Christmas season

Sunday afternoon we put the Christmas tree up.  I was so excited for Amelia to help me decorate the tree, and she was excited too!  I let her hang the nonbreakable ornaments.  She found the perfect spot, and loved it so much, all her ornaments went there.  She hung one right on top of the other.  It was cute.  I love the Christmas tree.  When I was little, I would just sit for hours and stare at the tree.  I thought it was so beautiful.  We always had colored lights.  My mom always wanted white lights.  She thought they looked more elegant.  She finally got her way as we got older and didn't care so much.  But, I always loved the colored lights.  When I finally got my own tree, I put white lights on it too because I thought colored were a litte redneck.  But, now I really don't care.  I went and bought colored lights, and I love them! 

Checking out the tree with daddy.

 

 

 

 

I'm home!

Amelia cracks me up every day when we get home.  As soon as we pull into the carport, she says, I'm home.  Amelia home.  When we got home from the hospital, it was so sweet because it seemed like she was just so happy to be home.  But, now it is funny.  It is like she is announcing her arrival, and everyone get ready! 

Photo Session

Some photos from our photo session at my parent's house.  Even though I didn't get that perfect family shot for our Christmas card, we did get some cute pics!

To be cont.  I have reached the memory limit for posting photos.  I am going to have to figure out how to resize some photos before I can post.  Sorry!  I've been trying to work on this since Sunday, and just not happening.  It's been a busy week!

This is the family shot I was hoping to turn out better.  I love the barn and horses in the background.  It was just too windy and sunny that day.  I wanted to get closer to the barn, but we were trying to make it work.

I think Amelia looks sweet in this photo.  Only problem is she did get a little rust on her outfit.  Good thing my friend found it for me on Ebay.

I love this picture of Amelia and my dad.  So sweet!

Me and my girls!

 

A few other Thanksgiving shots with my phone;

 

Anna Claire says Happy Thanksgiving!  Sweet girl!

My future Mozart!

AC playing with daddy.

She is finally a pink baby!

 

 



Thankful!

A lot of people have been doing daily thankful posts on Facebook for the month of November.  I decided to sum mine up in a blog, but I wanted it to be seperate from my Thanksgiving week blog.  So, here goes.  I have so much to be thankful for.  I also try to remember this every day, and not just at Thanksgiving, but it is nice to have a day to help people get back into prespective.  First, I am thankful for a caring God that we can pray to, and that hears our prayers because without him, life would be pointless, and we would have no hope.  Next, I am thankful for him bringing Drew into my life.  He is truly a wonderful person, father, and husband.  I am so blessed that God chose him for me.  I am thankful for the 2 beautiful girls that I call my own.  They bring me so much happiness and fill my heart with joy.  I really believe that I never really new true happiness until they came into my life.  I am thankful for modern medicine.  Without it, I would not be able to see my baby girl grow up and see what she will become.  I am thankful for modern technology.  Living so far away from all the people I care about, I am able to see what is happening in my friends lives, video chat with family and Drew when he travels, and keep everyone updated on what is going on in our lives.  I am thankful for all of my friends and family.  I have seen how important they are in my life over this past month.  As hard as it was, we had so much love and support from so many people, that it really made it were it wasn't so bad.  I am thankful for my sister.  We fought like cats and dogs growing up, but she is the one person that I can call whenever and she will listen and care about what I have to say.  She has truly turned into my best friend.  I am thankful for my parents.  They are my biggest supporters.  I am thankful for my job which allows me to work just 2.5 days/week.  I love all the time I get with my girls!  I am thankful for my husbands job which allows me to work only 2.5 days/week.  I am starting to think I probably should have done a daily thankful.  There are too many things.  I am very blessed and there are so many things for me to be thankful for.  Mostly I am thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life.  God has blessed me with wonderful friends.  I feel blessed by everyone one of you.  I have the best coworkers anyone could ask for.  They will definitely be the reason I would be sad about leaving Greenville.  As much as I talk bad about Greenville, there are some really good people here.  I could keep going, but I am getting tired, and it is my night to get up with the baby.  I am thankful for the life that God has given me.  It just keeps getting better!

A week of Thanksgiving

We traveled for the holiday, so I will once again be playing catch up.  The thing I really hate about catch is that I really can't remember the little funny things that happen that I really want to write about.  But, last week was a very busy but fun week.  We left very early Wednesday morning, so Tuesday night was spent getting everything ready.  Daddy had a meeting at the Agricenter early Wednesday morning.  So, the girls and I strolled around the lake at Shelby Farms until he came back to meet us.  I love Shelby Farms.  It is one of the things I miss most about Memphis.  I would take the girls there all of the time if I could.  It was a beautiful day that day.  My smart girl has only been there once, but she didn't forget the ducks.  She wanted to see them as soon as we pulled in the park. 

We spent the first few nights at my parents house.  I tried to get our family photo for our Christmas card while we there, but they just didn't turn out.  My parents live out in the country, and their neighbors have horses and a really pretty stable.   We just didn't get close enough.  My sister and her family came for dinner Thursday night.  There is nothing better than Thanksgiving dinner.  We all enjoyed our time with the family.  Amelia had a blast with her cousins.  I so wish we lived closer for them to see each other more often.  That night, Amelia had a difficult time sleeping, kept waking up crying, so I went and got in bed with her.  She was so sweet.  Wanted to cuddle up with mommy.  She really wasn't a crazy sleeper.  She did jump pretty good once.  I think she has bad dreams a lot.

Friday, we headed to Drew's family.  We first stopped by my grandparents house.  It had been over a year since I have seen them.  I know that is pitiful.  My mom's whole family was coming, so since my grandparents live close to Drew's family, I went back that afternoon and spent some more time.   Amelia and Anna Claire got a lot of good quality time in with mimi and pop.  We also were able to spend some time with Drew's grandmother who came to visit us.  We then made the long trek back home.  It was probably the worst car ride yet.  We got to experience changing an explosive diaper on the interstate.  A state trooper stopped to see if we were ok.  I'm sure he wished he had just kept driving when he came to the window.  He didn't stick around for very long.  Even though it took longer to get home than we expected.  It was so wonderful to be home!  There is nothing better than sleeping in your own bed!

My little princess

I never thought Amelia was in to dressing up.  Well, apparently she just never had the opportunity.  She has never been into dressing period.  One my friends was cleaning out her little girls drawers last week, and gave me 3 bags of clothes.  One had a bunch of leotards from their younger dance days.  Yesterday, I was showing her all of the things Ms. Marcie gave her.  She saw this pink leotard with a tutu and had to put it on immediately and was completely heartbroken when I took it off her.  She thinks she is a princess when she wears it.  I guess my girl wants to be a princess.

 

Dancing with her sister. 

She loves Anna Claire. She will even say, I wuv you, Anna Claire. It is so sweet. I hope they are always sweet to each other!  

She puts her leotard on then brings me the tv remote and says music, dance.  It is so cute!

 

Flashback Friday a day late!

I had intentions of posting this yesterday, but never got a chance.  But, I am flashback to last fall.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  We have a beautiful ginkgo tree in our front yard.  I always look forward to the leaves turning yellow for some pretty shots.  It is just now starting to get a little yellow, so I should have some good photos in a few weeks. 

She had so much fun stomping around in the leaves.

 

I found this photo on this album.  I had to add it.  This was Cody's favorite time of year, too.  He loved nothing more than duck season.

 

busy, busy!

Well, life is definitely back to normal, and very chaotic!  One more work week down.  Yay!  Posting is becoming harder and harder.  Daddy had work meetings this week, so he didn't get home until after the girls were in bed.  I was exhausted, so bedtime came early for everyone this week. 

We had a few big moments this week.  Anna Claire actually went 8 straight hours of sleep.  I was so excited for her.  Then she continued to wake up every 30 minutes after that.  We are really going to have to start working on her sleep routine!  But, I am feeling hopeful!  Amelia pooped in the potty 2 times this week.  She was so excited.  If only we could get her to tell us when she needs to go. 

I've been talking to Amelia about Christmas and Santa Clause a lot this week.  I always said I would not be one of those parents that use Santa to bribe their kids into being good.  Well, I have become that parent.  She really isn't terrible, but she definitely knows how to push buttons.  Monday, I didn't work because of veterans day.  Amelia spent a lot of time in time out, and hearing no.  I don't understand kids facination with wipes.  Her room was covered with wipes and diapers more than once that day.  It was a pretty exhausting day for momma!  But, anyway, I've been telling Amelia about she better be good if she wants Santa to bring her toys.  So, I asked her what she wanted Santa to bring her.  Her answer was, a TV.  I was like really, at the age of 2 she is already asking for a tv.  We are in trouble!!!

Anna Claire is becoming more and more of a chatter box.  Little girl loves to talk.  I tried to video tape her the other morning, but of course when I got my phone out, she wouldn't say a thing.  I will catch it one day though.  She definitely talks more than I remember her sister chatting.  She is  such a sweet baby.  She smiles all of the time.  I will be so frustrated, and look at her and she has a smile going completely across her face.  Melts my heart every time.

I hate to post without a picture, so hear is one of my sweet baby girl.  I will post more of Amelia soon.  She is harder to photograph.  She sleeps good, and we a rushing to get out the door when she wakes up.  Anna Claire is up between 5 and 6, so we have a lot of time in the morning!

Sweet sisters!

Today was a day of relaxation for all of us.  It was wonderful, plus the weather was perfect, so it was just a perfect day.  Mommy survived going back to work.  It was actually kind of nice seeing my patients again.  I was really not looking forward to it, but they were all so sweet yesterday, and said they were really glad to have me back, so it made me feel good.  Its not very often that you actually feel appreciated with my job. 

This morning it was just me and the girls.  Daddy went with a friend to look for ducks in preparation for duck hunting season.  We had a lot of fun playing, and Amelia is becoming such a good big sister. 

 

This was last Saturday.  Amelia read Anna Claire a story.  She did that again today.  We also sang songs and Amelia would move Anna Claire's hands for her.  It was so cute and sweet.  Her favorites right now are; the wheels on the bus and head, shoulders, knees and toes.

 

They were ready to watch Tennessee play football today, thanks to Grayson, David, and Jake for their matching outfits.

 

After naptime, Amelia and I made chocolate chip cookies.  I think she is a fan!  I let her help with the egg.  Big mistake!!!  The egg ended up in my hands and the shell in the dough.  We fixed it though!

Life just keeps getting better!

This has been such a busy week for us full of doctors appointments and getting ready to go back to work.  The weekend was very uneventful.  But, Monday started the marathon of doctor's visits.  It was also Anna Claire's 2 month birthday.

It's funny cause she looks so different in person than she does in her photos.  But she has the sweetest smile and voice.



She still weighs between 11 and 12 pounds.  She is 23 inches long.  Monday, she really wasn't in to eating a whole lot.  She is finally as of yesterday eating without fighting it after just 2 oz.  She was just starting to eat 5 oz before surgery, so we've been working to build her back up again.  She is now eating 4 oz consistently.  Yay!  The meds she takes really do make her stomach sick, but I think she is getting used to them finally.  Sunday, she vomited at church, luckily at the very end of service.  But, the poor kids sitting behind us are ruined for life.  Pregestimil really doesn't smell good!  Also, as you can see in this picture, she is becoming more and more of a pink baby.  She is still a pale yellow, but it is quickly improving!

Monday was also a big day for Amelia.  She pooped on her potty chair!!!  We were very excited for her.  She got treats and praises.  We will see how long before that happens again.  I know she could do it, but I feel like I am maxed out on my stress amount right now and don't think I can take on that challenge just yet.  But, today, she took her diaper off during nap time, then preceded to take all of her diapers and throw them around the room.  It was a fun day for mommy.  Then, she took her diaper off after nap for me to change it, then ran to Anna Claire's room before I could get a new when on her.  When she returned to her room, she just said, Mommy I peed, on the floor.  She was right!  Amelia has also had another accomplishment.  She officially no longer uses a pacifier!  She has done really well.  She doesn't even ask for it anymore.  We decided that since the pacifiers now smell like dead fish, that it was time to get rid of them. 

Tuesday we went back to Le Bonheur for follow up.  We were very excited to get her labs and pathology report.  Her bilirubin has dropped from 7.4 to 5.2!!!  Her pathology showed that she does definitely have biliary atresia, but there was very little fibrosis.  That is so exciting!  We are still very hopeful that we can avoid transplant in the future, or at least delay it for as long as possible.

Today, mommy had a very big accomplishment.  I went to the grocery store with both girls by myself.  This was a first.  It went a lot better than expected.  AC was in the baby bjorn while Amelia was in the cart.  I got some strange looks, but both girls were good, and I got all my groceries.  That is all that mattered to me.

Tomorrow mommy goes back to work.  Boo!!!  But, Ms. Helen, the lady who kept Amelia at daycare when she was a baby, will be coming to care for AC.  I am so happy.  We love Ms. Helen, and I know AC will be well cared for.  She won't be able to start daycare for another 4 weeks.  I have to admit though that I am somewhat tempted to try to get Ms. Helen to continue to keep her for a while longer.  It makes me feel better to not have her in daycare.

Back to normalcy

We finally went home Tuesday evening.  We were all so very excited.  We pulled in the carport and Amelia said, "I'm home." It almost brought tears to my eyes.  She was so excited.  We didn't have a lot of time to just enjoy being home.  The home health nurses and pharmacy curior were waiting on us, so daddy got Amelia to bed while I started Anna Claire's antibiotics. 

Anna Claire ready to go home.

 

I was anxious for the morning to see the neighborhood.  We had bad storms come through the night we drove to Le Bohneur, and there was a lot of damage to the neighborhood.  Trees fell that were 100+ years old.  It is strange to see it now.  We had a large tree fall across our yard and damage some of our trees, and our front porch, but it was only minor damage thankfully.  There were several houses that actually had trees land on them. 

 

The next day was Halloween.  I sent Amelia to daycare so I could get the house in order, and have time to care for Anna Claire.  Plus they were having a halloween party, so she couldn't miss that.

Anna Claire in her Halloween outfit. She can only last a few minutes in the bumbo, but she is doing pretty good in it!

Amelia dressed in her Halloween shirt she got from Le Bohneur at their Halloween party.  She was the hit at daycare, the pumpkin lit up.

Elmo getting ready for her first trick or treating.

Walk up to her first house.  She was a little slower than everyone else getting to the door.

Our pre-trick or treat photo.  It was rare to actually see Elmo up on her head.

Excited to be trick or treating.

Anna Claire hanging out in the bjorn.

Riding the hayride around the neighborhood.  There were 2 hayrides, the other one was packed!  Daddy was sitting beside her.

We had so much fun trick or treating.



It finally feels like our life is getting back to normal.  Amelia stayed home today.  We played and just hung out at the house.  The girls took good afternoon naps, so I took advantage and napped myself.  It was wonderful.  This afternoon, Drew and I voted then we went out to dinner.  There was very little fussiness at the house the evening.  It was a great day!  As I am writing this post, Amelia keeps opening the door to her room and coming down the stairs.  It worries me that she is going to come down the stairs at night in the dark and get hurt.  I think I actually got the door shut where she can't open it this time though.  I just heard her knocking on the door to get out.  We are going to have to get a door knob cover so she can't turn it.