A Big Day

So today is the beginning of a long process to finish our journey with Grant's nevus. We decided to move forward with a plastic surgeon here in Indy to complete the reconstruction of Grant's scalp. After we met Dr. Blocksom for a second opinion a couple months ago, we knew it was the best decision for all of us to have it done at St. Vincent Children's and without the expander option.

Grant's surgery is scheduled this morning at 10:30am. Although it's outpatient and seems to be somewhat minor, we are anxious, but hoping for great results. Today will be the first of three surgeries to remove all of the grafted/scar tissue on his scalp and give him a full head of hair again.

If you would, please keep Grant in your prayers today and this weekend as he recovers. I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Date with Daddy

Grant and Lilly were lucky enough to have some alone time with daddy this past weekend while Sam and I traveled to Baltimore for my cousin's wedding. I missed them terribly, but super daddy Tim kept me updated with some phone pics. Check out how much fun they had on their date with daddy to the Children's Museum and their favorite fast food - Wendy's!

Roots

We did it! We bought a house!!! After selling my first house in Indy back in 2008, living with Tim's parents for 4 months, and renting a home from my parents for 2 and 1/2 years we are so lucky to finally be laying down roots of our own next month. There's no doubt in my mind that we've made it here because of our dedicated families. They are truly amazing in the constant support they've given Tim and I. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, mom and dad, Bob and Sylvia. We love you!

Ever since I stepped into the foyer of this home with our fabulous realtor back in August I've been dreaming of the memories we'll be creating as family there. The house was being built as a spec home and we snatched it up for a great deal! We've met a few of our new neighbors and on the court, once all of the homes are moved into later this year, there will be 17 children between 8 houses! I see lots of block parties and fun in our future!

The greatest part of our new address is that it's just on the other side of the neighborhood we're currently living in! I was having a hard time leaving thinking about leaving the great friends we've made here. Now we're only just a stroller ride away :) And it'll probably make for a slightly easier move!

More pictures to come soon!

3 Months and a Traveling Pump

Our Sammy is 3 months already and growing like a big, fat weed lately! He's following suit of his older brother and sister and topping the charts for height and being off the charts for weight. We make 'em big around here! He's on the verge of rolling his chunky tummy over and is smiling up a storm. Sam is by far our easiest child, but I'm certain 90% of that is our much more relaxed state of mind when it comes to a third child.

I had to be in Chicago for three days for work this week and it's truly incredible all of the logistics you have to work out for three children! But, luckily Sam survived his first long stint of mommy being away. The rest of our child care village managed through it too. A big thank you to our parents who have been AMAZING!

I have to tell you, breastfeeding and traveling for work can be a small challenge...while I was away I obviously had to pump around the clock. It makes for some interesting conversations with my male counterparts as to where I disappear to every 2 or 3 hours and why I'm carrying a huge cooler into the hotel. No, there are no wild parties happening in my room! Ha ha! I'm pretty much in terrible pain about a day and half into it...no pump can do the job my babies can. I was SO happy to see Sam when I got home and have nursed him pretty much every time he makes a peep to get me back to normal.

This could be a post all in itself, but it's worth giving you a quick tidbit on the fun and humor of pumping/breastfeeding. So, I've pumped all over the place hundreds and hundreds of times by now...various gas station, restaurant, and grocery store parking lots, in the valet line at the MGM Grand in Detroit, banquet halls during wedding receptions, and the list goes on. I even had someone walk up to my car, knock on the window, and ask for directions while I was pumping in Shapiro's parking lot. Oh, was he embarrassed!! But, I think this week topped it all - the pump took a trip with me to Wrigley Field! I locked myself in a small bathroom and "hooked 'em up" as my favorite co-worker calls it. I have been extremely fortunate with a fantastic supply and three cooperative children and despite all the work it requires, I've learned to have a sense of humor in it all!

Monograms!

Crazy Mama Kegley checking in here! Things have been slightly busy/nuts/chaotic/stressful here lately with starting back to work last week. I won't get started on how much I miss my babies because I might never stop.......

The perfect opportunity for a little stress relief came the weekend before I went back to work when my sweet friend Maggie asked me to do cookies for a wedding shower she was hosting. SOOOO excited, because she wanted monograms and I've been just waiting for an opportunity to try and get some practice. The technique was pretty simple - lots of candy melts, microwaving, tracing, and wax paper. Fun!

I love them...they were simple, masculine, and meaningful. And they tasted extra good this time. Pretty exciting too for Tim and the kids that I had several cookies that didn't make the cut...we love my mess-ups - they never last long in our kitchen!!

Thanks again Maggie!!