Natalie's 3rd Birthday

Today was Natalie's 3rd birthday. I can't believe she is already 3. Time is going by way too fast. On Saturday we had her birthday party. I was worried because I was afraid it was going to rain. It had not rained in about 6 weeks and of course now it was supposed to rain. In the end it did not rain on Saturday but it was chilly and cloudy. I did not mind since we could at least be outside and enjoy the bouncy house we had rented.

Saturday morning we were busy trying to get ready for the party. Natalie was all excited, she thought that her birthday was that day. We tried to explain to her that it was just her party but we are not sure she got it. I am afraid that tomorrow she is going to say it's her birthday. We will see.....

Around 10:30 am the bouncy house showed up and she was very excited when it was set up. She kept saying "Mommy come see MY bouncy house". I was worried what was going to happen on Sunday when they took it away so we had to keep reminding her that we were just borrowing it. Anyway we had things under control as far as party planning so we got to enjoy jumping around in the morning before lunch. Izzie could not jump but she was having fun walking and trying to not to fall. The dogs of course were all confused. Parker was trying to jump to be near us on the side and Abi was doing her best to stay away from all the noise and the big thing now occupying her yard. The girls took a nice nap and then the party started. All the kids had great fun playing in the bouncy house and in the sand tables in the backyard. They also played upstairs. We had about 10 kids so it was fun watching them all run around. Then it was time for burgers and hot dogs and then the pinata. It was now pretty chilly outside so we did the pinata inside, the kids had lots of fun picking all the stuff. Then it was time for cake and then to open presents. I was afraid that the kids would get bored but somehow it was now 7pm. Some of the kids left and some of our friends stayed so we enjoyed more playing in the bouncy house.

Natalie was exhausted at the end of the day. She had so much fun. On Sunday we were getting ready to go and jump but it was raining so we had to wait. We had the bouncy house until that afternoon so we wanted to take advantage of it while we could. It stopped raining and Aaron went to dry it off. We had been jumping for about 1/2 hour when Aaron decided to see how far we could jump. Well as you can probably guess he jumped a little too much and too close to Natalie. When he landed he sent Natalie flying and when she landed she hurt her knee and now was screaming and would not get up. So we had to get out and when she calmed down she could not stand. She kept complaining her knee hurt and would not put any weight on it. So I called the doctor and they gave me an appt so the doctor could check her out and maybe do an X-Ray. Luckily the pediatrician have Sunday office hours so we did not have to got to the Emergency Room. She did not want to go to the doctor but she did very well. The doctor examined her knee and her leg and said that it was just a mild sprain, nothing serious and no X-ray. On the downside she could not jump anymore and we still had the bouncy house at home! We felt bad that we were not able to enjoy it more, maybe next time.

This morning for her actual birthday we opened presents in the morning with Aaron and then Aaron went to work. Natalie started playing with all her new toys and then we went to the park to feed the ducks and play in the playground. We had playgroup in the afternoon and then after dinner there were more presents that had arrived during the day and the last round of cake!

She had so much fun on her birthday weekend. Now we have to wait until Oct for Izzie's birthday.

Now we are getting ready for the surgery on Wednesday, she has no idea what's coming. I just hope she is not too upset and it is over quick. I will post an update on her surgery on Wed afternoon.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

the bouncy house



Natalie & Izzie


Waiting on burgers & hot dogs


Pinata time






Time for cake








burning up some energy after cake






all her presents this morning




at the park Izzie was playing peekabo

Cooking

So this afternoon we stayed home. We did not have playgroup and the weather outside is pretty nasty. We have not had a drop of rain in over 3 weeks. Of course because Natalie's birthday party is on Saturday now it decided to rain. They were saying on the news that over the next 3 days we will have the most rainfall from one weather event since 2007. Just my luck. Sunday looks to be nice and the latest forecast are calling for 30% or 50% chance of rain on Saturday depending where you look. I am hoping they mean morning and it will be rain free for the afternoon.

So this afternoon we were home and Natalie said she was going to cook dinner. She was going to make chicken. So she wanted her apron on, which then meant that Izzie needed to have an apron on too. The girls were so cute "cooking" together. Natalie is getting more and more interested in her kitchen as she is doing more of the pretend play. Izzie just likes making a mess and playing with all the pretend food.

Here are some pictures














Natalie making some coffee


Izzie going grocery shopping






Coffee is ready.....

ENT Update

Just wanted to write a brief update on the follow up ENT appt. So last Friday I took Natalie for her hearing test. Natalie did not want to go but it was a easier this time since Aaron was home with Izzie. They did 2 tests, one was sounding this noise and she was supposed to look at the speaker that the noise was coming from and the other test they put a probe in the ear (not too far down) to measure how noise traveled given the fluid in the ear. She did ok, not great but no kicking and screaming and most importantly no throwing up.

We got the results earlier this week and she does have fluid in both ears and it is causing some hearing problems. So we have two options, one is to give her a round of steroids & antibiotics to see if that helped get the fluid out or put tubes in, again. At first I was thinking of doing the medicines, just to avoid another surgery but on second thought we decided on tubes. In the past she has been on antibiotics so many times, at one time she was on for an entire month straight and although they worked great to cure the infection and avoid infections it never got rid of the fluid. So we did not think the antibiotics would work and we were going to be in the same position in a few weeks.

Now since this is the third time putting tubes in the doctor wants to take her adenoids out too and instead of the regular tubes they are going to use this tubes called "T tubes". They last 3-4 years and then the doctor has to take them out, they don't fall out. The doctor can take them out, no need for surgery but they do need to sit very still (and not throw up....) so I am sure it will be a while before we take those out.

She is scheduled for surgery on March 18 and I guess because they are taking out the adenoids too they are doing the procedure this time at the pediatric center not the regular place like last year. I have not mentioned this to her, I don't think she will understand the whole surgery hospital thing. Hopefully this will be the last time she will need ear surgery.

Kite Festival

This morning we took the girls to Zilker Park in downtown Austin for the 81 st annual kite festival. We missed it last year so we have been looking forward to going this year. Earlier in the week I got two kites for the girls so that we could bring them with us. It was a little chilly this morning but it was a beautiful day with nice wind. We got there right before it started and got a good spot to put or chairs and blanket down. Natalie was cold at first but by the time we left she was kicking and screaming because she did not want to go. We brought sandwiches to have a picnic and eat there. They also had some bouncy houses so Natalie was able to go and jump. We flew our kites early in the mornig when we got there but then it too crowded so we could not but it was ok it was fun watching all the other kites. Izzie had a great time playing with the dirt and with everything we brought. We had to keep our eye on her because she liked to go to other people's blankets and go through their stuff. We wished we could have stayed longer but the girls needed to come home and nap. Maybe next year we can stay longer.

Aaron flying our pink fish kite





Izzie having a good time while eating her snack












view of the kites

ENT Appt

Just wanted to share my experience this morning at the ENT. Natalie had a follow up appointment today. Long story short last April she had her second set of tubes put in and in the 6 month checkup in Oct the tubes had already fallen out. She had not had an ear infection but she did have fluid in her ear and they attempted a hearing test. Key word "attempted".... she screamed so much that the test did not give accurate results. So the doctor said to wait it out and see what would happen during the winter months and to bring her back in Feb. So now it was time to do the follow up.

I was optimistic that she would do ok this time, since it has been a while since anyone messed with her ears and also a month ago she was very good for the pediatrician and she let the ped. check her ears and her throat and she never screamed. So I was hopeful. Yesterday I mentioned to her that we were going and she was ok with it and even told me she would not cry.

Well we get to the ENT's office and she starts crying. She did not want to get out of the car and wanted me to carry her. Which was a little difficult since I was already carrying Izzie. So she calmed down and we went inside. In the waiting room she was doing very well, an improvement from last time. We got called inside and she was still doing pretty well. She did not want to go but at least she was walking and was not screaming. Then the doctor walked in and pretty much hell broke lose. I was sitting with Natalie on the chair, Izzie is happy playing with my purse emptying out the contents of my wallet. The doctor was trying to look in her ears but she was screaming and kicking so hard it was hard to see. She has fluid but it was hard for him to see how much since she was so hysterical. Then the doctor wanted to look in her throat. She is screaming and starts gagging. Not sure if you know but Natalie has a very nice trick mastered which is that when she is really upset she can make herself throw up. So I realize she is about to throw up (as she is still on my lap and the doctor is right in front of us). So I put her on the floor and tell her to calm down that we were all done and to not throw up. I then go to open her sippy cup so she could have some water when she threw up all over herself and the floor. At least she did not throw up on me or the doctor. So the doctor leaves to get something to clean the mess and I started cleaning up the mess and to clean her off. At that moment Izzie starts crying. She is still sitting very good in the couch with my purse and my wallet. I think she is crying because Natalie was crying when I realize that she is holding on to the sippy cup of water. Apparently when I was getting it for Natalie I turned it and loosened it so Izzie finished opening it and spilled the entire sippy cup on herself. So she is sitting in a puddle of water. My purse, wallet and everything that was in my wallet is soaked. So I finish cleaning the floor so I could put Izzie on the floor and clean up the water mess. So now Natalie has vomit on her clothes and Izzie is soaking wet. The doctor comes back to this disaster and tells me Natalie will need another hearing test but that we don't have to do it today. Good thing because I don't think I would have been able to handle it.

So we leave the doctor. About 5 minutes after we leave Natalie informs me that she has to pee. So now I have to stop somewhere so she can pee.

We made it home in once piece but I am ready for their bedtime tonight. I guess I can settle for nap time for now.

The sad part is that I need to go back soon for her hearing test. Next time I will bring extra clothes for her and me and I will try to leave Izzie with Aaron.

Weekend Pictures

The weather has been very nice for the past couple of days so we have been enjoying it and spending time outside. Natalie is showing us how she can pedal in her tricycle. Izzie is just being her typical silly self.
here are some pictures






Natalie got tired and then Izzie wanted to ride but she needed Aaron to push her



Playing in the driveway







At the park feeding the ducks


Playing in the backyard wearing their new hats I got them in PR

Past two weeks

So I have not made an entry in about two weeks and although there are many times I want to sit down and write something for some reason I have not been able to do it. We have been pretty busy and a lot of times in the evenings I have been too exhausted to want to write. So here is a little summary of what we have been up to and some funny stories....

Izzie had her 15 month checkup last friday 1/30 on the day she turned 15 months. She now weighs 22.3 lbs and is 30 inches long. Looking back at Natalie's chart it looks like Natalie was about a pound lighter and an inch longer. Izzie is now near the 50th percentile for both height and weight. She has moved up, she used to be in the 25th to 30th. We think it's only going to be a few more months that Natalie will be able to push Izzie around, pretty soon Izzie will be the one pushing Natalie around. Should be interesting when that happens.....

Natalie is doing good, her imagination is sometimes out of control. We don't really know if this falls under the category of imaginary friend but it is pretty funny. Now as you probably know by now Natalie has her favorite stuffed animal/doll which is Pi (the pig) and although Pi is her baby she alternates between Pi and her blanket. Yes her blanket is her baby sometimes. Now it is not a specific blanket (thankfully) it is a series of about 7 different blankets that my Mom made when I was pregnant with her. She has had this blankets since she was born, and they were great to swaddle her so we used them on her all the time. Well she loves them and these are the only blankets she wants. At least she is not attached to a specific one but it has to be one of this kind. She usually has about 3 at a time and of the 3 that she picks one as her favorite for the day or for the time she has them until we have to throw them in the wash. Lately she has been favoring the pink ones (of course). Well the blanket attachment is not only that she wants to bring it with her wherever she goes it is that the blanket is her friend. Here are some of the things she does with her blanket.... she feeds the blanket baby food and milk from either bottles or sippy cups ; the blanket goes down for a nap; the blanket goes down the slide and swings in the swing; the other day the blanket had really bad diaper rash (no idea where she got this from) ; blanket sometimes wears a diaper ; the blanket rides next to me in the passenger seat with the seat belt on when we go in the car ; the blanket goes pee pee and poo poo in her potty ; the blanket pooped outside in the grass like the dogs but then Aaron had to tell the blanket not do poop outside; she reads books to her blanket and when they are the touch and feel books the blanket has to touch them; she drags the blanket around to show me how "blankie is walking" ; she pushes blanket around in a stroller; blanket has a paci ; blanket cries if we leave her at home and don't bring her with us; on tuesday I asked Natalie who she played with at school and her response "me played blankie" ; the blanket has to pick up toys and is very good at cleaning up (is what Natalie says). So as you can see it's almost like I have a third child. The other night I was reading books to Natalie before bed and I had to whisper the entire time because the blanket was already asleep! We have tried to explain to Natalie that the blanket is not real but she does not understand and does not want to hear it. She talks to the blanket and ask her questions and even waits for the blanket to respond, I think in her mind the blanket responds to her. I have no idea what is going through her head but it is pretty funny to watch.

Izzie from watching Natalie drag her blanket all over the place is getting attached to her blankets too but she is too little to play like Natalie does, but Natalie has been trying to get Izzie to play with her blanket the same way she does, time will tell if Izzie ends up as goofy as Natalie is.

Speaking of goofy.... Izzie is crazy for yogurt. But the only way she likes to eat is if she feeds herself. She does not want it if I feed her. Needless to say it is a mess. I had to take some pictures of the ordeal. As you can guess she was brought up to the tub for a bath right after.

Today I took the girls for a haircut. Natalie has been in need of one for a while. She kept telling me that she did not want a haircut. All other haircuts that she has gotten have been an adventure, her screaming and crying the whole time. This time she was ok with the idea as long as Izzie got one too (and of course Izzie had to go first). I wished I had had my camera because Izzie was so cute sitting up on the chair like a big girl all by herself. They gave her some animal crackers and she was happy as a clam. She got a little mad when they were getting her hair wet but she did not mind when they started to comb it at cut it. She did great. Natalie realizing that it was not that big of a deal then sat on the chair and never complained. They both did great and their hair looks so much better. I was a little reluctant on cutting Izzie's hair since I was afraid the curls were going to go away but it was the opposite. Now she has more curls. I love it! I hope her hair stays curly.

Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks.

Natalie feeding Izzie yogurt



Izzie getting ready to go down the slide and Natalie waiting to catch her


Natalie being silly






Izzie is 15 months old


At the park with Parker & Abi




The yogurt adventure..... (last night)






This morning before haircuts




After haircuts