a family hike.

The Cheneys took their annual hike this afternoon! Wilderness & hiking are not high on our list of fun things to do together... but we feel like we should get out in the mountains & see Colorado every once in awhile. G researched a hike that wasnt too hard or too long or too difficult for us. He ended up finding a trail in Palmer Lake that was just right, and it wasnt too far from home. It was Millie's first hike, and her first time really out in the wilderness. She isn't a huge fan of being worn because we didnt wear her much early in life due to having oxygen & the feeding tube... and she wasn't ever a clingy baby that wanted to be held all the time either. It took a bit of adjusting & a few little snacks.. and once we really got moving she seemed to be fine with it. My guess is that we may hike a few more times this spring- I like making the memories with G and Millie! And the scenery is nice too. Oh, and the exercise.

her sunglasses finally fit!

well... almost!

we hiked palmer trail... to the lower & upper reservoirs.
this was her first time riding in the beco on the back.
(and my camera battery died at this point... that never happens to me!
thank goodness for the iphone.)

the lower reservoir.

hoping we dont ruin our pedicures!

and upper reservoir... our drinking water for colorado springs.
check out this colorado dad!

i spy millies hat on that bush! she threw it off at some point on the way up...

with about 10minutes to go, she fell asleep.

so proud of my little family...
we went outside & hiked!

our day.

smiling to the others waiting for labs.

exploring.

the lab tech says... just swaddle her & hold her down.
are you kidding me?
she is 13months old and mobile.
she has this done a lot and is a pro.
and where is your assistant to hold her down?
i am the mom- not my job.
she was completely still & didnt make a peep. he was shocked.
oh how i wanted to go to childrens... darn gas prices!

the best part of having labs done downtown...

lunch afterwards with g.
a taco bell picnic.

and then a visit to all of our favorite YL people!
family photo in the elevator.

a quick stop at the arc on uintah...

because i always stop when i am downtown.

and finally home...
comfy clothes, lots of playing, funny faces for mama, and dinner in.

she's growing.

58 weeks.
headband- etsy
dress- mini harajuku for target

knee high socks- target
(these photos are becoming more & more difficult!)

compassion

quarter coffee.
compassion sunday madness.
favorite past coworkers.
lots of smiles & laughs.

and so many sweet words to millie & i.
compassion may have driven me crazy... but visiting now makes my soul happy.

what i wore wednesday.

casual.

shirt- goodwill / scarf- gap / chinos- target / sperrys- macys.

lunch with jen.
dress- goodwill / belt- charlotte russe / sandals- old navy.

a birthday party.
cardigan- j.crew outlet / shirt- old navy / necklace- fab.com / skirt- arc thriftstore.

a sunday.
dress- missoni for target / necklace- j.crew outlet / leggings- walmart / shoes- old navy.

comfortable at home.
tunic & flip flops- j.crew outlet / leggings- walmart.

a wednesday.

shirt & pants- gap / loafers- payless.

from seven to three.

coming home from the hospital in october after her transplant- 7 medications.
some twice a day. some once a day. one M, W, F. one refrigerated. one needing to be cut & crushed. and one with a strict every 12hour dose. overwhelming to say the least, but it became normal so quickly.

after an appointment in february.

goodbye to 2 of the medications! no more cutting & crushing!

and after this morning... goodbye to 2 more!
she has officially been weaned off of the steroid!

her last steroid dose... praying for positive results on friday to show that her body still loves her new liver without the steroid! and this is a huge milestone- their goal all along was to have her off of steroids 6months out from transplant, and it will be 6months on april 9th! yay!

now she is taking 3 medications... and it will soon be down to 2!
one more goes away at the 6month mark in april!

a day in our life with millie.

I did a post about our days with Millie back in August... pre-transplant with a feeding tube & the terrible orange medicine that stained everything! I just reread the post and was overwhelmed by what we thought was normal, every day life for us- I am so happy all of that is behind us now! I wanted to record our days now, much simpler and no daily throw-up messes! I am thankful that our days are filled with normal mama & dada duties... and no more nurse-like duties. Yay!

8:30am- mama wakes up.

8:45am- millie wakes up with a smile.
morning hugs & a new diaper.

9am- millie's medicine alarm goes off.
time for bottle #1 and her morning medicines- 4 doses this morning.
she shows off her standing skills while i get everything together.
9:15am- millie plays while mama gets breakfast ready.

9:30am- breakfast for mama & millie.
millies is more of a snack this morning since she slept late... and just had a bottle. cheerios & raisins & a bit of yogurt.

9:45am- millie plays while mama finishes her breakfast & cleans up the mess.
after cleaning, we play with the house & read easter books together.

10:50am- upstairs to get dressed for the day...
and a bit of exploring before her morning nap.
11am- millie takes her morning nap.
mama gets ready for the day & spends time on the computer.

12:30pm- millie wakes up and is ready for lunch.
we have lunch together and millie takes another dose of medicine.
she has apples, cheese, and a veggie/fruit pouch.

1pm- more playing & exploring for millie while mama cleans up, does some laundry, and does a quick craft to make millies shoes a bit girlier. bows for her alligators.

2:45pm- we take a walk to enjoy the beautiful weather... and to get the mail.

3:30pm- bottle #2, an outfit change/diva moment, and some books.
3:45pm- millie takes her afternoon nap. mama crafts.

5:45pm- millie is awake!
she plays in her crib while mama puts away her laundry.
6pm- g comes home... later than normal, but with dinner!

6:15pm- dinner & cleanup.
6:45pm- g leaves for guys group & its just us girls again.

we spend our evening playing... learning to put easter eggs in an egg carton.
reading our new books about Jesus.
and dancing along to the music of american idol...
i needed a little entertainment without g at home.

8:15pm- mama notices the first eye rub & millie finds her blanket.
bottle #3 & cuddles during the end of american idol.

8:40pm- upstairs. low lights, sleep sheep sound machine, pajamas, a bit more bottle, and nighttime medicines- 2 doses. asleep by 8:50pm
9pm- mama gets a break.

this was a rather normal day... the main difference is that we usually leave the house most days for a little break- errands, play dates, lunches, lab appointments, visits to YL. and our evenings normally include lots of time with g. tonight was a bit different because of kgroup guys group that meets every other wednesday night... girls group on the other wednesdays. some days she wakes up a bit earlier, some days she goes to sleep earlier, some days she only takes one nap, and some days she takes three... but this is the "routine" we shoot for when we are home & not crazy busy. eat, play, sleep!

millies therapy.

millie showed off her pulling up skills this morning during her OT... kim was so excited to see the progress. now we just need to strengthen her little legs! her main therapy exercises right now are to strengthen her legs & core... as well as learning to bend her knees without feeling unstable. kim is also working with her on the stairs... learning how to climb them properly. i love seeing her progress and hit milestones! i love having a healthy little baby!