So I love a deal. I have recently become a master coupon-er. My friend just posted about a deal Shutterfly has to get free holiday cards. 50 free cards, to be exact. All you have to do is be a blogger! Ok, a few other things, but it's totally worth it. I have used Shutterfly for all of my photo cards in the last year, as well as all of our family photos. I have never been disappointed with the photo color, which is something that was always lacking at our local pharmacy photo centers. These are probably the three groups of cards I search for and print the most of:
Christmas photo cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards
Holiday cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards
Thank you cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thank-you-cards
They have a great selection, clearly. Now, if you are a blogger, go RIGHT NOW and check out the link below for how to get your own 50 free holiday photo cards! Totally worth the effort!
http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/
~Kathy
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Strong Legs Run Results and Sam's BIG Announcement
WOW it has been a month since I have posted! Many, many fun days have come and gone since then. Here is the brief recap of happenings and news, then the longer update will follow:
Ok, so we'll start back at number 1. Back at the beginning of October we took a trip down to Florida to meet up with one of my best college friends and her wonderful boyfriend. They are getting their PhDs at Florida, and it was a good opportunity to visit and tailgate on Florida's campus for an LSU game! Sam had a great time hanging out with all of their dogs, meeting horses for the first time, biking around campus, and getting lots of attention from new people. LSU won...a bonus.
2. Sam had his tubes put in a few weeks ago. There was a slight hiccup, as the anesthesiologist failed to notice the note on our preop paperwork about a family history of an anesthesia allergy. They had to give him an IV instead of gas, and we had to stay in recovery longer. BUT he came through fine, and has really been sleeping better and talking more. We had a very 'David Goes to the Dentist' moment after they gave Sam his loopy meds to calm him before they took him back. The video is priceless.
3. The Kids at Heart group had their Boo at the Zoo event again this year. Sam was a little more interested in the animals this year, and he figured out the Trick or Treat thing (though he never actually said Trick or Treat). It was good practice for Halloween.
4. Halloween was nutty. We did a 5K early in the morning, attended our neighbor's kids 1st birthday party, and then took Sam for his first Trick or Treat. Chris pushed Sam in the stroller for the 5K and he did pretty well. Sam loved the party. Our neighbor made some super cute cardboard box houses for the kids to play in, and they had great finger food that was perfect for little Sam hands. With all of that stimulation, Sam was a little done by Trick or Treat time. He wasn't a huge fan of going up to people's houses. He did, however, LOVE hanging out at our house and watching the kids come to the door!
5. We have been raising money for Sibley Heart Center for the Strong Legs Run with our own team, called Sam's Lub Dub Club. We were OUTRAGEOUSLY successful. We had a ton of friends and family donate, and had some of our team members raise literally hundreds on their own for the team. Chris's cousin, Josh, who has battled and beat cancer TWICE raised almost 400 dollars alone! Then, my co-workers decided to help us raise money by having several in-office events, including a silent auction. They raised 600 dollars through those events, and then the company gave us an additional 250! Just amazing. We raised over 3000 dollars! For everyone who donated, thank you for supporting this cause. It means more to us than I could put into words.
6. Chris's parents and my parents came up this weekend to participate in the Strong Legs Run with. Needless to say, Sam LOVED the attention. The run itself was wonderful, although quite cold. Chris and I ran in the 10K. Chris had a PR, and I did pretty good, considering the circumstances (see 7). Our parents and Sam walked the 5K. Chris's cousin Josh and his wife also participated in the 5K. Josh, who has half a lung due to his last bout with cancer, ran his first 5K and had a PR, too! Josh's determination to train and participate and lead a healthy life have inspired us, and will certainly inspire Sam when he looks back on this weekend. Josh, with half a lung, and Sam, with half a heart, are real miracles.
7. WE'RE PREGNANT!! We are 9 weeks along and are due June 10. We told our parents when they arrived for this weekend's events. I had a tshirt made that said 'Big Bro'. When Chris's parents, who we told first, took off Sam's jacket, it took them a min or two to see the shirt. The same moment they were realizing what the shirt said and what it meant, Sam swung the computer chair around and hit himself in the head. He immediately started crying and then coughing, and then puked ALLLL over his shirt! We had to rush it into the washer and dryer to get it pretty again to reveal it to my parents! We had just enough time to put the shirt back on Sam when my parents got there. It took them longer to see the shirt and realize what it meant. I practically had to read the shirt to them. Of course, everyone is thrilled. Sam doesn't have a clue, and it's probably better that he just live out his last days of only-child-ness without knowing what the future holds! Please say a prayer of health for this baby! So far so good!
Wow what an update! We have some big weekends ahead of us, including a half marathon in Virginia next weekend! I'll try to update a little more frequently!
~Kathy
1. We took a trip to Florida to hang out with good friends and party on the Florida campus for the LSU vs FL game.
2. Sam had successful 'tubes' surgery and hasn't had any ear problems (knock on wood) in weeks.
3. Boo at the Zoo was wonderful.
4. Halloween was a busy day, with a 5K, birthday party, and Sam's first Trick or Treat adventure.
5. We raised over 3000 dollars for Sibley Heart Center for the Strong Legs Run thanks to good friends, faithful family, and wonderful coworkers.
6. The Strong Legs Run was a big success, and Sam had a glorious time being the center of attention of both my family and Chris's family this weekend.
7. WE'RE PREGNANT!!
2. Sam had his tubes put in a few weeks ago. There was a slight hiccup, as the anesthesiologist failed to notice the note on our preop paperwork about a family history of an anesthesia allergy. They had to give him an IV instead of gas, and we had to stay in recovery longer. BUT he came through fine, and has really been sleeping better and talking more. We had a very 'David Goes to the Dentist' moment after they gave Sam his loopy meds to calm him before they took him back. The video is priceless.
3. The Kids at Heart group had their Boo at the Zoo event again this year. Sam was a little more interested in the animals this year, and he figured out the Trick or Treat thing (though he never actually said Trick or Treat). It was good practice for Halloween.
4. Halloween was nutty. We did a 5K early in the morning, attended our neighbor's kids 1st birthday party, and then took Sam for his first Trick or Treat. Chris pushed Sam in the stroller for the 5K and he did pretty well. Sam loved the party. Our neighbor made some super cute cardboard box houses for the kids to play in, and they had great finger food that was perfect for little Sam hands. With all of that stimulation, Sam was a little done by Trick or Treat time. He wasn't a huge fan of going up to people's houses. He did, however, LOVE hanging out at our house and watching the kids come to the door!
5. We have been raising money for Sibley Heart Center for the Strong Legs Run with our own team, called Sam's Lub Dub Club. We were OUTRAGEOUSLY successful. We had a ton of friends and family donate, and had some of our team members raise literally hundreds on their own for the team. Chris's cousin, Josh, who has battled and beat cancer TWICE raised almost 400 dollars alone! Then, my co-workers decided to help us raise money by having several in-office events, including a silent auction. They raised 600 dollars through those events, and then the company gave us an additional 250! Just amazing. We raised over 3000 dollars! For everyone who donated, thank you for supporting this cause. It means more to us than I could put into words.
6. Chris's parents and my parents came up this weekend to participate in the Strong Legs Run with. Needless to say, Sam LOVED the attention. The run itself was wonderful, although quite cold. Chris and I ran in the 10K. Chris had a PR, and I did pretty good, considering the circumstances (see 7). Our parents and Sam walked the 5K. Chris's cousin Josh and his wife also participated in the 5K. Josh, who has half a lung due to his last bout with cancer, ran his first 5K and had a PR, too! Josh's determination to train and participate and lead a healthy life have inspired us, and will certainly inspire Sam when he looks back on this weekend. Josh, with half a lung, and Sam, with half a heart, are real miracles.
7. WE'RE PREGNANT!! We are 9 weeks along and are due June 10. We told our parents when they arrived for this weekend's events. I had a tshirt made that said 'Big Bro'. When Chris's parents, who we told first, took off Sam's jacket, it took them a min or two to see the shirt. The same moment they were realizing what the shirt said and what it meant, Sam swung the computer chair around and hit himself in the head. He immediately started crying and then coughing, and then puked ALLLL over his shirt! We had to rush it into the washer and dryer to get it pretty again to reveal it to my parents! We had just enough time to put the shirt back on Sam when my parents got there. It took them longer to see the shirt and realize what it meant. I practically had to read the shirt to them. Of course, everyone is thrilled. Sam doesn't have a clue, and it's probably better that he just live out his last days of only-child-ness without knowing what the future holds! Please say a prayer of health for this baby! So far so good!
Wow what an update! We have some big weekends ahead of us, including a half marathon in Virginia next weekend! I'll try to update a little more frequently!
~Kathy
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Strong Legs Run to Benefit Sibley Heart Center
Yes, it is that time of year again! Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is teaming up with CVS to hold their 26th annual Strong Legs Run (the full name of the race is Strong Legs Run That Weak Legs May Walk). Last year we participated, along with my parents and Chris's parents, and it was truly a lot of fun.
Just like last year, we are participating both in the races and in the fundraising. All of the money we collect will be designated for the Sibley Heart Center Cardiology group, who are Sam's surgeons and physicians. Last year, as a family, we raised over 500$. I would love to raise more this year, and get more people participating!
Race day this year is November 6 (Saturday) at Turner Field in Atlanta. There will be a 10K, 5K, one mile fun run, and 100 yard dash. The 100 yard dash is just for kids 12 and under, and they race against a whole mess of local business mascots. If you enter any race, you receive a t-shirt, and kids who do the dash get a shirt AND a finisher ribbon! This year they have more planned for the spectators, including a moon walk. Please check out the main page of CHOA to see the details (http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=2061)
To raise money for Sibley this year, we have started our own team! The team, in honor of Sam, is called Sam's Lub Dub Club! There are a few ways you can help us raise money:
1. To make a one time donation, go to our team page and donate under one of the team members, or under the "General Team Donation" tab! (Team Page)
2. Join our team! If you can join us in Atlanta to run, that would be great! Register from the main CVS/Strong Legs Run page and select 'Join Existing Team' and then use the drop down menu to select Sam's Lub Dub Club. After you pick your race and participant t-shirt size, you will be directed to set up your own personal fundraising page. Once again, anything extra you earn through your own fundraising campaigne, will go to The Sibley Heart Center! (Main Race Registration Page)
3. Can't run with us? Join our team anyway! You can still join the team and fundraise, even if you can't come and race with us. Under the main registration page, where you select which race you want to participate in, just select one of the two options: "Phantom Racer" if you would like an official race shirt, or "Fundraiser" if you would rather skip the shirt but still raise money.
There are benefits to joining our team! If you earn $50 (not including your race entry fee if you are going to race) by TODAY OCT 6, you get a Sibley Heart team tshirt (I know, cutting it short right?? Last year they extended this deadline but not sure about this year). As you earn over 100$, you start to earn gift certificates towards your choice of grocery stores/ restaurants/ etc (last year they also did visa cards). We are also considering making a Sam's Lub Dub Club tshirts to sell and to give to people who earn or donate 100$ or more, so be on the look out for that announcement!
Please take some time and consider a donation, or consider running with us, or fundraising with us! Clearly we think this is a great cause...The Sibley Heart Center is the reason Sam is with us today! If you have any questions, please contact me by email at kathywim (at) gmail (dot) com.
Thanks for your time!
Kathy
Just like last year, we are participating both in the races and in the fundraising. All of the money we collect will be designated for the Sibley Heart Center Cardiology group, who are Sam's surgeons and physicians. Last year, as a family, we raised over 500$. I would love to raise more this year, and get more people participating!
Race day this year is November 6 (Saturday) at Turner Field in Atlanta. There will be a 10K, 5K, one mile fun run, and 100 yard dash. The 100 yard dash is just for kids 12 and under, and they race against a whole mess of local business mascots. If you enter any race, you receive a t-shirt, and kids who do the dash get a shirt AND a finisher ribbon! This year they have more planned for the spectators, including a moon walk. Please check out the main page of CHOA to see the details (http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=2061)
To raise money for Sibley this year, we have started our own team! The team, in honor of Sam, is called Sam's Lub Dub Club! There are a few ways you can help us raise money:
1. To make a one time donation, go to our team page and donate under one of the team members, or under the "General Team Donation" tab! (Team Page)
2. Join our team! If you can join us in Atlanta to run, that would be great! Register from the main CVS/Strong Legs Run page and select 'Join Existing Team' and then use the drop down menu to select Sam's Lub Dub Club. After you pick your race and participant t-shirt size, you will be directed to set up your own personal fundraising page. Once again, anything extra you earn through your own fundraising campaigne, will go to The Sibley Heart Center! (Main Race Registration Page)
3. Can't run with us? Join our team anyway! You can still join the team and fundraise, even if you can't come and race with us. Under the main registration page, where you select which race you want to participate in, just select one of the two options: "Phantom Racer" if you would like an official race shirt, or "Fundraiser" if you would rather skip the shirt but still raise money.
There are benefits to joining our team! If you earn $50 (not including your race entry fee if you are going to race) by TODAY OCT 6, you get a Sibley Heart team tshirt (I know, cutting it short right?? Last year they extended this deadline but not sure about this year). As you earn over 100$, you start to earn gift certificates towards your choice of grocery stores/ restaurants/ etc (last year they also did visa cards). We are also considering making a Sam's Lub Dub Club tshirts to sell and to give to people who earn or donate 100$ or more, so be on the look out for that announcement!
Please take some time and consider a donation, or consider running with us, or fundraising with us! Clearly we think this is a great cause...The Sibley Heart Center is the reason Sam is with us today! If you have any questions, please contact me by email at kathywim (at) gmail (dot) com.
Thanks for your time!
Kathy
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Stuff Stuff Stuff
It always feels like I don't have anything to write for weeks and then BAM I have 100 things to say.
First, I have a prayer request (or 3). My cousin-in-law Josh's wife Kimberly's mother died this past week after just being diagnosed with Leukemia. This was very sudden and clearly they are in shock. Please say a prayer for peace for them. Also, two heart families are in the fight of their lives. Joshua has had 2 open heart surgeries last week, and remains unstable. Ewan is stuck on ECMO after his heart surgery, and can't seem to ween off. Both of these children are mere weeks old, and both families are struggling to find peace in their children's suffering. Please say a prayer for them and their families as they face a true unknown with their babies.
The Wimberly family has had an eventful weekend or two here lately. After Sam recovered from his fever and ear infection last week, we made a trip down to Mobile and then Baton Rouge for an LSU game. We took Chris's brother over with us to LSU. We met my parents and brother there. We watched my sister warm up with the band (she's in LSU's marching band), walked the campus, met up with old friends, and scored some tickets to the game! Chris and Johnathan sat together on one side of the stadium and my friend Tamara and I sat together on the other side. Chris and Johnathan had great brother bonding time, Johnathan really enjoyed seeing a college game and a college band, and Tamara and I had plenty of time to catch up on years of back logged girl talk. 
Once we got back to Mobile, we got to hang out with Chris's family a bit. We also met our new niece, Penelope Anne. Sam didn't seem to interested at first, but once he saw me taking photos of her, he wanted in on the action. He gave her about 10 kisses on the head while I took photos. He was very gentle, but I know he was more interested on stealing the spotlight than being sweet to her. She's beautiful though, and I can't wait to see her grow and gain her personality (as I'm sure she got quite a personality from BOTH of her parents)!
We had an uneventful week this week, with Sam's flu shot being the biggest excitement. We decided to travel a little north yesterday to see our high school band directors new band again at their football game in McDonough. Sam had a FREAKIN' BLAST. He danced and cheered, waved at cheerleaders, and got to play the drums thanks to Johnny. We left at half time to catch some dinner before the ride home. Sam hammed it up at the restaurant, and practiced all of his animal sounds. He got quite a few compliments on how cute he was and how good he was being. He slept SOOOOO well last night!
Coming up this week: Announcements regarding the Strong Legs Run to benefit Sibley Heart Center, me and Chris starting to get serious about running (we have now signed up for a 10K and a half marathon in Nov), and a trip to Florida to visit friends and tailgate for the LSU game!
~Kathy
Sunday, September 19, 2010
What?! It's Mid-September?!?
Holy geez...where is time going?!?We kicked off September with a trip to Gatlinburg, TN to my parent's new cabin. They are slowing moving in furnishings to start renting it out as a vacation home. Sam had a blast running around the big wrap around porch and being the center of attention.
Sam finished his round of antibiotics from our most recent ear infection, but I could tell he wasn't quite right. This past Friday, he woke up a little warm. I took him to day care anyway because he didn't have a true fever, and he was acting normal. I was planning on calling the pediatrician to get a new antibiotic bc I knew the first one didn't do the trick on his ears. Before I could even get a mile from his day care, and before I could pick up the phone to call the pedi, the daycare called and said Sam had thrown up. I had to cancel my patients for the day, and Sam and I took a trip straight to the pediatrician who confirmed his ears looked quite bad. We started a stronger antibiotic and Sam and I spent the rest of Friday cuddled up together. 
He was feeling a little better by that night, and we decided to go ahead with a small trip to McDonough,GA to see our high school band director at his new high school's football game. Johnny was always so great to us when we were kids...he always felt like one of 'us' and made us feel like we were equals with him. Some of Chris's and my best memories were with Johnny and the band. It was so nice to see him again and watch him interact with his students. Sam enjoyed it all too, and danced in the stands to the music.
Saturday, though, the fever returned with a vengeance. Sunday (today) wasn't much better. The fever finally seemed to pass this afternoon, but the crankiness didn't. This has been by far the worst ear infection...I'm starting to wonder if we have and ear infection AND something else. Hopefully he can kick this thing quick, and make it until tubes (Oct 20) without another illness.
Today I got to talk to a sweet lady named Joy. She is from our hometown, and just recently had a beautiful baby girl who was diagnosed with an apparently quite rare congenital heart defect. It was so nice to talk to her. We had a lot of the same feelings and internal conversations regarding diagnosis, doctors, and the future. I look forward to keeping up with her and her family and helping each other through the craziness that is CHD!~Kathy
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
CHOA is the Best (and other News)
Sam had his ENT appointment in Atlanta today. We nearly missed the appointment because somehow we got lost...even though the office was RIGHT outside of Sam's CICU stepdown room from when he had his surgery! Of course from the second we step in the door, we remember why we love CHOA so much. EVERYONE is nice, helpful, and truly cares. Everything runs efficiently, everything is clean...it's just the best place for anyone to take their kid to if they are in need of special care.
Anyway, the doctor was super great. He looked in Sam's ears with a microscope thing (of course the nurse and I had to totally restrain him which he of course fought with all his might). He saw right away that Sam has his 8th double ear infection. He also admitted that Sam definitely does need tubes. He immediately asked us if we had every had Sam's hearing tested. Of course we hadn't since he was born. The doctor ordered a hearing test and the audiologist came right away. Sam and Chris went into a sound booth and the audiologist did her thing. In the end Sam's hearing came out below normal, and worse on the left than right. She says it's probably just because of how clogged up his ears are, and we would retest after tubes were placed.
The doctor (who is the only ENT who does surgery with the cardiac anesthesiology unit at Egleston) looked at his surgery schedule to find us a date. He is clearly a busy guy. Not only is he the only ENT who does surgery at Egleston, he is also the only guy who does cochlear implants in Atlanta. SOOOOO his first open appointment for surgery was OCTOBER 20!! UGHSLKSHDFLHUGH! He did graciously tell us that if anything came open before that date he would put us in.
Poor little Sam, though. I knew he was getting an ear infection. Aside from our puke/diarrhea night, he has spent the last few nights crying every 30 min. I've been giving him Motrin every 6 hours or so for the last day, and he still had a 99 fever at the ENT today. He was a good boy the whole time (aside from battling me and the nurse). He didn't like the ENT too much after the microscope incident. As we were leaving, Sam, Chris, the ENT, and I were walking to the front door. Sam, who was walking with us, wouldn't take his eyes off the ENT...didn't trust him I suppose. Anyway, poor suspicious Sam walked right into a wall and dropped to the floor. Chris and I were laughing so hard, the ENT ended up picking him up off the floor. Poor kid.
So to recap: CHOA is amazing, Sam needs tubes (Oct 20), Sam walked into a wall.
~Kathy
Anyway, the doctor was super great. He looked in Sam's ears with a microscope thing (of course the nurse and I had to totally restrain him which he of course fought with all his might). He saw right away that Sam has his 8th double ear infection. He also admitted that Sam definitely does need tubes. He immediately asked us if we had every had Sam's hearing tested. Of course we hadn't since he was born. The doctor ordered a hearing test and the audiologist came right away. Sam and Chris went into a sound booth and the audiologist did her thing. In the end Sam's hearing came out below normal, and worse on the left than right. She says it's probably just because of how clogged up his ears are, and we would retest after tubes were placed.
The doctor (who is the only ENT who does surgery with the cardiac anesthesiology unit at Egleston) looked at his surgery schedule to find us a date. He is clearly a busy guy. Not only is he the only ENT who does surgery at Egleston, he is also the only guy who does cochlear implants in Atlanta. SOOOOO his first open appointment for surgery was OCTOBER 20!! UGHSLKSHDFLHUGH! He did graciously tell us that if anything came open before that date he would put us in.
Poor little Sam, though. I knew he was getting an ear infection. Aside from our puke/diarrhea night, he has spent the last few nights crying every 30 min. I've been giving him Motrin every 6 hours or so for the last day, and he still had a 99 fever at the ENT today. He was a good boy the whole time (aside from battling me and the nurse). He didn't like the ENT too much after the microscope incident. As we were leaving, Sam, Chris, the ENT, and I were walking to the front door. Sam, who was walking with us, wouldn't take his eyes off the ENT...didn't trust him I suppose. Anyway, poor suspicious Sam walked right into a wall and dropped to the floor. Chris and I were laughing so hard, the ENT ended up picking him up off the floor. Poor kid.
So to recap: CHOA is amazing, Sam needs tubes (Oct 20), Sam walked into a wall.
~Kathy
Monday, August 30, 2010
Boooooo to Thieves
So last night, our car got broken into. It was parked in our driveway right next to the house. Unfortunately, we left it unlocked. Naturally someone would be checking for unlocked cars on the ONE NIGHT we leave the car in the driveway AND unlocked. My husband had his Zune and Garmin GPS stolen. The person didn't take my purse, or some of Chris's work tools. Makes us think it was probably a teen. I wrote an email to everyone on our neighborhood directory and got back quite a few responses from other people who had stuff taken out of their cars last night, too. That really just ruins your sense of safety and confidence in your neighborhood. And we live in a good neighborhood, too. Sigh.
Of course, we probably came pretty close to catching the jerk. Last night, we were up every 30 min with Sam. He had a good tummy bug (diarrhea and puke). He was pretty dehydrated today but was fine. We stayed home together and vegged out. He did help me do something productive: finish shopping for all of our nieces' and nephews' Christmas gifts!
On deck for tomorrow: Sam's big ENT appointment with the only ENT in Georgia who will perform any ENT based surgery on children with congenital heart defects with Egelston Hospital's Cardiac Anesthesiology team!
~Kathy
Of course, we probably came pretty close to catching the jerk. Last night, we were up every 30 min with Sam. He had a good tummy bug (diarrhea and puke). He was pretty dehydrated today but was fine. We stayed home together and vegged out. He did help me do something productive: finish shopping for all of our nieces' and nephews' Christmas gifts!
On deck for tomorrow: Sam's big ENT appointment with the only ENT in Georgia who will perform any ENT based surgery on children with congenital heart defects with Egelston Hospital's Cardiac Anesthesiology team!
~Kathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
