We love our Buckeyes!

Go Bucks!  OH - IO!!!  Here are a few family photos, showing our support!

Aortic Valve Stenosis

UPDATE:  Elle did great during her echo and didn't need to be sedated!  She is still in the mild-moderate range!  Her cardiologist did say that we would eventually need to correct her bicuspid aortic valve surgically, but the longer that we are able to wait, the better.  Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! 

I haven't posted about Ella's heart condition before, mostly because it has been stable.  Ella has a condition called aortic valve stenosis.  Basically, her aortic valve is not formed properly, causing a "murmur"...this could lead to a number of other issues, but so far, so good.  Ella's condition is in the mild-moderate range and has been since diagnosis.  We have been trekking to Nationwide Children's Hospital since Elle was around 6 months old to keep an eye on her heart.  We are going back today and are scheduled for a sedated echocardiogram and EKG.  Last time Justin and I took her for this procedure, she sat still and allowed the tech to get all of the pictures that she needed - so she didn't need to be sedated.  I'm not sure what is going to happen this time...so, keep us in your prayers - first and foremost, please pray that her condition doesn't worsen, second, please pray that she allows the tech to conduct all of the testing required or they will need to sedate her.  I'll update you on the results when we return.

Thanks!

TIRED!

We're....on the road again...just can't wait to be on the road again....

Back to school, back to school....

I'm sleepy!  Probably won't be hearing much from me for a little bit...

Life is good!

Speaking of Pelotonia...

Justin did it!  It was awesome, amazing, totally cool...from Friday evening's opening ceremonies to Justin completing his 43 mile ride....It was fantastic!  Here is a quick photo recap of the events this weekend.

Opening Ceremonies, Homage T-shirt

Getting ready for the ride, and cheering on Daddy!

Yeah, Daddy!!!  Ella was a great little cheerleader, telling the riders, "Great Job, Everyone!" and "I love you guys!"

Amanda Clearcreek High School has a great playground that the girls played on after we met up with Daddy!

Justin, we are OH SO PROUD of you!  You have done an amazing thing, raising money for a cancer cure!  Can't wait til next year!  LOVE YOU!!!!  xoxo

So Proud!

I've been posting this on Facebook, but I just wanted to blog about how proud I am of my hubby, Justin, for choosing to raise money for cancer research by participating in Pelotonia.  He has made a commitment to raise $1,000 to benefit the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Hospital.  He has been training weekly for the past few months and is doing great!  The big race is next Saturday.  He will be participating in the 43 mile race from Columbus to Amanda.  Friday night we will be attending the opening ceremonies (thanks to Barbara and Kip!) which will feature Augustana and The Counting Crows.

 I'm super-excited to be a part of this experience, and the girls and I *might* have a little surprise for daddy on race day!

Photo Contest Winner!!!

Quinner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!  We won!  Won what, you ask?  A free photo session with Amy of Baby Steps Studios!  I'm super-duper excited and can't wait to see what she has up her sleeves for us!

Recently

Okee dokee....Well, we left off with our lovely date night on Saturday.  Justin and I went out to Knead, a local restaurant.  They serve meals prepared with local produce, meats, and cheeses AND have local microbrews.  It was delicious.  Then, because we were right around the corner, we stopped at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream...and well, it is absolutely SPLENDID!  If you ever have a chance, GET SOME!  The girls have been going to dance camp for the past two weeks (okay, Maddie is going... Ella has started to refuse to dance).  Not much else exciting going on right now, so ta-ta for now!  Hee hee, who says ta-ta anymore?