Max's Christmas Party and Gettin' Sick!

Christmas Party
I guess it's about time I got around to posting about Max's Christmas party at school...waaaaaaaaaaaay back on the 19th!

He had a great time. The whole school got to wear pajamas to school that day which set the tone great...might have been better if it hadn't been close to 80 degrees outside though...especially since the pj's he wore were fleece! Anyway, I got there right as they were getting ready to go to lunch and starting setting up for their gingerbread house activity. The teacher had hot glued (small) milk cartons to paper plates and each child got one with enough graham crackers and icing to "build" their house. We had bowls and bowls of all kinds of fun colorful candies to decorate their houses with and after a short demonstration they went to town! I'm not sure if more candy went onto the houses or into their bellies but hey, it's Christmas right?...it's a party right?

After they finished their houses they had a snack and watched a Christmas video and did another craft. We had them make "gingerbread people" ornaments with sand paper, cinnamon sticks, and paint. Once that was done it was time to clean up and go. Max had a great time but he was very excited to be coming home for a 2 week vacation!

Max "building" his house...wearing a Rudolph hat he made :)

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Gettin' Sick

Yep, you guessed it...once Abby had beat the flu...Max got sick...UGH. He came down with a fever (102.6) Tuesday night (the 23rd). I gave him some Motrin and as I was sitting with him in his bed I noticed the inside corner of his eye was puffy. It didn't bother him at all and I didn't see anything in his eye so I let it go figuring he might be getting a sinus infection. After about 15 minutes, the swelling/puffiness had spread to over half of his eyelid but it still wasn't bothering him. I called the after hours line for the dr.'s office and the nurse who called back asked a bunch of questions and then thought he might be getting conjunctivitis. She said he probably needed to be seen in the office the next morning. She told me if it got worse to call back.

It got worse. I had gone out to get groceries for Christmas Eve dinner and John called to say Max had woken up sweating like crazy and upset and was now on the couch. I got home and noticed his eye looked completely swollen shut and he was dripping like he had just gotten out of the shower (I figured this was okay since it probably meant his fever had broken). A few minutes later he woke up screaming and thrashing and calling for John. At first we thought he was worried that he couldn't open his eye but then we realized that it seemed like he couldn't hear us or see us (even out of the good eye). He just kept screaming for John even though he was right there on the couch with him talking to him. Needless to say I considered this "worse" and called the nurses line again.

I spoke with a different nurse and after explaining to her the course of events she went ahead and paged the pediatrician. He called back and assured me that Max's "freaking out" episode was a night terror but he did want to see him the next morning first thing to look at his eye. During all this we were able to get Max back into his bed and he was sleeping peacefully...for the rest of the night.

Christmas Eve found us going BACK to the pediatrician's office (for the 3rd time in less than a week...Abby on Friday the 19th and Lucy for her 15 month well visit on Monday the 22nd...see below for stats). Max's eye was much less swollen in the morning but I noticed his fever was starting to creep back. He did have a slight temp in the office and the dr. diagnosed him with an upper respiratory infection...no antibiotics...YEAH :) He was MUCH better by the evening...more about Christmas Eve in another post.

Even sick...the boy likes to have his picture taken :)

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Lucy's 15 month stats...

weight 21lbs. 6 ozs. = 20th percentile

height 30" = 30th percentile

Yep, she's a little peanut!

Christmas and a Prayer Request...

I don't have time just now to post everything about our wonderful Christmas but I wanted to let you know that it will be coming soon. We had a great time and I have some pics to share once I get them on the computer! I have been trying to get the house back in order and get all the new Christmas presents put away. I think it is time to weed through the "old"toys and get rid of some to make room for the new. Maybe I will make that one of my "goals" for 2009 :)

Prayer Request...

I have posted before about baby Stellan... aka "MckMuffin". If you don't remember him then you can click on the MckMiracle button on my sidebar to go to MckMama's website. Stellan is in the PICU right now with a very severe case of RSV. Please pray for him that he starts heading in the right direction soon. He has been having a very difficult time breathing and has been close to being intubated more than once.

Merry Christmas Letter 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, I thought I'd better get this letter on here since some of you may be getting your Christmas cards today or tomorrow. As the note in the card stated, I was not able to get the letter into the cards this year. Everytime I tried to work on it I was interrupted, usually by Abby who is finally recovering from the flu! Anyway, I wanted to do a letter so I figured I would go against tradition this year and put it on the blog instead of in the mail. Some of you may read this before you get your card...yes they were just mailed yesterday...you just read the part about me having a child with the flu right :) ? Anyway, back to the letter. Our 2008 was full of new milestones being reached by all 3 of our sweet and adorable kids :)

MAX ~ 2008 was the year for many firsts for our first born. In February he and John went to Colorado to visit Aunt Caroline. Max had his first plane ride, first time seeing snow, and first time sledding/skiing. They had a great time! Max also finished up preschool in May and became an honest to goodness Kindergartener in August and is fast on his way to becoming a great reader! He loves school and after his first day asked me if he could live there :) He played t-ball in the summer and flag football in the fall and is currently trying out his skills in basketball. Anything else you ask? He learned how to ride his bike WITHOUT training wheels and lost his first tooth! He also had his first (and I told him it better be his last) ambulance ride! Max was also able to enjoy an Oyster Roast with his daddy recently where he ate his first oyster...followed buy another nine of them! I tell you, the boy will eat just about anything...and LOTS of it! He continues to grow like a weed and I'm sure will be wearing John's clothes by middle school :)

ABBY~ 2008 was also a monumental year for our sweet little Abby. She finished her first year of preschool where she made many new friends. She has also learned how to ride her bike (WITH training wheels). She turned 3 in July and had many of her new...and old...friends over for a water party and a Princess cake! Are you ready for this? This year Abby completed potty training! YEAH (insert confetti and streamers). She made a good start in summer 2007 but I think Lucy's arrival set her back a little. We started again like gangbusters last Christmas and she really took to it. We were completed in June 2008 and out of pull ups for good...WOOHOO! Abby is not as good of an eater as her big brother. She prefers NOT to eat anything that is green (unless it is a skittle or m&m). Her current favorites are chicken tenders, chips, apples, and pretzels. I am able to sneak some "good" stuff in here and there and she continues to grow :) Finally, after Max played flag football through the YMCA last winter, Abby decided she wanted to play when she turned 3. She kept talkiing about it all year and this year we signed her up. She had 1 practice and then had her first game. My mom took her since John and I were out of town . My mom called and said that during the "halftime" Abby told her, "I don't want to play this game anymore Nana". She then sat on the sidelines for a good part of the game or stood still in the field while the other kids played around her. She will finish the season then we'll see what she wants to try next.

LUCY ~ 2008 has been a whirlwind for our precious baby girl. This is the year she did SO MANY new things. Got her first tooth, sat up, crawled, started on solid foods, and discovered all the toys in the playroom :) She has been doing so well and has been such a delight to watch as she grows and learns and bugs her big brother and sister. Three days before her first birthday she took her first official steps on her own and hasn't stopped walking since! She is now trying her hand at running just to keep up with Max and Abby :) She loves to laugh and screech and TALK! She is such a chatterbox. She just had her 15 month checkup yesterday and weighed in at a whopping 21 pounds 2 ounces and measured right at 30 inches. She is in the 30th percentile for height and the 20th percentile for weight...yeah, she's a little peanut :) Her doctor says that she is growing beautifully though and is now old enough to start being put in time out if needed...WHAT? NOT MY BABY! My kids don't need time outs...what are you talking about?...I mean really :)

Other goings on this year included our yearly trip to Indiana to visit my Granny and Papa Joe and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sadly, this year also had me going back to Indiana at the beginning of September to attend my Grandpa Hedinger's (Papa Joe) funeral. We also got to see John's brothers and sister and his parents when they were all staying in Edisto for a week and we got to see them all together again just a couple of weeks ago in Charlotte when everyone got together to celebrate Jack's 80th birthday. John and I were able to go to Syracuse again this year for his company Christmas party and I was so excited to see snow again!

We hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2009! Please keep checking our blog throughout the new year as I will be posting the happenings in the Bailey family as well as pictures (since I got a new digital camera...WOOHOO WOOHOO!). Merry Christmas and God Bless from our family to yours.

Love,
John, Staci, Max, Abby, and Lucy

Temps are falling...

Yes, you read it right, the temps are dropping outside and inside. Today was cooler outside than it has been for the past few days and Abby was cooler today than she has been the past few days...YEAH!!!

Last night was another rough night because she was still running the fever but I think the antibiotics might have helped a little...although I was worried that the dr. had me give her two doses so close together because it seemed like she was having really bad dreams or hallucinating a little...either way...a little creepy. Anyway, she woke up this morning MUCH cooler and didn't run a fever all day (at least she wasn't burning up again). She played and rested and even rode her bike a little bit. The major factor that led me to believe she is on the mend is that she pitched some MAJOR fits today...whoa baby! I really believe that it is the lack of sleep this week that has finally caught up with her. I guess she didn't really have the energy this week for the doozies she pitched today so she had to make up for lost time.

She's actually sleeping pretty good right now...we'll have to see if I get to stay in my own bed tonight or if I will be playing musical beds yet again tonight.

I will post tomorrow about Max's Christmas party...I felt so bad on Monday about missing Abby's Christmas party and feeling like I was neglecting her...boy, she has definitely gotten her share of attention this week :)

Answers???

Last night was...not...good...


Abby was awake and fussy and achy and feverish most of the night. Once she got up this morning she seemed a little better...like yesterday. She was happy and being silly...John was home so that probably helped :) I left about 11:15 to go to Max's class to start setting up for the party. John called a couple of times and Abby seemed to be getting worse again. By the time I got home at about 2:30 she was feverish and achy and crying again. John had to go into work for a little while and once he left she was even more upset. I took her temp and it was up to 103.9 (about 30 minutes after her last dose of Motrin). She really started getting more agitated so I went ahead and called the doctor again. This nurse told me to bring her in. I'm glad I did...she has an ear infection. The doctor said that this was not the main issue going on but it was secondary and could be why the fever was persisting. He gave us a prescription for that, said it would not help the "overall crud" (is that a medical term?), and told me we could probably expect another couple of days of the same...heavy sigh inserted here. Although all signs pointed to the flu...he was reluctant to call it that because...get this...she wasn't coughing as much...huh? Forget the high fever, chills, aches (screaming in the middle of the night aches), stuffiness/runny nose, and a dry cough that would be worse at night.

Anywho, we got the meds and I gave her a dose right away and another at bedtime (per the doctor's instructions). We'll see how it goes...

Wait a minute...I know they got flu shots!

Silly me for thinking we were out of the woods this morning since Abby's fever seemed to be gone. Guess it was just hiding because it came back in full force this afternoon. After a bath and a dose of Motrin, her fever was sitting at 103.1. Ugh...her legs are achy, she has a dry cough, her nose is starting to run, she's tired, and of course the high fever...this all points to the flu according to the website I clicked on when I Googled "flu symptoms". This also points to what Lucy had last weekend when we were out of town. Almost seems a shame that I spent good money on flu shots this year!

So, since a babysitter is out of the question for the girls tomorrow...John will be staying home to help so that I can help out at Max's class Christmas party. We were also supposed to go Christmas shopping tomorrow night and my parents were going to watch the kids but that is being postponed as well.

Gotta go, John just asked if this blog was like my diary...

Thursday, December 18, 2008
Dearest Diary,
I met this guy named John Bailey and he is sooooooo cute. I think he likes me too. Maybe he'll ask me out sometime. I just know I'll say yes if he does!
TTFN (TaTa For Now),
Staci

teehee...

oops, Abby's fussing...gotta go

Sick Days

Abby is still running a nasty fever. We are currently on day 3 of this. She really had me worried last night when I took her temp and it was 104.0...YIKES!!! I called the doctor's office and the nurse told me to alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 6 hours. I checked her temp again after she fell asleep and it had gone down to 101.3 (this was 1 1/2 hours after a dose of Motrin). She felt much cooler this morning but has now progressed to a full blown fever again and feeling yucky. If she follows the same course that Lucy did with this bug then she should be done with the fever sometime tomorrow. I really hope it doesn't last much longer than that.

Prayers are needed...

Please take a moment today and pray for 9 month old Logan McCombs. He was just diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and his family desperately needs your prayers. You can read his story at his Caring Bridge website...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/loganmccombs


Thank you and God Bless

Changing Temperatures...

The temperatures around here are all over the place! It is currently 57 degrees outside and expected to get to the low 70's.

It is also currently 101.5 degrees...in Abby! Yep, you guessed it...she's got the fever now. I kind of thought last night that it might be coming when she had a major diarrhea blowout...in her pants...then she was shivering really bad after her bath. She usually only shivers like that when she is getting ready to start running a fever. She also had a roough night sIeeping...another clue. I pray that her fever won't last as long as Lucy's did (3-4 days). Abby has her big performance in the Christmas pageant at preschool tomorrow (okay so she is only singing a couple of songs with all the other 3 year olds but its big for her). Anyway, if she is still running a fever I can't send her to school...gosh darn it all to heck! As if I don't already feel bad enough that I had to miss her party because Lucy was sick...

If Max or John or I are going to get it I hope it happens soon so we can get over it before Christmas...of course I would rather we not get it!

Here is a pic of my sick little girl...poor Abby :( Doesn't she look pitiful? She is currently snuggled up on the floor in the playroom watching her favorite movie...Dora Saves the Snow Princess. She tried to smile for me when she saw I was going to take her picture but just couldn't do it...awwwww

It's NOT Monday!

There is no way that it can be Monday already! I was just thinking last Friday that it seemed like the week had gone by so slow and now the weekend has just flown by...what's up with that?

Well, since it's Monday I'll take the time to reflect on the things that I didn't do this week :) By the way, there are lots more people over at MckMama's blog who are doing the same. Click on the button above when you are done here and read some...including MckMama's.

1. I am NOT feeling like a bad mom, a horribly neglectful mom, for missing this sweet little girl's Christmas Party at preschool.

2. I am NOT missing Abby's party today because of this little girl's nasty, nasty cold.

3. I did NOT only get 2 hours of sleep Saturday night because Lucy was so feverish and completely stuffed up. I did NOT have to hold her all night long because it was the only way she could breathe enough to sleep.

4. I am NOT COMPLETELY enjoying my new digital camera that I got as an early Christmas gift. I am NOT enjoying it so much that I had to take this video of the kids playing hide and seek on Friday (I also did NOT already post this to my blog on Friday but wanted to share it here).

5. I am NOT stressing out about getting my Christmas shopping done in time! I have it together don't you know that yet?

6. I do NOT need a new tire on my car and a new window in my bathroom 10 days before Christmas...UGH!

7. We did NOT have a nice...albeit short...visit in Charlotte this weekend with John's parents and all 3 of his siblings! We did NOT all get together to celebrate Jack's (John's dad) 80th birthday...which is NOT today! Happy Birthday Jack/Grandpa

8. It is NOT almost 70 degrees here...10 days before Christmas people! Seriously! I am NOT wondering how much it would cost for a snow machine!

9. Max did NOT stay awake until 11:00 last night in his bed playing with the fighter jets he got from his grandma and grandpa. He was NOT trying to be sneaky about it either. He did NOT get a silly grin on his face every time we caught him!

Speaking of the goofball...gotta go pick him up...have a great week...

P.S. Do you have YOUR Christmas shopping done yet?

Hiding in Plain Sight...

Earlier today I had the perfect opportunity to use my fabulous new toy...my digital camera! It has the capability to take short videos. I had to take one of Abby today.

As I was cleaning out my car Max and Abby were playing outside...they were actually getting along! Once they got tired of running races...Abby running, Max being the checkered flag guy...Max had the brilliant idea to play hide and seek. Max counted first and as soon as he covered his eyes I saw Abby take off into the garage.

Let's put it this way, Abby might need a little more explanation of the game...when I looked in the garage to see where she may have hidden I busted out laughing...seriously, I almost wet my pants! She had run straight into garage and was standing out in the open with her face hiding against the old 7-up cooler. She actually had her hands over her face like she thought no one could see her. As soon as Max saw her she screeched and pretended to be scared :0

After she did this again on her next turn I had to try to get a video. On the video she decided to "hide" on the front porch...check it out...

Oh yeah, by the way, they had their bicycle helmets on because they had just finished riding their bikes/scooters...no, I do not make my children wear their helmets to play outside...just when they are riding on something with wheels.

WooHoo!

Christmas came a little early for me :) John and the kids surprised me last night with a new digital camera! Details...and some pics :)...to come tomorrow...YEAH!!!

By the way, thanks to mom and dad for more than likely spearheading this effort :)

Just Another Not Me Monday!

I don't know about you but I can sure use some free therapy this week! Once again, MckMama has provided us with an outlet to get some things off our minds (or not!) After you're done here, click on the button above and read some more great Not Me's!

1. I am not about to pull my hair out because Abby is NOT pitching major fits today! She is NOT cranky and whiny and has NOT been having meltdowns at the drop of a hat. I am not wondering if she can be starting puberty already at age 3!

2. I do NOT wish I was still in Syracuse with John right now instead of dealing with Abby's massive mood swings...I can handle it better than that :)

3. I did not spend 2 hours balancing my checkbook this morning instead of unpacking and cleaning the kitchen.

4. I did not make sure I checked MckMama's blog this weekend while out of town. I don't have to check it everyday, I can certainly go for two days without reading what she has to say...can't I?

5. I did not sleep in until 8:30 on Saturday and Sunday. I wouldn't be that lazy...

6. I did not have fun at the Christmas party Saturday night... I did not wear my knee high boots Saturday for warmth (and they are so cute) even though they were killing my feet... I did not eat too much and drink (enough)... I did not enjoy adult conversation without children interrupting me... I did not throw snowballs like a kid at John and our friend Joey...I did not laugh like a loon at John (after making sure he was okay first) when he slipped on a patch of ice in the parking lot trying to make a snow ball and fell on his behind with his legs going over his head :) I wouldn't laugh at my sweetie like that...no way...NOT ME!

7. I did not finish a 400-500 page book in under 48 hours and I most certainly am not going to get another book tomorrow!

8. I am not gagging at the smell wafting out of Lucy's diaper as she is standing next to me right now. Oh my gosh, it does not smell like she digested a skunk!

9. I do not miss John terribly (# 1, 2, & 8 aren't the only reasons) and I am not looking forward to seeing his handsome face at the airport tomorrow night :)

Okay, I seriously need to call in the Hazmat team for this diaper! I am NOT looking for a gas mask! Ewwwwwwwww!

Really, Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

Another sleepless night lst night. Of course, this time the late night party didn't come from Lucy...go figure...the one night she only wakes up twice and Max would be up all night because his ear hurt! He woke up crying at about 11ish and I gave him some Motrin because he said his "brain" hurt. He said it was right above his eyes so I figured sinus headache. Got him back to sleep after about 30 minutes of hanging out on the couch watching "The Santa Clause" waiting for the medicine to kick in.

About 1:15 he woke up again, this time crying and moaning that his ear hurt. He hasn't had an ear infection since his first set of tubes back in 2006 but I knew the signs and he had them. UGH! How lucky were we that he just so happened to have an appointment with his ENT this morning? After a rousing game of musical beds (Abby woke up and wanted me to lay down with her while Max was in our bed with John), I ended up...somehow...back on the couch with Max...this time with Food Network on...he loves it...what can I say? I was hoping it would lull him to sleep but the Motrin didn't seem to be working and he was in too much pain. About 4am I gave him another dose and he finally fell asleep at about 5:30.

As I suspected, he does have an infection in his left ear which happens to be the ear that the tube has come out and is filled with fluid...double UGH! We got him the antibiotics and I gave him that and another dose of Motrin before taking him to school...hey, he wanted to go and he's not contagious. I did tell his teacher however that he may fall asleep during rest time :)

Well, gotta go pack for the big trip! Abby has her first flag football game tomorrow that my mom is taking her to while Max and Lucy help my dad put out Christmas decorations. As for me, I plan to sleep as much as humanly possible this weekend.

Headin' up north and other stuff...

Just wanted to post a quick update before John and I head up to Syracuse, NY tomorrow night for his company Christmas party! Yes, the high on Sunday is only supposed to be 26 and there is supposed to be snow the whole weekend! I am actually looking forward to seeing the snow since the last time I saw any was last year this time when we were in Syracuse for last year's party. I can be excited since I don't have to live in it right?

Anyway, things have been moving right along here. Lucy has thrush in her diaper area...again! Working on getting rid of it but it is being stubborn. I don't know if this is the cause of her waking up crying every two to three hours EVERY NIGHT, but I'm hoping that will stop soon as well.

I had to take Max and Abby to get their flu shots yesterday...YIKES! Max is begging for another Oscar award. He was being very brave going first and climbing up on the table but as soon as he saw her wipe his leg with the alcohol swab he lost it and started pushing the nurses hands away...I think he even tried to smack her hands! I had to practically lay on top of him to hold him still. Lucy and Abby were both crying and Abby hadn't even gotten hers yet! Abby cried when she got hers as well but not nearly as much drama.

On the way home we stopped by my church and picked out our Christmas tree! John had to work late so it was just me and the kids this year. We picked it out and the very nice gentleman working the sale were kind enough to hoist it onto the top of my car and very creatively tie it on (I don't have a roof rack so they had to come up with something)!

We got the tree home and Max was very impressed that Mommy cut the strings and got the tree off the car and into the garage by herself :) John will be home at a decent hour tonight so we are going to try to get it decorated tonight before we leave tomorrow.

I will miss the kids terribly but am I bad for looking forward to having two nights of uninterrupted sleep? Am I a bad mommy for looking forward to spending some alone time with my husband and being able to have a conversation without it being interrupted with screaming, or fighting children? This is the first time since I went to Indiana for my grandpa's funeral at the beginning of September that I will be without a child for more than an hour...can you tell I need some "me" time?

Oh yeah, Max has his checkup with the ENT tomorrow to see how his tubes are doing. His hearing seems to be going downhill right now so we'll have to see what happens...I'll try to post tomorrow about what the doctor says...

Remember to check out the post below this about the awesome raffle MckMama is doing! I also added another button to my sidebar right below the MckMiracle button. It is to another wonderful blog that you should REALLY check out. Angie is a great writer and a mother to 3 girls here on earth and another in heaven. Her faith and trust in God is inspiring.

Check It Out!

You remember MckMama, right? Well, she has started a raffle for a super cool prize package and all the money collected goes to 3 wonderful charities. What is the prize package you ask? Click on the Rebel for a Cause button on my sidebar right above the MckMiracle button to take to you MckMama's blog or you can click here which will take you to her post on Monday about the raffle which includes info about the prize package and the charities. She has a "chip-in" button at the top of her blog page that you can click on to buy a raffle ticket (only $10). You can also see a running tally of how much has been collected. Over $7,000 since Monday! WOW!

Is there a hitch, well, yeah, you have to buy your ticket by December 14th! Why, you ask? So they can get your brand spankin' new digital camera and goodies to you by Christmas if you are the winner silly! Hurry, hurry, hurry and act now!

Gotta go and get Lucy up...I'll post more later with what's been going on around here :)

It's Monday!

Time again for "Not Me!" Monday over at MckMama's blog. I know I did not collect a few "Not Me" moments over the long Thanksgiving weekend...and I'm not going to tell you about them...okay, maybe I will, but remember, I did not do these things!

When you are done reading what I didn't do, click on the button above and head over to MckMama's for more hilarious confessions. Hey, if you haven't participated before, why not give it a shot? Come on, unburden yourself, we promise not to laugh :) Anyway, this week...

1. In the midst of serious cleaning and packing on Tuesday to get ready to head out of town that afternoon, I did not take the time to make John some homemade chocolate chip cookies.

2. I did not eat a cheeseburger and fries on the way out of town because I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and I did not just tell John the other day that I was going to stay away from fast food for awhile.

3. I did not leave my purse at my sister's house Wednesday evening when the girls and I left to go to my in-laws' house. That would be silly and absent-minded and I'm not like that at all. Which means I did not drive 30 minutes away without my drivers license. That's just not me!

4. I did not enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's house with all 14 of our family there (7 kids, 7 adults)

5. Upon returning to my in-laws' house after Thanksgiving dinner, I did not realize that I forgot my purse at my sister's house AGAIN! I would never do anything that ridiculous!

6. I did not have fun going shopping with my mom and sisters the day after Thanksgiving and I most certainly did not buy anything.

7. I was not excited to see Clemson beat South Carolina! I was also not excited that NC State won their game because then John would be in a good mood :)

8. Lucy did not wake up between 5 - 10 times a night the whole time we were there screaming and I did not lose a lot of sleep because of it.

9. I did not email MckMama frantic because for some reason her blog address was taking me to a different web page and I was not upset in my lack of sleep state that I might not be able to read her blog anymore. I did not check MckMama's blog last night to see if it was working yet, I did not sigh with relief when I saw her blog page come up...really people, I'm not that pitiful :)

9. Finally, it did not take us 7 1/2 hours to get home yesterday when it should have only taken 3 1/2, we were not stuck in traffic, Abby did not have a #2 accident in her pants while stuck in traffic, John did not have Max go #1 in a cup so he wouldn't have an accident, it did not pour rain the whole time we were driving home, we did not stop at Burger King out of desperation for food (where I did not eat another cheeseburger and fries) and John and I did not swear that from now on we would come home from Thanksgiving on Saturday night instead of Sunday!

Whew! I feel better, time to take Lucy to the doctor to check on the diaper rash that she has not had for 4 days!

Count Down to Thanksgiving...

The kids are enjoying the day playing with their cousins. Max and Jack have disappeared somewhere...Abby and Molly are sitting on the neighbor's front steps talking girl talk (too cute) and all the babies are in bed...not exactly sleeping but in bed nonetheless. Waiting for Shea to get back...we've been prepping food for tomorrow. Hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Nope, Not Me!

All right...Thanksgiving is almost here and I've got lots of things to do to get ready to go out of town. But first, it's time for "Not Me!" Monday over at MckMama's. Head on over by clicking on the Not Me button above...after you are done here of course. It's nice to know that a couple hundred other moms are also willing to share their oops's (is that a word?) This week...

... I did not accidentally drop Lucy's fresh out of the skillet, beautifully browned grilled cheese sandwich off the spatula...into a water filled pot sitting in the sink...nope, Not Me!

... I did not take Lucy for her first haircut, then laugh at her while she screamed in the chair as I tried to dig the camera out to get a "before" picture! I wouldn't laugh at my baby like that :)...nope, Not Me!

before...

after

... I did not want actual "toasted" marshmallows for s'mores last night even after John decided not to light a fire in the fireplace. I was not so desperate for the toasted marshmallows that I put the marshmallows on a skewer, lit 3 small box matches together, and held them under the marshmallows to toast them...nope, Not Me!

...I did not set the marshmallows on fire, then realize once I blew the fire out that it might not be a good idea to eat match-burnt marshmallows...(whew) I also did not throw the marshmallows away because that would just be wasteful!...nope, Not Me!

...I did not make the s'mores in the microwave because by this time really did not want them, nope, Not Me!

...I absolutely would never and did not eat the s'mores (two of them) then proceed to lick the leftover gooey, chocolate/marshmallow mess off the paper towel...nope, Not Me! That would just be too much!...nope, Not Me!

... Finally, I did not wait until Abby fell asleep to sneak some baby Vick's Vapor Rub onto her chest to help her breathe. She did not scream and pitch a fit when I tried to put in on her before bed. As I was NOT rubbing it onto her chest as she slept, she did not open her eyes and look at me, I did not hide the container, and I did not pretend to just be making sure she was okay! I wouldn't sneak things onto my kids like that...nope, Not Me!

Now, I feel better, I am not going to ignore Lucy throwing her toys out of her crib and go clean my kitchen! Now, head on over to MckMama's and have fun with more Not Me's! and do not have a great day :)

Tis the Season for MckMiracles!

Do you feel like the holidays have become too commercialized?...Do you feel like no one remembers what the true meaning of Christmas is all about? Have you wondered yourself if miracles really happen or if the power of prayer really works? Here's your answer...

From the creator of ...

(MckMama, of course!)

...A MckMiracle!

Stellan (a.k.a. MckMuffin) was born less than a month ago to MckMama and Prince Charming over at My Charming Kids. Click on the MckMiracle button above or on my sidebar to head over there and read a wonderful story about how this mother and father received a devastating diagnosis for their 4th child during pregnancy. Doctors told them that due to severe heart problems, MckMuffin would most certainly die. Witness in their story how they placed their unborn son's life in God's hands, all the while praying for complete healing, but willing to accept God's plan for Stellan. Witness also the power of prayer of thousands of people, praying for a family they didn't know and for a baby they would not meet (except in pictures). Read about how MckMuffin defied all odds (given by doctors) and made it full term. See the pictures of the sweet baby boy who baffled doctors by being born completely healthy!

If you need an example of a miracle to remind yourself of the true miracle of this holiday season, read MckMama's story...

New Obsession!

No, not the cologne :) Lucy now has a new word that she is obsessed with...it just so happens to be her big sister's name...Abby. Allllllllll day long, what I here the most is "Aaaabbyyyyyy". I love how she draws out the beginning and the end of it. Usually if she sees a picture of Abby or the real thing she will add a little squeal to it. So cute. She is also verbalizing more when she wants something...YES!

The other day I was standing in the kitchen and I watched as she finished her milk in her sippy cup. Instead of screaming at me...like some other little girl I know would :)...Lucy walked to me, held out her cup and said, "Appy joos" (translation: apple juice). I said, "What do you say Lucy?". She grins really big and says, "Peeez" (please). Another time she wanted out of her booster seat when she was done eating and instead of screaming at me she said, "get down" (it's actually more like...getgetgetgetgetget dowwwwwwn!). I am loving me some baby communication. She also just started saying "up" when she wants me to pick her up. WooHoo!

Oh yeah, speaking of Abby. She informed me today that she has 3 names. I asked her what her first name was and she said Abby. I asked her what the other two were and she said Kavanaugh Bailey. At least she now admits that she has 3 names and doesn't lump the middle and last together as one...we're making progress.

Acting Debut Delayed :(

Unfortunately, since Max was absent from school yesterday, he missed his acting debut. My son had the lead role as Jack Be Nimble in his kindergarten class' Nursery Rhyme Show. Yes, Jack is the only character in Jack Be Nimble (unless you count the candlestick), and yes, they did several other Nursery Rhymes as well, and yes, all the kids in the class got to play a part, but hey, Max did have a lead role :)
We had his costume all ready Monday night...he was supposed to wear boots, "high" socks, shorts and a hat. We had his boots (thanks Nana), his ski socks (the only "high" ones he had, a pair of dark green shorts, a white polo shirt (a shirt wasn't on the costume list but I couldn't find any version of Jack Be Nimble where Jack was shirtless...so I took a chance). We also had the coolest dark green hat (thanks Papa). He was so excited about the show. He had been talking about it and practicing the nursery rhymes at home for at least two weeks. He toook his role as Jack Be Nimble very seriously and practiced...non-stop...everywhere...jumping over an invisible candlestick...you had to be there :)
As we were sitting in the ER he asked me a couple of times if his show was over already or getting ready to start. The room didn't have any windows so he couldn't see that it was pitch dark outside so I had to explain to him that no one was at school yet...he doesn't quite understand what "middle of the night" means. He was really bummed that he missed the show and I felt so bad for him. I'll have to let him go ahead and get into costume and get his picture anyway.
Well, I guess Hollywood will just have to wait a little longer for this leading man...:) That's alright, he's a star to us!

Little Boy's Dream...Mama's Nightmare...WARNING...this may take a few minutes!

It involves a firetruck, an ambulance, and a trip (in the ambulance) to the ER...in the middle of the night.

Remember how I mentioned before in this post how much I wanted the croup to stay out of my house? Well, it was back last night with a vengeance! Get comfortable...this will take a few minutes but I need to get it out.

Just as John and I were about to get in the bed last night, Max started coughing. It was the classic croup cough, the one he has had a few times before, so we knew what it was. Then right away he woke up and started crying. I thought he was going to be sick so I took him to the bathroom. While in there he continued to cough harder and get more agitated so now he was starting to have trouble getting a breath. I took him outside into the cool air to see if it would help...nope. Now he was getting even more agitated because he was starting to have an even harder time breathing. He said he thought he was going to be sick so we took him back to the bathroom. At this point I was calling the after hours line at the pediatrician's office. As I was calling I was getting dressed because I had made up my mind to take him to the ER (oh yeah, John was with Max at this point).

I told the operator what was going on and she said the nurse would call me back in 5 minutes. Max and John were still in the bathroom when the nurse called and she said to try running the shower and getting it steamy. Well, I was confused because we had done that in the past when he had the croup but the last time they told us that we should do the cold air and not the steam. I didn't care, I turned the shower on full blast! As I was talking to the nurse I let her listen to Max and she confirmed that it was indeed croup and that he had stridor when he was breathing. She asked if he was retracting and I told her his chest was caving in as he tried to get a breath. Then she asked if I wanted to call 9-1-1. Just as I said, "I don't know" (I thought I could get him there myself), Max started freaking out and saying he couldn't breathe. The nurse simply said, "Call 9-1-1, I'll tell the doctor".

It is a very surreal experience to stand on your front porch waiting for the paramedics to arrive to help your 5 year old son, your first born, breathe. They got there quickly and immediately gave him a breathing treatment. During this time the doctor called and he recommended to the paramedic that they take him to the ER (the medics had already made that decision). An ambulance was called and as Max's second breathing treatment was finishing up they were ready to take him. I carried my 56 pound almost 4 foot tall son to the stretcher waiting outside and got into the ambulance. John was going to get someone to stay with the girls so he could come in the car.

Max had a third breathing treatment in the ambulance because he was still having trouble breathing. When we got to the ER at the Children's Hospital they quickly assessed him and gave him an epi treatment (breathing treatment...apparently stronger than the albuterol he had already gotten) and a steroid shot in the leg (I warned them not to do an i.v. unless absolutely necessary because he would LOSE IT!) John got there about 1ish (my mom came to stay with the girls...thanks Mom, you are awesome). We had to wait a couple more hours to make sure the epi treatment would work and that he wouldn't rebound because it would take about 4 hours for the steroids to start doing their thing. Max could not got to sleep despite mine and John's best efforts to convince him he needed to (apparently the steroids can wake them up and make them more prone to be hyper...great...so he'd be like his normal self then...grin). He didn't need another breathing treatment...thank you God...and we were able to get out of there at some time after 3 am. We got home and got Max in the bed a few minutes shy of 4am.

About 1 minute after I laid down and the adrenaline stopped flowing and the tears started...Abby started crying...she had wet the bed. Change Abby, change sheets, get Abby back in bed, lay down in my bed close my eyes. At 6:20 am...Lucy starts fussing, hold her, give her pappy, lay her back down, go back to sleep...Abby up at 6:45...ugh. Max slept until almost 9 this morning and got up feeling like his old self :) John and I on the other hand are not feeling normal today...however John went to work with a promise that all I have to do is call and he would come right home.

I wasn't sure if Max actually comprehended the fact that his favorite heroes (besides race car drivers and fighter pilots) were standing in his living room last night and that a fire truck and an ambulance were parked right in front of our house. Later at the hospital though I discovered that through everything Max was fully aware because he informed me of two things...1. The female paramedic (from the fire station down the street) that was doing his breathing treatments and talking to him had come to his classroom and read books to his class...2. The next time he goes to Writer's Workshop in his classroom he is going to write about riding in the ambulance.

I thank God for helping me hold it together last night. I couldn't think, before I called 9-1-1, of a prayer to say so I kept saying over and over, "Please God, take care of him". Then suddenly a sense of calm and peace came over me and I was able to function and keep it together for Max and John. I am especially proud of Max for being brave even though I know he was worried and I am very proud of John for keeping it together as well. We were both freaking out on the inside but kept our cool on the outside. I also thank the wonderful paramedics, nurses, and doctors who did a wonderful job for my baby (big) boy.

In a terrifying way, one of Max's dreams came true and he got to ride in an ambulance and have the fire truck come to his house...Max's dream...my nightmare!

Rules Shmules!

I realize that rules aren't always fun or easy to follow but most of them (I'll admit probably not all) are created for a reason. By the time one reaches adulthood you'd think that they would have learned how to follow them...for the most part. I have always been a rule follower. I am not a huge fan of "better to ask for forgiveness later than permission now". I like to have permission because I just don't like to break the rules. If one person does it then everyone else will want to do it and then what do you have?...chaos, mayhem, craziness?

Okay, Okay, I'll get to the point. I am getting extremely frustrated and aggravated by the audacity of some people at BOTH of my kids' schools who think it is okay for them to cut into the carpool line. I mean, seriously! Didn't they learn in...uh...kindergarten that it is not cool to cut in line? At the beginning of each school year, the director of the preschool where Abby goes has spelled out what street to turn on to get in the carpool line. There are even maps! Wow, imagine that, someone telling you where to go so you don't cut off about 20 other cars that have been sitting patiently in line waiting to pick up their child. Guess what, about 20 other people didn't get the message apparently. Ev-er-y-day, at least 2 or 3 cars can be seen turning into the carpool line from the street we rule followers have to cross to get to the school. Do they seriously believe that the rest of us who followed the rules don't have a life that we need to carry out so we can sit in the line a little longer? Don't they hear the screaming baby in the back seat of my car because we aren't moving and she's bored? UGH! Yeah, my life would be easier if I scooted in front of everyone else so I could get my child sooner but I couldn't be that rude. Oh yeah, they even remind people in the school's monthly newsletter about not cutting in line...hmmm.

Same thing happens at Max's primary school. The carpool line actually goes in a loop around the front of the school. The first time I saw it I was in utter disbelief that someone would have the nerve to do this. A car passed by me and I assumed they were going to park in a parking spot and go into the building...uh uh. The drove around and ever no nonchalantly squeezed their shiny black mercedes between two other cars...AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE! Are you kidding me? School lets out at 2:40. I get there at 2:15 and there is already a line all the way around the loop and heading out to the front entrance. For someone to have the audacity to pass everyone else in line and cut in front of at least 30 other cars that have been there at least 30 minutes is beyond comprehension. Since the "black mercedes incident" I have seen many more try and some succeed on an almost daily basis. It is just plain rude. I know it is pointless to get worked up over something like this because people are going to do what they want to do...but hey, it takes my mind off the screaming baby in the backseat :)

No, the answer is not to be like one of "them" and go ahead and cut in line. I won't let those bad apples spoil the almost 37 years of rule following I have accomplished. Maybe I should make bumper stickers that say..."WARNING: I cut into carpool lines" and quietly stick in onto the back bumper of a shiny mercedes. Would that make me feel better? I don't know but it is becoming an epidemic. When I taught 1st grade I made those who cut in line go to the end of the line...hmmm...there's a thought.

Not Me!

Another week has come and gone and another Not Me! Monday is here. MckMama is hosting again and it's therapy time. Click on the Not Me! button and read some other Not Me's! when you are done here.

1. I did not go back to Weight Watchers and realize that it has been almost two months since I had weighed in...YIKES! I also did not get excited when I realized that I had ONLY gained .6!

2. I did not take my children to Sunday School yesterday without jackets on and then realize when we got there how cold it was. I am always up to date on the changing temperatures you know!

3. I did not eat over half a loaf of banana bread this week!

4. I did not watch Lucy dump her snack on the floor the other day for the 3rd time (after I had already picked it up twice). I did not then just let her eat it off the floor since that is where she wanted it anyway.

5. I did not finally get the sock out of my vacuum cleaner hose from last week! I did not have to get a metal skewer to wiggle it out.

6. My cats did not go without food for a whole day because I did not keep forgetting to refill their bowl. It's in the laundry room where I spend much of time anyway, why would I forget something important like that?

7. Abby has not been particulary whiny this week and yesterday when she was in full whine mode, I DID NOT put my fingers in my ears and and I DID NOT sing la-tee-dah-la-tee-dah over and over until she got mad at me and walked out of the room. I would never be so mean!

8. Finally, I did not let Abby watch two movies and have two bowls of tortilla chips at my parents house yesterday because I was not hoping that she would fall asleep and take a nap. I'm just not that worn out!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Just wanted to say Happy _ _ th birthday to my Mom. Hope your day was/is great. I hope you enjoy your massage or facial (whichever you choose). Love you Mama...you're the best!

How do you know your 3 year old is really tired?...

When you tell her that after she is done eating her taco you'll take her upstairs, put her pj's on and put her to bed and she says..."okay, I'm done now Mommy". I thought John would never get his jaw off the floor when we were sitting at the table and I asked Abby if she was tired and she wanted to go to bed and she said yes! THAT IS ONE TIRED 3 YEAR OLD :) Night-Night Sweet One...

Lucy decided she wanted a little more play time instead of bed time so I hung out with her on my bed watching her be goofy and John let Max stay up for an extra hour or so playing Backgammon and Dominoes! Max says he won both games :)

Just Like Grandma Used to Make...YUM!

I have been in a baking mood lately! John is not complaining at all :) My recent favorite has benn my Grandma Hedinger's Banana Bread recipe! Goodness gracious it's delicious. It looks like it could be so heavy but it is moist and light. I am in love with this banana bread. Seriously. I can't make it with walnuts though because my tempermental stomach can't handle them anymore for some reason...serious pain happens. Anyway, I love it without the walnuts and John doesn't miss them either.

I wanted to make two loaves last night so I could share but...alas...only enough ingredients for one! Better luck next time.

Now, my food memories of my Grandma Hedinger pretty much revolve around baked goods and I have started to venture into more of her recipes since I love to bake. Some of her recipes are tough to follow however. In her words to me years ago when I was questioning the lack of "directions" or the "add enough flour to handle" (how much is that?), she said, "that's how we Germans cooked, add some of this and some of that and cook it until it's done". Hmmm.

My Grandma Hedinger wasn't the only cooking Grandma I had. While she was the baker that I remember, my food memories of my Granny Kleeman are of good old fashioned comfort food! My Granny's chili was a staple whenever we came to visit. We'd get in the door, give hugs and kisses, sit at the table and if the chili wasn't already on the stove it was on its way! Of course cheese and bologna crackers were the side dish for this meal :) Also a favorite and a regular of Granny's was fried chicken.

When I went to college in Indiana for my 1st two years I would go to my Grandma and Grandpa Kleeman's house on the weekends and just about EVERY Sunday we would have fried chicken for lunch. We'd also have Granny's mashed potatoes (she'd leave some lumps in for us), regular or creamed corn (Grandpa's favorite), cucumbers and tomatoes and onions in vinegar, and no meal was complete without jelly bread!

Of course, the ultimate favorite dish at granny's house...the one we always asked for...steak and gravy with dressing balls...OH...MY...GOSH! She'd start it in the mid morning and put it in the crockpot to sit on the counter all day and tease us with the delicious aroma. My dad just made this last weekend when Shea came into town because she had been asking for it. YUMMY! It took me back to Granny's.

Don't know why I've been thinking about my Grandma's (both of them) cooking so much. Maybe because I have been enjoying some of their recipes lately. Maybe I should go eat some lunch...too bad I don't have any steak and dressing balls tucked away in my fridge...turkey sandwich for me!

What's In A Name?

Apparently Abby isn't that concerned. The other day I picked her up from preschool and her teacher informed me that Abby's mid year evaluation was in her folder. Then she proceeded to tell me that although she is sure that Abby knows her last name, she just couldn't get her to say it when she asked. Knowing their last name is on the checklist. Anyway, she said that Abby is just so painfully shy that she just couldn't get it out of her...although she did complete the other items on the list.

So, seeing for myself, I decided to test Abby myself...here's how it went...

Me: Abby, what is your last name?

Abby: I don't know.

Me: Yes you do silly. Your name is Abby ... (drawing it out waiting for her to finish)

Abby: A-b-b-y (spelling it)

Me: Well, that's how you spell Abby but what is your name after that?

Abby: I don't know. L-U-C-Y? M-A-X?

Me: That's Lucy and Max's names. Your name is Abby Kavanaugh ... (drawing it out again this time using the middle name)

Abby: (smiling) Bailey!

Me: Yes, Abby Kavanaugh Bailey. Now, what is your last name?

Abby: I don't know.

Me: Abby... (drawing it out yet again)

Abby: A-b-b-y! (spelling it...yet again)

After that I just told her that her last name was Bailey and made a mental note that she knows her last name but only after hearing it with her first and middle name :) Guess we'll work on that! When I mentioned this to Abby's teacher this morning she said that Abby might have said Kavanaugh to her but she was talking so soft she couldn't tell. Yeah, MY CHILD, talking soft! I think I need to bring her teacher home with me :)

A-b-b-y Abby!

Oh yeah, this morning, for the first time, this little 3 going on 13 year old said for the first time...

(insert valley girl accent here!)

OH...MY...GOSH!

(upon seeing Lucy's VERY runny nose)

Remembering Our Veterans...

This post is dedicated to my favorite veteran, my dad. He served in the Navy for 20 years before retiring in 1989. He spent most of those years on submarines. At his retirement ceremony a friend of mine sang Lee Greenwood's Proud to be an American. It is because of veterans like my dad and the many men and women currently serving in the armed forces that we enjoy the many rights and freedoms we have.

To all the veterans I love, daddy, Grandpa Hedinger, Grandpa Kleeman, Uncle Bud, Uncle Bob, Uncle Mike, cousin Mark and Uncle Jim...and to all the other veterans and those currently serving... thank you, Happy Veterans Day, and God Bless.

I found this video on YouTube. Instead of a video of Proud to be an American, I found another song that also speaks of the freedoms our veterans fight to protect. This is a song my dad enjoys by an artist that he has loved for as long as I can remember...click on the link below to see... This is for you dad...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_tbG5r97Wc

It's Monday...You Know What That Means...

MckMama is at it again. It's therapy time and I don't know about you but there was some stuff I "didn't do" that I need to confess. So after you're done here, click on the Not Me button above and read what others "didn't do" this week too.

1. I did not bake another double batch of chocolate chip cookies last night because the first 5 dozen were not eaten in about 1 week.

2. I did not find myself (and my husband) digging through the kids' Halloween candy...I did not justify eating some by saying that they wouldn't like that kind anyway...and I certainly did not eat the candy! I mean my goodness...what kind of mom does that?

3. I have not skipped out on Weight Watchers for oh, say, the past month and I have not made various excuses to not go. I certainly do not need motivation and support to get back to my goal weight.

4. I have not left a load of laundry on the chair in my room for two days waiting to be folded. I do not find other things to do instead because I am certainly not tired of folding clothes! I really do not detest finding/matching/folding socks...I mean really...that's the best part of doing laundry!

5. I did not accidentally suck a sock into the vacuum cleaner attachment the other day while vacuuming between my washer and dryer. I did not leave the sock in the hose after attempts to retrieve it failed.

6. I do not still have a sock stuck in my vacuum cleaner hose...

7. I did not drive 30 miles to my mom's work to get a flu shot because it would be $10 cheaper than at my doctor's office.

8. Finally, I did not spend two nights balancing my checkbook to the penny...I'm not anal like that...and I don't get that from my dad :)

Whew...I feel better now...I guess I'll go get Lucy up now because she hasn't been fussing to get out of bed as I typed this.

My Pajama Party Fizzled Out...

Okay, to be fair...since I have posted about Lucy and Max today I can't go to bed without doing an Abby post...wouldn't want to add any fuel to the "middle child" syndrome later on...
Since John took Max to the game tonight I told Abby we would have a "pajama party" after Lucy went to bed. I put Lucy down and Abby got dolled up in her (now way too small) princess p.j.'s. Yeah, yeah, I'll get her some new ones! Anyway, we snuggled together in the chair for a few minutes then she wanted to snuggle on the couch and watch Food Network (they were showing a cake challenge). Within 5 minutes (35 minutes after the "party" started) she was sawing logs next to me! I took a little cat nap myself! Well, so much for the staying up all night giggling and talking pajama party I had planned :) Yeah...right!
And...just because she's so cute...heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Abby!

In her school costume parade...yeah...she's thrilled!

Much more excited about Trick or Treating! What a sweet butterfly princess :)

That's my first baby girl on her "Mommy time" walk. How cute is she?

Giving some cheese to go with her "whine"...

Please continue to scroll down and read about Max then Lucy and see more pics...if you haven't already! Have a great weekend!

My sister Shea and her husband are coming into town this weekend again so we have some "cousin time" coming up...let the noise fest begin! :)

News from the bleachers...

John took Max to the high school football game tonight. Wando, the school that Max will more than likely attend vs. Stratford, my alma mater. First off, as of right now Stratford is winning! :) GO KNIGHTS! Anyway, John informed me that Max has been putting away some serious game food tonight...this on top of a full dinner that he ate before he left! He eats like his daddy and he's only 5! Here's hoping he keeps that high metabolism because to look at him you'd think he never eats! He was Jeff Gordon for Halloween...Max could probably run a race without the car!

Boy sees camera...Boy acts goofy

I think he really believes this is how Jeff Gordon would pose after winning a race :)

Getting ready to "race" daddy...Max on scooter...daddy on bike...and the winner was...

NOT Daddy!

Lots to say...for a 1 year old

Lucy is a talker...go figure :) She can go from this...

To this...

in 3 seconds flat!


She is doing very well with the words she knows and seems to pick up new words really fast! Once she gets started talking it doesn't usually slow down until she gets tired or decides to pitch a fit.

Out of the Mouth of the Goose..."Luce the Goose" as she is often called...

"Daddy" - the current favorite, she says it clear as a bell. She only said "Da-Da" for a couple of weeks then upgraded to Daddy.

"Nana" - my mom.

"Papa" - my dad

"bobby" - her lovey

"Mommy" - only when asked to, she usually just finds me and puts her arms up.

"Abby"

"Maaaa" - Max

"kitty"

"doggie"

"Pu - tee" - pretzel

"na" - snack

"apa joo" - apple juice

"eat"

"uh oh"

"teen - tee" - stinky - usually accompanied a wrinkled nose, shaking her head, and a rotten smell

"wap" - waffle

"too - tee" - cookie

"bye"

"ni - ni" - night night...bedtime

"cee-cee" - Lucy

"shhh...shhh...shhh" - I have always done this to try to calm her down when she's fussy or trying to go to sleep. Just recently I've noticed when she gets fussy she'll stop and start shhh...shhh...shhh'ing herself :)

Well, it's all I can remember for now. I'd say it's a pretty good list though for being a week shy of 14 months :)

**UPDATED** - I can't believe I forgot that my sweet little Lucy has manners already and also says...

"Peez" - Please

"Day-do" - Thank You

Pondering what she'll say next...

Insert Clever Title Here...

I am waaaaaaay too tired to come up with anything close to a clever title (and I really ramble when I'm tired so get comfy).

Lucy was up from about 2 - 3:30 this morning and so was Abby who ever so patiently waited for me to come and lay in the bed with her while I was tending to her screaming, cranky, wide awake but oh so tired baby sister (teething has gotten into full swing around here). Oh yeah, I think Max woke up in there somewhere too. Finally got everyone to sleep and then Max decided to start his day at about 5:15. YUCK! He figured since daddy was up then it must be time to get a move on...once awake, this child won't even consider TRYING to go back to sleep until bedtime that night.

On the bright side...I was able to accomplish more before 7am than...I don't know...someone out there HAD to still be sleeping at 7am...right?

I spent the morning elbow deep in my washer, dryer, dishwasher, sink, trashcans, and litterbox (ewwwww) and was finally able to get my entire house vacuumed in one shot instead of in spurts...WOOHOO! FORTUNATELY, Lucy was able to get a good nap this morning so I could get some stuff done. Abby was a trooper and enjoyed "washing dishes" at the sink for me and that must have wore her out because I couldn't entice her to Windex the back door for me...usually her favorite "chore".

Max was a "little" cranky this afternoon (major understatement!) and took most of this out on Abby...like she had anything to do with him getting up early! He spent some time in his room to get himself together then was okay for the rest of the afternoon. As active as he stays all day, when the boy goes to bed...he usually CRASHES!

I was able to finish the banana bread (my grandma's recipe that turned out great), the egg salad, and the chili and get my kitchen cleaned up in the process! No...I don't know where the energy has come from but I'm not complaining! Neither is John...he's loving the food...I made homemade pizza (cheated on the sauce though cause I ran out of time) for dinner on Tuesday and he's still eating the cookies from last week! Now we have chili, egg salad and banana bread to get us through the next couple of days (the bread might not last that long though...Lucy loves it!)

Although my "To-Do" list didn't get finished today, I do feel good that I got so much accomplished. All in all...a very good day :) Now I think I'll tackle the mountain of laundry waiting to be folded before I go to bed. Oh yeah, I'll do pictures tomorrow...hope you're not too disappointed...okay, I'll leave you with one of Jeff Gordon, a lady bug and a butterfly princess!

Wouldn't you just love to know what Abby is thinking?

Also, I hate having the bottoms of shoes showing in my pictures but Lucy is short so what can I do? The black mark on the bottom is a squished raisin...oops!

Pics coming soon...

I'll be posting pics soon...right now I'm channeling Betty Crocker. Got banana bread in the oven, eggs boiling for egg salad (for John to have for lunch tomorrow), and getting ready to make chili for dinner. I just got nauseous thinking about THAT smell combination in my house...maybe I'll open the back door! :)

Prayer Request...

I talked to my friend Jackie yesterday and she requested prayers for her husband's grandfather who is 92. He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday with pneumonia.

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Also, PLEASE get out and vote today! John left at 6:15 this morning to get in line and he called at 6:34 and said there were about 300 people there already. I'll be going tonight when he gets home. I may be crazy at times but it would require WAY more crazy than I've got to take my 3 kids with me to the polls and wait in line for oh...I don't know...for...ev...er! I did tell Max I'd take him with me tonight if he could be good :) Since he has been really into this election I figured I'd let him tag along to see what it's really like...

Not Me Monday Strikes Again!

Well, MckMama has done it again. Another Not Me Monday...and MckMuffin is barely out of the oven! You go girl! Click on the "Not Me!" button to read some other great "Not Me!" confessions when you are done here...

It's been one of those weeks...here's what I "didn't" do...

1. I did not get upset that it took so long getting my rental car Wednesday morning because I wanted to get home and check MckMama's blog...I'm not addicted or anything!

2. I did not cry when I read how God had performed yet another miracle and baby Stellan was born perfectly healthy. I also did not keep checking the blog all day to see if MckMama had posted any more pics...not that she was too busy or anything.

3. On Thursday, I did not (deep breath) make 5 dozen chocolate chip cookies, take all 3 kids to Wal-Mart to get groceries, help Max paint his pumpkin, make a complete spaghetti dinner, take Max to his football game, bathe all 3 kids, carve Max's pumpkin, make a popcorn treat for Abby's class party on Friday, boil the pumpkin seeds in salt water to roast them on Friday morning, and glue together 60 small candy foam candy corns for Abby's class craft at her party on Friday. Nope, not me, I don't have that kind of energy!

4. I did not have to make a tough choice to miss Max's field day on Friday morning to attend Abby's costume parade and party.

5. I did not take Abby and Lucy to Max's Halloween party and park them in a corner of the room to eat the grilled cheese sandwiches I "didn't" make at home minutes before we left. I wouldn't make my kids eat on the run like that :)

6. I did not get home from Max's party and let the kids watch a movie and put Lucy down for a nap so I could fold laundry, pack clothes into bags and bags into the car, and clean my kitchen. Then I did not get my kids into their costumes and take them trick or treating at 5:30 so we could jump into the car and get to John's office to eat dinner then get on the road to Charlotte. Like I said, I don't have that kind of energy and that's just way too early to go trick or treating!

7. I certainly did not fall asleep in the car on the way to Charlotte. I don't do that because then John wouldn't have anyone to keep him company while he's driving :)

8. Finally, I did not pick Abby up from school today and head to Wal-Mart to pick up a "few" things. Then I would never, no never, head to the carpool line at Max's school at 1:50 because going home would take too long and I wouldn't want to try to get closer to the front of the line! I'm not competitive like that. Of course, this also means that I did not make Abby and Lucy sit in the car for almost 40 minutes in the carpool line because we got there so early. I'm not that mean!

With all that stuff I didn't do...it's no wonder I'm not exhausted!