The Mitchell's

Team Baker...

2011-10-10T13:24:00.001-05:00

So, Lots have been in the works for Team Baker. Finally got the Scarecrow's in the Park finished... so if you are in the Opp Area, you should check it out! Here are a few pictures...

This is the head made from a gourd and Baker's Vent box... made from a cereal box!! HA! Had to get crafty!!!

And this is a grown version of Baker!! HA! I thought it turned out SO cute!!! It was nice and scary late at night when I had to come check on Baker and forgot that this was sitting in the chair in at the table!! HA!!!

The Team Baker motto... "Ramped up and Rolling with TEAM BAKER"

The next few pictures are the scarecrow all set up at the Park!

And this is the awareness ribbon the Derek and I made! What you can't see cause of lighting is that it says Myotubular Myopathy in Lime Green.

The next project for Team Baker is Opp Fest. We are setting up a booth for people. Paint-a-pumpkin and cookies and maybe a drink. All to raise money for families with special needs children. I can't wait to help the first family!!! : )

My Food for the Soul

2011-09-22T19:29:00.002-05:00

So just this past summer, I decided that I wanted to start readying. And since my Mother, Sister, Sister-in-law, Aunts, Cousins... etc have read tons of Karen Kingsbury books, I decided... why not. That was one of the BEST decisions I have recently made!! It has really changed my life! It covers life, death, sickness, love, marriage's ups and downs, accidents that change you, good and bad choices that people make, but most importantly, it all is centered on Christ! And I want that "Baxter" faith! I started with a few independent books cause I knew that I didn't like to read! And I didn't want to start, and never finish. Little did I know, that I would fall in love with her work!! I literally have to make myself put my book down or I will stay up all night reading.

This is the first series... and the one that I am on. I am currently on the last book, "Reunion."

I guess I am telling you this because I have LOTS of friends that are struggling with something from sickness to just life, itself. And I want them to find the comfort that I have found through these books! I think the author has a wonderful gift and I pray that God would continue to bless her!!

Ok, Now to tell you some FABULOUS News!!! We have been praying and praying for Baker to get a slot with the Elderly and Disabled Waiver since 2009 and FINALLY!!!!!!!! We got the call this week!! So, want to know what this mean now?? It means that Baker will receive his insurance due to his disability rather than Derek and my income!!! Derek is SO excited!!! This means he can provide for his family... like any other husband/father!

So I know this is a small and crazy blogg, but I haven't been doing all that much exciting things!! But soon I will blog about our Team Baker Scarecrow for the park and report from Opp Fest on the Team Baker booth!!!

Vent Camp Part 2

2011-09-05T19:10:00.001-05:00

Can't get any better than this huh? Waking up to God's Creation!! We love Children's Harbor!!! This was the back porch of the cabin we were in. In the background you can still see broken trees from the horrific storm that destroyed parts of North Alabama (Children's Harbor included)

Well here are the other pictures that I promised from the 1st Vent Camp post. The first one is cabin that we stayed in. What you can't see is a small couch to the right of the first bed and the bathroom that is on Derek's right side. We had just got there and Baker wanted to get into the pool!

Here is my family! This was the day of the parade and everyone was getting themselves and their wheelchairs all decorated! But I wanted to take time to get us all in the picture!! Can't remember who took it for us... but Thank you!!

Such a cutie!!! : )

Ok, we tried REALLY hard to get Baker to let the clown paint his face, but he wasn't going to let him. Every time he brought the brush up to Baker's face, Baker would just push it away!! So I decided to paint my face instead!!! He did a Great Job!!!

Here is Baker all decked out and ready for the parade!! Woody in tow!

This is the end of the parade, but it is where Derek was standing to take the pictures!! There were people standing along the way with necklaces, bracelets, and goodie bags to give us!

This is Tye and he was the leader of the pack this year!!

And at the end of the parade, everyone gets together to take a big Group shot! Usually it is under the awning, but since the storm, there was no awning! : ) I actually think that there were a few missing from this shot. If you have me on Facebook, there is a shot with all the family's too!

The pool was always a fun activity for Baker and the other children, but since Camp Smile-a-mile was on the other side of the harbor, we had to share the pool, so we found other ways to have fun!! This picture is the last night at the pool, We got Baker out of the pool to dry off and to keep him happy, we brought out the bubbles!! A BIG hit with all the kids!!

I really hope you enjoyed looking at all our pictures from Vent Camp! We had a Wonderful time!!! And can't wait to go back!!

Also, while I am talking about Vent Camp, I would like to thank all our family and friends that bought Team Baker shirts!!! I sold over 100 and was able to take a nice check to Kara (lady that does everything for Vent Kids of Alabama) to help foot some of the expenses that she put forth to allow families like ours a Great Vacation! So, THANK YOU!!! We will do more next year!!

Baker's First Beach Trip

2011-09-05T18:08:00.001-05:00

My number one goal as Baker's Mommy is to allow him to do all things that he would do if he was a healthy 3 year old, running around with no MTM (myotubular myopathy). And one of those things would be yearly beach trips. Family Trips... and this year we FINALLY accomplished that!! And I might add that Baker LOVED it!!! I was so surprised!

A beach trip is something that was strongly discouraged against when Baker was younger. The salty air is great for his lungs, but sand and a ventilator isn't such a great mix!! :) But we were very careful! I thought Derek was gonna go crazy watching the vent to make sure it didn't touch the sand!! HA! Needless to say, we stayed at the pool for the most part!

This trip contained LOTS of first...

1. Baker went to his First restaurant...

Waiting for a table...

Helping Daddy decide on some food!!

He looks so cute with his Grandy's hat!!

2. His first trip to the Beach

Checking out the waves!

He HATED the sand on his legs and feet!!!

We also had family pictures made and here are a few!

He also went Bowling for the first time... But I posted pictures of that on the last post I did about summer. Check them out!!

But... here are a few more... Enjoy!!

It rained the first part of the vacations, so we watched Swamp people... Baker loved it, even had an alligator in his hands!

Dipping his hair in the water

Throwing the ball.

Where did Summer go???

2011-09-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

This summer has been a busy, busy summer for the Mitchell's. It all started with Vent Camp at Lake Martin. Baker's first vacation! And I might say that he loved it! So did his mommy and daddy :) We enjoyed meeting all the families with a child on a ventilator.

This is a picture of Baker and a few of his new friends after the Big Parade!!!

Then from Vent camp, we had to get home and settled in cause it was then time to pack up the house and move out! UGH... did I mention that I HATE moving??? It is amazing how much stuff you accumulate in such a small space! Needless to say, that took up the majority of our time. Also, throw VBS in there too!

This is Baker in class... He wasn't wanting to color that night... So he threw his stuff on the floor...

VBS 2011

One of my goals is for Baker to be able to enjoy all that life has to offer! And I meant that Baker was going to VBS even if I had to take him myself. (Derek had to work during the day and when he gets home... he is worn out, so that is why it was me.) Now, I know what you are thinking... But it is so hard to take him anywhere by yourself! Thankfully we just live a road away from church! : )

July 2nd was Derek and my 6 year anniversary and since we were going to the beach in the next few weeks, we just decided to go out to eat in Enterprise at Ruby Tuesdays... My favorite!! : ) Then since we were short handed at work, I offered to fill in some of the slots. (Saving up for the Beach) And on July 15, we packed up our van and loaded Baker up and we were off to the Beach! It was Baker's first trip, but also, it was the first time that Derek and I got to go with the family to the beach since he was born!

Unfortunately, we didn't plan good enough cause we assumed our room would be ground level... and it wasn't. Poor Derek had to pull Baker up all the steps every time we took him out of the room...
But he was a trooper and got an arm work out in the mean time!! HA! Make sure you check back to see lots of pictures from the beach trip! We had a Wonderful time!

This summer was a summer with lots of First for Baker: First Boat Ride, First Vacation, First zoo Trip, First time to the Beach, First Restaurant, First time Bowling, First Camp, and we hope Baker will get to continue to experience all that life has to offer him! God has REALLY blessed my life with Baker, and I know that he has blessed others too! Please continue to pray that God will continue to use Derek and me as an Advocate for special needs children. We really have a passion to help others. So HOPEFULLY we will soon start a Non-profit organization called Team Baker and minister to families with special needs children.

The Good and the Bad...

2011-06-18T20:56:00.004-05:00

Well, we got so much going on these days... Between raising a family, worrying about hours we work, bills to pay, and trying to do things for ourselves, we also are moving... well, we are gonna start soon! REAL soon. We are gonna be out by the end of this month. "It" just isn't fun anymore... struggling to survive, and only wanting to do better for ourselves, but not being able to fully commit. It is hard to explain, but we want to be comfortable. SO, we are packing up and moving in with my Wonderful parents. They have plenty of room for us, and we will have a floor to ourselves. It will cut down on bills and we will hopefully be able to put money back into our savings, which was depleted when Baker was in Birmingham.

It really doesn't bother me! I am kinda excited! I hate that we have to bring the nurses and therapist into their house, but they offered and said it didn't matter to them. God Truly blessed me with Wonderful Parents!!

Vent Camp 2011

2011-06-09T07:58:00.006-05:00

First off, let me just say that this was a vacation that Derek and I desperately needed!!! But not only for the rest and relaxing atmosphere that we were in, but also to meet other families and children who go through the same thing as we do each day. It was neat to see all the different wheelchairs, and communication devices. We heard storied about children weening themselves. (Weening is a term used when we try to take them off the vent for periods of time.) Most of the children, with a few exceptions, are able to be off the vent for hours during the day, some are only on the vent at night. That is our goal!!

We left Thursday afternoon when Derek got off work. We were hoping
to make it there for supper that evening so we could socialize, but due to our constant tardiness... that didn't happen!! : ) We did make it there when everyone was leaving for the pool. So we unpacked and made our beds, got on our swimsuits and off we went to the pool! He had a BLAST!!!! As soon as we got to the pool and walked in the gate, he started smiling and kicking and flapping his arms! He couldn't wait! We got him and us all set and ready to get in! I sat on the bottom step and let him rest on my knees and he played and splashed for 2 hours!! Needless to say when we got him back to the cabin and dressed for bed, he was out in 10 minutes! Great sleep!!

I wanted to share a few pictures...

These next few pictures are from the first full day we were there. The AVS ( I THINK) came for the kids to do arts and crafts! We were worried that Baker wasn't going to do well and pitch a fit cause he hates having nasty hands... and finger paint is a No No! But I guess since he had the sponge brushes, he loved it!!
Baker and his new friend Corey!
This is him making his Bubble gum dot! Everyone got to make a gumball! Thought this was a cute idea!
Getting ready for the boat ride...
Baker's First Boat Ride... HE LOVED IT!!! He wasn't a fan of the wind in his face, but he loved it!!

The night after the boat ride, was Karaoke Night! This was Tye and his family getting things started!!
Listening to the singing!!
The next day they did a carnival for the children. Most got their face painted, but not Baker! He hates to have his face dirty so he kept pushing the hand away!! So instead we let him wear the clown hat!! Cute huh?? ; )
And of course the clown nose!! : )There are more pictures that I want to post of the parade that they went on... That will be in part 2!! I need to go to the gym! I have lost 30 pounds in 2 months and I want to keep it going! I feel so much better about myself and I need to meet my goal for our Anniversary!! Only 17 more to go and I have less than a month! I better Kill it at the gym!! ; )

Life...

2011-05-24T09:10:00.002-05:00

Warning: This may make you mad or sound like I am complaining... so if you don't want to hear it... don't read it!! : )

Ok... I am having a hard time understanding why things are the way they are... BACKWARDS!!! I know that most of you that are reading this know us personally or can relate to our situation, but it really urks me that there is NO help out there for us to support Baker. Sure, there is SSI, but that is only because Derek and I make hardly any money. And what we get, doesn't even cover our electric bill. You see, Baker isn't considered disabled because he isn't 18 years old, so we can't just get disability for him. (Which is SO stupid!!! Cause he is in EVERY sense of the word, disabled.) The only reason we keep him on the SSI is because we HAVE to keep his insurance. Just to rent his equipment a month plus his supplies that we get monthly is out of this world!!! Think about it... rentals on a ventilator, humidifier, suction machine, feed pump, oxygen concentrator, pulse ox machine, plus the equipment that we don't use on a daily basis. Then we get suction catheters, trachs, gauze, syringes, water bags, feed bags, feeding tubes, trach kits, vent circuits, etc... the list goes on and on.

I guess it is so hard for me because, I want to work, Derek and I both. We want to be able to support our family like any other normal family would!! We both want to work full time jobs, and send our child to day care and have to worry about bruised knees, or boo- boos. We already have to deal with the stress and challenges of dealing with a child with special needs, but to have to deal with keeping a roof over our heads, or paying bills, or having food to eat because we are being punished because we have a sick child is just wrong. What is wrong with this world when the people that NEED the help can't get it and the ones who don't need it get all the help in the world???

Baker is 3 years old and we have just recently found out about another program called the Elderly and Disabled Waiver... but guess what... Covington County doesn't offer the respid care that Baker requires. SERIOUSLY??? I just knew that EDW would be the answer to many prayers... but now, I don't know what to do, where to turn, how to make things better! I feel like I am lost!

Most people know me as a bright, cheerful person, but if you really knew me in the privacy of my own home, you would know that I am always worried, about Baker, school, bills, working just enough hours, forms that have to be filled out all the time doctors appointments to make, trips to Birmingham, etc. Life just seems to be throwing me punches left and right, and just when I get back onto my feet, I get an upper cut to the jaw! and Back down I go!

I'm not trying to play a pity party, but I just want people to realize what we have to go through daily!! And when you think things in life are hard, try walking in someone else's shoes!! Even I have to do that! I wouldn't wish this on any child! I am so tired of having to defend/fight for my child and our situation. These so called "jokes" shouldn't be told and when they are, they should apologize, expecially from a business. (I am really trying to let that one go, but it is HARD) It is just wrong! Something has got to be done!! I don't know what else to do other than praying and Begging God for help! He has never let us down and just when we think there is no hope, He always pulls through! We don't have the extra's but we have what we need!

I feel like there is more that I want to say or need to say, but I guess I have said too much! I guess this is my cry out for help... I don't know!

Once again... Sorry for putting it all out there!!!

Beating ALL odds!!!

2011-05-15T22:36:00.003-05:00

I am proud to say that I am the mother of a THREE year old!! Gosh! I can't believe how far he has come in the past 3 years and how much our lives have changed because of him!! Baker has taught us more about life in the last 3 years than I have learned in my lifetime! I Love him SO much!!!

Here is a picture of Baker... He was a month old and had just had his first surgery. This was also the first time we saw his face with nothing on it... no tape, wires, or tubes!!
And here is my 3 year old!! He was loving those balloons!!
I plan to have some time tomorrow to post his party pictures... It has been a crazy and LONG weekend!

Mother's Day weekend and Party Planning...

2011-05-11T19:33:00.000-05:00

Well Mother's day was this past weekend and it was an action packed weekend. Friday, I had to work at the hospital until 9 and then go over and meet our other friends to play a little "friendly" game of Catch Phrase! Needless to say, Girls Won!! AGAIN!!! ;) Well we tried not to stay too late cause Baker had a party Saturday morning. Recently, it has been hard for Derek and I to get things going in the morning... and when we have a timeline that we need to make, we are bound to be late. And late, we were... 45 minutes late! I was NOT a happy Camper!!! I HATE being Late to ANYTHING!!! Derek, on the other hand will be late to everything!! Party was so much fun and the kids had a blast! Rylee had a huge water slide and tons of Tiki stuff!! Amy and Brady did a Great Job!

After the party, we came home to wait for the rest of the family to eat and then we went swimming at Mom's. We all grilled out and just had a Great time being together! Derek and I braved the water with the kids and got in the FREEZING pool with Baker, but Baker LOVED it!!! Of course I forgot my camera...

The next morning, we went to church and eat with the other side of my family. But we weren't able to stay too late cause we had to make it to Derek's family get together at the lake. That was lots of fun! The weather was perfect. It was warm, but with the wind, it wasn't that bad in the shade! Needless to say, when we got home from the lake, we were exhausted... but unfortunately for me, I had finals and a final lab practical the next day. (Which I did pretty good on)

Well That was the recap of my weekend. I will have new post after this next weekend. Baker is having his 3rd Birthday party Friday night... I can't believe it! We have been working hard on it for a while and I can't wait to see how the party turns out!!!! Check back later!!!

Easter Day

2011-05-03T07:25:00.007-05:00

Well, thankfully Easter day was much better than the Saturday drama!! Since Derek got the van fixed after the pulley broke, (or so we thought) we were able to enjoy our Easter Sunday!! The morning started with the Easter Bunny coming for a visit!!

Here is Baker's Basket...
As you can see, He was excited...
His favorite things were the webble wobble toys that go in the pool!!
After we did the whole Easter Bunny thing, we started getting ready in our Easter clothes! I was really excited to wear my new dress... I have been going to the gym and doing Zumba and really working on myself and I had lost 15 pounds in just the month of of April, So when we bought the dress smaller than my usual size, and it fit, I was so SO happy!!
Here is a picture of us dressed and ready for church!

And of course our family pictures...
Ok!! And one more... even though it was blurry, I really like this picture!!

Easter Weekend So Far...

2011-04-23T18:47:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning we woke up around 7 for Derek to get ready and go to his moms to work on her bathroom. She has been staying with us for over a week while Derek completely gutted her bathroom and plumed the whole house. He is almost close to finishing and I am READY!!!! I miss him cause he works his normal job and then stays gone for hours working at her house. So I don't feel like I have seen him in about 2 weeks!! : ( And plus I am ready to have my house to just us again! Anyways, usually unless I have something to do, I go back to sleep once he is gone. Just about the time I went back to sleep, I woke up to the power going out... Great!!! Not a big deal for most people (just a matter or inconvenience) but for us, Baker's life depends on electricity!!! Apparently a transformer blew and we had to wait for that to be fixed. After alarms going off and Baker fussing cause he was woken up, I just got on up. I went to the tanning bed for a few minutes that morning and when I got home, I started getting ready for the Fish Fry with Derek's family. We had SUCH a good time with them! Baker was in a good mood and lots of family there to see and talk to. We stayed there for a few hours and then we had to leave for Brewton. My family was having an Easter get together at my Aunt and Uncles house. We loaded up in the van and almost immediatly, Baker went to sleep. He was SO tired!! On the way, something popped under the hood of the van and I heard Derek say from the front of the van, "Crap" Apparently some kind of tension pulley broke and it wasn't allowing the belt to turn so therefore, we had no air, little battery charge, no power steering, and the van was overheating. Ugh... We didn't know what it was until we got home. Yes, we had to turn around and come on home. If we turned the van off, it wasn't going to come back on. Then we would have been stuck. So once we pulled up to the house and got Baker inside and hooked up, Derek went back outside to look under the hood of the van. In the process of taking stuff off to see the belt, he cut his finger pretty bad. So after washing, peroxide, and covering it up... he went back to work and fixed the van. So at least it is fixed, but we missed our family Easter... And one more thing... since I know how our dog it about getting into things, I am pretty good at putting food and stuff in cabinets and off the counter. She had gotten pizza boxes off the counter and eatten all the food, got scraps out of the garbage, food off plates, etc. So this morning, I made sure that I put up the easter baskets... I put Bakers on the computer desk and didn't really worry about it because there was no food in it. But Derek's Basket was nothing but candy. Sure enough, she knocked down the basket off a shelf in the closet and got a hold of all the candy... Out of 9 eggs filled with jellybeans, 14 Reece cup pieces, 8 snickers, 4 cadberry eggs, there is only 3 eggs with jellybeans, 4 Reece, and 1 snickers left... the whole box of peeps are still there.

Overall, it was a very upsetting day... with the exception of about 4 hours. Makes me frustrated cause life just seems to be so hard for us these days... Ugh!!!

HOPEFULLY we will be sharing some good news tomorrow! Lord knows, I need a good day after the terrible day I had today!!

Team Baker

2011-04-13T18:17:00.003-05:00

Just incase you haven't seen, I am selling t-shirts to raise money for the Vent Kids of Alabama Summer Camp! I am SO excited to hand over the check to Kara! I hope that it is a success!! Incase you are interested, Shirts are $15.00 and they are Purple with "Team Baker" on the front and "Shining our light on Vent Kids of Alabama" on Back with a lighthouse!
These shirts will be on sale until April 29th but I need the money up front! If you need to mail the money, send me an email and I will give you my address. Or look us up on Facebook! I hope that this will ease the stress of the people putting together the summer camp for the families with children with home vents.

mitchell_emm@hotmail.com

Mole Hill into a Mountain

2011-04-08T15:29:00.002-05:00

So yesterday, if you read my post, you heard me talking about the loophole that was going to take so much stress off of Derek and I... WELL, this morning, I thought that since we have been on the waiver list for over a year, I would call and check to see where we were on it... and comes to find out, Baker was taken OFF the list only 14 days after being on it. Never did I get a phone call, never did I get a letter, NEVER!!! Why might you ask? Well this is the funny part... The waiver is to help patients who can't care for themselves, both disabled and elderly. But Since Baker has a trach and a feeding tube, the would have to have a qualified person come into the home... Get this, the person would not EVER have to do anything to Baker... there job is to come in and clean (for elderly, they help bathe them). That's right... a qualified person would be required to CLEAN Baker's room or wash his clothes!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!!! So anyways, I told that women that I don't need a qualified person in the home because I have a nurse who is qualified. Well, since that is the case, I was allowed to be put back on the list. But all of this could have been explained if they would have called me a year ago when they took him off... Apparently, they had tried calling my phone "many" times but I never returned phone calls or answered... Yes, I screen my calls but all she had to do (IF she called) was Leave a message and I would have called right back!!! This is just a joke to me!!! My case worker will have an ear full when she gets back Monday!!

Anywho, I tried calling the Dothan office to see if we were still on the list and if they even offer the respid care. And she never gave me an answer... so I am wondering if the same thing happened there! She is calling me back Monday... and that will be one phone call that I am ready to get!

I guess my problem is that people treat me like I asked to be in this position. Like it is our fault that we want to work and want to better ourselves. I just don't get it! The nation is in enough of a money crunch and yet Medicaid people tell us to get a divorce to qualify for everything. WE DON'T WANT EVERYTHING... We want what BAKER deserves... and we want to continue our lives without worrying about whether or not we are going to loose his insurance because of us trying to work and pay our bills.

Please excuse my ranting and raving... I just am at a loss and don't have a clue where else to turn. Do we move to Birmingham and leave everything that we know and everyone that we love just so the services that Baker deserves are offered? I don't know... Can you tell I am stressed???

On a plus side, Baker got a hair cut!!! YAY!!! He is looking so good!! Thanks Jackie!! Nice to have family come to the house and cut his hair!! Picture to come later!!!

"The pathway is broken, and the signs are unclear. I don't know the reason why You brought me here, but just because You love me the way that You do... then I will walk through the valley if You want me too!"

Baker's Appointment = Mommy's Nightmare

2011-04-07T15:24:00.002-05:00

So yesterday was Baker's home-vent clinic in Birmingham. Usually, it is a pleasant experience, but yesterday just started off on the wrong foot. I knew Baker would be fussy since he was awake before 7 and I was right! We were supposed to be on the road by 8 but didn't get the van packed, Baker and ourselves ready, and gas for the van until after 9. THANKFULLY I planned for that! (We are NEVER on time for anything these days!! ) I learned that Baker doesn't like to ride in the van anymore. As soon as we put him in his carseat, he started fussing! We hooked up his movies and that didn't help.

Once we FINALLY pulled up at Children's Hospital, and started getting him out of the van and back into his chair, he was as happy as could be!!! We made it up the the sleep study wing (where his clinic is held) and he never once fussed or cried! He even showed out to the doctor! Singing, talking, and dancing! They were so impressed! Doctor said that she has seen so much improvement in him over the last 2 years! (Praise God!!) It is always nice when doctors, nurses, and therapist tell us that they have missed us cause Baker has been healthy! We sure don't want to visit them very often... much less spend the night with them!! HA!

He lost a little weight, so we up'ed his food per feed. They want him to gain weight, but due to his muscle weakness, he don't need to gain more weight than he can lift or move! We also talked alittle about getting him a motorized wheelchair for him to play around with outside, so that by the time he starts school, he will be able to maneuver it. I thought that was a great idea!! Spoke with our case worker and she is really trying to get us help with finances and stuff. Don't know if anyone is really aware of the struggles that Derek and I face due to our finances, but just so you will be more aware...
The only help that we get for Baker is SSI - a measly $250 bucks a month (doesn't even cover electricity for him) The only way that we get the SSI is if Derek and I work part time jobs and we still have to watch our hours. And in order for Baker to keep his medicaid, we have to draw something from SSI. Long story short, when I called the Medicaid office to ask if there was anything else that we could do, I was told that Baker would qualify for EVERYTHING that the state of Alabama has to offer if Derek and I would get a divorce. I quickly told the lady that divorce wasn't even an option. There was nothing that she could do for us... REALLY?? That was Medicaid's solution!!! So I have been struggling... with school cause I was at the point that I didn't know why I was even going. I wouldn't be able to work and keep Baker's benefits. And if I worked full time then Derek was gonna have to stay home... YEAH RIGHT... Derek can't even stay inside and watch tv. He has to be doing something productive! I just felt that we were being punished because we had a child with special needs, or we were gonna have to punish Baker cause we wanted to be productive citizens...

Ok... back to what I was say.... our social worker has found a loop hole for us, but unfortunately it takes a while for things to plan out. We have been on this list for over a year now and still waiting! (Please Pray that things will work out and we will qualify for this waiver SOON!!) It will allow us to keep Baker's insurance and not be held accountable for our finances... It is strickly based on Baker and his needs!!! HALLELUJAH!!!!

Well I guess I will start wrapping this up! We had a good trip, with the exception of Baker and his fussiness and the 2 hours to drive 30 miles!!!

I'm Back!!!

2011-01-16T16:07:00.006-06:00

Ok! I know I have been gone forever and I think it is about time that I start blogging again! This gives all the wonderful people that we don't see everyday a chance to read and catch up on us and our crazy, busy, but wonderful life!!! This is one of my new years resolutions... to keep this blog up! Derek and I have family that lives far away and they have been asking me to do a post. We also have some nurses and therapist that have cared for Baker that try to keep up with him!

Let me start by saying that we had a great Christmas! Baker got lots of toys and so did I!! Derek said he had the best Christmas he has ever had... he got a storage shed!!! When we bought our house, there was one in the yard but it was so raggedy, one strong wind would knock it over. And Derek has lots of tools that need a dry place to stay. Ha! Baker's biggest thing right now is books and movies so he got tons of those. It is hard to find toys for him. Not any toy will do, it has to be an easy touch toy. He like toys that he has to learn with, so he got shape sorters and puzzles. I know that he is delayed but he really is a smart child!! (Thanks to Barney... which he loves)

This is a picture of my family Christmas day! My mom really wanted a picture of all of us and now she has one. Hopefully this will be a tradition every Christmas!!

New Years wasn't anything special... I had to work at the Hospital from 5-11 and so after that I met Derek at a friends house. I did enjoy bringing in the new year with some great friends... Jackie and Wambles. So glad that they live in Opp now! : )

Speaking of great friends... we all got together and decided to have a tacky sweater party... it was a Christmas party, but since we did it in January, we didn't wear Christmas sweaters. We had a BLAST!!! Lots of great memories were made that night!!! Hopefully this is an annual thing as well!! BenJamin won the contest of the ugliest sweater. He had on a pastel women's sweater. It had women in bathing suits laying out!! HA! Hope you can see it in the pictures!! Derek, apparently looked like he should have been in Aspen by a fire. I promise that was an ugly sweater on the rack!! Guess he can just make anything look Good!! ; ) Here are a few pictures!!!

Group Shot

Me and My Boo

There are so many other things that I could post about. But I plan on making a post tomorrow about Baker and his new milestones and accomplishments, as well as recent doctors visits... so Check back!!!

Did you know...

2010-04-22T11:28:00.003-05:00

Ok... Since I have been TERRIBLE at blogging lately, I figured it was about time to get started again! A few of my friends have done this and I thought it would be neat to do it too... I wonder how many you already knew?!?!?

1. My mom was told the whole time that I was a boy... SURPRISE!!! Andrew turned into Emily!

2. I was supposed to have a speaking part in the Cinderella play that we did in preschool, but the thought of that scared me to tears!!! I enjoy being the wall flower!

3. I can't stand to hear parents complain about their children. I wish they could put their-selves in my shoes for a day. (Not really. I wouldn't wish this upon anyone!)

4. I have lots of friends, but my only best friends are my husband, Mom and Sister.

5. When I was little, I had a problem with my Achilles being too tight. Since I wasn't going to be a runner or gymnast, mom decided on no surgery. Thank you mom!!! : )

6. I love to go out to eat with my husband because he is a GREAT tipper. I love to make servers feel good when we leave them a very nice tip!!! I remember one time leaving someone over $30 tip for Derek and I!

7. The hardest thing for me to come to grips on is that I can't become a mommy like everyone else. It can't just happen for us and us be surprised and happy. I still wish on a star for a miracle!

8. I still laugh to this day, when I think of a certain adult sticking her tongue out at me!! HA!!! Grow up!!!

9. I have a fear of bridges... When I was in the band on a trip to march in the parade in Mobile, I got in the floor board of the charter bus because we went across a bridge and the driver was terrible!!!

10. Thinks that it is neat to have Baker's nurse be a good friend! And even cooler that her daughter and my niece are good friends!!!

11. I am a terrible back seat driver... Ask my husband! : )

12. I still struggle being around kids Baker's age, or pregnant people. I know that is crazy, but that is me.

13. I am a Christian, but I also speak my mind. Especially when you talk about my family. Recently, people need to get their facts straight before opening their mouths.

14. The last one leads me to say that I can't stand when adults talk about children. Grow up... no wonder kids are the way they are these days!!!

15. I have never broken a bone! Several sprained ankles and tendons. I remember thinking how cool my friend Kristen was cause she had a pink cast and a purple cast!! Ha!!

16. I was at church camp one time when Elba flooded and we lost all power and the boys cabins flooded. One of the boys feel off the top bunk when lightning went through the cabin and he had a huge goose egg on his head! I think Meredith was with me.

17. I used to have a two toned purple room with silver swirls and marbles hot glued to my walls! Also about 25 cardboard framed pictures on my wall!!! I thought my mom was going to kill me and Leigh!!

18. Used to have a dog named Mick-Dog. He was the family dog. I think everyone of the aunts and uncles and grandparents ownded him at one point or another!

19. I have to get on facebook everyday!!! If not, I feel like I don't know what is going on in the world!!

20. I often daydream... Usually that I have lots of money and I am thinking of the perfect charity to donate to! (Maybe one day!!!)

21. I have designed a t-shirt to sale to raise money for my son Baker, But haven't had them made yet...

22. I used to stay at my grandparents house when I was younger instead of going to daycare, and one time Jenny Linton, Drew Mims, and I were climbing in a tree and got stuck there for hours cause a "big, mean" dog was barking up the tree at us. We all thought my Grandfather was an angel when he came walking up to the tree to get us!!!

23. I like to write- poems, stories, letters- whatever it is, I enjoy being creative!

24. I can honestly admit that I can not cook. Well I can cook, but only by recipe! My husband is a much better chef than me!!!

25. And last but not least... I enjoy my life. Sure there are things that I wish I could change... but then again, would I? I have grown and matured over the last 2 years more than I ever expected. God has allowed me and Derek to grow together in a way that most will never understand. We have been faced with challenges and very dark days, but we have over come those valleys and are much better because of them. I remember begging and pleading with God in those first few months of Baker's life. Praying that I could be the mommy that Baker needed to help keep him home and healthy. God has allowed me feel the depression but he has also allowed me to feel the compassion of my family! I can remember talking to Gordon- pastoral at Children's Hospital- about how people deal with pain and sickness alone. I am so glad to know that no matter what- God has blessed me with such a wonderful family- and church family!!!

I hope that you enjoyed reading these!! I have enjoyed doing this and reminiscing over my life! If you are my friend or family- thank you for all the memories that we created!!! There were so many more things that I could have talked about- from slumber parties, to dances, and skating rink trips!!! HA!!! Fun times!!!

Need Ideas!!!

2010-03-10T11:40:00.002-06:00

I need some help from my blogger friends and facebook friends!! I need to think of a cute slogan to use on Baker's shirts!!! I want to get shirts made pretty soon, but all I got is "Baker's Buddies" or "Bobcat's Love Baker" But then I am limiting it to Opp fans... and my Brother and his family are Kinston fans!! Just think about it and let me know!!! : )

I wanted to give an update on Baker too, most of you know that he has been sick with bronchitis and apparently strep and an ear infection! But he is doing so much better. He still has a rattle in his chest, but it is getting better with breathing treatments and cough assist. We made a video of him dancing to "The Fresh Beat Band" his new favorite show!!! If I can ever figure out to put it on here I will. I can tell that music is going to be important to him just like it is to Derek and I! That makes me very happy!!! We are going to get him a keyboard for his birthday in May. Gotta start 'em early!! Derek wants him to learn to play the drums... but they will have to win me over on that one! : )

I know this is a short post. I will be back later to update you one some more exciting things (hopefully) I need to be better about my blogs!!! : )

Growing too Fast!!!

2010-02-08T14:19:00.004-06:00

I never realized how fast time seems to go by when you are a mother. Seems like just last month when he could fit in my lap no problem... now I have to open my legs so that he will at least have support on his neck! He is growing like a weed! He is so big! He looks much older than his age! At least that is what EVERYONE tells me! These are a few pictures from his new chair! It looks alot the same but has a nice head rest on it... and it is fitted to him more!

He is such a Happy Baby!!! I thank God for that! Even though he has all these challenges in his life that he has faced or is going to face, I hope that he can maintain his good attitude about life.

It has a nice foot rest for him. The other chair that we were borrowing had straps for his feet and I never liked the idea of strapping him down!!

His chair even has a really cool tray that just slides into place and he can use it like a desk. We put his toys up there right now but soon we are going to get him into coloring and finger painting! I can't wait!!! He is getting crayons (along with many other things) for Valentine's Day.

This is his toy that has a little bit of everything on it... but he thinks he is too big for it now cause he throws it as soon as you give it to him!!! But the bottle is one of his favorite toys right now... it has a few blocks in it and he can shake it and hear the noise!!!

We love to hold him and try to get him to sit on his butt since he isn't used to sitting up. But recently he has been such a wiggle worm that we have to sit on the floor and let him lean against us. I know this is a good thing and I am very thankful but I also worry about the future... will I be able to handle him then?? I hope so!!!

This picture really should be at the end cause I layed him down last, but he was rolling his legs and butt so much last night. He had an itch on his back and would kick off the couch and roll over on his side!! Mommy was so SO proud!!!

Here he is in my lap. I know it is hard to tell but he is... He has grown so much and he doesn't fit anymore! : (

And here is my Big 21 month old little boy! He sure did do alot for his Daddy and I! He made us grow up A LOT!!! And never have I had so many emotions about one person...We have had lots of good time, few bad times, and many scary times, but all-in-all, This is the love of my life! There will never be another one like him!

On a side note, not many people know how depressed I am. I really try to hide it! I am not depressed all the time, just when I let things get to me! The other night, I was in the shower and just a crying... Derek asked if I was ok later that night and I just broke down... All I ever wanted to be in life was a mommy... and I never wanted just one child (of my own)... and Baker was such an easy delivery. So being around people that have little babies or are pregnant is just hard on me sometime. I always dreamed of my little red headed children being filthy after picking them up at Becky's and not caring cause I knew that they were having a blast... and Baker can't even be around sand. We picked out the name Baker cause we thought it would sound good over the loud speaker when he was up to bat or was involved in the winning play of the game. Now it is a chore to get him to the games. I guess what I am saying is please pray for me... I know that God has bigger and better things in our lives other than having children. And I know that Baker is here in our lives for a reason... Just pray that God continue to bless Baker! And pray that we, as Baker's parents, are doing what we need to do to raise Baker the best way possible!!

I am trying to plan an Annual Batting with Baker Hit-a-thon for later this year to raise money for us to go meet other families of affected children and the extra will go to the Myotubular Myopathy research that is going on. But I am not good at getting things together. I have it in my head but actually doing it is going to be hard!!!

Pictures...Part one

2010-02-03T11:12:00.005-06:00

Ok... I know that I have been away from my blog for some time now... and I have to upload some pictures... but I don't have my card here at work to load them, so I am having to steal them from FaceBook! : ) I even need to upload pictures to Facebook too!!

These are pictures from our Hospital trip at the beginning of the year when we had to do a sleep study. And that ended up being a Nightmare... We had gone earlier that morning for a regular Home Vent Clinic. We do that every 6 months or so. Just to check that the vent is working correctly. But we were scheduled for a sleep study that night.

This is before the sleep study started.

Poor Baby... This is after the hooked all the wires to him. We had to wrap his head cause he loves to play with his hair while he sleeps. I was really worried that he would pull one loose and have to start over. It was a long process getting him all hooked up.

He was really tired cause it was pushing 10 oclock. But he was so uncomfortable. I finally turned out the lights and he sorta slept. It was different though cause I couldn't read the pulse ox machine. They could read it in the observation room but I couldn't.
Derek was really worried about having to stay at the hospital and be watched while he slept so I told him that it was fine with me if he went to his Uncle Don's house to sleep if we could get back early... so I was all alone... I should have NEVER offered that to him. I got NO sleep. The tech people were in and out of the room all night with their bright flashlights. They had to tweek his vent and I had to do it cause they aren't respritory therapist. I was up and down all night trying to understand what they were doing to my baby. At one point they put a piece of tape over his nose to try to get a more accurate reading on his vent. I knew that he breathes some out of his mouth and nose but I didn't know that he did as much as he did cause as soon as they blocked his upper airway, his stats dropped low! And they put him on oxygen and did a blood gas. I never realized it was because of the nose...

Anyways, the doctor was worried about changing his vent setting so much so we had to stay over night for them to watch him. As SOON as they took that piece off his nose, his stats came up to 99, 98ish and I took him off the oxygen. He was happy. Tired as all get out, but still happy!!

This is him watching a movie on the DVD player that goes in the car. A LIFE SAVER!!

It was so crazy being moved from one place to another and having to have all those people come in to get him hooked up to all his equipment cause they have to change it from our home stuff to the hospital stuff. We had 4 Doctors/Practicioners come in and the charge nurse, our CNA, Respitory therapist, Case worker, Derek, Me and Baker all in that itty bitty room!!! UGH!!! By the time everyone left and it calmed down... Baker was SO tired!!! He took a good long nap... as did I!

This was taken right before we left to go HOME!!!
I am reminded that This was our first hospitalization since we were sent home at 5 months... PRAISE GOD!!!

This is more recent... but not a great picture... Derek took a picture (on his phone) of Baker's new head rest... It is so nice!!!

Hope everyone is having a GREAT 2010... I will be back later with another Post!!!

New Year... New look!

2010-01-11T14:38:00.002-06:00

I have a new look to my blog page, but I need some help from my blogger friends. How can I change the terrible brown color that is behind my blogs? I have tried and tried, but I can't figure out where to go to change it! Help please!!!

Thanks! I promise to get back on here and post more blogs, but things have been crazy!

Looking Back and Christmas!!

2009-12-28T09:24:00.006-06:00

I hope EVERYONE had a wonderful Christmas! As I look back on this past year I am thankful for SO many things! The main thing is that Baker has been so healthy! Yes, I am thankful for our house, and my hubby for all his hard work, plus our supportive family's, but God has really been good to us! I have had the song, "Give Thanks to the Lord... For he is Good" stuck in my head for days. I sing it all the time! I know that I have bad days and lots of times that I am down and out, but then I look at Baker and know that God has really blessed us! It has been since October of 2008 since Baker has been in the hospital! OVER A YEAR!!! That is just amazing to us... and his doctors!!!

Well I guess I will stop talking and post some pictures!!!
Baker has grown so much since last year!
Baker 2008
Baker 2009

And again! He is so BIG!!!

Me and Katelyn
This is her last year in high school! And next year I won't get to see her as much. She is going to University of South Alabama in Mobile! I am so excited for her and even more proud! She is going to be a GREAT physical therapist! She has such a heart for helping people!

My Wonderful parents! They have been TOO good to us! And I am so blessed to call them Mom and Dad!!!

Don't know if you knew it or not but this is the new hot thing! Silly Bands!!! My niece and nephew have so many!!! And got more! They are rubber bands that when not being worn, turn into shapes. Here JW is showing off all his!!

Here is the bands that Baker has!!! Destinee gave them to him! He has his own pack... for when he gets older!!
My nieces and nephew with Baker!!! They have grown so much this past year! I still remember the first time I saw the girls... dressed as a bear and cowgirl! Beautiful girls!!!

Updated pictures... As promised!!

2009-12-23T15:46:00.004-06:00

Ok! So here are the pictures that I promised you!!! Remember that we are still moving and there are piles everywhere!!! : )

Baker's Room

We still have murals that are going to be painted but that will come in time!!!

The Den

Now we have a quote made from vinyl on the wall that says," Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the Moments that take our breath away!!!"

This is the dining part of the den! Like I said... Junky!!!

The front (pink) door! We are going to get a whole new door... in time!!

Maybe after Christmas is over, I will be able to get my hubby to paint the bedroom and then we can finally settle in! I have loved the whole process of decorating and fixing our house! I just wish that I had TONS of money to buy what I want!!! : )

On a side note... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!!!

Not enough time in the Day... Update

2009-12-17T15:22:00.004-06:00

Yes... That's right, There isn't enough time in the day for me to get all the things done that I want to get done and still have time for Baker and Derek. I love that we are moving into the house and getting things put in its place, but it can be stressful! I need someone to just give me thousands of dollars for curtains, blinds, picture frames that match, etc... The little things!!! But it is a process and one day it will be as close to perfect as can be! But it is VERY exciting that I/we : ) can do what we want to with our wall color and knock out walls (if we decide too) I hope to have pictures uploaded soon, Very soon of the progress so far!! My Hubby has busted his tail to get it perfect for us!

Not too much has been going on with Baker! He has been a little bit sick but nothing too bad that a little time wouldn't heal! He had a head cold. We managed to keep it out of his lungs with some chest physical therapy!

We took pictures for Christmas cards and sent them out to family. and a few friends. I promise to post pictures from that as well! We didn't get to take Baker to the Christmas parade this year. That was during the time of him being sick and it was just TOO cold!

I guess the only thing left to say is that I have decided not to go back to Troy University. I am transfering back into LBWCC to finish my associates degree and do the Digital Sonography program! I think that would be perfect for me! I have always appreciated the Medical field but since Baker was born, never wanted to deal with sickness or illnesses! Wish me luck on that! I have to get through with a few prerequisites but should be able to start in the fall!

I am also working at an Attorney's office. I really like it up here! Not as stressful as a few of my other jobs and since I know Bart and we get along so well, it has been an easy transition from being at home! I am really hoping to work my schedule around being up here at the office!!

Well I think that is plenty for now! I will have to upload pictures later but I don't have them right now with me, so check back later!!!

EMM

New House!!

2009-12-01T09:33:00.005-06:00

Well... we have finally gotten a house and I am SO excited!!

It needs some work and we really busted a lot out on it yesterday! Derek got a day off of work for his Birthday! We changed the shower head, took down 4 doors, put together a tv stand, pulled wallpaper from 2 rooms, cleaned those walls, and got one coat of paint on the kitchen! It looks better already!!! Here are some pictures!!!

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:That was just one coat and still needs another one!

New tv stand from my parents for Christmas!! I love it!!!!

I could not fit under the old shower head so we had to find something to raise the shower head! And we need one with a hose for Baker's baths!

Halloween Time

2009-11-12T10:14:00.004-06:00

I know this post is a little late but I did want to share with you! This was Baker's first year to dress up for Halloween! Last year we had just came home from the hospital and we just dressed him in a pumpkin shirt with black pants! He was still a cute pumpkin...

This is at Westview Baptist Church. They do a trunk-or-treat every year and we were itching to get Baker out!!!

This year, instead of our church giving out candy at church, the city of Opp decided to do a Kid Fest and had people set up stations in the parking lot to give out candy. Derek and I volunteered to give out candy for the church for 30 minutes. So I decided that we should dress up with Baker! So... Meet the Rubbles... Betty, Barney, and Bam Bam!

We never got a good picture of Baker's costume, oh well... but you can see it a little better in the next picture of Derek and Baker! We worked on these costumes one weekend. So needless to say, you could tell that they were made!! And plus we didn't account for the cold front that came through! So we had to go get long shirts and sweat pants. I bought 2 leopard print blankets and used one as a shawl and covered Baker up with the other!

We also wanted to get a picture for the fall time, And this is the best that we got! I really want to get outside with Baker, maybe this weekend, and take some more pictures of him in his fall colors! I love this time of the year!! The cooler weather, giving thanks, family time, and Christmas is right around the corner!!

While I am here, I want to share that we recently celebrated my Grandmother's 86 birthday! She is such an inspiration to me and I wish that it was easy to get to her house so that she could love on Baker like she did me growing up!! I just wanted to share a few pictures from her birthday party!

Mom and Grandmother

Grandmother and a FEW of her great grandchildren... along with a few extras! : )

Grandmother talking to Baker!

I love this picture of J.W. and Baker! J.W. is such a cutie!!

And last but not least... this is all of my mom's grandchildren!! I had a better picture but I guess I didn't choose it to upload! Oh Well!!

Happy Halloween!!

2009-11-03T16:48:00.003-06:00

Well we had a blast making our costumes this year!!! But we did wait till the last minute to get them all done!! I never really did finish mine, but oh well!! They turned out cute considering that we have NO sewing experience!! *S*We were the Rubbles from The Flintstones. We even had a costume for Harley, our dog. But she never got to be Dino! It was so cold that night and we didn't account for long sleeves and sweat pants so we had to do some last minute shopping!!

Baker loved playing with the witch that we have! It was colorful and she loved her hat! *S*

Later we decided to sit Baker up. He loves sitting up and watching cartoons! I can't believe how big he is and how much he has accomplished in the past year! He amazes me everyday!!!

I have more pictures to post and will do so later! We have had a busy weekend with Halloween, Kidfest, Baby Kaidi's shower, and my Grandmother's Birthday!!! So I will upload later!!!

It's Fall Yall!!!

2009-10-20T10:24:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone! I just thought it was time for another blog! I haven't been keeping up with this like I wish i would! But with school and Baker's doctors appointments, I have been busy! We recently had to take Baker to Birmingham to the home vent clinic and while we were there we met with the GI doctor. Baker's liver enzymes have been elevated and we were worried that it might be something serious. (He set up an ultrasound that checked blood flow for us locally and we found out that everything looked ok!) Here is a picture before we got out of the car to go into Children's Hospital...
And here is a picture of us when we got to Derek's Uncle Don's house! We always have to stop and visit with Don, Val, Mickey, Kathy, Natalie, and Bentley. It's a great visit when we get to see Shane and Nicole too! But we missed them this time! They all became close family to us while we were in the hospital and couldn't have done it without them!!! This is Baker and Natalie playing...
Isn't she a doll?? She is getting so big from the first time we were there!! LOVE THEM!!!

This past weekend, mother nature decided that it was going to get COLD!!! Of course the weekend that I was going to Little Bighorn. Derek and I wanted to take Baker but it was WAY too cold for him. But Sunday after church we decided that we wanted to try to get a fall picture of Baker... it didn't work out that well! We will try again soon!!! Maybe try for a family picture next time!
We also had my nieces and nephew over this past Thursday and Friday! Baker loves when they are here cause the house is so loud and always something going on!!! Here are a few pictures from the day! We played lots of games and colored and painted and went outside to play basketball... lots of fun!!

I also wanted to show off my new decal on my tahoe... I LOVE it!!! Derek and I designed it and gave it to a guy in town that Derek was doing some work for. He does decals for large trucks... He had it for us the next day and even put it on the car for us! I am so proud of it!!!

Itchy Back

2009-10-06T14:52:00.000-05:00

Crazy title... I know, but Derek and I were so proud of how far Baker has come with his movement and we wanted to share! He has made leaps and bounds with his therapy! And we are so proud of him!!! He has learned that he can push his back up and we will scratch it for him...

Well Last night he was talking and scratching up a storm! And we wanted to share! I hope you enjoy my sweet little boy!!!

I have a video but it was taking forever to upload and I am getting ready to take KK to the Troy game! You will have to check back for an update of his appointment in Birmingham tomorrow!!

Baker's haircut!!

2009-09-25T17:31:00.009-05:00

I just realized that I never posted pictures of Baker's first haircut! I waited til he was over a year old! At his birthday, his hair was so long!!! But I waited cause his daddy wanted us to! But finally... here are a few!!!

He was glad that it was over!!

Here is the Final Product!!!
But I guess I am a bad mom, cause we waited till his hair looked like this...
and like this...
... till I got his hair cut! (I know I am a bad Mommy) but it is SO hard taking him anywhere without Derek. And he works all the time! Literally, ALL the time! But Finally I made the appointment and told Derek that he wasn't going to work then, cause he had to help me! But here is his new haircut...Now he looks like a BIG boy! And I don't love that! : ) Just to let you know, we took him for his check up and he was 29 pounds and 36 inches, yes, 36 inches, long!!! My BIG boy!!

Baker's First Parade

2009-09-19T13:51:00.007-05:00

Baker got to experience his first parade this week... He was home during the Christmas parade last year... but it was too cold and we were really worried about him getting sick that first year. So what better way to start his pride for the Bobcats with the Homecoming parade!!

Here he is waiting for the parade to start... It was getting hot out there!! So he was about to get fussy!! Plus it was time for him to eat!!

Finally it started and Baker loves the band... so he woke up when they came by!!! He loves to hear music and dance... well his version of dancing!!! I need to post a video of him dancing... soon!!

That is his Nana clapping and dancing with him!!
This is Baker's Aunt KK, my little sister. She was on the homecoming court!! She was so beautiful! Baker loves her so much!!! He smiles if he just hears her talking!
We tried to keep his Daddy's hat on him to block the sun but he still was having trouble watching with the sun in his eyes!

Needless to say, after the parade, he was so tired! It didn't take very long for him to end up this way!!

Baker's First Birthday!!

2009-09-17T14:54:00.009-05:00

Yes... I know that I should have done this a long time ago but just recently I have had time to actually blog. I have so many things to post on here!! So just bare with me as I post some things that I should have already done!!!

Well Baker's Birthday was back in May and we were so blessed to have him at home that we had a big party! Lots of family and church friends came to celebrate Baker!

This is the goodie bags and sign in table!!!

This is the cat in the hat cut out that my Hubby made!!! He did a good job!!

This is the cake table... before we got it all good and ready!! : )

Baker was checking out his cake and balloons!!!Derek's cousin's little boy dressed as Cat in the Hat and agreed to some pictures!!

LOTS of people... There was around 80 people there!!!

We had 2 blow up jumpy things that were inside and that was a BIG hit!!! All the kids loved it! And instead of gifts we had a money jug for people to donate to the Homewood Church that gave us a place to stay while we were in Birmingham!

This is the sign in board that we asked people to sign. We are going to make Baker a Dr. Seuss room and this is going to be on the wall!!!

Baker's New Ride!!!

2009-09-07T13:17:00.000-05:00

Well we have had Baker's new chair for a while but with the flu going around we have not been able to get him out and about! But we did take him to the football game... Well we were able to stay for the first quarter then we had to leave since it was about to storm. I hope the next home game, which is homecoming, will be better! We are gonna go early and get on the track and park!Here he is in the chair. We love it... but we do need a different headrest for it. He has gotten brave with his head, which we love, but we have to watch his head!!!
Here is a close up, but not a good one! He was so sleepy and the flash on the camera was bright!

I just wanted to brag our new chair! I forgot to mention that this is just one to use until his chair comes in! It was so nice of them to remember us when someone donated this chair back to the company!!! It make life easier! Now we just need a wheelchair accessible van!!!

Flu is EVERYWHERE!!!

2009-08-27T18:50:00.000-05:00

I know that I need to update my blog and I plan to soon as I get some pictures uploaded... But I did want to just mention that the flu is everywhere! And for Baker that could mean a long hospital stay. I just ask that you keep him in your prayers! We have been so blessed that he has been as well as he has been, but it isn't even flu season yet and there are so many people with sickness!! I just started back to school and really can't afford to miss classes for a long hospital stay!!! : )

We are Blessed!!!

2009-06-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

I have been down over the past month or two... just emotionally having a child with a disability is hard sometimes. I see all the other mommy's out there that get to go and do so much with there children and for us, it is a chore to load Baker and all his equipment just to go to church. I just want to feel like a real mother sometimes, you know... I just want a normal life. Used to while we were still in the hospital, if I ever was sad or feeling down, it was easy to just look next door or at the child next to Baker and think how good we have it and how Blessed we are that Baker only has a muscle disorder. But (thanks be to God) Baker has been so healthy at home that we haven't had to be hospitalized or had very many clinic visits. So finding that support has been difficult. Nobody around here REALLY understands the challenges that we face daily. But this morning while checking blogger, I noticed a friends page and did some searching and somehow ended up on a web page that had SO many children with disabilities and there blog sites, and I just went through about 15 of them. I can relate to so many of there stories with the "roller coaster" that they speak of.

I just wanted to share a few pictures of the beginning and then a few now to show how far Baker has come!

That was right after he was born... before I had even seen him.
This is our first family photo... in Birmingham at UAB RNICU Still in the RNICU
This is my Baker Man now! This is his Birthday party... I still need to post all those pictures too!!!
Now that Baker is almost 13 months old, I feel that there is more that I need to do. I plan on getting some fundraisers started, Bowling with Baker and a Golf tournament or Softball hit-a-thon. I am also going to get some Lime green bracelets that say something on them. All the money is going to go to the MDA clinic. Lime Green is sorta Baker's new color (carseat) since it is the color for Muscular Dystrophy.
We have big Hopes and Dreams for Baker. So keep praying for him as God continues to Bless him and us Daily!!!!

A Mitchell Update!!!

2009-04-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

I thought that lots of things have been going on other than Easter so I would post another blog that is full of everything!!! Lets start by telling you that Baker went to his First Rattlesnake Rodeo with his daddy!!! Derek said he did good but wasn't loving the sun being so bright. And everyone kept telling Derek that his nose was running (it always is running)
Also, Baker got his new big boy car seat!! He loves having the room! But we have to watch and make sure his head doesn't bounce in there. We got a lime green one because that is the color for muscular dystrophy... Baker has a form or MD. Baker's is called Myotubular Myopathy. (We hope to do a fund raiser during the summer to help fund research for different types of MD.)This next picture is just one of my favorite pictures... Derek is of course on the xbox, but this time he is holding Baker. Baker is loving it. He kept saying "Dadadadada" to get Derek's attention.This next picture is a funny story... I was holding Baker on evening and he saw a white stick sticking out of my mouth and kept trying to grab it until finally he ripped it right out of my mouth... and stuck it in his. Now Baker doesn't eat from his mouth so it was funny because he wouldn't let me take it away from him!!! We got video as well!!! These next few pictures are from Home Vent clinic... In Birmingham at Children's. This is the longest clinic and we get bored. So we have to pack lots of things and toys to keep Baker occupied. Luckily there is a tv in the room and I took this why he was watching cartoons!!!
This is a recent picture of Derek and I... well before Derek cut his hair and his beard... Now he doesn't look like a wooly booger!!! : )Notice in this one that Baker is still watching TV... I couldn't get his attention to take the picture!
After the Clinic visit we stopped to see Uncle Don and Aunt Val. I was hoping that everyone else would be there as well! I have missed them since we have been home. They became like close family! This is Natalie... She has grow SO much!!! She even gave Derek a kiss good bye this time even though he still had a beard!! (Long Story) And this is her little Brother Bentley! This was the first time that we got to see him. He was born about the time that we were getting ready to go home.
Well That is about it for right now!!! But be looking for more! Baker is about to have his First Birthday! I just can't believe it! The doctors can't either!!! He have overcome so much in his life! We love him Dearly!!!! But his party should be lots of fun!!! So check back!!!

Easter...

2009-04-23T20:40:00.000-05:00

Well Baker's first Easter was an over all Great Day... nevertheless an exhausting day... We had places to be and people/family to see... It started off with a Bath and he loves bath time...

Then he had to see what the Easter Bunny brought him and look at his eggs... Also is a picture of his outfit... I never got a great shot with him wearing it!

Then we loaded up and off we went to Church... This next picture is a picture of Baker in his car seat wearing his bunny ears... I think he looks adorable... but his daddy doesn't like them at all!!
After church we went to Aunt Mary Anne's to eat and watched the kids play baseball in the field. Then we went to Derek's family... and it was HOT!!!! We had to find shade and I had to get him out of the stroller because he was sweating so... he started out on my lap...
Then we ended up on the ground... it was much cooler and he had fun with cousin Lexie!!!
Then we headed off to Brewton Alabama for Easter with my other side of the family... I didn't get any pictures there... sorry!!! But over all Easter was a fun day! I hope that Baker will enjoy it next year more!!!

Update!!!

2009-03-20T11:40:00.001-05:00

Hey!! I know it has be a while since I updated last. My bad! I'm not too good at keeping a blog up to date! But I will try to get better! Baker is now 10 months old and he is talking up a storm! Dadadadada and Nanananana... What about Mama?? : ) Oh well, that will come!! I am just so happy to hear him talking since we were so unsure about that.

We have decided that we have to get Baker a new car seat... he is WAY too big for his infant carrier. He weighs 22 pounds. We just never really got any use out of his infant seat... For 5 months he was in the hospital... We are trying to decide if we are gonna keep it or get rid of it... since we are still unsure about future children. Of course we want more but we don't want to go through this again... At least Baker still fits in his stroller. We took him for his first real stroller ride the other day and he LOVED it!!! He was kicking his legs and stayed awake for the whole ride... He looks so big in the stroller.

I guess since I am updating everyone I need to include Harley... She is getting so big Very fast!!! But she is a good dog. And minds me well!!! She is just so jealous of everyone's attention!!!

New member of the Family

2009-01-19T07:38:00.000-06:00

Well Derek got his Valentines present from Baker this past week. Harley!!!

She is an CKC registered Great Dane! Solid black with a diamond on her chest. The mother was brown and weight around 140, and the dad was Grey and weight in at 190ish... Derek said that the Daddy, Titus, meet them down the road and he was jogging by our Tahoe and he was looking in the windows.

Derek has always wanted a Great Dane!! And since I stay home with Baker now, I figured it was a good time. And the price was right!!! We got her for a steal!! Baker loves Harley!! He likes to rub her fur!!

Baker's Surgery

2009-01-17T19:11:00.000-06:00

After surgery

Just wanted to let everyone know that Baker's surgery went well Friday. He had tubes in his ears, a bronch scope down his throat, and a sedated hearing test done. We left Thursday night and headed to Birmingham. We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 the next morning so we decided that we would go up the night before and stay with Derek's Uncle Don. It is a challenge to take Baker on an overnight trip because we have to load up EVERYTHING!!! I know it is hard for all parents to load up baby stuff, so imagine doubling all there stuff!! But over all we did well... we didn't forget Anything!! The next morning we woke up and it was less than 10 degrees in Birmingham. So we bundled up and threw a blanket on Baker and loaded back up to head to Children's Hospital. Got there on time and we went straight back to get his lab work done. Baker has very bad veins and it is hard to get blood from him. After 3 sticks I asked if they could just get his blood when they started his iv while he was asleep. Thank goodness they agreed. We went into the small room that they put you in to wait and the nurse came in to answer a bunch of questions. And we waited about 10 min for Doctor Hill to get to the hospital. As soon as they took him into the surgery he was gone about 30 min and then he was in recovery. He did so well that they let us go on home. They said everything was perfect now!!! We were on the road traveling back home by 11:30!!! Just wanted to post!!!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-01T11:36:00.000-06:00

This past year has been the hardest year by far for Derek and I!! The beginning of 2008 was good for us. We were expecting our first child on May 30, we had saved up some money to start looking for a house, and bought us a larger vehicle. Things were good! On May 13th Baker was born and we were expecting to hear him scream and for him to be perfect but things just didn't work out that way. He was born at 4:16 pm and by 9:30 that night he was loaded up and being flown to Birmingham's UAB hospital. They was the hardest thing that I have ever done was watch them take my child away from me while I was stuck there in Dothan. I was so scared of what the future looked like for us and so mad that God was putting us through this. All I heard while I was trying to sleep was our neighbors little baby screaming and the daddy singing to that baby... I tried not to cry because my mom was with me and I wanted to be strong. And I knew that God was with us, and he was not going to forsake us!!!

The next day was the start of a long journey for us as a family!!! Baker went through months of test, blood work, surgerys, and ups and downs, but thankfully he was a trooper and made it through for Derek and I. (And thanks to Derek for all his help and support. Expecially when I was in the hospital with my gall bladder for a week. He was going back and forth from hospital to hospital. And took tons of pictures and videos for me to look at. I don't know what I could have done without him!!) Now we are home for the second time and things are wonderful... We still have to deal with equipment and germs, and things that most people wouldn't even have to worry about. But Baker is an easy baby. He sleeps all night. And he is never fussy!!! And the best thing is that we are still at home thoughout this cold and flu season... so far!!! Every doctor told us that we would probably be back in the hospital during this time... But Baker likes his home better : )

We have big plans for 2009. Hopefully a HOUSE!!! We need more space for sure!! But that will be another challange in itself. Having to find a house and make sure it can be adapted for a wheelchair. But it should be fun!!! I am so thankful for this past year even though it has been hard at times. God has truly blessed us and enriched our lives greatly with this little boy!!! We have been through alot and seen alot worse. We have made lots of new friends that we met in the hospital and see at clinics. And we will forever be part of the Children's Hospital family!!

Happy New Year!!!

First Blog!!

2008-12-30T13:56:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone! Well Meredith talked me into this!! Now I just have to figure it out!! I guess it shouldn't be that hard! Hopefully I will keep this up!!

Just to let everyone know! Baker is now 7 months old and has 7 teeth!! He is growing everyday! He is SO long and putting on a few fat rolls!! Each day he moves more and more! Which is good considering that we can't get his therapy started!!! Thanks to the state of Alabama!!

We all had a Wonderful Christmas! Baker's First Christmas!!! Wow! Hard to believe!! Santa was too good to him!! He got a Rainforest Jumping thing that hopefully will help him strengthen his legs! I think Baker is gonna be sad when all the Christmas lights all over town and our tree is gone! He loved looking at them!!!

I guess like most babies, He loved the bows, paper, and boxes much more than any of his gifts!!!