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!!

Hodge Podge

I've been slacking in the posting department and I need to get caught up! Rewind back to St. Patty's Day and Kellan's official birthday celebration. We got him a little St. Patrick's Day cupcake to enjoy (which he later threw up when Marlon was pushing him on the swing after dinner!).
Turning one doesn't necessarily make you smarter, but it definitely makes you more curious! Kellan has enjoyed checking out what he can find in the trash can, and he also was caught eating a piece of the dog's food the same day. Gotta keep my eye on that boy!

Also, the day before Kellan's birthday Alex FINALLY had her cavities filled! I had a sleepless night before taking her and I was so stressed out, but we all survived. The dentist was able to get everything done that needed to be done (although they did tell me she was a bit difficult at first--her, difficult??!! I just can't imagine). She was sedated but awake, and I guess she was still alert enough to know that the drill was nearby! When she came out, she looked at me and in her groggy voice said "They shot me in both legs" (she got her IV in her thighs) so I guess she was somewhat aware of what was happening. She was pretty out of it and cranky--I got a glimpse of what she may be like as a pre-teen (SCARY!) She was moody, wanted to do everything herself, flipped emotions at the drop of a hat--it was like walking on eggshells around her for the first few hours afterwards, but the most important thing was that she made it through, and she hopefully isn't completely scarred for future dentist trips. I have already started telling her that she will be going back again for a cleaning, but that it will not involve the drill and the needles.

The weekend of the 20th we made a trip to State College for the weekend to hang out with our old friends and neighbors. It was great to see everyone there--Alex loves visiting with her friends, particularly since most of our friends have boys so she doesn't get to play with girls her age much outside of school. She was in heaven!! She's already talking about needing to go back there to visit the girls on our next "stay home day" (Saturday). We spent a good bit of time on campus visiting the HUB aquarium, hanging out on the Old Main lawn, eating at Baby's, hitting up the new Dunkin Donuts downtown (more than once!).

The girls on the steps of Old Main

Playing Red Light, Green Light

Enjoying a soft grassy spot to walk around on

My next post will be about our weekend visit from my dear friend Heidi and her 2 little boys!

Pray for Baby Stellan

I have so much to post on what we've been up to the past few weeks, but I have yet to get the motivation to organize my thoughts. In the meantime, please pray for baby Stellan--I've posted about MckMama before and her miracle baby--Stellan is now in the hospital with serious heart issues. Please pray!

Kellan is 1 year old!

Happy St. Patrick's Day all! My little guy is one today!



We had a party for Kellan this past weekend and we were fortunate enough to have almost all of our family there (we missed you Uncle Jonny, Nay Nay, Nolan, and Mia!). Kellan enjoyed himself and enjoyed trying some yummy cake for the first time!

Cousin Kaylee and Cousin Carter

Enjoying my ride-on toy from Ehren and Bryan

This cake thing looks like fun...

Check me out! This turning one thing is pretty cool!

At one, Kellan:

-can walk pretty well (with the occasional tumble when he gets off balance!) He now walks most of the time and only crawls every now and then.

-loves to play with balls and cars. He loves pushing balls around the kitchen (where they roll really nicely), and he can roll a ball back and forth and even isn't too bad at throwing the ball either.

-is a snuggler at times (so unlike his big sister!). He loves to bury his head in your lap, and he even can be seen crawling across the floor with his head to the ground--not sure what he's doing but he seems to enjoy himself! He also sometimes squeezes his eyes shut and gives a big cheesy grin when walking-cute, but a little dangerous!

-he can say things like dada and mama, and babbles a lot of nonsense. He can say things like "uh oh" when he drops something, and he also makes the panting dog sound with the tongue out.

-he is still a great eater. He has taken to milk pretty well (BYE BYE FORMULA!!) and he enjoys eating "big people food"...waffles, pancakes, veggies, fruit, the works.

-he is pretty inconsistent with napping but takes at least one nap a day, sometimes two. He sleeps very well at night thought--usually from about 7:30 until 7:00.

-he loves to "play" with the dog-following her, stealing her toys, throwing her squeaky shoe and balls for her, bothering her while she's trying to eat.

-he loves his big sister and enjoys watching her play!

He is truly a sweet boy and we've loved watching him grow this past year. We look forward to seeing what the second year holds!

Chocolate Mug Cake

I found this recipe online today and although I haven't made it yet, I plan to make it very soon! I thought I'd share it with you all-let me know if you make it how it turns out.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little,and tip out onto a plate if desired. YUM!

From chocolate cake...to the dentist. Monday is Alex's big appointment to get her cavities filled, teeth sealed, etc. I'm wondering what the point of dental insurance is, because our bill for this visit is going to be BIG. Like $2000+ big. Why have dental insurance if doesn't cover some of the treatments and only covers part of the other ones??? We are extremely frustrated with the cost of this, but don't know how we should pick and choose what we should have the dentist do because I can only imagine we would regret it later if she continues to have problems down the road. Does she need to have her teeth sealed at the age of 3 1/2? I don't know, but the dentist seems to say so. Does she need a stainless steel crown on her really bad cavity? I don't know, but again the dentist says that is the best option. All we can think is that we want to do what's best for her teeth, and hopefully prevent her from having to go through this again. So if this is what it takes...we'll just say 'bye bye' to our tax return this year.