Updates, sister, and -- to quote Lori -- "Churcheros"

I have finally made some much-needed updates to my blog, woohoo!

I saw two of my doctors yesterday, both good visits. I got my PICC line taken out -- it's basically a line that can stay in your arm for a long time so that meds can be administered and blood can be taken more easily. Having that removed is one more step in the right direction. It was a pretty exciting day for us. I am completely done with my antibiotics, but I still continue to take some other meds for pain, my auto-immune disorder, etc.

My sister is visiting this weekend, which is really awesome because I haven't seen her since February, and this was her first time to see Miles in person! It's pretty neat to see Miles with his Aunt Kerry...I will be sad to see her go in a few days, but I am so thankful that I have her here for a little while.

To answer a question that Lori had: "What are Cruncheros?" -- they are mini beef and cheese chimichangas made by El Monterey, and you can find them in your frozen food section at the grocery store. Casey and I also like the chicken and cheese taquitos, but I could eat those Cruncheros every single day! They are...YUM.

I hope everyone is doing well. I am tired but persevering. This recovery plus motherhood thing is tough! I wouldn't mind at all if anyone wants to put me on their daily prayer list -- I just need peace and a quick recovery. Thanks to all for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement!

I'm a hotsling mama (like Sarah!)

Here I sit, trying to learn how to use my hotsling (thanks again for the tip, Sarah!). Just another one of those things that I missed out on the first three months of my baby's life. Guess I'll skip the 'cradle carry' and move on to the 'front' and 'hip' carries. Miles is with a church friend this afternoon (so many wonderful women are helping us out so I can rest and recover more quickly), but I'm actually sitting here wearing my hotsling. From what I have read, babies seem to love hotslings, so I'm hoping Miles isn't the exception. Guess I'll find out later today!

I feel like I'm slowly gaining strength back, even though just checking emails and blogging for a bit can wear me down. I'm eating more and am now officially hooked on raspberry creamsicles (YUM) and have even started back on one of my favorites -- Cruncheros! I so look forward to being fully recovered and moving around much more quickly. But God is so good, and has answered so many prayers. I am blessed beyond measure!

It's about time, isn't it?

A lot of you may be wondering why, if I got out of the hospital in May, did it take soooooo long for me to blog again? Here's the shortest version I can give you: I went back. Alright, I'll give you a little more than that. I believe when I got out in early May, it was my first time back home since Miles' birth. I was back in the hospital a week later because of some fevers, and an appendectomy that should have taken place right about now happened instead in early May. Sigh. And, unfortunately, it could not be done laproscopically...that meant, yup, another big scar. I'm fine, I've dealt with that -- for the most part, anyway. After a ten-day stay my second time in, I was home for (I think) a weekend before I was back again. Yes, the fevers. Again. My third stay turned into a 21-day ordeal, and I was back in again the day after I got out. This time it was just a night, but a week later I went back in for (hopefully, please Lord) my final stay. Four weeks I was there, and I just arrived home two days ago. Whew!

That was honestly the shortest version I could come up with. I am happy to report that Miles is a very big three-month-old boy, between 12 and 13 pounds we estimate, and he is just starting his cooing and smiling for us, which makes so many troubles worth it. I am still very weak and will be recovering, I assume, for quite a while now. I've had my share of tears over all of this, and I've even had my moments of anger about the time I've lost and how long it will take to get back to "normal" again...but for the most part I am incredibly thankful for the prayers that have been offered on my behalf by a countless number of wonderful people I am so blessed to call my Christian family. My parents helped us through a great deal of this, and my in-laws as well, and of course I have to mention my husband Casey, who has been at my side, has slept on a hospital couch by my side night after night, encouraging me and going above and beyond what I ever thought a husband should have to do. What a guy.

I hope I can slowly start to get some more updates on here, and maybe a picture of Miles will appear soon...you never know. Thanks to all of you for checking in. Take care.

She's Home! He's Home! They're Home!

It's Sarah again, posting for Tracey. She would like you all to know that she is finally home from the hospital today! She has had a rough time of it, gathering from what I've heard, and will continue with recovery time over the next few weeks. I will leave the details out, because I feel this is a story she will want to share herself when she feels up to it, which should hopefully be quite soon.

Please continue to pray for her, for Casey and for Baby Miles (who continues to be in great health, by the way). Pray for peace, strength, healing and abundant blessings as they settle down into a new family life.

Tracey, you go girl! We are all rooting for you and miss you lots.

Long Story Later, Good News Now.

This is Sarah writing on Tracey's behalf.

I would like to announce with great excitement and honor, that Tracey is the proud Mommy of:

Miles Kendrick
5 lbs 6 oz
19 inches
6:31pm, Thursday, April 13th, 2006

Miles surprised everyone by being just a little early. (About 6 weeks.) However, he is doing wonderfully and is happy and healthy. God is so good!

Tracey would like to thank everyone who has been praying for them, and she says to please keep those prayers coming as she continues to recover from a really crazy labor and birth experience (among other things.) She has felt your prayers and God's presence through this whole time. She is doing well, but it will be awhile before she can get back to the computer to share her birth story, which might just be the craziest one I've heard yet.

I just have to say here that Tracey is amazing, strong and SUCH a good mother already! Way to go, Tracey! Rah Rah Rah! We can't wait to see pictures of your little man!