Under the Big Top

An old-fashioned circus visited our town, complete with striped tent and fairway! It was a first for many in the family: Natalie, Jake, Katie, Wyatt and Lindsay (although Kathy is certain her kids have been before, they just don't remember!). Ashley was bummed there wasn't an elephant, but quickly forgot her disappointment when she realized how close we'd be sitting to the tigers and giant lion. She even won a whirly-gig thing when Jake bought her a bag of peanuts! Even though it was nearly 100 degrees inside the tent, it was still a great evening!

Settling in for the big show
Waiting patiently
Snacking away the time
Best shot I could get with the girls - they were too into the clown act
We were so close to the tigers and lion; it was amazing
I love this picture of Ash and Y-Y completely engrossed by the tigers
Whirly-gig Daddy won me
Firsts for us!
Busting out the snow cones (minus the staining syrup!) to combat the heat
Quick! Get a family pic before Natalie loses it!
Not sure what I love best about this picture - Katie's awesome expression or Lindsay's adorable baby belly?
Hot, hungry and sleepy, but hanging in there...
...but not long enough. Mommy took me outside to the playground for the last 20 minutes of the show

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday morning happenings

Ashley woke up just in time to join Jake doing this...
...but only if she promised to wear her bright-green ear plugs.
I took a few minutes to water my new additions...
...while Natty chowed down her breakfast.
All said, it was a pretty fantastic Saturday morning!

Back into the swing of things

Wow. I sure do have a lot to catch up on. Over the next few days I'm going to be hitting the blog HARD with pictures and stories of the last 4 weeks. So much has happened, and I was there with my camera the entire time.
Love. Laugh. Photograph!

And now just a few pics of me hanging with my 2 favorite crazies.

7-year itch!

Happy 7th anniversary to my crazy, limitless, strong-willed, tenacious and accepting husband! I can't wait to see what this year has is store for us.
XOXOX

Superman

It seems Natalie has figured out how to crawl out, and back in, her crib.
Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig sigh.
It won't be long before she's Superman-ing herself across the room.
Which means it won't be long before she splits something open, breaks something off or rips something loose. And when I say 'something' I am specifically referring to her gnome-like appendages. I suppose it's a good thing we're already on a first-name basis with most of the Emergency Department staff.
So far Natty Kat has taken it easy on me as she saves her shenanigans for others. Yesterday she got herself wedged between the crib and the wall at Kathy and Danny's house. You'd think that'd teach her, but no dice. Some might argue she got a double-dose of bull-headedness from her mommy and daddy.
I'm not so sure I'd agree with those folks.
Or is that just the bull-headed in me talking?
Yeah, that's it.

Keeps coming back like a bad penny

Seems like for the last 8 months we can't keep our girls out of the doctors office, Emergency Department or hospital. We just keep showing back up like a bad penny.

Most everyone already knows about FunkFest 2011 complete with poop, puke, doctors, hospitals and tears. I figured the best way to share our lives is in a time line because, trust me, it gets complicated.

***WARNING*** It's looooong! Since I use the blog as the girl's baby books, I tried to document everything that went down. I won't be offended if you skip most, if not all of this post. But I must admit, it's so crazy, it's comical. I found myself MANY TIMES laughing through the tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks. Believe me. I can't make this stuff up.

And even though I didn't have my trusty camera with me, I still had the camera on my cell phone. I'm never without some sort of photo-taking device! Love. Laugh. Photograph!!

Sunday June 5 - attended a fantastic BBQ and kiddie pool party at our friend's house, where their son is under the weather, but not 'sick'. 10 kiddos running around, eating hotdogs, playing in the pool, on the slides, eating fabulous cake and getting a good dose of vitamin D. 8 adults enjoying the show, eating and drinking beer. A good way to spend a Sunday afternoon. :) After we leave the under-the-weather son pukes all over unsuspecting mommy. Yum.

Tuesday June 7 approx noon - Ashley and Natalie are at Grandma's house and I get a phone call around 1 that Natty has just thrown up her lunch. It happens two more times before I get there at 4, and then 3 more times before I can even get her home. Evening is filled with lots of Spunky puke and tears. Natty Kat and I cuddle on the floor in a huge pile of pillows and blankets and she falls asleep, but wakes up every 20 or so minutes to get sick. Around 1:30 am Jake carries her upstairs and puts her in her bed. I stay awake practically all night long listening for her.

Wednesday June 8 approx 7:30 am - Natalie has stopped puking, but is now running a fever of 101.1. Jake and I are apprehensive to give any Tylenol as we knew her stomach would be tender. We decide to not treat unless it got higher.

Wednesday June 8 approx 10:30 am - I'm at work and get a text from Jake "Guess who just threw up? Ashley." I immediately email the pediatrician to plead for a prescription of Zofran since Ashley has already proven back on May 22 that once she throws up, it just keeps happening. I don't hear anything back (turns out he was on vacay), so around 1 pm I call the Triage Nurse who says if it continues for 3 hours to call back. I call back at 2 and make Ashley an appointment to be seen at 4 as she'd continued to throw up every 15 to 20 minutes.

Wednesday June 8 at 4 pm - Pediatricians Office. Ashley is unhappy, uncomfortable and still throwing up, but has fabulous aim and hits her bucket every single time! Doctor gives her a popsicle, which she immediately vomits back up. Doc orders a urine sample to rule out a urinary tract infection. She also orders an IV bag of fluids. Urine sample comes back negative for an UTI.

Wednesday June 8 approx 4:45 pm - Poor Nurse Cassie is charged with finding a vein in Ashley's arm/hand/wrist/etc. Much like Mommy, Ashley's veins are hard to find on a good day, and impossible to locate when dehydrated. Nurse Cassie calls in a colleague who finds a vein in Ashley's foot (ouch!). Lots of tears ensue, but IV is placed and fluid is flowing, plus a dose of Zofran as vomiting continues. And continues. And continues. The nurses give Ashley a Beanie Baby (named Sunny) for being so brave. Ashley and I watch Sesame Christmas at least 8 times on the portable DVD player I grabbed, last minute, from the car. Good thinking, Mommy! Ashley's foot is held secure by an arm board, preventing her from bending her ankle, which protects the IV line. ***NOTE TO SELF*** A roll of vet wrapped is highly entertaining to Ashley.

Wednesday June 8 approx 6:45 pm - Ashley has perked up and is talking, not vomiting, smiling and interactive. She refuses any liquid or food, but who can blame her? Nurses leave IV line in Ashley's foot per Doc's orders as it's possible "but very VERY highly unlikely! Only a few children need fluids again in the morning!". I'm instructed to keep the clamp on the line to prevent back-flow, which would make the line impossible to use in the "highly unlikely!" event the line would need to be reused. Ashley's foot is wrapped for the night, and she's instructed no walking, no picking, no playing with the wrap or the IV line. Doc asks us to be back Thursday morning before 8 to be checked and have the IV line removed. I'm told "It'll be fairly quick. Children are usually 100% after a bag of fluids!". I'm feeling optimistic ***NOTE TO SELF*** Never again feel optimistic.

Wednesday June 8 at 7 pm - I carry Ashley and Sunny to the car, which is parked on the opposite end of the only doors we could exit from. Fun times. I drive to the pharmacy to pick up the Zofran RX, only to be told they have no indication that an RX was called/faxed/sent in. It's pointless to call the clinic as it's waaaaay past hours, so I drive home (ticked off at the terrible customer service at the pharmacy!) and pray that The Vomit Comet has left the station.

Wednesday June 8 approx 8:30 pm - Ashley changes before my eyes. Color drains, she's slumped over, hardly moving, tired and seems uncomfortable. I assume she's exhausted from her afternoon, and let her sleep. I check the clamp on her IV line 1200 times in the "highly unlikely!" event it'll need to be used again.

Wednesday June 8 at 11 pm - Jake carries Ashley to the bed in the office where she and I will have a sleepover so I can keep my eye on her. Ashley has hardly moved or made a sound for the past 2.5 hours, so when she sits up and yells "I'M GONNA PUKE!" she caught our attention. Ashley vomits and I (first) cuss the pharmacy out for not having the Zofran and (then) remember I have 1/2 a Zofran tablet left over from her Emergency Department visit on May 22. We force the tablet into her mouth, it dissolves and Ashley falls asleep. I lay next to her all.night.long unable to sleep. I check the clamp on her IV line another 1200 times.

Thursday June 9 approx 7 am - Jake wakes up Ashley and she's obviously in worse shape than she was 12 hours prior. She's incredibly lethargic, staring off into space, not communicating and easily agitated. She's still refusing any form of liquid or food. I try to keep optimistic. Ashley cries "I don't want to be poked again!" when told she's going back to the doctor. I tell her "Ashley, I promise you that you will not be poked again." because I had been so adamant about checking the IV line and keeping the clamp down. ***NOTE TO SELF*** Never make promises to a three year old.

Thursday June 9 approx 7:45 am - Back to the docs office. Doc immediately orders another bag of fluid once she walks in and sees Ashley. Nurse Cassie unwraps her foot and congratulates me on keeping the clamp down and the IV line viable. She tries to clean the line and prep it for a new bag and it appears the line has perforated the vein and is not longer viable, which means a new line is needed. All of Ashley's veins in her arms/hands/wrists are impossible to locate, so Nurse Cassie goes on a hunt for backup.

Thursday June 9 approx 8 am - A vein in Ashley's other foot is located and prepped for the IV. Ashley is kicking and screaming "Mommy! I don't want to be poked again!" IV is inserted, foot is wrapped to prevent movement, fluids are pushed, including a dose of Zofran. ***NOTE TO SELF*** It takes 3 adults to hold down an upset, agitated and sick Midget, which makes Mommy feel like a giant, smoldering pile of poo.

Thursday June 9 at 10:30 am - Doctor checks on Ashley's progress and notes she is still completely lethargic, in and out of sleep, refusing any liquid and food and appears even worse than when she came in. Doctor orders a second bag of fluid and says "If she doesn't perk up in an hour, she'll have to be admitted to the hospital for a bag of potassium, dextrose, more Zofran and blood work." I also knew a hospital admit would mean a new IV line, but I shoved that out of my head while I called Jake with an update. I call Mom and Dad who drive to the house to watch Natalie.

Thursday June 9 approx noon - Doctor walks into the exam room, takes 1/2 a glance at Ashley and says "I'm going to get started on getting her admitted across the street (hospital)." My heart immediately sinks, but I square my shoulders and prep for the next phase.

Thursday June 9 approx 2:10 pm - Hospital lobby, waiting to be admitted. Ashley has perked up and I wonder if they'll just send us home since she seems to be alright.

Thursday June 9 approx 2:17 pm - ASHLEY FREAKS OUT while in the lobby at the hospital. She's crying (without making any tears) and screaming "I'm having a bad day! My foot hurts! Take it out! Take it OUT! I'm having a rough day!!! I'm sick! OWWWW! Take it out! It hurts my foot!" Jake and I do what we can to console her, but it's useless. The admitting gal asks us to wait 5 to 10 minutes for our escort. I oblige, albeit begrudgingly. After 4 minutes, we're told we can take ourselves to the room without an escort, if we feel comfortable doing so. Nothing like an Exorcist 3 year old to get people moving, right? ***NOTE TO SELF*** Although I don't accept tantrums, when dealing with an extremely sick 3 year old, it apparently lights a fire under people's rears.

Thursday June 9 approx 2:45 - Jake and I carry Ashley to her room and are immediately bombarded by about 5 nurses. I haven't even finished laying Ash down and Jake says in his best "Don't mess with me" voice "Is someone going to remove that IV from her foot?" and a tech steps forward and starts hunting for veins in Ashley's arm. She locates one and then Operation IV #3 In Less Than 24 Hours begins. Ashley is extremely upset and looking at me with disgust. Her ears are saying "You're supposed to be protecting me, Mommy!" while her mouth is saying "NO! NO! IT HURTS! STOP IT! I DON'T WANT TO BE POKED!" Throughout it all, my heart is in shambles and tears sting my eyes. Ashley is rewarded with a pink stuffed monkey (whom she later names Martin) and 1000 stickers. At that time I cautiously ask the nurse "So, are we staying the night here tonight?" to which she replies "Um, yes. You'll be here overnight." Big siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh ensues.

Thursday June 9 approx 5 pm - Kathy shows up and gets to witness Ashley. Ashley pretty much gave up the fight and passed out after her IV was inserted. She sleeps. And sleeps. And sleeps some more. But not a normal sleep. One where I couldn't help but touch her just to make sure...

Thursday June 9 approx 10 pm - I assure Jake that Ashley and I will get the early morning discharge, and that he should continue with his turbo install plans for the following morning, on a customer driving down from Washington. I hug and kiss Jake and Kathy goodbye and settle in for the evening. A good friend, Elizabeth, stops by and delivers a yummy Dutch Bros smoothie. Thank you and yum! ***NOTE TO SELF*** We've got an amazing group of friends in our Small Group who mean the world to us.

Meanwhile back at the ranch.....................Mom and Dad are watching Natalie who has started puking and having diarrhea over and over again.

The rest of the evening is spent watching Ashley sleep off and on. She'd wake up for a few minutes, fuss and complain, and then fall asleep just as quickly as she had woke. I tried to sleep next to her per her request, but woke up early Friday morning after having been peed on. It'd been a long time since that happened!

Friday June 10 at 8:10 am - Me with no shower, no make-up and smelling of pee, our pediatrician stops by to check on Ashley and even though I can clearly see with my own eyes that she's not better, I'm still thinking we'll get the early morning discharge. I'm quickly shot down and told she'd not be going home Friday. Doctor orders more fluid and more Zofran. He also orders a rotavirus test be ran, which means a stool sample needed to be collected. Yum. Pediatrician confides in me he's very certain it's rota, but only the test can tell (results take 72 hours!). I immediately wonder how I'll manage a shower and clean undies.

Friday June 10 approx 11 am - Sissie texts me that Natalie continues to have diaper blowouts. Every time I hear it, I cringe and feel torn between being there for Ashley or being there for Natalie. I suddenly discover no matter where I'm at, I'll still feel torn and like I'm letting the other down. ***NOTE TO SELF*** I can only do my best to be the best mother possible to my girls. Given the circumstances, I should have cut myself a bit of slack.

The day is spent with Ashley sleeping off and on, getting lots of fluids, updating family and friends and trying to enjoy hospital food. I did manage a shower while Mom and Dad came to visit. Even had Mom french-braid my hair. Not exactly pampering, but one less thing to deal with.

Meanwhile back at the ranch..............Every possible thing that could go wrong with the turbo install, did. What should have been a 4 hour job was pushing 8. Natalie continued to have diarrhea. Sissie called Jake in for reinforcements, but he was quite literally up to ---here--- with the install, so our good friend, who was helping Jake with the install, volunteered his wife, Kim. Lucky! Risking exposure to the funk, Kim showed up and helped Sissie tremendously!

I spent a large part of my day getting updates on Natalie and wondering if she needed IV fluids as well. After consulting with our nurse, Nurse Charity (awesome!), I felt almost positive she needed to be seen. I called Sissie who chickened out on making the call.

Friday June 10 approx 4:30 pm - I leave Ashley with Mom while Dad and I drive home to see Natalie for myself. It didn't take me long to determine that she needed something to get her vomiting and diarrhea under control. I grab myself some clean clothes (including undies!!), load her up, and drive back into the hospital. Sissie and Jake follow.

Friday June 10 approx 5:45 pm - Natalie, Mom, Jake and I have a pow-wow in Triage 2 while we wait for a bed for Natty. We can hear our good friend Kelly and her baby boy, Lincoln, down the hall. Lincoln was getting a bag of fluid, being treated for dehydration. Lincoln was one of the kiddos at the pool party on the previous Sunday and he and Natalie had very similar puke and poop stories.

Friday June 10 approx 6:45 pm - Natalie is examined by Dr. Dale who determines she's dehydrated, but not severely. He orders her a Zofran, which she takes. He also orders blood work.

Friday June 10 approx 7:15 pm - With Jake holding her feet, Nurse Julie holding her mid-section, Mommy holding her head, the Tech attempts to draw blood from the top Natalie's hand. Gallons of tears later, it's an EPIC FAIL. Natalie is wiggling so much, the Tech perforated her vein, which meant he couldn't drawn blood. He attempts to collect it drop by drop; fills about 1/3 of the vile and we all pray it'll be enough to run tests on. Natalie is the most upset I've ever seen her, comparable only to the first 60 minutes after her ear surgery. She starts drinking a water/pedialite cocktail from a Dixie cup and refused to sit still.

Friday June 10 approx 8:45 pm - Jake goes upstairs to be with Ashley and Sissie stays with me in the ED with Natalie, who is refusing to sit still. Sissie and I walk at least 2 miles with Natty around and around and around the ED. Natalie attempts to thwart us a minimum of 100 times in an attempt to get into Kelly and Lincoln's room! Little stinker. During one of our rounds we come across the Tech who attempted to draw Natalie's blood and are told they didn't get enough blood to run the test. The Tech feels terrible, has what appears to be tears in his eyes, and humbly declares "I won't try a second time. They'll have to send down a better tech." ***NOTE TO SELF*** It's amazing how such a little girl can make adults wiggle and be uncomfortable.

Friday June 10 approx 9:15 pm - Natty Kat spots Dr. Dale and takes off for him. He's pleased to see her perky and obviously feeling better. I mention they're getting ready to draw blood again and he decides that she doesn't need the second draw, as long as I feel comfortable with that (which I do!).

Friday June 10 approx 10:30 pm - Natalie has been discharged - PRAISE! Sissie and I take her upstairs to Ashley's room where a giggle-fest reunion ensues. Ashley wants Natalie to lay with her on her bed. Natalie wants to play with the IV line in Ashley's arm. Both girls want to hug and kiss the other and for the firs time in nearly 48 hours I feel happy and at peace.

Friday June 10 at 10:45 pm - Jake, Sissie and Natalie take off for home. I snuggle down with Ashley, who is quickly falling asleep. I, however, remain awake most of the night. Thankfully OPB was running a great musical performance by some Irish/Celtic band, which kept me company until I dosed off at 2:30 am.

Saturday June 11 at 6:15 am - Ashley wakes up and asks for a drink of water and a bite of banana. I was so excited I nearly shoved the food down her throat! She eats 1/3 of the banana and drinks about 5 sips of water.

Saturday June 11 at 7:15 am - Pediatrician comes in to check on Ashley and is pleased to hear she ate and drank voluntarily. Doc orders Ashley's fluids be cut in half which will hopefully encourage her to eat and drink a bit more. I am told to expect a PM discharge. At this point I don't even let myself be cautiously optimistic ***NOTE TO SELF*** When the doc throws you a bone, celebrate!

Saturday June 11 approx 8 am - Friend Lisa stops by (she works at the hospital) and brings Ashley a Beanie Baby named Peace. It's so nice to know we're surrounded by family and friends who care about us. Thank you, Lisa!

Saturday June 11 approx noon - Ashley is getting antsy. It's obvious she's feeling better, but is tired. She begs me to take her for a walk. Nurse Charity puts the IV on hold for 30 minutes, I put socks on Ashley's feet and off we go. She is SO excited to be out and about, and even more excited to ride the elevator.

Saturday June 11 approx 1 pm - We get back to the room after our 30 minute jaunt and I wondered if it would do Ashley in. The IV is turned back on and Ashley stays awake long enough to refuse lunch, color in her coloring book and draw a picture for Nurse Charity. I notice she starts to get crabby, but restless. She asks me to lay with her; I cuddle right in and start signing her favorite song and it isn't too long before she's out.

Saturday June 11 at 1:30 pm - Nurse Charity stops by and informs me that the doc won't be able to come by until after 5 pm, which means it'd either be a LATE night discharge or another over-nighter. Doc has consulted Nurse Charity regarding Ashley's condition and Doc feels comfortable releasing Ashley without seeing her, if I'm comfortable with it. I waffle and waver back and forth and consult Jake and Kathy, who arrives around 2 pm. Ashley is still asleep.

Saturday June 11 at 2:45 pm - I agree to the discharge knowing the pediatrician is only a phone call away. Nurse Charity removes Ashley's IV line and she FLIPS OUT crying. She bleeds through the bandage and gets even more upset and then throws up. I instantly feel 1000x more nervous about sending her home.

Saturday June 11 at 3 pm - Nurse Charity pushes Ashley in the wheelchair, out the door, down the hall, and to the great outdoors!! Ashley is super excited to be in the wheelchair; I'm super excited to be heading home, albeit nervous.

Saturday June 11 at 3:30 pm - We are HOME and Ashley is moving and wiggling and playing A LOT. But she's home and so excited that I can totally understand where it's coming from. Natalie is excited to see me, but even more thrilled to have her Tissy home. She's still having diarrhea, but isn't throwing up. Ashley is trying to run around and play andust as we ask her to please calm down and sit more, she throws up. My stomach drops and I fear I've made a HUGE mistake in bringing her home.

Saturday June 11 4:15 pm - Natalie continues to have horrible, almost uncontrollable diarrhea. She hasn't had a wet diaper since Friday morning and I'm concerned, so after she goes down for a nap, I call the pediatrician and discuss what we should do. Pedi gives the ultimatum: either she has a wet diaper in the next three hours, or she has to go into the ED for a bag of fluids. Or, if she will at least drink 1 oz of fluid per hour, then she can stay home, but we are to keep a sharp eye on her.

Saturday June 11 evening - Natalie is drinking sips of water/pedialite cocktail when given in a 'big girl cup'. No more puke from Ashley and Natalie seems to be changing from diarrhea to more normal poop. Natalie eats 1.5 bananas and Ashley eats 1/3 cup of cooked noodles. Jake goes to town to get Natalie some soy milk as she's FLIPPING HER LID over not being allowed to have milk. I mix the soy milk with pedialite and I actually allow myself to be cautiously optimistic when she drinks it. ***NOTE TO SELF*** Progress is progress so enjoy it!

Sunday June 12 all day long - NO PUKE! NO POOP! NO FEVERS! Just tired and worn out girls, but we'll take it! The girls are still opposing most foods, but will eat a pedialite popsicle. By Sunday afternoon we've gone a full 24 hours without incident and we couldn't be happier!

Monday June 13 at 9 am - Both girls have a follow-up with their pediatrician who gives them 2-thumbs up. They're healthy and well on the road to recovery. They've each lost nearly 3 pounds throughout the entire ordeal, which is practically 10% of their body weight. We immediately undergo Operation Fatten Midget & Spunky. Test results come back positive for rotavirus. At this point in time it's too late to do anything, but just having answers is a blessing.

Wednesday afternoon getting prepped for her IV - Poor Midget has no idea what's in store
Trauma of the IV put behind her, she gets comfy and watches some Sesame Street Christmas on the portable DVD player
Giving hugs to Sunny, the bear given to her by her nurses
Thursday morning, not doing well
Poor Ash was in and out of it
Trying to sleep through the pain and discomfort - I took this picture just after finding out she'd be admitted to the hospital
Admitted and in our room - I had to write a love note to my little Ash-a-rooni
Check out how swollen her face is from all those fluids - she's trying to be happy about the books her nurses gave her, but even Disney can't make her smile after the trauma of her 3rd IV line
Getting consoled by Daddy
All tucked in for the night - that's my bed in the background. Looks cozy, no?
After asking "Mommy, cuddle with me", I snuggle in beside Ashley. A few hours later she christens me :)
Friday morning, just after I'm told we'd be staying another day
Friday afternoon Nana and Papa visit and bring new books and color crayons. I get Midget changed from her clothes into a full mini-sized hospital suit
Worn out from visiting - this is the exact position she was in Thursday afternoon when I couldn't stop checking on her
Friday night in Triage #2 with Natalie - throughout everything I forgot socks for Spunky! Ungh. Where was my brain???!
No visit to the ED is complete without a photo with Mommy
Rocking some awesome hospital issued, adult-sized, no-slide socks
During one of our laps around the ED, Natty decided to stop and play with the wheelchair
Saturday morning - a visit from Lisa brings Ashley Peace, a new Beanie Baby
Saturday morning, feeling better even after her fluids are cut in half, Ashley perks up and wants to color
After begging and begging, I insist Ash takes 6 sips of juice before she's allowed to go on a walk. Bribery at it's finest!
We even wandered outside to catch some fresh air
After our 30 minute walk, Ashley takes a snooze and I discuss Ashley's discharge circumstances with her nurse
GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO HEAD HOME! Ashley is more than excited to ride in the wheelchair
Sunday morning Ashley is feeling good and says "Mommy, I wanna be Super Ashley with a Super Cape AND a Super Hat!" I happily oblige and enjoy the show knowing she's on the road to recovery, which means we can work on putting the past 4 days behind us.

Where'd those come from?

After dinner Thursday night I was playing with Natalie. When she threw her head back to give me a deep-belly laugh I noticed 2 molars completely popped through her gums. What surprises me is that 1. she's getting molars even before the more 'traditional' teeth are in (i.e. the guys all in front) and 2. I didn't even notice them until after they came in! My guess is that they made their debut during the whole sickness/hospital drama of last week (of which I am working on a blog post about, but it's taking me a while).
So that makes teeth #9 and #10! She's obviously in no hurry to cut teeth. Not that it's stopping her. She can eat pretty much anything at this point with the few teeth she has, so when she gets molars, I can only imagine what she'll be attempting to chow down on!

Out of the mouth of Midget

Ashley: 3 little monkeys jumping on the bed, he fell off and bumped his head! Mommy called doctor...
Riane: And what did the doctor say?
Ashley: He said 'Don't worry, I can fix that.'

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbits

While looking out the window this morning at Jeff's truck up at the shop (which looks very similar to our truck):
Ashley: Whys Daddy's truck parked there, Mommy?
Me: That's not Daddy's truck Ash, that's Jeff's.
Ashley: No, Mommy. It's Daddy's.
Me: Actually Midget that is Jeff's, but it sure does look like Daddy's doesn't it?
Ashley: Mommy, that's Daddy's truck.
Me: Oh you're right (willing to just put an end to the soon-to-be circular argument). Silly Mommy. What does she know anyhow?
Ashley: Nothing. But that's okay because you have Daddy and Daddy knows everything.
Oh SNAP!
And the morning just got better from there. As soon as I set naked Natty down so she could run off to the bathtub, she grabbed Ashley's pink sparkly shoes and tossed them into the already full bathtub. Between Ashley's screams of upset at her now floating shoes, Natalie's screams of absolute delight and my attempt at fishing the shoes out of the tub, Natty Kat lovingly peed on my foot.
Go ahead and laugh. I did.

Cel-e-bra-tion!

Maybe you didn't know, but my precious Jakey turned 31 on May 24.
Or maybe you did?
Maybe you didn't know, but we had a rocking birthday BBQ for him.
Or maybe you did?
Or maaaaaaaybe I forgot to invite you?
Thanks for everyone who came and celebrated with us and brought your wonderful food (I'm specifically speaking to Grandma Marilyn here and that strawberry pretzel dessert). It was a perfect afternoon. We should do it more often!

Spunky is ready to par-tay
Giant hugs to my buddies Eva and Jax
Are you sure you can handle that princess ball, Ben?
Grillin' machine
Sharing a bite of Daddy's burger...
...followed by a sip of Andy's water
Rock climbers
Making a break for it
Squeezes
Grandma Marilyn and sleepy Baby Wyatt
Cake prep
PS I would not recommend lighting the candles with Natty Kat on one arm and Midget's curious fingers next to the flames
Make a wish!
Thanks for sharing, Jeff
Ray Ray's got a special gift for the Birthday Boy
Still smiling after all these years :)
Or maybe it should read: Still smiling after all these beers
Me n' the Birthday Boy and beautiful Sissie with Ray Ray
Best shot we could get of all the munchkins
Attempt #1 of a family photo...
...attempt #2 didn't go much better
Trying so hard to sneak a drink
What's better than her eating cake off of the floor? Bending over and getting a bite of cake without using her hands. Oh yes. Natty is just THAT talented.
Sporting my new Minnie Mouse bikini with my fave Aunt Katie and Cuz Wyatt
Get over here, Wyatt!
Working so hard at learning to roll