Update Coming Soon...

Stay tuned! Tomorrow is a new day and a new post shall emerge! Lots to share!!

Is It Beach Time Yet?!

 Our beach vacation can not get here soon enough! I can't wait to smell the salty air, hear the sea gulls and waves and feel the sunshine on my face!! Ahh!! Why can't I just live at the beach? As much as I love the beach, so does my sweet Evan! He can go down in the morning and not come back up until time to eat. That's my kind of day! I am anxious to see how our little miss does this year. I hope she loves it just the same!

A few updates:
Evan did great with his tooth removal! He did not even flinch when they gave him the injections. I would have been a basket case, but he was awesome! Dr. Barrett did a wonderful job of talking him through the entire thing. The thing that got to him the most was that his nose went numb as well. LOL. He kept rubbing it, not really sure what was going on! I was prepared for him to be on soft/liquidy foods for a couple of days, but my tough guy was eating potato chips that afternoon! Wha?!?!Yes, potato chips! Here is a pic of him I took just after we got home from the dentist.

Six month pics of our sweet baby girl are still not completed. It is on my to-do list this afternoon! I will get it done, I will get it done! Maybe if I say it enough, it will really happen! We will see! Emie has this new way of smiling that even gets Evan tickled. She will wrinkle her nose and laugh so hard that she kinda sounds like she is trying to snort. It is the cutest thing! I hope she will make one of these faces in her pics! It is hard to believe that she will be 8 months old tomorrow. Trust me, birthday planning is in full swing! She does not like loud noises, she is fighting her sleep more and more (she is so scared she will miss something), she loves her fruits and vegetables and tonight we are gonna try a sippy cup!

My visit with Dr. Vaphiades went well. My sidekick Laura went with me (I think we talked the entire way there, while we were there, while eating and all the way home--much needed girl time) and I was so thankful to have her tag along. Dr. Vaphiades decided that because of some swelling of my right optic nerve, and after reviewing the results from my vision field test (this is the test that I despise!!), I needed to be placed back on my medication. With this medication comes the icky side effects that I don't care so much for. The tingling in my feet, fingers and lips has returned and so has the change in my taste buds. My most favorite things are not so yummy anymore (I don't guess this is all too bad when needing to shed a pound or two or more). He was very sweet about it all and I go back in 12 weeks for a re-check.

I must brag on James a little. Since I am sure he has never read this blog, I think it is safe! Saturday, I wanted to do some deep cleaning of the house...the kind of stuff that never gets done on a regular basis. He took both Evan and Emie to see a movie, to have lunch in the park, then to do some birthday shopping for me. He did not complain, just did it and even seemed to enjoy spending the time with them. I am so thankful to have a husband who does not view taking care of them as "babysitting" his children, but rather just being their daddy! I got a lot accomplished while they were gone. When Evan walked through the door, he asked, "Mommy, what's that smell?" I laughed and replied, "That's the smell of clean, son." Bless him!

It is birthday week for me and as I reflect back over the past 32 years, I am excited for where I have been and where I am going. God has blessed my life with amazing people along the way and I could not be happier that I get to share the next forever with these loves by my side!!

Until Next Time...

This Summer So Far (Yes, I know we are only in week 3)...

Evan seems to be having a good summer so far. His first "school summer!" Bless his heart, since I work outside of the home, his summer get up time is not much different than his school get up time...6:20 am! UGH!

He enjoyed VBS last week and has had fun at Mimi and Papa's picking blueberries. He enjoys playing outside there and of course watching movies. I think he has had fun being with Emie during the day (even if I can never get him to say it). We both saw the dentist earlier in the week and he sent us to the Orthodontist to see what she recommends about his cross bite. Let me interject here that I know that his smile is quirky and I know that his jaw is crooked when he smiles, but to me it is the most precious smile EVER! I hate for it to change, but I know that it is not healthy for his gums and teeth. With that said, we ventured to her office yesterday where she broke the news that two top teeth and two bottom teeth must be removed. She is then gonna watch his bite till the spring to see if anything needs to be done or if he will need some type of apparatus to help with the cross bite. PLEASE join me in prayer next Thursday morning at 7:30 am as we go to the dentist to have these 4 teeth removed. I do not anticipate this being as easy as I would like for it to be. Poor fella! I do think he will be precious with a toothless grin! ;) He is participating in the Public Library's program here and the first week went well. He enjoyed learning about bees and is excited to go back next week. He has art camp next week and is looking forward to that (I am looking forward to July and going to the beach!!). Evan, Emie and I are enjoying the pool in our neighborhood. He learned to swim last summer and thank goodness he remembers this year! He swims like a fish!! He has learned this year to turn flips under the water.

Emie continues to do well and just grow and grow. She has no desire to crawl...WHAT.SO.EVER! She is happy being the Queen Bee and having us move her here and there! I still have not done her 6 month pics, what a behind mommy I am. It is a shame seeing I have a photography business and all! lol I hope to get those done this week. She loves the water at the pool. I think she thinks it is just a big bathtub!! She just splashes and splashes!

James is well. He continues to work...a lot. I guess in his field, there are always those out there to keep you busy. Job security I suppose. Father's Day is this weekend and I hope he enjoys what the kiddos and I got him. I sometimes feel like I bomb in this area, but hopefully this year will be a score! I will let you know how it goes!

I have my routine check-up with Dr. Vaphiades next Friday. This will be the 2nd one since having Emie. I am anxious to meet with him and see what he thinks about where I am. During my annual visit with my regular eye physician last month, she detected swelling in the optic nerve again. She let me view photos of a normal one and mine and the difference made me cry. She assured me that she has seen mine look worse so that was some comfort. Such is life I suppose!

I have started a new blog. This one will be topics the Lord lays on my heart and words straight from Him. It is a dream of mine to write a devotional book, so this is a way to get my feet wet I suppose! I hope you will take a moment to stop by and read, possibly become a follower. I hope to update multiple times throughout the week (no promises there-hehe). The website is www.hissomethingbeautiful.blogspot.com.

Until next time...

Say It Ain't So!!

October? Has it REALLY been since October that I last posted? Oh. My. Goodness!! I guess this sweet baby girl has had us really busy!!

So much has happened. Let me catch everyone up!

Evan: Evan is a wonderful big brother! It took him some time to decide that she could stay, but he is really enjoying Emie now. He finished his first year of school with flying colors. He loved his teacher, Mrs. Ellis, and I know he will miss her next year. He has lost two teeth and is enjoying his summer so far. He has several things planned to keep him busy, right now he is in VBS and loving every single minute!

Emie: Emie is growing like a weed! I had forgotten how fast the first year flies by, but man oh man does it! Our little miss is already 7 months old. She has two teeth and absolutely adores her big brother. She is talking (well, baby jabbering) so much and absorbing all that is around her. She is a nosey one! She sleeps all night and is such a good eater. She sits up to play and has the most beautiful big blue eyes!

James and I: We are both doing well. James is staying busy with work and still loves what he does. I am directing VBS this week and working simultaneously--I know, crazy!! But I would not have it any other way! I am a (almost) 32 year old who LoVeS VBS!!! We just got back from New Orleans. This was our first time back since retrieving our car after hurricane Katrina in 2005. I saw some sights that these sheltered eyes have never seen before!! :) It was fun to just get away just the two of us and spend time walking the streets, holding hands and enjoying one another. We definitely don't spend enough time doing that. Who can with a 5 year old attached to one and a 7 month old attached to the other-lol (we wouldn't trade it for all of the tea in China!)?! I am anxiously awaiting our annual beach trip this year! July can not get here soon enough!!

I hope it is not another 7 months before my next post!! Hope everyone is doing well!

It's been TOO long!

It has been way too long since my last blog. So much has happened!

First, we have picked a name for our sweet little miss. Her name will be Emellia Reagan and she is scheduled to make her grand arrival on Friday, November 1. We are so excited to meet her and introduce her to our family and friends. It seems as though this pregnancy has gone by so quickly....most days! :)

Mama has completed her treatments for breast cancer...both chemotherapy and radiation. This is such a blessing! She is bouncing back and getting stronger a little more and more each and every day. Her hair has started to grow back--which I know she is thankful for. She continues to take her Herceptin treatment once every three weeks, but this is nothing compared to the weekly chemotherapy she was on. We are praising God for bringing our Mama and family through the past year. He has held her in His hand and guided her each step of the way. We are so thankful for her physicians and nurses and for the care that they have provided. Now, on to the good stuff!

Evan has started school and is loving it. His teacher, Mrs. Ellis, is truly a blessing. She gives him a hug each day and makes him feel just as special as he is! She has 3 boys of her own (all of which are grown now) so she knows how to handle 110% boy! He is doing well with his studies and is making new friends. He seems to be pretty well rounded, which is all we can ask. He loves Jesus and wants everyone he knows to know about Him. That makes this Mama proud! His smile is contagious and his laughter is inviting. He brings a smile to my heart with just a simple glance, tug of my hand or hug around my neck.

We have gone on his first field trip--complete with his first ride on a yellow school bus. He thought it was great...but HOT! He tickles me. The pumpkin patch is always a lot of fun, but it was especially fun to see him enjoy it with his new found friends.

I am excited for him to meet Emie for the first time, but yet a little nervous at the same time. He has been our world for the past 5 years, and not that that will change, but it will be a little different. I know she is going to love him!

Pink eye invaded out home for 2 weeks and let me just tell you it was NO fun! One week Evan had it in both eyes (the joys of starting school and sharing EVERYTHING!) and then the following week, I had it. I am still wearing my glasses and have just now started wearing eye make-up again. I have felt so "undone" without my eyes made up! lol I think we are on the mend! Now, if we can just keep James from having it. For those of you who know him, this will come as no surprise...he has gone behind both Evan and me with Lysol wipes, cleaning everything and putting sanitizer in our hands every chance he has. We jokingly call him Mr. Clean, but I am sure this is how he will stay germ (and pink eye) free. God love him!

I met with Dr. V for the last time before Emie makes her arrival and he was pleased with our visit. He was impressed that I had made it this far in the pregnancy, still working and with very few problems. I am coming off of the Diamox this Friday, so I ask that you join me in prayer that everything goes well over the following 2 weeks and that optic nerves will remain normal in size. Friday, he said that they looked perfect and that he felt very comfortable with me coming off the meds this week. This will give us two weeks to clean my system of the meds so that breast feeding is an option. As long as I can stay off of the meds, I can breast feed. This is very important to me. I want what is best for our little girl, but I also understand that I have to take care of me too. I am doing no one any good if I am sick. God has this and that I am sure of!

I have a couple of prayer requests:
1. Please pray for Evan. Pray that God will prepare his heart to love his sister and know that we love him--that that love is only gonna grow as he steps into his new role and the big brother.

2. Please pray for James as we prepare our home for this new addition. Pray that his heart will be ready to be filled with even more love than he has ever known as he meets his daughter for the very first time.

3. Please pray for James and me as a couple and as parents. That we will grow stronger together as we add another special gift to our clan. That we are able to balance 2 children and that we continue to keep Christ the center of our marriage, family and home. That we will make Him proud in the decisions that are made when it comes to the treasures that He has entrusted in our hands. We know that they belong to Him, that He is giving them to us but for only a short time to love on, care for and disciple.

4. Please pray for me this Friday as this will be my first day off of the Diamox in some time. Please join me in praying that my optic nerves will remain normal in size and that side effects will remain at bay so that breast feeding will be an option.

Until next time...

Back to Dr. V!

The swelling has returned! POO!

The thing with this pseudotumor is, we knew the symptoms would return with pregnancy, it was just a matter of when. Well you guessed it, Happy Birthday to me...the symptoms are back! About a week ago, the headaches began. At first I was questioning whether they were pregnancy related or if they could indeed be pseudotumor headaches. Well, about 4 days ago, the neck pain returned so I knew for sure that it was the latter. Over the past couple of days, I have noticed an increase in my spinal pressure, especially when I go from sitting to standing or most certainly if I bend over. With the long weekend approaching, we felt it was best if I go ahead and call Dr. V.

I spoke with him on the phone yesterday and he asked if I could be in his office this morning. James and I left home around 6:50 and headed to Birmingham.

After a quick look, Dr. V decided to fully dilate and have me undergo another field vision test. This test really gets under my skin. It frustrates me and drives me batty. Watching all of these lights, some dim, some bright, some big, some small, all over place and trying to focus all so that I can ding a little button....aarrgghhh! Anyway, back to the story. Once the test was completed he (Dr. V) conducted yet another exam of my eyes. He confirmed that the right optic nerve is swollen some and the left is flat with a cusp (Now I know you are asking what this cusp means, I have no idea. I guess I should have asked!). We then moved to talking about treatments and options.

There are 3 treatment options. Two which are available to me:
1. Deal with the pain until the pregnancy is over and hopefully with the weight loss from having the baby, the pain will subside. Option available. To date: 8 lb increase, but I did not think about until today that pregnancy brings about an increase in blood, in pressure and fluids. I have been so focused on trying not to gain too much in hopes to keep from having the symptoms that I did not even think about these factors.
2. A Spinal Tap to drain the fluid to release some of the pressure. Option not available at this time due to pregnancy and the baby having to be exposed to a X-Ray.
3. Begin taking the Diamox once again. Option available.

Now, if you will remember back in the early stages of my diagnosis and treatment plan, it was not recommended that I be on this medication during the first trimester of a pregnancy. The good news is, I am 22 weeks and 1 day into this pregnancy. I have such an uneasy feeling about this decision. James and I are going to take the weekend, pray about it and be ready to talk it over with Dr. Ashurst Tuesday. Dr. V assured me today that he would not advise me to take something that he felt in any way would harm the baby. He said that he feels like she will be just fine since it is so far into the pregnancy, but this Mama's heart is still uneasy. I would not have to take it daily, but it's still medication.

So, I have some prayer requests for my mighty prayer warriors out there! We knew this would happen, but more importantly, God knew (He even knew the exact date of the symptom return). My prayer requests are that James and I will be put at ease with this decision on what to do. That Dr. Ashurst will know what to say and do to best treat me and care for our Little Miss. That I will be able to withstand the pain from my neck, head and spine--as much as possible without medication. And that this precious cargo I am carrying will remain healthy and strong for the remaining 18 weeks. Thanks in advance for the prayers!

Until next time...

It's A GIRL!

This past weekend, James prepared a wonderful cake that revealed the gender of our sweet little one. As you can see in the pictures above, we will welcome a sweet baby girl to the Talley home this Fall. We are so excited! Evan is even excited talking about his baby sister. It's nice to hear him wanting to talk about her and the things to come. Now, on to picking a name!!

A Few Clues

The gender of our sweet little one will be revealed soon...but for all wondering minds, here are a few clues for you to ponder:
Is the baby's heartbeat above 140? Yes
Are you moody or happy? Happy
What are you craving-salty or sweet? Sweet
Sleeping on your right or left side? Left
Has there been morning sickness? ALL Day!
Hair shiny and full of body? Yes
How's the skin- clear or broken out? Broken Out
Had a lot of headaches? Yes
Craving orange juice? Yes
Daddy gaining weight? No
Been clumsy or graceful? Clumsy

So, there you have it! What's your guess? What will it be...

Until next time...

We Caught A Glimpse!

Yesterday, we had an appointment with Dr. Ashurst to see our little one!! We had an ultrasound done, but only James and the nurse know the sex of the baby. I have chosen to find out this weekend with our family. Surprisingly, it has not been as bad today as I thought. I am managing pretty well!

The baby looked great and the heartbeat was awesome. It would go from 143-150(ish), so I don't think we will be able to predict a gender by the heartbeat. Dr. Ashurst says that I am carrying the baby like it's a girl, so I guess only time, or James, will tell! :)

The baby's heart, brain, legs, arms and spine all looked great. With me taking seizure meds, the baby's spine could be affected, so this was a huge point of concern for me. The minute she said that the baby looked "perfect" I was able to rest a little easier.

Evan was very excited to see the pictures and seemed amazed at how much it has grown. He is still not really a fan of this "new baby" idea. I am hoping that by the time November rolls around, he will be much more on board. I am trying not to let it bother me that he is not thrilled, but as a Mommy, you want your babies to be ok emotionally and I think he just realizes that his world is gonna be rocked upside down!!

I will post next week and reveal the gender of our sweet little one! Until then, this picture will just have to do!!

Until next time...

It's Almost June! Whew!

I can not believe how quickly this year is flying by. Before I know it, I will be sending my baby to Kindergarten!! Evan's last day at Mrs. Amy's "school" was last Friday, and yes I cried when I dropped him off. What can I say? I am a sap!

James and I took Evan and our cousin Maci to the Birmingham Zoo yesterday and what fun we had. The zoo there is great! So much to see and do. We left Centreville around 8:15 am and returned around 4:45 pm! Talk about a full day!! Needless to say, we had two sleepy heads in our back seat on the way home! I treasure times like this that we are able to share together. Our little man is growing so fast and I know there is coming a day when we will begin him to want to stay home and spend time with us, not to mention our littlest one will be here before we know! Life as a family of 3 will be no more!!

Speaking of the baby, our last appointment went well. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat (beating strong at 153) and Dr. Ashurst was pleased with everything. I had only gained 1 pound, which made this Mama very happy! We will return on Tuesday, June 11, to find out if we will be bouncing in blue or pretty in pink!!

Things continue to go well with me medically. All of my doctors are pleased with the reports so far and are planning to keep a close eye on me as this baby continues to grow. There has been no need for medicine changes or treatment changes thus far. PTL!!

Mama continues to push along through her treatments. I wish I could report that energy levels and such have remained steadfast, but not so much. She is finding herself more and more tired and the more tired she becomes, the more frustrated she is. I keep trying to remind her that this is only temporary and that this is not forever. Keeping a positive mindset is so important! I keep trying to push the positive, all the while feeling more and more terrible that I am pushing and pushing her. I hope I am not coming across as insensitive, I know this is hard, but she has to keep going. Pushing through the hard days is what is going to make the end of all this all the sweeter. I know that is what she would do if the tables were turned.

We continue to press forward, looking to a busy summer filled with VBS, swim lessons and a beach vacation, not to mention room decor changes, cleaning out the baby's room and building a shed to house my photography stuff (have I mentioned that my business is going well? The Lord has really blessed it and confirmed that I am doing the right thing).

Be on the lookout! We will have a big "pink or blue" announcement in just a couple of weeks!!

Until next time...