It just figures!

Just as I'm starting to feel up for a good run on my treadmill (after being sick for so long), just as I tuck Britten in for her afternoon nap, just as I finish nursing Chloe and get her to drift asleep in her bouncy seat, just I set Ella in front of the TV with a snack and a Veggie Tales movie, just as I have a moment to myself to actually exercise, just as I turn on the treadmill to start my run, the treadmill just, at that very moment, decides to quit! I know that's a lot of "justs," but it just figures!

Baby Socks

Does anyone have any good recommendations for baby socks (or other alternatives) that won't fall off their tiny feet?  I can't seem to find anything that Chloe won't kick off in a matter of seconds!

Nothing's better than...

...a nice full tummy.

I'm feeling much better now...

...and back to my smiley self!!

My tough little "PopTarts"

Our backyard visitor!

My husband just happened to have his camera in hand while this bald eagle (and his female companion) flew into our neighbor's yard and landed in their tree. It was an amazing sight to be seen!

She's Got Style!

This is what happens when you let a 2 year old dress herself!

Cool Cats

Grandma Patty Saved the Day(s)!

As you may have noticed by my previous post, our family has been sick over the last couple of weeks. I came down with a horrible virus almost 3 weeks ago and it has slowly made its way through our entire family. Last Monday, at our urgent care visit, Britten was diagnosed as having pneumonia and an ear infection, Ella didn't have pneumonia but needed a nebulizer to help her breathe and also had an ear infection, I had a chest/sinus infection, Andy had a nasty virus and Chloe was just starting the cold, but handling it well. Unfortunately, through all of this, my husband had to leave town on Wednesday morning for a business commitment, just as Chloe was getting really sick. My wonderful mother-in-law, AKA Grandma Patty, offered to stay with us while Andy was away, but I thought I could manage on my own. By Wednesday morning, I knew I couldn't. While Britten and Ella seemed to be getting better, my poor baby, Chloe, just kept getting worse. Her cough shook her little 2 month old body so hard, it would cause her to vomit, leaving her limp, tired and whimpering in my arms. I put my pride aside and called my mother-in-law, who promptly packed her things and drove 5 hours (one-way!) to help me care for the kids. By Wednesday night, I took my first trip with Chloe to the ER (well, technically my 2nd, if you count the ER trip with Ella's fainting session last week). After examining her and taking a chest x-ray (which, as a mom of an infant, is the hardest thing to witness!), they determined she had the beginning stages of pneumonia. They prescribed an antibiotic and sent us home at 1:00am. Through the night, Chloe became worse. By morning, I knew I had to take her back to the ER. After re-examining her chest and taking blood, they determined she had bronchitis, not pneumonia, and a virus, which was likely RSV. They gave her a dose of steroids, to help with the inflammation, and a nebulizer, to help with her wheezing. Fortunately, this really helped her, and instead of admitting her to the hospital, I was able to take her home. I have to continue giving her antibiotics, to fight infection, and a dose of steroids for the next 5 days, to help with the cough. For as much as I hate giving my baby girl so much medicine, it is really making a difference and making her feel better. We had a much better night last night and I believe she'll only improve from this point on. Through all of this, I could NOT have done without Grandma Patty's help and the prayers of my family and friends. For as hard as the last fews days have been, Grandma Patty has held down the fort and has taken great care of Britten and Ella. Their Daddy is home now, and we're VERY happy for that, but Grandma left this morning and will be greatly missed by all! Thank you, Patty!

A New Record

In the last 10 days, we've made 3 trips to the ER, 1 trip to Urgent Care and 2 trips to the our family physician (with one more scheduled appointment to our Doctor on Monday). Let's hope we don't beat that record anytime soon.

"Oh, Brother!" and "Oh, Barnacles!"

Ella's favorite expressions to use when she's frustrated.

Grandma Joan taught her "Oh, Brother!"  Spongebob taught her "Oh, Barnacles!"

Daddy did my hair today!

Take That!

Ella enjoys taking my books off the shelves and "reading" them to Britten. Today she chose "Raising your Spirited Child," one of my personal favorite parenting books. I was listening to Ella from the next room, page through my book, making up her own version of the story. How sweet, I thought, they really seem to be enjoying themselves! I peeked around the corner, thinking I'd see Britten cuddled up next to Ella, intently listening to the story. Instead, I saw Britten, cuddled up next to Ella, picking her nose and wiping her boogers on the book, page by page, as Ella read her story. Ella didn't seem to mind, why should I?

My Milk Runneth Over

I absolutely love Chloe's smiles. As I've said before, they melt my heart. I also love nursing her, helping her grow and flourish. But what I don't love are Chloe's adorable smiles while I'm nursing her. All you nursing moms know what I'm talking about!

Being sick is no fun

Our entire family has been dealing with a yucky viral infection for the last week or so.  Britten's face portray's how we've all been feeling.  Yuck.

Meet My Girls

It's time to officially introduce my daughters, the three girls who, in 4 years, have changed our lives more dramatically than we could have ever expected!

Here's Ella, my eldest.  She's 4.  She's her daddy's clone, and has taken the place of the son we'll never have.   She loves her sisters and has taken on the role of being the oldest, protective sister very well.  

Here's Britten, or Britty, as we all call her.  She's 2, and she's the goof ball and social bug of our family.  She's like the energizer bunny, who never stops going and going.  She's also the princess of the sisters, and will prance around the house in her princess skirt and shoes all hours of the day (and night).  

And last but not least, Chloe, our sweet little baby.  She was born on November 7th and has brought great balance to our home.  Her sweet smile and adorable coos melt my heart.  We call her the "cool cat" of the family.  She has a smirk on her face all day and will even give you a big, toothless grin through her tears.  We hope this "cool" personality continues in her later months.

A slug in the face and a trip to the ER

Last Wednesday, I was vacuuming my basement, so proud that I had almost completed the daunting task of deep-cleaning my home. I was completely unaware that Ella was coming up behind me, bouncing up and down on her bouncy ball she had gotten for Christmas. CRACK! As I brought my arm back, my elbow got Ella directly in the nose...hard. She fell to the floor crying and I immediately scooped her in my lap to comfort her. Next thing I know, Ella was on the floor, passed out. Her body was twitching, her eyes were rolling back in her head and she was not responding to me. I was scared, to say the least, and instantly started to pray over her. I picked her up in my arms and carried her upstairs to call 911. As I about to make the phone call, Ella came to, as though nothing really happened. She was cold to the touch and seemed a little out of it, so I decided to still call 911. The paramedics arrived and determined she was fine, but couldn't figure out why she passed out like she did. They highly recommended we bring her to the ER to get a more thorough check-up. By that time, Andy was home, so we loaded up our little family into the van and drove to the hospital. 3 hours and 1 catscan later, the doctor determined that Ella was a "fainter." Some people, kids included, faint more easily when they're hurt, scared or have low blood sugar. Her daddy is also a fainter, so I guess this shouldn't come as such a surprise. Fortunately, Ella is fine and we can be more prepared now if she ever faints again in the future...poor little thing!

Our Little Hair Bear and Britten's Care Bear

Our family of 5 had to take a trip to the ER on Wednesday evening, a story I will go into more detail about later. After 2 hours of waiting, the doctor finally arrived. As she was talking to Ella and looking her over, she happened to glance my way as I pulled Chloe out from underneath the Hooter Hider (my nursing cover).

"Holy, Hair Bear!" The doctor exclaimed, mid-sentence, obviously surprised by the amount of hair on my 2-month old daughter's head.

Britten, our two year old, who had been minding her own business, watching a Veggie Tales movie the nurse had given us, turned around with a surprised look on her face.

"No...No, no, no!" Britten said, with a confused look on her face. "She's at home in my big girl bed!"

After a moment of confusion, I realized that Britten had thought the doctor was talking about her Care Bear, who was, as Britten pointed out, at home, safely tucked into Britten's big girl bed. :)

World's Worst Blogger?

I have to admit...A year ago, I didn't know what a blog was...Yeah, I know. Can you believe it?! I can expect that from someone in their 50s, or even their 40s, but I'm only 27 (well, almost 28 - I'll give myself some credit)! What's wrong with me? I was introduced to blogging by my friend, Jennifer...A blogging addict, who writes on her blog several times a day and posts the most amazing pictures. Jennifer is an artist and photographer and has the flair for writing great posts. I, on the other hand, am not an artist (my husband and my 4 year old are the creative ones in our family!), nor do I have the flair for writing (that was sadly pointed out to me by my 6th grade teacher). I am also very private and don't enjoy posting things about me or my family for all the world to see. So, why have I started a blog, you may ask? Well, it's simple. I'm a stay at home mom, for the most part, of three very small children. All girls. Ages 4, 2 and 2 months. I've realized, especially since having a third, that I need an outlet for myself. Something more than running and yoga. I need a place to write about my thoughts, my frustrations and maybe even my dreams. I need a place to write down stories about my day, somewhere I can store and save all of the funny and crazy memories about our family. If I can be honest, I am a little intimidated about all of this. I don't really know where to begin, but hopefully I'll figure it out along the way. Jennifer, you inspired me! I may become the world's worst blogger, but at least I'll give it a shot!