Last Day of Daycare

Yesterday was Addison's last day at Ms Ginger's house! She spent 5 weeks there, but now it's over. I am kind of glad anyway, since Ginger & I didn't see eye to eye on some things. Examples: One day she gave Addison Anbesol(sp?) without calling me or Blake first. I let that one slide. Then they were having the inside of the house painted & I felt the fumes were too strong. The last incident happened just last week. I went to pick up Addy & Ginger said that she had been fussy all day, so she gave her Mylicon (fine with me), Tylenol & rubbed Benadryl on her gums. Okay - Ginger doesn't know how much Tylenol to give Addy. It's based on weight! Second, Benadryl doesn't go on gums you batshitcrazy lady! So, when she told me she gave Addy all of this I was so upset I couldn't see straight. The next morning I went extra early, so we could have a 'come to jesus' meeting. I stressed how she must call anytime Addy may need medicine (except for Mylicon). Even if she is fussy - call - I am right around the corner & can be there in 2 minutes. Apparently some of her parents give her free range to do as she wishes with their children. At least she told us that she gave her the medicine, but that doesn't make it any better with me. All this being said, Ginger is truly a wonderful caregiver - she just uses her experience rather than relying on todays medical journals. I would leave Addison with her again & have no regrets.

The Price of Children

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 to be $160,140 for a middle income family.

Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year, or
* $741.38 a month, or
* $171.08 a week.
* That's a mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is "if you want to be 'rich', don't have children. Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140?
* Naming rights – First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said, or how your stocks performed that day

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek, and
* catch lightning bugs

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading "The Adventures of Piglet and Pooh",
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* go to Disney movies, and
* wish upon a star.

You also get to:
* frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets, and collect:
* spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas,
* hand prints set in clay or Mother's Day, and
* cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no bigger bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to witness history:
* her first step,
* his first word, and
* their first time behind the wheel.

You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs called grandchildren and great grandchildren in your obituary.

You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, and communications

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have the power to:
* heal a boo-boo,
* scare away the monsters under the bed,
* patch a broken heart,
* police a slumber party,
* ground them forever, and
* love them without limits...

so that one day they, like you, will love without counting the cost.

Last 24 hours

Buddy started out yesterday with a stomach ache & it went on all day long. He had several accidents in the house - ewwww! Last night he threw up in the nursery before we went to bed. Then after we went to bed I started coughing & it was so bad that I began throwing up! Luckily, I made it to the bathroom. Then Addison starts crying (Blake wasn't home) so I get myself together enough to go pick her up & take her back to the bathroom with me. We sit on the side of the tub where I continue to puke Johnny's Pizza (which was much better going down than coming up). Then - guess what- Addison spit up all over me, her & the floor. If I would have seen it coming we could have both been puking in the toilet at the same time! Okay, so the night started out pretty rough.

This morning I get up & go in the nursery & find poop on the floor....go to the living room....poop on the floor....go to the den....poop on the floor. I just wanted to cry. So, I go wake Blake up to help clean the mess. We are on a tight schedule in the mornings & something like this throws us in a tailspin.

I left work this morning when the vet opened & took Buddy. He got a couple of shots, pills & some can food that will be easy on his tummy. He seems to be feeling much better now. The doctor thinks he got bit by something & that caused the rash & upset tummy.

BTW - I went back to the doctor Monday & got another shot & antibiotics. Still coughing :(

The Jumper

Addison is now big enough to sit in the jumper (for just a few minutes at a time). She is really going to enjoy it when she realizes what all can be done in it. She rolled over again from tummy to back this morning during Tummy Time :) Blake finally got to see her do it! Of course, I still haven't got it on camera!

News & August Pics

For those that don't know - we are moving to Texas! Blake has accepted a job in Port Arthur & starts 8/25. My new job will be staying home with Addy! We are very lucky to have this opportunity & can't wait to see where it takes us. Please wish us luck & keep us in your thoughts over the coming months. There will be lots of adjustments for our family!


I have added new pics (click on Curran Pics to the right)

Trip to Conway, Arkansas

We are back from Conway! It was a great trip :) Friday night was Kelli's graduation & Saturday was her party. Friday night we kept Addison out until 11 and realized what a huge mistake that was. Now I know - stick to the normal schedule no matter what! So, Saturday I made sure to have her back at the hotel by 8ish. She slept much better that night. Sunday we all met for lunch at Chili's. Except for Kristal Joy ::clears throat - enough said::

It rained almost all the way home, but it didn't bother Addy. She slept right through it. When we got back to Monroe we picked up Buddy from the kennel & now he is sleeping! He never sleeps when he is boarded :(

Pictures will be posted shortly :)

BTW - Addy weighs 14lbs!

Addy Hiccuping

Addison Hiccuping