Christmas Shopping....

It's that time of year again....Christmas! I just love Christmas. It's BY FAR my favorite holiday! Usually by this time I have most of my shopping done. But with a baby this year, shopping trips have been few...and far between! I could use some major help! Does anyone have some good gift ideas? I could use some ideas with everyone on my list. I have a few people done..or I know what I'm getting them...but here's who I don't have a CLUE about! My dad, mom, 2 of my sisters, 4 of my nephews (ages 8,5,3, & 2), and my niece (1). Anyone have some good gift ideas? I also have some random gifts for gift exchanges and such that I could use a good idea for as well. It would help me out a great deal!!!! Thank you!

Some serious talk....

OK, now to talk about the biggest reason I decided to start blogging. I was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I first noticed some unusual pains in my shoulders and arms around my 24th birthday, 2 years ago this January. The pains were enough to keep me awake at night and to limit my ability to use them at times. I went to my family Doctor in May of 2007. She ran blood work to test me for RA and other diseases. They all came back negative. Then I went to a Rheumatoligist several times. He clearly blew me off due to my young age. He told me that it was stress related and that I just needed to do some upper body exercises. I thought that he must know best, so I went on with the pains and tried to deal with them. After I had my son this past August, the pains spread from just being in my shoulders and arms, to also being in my hands, fingers, hips, knees, ankles, toes, and even in my neck and jaw once! Instead of the pains just lasting a day or two here and there, they were coming and staying for months at a time! It was becoming unbearable! I couldn't even lift my baby out of his bassinet, or change his diaper and feed him!! I made an appointment with a different family doctor, and he too ran blood tests. This time they came back positive and I was diagnosed with RA. I have many appointments ahead of me. I go this Thursday to take a bone density test, and to get chest and hand xrays done. Then the day before Thanksgiving, I go back to my Dr. to start on my steroids and other pain medicines. Then on January 5th, I go to St. Louis to meet with my Rheumatoligist.



Now that I have been diagnosed with RA, I have heard about a lot of other people having it as well. If you, or anyone you know has RA, I would really appreciate a comment. Just tell me your story, or the story of the person you know . Maybe you can tell me what medicines you/they are taking and how it effects you/them. Or maybe you have some words of encouragement for me. Whatever it is, I would love to hear from anyone!!!! Thank you!

My baby, Porter Wayne.....

Let me tell you a little about the most important thing in my life.....my baby! He was born August 21st, at 4:40pm. He was 9 lbs 0 oz and was 21 inches long! He was born with a lot of red hair, and still has most of it in the back! Haha! He's just the sweetest little guy! I can't believe I was lucky enough to have such a great birthing experience and such a great baby boy! I really can't imagine life before him, and I can't wait to experience everything with him from now on!!! He must be about 14 lbs by now, and growing like a weed!!! I have way too many pictures of him, so I will only post a few..haha!!!

Porter Wayne - 1 day old

Porter with his daddy

He looks like his daddy now!

He's getting so big!

My family....

Let me tell you a little about my family. My mom, Suzanne, and dad, James, have been married for 36 years, and I have NEVER seen them fight! They are very loving, and I know that they are the reason we all have such great relationships with our husbands and kids!!

I have 3 older sisters. Yes, I am the baby. My oldest sister, Sarah, is 35 and is married with 2 kids. Her husband, Cash, is a great guy that works very hard for his family. Their oldest son is Cashus,13, and her youngest is Wyatt, 10. They are great kids and I love them very much! My second sister, Theresa, is 33 and married with 3 kids. Her husband, Joe, is the couch here at Oran. He's a wonderful person as well. Their 3 kids are Jacob -7, Samuel -5, and Elijah -2. They are such funny little guys and I love them bunches! My third sister, Rebecca, is 28 and married with 2 kids and 1 on the way! Her husband, Darin, is another great guy! Her oldest is Nathaniel, 3, and finally we have a girl, Cora-Beth, who just turned 1 in August! Rebecca is just 9 weeks along and due this June! She's going to have her hands full for sure! And last, but certainly not least, there's my sister-in-law, Trina. She's my husband's litter sister, and she's just as much a sister to me as my other 3 sisters are! She's 18 years old, and we've been close ever since her brother and I started dating...when she was only 8!!!

My entire family is very close! My sisters are my best friends, and all the husbands are great friends as well! They have always been like older brothers to me. We all live within a few miles of each other and we're constantly getting together for birthday parties, game nights, or just for no better reason than to eat! I know I can always count on them to be there no matter what! I am very lucky to have such a close family!

Ok...let me give this blog thing a try!

My name is Hannah Marie Gadberry. My bestest friend in the whole wide world has a blog, and I thought it looked like fun. Let me see if I can be as good at it as she is! Let me begin by telling you a little about myself. You will learn more about me as I continue blogging.

I am 25 years old and from a little town called Oran. I've lived here my whole life, and love it very much! I've been married to my high school sweet heart for two years now. We just had our first child this past August! His name is Porter Wayne, and he's the best thing that's ever happened to us!!! He will be 3 months old this Friday! Goodness, how time flies when you have a baby to keep you busy!!! My husband is an electrician and I used to have my own home day care. I quit working shortly before Porter was born, but I plan to start watching kids again next year, but part-time.