Alex's 4th Birthday

Better late than never, last week my (not so) little girl turned 4! We celebrated Alex's 4th birthday last week while in Philadelphia. She was able to celebrate at a party with all of her grandparents, aunts, uncles (with the exception of our brother-in-law Jon), and cousins, in addition to some family friends from back east. Unfortunately Marlon was unable to be there as he was recruiting in FL, but he made it back home in time for her actual birthday.

The day of her birthday, we (along with my mom and SIL Renee) took Alex, Kellan, and my niece (Mia) and nephew (Nolan) to Giggleberry Fair--a place Alex loves to visit, particularly because of their carousel that she enjoys going on over and over and over!

In addition to the birthday festivities, throughout the time we were in Philly Alex was able to spend a lot of quality time with her "best cousin Nolan", as she now calls him.
It is so cute watching them play together, and watching their bond grow as they get older. Nolan introduced her to the movie "Wall-E", which they watched numerous times over the course of the week. They took "tractor rides" with my dad on the riding lawn mower, played outside, and just had a ton of fun!

Granddad and Alex (driving the tractor)

Aunt Renee and Kellan (riding in the wagon on the back of the tractor)

Kellan and cousin Mia on a "dinner date"

Like mother, like son
A note to Alex at age 4:

Alex, you are such a blessing of a little girl. As you get older, I love how you have become my little buddy in everything. You are ALL about all things girl-related. You want to be with the girls, do what the girls do. Your favorite colors are pink and purple. You are a HUGE mother's helper--to the point that you often feel you can and should be able to do everything yourself. You like to help in the kitchen, help with gardening, yard work, cleaning, laundry...you name it, you want to help me do it. (tonight you wanted to help me cut Kellan's hair...but I have to draw the line somewhere!) Your favorite thing is probably coming along to help me shop at Walmart! You never turn down a trip to the store with me, no matter where it is. You are a great big sister and very caring and loving towards your brother. You have always been, and still are, a very picky, slow eater. You are rarely hungry when it comes time to eat and you can sit at the table FOREVER while you pick at your food, talk, and find ways to stall. You have just finished taking your first dance and gymnastics classes, and you loved both of them (but you still can't wait to be old enough to play soccer!). You have slowly started to become a snuggler for the first time in your life, and I must say I enjoy it! I think you slept in my bed (all night) for the very first time last week when we were in Philly and daddy was away--it was so cute to have you snuggled up next to me! You are extremely independent and very social. You are also very stubborn and can have quite the attitude if you don't like what you're hearing. (it already seems as if you think that turning 4 means you have reached adulthood....not quite yet!). You spontaneously will tell us you love us and give us hugs, which your dad and I love! We love you Alex--Happy birthday!

Long overdue--Kellan's hospital visit

I have been remiss in posting yet again because life has continued to run full speed ahead for the past 3 weeks, but I really want to try and get caught up from a journaling standpoint so I have memories of everything that has happened since I last wrote. I will probably post in a few different posts, otherwise this could turn into the world's longest post!

Let's see...first off, Kellan got to enjoy a 3 night hospital stay shortly after I last posted, although most of you already are aware of that! He went into the hospital on Tuesday, the 12th, after I took him to Urgent Care that evening because he really seemed to be wheezing and having difficulty breathing. It scared me a bit and of course Marlon was out of town (on a plane to be specific), so I had to make the judgment call on my own, and I am ever so glad I did! Marlon's boss came and kindly took Alex home to her house (she has 2 young girls) so I didn't have to worry about her, and I was able to focus on taking care of my little boy! They did a chest x-ray (his 2nd one in 3 weeks) and was still running a fever, and they recommended admitting him to the hospital. I took him directly there and got us all checked in--my little guy didn't feel well and he was exhausted. He got hooked up to an IV for fluids and they got him started on 2 antibiotics that evening--they were pretty sure he had bacterial pneumonia...a pretty mild case but enough that he had been fighting it for weeks and the first round of antibiotics he'd been on hadn't fixed it, so whatever it was, it was stubborn! Marlon got back into town that night around 10:30pm, got Alex, went home and picked up some overnight items for me, came back to the hospital around 11:45 (with Alex in tow), then headed back home a little after midnight. Thankfully the hospital didn't have any restrictions on visitors in the wing we were in, so Alex was able to come in and visit with Kellan too. She was such a trooper and didn't complain at all about missing her dance class that evening, going to the house of someone she didn't know very well, or being out REALLY late.

Over the course of Wednesday and Thursday, Kellan still had a fever off and on, but he did end up testing positive for strep pneumonia (bacterial), so the antibiotics he was on were the best option for him. The doctors also think at some point over the 3+ weeks that he was sick he also caught a good old cold virus that just made him feel extra yucky and sick, and since the virus just had to run its course we just had to wait and make sure the antibiotics would eventually help him turn the corner. They didn't want to release him until he was fever free for 24 hours (and I definitely did NOT want to take him home and risk having to bring him back there again!), so by the time Friday rolled around, he was fever free and seemed to have turned the corner, so I was ready to get him out of there! He was getting pretty antsy by that point, too. I had brought his little plush soccer ball there for him to play with, and he just wanted to wander up and down the hallways kicking his little ball--the nurses were all very impressed with his soccer skills!! He was a very good patient--despite the fact that his arm was completely wrapped and splinted to protect his IV--fortunately after the first night we agreed that he did not need to be on the IV fluids anymore since he was still eating and drinking normally, so he was not connected to anything during the day but just got hooked up to the meds every night for about an hour and a half while they were administered. He didn't enjoy sitting still for that long, but by that time of night he was pretty tired so he would eventually sit still and let me hold him (which I needed to do to keep his arm held straight because he kept bending it and kinking up the IV line). He definitely did not enjoy being awakened every 4 hours to have his vitals checked (he particularly was not a fan of having his rectal temperature taken, but somehow by the last day he managed to sleep through the overnight ones!). He was also getting nebulizer breathing treatments every 4-6 hours around the clock to break up the "junk" in his lungs. It took the entire time we were there for the resp. therapists to finally start saying he was beginning to sound better, but they finally felt he was beginning to loosen up (although they said it could still take weeks for it to clear out completely).

I unfortunately did not take my camera there to capture some photos of my cute little guy in his hospital gown, hanging out in his crib "jail" that he was stuck in. I took one on my cell phone but have no idea how to get it over onto the computer. He enjoyed taking wagon rides around the halls, drinking more juice than he'd ever had in his life (keeping him hydrated was important and they didn't want him to have milk, so he got all the juice he wanted!), and snuggling with me and his little lovey. Marlon came to visit each day to give me a break to go home and shower, or nap, or pick up Alex from school, which was a huge blessing! He seems to be doing much better now. On our follow up visit to the dr. the week after he was discharged, she recommended he be seen by and ENT and an allergist to determine if there is anything else that caused him to sound so congested. He has always been a loud, snorty breather and she is just wondering if something relating to his sinuses or allergies may have made him sound or feel worse than just having pneumonia. We haven't had those appts. yet so we will see what they reveal, if anything.

For now we just want the kid to stay healthy for a while!! Unfortunately today he woke up with a yucky, goop filled eye that is a little swollen and red, so it's looking like he now has pink eye! Poor kid can't catch a break. It got worse throughout the day and is just oozing greenish yellow stuff....fortunately we had filled a prescription a few months ago for antibiotic eye drops for Alex when we thought she had pink eye (but she didn't) so they had never been opened and were still good, so we started him on those right away today. Hopefully that will help clear his eye up--I just can't bare the thought of taking him back to the doctor yet again--he's been probably somewhere close to 10+ times in the past month...not sure how much more my insurance will allow :)

I think that's Kellan's hospital stay in a nutshell. Next up, details on Alex's birthday and a surprise trip to Vegas with my thoughtful husband!

Recital, Mothers Day and Sickness Round 2!

Alex's first dance recital was a success! Her brief 3-4 minute piece went off without much of a hitch (all 5 girls actively participated and no one cried!). They were the first performance and then we got to hang around for a bit watching the older girls perform (we also got to watch their rehearsals and Alex really enjoyed watching the real ballet dancers!). Since they were the first performance, the red curtain opened up to them standing on the stage (see below), then all the lights came on. (Alex thought that was cool). She looked all around then leaned over to get her friend Layla's attention to point out the blue lights behind her. They got to dance with their babies, which was cute. Like I said, it was short but sweet!! Marlon and Kellan even arrived just in time for her performance, then left right when it ended. Marlon may not admit it but I think he enjoyed watching her up there on stage! I took video of the dance but don't know how to upload--maybe I'll try to figure it out later....but for now pictures will have to do!

Mia (new friend from class), Alex, and Layla (good school friend who is also in dance class)

Alex and Layla getting ready to put their babies down to sleep

Happy girl (pre-recital)--a little out of order

I had a nice relaxing mother's day complete with flowers from the kids and Marlon, a good afternoon nap, and a dinner hosted by the neighbors for some of the neighborhood moms (and families)--great food and fun! Unfortunately Kellan woke up yesterday with yet another fever and a yucky cough. He was pretty out of it most of the day (he took over a 4 hour nap), but did enjoy himself at our neighbors' house for the evening. His fever continued this morning so back to the doctor we went this afternoon! We're back on another round of medicine--an antibiotic, a steroid, and the breathing treatments again. Still no official diagnosis (although his ear infection still has not cleared up), but this time the doctor said it could be the beginning of croupe. At this point, I don't really care what it is--just give me some medicine that will help make my boy healthy for good!! After getting a strong dose of ibuprofin at the doctor's office a few hours ago he is feeling much better (for the moment at least!). We go back again in 2 days to see how he's doing. Hopefully we can clear this all up before we head to Philly next week!!

i've got nothing (by that I mean NO Title).

Our little guy (seen here with his oh-so-cute breathing treatment mask)...
is finally healthy again! After almost 2 weeks of antibiotics and breathing treatments I think he's finally kicked this thing. We still have to go back to the dr. yet again next week for a final follow-up but I'm hoping this time we're good to go! He's full of energy, running around like crazy, and learning so many new things! He is quite good at dribbling a soccer ball (much better than his sister is even now!). He loves balls and cars--he is a typical boy!
My (not so) little girl, on the other hand, is gearing up for her end of the season dance recital tomorrow (they technically call it an open house but I'm not quite sure what the difference is!). She has LOVED her dance class and it has been so cute to watch her with the other girls. I'm not sure where we go from here as she only has one more class (although if it were up to her daddy, it would be her last! but hey, she didn't meet the cut-off for spring soccer so she'll have to wait until the fall--she can't wait for that either!). Below is a photo from this week's class with her teacher, Miss Liz, and her fellow classmates (her good friend Layla is 2nd from the left). I'll be sure to post some photos from her show tomorrow!

Last night was family night at Alex's school--the theme was "Celebrating America" (thus the red, white and blue in the photos!). Here is Alex and her BFF/closest thing to a boyfriend she should have at this age--Jarrett. Aren't they just too cute??

Kellan also enjoyed family night (when he wasn't screaming)--the big kids kept him entertained (some of the time!).

Alex "fishing" at one of the stations they had set up for the kids

Alex in her Uncle Sam hat

Eating her pretzel rod coated with icing and red/white/blue sprinkles (yum!)

We're gearing up for Alex's 4th birthday in a few weeks, combined with a nice long trip to visit family! We can't wait to see cousins Nolan and Mia who are getting ready to move back to PA from CA! Then a family vacation follows a few weeks later to Ocean City, MD--should be fun!

Changing subjects now, I'm seeking some advice for healthy meals for the kids, particularly Kellan, who is my very good eater. I'm trying to solidify his great eating habits early on (so he doesn't end up like his sister!), and I feel like I'm at a loss for good lunch and dinner meals to serve him. At this age, Alex had already become extremely picky so I didn't have a ton of flexibility. Since Kellan is so different, I'm looking for some ideas...what do you feed your kids for lunch and dinner?

Overload

Hello! Remember me? I used to blog. (haha) I feel like it's been a long time since I blogged--I think I haven't posted anything because I haven't take any new pictures in weeks! I have had a few opportunities but I have just been lazy with remembering the camera. Between babysitting, Alex going to school, Alex having field trips, dance class, gymnastics, enjoying the nice weather, working in the yard, meeting a bunch of new neighbors, hitting up the outlets for some shopping, getting an evening out for dinner with girlfriends, volunteering in the church nursery, numerous doctor's appointments, getting a date night with my husband, I feel like I've been on overload! Not that I'm complaining about any of those things--I actually enjoyed most of them (no one enjoys doctor's appts, right?!). On top of everything, Kellan has been sick now for what seems like weeks, and since Sunday we have made a trip to Urgent Care, dr's appt. on Monday, follow up dr's appt. today (that we showed up for but the doctor was "running late" and wasn't there yet so that was rescheduled until tomorrow). He has a possible mild case of pneumonia (whatever that means), an ear infection, and he is slightly wheezy so he now is doped up on 2 antibiotics and has been getting breathing treatments since yesterday. Our dr's appt. tomorrow is a follow up to see how he is doing with all of the medications and see if there is any improvement. Thankfully, he is in much better spirits (after having a fever all weekend long, that seems to be gone now), and as usual is eating like a champ :) and sleeping well. I look forward to summer when we can hopefully put all of these illnesses behind us!

This weekend looks to be busy as well with our neighborhood yard sale (time to unload some clutter!), work day at Alex's school, working in the nursery again, and hopefully enjoying some more nice weather after this rain moves out. I will try to take some new pictures to share soon!

Easter 09

We had a wonderful family easter weekend and I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures! For starters, Alex and I made some cupcakes (for the Easter Bunny of course!) which we shared with Marlon's co-workers (or I probably would have eaten them all). Alex enjoys decorating them more than she does eating them.

The next crafty project was of course the easter egg dying! We got some strange easter egg dying kit from the dollar store (probably won't ever do that again) but we had fun nonetheless. The kit came with some paints and these spongy things that you're supposed to use to apply the paint (for a sponged effect) but the eggs never fully dried and they were always sticky, even days later. Oh well--no one sees them but us, so who really cares?!

On Sunday after church we continued my family's easter egg hunt tradition (which I grew up doing until I was way too old to still be hunting for easter eggs!). I (or should I say the Easter Bunny) hid plastic eggs around the house and Alex was given a clue as to where to locate the first one. Inside each egg she got a clue to find her next egg, and so on until the final clue directed her to find her easter basket. She LOVED the hunt and was kind enough to hunt for Kellan's basket too :) Marlon helped her read the clues and run from room to room searching for her next egg.

We tried to snap a few pictures although these days it's hard to keep Kellan still long enough to get him in a picture--we gave up on trying to get him to look at the camera, let alone smile! This is why I am still hesitant to take him for professional photos--I think it would be a waste of money!

Daddy and his kids (love his new glasses?! I do!)

Mommy and the kids

Kellan and Alex have really enjoyed playing together recently. Alex runs through the kitchen and dining room and Kellan follows her (probably because she's usually running with one of his toys!) They also have created their own indoor slide. (it's our video rocker flipped upside down-I take no credit for this. It's all Alex!) Kellan enjoyed climbing up and dropping one of his toys or books down then sliding down after it (in this pic, it's his lovey!)

Kellan has also taken an interest in books recently. He rarely sits still for you to read one to him but he likes to look through them on his own. He also likes flipping through mini photo albums.

Visit from an old friend

As mentioned in my previous post, I was so excited to get a visit from Heidi and her 2 boys, Donovan (4) and Killian (2). We hadn't seen each other in a little over 2 years I think (shame on us!) since I moved out here and she moved from NJ to NC. We've always been planning to get together but this is the first time it's actually happened! We enjoyed 3 days with them and loved watching our kids bond--hopefully Alex and Donovan are now at the age where they will remember the time they had together since we don't know when we'll get together again (although I am totally hoping to make a trip down there next!) Her boys are SO sweet and adorable, and I think they had a ton of fun!

The kids at the park

Alex and Donovan playing Mario Kart on the Wii (I think if you asked Donovan what he enjoyed most he would probably say this!)

Heidi and I (taken by one of our kids)-unfortunately we didn't manage to get one of us with all 4 kids....ahh maybe next time!

Friends sharing a hug (I left the kissing one off--a little inappropriate for a public blog!)

Donovan--what a cutie!

Heidi and Killian

Yet another Mario Kart snapshot--this time they're all in their soccer gear

Killian (He totally reminds me of Kellan-I can't wait to see them next to each other as Kellan gets bigger!)

We ventured up to the Children's Museum in Pittsburgh. I think Heidi and I were beat when it was all over but I think the kids had fun--here they are painting.

Just because I don't work at Rita's anymore doesn't mean we don't enjoy eating it! The kids got sundaes on our way back home.

I definitely wish we lived closer together but we will have to continue to make trips on a regular basis--miss you all and love you!!