Yee Haw

update.......

Friday before Valentine's Day, Gracie didn't have school which was nice. All 3 of the girls accompanied me to Super Wal Mart that morning to get groceries. I rarely shop at WM anymore for groceries, but this one is a fairly new one and quite nice-for now anyway, so we checked it out. It's nice when Gracie goes with us because she pushes Ellie in the stroller and then I push Katie in the buggy. Makes for more room in the buggy. Of course, when I can go alone it's nice too!
That night, we had our first family dinner at our new dining room table. I even used my wedding china and crystal glasses. Chris was a bit surprised I was allowing the girls to use them, but nothing was broken! I was nervous every time Katie picked up her glass though! We has salmon and mashed potatoes and a good salad with feta cheese, almonds, & cranberries. I also made a heart shaped cake. It kind of fell apart, but it was the thought that counts, right?The next morning, Chris made his usual Saturday morning doughnut run and he & the girls got a few little Valentine's Day goodies. He had sent me a dozen red roses earlier in the week! We went out on a real date that night and left the girls with a real babysitter! Not the norm for us, but everyone did great and we had a good time and look forward to having this girl babysit for us more.
Gracie & Chris were both off for Presidents' Day, so we made a trip to the Houston zoo. It happened to be one of their free days which was great because it saved us about $25-30! We had a good time at the zoo, although we had a flat tire once we were there and Chris got to change it in the parking lot. Then we got to go get 2 new tires. Fun, fun.Of course, after 1 thing happens with our cars, it snowballs. Chris's car ended up having to get a new transmission about a week later. :( It is a hybrid Honda which apparently makes the parts more expensive. *sniff sniff* Thankfully, our tax refund is going to cover it, but it sure does hurt to use the money for that. However, I am very THANKFUL that we will have the money to cover it. A true blessing when needed!


Last weekend, we enjoyed going to a carnival at Gracie's school and then went to church to enjoy watching "Fireproof." They had babysitting for the kids which was nice. We had already seen the movie once but enjoyed watching it again. Saturday night we had some friends from church over which was a lot of fun.


Monday was "Go Texas Day" at Katie's preschool. She was excited to wear her daddy's cowboy hat and have a petting zoo. She even got to ride a pony. She looked so cute! Ellie got to enjoy it too, but she didn't have a cowboy hat.

Tuesday, the 24th, was Ellie's 8 month birthday! It's so hard to believe she's already that old! She isn't crawling yet but is really close. She's starting to eat more table food. She's had mashed potatoes, green beans, pancake, cottage cheese, macaroni & cheese, banana. She still spits up a lot. I've gotten past not wanting to cover up cute outfits with a bib. Having her wear a bib is better than having to change the cute outfit as soon as I put it on! She poops a lot! She is soooo much fun. We have to watch her because she rolls all over the place and gets into stuff these days-not as much as when she'll start crawling but still-the other day, I found her with a Sharpie marker in her hand! Thursday was 'awards day' for Gracie for the last 6 weeks. She did well again-all A's. We are proud of her!Next week, she takes the Reading TAKS. Anyone with a child 3rd grade or older in a Texas public school knows what that means! I know she'll do well and am not too concerned. My main thing has been telling her to pay attention and not skip any and pay attention to what the question is really asking.


I bought a new mattress, box springs, frame, & headboard for Gracie's room yesterday. It should be delivered tomorrow. I'm excited to get it. It's a full size which will be nice for when we have company. Also, Gracie's current bed is old-my dad slept in it and then I slept in it, and it's seen better days. I'm afraid to let anyone sit on it, and anytime we barely pull it away from the wall, it collapses. It will be nice for her to have a more stable bed.


This afternoon, I had Katie go upstairs for her usual "rest time" (which really translates to quiet time for me!) I noticed it had gotten really quiet and found that she was in her bed sleeping which was a bit odd. I didn't think too much of it. I went to wake her up when it was time to get Gracie from school. She asked to ride her bike which was fine. She rode it like normal, but once we got to the park, she kept laying on me instead of playing as usual. I felt her head, and it felt warm. She let me hold her and just generally acted like she didn't feel well. Once we got home, she really felt warm, so I took her temperature and it was around 101-102. She was also acting kind of lethargic and puny.


Once Chris got home, he wanted to take her to the doctor because if she had the flu, he wanted to get her on the medicine-and hopefully the rest of us too so we wouldn't get it. (Lots of people around here have had the flu.) Of course, her regular doctor had closed 5 minutes earlier, so we decided he would take her to an urgent care place. She wanted me to take her, so I got ready to go. When we got there, she wanted me to hold her which was hard because of course I had a million things to fill out. I finally got to hold her and she just could not get comfortable. Finally, it became evident that she was about to throw up!


I called out to the people behind the desk to see if they had a bucket or anything and this 'interesting looking' man who was standing there indicated that we could use the trashcan! Well, I didn't really want her leaning her head into the trashcan at the urgent care place. Just seemed too 'germy!' They handed out a bucket (which the interesting looking man handed me) and she proceeded to throw up and scream all at the same time! Poor thing. She HATES to throw up (who doesn't?!) but she just kept screaming & screaming! A nurse came out with a washcloth (not wet though-who uses a dry washcloth when throwing up?!) and asked how long she had been like this. I told her that she'd just started with fever this afternoon and this was the first time to throw up. She suggested I take her to the ER, but then she took her temp and it was only 101, so she (the nurse) calmed down.


Poor Katie threw up quite a bit and was scared to let go of the bucket. I finally convinced her that we could set the bucket next to us and we'd pick it back up if we needed it. (They had given us a 2nd one, so the 1st one wasn't there thank goodness! *shudder*) We got called back. Her temp. was now just 100 something. She was still acting puny and wanted me to hold her. The doctor finally came in and she had an ear infection! He said it was about 50% infected-had just begun to be infected. I was surprised that she would throw up with an ear infection, but he said the fever can upset their stomach. He also said that if they seem fine, go to sleep and wake up with fever, that I guess it can mean an infection. Anyway, as soon as he left the room to get the prescriptions, she was acting silly again! I had given her Tylenol before we'd gone, so I guess that combined with throwing up had helped perk her up.


He indicated that tonight would have been a hard night if we hadn't found out about the ear infection b/c she would have been in pain (she still said her ear didn't hurt) and also indicated that it could still be a hard night, so he gave us some Tylenol with codeine for her to take. I think we'll hold off on that unless she acts like she really needs it. She hasn't complained of any pain but just now told me that she thinks she's going to throw up again. It feels like her fever has come back, so she's probably starting to feel puny again. Hopefully, she's going to get all better soon since we got the medicine started so quickly. I've already given her one dose of her antibiotic and just gave her a dose of regular Tylenol. I hesitate to give her the one with codeine unless she's really in pain.


We were supposed to have company tomorrow morning. We'd had it planned for over a month, but we decided to play it safe and not let her girls be around Katie just in case it was something more than just an ear infection. Disappointing. We also have plans tomorrow night with some people from church, so I guess we'll just see how she does tomorrow during the day. Chris went to play basketball with some guys from church tonight. I was supposed to hang out with some of the wives, but alas that plan changed as well since I stayed home.


Chris is still staying busy with his job. My job is keeping me a bit busier than I expected, but I'm hoping to get into more of a routine with it soon. I'm having problems with the computer connection b/w work & home which is making things frustrating & difficult, but hopefully all of those problems will soon be resolved.


We look forward to going to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo next week! Yee-haw!

Our life the past couple weeks

The last couple of weeks have flown past, yet crawled by slowly at the same time. I've started my part time job, and for the most part, I think it's really going to work out well. I sure did love getting a paycheck. It's been a long time since that's happened! Less than a week left of going in everyday and then I'll switch to only going into the office ONE DAY A WEEK for 4 1/2 hours. The rest of the work I'll be able to do at home with my babies with me. Yea! It's been a bit tough going in everyday because that is so far removed from what our days are usually like and not what I want for me or my children, but that part is SOON over. Thankfully.


Everyone in the office has been nice and helped me learn what I need to know to do the work. No one has made me feel the least bit stupid for asking questions. It's been nice getting to know & work with new people, but I'll be really happy to be working mainly from home. Such a blessing for our family really!Last weekend my parents were in town because Dad had a conference here in Houston, so of course Mom tagged along! Tonight we ate with friends and enjoyed playing Wii music. Gracie went home with one of her little girlfriends from church to spend the night-her first Houston sleepover. I know she'll have a great time! We'll pick her up tomorrow morning around 11 and head to lunch with one of Chris's cousins who happens to be in town for the weekend.


Here are updates on my family:

Chris-
*He still likes his job but is really, really busy. This is actually a good thing I think because it seems to ensure job security in this day & age of people losing jobs right & left! We are still blessed that he is home typically by at least 6:00 each evening and off on the weekends and usually every other Friday. I'm thankful he enjoys being home with us and makes it a priority!
*He was like a little boy on Christmas morning last weekend when he finally got his big, new t.v.! He has been wanting one for so long, but in our effort to not buy things until we can pay for them, he has had to wait. He was happy (and I was proud) when he received a nice bonus at work, so off to Best Buy he went! I have to admit, Playhouse Disney looks pretty good on a 42" LCD television!
*He is starting to lead singing some at church. He did this a lot in Aiken but has taken his time getting into it here. They have quite a few 'regulars,' but he has led once on Sunday night and is on the schedule for some of the upcoming months. I think he's a bit nervous about leading on a Sunday morning in front of 600+ people!
*He continues to be a great daddy (Katie's hero actually!) and a wonderful husband of course. He works hard for us, and we appreciate & love him!

Gracie-
*Wow, she is changing. She is really turning into a 'big girl'-or so she thinks anyway. ;) She doesn't want princess or Strawberry Shortcake Valentine cards this year. I don't know that I would necessarily expect her to want that theme anymore, but it was just weird to hear her say it. Just another sign of growing up.
*She wants to be more independent and is really quite independent while always seeming to watch the limits-at least for the most part. Here's a funny story: at school, they had this program come called "Ned." I can't remember what it stood for, but something about not giving up and encouraging one another, etc. I guess there was something about a yo-yo involved with the program. I saw in one of the newsletters something about there still being time to order yo-yo's. I didn't think much of it and Gracie never once said anything about wanting to order a yo-yo. Well, today one of her friends brought her a yo-yo so she wouldn't feel left out. I guess there is an area of the playground where during recess the kids go to play with their yo-yo's. I guess this friend felt bad for Gracie not having one, so she brought her one. Chris & I both thought it was funny yet very characteristic of Gracie that she had never even mentioned feeling left out. Things like that just don't really seem to bother her. She walks to the beat of her own drum most of the time and is thrilled to have a friend to play with but will also be okay if left to her self for a time. On Wednesday nights lately, her class has been probably around 12-15 3rd-5th grade boys and then Gracie & 1 other little girl. I would think she would be intimidated in a situation like this. I would expect her to worry out loud about whether or not her friend was going to be there with her. However, she's not worried about it all. Sure, I think she wants her friend to be there and is glad when she is, but it's not something she worries about.
*She has been working on her multiplication facts and is not very happy about it! She loves reading & all those sorts of language arts activities, but math is not her thing. She does fine with it, but these multiplications facts are giving her a bit of trouble. Most of them she can eventually figure out; it's the speed she really needs to work on. The MEMORIZATION part-so she doesn't have to think about each problem.
*She came home with a progress report this week and had a B in Science. Hopefully she'll pull it up before report cards come out. Chris reviewed one of her papers that she'd had trouble with-ecosystems & habitats, etc. She had a test yesterday and said she felt like she did well. I have a feeling that she probably doesn't have as many grades in Science as she would in other subjects and since she kinda goofed on that 1 paper, it brought down the overall grade. I hope she brings it up to an A, but I refuse to stress her out over it. I feel like it's truly something she didn't understand and not a 'silly' mistake, so hopefully Chris reviewing the concept with her will help.
*Chris & I are trying to figure out how to handle some of her attitude. She is getting a bit sassy with us (8 going on 15!), but she's also demonstrating it some with other people-even other kids. I think maybe she thinks she's being funny, but it just comes out so rude. We've talked to her about it, but I think we're going to have to address it more directly. She really is a sweet girl who wants to do the right thing, so I hate to see her acting some of the ways she's acting.
*She continues to be such a sweet biggest sister to Ellie! She's such a help, too!
*She has started LTC practice. We're really excited to be participating in this for the first time. She is doing Bible Bowl, drama, & children's book. Bible Bowl is over the book of John, so they have started some pretty in depth reading & question answering in preparation for the event which will be Easter weekend in Dallas. We look forward to going to the event which we hear is lots of fun. We're planning to stay with Chris's brother's family Saturday night and spending Easter with them, so that will be fun that weekend too!
*She is such a blend of me & Chris, it's funny.
*She really is such an amazing daughter whom we love dearly and are so proud of!


Katie-*This girl is something else! She's awesome! She is hilarious-so full of drama & intense feeling. So funny! Seriously, if something undesirable happens-like the stool is missing from the bathroom and she needs it to brush her teeth....watch out! The waterworks start and the lengthy explanation of why she's upset. It's so funny. She was sad when Gracie left for her sleepover-"Gracie's gone!" (said in a wailing tone) So dramatic! She often says things about wanting her 'whole family' to be together forever-things like that. She definitely has some separation anxiety & is clingy at times.
*She is very into 'inventions.' She will take 15 big & little toys and put them together in a way that makes perfect sense to her and it will be an invention. She will tell you exactly in what order you have to do what with each toy and what it will "make"-play doh, water, milk, etc. She has also started drawing out some inventions in her notebook before she makes them. I tell you-this girl is SMART! She has great problem solving & critical thinking skills. I love it! Her humor is very sharp too which I think is great and shows intelligence. (I'm just a bit proud.)
*She is starting to turn into a bit of a perfectionist. She wants certain things to be 'just so.' She cleaned her room today without being asked to-and did a really good job.
*She is a pro at riding her bike with no training wheels which still amazes me! She likes to choose something to ride when we go get Gracie from school-her bike, the scooter, the tricycle, or her Big Wheel bike. The weather has been really nice in the afternoons, so it's made for nice walks to school.*She loves going to preschool now and is very diligent about emptying her lunchbox when she gets home and loves sitting down to practice writing her name for her 'homework.'


Ellie-*My sweet baby girl is just precious! She has 2 teeth which are so cute. She is sitting up really well and really enjoys her exersaucer.
*She is getting more variety in her baby food and loves her little meltaway snacks. She loves sitting in her booster seat at the table while we eat dinner.
*She smiles & smiles and it just warms my heart! I love to hear her laugh.*She is on the go! She isn't crawling, but she will roll & roll-so much so that I don't feel comfortable leaving her in a room alone for very long if she's not contained! We have low windowsills in the family room, and she has rolled over to them and tried to pull up and has started playing with the blinds! Here we go!!!!!!!!! She also made me feel bad for not vacuuming the other day when she started putting things in her mouth that she picked up off the floor. UGH!


Me
*I'm adjusting to having a job responsibility outside of our home, but as I said above, I think it's going to work out well.
*We are having dining room furniture delivered tomorrow! Yea!!!!!! Table & chairs only-a cabinet will have to come later.
*I am loving my babies (all 3 of them!) No matter how big they get-or think they are-they'll always be my babies. I think having to go into the office so much lately has really made me appreciate when I'm "just home" with them. It's like taking a deep breath and being so thankful that Chris works hard so I'm able to stay home with them! Such a blessing! Finding a job where I can make some money and only be away from them for 4 1/2 hours (maybe a little more this summer b/c of commute time) ONCE a week....wonderful! What are the odds of finding an opportunity like this? Such a blessing!
*I'm loving my husband!