the party

I LOVE three. Other than the attitude and freak outs. But everything else is great. Addison is a wealth of knowledge and really understands how things work. So she was all about her birthday this year. We had the party at a local park and there was no one there but us. It was perfect.

I still can't get a good picture of her.
I took the easy way out and served pizza, fruit and cheese. It actually turned out to be a very good idea.

Addison had 4 little boys from school come to the party and couldn't have been happier. We did invite a couple of girls, but they couldn't make it. I didn't see her all morning unless she was eating or opening gifts.
I decided to again take the easy road and get cupcakes from Costco. I was worried about 20 cupcakes being enough so I was going to get a cake from Publix. (No need to worry. Costco cupcakes are HUGE!) Then I had this bright idea to make a cake instead. By myself. I was up until midnight making this thing and getting ready for the party. Note to self: next time just get the cake at Publix.
I must say that I was pretty darn excited about the cake. It was pink and purple. One of her special requests. And turned out pretty cute. Addison got a little shy when we were singing Happy Birthday. It was really sweet to watch. She was so happy that it was her birthday.
Drum roll please...

Behold. The best part of the cake. And let me just say that it tasted good too. I used my secret ingredients...applesauce and a dollop of mayo.
That night she had a couple of things left to open from us and my dad. Grandpa came through big time and got her the Spiderman toy she had been talking about for weeks. And lucky us - it talks AND shoots things from it's hand.

I picked up this little laptop a couple of weeks ago when I saw it on sale. I do that. I buy cheap things and put them away for special occasions. I wonder where I get that from? (My mom!) Turns out, she loves it! Some of the games are a little advanced, but we sit and play it together. I'm actually surprised at how well she does at most of them.
There you have it. Another year gone by and my baby girl is now three. I'm a little sad, but really do love all the things that she is learning. It makes me proud.

stats

I took both girls to the doctor last Monday. Addison for her 3 year checkup and two shots. Morgan for a pre-op physical. Both are still in the mid to upper percentiles for length and tiny in terms of weight. But still healthy and that's all that matters.

Addison
29 lbs, 4 oz
37.175 inches

Morgan
17 lbs, 6.5 oz
29.375 inches

Just for comparison, Addison was 20 lbs and 30 inches at her one year appt. Morgan is defintiely thinner, but it looks like she might take her in the length department.

surgery day

The surgery center called me the day before. "Be here at 6:30". I didn't think I heard them right. 6:30? I had to wake my child up early and keep her entertained until 9, keeping in mind that it would be 12 hours since she last ate. Oh, I was not looking forward to it. Turned out I had nothing to worry about. I brought plenty of entertainment.

We read some books.
And played with spoons.
They gave Morgan some really cool socks, super star shades and a pinwheel. My favorite was the ankle bracelet.
Around 8:30 she got a little antsy and just wanted to crawl. Daddy saved the day when he showed up. Right after this the nurse came to get her. I know it's a quick and really easy procedure, but she's still my baby. And when I handed her over my heart beat fast and I was nervous for her. I paced around for 10 minutes and then she was back. She was completely out. They hooked her up to the machines to check her vitals and gave her some clean air to wake her up. She didn't completely wake up until the nurse pulled the sticky things off her chest. Evidently they don't like that.
Morgan was a little disoriented and agitated for about 10 minutes. Once she calmed down she ate a bottle and was back to her normal self. Everyone was commenting about how happy she was. And then we were on our way.

Lounging in the chair before we left.
She slept for a couple hours when we got home and woke up like nothing ever happen. We have to put drops in her ears until tomorrow and then she is good to go. We go back in two weeks for a check up. I'm really hoping we don't have to deal with ear infections again.

birthday girl

Addison turned three on Saturday.

Her requests: balloons, party with friends, spiderman toy, and everything pink and purple.

All were granted. And I have pictures to share.

For now, our birthday dinner at where else, Chick-fil-a. Michael said it was blog worthy. He was right. Probably the best picture I have with her in a really long time. Happy Birthday sweet girl!

dear grammy

Today would be your 93rd birthday. We would go over to your house, have cake and cookies and other sweets. We would sing Happy Birthday to you and you would laugh and clap and sing along. You would open your gifts which would probably be some kind of lounge clothes and socks. You would probably take the tissue paper, smooth out all of the wrinkles and then fold it. We would all give you tons of hugs and kisses when we left.

Today I will remember the birthday's past when we did all of those things. Today I will think about you and tear up even though I know that you are at peace in heaven. Tonight Addison and I will sing Happy Birthday to you. I will tell her a funny story about you at bedtime. I will kiss her goodnight and be lucky for all of the time that I get to spend with her.

happy birthday.

love,
erika

tapped out

We finally waved the white flag.

A week after leaving the ENT I had to take Morgan back to the pediatrician. She was so stuffy that she could barely breath. When I was told that she had another double ear infection I was done. We were sent home with another antibiotic and an appointment with the ENT for a follow up.
Last week was torture. Morgan got a fever starting on Easter Sunday and it didn't break until Wednesday. These pictures were taken Monday afternoon right after I put her in the bathtub because she was burning up. Even with a fever she manages to look laid back. But don't be fooled. She wasn't sleeping and just wanted to be held.
Friday we went to see Dr. M again. It may sound mean, but I'm really glad that she was still so sick when we went to see him. She was so stuffy and both ears were still infected. I really wanted him to see what we've been dealing with since January 19th. He advised us to go ahead and put the tubes in her ears. At this point we feel it is the best option.
The surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, the 22nd. She'll be under anesthesia for about 10 minutes while they put in the tubes. Time in to time out is about an hour. She'll probably sleep most of the afternoon and be back to herself the next day. They tell us that she should never feel them once they are in. I'm looking forward to having my healthy, happy baby girl back.

just noticed...

that i finally got a picture of Morgan's teeth. And one on the top just popped through this past week. She's been a late bloomer. She thoroughly enjoys chewing on her paci's a lot more than she does sucking on them.

easter

I have hopes and dreams. On this day it was to get a nice family picture and a cute picture of the girls in their matching Easter dresses. Those hopes and dreams were quickly crushed. Addison won't sit still for the camera for any longer than 10 seconds and Morgan was running a fever and covered in snot. So this was the best I got.

That morning we headed to church with my mom and Jim. Addison had a blast hunting Easter eggs. And Morgan was sound asleep in Michael's arms for the whole thing.


Someone at church gave all the kids bubbles. My brother was blowing them for her and she was in heaven chasing them around.

And my sweet Morgan. She woke up from that nap with a smile on her face. By the time we got home the fever had started and she wanted nothing to do with Easter. I'm sad that I don't have pictures of her throughout the day, but look at this one. It makes up for it.
The girls spent the night with my mom so I have no pictures of them and their baskets. But just like when I was a kid, the Easter bunny left them on the foot of their bed. I'm glad my mom got to experience it with them Sunday morning.

egg coloring

It was good Friday and we were off of work and school so we decided to color some Easter eggs in our free time. Addison had on one of my old shirts, I was decked out in gloves, Morgan was napping and our neighbor Caeley was there to help out. Addison was very serious and had to make sure to stir her eggs so they would be coated correctly.

Then she got mad at me when I tried to take them out or tried to do my eggs. She spent some time in time out for not wanting to share with Caeley. Let me just say that Caeley is the best! She plays with Addison and Morgan all the time which buys me an hour on the weekends to get some things done. And Addison adores her.

Then Morgan woke up from her nap and wanted to play with the eggs. Her she is beating MY Gator egg with her pink one. Luckily, she broke the pink one. I'm very serious about my Gator stuff.

And those eggs are still sitting in my refrigerator. Not one of them has been eaten. Probably time to throw them out.

match match

I picked these dresses up a week or so ago when I did some summer clothes shopping for Addison and they wore them to church on Sunday. Morgan did have a cute headband on, but it didn't last long when we got home. They don't have a lot of things that match, but that may have to change. How cute!
Yes, Morgan is sick again which is why her eyes looks droopy and her face is full of snot.
The dresses don't match, they "match match". Addison always says this when two things look alike.
She actually let me take a picture. Where she was still. And not cheesy smiling. And while I was taking this Morgan almost fell off the couch. Oops.