A trip to the Emergency room

Audrey had her first trip to the emergency room yesterday.
After her fever spiked to 104.9, she became stoic and unresponsive for 5 minutes.
Jim and I rushed to the hospital with his lights and sirens signaling and we made our way into the emergency room, where Audrey was assisted by 5 wonderful nurses who made her their first concern.
After a bout of blueness around the lips and eyes, she began to shake and shiver, as she faught off the temperature break.
Her skin became purplish with pink spots and it took 30 minutes to stabilize her and calm her.
Then, we sat through a few attempts at collecting blood ( chubby babies don't have visible veins)which eventually led to a heel stick and finger stick to collect the blood.
Our visit also included a chest xray and a urinalysis.
All forms of illness were ruled out, including rsv, swine flu, etc...
It turns out that Audrey has a viral infection that first displayed itself as pink eye and have coursed though other places in her body: her ears and throat.
She is taking Amoxycillin, and alternating tylenol and motrin, as well as continuing on her pink eye drops.
What a horrifying experience!
We are so blessed that Val came to the hospital to bring us food and then she headed to our house to let out Molli and also grab Tylenol for Audrey.
Even in the craziness, it is easy to find the blessings.
We are contining to monitor Audreys temperature and hope that her nose and chest clears of the congestion.

I am trusting God that she will never have to go back.

Being Sick...stinks!

In the last 2 months, we have had the stomach bug, first cold, and now PINK EYE! Ugh!
with this dreaded illness comes a 104 fever. Being sick just stinks!

I have camped out in the spare bedroom with Audrey over the course of her illnesses.

There is nothing worse than the helpless feeling you have when your kid is sick. I find myself checking her temperature every few minutes.

Her cheeks are rosy red and her little eyes are watery.
Still, she maintains her trooper attitude most of the time, smiling through her runny nose and in between her naps on the couch.

She doesn't really like the nose suctioning or the eye drops.
The tools of my mommy trade.

all this and her two top teeth are poking through and aggravating the already yucky situation.

If only I could click my heels and make her well.

Family Picnic

We decided to head out again to Children's Lake to enjoy a family picnic, with Molli in tow.
I packed Peanut Butter and Jelly, chips, fruit and drinks.
Daddy and I enjoyed our dinner. You and Molli took in the fresh air and other people at the park.
We had a wonderful time1
It is days like this that remind me how lucky I am to have the blessing of you and your daddy.

Hello Spring...we're so glad to see you!

Dear Audrey:

The weather outside is no longer frightful....and spending time outside with you has been DELIGHTFUL!

We went for a wagon ride/walk at Children's Lake.
I brought some stale rolls to feed to the ducks.
We sat on a blanket and laughed and giggled and enjoyed some time....just you and I.

I think that the ducks were full, because they didnt seem to want to eat our rolls.
I did manage to get some great pictures of you.

You are my sunshine!

Love,

Mommy

Goin' to School...and coming home

After much research, a few interviews and 2 daycare visits, we found what I believe is the next best thing to staying at home with mommy....for now.
Since I started "working" as a contractor for Campus Door, I need a few hours a day to work without interruption each day.
I chose KinderCare. It is exactly 6 minutes from our house.
Audrey has really bloomed there in her first week.
She is in a class with 4 other babies, sometimes more.
Her teacher's name is Miss Beth and the helper iS Drenda Kate.
When I pick her up each day, it seems that she has really enjoyed herself.
Yesterday, she painted 4 leaf clovers with her hands and feet.
Beth had to give her a bath because Audrey got a little too crazy with the paint.
When I arrived, they had pictures for me to enjoy. Seems so small perhaps, but those pictures, that gesture matters.
It matters to me that I get a note everyday that says what Audrey did, how long she napped, if she pooped. It is the next best thing to being there.

And, at 2 pm, when it is time to pick her up, the rest of my day is all hers.
Today, we went right to the park. We swang on the swings. We made a loop around the fields and enjoyed the sunshine. Then, we came home and took a tour of the neighborhood in the new wagon with Molli in tow.
The nights seem to go fast. By 7 pm, Audrey is ready for a bath and to unwind.

You know; when we walk, I take in the shadows of her little hands swinging around as I push her in her stroller. I study the smiles that she gives when she realizes that I am watching her from across the room, I trace her face with my finger while she sleeps.

When my mom says that Audrey doesn't look like Jim and that she looks like me, I wonder if it is because she is reminded of the outline of my face when she traces my little girls cheeks as she falls fast asleep.

You really never get to go back and do it again.

Hitchin a ride

Months ago, I decided to buy Audrey her first wagon.

I did a lot of research to find the right one for her.

I finally decided on the Little Tikes convertible wagon. It has all the bells and whistles; cup holders, a side that folds over and makes the wagon into a bench, lots of storage.

I think it is a perfect "tool" for trips to the park, walks around the neighborhood, maybe a visit to the zoo.

Yesterday, Jim spent a few hours putting Audrey's new wagon together.


Then, we bundled her up and plopped her in...and away we went around the block.
She loved it!

Today, we went on a walk together as a family. Molli ran alongside of us on her leash.But, for the last half of the ride, Molli hopped in with her little sister and rode along.

I hope that this newly budding friendship stays in tact.



We cant wait for more springtime fun and lots more wagon rides.

Tutu Cute!

Dear Audrey:

As you grow older, you have become accustomed to mommy's occasional impromptu photo shoots. This weekend Gammie, Pop, Aunt Robin and I dressed you up in a tutu and threw strands of pearls on you and began taking some shots.



You didn't mind it much at all...in fact, we decided you liked the feel of the pearls between your tiny little toes. You are such a princess! Gram did make you a little angry, so I have posted the outake:



Hannah also wanted to get in on the pictures. She loves to give you kisses.


Pop also thought it would be funny to throw his hunting hat on you. You sorta looked like a trendy superstar.

You had your 6 month appointment last week. You are 27 1/2 inches long and 19 lbs 12 ounces. You are one big LITTLE lady! The Doctor says you are right on track. We are thanking God so much for your good health and good personality! You are laughing so much. Giggles fill the walls of our house. It is hard not to laugh with you. You think Mommy is funny when I dance around the house. You roll around in your walker and like to look out the window or watch Maya at the basement door. You like to watch the fishies in the aquarium that Gram bought you. I like to watch your eyes explore the world around you.

Soon, I will be going back to work. A year ago, I would have never thought that I would want to stay at home with a baby. i thought for sure I would always have that pang to be a corporate woman..that was before I met you. I could spend every hour of the rest of my life just soaking in your face.

I am so grateful that I can work from home and at least enjoy the largest portion of your life.

Now, it comes down to finding the right person or people to care for you.
That is a hard task for my heart. I am placing it all in Gods hands...he will put us in the right spot or put the right people in our path.

Loving you with all of my heart,

Mommy