Park princesses

The sun was shining and the temperature outside was comfortable. What better time than then to kick the girls outside and head to the city park?

Should have checked the slide before Natty went down - turns out it was a bit warm from being in the sunlight and her little legs didn't appreciate the toastiness

Headed up

Turning into such a big girl

Seriously adorable Midget

Wy Wy came out to play, too

Same slide, still warm. Whoops.

Spunky will climb just about anything, nailed down or not

Such a good big cousin

Sisters

After the park it was time to go to Aunt Katie's where the kiddos could run freely (but within the confines of the fenced backyard, which mommy's totally appreciate)

Happy little trio

A couple of crazies

The first time the thermometer broke the 70 degree mark the girls were BEGGING with me to play in the pool. 

And against my better judgement, I let them.

At least it made for some cute pictures. Not to mention giant goosebumps and blue lips, but who cares about those, right?

I think Natty's stance pretty much sums up how warm it wasn't

Practicing their swimming skills

Our precious girls
Funny background on this picture - Ashley sat down and said "Natty, come sit on Santa's lap!" and Natalie cruised over and plopped herself down. Ashley asked her what she wanted for Christmas and I couldn't make out what Natty said, but they were having an absolute blasty blast!

Another new baby!

And the obsession continues.....

Once we received word that Jean's horse Dee had her foal, it was all we could do to keep Ashley from hitting the road and walking to the barn herself to welcome, what she considers, HER latest addition.

Check out Dee's adorable mini-me filly!

Taking a seat, waiting anxiously to say hello

She loved playing with her lips and tongue

Mama and baby

Getting a better view, courtesy of Daddy

Closer, Uncle Andy!

Wy Wy being his usual Wy Wy self :)

Sneaking a peek

Time to feed the cows

Wasn't long before Natty was running out of steam - this is about the time the ever-tryst iPhone comes into play

Three cheers for Shaun!

I'm not entirely sure what his new title is, what it means or exactly what he'll be doing, but that doesn't mean we're any less proud!
Earlier this month Shaun graduated from the United States Coast Guard Officer's School (or something like that??). He had been gone for about 4 months, so having him back was a blessing. Ashley sure was missing her Uncle Shaun; actually I believe it was a toss up as to which mini attacked him more when he walked through the door!

Congrats, Shaun. And welcome home!

In true fashion, Lindsay hosted a little bash in honor of Shaun and his great accomplishments.

No complaints here!

Cuddles with Aunt Jean

The instant the shutter 'clicked' Wyatt lighted up with the cutest grin - little stink

Natty enjoying a little quesadilla - meanwhile Jessie looks on with desire and hope that even a tiny morsel will drop

All done with her quesadilla, Natty Kat sets her sites on playing a little puzzle game on Mommy's phone - and there's poor Jessie, still holding out for a snack

Belly comparison

My crazy, but altogether adorable, guy

A lesson learned

Earlier this month Ashley was suffering from serious allergies and asthma. It got so bad that I ended up taking her into the doc since she was waking multiple times during the night, coughing and gagging. It was obvious her current meds weren't cutting it and she needed something new.

Getting the scripts were the easy part. It's what came next that had Jake and I worried.

Suddenly our active, headstrong and spirited Ashely was reserved, easily upset, crying and anxious. 

4 characteristics that we normally don't see in her.

We knew something was wrong, but we couldn't quite put our finger on it. It wasn't until we got paged during church to go and get her (only the second time this has ever happened in nearly 4 years) that we started putting pieces together. Ashley's Sunday School teacher mentioned to me "I knew something was off the second Ashley walked in. She was like I've never seen her before." 

With only 10 minutes of the service left, Ashley starting having, what her teacher explained to us as, a panic attack. She was crying, inconsolable, anxious and seemingly "out of it". The teacher said Ash would panic, repeat "Where's Mommy? How come I can't find Daddy? Where are they? I can't see them." And then she'd go quiet, stare for a second, and then snap right back into her ramblings. 

They were able to calm her down and by the time Jake got to her room to check on her, she was upset, but not panicking. He gave her the choice to stay or leave with him, and she opted to stay.

It was strange. It upset me. But most importantly, it got me to thinking. 

Between her teacher telling me "I knew something was off the second Ashley walked in. She was like I've never seen her before." and the events that had unfolded throughout the week: crying over bubbles that spilled 3 weeks prior; bubbles she never even cried over when they actually spilled, falling absolutely apart when I said no to her walking to our neighbors house so she could say hi, begging me to not leave her at bedtime and then insisting that Jake and I stay downstairs and not leave the house (like that even happens!), and other little things here and there, between all of that I knew something was amiss. I mapped all of these things out and was able to figure out that every single event took placer after she started her new inhaler. 

I did a little researching online and found that the brand she was on (FloVent) does, indeed, cause depression and anxiety in children. Even though it's not a 'common side effect', it, in fact, is a side effect.

Not 30 hours after receiving meds to help her stop coughing and breath right, her little world was turned upside down. I can only imagine what was playing through her head as she was going through her turmoils. As someone who spends a few month out of the year on antidepressants (not something I generally discuss, but yes, I suffer from SAD and have found success in low-dose antidepressants), I know first-hand what it's like to not feel like yourself. It's scary. It's overwhelming. And it's upsetting. 

And I'm 30; my poor Ashley is 4. Asking a 4 year old to understand what was going on with her is impossible and not feasible. Not to mention not at all fair.

That Sunday night I skipped Ashley's FloVent and instead opted for her previous inhaler, just double the dose (completely safe, I checked). The next day I put a call into her pediatrician who said those symptoms don't normally present themselves so quickly, but that's not to say they can't. He recommended we continue doubling up on her old inhaler, and even though it's not working as well as the FloVent was (because man oh man was it ever working perfectly for her asthma!), it doesn't matter. 

What matters is Ashley knowing she's safe, all the time, no matter what. What matters is that she not be walking around in a somewhat constant state of fear, concerned that someone is going to leave her. What matters is that she get to continue being our spirited and active 4 year old and not the troubled, sad and scared person she was.

What matters to us, as always, is Ashley.

I struggled with whether or not I should share this, but then came to the realization that this is important stuff. Medication is a serious thing and any time you notice a dramatic difference in yourself (or your family), you owe it to everyone to figure out the source. I can't imagine where we'd be today if we hadn't figured out what was going on with Ashley. Would she have outgrown it? Possibly. Could it have continued at that rate or possibly gotten worse? Yep. 

That sort of Russian Roulette isn't worth it to Jake and I. 

Ashley means more to us than that.

I'm happy to share that after almost a week off of the FloVent, Ashely is back. Slowly, day by day, her fears and anxiety seemed to diminish and we saw our wild and crazy child shining back through. She made it through church without even a mention of being sad or worried. All she said to her teacher was "Mommy's in adult church, right? Mommy's my favorite!" and that was that.

Welcome back, Midget.

A little picture of what was going on - I said "Take a pic with Mommy before she leaves!" and before I could even kneel down to be next to her, she came completely and totally unglued, scared and anxious

I spent a few minutes talking her down, but she was still apprehensive to see Jake and I go, even though she was staying with Amberger and they had all sorts of fun and exciting things planned. It was the next day that we realized what was going on with her and stopped the new meds.

32 and looking GOOD

Guess who's celebrating 32 years? 

I'll give you a hint....he's the most incredible father, funniest friend and handsome man I know.

And in case that doesn't narrow it down for you, these pictures should make it totally clear.

Happy birthday, Jake. I could go on and on about how wonderful you are, but you already know. :)

New duds

It's no secret, my girls have a love affair with pink flamingos. 

Make that ALL things pink flamingo. 

So when Nana and Papa showed up with new pink flamingo dresses for the minis, they were over the moon!

Thanks, Nana and Papa, for making sure they're properly dressed in their pink flamingo best!

Nothing beats matching minis!

Looking snappy

 While Ash is busy figuring out how her pink flamingo is made, Natty is busy hop, hop, hopping

Tuesday tidbits

Seems, amongst other things, Natalie is a show off. She's known her colors for a while now (although she continues to think yellow and orange are interchangeable - apparently she doesn't understand the difference between the Beavs (yay!!) and the Ducks (boo)). But over the last few days she's surprised me with her latest "taking center stage" act: numbers and letters.

I was listening to her as she was playing and she matter-of-factly began rattling off "2...3...5...6...7...8". I felt like an intruder as she was certainly not telling ME the numbers and instead just saying them out loud, as if it weren't any big thing. 

But it IS a big thing!

I tried not to hound her to perform for me (dance, monkey, dance!), but it was hard. She's 2 and the fact that she can recite numbers is pretty awesome. Especially considering I've never worked with her on them (I'm a mom, not a preschool teacher!). 

A few days later wild Natty Kat caught me off guard again; this time she started singing her ABC's! She skipped over more letters than she actual said, but what does it matter?

I've always said Spunky spends her days in Nattyville, mostly unaware of what's going on around her. But who would have every thought Nattyville had such an amazing teacher?
Or maybe it's just that Natty is such an exceptional student?

High tea

This year was the first opportunity I've had in 3 years to host a table at our MOPS Mother's Day Tea. Even though I'm always down for slinging mud and running amok, I also enjoy a lovely, thoughtful, sophisticated high tea.

I like to think I'm the best of both worlds. :)

So after 3 years of mentally planning how my table would be set out, I finally had the chance to dust off my leopard print china and get to work.

Yes, you read that correctly. Leopard print china.

Did I mention I enjoy classy with a *kick*?

Because my vast array of fine china and all things hosting left me lacking a double-tier serving platter, Dad and Mom combine efforts and came up with a custom design that fit perfectly with the wild thing theme. The leopard print saucer and cup matched beautifully with the gold designed salad plates of the china Jake and I received as a wedding gift (well technically it was a pre-wedding, Christmas present, but the history doesn't matter). I even polished up the wedding flatware as well as some very special water goblets from Nana (these were a no-reason gift that she randomly gave me about 6 years ago, out of the blue, and something I will always hold near and dear).

I have to say the table was top-notch. Suave and cosmopolitan with a punch.

Just the way I like it.

I had such a fantastic time hosting the table and am already looking forward to designing and hosting a table next year. I have to give special thank you's to Dad and Mom for the custom, double-tiered serving platter, Mom for being my muscle as I'm not allowed to pick things up and Kathy for creating a perfect floral arrangement that had other hostess' jealous.

Not that I'm about making other jealous. But come on. We all know how good it feels to make others wish they were in our shoes. 

Thank you to Mom, Kathy, Sissie, Lindsay, Katie, Jean and Angie for purchasing tickets and attending. We sure missed you, Marilyn, but thank you for keeping your germs far, far away. Both you and Nana mark your calendars for next year because it won't be a proper party without you!

Oh, and I'd best add that part of the fundraiser is the fun and drama of the silent auction baskets. I am happy to announce my table walked away with THREE baskets and TWO door-prize winners. It's safe to say when we come, we come to WIN. I have to admit, though, the competitive streak I witnessed in my sister-in-laws and aunt-in-law was pretty darn impressive.

A lovely little setting complete with See's candies key lime truffles in a flashy gold box, snicker-doodles from Blue Raeven Farmstand and a s'more on a stick from the Kitchen of Mom (there's some serious benefits to having a mom who likes to experiment in the kitchen and s'mores on a stick is one of them)

In the background of this pic you can see that impressive, custom, double-tiered serving platter

The hostess with the mostest and her matching leopard scarf, bracelet and shoes

Let's not be surprised, folks

So thankful Mom could come and not only be my muscle, but spend the day with me

Celebrating the other fabulous mom in my life

The wild things (Mom slipped out before the shot was taken). Thanks for coming, everyone!

A close-up of the lovely flowers Kathy arranged (that's my kitchen table, not the table at the tea, in case you're wondering)

A mother's love

Wish I could say being a mom was everything I dreamed it would be. 

But it's not.

It's so much more.

There's so much competition out there between moms and it just makes me sad. What does it matter how you measure up to someone elses children, when you should only be concerned with your own? Lucky for me my girls think I'm awesome; in their eyes I can't do anything wrong, and that's such a freeing feeling. Sure I make mistakes. And depending on the day, sometimes those mistakes happen hourly. But at the end of the day my girls know and trust that I love them and that I'm a mom in progress. I don't have it all figured out, and I hope I never do. I'm having a great time learning and growing right alongside Ash and Natty Kat. Thankfully I've got a husband who learns and grows with us; one who understands this is what life *should* be.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day; we didn't do anything fancy, I didn't receive extravagant gifts, I even pitched in and helped make sure the house and food were ready for the party. We're a team, Mother's Day or not, and I suppose that's why we work as well as we do. I got to spend an hour or so planting flowers in my pots, getting my hands dirty and my feet wet with the girls, Jake mowed a bit and fussed around the yard. Natalie threw her rubber boots in the pool and Ashley handed me a slug she'd found in the grass. Like I said, nothing fancy, but perfect none-the-less. Jake and the girls picked me out some bright and beautiful hanging baskets that have our house looking superb. I need to pick out a gold cross necklace for myself since Jake didn't trust his own accessory abilities (basically he gave me a free-pass to shop....). Simple gifts that came directly from their hearts, which is all that matters to me.

So while lots of women received thanks for being such amazing moms, I want to say thanks to Jake for giving me Ashley, Natalie and the little scooter currently working her way from my bladder to my lungs. Being a mom is hard work, but having such beautiful girls and a supportive, incredible husband make it bearable.

And next time you find yourself comparing yourself to Wonder Mom down the way, stop it. Are your children happy? Yes? Then that's all the answer you need.

Midget is thrilled any time she gets to hold Pippin

 Mama

 So.in.love

 Beautiful Midget

 Enos, family of 4.5

 An incredible Mother's Day

Worldess Wednesday

Explanation - Midget had been having a hard go with her asthma. On this particular night she spent the better part of the day coughing and generally uncomfortable. A few hours before this was taken she had started a new round of meds (daily oral med in addition to a new inhaler) and it was *finally* providing her lungs the oompf they needed. She was *exhausted* and wanted nothing more than to cuddle with her Daddy. She immediately put her head on Jake's shoulder and was out within 2 minutes.

Incredibly sweet but also incredibly rewarding knowing her body could *finally* get the rest it needed.

She'll always, ALWAYS be her Daddy's girl

Getting an early start

Thanks to Uncle Martin for teaching the girls the fine art of lottery scratch-its early on! 

And even bigger thanks that they were winners!!!

Reading the official rules

 Little Miss Lucky taking it for a spin