The Bonomo Family Christmas Tree

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Today Brian and I took Kennedy to the Christmas tree farm to pick out her very first Christmas Tree!!! She was awake for the first 10 minutes of walking around trying to pick out "the perfect tree", however, soon feel asleep in her pack. I am so excited to get to celebrate this Christmas with our baby. I think this is going to be the best christmas thus far.

We decorated our tree and listened to Christmas music all afternoon. Kennedy just relaxed (slept) on the couch. I love this time of year!!! I also have dressed Kennedy in Christmas attire since Thanksgiving, hey you don't have long to dress your baby in whatever you want so I am taking full advantage.

On a side note....Kennedy has been doing great since we started the rice cereal and stopped her prevacid and reglan medications (without doctors orders). I am sure I will get an earfull on Monday from her GI doctor, however, what did he want me to do??? I was not about to let her stay in the state she was in. She has not thrown up since Friday night!!!! In addition, she is just so calm and content (like she used to be). I am concluding that it was the medicine and not the G-tube that was bothering Kennedy. The G-tube was placed and medicine began on the same days.

Enjoy the pics!!!!!

(Above: A typical Kennedy face - Mommy loves Christmas attire!!!!)

(Above: "Auntie.....Get this hat off me")

(Above: Chubby cheeks!)

(Above: Slumber party @ Grandpa and Grandmas. Kennedy and I spent Thursday and Friday night at my parents. We had a nice relaxing couple days, it was nice to have so many hands!)

(Above: Picking out Kennedy's first Christmas Tree)

(Above: Santas Little Helper)

(Above: Daddy and Kennedy)

(Above: Reindeer Feet)

(Above: Mommy and Kennedy)

Thanksgiving

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The one thing I wanted more then anything was to have Kennedy home for the Holiday's. Kennedy celebrated her first Thanksgiving at Aunt Donna's. It was a day full of food, laughter, and fun. Kennedy was a bundle of joy on Thursday. She was up longer and more alert then she had ever been before. No one could keep their hands off her. She was a social butterfly and the highlight of the day.

The things I am thankful for:

* I am thankful that God gave me Kennedy. Even though life has been so hectic I forget to brush my teeth and wash my hair sometimes I wouldn't want it any other way. Since Kennedy came along I learned that not all people can handle a child with special needs. However, I know I can and I couldn't imagine Kennedy with anybody else.

* I am thankful for my family and friends. For all their help and understanding. I know I have not been the best of friends or the funniest to be around lately but you all understand why and don't judge or resent me for that.

* I am thankful for all the strength and resilience Kennedy has in her

* I am thankful for medicine, doctors, nurses, feeding tubes, bulb syringes, and spit up rags

* But most importantly I am just thankful to have Kennedy home where she belongs!!!

(Above: Kennedy in her 1st Thanksgiving outfit)

(Above: Nana (Great Great Grandma) holding Kennedy for the first time ever)

(Above: Five Generations - and no we do not have scrubs on this time!!!)

(Above: Kennedy with all the girls)

(Above: Kennedy was screaming bloody murder to get away from all those men - she is truly a girly girl)

(Above: an ole fashion stare off between grandpa and Kennedy)

(Above: Kisses!!!!)

(Above: Just the three of us)

Home with a G-Tube

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

So we have been home for about a week and a half and things could not be any worse. Kennedy had a G-tube surgically put in on Tuesday, November 18th. The surgery went differently then expected. Kennedy was supposed to be given an anesthetic through her IV, however, at the last minute everything changed. The doctor was not comfortable operating on Kennedy unless she was put out with a general anesthetic and put on a vent, he did not trust her breathing. I went into her surgery expecting one thing and was thrown for a loop with this news. I really had no choice so I agreed after a lot of reassurance from the head anesthesiologist and Kennedy's GI doctor. I was so scared to see my little baby on a vent again.

I sat in her recovery room for what seemed like two hours but in reality it was only 30 - 35 minutes. When they wheeled her into her room there was NO VENT she only had an oxygen mask on - Just in case!!! Thank goodness. The nurse said Kennedy did great. They were able to get her off the vent right after the procedure was complete.

The next 24 hours was rough for Kennedy. She was in alot of pain from the procedure. Not to mention she was going on over 40 hours with no food. The first night we ended up giving Kennedy one dose of Morphine to ease her pain. She was screaming non stop and her heart rate was out of control. We didn't want to risk any issues with her blood pressure as well.

The first four feedings she had were pedialyte. She did really well on it. From there we progressed to breast milk for four feedings. She also tolerated that really well. Finally she had to be able to tolerate the breast milk with one teaspoon of enfamil 22 cal formula in it. She threw up once with that but overall seemed to tolerate it really well.

The first four or five days of her being home were good. Kennedy seemed to be doing really well. I think she was really happy to have her feeding tube out of her nose. It gave her a sort of freedom that she had never had before. However, after Thanksgiving our luck began to change. Kennedy has been doing horrible. She is crying and throwing up non stop. She can not keep anything down. No matter how much or how little you feed her she still throws up. In addition, she has been screaming all day and all night. She is even waking up from a dead sleep screaming at the top of her lungs. I don't know if she is sick (her temp is fine), if the tube is bothering her, if the milk is not mixing well.....I DON'T KNOW. To make matters worse all of Kennedy's doctors are either out on vacation or are booked until next week.

Last night I had an idea.....after doing a lot of research I was reading that other people who have kids with reflux problems or with G-tubes got some good results by adding rice cereal to their babies formula or breast milk in order to thicken it up. It is supposed to help them from spitting up and keep them feeling fuller and more satisfied. So I started this last night and so far so good.

I will keep you all updated. In the meantime here are some new pictures - Enjoy!

Above: Kennedy just hanging out in her boppy on a cold day

Above: Brooklyn - one day Brian and I will be able to take Kennedy back east and hang out with her Aunts.

Above: Kennedy just relaxin'

Above: The first day BACK in the hospital - Acute Pediatric Unit

Above: Daddy and Kennedy after Kennedy's surgery. We have her wrapped all tight to ensure nothing would hit or bother her G-tube

Above: A rare look at Kennedy with no visable strings or cords!

Above: Kennedy loves her mobile that grandma got her.

Above: It looks like she is about to crack a smile.

Above: Kennedy and crazy Breanna

Just Shy of ONE Month

Sunday, November 16, 2008
We were four days shy of being home for one month when we were readmitted to Loma Lindas Acute Pediatric Hospital. That's right - we are back in the hospital. Last weekend Kennedy was having some trouble breathing and was very congested. We were very concerned seeing as Kennedy has Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). Friday and Saturday she was congested but overall seemed fine. However, Sunday was another story. Kennedy was having alot of trouble berating. She was gasping for air numerous times. Her skin became very mottled and she looked a little pale. Plus, when you placed your hand on the back of her chest you could feel rattling in her lungs. So Brian and I decided to rush her to the emergency room at Loma Linda.

It took us about 25 minutes to get there and we had a bed within ten minutes. The second I started telling the admit team Kennedy's history they rushed us back. An X-ray was performed and it was determined that Kennedy was developing Pneumonia. When I heard those words I freaked out!! If you remember, while in the hospital I was always told that it was pneumonia that would kill Kennedy. I was really beginning to panic. The nurse drew some labs consisting of a complete blood count (CBC) and a metabolic panel. The good news was that Kennedy's liver levels were almost normal, her billirubin levels were normal, and her hematocrit and retic count were perfect (which means her anemia is going away). However, her white blood count was elevated. After drawing the labs the nurse tried to place an IV but was unsuccessful - big surprise. The nurse called down for an IV Therapist to place an IV in Kennedy because the doctor wanted to start her on antibiotics to treat her pneumonia. I explained to her that Kennedy is not an easy stick and that her blood clots before the IV can be placed. After 5 different attempts I told the IV therapist to stop. I was not going to let her poke her time and time again and ruin all of her veins. I spoke with the doctor and she said that we could hold off on the IV and put her on oral antibiotics for the time being.

We were not admitted to the hospital until 6:00 am the next day - boy were we tired. Brian and I had no idea that we would be staying at the hospital. We were not admitted to the NICU, but instead to the Acute Pediatric Unit. The ONLY nice thing about being in this unit as apposed to the NICU is that you can spend the night!! Everything else is horrible. The nursing care is pathetic. I sometimes wonder if these people even have their RN licenses and if they really do how in the hell did they obtain them. Tuesday morning I woke up to the Nurse saying that we needed to get an IV started in Kennedy because the doctor wanted to have the antibiotics run via IV. I told her that she would have to call the NICU and get someone from down their to come up and start her IV. She tried to argue with me and tell me how they had really good IV
Therapists, however, I told her how the really good IV Therapists could not get a line in Kennedy on Sunday and how she blistered Kennedy's forehead. I think they were really irritated with me because they had to call down to the NICU, but oh well. At this point I could care less how mad they were at me. I am sick of my baby hurting and getting poked all the time. Later that afternoon a couple of girls we knew from the NICU came up and stared Kennedy's IV in two tries!!!!

I had a meeting with the Nurse Manager to discuss the dismal care the nurses were providing. I explained Kennedy's situation and told her how unsatisfied I was. She stated; "oh you are a NICU mom". That is right!!!! However, as I told her, being a NICU mom has nothing to do with the job her nurses were doing. Kennedy's pulse ox had come off and was alarming. I didn't silence the alarm or re stick it to Kennedy's foot because I wanted to see how long it would take someone to see what was going on. It took over 12 minutes - thank god the pulse ox wasn't beeping because she was d-sating otherwise she might have been blue by the time they came in to see what was going on. They were doing things that anyone would be very concerned with like; not washing their hands, reusing syringes, not cleaning out Kennedy's kangaroo bag (feeding bag), having no idea how to place the leads. She apologized and told me that she would get me some better nurses. We have had a couple of good nurses, but most of them have been horrible. It has forced us to stay by Kennedy's bedside almost 24/7, which is very draining. I am afraid to leave because if something was to happen to Kennedy I don't think they would have a clue at what to do.

I pushed the doctors to get some tests done to see if Kennedy had reflux and to see why Kennedy looks like she is drowning every time she drinks via bottle. We had an upper GI done on Tuesday. Poor Kennedy had to be strapped into a device that looked like a rotisserie. They made her drink barium via bottle and then they spun her around to see what the food did in her belly and to see if any reflux developed. That test showed no acid reflux. However, this test is a very poor test to determine acid reflux because it only has a window of five minutes. Of course nothing happens in five minutes. So the following day she had another test - PH Probe test. They place a probe down her nose into her esophagus and measures the amount of acid over a 24 hour period. The test showed that Kennedy had severe acid reflux and she was prescribed two medications and I was told to feed her at least at a 30 degree angle.

We also had a modified barium swallow study done to see what happens when Kennedy goes to swallow her milk. The results were not good actually it was the worst result we could get!!! Kennedy is aspirating every time she drinks. The milk she sucks from the bottle sits and pools at the back of her throat and she is unable to get it down her esophagus - her muscles are just not strong enough. So the milk pools at the back of the throat and some of it penetrates into her lungs. This is not good!!! She is making her self aspirate. In other words, the pneumonia she had was actually self induced. So were were told that were were no longer to feed Kennedy via mouth. My instincts were right. I knew this was happening with Kennedy that is why I stopped feeding her via bottle. It was just really nice to have the Speech-Language Pathologist reaffirm my suspicions.

Due to the findings of all three tests, Kennedy's GI doctor decided that we needed to get a g-tube placed for Kennedy. I knew it was coming, but I am sad that Kennedy will have to get it. I mean it is a foreign object sticking out of her stomach. However, the positives are that Kennedy will no longer have to endure the painful time of feeding. She hated drinking via bottle, it really stressed her out. Plus, we can not let her to continue to aspirate on her milk and develop pneumonia. If she get pneumonia numerous time it could be deadly for Kennedy. Kennedy's surgery is going to be either Monday or Tuesday. So hopefully we will be out of the hospital before the weekend.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers over the next couple of days.

I will post again once Kennedy is home!!!

Is it to much to ask for answers???

Friday, November 7, 2008
Why does it seem that all of Kennedy's doctors are completely retarded? I am so sick and tired of not knowing what is wrong with my baby. Come on already.....Kennedy is over 12 weeks old and we are still no closer to a diagnosis then we were the day she was born. Every day that passes shows me more and more that there is something wrong with Kennedy - but what??

This week we had our appointment for our swallowing study, however, it was nothing like we thought it would be. We thought we were taking Kennedy in for a barium study, however, we just had a speech pathologist listen to her throat and chest with the stethoscope while I gave Kennedy her bottle. She said that it did not sound like Kennedy was aspirating, however, wanted us to get a barium study. She is not sure what is going on - what a surprise!!

Next week we have an appointment with Nephrology and Kennedy gets her second RSV shot. I also am going to take her back into her pediatrician because she keeps throwing up after her 8:00 am and 8:00 pm feeding. I think that one of her mediccations is messing with her stomach, but I am not sure which one. It could be either her multivitamin, iron, or phenobarbital - who knows.

Also, the genetic doctor at Loma Linda is driving me cuckoo!! I have called 5 times and left three messages to see what the results of Kennedy's Mitochondrial tests were. Do you think I have heard back from them - nope!! I was told that the test results would take two to three weeks. It has been over four weeks now and we have still heard nothing. I just want to know if it was positive or negative. If it is positive I want to try to get Kennedy some sort of treatment ASAP to prevent the disease from progressing and if it is negative I want to keep searching for answers.

Anyways, enough with my complaining!!! I am just frustrated that is seems like nothing is being done for Kennedy. It seems like all these other people have answers and are able to work towards improvement for their babies and we are just stuck - why????

Oh the Doctors.....

Monday, November 3, 2008

I never realized how tiring all these doctors appointments could be. Since Kennedy got out of the hospital two weeks ago we have seen alot of doctors and nurses. She has been to her pediatrician twice (once for her first follow up appointment following her release from the NICU and the other time for oral thrush). We have had a nurse come and visit the house three times. Her Occupational Therapist has come twice, however, Kennedy decided to sleep through once of her appointments. Kennedy and I also had to go to the Audiologist for her hearing. We also visited the GI doctor today and that's not the last of it. In the next two weeks we have a Nephrology appointment, Neurology appointment, Ear Nose and Throat appointment, and we have to get Kennedy synagis shot (this is for RSV).

When we left the NICU we knew we had to follow-up with a Audiologist regarding Kennedy's hearing. The Audiologist appointment was very informative, however, until we see the Neurologist we still have a lot of unanswered questions. According to her last hearing test administered in the NICU it showed Kennedy had partial hearing lose in her right ear. In order to test Kennedy's hearing I was instructed to keep her up as long as possible because I had to bring her in tired and sleepy. The test could only be administered if she was sleeping. As most of you know Kennedy sleeps a lot. Our appointment was at 10:30 am. I woke her up at 7:30 administered her meds and then fed her a half our later. Once her belly rested I knew I could keep her up if I gave her a bath. So after the bath I put her under her jungle gym. I managed to keep her up until 9:15, although I worried that it was not enough. The appointment went well. Kennedy slept almost the entire time. The test showed that she has partial hearing lose in both of her ears. However, we need to consult with the Neurologist and ensure that her brain is processing the information she is hearing. If everything is fine "upstairs" then we will be able to get Kennedy fitted for two hearing aids and everything will be fine. But if everything is not wired correctly in her brain I don't know what we can do. Hopefully she will be able to pick up on sign language. I guess only time will tell.....

Today, we had our follow up appointment with Peds GI. As we walked in we saw our friends from the NICU The Clayton's. Their daughter Kennedy was released from the NICU two weeks before Kennedy was released. It was very nice to see a familiar face and have someone to chat with about life after leaving the NICU. I think once you have a baby in the NICU there are only very few people that truly understand and can relate to you. It seems that their daughter is really doing well. She is really thriving at home - which is so great.

It was really good that our GI appointment was when it was because I have become very concerned with Kennedy and her eating. She has really really digressed with her nippling since we came home from the hospital. Brian and I have really backed off the nippling in the last week. This is because every time we give Kennedy the bottle she begins to vigorously suck and drink, however, once the milk enters her mouth and she swallows she gets this look on her face like she is drowning and begins to scream. At the doctors today, I got out Kennedy's bottle and showed the doctor. Kennedy only took two sucks and the doctor told me to stop. He said the he thinks that the milk is going down the wrong pipe, meaning it is going into her lungs - which is no good. This could cause Kennedy to develop Pneumonia. So he ordered a swallowing evaluation STAT and told us to feed her via the corpak, he does not want to give her the bottle. Our appointment is set for Thursday, unless there are any cancellations. Depending on the results of these tests we will know if Kennedy will need surgery to get a G-tube placed. I will keep you all posted.

By the way.....Kennedy weighs 9 lbs 6 ounces. She has gained 1 lb 5 ounces since she was released from the NICU. We are also beginning to increase her feeds. As of today she is getting 90 cc's (3 ounces) 6 times a day. In the next two or three weeks we would like to be up to 120 cc's (4 ounces) 6 times a day.

(Above: Auntie Tracey and cousin Brennen hanging out with Kennedy)

(Above: "I've got no strings to hold me down" this is one of the first and only pictures I have of Kennedy with no strings or cords attached. Gosh I can't wait for the day when she has no more wires)

(Above: Mommy and Kennedy)

(Above: Kennedy modeling her new outfit - I know she has alot of clothes but I couldn't resist)

(Above: Grandma and Grandpa hanging out with Kennedy while Brian and I made dinner)

Halloween

Monday, November 3, 2008

So Kennedy had a great 1st Halloween. She was an adorable Giraffe!!!! However, she was not able to stay in her outfit long because it was so darn hot. We made lots of stops on Halloween night. The three of us stopped by Ramonas house (one of Kennedy's Primary NICU Nurses). It was great to finally meet her husband and her gorgeous girls. I have heard alot about them, it was nice to finally but a face to a name.

Then we were off to my parents house. Our friends Jessica, Sean and their daughter Kaiti met us over there. We went around the block trick-or-treating and showing Kennedy off to all my moms neighbors. However, Kennedy was really cranky. The day before Halloween, I had to change Kennedy's Corpak. I moved it from the right nostril to the left nostril. Since the change she was really fussy and cranky. She also was chocking, coughing, sneezing, and gaging more then she ever has. So on Saturday, I decided to take it out and switch it back to the right nostril. Once I did that I had a completely different baby. Either the corpak was rubbing against something or there is some sort of blockage in her left nostril - who knows!!!

Back to Halloween....After my parents we went over to our best friends house Derek and Jen(Kennedy's Godparents). We hung out, watched movies, looked at wedding pictures and chatted the night away. It is so nice to have such great friends - we love you!!!

(Above: Kennedy did not know what to do once I put her in her Giraffe outfit)

(Above: The most perfect Giraffe in the whole world)

(Above: "Strike a Pose")

(Above: Kennedy and the best Godparents in the world)

Pumpkin Patch

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Today was a big day for Kennedy.....She went to her first pumpkin patch and picked a little peanut pumpkin (the pumpkin suited her perfectly). Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie came along with us. I dressed peanut in her little pumpkin butt outfit. She looked adorable - it was a little warmer then expected but overall we had a great time. Kennedy slept the whole time, but I would like to think that she loved being with us out and about.

The only bummer was all the stares we got. I don't think people realize how much they are staring. As everyone knows Kennedy still has her NG Tube in her nose and people really stare!! It is kind of uncomfortable but something we have to get used to I guess. I want to make sure we give Kennedy the most normal life we know how to.

Enjoy the pics.......

(Above: Mommy Daddy and Kennedy at the Pumpkin Patch)

(Above: Kennedy with her favorite Auntie. By the way can you move in?????)

(Above: Kennedy with Grandma and Grandpa)

(Above: Family Picture)

(Above: This was Brian's brilliant idea. He gave our baby to Frankenstein to hold!!! I was freakin' out. But she is one of the only baby's who have their picture with Frankenstein - up close and personal)

(Above: Kennedy airing out. It was really hot out today)

1st Week Home

Thursday, October 23, 2008
So....I know I have been slacking in the blogging department, however, I have had a lot on my plate this last week. Oh the changes that have occurred in our lives in just one week. For those of you who did not know it Kennedy was released from Loma Linda's NICU on Thursday, October 16, 2008. After 64 long days in the NICU we were finally free. I couldn't believe it!!!! The discharge process was long and arguous. Brian and I arrived at the NICU at 1:00 and did not walk out the door with Kennedy until 5:30 p.m. Yep, that's right Kennedy was about to experience fresh air. She was going to be coming home!!! Brian drove as I sat in the backseat with Kennedy. She had her eyes wide shut the entire drive home. We were greeted at the door by my Mom, Dad, and sister. Little did we know that our lives were about to get more complicated then we could have every imagined.

Kennedy was sent home from the NICU with no REAL DIAGNOSIS. To date the only for sure thing that is wrong with Kennedy is that she has Cerebellur Hypoplasia, but no one knows how this occurred. In addition, no one knows why anything is truly happening. They have no idea why she has high blood pressure, why she is so hypotonic, why she is unable to hear in one hear, why she is still so jaundice etc....Kennedy was sent home on a strict schedule with a NG tube and on 7 different medications. Kennedy is taking two different blood pressure medications, a liver medication, phenobarbital for seizures and cholestasis, iron for her anemia, multi vitamin, and medication for her thresh.

I have only been home for one week and I am running on empty - between administering medications, feedings, pumping, and all our doctors visits (both in house and outpatient visits) I don't know how I am going to keep up. My daily schedule is as follows: Feeding Kennedy via bottle and feeding tube, administer meds, pump, and clean everything up. By the time I am done with this whole process I have to do it all over again in an hour in a half. However, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It was so important for me to take Kennedy home to be with me and Brian. God forbid something is to happen, I want to be able to spend as much quality time with her as I can.

Having Kennedy home has been great. However, the security of being in the NICU is no longer. I feel so much more vulnerable. I don't have as many people to talk to that really understand what is going on and that can relate to what I am going through. My biggest fear about having Kennedy outside of the NICU is that something might happen to Kennedy and there will be no way I can help her.

We have had some troubles since we have been home. Kennedy has really digressed on her feedings. Before we left the NICU she was eating about three full feeds on her on. Since we have been home we have yet to get her to take an entire feed. on average she is nippling 30 cc's (1 ounce). I am not sure what the problem is but I just hope I am able to work with her and get this turned around. If she does not pick it up on the feedings within 3 or 4 weeks we will have to take her back to the hospital to get a G-tube surgically placed in her stomach.

I want to thank everyone for all their prayers. Kennedy has really come along way. She still has a lot more to conquer and overcome so please keep the prayers coming.

There are some people that I need to thank;

• Breanna for the wonderful balloons put on our mailbox for Kennedy's homecoming
• Mom for helping me out through this entire ordeal and being by my side every step of the way. I loved Kennedy's homecoming balloons. You are a great laundry cleaner too!!! I hope I can be half the mom to Kennedy that you are to me.
• Aunt Donna - thank you so much for cleaning my house so that I bring Kennedy home to a clean and refreshing home. It also allowed me to be able to focus on Kennedy for the first week instead of having to deal with other nonsense.
• The Fellman's for the wonderful flower arraingement. I loved them!!!
• The Smith's for coming over and cooking us one of the best home cooked meals we have had in a LONG time.
• To WHOEVER got us the edible arraingement!!! There was a card but no name - we love it!!!
• Dee & Randy Smith for the best outfit in the entire world. I love peanuts "my little peanut" outfit.
• Aunt Susie for the best poem I have ever read. You had me speechless. I never knew that I was considered to be somebodies hero!!!
• To all my friends; Jen, Corrin, Shannon, Katie, Jessica, Reta, Barbara, for being there to listen to me when I needed to vent and get things off my chest. You guys kept me sane.
• To our NICU Nurses - Ramona, Michelle, Kecia, Amanda, Melissa J., Melissa, Carla, and Dana.....I don't know how I can ever repay you for what you have done. I owe so much to you guys! You have done so much for me and my family. You took care of Kennedy as if she were your own daughter. You were by her side when Brian and I could not be. You were there to comfort and care for her in her time of need. You always had her best interests at heart. You would stand up for her when she couldn't stand up for herself. Even though she could not speak for herself you were her voice. When all the doctors said she would not make it you stood by her side and pushed on - YOU NEVER GAVE UP ON HER and for that i am forever indebted to you. If I had to chose nurses to take care of my baby I could not have found more qualified and compassionate people as you guys. I owe my daughters life to you guys! You have not only become our friends but we consider you part of our family. I love you!!!

We have a long road ahead of us but i am stayin' positive. I hope you enjoy the new pics of Kennedy.....

(Above: Kennedy modeling her 1st Halloween outfit)

(Above: Kennedy looks like she does not have a care in the world - this was two days before her release)

(Above: About to walk into the door for the first time with Kennedy)

(Above: The Welcoming Committee)

(Above: Kennedy's first meal at home)

(Above: The first time Kennedy was able to ride in her swing. She loved it!!!!)

(Above: Kennedy in more Halloween attire. Thank you Daryl for my pumpkin hat, it matches my booties)

(Above: Grandma and Kennedy relaxing on the couch)

(Above: Kennedy gettin' some lovin' from her Godmom Jen)

(Above: Some traditions never die. Kennedy getting carried around by Daddy after her first bath at home, and yes she did pee on him again!!)

(Above: Auntie Tracey and cousin Brennen)

(Above: Grandma and Grandpa together with Kennedy)

(Above: I love my outfit Auntie Ash)