Two Teeth

Well this is kind of old news, he has had 2 teeth for over a week now, but things got so crazy that I never got it up here and we are all a bit excited about it, partially because we are hoping that some of his cranky-ness will go away now...(is it bad that we are still hoping that after the teeth have popped through?) Anyway, he has his two bottom teeth now, and I can't help but sit in awe of how fast he has grow, how quickly the year has gone by, and how important he has become in our live in such a short time. Anyway, we love him and are excited to watch him grow. I'd post a picture, but I'm no good at close-ups and the only attempt I made is so blurry that you can't see anything anyways. :)

Which Disney Princess Are You?
You Are Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

And Dan Says:

You Are Snow White!

Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Our Crazy Weekend...

Well this last weekend was a bit crazy for us (and not in a good way) so here is the full story....

Thursday morning I woke up to Anna screaming and went in to see what was wrong, as I walked in I kept encountering wet spots on the floor, on the bed... she had thrown up. We cleaned up as best we could then calmed her down and sent her back to bed. By the time I heard the girls up and about in the morning and gotten out of bed, she had thrown up again. This continued all morning with her throwing up ever hour. I got a bit worried and called the triage nurse for suggestions, she said to wait for an hour after a throwing up and then try and get a little bit of water down her. We did and by that evening we were optimistic that she would keep some stuff down. The next morning, she had kept everything down but was refusing to eat or drink anything and had bad diarrhea. This continued all day, with her eating and drinking almost nothing. Saturday she still had the diarrhea, but had eaten a bit of breakfast and drank some pedialyte so we were hoping things were getting better. Then that afternoon she threw up everything she had eaten. She was starting to look, and feel dehydrated, and she was very lethargic, so mommy too her to the doctor. The doctor checked her out and suggested we take her to the ER for dehydration. That was just the beginning. We got to the ER (with her throwing up on the way) and were taken into a room to wait. They came and put an IV in her and took some blood samples. They started putting fluids in her, but said that we could probably go home that night. Then 2 hours later (about 9 pm) they came back to tell us that her electrolyte levels were out of wack and that they wanted to keep her overnight. So we waited another hour and finally got taken up to pediatrics. They decided that they wanted to put a catheter in her to get a urine sample (0h my poor baby!!!) and around midnight we finally got settled into a room. Anna was confused and upset, so she spent most of the night in my arms in a very uncomfortable rocking chair. The next day was kind of a blur to me. The doctor came in and said that her electrolyte levels were better and she might be able to go home that night, but definitely the next morning. Well the next day they told us that her stool sample had come back positive for rotovirus. Well she didn't go home that night. She threw up her lunch that night and the doctor's found bacteria in her urine culture and wanted to start her on antibiotics. So now it's Monday and Anna and I are both going crazy and Dan is getting tired of shuffling Aaron back and forth to nurse (thankfully my parents house is 5 minutes from the hospital) and every one is missing mommy and Anna. Eileen would wake up in the morning and look around her room and say "where is Anna?" So Monday Anna was still not crazy about eating, but was acting MUCH more active and normal. She was wanting to play with Eileen when she came in to visit. But the doctors ruled that she should stay in until we were sure she was going to eat and drink enough to keep her from coming back. They found that the bacteria in her urine was e-coli so in a way we are lucky to have had to take her in for the dehydration, because they caught the e-coli early enough to be able to treat it easily and her small urinary infection stayed just that. Mommy finally got out of the house for the first time on Monday evening and took Eileen and Aaron out for a special dinner. I figured Eileen needed some mommy time. We went to California Pizza Kitchen and Eileen got to have Macaroni and Cheese and even some Ice Cream! So Tuesday morning, we waited impatiently for the doctor to give us the all clear. Anna was eating much better and we were both sick of the hospital, so we waited and waited and waited, until 2pm the doctor finally made it in and gave us the clear and half an hour later, we were gone! So today Anna is feeling much better (even if mommy isn't) and we are slowly trying to get back to normal life.

Dallas Fair Park

Yesterday morning we went to the Dallas Fair park to enjoy a nice morning with Grandpa. We started out by going to the small aquarium that they have there. We get free entry with our Dallas Zoo membership and find that it is just the right size for our kids attention spans. The kids loved looking at the aquatic life. Eileen had been eager all morning to see sea horses, but enjoyed the sharks, sting rays and turtles too. Anna loved looking at everything, and as we walked around, Eileen would get excited and yell something like "Star Fish!!!!" and Anna would follow suit with "TAR IIIIHHH" repeated over and over until she was sure I had heard her and understood. After the Aquarium, we walked around the Park for awhile and came across a fountain. This started out innocently enough. We all walked over and put our hands in the water enjoying the cool water on a hot day. Then Grandpa comes up with the great idea of trying to walk as far in as he can without getting in the streams of water. Naturally Anna also had to try this, and while Grandpa escaped mostly dry...Anna didn't. She got hit directly on by a jet of water soaking her for the rest of the day. I was surprised when, instead of crying, she loved it... and did it again.... Eileen fared a little better and managed to only get a little wet. Either way, we all had a ball. playing and laughing. After we stopped for lunch at the "Office Lunch-in" where Dan is working for the summer helping out Scott Walker. We got yummy sandwiches and had fun seeing Daddy, then headed home to rest our tired bodies. All, but Aaron who had slept most of the time, were exhausted and quickly (except Aaron and Mommy) quickly fell asleep. Anyway, it was a fun day for all.

Happy Father's Day

This post is a tribute to the Fathers in my life. I am so blessed to be surrounded by men who are true examples of real manhood. Men of strength, character, understanding and faith. First, of course is my wonderful husband, the father of my children. He is the light in my life, and an example to me of a person trying to live the gospel. He is such a wonderful father, and I knew he would be when I met him. He has a way with people in general, but especially his kids. He loves, teaches, and nurtures them and earns their love, respect and gratitude in return.

Second is my Dad. My dad has always been my biggest fan. I can always count on him to be on the sidelines cheering, and getting teary eyed. He has always supported me, loved me and taught me. He taught me to love reading, to love the gospel, to love music, and to love to learn. The woman I have become is in large part because of the Father he is.
Third is my father-in-law. From the first time I met him, i felt comfortable. He has always demonstrated his testimony by the way he lives his life, and that wonderful example has taught me so much. It is so easy to look at this wonderful man and see where his amazing son (my husband- see first on my list) gets so many of his attributes. His faith and outlook on life, make me want to be a better person, to love more selflessly, the give more freely and to let the little things go.
Fourth is my Grandfather. My dad's father passed away when I was young, so my mothers father is the only Grandpa I have really known. He is an amazing man. He has always been a guiding influence in my life. He taught me to fish, to work, to have faith, to be respectful and to love. When I think of my grandpa, a myriad of happy images, both from my childhood, and from recent years flood my mind with joy, but the constant was always his love and patience. My sister and I tried his patience many times, yet I don't ever remember him losing patience with us. I have always felt his love for his family and those around him, not by his words, but by his actions. He gave his love in so many ways.

Finally, this list would not be complete with out my Heavenly Father. How can I even begin to thank Him for what He's done for me. I have gained a much greater understanding and appreciation of how much He wants for us, and the ways He teaches us since becoming a parent myself. He is the perfect parent, loving, kind, constant, and understanding. As I struggle to raise my children and teach them of life, love, truth and joy, I see my own shortcomings and Heavenly Father's patient ways of teaching me.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Movie Night!!

Last night we had a fun movie night with the girls. We started with pop pulling out our popcorn popper and popping up some popcorn. (How's that for alliteration!) Then we dragged our picnic blanket out into the middle of the floor (to keep the popcorn contained) and turned on "Mary Poppins" We had a blast eating popcorn, dancing to "supercalifragilistikexpialidocious," and lauging at bad jokes. ("I know a man with a wooden leg named smith...) At one point, one of the girls decided that it would be fun to feed the popcorn to mommy and daddy, so Dan and I ended up getting popcorn stuffed down our mouths until we felt like stuffed turkeys. Either way, it was funny, while they put it into my mouth, i could see them sitting there with their mouths open until the popcorn went in, then they would close their mouths as I closed mine.

Our Little Jumper

Aaron recently discovered the joys of the jumper. It's great, he jumps happily for at least 10 minutes, and in the process tires himself out so he will take a good nap! Both Eileen and Anna also loved the jumper and I just think that they look so cute in there. It's really the first way that they have each found to entertain themselves. The first time they realize that by pushing their legs they can have fun all on their own. Any, here is a little trip down memory lane of each of my adorable kids as they discovered the jumper.

This is Eileen back in our old apartment in Utah
This is Anna, and yes she is wearing the same onsie as Eileen is wearing in her picture. :)And last, but not least, my most recent little jumper, Aaron, who thankfully is not wearing the same purple baby Betty Boop onsie as his sisters.
I think what i find the most amusing about this is how they manage to seem like they are having SOOOO much fun, yet maintain a thoroughly bored look on their face the entire time.