*Update*

I guess Kaitlyn has the flu. Upon further inspection of her bedding, she must have thrown up again last night. So, I have changed her sheets twice now. And then, around lunch time, we were sitting on the couch. Kaitlyn came up and fussed at me for a second, then, BLEH... And guess what?!? I CAUGHT it!!! Natural reaction I guess is to try to catch something falling. Little did I think that maybe catching vomit was not the best idea in the world. However, I made it to the sink with my handful of liquid, and then proceeded to clean up the child and the floor. Fun, huh?!?

So here is my hope: That this was the last time and that no one else catches it. I don't want it to slowly make its way around the family... That would be NO fun. And second, if this is the last time, I won't particularly feel bad seeing family in 2 days. If it isn't, then it will be a miserable, sick holiday, with wonderful family 2 hours away that I can't see... :( Here's to hoping!!!

Poor Kid

I went in to check on Kaitlyn before I went to bed last night (like always) and said "oh oh... Justin can you help me please." He said, "what is it?" (and because I hadn't gotten the light on yet) I said, "I don't know." It smelled kinda funny, and when I put my hand down to touch an ominous dark spot on the bed, it was wet. The poor girl had thrown up. If I needed further evidence that she doesn't chew anything, here it was. 5 hours after dinner, her spaghetti looked almost exactly the same as it did when I put it into her mouth... The funny part was, that I guess it wasn't too traumatic. She threw up, found her pacifier and went back to sleep. She was sound asleep when I found her. The other interesting thing was, that although she managed to get it on her blankets/sheets/bunny rabbit/etc, she only had a tiny little spot the wrist of her pjs... So, Justin came in and held her while I stripped the blankets/sheets and shouted them (spaghetti stains after all) and stuck them in the wash. She started to throw up again while he was holding her, so he rushed her to the bathroom... He said it was difficult for him (you know the smell and sympathetic reflexes etc). Meanwhile, I am in the kitchen, wiping off the majority of dinner, marvelling at the smell and thinking, moms must have a switch so their kids vomit just doesn't bug them... Magic :) We put her back to bed and this morning I found one solitary noodle in her bed... Not real sure where it came from, but apparently it didn't bother her too much.

Thankful Turkeys

We made a craft yesterday that I got out of a magazine. I had to adapt it a bit since I didn't have everything, but I think it turned out well. And Kari had a blast drawing pictures, and I hope she kind of figured out what "thankful" means. Kaitlyn had fun throwing paper and toothpicks and tape and "feathers" all over, so I guess it was a success. Here are our turkeys, and the things we are thankful for :)



And here is a picture of Kari looking oh so grown up in her cute shirt. She is always willing and ready for a picture.

My cute niece, McKenna

My little sister got her daughters first pictures done. They are so pretty and artistic. Not to mention the cute kid :)

She's so grown up

All the kids in Primary like to play with our little Kaitlyn, so, in an effort to help them pay attention, I decided to try to take Kaitlyn into nursery, even though she technically isn't supposed to go in for another 6 weeks or so (18 mths). Kari went in without a second look and loved it. I was worried Kaitlyn wouldn't because she is a bit more clingy. Today, Kaitlyn wanted to sit with the big kids so I thought we would give it a shot. Anyway, she went right in too. I guess I am blessed, but I could wish my kids at least loved me enough to miss me...



Mid-cheese :)

Kaitlyn

Just a couple of pictures of Kaitlyn.
She has recently started this thing: When she wakes up, she wants to cuddle with her blankets, (I use two so she can cuddle with one and I can actually cover her with the other) pacifier, and rabbit. Just for a while. Then, when she decides she is really awake, she puts them away and goes to play. Yesterday, she woke up from her second nap just as Justin was coming home from work. So, she went out on the couch and sat next to him like a big girl until she was ready :)




This morning she wanted to dress up. I keep these things, as well as the hats and gloves that makes apperances, in one of Kari's drawers. So she just brings them to me. This is the wrap thingy with a duck head. I don't know what to say really... Just that she is pretty cute :)

Pregnancy Pictures

So, here is the first installment of the preggo pics. Yes, those are a pair of Justin's sweats. They are so much more comfortable to pull up over the gut. :)

More Wrastling...

The pictures just don't do it justice. The girls come at him from opposite ends and just basically want to be thrown all over. Kaitlyn requires a bit more delicacy and Kari more strength. All I can say is that I am very impressed because he does them both at the same time :)

Kari-isms

We passed the football stadium on our way into Cincinnati and I told Kari that is where they play football. She said, "Where do they go skateboarding and hit the butt?" I said "Skateboarding where they might fall on their bum?" And she said, "No, skateboarding, where it is cold, and they hit the little black butt." I thought for a second and finally it hit me. She was talking about the hockey game we took her to and the puck. Cute kid :)

While Justin was gone this summer he sent postcards to the girls of places he had been. So, Kari wanted to send a postcard to Justin on our trip up to the Shriners hospital in Cincinnati. She is so thoughtful...

Yay Shriners!!!

We had a successful trip up and back. The girls were really well behaved on the 9-10 hour drive. And the Shriners who drove us did well in understanding that between a 4 year old, 18 mth old, and 5 mth pregnant women we would need to stop kinda often. We stopped about every 90 minutes and walked for a second, or ate, or something. I will say the portable DVD player was again worth its weight in gold! We got up to Cincinnati around 6pm, spent the night in a hotel, and went to the outpatient clinic the next afternoon.

We haven't been there in 2 years, and this was just a check up. The grafts themselves don't grow, so the skin around them is supposed to provide the extra room and give. This was a checkup to make sure that everything still "fit" properly. And so far so good. Depending on a number of things (how quickly she grows, how diligent we are doing the massages, her own skin elasticity, etc) she may never need a release (where they open the graft and help it stretch), or she may need 1-3 or one every 6 months. We just don't know and will have to continue to play it by ear. However, they gave us a good bill of health, and a return time of another 2 years. Good for her!!!

She is so funny... Because of where her grafts are located, we stripped her to her panties and then let her wear a little toilet paper gown (you know the kind). The nurse practitioner came in and said,
"Hi, my name is Laura and I am the nurse practitioner."
Kari promptly replied, "Hi Laura. Are you the doctor?"
L: "Good question. I am not exactly the doctor, but I am here to check on you."
K: "On my leg and chest and hand?"
L: "Yes."
K: "I pulled some hot oil when I was a baby. That is where my owies are." (I told her this on the way up to the dr. That is the first time she has ever asked about her skin grafts or where they came from)

We chatted some more, checked everything out, and then we were dismissed for pictures. They take pictures every time we go up so they can keep track of how things are progressing, etc. They also use them sometimes to show new patients so they might know what to expect. Kari, being the total picture cheeseball that she is, got down from the table and walked out into the hall. She acted like a queen with her gown flowing behind her. Her dignity was not impaired at all by the fact she was wearing nothing but panties and toilet paper. During the pictures, she hammed it up... I don't expect she realized they weren't really taking pictures of her face, mostly of her grafts. Oh well, doesn't matter to her now, does it?!? Then, we went back, got dressed, and went and got back in the van to go home. It was a successful trip and the girls did excellently. Today, I hope to recover from waking up at 5:45 on Tuesday and going to bed somewhere around 2am last night. And then, I am just looking forward to the holidays!!!

Rough housing

The girls ambushed Justin while he was wanting to take a nap today. They bait him, and then they enjoy the results. Here are some cute pictures of the girls and Justin. All the ones where Kari is climbing are of her new game: she is pretending to be a sloth. I can only guess she got this from Diego...

Drumroll Please...

Well, I will have to get a whole new wardrobe for this cute little boy growing inside. Kari was right, it is a little boy. He weighs about 13 oz right now and he likes to keep his hands by his face. He also likes to keep his mouth open. I got to see him yawn :) The ultrasound puts the due date around March 30. So, now we will go back to the doctor and schedule a date...

In other news, the voters on the poll were overwhelming correct. 66% voted for a boy, 25% for a girl, and 8% (one vote) for twin boys... (And yes, there is only one :)

Of course I am excited the baby is healthy and that it is a boy. I am a bit nervous. I don't have boy clothes and I have never dealt with a circumcision. Plus, my girls are so mild mannered, and little boys can be so energetic. Other than that, we can't complain :) Just gotta work on a name...

Boxing day :)

Once again I am forcibly reminded that maybe I shouldn't even bother with toys for Christmas this year. Maybe I should just get a load of boxes.

Sweet Cuddlers

Last one for today... :) It was one of those rare days when Kari took a nap during "quiet time". I think she still needs to take a nap during the day, but when she does, it keeps her up later at night, so... Kaitlyn usually does, so they both slept for about 45 minutes. Kaitlyn started to wake up, so I went in to wake up Kari. I woke her up hoping she would still go to bed tonight. Then I got Kaitlyn. Due to another child growing in my belly, I needed to visit the facilities, so I left them to each other. I just couldn't help taking a picture of the results. Cute girls.

In other quick news

Justin felt the baby this morning before he left to go to TN for a while. We are somewhere around 21 weeks, so, it is really neat that he can kinda take part in this pregnancy now too. I will probably try to let Kari feel the baby in a few weeks when you don't have to be so patient.

And, I think it is pretty cute: Kaitlyn has apparently learned how to whistle from her sister. It comes out kinda like shhh... Because she is making the face of a whistle, but not blowing the right way. I can't really describe it. But it is really cute. And when she is hungry, it comes out kinda like I would think the french pronounce "Henry"... Like "Ong-Ree". What can I say, cute kid :)

Ready for the Holidays

I do love this time of year. I love the cool air (so much so we leave our window open at night so we can cuddle under the blankets). I love the leaves changing (they are just starting to do that down here in good ol' Alabamy). I love the smells (Justin has spoiled me and given me a real Christmas tree for the last 2 years, and I love the way it smells). I love the music (I blast a Christmas CD and burn a candle when I put up the Christmas decorations the week after Christmas). Of course I love presents (both giving and receiving). But mostly, I think I love the sharing of family. I was getting Kaitlyn dressed today and thinking how cute she was. And maybe it is hormones. Maybe it is being in a new place and not having a ton of friends to hang out with yet. Maybe it is Justin going out of town for a few days and leaving me with just 2 children who are albeit beautiful, but not the most conversational. But I was wishing that I had someone else around to say, "Yep, that outfit is pretty cute on her." And I got to thinking about the holidays, and I think the part that I love most of all is constantly having someone around to share thoughts with. Even stupid little ones. But, someone is usually there to comment on something done or said, or comment on something I say back to me. So, I am ready to share my kids (who definitely will entertain). I am ready for company. I am ready for the smells, food, music, presents, cramped quarters, and everything that goes with it. I am ready to be shared :)

Such a big girl!!!

Once a year, the primary in our church puts on a program in Sacrament meeting (the main meeting) to show the parents/adults what they have been learning in Primary. Yesterday was our Primary Program and the first time Kari has had the opportunity to participate as a big girl. Last year she came up and sang a song with the rest of the nursery, but that was maybe because I was Primary President (in charge of the primary program in our ward/church). Anyway, she did fabulously!!! She wasn't "that" kid... you know the one that yells the songs, or spits on the microphone, but she did say her lines clearly and sing some parts of most of the songs. I was sitting up on the stand with the rest of my class (Justin and I teach Sunday School for the 11 and 12 year olds, but he was sitting down in the audience with Kaitlyn), but Justin said she was reverent most of the time. Lets face it, it is hard to get an almost 4 year old to sit still for 30 minutes no matter where it is or who they are in front of. I took some pictures after church. She is so pretty and grown up. And yes, that is the pool table in the background, but, it is now finished!!! Yay!!! We played a game of pool last night, in which I kicked some serious booty (Beginners luck). Justin taught Kari how to play (heaven help the felt... we will have to watch her) and Kaitlyn even took a shot. I didn't get any pictures of it, so I will have to try and then put those up later. Shout out to my mother who was a wonderful Primary Music Chorister for so many years (no one compares mom!!!). And I am so proud of my little, excuse me, big girl :)

Little Joey

Kaitlyn wanted to put on Kari's costume. We only made it through the top before she got bored, but, it is pretty cute. Thing is, it supposedly should fit her next year! My little one!!!










Also, I went to the dr today, and after being frustrated on Wednesday, he is very nice. I also got my ultrasound finally scheduled for next Friday. So, make sure to vote before then :)

I have not been impressed

With the doctors offices I have been to around here. Kaitlyn's pediatrician barely touched her and spent, maybe, 3 minutes in the office with us for her 12 month well baby check up. Correct me if I am wrong, but for a well baby it is supposed to last at least 10 minutes where they check everything, answer my questions, and yes, physically touch the child. Crazy how that works!!!

And then, with my dr, they couldn't get me in for 2 weeks. Then, I called the day before my appointment because I was thinking maybe I could reschedule it. When I called they said they needed to reschedule because the dr would be out of town. So, a week later, my hubby stays home to watch the kids so I can go, drive to the office, and they don't have record of my appointment. Nor is the dr in the office again, so they couldn't try to fit me in if they tried. And what impresses me the most, is they still don't have my medical records, even though I signed the waiver 3 weeks ago. So, I have an appointment again on Friday. I will give them one more chance, and then I will have to transfer doctors back to Auburn. I like the dr there I know, because I have been there before. It would just be a 30 minute drive. Which isn't bad now, but when the appointments get closer together, it would be a pain. Plus it would mean delivering in Auburn, which thank goodness this time it would be scheduled, but there would be no running home for something quick I forgot kinda thing. Dumb doctors!!! So, here I am, 20 weeks pregnant (HALF WAY, YAY!!!) and I have only seen the doctor once.

Additionally, I was supposed to set up my ultrasound appointment today, but obviously that didn't happen. I did, however want to put up a poll for people to vote. Vote even if you don't usually leave comments. I am pretty sure you can vote anonymously. I wanna know what you guys think since this time, I have no idea!!!

Library and Voting

Yes, I voted today, no I will not tell you which party or any other particulars, so don't ask :) And, since we are in such a little po-dunk town in good ol' Alabamy, it only took long enough to walk in, get the ballot, fill it out, and give it back. No waiting, which is just as well with 2 kids in tow :)

We also went to the library today. And I think it is so cute. Custom is that Kari puts all the books into her back pack, which makes me sad because she looks like she is going to Kindergarton. They just grow up too fast {sniff}. Then, when we go into the library, where she gets to put them through the slot. Then, we go and pick new books. Here is where it gets even cuter. Kaitlyn must pick out her own book. I didn't think she would really be interested in them, and I wasn't really interested in giving them to her, since she just turns the pages and has a tendency to accidently tear them. But, she picks a book or two of her own (I helpfully "suggest" the board books) and holds onto them like grim death. She won't let anyone help, and she carries them by herself up to the desk. Kari hands her books over to be checked out, but Kaitlyn won't let go. The librarians are nice enough to tilt the books just enough so they can scan the sticker, but let her keep them. Then, Kari puts her books back into her back pack and Kaitlyn holds onto hers all the way to the car, which usually requires us to stop a few times while she readjusts her load. When we get home, Kari will go off and read hers, Kaitlyn will "read" hers, and we are all just hunky dory :)

In other news, my teeth are hurting again... Uggg!!!

Gourmet Tunafish

Some of you know that the only real problem I have with pregnancy is during the first trimester. I don't actually get sick, but I feel sick, and nothing, and I mean NOTHING sounds like it would taste good. Well, with the girls, it went away, and my appetite came back around the second trimester. Well, this time, I guess it is a bit slower. I am almost 20 weeks and still struggling to find something to eat. In fact, I lost 9 lbs during the first 12 weeks (even eating mostly fast food in a hotel) and have only managed to gain back only 1 lb. Thus bringing my total weight gain for this pregnancy to -8, or, technically 1 lb actually gained, depending on how you look at it. Any other time I would be thrilled... Anyway, that wasn't the point of this post. Recently I have been eating tunafish. Which, again, if you know me, is even more odd because I usually don't like tuna. Even when I am not pregnant. But today Kari wanted it, and being hungry, having no idea what to make, and not being able to come up with something that sounded like it would taste good, I took her suggestion. However, I thought I would try something. I love, or used to love, the chicken sandwich at Arby's because they put grapes and apples into it. Having both of these handy, I figured I would give it a try. Follows is the recipe that was delicious!!!

1 can chunk white tuna (it does taste different than the chunk light)
Apple (I have an apple slicer which automatically slices the apples into 8 peices for me. I only used 2 slices and ate the rest)
Grapes (again, a small handful, cut into 8ths)
Mayo (not miracle whip for me right now... too sweet)
1 boiled egg white (mashed into small pieces)

I put mine on a toasted bagel, and made little sandwiches for Kari with Ritz crackers. SO YUMMY!!!