Listen up!!

Last year I was asked to participate in the All Children's Radiothon. Well...it is that time of year again! I SERIOUSLY can't believe it has been a whole year!!

Tessa was still in the NICU when I did it so as you can imagine it was a very emotional interview. One thing that sticks out in my mind is being asked to tell the listeners how big Tessa was when she was born....1 pound 15 ounces...but who really knows what that means?? So I blurted out, "She was as big as a squirrel!" Something I had heard my dad say when he tried to describe her size to people.

So, this year I thought I'd bring along a few things.....

Tessa's 1st diaper, her 1st hat and her 1st blood pressure cuff!!

Will you ever look at a BlackBerry, a tennis ball or a AA battery the same again??

So make sure to tune in to US 103.5 around 10am tomorrow! If you are not in the Tampa Bay area click HERE to listen live from their site!

In case I don't post again this week I wanted to ask for prayers for Tessa. She is being admitted to All Children's on Friday. She suffers from Vesicoureteral Reflux (sounds worse than it is)...you and I's urine flows down from the kidneys, through the ureters and then into the bladder. Tessa's abnormally flows from the bladder back into the ureters thus causing urinary tract infections. She's actually been on antibiotics since discharge (actually if you want to get technical she has been on antibiotics for various things since birth!) to avoid a UTI.

They think this was caused by the infection she suffered that resulted in her being medically paralyzed, sedated and place on life support. The medications necessary to keep her alive did some damage to her kidneys but in most cases is corrected over time. They think Tessa's has corrected itself but have to do a procedure to confirm this.

She should be admitted and then discharged in a matter of an hour or two. Her appointment is at 10am. I am not sure if we will get the results then or if we have to wait until we see the Urologist next week. I'll be sure to keep you posted!!

I'll leave you with Tessa's newest gift from daddy...I swear he needs to save some of these fancy toys for Santa!!!

Seeing her LIFE SIZE Dora for the 1st time!

I think Tessa is a little intimidated!

Nothing a few smooches can't cure!

We can't forget Mickey!

What is up with babies and tags? Dora had a HUGE tag!

????

?????

Crack kills! And hers is killing me!!!

My little plumber!

My Pumpkin

Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that it is October! Here in Florida when you step outside you'd think it was July. I hate to even go out and get the mail....I KNOW that is BAD!!!

Despite the heat we loaded up and headed to a pumpkin patch. Is it just me or are all of you just as discriminating as I am when it comes to picking pumpkins?? The right shape...not to tall and not too round...keeping in mind if it is too big that means more work when it comes to removing the "guts"! Oh and it has to be just the right shade of orange with a pretty stem.....PRETTY STEM?? Not too many bruises and NO soft spots! I don't even know how I found any with all those requirements?!

I SWEAR I walked around for at least 30 minutes before I decided on the 1st perfect one. Tessa and Tony had just about had it when I decided that I best hurry up and just pick a few more and get home.

But before I went to picking we got to shooting...pics that is! Take a look at my pumpkin!

I HAD to get the smallest one they had.....

One year ago today....

One year ago today Tessa drank from a bottle for the FIRST time!! 2 1/2 months after she was born!

Her daddy had the honors....

I remember looking at the 10ml in that bottle and wondering if she'd ever get it down!

 FYI ~ her breakfast bottle these days has 250ml!!!

It's amazing how fast time goes by!

Martha Stewart who???

On MANY occasions I find myself hopping around from blog to blog in the middle of the night. A few weeks ago I stumbled upon Crap I've Made and the cutest DIY onesie ever made....SERIOUS! Too bad it was for a boy. So I started thinking of all the boys we know that would look pretty darn cute handsome in it. The Walker boys popped into my head first...but what about sweet little Jilly??

So I thought and thought....and this is what I came up with...

3 ties and a necklace!!!

Do yo know how hard it is to find CUTE matching clothes for 3 boys and a girl? You probably don't but it is!!! Pretty much impossible....something not too girly and not to boyie (is that a word?) or something that is the exact same thing in blue and pink?? IMPOSSIBLE I TELL YA!!

Well, those lead to this....

which lead to these....

Okay...I am SERIOUSLY addicted to these appliqued onesies. I went to Joann's twice in one day...then to Walmart....then to Target!!!

For the record....I will NOT be opening an etsy.com store...I will NOT be selling these they will be gifts for all your kids for their next birthdays or for Christmas...HERE is the tie onesie project....HERE is the site where I found LOTS of FREE templates! Oh...and I'll do a step by step post on the necklace onesie SOON! Keep checking back!

And since this IS Tessa's blog I thought I'd include her....

 

GO GATORS!!

Hot Dog

Oh....a hot dog with loads of chili and cheese sounds so good right now but that is not what this post is about.

Before I get into the real meaning of Hot Dog I thought I'd share a little story with you. When I was pregnant I CRAVED hot dogs and I guess there is something in them that pregnant woman should avoid. Tony, being the good father to be, did his best to keep me from my craving. One night we joined some friends for a Tampa Bay Rays game...MC Hammer was in concert there that night. I begged for a hot dog even saying "There are people that do crack and their babies turn out okay....can I PLEASE have a darn hot dog??!!" He gave in and I got one. I can still taste that thing now...nothing beats a ballpark frank!! Well, a few days later my water broke. It was either the dog or MC Hammer....guess we'll never know!

So back to the point...today Tony came home with a present for Tessa. (something I pointed out on TV this weekend that would be a great gift from SANTA) I guess he couldn't wait another 73 day and 14 hours ( YES I am counting!!) to give it to her. The gift was Hot Dog Mickey. Tessa LOVES her some Mickey's Clubhouse in the morning. It just so happens that Aunt Angie was over with Aidan along with Granny Annie. Let me just say that Aidan isn't the sitting on the floor type....he's usually all over the place SERIOUSLY!! But Hot Dog Mickey seemed to capture his attention and he didn't let go....

I'd give LOTS of money to know what they are thinking!!!

Note to self: teach Tessa to ask for diamonds!

Go Gators

Occasionally I like to participate in Kelly's Korner's "Show Us Your Life."  Each week she picks an aspect of life for bloggers to share and link together. It is a really neat way to meet others and peek into their lives. And with me being so nosy...I absolutely LOVE it!

This week is Tailgates and Favorite Teams. You may not know but Tessa's daddy graduated from The University of Florida so we are Gators fans in this house.

I don't have any current pics of Miss Tessa decked out in Gator Gear so I thought I share one from a few months ago. She's actually grown out of all her duds but we did get a new hair accessory this week in the mail from our dear friend Amy (visit her etsy shop for some really fabulous crowns and bows...TrueLoveFound) so I'll need to buckle down and find Tessa a new outfit to compliment her new bow!

This is probably one of my all time FAVORITE pics of Tessa. The onesie was a gift from Daddy's friend Eric. I loved it but didn't think it was girly enough so Amy made us a bow to match!



UPDATE:
Scored this dress today @ Tar-jay for $9

Our love and support of the Gators doesn't stop with our clothes. Our office in the house has THEE official University of Florida orange and blue colors painted on the walls. They were painted by the BEST painter in the world, my dad! The walls are covered with all sorts of Gator paraphernalia such as Urban Meyer Frosted Flakes, a Gator Coo-Coo Clock, MANY Sports Illustrated mags with Florida on the cover but my favorite thing is Tony's degree that is framed and hanging proud. I'd love to share a pic but I just can't stand the thought of my blogging friends seeing just how unorganized this space is and think different of me!


So this is all you get of the office....

GO GATORS...BEAT LSU!!!

Fight for Preemies ~ Bloggers Unite

Every year, 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick ― half a million of them in the United States. November 17 is when we fight.

Do you know a baby that was born too soon, too small, unable to suck, unable to breathe on his own? (ugh.....yes you do...you know Tessa!!!)  Premature birth is a health crisis that jeopardizes the lives and health of nearly half-million babies each year. It is the #1 killer of newborns and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Worse: the number has increased 31 percent since 1981. It can happen without warning and for no known reason. Until we have more answers, anyone’s baby, could be born too soon.

We need to fight ― because babies shouldn’t have to.

Tessa ~ all 1lb 15 ounces of her!

• Learn about premature birth at March of Dimes

• Put a badge on your blog during November, Prematurity Awareness Month®

• On November 17, blog for a baby you love and to help others

PLEASE visit Bloggers Unite and join the cause!!

No shirt, no pants....no problem!

Today Tessa and I had to relocate. Our grout downstairs was being cleaned. So we packed up and headed over to Grandma & Grandpa Patterson's house. We got there around 1:30 and took a nap. When we woke up Uncle Max was just getting home from school and it was time to play. Uncle Max is so good about protecting Tessa from his school germs. He knows to wash his hands REALLY good and to change his clothes before he plays with her. He must have been really anxious to play because he forgot to find some germ less clothes....

Tea time!

He is such a good Uncle...taking a break from playing with his cars and trucks for a little tea!

This was not your usually tea party...clothing was obviously optional!

Nothing like a little chocolate cake with your tea!

Spoiled NICU baby! Won't even hold her own tea cup!

Its a start....

Choices...so many choices!

See....clothing was optional!

This was about the time Uncle Max had had enough!

I think she got lonely and tried to call her peeps....

or text them..??

Praying they can can make it!

No one showed so Mr. Bear had to do...

Here Mr. Bear let me pour you some tea!

Save YOUR tatas!!!

Today marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Have you had yours screened lately???

Here is the Early Breast Cancer Detection Plan:

• 
  
  Beginning at age 20: Performing breast self-exams and looking for any signs of change.
  
• 
  
  Age 20 to 39: Scheduling clinical breast exams every three years.
  
• 
  
  By the age of 40: Having a baseline mammogram and annual clinical breast exams.
  
• 
  
  Ages 40 to 49: Having a mammogram every one to two years depending on previous findings.
  
• 
  
  Ages 50 and older: Having a mammogram every year.
  

All Ages:

• 
  
  Recording personal exams, mammograms and doctors' appointments on a calendar or in a detailed file.
  
• 
  
  Maintaining a healthy weight, following a low-fat diet, getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption.
  

For more information visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation's site!!!