Easter Baskets

These are baskets I found at Target for Easter!  They were half the price of the ones I was looking to get from Pottery Barn Kids.

It's time for me to get new glasses.  I have a new prescription just haven't made it to the eyeglass place.  Well, wouldn't you know my sunglasses broke this morning!  I wasn't planning to get new sunglasses too, but may have to if super glue doesn't work!

Spring/Easter Pictures

Photos by Bridget M.

Alyssa Update

We saw our regular pediatrician this morning & Alyssa's ears are CLEAR!  YAY!  No more antibiotic needed, but now I have to give Alyssa lactinex granules 4 times a day for diarrhea.  Her poor little bum is so irritated.  I hope the worst is behind us now.  Maybe we won't have to go back to the doctor again until her 9 month appointment.

MDO Spring Pictures

Addison was all ready for school pictures last week!  I'm so happy that she will be included in the class picture this year.  Last year, she was sick when the class picture was taken.

Alyssa is still feeling lousy & giving me a hard time with the antibiotic.  She hasn't vomited since Thursday night, but still has a fever.  I'm doing what I can to keep her comfortable & happy (holding her 24/7)!

Invitations

I took Addison to the post office this week to put her birthday invitations in the mail.  She's so excited to be going back to the Children's Museum & playing with the sandbox!  She talks about it all the time, so a sand/water table is one gift we know that she will be getting for her birthday.

Alyssa's excited about the birthday party!

Sick Baby Follow-Up

It makes me sick to my stomach when my babies are sick.  Alyssa took her first dose of antibiotic yesterday with quite a struggle.  I guess there was a reason the store clerk asked if I wanted flavoring added to the antibiotic.  I figured I would give her a bedtime dose & then after dropping Addy at MDO this morning would stop by the pharmacy to have the flavor added.  Well, she fought the bedtime dose, so Blake went to the pharmacy & had strawberry flavoring added.  When he got back we tried to give it to her & she hated it.  HATED IT!  We finally got it down her throat only to be vomited up 15 minutes later.  An hour later she had vomited 2 more times.  I called the on-call pediatrician & she told us to use suppositories for fever & try to give pedialyte to rehydrate.  Blake went to the 24-hour pharmacy & picked up what we needed.  I was so nervous about the suppository, so Blake, being the awesome dad that he is, gave it to Alyssa while I held her.  She didn't seem to mind much.  She opened her eyes & wrinkled her brow at me like 'what the'.  After that she slept pretty solid.  This morning her fever was back up to 102.5, so I had planned to call the daytime on-call pedi anyway about the vomiting.  I talked to the nurse & she said that the vomiting wasn't likely related to the antibiotic & to try to give her the morning dose with food.  Also, continue Tylenol & ibuprofen for fever.  She said the vomiting could be from either the drainage from her ear getting to Alyssa's tummy or simply the virus working itself out.

This morning was a huge production to get her to take the antibiotic.  She wasn't having it at all!  I tried mixing it with food, giving it to her on a spoon, etc.  Out of nowhere, the Pinky Dinky Doo song started going through my head: If I have a problem, don't know which way to go, I think & think & think AND suddenly I know!  I got a little medicine cup & an eye dropper instead of the syringe & went out in the back yard.  I was thinking if I could distract her then maybe she would take it.  Well, 15 minutes later we finally finished a teaspoon of the antibiotic.  Ahhhh, things we do for our babies.  It's been about 1 1/2 hours & she hasn't vomited, so I'm praying that part of this sickness is behind us.  Right now she's sleeping in my arms peacefully.  

Alyssa 8 months old (3/14/11)

8 months old!  What is this little 8 month old up to these days?  She wants so badly to take off crawling & will any day now.  She knows she wants to pull up on everything, but still only pulls up on me when I'm sitting by her on the floor.  She loves to take a bath & splash water.  She loves watching Addison play.  She loves being outside.  She loves books.  She loves to babble.  It's so exciting to watch her do everything.

Alyssa has been cranky the last few days with a low-grade fever.  I was hoping it was just teething, but this morning her temp spiked to 102.  I gave her ibuprofen at 7 & called our pedi at 8:30.  Unfortunately, our pedi is out of the office today & tomorrow,  so I had to make an appointment with the on-call pedi.  I called them at 8:30 & was grilled on how I got the number, what number I was given, who gave me the number.....all of this to then be told that they don't start scheduling appointments until 9 & I would need to call back then.  I was ready to give the receptionist some attitude, but I tried to play nice since I really needed Alyssa to see the pedi.  I called back at 9:01 & she told me to be there at 10, but expect a long wait because were going to work Alyssa in between appointments.  I packed up the house & off we went.  Thank goodness we got there when we did.  It was standing room only 10 minutes after we got there.  We got called back about 10:30 & seen by the dr at 10:40.  It was much smoother than what I expected since the receptionist made it sound like I should pack a lunch to be there all day.  Alyssa weighs 17.11 pounds & is 27 inches!  She has an ear infection & is starting to get congested.  The pedi prescribed ear drops, antibiotics & decongestant.  We have to follow-up with our pedi in 10 days to make sure the antibiotics are working.  

Addison wasn't the patient today, but she 

certainly didn't sit back & not get any attention!

2 stickers & a sucker!

Sick little angel

Last night, we went to a retirement party for Blake's boss.  Someone snapped this picture of this awesome little family!  The girls were fantastic!  There was a moment when someone was giving a speech & the room was very quiet - until Addy said in the sweetest voice 'Dada, I love you' & gave him a hug.  She made friends with everyone & so did Alyssa.  

Buddy the Conehead: Part II

I'm breaking up with our vet!  I took Buddy to the vet last month for the hot spot on his tail.  The vet gave him a steroid shot & said he would be fine & nothing else was needed.  I thought this treatment was odd, but then again he's only had a hot spot one other time many years ago.  At that time we were in Monroe and the vet shaved & cleaned the area on his back really well.  Then gave a shot & prescribed a powder to apply daily.  It was cleared up in no time.  I had to take Buddy back to the vet the following week after he got the shot, because he wasn't any better & wouldn't stop licking/chewing on the hot spot.  The 2nd trip the vet looked at it & prescribed an antibiotic & fitted Buddy for a cone to prevent him from irritating it more.  Well, over the weekend we noticed it was even worse that the first time we took him to the vet.  We decided to take him to the vet where he is usually boarded.  They shaved & cleaned the area, prescribed an oral steroid, antibiotic & topical ointment.  I could tell he finally was getting some relief right away.  

Poor Bubba!

Alyssa's Eye Appointment

Yesterday we took Alyssa back to see the pediatric eye doctor at Texas Children's Hospital.  Her little eyes are doing great.  They are lined up evenly, follow objects accurately, react to light normally.  Next trip in November she will get dilated again.  She still believes the coloboma is only cosmetic & not impair Alyssa's vision.  Her bad eyesight will come from her mommy!

After the appointment we went to the Galleria to get Addy a new pair of Adidas.  Well, wouldn't you know we couldn't leave without getting Alyssa a matching pair!

My Monkeys

Happy St. Patricks Day

What I'm about to say may not be a big deal to most, but to me it's a MILESTONE!

I usually stay pretty close to home when I go somewhere with the girls by myself.  Between Addy needing to potty & Alyssa not taking a bottle I always worry when we are out & about.  Now it's getting better since Addy can go longer between bathroom breaks & Alyssa is going longer between feedings.  The girls are having Easter pictures taken this weekend & they both needed white sandals.  I went to the Payless here in town & was able to get Alyssa's, but they didn't have the same pair in Addy's size (They are twins, you know, so they HAVE to match!).  The store was nice enough to find a pair in a town about 30 minutes away, so they held them for me.  I loaded up the girls & off we went on our first real road trip alone!  We made it to Payless & picked up the shoes then walked over to Target & did a little shopping there too.  On the way home we even stopped by Chick fil A & picked up lunch.  It was a great morning & was a piece of cake with both girls.  This is good for my mom-esteem!  I may even try to drive alone with the girls to Louisiana one day :)

Maggie left today, so her & Addy had an extended playdate yesterday.  She will be back in May or June.  Not soon enough for Addy though.

Festival Time

It was a beautiful weekend for a festival.  Addison had talked about riding the carousel, which she's never done before (except the tiny one at Chuck E Cheese)!  When we got there the carousel was one of the first rides we saw.  She said she wanted to ride, so Blake got tickets & off they went.  Well, she didn't want to ride after all, but she DID.  Blake said she whined the whole time, but never cried.  What child doesn't like a carousel?

After the carousel, we saw a helicopter ride.  Addy's had an obsession with helicopters & airplanes for a while now.  She was so excited to ride the helicopter.  I rode it with her first & just knew the minute it started going that she was going to flip out.   That didn't happen & she loved loved loved it & pitched a fit when it was time to get off the ride!  We had to promise her she could ride again.

Next stop was the petting zoo.  She enjoyed it almost as much as the helicopter ride.

I'm so glad the weather is warming up & we can spend more time outside (until the mosquitos arrive)!  You know Texas mosquitos aren't like any other I've ever encountered!  They are evil blood suckers that will make you cry.  I remember right after we moved here, Addy had a spot on her face & I took her to the dr.  The nurse looked at it & said 'Welcome to Southeast Texas, that'll be $30'!  Ha, Thanks!

Party Planning

It's getting close to Addison's 3rd birthday!  There's a special cake that I really want for the party, but it's a little pricey for a cake!  We may just go with a cupcakes instead.

This weekend, I'll attempt to make Addy a birthday shirt.  If you don't see any pictures of it then you know things didn't work out for me!  I'm not crafty at all, but I think I should at least start experimenting with different projects for the girls.

I tackled the grocery store this morning with BOTH girls!  Usually, I go while Addy is in school.  Addy sat in the buggy & I wore Alyssa in the Bjorn.  It worked out perfectly.  Addy didn't have to go potty & Alyssa didn't have a meltdown.

Alyssa Pulled Up

I was sitting on the floor playing with Addy & Alyssa this week & apparently Alyssa wasn't getting enough attention, so she grabbed my pants & pulled herself from a sitting position to her knees & then tried to stand!  WHOA!  It's just amazing how babies learn to do things & figure out different ways to work their little bodies.  Addison was 2 days shy of 8 months old when she learned to pull up on her knees & Alyssa will be 8 months old next Monday.

Spring Break

It's Spring Break week here in Texas & that means no MDO for Addy!  Try explaining that to her!   She asks every day if we are going to school.  I'm doing my best to keep her busy, but I think she wants to be with her friends instead.  Once Alyssa drops down to one nap a day we will be able to do a lot more.  I'm not rushing it though.  Right now, she takes 3 naps & lately it seems like she's ready to drop the evening nap. 

Look at my big girls taking a bath together!  It's a good thing Alyssa doesn't mind water because Addison is obsessed with pouring water over her head!  

She's always moving from where I left her!

Just a silly shot of Elmo!

I know, I know, this castle is crooked & not going to win any architect awards!  Blake is a much better castle builder than I am.  However, when he isn't here....mama has to try try try!