Thankful for Strep

For the last few days, Alden has been "off"- whining, throwing fits for no reason, wanting to be held ALL the time, and then the biggest, he stopped eating. Last night, I slept for maybe 3 hours, and that wasn't all in 1 stretch but in sprinkled amounts of 15-30 min. Poor Alden was screaming in his sleep (how he could be in so much pain but not open his eyes still boggles my mind). He would be holding my hand and squeeze tightly when he needed to swallow- and you do this a LOT.... I had a hunch it was Strep or something bad in his throat. Once morning rolled around and Alden woke-up, I was exhausted and yes, a little grumpy. Thankfully I was able to get him in to see the Dr, and he was diagnosed with Strep Throat. Still painfully tired, but able to focus thanks to coffee and Coke, I was able to make it home, give Alden his first round of meds, and plop him in bed for his nap. I was about to take a little snooze myself, when the phone rang.

Friend's of ours had lost their baby boy- he was due this week. The pain that they must be going through, I cannot fathom. I do know that they know The Ultimate Healer, and are able to rest in Him as they work their way through this raw time in their lives.

This phone call, while terrible, was just what I needed to hear. It helped me stop my gripping, and instead, be thankful. Thankful that I have a baby who CAN get Strep, who wants his Mommy when he doesn't feel good, who feels better when I hold his hand, a little girl who always wants Mommy to read or color with her. I am thankful for little clothes to wash and fold, and wash and fold, and wash and fold. I am thankful for the little laughter and squealing cries that bounce off my walls. I am thrilled to have split milk to clean up, crushed goldfish to vacuum, and a car that is so full of dropped snacks, I could possibly feed a small village.

I feel terribly for my friends- but I am thankful for how they helped me put my night/day, into perspective. God has blessed me with 2 beautiful, spunky, strong-willed, blessings- and I need to remember to be thankful for them in the good and in the bad.

Glasses!

My little 3 yr old Pixie, is needing glasses. For several months, we noticed that Addie would look at the TV, a book being read to her, or even someone across the room, with her head twisted, so that she was mostly looking with her left eye. When I was little, I did the same thing- and I have a pretty severe astigmatism. At her 3 yr check-up, I asked the Dr. about it and she said that it was probably nothing, but I could have it checked out if I wanted....

Thankfully the recommended Pediatric Ophthalmologist had a cancellation so he was able to see Addie today- if not, we would have had to wait until June to see him! After looking at Addie's dilated eyes, he diagnosed her with a horizontal astigmatism. He asked if she complained of headaches- because she probably has gotten one any time she has watched TV or read a book. Great- all the times that Addie asked for medicine because she was "sick"- she really was- and told her "No." She needs glasses- a slight prescription- and hopefully the headaches will go away.
Addie came home, all excited about getting "gasses yike Mommy and Daddy!" We went to 4 places before we found ones that we liked and that fit her little peanut face! What was neat, was that they were ready in 1 hr! She put them right on and hasn't given us any trouble about wearing them- yet.... We were warned that it may take up to a week for her to warm-up to them and be willing to wear them full-time. Just walking out of the mall, she got compliments on how adorable she looks! I think she's adorable- and certainly MUCH more grown-up looking!

More GA Visit

Here are more pics from our visit to GA. It was a great visit and lots of fun was had by all! Click on the picture below to see what we did from our arrival, to my childhood home, to our fun at the Stone Mountain Petting Zoo.

GA Visit

Georgia On My Mind

The kids and I went to Atlanta to visit my Mom. This post is only part of the visit- stay tuned for more. Right now, the only pictures I have are from our Portrait Innovations photo session today. The pics turned out super-cute!!

All of us

Grandma Jenny and her Grandkids


Addie's modeling pose

Handsome little Alden

3 yr old profile


19 mo profile

In her Easter/Flower Girl dress

My little Sailor


Addie loving on Alden

A cute duo!

Hair Cuts

Addie and I had a special Mommy-Daughter time this evening. We took care of a friends cats- which she loves to do- and then got our hair cut. Just us- it was fun!

Let me digress- When we moved here a year ago, I met a lady who bought my exersaucer, and she graciously shared info on the local area- a good hairdresser being one of them. Stacey does hair out of a cute little studio off the side of her house. She does this so she can be an active mom to her 2 teenage kids. She cut my hair in July- and I loved the cut! Her prices are better then Wal-Mart and the cut is amazing!! Yay- it helped me feel like Millsboro was pretty great- 1 good find down, a few more to go....

This evening, I took Addie and myself, to get our hair cut and I am thrilled with the result.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Saint Paddy's Day

For a very long time, I have dreamed of doing all kinds of funny and crazy things with my kids. Making green eggs and ham, green pancakes, etc. Today, I finally had kids old enough to appreciate these things!! We enjoyed green shamrock pancakes for breakfast complete with green milk- which I forgot to take a picture of. Addie had a fun party at school- and didn't want to pose in her green shirt and special hat (sorry). We ended the day by playing at the park and getting rid of some energy. What a special day to celebrate Saint Paddy and his love of telling children about Jesus using the shamrock!

Not too sure about the green pancakes...

Addie offering to show me hers, but not share

Alden gives his official stamp (or should I say shove?) of approval

Addie playing her early Easter present a Leapster- the point of the picture- her green shirt- so cute!

Alden wearing his shirt- Mommy's Little Pot of Gold. A little cheesy, but what do you expect for .99?!

Addie and Lexi Bear enjoying the swings- they are both cold- see the hoods are up on both?

Mr. Cool

Having fun on the slides

Mr. I Have No Fear....

My Ever Creative Children

My kids have been exceptionally "creative" lately....

Building a nest between the bookshelf, the desk, the wall, and the chair- complete with pillows, milk cups, cozy blanket and toys.

Reading up on building codes...

Serious about hammering at the Lowes Kid Build- and she meant business!!

Alden preferred to use the hammer as a chew toy...

Headband as a belt


Peanut Butter sandwich as a crown/hat- does he look proud of himself. I did learn that if you want super shiny hair, coat a little peanut butter on it!


Combing Kierke's hair- what a good dog!

"Rowing" his duster while sitting in the emptied toy tub

Addie takes it up a notch- "wearing" Mr. Potato-Head green smile while rowing in her toy tub.