Ella, Katie & Jonathan

Winter Happenings

2012-01-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

We've been keeping pretty busy for the winter months. Ella has been in dance class now since September and from September to December she was practicing for A Christmas Carol Ballet (Adam also ended up in the performance). Now that the rehearsals are done and we aren't running to the dance studio multiple times on the weekends we have some time for fun family outings together--- we also have more time to pass around really awful stomach bugs!

Ella is now also enrolled in another dance class that meets on Friday nights- so she is now taking 2 ballet classes a week- and LOVING it!

Last weekend we went to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum, or as my brother Tom put it- a breeding ground for germs.

That night Jonathan decided he was going to get sick all night long... That was the start to our five day puke fest! I am still debating which would've been easier having all three kids getting sick at different times randomly or having all three of them getting sick all on the same night and running from kid to kid to kid trying to help them get cleaned up and get back to sleep.

Needless to say, we have all survived and are all doing better... of course, after I sent Ella back to school on Thursday a note came home from the school about the extremely high number of kids out from a stomach bug and that they were going to be taking extra precautions and get extra staff to come in and thoroughly clean the school.

This weekend we are taking it easy-- its suppose to snow 3-5 inches, so I'm sure Adam and the kids will be outside in the snow-- I'll take pictures from the nice warm kitchen window!

I found a new blog to follow..

2011-10-14T05:28:00.000-07:00

I was using pinterest and stumbled upon some allergy free recipies on a blog from another mom of a child with food allergies. A list almost as long as Katie's. I'm hoping to find some "help" or "support" there as now we are currently seeing a nutrionist to get her weight back up because her diet and now picky apitite is catching up with her lack of weight gain.

http://www.easybreezyfoodallergies.com/

I'm the lucky one who wonn't get sick!

2011-04-19T18:18:00.001-07:00

Ella has said that the past two days... I'm the lucky one I'm not going to get sick!

Last week Katie was hit with the stomach bug.. it lasted a day and she was feeling fine. The following day Jonathan got sick all over me and then felt miserable the rest of the weekend... poor guy!

Today was a day of mixed emotions for me... Jonathan got his first vaccine since we stopped them at 3 months old- after the horrible rash he got from them... so first shot down and so far-so good (knock on wood)..

We took Katie off her allergy medication starting on Sunday because she will be re-allergy tested on Monday and today was a trial as to how important it is that Katie be on her medication. I had to work late and got a phone call from my calm but concerned babysitter saying Katie was itching her nose, had watery eyes, was coughing and complaining that her throat hurt. Sarah's calmness through this almost calmed me down, I tried calmly to give her benedryl and keep and eye on her.. Adam came in and he took her home.. by the time I got home at 8pm she was still having breathing issues... I gave her a breathing treatment and it cleared her right up... So she's doing better right now... I just hope we make it until Monday without any more medication.

And as Ella said, she's the lucky one right now... I hope it stays that way!

Better Pictures of our trip

2011-04-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

Jeremy

2011-04-05T08:14:00.001-07:00

We got our newborn baby fix this weekend here is Ella holding Jeremy. I can't believe that only 9 months ago Jonathan was this small.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

The Cave Restaurant

2011-04-05T08:12:00.001-07:00

After driving down some interesting back roads, parking our car and boarding a busted up minivan for one of the scariest rides up a side of a cliff (thanks Doug and Savannah for letting me have the front seat! ) we arrived at the cave restaurant. They had good BBQ, and the kids enjoyed eating in a cave.

As Doug said, this place threatens to be a really nice place. Good thing it was only a threat because the kids wouldn't have lasted long otherwise.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Road Trip

2011-04-05T08:05:00.001-07:00

We decided to take a trip to Missouri to visit Uncle Doug, Aunt Savannah, Timmy and Jeremy. On the way there we broke the trip up into two days. We are headed back now and hoping to drive straight through.

We enjoyed a death defying hike to a cave. (With Jonathan strapped to my back) I did have nightmares afterward, but the kids enjoyed it. We also ate dinner in a restaurant that was in a cave. And tried to go to a science discovery center, only to drive the 90 minutes to discover they were closed on Mondays. We ended up at Chuckie Cheese instead.

We had a great time and the girls loved playing with and visiting Tim.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Work Stoppage...

2011-03-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

....I think not..... I'm not sure if I really want to say much more then that, but I will not be pushed to not do my job because someone feels that "we" are not being treated fairly... when in fact *I* feel that "we" are being treated as fair as every other worker out there today...

Enough said?? Probably not... I'm sure I'll have more on this at a later date...

**I also don't like to be told to be sure I have 2 months worth of household income saved up because I may have to make sacrifices including doing things against the law (and that I could get fired for) for the good of our cause (not a direct quote)**

Full Day Kindergarten

2011-03-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

Where do I start? Well... There was a meeting on Monday night about implementing full day kindergarten in our school district...

Personally I'm for it, and NO it's not because I work and would pay less daycare.. Heck I'd be still paying the same, Adam would still stay home until lunchtime and drop Jonathan off for his 1/2 day at daycare.... I'm for it because I think the 3 hours of kindergarten is way to short of a time for kids to get the full well rounded educational experience. What do I mean? Well, for starters Ella get's recess 1 time a week in Kindergarten right now... YES, ONE time a week... Is that enough socialization for a kindergartner? Well, no.
But unfortunately kindergartners are expected to be able to read and write by the time they enter 1st grade, and depending on the district they are expected to read and write well before entering 1st grade (try end of 1st semester of Kindergarten) they are suppose to accomplish these tasks while "having fun", learning the rules of how to act in school, going to specials to become well rounded, having snack time and cleaning up after themselves..

As I sat in the meeting on Monday I felt (even though my thoughts on full day kindergarten were in the majority) like I was the worlds worst parent because I didn't give up my career, "luxuries" to be a SAHM... or Adam giving up his career to be a SAHD... I really think that even if Adam and I stayed at home I'd still be pro-full day... These parents were touting the fact that they were their child's first teacher...(okay I'm that too, why do you think Ella was reading before entering Kindergarten) and that family time was more important then sending their child to school for a full day... Unfortunately, those child that would benefit from a full day are neither the kids that come from families like that nor kids that come from families like my children... Both sets of kids will do just find in a 1/2 day program that feeds into a full day 1st grade... the kids that need the extra education are those that come from families that don't spend the time with their children before/after school extending the learning that went on inside the classroom, and those parents were not present at the meeting...

Blessing in Disguise

2011-03-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

When we decided to stay home this past weekend I wasn't really happy... I wanted OUT... and the girls with their coughs and snotty noses decided otherwise... And it was a good thing they did.

Sunday Jonathan started with a cough (not a big surprise since his sisters can't leave him alone). By Monday after work it was more of a wheeze, but I just thought that it was mostly drainage causing the noise and not his breathing... (I took him to urgent care for that same problem a few weeks ago and left looking stupid with "it's just a cold") Unfortunately when I picked him up from daycare on Tuesday it seemed his wheeze was worse, his cough was worse, and he was panting to catch his breath.... So off to urgent care we went... The doctor did a breathing treatment and was satisfied it raised is O2 up to 97 and it made his lungs sound "clearer"... so he diagnosed him with bronchitis and sent us home with breathing treatments and steroids... Neither of which really did anything to help the problem...

I was SOOOO lucky mother nature provided me with a snow day today because Jonathan was not getting better so I called his regular doctor and got him in there... While there they did a RSV test, he tested positive... but I did find out RSV just means its a cold with more mucus then a normal cold... So the girls cough/sniffly nose is probably what he had, it just is more mucus and will last a little longer... He's still on breathing treatments, and ONLY because his big sister has asthma he will continue with the steroids.

On another note I was a smidge upset with the NP today who looked at Jonathan... she knows the family history with Katie and her laundry list of allergies and asthma and skin issues... and the NP is convinced Jonathan is going to have some of those same issues... I'm not saying I love my kids any less or more if they have medical issues, but just because one has them doesn't mean all will... and I'm still holding out hope that Jonathan may not be "blessed" with Katie's health issues... Which in the grand scheme of things are nothing compared to other kids... (I know looking at Katie vs. a "healthy" kid you wouldn't say the same, but I have decided to really put their lives and the health challenges into perspective, and really what I'm dealing with is NOTHING)

If you could please say a little prayer for my little guy.. He's a trooper, he's not even acting sick... Just loads of wheezing and panting.... It's just a waiting game.. I guess he should be showing some improvement in the next day or so... The doctor also said extra mucus can lead to ear infections, so if he starts a fever or acting crabby to call and bring him back...

nap time

2011-03-20T16:53:00.001-07:00

Nap time today was loads of fun. I tried to get both the girls to nap at the same time so I could nap too. Adam caught the couch wrestling picture. Needless to say after this we all ate lunch then took a nap in my bed. Someplace where there was room for all three of us. And we napped for 90 minutes while Adam and Jonathan played downstairs. I think Adam may have gotten Jonathan to sleep for part of that time as well, but he's teething again so sleep is not really going well.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

sick again...

2011-03-20T07:20:00.001-07:00

I was looking forward to leaving town this weekend and head up north to Traverse City. The kids were going to have a chance to see Grandma and Grandpa Fergus, Adam and I were going to get a chance to play some cards, and visit Grandma Bush who has been in the hospital this past week.

Our trip was planned based on health. Grandpa Fergus is having surgery on his back on a few weeks and if he got sick that wouldn't be a good thing. That and we did want to get to the hospital but bringing the germs with us wouldn't be good either. Of course Katie and Ella both woke up on Friday morning coughing and snotty. It could be the weather change, or a cold. I'm guessing cold because Jonathan is now once again snotty and coughing.

I don't think anyone is looking more forward to the weather change and the sickness leaving more then we are.

We have rescheduled our trip for Aprile. And will be seeing grandma and grandpa via Skype instead.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Family Time

2011-03-14T04:31:00.001-07:00

This weekend we spent a lot of family time together... Ella's pinewood derby was a lot of fun, and very short (not like those hours of racing I remember when my brother's were boyscouts). She won 2nd place in her daisy troop... the first place winner was her friend, so she was happy! We then spent the rest of the day Saturday at home-- The best part of my Saturday was snuggled up on the couch with Jonathan napping next to me--I don't think he's snuggled up next to me napping like that since he was tinie tiny...

Our favorite family pastime is playing "Go Ape" it's like Go Fish but you have to act out what the monkey's are doing on the cards. The picture below (although it is a horrible picture taken with my phone) is Adam and Jonathan laying on the floor looking at their cards.

Here is a picture of my big guy... He'd prefer to stand.

Pinewood Derby

2011-03-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

Ella and I checked in her car this evening for the pinewood derby (for Daisy Girl Scouts) that is tomorrow form 9-12! She's a little confused as to how her car is going to race other cars... She's asked about remote controls, and still just doesn't know how its going to work.

She was surprised it will be a family event as she has never competed in anything before... so when she asked if I was going to be there to see her race tomorrow I told her the whole family was going, she was shocked... I'm sure we'll have fun and a ton of pictures tomorrow...

The ever blurring line...

2011-03-11T04:37:00.000-08:00

...I often wonder WHY? Why is it that I care so much about my students yet I seem to be the only one that does... I'm not their parent, however with some I am the only parent they have. Just recently I offered to help an "A-B" student bring up their grades by coming in early everyday...
My motives were two fold:
1)Mom has to work early and this would insure the student made it to school everyday.
2)The student would get their grades up.

The parent left the meeting telling me the child would be dropped off the next morning at 7:30 sharp. The next morning 7:30 comes and goes, no student. I later found out that the parent left the decision up to the child as the whether or not they wanted to come and get their work done... and they decided that they'd do it at home.

And this makes me wonder why? Why would the parent give the child that choice to begin with? If you child is getting D's and E's that wouldn't even be a consideration, if their teacher is offering (free of charge) to spend an extra 45minutes A DAY to tutor them why not at the very least try it for a week, or until the grades are brought up?

I feel lately in this society far too many parents are being friends with their children instead of the parent. I do think that is why there are way too many teenage pregnancies, and more drug and alcohol use amongst younger kids. The kids have the perception that the parents are going to "get over it" just like their friends do.

I have students coming in saying their parents are okay with them having boy/girlfriends... AT 10 YEARS OLD! Seriously? I understand having friends and "liking" boys/girls but to encourage pairing up, hugging, spending time together... REALLY??? I completely understand having open conversations with your child as young as 9-10 about feelings for boys/girls, but again you don't have to encourage it. I think I was told by a student that their parent said, "Fourth grade is the kissing year" .... and then I thought what is fifth grade? sixth grade? Maybe by 7th grade that will be the giving birth year...

I will admit (and I know my parents read this and I'll probably hear about this) I wouldn't have wanted to be my mom or dad growing up... I was a real piece of work... I would push my dad's buttons because I could, and I know on occasion that I made my mom cry with my screaming fits because I didn't get my way... I'm quite sure (though I don't remember) I told them I hated them, that they were the meanest, worst parents ever... blah... blah.. blah.. But you know what... They did their job... They were my parents, they made sure I was in school to get an education, if I ever came home from school in trouble, it wasn't "what did that mean teacher do to you" it was "what did you do... You are in trouble"... Even though my parents drove me crazy while I was growing up always "nosing in" on everything I did, they were doing their job.... Thanks mom and dad!

I would like to think the tide will change and we will get back into having parents doing their parenting job instead of being friends with their children...

A little bit of everything...

2011-03-10T07:23:00.001-08:00

The conversation has now come up twice about Jonathan being "normal" like mom and dad... as far as that Jonathan will be able to drink "normal" milk and eat "normal" food.... I don't know how to make the girls understand that they are just as normal as everyone else too... I'm guessing with school now they are feeling less normal then they should. Ella did ask me yesterday if when she grows up if she'll be able to eat the things Adam and I eat... It just about broke my heart... I've really been brushing the food allergy thing off like its not a big deal-because to our family, it's not... the girls have lived this way for their whole life... Everyone around them either makes it into a big deal, or doesn't worry at all about it, there is no middle ground... I try my hardest to have a middle ground at home.

We have been experimenting more with meals--to you the following combinations may sound gross, but Katie thought I was serving her the best meals of her life-- we (by "we" I mean Katie and Ella) had Mashed Potatoes (potatoes mixed with rice milk, olive oil) chicken, and creamed corn.. they were layered in that order so the creamed corn was Katie's sauce/gravy. Katie gave it 2 thumbs up and ate two servings... Ella was not as impressed... Adam has been craving tuna noodle casserole, so I made a pan of that for the two of us... I made the girls chicken-noodle casserole. Their consisted of cooked and chopped chicken, rice noodles with creamed corn mixed in it, I tossed in some peas and carrots and then topped it with potato chips. Again another 2 thumbs up hit for Katie, and again not Ella's favorite... Adam did throw in his two cents this past week as well when he made the best allergy free chocolate chip cookies I have ever had... Normally I'll take one bite of the girls baked goods and then decide the allergy free sweets are not my thing... this time I had to make sure I didn't have my hand in the cookie jar because there were so few cookies and they were the girls treat.

I do think that I will have to take Katie back into the allergy/asthma doctor because I am not liking how she is acting when she gets home from being at school and daycare all day... She seems to be struggling to talk... which is an obvious sign of breathing issues... but she is not wheezing or retracting...

Jonathan went to the allergy doctor a few weeks ago and is "clear" of egg, yeast and gelatin allergies... and that was all that they could test when it came to testing for the vaccines. Therefore we go back to the pediatrician. The allergist recommended getting blood work done to see if he already has enough anti-bodies in his system, if he does he wouldn't need the last shots for those vaccines. I haven't taken him for the blood work because I'm not sure my pediatrician is going to be "okay" with that answer and I really don't want to have to have him poked if the results don't matter to the doctor. I'm putting it off for a few more weeks. He's teething again.. he already has his top two and bottom two in the front.. but he's running a 99 degree fever and is a smidgen grumpy... Oh, and he's still getting up at least twice a night... The girls were such great sleepers, I shouldn't complain... but when will I get a FULL night of sleep?

On to extremely exciting and fun news:
Adam's sister Amy is getting married in September! Jonathan is going to be the ring bearer (provided he's walking and will cooperate), and Katie will be the flower girl... Ella was super excited for Katie and didn't even question why she wasn't going to be a flower girl again, instead when I said "Aunt Amy's getting married".. their first question was "to who", then Ella said "Mom, do you think Katie can be the flower girl... I think she'd like that, and I've done it 3 times already"... What a grown up, super great big sister thing to say...

A Much Needed Break

2011-02-13T12:08:00.000-08:00

This weekend I was given a much needed break. Adam and the kids stayed home and for the first time in 7 months I slept through the night alone. I was scrap booking for the weekend at my parents house just the ladies no kids.... it was heaven! On Saturday I actually slept in until 6:00 (am) I know that doesn't seem like sleeping in, but I got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep! Then on Sunday morning I was able to sleep in until 9am! My body may go into shcok tomorrow morning when I have to get up for work...

I did rush to get home to the kids on Sunday and I had three clingy little ones the rest of the afternoon... it was so nice knowing I was missed!

Adam and I are going away next weekend for a much needed weekend without the kids, together!

********************************************************
On another note....
The kids are doing well...

Jonathan has cut 2 teeth (not that you can really see them, but you can feel the sharp, hard starts of the teeth) he has 2 more teeth that are really close to the surface and his mood tells us that he's waiting to get those in soon...

Katie: Is sick (again) but we got a jump on it quickly and so she's doing MUCH better now.

Ella: I'm not sure how, but she's been the healthiest of the three--I think she must be the "carrier" and Katie and Jonathan must be getting the short end of the stick and getting all of the cold's Ella brings home.

Ella and the dentist

2011-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

I figured if I don't get this all down I will forget someday why Ella hates the dentist...

Back in July when she got her teeth cleaned she had her first 2 cavities (and yes she can thank her mother for her wonderful mouth bacteria~gross huh?). She was a real trooper went in got them taken care of no problems. At the time the dentist reported to me that her one cavity was quite deep and that it might end up being abscessed. Sure enough in January when she went back for a cleaning her tooth was abscessed and they said to schedule a time to come in and get it pulled. So Feb. 21 was the date. The dentist that saw her in January didn't want to do it herself she wanted another dentist in the practice to do (so did I for that matter, the other dentist is super great with kids!)

Fast forward to yesterday... I was looking in Jonathan's mouth and making comments about how his teeth will be in soon, and then Ella wanted me to take a peek in her mouth.. when I did I noticed her gum down by that tooth was very swollen and looked like it was infected. So I called the dentist to get it checked out. We went in at 10am and the dentist who didn't want to do the extraction was the one who was checking out the situation. She was puzzled as to why we were there~ I told her Ella was in pain and if it needed to be done then let's get it done, if it could wait that would be fine to wait too~ she agreed it needed to be done... so she lowered the chair and told Ella she was going to put the blue jelly on her gums... she did, but only put it on there for a few seconds (when I go in they put the q-tip on my gums for a few minutes to make sure they are numb before putting in the needle).. then she put the needle in Ella's gum and of course Ella started screaming and crying... it was awful and the doctor clearly couldn't deal with this real well. After she was done she lifted up the chair and had me talk/hold Ella.. so I did...

Then she came back in and that is when Ella decided she was done... there was nothing that could be done to convince her otherwise... I tried "nice mom", I tried bribery (Mc Donald's, the thought of the tooth fairy making her first visit), I tried "mean mom"... the dentist was not forceful, or helpful at all. At one time she had her laying in the chair and a poking tool in her mouth she could've easily gotten the pliar things in their and tried to loosen the tooth up, but she just poke around... REALLY??? I know they didn't want to scar her, but she was already numb and couldn't feel anything. The kicker was after the dentist decided she wasn't going to do anything she laid Ella down for one last time (I thought okay she's going to try to pull it) and she gave her another numbing shot... why? I don't know. I left mad, Ella left upset and then mad at herself for getting so upset... it was a disaster...

Later on that day we had a new appointment with the pediatric dentist so they could see what was going on... We went in (Ella was shy and hesitant) talk to the dentist and she decided because of the horrible experience from earlier that day that it was best to sedate her for the extraction. So on Feb. 21 we will be going back to get her tooth taken out... I need to find another adult to come with me because apparently Ella will be out of it and need assistance in the back of the car for on the ride home...

So on February 21, one of my days off for my "long weekend" will be spent with Ella getting her tooth pulled, Jonathan at the allergy doctors to try to get to the bottom of what his vaccine allergy is, and Katie back at the original dentist to get her tooth filled... It should be a GREAT day!! What are days off for anyways?? :)

It's been forever...

2011-02-01T06:25:00.001-08:00

... Okay so I am sorry it has been forever since I've put anything on the blog... And I know its not really because I've been busy, honestly it is the fault of technology. Every time I try to blog something is wrong with the website and pictures will not go up, so I just scrap the post and move on with my life...

So today, pictures or not I will post something!!

Everyone is doing great... Jonathan is growing like a weed (he's well over 20 lbs now) to put it in perspective, the girls were not his size until they were closer to 1, and he's only 7 months old. He finally slept through the night for the first time last night!!! 8:00pm-4:30am!! The first time ever!!

Katie is doing great as well! She was sick (and still is on double breathing treatments daily) but she didn't have to get on an antibiotic this time, and seems to be fighting this bug off on her own... Ella and Jonathan and Adam all had the same bug and they are over it too...

Ella is doing great in school! She's an awesome reader, and when the teacher sends home notes she tries to read them and then asks questions about what is on the note... She also is not following the directions on her school work. She brought home a paper that I would've marked a lot of her responses as wrong because she didn't follow the directions, but her teacher marked it "excellent" ... The directions were to write an "s" next to the objects that start with the "s" sound. So she looked at all the pictures and found an s word that went with them, and the wrote the ENTIRE word next to the picture... For example: Bed she wrote "sleep"... Lamp she wrote "shade"... Okay so that was excellent work, but not following the directions!

Adam and I are training for the Warrior Dash (http://www.warriordash.com/) we will be running it on July 30! I started working out this past week, but because I have started to loose weight drastically from the very little working out I did.. (I did 4 days of the elliptical, and lost 6lbs) I need to figure out the right balance between eating and exercise before I get back at it. However for the last week's work I am just shy of the weight I was before ELLA! (And I was always told after baby #3 you can never get your weight back down)

Adam's work has been crazy since summer so he's been putting in a lot of late hours, and weekends...

I think that catches everyone up on everything... I'll try to get on more often so I don't have to write a book next time!

What a difference steriods make..

2010-11-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

Jonathan went from spot covered to drying out and almost normal again in about a weeks worth of time, and 6 days of steroids.. he does have 9 days left :( but does have a doctors appointment on Monday afternoon, so maybe she'll tell me to tapper him down quicker because he's almost back to normal..

He has also started rolling over!! From his back to his tummy~ although he's not a fan of the results! He gets stuck and starts screaming... I can't believe he's getting so big already! Ella asked me when he'll start crawling... I said hopefully not until he's about 9 months or so.. :) Let's just take it slow!

This is a short work week, and I'm looking forward to the 5 day break!! And then Timmy comes into to town~ I haven't told the girls yet, because I know they will go crazy asking when they will see him.

We got Jonathan's pictures done yesterday (finally) I wish the website was working to post the pictures, when it does work I'll put up the pictures so you can see them.. they came out cute even if he was hungry and ready for a nap!

Doug is now officially in warmer climates and he made it there (where "it" really is... I think Kuwait)

Jonathan's week(s) in Pictures...

2010-11-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

.

Jonathan went in for his well child visit on Tuesday, Nov. 2. He received his regular 4 month vaccines by Wednesday he was covered in spots on his belly, and legs. I took him back to the doctor on Friday they said it was food allergies, ordered blood work and sent me to the allergist. The blood work came back clear for allergies (YEAH!!!) the allergist looked at him and said that he didn't think this was a food reaction, and we should head back to the pediatricians office ASAP. I called and got in the next day. They looked at him and were in shock. I guess I didn't realize how much worse he had gotten between Friday and Tuesday, but he did (kind of like when someone looses weight you don't notice the difference if you live with them because you see them everyday)... Anyways they wanted to do blood work to rule out Lupus and other auto-immune disorders (they call came back negative) and wanted us to see the dermatologist. We are now waiting until Monday (almost 2 weeks after the shots) to see the dermatologist. I'm putting the pictures in progression order so you can see what I'm seeing as the days/week has gone by. Its quite shocking. I'm at a loss... I have to trust the doctors- but at the same time I'm not sure if waiting is wise either... he's happy other then the rash, and now cough that Katie passed onto him this week... I'm hoping we have an answer on Monday as to what this is.

This was taken on Saturday 11-5

This was also taken Sat. 11-5

This was taken Tuesday 11-9
Also taken Tuesday 11-9

Taken today 11-11
Also today 11-11

Quick week in reveiw

2010-10-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

So, we've been to the doctor now twice within a week.. Last Thursday it was Katie, she was put on an antibiotic and is now feeling MUCH better... This Thursday it was Jonathan... he's now on an antibiotic as well and is feeling better too!

We spent the day cleaning house (again) and raking leaves... here are some pictures:

life is back to normal

2010-10-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

we are back to schol and work as normal this week but Adam had to work first thing this morning so the kids went to daycare all day and enjoyed themselves. Adam has to go back to work at midnight hopefully he'll be home by the time I have to leave for work.

So we are back to normal, running around crazy...wouldn't have it any other way.

October...

2010-10-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

Okay I'm going to attempt to update weekly.. hahha maybe a Sunday night thing?

Well, here it goes... this weekend was Dino Dash the girls had a blast.. Ella ran the 1 mile (in about 12 minutes) and Katie ran the 200 yard dash... They loved it.. I think they liked meeting Sparty more then anything else...

Here are some pictures.

September Pictures

2010-10-03T15:49:00.001-07:00

Colorado, Adam in Vail Village

Grandpa and Jonathan

Jonathan dressed for the wedding

Mike and Kai

All my mom and dad's grand kids

Our youngest Spartan fan

First day bus ride

September... Where did it go?

2010-10-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, its October already, and I haven't posted a thing.. Well, for all my facebook friends I'm sure you are sick of seeing pictures of the kids as that is the extent of what I've been able to post on facebook.

Life is busy!! Adam is work a TON of hours, the girls are both in school, and we have homework to do regularly, and Jonathan well he's "attached" at night allowing little to get done during those few hours I am at home...

My goal: To stay home more weekends and enjoy our "family" as much as possible, because I am now realizing they grow up TOO quick, and outside activities quickly take over.

Here is our last month in pictures (no particular order):

1st day of school

Detroit Zoo

Tea Party

Summer

2010-08-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

WoW! This summer has flown by, and really I feel bad I haven't posted much on the blog. I need to make an effort to sit down weekly to update... That will be a goal I set for when school starts--we will see how that works for me!

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks:

Ella and I tubing

Grandma "rags" and Katie Tubing

The Kids

Jonathan Adam is here!

2010-07-05T12:46:00.001-07:00

Jonathan Adam arrived June 29th at 7:26am weighing in at 7lbs. 1.8oz. And 19 in. long.
He is a very calm kiddo, and only really cries when he's hungry.He has his first check up today and is now up to 7lbs. 10oz.

Adjusting to being home

2010-06-13T16:37:00.001-07:00

It's been a two week adjustment period, but I think we are almost there. The girls are getting adjusted to the house rules, which aren't unreasonable, but it was war the past two weeks.
The girls are also waiting for their sister or brother to make an appearance.

The past few weeks have been eventful. Ella had her dance recital this past weekend. Ella also turned 5!! Which amazes me. She has now had 3 birthday parties and really thinks she's 7 because with each party she ages another year... Right?

Katie has been having a harder time adjusting to being home, but I think she is also having allergy issues with her skin. I took her to the doctor and hopefully with the medicine change she will itch free soon!
So only a few weeks until the baby is here!! It'll be a quick few weeks I'm sure!

The girls meet Jean

2010-05-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

The girls have been so ready to meet their new cousin, and now that everyone is home from the hospital and things are back to "normal" or as close as normal will be for Aunt Kelly and Uncle Bill for the next 18 years we decided to stop by and see them. Ella and Katie were really confused as to whose baby Jean was, and why she needed to stay with Aunt Kelly and not come home with us. Ella followed Jean from room to room wherever she was sleeping to check up on her and sneak little touches of her hands and feet. To say the girls are excited to have a baby around soon is an understatement.

Here are some pictures..

Aunt Kelly explaining the ground rules.. we have to be gentle and yes she's real.

Ella on her 100th time holding Jean for the few hours we were there, she finally just snuggled up with her and didn't want to let her go.

I got to "steal" her away from the girls for a few seconds of baby snuggling. Jean's new niece/nephew didn't like the snuggling time however and kept kicking her.
Katie, already looking like a proud big sister... yeah I had to explain to her that Jean stayed with Aunt Kelly and Uncle Bill.

New Cousin Arrives!

2010-05-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce the arrival of our newest cousin/niece!!

Jean Kelly was born on 5/5, weighing 6lbs. 13oz. and is 19 3/4 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing fine now. It was a rough road to delivery, and an even rougher road through child birth and recovery... My sister is a strong and amazing mother. I am super proud of her and everything she's been through! We wish them nothing but the best!

Congrats Kelly and Bill... and welcome to the world Jean!

Pictures that I need to post..

2010-05-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to put up the pictures from the trip to Chicago we took in the beginning of April for Katie's Birthday... OOOPS!! A month late isn't too bad!! Here are a few.. Enjoy!!

Adam and Katie waiting for the show to start at the aquarium (Chicago)

Ella next to her next American Girl doll

The girls ready to go to Chicago

As normal as possible

2010-04-29T17:11:00.001-07:00

Well, life in our house has been as usual busy but normal.

We had a great time in Chicago, and I did post pictures on Facebook (I'll get them here too soon). Ella had kindergarten round up last Friday, and that seemed to go well too.

I'm 30 weeks pregnant now and am going to try to stop complaining and enjoy these last 10 weeks... Work is done for me in 4 weeks (actually 19 student days, but who is counting?).

I'll probably be an aunt again by the end of next week!

So, life is busy but if it wasn't it wouldn't be normal.

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

The girls in their Easter dresses

Ella with the Easter Bunny

Katie with the Easter bunny

Monkey's on the Bed...

2010-04-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

The girls were reading a book with Grandma Fergus.. they had a lot of fun!

My "baby" is going to preschool

2010-03-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was preschool open house for Katie... YES.. little Katie... I don't know why it is so different then Ella starting preschool, it just is.

It took my 2 days to convince Ella (and Katie) that Katie had to go alone with mommy, and be the big girl. Ella let us leave with tears in her eyes and great big hugs. Katie was all smiles when she walked into her classroom and said hello to her teacher. She sat at the art table and colored an elephant (with MARKERS, her favorite), and then moved over the to stencil/color pencil table and scribbled something nice for Ella. Katie was very into saying hi to her soon-to-be classmates, who all promptly ran away from her right into their parents arms scared that someone their size talked to them.

So, is Katie ready? I think so.... Am I? I'm very nervous I think it is all because of the allergies. I spoke with her teacher, who was very concerned about keeping Katie safe while in her classroom, she mentioned being able to call me (or Adam) at the spur of the moment to verify that Katie can do an activity, which I told her would be fine. It sounds like they are cutting the snack program because with such a short time, taking time out for snack makes the learning/playing time even shorter. I can't say I'm disappointed that there won't be snack time for Katie... Actually when I heard that I was almost jumping for joy... one less worry.

So in the fall (and she thought she started preschool today, after all, she did meet her teacher yesterday) Katie will be a preschooler... YIKES!!

20 week U/S pictures

2010-03-10T18:12:00.001-08:00

I've been meaning to scan and post the baby's 20 week ultra sound picture.. I'm a few weeks late posting this... but really the baby kinda looks like an alien. The first picture is head on (you can see the eye sockets and one of the baby's lens. The other is a not so freaky profile.

Little Germ Factories

2010-03-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

Well, its been a week! The girls started sounds a little congested on Saturday, but I figured they just were starting with standard colds and things would be fine.

Sunday was okay with the colds, a little cough a little sniffle no big deal... Sunday night Katie woke up with a temp of 103 and then I started to worry. Adam stayed home with her on Monday, Ella was still feeling okay.

Monday night, I was at work late, I met Adam and the girls at Ella's dance class and as we were there (for 30 minutes) I noticed a change in Katie's cough, from loose to very dry and tight. We got home had baths and I gave Katie a breathing treatment (like always before bed). After her treatment she started having coughing spasms that resulted in her screaming in pain because she pulled something in her stomach or ribs. I rushed around to find another vial of medicine for her breathing machine, finally with Ella's help I found it, I calmed Katie down and she took another treatment. This one calmed her lungs down, loosened up the cough and made her feel better.

Tuesday morning I took her to the doctor to find out she had pneumonia. Ella was still feeling okay, with a slight cough and runny nose. She was put on breathing treatments every 4 hours, they up'ed her asthma medication and put her on an antibiotic. With a week of rest.

Wednesday Adam stayed home with Katie- and shortly after dropping Ella off at daycare Adam had to go get her because she started coughing a lot. Wednesday night I took Ella to the doctor and was told she had a cold, it really was too soon to tell what she had, but I figured I'd be better safe then sorry so I took her.

Thursday both girls stayed home, and Ella's cough got worse my Thursday night. Katie was getting better though!

Friday: Adam stayed home and he took both girls back to the doctor. Ella's cold is now bronchitis and she is on an antibiotic. Katie is doing much better and is now off her breathing treatments. Katie seems to be doing well as long as she sits still. I have noticed since being home that if she is running around and playing she starts to cough and wheeze. I think she'll be back on breathing treatments at least 3 times a day by tomorrow. She's 2 she won't sit still like a normal adult and just rest.

There you have it.... the week in review with the two germ factories that we lovingly call our kids.

The saving grace is that Adam's parents are planning on coming down on Saturday so Adam and I can leave the house for a while and hopefully sleep in on Sunday.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day has a different meaning when kids are involved. Today we spent the day doing things the kids love. We started with a morning of board games with Grandma and Grandpa Fergus, eating Ella's favorite breakfast (cinnamon bread), and then going to Jumping Jax. The girls are fairly timid when it comes to being adventurous, so the inflatable jumping toys were at first very intimidating, but after about 45 minutes they were in full swing and didn't want to leave.

After we convinced them to come home and they took naps the girls and Adam went out to build a snowman. We call him our vegetable snowman... He is wearing a crown of icicles. The girls had an awesome Valentine's day, as did I knowing they had a blast and had a ton of fun. We did exchange gifts... Adam got flowers, chocolates and a card (from the girls and I) and I got an hour massage gift certificate (from the girls and Adam), the girls got a day of fun and a new game to play.

Snow day!!! (again)

2010-02-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

Today we had another snow day, both the girls were able to play outside this morning when Adam was shoveling.. here are some pictures!

20 week ultrasound

2010-02-05T17:43:00.000-08:00

We went in today for the baby's 20 week ultrasound. I'm only really 18 weeks, and 6 days though. The baby was "boring" to the doctor which means perfect to Adam and I. However, the doctor did want to make sure that there really weren't any kidney issues so we will be doing another look at 32 weeks, and that can be done at the regular doctor's office.

I will get the pictures scanned in so you can see how cute our new little baby is (even if it looks kind of like an alien!).

Katie's Doctor Visit

2010-01-18T17:08:00.001-08:00

The doctor agreed that a 2 year old should not have to stop in the middle of running around and playing to cough or take a break. He also thought that her wheezing and having to take treatments so often was a sign of asthma and her breathing not being in control. So we are starting a preventive medication twice a day. It is given through the nebulizer. After a month we are suppose to reduce this to once a day to see if this still is helping. So I'm hopin that a normal active 2 year old who doesn't need to take coughing breaks shows up soon.

She was so good at the doctors office and very nervous about the whole thing. She didn't want to go because she thought something bad was going to happen like blood work or shots.

We also decided to wait until June to re- allergy test her.

First time Bowling

2010-01-17T06:59:00.001-08:00

We went bowling with the girls and Tim last weekend. If you can see the score screen Ella had the 91 and Katie and Tim both had 57. Ella had a strike and a spare in her game! After the first few throws she did it all by herself.

Snow Day Pictures

2010-01-17T06:47:00.001-08:00

We did have a snow day a few weeks ago.. lucky for me Ella was sick so I didn't have to take a day off to stay home with her... here she is watching Katie and Adam shoveling the snow.

Katie helping shovel the snow

A frozen little girl, but she had fun!

January 17

2010-01-17T06:35:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try to get back into blogging... Things have been busy around here... Just about every night when the girls go to bed I'm upstairs reading for 10 minutes then crashing... and that is about 8:00!

The girls are adjusting back into the routine of life again after a very busy Christmas/New Years vacation. They are sleeping (almost all night) in their own beds but still getting up at 5:30 ready for the day. We are earning magnets for every night they stay in bed and mommy doesn't have to sleep on the couch. This has worked wonderfully so far, Ella has 6 (and has earned another Hermit Crab to keep her lone survivor company) and Katie has 5 (and earned a trip to Chuckie Cheese... not that she can eat anything but she loves to play on the rides and play the games).

Pregnancy is not treating me well this time around... I'm extremely swollen in my hands, so much so that I took off my wedding ring that I just got fixed and put it in the drawer, I started feeling guilty for not wearing it yesterday because we spent a lot of money to get it fixed, so I put it back on and now my hands are so swollen I'm not sure its going to come off for a LONG time. I've also been having extremely intense headaches for 4 days now. I called the doctor on Friday and they prescribed some headache medication that helped, however I feel that maybe this is blood pressure related because it seems when I rest and relax the headache is almost gone, and when I have to get up and do anything the headache is back. I checked my weight to make sure I wasn't retaining water and I don't think I'm up any, and my feet and face aren't swollen either. But we are headed to Meijer's today for some shopping so I'll do a self blood pressure there and if it is high I'll call the doctor.

Adam is doing fine... he had the girls all day yesterday while I worked on my scrapbook (I am working on December 2008, so only a year behind!) at my mom's. He took them outside to play, and to the Potter Park Zoo to see the animals. They had a lot of fun, and were exhausted at bed time.

Today we are headed to Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing. The girls have only played in the play room there but I think today we will walk around a bit and then let them play.

Tomorrow Katie goes to see the Allergy and Asthma doctor because she has been wheezing more then a kid w/o asthma should be... I just want to know if this is allergy related or if she is starting with asthma symptoms.

December Pictures...

2009-12-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

Ella at her party at school, she was handing me my present.

Ella showing off the craft project we did together

Getting ready for her turn to decorate the Gingerbread Man

Our Elf on a shelf.. the girls named him "Sparkle Roses" what a lucky guy!!

The girls with Santa

The girls and cousin Tim, Ella was grumpy because she just woke up!

Goodness it's been a while

2009-12-15T16:36:00.001-08:00

Okay so we've been busy getting ready for Christmas, and I've been exhusted with early pregnancy so I haven't been able to post that much.

I would assume most of you recieved our Christmas card or have seen the pictures on Facebook so you can see the girls are doing just fine.

Last week Adam fell down the stairs and broke his toe, he was on crutches for a few days and is back to walking with a bit of a limp.

I went to the doctors and heard the baby's heartbeat again this time we were at 154. Things are going well with the pregnancy, I just get nightime morning sickness, I'm not doing well eating after 4 pm.

Katie has been having skin issues but it's holiday time so she is being exposed to different fabrics, and perfumes then normal and the dry heat of the furnace. So she's back on her steriod cream in the hopes to calm her skin down.

Ella's school holiday party is Thursday, I took a personal day so I can share this experiance with her, being a teacher I miss all the fun school parties and trips.

Othe then that we will be busy until the Tuesday after Christmas and that one day will be our only "day of rest" because we will be in Traverse City Wednesday through Friday, and then back home for our Saturday bowling night.

Thankgiving

2009-12-02T09:48:00.000-08:00

We traveled to Traverse City for Thanksgiving this year, and had a great time. The girls enjoyed seeing Grandma and Grandpa Fergus and playing with the "new" toys... and the dogs, cats and barn animals. (pictures will follow shortly)

Now we are transitioning into Christmas, it will be here before we know it! Our tree is set up, and the lights are outside. The morning after we put up the stockings the girls were looking for their presents because they thought Santa MUST'VE come already. I had to explain our Advent Calendar and they then understood they still had a ways to wait. They are happy they get to count down the days until Christmas.

I'm home sick (for the second day in a row) I'm actually feeling a bit better today then yesterday (which is good!) But I'm going back to bed!

Baby #3

2009-11-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

Well, it is official, I went to the doctors today and we saw the heartbeat... 148 (I think)... The doctors thought the baby would be here around June 12 (that was at my nurses appt.), I figured around June 22. Today however we got a bit of a surprise when they did the ultra sound the baby is now due July 5! So I walked into the doctors office thinking I was 8-10 weeks pregnant and walked out only 6!! That is a difference of about 4 weeks. And also throws a monkey wrench into the plans for the summer, and 4th of July weekend (but isn't that what kids are for??)

Halloween (a week late..)

2009-11-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

We had a great time on Halloween, here are some pictures:

Another day...

2009-10-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

Not much new going on here, the girls are getting ready for Halloween. Katie did however insist on posing for some pictures, so of course Ella had to get involved... here are the two of them... (Ella's picture is blurry because she wouldn't stand still, and was WAY TOO close to me)

Day of Clenaing...

2009-10-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

It needed to happen... FALL CLEANING.. The cars NEED to be in the garage for the winter, and there were odds and ends things to do around the house now that Fall has finally found us. So Adam finished the garage today, or is almost done with it, and the girls and I cleaned... Well I cleaned up stairs while they destroyed the downstairs. I got the extra upstairs room all cleaned up, put away all of Katie's clothes that were still stashed in there, and cleaned out her downstairs dresser so her fall/winter clothes had a place to stay. While I was out checking on Adam's progress this is what I found when I got back inside:

The girls decided they needed to play dress-up with some clothes in their drawers. So they dressed themselves and headed to the "beach".

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

The girls were feeling much better and with the AMAZING weather this weekend we decided ti was time to get our pumpkins! Last year, and the year before that, and the year before that the weather was AWFUL, so we lucked out! We went to Clearview Orchards and they were really picked over, but we managed to find a pumpkin for everyone. Timmy and Grandma and Grandpa "Rags" went with us also.

Things were going well...

2009-10-14T16:36:00.001-07:00

...until about 12 today, daycare called Katie was sick with a fever of 102! Then on my way home from work Adam called to tell me Ella was taking a nap, well really she was running a fever too! So now we have two kids with fevers, and if I have to take a guess they probably have what Adam had a week or so ago. So they'll be wonderfully sick for a few more days.

Work us going great. I brought in sone hermit crabs for the students, they were thrilled. The girls didn't want me to take them into school they wanted them for pets for themselves.

So I'm off of work tomorrow so I can get my kids back to healthy. Though they ate just fine for Adam but show how sick they are to me, and act miserable.

Sick house...

2009-10-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well, after getting back from Traverse City our house has been recovering from a week of sickies.. I think we are finally on the home stretch of feeling better... to recap:

Katie had an awful cough, she was on breathing treatments 2 times a day for 3-4 days until she cleared up. Unfortunately, her coughing was keeping her up all night, and resulted in me getting no sleep whatsoever. So the illness I thought I was recovering from came back because of exhaustion. I ended up taking Friday off and getting an antibiotic, and now I'm feeling better. Adam was super sick all last week.. come to find out he some how got hand, foot and mouth virus so he was miserable... Ella, don't ask me how but managed to only get a stuffy nose out of the whole deal.. LUCKY GIRL!

Yesterday was our "back to normal" day... I FINALLY signed Ella up for dance lessons, which she had her first class last night and loved. I wish it was more "dancing" but I understand that the kids need to start somewhere at this young of age... If she continues I will have her chose either ballet, tap, or jazz next year...

September in Traverse City

2009-09-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

We spent last weekend in Traverse City at the Lake. It will be the last weekend of the "summer" until next year up there. The girls enjoy driving their Grandpa Lemcool crazy by sitting in his chair when he's not looking. He then tries to get back at them, but they are scared and run for protection from anyone who is around to save them. Here are some pictures I shot from the weekend, the ones of the girls in his chair happened when he was out getting the paper one morning. The other pictures are of the girls riding Grandma Fergus' horse, Horse. If I remember correctly, this is Katie's first real time riding... and she loved it... We all enjoyed runny noses after spending time riding.. and Yes, I did get on the horse but I don't have any pictures of me.

Enjoy!

Ella's First homework Assignment

2009-09-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

Ella's assignment was to bring in a picture of all the people that were "important" to her... I made her cut off at what is shown.. she had A HUGE LIST, and her collage was going to be massive.. it was suppose to be just 1 picture.. probably 4x6.. oh well, we are at 8x10 size!

And not to be left out...

2009-09-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

...Katie...

Well what can I say... 100% potty trained, and now she is deciding she wants to "do it all herself" and kicks me out of the bathroom when she needs to go.. I insist on wiping her still (I really don't want her to smell) but she is doing GREAT!

As far as allergies... we have found we that if we give her a bit more Zyrtec in the AM she stay's "clear" all day long... its working out well...

Ella started Preschool

2009-09-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

Ella's first day of preschool went really well! Here are some pictures!

Ella at her locker!

Ella and Mrs. Olsen her teacher

Ella and her art work that Daddy and her did together

Ella working on her favorite shape picture (a star)

Preschool!

2009-09-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

WOW! Ella is going to start preschool on Tuesday!

We went to parent open house and student open house this week, and has Ella really surprised me..

She is normally a very shy child, but she walked into her school and into her classroom like she owned the place, and proceeded to talk to the teacher and play with other kids!

I'll have pictures of her first day after Tuesday! Adam is taking her and he has to stay for a short time to let her adjust to preschool.

Our TC weekend

2009-08-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we went to Traverse City... the weather was... well... It sucked (as I said many times on Saturday)... though we enjoyed ourselves! Here are some pictures from our trip to Black Star, and getting the corn ready for our food fest...

We also visited the farmers market, which was HUGE, I wish we had something like that here every week...

Our 2 week Vacation..

2009-08-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

I have no pictures to post as of yet, we just got home today.

The weather for week #1 was awful. Adam couldn't even take Ella out fishing because the water was too choppy and unpredictable. We had a full house up north for week #1, Kelly, Bill, Tom and Adam the girls and I along with my mom and dad and grandpa...

Week #2 the weather was MUCH better! It warmed up considerably and Ella was able to attempt fishing... all she wanted was to reel one in... Grandpa and Papa knew this and were going to hand her their poles even if they got one but NO fish were caught again... So Ella is on the prowl to pull in the whale... It wasn't fair that Katie caught one earlier this year and Ella not catch any!!

I did find out that I do have a job for next school year! Good thing as the school year starts in 3 weeks!

We also received a letter from Ella's teacher about a parent open house and a student open house all going on before school starts. Ella can't wait to start school, and I'm glad I hope this will draw her out of her shyness shell a little.

Pictures from the past few weeks...

2009-07-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

We have been spending a lot of time at the park when we get the chance to get out... The girls like the tot lot, but convinced Adam to take them to the "brown" playground.. AKA the big kids wooden playground... so we start off at the tot playground and then migrate over to the brown park... the kids only wanted to walk around there, I did finally convince them to go down the spiral slide and the covered slide... they LOVED it and I had to then beg them to leave..

Girls on rocking dinosaur in tot playground

Katie going down the spiral slideElla going down the big kids spiral slide (Adam took an awesome picture here!)

Katie going down the green slide in the tot playground

Ella showing off how she can now climb the orange ladder

Katie's test with soy

2009-07-20T13:25:00.001-07:00

Well, Katie tested negative on her skin test for a Soy allergy so we went ahead and tried giving her some soy milk. Trial #1 ended in mild coughing, which I wrote off as nothing. The next day Trial #2 we gave her more soy milk and she ended up coughing badly and sneezing, we gave her a breathing treatment called the doctor and decided to keep soy out of her diet.

Today we gave her some strawberries we cut up last night and put in the fridge... Big mistake, she was back to coughing and taking a breathing treatment.

Oh well we are taking the allergy issues one day at a time, but I'm sure we will eventually figure it all out... And when we do something else will happen :0)

Vacation Week #3

2009-07-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Week #3 was a lot less stressfull.. I'm not sure why, but it was.. maybe it was because we had Great-Grandma's house we could go and visit, Nicole, Dave and Aunt Carol and Uncle Dave were also around so there were more then just me, the girls and Dad up there... we finished up the swing project, we also picked up the washing machine and did laundry (which all needed to be hung out to dry, and with the bad weather that was a bit challenging, the good news though is I only had to bring home one bag of dirty clothes instead of 3 weeks worth!)

Katie giving Nicole the stink eye

The girls and my dad on the swing

Like I mentioned before the weather wasn't the best, so the girls were a little restless... on one of the mornings while I was hanging laundry I mistakenly let the girls stay alone in the cottage only to hear Ella yell, "Mommy, Katie hurt herself, her nose is bleeding really bad..." so I thought I was running into a broken nose or something... Nope, it was her lip bleeding, and it was because she cut it on her tooth (which chipped off) during the same accident... Fun stuff.. so now Katie's new nick-name is Chippy... she does go to the dentist this week for a regular check up and we will see what they can do for the tooth.. I really don't like the idea of her having it chipped for the next 3-4 years until it falls out...

Chippy... :(

Vacation Week #2

2009-07-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Week 2 started when Grandma, Janice and Pa-pa came up north... Life got a lot easier and much more fun for the girls... We enjoyed the extra company and they got a break from their mom's constant nagging of leaving Grandpa alone to do his work. We ended week 2 by driving to Traverse City for the 4th of July... I got some great pictures here are some of them:

Krista and the girls

Adam and Aunt Jo

Grandma Fergus and Katie

Fireworks!

Vacation Week #1

2009-07-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ahhh.. week one was GREAT weather wise... getting the girls to sleep didn't happen all that well...

Girls and Grandpa

My dad was working on tiling the floor in the storage room, so the girls and I started a project of our own... The swing.. The swing sits too far into the woods, and is never used (until this May when Ella wanted to be on it all the time). I decided if the girls were going to play on it then it needed to be cleaned.. so I took the power washer out and started power washing the wood... the pant started coming off too, so that lead to our next project- re-painting the swing... Ella picked out the color and the girls helped paint... Thankfully the weather was really nice so this went really smooth and we enjoyed our project. My dad (during week 3) had to tear off the roof and put on a new roof to the swing... it is now in really good shape, and has been moved to a better location. Along with the swing project we weeded the gardens for grandma.

Katie and I

We also saw our new friend "Spike" he is a deer. He has two female friends too that like to sneak out of the woods and eat all the bird food.

Spike

3 weeks worth of posting wrapped into one post...

2009-07-12T12:50:00.001-07:00

I'm glad to be home.. Will post pictures/stories later this week!!

I promise!!!

Oh... eventful moment.. Katie chiped her front tooth :(

Funny Moment...

2009-06-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

...brought to you by Ella, Katie and Timmy...

Another week has blown past...

2009-06-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Wow... this week flew by and I forgot to write... OOPS..

Well, we started off with a very nice surprise, my sister-in-law, Savannah, who has been in Iraq since late November was "home" (in Germany) and then flew into Detroit on Thursday! It was great seeing her again... I'm glad she is home safe!

With Savannah home now Timmy and Doug will be leaving earlier then they expect to return back to Germany for the rest of the Summer... but before they left Doug and Savannah took a quick trip so we got to watch Timmy Thursday night and Friday during the day.... What do you do with 3 kids 4 and under for a whole day?? Take them to the zoo! So I took the kids, along with Sarah and her two kids and Julia (for extra help) to the Potter Park Zoo... Everyone had a lot of fun... Timmy taught me first hand how boys differ from girls.. While in the bird house having the birds land and eat the food from feeding sticks Timmy decided the birds weren't as fun as the puddles so he ran around and jumped in the puddles while I wrestled with Ella two feeding sticks and birds on my arms, back and head... I really wish I had pictures of it... Ella has told me many times the lady behind me was laughing when it happened.. How nice of her!

Earlier this week I did get a hold of Katie's allergy doctor and he agreed we should do some follow-up skin testing.. so we have been antihistamine free for nearly 7 days now, and she hasn't done too bad.. just REALLY itchy, and a runny nose... We will be testing to see if she can once again have yeast/food mold products like ketchup, vinegar, apple juice, pasta sauce.... I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

I also received a phone call saying I will be receiving an official "lay-off" slip in the mail, but not to worry because I'll be called back, that I already have a job and everything's okay... But the system works when you have the slip in hand you get to collect unemployment so I will be filling out the online form first thing in the AM, it'll be at least an extra $362 for this week.. This might make the school district write the "you have a job" letter a little quicker..

This week is going to be filled with preparing to be up north for 3 weeks! The girls and I leave on Sunday and won't be back home until July 12!! We will be making a weekend trip to Traverse City over the 4th of July and then head back up to the cottage... I'm sure the girls and I will have a lot of fun, but we will all miss Adam... Adam has his work all lined up for him, I think he'll be continuing to patch the basement walls... FUN-FUN!

Allergy Update...

2009-06-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

I think I posted earlier that Ella was re-allergy tested those results were not what I wanted to hear but we can deal with them....

Katie's results are in...

Strongly positive for: Egg, Milk, Oat, Peanut, Sesame Seed, Soy Bean

Moderatly Reactive to: Almond, Coconut, Wheat

No Reaction: Bakers Yeast, Cod, Crab, Lobster and Tuna

We are told to avoid anything she tested postive to, and I am planning on calling in the morning to get some comparisions, because I'm 99% sure she was not "strongly positive" for soy beans last time, I think she was just moderate, so I'm wondering why the jump... and also I want to know if I can try her back on yeast foods again, or if we need to do a skin test first....

I'm hoping we are heading in the right direction but its hard to tell without the doctor sending me the numbers to compare the results from last time to this time...

Weekend in Traverse City

2009-06-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend in Traverse City to celebrate Grandma Bush's (Fergus') birthday... We took the girls to the Children's Muesum (they had a great time)... We had Katie and Ella friendly cake, and Adam and Grandpa also went fishing in the rain and cold...

The Fish (caught by Grandpa Fergus)

Adam, wet and cold after fishing

Grandma and Ella demonstrating the gardening chair

Grandpa and his girls

Katie in the tunnel at the Children's Museum, she was a bit scared of going downhill, I had to climb up and rescue her.

Katie playing at the water table

Ella at the water table

Hair cut day

2009-06-03T19:09:00.001-07:00

The girls and I all had our hair cut today...

Katie went first, she still has her curls, but now her hair is even all the way around as we wait for the bangs to catch up with the sides and back.

Ella went next, she just got a trim, and some layers around her face, so when age won't pull it back her hair won't look so straggly.

I got about 3 inches cut off my hair, but I can still pull it back... I think it looks cute, we will see what it looks like after I do it on the morning.

Tomorrow Doug is watching the girls at night for us so Adam and I can go to a movie and dinner... It'll be nice to have a date night!

6/2/09

2009-06-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

Week two started the week of mandatory yearly doctor appointments. Katie had an allergy appointment yesterday and was again blood tested for the things she is allergic to, we are awaiting the results... Ella went to her allergist today and we have found she is still allergic to eggs and dairy (peanuts too, but they don't re-test for that), the bummer is that the doctor doesn't want to re-test her for 2 years now because she is still highly allergic and he doubts she'll outgrow this within 1 year. Ella also had her 4 year well-child check up and is doing good, she got 4 shots and you would think the world was over... but she did survive.

Tomorrow is haircuts, nothing too short for either of the girls just trims... It'll be Katie's first haircut (I have to remember the camera)...

Then this weekend we head up to Traverse City!

5/29/09

2009-05-29T06:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I must have a lot more time on my hands because I'm actually keeping up with my blog now! Here are some pictures from today...

That is Katie under the bucket

Katie dancing with "baby" her bitty baby twin doll

Ella dancing with her unnamed baby... they twins were separated at birth and now have been reunited after Ella received her's at her birthday...

Tim, wondering why everyone is dancing around acting crazy... it must be a girl thing...

Pictures from Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

The girls enjoying a walk together, we were looking for the bear that have taken up residence near our cabin... hopefully they will be "gone" before we go back up north... We didn't see them at all..

Tired after a nap...

Enjoying lunch

Uncle Bill and Timmy

Uncle Bill and all the kids on the swing

Pictures from Today... Katie and Tim!

2009-05-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

It got really quiet in the house so I went "hunting" for the kids... I found Timmy standing on his head... well sort of.. he was bent over resting his weight on his head and feet with his arms in the air.. it was kind of funny, and it must've looked like fun because Katie followed his lead and tried it out too..

After being on his head

How I found Timmy

Katie trying it out

Another angle of Timmy the gymnast

Katie finally giving up

Family size

2009-05-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

Its no surprise coming from a family of 4 kids that naturally I'd like a "larger" (greater then 2) kid family... and with the fact that we have two girls, the natural instinct would be to try for a boy...

I'm getting the chance right now to "try before I buy"... I have my brother's son over, although it gives the perception of what having a 3rd kid would be like its not the same... it would be like having Ella and then having twins, because Katie and Tim are almost the same age... and really its not a realistic view on what 3 kids would be... I can handle a 4 year old and 2 toddlers without a problem (as long as they sleep!!) ... and I'm guessing that having Ella, Katie and a newborn would be just as easy because Ella and Katie being the "older siblings" would want to "help" in their own special ways...

So I guess the only hang up now is a matter of timing.. I'm not, and have never been an irresponsible person... I feel that if I am bringing another life into the world I want to do it as responsibly as possible...aka we can support the lives we create... and right now we are doing just fine with our two children, a third would not cause a strain, but the great ever looming "what if..." as in what if my job doesn't hold out for more then next year... I'd be looking AGAIN with a 5 year old, 3 year old and newborn... but in the same sense, I'd be looking either way for a new job if I lost mine, and I'd NEED to have a job with or without a newborn...

I guess I would just like some certainty to life... I'd like to be in control, calling all the shots and knowing that there is always a "happily ever after" every time... Okay maybe I don't want to be God... I'd just like God to let me know things will all work out for the best... and that there really is a reason for everything...

Pacing myself..

2009-05-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

So apparently I tried to "take over the world" with my first day of being a Stay at Home Mom again... I learned my lesson...By the end of the day I was wiped.. it was probably the lack of sleep that did me in more then anything, but I learned that I don't need to "make up" for the whole school year of not being a stay at home mom in one day.. I have 3 months, I'll get back into the swing of things quickly and things will go more smoothly today...

Potty Training... (day 1?)

2009-05-27T13:32:00.001-07:00

So I started really potty training Katie today.. we've been through 4 pairs of big girl pants, but have had multiple successes on getting to the potty! I am too chicken to let her wear the big girl pants without a pull up over them, I really don't want to scrub carpets or couches.. But she does feel them get wet, and knows that she's had an accident. We shall see how this goes.. its suppose to be a rainy day tomorrow so it will be another "inside" day of training...

My "baby" turns 4 today...

2009-05-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a look at Ella from birth to age 4... I can't believe it was 4 years ago today (about 3 1/2 hours from now) that Ella was born!

Ella Age 4

Ella Age 3

Ella Age 2

Ella Age 1

Newborn Picture

More Wedding Pictures

2009-05-18T15:11:00.001-07:00

Adam stealing food from Kelly and Bill's private selection

Aunt Geri with Katie

Aunt Geri, Uncle Mike and the girls

Papa with Ella

Kelly's Wedding

2009-05-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

So I don't have any excellent pictures of the wedding, I was a LITTLE busy! But here are the ones I have that are worth sharing:

Doug and Tim

Kelly and Bill

The back of Ella's Dress (she was also watching the photographer)

The front of the dress, I think she thought she was the bride...

Just after getting dressed.. we are READY!!

Oooooppppssss..

2009-05-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been slacking.. but nothing new has been going on here besides wiping noses, coughing children, and low grade fevers....

BUT.. I think we are over it now! (well Adam is claiming to be feeling ill, but I hope it will pass!)

I was browsing over my camera and have noticed I have not downloaded pictures since before Easter!! NOT GOOD!! So, *if* I have time this week I will download and post some pictures, for those of you who miss seeing the girls and what they have been up to....

As far as what we really have been up to, mostly just surviving.... Surviving the end of the school year, May 21st is the last day for students, and surviving until Kelly's wedding (6 days and counting)

I'm a little nervous as Ella's flower girl dress is being hand made to match Kelly's and it is not done yet... the seamstress is coming over tomorrow for a "final" fitting, but she said she still has some crystal/bead work to do on the dress... I'm hoping it fits right!! She swears it'll be done by Thursday....

I know this week will be busy, but hopefully things will calm down after this massive event is over with!

Ella's sniffly nose turns into...

2009-05-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

...a WONDERFUL fever ridden cold for Katie. Ella came home from daycare with a snuffly nose and watery eyes, two doses of Zyrtec later and its GONE... Katie on the other hand, starts running a fever yesterday 101.7, and now has the stuffy nose... AND the fever still... If she could just get rid of the fever I'd be a much happier mom... Oh, and now the poor kiddo broke out again where her last "cold sore" was on her chin... she can't catch a break. But for a sicko she's doing well, running around, laughing and having a good time. I just feel bad because it seems she's non-stop sick... OH WAIT, we had last week off! So not non-stop she had a 1 week break in there...

On another note, we tried potty training again and it went well, I just need TIME and lots of it to stick to constantly asking her if she needs to go, and to put her on the potty...

Dinner prayers

2009-04-28T15:36:00.001-07:00

Tonight at dinner Ella lead prayers blessing her stuffed horse, Katie's teddy bear, the food they were eating for dinner, and lastly, "the world around us" (she said this while waving her arms around her. )

On another note, I'm hoping this swine flu is 100% media hype, and we really don't have to worry about it. It's all over the news and it seems a little crazy we are worrying about flu in the end of April...

More Ella funnies

2009-04-27T18:44:00.001-07:00

I know I haven't put any pictures up lately, but I will soon!!

Tonight Adam had to work late, so it was the girls and I for dinner. Katie didn't want to sit in her booster seat, I didn't care if she did, but the girls are getting too used to crying to get their way. So I stuck to my guns, and made her sit in her booster, to which she cried for a few minutes. Ella hates the crying, she begs me to give Katie her way and to pick her up or whatever it is that Katie needs. Tonight was no different. Eventually though Katie did calm down and ate her whole dinner, and we did have a great rest if the evening. The girls even wanted to go to bed early.

Eventually though Ella got tired and she recalled the events from dinner stating she wanted a "nice dinner" tomorrow. Her exact words were "momma, when I talk to daddy in the morning I'm going to tell him that I want a nice dinner, not like tonight. ".

Of course I questioned what she meant, I know my cooking isn't the best, but at 4 she's complaining? No! What she really wanted was daddy to not let Katie cry it out like momma did.

So Ella's dinner was ruined because of Katie's few minutes of crying, and honestly I had even forgotten she cried at dinner!!

Ella sometimes picks the strangest things to be upset about. I'm hoping for a better dinner tomorrow for Ella and all of us.

I sung her to sleep

2009-04-22T17:20:00.001-07:00

This is one of this things that if I don't write down I will probably forget...

So Ella comes out of the bedroom tonight and says, "Mom, be quiet, I just sung Katie to sleep, and now I'm going to song myself to sleep.".

Lately, she's been using the line from our nighttime prayer, "wake me with the morning light. " Except she says, "Momma I'll wake you with the morning light. " So this morning she said she wanted to want daddy with the morning light: AKA: she wanted to turn on the lights in the bedroom and wake daddy up at 5:45 when she gets up with me... I think not!! I told her daddy wasn't ready for the morning light.

Well I got news today.

2009-04-20T17:48:00.001-07:00

So today was phone call day, if you got a phone call you are going to be laid off, if you didn't get a phone call you have a job for next year. Well, I got a phone call. I was told Im not laid off yet, I just don't have a position for next fall yet. Meaning: when the end of the school year comes I will be laid off.

However I found out that I have two of three options in order to get my job. 1) a lady on administrative leave has to retire or be fired. 2) the lady on short term disability (whose been out for 2 years) has to stay out. 3) the Obama money needs to be able to let the school fund programs where they can hire teachers (or in my case keep the teachers they have)

So there is a small chance I'll have a job there next year, but at the same time I can't sit on this small chance and just hope... I'll keep looking for a job, and see what happens I guess.

Some pictures...

2009-04-16T18:29:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the girls latest pictures from JCPenny's... they turned out great!!

What a poopy week!!

2009-04-16T17:28:00.001-07:00

For real this week started with us finally figuring out Katies fever was a stomach bug. Adam stayed home on Monday, I then stayed home Tursday. Then Adam came home sick, I'll spare you the details, but I did have to clean up after Adam stomach decided to attack.

The good news is that even though my stomach does/has been hurting I'm not feeling too bad, and Ella seems fine!!

This weekend we go to pick up Ellas flower girl dress, I will post a picture of it, along with Easter pictures when I get a chance.

As of right now we are back to being 99% healthy!! Yeah!!

What is a holiday without an ER visit?

2009-04-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if it is a holiday at all!!! Yes that's right I caved and took Katie in yesterday after it had been a good solid 24 hours of refusing "decent" food and some drink.. and her fever going from a steady 99.5 (where it has been for at least a week) to 102.7 she got grouchy, and groggy, and she screamed anytime I'd pick her up, like she was in pain.... so I took her in to have a urine test done to make sure we weren't headed down the kidney infection road.... GOOD NEWS... No infection!!

So, its a virus? teeth? who knows... but she stayed home with Adam today, and if her fever doesn't stay down she'll be home with me tomorrow...

But, after my crazy week at home last week I did go to work today with real tears in my eyes, missing my girls, and missing being "mom".... I partly attribute this attitude to my working environment (waiting for the pink slip), and partly to my ever growing desire just to stay home and be MOM... 30 days (or less) then I'll at least have the summer to figure it all out....

As predicted...

2009-04-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, a week off only equals craziness.. and the need for a vacation!!

Katie went to her 2 year check up.. and did great... the doctor is mildly concerned that her Lymph nodes are so predominate, and she could feel a little lump through the skin... she sent her for blood test to check her white cell count.. no biggie... Katie and Ella both had blood work done for Lead Testing, standard procedure when you live in a hundred year old house...

The blood test was standard, taking two kids under 4 alone was not so standard... Being the "brave big sister" Ella asked for Katie to go first... I complied (stupidly)... So Kaite (being the old pro) rounded the corner of the door went through the curtian, and then saw the blood draw chair and FREAKED OUT.. she started screaming and screaming... (I guess she is starting to remember medical things) I picked her up and held her and like an old pro (screaming the whole time) she got her blood drawn... Through the process though Ella decided to "watch" and see what she was in for... BIG MISTAKE.. when they put the needle into Katie's arm and the blood started to fill up the vile Ella started screaming too... OMG what a disaster!

Now Katie was done, and it was Ella's turn.... hahahhahaha fat chance... I almost said "okay, we'll see what Katie's results are and then if they are "high" we'll get Ella tested" but I stuck to my guns had Ella on one knee and Katie on the other both sobbing and they tried to get Ella's blood sample, except for the vein rolled, so onto arm #2 and poke #2... they got it on the second poke and felt awful for having to poke her twice... If I had thought and the kids weren't screaming I would've had them check both arms on Ella first because she's never had blood work done.

Anyways one crisis over on Wednesday and Thursday we were back to the doctors for Katie for her 6 month ultra sound... it went MUCH better then last time!! She barely cried or squirmed.. though the u/s tech wasn't as helpful as the last one.. she wouldn't tell me anything besides "If your doctor doesn't call you by Monday I'd defiantly call them"... which only means Katie's left kidney is still enlarged and that is nothing we didn't already know... Though if the doctor is plannign any other "just in case" testing I'm going to tell him it needs to be done in the next 2-3 months so my insurance will cover it all... That follow up appt. is in 2 weeks...

Other then that we've been doing a lot of running around and "catch-up" cleaning and activites... The girls got their pictures done at JC Penny's yesterday, that was awesome, the pictures were so cute I had a really hard time choosing, and I spent WAY too much money.. but we only really do pictures once a year so when they turn out well I want to remember them!

Well, its going to be a busy weekend, but I'm looking forward to all the company and fun!

Katie is going to be 2!?!?!

2009-04-05T17:26:00.001-07:00

Little miss personality! Here she is almost 2!

Katie at her 1st birthday party

Katie just a day after she was born.

Okay I'm not sure if I'm shocked or just stupefied.. but its hard to believe Katie is going to be 2... because she has lived so much "life" in her few years here that Adam and the girls daycare person both were convinced Katie was turning 3... and they almost had me convinced too. I just think back at everything from this year, and although, not as eventful as her first year of life, major life changing moments took place that we can't and will not forget. Her first and second (I'd like to say and last) severe allergic reactions, finding out what was really causing all of her skin and allergy issues, and then changing EVERYTHING in her diet/life to make her world a better/safer place for her. We still have our minor set-backs (like lately she is really itchy.. why?? not sure) but life has gotten much safer/better for Katie in this past year now that we know what makes her miserable. Katie is ready to be potty trained, it more like I'm in need of the training and not her (we start tomorrow, because I'm off this week). Katie has taken her sisters lead and has grown in leaps and bound when it comes to conversation, and just learning in general.. she is my daughter and I'm biased, but she is so smart! She also has decided her big sister's laid back attitude is not her route, and much like her mother she has a temper, and a take charger personality. She is not willing to take "no" for an answer and has already given us a good view into what her "terrible two's" will look like with her already lengthy tantrums, and "boneless" fits of crying.

I am looking forward to what this next year will bring in Katie's life... hopefully an "all clear" message from her kidney doctor (the appointment is coming up) and a reprieve in some of the allergies (she'll be re-tested in June).

She is looking forward to spending her birthday with all of her Aunts and Uncles and both sets of grandparents, and if the weather is nice a trip to Potter Park Zoo. Topped off with a chocolate rice flour cake (a treat she hasn't had since my birthday in September). We did get her an American Doll bitty-baby twin.. she already has a bitty-baby, but this one has "real" hair that she can brush and put pretty's in. And to ease any jealousy, Ella is getting the other 1/2 of the the twin set for her birthday. So the twins will be separated at birth this weekend, but will re-united for Ella's birthday.

We look forward to a happy, healthy year for Katie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!

Slacking...

2009-03-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

So, its been a week, and what a week its been!!

My wonderful daughters got sick last week. Ella started with the fever on Monday, Tuesday she suffered through and went to her preschool open house (like I posted)... Wednesday she couldn't keep it together for daycare, so Adam picked her up and then I had to stay home on Thursday... Thursday night Ella started SCREAMING about her ears hurting, so Friday I knew she had to go to the doctors... So off we went on Friday.. Yes for those keeping count, I've been off the past THREE (3) Thursdays from work for either illness, or job interviews!!

Saturday I went to a job fair... who knows if I'll get a job from it, but at least it got my resume' out there and got me to talk to people. I did interview with the guy that does all the hiring for NHA it was a little intimidating, but he "thought" that I could get a job back with NHA as long as I was "recommended as a rehire" from my last boss (I was).

While I was out "selling myself" Ella spent a day with Grandma Rags and Aunt Kelly... Ella LOVED seeing Kelly in her dress.. and then Ella got to visit her dress maker... She pieced together her pattern and the dress looks like a miniature version of Kelly's dress.. it will be so cute... and so scary thinking what is to come in Ella's future... Too bad she won't fit back in the dress when she does get married some day!

Okay so that is my week in review... Katie and Ella are both feeling better.. sorta.. Katie was kind of running a 99 degree fever tongiht and grouchy, so maybe she's getting over this still...

Oh, we also had to seperate the girls again as far as sleeping arrangemetns, because it was taking them 2 hours to fall asleep togehter... they have cut the time now down to 1 hour.. hopefully we can "retrain" them into sleeping when they are in their beds, and then they can be put back together in the same room....

Adam will have the girls all weekend, as I'll be in Chicago with the "girls" for Kelly's bachelorette party.. we should have fun, and I'm sure Adam will enjoy his time with the girls too!

Okay that's it for now... I'd post picutres of Ella's dress, but my mom has those on her camera.. I'll have to get them from her! And I have a cute video of Katie sitting on the toilet singing twinkle twinkle little star, but she's 1/2 naked so it wouldn't be appropriate to post... but good to hold over her head when she's dating!!

Is it Tuesday already??

2009-03-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

Wow.. I can't believe its Tuesday... Ella met her new preschool teacher tonight, she had a great time.. however her "fever" and "illness" was back as soon as we got into the colder air... So she is now bundled up in bed complaining, but she'll be fine in the morning. This mysterious illness makes no sense to me at all... she is running a fever (low grade) only after she wakes up and then it goes away, but along with the fever she acts sick too, so I know she's not just faking.

Katie is still Katie, antagonizing Ella at bed time to the point of tears, but I think Ella does egg some of the craziness on.

I still haven't heard back about my interview, so I am assuming that its not good :( But I'll be calling tomorrow "just to see" if my thoughts are correct. I have a job fair on Saturday, I'm scheduled for 4 interviews, and I'm going to be there when the doors open so I can interview for the new charter school in Lansing too. I"m hoping something will come out of this job fair, so I can spend my Summer not worrying about employment. I have decided that I'm 100% anti-union as of today! Its a long complicated story, but if you are interested just ask, if you have hours to listen to me rant.

I'm putting the last minute preps on Kelly's Chicago trip, in hopes I can make it perfect for her.. I can't wait for a weekend of "freedom" (Don't get me wrong I love my kids, but TWO days of sleeping in!!! WOW!!!!)

Ahhh, the interview...

2009-03-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I'd be lying if I said I "nailed it"... I was the first of the morning, the people seemed nice, there were 11 of them sitting around a large table... all of them assigned a specific question to ask... I HATE interviews like that... I'm more of a conversational interview type of person. I will know by Monday I guess.. but I really think it would be nothing short of a miracle if I got the interview... Of course I am over analyzing every answer in my head. So, the rest of my day I'm going to spend shopping with Ella and relaxing!

I still do hope to get this job, the school was nice, I think I would LOVE the job, from what I can gather it would be dean of the middle school, so right up my alley.. But, I'm not sure what the panel will decide...

Thursday is the DAY!!

2009-03-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

Thursday is my big day... If you pray, please say an extra prayer for me! I am extremely nervous, because I really want this job! I am hoping that it is "the right fit" for me... Its at 8am and then I took the rest of the day off to just relax and chill out..

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

2009-03-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

Katie eating her first ever pizza (allergy free of course!)

Katie's allergy free pizza--I tried it, it wasn't too bad.. not as good as the real thing though...
Timmy trying on his fashion jewlery
Timmy trying to do Dora's hair
Katie and Timmy riding horses
The living room and play room with the new carpeting
The living room and play room with the hardwood...

WE LOVE the new carpet!!

Timmy over today...

2009-03-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

So, Timmy was over today as I babysat the kiddo's because Sarah had personal buisness to take care of today....

I have some really cute pictures, that Doug might kill me for posting, but I will be doing that tonight.. They are just adoreable!!! (Timmy liked playing with the Dora hair-style set)

Ella also had her friends from next door over, and I have real concerns that she may be a little flirt when she gets older.. she is already going after the older guys... I have pictures of that too...