Merry Christmas!

"For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."

Jesus is the reason for this season. The music, the lights, the familiar Christmas story is precious to us every year at this time. However, this year our Christmas has been all about family! Audrey could not wait to see her cousins. Maddie and Caleb were just as excited. I have seldom seen three children get along as well as these three have this Christmas! When we remember Christmas 2009, I doubt that any of the presents will be remembered but the time spent with family will be indelibly etched in our memory! More nails had to be place on the mantle to make room for all of the stockings. These knit stockings are a family tradition started by Audrey's great, great Grandmother McCain. She knit my stocking (Nana's) when I was born and it shows it! Whenever, a new member is added to our family, a stocking is added! I am the designated stocking maker right now but Maddie or Audrey will have to learn and carry on the family tradition. I even have Grandmother McCain's knitting needles!

Bunking with cousins is silly and fun! Incredibly, however, they did sleep well. On this particular night, Papa built a fire in the fireplace and a 'pallet' was made right in front of the fire. If you are my age, the word 'pallet' brings back special memories of its own.

Papa fixed pancakes for Christmas Eve breakfast! Sorry we didn't get a bow in Audrey's hair. She was too busy eating pancakes!


Presents were opened on Christmas Eve! Maddie, Caleb and Audrey passed out all the presents. Audrey is waiting for the go-ahead to start opening her presents!

It didn't take Audrey long to get into present-opening mode! Notice, you have to get your mouth just right to open a present properly!

Santa brought a 'cool pen'. You can change the color of 'lead' by pulling it out and pushing it in at the top. Mark is demonstrating it to a very sleepy Audrey.

Dora the Explorer is getting her hair done while Audrey is sitting on her new Barbie Scooter! Life is good!

Big Words for Little People, a perfect book for Audrey! Amy and Audrey took time out from all the confusion to enjoy a good book!

Maddie got a make-up kit and she is applying a little lipstick to Audrey!

A new 'horsey swing" will have to be shipped back to North Carolina. Audrey quickly named her "Molly."

Allen and Teri received a fire pit from Amy and Mark. It was a perfect opportunity to
end the day roasting marshmallows!

We hope you have enjoyed this pictorial account of our Christmas celebration. While I have captured some precious moments, there is no way that I could capture the excitement and love that we felt this holiday season. As soon as Mimi and PeePaw share their pictures, I will share them with you!

Hate Leaves?!

Have you fought with leaves this fall and thought about what a bother they are and how you wished that you didn't have so many in your yard? Look at these pictures... today as I see them (and realize that I didn't have to rake them).... I LOVE LEAVES!

Best Halloween Costume Ever!

Several months ago, Audrey came out with the declaration that she wanted to be the Human Body for Halloween! She has an anatomy book and it has become one of her favorites but who knew that the fascination would spill over to Halloween. Her whole family started to brainstorm on ways to fulfill this Halloween dream but it was "Aunt Erin" and Ethan who came up with the perfect costume. The Human Body suit travelled from Fayetteville, Arkansas to Niantic, Connecticut to make one little girl very happy. Eat your "hawrt" out Slim Goodbody!

Many of the little girls at Audrey's school decided to be princesses but as far as we know "princess" never entered Audrey's radar screen! Here it looks like 'The Body' is leading all the princesses!

We're ready for Trick or Treat. Dr. Lail, Audrey's North Carolina pediatrician, looked at the pictures and noticed that her 'profusion' was very good! We like PINK! If this Body shows up at your door - give her a hug for her Nana and then one of your favorite treats!

Leaving Halloween for just a minute - Fall has been pretty in Connecticut. One pretty week-end inspired a trip to a Revolutionary War cemetery. It provided the perfect backdrop for an October photo shoot! Doesn't our little "Phelan" look pretty Irish in this picture?!

This picture was included in the blog because she forevermore looks like her mother in this one! Look at those eyes!

Speaking of her mom - this pic was taken on a recent trip to an apple orchard. You'll have to admit that these are some "pretty" good apples!

As a very old song says, "Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me..." We hope you have enjoyed this October update to the blog. We are certainly enjoying our girl. She is beginning to put words together and enjoys reading. She comes up with the cutest quips ever. Two of my favorites from this month are: When visiting the doctor - Amy and Audrey made a visit to the bathroom. They had that string in the bathroom that you can pull if you have an emergency. Of course, every child wants to pull the string. Amy told Audrey that they could NOT pull the string because "the alarm would go off." Audrey said, "Mom, don't you mean the alarm will GO ON?!" (I guess that IS what we mean!) One night recently she came up with this one: "Mom, would it be sure if I get in your bed tonight?" Not understanding what she meant - Audrey explained. "When I ask you if I can get in your bed, you say, "Sure"! "Would it be sure if I get in your bed tonight?!" Nothing confusing about that!

We're going to have to keep on our toes to keep up with this girl!

First Day of School!

I got to the end of my last post and realized that I had left off the picture of the first day of school in Niantic! Audrey isn't going for just a couple of hours a day,now, like at Binkley. She is going ALL day. She seems to be enjoying all of it - well, maybe not nap time. She loves being with other children and we are thankful that she has a good school in Connecticut. We hope you have enjoyed seeing the pictures of our summer... as much as we have enjoyed the summer!
Today is my Papa's birthday! Happy Birthday, Papa.

Crazy...lazy ?.....Days of Summer!

The first summer in Connecticut has been anything but lazy. Since I left Connecticut in July, Amy and Audrey have made a trip to Utah to be with Mark, entertained ALL the grandparents (PeePaw Tim, Papa, and Mimi) and welcomed friends who have found Connecticut a wonder respite on trips up the East Coast. It has been a happy summer - filled with wonderful weather and great times but as this picture shows, one that leave you pooped! I have tried to arrange the pictures in some kind of order but I'm afraid I have not been too successful. I know that you are not nearly as interested in my commentary, however, as you are in the pictures so enjoy!

While in Utah, Audrey got to stay at "Baby Bella's" house. They had a great time but Audrey got her first lesson in babysitting! Toddlers don't know all the rules that 3-year-olds do! She got the hang of it really quickly, however, and enjoyed her time with Bella.

Horses keep cropping up in her photo journal. I think it all started when PICU nurse Rebecca whispered in her ear that her dad would get her a pony. I remember vividly asking Rebecca what she whispered when we were set to leave the PICU for the first time. Rebecca, who was normally all business and about the rules, told me that she told her to expect a pony! Who could forget Butterscotch on that first Christmas? Now, in Utah she got to ride the real thing!

A museum in Utah gave her the opportunity to safely explore the underside of a cow! Are you sure this is where milk comes from?

Another horse! Bigger this time but not quite as lively. You have to love the outfit, however. Every good horse-woman has to have the proper attire.

Digging for fossils at the museum in Utah was too much fun. "How come I don't find all these neat thigs on the beach in Niantic?!"

Hiking was a big part of the Utah experience. The landscape almost rivals the beauty of our girl! Amy and Mark did the hard part - carry the gear AND Audrey! Audrey got to experience it all in luxury.

You can't see me to well in the picture of this waterfall but it was too magnificent not to show you the whole picture. I am pretty sure that a close up in coming up!

This album was entitled, "Butterfly Mountain" - a perfect Kodak moment place.

Whether in Utah, Connecticut, North Carolina, or Arkansas - Audrey is surrounded by parent who enjoy her, love her and have a lot to smile about!

See? I tolod you there would be a closer picture of me with the waterfall!

Dad and I are snuggling under a clear Utah sky. It doesn't get better than this!

Audrey tries on the backpack! I think she found out in a hurry that riding is much better than carrying!

Playing word games with my dad invariable includes some clowning and picture taking!

This picture was taken at the corn maze.... I am pretty sure we are back in Connecticut now!

PeePaw took me to the beach. I am getting much more comforable with the waves and the water. It is pretty sweet to have the ocean within two miles of your house!

A BIG SAND CASTLE IN THE MAKING! Put on more sunblock!

Mimi came in September after school started in Arkansas. We always have a grand time.

While Mimi was here, I got to make a big mess with chocolate ice cream. The Dairy Queen is one of my favorite places in Niantic. Vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate is the best!

The summer has also introduced us to our new pediatric cardiologist and pediatrician. We feel like we have been placed in good hands and although it is strange not seeing Dr. Barker and Dr. Lail, we know that we have wonderful new doctors with fresh eyes to help us monitor Audrey's progress. As you can tell by our pictures, our life, now, is not as consumed with doctor's visits and medical reports. Instead we are experiencing all the good things that Connecticut and Utah have to offer.

Nursery Rhymes

I have wanted you to hear Audrey. You will soon find that I am not a videographer but I think you can see how precious her little voice is. We don't know why she talks so slowly... southern roots! Sorry I ran out of memory on "Little Bo Peep."

Dr. Lail

I have had a wonderful twelve days in Connecticut. Through Audrey's blog, I have introduced you to The Book Barn, the park and the beach. The only thing I have not been able to do is furnish you with video so that you can hear Audrey. (I am working on that!) She is so expressive - much more than I could have been with my words. I had already packed my camera away when Amy showed me the heart necklace that was given to her by her pediatrician before she left North Carolina. Dr. Jennifer Lail has been a God-send to our family. I realized that I had never given her any recognition in this blog-account of Audrey's life.

Dr. Jennifer Lail

Dr. Lail has been the ultimate pediatrician; a friend to all of us; and a hero to Audrey. Many times when Audrey plays doctor, she will tell us that she is Dr. Lail (pronounced Yale in 3-year old phonetic development). We have had wonderful specialists: cardiologist, pulmonologists, opthalmologists, feeding specialists, occupational therapists and the list goes on and on. They all looked at a "special area" of Audrey's development. Dr. Lail always looked at the whole child. She was interested in every part of Audrey. She has taken our calls from Arkansas and guided doctors there when Audrey was sick. She has scheduled appointment times so that Audrey would not be unduly exposed to child-hood diseases. When we left North Carolina, Dr. Lail composed a letter and compiled a sizeable book with all of Audrey's records for her next pediatrician. She even gave us the name of her daughter, a student at Yale, who might be able to babysit! I wish that I could tell you all the things that Dr. Lail has done for us. It would probably embarass her for us to mention them all. I will tell you that she was always accessible and always interested.

We have discussed many times how providential it was for us to "find Dr. Lail." Amy had chosen Chapel Hill Pediatrics before we knew that Audrey had any problems. When Audrey was born with significant heart problems, to have a pediatrician with experience in cardiology was more than we could have asked. We will always be grateful.
I am posting this last picture during this visit to show Audrey wearing the heart necklace that Dr. Lail had made for Audrey. Dr. Lail's neighbor hand-crafted it and it will be a treasure to all of us. I have heard many of you say, "You can't tell that she's had any problems at all!" This picture shows that amazing progress. Thanks, Dr. "Yail."





We have often said that we don't want Audrey to be defined by the heart problems that have consumed us the first three years of her life. She is thriving now and acting like any three-year-old. Audrey will, however, wear this necklace proudly and we will continue to tell her about the incredible doctor who gave it to her.

A Day in the Park!

Today was one of those perfect days to go to the park. Since Amy was at work, I thought that the park would be a lot easier than the beach! I am amazed at the things that Audrey can do now that she couldn't do when I left her in April. She is a jumper, climber, a "miss I can do it myself" girl. Don't you dare do "her part" in strapping her into her seat in car! Perhaps the most significant improvement is "no more diapers for Audrey!" Her pediatrician had suggested that potty training be done after her last surgery and she took to the routine like a champ. Now she can write the bathroom review guide to all the public bathrooms from North Carolina to Connecticut. She wants to check them all out! All of her accomplishments are so pronounced when visits are separated by months. For all of her life we have celebrated every accomplishment and it has been so fun for me to see her new feats! I took my camera to the park and captured some jewels - in my opinion! I know that I have inundated you with pictures during my stay but I'll be returning to Arkansas on Thursday and they will be fewer and farther between!

I call this this picture "penny for your thoughts". She is indeed a deep thinker. Nothing gets by her. Today I called her observant and then I had to explain to her what observant meant. She has used that word many times today. (If you click on the photos - you can see an enlargement and more of her expressions.)

For those of you who aren't that knowlegeable about playground equipment, this is not the baby swing, it is the "big goil swing." Don't push Nana - I don't need anything!

Conversation is never lacking with Audrey around. She is very gregarious and tries to carry on a conversation with anyone or anything around. If you have a willing ear, she'll tell you a thing or two!

What a beauty! This is one of my favorite pictures taken on top of the slide. I caught her unaware before she had a chance to say "cheese."

Here I go! The slide is no longer daunting. She likes all kinds; plastic ones, metal ones, high or low! Come on Nana, Let's slide!

She is telling me that she wants to go to the beach in this photo. I thought I would skip the sand today and settle for playground equipment. How come it is easier to tell your children "no" than your grandchildren!

As you can tell....to the beach we went. Actually it is just a walk down the hill to the beach. She loves to walk on the edge of the waves and when it was time to trek back up the hill to the car - she was up for the job. I didn't carry her one step. I can get really excited about this!

Footprints!

Audrey was really interested in footprints on this trip to the beach. She walked way down the beach just so that she could 'make footprints.' They are tiny now but they have made many steps. It made me think of the oft-quoted poem about footprints. Those little footprints have made many steps and many of you have been there to help carry us through. NOW AUDREY IS MAKING PLENTY OF FOOTPRINTS! I thought I'd just share a photo journal of our latest trip to the beach. Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson, 1936