May Rewind - visiting with Kayla Mae

Last month our favorite little girl, Kayla, was in town for surgery to repair her patch and diaphragm again. Poor thing was such a trooper and didn't let much of the ordeal hold her down. And her mommy and daddy made it through relatively unscathed as well (in all honesty, it was probably harder on them than it was on Kayla and I don't know how they held it together so well!)

While we obviously wish the circumstances had been different, we LOVED being able to go and visit (almost) daily and spend some quality time with the Olmsteads. It is too bad that we live so far from each other. At the beginning of their stay, Charlie and Kayla didn't really want much to do with each other and were content doing their own thing. But by the time Kayla was discharged and went home, the two of them were best of friends, sharing hugs and kisses and enjoying their time together. So cute!!

Kayla is doing great now. She had her check up with Dr Ratner today and he is very pleased. She is a rock star!!! (and darn cute too!)

The day the Olmsteads got into town we met up at the playground for some fun and then took them out to dinner and ice cream. Its so nice to be "normal" with people who we started a relationship with by being NICU neighbors!

Look at that hair!

Charlie got soaked throwing rocks in the water

Charlie's first visit to see Kayla a few days after surgery

(He had not been allowed in the ICU where she was initally)

riding in style

The children's hospital in Syracuse just opened last year and this was our first time seeing it in person. It is amazing and it is so good to know that we have such a nice facility right here if we are ever to need it.

They LOVED the playroom!

playing house :-)

(They make such a cute little couple!)

serious Kayla rocking in the solarium

not sure what this was called, but it had sticks you used to

hit metal pipes with to make "music" - fun stuff!

I caught a smile!!!

(Probably because she was rocking like crazy and

knew she was giving her mama a heart attack!)

Love those smiles!!

Not sure if they were having a business meeting or what,

but I am willing to bet this is a sign of things to come!

so sweet!!