It amazes me still how the girls can change and grow so quickly.
We took Sadie in for a couple of checks last Monday. We drove the two hours for her appointments; I am so thankful Brandon was able to go with me. Her first check was the pulmunologist. He said her lungs sounded great! We will continue the pulmocort through the middle of April and then go see him again in May. He will do another x-ray to see how her lungs look, and if all looks well, I think we are finished with seeing him.
Next stop...developmental follow-up. I was excited about this; I always like to see how she is doing. Before we went, I made a list of Sadie's words, because I had a hunch they would ask me. Sadie "played" with a few things, and she did it all! She put puzzle pieces where they belong, she put pegs in the holes, colored with a crayon, played with a baby, rolled and chased a ball. I was thrilled! The doc asked me is Sadie had about five words; I responded, "She has about 30." I got such a surprised yet delighted look. She is pointing to body parts, telling me what she sees in books, walking/running/climbing. They were excited, too. We give all glory to God! We did ask the doc about Sadie's right foot because it flattens a little when she is walking. The doctor says this is typical and not to be concerned. Once she gets stronger, that will go away. She did give tips on what kind of shoes would help.
After that appt., we walked over to my past 2 month residence. I saw nurse friends, and I got to see the remodel of my old room. It was kind of emotional for me, but I got a grip and moved on. We stopped up at the NICU and saw one of my favorite NPs. She was so excited to see Sadie. This is the same NP that teared up when we took Sadie home. We showed her Sadie's rib indentation and told her that Sadie still has her little Budda belly. She just laughed.
Sadie's latest things to do - is climb on my bathroom counter, stick blocks/puzzle pieces down her shirts/pjs, take off her shoes and socks while riding in the van, taking her pants off at home, playing with the the shape cube, "coloring" with the big girls, getting into kleenex, and she tells me "dank you" when she hands me something. I always tell her thank you when she gives me something, so I guess it makes sense.
Maisie is really playing imaginary things. She carries on phone conversations, plays with Little People, and she is speaking much more clear! Matas is now Thomas! She is getting her initial "S" sound out, so that helps a lot. Maisie is enjoying baths again, thanks to the fun bath Christmas gifts. She loves to make the water a certain color with the color tablets. She is loving her hopper ball. She and Analise hop all over the place! I remember doing that with my sister when we were little.
Analise has grown! I took her in to the doc a couple of weeks ago, because she's been snoring at night. I also thought her tonsils looked big, though she never complained about them hurting. While at the doctor, they checked her wt and ht. Since her kdg check, she has grown over an inch and weighs almost four pounds heavier. She is outgrowing jeans we bought her in August. She is loving her Webkinz, enjoying school but wishing she could "sleep in." She is still my "Craft girl" so I am thankful for the simple craft gifts she got at Christmas.
Things are going well here; we are getting into the routine of things. Going back to school helped, but last week we had a late start and early dismissal because of the snow and COLD. We've been playing a lot of Wii Resort, and I am enjoying the Wii Fit. I find it somewhat addictive. :) I hope you are doing well!
Monday, January 11, 2010
New Addition
Hee...hee...it's not a child nor a pet. It's a pantry! Thanks to my handy, dandy, selfless hubby, I have a kitchen pantry! I think every woman dreams of a big kitchen. (Just like every man dreams of a big garage). For the past six years that we have lived here, my cupboards have been maxed out. We have talked about where we could put in a pantry, but we never had any great ideas...until a couple of months ago. Since Brandon now has a shed, I was able to ask for a little garage space. I asked for a pantry to go right off the kitchen, since the space in the garage behind the wall wasn't getting used for much. He thought it was a great idea!
Brandon designed it, and spent his precious days off from work to build it for me. He did AWESOME, and I love it!
All four shelves pull out. :)
Since my food items can fit in there, I have much more cupboard space. I moved things around, threw out things, and now my things in the cupboard have breathing room. Ahhh...I am one content woman. :)
Brandon designed it, and spent his precious days off from work to build it for me. He did AWESOME, and I love it!
All four shelves pull out. :)
Since my food items can fit in there, I have much more cupboard space. I moved things around, threw out things, and now my things in the cupboard have breathing room. Ahhh...I am one content woman. :)Thursday, January 7, 2010
Christmas Memories
I am always sad when Christmas season is over. It really is one of my favorite times of year...family, decorations, friends, yummy food, relaxing...love it all.
This year it was my parent's turn to travel. As much as I didn't miss the packing and being in the car for 13 hours, I missed being there. My parents arrive at 5:45 on Tuesday evening, and I am glad that weren't much later. The ugly forecast that had been predicted was beginning to come true. The freezing fog was starting. We were all thrilled when they pulled in the drive. Lots of warm hugs to go around and lots to talk about. The quickly brought in our first presents. They had picked them up in Kansas while driving trough -Frogospheres. Check them out from Brookstone. It's a cute aquarium with two African dwarf frogs that only need fed twice a week, and the water only need changed a few times a year. So much more fun than goldfish! :)
Shortly after they arrived, we loaded up the girls so they could go eat together. Brandon and I had a date night. Got to love having the parents come. :) We went to Red Lobster and enjoyed hot food and uninterrupted conversation. We then made a quick stop for a couple of last minute Christmas gifts. The girls got to bed late due to all the excitement.
Weds. we took our time getting ready, and then we headed to Hobby Lobby. My mom and I looked at sewing things, while my dad entertained the girls. He even whipped out candy canes from his coat pocket.
While the girls napped/rested, we were busy doing something. (I just can't remember). After the girls were up, we worked on our gingerbread trains. Lots of fun. Weds. evening we stayed home where it was warm.
Christmas Eve was a busy day. Brandon went into work, though he technically had the day off. He has some new responsibility that he needed to get a head's up on. Though I was sad he had to go in, I was supportive and thankful I had company. Mom and I slaved away in the kitchen most of the day. Thankfully, my mom enjoys this time, and I am so thankful for the extra fun and help! At lunch we went and grabbed Brandon a pizza and surprised him at work. It gave him a chance to show my parents around. It had been years since they had been there. We went home and continued in the kitchen.
We went to the Christmas Eve service at 4:00. It was packed, and all our family (Brandon's family, etc.) sat close together. I am so thankful. The girls were in the service with us, but they had been given little packets when we walked in the door. Inside the packets were coloring books, crayons and suckers. Analise was in our row eating her sucker, when Maisie (in the row in front of us, sitting on her uncle's lap) sees this, she wants one. So in a not so quiet whisper, she is asking us for a sucker. This all seems harmless until you know that Maisie hasn't learned her "S" sound yet, so her sucker pronunciation began with an "F." Humorous now, not so much then. :) Sadie was on either my mom's lap or my lap, and she was sheer entertainment. Grandma and Aunt S. were in the row behind us. Sadie continued to make funny faces at them. If not doing that, she would look at the screen and get excited (not so quietly) about what she saw. My favorite, though, was the second to last song. Sadie was on my lap, standing, while facing forward. We sang, "What Child is This?", and Sadie was moving her arms to the music, almost like an interpretive dance. She's never done that before. I got the giggles, and so did other family members around us. It was such a tender moment, watching her worship, yet at the same time down right hilarious! (Since then she has only done that one other time, and it about made me teary eyed. She has what's called "Sadie's song" by the girls. It's "Cannot Say Enough" by Mercy Me. It was playing the other day while she was at the table, and again she began moving her arms, like she was worshipping.)
Thursday after the service we came home and ate my favorite soup - Mexican Chicken Chowder. We then let the girls open a couple of gifts. Boy were they excited. :) They got bath things, clothes (and even at a young age, they get excited about clothes...I'm doomed.), crafty things and Wii Resort! :)
Christmas Eve, Analise wrote her first note to Santa. It was so cute! She also had reindeer food that she had made at school. Brandon debated where to put that so she wouldn't be looking for reindeer tracks in the morning. The agreed on the roof, since that's where Santa would land. :)
Christmas morning the girls got up 7:30ish. The girls opened their stockings, and then we had our traditional breakfast (thanks for all the baking the day before) of cinnamon twist coffeecake and egg casserole. Then it was back to gifts. We opened one by one, so it took quite awhile, but the girls didn't seem to mind. Analise's favorites were her two Webkinz. She got a turkey that she named "Gobbles" and a daschound that she named "Minnie." Maisie also got a stuffed doxie that she also named "Minnie." If you wonder why the same is so popular, that's my parents dog, that the girls love. Sadie got some Little People and Mr. Potato Head things that all the girls loved. I think we all rested that afternoon.
We then went to Brandon's parents for dinner. All his family was there, and we had lots of fun. The kids opened their gifts before we enjoyed a candle lit dinner of prime rib and other goodies. This was the first Christmas where I felt like we really needed to do a "Santa" gift. So each girl got one gift from Santa, and then they knew rest of them were from family. It was a super cold, blizzardy kind of day!
Saturday we ventured out to Target. We got some more Wii accessories, so now we have the capability to play up to four players. We relaxed throughout the day, made sugar cookies with the girls...though Grandmom ended up decorating 90% of them. :) Brandon, bless his heart, smoked a pork loin on the grill...despite the frigid temps.
After the girls were in bed, my parents and I went to the resort...the Wii Resort. Talk about fun and lots of laughs! My mom and I will never forget our cycling experience!
Sunday Brandon went turkey hunting. We went to church and then to Q'Doba for lunch. My parents were going to head home after that, but the roads still weren't good enough to travel. Bummer...:) We were so excited they stayed an extra day! I felt like it was the first time we all relaxed. A little football, playing with the girls and after the girls were in bed, the four adults played the Wii again. This time it was the canoeing that had us all in stitches.
Monday morning it was time for goodbyes. I hate goodbyes...that's one of the most appealing things about Heaven to me - no goodbyes.
Thanks, mom and dad, for making Christmas so special. We treasured the time together and are so thankful you were able to get here. We all miss you.
I think this year, I really tried to be like Mary, in pondering things in my heart. All our family was together and healthy. I never want to take that for granted. I knew of several families that were going to have a harder Christmas, with a loved one not being there. My heart ached for them, I prayed for them, and I thanked God again for my blessings.
This year it was my parent's turn to travel. As much as I didn't miss the packing and being in the car for 13 hours, I missed being there. My parents arrive at 5:45 on Tuesday evening, and I am glad that weren't much later. The ugly forecast that had been predicted was beginning to come true. The freezing fog was starting. We were all thrilled when they pulled in the drive. Lots of warm hugs to go around and lots to talk about. The quickly brought in our first presents. They had picked them up in Kansas while driving trough -Frogospheres. Check them out from Brookstone. It's a cute aquarium with two African dwarf frogs that only need fed twice a week, and the water only need changed a few times a year. So much more fun than goldfish! :)
Shortly after they arrived, we loaded up the girls so they could go eat together. Brandon and I had a date night. Got to love having the parents come. :) We went to Red Lobster and enjoyed hot food and uninterrupted conversation. We then made a quick stop for a couple of last minute Christmas gifts. The girls got to bed late due to all the excitement.
Weds. we took our time getting ready, and then we headed to Hobby Lobby. My mom and I looked at sewing things, while my dad entertained the girls. He even whipped out candy canes from his coat pocket.
While the girls napped/rested, we were busy doing something. (I just can't remember). After the girls were up, we worked on our gingerbread trains. Lots of fun. Weds. evening we stayed home where it was warm.
Christmas Eve was a busy day. Brandon went into work, though he technically had the day off. He has some new responsibility that he needed to get a head's up on. Though I was sad he had to go in, I was supportive and thankful I had company. Mom and I slaved away in the kitchen most of the day. Thankfully, my mom enjoys this time, and I am so thankful for the extra fun and help! At lunch we went and grabbed Brandon a pizza and surprised him at work. It gave him a chance to show my parents around. It had been years since they had been there. We went home and continued in the kitchen.
We went to the Christmas Eve service at 4:00. It was packed, and all our family (Brandon's family, etc.) sat close together. I am so thankful. The girls were in the service with us, but they had been given little packets when we walked in the door. Inside the packets were coloring books, crayons and suckers. Analise was in our row eating her sucker, when Maisie (in the row in front of us, sitting on her uncle's lap) sees this, she wants one. So in a not so quiet whisper, she is asking us for a sucker. This all seems harmless until you know that Maisie hasn't learned her "S" sound yet, so her sucker pronunciation began with an "F." Humorous now, not so much then. :) Sadie was on either my mom's lap or my lap, and she was sheer entertainment. Grandma and Aunt S. were in the row behind us. Sadie continued to make funny faces at them. If not doing that, she would look at the screen and get excited (not so quietly) about what she saw. My favorite, though, was the second to last song. Sadie was on my lap, standing, while facing forward. We sang, "What Child is This?", and Sadie was moving her arms to the music, almost like an interpretive dance. She's never done that before. I got the giggles, and so did other family members around us. It was such a tender moment, watching her worship, yet at the same time down right hilarious! (Since then she has only done that one other time, and it about made me teary eyed. She has what's called "Sadie's song" by the girls. It's "Cannot Say Enough" by Mercy Me. It was playing the other day while she was at the table, and again she began moving her arms, like she was worshipping.)
Thursday after the service we came home and ate my favorite soup - Mexican Chicken Chowder. We then let the girls open a couple of gifts. Boy were they excited. :) They got bath things, clothes (and even at a young age, they get excited about clothes...I'm doomed.), crafty things and Wii Resort! :)
Christmas Eve, Analise wrote her first note to Santa. It was so cute! She also had reindeer food that she had made at school. Brandon debated where to put that so she wouldn't be looking for reindeer tracks in the morning. The agreed on the roof, since that's where Santa would land. :)
Christmas morning the girls got up 7:30ish. The girls opened their stockings, and then we had our traditional breakfast (thanks for all the baking the day before) of cinnamon twist coffeecake and egg casserole. Then it was back to gifts. We opened one by one, so it took quite awhile, but the girls didn't seem to mind. Analise's favorites were her two Webkinz. She got a turkey that she named "Gobbles" and a daschound that she named "Minnie." Maisie also got a stuffed doxie that she also named "Minnie." If you wonder why the same is so popular, that's my parents dog, that the girls love. Sadie got some Little People and Mr. Potato Head things that all the girls loved. I think we all rested that afternoon.
We then went to Brandon's parents for dinner. All his family was there, and we had lots of fun. The kids opened their gifts before we enjoyed a candle lit dinner of prime rib and other goodies. This was the first Christmas where I felt like we really needed to do a "Santa" gift. So each girl got one gift from Santa, and then they knew rest of them were from family. It was a super cold, blizzardy kind of day!
Saturday we ventured out to Target. We got some more Wii accessories, so now we have the capability to play up to four players. We relaxed throughout the day, made sugar cookies with the girls...though Grandmom ended up decorating 90% of them. :) Brandon, bless his heart, smoked a pork loin on the grill...despite the frigid temps.
After the girls were in bed, my parents and I went to the resort...the Wii Resort. Talk about fun and lots of laughs! My mom and I will never forget our cycling experience!
Sunday Brandon went turkey hunting. We went to church and then to Q'Doba for lunch. My parents were going to head home after that, but the roads still weren't good enough to travel. Bummer...:) We were so excited they stayed an extra day! I felt like it was the first time we all relaxed. A little football, playing with the girls and after the girls were in bed, the four adults played the Wii again. This time it was the canoeing that had us all in stitches.
Monday morning it was time for goodbyes. I hate goodbyes...that's one of the most appealing things about Heaven to me - no goodbyes.
Thanks, mom and dad, for making Christmas so special. We treasured the time together and are so thankful you were able to get here. We all miss you.
I think this year, I really tried to be like Mary, in pondering things in my heart. All our family was together and healthy. I never want to take that for granted. I knew of several families that were going to have a harder Christmas, with a loved one not being there. My heart ached for them, I prayed for them, and I thanked God again for my blessings.
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