Kaylee's 4th Birthday Tea

WOW! So long since I have been here!

I really think Blogger should figure out a way to send a photo for blog updating...much like FB posts can be done!

Anyway, it is that time of year again, Kaylee's Birthday!

We went to tea today. This year, we chose a teacher friend of mine. Her 'red thread' to Kaylee is that they are both adopted.

Barbara brought Kaylee a book that was Barbara's as a child!

Such a sweet gift!

Kaylee actually tried tea this year!

Peach Ginger with a touch of honey!

See that crazy tray of sandwiches? They were all for Kaylee.

Needless to say, she didn't eat them all!

This year's teacup - chosen by Barbara.

What We Are Thankful For...

We went to the hematologist last week...just a regular check-up.

He came back with the dreaded pink paper...the one with 'the numbers'. This time, it read 204,000!!! That's CRAZY! We have NEVER been in the 200s!

After a bit of bantering back and forth, he said, 'I think we are done'.

'You mean, DONE, done?'

'Yes, I think we are chasing our tails. Her last 5 appointments have been FABULOUS and she hasn't had steroids in almost a year. I think she has outgrown this. You know what signs to look for and when you might need to call me, but I think we are done'.

'Fabulous! and not to be rude, but I hope to ever see you again!'

So, it looks like my girl might have outgrown her ITP. He told us in the beginning that 85% of kids outgrow this condition, just never thought we would be one of the 85%!

Praise and Glory to the Great Physician!

Turkey Tango...or Not...

This last Thursday, Kaylee's MDO class had their Thanksgiving Feast...

a few nuggets, some corn, mashed potatoes and a roll.

Then a little Turkey Tango.

Here she is getting ready...

and here she is NOT doing the Tango!

Well, the other kids were cute...

My Winnings...

Remember when I told you I won a fortune cookie giveaway?

Well, I finally received them in the mail. After we spoke back and forth, came up with custom fortunes for Kaylee's Gotcha Day, and waited until closer to the event so I would have fresh cookies, Fancy Fortune Cookies shipped me a FABULOUS product.

(BTW, if you are wondering, I chose chocolate...just figured one can't go wrong with chocolate!)

I am so excited to have these! We are going to introduce Kaylee's MDO class to Gotcha Day by reading this book

and eating the winnings!

I can't wait!

Wordless Wednesday - Spurs Season Opener!!!

Pencil Song

My daughter should definately be a songwriter!

Lately, she has been singing many songs to the tune of 'Frere Jacques', which she learned at Mothers Day Out.

So, she is sitting with David the other day, drawing with a pencil and singing this ditty that she made up...

Pencil Song

(Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

by Kaylee Bowren

Why a pencil?

Why a pencil?

Cause it writes.

Cause it writes.

Writing all the letters

Writing all the letters

That's what it is.

That's what it is.

My girl the song writer!

Do you think we could sell it to Beyonce and make millions??

Super Cute Hat!

Just wanted to show you the super cute hat I found at a craft show this past weekend.

I think my girl looks like a doll in it!

If you are interested in a precious hat for a little one you know, I can get you the name and number of the lady who makes them. She has everything from 6 months on...

Too Cute!

My Little Pony Giveaway

My girl loves her ponies. She plays with them constantly.

She has one DVD that she watches over and over and over...

Here is a chance for us - and you - to win another my Little Pony DVD.

Rush on over and leave a comment. The entries will close tonight at midnight!

I Super-Puffy Heart LOVE Target!

Each piece $4.90.

Need I say more?

Plum Precious Kaylee

See that cute little button on my sidebar?

Plum Precious Clothes...LOVE THEM!

Just want to show you my Plum Precious Girl in her Plum Precious Clothes!

Platelet Update

Well, I firmly believe our Father has reached down from above and touched my girl!

It has been at least 6 months since she had to take steroids and yet, she has some super duper platelets!

Today her number was 156,000!!!

This is CRAZY GOOD!

She has NEVER been this high...and for no reason!

Well, other than GOD!

Amen and Amen!

First Cookie Baking Experience

Kaylee's First Cookie Making Experience

Another Fabulous Giveaway

Speaking of Gotcha Day, wouldn't it be great to have the meal at PF Changs and then come home for a special family get-together? If I win, that's what we will be doing (with a special dessert of the fortune cookies that I already had the benefit of winning)!

Go check out the PF Changs giveaway!

I WON!!!!!

I won the Fancy Fortune Cookie giveaway over at Treasured Giveaways!!!!!

How cool is that?!?!?!?!?!

I CANNOT wait to get them. I will use them to make our Gotcha Day celebration even more special! I can choose either 100 assorted cookies without personal fortune OR 100 of one variety with a personal message.

So, here's where I need help...please give Fancy Fortune Cookies a gander and tell me what I should do...do I choose one kind? Do I get a personalized message? Do I choose an assortment? Decisions, decisions!

Please remember these will be used for my daughter's 3rd Gotcha Day, and she will be almost 4 years old at time of celebration. They really will be HER cookies (although, she will share with everyone).

I want to thank Doreen for hosting this giveaway.

Fortune Cookie giveaway

I am aiming this post towards all my FCC friends, but anyone who loves fortune cookies should head on over!

Treasured Giveaways has the honor of giving away 100 fortune cookies from Fancy Fortune Cookies.

Wouldn't it be so fun to have custom fortune cookies for Chinese New Year or your child's Gotcha Day? I am hoping to win in celebration of Kaylee's upcoming Gotcha Day.

So head on over and join the contest!

Please Pray...and Call

I cannot imagine what this family is going thru...

They went to China to adopt their child. They get there and find out that she has tested positive for TB. The CDC adopted a new law on July 1, 2009 that will not allow her to come to America until she tests positive. So, they have had to leave her in China and return to their other child, home and jobs.

Please read their story and make the appropriate calls.

I cannot imagine having to leave your child there once you have gone and bonded...heartbreaking!

New Clothes

Kaylee is on her last dress that we picked up while in China. I remember shopping and buying 'bigger sizes' thinking she would never fit in them. Well, now, 2 1/2 years later, we are in the last one that fits.

I have been looking around at various Chinese festivals for more authentic dresses for her. Goodness! Those outfits that cost me $8-$10 in China cost me $30-$35 in the states. I just can't bring myself to pay that.

Well, I have a sweet friend who is spending some time in China. I Facebooked her about 3 months ago and asked her if she would shop for me. I gave her a dollar limit and told her she could pick out whatever styles she liked. I asked her to choose all different sizes. She thought this was a great idea! So, for the last few months, when she would find an outfit that she liked for my girl, she would pick it up.

Her parents spent a few weeks with her in China and she sent the outfits home with them.

It was like Christmas! Take a look at Kaylee's haul!!

All the precious outfits! I can't wait to see her in them as she grows!

LOVE the sweet little pants on this one.

Precious sleeveless dress.

This one is like none I've ever seen. Full circle skirt, cotton (not silk). It is so sweet!

Check out the fur and matching purse! I hope it gets cold enough in SA to wear this one.

Thanks, Lesli for sending us such great treasures!

Platelet Update

Kaylee and I made a visit to the hematologist yesterday.

I was a bit concerned about this visit. She has had 2 small nosebleeds since our last visit, so I was quite unsure of what the outcome would be.

She is not the trooper that she used to be. She is old enough now to know that this hurts. She used to offer her index finger and bravely take the stick. Not so much any more...hides her hands and screams at the appropriate time. I don't blame her, I would too. I just think it is interesting that she used to take it in stride and now it is a meltdown.

Anyway, on to the news...her platelets were 149,000! This is HUGE! Her 'normal' is about 32,000. These results are WITHOUT STEROIDS! She hasn't had steroids in well over 6 months!

What does this mean? I don't know exactly...but...it means, in part, that her body is either making more platelets or her spleen has stopped destroying what she does have.

It's amazing, really.

Keep praying for my girl, her spleen and her platelets. We are not out of the woods. However, we do not go back to the hematologist for 8 weeks!

Amazing!

South Padre Island

We recently took a trip down to the island. It was a nice get away.

I think my girl enjoyed her first beach experience quite a lot. What do you think?