Kenzie was excited to see Santa, until we got there. She told him from a distance what she wanted for Christmas, but she wasn't about to let go of mommy!

 "Cheesing" with Papa!

Loving on Grandma!

Kenzie has become quite the person lately. She loves to help me cook. Her favorite part is probably cleaning out bowls and licking spoons. She also loves to stir and 'dump' things in! We made cookies for daddy to take hunting and cupcakes to celebrate her sleeping all night. This only happens about one time a week! She is saying a lot more words and even making sentences. She loves to sing. She most often sings 5 little monkeys, B-I-B-L-E, Jesus Loves Me and this morning was the ABC song (with help). She continues to play with her babies for long periods of time and enjoys her bath. She loves having fish (ice) put in her bath water.

Heath went out west hunting this weekend with his dad. Needless to say, I don't think they had much luck! :) I think he is hoping to take Remi with him next year.

I have continued on with my healthy lifestyle. To date I have lost just over 25 pounds and several inches since August. My neurologist was quite happy with my progress when I went for my follow up earlier this month. I will return for another visit and MRI this summer. My job is going well. I love it here.

What's happening with us?

Kenzie: I had my iron re-tested and it was in the normal range. YEAH! I have to continue taking the iron once a day as well as my vitamin. They will re-check it again in the near future. I have been sleeping more peacefully and for longer periods. Mommy and Daddy are certainly happy about that. Everyday I am saying more things. I have even said a full sentence a time or two. I love to be outside, play downstairs and pretend. I am always 'cooking' or playing with my babies. Recently I have been giving my babies airplane rides. Mommy gives me airplane rides too.

Jennifer: Another birthday passed. It was just another day. I spent it at a conference learning about patient care. I am continuing my workout. I completed a lifting challenge last month and placed 3rd out of 40+ women. I have done great so far and continue to work hard, not only for myself, but to inspire others as well.

Heath: I work all day. I work all weekend. I find time to play with Kenzie and fish. That seems to fill up my time. I harvested my pumpkin crop last weekend after the hard freeze. I had about a dozen basketball-size or larger pumpkins. Not to shabby considering the lack of moisture this year.

It's been a while since I have posted, so I thought I would do a short update today. Kenzie got to attend her first K-State football game earlier this month. She did well! She has been learning the K--S--U--Wildcats cheer thanks to Grandma and Daddy. Just this morning she heard "U" on the television and she followed it up with "Wildcats." It's adorable!
Kenzie was tested for low iron a few weeks ago. Her tests came back that she was really low. She's a great eater, her body just doesn't absorb the iron. We started her on liquid iron and within 5 days she was sleeping all night! It's been a blessing. We'll see if it lasts. She will be re-tested here in a few weeks. We pray her levels are up in the normal range.
Heath and I have both been busy with work. Heath continues to work on the yard and garden. I started living a healthier life in August. I have seen several pound disappear as well as the inches. My shots are going well and hopefully with this combination I can live a great life with MS.
Until next time...

Happy Birthday, Kenzie!

I can't believe Kenzie is 2. She has been such a blessing and I cherish every moment I get to spend with her.

She is...
talking a lot, saying up to 4 words together
often found playing with her babies or her farm set
talking on the phone (real and pretend), mostly to Daniel and Papa
eating almost anything you ask her to
peddling on her tricycle
pretending daddy (or anyone) is a horse
pretending to make imaginary food and serve you
constantly talking about Daniel
singing to songs
dancing to music
continuing to be interested in potty training
and so much more!

Mommy and Daddy love you!!

 Mommy and Me

 Playing Farm

It's been a while so I thought I would update...

Heath: Regular season softball has come to an end, however, we still have Morrill Days this weekend. I have been working in our basement as well as doing some projects for others as well. Remi and I spend time together each evening. I am working on fetching with her and she is doing remarkably well.

Jennifer: My medicine is being delivered today and I start my daily injections tomorrow. I still enjoy my job at the clinic and keep busy with various activities. This year I am the Halloween Queen Coordinator for our local town parade. I think this will be a great opportunity for me. I have had to change my diet and add in more exercise lately. This is going to take a lot of support from my family and friends to keep me on board.

Kenzie: I will be 2 next week. Mommy and Daddy can't believe it. I am quite the little person. I am in to wearing dresses, fixing my own hair, playing outside, carrying a purse, playing farm, helping mom (or dad) clean and cook. I started sleeping better, but now I just want to wake up around 1:30 to make sure mom is still close by. I love to give hugs and kisses and pat people on the back. Grandma Charlotte taught me to jump so with help I like to jump off of things! (this could be dangerous!)

Update

Several of you have asked for an update on me...well here it is.
Last week I has a follow-up appointment at KU Med. I did an MRI and met with the doctor afterwards. The doctor overloaded me with a lot of news, that I wasn't expecting. First of all, I had a new lesion on the base of my brain. This shocked me since it had only been 3 months since my previous MRI. The doctor assured me that this wasn't an aggressive form and we have cought the MS early. So, yes, this did confirm that I do have MS. With all of this my doctor wanted me to hold off on more children and focus on starting treatments to get a handle on the MS. We will reevaluate in a year. This was a huge disappointment to me. I had been hoping to conceive another child soon and now these best layed plans will have to wait.
I start my daily injections this week. They are sending a nurse out to my home to show me (and Heath) how to give myself the shot each day.
It's been a hard week, but I have to stay postive and move forward. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I ask for strength as I give myself a shot each day, prayers that I have no reactions and that the shots will slow the progress so that someday (hopefully soon) Heath and I will be able to have another child.
~Jennifer

Family Fun

Papa

 Candy from Papa...

 Checking Papa's pocket for candy...

Sharing my candy with Papa...

Papa has been known to bring Kenzie candy, cookies and strawberries when he comes to visit. Most of the time it's candy and everytime she sees him, she checks his pocket!

Summer Fun

 Swimming with Daddy

 Paddle boat with Papa and Grandma

 I love being outside!

Happy 4th of July!

 Setting off fireworks with Grandma Charlotte.

Snapping snappers

Family Update

Kenzie: She continues to love being outside. Some of her favorite things to do include: playing in the sandbox, swimming, swinging, and throwing the ball to Remi. She continues to be a good eater and has recently (on her own doing) started using the potty. She loves to get a sticker on her sticker page. She has been very successful at home.

Heath: He stays busy working and then doing side jobs for others on the weekends. He's been able to do some fishing and swimming in the evenings. He contines to work with Remi too. He hasn't quite master how to keep her out of his garden, but that will come.

Jennifer: I continue to enjoy my job and love having my evenings and weekends free to be with Kenzie. Kenzie and I have been riding my bike or walking most evenings.

Swimming

Wednesday night marked the first day of the 2012 swimming season in the Ploeger house. Kenzie loved the water. We are all looking forward to many more days in the pool!

1st Hair Cut

 Kenzie got her first hair cut last night.  She didn't want the cape on, but other than that, she did great. It wasn't much, but I just wanted the frizziness to go away! She loved the grape sucker, Miss Vickie gave her, until Remi took it from her, then it was devastation!
By the way, nothing was cut from the front, just the back!

A few pics of Kenzie over the past few weeks!

 Congrats to my lil brother on his graduation! We are very proud of him on his accomplishments!

Before I was a Mom -
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -
I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom -
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.


Happy Mother's Day to all moms, especially my mom and and mother-in-law. Thank you for all you've done and continue to do for me and my family!

Many of you have asked how I am doing...

I saw a neurologist this week, got a negative lyme disease test and a positive MS test on my spinal fluid. I'm still having symptoms, but doing well. I have gotten an appointment at KU Med later this month to meet with a Neurologist that specializes in MS.

Things to pray for:
positive prognosis
plan of attack
strength to make it through every day with a positive attitude no matter what my symptoms are

Thank you!

what a week this has been. i had a spinal tap on tuesday to confirm the ms diagnosis and determine the type. following the procedure i was one of the lucky ones who got a spinal headache. wednesday began with a blood patch procedure which was suposed to relieve the headache, but it didnt. today i was in the er receiving iv pain meds, a steroid and giving blood for testing. all the lab came back fine, but so did the pain. i have an appointment with a neurologist monday so i am axious about that. i pray for relief from this headache and for my worrying to cease.

What's Happening with Our Family

It's been a while since I've updated, so I thought I'd post a quick update.

Kenzie: I love being outside swinging and playing with Remi. I have begun playing more by myself and usually have at least one doll I am pushing around, if not more. Bathtime is a favorite time of day and I still don't like to sleep all night. Mommy and daddy got me a treat when I slept all night one night and the next night too. I haven't done it again, but I'd really like another treat! I never miss a meal or snack and do well at eating anything that gets put in front of me. I am trying to learn to share my toys, but it's hard for me to watch other kids play with my toys.

Heath: I've been staying busy with work and doing side-jobs for people on the weekends. I have the garden planted and it looks good so far. I was fearful of the late freezes, but it looks like everything is going to make it. I haven't been fishing as much as I have wanted, but I do get away most Sunday afternoons.

Jennifer: I continue to enjoy my "new" job. It's probably not quite so new though. The month of April has been a challenge for me as I developed some symptoms that I was unsure about. After an ENG and 2 hours of different MRIs, I got a diagnosis. Certainly not a diagnosis I wanted, but I have been told that I have MS. I am waiting to go to KU Med and in the meantime will be doing some addittional tests.

Please pray for our family. Speciffically that the type of MS I have ins't the aggressive form.

 Ploeger Family

 Hunting Eggs

Riding Zoey with Uncle Gary

This is a little late, but here is Kenzie in her Easter dress. She really picked up on hunting eggs and enjoyed all the family.

Mark 16:1-8When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed."Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.


Happy Easter!!

Our 2 Girls

Remi--13 weeks
Kenzie loves Remi

Kenzie loves the swing Grandma Charlotte got her! If only Remi would swing with her!

Silly Girl!