Hello Texas! Sure's good to see you again!!

We are back from our long trip to Texas. We left Daddy sitting in his cubicle at work and burned up the highway between here and Burleson. I think I listened to Peter Pan a few more times than a human should, but besides that, it was a smooth trip with no problems!

Once we got to Texas and I avoided not to faint in the heat and humidity, we were on top of the world. We had so much fun! Tessa played harder than usual, and was completely spoiled. I got a much needed break from having eyes in the back of my head, and I got to eat Blue Bell ice cream--the very best there is!

Here is some pictures of some of the fun:

Gone Baby Gone

About a week ago, our cat Diego escaped from the house on evening. He hasn't come back yet. We thought maybe the thunderstorm and the fireworks the following nights might have driven him into hiding. We have walked around the neighborhood several times hoping to see him. But we haven't seen or heard a thing. So this is what we put up near the mailboxes in the neighborhood:

It's been two days with no calls. It seems like the end of the line for Diego (or Diablo as my grandmother calls him). It's saddest when Tessa asks about him. But so far, she has contented herself with tormenting Kitty. She has been bitten twice. Where did that girl learn such stubborn ways?

Genesis 21:6

This evening Tessa was looking at Anthony's armpit hair with a puzzled expression on her face. After a few seconds, she pointed at the hair and said, "Daddy's dirty!" I had to laugh...and agree!

But Don't Touch My Hat

These last few weeks of the summer have been pretty fun. We took Tessa to the city pool for the first time. She actually had a pretty good time! She talked about it for days, and she even has a slight tan line! She has been outdoors as much as possible. She also has two completely skint knees (or as we like to call them--summer merit badges).

Anthony was out of town last week on business in D.C., but he brought home a present for Tessa. She was so thrilled to see him and talked nonstop the rest of the evening.

I have been playing around with painting. As in canvas. I actually really enjoy doing it more than I thought I would. And I found I had more "talent" than I thought.

Tessa started teething again. She is getting her two-year molars. (cringe) So far, it has only been crankiness and a few...uhhh...diaper...ahem...problems. That is why the following shots are of a near naked Tessa. Trust me, no more details are needed.

OK. Sorry. It's hard to pick just one. Tessa loves her cowboy hat. She wears it every time she goes outside. She also likes to dip it in the pool and then put it back on. You know--for a quick cool down.

Anyway, that's all from the Todd household. Hope your summer is going well!

Slingin' the Slang

This was a converstaion Tessa and I had this morning:

TESSA: Momo? Makin' lunch?

ME: No. I'm making breakfast.

TESSA: Ohhhhh! Cool!

ME: Did you just say cool?

TESSA: Yes. Cooooooollll.

ME: You are so silly! Do you even know what cool means??

TESSA: YES! It's chilly!!

At this point, Tessa danced in a cirlce and ran into the living room. I guess to go do more "cool" things than stand and talk to Momo.

Gianna Jessen Saline Abortion Survivor

Prayers Needed!!!

A very dear friend to me is in need of prayers. Specifically her sister Cari, and 10-month old son Drew. Basically, about a month ago, Drew started having long seizures. He has been in the hospital since then. It has been a ragged month for Cari and her husband, Jordan. The doctors seem pretty baffled. They keep going towards a prognosis only to back away from it. Here is the latest update as I know it:

Finally! Some hopeful news out of Canada!The tests they have done with Drew are coming back negative for mitochondrial disease. Apparently with that, the liver and the eyes are the most impacted areas of the body, and all the tests from the last week that they've done have come back negative. This, along with the partial results from the muscle biopsy so far indicate that it may not be that. I guess one of the major doctors this morning said that maybe it's not epilepsy or mitochondrial disease, but maybe it's something muscle related. So, we think that at some point they might run out of tests, but at least they are getting closer to ruling out some terrible possibilities. Also positive, Drew's seizures have calmed down a fair amount. Instead of seizing continually he is now having 3-4 minutes of calm, followed by 15-20 seconds of seizing, and he is now not seizing much while he sleeps. I don't know if that is thought to be because of the medications, or what, but it is definitely easier on all of them. Apparently Drew is trying to use his hands between seizures, which is also good. He continues to have little neck and back strength--he feels like a 10 month old newborn in that regard. They got a day pass from the hospital today, and took Drew to church, where their church family there had them take him up front and prayed over him, and then they had a picnic lunch. It sounds like yesterday and today were just really good for everyone there. I'm including a picture of Drew from last week, and of course, even though this is hopeful news, please keep praying. My sister almost started crying when I told her that I had a group I emailed with updates, because she was afraid that after a month people would be forgetting about Drew. Thank you all for your help. Nicole