed potatoes, but is still learning how to fee herself. Sometimes the hand shovel works and sometimes the spoon.

I attempted to thin out our toy surplus but JoAnna had a different idea. I went to get a box for storage and when I came back in this is what I found.

And she had a time playing in the box. All went well until she tried to get out and realized that her legs were too short to get out on her own.

As you already know she loves outside and especially playing in the dirt. I think garden time in the evenings is her favorite. She walks around with her little blue bucket and scoop. Her job is to scoop some dirt from one row and dump it in the next. I'll be ready when she can use a hoe, but of course by then the garden won't be so much fun.

BEACH

JoAnna experienced the white sandy beach for the first time this past weekend. She absolutely enjoyed every minute of sprinkling the sand on herself and letting the waves run up her legs. I enjoyed the day myself.

Happy 16th birthday to JoAnna - 16 months that is. Brad hates it but we di wish her a happy birthday on the 9th of each month. Growing so fast, I'm sure it will feel like no time at all before she'll be 16 for real.

JoAnna's GranGran bought her a big pool so maybe she won't have to swim in the bucket any longer. She did seem to enjoy it though.


Looking forward to this weekend. We have a day trip planned for the beach. I'm all bubbly inside just thinking about it!

Trying it out

After several days not not being able to access blogger on my cell I've decided to try the app. We'll see.

The first blog attempt was from the river Memorial Day. JoAnna went out for the first time on the boat. Absolutely loved it. Even got in a quick nap. Was even happier when we stopped to play in the water.




My next attempt was the other afternon when JoAnna decided she wanted to play in the dirt.


She had a ball. And she had dirt in all her cracks and crevices.


So like any good country mama would, I stripped her naked and sprayed her off with the hose before going inside.

trying to keep up

At this point that's what I feel like I'm trying to do - just keep up. So many changes since my last post. The little girl has gone from no teeth and not very mobile to 12 teeth and running all over the place. She had her 15 month check-up May 10th weighing in at 21lbs 3oz (25%) and stretching 30.5in tall(50%). Of course her head was in the 75% range at 47cm since she's got that big ole head like her Daddy. The only concern Dr. Wood had was with her vocabulary since she's only saying a few words. So there's us something to work on before we go back in August.

For anyone who doesn't already know, I will be going back to visit the doctor in Birmingham first part of July to check on my knee. It's been bothering me for well over a year and I'm ready for it to stop hurting. I had some labs done Tuesday to check and make sure this new medication isn't damaging my liver. Hopefully not.

I leave you with a picture of her "reading" a bedtime story to her daddy and I will try to do better with blog updates since I now have the new phone and can post from bed (like I'm doing now). Goodnight all!

Baby's First Christmas

Round 1: Mane's

Mama and Madison built a gingerbread house

...some of the reason why none of us fit in our clothes anymore

Mama always gives the best expressions

Round 2: Mema/Papa Chandlers's

Daddy's helping her ride her horse

Chillin with Uncle Pooh

Round 3: Christmas morning at home

Getting a lil help from Daddy

Showing off her socks and sun hat

Checking out the big box that Santa left

ooohhhhh, aaaaahhhhh.......earrings

and finger puppet books

and lots of snacks and goodies in the stocking

and Santa brought us all Despicable Me

Round 4: GranGran/Papa Moore's

Looking for one with her name on it (which most of them had)

Checking out the musical donkey with Poppa

and riding her rocking horse with help from Grammie

I believe this is her "What chu talkin bout Willis" look

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We have been able to see almost all of our family and hope to be able to see those we've missed soon. We even have plans to meet with the Tuckers before Spring! We hope each of you had a great Christmas and will have a Happy New Year too.

Christmas Play

Sunday we had a birthday party for Jesus and JoAnna was in her first Christmas Play. She did really well only whimpering once or twice but was fine after she got her paci.

(She started off in the back admiring baby Jesus)

(Then she got moved to the front where she could play with his hay)

Santa also made an appearance, but she wasn't all that excited to see him. She still not really sure what to think about him yet. At least she just cries and doesn't scream to the top of her lungs!

Now I've got to go get out my pillow that says "Dear Santa, I can explain" so maybe I'll have something under the tree myself. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and safe holiday season.

JoAnna's first Halloween

We've technically been celebrating Halloween for 2 weekends. Last weekend we were at Mane's where JoAnna was teased with candy but then was able to actually enjoy some. Of course the bath had to follow.

Saturday night we trick-or-treated at Grammy's and Poppa's...

then we walked nextdoor to Gran-gran's and Pawpaw's...

after a stop at Teri's we ended our night at Mimi's with trick-or-treating

with Mary Grace and Bethany (and baby boy/pumpkin).

Halloween was finished last night with a trip to see Mema and Pawpaw nextdoor.

She wasn't really sure how to reach to Pawpaw in her costume.