Sickness, Slacker, School

We've been sick at our house! For almost two weeks someone has had something. We've had our share of "the virus". We even made a 4:30 am trip to Dothan to take E to the emergency room. She had such bad diarrhea for days that we were scared she was dehydrated. We had to wait around for many hours for her to produce a stool sample. She is well now, but had a bad case of diaper rash...bleeding bad! Thank goodness for great friends and homemade remedies (we tried everything else including prescriptions). She now has a "happy hiney" (the name of the remedy). That should be bottled! Someone could make big bucks!

Now I've got what I think is a "summer cold". I cough and hack, my ears are so stopped up I can't hear a thing and have such sinus congestion I get sick to my stomach. That all started late Saturday night at Brett's high school reunion. I was the wife that could be found in the bathroom all night! I thought it was something I ate, but it continued for the next two days. Before any rumors get started...no, I am not pregnant (as one friend...Michelle...already asked)! There is no possible way that can be at this time. Brett asked me repeatedly if I wanted to leave, but this night only happens once every ten years. I didn't want him to miss it. I hung on as long as I could.

With all of this sickness I have been slacking! My school work was not at its best. Our house is a total wreck (and we've got two people that want to see it). I haven't been a good wife and probably not the best mommy. I haven't sent out thank you cards from Everly's birthday yet and I haven't ordered her last set of pictures. I feel like poo! I am catching up on the cleaning now (clothes and dishes washing) and folding will take place during my guilty pleasure...Teen Mom. I'll get E's pictures ordered when I can sit and view them. This is all so unlike me! I pride myself on taking care of my little family and our home. I have been so tired and really physically unable. Thank goodness for wonderful in-laws. E has been there a lot lately. We didn't want her to get sick again.

Today was my last final...ever! I missed my last weekend class in Phenix City. My teacher, Mrs. Collier, was awesome! She met me today to go over the last two chapters and take a final. We finished the chapters and she said thought that was it. I was all prepared for my final and she surprised me. She said all the activities and questions that she asked me during the review was my final and I passed with flying colors. Thank you Mrs. Collier!!

Just wanted to give a little update on the S's...I am ready to bid them all farewell!!!!

Welcome Tenley, Harper, Castiel and Bentley: The Hottest Baby Names of 2010

Welcome Tenley, Harper, Castiel and Bentley: The Hottest Baby Names of 2010

My friend Margaret sent this to me this morning. Look at #20. Everly! Never would I have imagined this. I know I've already explained before, but I like the fact that our Everly has a special meaning behind it. I just thought this was interesting. Check out some of the others...how do you even pronounce them? Have a great day everyone!

12 month check up

Here's Miss E at her 12 month check up today. Sorry the picture is so small. I took it on my phone and it's complicated to get it off and make it bigger. That is the only reason I think I need a smartphone...for all other reasons I would be addicted. I think an iPod touch can do the same thing. It's so convenient to snap picture with your phone.

Anyway, here's how it went...
Weight-17 lbs. 10 oz. 10th percentile-down from 20th percentile
Height-28 3/4 inches 45th percentile-up from 30th percentile

I thought that sounded ok...well I guess Dr. E thought differently. I got grilled about her eating habits. Those kinds of questions that put you on the spot and you feel like an idiot afterward!
Him-When did she start eating crackers? Me-Uh...about two months ago I guess. I really don't give them to her because she doesn't have teeth. I am scared she will choke. Who knew that crackers would be that important? No one told me! They really don't have much nutritional value, so I thought I was doing good.
Him-We must have changed her formula at six months. Me-No, she went from breastmilk and stayed on one formula the whole time.
Him-What is she drinking now? Me-Whole milk as you directed her to start at 12 months.

Don't get me wrong...we love Dr. E and trust him wholeheartedly with our sweet girl. I think I was just having an off day or maybe he was. I can only imagine the stress level at his office. If you read that it doesn't sound bad...but it was just very awkward to me.

E has also had bouts of diarrhea for the past few days. I brought that up and she actually had some in her diaper at the time. He checked it out and checked her gums. He said he thought it was from teething. It's disgusting! I hope this doesn't happen with all of her teeth!

So now E is on Silk Soy only (he also asked me if I knew what that was...come on really???). I know he's just making sure, because some parents are afraid to ask questions. His concern really did panic me. I started thinking maybe we aren't offering her enough food choices. We went immediately to WD to pick up a few things. I had a good chuckle when I saw E's friend, Sylvie's father on our grocery cart...for advertising purposes. Great idea Parrish! Anyway, I loaded the buggy with the mentioned Silk Soy, grits (all the babies are eating them at daycare, but I've never given E any), all natural oatmeal, grape tomatoes, bananas, yogurt melts, peaches, pineapple, and Florida's Natural nuggets (very odd like fruit snacks that provide 40% of your daily vitamin C). I also got some real butter to add to some of her vegetables. I am probably way over reacting, but I just want her to be healthy. He didn't say she wasn't, but for some reason I think he picking eating could be because we don't offer her lots of options. Tonight's option is chicken quiche. I better get to it! :)

PS-Also please forgive ALL of the grammatical and spelling errors in my posts. I hate it too, but I am just happy to get something posted at this point!

A Year...Really?

Sweet E celebrated her actual first birthday with us at home. I picked her up from daycare early and we went to Walmart to pick up a few goodies. We've been playing ball with an oversized Easter egg, so knew a ball would be one of her gifts. Balls are hard to find in Walmart! I remember when I was little the balls would be in the center of the isle. I guess it's just a sign of the times. She's like her momma and couldn't decide between two balls...so we got both. A large purple bouncy ball and a small green nerf style ball. I love to hear my sweet girl repeat "ball" over and over again throughout Walmart. I think it made her day! We also got a Little People playset. I want to start getting her one for each holiday so she'll have a nice set to play with. This time we got a little blue SUV with a mommy and a baby in it. She also got a cuddly My First Madame Alexander doll. We named her Molly. She loves to love on her baby!

For dinner, I made Poppyseed Chicken casserole, noodles, and green bean bundles. She was most fond of the Sister Schubert's Parker House rolls. We also gave her a cupcake with a candle. She refused her smash cake and her cupcake. Go Babygirl! I don't mind one bit if she doesn't like sweets. She and I unpacked the rest of her birthday gifts and unpackaged everything. We had the best time just playing. I can't believe our sweet bundle of joy has turned one year old. Each day is better than before. We are so happy to be your parents. You are our world!

Sweet E Facts-
Words you can say-Dada, Momma, Pop, ball, nana(all food) and all kinds of other things that mommy can't understand :) Oh yeah, you said "thank you" the other day...or that's what it sounded like. It melted my heart :)
You haven't said kitty cat or fluff in a while.
Favorite foods-bananas, lasagna, english peas and carrots, cheese sandwiches, cheerios, and Earth's Best cereal bars
You've been drinking from your cup for over two months, but you've just got a taste for water which makes Mommy happy :)
You are still crawling everywhere. You can stand by yourself, but most of the time you like to hold on to things.
You love your dolls. It is so cute when we tell you to "love your baby". You will grab one and cuddle it.
You can climb on and off your Dora riding toy now. I love the look of accomplishment on your face!
You love books and turning the pages. I can ask you where certain things are on the page and you can usually show me.
You love to "cook". You got a pot for your birthday with foods, a blender for Christmas, and measuring cups for your birthday. We pull out everything and you cook for me.

Why-Nicole Nordeman

This is the video that was played along with a solo at our church on Father's Day. I could watched this repeatedly everyday and probably should. All I can say is wow! So moving.

Happy Father's Day Dada!

Everly is so blessed to have such a wonderful father. He loves the Lord. He is kind, gentle, funny, and would do anything for his daughter. I love to watch them together and smile every time I heard her soft voice whisper "Dada". She loves for him to tickle her and when he lays on the floor for her to climb all over him. For his first Father's Day, I wanted to do something really special. I know he doesn't care about expensive items, so heartfelt was the key. I was going to get him the Willow Tree figurine to mark the occasion, but our local vendor was sold out. So one day our church bulletin provided the perfect opportunity. The choir needed pictures of children in daddy's shoes. The sang a song (please forgive me I just can't remember the name) about daddy's shoes. It was so powerful! I always cry at church and saw several daddy's doing the same thing. I won't name any names, but it couldn't have been a sweeter gift! They also did a special. I will attach the youtube in a separate post. It was amazing! Our heavenly father is the greatest of all men, but I feel Everly is pretty blessed too.
We love you Dada!

These are the pictures we snuck and too to include in the slideshow. I love how B's boots are as long as E's legs :)

Father's Day before church. It's like she knew that it was a special day for him. She clung to him all day.

He's so sweet! He said this was his father's day gift. Sweet hugs from a sweet baby girl.

Happy First Birthday Baby Girl

So of course this was my first experience with planning a birthday party. I found all kinds of cute ideas on etsy and made them myself. I was so proud of the decorations...which I really didn't get a picture of. The cake was absolutely adorable, which I didn't get a picture of (and she didn't like it). The weather was hot, humid, and basically miserable. E didn't want to play with all the water fun I had planned.

Even with all the things that happened, we were surrounded by lots of family and friends that love us....but most importantly our girl.

This was definitely a learning experience for me. Next year, we'll have her party indoors. I thought it would be so cute, which it was, to have a water fun party. I planned every detail...down to the tarp for the babies to crawl around on. Also, I'll try to take pictures of everything before the guests arrive. Someone I know hired a photographer for her child's first birthday...now I see that would have been so awesome. I wouldn't have had to worry about the memory card in the Webbie being full...why I didn't give the girl taking pictures my real camera...I don't know. I guess I was just H-O-T. I also learned that my body is not ready to wear a spaghetti strap dress without something under it. I feel like some of the pictures are X-rated..ha!

Gimme and Everly

Our glowing family at the end of the party

E's friend Sylvie and her daddy

Friends Kim and Bella

Friends Margaret and Annsley, thank you again for driving so far to the party. You don't know how much it means to us!

Long, long, long overdue!

I can't believe I haven't posted since May! This is my last summer of school and it has been a busy one. Not one post in June...and we had some very important memories made in that month! Brett's 28th birthday, Everly's party, Everly's birthday and B's first father's day. Hopefully I can remember the important details. I have been sick all day and I think my fever has finally broken. I am sweating like a pig...TMI I know! At least I've got a little time to post some updates. Expect lots of pictures to follow...I'm talking photo overload!! So here we go...maybe I can keep this in chronological order.

With Pop-First time at a Japanese Hibachi (sp?)

Wow! Look at the fire.

Playing with Dada on his birthday. Miss E and I got him a new grill. Sorry I didn't take any pictures of it :(

Singing Sweet B Happy Birthday...that pineapple was awesome!

Our sweet family! (I hate looking at pictures of myself...that does not look like me, to me). Oh yeah, something else new...I go a jogging stroller. E and I used it for the first time last night. She loved it and so did I. Today's sickness is not helping with the routine.