July - October 2009

Well, first let me start by apologizing for the gap in time from my last post. I have been keeping up with people on Face*book and have found little time to blog. The McLarens have been up to a lot in the last four months. I turned 35 in July. I thought that would be hard, but I have truly embraced my age and love being 35 would not change it for the world. Andy and I celebrated 6 years of wedded bliss. I am always amazed at God’s gift to me of Andy. He is truly the most wonderful man I have ever met and defiantly my better half. Kaylee started kindergarten in August. This was harder for me than her; she even told me “I could leave now she was fine.” She loves school and is doing great, adores her teacher and has many new friends. Kaylee turned five at the end of August and we had a fun swim party with nothing but sugar. She asked for an ice cream and cake party and we provided. Andy joined me in the 35 club in September and I surprised him with a Cardinals football game. Of course when we go they lose but that was okay since Andy is a big 49ers fan. We laughed at my parent’s bday gift to him as they purchased a new toilet for the master bathroom. Colton turned six months the 7th of October. It is unbelievable to think he has been with us for half a year time has flown by so very fast. He has added so much joy and happiness to our family I can’t imagine the McLarens without him. Kaylee and Colton love each other tons as he is the first thing see goes to hug when she gets up in the morning and he is sooooo happy to see her. Kaylee has an incredible knack to make him laugh.

Wow! That is a lot. But it has been 4 months.

One more major accomplishment Colton saw Dr. Segal last week and is now brace free all day. He only has to wear the brace at night when he sleeps. He now sees Dr. Segal ever six months for the next 2 to 4 years. He always seems to be eating. I have to say I can’t believe how much he eats; I think it is a glimpse into our future when he eats us out of house and home.


So now for the pictures ENJOY!

I am going to try really hard to post at least once a month. I will repost on Sunday or Monday with Halloween pictures has the Russells and the McLarens will be sending the night together. A fun filled night of Trunk or Treat and Pizza at Grandpa and Grandmas house. I am even making the pizza so David and I can enjoy gluten free pizza.

Love you all so much,
Stepanie

Andy's gift

Colton enjoying his first taste of food.KayleeClock in Kaylee's bedroom. Helping her learn to tell time. Colton! Missed the crazy eyes before I uplaoded.Kaylee learning to jump off the diving board.Kaylee hanging out in the pool.Kaylee taking a picture with my phone.

Yes that is Kaylee!

Will post more pictures tomorrow!

In loving memory

The following is what was written a year ago......



"The journey has ended. Leroy K. McLaren left his earthly home to be with the Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, Tuesday evening, June 10, 2008. His death was peaceful and beautiful to witness as he took his last breath before entering the Lord's Kingdom. We are relieved to know that Leroy is healed and cancer free. As we start the grieving process to heal from our six month journey, we ask for your continued prayers. Please pray for comfort, peace, and understanding for the family, including Leroy's three grandchildren who are coping with the loss of their beloved Papa."



Well, it has been a year. It is hard to believe and hard to accept that Leroy is really gone. On many occasions during the last year I have just expected him to walk through the door of Lois's home, it then hits me all over again that he is really gone from our earthly existence. Leroy was an amazing husband, father,grandfather and friend. Most of all he was a devoted child of God and was a warrior for Christ until the day he died. He is greatly missed. We have spent many days over the last year reminiscing over the time we all shared with Leroy and how he impacted our lives. We still cry, but find ourselves laughing a lot these days.

Kaylee talks about grandpa in heaven a lot and has decided that releasing some balloons today would be a great way to communicate with him. Such a simple way to remember Leroy, I love it.



Leroy would have been 63 this year, he his gone from our sight, but will never be forgotten. He is missing from earth, but awaiting the day we all reunite in heaven.

Nine weeks and Surgery

Just thought I would let everyone know that tomorrow is Colton's surgery. He will be having his tendon released at 9am at Phx Children's Hospital. We have complete faith that God as graced our Doctor with an amazing gift and that God will watch over Colton during this procedure. I pray for a calm heart and a fast recovery for Colton. Please pray for Colton, Dr Segal and Andy and I as I have hand Colton over to staff and wait patiently until they are finished. Thank you in advance for lifting us up in prayer.
Love you all!!

By the way Colton turned 9 weeks old today! Wow!

Colton Update

It as almost been 2 months and I can hardly believe it, seems like I blinked and two months flew bye. Anyway thought I should update you all on Colton's foot and Colic. The colic is getting better with the passing of each day. He is eating better, needing less tummy drops and having more good days than bad. As for Colton's foot today we had cast 4 removed, fitted for his foot brace and re-casted ( that makes 5). Dr Segal wants one more weekly cast(#6), when we have cast 6 done we will schedule for Colton's tendon release. I know that sounds awful...I completely agree with you all, but it must be done. So in two weeks Colton will go to Phx Children's Hospital for an outpatient procedure. Dr. Segal will cut Colton's Achilles tendon with a small incision and then cast his right leg one last time. The seventh and final cast will stay on for three weeks to allow the tendon to heal correctly.
After three weeks the cast comes off and Colton will wear his brace for the next three months all the time, except when bathing and changing clothes. So by October 2, right before he is 6 months old he will be re-evaluated and most likely only have to wear the brace when sleeping. So all of the truly invasive procedures will have been done before he is old enough to remember,yippee and PRAISE GOD!!!



I am attaching a link to the Ponseti method for correcting clubbed foot...

http://www.ponseti.info/v1/

profile look of foot

bottom of foot

both feet

I will add more pictures tomorrow as I am having problems with blogger!

A lot in two months!

Okay so let me start by saying sorry it has taken me sooo long to blog. With that said I would like to introduce Colton Andrew Leroy McLaren to the world. He was born at Banner Gateway at 12:38 AM on April 7, 2009 weighed 7pds 10 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He actually was more like 19 inches long put officially from the hospital it was 20.5. This was taken on Easter, the Sunday after he was born. My Aunt Sheryl is holding him.

Kaylee is madly in love with her brother "bruder"and wants to help all the time. I was encouraged to let her help as much as possible so that she feels like she is apart of all the excitement.

Colton was born with a clubbed right foot. We have chosen to follow the Ponsti method to correct the deformity. He has been casted every week since he was 3 weeks old. He is now on his third cast and has 2 more then a small procedure and will be casted one more time for 3 weeks. Then he will need to wear a brace for 3 months 24/7 after that he will only wear the brace when he sleeps until he is 4. We have a wonderful doctor with Phx children's hospital DR Segal, have to say we love him especially the kindness and compassion he shows my son.

Colton is almost 6 weeks I am hoping his stomach issues will cease to exist in a few weeks. We are all doing wonderful and loving our newest member of the family.

Thanks for all of your kind words, prayers and compassion you all showed us over the last 10 months it was not easy but Colton is well worth it.

Here are a few pictures from the last month. Enjoy!

Me ready for induction!

Andy and Colton

Easter Egg hunting

Kaylee dressing up as a glamorous firefighter

Colton at 2 weeks.

Hemoglobin

Well, I have had this entry waiting to be posted for over a week. I could not decided if I wanted to share the info or not. Bu,t I finally thought since I am so nervous and terrified of this possibility it would be good write about it and share my fear. I am asking for prayers for a calm heart and that God's will be done over my anxiety.

I had another trip to the hospital for fluids last Thursday, March 12th mid afternoon and we found out again that my hemoglobin is very low. Apparently in pregnancy your blood creates extra blood to accommodate two people along with preparing for birth since you typically lose 2 units of blood during delivery. I should have a level reading in the 11 or mid 12 and mine is in the low 9. This means if I can not raise this level through protein and iron supplements I would have to receive a blood transfusion after Colton's birth. I am doing everything the doctor has encouraged which includes taking a liquid vitamin and iron tablets YUCK! These make me sick to my stomach and unfortunately cause constipation which simple means I have to take more Colace. Isn't pregnancy fun! Anyways all of that to say that I also have to prepare for the real possibility of a blood transfusion so we are having family and friends donate blood under my name through United Blood Services, fun times. I am O+ so I have a lot of options. I have been very blessed by the number of family members and friends who are all willing to get stuck to donate to me. Thank you in advance to all of you who are donating blood I wish I knew how much they really needed, but they just collect a set amount for each person. Once again I am reminded just how wonderful my family is along with the close friends who are also giving.

Pregnancy Update

Hello all I am in the final weeks of my crazy pregnancy and as any other DR visit I have new info. I am on weekly visits and NST at the Dr office. An NST is a non stress test, basically they hook my up to a fetal monitor to check the baby's status. I always have to go to Banner Gateway (our hospital) ever Thursday for a NST and a Bio Ultra sound, it is an ultrasound that checks for fluid and growth. I also found out that I am over 1cm and about 60% effaced, completely normal for my hypertension and second pregnancy. Other than that I am to be resting with my feet up or laying down as my DR says 95% of the day. He has been very reasonable about bed rest knowing that I have Kaylee and get bored very easily. I have been very tired but that has a lot to do with the hypertension. Well that is the story I will try and add some pictures in the next couple of days.

He has a name!

Well, it is official baby McLaren has a name. It is Colton Andrew Leroy McLaren. Now I have to explain his middle names. We used Andrew because it is Mclaren tradition that the first born son shares the dads first name, we felt like we still really wanted to honor Leroy so we added his name also. Colton we found in a book, it means resourceful. For some reason the book attached Romans 5:5 to Colton's meaning...Now hope does not disappoint,because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Don't ask me why they picked this verse I still don't get it but whatever.

Good news!!!

As of yesterday March 3, 2009 I only have 5 weeks left for this pregnancy. My doctor feels that is is best for me and baby to deliver early. I am having a few contractions so we are having to keep track of how many and what I am doing when I have them. I am going to the doctor once a week at this point and am looking for to the second week of April (April 11 is 38 weeks). It is only fitting that I have this baby a couple of days before tax season ends.

The new bedrooms are almost finished at least the painting part thanks to my parents who have done all of the work. Thank you thank you thank you to them. My house is slowly coming together. There are still things everywhere which I hate but oh well. Hopefully by next week everything will be put way and organized.

Update!!!

Well, it is officially that time of year for our family. TAX SEASON!!! At least Andy has a job, unlike the many Americans who seem to be getting laid off weekly. Andy is working some interesting hours. Early mornings, later than normal nights and working from home for two to three hours every night. I feel really badly for him. Not only does he have to his actually job, but he has to help me a lot and take care of Kaylee more than he would be if I was not pregnant. Gosh my man needs a vacation, maybe we will get to do that in September. I felt so bad last night that I actually went to the grocery store around 9pm for the few things we needed. My good friend went with me for safety. It was kind of really funny since we are both pregnant. Her husband said he wanted a detailed list of what pregnant ladies buy at the store at 9:00 at night. I bought the usually things except for the cinnamon rolls, and my friend well I have one thing to say fruit pies, HAHAHAHA. Just in case you were wondering Andy offered several times to go but it would have meant him staying up until 1 or 2 am to finish his work, and I was not having that. I did okay my legs were killing me after I got home so it meant sitting with them up for awhile before bed but that was it, not to bad for limited activity.
Pregnancy update
I am doing okay. I got sick from some virus and had to have fluids on Monday, but I am feeling better now. I unfortunately have been losing weight again and I know the DR is going to get all over me for that. There is little I can do about it since it is so hard to find food I can eat and not be sick. Even things that used to be okay are giving me troubles these days. Baby is doing great so all is relative. It is hard to believe that I will be 31 weeks on Saturday….so that means I will have this baby sometime in the next 6-8 weeks. Gosh I can do anything for 6-8 weeks considering what I have managed over the last 30 weeks.
Dr Appt.
Well Dr is seriously tweaked at me today, I lost 7 pds in two weeks. I wonder does he think I am dieting. I’m not by the way, I just can’t eat a lot of anything and I have been struggling to keep stuff down. I also struggle everyday with a horrible taste in my mouth that makes it impossible to eat or drink. Oh well I only have a few weeks to go, yippee!!!!
House
While sick we are trying to update the house by painting. I am not painting but family is doing it for us. I am trying to take pictures but I am seriously failing. I realized that I did not get a single before picture of Kaylee’s new bedroom. When it is finished I will take a picture. We are going to move furniture this weekend to officially move Kaylee into her new bedroom. Then the work starts in the baby’s bedroom. The people before us wallpapered his room with cheap wall paper so it will take some work to get it off the walls. I am defiantly a paint person not a wallpaper person.
I think that is all for now! I will write again next week after our ultrasound. I am still trying to scan baby pics. I guess I am not very good at using the new equipment.

December 2008

Well as you can tell by the title I am behind on my blogging by many weeks. December was a mixture of emotions along with very bad,bad and good days. We visited Disneyland the first week of December with Lois (Andy's mom). We had a great time although it was VERY busy the whole time we where there. I was very surprised by the crowds, we will never again go during the week of the candlelight precession. Although it was fun to watch, I have seen it now do not need to see it again.

Kaylee and Andy relaxing before the fireworks.

Lois saving seats before the fireworks. We had wonderful seats.The castle all a glow!Andy and I being silly! Kaylee on It's a small world.

We returned to AZ and I became VERY ill. Had a hard time doing anything without throwing up. Lost more weight and saw the inside of the hospital three times, YUCK! Doctors finally figured out my blood pressure was to low due to being over medicated. We adjusted my meds and I started to feel better the day before Christmas Eve. We spent Christmas eve with the McLaren family and Christmas day with the Rottmans (my family). We had lots of fun but it was a little overwhelming for me and I spent the next week laying down trying to recover. That brings us up to date through December I will post again later today about January and bring you all up to date. Love you all and thanks for all of the help and prayers.

Andy watching football, I think.

Kaylee reading her new Fancy Nancy book.
Andy and Kaylee getting ready for presents at home.
Kaylee and her "funny" piglet.
Kaylee smiling for the camera.