Today

Daddy has been out of town on a project for the past 10 days and so we've been keeping it low key around here (in order to conserve Mummy's energy!) but also doing some fun things. We have been to the airport playground, driven around in the car shopping carts at Kroger (a favorite treat for Jacko), played with friends, and done lots of building, Thomas trains and play-dough.

And today we met Nessa and Rachel at the mall to play! The kids loved it!

Jack and Alexis (Jack cannot wait until his birthday this weekend so he can be 3 just like Axie!)

Sophie and Michaela

Wyn and Emma (the almost one year olds!)

First Steps

So, I NEVER post videos on here and now I'm going against my rule AND embarrassing myself at the same time. But it's all in the name of cuteness :) So, without further ado, here is Sophie taking her first steps BUT, please excuse the unmentionables hanging in the background!!!!!

Cousin Time!!

We had a WONDERFUL visitor last weekend!!! My cousin Fleur, who lives in Cape Town, South Africa, was in Boston for several weeks for work, and was able to fly down to visit us for a few days. It was SO lovely to see her again. She stayed with Ness but we got to hang out several times over the weekend.

Fleur with Little Miss Emma

Our friend Laura whose family were missionaries in Africa and so know Fleur's and our families, came in town to see her (and we all helped Ness decorate some cupcakes for Alexis' family birthday celebration...fun!)

We always attempt a cousin pic when we're all together but there's usually someone crying about it; this time it was Sophie and BOY did she scream!

Ness and Fleur with the little girls (Ness and Fleur are only two months apart in age and have always been close)

On Sunday, we all got together for supper at our house.  Here's my siblings with Fleur and all the kiddos

And of course, the cousin twins had a blast together!

And fun times! After going back home to put the kiddos to bed, Steve, Ness and Fleur headed back down to me (Andre was out of town) to watch the finale of Downton Abby....best evening ever!!!

Baby Mary

Last weekend, my sister and I attended the baptism of a sweet new baby who was born to our long time friend, Lyndon. We have celebrated lots of special things together, since middle school (!)  and it was so special to now see her with her little girl. And a BIG thank you to Sean, my BIL, for taking care of Jack and his older girls so Ness and I could go with just the babies!

Lyndon, her Mom and Baby Mary, who was wearing the dress and jewelry the Mrs. Gilbert and Lyndon both wore for their baptisms!

Me, Sophie, Emma and Ness at the church

Lyndon, Ness and me with our girls at the reception

Miss Sophie enjoying the pint sized rocking chair

 at Lyndon's house

Snow White is THREE!

Today is little cousin Alexis' third birthday and we had great fun attending her Snow White themed party this morning. Nessa did a beautiful job with the apple theme and the cake, Snow White's cottage, was AMAZING!

Two Snow Whites with Prince Jack

Jack had a few tearful moments, due I think, to the fact that he was a little overwhelmed by all the kids. He hasn't been with other kids much since Christmas because we've been quarantined with sickness for so long. When he was clinging to me, telling me he was shy, Alexis said, "Ith ok Jack. I'm thy too thometimth". Her lisp is too cute!

Cousin love

Gorgeous cottage cake!

Wyn and Sophie were there too....and Emma but she didn't make it into this pic!

Happy birthday Little Axie! We love you!

A Special Visitor

On Sunday, a dear friend, who lives out of town, came for dinner, as she was traveling through. I haven't seen Laura since before Jack was born so it was LOVELY to catch up in person. And she brought the most amazing bread with her for our soup supper. Yum!

Laura works with children a lot in her job and that was evident as my kids warmed up to her immediately and couldn't get enough of her!

Thanks for a special time together Laura! And for all that delicious bread :)

14 Months Old

 Little Miss Madam, as she is affectionately called by her big brother, turns 14 months old today! CANNOT believe we've 'had' her this long :)

She has been doing well health-wise the past two months. Until this week, that is. Our insurance deductible kicked over on February 1, and as if by magic, she got sick on February 2. Of course. And sick as in requiring two doctors visits, a chest x-ray and a course of steroids. Poor thing. She has not been a happy camper this week.

From all the doc visits etc., we have some updated info on how she is doing. Which, truth be known, is not fabulous. In the long run, she'll be ok, but it's just getting her to that point that is worrying and difficult and causes this mommy to feel a lot of anxiety and responsibility! She has lost some weight and is down to 15.4 lbs but has grown an inch so that's GREAT! We'll take it!

Her white blood cell count is low, so they will be re-testing that once she is well again. Trying not to worry about that... it may just be her poor nutritional status. The GI doc has put her on Pediasure to see if she likes it better than the formula but if she doesn't gain well by May/June we'll have to do the feeding tube again. Ugh! She also needed a lot more oxygen this illness which was the first time we've had to up the flow for her.

Otherwise she is still meeting milestones. She's almost walking but still unsure about taking that first step. And she's trying more words and using gestures a lot to make herself understood. Still LOVES her bath, dancing, any music and destroying her big brother's castles and Lego creations :)

Happy 14 months big girl! We love you, munchkin!

So....

...today did not go as planned. Come to think of it, I didn't really have a plan for today which proved helpful, as it was spent at the doctor's office and then at the local Children's Hospital getting x-rays done for Sophie. Both kids have been sick this past week with bad colds, but Sophie got worse over the weekend and by this morning was having trouble keep her oxygen levels up even while on the O2. Grunting, panting and a heart rate of 190 was not my idea of a child getting better, so off to the doc we went.

As is typical with her disease, the x-rays proved somewhat unclear but apparently she has some sort of viral interstitial pneumonitis going on. Just have to wait it out and hope that she can conquer the bug on her own without a hospital stay.

She is much better tonight, despite missing her afternoon nap, so here's to her mending well! Personally, I think the big pink balloon from the radiologist helped :)

Around here...

So while Daddy has been gone, taking care of all his grandpa's affairs and looking after his mom, we've been holding down the fort here at home and trying to stay busy. The time has gone relatively quickly and we're looking forward to his return this weekend. Woohoo!

Meanwhile, here's what we've been up to:

Wearing matching sweaters to church (love H & M!)

Everything's better when we're together!

Climbing...little monkey

Swinging

And building castles

The boy is getting pretty good!