Thanks...to everyone!

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comforting words and support. I know that no matter what the outcome is with Cailee that we will always have the support of family and friends. Thank you for that. We really appreciate all the love and support we have received through this trial.

I've wanted to post for a while, but our computers are on the fritz and not working, so I'm at a friends house...(thanks my friend:) on her computer. I don't know how long it will take for our computer issue to be fixed, but we are hoping to figure something out soon.

I just want those of you who are keeping us in your prayers to know our gratitude. We are truly blessed to know each of you. Thank you.

Disappointed

Cailee's pediatrician called tonight and said he had gotten the results from the urine test. They weren't what we were hoping for. Her protein level was extremely high, infact, it was higher than the last test. I tried not to let myself get too excited, but when we heard her white blood cell count was down from the blood test, I couldn't help but be excited...with it being our first bit of good news since all this started. The Retuximab did attack the white blood cells, but we found out that if it wasn't the antibodies from the blood cells that caused the NS that it wouldn't do any good anyways. We are hoping that it was the cause and that her protein level drops in the next month as her body starts to rebuild new antibodies. We still have another month before we know the final verdict, so we'll find a way to bring a bit of hope back. Hope for the best, plan for the worst and pray is about all we can do at this point.

It's just getting hard having excitement shattered by disappointment. I was really hoping there would be at least a little bit of a drop. I know that she is in Heavenly Father's hands and He knows what is Cailee's plan here on the earth. I have to trust now in Him. Please keep my little girl in your prayers and thank you to those of you who have already done so and continue to. We are so blessed with wonderful families and friends who keep hope alive when it's so hard to do ourselves.

Good-bye Prednisone!

This New Years Eve we had more to celebrate than just ringing in the new year...Cailee took her last dose of Prednisone!! We are happy to say good-bye. It's crazy to think that it has taken so long to get her off of it. She started taking it in June and we are so happy to be done. It was hard to continue to give it to her when it wasn't doing anything for her. She's happy that she doesn't have to take it anymore...it doesn't taste the best. She was so good about taking it though and we are so proud of her. We were so shocked the first time she wanted to try swollowing it on her own. When we first started out we had to crush it and smother it with Hersheys Chocolate Syrup. I remember we were visiting my parents over the summer and we went to give it to her one morning and asked if she could try it. She swolled it right away.

She continues to do well with her blood pressure pills. I wish we could see an end to those, but we are still fighting high blood pressure. We need to talk to her doctor about it next time we go in.

We got the results back from the blood work and they are good!! The white blood cell count was down where we wanted it to be and her doctor (and Blake and I) are very pleased with the count. It's showing that the infusion attacked the right blood cells!! YEA...our first bit of good news. This week we have to take her in to the Pavilion Lab for another urine sample. Hopefully this will bring good news. With the blood results so good, we are getting more anxious to see. It's been three weeks since her last infusion, so we still have three to five more weeks to see results.

Thank you to all those who have kept her in your prayers. I know they are helping and we feel so blessed.

Madison's Blessing

Today we blessed Madison at church. Blake gave her a beautiful blessing. He blessed her with the strength she will need during times of trial. He blessed her that she would follow the examples of her mother and grandmothers and learn from them. She was blessed to find an eternal companion who will take her to the temple and help her to reach her fullest potential. There were other beautiful words spoken. I am so grateful for my husband and all he does for our family.

Madison looked so beautiful in her dress. She looked like a little porcelain doll. She is such a wonderful addition to our family and we are so happy that she is here. She will be six weeks old on Monday and I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. She is such an angel. I just can't imagine life without her. Cailee, Abby and Brandon just love their little sister so much and I look forward to all the fun they will have when she's a bit bigger. Blake and I feel so blessed to have all our beautiful children.

We were so happy...our families were able to come and be part of Madie's blessing. My parents and younger siblings, Blakes parents, my Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Bill, Aunt Libby and Uncle Lynn and Uncle Ron were all came. Thank you to our families for traveling to spend this special occasion with us. It was so hard to have them leave. We miss you already.

Our little family

Snow angels, Ice skates and so much more...

December 14th...we got our first snow this winter! We were all excited to see snow. After church, the kidos got all bundled up and played outside for a long time. They had a blast!

My angels making snow angels.

Who can resist this cute face!

We thought it would be fun to take the kids ice skating, so on Monday we met my awesome friend and her kids at the Glacier Ice Arena. We had a blast. I couldn't believe how well they walked on their skates...off the ice of course. On the ice was a bit more difficult. They had fun trying though. When we were getting our skates I noticed we could rent a sled for a dollar, so we got a couple and my friend and I pulled the kids around on the sleds while we skated. It was the highlight by far. The kids thought that was the neatest thing.

Cailee and I working on skating.

My friend pulling Brandon on the sled.

My friend and Brandon in the back and me pulling her daughter in the front. It was so much fun!!

The kids right before we took skates off to go home. They were exhausted and as you can see by Brandon's face, ready to be done.

The skating clan!

Abby had her cute preschool Christmas program a few weeks ago. It was so cute...thanks D and M for getting them all ready and putting it on. It was so cute. We missed our little friend that was going to be Joseph...he ended up sick that day:( So Abby stepped in and was Joseph. That's what happens when you're two inches taller than the rest of the kids your age...just kidding. She was a great Joseph!

At the end of the program.

Joseph (Abby) helping Mary onto the horse...can you tell that most of the preschool group is made up of girls...how else could we get away with a pink horse!

At the end they sang two songs...they were absolutely adorable! Great job sweet Abby!

Madie's Fairy Godmother stopped by the other day and brought her this adorable outfit that she bought for her. She looks so cute in it. The kids Fairy Godmother spoils us all. Thanks...you are awesome and we love you!

The kids decorated cookies for plates that we took around to people...although we ended up not having time to take them all around. We had full intentions of taking the rest around that we didn't get to the first night, but things got busy...go figure.

They did a great job and had a lot of fun.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!! HAPPY BLOGGING TOO!

From the mouths of the babes

Abby: "Dad, I'm sorry about your hand."
Blake: "It's not your fault."
Abby: "It's Aunt Donna's fault?"

Me (on the phone): "Blake got the tickets at the theatre ahead of time."
Cailee: "What did you do with the crickets when you got home?"
Me (laughing hard): "What do you mean?"
Cailee: "What did Dad do with the crickets?"
Me: "Dad didn't get crickets, he got tickets."

We were reading scriptures the other night and it was Cailee's turn to "read". We say the words and the kids repeat it. We were reading in Mosiah and the scripture says, " 17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty."
Cailee's version went close to the real one, except when it came to the above underlined she said, "smitten with salmon". Needless to say, Blake and I had a really hard time finishing without laughing.

Now we wait...

Cailee had her last treatment this past Friday the 12th. It went well. I requested that the nurse who finally got the IV in the last time put it in this time and she got it in the very first try. We were both very grateful for that. Once again we got there about 8:30 and left around 3:30 that afternoon. She mainly watched movies and cartoons...Alvin and the Chipmunks, Rapunzel and Chronicles of Narnia. Aunt Donna came to visit in the morning and then switched watching Brandon and Abby with Blake. Cailee was excited that her Daddy got to come and see what she did at the hospital. Our nurse brought Cailee a gift bad that had candy, playdough and crayons in it, so she played with playdough for a little while. She was really happy once her IV was out and we got to go home as was I. So now we wait. She gets her blood drawn tomarrow...we were supposed to today, but due to some misunderstandings, we weren't able to get it drawn today. Then on Friday she will see her pediatrician and get a urine sample, check blood pressure, ect.
For now we will patiently wait for results and be grateful the infusions are over. Thanks to all of you who have fasted and prayed for her.

Getting her height checked.

Relaxing after getting her IV put in and hooked up to all the monitors.

Cailee wanted to hold Madie and this was how she could hold her. Madie was so comfortable here and slept for a while. I just love these moments.

I just thought this was such a sweet picture.

Playing with her playdough.

A Very Happy Birthday!!

Today I turned one year older!! Thanks to my wonderful husband, children and aunt, I had a great birthday. This morning Blake took Madie after she ate at 6 so I could sleep a few more hours. When I got up, Blake and the kids had made a cake and breakfast together. The kids were such great helpers! Around noon my aunt came and stayed with the kids and Blake and I (and Madie of course) got to go out for lunch. We went to Fiesta Guadalajara...where when Blake told our waiter it was my birthday he offered me a shot of Tequila (so I thought it was spelled Takila...you can tell I don't drink:). He said it in Spanish and the only word I caught was Tequila and since I didn't really know what he said and kind of got nervous, I pointed out we had a baby with us (the only thing I could think of to change the topic). Blake then informed him in Spanish that we don't drink (thanks hun) so he offered to bring me a sopapia. Once again he spoke in Spanish...translation please. Blake said that would be fine. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and dessert and headed off to the movie...TWILIGHT!!

The sopapia that I got instead of Taquila.

Yes, I finally got to see Twilight. I know there are some iffy reviews out there, but I really enjoyed it. Two thumbs up from me! Of course there were some things about it I think weren't what I pictured reading the books, but overall I really liked it. I told Blake that all I wanted for my birthday was to see Twilight and I got my wish! Blake previously purchased the tickets and when I went to hand them to the guy so we could go watch the movie he asked me if I had another ticket. I asked him if we needed a ticket for the baby and he said I only had one ticket. I had two tickets in my hand, but he kept telling me there was only one...that the other half was his. I was so confused...he asked if we had the receipt and thank goodness we did and was issued another ticket. When we went back he told me once again that the first ticket was only one ticket. I told him (in a very nice voice) that I understood and that it was fine. He then proceeded to tell me again. We said thanks for letting us know, it's not a bid deal and walked away and went and watched the movie. I was determined not to let this man ruin my birthday. The movie was great and we had a great time together.

Madie and I outside the Theatre.

Waiting for the movie to start.

We came home, visited about the movie with my aunt, Blake made a wonderful dinner (BBQ meatballs, rolls and salad), ate cake and ice cream and had a great rest of the night. And to top it all off, we have the first snowfall of the winter...on my birthday!! Thanks to all for a great day! I love you all...my sweet family.

The adorable cake Blake and the kids made for me!

If only time stopped for a few hours...

than I would keep up better with the blogging world! So life of course doesn't slow down much at the Crossleys. Last week was not an exception. Madison had her two week check up last week on Monday. She is doing great and growing. She weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz so has gained over a pound from birth. Her umbilical cord still hadn't fallen off all the way. She has the weirdest belly button, therefore, her cord didn't fall off in one piece. She has a herniated belly button and her belly button looks kind of like a button. It kind of enclosed part of the umbilical cord so it's come off in layers. When the top layer falls off, the next has to dry up and then comes off. So weird. Since then it has fallen off...yea!! It still looks funny, but it's cute anyways. Other than that though, she is doing great. She's a great baby and I can't get enough of her!

Wednesday night Blake was carrying books out to the living room for story time and the kids towels were on the floor from taking a bath and he tripped on the towels. When he went down he caught himself with his other hand and it hurt pretty bad and swelled up pretty bad. So when the kids went to bed I looked at his hand and it didn't feel right. I couldn't tell if it was dislocated or broken. Since the kids were in bed, he had to drive himself to the hospital. The on call Dr. was two hours back, so they sent him over to the insta-care and after x-rays and stuff they found the he had broken his fifth metacarpal in his left hand. OOPS. He saw the orthopedic surgeon on Monday and it was decided that they didn't need to pin it, so no surgery and they casted it. So that was a fun night for Blake.

Friday, Cailee had her third infusion. Once again they had a hard time getting the IV in. The first two times, her veins blew, so they called in a nurse who sometimes works in the NICU and is really experienced with putting IV's in tiny babies. She was able to get the IV in right away. The rest of the day was good. She was pretty groggy and mainly watched movies. Thank you to her teacher for sending some fun new movies with us!! I forgot the camera this time...not too happy with myself about that one, so I don't have any pictures. After we went and got a movie and Aunt Donna bought pizza for us (she spoils us way too much)! The night before she asked what Cailee wanted for dinner...pizza of course. Thanks Aunt Donna! We had a fun night watching The Chronicles of Narnia-Prince Caspian. Very good movie...highly recommended!

Saturday we went to our ward Christmas party...one of the best we've ever been to. Big props to those who worked so hard to put it all together...you know who you are! I loved how organized everything was and I felt like it really focused on the birth of our Savior. The program was amazing and beautiful. The music was wonderful. I loved the children sitting up front...they were so focused on what was happening. I thought it was so sweet...the three wise men gave all the children a star ornament and candy cane. We had a great night visiting with friends and celebrating the birth of our Savior!

That sums up the busy parts of last week.

Here are the kidos after the ward Christmas party.

Sleepy girl says, "Stop taking my picture please."

OUCH...Cailee's 2nd treatment

Cailee's 2nd treatment went well. Her face was swollen that day, but it didn't seem to bother her. Fortunately she doesn't seem to be affected when her face is puffier. It was a bit of a rough start...the nurse had a hard time getting the IV in this time. Cailee's veins didn't want to cooperate for some reason. They wanted to put the IV in the other hand than the first one, but when they tried the other hand, her vein blew, so they went to her upper arm in her right arm. The nurse could feel the vein, but for some reason when she went to put the needle in the vein, it would move on her. After a number of tries of poking, she got it in the vein and it blew. By that time, Cailee was understandibly beside herself upset and the nurse said she couldn't do it anymore. She said Cailee probably already hate her enough and she just couldn't upset her anymore. The nurse called in a guy who must put in IV's a lot because he got it in the first try. I was so glad to have that part over with.


The rest of the day went much better. Cailee's kindergarten teacher sent some Christmas movies with her to watch, so she had some movies she hadn't seen before and it seemed to entertain her for a while. She was a bit grogier than the first time. She didn't ask to go home as often...I think she is starting to understand that she has to do this. The nurses were so sweet and pretty much gave her whatever she wanted. She got to have chocolate ice cream, sherbet and they gave her a cute little baby doll cradle and doll that the local Kawana's Club donated to the hospital's pediatric unit. Cailee LOVES it. She told me, "Mom, I was going to ask for a baby doll cradle for Christmas, but now I don't have to."


We were able to go home at 3:30 this time. Since we didn't have to back track this time, we were able to be done two hours earlier. I'm guessing this will be about how long the next two will take. Half way done...

Cailee's bruise from the second attempt at getting an IV in...OUCH.

One of the monitors they put on her to monitor her heart.

Cailee showing her IV.

She didn't have to have as big of a board this time. She enjoyed being able to use her fingers.

Showing off her cradle and doll.

Hugging her new dolly.

"Chillin' with my sis."

Brandon's hide out

The other day Brandon was playing with the Leapster and didn't want his sisters to keep bothering him, so he decided to play it in their princess hamper. He emptied out their stuffed animals and dolls and brought it out into the living room. I think he decided that if he hid inside that they wouldn't bother him anymore. He's a bit posessive of the Leapster sometimes. I thought it was a pretty creative hide out:)

Many faces of Madie

Madie has the cutest little face...all the time. Of course I'm her Mom, so I think so, but I just can't get enough of her sweetness! Here's some of her many faces.

Madie does NOT like her bath. This is one of the few times that she cries.

I just love the funny faces that she pulls.

I love her hands in this picture...she jumped and kepted her hands up.

Gotta love the hair!

Such an angel.

She's so precious asleep and awake.

Her "I'm messing my pants" look.

Madie had her 2 wk. check up on Monday. She's almost gained a pound from birth...she weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. She had to get her heal poked for the pku test and cried a bit when that happened. Other than that she did great!