Another Year Older

I remember my 27th birthday (in 2009) like it was yesterday. We had just found out that we were expecting Kaitlyn, but that was also the day that I started to bleed and wonder if Kaitlyn would be a part of our family. So much has happened since then (as you know if you have been reading my blogs) so this year felt like a great celebration of the year that we had just overcome together and how far we have come.

My birthday turned into a birth-weekend, starting with Thursday. My brother Danny treated me to Bombay House for some Indian food. It was all of our first time going there, and we were pleasantly surprised at how elegant of a restaurant it was and the people working there were so very hospitable; even with Kaitlyn crying a majority of the time (sick with a cold and just barely having her 4 month shots). We had a great time, and it was the perfect start to my weekend.

Friday morning as I woke up after sleeping in a little, I noticed at least 20 birthday wishes already that morning. It was a great start to my day. Later, my mom came over and took the girls so Shayne and I could go out on a much needed afternoon out. We had a great time at Tucano's (with our free birthday meal coupon) and went window shopping. Once back home, Elle and Kaitlyn had some presents for me. Elle had went to the store with Grandma and picked me out a nice new pair of black slippers (with snowflakes on them) and a LONG chain sterling silver necklace. She was so proud of her purchases and it made her happy to see me open them and smile. Later that night, we got a Little Caesars Pizza and bread sticks and spent some time at the park as a family.

I thought that Saturday would be my birthday break, but it wasn't so. My in-laws threw me a surprise party at Grandpa Underwood's house. I didn't suspect a thing. In fact, truth be known, I wasn't in the best mood that afternoon so when we walked in and they said SURPRISE I felt foolish later for not reacting the way I would have normally. My attitude changed quickly however and I enjoyed the bbq and cake that they had ready for me. I was touched that they would make such an effort to make me feel special.

Sunday my Mom and Dad had a birthday bbq for me at their house. Dad grilled some kabobs and mom impressed us with the rest. We played Bocce ball and a card game of "Cowboy." It was a great birthday weekend. I can't say how enough how grateful I am for my family who love me and made this birthday so memorable. Thank you so much. I had a great birthday, and I love you all.

A Week of "First's"

This has been an unforgettable week for our family.

PART I - The DENTIST TRIP

We started off with the dreaded trip to the dentist. Elle had two cavities that needed filling, and Shayne and I had been dreading this day for just over two months when we first made the appointment. Danelle is very fearful of dentists, doctors, and any situation like it. She even had a hard time seeing me in the hospital when I had Kaitlyn, so I had already anticipated the whole day going terribly. She was given a prescription for oral sedation, but they warned me that sometimes when the child is really anxious that it would not help and we would have to get her in another day for a local anesthetic. I guess I assumed that Elle would be one of those children...

We went in Monday morning, August 30, and brought her sleepy medication us. For some reason, the nurse INSISTED we give her all the medicine in one shot so she wouldn't complain about the gross taste. I already know this was a bad idea since the syringe was half full of medicine, BUT she knows best I thought and I let her put in the sedative. HALF of the medicine flew out of Elle's mouth and onto her shirt. "GREAT" I thought. "Lets go home because this isn't going to work." Lucky for us, Elle had just enough to calm her nerves, and although she wasn't asleep, the gas they gave her helped with the rest.

Elle was so funny with the medication too. We could tell it was affecting her when she started reaching out to nothing in the air and saying, "I am going to get you Pooh!" (Talking to the Pooh Bear pictures on the wall). She also said we had three eyes, and two noses. After the doctor came in and sat next to her in a chair, gave her the numbing shots, and left the room a moment for the drugs to kick in - Shayne said that he went and sat in the dentists chair during the wait. Elle then said, "Daddy, you are sitting on that man!" Haha. My favorite was when they put the gas mask on that smelled like strawberries. Elle was licking the mask and air! Too funny. We had to watch her when she got home because she was still very out of it, running into walls and falling off the toilet seat. All in all, it went very well, and we were so glad to have a perfect set of teeth again. We are also taking extra precaution that this does not happen again.

PART II - KINDERGARTEN DAY!

It was finally here; the day that we had waited ALL SUMMER for. Elle's first day of Kindergarten!!! We have been excited and preparing for this day since May. We also started a new schedule in our family, which is going beautifully. The first morning of Kindergarten, Elle woke up early and got dressed (shoes and everything). She was ready for school by 9:00 a.m. I should have known better because she got Ravioli's on her during lunch and had got dressed again before school started.

After lunch (and getting dressed into another outfit0 we pulled up the the school, and after a couple pictures with my camera, I hugged her and we said our goodbye's. I was sure I was going to cry, but sure enough - I didn't. I was much to happy for this long awaited day. I keep wondering if those tears will ever set in. It is hard being away from each other so much (and I might cry NEXT year when it's a full day) but - she enjoys the time with the other kids and it makes me happy to see her a part of a class. I picked her up from school, and after a couple of tears on her part (because she had to leave her beloved school supplies with her teacher), all was well and we went home for her first after school snack.

We are looking forward to this year and all the adventures it will bring! She says her favorite part of school is recess (of course!), and you know summer is really over because first week in school; Danelle has a cold. Let the fun of the fall and winter come.

PART III - PIANO LESSONS!!!

From the age of 2 when Grandma LaTurner moved to Hawaii, it was anticipated that when Grandma moved back when Elle was 5 or 6 that we would start her in piano lessons. This week Elle had her first piano lesson! We are taking it slow so she doesn't lose interest and can really have everything soak in. It is so fun to see Danelle practicing her songs, and taking such pride in learning something new. Originally, I wanted to put Danelle in a dance class this fall too, but with Shayne continuing not having work, I think another year off should be ok and she will focus on the fundamentals of her piano playing and school.

We have her lessons on Wednesdays. Mom decided it might be a fun tradition to cook us dinner on those days, and we all look forward to breaking up the week with Grandma. It is so great to see my mom teaching her just like she taught me. Life is coming full circle yet again.

PART IV - Kaitlyn's CRIB

Another big part of this week was moving Kaitlyn from our room, to the crib. Just as it did with Elle, Kaitlyn started to sleep poorly in the bassinet. Maybe because it was too small for her now, but whatever the cause, she needed to move in with Elle. She did awesome. The first night I had the worst time sleeping without her right next to me but I settled in quickly as it seemed like she made the transistion effortlessly. Elle loves having her in her bedroom with her also. She was always scared being alone, and even though Kaitlyn is just a baby, she is with her none the less and even Elle seems to be sleeping better now.

PART V - KAITLYN'S FIRST COLD

Not everything in our week of firsts ended up being good... Elle brought home the first set of virus she came across at Kindergarten and all of us shared it by the weekend. Poor Kaitlyn seemed to be saying, "this is the worst cold of my life!" Poor baby had a terrible time drinking her milk with a stuffy nose, sucking on a binki, and it was more than obvious she felt miserable. She was running a low grade fever and didn't sleep or eat well. I was concerned and even took her to the doctor at one point only to find out it was a viral infection that would go away on it's own. My heart went out to her. I slept by her side on the couch a night, and we bought our first humidifier for her that helped a ton! Thankfully it passed quickly, and even though it may have been her worst cold, we know it could have been so much worse. We are glad it's over.


PART VI - KAITLYN'S FIRST SOLIDS

Now that Kaitlyn was 4 months, and after her doctors approval we decided that it might be a good time to start rice cereal for her. She only weighed 10 pounds 12 oz at her four month visit, so the rice might also help her gain some weight. She is in the 9th percentile on weight, 90 percentile on height. So - we started her on some very milky rice. She didn't seem to enjoy it at first, but she is doing much better with it now. Every night around bedtime is "rice time." I read that they all infants needs are met nutritionally with breast milk until they are 6 months old, and so I am trying to not take away from this for her by skipping feedings of milk at first.

It was a busy and overwhelming week. So much so that I started this blog and didn't finish it until just now, three weeks later. I am happy and proud of my girls and their accomplishments big and small. :)