The Cannon Daily News

New Braces!

2010-11-20T15:13:00.001-06:00

At the beginning of September Cannon got new KAFO braces. When his knees are locked out, his weight on the braces keep them from bending at the knees so easily. Once he learns how to work them, it will be easier to walk. We still have a long long way to go, but he is working hard. Here is is showing off his new skills.

I just had to throw this one in too! He likes to eat toaster struedels in the morning. You have to click on it and look at that sweet, messy face just a bit larger.

Getting ready to excersise!

He uses the bar to pull up, but then gets a little lazy and just leans or hangs on it. LOL!

We are still hoping to be walking soon!

Just a few pics!

2010-11-18T20:05:00.003-06:00

Grandaddy got him a new hat and Cars phone at Walmart! He couldn't be any happier!

And here's my future farmer!

Just hangin' with Granmomma

Before and After...eye surgery...and first day of school!

2010-11-16T19:03:00.000-06:00

So this is Thanksgiving last year. Sorry I can't get the picture turned the right way. But notice Cannon's eyes, the right one is turned in. When he was about 7 months old we went to see the neurologist, this is typical for SB kids. It's just to monitor him. He got a great report, but Dr. McGlothlin thought that he may have the beginnings of a lazy eye. But we just watched it...

Here he is in July this year. After almost a year of patching the right eye, and wearing glasses. Dr. Packwood felt it was inevitable that C would need surgery.

So here is August 10, 2010
At Cook Children's Hospital for a double strabismus repair. A day surgery luckily...we did not want to spend another night in the hospital for as long as possible!

Cannon and Daddy...waiting...

Playing with all the cool toys while we waited...Dr. P was at least and hour behind.

This is what we found when Trey and I came back to the recovery area. The nurse said he was very upset at first when trying to wake up. He kept "picking" at his shoulder. We were able to explain that, at this time, his security when he was tired was to pull at the shoulder or neck of the shirt he had on, and hold it up to his lip/nose. Once he was able to get to it, and bury his head in his pillow he went to sleep.

He did really well on the trip home, his cool shades helped his eyes I am sure.

This is later they same day. You can see that his eyes were blood shot, and kind of all over the place. The surgery loosened up the muscles of the inner eyes, so they were a little shocked, and not sure where to go!

But he was still his happy self.

And the day after surgery! Fixed!

The first day of school at Rainbow Bible School

Miss Nicci and Mrs. Tara

Granmomma got to be there that morning, but had to head back to New Caney so that she could start back to school. When I picked him up he wanted to call Granmomma and tell her all about his first day.

I am not quite sure where he learned this pose, but isn't it the cutest!

He is doing so good at school, loves it! Loves the kids, and his teachers! He loves for his therapists to visit him at school too! His teachers have been saying that he is very lovable towards all the kids in his class. And we even heard that he kissed a little girl last week on the playground. Boy am I in trouble! He's already a ladies man!

Cannon's 1st Trip to the Beach!

2010-11-14T19:02:00.000-06:00

At the end of the summer we went to New Caney for the weekend. We took Keanna with us and let her spend some time with Sarah. (remember how well they hit it off at Garner). We decided to spend Saturday at the beach with my cousins.

Cannon and Uncle Drew

Hunter, Kyler, Kaden, & Devin

Keanna & Sarah

Granmomma, Cannon, & McKinlee

Playing in the sand

Beach Beautie!

Kyler & Hunter

Kyler & Cannon

Maddie

Granmomma & Cannon

Kelli, McKinlee, Cannon, and Ali

Kyler, Sarah, & Devin

He had a great time with family, but we missed Daddy being there. He was also sad to miss Cannon's first time to the beach Hopefully we'll be able to go back next summer and he can join us.

Stay tuned for eye surgery pictures....

2010 Walk-N-Roll for Spina Bifida

2010-10-28T22:29:00.000-05:00

Okay, So here it is...FINALLY!!!!

July 24th was the 1st ever SBA of North Texas Walk-N-Roll. And we had a great time. I was so excited, and proud to see the love and support we got from all of our friends and loved ones. Our team raised $4100 for Spina Bifida Association of North Texas (SBANT). The Lord has truly blessed us with an awesome support system, and we are sooooo thankful!

THANK YOU LORD!!!

Of course the day started a little hectic, we ran late, Uncle Andrew got a ticket, we even missed the start of the walk. But we got there, and completed the walk. We actually had 26 (counting Cannon and Davis) who came out to walk in support of our boys. Plus at least 6 honorary walkers that planned to walk but were not able to make it walk day. With over a 100 donors! WOW!

I still can't believe it!

Our Little Warriors

Team Pic

Some our special friends were not able to join us for the walk, so Cannon carried them with him. Brooklyn is just a few weeks older than Cannon and Drew is 7.

Yea Brooklyn!

Yea Drew!

The walk was held at Burger's Lake in Ft. Worth, so we got to swim afterwards.

It was lots of fun, a really cool place. Look it up and go next summer!

Our new friend Melanie

Back and B and V's after the walk. Cannon adores Davis!

Cannon's Story

2010-10-24T13:53:00.000-05:00

In honor of October being Spina Bifida awareness month, I decided it was time to actually write out Cannon's story. It took me quite a bit of time to do. It really takes you back when you sit and try to put into words all that we went through. I know that many of you were right there with us and we are so thankful you were. The Lord has truly blessed us beyond measure.

April 11, 2008

While I was at work this day I noticed that my hand coordination was off, and my hand was numb. The numbness started moving up my arm, into my neck and face. I came out of the patient's room I was in and went to the nurses station where my coworkers were. I told them that I felt like I was having a stroke. Of course being 27 everyone thought I was crazy. But I didn't feel right. One of the girls wheeled me down to the ER to be checked out. I spent the rest of the night there, after CT scan, chest x-ray, and lots of lab work they sent me home. The doctor said he thought that I had a TIA (mini stroke) and told me not to ever take birth control again, and take a baby aspirin a day.

Two weeks later I got pregnant.

I went for my first doctors appointment at 8 weeks he looked further into the lab work I had done in the ER. One of the tests had come back positive and it concerned him a little bit. He did further tests and sent me to the Perinatologist at 12 weeks for a second opinion. They decided that I needed to start taking blood thinner shots to protect me from having a miscarriage. They thought there was a possibility that I had a clotting disorder called Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. So I began taking the shots every night. When we left the doctors office that day he said we would come back in a month. I would be 16 weeks and we may be able to tell if we were having a boy or girl.

August 14, 2008
Trey and I went for out 16 week appointment, excited to find out the gender of our baby. Dr. Maberry, our perinatologist, started the ultrasound and looked and looked for a long time. He finally stopped, turned the machine off and turned the lights on. He began to explain that the baby had spina bifida and what he could see on the ultrasound, "lemon sign", "hydrocephalus", "opening in the spine". I'll never forget that day, what he said is all a blur to me now, but the heartache I felt will stay with me forever. Trey asked him if we were going to loose the baby, and he said it wasn't likely. He said that the baby would likely have bowel and bladder problems and hopefully walk with leg braces. He told us that there was always the option of termination, but I quickly told him it wasn't an option for us. Next he turned the ultrasound back on and showed us all of the signs he was seeing on the spine and brain. He asked if we wanted to know what we were having...a boy! We were so excited! Dr. Maberry said that he wanted us to see another doctor in Ft. Worth to verify diagnosis. If our little boy did really have spina bifida then he would have to be delivered in Ft. Worth because Abilene doesn't have the facilities to take care of him.
I had learned a little about spina bifida in nursing school, but didn't remember too much. A family friend got me in contact with her daughter in law, who's son also has spina bifida. I talked a lot with Kim and she explained a lot about what to expect. She taught me a lot in those first days. I learned about a study program that she participated in, the MOMS study, a surgery that is done to close the defect in the baby's back in utero. I was very curious about this, but scared at the same time. I kept thinking, what if I think this is a good idea but it's not God's will. What if it's not the right thing to do? Kim told me what helped her make that decision and I agreed, all I had to do was make the decision to do it. If it was God's will I would be accetped by the doctors that do the study, then when randomized I would be selected for fetal surgery, before he is born.
We kept praying that the diagnosis was not right, that what Dr. Maberry saw, the new doctor wouldn't.

On the 18th we went to see Dr. Tabor, another perinatologist. He was very dry, and hard to read...not really the best first impression. He too said our baby boy had spina bifida, but he did not suggest terminating. I was shocked! He recommended termination for Kim and her husband. What made us different?
He said that Dr. Maberry would continue to follow me in Abilene and we would come back to see him later in the pregnancy. I asked him about the fetal surgery, but he said he didn't think I was a candidate for it. I wasn't sure what that meant. Was it that he thought the baby was too bad off, or that what I "may" have wouldn't allow me to do it? I'll never know. But I didn't count it out. Dr. Tabor said he would set us up with a consulting neurosurgeon so that we would know what to expect once the baby was born. But for now we just wait.

The next few weeks were the hardest of my life. I kept praying, praying, and praying. I knew that I could handle being this baby's mommy but I didn't understand why he was going to have to go through this. This innocent baby coming into a world of evil, I was already worried about what he'll go through. The hardest part of it for me was the pain I felt for my little boy. For my baby Cannon.
I remember how my relationship with the Lord changed, of course I had my family and friends, but I needed HIM. He carried me through. I believe that a long time ago He told me I would have a child with special needs. And that I could handle it. Knowing that got me through. I praise him for preparing me in that way.
But I felt like I needed to do everything I could to help him.
So I called and did a telephone interview to determine if we qualified for the study. Unfortunately the possibility of my clotting disorder kept us from being accepted. Of course I had a hard time accepting it, this was something I really felt strongly about. I felt like it was something I needed to do to help my baby. Now my hands were tied. There was nothing I could to to help him, except take care of myself. So that's what I did...and I prayed.

December 26, 2008
We went back to see Dr. Tabor for an amniocentesis. We needed to know if Cannon's lungs were strong enough to breathe on his own. We stayed the weekend, wondering, in Weatherford waiting to find out if we would get to meet Cannon on Tuesday. The weekend came and went, and Monday morning the nurse called and told us to come Tuesday for my C-section.

December 30, 2008 at 9:44am Cannon was born. I can still hear the words as clear as they were that day.
"9:44" and Trey saying, "That's my boy!"
I only got to see him for a moment as they wheeled him by to take him to the NICU.

While I was finishing up in the OR and getting settled back in my room the rest of the family got to go back and meet Cannon. Of course they were all in love at first sight. Cannon is the first and only grandchild on both sides of the family. Not to mention he's a very special little boy! I was finally able to go back to see him about 12:30 as they were getting ready to take him over to the NICU at Cook Children's and I was going up to my new room on mother care. The rest of the day was just a time to try and rest and relax because we knew tomorrow would be a BIG day. Here is our first family photo...

The next afternoon Cannon had his back closure surgery. He did very well, it didn't even take them as long as they thought to do the surgery. In fact I missed talked to the surgeon because I had to go back to my room and didn't get back in time. They did not put a shunt in at that time because the hydrocephalus was stable and they still wanted to watch it. We spent the next week in the NICU "watching" his head and incision on his back. Here is before and after pictures of his back...

See how angry it looked! He ended up having some tissue around the incision die because they had to pull it so tight to make the closure. Luckily we were able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House just up the road, so we settled in while Cannon healed up. At right at a week he gave us a scare. He started having really bad stridor one night after a feeding, his nurse let me take him off the monitors and in a private room with just Trey and I to breastfeed. After he ate the breathing got worse, and we couldn't let it go. The nurse called the neurosurgeon and he said we would most likely get a shunt the next morning. And we did, Jan. 6th. He did well with the surgery and the shunt appeared to be working well. So more watching and waiting.
We spent a few more days in the NICU then moved to the progressive unit of NICU, then rooming in. We finally got discharged on January 14th. Instead of going home to Clyde we stayed in Weatherford with Trey's cousin so that we could be close if we needed anything. Then my mom and dad met us and we all traveled to Clyde together.

January 18, 2009
Tonight Cannon was just not acting himself, just more fussy than usual and I couldn't find a reason. After noticing that his head looked different, I felt his soft spot and it was bulging. I asked my mom for reassurance and she agreed. Trey called the neurosurgeon, Dr. Honeycutt was on call. (He is the surgeon we originally met before Cannon was born, and he was out of town when it was time for surgery...so we got Dr. Roberts) Dr. Honeycutt told us to come to the ER at Cook, so we quickly loaded up and headed back to Ft. Worth. We got there about midnight and into a room around 5am. After a maybe a couple hours of interrupted sleep, we were up and preparing for surgery. Mandy, the neuro nurse practitioner came in and took a sample of spinal fluid from the valve of Cannon's shunt. They were thinking infection as opposed to blockage because of it being so soon. Early results showed increased cell counts, pointing towards infection. We later found out it was a staph infection. That afternoon (Monday) Cannon went in for surgery #3. And how cool is it that before surgery Dr. Honeycutt asked if he could pray with us, he put his hand on Cannon's head and prayed over him and for all of us. It was AWESOME!!! They made a small incision on his right chest, and pulled out all of the shunt tubing leading to his belly. For the time being it drained externally, into a bag. The surgery went well, it only took about 15 minutes. The plan was to let the fluid drain on the outside while treating the infection. While in surgery they collected more fluid and sent it and the tip of the tubing for culture. All other cultures sent came back negative, only the original one from the valve came back positive. We were very fortunate to catch it early. THANK YOU LORD!!! Cannon did pretty well waking up from surgery and did well recovering. Unfortunately he went back to the OR the next morning to have a central line placed, ugh! They should have done that when he was there the day before! We spent a couple weeks in the hospital while he received IV antibiotics and on February 2nd he had surgery to replace his shunt. They watched him for a couple of days while he got the last of his antibiotics. February 4th we got to go home. And THANK YOU LORD we haven't spent another night in the hospital since then.

Cannon has had a few minor illnesses in the last 20 months, but nothing major since the shunt infection. We found at about 6 months that he had strabismus and in August we back to Cook's for a day surgery. They loosened the inner eye muscle on both eyes, and today they look much better. He still wears glasses because he is a little nearsighted. But with our family history, that is not a surprise! Not to mention he's way too cute in them!
Cannon is full of energy, very sweet and lovable, he is the happiest kid I know! He army crawls everywhere. Wears AFO's and KAFO's. He loves to be in his standing frame, ride his 4 wheeler, and is very much IN LOVE with horses. He just started hippotherapy a few weeks ago and is doing great! He isn't walking yet, but we are working hard and ordered him a walker this week. Hopefully soon! We are quickly approaching 2, the time has flown by. I can't believe how big he is getting but I am truly enjoyed every day of it. I thank God every day for my sweet boy, he is the joy of our life!

More Summer pictures...

2010-10-17T20:23:00.000-05:00

Cannon gets really excited when he gets to see cousin Davis. He absolutely loves to hold him.

Loving on Baby D

This is from the high school rodeo finals, the kids enjoyed it.

Cooling off on a hot summer day!

Cannon loves hats, and wanted to wear Daddy's

One weekend Mandy and I took the kids to the Eastland community pool.
I was just perfect for the kids. You can see they had a great time.

This one is from our friend Haelyn's 1st Birthday party.
He wasn't too happy having this swim cap on his head.

This is Shorty, Cannon's new horse. A friend of Leona's (my mother in law) is in the rodeo circuit, she and her daughter are barrel racers. She knew of someone who had an older horse that had been injured. Her son had been riding him, but is now ready for a horse that can run and be more active. Good for us! She was planning to give him to a hippotherapy program and Kandy told her about Cannon. She GAVE him to Cannon. This was the first time he got on him, and of course we didn't put him up there alone, so Jody got to get up there.

He doesn't like the mane...

And wasn't thrilled to be up there alone.

These were from the weekend of our Spina Bifida walk, we stayed at Brandon and Vesti's.

Of course Cannon had to hold Davis.

This is the World's Largest Rocking Chair, it is just outside of Weatherford.

Back to Davis, He was just a big help feeding Baby D.

He really loves him!

The night before the walk, we stayed in a hotel with Granmomma and Grandaddy, Uncle Drew, Aunt Jodie, and Sarah, and Mandy, Keanna, and Samantha.

The babies enjoyed bathtime together.

The next post will be dedicated the just the walk. Stay tuned!

Garner State Park ~ June 2010

2010-10-13T23:36:00.001-05:00

In June we went on our annual trip to Garner State Park. Of course we had tons of fun, but missed having Daddy with us, he had to stay home and work. So we took cousin, Keanna along for the week. We met Grandaddy, Granmomma, Uncle Andrew, Aunt Jodie, and Sarah there.

As we began to set up camp Cannon played in the pack-n-play.

While Keanna and Sarah chatted away from the get go.

You would never have guessed these two were just meeting for the first time.

Painting Rocks

Trying on Granmomma's visor.

Some of you may have already seen these, but this is how Cannon got to take a bath while we were camping. When we got home he wanted to swim in it.

Getting all lotioned up!

Ready for the river!

Playing ball in the Frio River

The minnow Keanna caught.

Checking out Keanna's "fish"

It didn't take long to wipe him out.

Letting the pups play too!

Splish splash I was takin' a bath!

Grandaddy and his pups!

Lovin' Grandaddy. I love this one!!

He wanted to wear Grandaddy's glasses, silly boy!

Soon to be Mr. & Mrs.

Watching the storm roll in...

Lovin Uncle Drew

And Granmomma

Keanna and Sarah

My almost sister in law!

Cannon LOVES Hank!

Annual back flip pic of Drew

So tired!

The girls before the dance.

How cute are they? I love the wife my brother is getting...

Jodi fits right in! Love her and Sarah Anne!!!

The first boy KDJ danced with :)

Granmomma and Grandaddy with their 2 grandkids.

Driving home, taking turns with KDJ and Mommy's sunglasses.

Like always we had a blast at Garner! Cannon had a little more fun this year, and I know he'll grow to love this trip as much as the rest of us. Until next year...

Garner State Park I love you....

Children's Museum and Granmomma & Grandaddy's

2010-09-21T20:48:00.011-05:00

Back in June we went to New Caney for the weekend and took a trip to the Children's Museum.

Cousins, Karen, Kyler, Kaden, and Kassi met us there. We had so much fun!

Cannon enjoyed "driving" everything.

Here we are inside the HUGE tire. Notice the sign in the middle. Oops!

And Cannon's obsession with balls...this was a big fruit basket...and an orange..."Ball!!"

He got very upset with me for not letting him have this "ball!"

Of course he loved Granmomma pushing him on the scooter!

And more balls!

He won't even put it down to slide.

Kyler and Cannon

Kassi and Kaden

So tired...

I think this was the next day. Cannon loves "baaa"s!

Swinging with Granmomma, not sure what they were looking at.

I love this one! Poor thing was sooooo tired!

Catching up is hard to do!

2010-09-19T19:19:00.000-05:00

I know I have a long way to go to catch up. So much has happened since my last post. Since I last blogged ...

Our cousin Kristi got married in May!

Cannon & Uncle Andrew

Some of the sweetest pics I have of Cannon and Grandaddy (my Daddy)

Cannon had so much fun dancing with everyone!

Kareoke ~ George, Uncle Gary, Uncle Don, & Gee

Blowing bubbles with Kaden

The Happy Couple

Congrats to Kristi and Steven....who are now expecting!

These are just a couple shots from Grammie and Pawpaw's in his wagon.

Cannon and Daddy on the 4 wheeler. He loved it!

Cousins: Trey and Cannon & Jody and Samantha

I still have quite a ways to go, but there's been a lot going on. But stay tuned for more pics!

Random Late Pictures

2010-08-12T11:23:00.000-05:00

Shopping with Haelyn!

2010-07-11T21:42:00.000-05:00

I got the worst text from my friend Kristen yesterday afternoon. It simply said, "Casey passed away this morning". It stopped me in my tracks and I was so shocked. I don't have many words right now, or even details. I only know he was very sick and doctors weren't quite sure what all was going on. Please keep Kristen, Adlee Grace, and the rest of their family in your prayers.
Allison

A Special Request

2010-06-29T22:07:00.000-05:00

To whom ever receives this note,
Almost 3 years ago I was privileged with the opportunity to take care of a young patient while working in Houston at The Methodist Hospital. Casey was a 22 yr old newlywed, with an 8 month old baby girl when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Him and his family flew from Kentucky to Houston shortly after diagnosis to be treated. After chemotherapy, blood transfusions, bone marrow biopsies, etc he went back home and did very well. In March he had a bone marrow biopsy that came back clean, he had been clean for 2 years, so they called him "cured". About a month later he got sick, and another biopsy showed the leukemia was back. Casey went to Vanderbuilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. for treatment. The chemo he received was very hard on him. His immune system is completely wiped out and he has gotten pneumonia. The pneumonia became too much for his lungs, and it was too difficult for him to breath on his on. He is now in ICU on a ventilator, fighting for his life. With leukemia it takes a while to recover from chemo, their blood counts take a while to come up. It's a slow process, and very hard to watch and wait.
This is a very overwhelming time for Casey's family. They are out of town, in a hospital just waiting for things to get better. His wife Kristen texts me often with questions and updates. Not only is she worried about her husband, but having a 3 yr old who doesn't understand is tolling. I would like them to be overwhelmed in a different way as they face each day of unknowing. I ask that all of you write a personal note to Casey, Kristen, and Adlee Grace and let them know that you are praying for them. I would like for them to feel the presence of God and see the love of His people. In addition, I would ask that you enclose a one dollar bill for each person the note represents as praying for them. As they see the "prayer dollars" stack up, it will encourage them and give them a special story to tell. I don't mean for this to be a fund raiser; only for a unique way for them to realize how many people care for them. They won't have to "wish they had a dollar for everyone who is praying for them." Please pass the word any way you can (mail, email, text, blogs, prayer groups, etc.) and let's give them something good to remember when they look back on this tough time.

Casey Smithson
MICU Rm# 8641
C/O VUMC
1211 Medical Center Dr.
Nashville, TN 37232
ckarsmithson@gmail.com

Let me know if I can help you help them.
In Him,
Allison (Crowe) Breeding
tbab730@yahoo.com
281-797-2219

Walk-n-Roll

2010-06-25T18:29:00.000-05:00

I know I am really far behind in my postings. I hope you will forgive me. But today I wanted to share something special. Vesti and I, along with whomever wants to join us, are going to participate in a walk to raise money for the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas. You can click here Little Warriors - Walk-n-Roll to find our teams page to donate or find more information. If you want to walk with us, that's great! We would love to have you. I am working on a t-shirt for us to wear that day. It's going to be so much fun. It's only 1/2 a mile so just about anyone should be able to join us. Thanks in advance for you love and support!
More pics soon, I promise!
Ali

2010-05-17T21:19:00.000-05:00

Just real quick...
Cannon's eye doctor feels that he has not made enough progress with his lazy eye from the patching and glasses. He feels like it is inevitable that he will need surgery to correct it. So we are planning for the end of the summer. He said we will come back for a pre-op visit in 3 months. And unless there is a significant improvement, we will proceed with surgery then. It would be an outpatient procedure at Cooks, where are are all too familiar with the surgery waiting room. :(
So that's the update. We have 3 months to prove him wrong. Please pray for huge improvements.
Love to you all!

Praying for Eyes

2010-05-12T23:30:00.000-05:00

Cannon has an eye appointment tomorrow at 3:00pm. I am getting really nervous about it. Manly because I am afraid of what we will hear. We have been patching Cannon's eye for a while now, and he's wearing his glasses too. However, the lazy eye is still there. I just don't want to hear the word surgery. Please pray that we get a good report tomorrow. Of course if Dr. Packwood feels that C needs surgery, without a doubt we will do it. I just pray that God's will not be surgery. Thanks for remembering us!
Love to you all!
Ali

My little Super Star!

2010-05-08T19:55:00.000-05:00

I still have tons of pictures to post, but I needed to skip ahead and show you what my little man has been up to lately. Just the last week he has made so much progress! It won't be long before he's up and running!

Easter Weekend

2010-04-23T22:13:00.000-05:00

Okay, so for Easter we went home to my mom and dads. We always enjoy our trips home to New Caney. We started by going to visit Great Grandma Crowe.

We worked so hard to get a 4 generations picture, and the one I liked the best out of all of them was the first one we took. Ha Ha!

Here is Cannon getting his quilt that G.Grandma made him. He really liked it. It is made of double knit, mostly pieces of Grandma's clothes. It's very special. Each of the grandkids, and now great grandkids have one.

Playing ball with Kyler and Aunt Teri

Then he crashed, so sleepy!

Easter morning at Grandaddy and Granmomma's, before church Cannon got to check out his Easter basket full of goodies. He had two and they were both soooo full. He's not spoiled though, ;)

Showing his egg to Grandaddy.

After church we went to Uncle Gary and Aunt Carolyn's for the McCorquodale Easter gathering. We always have fun when we all get together. Here are the "big kids" getting ready for their egg hunt.

Cannon found one too!

Then it was Jax and Cannon's turn. They had their own egg hunt.

With help from Granmomma and Daddy, Cannon really had a good time.

Checking out what he got!

After all the fun we had to head back home. Cannon played ball almost the whole way back, until he fell asleep.

I am slowly catching up, but I am almost current with my pictures. I know that is what everyone enjoys the most. Maybe I can post more tomorrow. We have a busy weekend ahead. Cannon and I are doing a 5K walk at ACU benefiting Jenny Bizaillion's family. I am sure many of you know Jenny's story, but for those who don't...in short...Jenny was an amazing Christian, wife, mother, daughter, sister, and on and on. She recently went to be with Jesus after battle an infection for a couple of weeks. I never had the pleasure of personally meeting Jenny, but I knew her brother. You can read more on Jenny here: https://www.carepages.com/carepages/JennyBizaillionUpdates

If it asks you can use the username jenny@bizaillion.com with the password: friends

So like I said we're doing the walk in the morning. Then Trey is playing in an iron man softball tournament all day tomorrow. Sunday is Cannon's NICU reunion at Cook Children's in Ft. Worth. BUSY BUSY BUSY!

Love you all!

Ali

MORE....

2010-04-17T00:20:00.000-05:00

Cannon is growing and changing so much as you can see. He has started to pull himself across the floor with his arms. I can't say "army crawl" because he still hasn't figured out how to use his legs to help him along. But he can get pretty far with just his arms. I am soooo proud of him. If he is on anything other than carpet he will also push himself backwards. He has also gotten pretty good at transitioning from sitting to his tummy where he can go. He has shown that he can finally roll over to his back, but that's still something he needs some practice with. However it won't be long before he is all over the place.

Cannon & Wyatt

Who needs a plate? Eating his pizza off the floor. I think pizza is his favorite food right now.

Fun in the tub!

Can you hear the "aaaahhhhh"? That's exactly what he was saying to me.

He was washing his face.

Eating cheese from Mandy's salad. Like me beard?

Samantha playing in her jumperoo.

Playing with Gpa!

I love to play ball!

Playing with Granmomma

Some of my new therapy is to strengthen my core. So I sit on the bucket, this way I can't hold myself up with my hands.

So cute!

One of Mommy's patients gave me some bubbles. They are lots of fun to play with.

Playing with sidewalk chalk at the ECI Easter party.

Catching up again!

2010-04-08T20:15:00.000-05:00

So I am hoping to start doing better about updates. Here are the long awaited Ruidoso pictures from February. It was Cannon's first trip so we were really excited!

Trey and I went tubing, it was lots of fun...but major work out!

Grammie, Pawpaw and Cannon watched from the bleachers.

Time for dinner, we worked up an appetite.

Back at the cabin.

Cannon has loved sour things for a while but this was a first for feeding himself the pickle. He also chose to eat diced tomatoes...he didn't get that from me.

Playing in the snow outside the cabin!

I know...he's the cutest EVER!

There are so many cute pictures, I couldn't choose.

Sledding with Daddy

This one is priceless! I LOVE IT!!!

On Sunday we headed up to Ski Apache for a photo op...but we didn't make it up the mountain before we had jeep problems. It bought us another night there so we could have it looked at before we headed on the 6 hour drive. Ended up that they said there was nothing wrong...cost me a day of work, but who doesn't enjoy an extra day off?

Daddy checking things out...

Grammie calling the insurance and rental car places.

Bored and getting into everything.

So we found a corner of the gas station that had a pretty view behind it.

Back at the cabin, in the snow.

This is right before we left. C definitely looks better in orange. I'll post later with proof.

Since it was dark when we drove into NM we decided to stop on the way home and take a picture. This was the 2nd time Cannon has been out of TX.

This is from a trip home to New Caney. Right before C got his first hair cut!

He did really good until the end, he let us know when he was done.

Lisa and Cannon. She has been cutting Grandaddy and Uncle Andrew's hair for a long time, so it was specail to have her do C's 1st one.

Then we went over to Great Grandma's house to visit. Cannon has figured out how to get the music on my phone and he dances and sings to it. I tried to put a video here, but it woudn't ever load.

And we had a family fish fry for Jax's 1st birthday. Here are Karen and Kelli's youngest, Maddie and Kassi.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

And Daddy! My cousin Gee shares his birthday with his son Jackson.

Karen's 2 boys, Kaden & Kyler

Just one night at home.

Here is one night at Jody and Mandy's. It was getting late and Mandy gave me some of Keanna's pjs from when she was a baby to put on Cannon so he could be more comfortable. Then they were playing with Samantha's toy. He loves to sing.

Keanna turned 11, and had a swim party at the Y! Cannon got to swim last summer, but it was fun to watch him this time because he was bigger and it made me want to get him into aqua therapy. I think he would do great at it.

Cannon really enjoyed to water.

Samantha's first swim!

Cannon has gotten pretty good at eating cake now.

After all the fun, Samantha and Cannon had their first bath together. I am sure there will be plenty more of these to come.

Lots more left to post. Hang in there, Cannon has already changed so much since these pictures.

Finally posted!

2010-02-20T00:58:00.000-06:00

Okay, so blogger puts your posts in on the date you originally started them...not the day you post them. So my huge catch up post is here, but it's down a couple of posts. Scroll down, it's there I promise. I will try to update again this weekend, there are already so many more pictures and things that have happened. Until then enjoy all the pics.
Please pray specifically for Cannon's legs...we need strong legs. He is starting to move (slowly) a little on the floor. But has a long way to go. I know he will get there, he's a tough little guy. Next, his eyes and leaving those glasses alone, and on! (Pics below)
God bless, and we love you!

Please be patient...

2010-01-31T19:58:00.000-06:00

I am working on a post to catch up with TONS of pictures. However, Cannon doesn't appreciate me taking a long time away from him. Stay tuned and you'll get more pictures than you can imagine.
In the mean time, I would like to ask you to remember my mother-in-law, Leona in your prayers. She had surgery to remove a small tumor from her back on Thursday. The surgery went great, but we are awaiting pathology results, they were sent to Baylor so it is taking a while. Please pray that preliminary results were completely WRONG.
With love,
Ali

HUGE POST- Thanksgiving to January

2010-01-30T14:41:00.000-06:00

OKAY...here is a big catch up. Most of you know that blogger can be very hard to work with sometimes. I have finally gotten all the pics up, and captioned some. There is weird spacing and I appogize. Hope you all enjoy!

Here is our family picture at the big rocks in Madill. Where we spend Thanksgiving every year. It was so great to have Cannon there this year.

Granmomma, Cannon, & Grandaddy

Uncle Andrew and Cannon

My brother and I with Cannon.

Mommy and Cannon, so sweet!

The kids, and grands.

Grandaddy and Cannon.

He did really well for this LONG photo shoot.

My two boys.

We have been taking this picture for several years...it's gets harder each

year for me to get up there.

Cousin Sarah and Cannon.

Playing at the playground.

Cannon playing in this box.

Cannon's first snow. It had started on my way home from work, and I wanted to get a picture with Cannon. I didn't want to take him out in the cold, as you can see he was already ready for bed. So we tried to get it from inside. Then we tried on the porch.

Neither worked so I ran out, squated down and got this awful picture of both of us. It's bad, but we got a picture of Cannon in his first snow ever.

At least he was happy when we came back in. See the snow in his hair?

So Trey got a better one the next day. You can see that he has the camera screen flipped and forgot to look at the lens intstead of the screen. :)

Cannon in his stander. He LOVES it!

This one is a loaner, and they are supposed to be ordering his own, with a tray.

One cold day, trying out one of the hats Memaw made C.

playing ball with Pawpaw

Cannon had 2 birthday parties this is the first one in Kingwood.

Cannon and Aunt Marilyn.

Here's the cake my cousin Karen and I made.

And him with his smash cake.

He didn't like this.

He wanted nothing to do with that cake, especially eating it. Or feeding it to himself.

Much less touching it.

Presents were a totally different story. He has gotten quite good at unwrapping gifts.

And LOVES money...we are in big trouble!!

Yea! Such a big boy!

Cannon and Paisley

Our Christmas morning at Granmomma and Grandaddy's.

Wow! Drums!

One of his favorite toys, he got from Uncle Andrew and Aunt Jodie.

And my learning table from Granmomma and Grandaddy

We were so excited because he put a wrapped reeses peanut butter cup in his mouth. I was so proud that I unwrapped it and gave it to him. first time he put anything in his own mouth.

Then we went to see Santa, he should really learn how to hold babies better.

At the McCorquodale Christmas

COUSINS

Gee and Jax, Ali and Cannon

Kaden and Cannon

We had wanted to stop and get Cannon's picture with these BIG presents, and since we left him with Mom and Dad for the remainder of the week, they stopped for us.

I love the way he was looking at my mom in this picture.

Grandaddy, Granmomma, and Cannon made the long trip from Houston on Christmas Eve in the snow and ice. It took them like 14 hours. It was awful, and the almost got stuck in a town about 15 minutes from our house for the night. I was so upset for them to be away from me on Cannon's first Christmas morning. Although with some help from Trey's friend Donald, they finally made it to our house.

It was so pretty to wake up Christmas morning with snow on the ground. Then Trey, Cannon and I went to Grammie and Pawpaw's for Christmas and snow play.

Cannon opening up his new chair he got from Grammie and Pawpaw.

So Cute!

More presents!

Cannon and Uncle Travis

Pawpaw had to leave to go back to work, so we took some quick pics in the show before he left.

Having a taste!

KDJ & CMB

Cannon and Grammie

Cannon and cousin Samantha

SBR & KDJ & CMB

I am not sure how this pic got here, but it is way too hard

to move it once it's there, so I left it there.

Presents from KDJ and SBR

Out playing with Grammie and Aunt Laura

On the knee board, behind the 4 wheeler -so FUN!

Grandaddy and Granmomma made a snowman in our backyard

while we are at Pawpaw and Grammie's.

Being silly with Grandaddy!

Cannon and Chika

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BOY! 12-30-09

So excited to sit in my BIG boy carseat!!

Cannon's 1st birthday party in Clyde

All the loot, I really made out well!

Sunday lunch at Fazzoli's

Ready for the big game...HOOK'EM HORNS!!!

We were soooo disappointed. This is Cannon before we left for Ft. Worth for and appointment.

Uncle B let me eat his pizza, it was GREAT!!!!!

Then I crashed

Here we are at Cook Children's waiting for the MRI. It was a long hard day.

Cannon woke up from his anesthesia in a horrible mood, I however didn't blame him at all.

He was in a purple gown all day, woke up after being poked 3 times, hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. It was so sad seeing him this way again. Especially after seeing him so happy for a year now.

He we are, much happier the next day...playing baseball with Daddy.

This cute outfit came from some of Mommy's favorite patients at work.

Cannon playing with Wyatt's new toy. The boys birthdays are right around the corner from each other. Angie and I raced to the finish line when we were pregnant. Her due date was about a week before mine, but since Cannon was a scheduled C-section...we won!!! LOL!

Cannon and Wyatt will be best of friends!

We have been working really hard at drinking from a sippy cup. Here Cannon is doing a great job. We still haven't mastered it. However he has gotten pretty got at holding his bottle. We are continuing to make small steps, but the are progressive. And we'll take any steps, no matter the size!

Grammie and Pawpaw got C this wagon for his birthday. We added his carseat for extra support. I would hate for him to fall over in it, and not want to get back in. He sure enjoyed the ride from Keanna! He loves his Keanna!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!

At 13 months he finally got his first tooth. Jan 17th. We tried so hard to get a picture.

Wasn't happening. :(

Cannon did so well being fitted for his glasses. I had a picture from the fitting but blogger just deleted it as I was typing. IDK? He never once got mad or tried to pull them off. I was so proud. For those of you that don't know. We have been patching Cannon's stong eye to try and correct his lazy one. We went back to see Dr. Packwood Jan. 14th and he thought it was time to get glasses. She we did...and here he is. He looks like such a big boy!

Cannon has also made big progress with feeding. He will feed himself now. But only with the right hand. If you had him something in the left hand, or if he picks it up with the left he will switch hands before putting it in his mouth. It is so cute and funny...however we are working to get that left hand doing more.

The end! More to come soon! We have had lots of things happen since this last picture. Stay tuned.

Love,

Trey, Ali, & Cannon

Sorry for the absence.

2010-01-18T18:30:00.000-06:00

Since we moved into our new house, our internet service does not pick up a signal. We are waiting for the new service to be connected. So when that happens I will post, and put lots of pictures. We have had a lot go on since the last post. Cannon is doing great! He has had his yearly check up with the neurosurgeon, along with a baseline MRI of the head. Everything looked great! And unless with have problems, praying we don't, we don't have to go back for another year. We have also been back to the eye doctor. Cannon's lazy eye has gotten better, but is still not fixed. The doctor is worried that his vision is hindering the correction. We already knew that he takes after the rest of his family...bad vision...and that he would need glasses probably before starting school. However he wants to go ahead and try them to see if they will help with the turning in of the right eye. So we will get him fitted probably on Thursday when I am off.

Cannon finally got his first tooth in on Sunday, Jan 17th! Wow! Yea!!! We are trying to transition to sippy cups, and whole milk, and off of baby food. All of which are showing to be a slow process. But we are gaining. He will finally feed himself some cheerios and lil cruchies. And I was informed a little bit ago that he played with play doh, and decided it would be good to eat some. I guess the days of not worrying that he'll put things in his mouth are gone. I can't complain though, he is doing soooo good!
Hopefully it won't be long before I can put some pictures up, I have birthday and Christmas to show. Love to you all!

Update

2009-11-23T19:29:00.000-06:00

As many of you have seen on facebook we took Cannon to the ER last night. He had been sleeping a lot yesterday, and was also whiny and very clingy. We just didn't feel right. So we called the pediatrician on call and he told us to bring him in and have a CT scan done. By 1 am we were going home, after being told that everything looked good. The doctor wanted us to follow up with Cannon's pedi today, so we did so. Cannon continued to be groggy this morning and a little cranky. We went and saw Dr. Wiley and Cannon seemed to be okay while we were there. The CT scan report said that Cannon had hydrocephalus, which we already knew that. But Cannon has never had a scan done here, so there was nothing to compare it to. He wanted us to send a copy of it to Dr. Roberts (neurosurgeon at Cook). So we took it and overnighted it. Hopefully they will get it tomorrow morning and call us will news that his shunt truly is okay. While Cannon was sleeping in my lap a little bit ago I felt his head, and his soft spot felt really good. I don't think that he has any increased fluid, so I am pretty sure everything is okay.
Dr. Wiley also had us cath Cannon while we were there and he did an urinalysis. There were WBCs in it, meaning he has some infection. This is likely the reason he has been acting/feeling the way he has the last couple of days.
Please continue to pray that we do get a good report from Ft. Worth. And also that Cannon continues to do so well with his eye patch.
God Bless!

2009-11-21T23:15:00.000-06:00

Here is my sweet laughing boy last weekend at my mom and dad's. He has been a lot more vocal lately. Laughing at himself for no apparent reason. It is so cute!

EYES

2009-11-21T00:39:00.000-06:00

We went to see the eye doctor in Ft. Worth yesterday. He checked Cannon's eyes, and then dilated them and checked them some more. Dr. Packwood decided that he wanted to try patching first. He needs to wear a patch on his left eye (the good one) for an hour and a half a day. This morning was our first attempt. The doctor said if we needed to start out with a shorter time that was okay. We could also break it up however we need to, just get in the full 90 minutes a day. And typically kids try and try to get the patch off. Well we put it on this morning, I only had to tell him "no no" a few times in the beginning and then he didn't bother it again. HE WORE IT FOR A FULL 90 MINUTES!!!! He was such a big boy! Then he cried when I took it off. I have a few cute pictures, but I am way too tired to post them right now. I will put them up later. I just wanted to let you all know what the doctor said. Now we just pray that patching works and Cannon will not need surgery. He did also say that Cannon will most likely need glasses before he starts school, which we assumed...he doesn't exactly have the best genes when it comes to eyes.
Well, look for pics later! Love you!

Weekend Pics

2009-11-14T11:37:00.000-06:00

Tuesday I worked half a day, then took of and headed to New Caney. On Sunday my great Granny died ad 93 years old. The services were this week, so Cannon and I came home for them. Here are some of the pictures from this weekend and Granmomma and Grandaddy's. I couldn't get them arranged the way I wanted to so they are in reverse order.
On Friday Cannon, Grandaddy, and I met our precious friends Jodi, Reagan, and Brooklyn at the Houston Zoo. Jodi and I met through a mutual friend back when we were pregnant. You may remember me talking about them in past posts. Brooklyn and Cannon are exactly 3 weeks apart. She was also born with Spina Bifida. Jodi has been one of my major life supports in the last 10 1/2 months. I am so thankful for her. We have talk a lot, but had never gotten the chance to meet up. They live in the Houston area, so this weekend was the perfect opportunity to meet up. We had a great time, and look forward to meeting up again soon. Love you Beaver girls!

Crashed out!!

Resting with Grandaddy

Playing the Aunt Gigi's piano.

Gettin' Uncle Russell

Cannon and Granmomma playing with Elmo

Ali and Brooklyn, what a sweet girl!!

Jodi and Cannon

Ali and Cannon, Reagan, Jodi, and Brooklyn

Sweet baby faces!!

First carousel ride.

Cannon and Brooklyn

Looking at the elephants with Grandaddy

Eating puff corn with Granmomma

Playing in my box...practicing sitting up!

Cannon and Uncle Andrew

Hope you enjoy! Love to you all!!
Oh yeah! We go to the eye doctor in Ft. Worth on Thursday. We'll have more information after that. And I'll post details later. :)

PICS

2009-11-06T17:01:00.000-06:00

Let us fix our EYES on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,

2009-11-06T14:33:00.000-06:00

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Today was Cannon's eye appointment. Unfortunately a day for grim news. We knew that there was something going on with Cannon's eye, his right one seems to be a little "lazy" and doesn't always go the same direction as the left one. We first noticed in back in July. We just thought that he would need a patch to cover the left eye, forcing him to strengthen his right eye. Worse case scenario we thought he would need glasses. However, my heart dropped when I heard the word "surgery". Our poor baby has to go through it again. It brought me back to the first month of his life. Being in the hospital waiting to hear he was okay...sitting in that OR waiting room several times waiting to see the face of the surgeon. Would he have a smile to greet us, or would we hear the words "I'm sorry"? Thankfully we got 5 out of 5, smiles with "He did well". I dread having to sit there while they intubate him again, put him to sleep again, cut on my baby, and wait for him to wake up. My mind has been running in circles today. I look at Cannon and just want to cry, I have apologized several times for what he has to go through. I wish I could take his place. I wish that he didn't have to go through all of this again. I wish and pray that this will go away. I have to keep reminding myself that this surgery is looked at as a simple procedure. How can you call anything that involves cutting into my baby simple? When your are cutting into or around his eyes, how is that simple?
I know I am rambling, and I know that it might sound silly that I have been so worked up about this. I guess I am just "talking" (writing) through my feelings. My faith is strong enough to get me through this. I know that the Lord will carry us through. I know that He will provide and comfort us. I know that Cannon will be okay. Please pray for me, and more importantly Cannon. I just thought that worse case he would need glasses. I am reminded that it doesn't matter how simple it may seem...PRAY! I didn't realize that I hadn't even prayed that today would be good news, that everything would have a simple answer. WOW!

So for details...we have none. I called Cannon's neurologist to get the name of a pediatric opthamologist in Ft. Worth, then gave it to the doctor's office here so that we could get an appointment there. They didn't call me back today, which means that she didn't hear back from the doctor in FW. Hopefully I will get a call on Monday. I am hoping that we will get into see the doctor very soon. When I get more information I will let you all know. Please continue to pray for us. And thank you in advance. Love you all!

why the missing posts???

2009-11-05T22:32:00.000-06:00

Well, I am sure you are all wondering and becoming frustrated that I haven't posted in a while. I sincerely apologize. I have a post sitting in my account that is just waiting to be finished and posted. However, I can't get all of the pictures to upload and that's why it's just sitting there. So, I will go ahead and post it. Then try and post the missing pics later. I have them in chronological order, but the 9 month pictures aren't all there. Only the few in his camo overalls or from the photo shoot. We finish up with the pumpkin patch. I have Halloween pictures to post too! I'll do my best to get them up as soon as possible. I know that is what everyone wants to see anyway.

Cannon is now 10 months old, and he's growing so much. He definitely has not missed a meal, weighing in at around 21 pounds. Tomorrow we go see the eye doctor for his right eye. You may have noticed in some pictures that it seems to be "lazy" or "cross-eyed", we'll find out tomorrow what's going on. On his 9 month birthday Cannon rolled over from his belly to his back. He has it down but chooses to only do it when he has lots of encouragement, and a really good reason to look over his shoulder until he rolls. Cannon can sit up for a few minutes if he isn't too tired, but still wants to be carried around instead of entertaining himself in the floor. He has such a personality, his facial expressions are priceless. He can light you up with his beautiful smile or make you laugh with his disapproving frowns. He has the sweetest little laugh, and still has a soft cry even when he's very angry. In the last week he has decided to start waking up in the wee hours of the morning and won't go back to sleep unless you put him in bed with us, right in my face on my pillow. It's sweet, however frustrating, especially when I have to be up 2 hours later for work.

Overall Cannon is doing really well. I can't believe his is almost a year old. And tonight as a was catching up on the blogs I follow my heart broke for a mom I do not personally know, but have learned to love her family through her blog. Her year old son Stellan was born with a heart condition and has been having complications. They are in Boston tonight, he'll be admitted to hospital tomorrow. As I read tonight I was reminded of the night we first walked into the Ronald McDonald house after I was discharged from the hospital. Although I had Trey right beside me, it was so lonely knowing Cannon was not with us. We have come so far in such a short time. It feels like just yesterday. What a blessing he is. Thank you all for all your love and support, for getting us through the last year or so. As you read, please pray Stellan and his family. May the find peace in the Lord.

Now scroll down for what pictures I have.

Love to you all!

9 months!

2009-10-18T15:40:00.000-05:00

See my flexibility

Reading with Keanna

Vasha and Cannon

Paige and Cannon

At the pumpkin patch!

I can hold my bottle, I just choose not to. Why should

I when Mommy and Daddy will do it for me?

Visiting with Haelyn and Jenna

Apology

2009-10-15T23:53:00.000-05:00

I apologize for waiting so long to post. And I will post more later, I just wanted to give an update about my last post. Baby Liam went to be with Jesus a couple weeks ago. We are saddened at their loss. Please continue to pray for my friend and her family. I can't imagine the hurt they have been through. May the Lord bless and comfort them.

Special Prayers

2009-09-27T00:52:00.000-05:00

Please pray for my special friend Leah and her husband Ben Jordan. Leah is pregnant and they found out last week that baby Liam has hydrocephalus. I don't know many details, however they did an MRI and Liam's prognosis doesn't look very good. Ben and Leah have another son, Casen and he has picked up on some of the stress. Please pray for them all.
I also recieved a call from the nurse at my OB's office a couple of weeks ago, and she asked if I would be willing to call and talk to another one of their patients. She had gone to see Dr. Maberry, the same perinatologist that diagnosed Cannon with SB, and he told them that her baby girl has SB.
I pray for healing for each of my special friends, and their tiny little ones. May the Lord wrap his arms around them, and hold His tiny miracles in the palm of His healing hands. We are praying for complete healing of each of these babies. My faith is in the Lord, only He can heal them.
I am reminded that just barely over a year ago, I heard those heart breaking words. I don't think you can ever forget them. And now to see how perfect our Little Cannon is. The Lord has truly blessed us. Please pray for my friends, and pass their stories on, the more the prayers, the better.

Catch-up!!

2009-09-26T22:48:00.000-05:00

Talking to Mommy!

All smiles!

Hanging out at Keanna's football game.

Playing with Gpa

Cannon's first Aaron Watson concert, he seemed to like it.

It was also Keanna's first time to see Aaron, she was sooo excited!!

Even though it was late (1130) he did really good.

Cannon showed what a ham he is, always smiling.

Playing at home on Mommy's day off.

Just spittin'

Jennifer and Paisley came to visit

You would never know they are exactly 3 months apart!

Cannon's expressions are priceless. Paisley would roll over and almost be on top

of him, he didn't know what to think.

We went out to eat with Jennifer's family, the kids were entertaining, until we got back in the car. All tuckered out! They were both zonked out when we got home.

See my wet face? I love to spit all over myself.

Reading with Granmomma

2009-09-03T22:13:00.000-05:00

2009-09-03T21:54:00.000-05:00

Cousin Maddie reading to Cannon.

Jennifer & Cannon and Ali & Paisley

Grandad and Cannon - This was the first time my Grandad got to see Cannon. I am so glad that he finally got to meet him.

Waiting to eat! "Give me something good!"

Lovin' on Grandad.

Playing with Uncle Andrew.

Hangin' out with Jodie.

Granmomma and Grandaddy with Cannon.

Messy boy!

Playing peek-a-boo with Grandaddy!

Wore out!!

Silly boy!

Cannon and Uncle Travis

The Lie

2009-08-13T09:03:00.001-05:00

Well, obviously my lie is that I haven't lived in Texas my whole life. I was born in Missouri, and my parents moved back to Houston when I was 8 months old. I do have an uncle whose name IS Russell Crowe (thanks for telling everyone Sarah :P). But no he is not the actor. And yes I did compete in gymnastics when I was little. I enjoyed the comments made, thanks to everyone who posted.

2 Truths and A Lie

2009-08-09T18:40:00.000-05:00

I am going off of a blog post of one of my friends. Lets see how well you all know me.
Which one is the lie? Leave a comment with your answer.

1. I've lived in Texas my whole life.
2. Russell Crowe is my uncle.
3. I was once a competitive gymnast.

7 MoNtHs

2009-08-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

This year is more than half way over, and so is my baby boy's first year! I can't believe it. When I stop and think about it, it is bittersweet. I am so happy to have him here with us and doing so well. He's growing so fast. I have also thought about all the prayers that have been lifted up on our behalf. Just when I think we are doing great, and don't need prayers I am reminded that we will always need prayers. Because we always need the Lords help, constantly. And I am also reminded that we can always use prayers that Cannon's shunt continues to work properly. We are thankful every day that we get through without complications. He is truly a blessing, and I can never show my gratitude for having him in my life.

Okay, now that I'm done with the mooshy stuff, here's what you really want....pictures. These are the 7 months I took the other day. As soon as we put him down, he got mad! But then he was okay.

With Granmomma & Aunt Teri

Wiped out!

Eating soooo good!

Catching up a bit

2009-07-31T22:45:00.000-05:00

On the 25th we had a family reunion with all of Memaw's (Trey's grandmother) family. I didn't get many pictures but here is my favorite one. Seems like I got most of my pics long ways, and I can't turn them to get them on the blog. This is 4 generations of Breedings. 3 James Breedings and Cannon.

Grandmomma and Cannon.

So happy, and he's doing tummy time. These two don't go hand in hand for very

long periods of time.

Just swinging! He loves being outside.

My cousin Karen came up this weekend with Kyler, Kaden, and Kassi. Here are the kids at the zoo Friday morning. We had a great time! And this was Cannon's first time to the zoo. He did really good.

We really enjoyed the giraffes.

First time eating a pickle, he loved it!!

Happy 4 year anniversary Mommy and Daddy, and Happy 7 months Cannon!!!!

2009-07-29T22:29:00.000-05:00

Cannon is doing much better eating. He especially loves bananas! I finally figured out how to get my videos on the computer, so here you go. This is him eating his nanners a few days ago.

Another A+ from the Doctor

2009-07-24T21:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we went to see Dr. McGlothlin, the neurologist. This was just a check up to see how things were going with Cannon's spina bifida. He was impressed that Cannon was moving his legs and especially his feet. He was a little worried about his right eye and asked me if he had "some big medical term" (I didn't know what he was talking about other than it has a tendency to turn in a little bit). We have noticed it more in pictures. But when he shined the light in them he said he wasn't really sure. So he gave us the name for a pediatric opthamologist. Here is Granmomma and Cannon waiting for Dr. McGlothlin.

Since we were in the neighborhood, we went to visit our favorite nurses in the NICU.
Mom, Lanna, Cannon, & Jessica and baby Ellie.

And Carla, the physical therapist.

Granmomma and Aunt Teri came back home with us. Tonight we set up the swing in the back yard and enjoyed a breezy West Texas evening. Cannon has a new swing too, but we haven't gotten it hung up. Hopefully in the next couple of days. He really enjoyed swinging with us, and finally drifted off for a little nap.

Just hangin' around the house

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I can't believe my baby is almost 7 months!! Where has the time gone?

Look at that precious smile!

The start of a great friendship

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Cannon meeting Haelyn~ so sweet!

Neither of them were happy about getting their picture made.

Best Friends!!

Update on Dr. visits from today:
I went to the rheumatologist this morning and he said that I'm okay! He says I don't have the clotting disorder. There was one more lab he wanted drawn today, and said if it was positive then I need to take a baby aspirin everday. If it's negative, then I don't need to do anything. I've been taking an aspirin since I first had my stroke/migraine episode over a year ago. So we started the morning with great news.
We then went over to meet our precious little Haelyn. She's adorable, and I look forward to her and Cannon having play dates.
And this afternoon we went back and had Cannon's ears rechecked. If you remember the last time he had this done it showed moderate hearing loss in the left ear, and that both ears were having auditory nerve problems. They had said they weren't firing right all the time. SOOOOO...
Today he passed with flying colors! The test showed no hearing problems at all. He could hear all the decibels, and they even all the different pitches and his nerves showed that he could hear it. Definitely GREAT news!!!! It's been a great week of appointments. Lots of good check ups.

Now for my requests from all you who may have some experience. We have been working on cereal and baby food for a little over 2 months now. And Cannon isn't doing that well. I don't know what else to do. I dont want to feed him in an infant feeder because I want him to learn to eat with a spoon. He just doesn't like it, and he cries. For some reason he does a lot better with my mom feeding him, but he still seems like he doesn't like it. So what's the trick? He just keeps pushing it out with his tongue. I've tried leaving the spoon in his mouth so he'll kind of suck it off. Not working, as soon as I take it out of his mouth he spits it out. So HELP! PLEASE!

Hope all is well with you all, God Bless!
Love,
Trey, Ali, & Cannon