Kids Update

So at exactly 13 months old, E starts to walk - well toddle unsteadily - between things/people regularly! She has taken a step here and there over the past month, but nothing consistent. We've decided to mark February 25th as "starts to walk" in the baby book! =) And she is soooo proud of herself too! It's pretty cute.

E is also 2 weeks completely weaned from the bottle now and doing really well with cups! The biggest sister had her last Y basketball game this afternoon, which was another blowout, unfortunately. They tried hard, but didn't win any games this year. I think she was a little disappointed, but she's already looking forward to next year. Little A has expressed a lot of interest in sports and Y activities, so we will probably try to get her involved in something this summer. She is definitely our little fire/drama queen with brains and athleticism! Scares me, really.

Since we went from 70 and gorgeous to 20 and the blizzard, we're all readjusting once again. I feel sorry for the girls (and myself) with the weather teasing us. Soon enough we will enjoy the newness of Spring and be overwhelmed with yard work yet again! We just booked our hotel rooms for our June family road trip so the countdown is on! 100 days!

6/2010 3K=22:21

2/2011 First 3K run/walk in 8 months=22:00

6/2011 Goal=17:00

ONE YEAR

Today is very haunting for me. I can't believe it's been a whole year already since our little E was fighting for her life during these morning hours. I thank the Lord for my children everyday. Looking back to 2010, E has blessed us incredibly with her appearance into this world. If it weren't for God's blessing and protection, the events on February 24, 2010, could have been much worse. My middle girl caught a cold virus from daycare. We were told that another child had an RSV virus, which apparently A picked up and brought home. The odds of an infant or any other small child catching the virus was significantly high. At the time E's first symptoms appeared, it looked as though she got her first cold. Being so young, I made an appointment with the pediatrician on a Monday afternoon. The evening of the next day things seemed to worsen a bit, but by the next morning I knew we needed to make another trip to the pediatrician's office when she was too sleepy to eat. El and I definitely had our Guardian Angel with us for the moments and events that followed on that Wednesday, February 24th. To make a long story short, see last year's posts for the whole story. It's a story that will be told over and over again. We will never, ever forget it. I'm sure that one day E will be able to tell children of her own! So, yes, I'm feeling nostalgic today, and rightfully so. I could not imagine life without you, sweet El!

My Sad, Pitiful Song

Valentine's Day at our house usually means someone is sick or about to get sick. Quite frankly, I've never been a huge fan of Valentine's Day and often feel that it is over-commercialized (as with any holiday, unfortunately). There should be more than one day a year to show someone you love them...HOWEVER, my husband does a good job of that the other 364 days of the year so I'm not too concerned about it! :) February 14th, on the other hand, is fun for the kids to give and receive their cards and treats; and it's always fun to see the excitement on faces of children! So, happy Valentine's Day! ANYWAYS... Our little A is home with her first experience with strep throat today. After being called by daycare last Friday due to E being feverish, I left work early and picked her up during the daycare-wide quiet time. About 15 minutes after being home, I received another call that A woke up from her nap with a fever! Ah!! Are you kidding?!? Friday afternoon was suddenly not so thrilling, and the weekend didn't look so great. I then remembered that E had two new immunizations (Varicella & MMR) 11 days prior, and there was mention of a delayed fever reaction that was possible 7-14 days following inoculation. Bingo!! The fever got up to 103.9 Friday evening, but she woke up close to fever free on Saturday morning and was normal by that evening. Teething, however, continues to be an issue, and she still doesn't have her regular happy mood back. Those 12-month molars are doozies! A's fever waned over the weekend, but was back in full force last night and got the highest yet at 103 with the chills and the shakes. She didn't sleep well, and I stayed home with her today. (Luckily, I actually have extra PTO built up since my maternity leave last year finally!) After calling the pediatrician's office the minute they opened, we got an early appointment, and the strep test came back positive. She got to pick out a new Tinkerbell toothbrush from a nearby grocery store while we waited for her prescription to be ready. She will get to start using her new toothbrush on Thursday after the antibiotics are good and working. I felt so bad for her, but she sure was brave for the nurse and doctor! Winter months of sick children are the worst! Have I mentioned that I have terrible Spring Fever?!

A Season High!

I have to post today about our gorgeous weather for my own journaling purposes. I love reading my past posts and being in awe sometimes. Today is one of those days! The windows are open throughout the house, and we are enjoying the fresh air. Right now the temperature is 68 degrees, and the forecast is predicting we may keep these lovely temps through the work week. I need to, however, remind myself that is the middle of February. Although our piles of snow outside are melting at a rapid pace, this winter 'crap' isn't over... Just five days ago, I was driving to work and the van showed -1 with a high for the day of a balmy 3 degrees. It's like we live in Nebraska or something...geez! Praise God for his daily gifts! Hope everyone had a great weekend, and I wish everyone a fabulous week! :)

Sassy Sunday

Little A was all dolled up for E's party last week. Doesn't she make an adorable cowgirl?! Now we just have to convince Daddy to buy some boots!

Beard Disappeared

YAYYYYYY!!!! The hubby is once again clean shaven!!! The Heritage School field trip is over, and the beard is GONE! Woo hoo!! =)

Short and sweet...