Putting the Little Skeleton to Bed

What a cutie! He had to wear his skeleton pajamas to bed on Halloween.

Fall Festival/Halloween 2010

We took Merit to the Fall Festival at PWood. He loved looking at all of the other kids in their costumes. He played a few toddler games too! After the festival, everyone came back to our house for dinner, the Ranger game and to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters. It was a great evening!

Owens Farm Pumpkin Patch

We had a great time taking Merit to the Owens Family Farm. What a neat place! We had never there been before. Merit really liked playing in the pumpkins. He got to feed goats and he thought that was pretty cool. He kept reaching out for more food to give to them. It was a fun day!

Merit Really Loves Pumpkins!

Merit is constantly trying to pick up our pumpkins. He seems to be drawn to them. It is really funny.

Making Merit's Costume

I couldn't find a costume I liked for Merit so I decided to make one. I thought it would be cute to make him a fall tree! This is how it looks so far! I'm almost done!

Awaiting the News

We were supposed to find out today the results of the bone marrow biopsy. JP left work early, I got a substitute and Sharon came to our house to stay with Merit while he napped. We got a call just minute before we left telling us that the biopsy results were not back yet. Apparently they had part of the biopsy back but not all of it. Wow! We were not very happy about the fact that we were prepared to hear the results and now we were going to have to wait all weekend. However, God is good. I had such peace. We had fun plans for the weekend. Merit's first real Halloween and Fall Festival. Last year he was too young to do much of anything. I decided since I was home early and Merit was fast asleep then I better get busy making his Halloween costume!

Playing Ball with Nana

Merit and Nana often go for a walk in the neighborhood. On this walk, they stopped to play a little ball. Merit had so much fun! He always enjoys his days with Nana!

My Sweet Friend, Debbie.

I stayed home from work on Wednesday because I was very sore from the bone marrow biopsy. So...Debbie and Ashleigh came over, brought me lunch and hung out for a while. Debbie and I sat and talked while the kiddos enjoyed playing together. Debbie has always been there for me. She is a great prayer warrior and I love her so much. Thank you Debbie for cheering me up!

Me, Sick? What?

My OB informed me that my blood work came back abnormal. He asked me to come back in one month and have blood work done again. So...Merit had an ear infection, I stayed home with him and I decided to have my blood work done on the way home from Merit's doctor appt. My doctor, Dr. Tyuluman, called me one day later to tell me that he was going to have to send me to a specialist. He said that my white blood cell count and my platelets were extremely elevated and he didn't know what do make of these results. I went to see a hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Juturi on Tuesday afternoon of the next week. She ordered blood work to be done upon my arrival and then I waited for the results. My dear friend and my sister's mother-in-law, Sharon, went with me. JP stayed home with little Merit. Most of you know, JP is not good with needles, blood, etc. It's a good thing he didn't go because Dr. Juturi ordered a bone marrow biopsy immediately. My white blood cell count was 46,000 and my platelets were elevated to almost 900. Everything was happening so fast! How could this be? How could I be sick? I kept thinking to myself, "I am one of the healthiest people I know!" Sharon prayed with me while we were waiting for the nurse and doctor to perform the biopsy. I was a little scared. However, it was amazing the amount of peace that God gave me. Dr. Juturi offered to give me an anti-anxiety drug to help me relax but I didn't want to take any unnecessary drugs. The procedure was painful but not near as bad as I thought it would be. I left the office with so many thoughts running through my head. It is hard not to think of the worst possible things: cancer, leukemia, etc. Sharron and I prayed again after we got to my house. JP was scared and he cried when I told him of the seriousness of my health. I cried a little too. Once again though, God was by my side. I felt as though I was sitting in the palm of His mighty hand. I knew He would take care of me as always. To bed we went and amazingly I slept!

Skeleton PJ's

Mimi bought little Merit the cutest Skeleton pj's. The pj's glow in the dark. It is funny to go in his room at night and see him glowing. Thanks Mimi!

Looking at Mommy's Flowers

Merit really enjoys being outside. He is fascinated by the flowers and trees. I decided to try to capture some of these precious moments.

Wonderful Walking Weather!

Merit is feeling better now and we couldn't resist taking advantage of the beautiful weather we are having. We have been walking a lot the past couple of weeks. It is really nice in the evening. He loves waving at the dogs and the people while we are out. Mimi joins us sometimes too! What fun!

My First Pillow Pal

We ended up at Pediatric After Hours with little Merit this weekend. He had a double ear infection. It was so awful to see him in that much pain. You can see in the first picture that he is holding his ear. We went to Walgreens to pick up his prescription and couldn't resist buying him a Pillow Pal. He was so excited when he saw it. He drags it all over the house and loves to lay on it too.

Playing With My Cars

Papa D and Grammy bought Merit some really cool cars for his birthday. They are very durable so he can play pretty rough with them. You pull them back and then watch them go. I'm sure he will play with these cars for a long time. Thank you Papa D & Grammy!

First Taste of Cowboy Chicken!

Merit really enjoyed his first taste of rotisserie chicken from Cowboy Chicken. I think you can tell by the pictures just how much he liked it! He needed a bath by the time meal time was over.

Being Silly at Dinner!

Sometimes Merit can be quite silly while at the dinner table. We are really working on table manners though so he can't be too terribly silly. On this particular evening he somehow got potatoes in his hair and his hair ended up standing straight up. Too cute!

Go Rangers!!!

Daddy bought Merit his first Texas Rangers baseball cap. What perfect timing since they are in the playoffs. It is a little big but he still looks adorable wearing it. He wore it on our early morning walk this weekend and left it on the entire time. It was a good shield from the sun. I'm sure he'll be wearing it a lot in the near future.

Playing With My Dogs

Cali and Maui are so good with Merit. They let him do just about anything to them. He chases them, plays with their paws and frequently hugs and lays on them.

Pillows from Nana!

Merit loves going to Nana's house. He really loves playing on the big pillows that Nana has. So...

Nana was nice enough to make some for Merit to keep at our house. She brought them to him on Friday and he has thoroughly enjoyed playing on them all weekend long. In fact, Mommy and Daddy have really had fun playing on them too! Thank you Nana!

Pasta, yummy!

Merit liked his first taste of pasta. He asked for more by signing over and over again. So...apparently there is nothing this child won't eat.

Fascinated with Sunglasses

Merit absolutely loves playing with our sunglasses. He digs them out of my purse constantly. He is always reaching for them when JP has them on. It is amazing that he is entertained so easily. Thank goodness Oakley offers free lens replacement for one year from purchase!