Monday, January 27, 2014

27 days in

We are 27 days into 2014 and I would already like a do-over. Seriously. Here are a few reasons why...
*Stress. I've got it. Some people eat when they're stressed. Some people don't eat. Some sleep. Some clean. Well, I do none of those. I get ulcers ALL in my mouth. Lucky me, huh? *ouch*
*School. I've got some seriously stressful issues going on at school. And that's all I will say about that. 
*Hallie came home from a sleep over (where she slept covered in a down comforter) breathing approximately 60 breaths a minute. Nostrils flaired. Wheezing. Cheeks red. Sweaty. Lethargic. Abdomen rising greatly with each breath. We freaked out. Got her into the doc. She had an asthma attack, it seems. We still aren't sure. She had a nebulizer treatment at the office. We came home with oral steroids and an inhaler to be given every 3-4 hours. We will go back to the doc in a few weeks to
Actually do breathing tests for to check for asthma. 
*Harper spiked a 102.5 temp. Lethargic. Whiney. Wouldn't eat or drink. Double ear infection. 10 day strong antibiotic. Augmentin. Boo. This has lead to many a blowout. Thankfully, they aren't stinky. Just extremely messy. 
*Hallie has developed a weirdness about eating in public places. What's weird, you ask? Oh...how about she eats just fine. Enjoys the company and them vomits her meal in its entirety at the end. I'm serious. Dead serious. Except it only happens at nicer restaurants. Nice, huh? It happened twice in Alabama over Christmas (so technically that wasn't 2014...well, once was). And it has happened twice since we have been back in Texas. This past Saturday night, I wasn't the one she told that her tummy felt funny. Needless to say, the salad bowl at Olive Garden will never be the same. Nor will the four pretty cloth napkins. I'm praying all those went into the garbage. At some point, Hallie's vomiting erupted like a volcano all over my sweater, jeans, boots, and hair. I wish I was exaggerating. Crime scene tape could've been put up at our booth. I have NO idea how the people around us didn't notice because I was laughing almost hysterically. I guess we are just that good at covering our tracks. Hallie felt terrible. And the waitress was so sweet by saying "Don't worry about it--we all have either worked at a daycare or have our own kids. It's not a big deal." I hope Jonathan left an extra tip. I'm sure they would like to leave us one--don't bring your kids out in public! 
*Yesterday at McAlister's (ha--yes, we braved another restaurant), Jonathan said Hal should get water instead of a sweet drink to maybe help with the "funny tummy feeling". As soon as he acted like he had the vomiting issues figured out, Harper threw up ALL over him. I cannot make this stuff up. He proceeds to take Harper outside (not before she left a nice trail of vomit) where she continued to vomit over and over. Hallie followed them out and then came in to get her water looking rather green-faced. I told her to breathe and to go back outside (should she start vomiting again). I had to ask for a caution sign so no one would break their neck on my daughter's vomit before I could get it cleaned up. Sigh. Amazingly, we finished our lunch and made it home without anymore mishaps. 
*Our house is a complete disaster...no matter how many times someone cleans it or straightens it. 
*Laundry and dishes seem to multiply by the nanosecond. Sadly, Harper's pack-n-play is being used right now as a giant laundry basket (hey, I'm keeping it real and can hopefully help you feel better about your own house). One day this week, those clothes will get folded...right after I do a rinse on the clothes that are in the washing machine (again).  Oh, and after the pajamas, sheets and mattress pad from Harper's bed get washed...since she threw up all over herself again last night. Bless her! Jonathan called today to get a different antibiotic. So hopefully that'll help. 

I'm not sure what is going on, exactly. But I feel completely out of sorts. I really think it has a lot to do with some changes happening at school. Whatever it is, I hope my brain can kick it into gear soon because I just can't go on "like this" (of course I can...I would just rather have a little more energy in doing so). 

So...5 days left in January. Let's hope February gets off to a better start to turn my opinion of 2014 around! Because frankly, 2014 can skip on by if this is how he's gonna be! :o)

And now, a few pictures to make this (whiny) post a little less pathetic!

Happy Times in 2014:

Celebrating Jonathan's birthday!


Moments where sisters are being sweet

This cute girl and me!

Bathtime fun!

Painting

This girl and her cute pajamas!

Saturday mornings with my loves...

"Well, I need to sharpen some pencils today." (She brings them home on Friday to sharpen over the weekend!)

Playing outside with this cutie while her daddy and sister watch Frozen. 

Winter weather in Texas (give it a couple of days)!

Harper would not sleep Saturday night...so I put it on Pandora. She grabbed my phone and and minutes later, she laid down. Then a commercial came on, along with a picture. She sat straight up, "Puppa!!! Puppa!!! Puppa!!!"
She was so excited! Notice the time says 4:05 AM!! Maybe I should invest in commercial free Pandora!

And remember how it was winter weather on Friday? Well, yesterday it was 70. 

Looking at all the pictures, I suppose that even with the stresses 2014 has had in it's meer 27 says, there have been a whole lot of happies. We are blessed. Even at 4:05 AM...by the excitement of seeing a "puppa". 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

The End is Near...

Originally written 01.06.14

Tomorrow...I go back to school, Jonathan goes back to work, and Harper goes back to daycare. Hallie still has one more day. She will go back Tuesday. And while I love my job (most days, anyway), I love being home with my own children and The Hubs. It has been a joy to see Hallie and Harper playing. We spent almost the entire break at my parents' house. And now I am terribly "homesick". 

But the visit was good. Hallie got to play a lot with her cousins, Harper started feeling better and explored every inch of Nonna and Pop's house and expanded her vocabulary, I visited with a few friends, and Jonathan rested. It was nice. And cold...very cold. Santa, of course, spoiled the girls rotten, and the Tooth Fairy even visited Hallie on Christmas Eve! 

Before we left for Alabama, Hallie went to the symphony with RahRah and Gramps and then to the Mayborn. 

We had Christmas with RahRah and Gramps. 




Then we were supposed to leave for Alabama Saturday morning...but...Harper had the flu. 

And then a double ear infection. 

But we finally made it to Alabama on Christmas Eve! Just in time for Santa!

Christmas morning...


Chaos!



Movie night! 

Harper got to enjoy the gingerbread house! 

Singing at church (after everyone has left)!

Shopping and then lunch at Johnny Rockets! 

After lots of fighting with her cousins over their Rainbow Looms, Hallie finally got her own Rainbow Loom! Guess how many times she has played with it. Right. Not many. Ha!

Lunch and a movie (Frozen) with sweet friends! 

Spend the night fun!


The dolls go ice skating! Hallie's AG doll got an ice skating outfit...complete with skates! All the dolls had to get in on the action. Pop froze a pan of water so they could take the dolls ice skating. 

Harper likes the AG dollhouse! It's just her size! Haha! 

Cousins! Saying good-bye!

Nonna and Pop with their girls! 

When we got back to Texas, Santa had left goodies for Hallie and Harper at RahRah and Grampsy's house!! 

We celebrated Jonathan's Monday birthday with his parents last night.



And now that all the fun is over, we have to head back into the work week with full force. Boohoo. Christmas 2013 is in the books. It was a struggle to get to the celebrating through Harper's sickness, but it was wonderful once we made it through!! 

Happy 2014!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Feverish

Yesterday, after battling with housework being undone by tiny people all weekend, I told Jonathan I was taking a day off to clean and do laundry before leaving for Christmas break. About 30 minutes after the words came out of my mouth, Harper was sluggish and clingier than usual...and had a 101.6 temp. So I quickly got on the phone to find a sub. I had it all planned out...while Harper napped, I would tackle some laundry. Then I would sit down and rest after finishing up the kitchen and picking up around the house...bc those 2-3 hour naps are the best--especially in this cold, dreary weather. So, 11:00 rolled around and I took Harper in to nap. And then my perfect plan fell right into place...in my dreams, that is. Harper fell asleep nursing and then woke up ready to play. And play. And play. Then she decided while she was up, she needed lunch. So she ate lunch and played. I tried the nap thing again. No luck. So around 2:15, when I found out Jonathan couldn't pick Hallie up from school bc he had a 3:00 meeting, I gave up and got our tired, non-bathed selves ready to go pick up Hallie. All my hopes and dreams of a clean house crushed. I'm being dramatic...it was fun to spend the day with Harper and her big personality. And now we are listening to Christmas music in the car rider line, waiting to pick up Hallie. 

A few things Harper did today...
*played and played with the Fisher Price nativity set. Then she took one of the wise men around saying "bay-beeeee". New complete word. Check. :o)
*Little Miss also figured out how to completely walk backwards. She has been stepping backwards to sit down on something, but today she used the hallway to show off her skills. And she thinks it is the cat's hilarious meow. 
*She showed me she had a preference in what she put on her feet. I had chosen her usual shoes. While getting socks, she saw some other super cute pink shoes (that were Hallie's). After fighting me to put on my choice of shoe (not bc I favor it, but bc it's the usual), she marched over to her drawer, opened it, and pulled out super cute pink shoes. She took off the ones I had fought to get on and started trying to put on these new ones. Little Miss Smarty Pants. 

Even though my day didn't go quiet as planned and I wasn't productive in the sense of having a clean house at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade the day with her for anything. She's my little love and I enjoy so much getting to watch her grow! Here's to hoping she can be fever free tomorrow (she wasn't today, so Daddy is on duty tomorrow...and I'm betting she'll take a great nap!). 

Here are a couple of pictures of my little feverish girl. She doesn't look like she feels too icky. Nothing like last night! Check out that hipster scarf she's sporting. While trying to get her to sleep today, I was researching making scarves...so I whipped this one up for her. Just call me super mommy. Or call me "girl who can use a pair of scissors to cut off the bottom of an old shirt she no longer wears". Yeah. I'm that cool. :o)




Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Kick Bama Kick


THE AUBURN CREED

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work. 

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully. 

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men. 

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities. 

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all. 

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all. 

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God." 

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it. 

-George Petrie (1945)

War Eagle! 





Hard to say Good-bye

I just realized this never published. It should have published 11/10/2013. 

We have had a wonderful visit with my parents! They got in late Monday evening. They were going to leave Friday morning...then Saturday...and then Hallie's pleas with Pop to stay one more day worked, so they one more day worked. So they left just a little while ago. We always enjoy their visits, but this one took the cake. It was very laid back. Very relaxed. In fact, I realized last night that I had hardly taken any pictures. So unlike me. Sometimes I just get to the point of wanting to experience the memories without capturing them forever. But most of the time I love taking pictures. 

We won't be going to Alabama for Thanksgiving...so we won't see them again until Christmas. Can't wait!

Here are a few iPhone pictures from the week...

Nonna and Harper talked about cats...so Nonna wanted to take Harper to the pet store. The guinea pigs were her favorite! 


I guess they had both had too much excitement for the week!

Baskin Robbins!

Chocolate ice cream (2 scoops at that) is probably not a good idea before bedtime. Ha!!


Heading back to Alabama...we already miss y'all! Can't wait to see y'all again!


Pop snapped a picture for us--a rare thing indeed! Glad to have a current photo of our little family of four!

Until next time...we love you, Nonna & Pop! We cannot wait until Christmas!






Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Treats

Our Halloween 2013 was pretty laid back. We went by the church for their mini-festival and then went to see Jonathan's parent at their mini-fall festival location. Our church did the fall festival a little differently this year, having houses throughout the community that were offering mini-festivals for the church. 



Hal was getting all the ocean animals that she had thrown into the whale's mouth...I thought the photo op was priceless! :o)

This little pumpkin fell in love with the pink octopus ocean animal from the Jonah game. Daddy ordered her one from Amazon bc through tears, we had to leave this one behind. 

Another Halloween in the books. Now...onto Thanksgiving!! 

Learners Permit

Well...fifteen months, not years. But it really feels as if it's going that quickly! Harper's life is flying past at speeds so fast I must force myself to slow down and breathe her (and Hallie) in more frequently. 

Harper had her 15 month check up today and our pedi said she looks great! Miss Harper even showed off her walking skills (more than she has showed us at home) to Dr. Burns. She squirmed out of my lap, stood straight and y'all and then took about 10 steps. We all clapped and cheered wildly! She was so proud of herself and just beamed at Dr. Burns. Now it's my goal to capture it on video. I wonder how long that'll take! 

Miss Harper started screaming the second we walked into the examining room...bless her heart. She must have remembered her last, scary visit where she left with a diagnosis of pneumonia! Thankfully she calmed down and didn't cry the entire time the doc was checking her out. Harper has grown since her 12 month check up...except she hasn't gained any weight. So, to get her chunkied up a bit, she's gotta start eating more good, fatty foods (boy, I wish I had that problem!). In her defense, she eats all the time. But she's also a lot more mobile than at 12 months. And she had a two week bout of serious illness where she wasn't eating much of anything. So she has some catching up to do! 



At 15 months, Harper weighs 20 lbs 6 oz and is 26.5 inches tall. 

Favorite Food:
*Bluberry anything
*Waffles/pancakes
*Mandarin Oranges
*Mac n Cheese
*Tortillas
*Yogurt
*Rice
*Grapes
*Graham Crackers

Really, she will eat almost anything. I hope that trend continues

Favorite Things:
*any musical toy 
*dollhouse
*tiny things (but not so tiny that they could harm her)
*anything with a face
*Little Tikes car


You sign:
*all done
*again
*more
*food
*milk

You say:
*ma-ma
*da-da
*uh-oh
*da (dog)
*bah (ball)
*cah (car)
*du (duck)
*bah-bah (baby or any stuffed thing with a face)
*random babbles that obviously mean something to you...and shrill screams at Hallie to tell her to STOP! :o)   

You can follow simple commands and can answer our questions easily with a head nod (yes), a head shake (no), Ora gesture. You love being outside, and you adore Hallie. 

You are precious! We are do thankful for 15 months with you!!