Wounded Addy & Neighbors

Addy went back to MDO this morning for the first time in a week.  When we were getting ready this morning I was talking to her about going to school & playing with her friends.  She kept saying 'no mommy'.  She didn't want to go :(  Since I'm a mean mommy I took her anyway.  Once there she of course protested as I was leaving which BROKE my heart.  Seriously, I think there are a couple of pieces left in the hall at school.  I stood outside the door for a few minutes until she was calm, then left.  When I went to pick her up I was pleasantly surprised to find her napping on her mat.  Ms C said she had just went to sleep about 30 minutes prior.  I hated to wake her, but Alyssa was ready to get back home.  I went over & kissed her on the cheek to wake her & when she opened her eyes & saw me she began to cry.  Oh no!  Not the kind of greeting I was expecting.  I think she was still very tired & cranky.  As I was gathering her belongings I noticed a red mark on her eye & questioned it.  Ms C said Addy tripped on her mat & hit her eye/side of face on the ground, but had no idea it left a mark.  Well, it left a mark!

I bet this guy had a mark too - from my driveway!  The other morning I was in the back room changing Alyssa's diaper & had just let Buddy outside.  Well, I heard a loud thump & thought 'what the heck is that crazy dog into now'.  So, I stepped out on the back porch & see Buddy, but hear yelling, screaming & a baby crying.  Our WT neighbors (not the potheads) were outside fighting about somebody going to the hospital because the other didn't care what happened, yada, yada, yada.  Okay, it's a little early in the morning to be so pissed off - seriously!  I go back inside & into the living room.  As I was sitting on the couch a few minutes later I see a red vehicle stop in front of the house.  I go look out to see what's going on & it's Fire & Rescue..........THERE IS A MAN LAYING IN OUR DRIVEWAY!  My first thought was there had a been a hit & run, so I walked out on the front porch.  About that time paramedics arrive & dude jumps up & starts walking away from everyone SCREAMING 'I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, LEAVE ME ALONE'!  Ding ding, I realize it's the same knucklehead from next door that was fighting with his wife 15 minutes earlier!  The paramedics called for police assistance when the guy refused medical treatment.  Next, here come two cop cars!  Wow, our street was popular at 10am on a Monday!  Let me wrap this up...he refused treatment & went home (after falling to the ground holding his chest one.more.time).  Drama Drama.

I'm not sure I even blogged about my pothead neighbors.  One evening not long ago we were sitting at the table eating dinner & I look out the window & see the daughters on their FRONT porch smoking pot.  How do I know it was pot, you ask?  Well, I've seen the movies ;)  Anyway, there is a porch on the side of their house also & why they didn't go there, I don't know!  Brave little girls!  I'm so glad we are just renting & hopefully only for another year or so!  We've never had any problems out of anyone around us & honestly it isn't a bad area MINUS the druggies to the left & right!

The weather is finally cooling off & that means we can play longer outside (in the backyard surrounded by the privacy fence & shielded from our neighbors)!

My bald headed babies!

As I sit

As I sit here thumbing through the latest issue of Parents magazine while rocking Alyssa at the same time, my eyes come across a touching article.  I remember reading this story on a blog a long time ago.  Nella's Birth Story.

Two Years Ago...

Two years ago today we put the house up for sale, loaded the Uhaul & moved to Texas.  The first couple of months were hard, but over time I found my groove as a stay-at-home mom/wife.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I still miss my family & friends as much today as the day I left, but we've all survived!

It's hard to believe Addy was only 5 months old when we moved.  

Addison was excited about packing!

Papaw & Addy

B driving the Uhaul!  

The Usual

Our little tigers!

So, last week I was on 'Alyssa Poop Watch 2010' again.  Friday was a week ago that she pooped.  You all remember that...I had to cut her clothes off of her because it was 9 days worth of a poop explosion!  Last night while I was in the kitchen having a snack I decided to put Alyssa in the carseat.   In the back of my mind I was thinking how the Friday before that was where she FINALLY pooped.  I was secretly wishing it would happen again since we were at the end of Day 7.  Have you ever seen anyone SO obsessed with POOP???  I honestly don't know why I'm so crazy about it.  After researching & being told it's perfectly normal....  Anyway, she pooped!

Balloons = cheap babysitter

I finally found some personalized pumpkins that I like at a great price!  These came from One Step Ahead.  We still haven't decided on costumes.  Tick Tock!  

Addison 6 weeks old

Alyssa 10 weeks old

Me & Baby Alyssa

Me

B

Alyssa 2 month well-visit

Alyssa had her 2 month well-visit yesterday while Addy was there for a sick-visit.  It was scheduled for Wednesday, but since Addy was sick we had to go see the dr.  Sickness doesn't follow a schedule!  Alyssa weighs 12lbs & is 21 1/2  inches long!  (When Addy was 2 months old she weighed 11.7lbs & was 22 inches long).  She's doing great & growing like a weed!  This visit she only got 2 shots & the Rotovirus oral.  It was so sad!  I don't remember Addy being so upset with her shots, but I'm sure she was.  As soon as it was over I nursed her thinking that would calm her while we waited on Addy's strep test results.  She was still so upset for about 5 minutes then fell fast asleep.  I suspected Alyssa has a little cradle crap (cap) & asked the dr about it.  She confirmed that's what it is & to use baby oil daily (rub it in, brush, rinse) & Selsum Blue shampoo weekly.  Normally I listen to the dr, because, well, you know I'm NOT a dr.  But, I think I'll wait before putting a medicated shampoo on her noggin & just see how the baby oil works for a week or so.

Addy is doing fine this morning.  She's probably going to watch way too much Dora today & eat way too many sweets (ice cream, yogurt, popsicles)!

Now it's time to go disinfect toys, knobs & anything else I can spray with Lysol or wipe with a Clorox wipe!

Knocked Out 2 Birds With 1 Stone

This morning when Addy woke up she had a fever & said that her throat hurt.  Hmmm, I didn't even know she knew what a 'throat' was!  I shouldn't be surprised that she's under the weather since MDO just started 2 weeks ago!  I gave her some medicine & decided to wait a little while before calling the pedi.  Before her nap the evil fever was back, so I made an appointment for this afternoon.  Alyssa was scheduled for her 2 month well-visit this Wednesday & the thought of going to the dr office twice in one week wasn't very appealing to me!

When we got to the office & I was signing her in I VERY nicely asked the nurse if there was any possible way Alyssa could be seen today too.  WOOOHOOO - she said 'yes'!  Alyssa's well-visit will be posted separately.  While we were waiting to see the pedi, Addy sneezed & it was disgusting!  Neon Green Snot!  Gross!  I'll take a clear runny nose any day over this nasty mess!.  I've never seen anything like that come out of her nose!  EWWWW.  The dr came in & checked her out & ordered a strep test.  Addison has her first case of strep throat.  Poor baby!  I still have painful flashbacks of when I had strep last year.  It hurt so bad!  Needless to say, Addy will be getting more popsicles & ice cream than usual.  Oh, and lots of hugs BUT no kisses!

Yes, Addison's mouth is a nice shade of blue from the sucker that 

was used to bribe her for the strep swab!

(At this point we were waiting for the strep test results.  

Alyssa had already gotten her shots.)

She got a popsicle along with the positive strep test results!

She's contagious for 24 hours after her fever breaks & she starts antibiotics.  So, she won't be going back to MDO until Friday.  Antibiotics, ibuprofen, Dimetapp (sp?), popsicles & ice cream = my week!

Happy Baby

Parade & Festival

Let me first say that Addison did great at MDO yesterday after I left.  From now on I'm just going to give her a kiss & tell her I love her then leave.  That will be easier on everyone!  I was asking her a million questions: Did you have a good day?  Did you play with your friends?  Did you play outside?  Did you color?  Did you take a nap?  Did you eat your lunch?  Do you tell the teacher when you have to potty or does she ask you?  Then I threw a random question in there - Is anyone mean to you at MDO?  She said 'yes mommy'.  Then I asked - Did you see a clown today?  She said 'yes mommy'!  LOL  SHE DID NOT SEE A CLOWN AT MDO!  My point is - I can't believe anything she says!

This morning we went to the parade.  One advantage to living right in the middle of town is that everything is within walking distance!  We just walked up the street & watched the parade go by.  Afterwards we went to the festival.  I was so excited not to be pregnant this time & be able to ride some things with Addison.  I just knew she would love to get on the BIG slide.  Well, as we approached the BIG slide I noticed how FAST you slide down.  Hmmmm, do I really want to do this?  Luckily for me, Addison didn't want any part of the slide!  She didn't want to ride anything.  Even though all kiddie rides require you to be at least 36 inches (she's 35 inches) I think some would have been fine as long as I was riding with her.  She wouldn't even ride the carousel.  What child doesn't like the CAROUSEL?  On the bright side, look at all the money we are saving!

MDO Blues & POOP DAY 9

This is what she looked like before we left for MDO:

When I left her, there was nothing but tears being shed :(  It's hard for me to enjoy my day when I leave her like that!  I know it will get better....just pray that it's very soon!

****WARNING****NASTY POOPY PICTURES BELOW****WARNING****

Today started out as 'Alyssa POOP WATCH DAY 9', yes, 9 days without pooping!  I called the pedi at 9:30 this morning to let them know it's been a while & to see if I needed to do anything.  While waiting for a callback, I decided to wash a few dishes.  I put Alyssa in her car seat in the kitchen with me, so I could talk to her & keep her entertained.  It was around 10:50 & I had already said that if the dr hadn't called by 11, I was going to call again.  WELL, WELL, WELL, I look over & Alyssa had THAT look on her face & was concentrating on 'something'.  Hmmmm, could it be?  No, it couldn't!  I finished up the dishes & went to check the diaper.  Oh yes, ladies & gentlemen, we have POOP.  I knew right away this was going to get ugly.

Pretty little girl....before!

I was afraid to see underneath her outfit!

There was no way I could get this outfit over her head without poop getting in her eyes, mouth, ears, etc.  Out with the scissors!  Yes, I cut it off of her.  It was likely going in the trash anyway, since there was 3lbs of poop stuck to it.  

I started out with the wipes & after about 15 (yes, I was counting) I decided the wipes just weren't working.  After thinking for a minute, I wrapped Alyssa in a few paper towels & ran to the bathroom.  Once in the bathroom I setup her infant tub in the big tub & opened the plug on the infant tub, so the water would run out as I sprayed Alyssa off.  The water wasn't draining out of the infant tub fast enough & she was sitting in poopy water.  Think, Think, Think....I quickly picked up Alyssa & dumped the infant dump & put it to the side.  Then I laid her directly in the bottom of the big tub & finished spraying the poop off of her & then lathered her up!  This worked much better than I thought.  She even liked laying there sliding around as I was washing her.  Never cried once!  Although, I think I shed a tear or two.  Maybe that was because I had poop in my eye!  I'm still not sure!  I wish this all could have been caught on video!  It was certainly film worthy!

The pediatrician just called (12:30) & said it's fine for her to go that long in between poops, but if she's ever uncomfortable then give her a little water & Karo syrup.  Well, if that comes in a boob, we are good to go!  LOL  I guess I should give Alyssa a bottle once or twice a week....  I remember how hard it was to get Addison to take a bottle when she was 3 months old & I was about to return to work.  A friend suggested I add a little white grape juice to the bottle of breast milk & see if that would work.  It did!  I do have a nice freezer stash of breast milk that I pumped in the early weeks while establishing my supply.  Guess it's time to thaw some out & try to give her a bottle.

Pantry Raid

I saw the Pantry Raid post on another blog & had the idea that people would like to see my pantry too!

The very bottom row has misc items like paper towels, lunch bags, aluminum pans.

Flu vaccine

After dropping Addy off at MDO yesterday, I went to get my flu vaccine like I promised her I would.  Me & Baby Isa went to the CVS Minute Clinic & literally a minute later we were headed back home.  I didn't realize how sore my arm was until it was nap time & I laid down!  OUCH!  This morning it's still sore, but not like it was yesterday.  Please remember to get your flu vaccine!

Yesterday, Addy didn't want to stay at MDO & I was so close to just bringing her back home with me!  It broke my heart to see her cry.  I almost went to get her 100 times, but talked myself out of it.  She needs to learn to adapt to change & make new social circles, etc.  This is a new class & she only knows 2 babies from last school year.  When I picked her up she told me all about her day & the things she did like playing outside, blocks, coloring.  It was so sweet to hear her talk about everything.  She didn't nap again, but once I got her home she was more than ready to get in her crib.

This is how I greeted Addy this morning when she woke up!  

I put Alyssa in the crib with her :)

I'm determined to get more pictures of these two - together!

Sometimes Addy is into Alyssa & other times she's not.  Today, she was NOT!

Baby Isa loves to smile!

2 Months Old

Today we celebrate the birth of Baby Isa!  It was a whole 2 months ago that another miracle happened & we were blessed with another daughter!  Baby Isa is growing & doing new things daily.  She pays more attention to Addison & Buddy now.  She will watch them play like she wants to join in too!  I introduced her to the mirror recently & she LOVES to look at that 'other' baby!  It's so sweet to watch her study herself.  Tummy Time is still a work in progress!  I'm sure some babies never do Tummy Time & develop just fine.

Alyssa

Addison

This morning I had to take Addy to get her flu vaccine.  I was a little nervous taking both girls out & to the dr office, but it went just fine.  When we got there Addy didn't want to walk in the office, so I had to carry her AND the infant seat that was holding Baby Isa!  You seriously don't know your own strength until times like these!  LOL  Addy weighs 29lbs & is 35 inches tall.  We were put in the Sesame Street room while waiting for the nurse.  All of the decorations kept Addy occupied & Baby Isa slept the whole time.  The shot took 2 seconds & then it was over.  She never saw it coming.  Afterwards, I got her off the bed to leave & she stopped, raised her dress up & was looking to see what in the world happened to her leg.  It was pretty cute!  Oh, then she got a sucker.

She had no idea that a needle was waiting right around the corner for her!

Sicky Icky

I've been going downhill since I had Mastitis a few weeks ago & am now on my 2nd round of antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection!  Hopefully, these antibiotics are strong enough to knock out whatever I have!

To add to me being sick, Addy woke up yesterday morning with a fever.  We alternated Tylenol & ibuprofen all day to fight off the fever.  This morning no fever, but I still gave her a does of meds & will watch her today.  She doesn't have any symptoms other than fever.  Not surprising since she started MDO last week!  Hopefully, Baby Isa will not get sick anytime soon!

Addy's ready for the hurricanes! 

(I'm ready for a Hurricane drank)

She loves drawing on the easel!  

It's a 'must have' toy for toddlers in my opinion!

Our little Baby Isa is growing every second!  

I can't believe she will be 2 months old tomorrow!  

Slow down time, slow down!

Showing off her fashion for the US Open 2010 Tennis!

First Day of MDO 2010-2011

**I forgot about the picture I took of her falling asleep in the highchair 

during dinner & just added it below** Enjoy!

Addison started MDO!  She's moved up from the nursery to the 2-3 year old class.  I hung around and was THAT parent this morning.  Just asking a million questions, watching the teacher interact with babies, watching babies interact with each other.  After 45 minutes I convinced myself it was time to go!  However, after I got home I had some concerns about how bathroom breaks would be handled, so I called the director.  There are 10 kids in the class & all are in diapers except Addison & her BFF Maggie.  I was worried about how the teacher would get them to the bathroom, etc.  The director reassured me that there is a bathroom connected to the classroom & she had just come from checking on the class & the girls had already went to the bathroom once.  It just doesn't make sense to me that the classes aren't separated by who's potty-trained & who isn't.  Oh well, I'm not the director :(

Someone was clowning when I was trying to take a picture!

Addison had a great day at school without any potty accidents, so she got a sucker!  

However, she didn't take a nap & was out of control by 5pm!  During dinner she fell asleep & I was thrilled!