Catching a Break

Things have been pretty crazy around here lately, and I have been beginning to wonder if we are ever going to catch a break.  It seems like sickness has been lingering over us for weeks, now, and as soon as we all get over one thing, something else strikes.  I know it could always be worse, so I have been trying to focus on the positive.  For example, today it was FINALLY a perfect day to go to the park, so that's just what we did!  Taking all 3 kids to the park is sometimes the hardest thing to do by myself, and then other days it seems like a much much easier option than staying home all day. ;)  Today it was much easier than being home.  We have been cooped up for what seems like forever and we needed to get out!  I am so glad we did b/c now all 3 are napping soundly so I can catch up on blogging!

 

Thomas the Train at FSU

Thomas the Train came to FSU several weeks ago and since it was a totally free event, we decided to check it out!  We met up with some friends and the kids loved meeting Thomas up close.  There were several crafts for the kids to participate in outside and they even had a snack table.  Considering it was free, it was pretty good.  The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Christmas 2013

We had a really good Christmas this year, despite the fact that Miller had just gotten out of the hospital.  Thankfully I had finished all of my shopping early and didn't have to worry about that after we got home.  We decided to stick with our original plan and head North to Nashville.  We left Friday after Daniel got off work and spent the night at my parents' house.  We got to Nashville Saturday around lunchtime and left early Christmas Eve to head back so that Santa could visit our house!  The kids had a great time while we were there and so did the adults.  I wish we were able to visit more often!

Zonked out after opening presents!

Maddox and Owen Kate watched a lot of Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid while we were there!

We got back home just in time to take a bath and leave cookies for Santa.  The kids were exhausted from traveling all day so they went to bed really well!  The next morning I was up feeding Miller at about 6:45 in the living room when Maddox came down the stairs and saw that Santa had come.  He was so excited and was dying to go get Maclain up so they could open their presents.  Let's just say that Maclain was less than thrilled to be woken up and needed a little more sleep. ;)  Once she saw that she had presents, though, she perked right up and tore into them.  It was so much fun seeing their excitement.

This was the one thing he asked for and was so excited Santa brought it ;)

Maclain loves her Klip Klop stable

I love his expression when he opened this present!

Santa visited Miller, too, but Maddox and Maclain decided they needed to open her presents for her. :)  After all the excitement of presents she passed out in my arms...

We had a nice, relaxing morning playing with toys and hanging out before naptime.  Later that evening we all got ready and headed over to the Evers' for dinner with them.  We are so thankful they invited us over, and the food was so yummy!!

Merry Christmas!!

RSV

About a week and a half before Christmas, little Miller was hospitalized with RSV.  It was so scary, and something I hope I don't have to go through again!  She had been coughing for several days, but on Sunday afternoon she woke up with a 103.2 fever.  I took her in to a new ER that we have in town, and we were taken back immediately.  My friend Rebecca met me there so I wasn't by myself, since Daniel was at home with Maddox and Maclain (we left in a hurry!).  They ran all sorts of tests and quickly determined it was RSV.  They decided to admit her to the hospital, and we were transported via ambulance to TMH.  We ended up staying 3 nights where they kept a close eye on her oxygen levels and respiratory rate.  By Wednesday morning, she was much, much better and we were discharged!  I hated seeing her so sick, but was thankful it was not any worse than it was!

Poor thing shortly after getting to the ER

Not happy about being transported to the hospital. :(

Feeling terrible!

Still so cute!!

Starting to feel much better!

Excited about going home!!

 I am so thankful that my mom was able to drop everything and come down that Sunday night to take care of Maddox and Maclain.  It was so nice for me and Daniel to get to focus all of our time and energy on Miller and getting her well.  My dad came down the day before we were discharged to help my mom out and I really don't think Maddox and Maclain missed us much at all in those 3 days! :)  I am also super thankful Rebecca met me at the ER that night.  I would not have wanted to go through that by myself, and it was so nice having someone else there to ask questions behind me, making sure I didn't miss anything.  After we found out for sure Miller was being admitted, I called our friend Leslie and she was able to go to our house and sit with the kids until my mom got there, so that Daniel could meet us at the hospital.  It is so true that it takes a village to raise kids and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful village here in Tallahassee!

Family Pictures

Back at the end of November, my friend Glenda took some family photos for us.  We went down to Railroad Square Art Park one Sunday afternoon and it was FREEZING that day!  Glenda did a great job, though, and was able to capture some pretty good shots, despite the fact that Maddox was not excited at all about having pictures taken.  Maclain was quite the opposite, doing everything Glenda asked her to.  Thank you, Glenda, for capturing these special pictures!

Miller - 2 Months Old

These last 2 months have been a whirlwind but here we are!!

What a sweet little thing she is!  Miller is 11 pounds and 7 ounces of pure cuteness!  She is smiling all the time now and definitely recognizes familiar faces.  She sleeps through the night about 50% of the time, but is not a very consistent napper.  She loves to be held and is very fond of the swaddle.  Car rides are hit or miss... sometimes she is a champ and other times she is not having it!  She has moved into 3 month clothes and is starting to chunk up a little.  She goes to the doctor Friday so I am curious about her weight.  She rolls over almost immediately now when she is put on her belly.  She coos at us when we talk to her and I love hearing her little voice.  She loves the bath and also likes being sung to.  She is pretty laid back most of the time, but can get cranked up when she needs to! She is our perfect little caboose! :)

War Eagle!!

Was that Iron Bowl intense or what??  Of course, we were beyond excited to see our Auburn Tigers pull out the win!  We watched the game at my parents' house and after it was over Daniel suggested going to Toomer's Corner so that's what we did.  We had to park several blocks away and walk a good ways, but it was well worth it to see everyone's excitement.  Auburn has had a phenomenal year and we are so proud of them!  We are hoping they make it to the National Championship.  War Eagle!

Back in Auburn... where it all began! :)

I ran into one of my former students, Houlton!

 

4 Generations

We went to Opelika for Thanksgiving this year and while we were there, I finally got a 4 generations girl picture...

Mamaw, Mom, Me, Maclain and Miller

Also while we were there, I stumbled upon this picture of myself from when I was around 4 years old...

I see such a resemblance between me and Maclain!

Maddox's Preschool Thanksgiving

The Monday before Thanksgiving, Maddox's preschool had their annual Thanksgiving program and feast.  Each class sang songs for the parents and then we all enjoyed a nice potluck-style meal together.  I love being able to go to his events at preschool and see him in action. ;)  He did a great job and I am so thankful for the teachers and staff at Timberlane!

Just like last year, he kept his fingers in his mouth most of the time! :)

Maclain - 2 Years Old

This sweet, spunky thing turned 2 years old on November 25th...

How are we here already?  I tell ya what... God knew just what we needed in this little bundle and we are so thankful Maclain belongs to us!  She is the perfect combination of sweet and spunky and is developing a mind all her own.  She talks ninety to nothing these days and says it all!  She is very independent and wants to do everything herself.  She can be clingy at times, but can be convinced to go to others when needed.  She makes us laugh all the time with all of the funny things she says.  She is still very attached to her pacis for sleeping purposes, and we keep meaning to take those away ;).  She has lots of interest in the potty, but mommy doesn't!  I am a tad busy at the moment so we are waiting until Summer to officially potty-train.  She has a love/hate relationship with Maddox and is learning how to push his buttons.  She can play so sweetly with him one minute, and be screaming at him the next.  She is addicted to snacks and asks for them constantly.  She is a more diverse eater than what we are used to, so sometimes I am guilty of not ever offering her certain things b/c I am not used to a child who likes them.  She will drink anything, but she particularly loves Sprite, Dr. Pepper, orange juice, apple juice and chocolate milk.  She is still a great sleeper and asks to nap each day.  She is loving baby dolls lately and wants to be a mommy to Miller every chance she gets.  One thing is for sure... we love her to pieces! :)

Date Night

Maddox and I had a date night a couple of weeks ago.  I have to admit, we don't do this nearly enough and it was so much fun getting time with him by ourselves.  We went to see Winnie The Pooh Live at FSU.  I was not sure if he would like it since he isn't all that familiar with the characters, but he loved it.  He asked so many questions throughout and wanted to talk about it for several days afterwards.  Right after the performance, they served ice cream to everyone and gave the kids a chance to meet the characters.  Maddox opted out of meeting everyone, but needed no convincing to get himself some ice cream. :)

Bradley's Fun Day

A couple of weekends ago we ventured out to Bradley's Country Store for their fun day.  We had never been before, and I found it to be very similar to Syrup Sopping back home.  There were vendors selling handmade crafts, lots of food, and activities for the kids.  The petting zoo was probably their favorite!  We stayed for a couple of hours before heading back home for the kids to nap.  They had fun for the most part, but had their share of meltdowns, too!  That is par for the course these days if we are being honest! ;)