We saw Dr. Cottrill yesterday...

And praise the Lord again for wonderful news. Dr. Cottrill said that Elyse "looked great!" She did not do an echocardiogram but she listened to her lungs and her pulses and said they were wonderful. She said Elyse is still on "her own growth chart" and that is fine. She is small but she is growing at a steady pace so that is good news. She is just over a big whopping 15 lbs! :-) And she is so strong. My family is always talking about how amazing it is that you would never know how slow her little heart beats. She is just amazing. She truly is a miracle!

We were privileged enough yesterday to meet another amazing miracle in the waiting room at Dr. Cottrill's office. It was an 18 month old little boy who was born with a rare heart defect and has undergone 3 surgeries since birth. His mom and I talked and watched him play with Elyse for quite a while. He was a ray of sunshine and truly a reflection of the Lord's goodness. You never would've known the trials this child has encountered by watching him smile and play. As the day went on, I found myself unable to get this child off my mind. It amazes me that this young and vibrant boy has gone through more in his short lifetime than most of us have in our entire life. I was so blessed by meeting him and talking with his mother about his life. Ryan and I just keep feeling more and more blessed that our little Lysee continues to thrive SO much, despite her slow heart rate. Even right now as I watch her destroy the kitchen :-), I stand so incredibly thankful that she is ABLE to do this.



"Yes, I am standing by myself!!"

Our day with Cousin Hayden!

We got to spend the whole day today with our cousin Hayden in Winchester! We had so much fun and we're quite sure that this fun 10 year old will be Lysee's favorite babysitter in a few years. We got to watch Hayden follow in her Aunt Katie and Uncle Ryan's footsteps and do tennis lessons today. Then we got to swim in her pool all afternoon. It was a great day of summer fun that we can't wait to do again!



Cousin Hayden and Lysee



Lysee is very into waving these days... so cute!



Look at the matching eye color.



We set the timer for this picture... and it actually worked!

Fun times at the Brass Band Festival

This is one of my favorite summer traditions. Danville hosts the Brass Band Festival each summer and people from all over the world come to Centre College's campus to listen to bands play all weekend long. This year, we participated in the red wagon contest. Blake and Elyse were adorable in their wagon and after two hours of waiting to get judged, they finally got to parade in their wagon and then... fall asleep. Great times!

Check out the double stroller that Nicole gave us!



We are waiting for the parade to start!!

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Enough of that parade stuff... it's nap time!



Our wonderful friends, the Mahers, joined us at the Festival!

One more cute picture :-)

Lysee LOVES playing in the cabinets!

Summer Fun!

Blake and Lysee in Mom's Radio Flyer wagon

YAY! Summer is here and it's time for big fun! We are enjoying our days playing in the pool and spending time with cousin Blake. Lysee is getting used to the water in the pool but doesn't like for it to be too cold. She and Blake have a ball together and they are so cute to watch. We are looking forward to our fun summer. Next month is Disney World! Yes, that will be Lysee's second trip there. Can you tell my family loves Disney??!! This will be my mom's big retirement vacation so it will be a special trip. Other than that, we plan to relax and enjoy our girl all summer. No new doctor updates... we go see Dr. Cottrill at the end of the month. I thank God everyday for the good health he has given to Elyse. We are so blessed by her! She has finally reached 15 lbs but still refuses baby food. She wants to feed herself so she has moved on to table food. Her favorites are green beans and mac and cheese. She loves to walk holding our fingers but still lacks the balance to do it herself. And that is ok, because we struggle enough keeping up with her now. She is everywhere! :=)

Blake and Lysee in matching overalls