On the Mend

Braelle is feeling much better than she did last week when she came down with salmonella. She's back to smiling, waving, and talking galore. Meanwhile, she is also completely off her schedule! She got really used to me holding her day and night when she was really sick and still expects that of me. I have gotten her back into sleeping in her crib at night, but she wakes up a gazillion times to get hydrated. I'm exhausted...but she is feeling better and that is way more important! She has also gained back the pound that she lost which is great! 18lb 3oz

What kind of facial expression is that?! haha

Might I also add that Braelle is now wearing size 4 shoes to accommodate her giant feet. And even some size 4s are not large enough...smh

 Much better!

 Silly girl puckerin up for a kiss!

This week, after getting a lot of close up snuggle time, I've noticed that Braelle's eyelashes are getting really long. I LOVE long eyelashes and I think hers are so beautiful



Sick with Salmonella

My sweet, precious, baby girl has salmonella! It has been a really tough week for us. Sunday morning Braelle went from crawling around on the floor, to barely moving at all with a high fever. Sunday night was even worse when her temp struck 104.5 degrees! I was sick about how pitiful she looked and felt. Such a small person should never have to go through any kind of sickness.

Some of the symptoms for salmonella include: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, and blood in the stool. All of which she had. The girl felt HORRIBLE!

Mom and I took Braelle to the doctor on Monday who instructed us to take a sample of her feces to the hospital. We did that right away and just now got the test results back. (thursday) Well some of the test results anyway...more to come! Hopefullly, salmonella is the only infection she has!

I moved my mattress into Braelle's room so I could monitor her throughout the night. = no sleep. I told her we were having a sleepover and that we were going to tell secrets!

By Wednesday, she started to feel better...but not 100%. And when I took the camera out, she knew what to do! :) Ellie the Elephant has brought so much comfort to Braelle this week. Thanks Noelle!

Funny/gross story: Braelle suddenly decided last night when I was eating chicken pot pie that she was ravishingly hungry. She's been just drinking breastmilk which has been perfect for her. I thank God for breastmilk all the time because without it, she would have been in the hospital for being dehydrated. Anyways... I picked out the carrots and peas and gave them to Braelle. 3 hours later...out they came the other end...EXACTLY like they went in! Apparently she didn't even chew them up because if you wouldn't of known better, you would have throught someone had put carrots and peas from the pie straight into her diaper. I'm still amazed as to how they were perfectly shaped and colored. hahaha gross but funny!

Throughout Braelle's sickness, I have been so upset about it. It's broken my heart to watch her in so much pain and agony. But then I think about other kids who are going through so much worse. A couple at my church have a son that was recently diagnosed with T Cell Leukemia. Please pray for Luke Shamblin. Throughout Luke's journey, I have learned to thank God for LIFE! And to be thankful for everything. No matter what you are going through and no matter what kind of sickness you have, praise God that you are alive...because it could always be worse. Thank you for those who have been praying for Braelle's recovery and remember to add Luke Shamblin and his family to your prayer list!

 "Let us also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Beach Vacation

Braelle and I love the beach! For my short summer break in between classes (2 weeks) Braelle and I spent 1 week at Kiawah and Seabrook (our favorite beaches!) The first half of the week, we spent at Kiawah with Rachael, Catherine, and Caitlyn. They love on Braelle and I and we soak it up! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera for that trip. I remembered it though when my mom and I took Braelle to Seabrook. Enjoy the pictures of my adorable, brown lil girl. :)

It also just so happened that Braelle turned 11 months during our beach trips! How cute is she in her full coverage bathing suit?! Gotta protect that perfect skin!

Natural Toys!

I love when she sits on her feet!

She LOVES the water. I had to hold her back from going deeper and deeper in!

Sweetest thing I've ever seen

Basically, she uses her feet like hands...nothin like likin the sand right off a toe!

Doctor's Visit!

Doctor's visits are always hard on all of us. (Braelle, my mom, and me) I always get the first appointment at 8 a.m. because patience is not one of my strongest suits. Yet somehow every time we go, it takes 2 hours from the time we get there till the time we're home again. Poor Braelle always gets one shot every time we go. She really hates it and always cries really hard :(

Today she got a shot for Hep B and we'll have to go back in a month for the 2nd dose. She also got her finger pricked to check her hemoglobin and iron. Both were perfect.

Here's her stats:
18lb 3oz = 50th percentile
29 in = 50th percentile
And well her head circumference is still in the 95+ percentile... haha the girl has quite the noggin!

Braelle has been standing on her own for about 3 weeks now. I finally caught a pic today!!

 I wish that blue play spoon wasn't in her mouth but oh well...I love how wide her stance is! haha



Here's a few more of her just being cute :)

 What's cookin?!

Her shot has not affected her from the looks of it! :)

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, I felt love like never before. A few of my favorite women threw me the most precious baby shower ever. It was incredible how many people showed up (51) to support me and my little girl. There aren't words to describe how incedibly grateful I am for the people who have supported me and Braelle through out this entire situation.

When I first got pregnant, and no one knew but a very select few, I was terrified of how people would respond to me. Would I be looked down upon? Would no one want to be my friend anymore? Would my family be isolated? Many negative thoughts went threw my head. I was afraid, and I think I can speak for my whole family. In a time when I would expect people to disown me, I was shown unconditional love, mercy, and support. It was all in God's hands and of course He continues to take care of me and Braelle today just like He always has. Thank you to all who have shown God's love.

Here's a couple pictures from the baby shower exactly 1 year ago!

 (Before everyone got there ha)

Precious and delicious cake!

I am in a really happy place in my life right now and I pray that God continues to shine in. Because of yall, I have survived the toughest time in my life. I've come a long way in 1 year huh? I can't believe how much Braelle has grown. She was still in my tummy just last year... check out some more pictures of this time last year!