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Last night we went shopping for back to school clothes and a birthday present for neighborhood friend, Kylie. In the Disney Store, I caught Kim talking to Morgan and the smiles were coming one after another. Here is Morgan debuting her million dollar smile for friends and family.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We visited Osh Kosh, Carter's, Gymboree and then Stride Right where Madison and McKenzie each got 2 pairs of shoes. I remember buying McKenzie's first pair of shoes when she first came to us. Deby (Doo-Doo) Sanders was with me and we went to Stride Right in Lakeline Mall. I don't think McKenzie had ever received a new pair of shoes or even shoes that fit correctly. She danced all around the store and never stopped moving those feet.

In that grand tradition, McKenzie had to use "footies" to try on her shoes. She was almost as excited about the footies as she was the shoes. Here she is dancing around the store in the footies. Believe me, those sales girls will not soon forget the Rasmus-Ford family!

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And we had to ride the rides, which has to be the greatest waste of money ever. Ok, next to paying for air in your tires. But who can resist these faces?




It was an exhausting night, but a successful one. We brought home some beautiful new clothes for Madison to start kindergarten in less than 3 weeks! We have been invited to a kindergarten mixer next week at the neighborhood pool, which I think will be loads of fun. I think we're about ready to start, except I don't want my baby to grow up!!

Wonderful News

I haven't shared this information with many of you because I wanted to wait for the tests to come back first. So, let me start at the beginning.

Kim and I noticed Morgan having little "tremors" in which she would shake slightly and then become stiff as a board. You couldn't see it happening, but you could feel it when you were holding her. I mentioned this to the doctor at her 2 month check up and Dr. Havemann suspected it was a commson baby reflex. I then talked to her about splitting Morgan's course of vaccinations into two visits. Kim works with a number of autistic children and after talking with so many of their parents, we decided it was better to be safe. So, Dr. Havemann said she was willing to split up the vaccinations, but thought autism was brought on by vaccinations being given to children with underlying, undiagnosed medical conditions. To be cautious, she ordered an EEG for Morgan to determine the cause of the shakes. Dr. Havemann expected the EEG to come back clear and then we would proceed with the vaccinations.

I took Morgan for the EEG at the Dell Children's Hospital in Austin in late July. It was all I could do not to cry watching the children in the waiting room of the pediatric nuerologist. So sad. I feel so deeply for their parents. Two days later we received word from Dr. Havemann that the EEG came back adnormal.

"There is an abnormality of the left side of the brain that would pre-dispose Morgan to seizures."

We were in shock. So was Dr. Havemann. She ordered an MRI and was able to pull some strings to get us in to see the pediatric nuerologist ASAP. His first available appointment was in October and now we're seein him on August 25.

Kim and I took Morgan for the MRI on Wednesday again at the Dell Children's Hospital. It was an exhausting afternoon and we were completely wiped out. Morgan had to be sedated and it was hard to keep her still (even in her sleep) for the brain scan. We had the most wonderful nurse, Lori, who I will never forget. Four hours later we went home to wait.

And then the phone rang this morning! Dr. Havemann was thrilled to report there was nothing on the MRI to indicate any brain abnormalities. She said it was a text book brain!! We are so relieved! I am anxious to see the pediatric nuergologist on the 25th to better understand why the abnormal EEG, but for now, we celebrate a perfect brain!

I have to give a huge shout out to the Dell Children's Hospital . I remember when the hospital opened and tours were being given daily. I never thought to take the tour because I never thought we'd have to use their services. How naive! Madison had her tonsils and adnoids out in January at the Children's Hospital and McKenzie will have her belly button repaird (another post another day) there very soon. I love this place!

All of you know how much Kim LOVES to watch those medical shows on cable. Well, the radiologist who did the MRI gave her the perfect gift - a giant picture of Morgan's brain. It will thrill Kim if you ask her about it, so be sure to mention it!

Thank you so much for all the prayers and support. The ladies on Statesboro, GA have been on red alert for prayer and we appreciate it so much.

Princess x 2

Madison has always loved to dress up in costumes, but McKenzie is a strong contender for greatest princess on the block. She has asked for only dress up clothes for her birthday. Auntie Julie gave McKenzie a dress up box for her birthday last year, which they love! Since then, we have collected other dress up clothes from dance rectials, etc. The box is now bursting at the seams. Here are some fancy hand-me-down dresses they like to play in.





The braids came down this past weekend and McKenzie already misses them. Her teacher and champion hair braider, Ms. Sereta, is going to re-do the "do" on Saturday. I can hardly wait. This means leaving for school even faster in the morning!

Baby Smiles

Morgan is finally smiling. She is a bit stingy with them, but we finally captured one on film. The first picture is the best smile, but my hair got in the way. You've never seen cuter gums in your life! She almost made a giggle last night while I played with her feet. Morgan is growing so fast. I can't wait for everyone to meet her!

Three Beauties

Here are the latest pictures of my babies. We have so much going on here right now and I have to keep myself focused on these guys to stay sane. I promise to update everyone soon, but for now it is still too fresh. And it is exhausting to explain.

Diva Party

Today is Sunday and we attended Halee's birthday party at My Party Palace in Round Rock. My very good friend, Emily, owns My Party Palace in NW Austin, but this particular franchise is in downtown Round Rock. The girls had a blast and the party was a huge success. Many thanks to owner, Michelle, who put on a great show for this group of 5 year olds.

In case you aren't familiar with My Party Palace, let me explain that you have an option of parties - princess or diva. If you have ever met Halee, you will know she falls into the diva category. Here are the girls dressing up in diva clothes.





The girls were able to pick out the color of finger nail polish, along with an outfit. The modeled on the cat walk, danced, sang, ate snacks with cake, and had an absolute ball. McKenzie was half asleep for the first hour, but finally came to life when the cake came out. Was the child born into the right family or what??

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My girls were dressed in their Sunday best for the party. Here they are looking cuter than cute.

Sweet Morgan

Morgan is growing and changing every day. Kim and I are trying to document every little change, but it is hard! She is still sleeping most of the day and most of the night. She still eats well and isn't spitting up; however she has developed tremendous gas. I mean, tremendous. It is hurts her, that much is obvious, but the volume of this process will wake you from a dead sleep ... if you know what I mean. I hope this passes soon :)

Long, Lovely Locks

I love braids! I love having Maddie's hair braided during the summer, or anytime really, because it means sleeping a little later in the morning. It means low maintance hair for about a month. Maddie has been getting her hair braided since she was 2 with great success. McKenzie, on the other hand, has very short hair and it is difficult to braid. That is, until Ms. Sereta got hold of her head the other night!

Ms Sereta is the assistant teacher in McKenzie's class at Mt. Sinai. She has 3 children of her own and my kids love her kids. So, Sereta says she can braid McKenzie's hair. I said great! So, 4 hours later, my child with the neat afro comes home with long, lovely locks.

Attention white people - McKenzie (age 2) now has extentions. This is not her own hair.





She looks so grown up! The extra hair will help her own hair grow and we should be good to go for 4-6 weeks. I love Sereta!

Happy Birthday Morgan!

I can't believe the baby girl is already 4 weeks old! Time is truly flying! And she is growing so fast. Though we haven't weighed her in two weeks, I know she is growing. I feel like I can see it happening when I watch her, which I do all the time. She has grown longer and is chunking up. Oddly enough, all the chunk seems to be in her face while her little chicken legs wait for the lbs. Here are a few recent pictures, taken in the last couple of days. We are looking forward to seeing a smile some time soon. You'll be the next to know when it happens!

Madison - MVP

Maddie played in her first basketball game yesterday. She is one of only two girls on the team - The Wizards. The team is organized through the YMCA and we are excited about a summer filled with air conditioned games! Here are the highlights of yesterday's game. Madison scored the first basket of the game and went on to make 2 more hoops!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Beauty and the Beast

Today was Madison's dance recital in which she danced to Beauty and the Beast. Maddie began dancing when she was 3 and her teacher has always been Ms. Afton. This was Ms. Afton's last recital as she is headed to Los Angeles to make her dreams come true as a dancer. We will miss her terribly and never forget the talented young woman who first taught Madison to dance. Did I mention Afton has always made their costumes by hand every semester? Ah, yes, she is incredible.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Maddie will take the summer off from the Joyce Willett School of Dance. We have signed up for a hip hop dance class down the street from the house. In the meantime, here she is with Ms. Afton and best dance buddy, Savannah.

Bath Time

Morgan takes a bath. It is so funny how much Morgan relaxes, visibly, when we put her in the warm water.





She loves the water and taking a bath seems to exhaust her. Kim and I thoroughly enjoy giving her a bath. I remember when Madison was this size. I was terrified to bathe her. I knew I would drop her or she would slip out of my hands. A lot has changed in 5 years!

The Village

Introducing the village -

Rebecca and Becki are McKenzie's godparents.



Karen and Lisa are now going to be Morgan's godparents.





I don't have a picture of Janean and Becky, so check back soon. We are so completely thankful to these ladies for how much they love our girls.

M&M Antics

Welcome to Week 3 of life with Morgan. We are 100% in love with the new baby and that includes all of us. Madison and McKenzie are having fun entertaining the baby. They sing to her, read her books, talk to her, and give her lots of kisses.



In an effort to help out around the house, Madison offered to do McKenzie's hair. Maddie took her new hair bows, compliments of Ms Moncheire, and covered McKenzie's head. Ain't she pretty?



Ruby, the greatest social worker in the world, brought some goodies to all 3 girls just after Morgan arrived. Her gift to Morgan was a super cute outfit and a musical toy for the crib. Here she is watching the lights and listening to the music.