Better late than never, right?

Here are a couple of pics from Christmas.  We all had a lot of fun especially because of EK’s excitement now that she knows what’s going on.

EK's new ride

First Christmas

Croup, Congestion, and a Check-up

On New Year’s Day afternoon/evening MK started coughing.  The cough sounded “barky” but she didn’t have any congestion.  Her little voice sounded froggy as well.  I didn’t think much of it at first because she was acting normal and sleeping good, but by Saturday evening her symptoms were getting worse.  After talking to a nurse and the pediatrician on call, we decided to visit the local urgent care clinic.  That was the first time I’ve taken a little one there.  Honestly, I wish both MK and I were wearing Haz-Mat suits.  There were people hacking, sniffling, and one guy was asking for something to vomit in while I was waiting at the reception desk.  I can only imagine what the ER is like—hopefully, I will never have to find out.  Anyways…MK was diagnosed with croup and prescribe a steroid to help clear it up.  By Monday the barky cough had gone but in its place was some nasal congestion and drainage.  Of course this makes sleeping, the best remedy for a cold, difficult because MK sucks her thumb.  Tuesday MK was scheduled for her 4 month well baby visit, so I called to change our appointment to a sick visit.  The doc checked MK out and determined she just has a head cold; her ears, throat and chest were clear thankfully.  The office went ahead and did the well visit and our petite little girl weighs 11lbs. 14oz. (6%), is 23 3/4in. in length (16%), and has a head circumference of 16in. (25%).  She is very healthy (despite her cold) and developmentally on track.  I asked about her rolling over because she rolled from her tummy to back right before Thanksgiving, did it multiple times in the weeks to follow, but hasn’t rolled over since then.  The nurse says that is completely normal that sometimes they’ll master a skill and then “forget” about it.  Now MK is arching her back, turning on her side to get from her back to belly.  Another fun thing she is doing is really interacting with EK and laughing at our antics.  What makes her laugh the most…her daddy coughing and EK jumping.

Happy Birthday to ME!

I just want to thank everyone that has sent me birthday wishes in the form of calls, cards, and gifts today.  I will officially be 29 years old at 6:10 p.m. and then the countdown to 30 begins.

Paper Cutter

My gift wrapping buddy.

I recently picked up a Scotch Gift Wrap Cutter after seeing it advertised on the tele.  I enjoy wrapping gifts and knew this handy lil’ gizmo would be well worth the $6.99 I paid for it.  And man, was I right!  I zipped through the gifts that I needed to wrap effortlessly making straight cuts with my new tool.  An added bonus is that I didn’t then have to decide which end of the wrapping paper looked the neatest to make sure it was on top; the end I used the paper cutter always won out.  It shows on the packaging of the cutter that it can be used to curl ribbon too, but I haven’t endeavored to go there…yet.

Tennessee Christmas

This past weekend we visited my parents and siblings in TN to celebrate Christmas with them.  We were supposed to visit during Thanksgiving, but I felt it would be too stressful on the four of us, especially MK and me, to travel that far.  Nonetheless, we wanted to see my folks, since the last time we had spent time with them was in October in Chattanooga.  The 5 1/2 hour drive one way, the part I had prayed for and was not looking forward to, was a fairly pleasant experience.  The one bad part was the last 20 minutes of the return drive; MK started crying and cried until we arrived home.  Well, I take that back, the weather on drive up there was yucky–rainy and foggy.  Despite those two negatives, the visit was really nice.  We ate homemade candy, exchanged gifts, shopped a little, and spent time together.  EK was spoiled with too much candy and TV, but, hey, what are grandparents for?  I had all intentions of getting some great pics of the family, but I guess I was too distracted in my own doings that I only took a few on the last day we were there.

MERRY CHRISTMAS COLONEL, GIGI, AUNT S, & UNCLE BUBBA!

Stars and Strikes

Our group

This weekend we started our Christmas celebrations with Hubby’s dad’s side of the family.  We went to Stars and Strikes-a bowling alley, arcade, lazer-tag, and bumper car fun place.  Not your traditional Christmas get-together, but just as fun as gorging oneself on turkey and opening presents.  We started off with some bowling, ate lunch, hit the arcade, and then most of the adults in the group finished the day with bumper cars.  EK did great with the bowling and arcade games.

six pounder

shoes a little too big

"Roll ball, roll!"

Granddaddy about to strike

She carried her own bowling ball and was fascinated with Dance Dance Revolution…speaking of DDR; quick props go out to Auntie M for winning the contest and scoring some cold hard cash. :0)

DDR with Auntie M

Fast and Furious game

MK was a trooper also.  She fussed a little due to some trapped gas/burps and being very overstimulated, but other than that was a happy girl.

Santa, MK and Granny F

Hubby and I had a blast too.  How often do you get to act like your 10 again?

bumper cars

THE END!

Potty Training

Recently, EK has taken the initiative to potty train herself.  No complaints here, just amazed that she is doing so well with it.  Honestly, I have been procrastinating in this department of parenting because MK still consumes much of my time during the day, and I figured potty training would be one more added stress now that I don’t really want to deal with.  However, it has been quite easy.  EK tells me (most of the time) when she needs to go and occasionally will go to the potty by herself.  It’s funny when she surprises me with a bare bum running around the house.  I had a few pairs of Hello Kitty panties, and we have now purchased a complete set of Disney Princess panties.  Lil’ girl underwear are so cute! Hopefully things will continue to go well and then we will only have one in diapers again.

Update

Here are some recent pictures of the girls.  Tomorrow, MK will be three months old and officially not a newborn anymore, however, life can still be a little overwhelming.  Things are getting a little easier…MK sleeps through the night (Praise the Lord!) and eats every 3 1/2 hours or so.  She weighs about 10 1/2 pounds.  Her newest feats are getting her hands in her mouth, especially her thumb, and just checking everything out.  Big sister is still doing well.  She is a great helper and such a sweet little girl.

Threading

Have you ever heard of “threading?”  It is a hair removal technique that is an alternative to waxing that uses thread to remove the hair.  I had seen it in California when I used to live there, but hadn’t seen it since.  Last night the fam went to the mall just to get out (Yeah, I know, how exciting. ).  There was a lady having her eyebrows threaded at one of the kiosks and for some reason I decided that I wanted to try it–maybe because my eyebrows were looking like fuzzy caterpillars above my eyes.  And after swallowing my pride, (I couldn’t imagine actually having a cosmetic procedure completed in a commons area of a mall.) I asked the lady doing the threading how much it cost and how long it took.  The cost was $10 and it took 5-7 minutes.  I had also asked if it hurt and the lady told me it was similar to waxing.  She was wrong on that account; it hurt worse.  However, I think it was worth it because it didn’t irritate my skin like waxing does.  And maybe if I hadn’t gone so long without tending to my eyebrows it wouldn’t have been so bad.  You should check it out sometime.  I think I might do it again.

Fall Festival

Here are some pics of EK and MK in their costumes.  The girls wore them to the fall festival at our church.