Bad Chiari Mommy!

I've been terrible, I know...it's been over 6 months since I've updated, but you know what that means?  That life continues to be so good!  December 21st was my 1 year Zipperversary, and besides some soreness and stiffness in my upper back, shoulders, and neck, everything is fine with Chiari and my surgery.  I wish I was able to workout and do more physically, but hopefully after I finally get some physical therapy I will be able to. 
The kids are amazing!  Carley is almost 7 months old and closing in on 20 pounds!  She's still in physical therapy (started at around 11 weeks old) for her torticollis and spinal curvature, but she is doing unbelievably well.  You'd never know from looking at her that she ever had a fairly severe tilt in her neck or that she still has a slight curve in her spine.  She will see a specialist (Pediatric Orthopedist) early this year to see what our next step needs to be.  Overall, she is the happiest, most laid back, easy going baby and we are beyond blessed to have her.  I truly feel like she has really calmed and settled me, it's just so different with her.  Logan was a good baby, we were very fortunate with him too, so I don't know if this is typical with the second child or if it's because of all that Carley and I went through together, but I'm just in a different place :)
Logan is amazing as always.  Christmas was very special for him this year.  He is finally able to understand what Christmas is and what is really going on.  We had so much fun decorating the house for Daddy, cutting out and decorating cookies, and counting down the anticipation of Christmas morning.  My parents were able to be with us for Thanksgiving and we celebrated Christmas together at that time, so he got a little early dose. We definitely wouldn't have been able to decorate the house without them and of course, Logan had the time of his life with Grandma and Grandpa. I focused a little more on gifts this year than I would have liked to, but at this age there is so much they're into!  I also felt like he really deserved the world for being such a great big brother and helper.  He really is such a sweet boy!
Right now we're in the mountains of Banner Elk, NC for a week to ring in the new year.  When discussing what we wanted to do for the holidays months ago, Kevin and I agreed that we wanted to be in our home, in front of our tree on Christmas morning, but I knew that I wanted to be away with the family for New Years.  I wanted to go somewhere a little colder, where the boys could be active outside when they want to (Kevin is taking Logan tubing for the first time as we speak), then we could all snuggle up inside the rest of the time.  So far, so good :)  The last time we were in Banner Elk we found out we were expecting Carley, so needless to say this is a pretty special place for us!  We tried to rent the same house as last time but it was already booked for this week.  We ended up finding another one and with the exception of the basement steps, it's been pretty good to us so far!
2012 and 2013 were definitely filled with crazy, unexpected surprises, and lots of medical expenses!  I think Kevin would agree that we're looking forward to a much calmer, cheaper 2014!  Happy New Year everyone, here's to health and happiness for all :)

The picture I can't believe we captured, the weekend after Thanksgiving :)

 

Exactly one year of growth!