Vacation to North Myrtle Beach

Two weeks ago, Kevin decided that he wanted to take a long weekend vacation just the 3 of us because we haven't done that before.  So I started looking to where we could go and let me tell you trying to find a place at the beach for a few days, the week before you are planning to go, it's easy. But I finally found a place called Beach Cove Resort in North Myrtle Beach.  We left last Thursday after lunch and came home yesterday afternoon.  We had a great time. The place was very nice and Madalyn really enjoyed the beach and the pools.  Taking a vacation with just the 3 of us, you don't have many opportunities to get pictures, due to the business of Madalyn, haha, but I did get a few.

Saturday: I do have to tell you about our Saturday, it began at 3:00am. Madalyn was up and didn't go back to sleep until 3:00pm (and yes Kevin and I were in a daze but she was going strong all that time.) We tried everything we could think of to get her back to sleep, including trying to tire her out on the beach and in the pool several times.  Saturday night, we were coming off the beach around 8:00pm, and Madalyn didn't want to go, and she was crying and we had our hands full of stuff.  She continued to cry all the way to the room and once we got in the room to get her bath she was screaming very loudly.  We both thought she was hungry and tired. So we got her bathe, dressed and gave her a snack.  Then I began to notice that she wasn't using her right arm at all and when she did move it, she would cry.  I sent Kevin to find something for pain for her and while he was gone I decided to call Madalyn's doctor.  She told me that Madalyn had a pulled bone in her arm and it needed to be set back in place and the sooner we got it done the better for Madalyn. So at about 9:20 pm we head to the Myrtle Beach ER with Madalyn.  We were in and out within an hours time, so that was pretty good for the ER on a Saturday night. As soon as the doctor set her arm she forgot that it had hurt and she was moving it around and was fine. Due to us pulling her by her wrist to get her to come on with us and her pulling back not wanting to go, we had caused this to happen.  They call it nurse's elbow, and it's very common to happen in children from age 1-5 years.  They said it could easily happen again and showed us how to set it if it does.  The doctor also said to make sure not to swing her by her hands or pull her up by her hands or wrist, to grab above the elbow or under her arms.  Kevin and I felt so bad about it, but we were thankful it wasn't anything more than that. So our first ER experience with Madalyn wasn't so bad (not that you ever want to have to take your child to the ER ).

We were on the 8th floor

We had an end room, so we had a wrap around balcony

The view from our room

The view from our room in the other direction

There were 6 pools and a lazy river

Friday night we drove to Calabash, NC for dinner

Madalyn and Me

You think she smiling because she's in the water...she's smiling because a dog just walked by.

The moon was so big and orange Friday night, maybe that's why Madalyn didn't sleep.



Each night someone was shooting fireworks on the beach

Sunrise Saturday morning

Sunday morning: Our last time on the beach before we leave

Box of Fun

 Who needs fancy toys when you can play with a box?  This weekend I had an empty box of diapers sitting on top of the trash can to be thrown away. Well, having a 16 month old, nothing is safe unless it's out of her reach, and right now, she can stand on her tip toes or climb and get just about anything she wants.  She got the box off the trash can and brought it into the kitchen and the next thing I know she was sitting inside the box.  Since then she has played and played with this box.  I would like to find a really big box and make a playhouse for her, but I'm not sure where to find one. 

Madalyn reading her farm book

Madalyn and her puppy watching TV 

Prayer Update: Harper Nicole Berry

"Harper" Nicole Berry is here! She was born mid-morning, they got a later start that planned.  Dave was allowed to go back with them, but the doctor warned him that if something started going wrong he would have to leave.  When Harper came out she was crying and took her first breath on her own, which the doctor said was a good sign.  They didn't have to rush Harper to the NICU right away, so Dave was allowed to touch her.  They do have Harper hooked up to oxygen but there is very little flowing from a medicine right now, because she is able to breath pretty well on her own right now. Tara is coming out of recovery and is doing well. Her blood pressure has started to go down.  She had had a very rough night and it was getting more and more dangerous for Tara as this week has gone on.  Dave has seen Harper two different times in the NICU.  Harper was 1.13 pounds and 13 inches long.  As of right now, Tara will be coming home in four days and Little Miss  Harper will be staying until her official due date October 25th unless something changes.  Thank you for praying for this family and please continue to pray for Harper to gain weight and grow stronger every day.  Also pray for Tara to continue to improve and to get well quickly.  Pray for both Dave and Tara as they will have to come home from the hospital without their baby girl and will have the next few months of traveling back and forth to the hospital to see her.  God is Good!

A Call to Prayer

Family and Friends I am calling you to pray now, and specifically at 8:00am in the morning, and in the next few months that follow each day for a special family.  Dave (Dave is Kevin's cousin), Tara, and Baby Harper Berry.  Tara is 27 weeks almost 28 weeks pregnant with "Harper" Nicole Berry.  She is due October 25th.  However, this past Monday and week has led to some unexpected changes.  Tara was admitted to the hospital Monday due to sky high blood pressure.  That has led to finding out that she has preeclampsia.  Tara is at the University Hospital in Georgia and is currently not allowed visitors due to they can't keep her blood pressure under control.  We have learned this evening that in the morning at 8:00am they will begin a C-Section on Tara and at just 1.9 pounds, Harper will be born.  I have been praying for this family all week and I have sent out text messages and calls to those that I knew would join me in praying for this family and especially for Harper.  (If I have left anyone out, I am sorry, but please join us now. ) She has a fight on her hands and the family, extended family, etc. we are praying for God to show out big time and give us a miracle with this precious baby girl.  So, please join me in praying for Tara, Harper, the doctors and nurses now and continue tomorrow.  This family has a long road ahead of them and I thank you in advance for your prayers.

Matthew 18:20 "Where two or more are gathered in my name, I will be with them."

Madalyn 16 Months

This past weekend we had a family reunion to attend in Greenville. On Saturday, Madalyn was 16 months old, so I got a few pictures of her at the reunion.

Wingo at Play

Wingo is such a happy dog. He loves to run and play around, after all he's still a puppy. Here he is having the best time with his rope toy.

A New Seat

Madalyn found out that she can climb over the arm of the couch and sit on the end table.