Day Two: Fruit

Day One: Up

Lunch at Casablanca today. Yummy!

Photo Challenge

Ah, vast and beautiful expanse of the internets. I love finding fun new blogs, so I can stalk total strangers. I have recently discovered the wonderful blog Fat Mum Slim. Love it. I especially love her photo-a-day challenges. My mommies facebook group had started a similar challenge in January, but I lost steam. Actually, I got hung up on the photo prompt "childhood." Childhood to me means playgrounds and bicycles and swimming pools...not really things you can easily find in mid-January in mid-Missouri. I had photographer's block and I refused to just skip it and move on with the challenge.

But the warmer weather and sunshine has me inspired and I am committed to completing the March photo challenge:

If you happen to be one of my like three followers on Instagram, I apologize for doubling up on the social media. And you'll probably see the photos there and here on this awesome blog.

I've gotten a couple friends to join in the fun. Wanna play? If you're thinking about doing it, leave a comment with your instagram user name or blog or whatever. I can't wait to see everyone's different interpretations.

Happy Leap Day y'all!!

Finally!!

I know some people have been patiently waiting for me to post the photos we had taken over a month ago. I'm embarrassed that it's taken me this long.

We went to the studio of our wedding photographer, Casey Buckman. Ryleigh wasn't really too crazy about the photoshoot. I don't think she liked the lights. But he still got some great shots.

 

I love this one!!

Here are a few more of my favorites:

Baby Bright Eyes

Hello! Things have been a little busy in the Rowe house lately. We've been enjoying spending time with the little bug. We made a February 1st trip to myelo clinic in STL. Ryleigh had her third CT scan to check her shunt and ventricle size. Dr. Elbabaa is keeping an eye on her head circumference...our baby's got a big head. But keeping things in perspective, she's got a big EVERYTHING. She is in the 95th percentile all around. And is nearly grown out of her 9 month sized clothes! So he dialed her shunt valve down to drain more fluid and we will go back in three months to check her out again. They also diagnosed her a super cute and very bright and alert. ...we knew that. :-)

She is continuing with PT twice a week. Gerti comes to the house on Monday mornings and to daycare on Wednesdays. By all accounts she is doing really well with her leg movements and strength. We have been working on rolling over. She has rolled from back to belly a few times on her own, but often needs just a little nudge to get the rest of the way over. Her right leg is stronger than her left, and with the position of the left hip, rolling to the left is easier for her. Like I said, Gerti is impressed with how well she is doing and said she thinks Ryleigh is "just exceptionally bright." Yeah, I'm braggin'.

She was practicing those rolling skillz this morning:

We haven't started on rice cereal or any solids yet, but I think she's getting close to being ready. That will be fun! I already have a stash of some homemade purees in the freezer, compliments of my Baby Bullet.

So what else have mommy and daddy been up to? Working. Ron's obsession with Kentucky basketball grows stronger as we approach March. It's nearly all he talks about. I made it to a Mizzou game with my friend Christy. We walked from our house. It only took about 15 minutes and no parking hassles. Awesome! Last weekend the three of us went to ESPN's College Gameday at Mizozu Arena. That was fun. But, Ron was sure to point out that it was "weak" compared to the show at Rupp last year. I've been trying to work on some crafty projects in between hanging with the little one. I just got a new kindle...since the one my husband gave me when I was pregnant was confiscated (by that same husband). Looking forward to reading a lot more. I'm starting the Hunger Games series this weekend.

We did get some family photos taken about three weeks ago. I'll get some of those posted ASAP. Until then, here are a couple photos of the cuteness.

 Swinging around her pal Sophie

 Playing in her high chair

 Hand chewing: Ryleigh's favorite pastime

"Hello there"

And one more little video to melt your heart. Love those smiles and giggles. :-)

Have a great weekend all!!

Checking In

Well shoot! I'm not doing very well on my new years' resolution to post updates more frequently.

I can't think of anything interesting that we've been doing, pretty much just hanging out.

We like to put our little baby in our big chair and take pictures of her.

My goodness she's cute!

She's been checking out her cool Christmas gift from Mimi and Pop and loving it.

Ryleigh's PT, Gerti, made her this really cool custom seat out of foam. It's about 6 inches thick and has a cut-out for her legs to fit in. This is GREAT since she can't sit up yet and a Bumbo seat would curve her back too much.
This is a phone pic Ryleigh's teacher sent me the first time she tried out her new seat. I think she looks pretty darn happy. :-)

 She is a girl who wants to be up and seeing what's going on in the world. So, being able to sit up and play with her toys has been really fun for her...and for mommy and daddy too!

I'm taking all the snuggles I can get.

I know one day she'll be too big and won't want to snuggle with mommy, so I'm going to soak it up all I can now.

A little video of our little bug and her newest trick:

So that's a little bit of what we've been up to these past couple weeks. Enjoying our sweet girl and our new house. It doesn't get much better than that...unless we could win powerball. 

Wow, What a Year!

It has taken me a few days to compile a little review of the past year. When I look back on all that has happened in 2011 I am a little amazed that I am still standing. Whew! What a ride.

JANUARY
We started out the year with the happy news that our little one was on her way!

FEBRUARY
A blizzard dropped about 20 inches of snow on Columbia, closing down Mizzou for three days.

We get our first glimpse of teeny tiny baby Rowe. She was about the size of a gummy bear.

MARCH
UK makes it to the final four - Ron wears jorts.

APRIL
Happy news that our baby was a girl, and devastating news that she had a serious birth defect.

MAY
More doctors' appointments and tests lead us to the decision not to have prenatal surgery for Ryleigh's myelomeningecele.

After 18 years of higher education Dr. Rowe, JD finishes his last degree.

We get our first new car ever.

JUNE
Traveled to Indiana for a baby shower.

Celebrated our second wedding anniversary.
Ron studied his butt off for the bar exam.

JULY
Ron's 36th birthday

PS. he's not tanning bed tan in this pic, it's just the lighting and paint color in the restaurant.

Ron takes the Indiana Bar Exam

AUGUST
The final count down. Getting little girl's room all ready for her to come home.

August 26th we welcomed our sweet Ryleigh Katherine into the world. She was immediately transported to Cardinal Glennon Children's hospital for surgery.

SEPTEMBER
We are residents of St Louis.

September 5th Ryleigh has her second surgery.

September 21st we got to put Ryleigh on her back for the first time.

September 28th finally headed home!

OCTOBER
Ron starts his new job at the State of Missouri Department of Social Services.
Mommy and Ryleigh spend some quality time at home.

  

Visit from Gramma Kim, Aunt Christy, Cousins Madi and Avry.

My 35th birthday!

NOVEMBER
We decide to buy our first house.
Visit from Mimi and Pop.
Mommy has to go back to work and Ryleigh starts daycare.
Little one starts to discover her voice. (and her hands)

DECEMBER
Move to our new home.

Visit Santa.

Christmas.

Visit from the Rowes and Ryleigh meets her cousins for the first time.

Well, there you have it. Law degree, new car, new baby, new job, new house. We are big time grown-ups. Cheers to a much calmer and more relaxing 2012!

Wishing all the best to our family and friends in the coming year. Happy New Year!