ICE DAY!

So last night the snow turned into sleet, making a slippery (albeit gorgeous) layer of ice on top of our snow. I'd say we got another inch of ice for a grand total of 4 1/2-ish inches of accumulation. WHAT?! Spring Hill always gets the weather shaft, so to speak. We get hail, wind, etc., but usually no pretty snow. I am quite pleased. The only bummer is that I had a baby shower I was really looking forward to today that had to be cancelled. *Sigh.* But being snowed in with the family isn't too shabby, especially given the vast library of Netflix On Demand ;)

The ice made for PERFECT sledding








Ice and snow on one of our leftover pepper plants - so pretty

SNOW DAY!

Oh, how I long for days like this! Well, mostly. The weather forecasters started calling for snow here earlier in the week. For once, I didn't get my hopes up - probably because the "snow" that is usually predicted normally disappoints me. So anyway - Addie did her snow dance yesterday, and apparently it worked! We woke up this morning to see ZERO snow on the ground, but the radar looked ominous. I decided to head on in to work because I felt silly staying home with no actual accumulation. My plan was to keep an eye on the roads and head out as soon as it started sticking. JM wisely decided to work from home. We took the babies to school, and off I went! It was clear, clear, clear, BAM - streets completely covered. It really seems like it happened that quickly! I was checking fairly often and called my boss (who was working from home due to her little girl's school being closed) at 11 and told her I was about to head out. But then I checked the parking lot and roads, and they looked fine. So I stayed around a little longer. BIG MISTAKE! When I left at noon, the roads were already white. I made it fine for the first two or three miles of my commute, but then when it came time to turn onto the main highway, the traffic was stopped. I ended up making a u-turn (oops - illegal in Franklin :)) to try a different way. That went a little better except I got behind a MORON driving 15 mph. Now don't get me wrong - I'm aware that it is not a good idea to go the speed limit in inclement weather. And I wasn't comfortable going much faster than 30 or so. However, I was quite nervous that we wouldn't be able to pass over the many hills going so slowly! Thankfully, I turned off and got away from that buffoon (who I hope made it home safely, although it may have been six hours afterwards at the rate he was going). ANYWAY - long story short (too late, you say?), it took me an hour and forty-five minutes to get home. It normally takes me 25-30. I really can't complain, though, because last year it took me over three hours to get home in another snow where there were far better conditions than today's.

Sooo, enough about me. I finally got home and JM and the babies were safe and sound and warm and toasty, thank goodness. We went out to play and Addie had a blast! She made a headless snow angel (refused to lay her head on the ground). Landon wasn't quite sure what to think of the snow, but he was definitely not a big fan of his "snowsuit." But seriously, he looked so adorable, I really didn't care. He did seem to have a good time "sledding" with Addie! We're excited about Round 2 of playing outside tomorrow, but hopeful that we're not completely "snowed in" because we have a few events we're really looking forward to attending this weekend!

(I promise Landon really did smile & laugh while we were outside, I just never caught it with the camera :))

*As of right now (9:00 p.m. Friday), I'd guess we have around 3 1/2 to 4 inches. Gorgeous!

The Grab Bag

What a week. Well, really, what a month! We have had the hardest time staying well in January. John Michael kicked it off with a sinus infection that required not just one, but two, rounds of antibiotics, and I have also have two colds/sinus infections. We took Landon for his ENT consult at the beginning of the month and we were told he had another ear infection. I think this made his sixth, although I honestly can't remember. Then, last week he had a nasty tummy bug and bad cold. I thought SURELY we were through, but we woke up Saturday morning to find Addie's eyes with the yuckiest case of pinkeye I've ever seen! At this point, all I could do was laugh. We certainly have had the grab bag of sicknesses here! It ceased to be quite so funny when we got called to pick Landon up this past Tuesday because he had a fever of 101.8. Ay, ay, ay. Dr. Hood had noticed some fluid in his ear when we were visiting her last week for the tummy bug/cold combo (we were afraid it was pneumonia), but she did not want to give him antibiotics because he had just finished a round and he was already scheduled for his tubes today (Thursday, the 28th). So, the bright side is that we didn't have to trek up to the pediatrician, because she had told us to give her a call if he ran a fever and that she'd just call in some antibiotics. ANYWAY...Addie now has the nasty cold. Please pray that it won't settle into her chest!

Today was the big day for the tubes! He was still running a low-grade fever (100.6), but that's the tricky thing about tubes...we can't keep his ears from getting infected long enough for him to be completely "well" for the procedure. So after discussion with the ENT and the anesthesiologist, we felt quite comfortable with them proceeding. And he did just great! The only downfall of the whole thing is that we were scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m. Remember, no food or drink after midnight. Kind of hard to explain to an almost-11-month-old. But he did well with very minimal fussing, and he certainly won the hearts of all the nurses! We were asked no less than five times if he could be taken home with someone. Hehe. :) They ended up taking him back around 9:30 or so (yes, seriously! I was so angry!), and we were back in recovery with him by 10ish. He did GREAT with the anesthesia. Addie was inconsolable after hers, so we were prepared for that. Our little man didn't fuss a bit! He was obviously groggy, but seemed fine. Of course, the difference is that they gave him an intranasal pain medicine (something Addie did not receive). He drank a little water while we were there and I gave him a bottle once we got home. He's sleeping soundly now after fighting being put down. Once I decided that I needed to put him in his crib (rather than hold him - can't blame a mommy for trying), he was out like a light by the time I got down the stairs. I am so glad he's doing well and we are hoping this will be a great improvement for his ears! The doctor said there was active infection in both ears, and that both eardrums were retracted. Yikes.

*Update - here's the photos!

In the waiting room, playing with the HIPAA notice! Lawyer-to-be?

Landon and I were getting irritated by this point...I believe it was nearing 9:30.

It was a family affair! At least we weren't crying like we were when Addie got out of her first tubes surgery :)


Sweet punkin

CeCe

I am not quite sure where to begin with this post, but I feel like not posting anything is just unfair to myself (and the rest of my family). My sweet grandmommy passed away Thursday evening at the age of 85. She was an absolutely wonderful woman. I grew up with her literally next door (she had what we now all know as a "mother-in-law suite" in my parents' home), so we were very close. I have awesome memories of her from my childhood, of course, but even more since I've been an adult (and not just because I can remember more :)). I can't begin to explain the amount of support she gave me over the past few years (along with the rest of my family, of course). She always told me I could accomplish everything I set my mind to, and without ever making me feel dumb, told me she thought my nerves and fears were silly. And nearly every time, she was right!

The past few months, she had been having a lot of pain in her legs, and being not quite herself. My mom finally convinced the stubborn old lady (well!) that she needed to go to the doctor, and eventually ended up having her taken to the emergency room. This was Monday, December 28. She was diagnosed with cancer in her hip bone, liver and lungs the next day. Of course, we were all devastated, but were hopeful that we'd have a couple of months to spend with her. Obviously, that was not God's (nor her) plan. When she and I sat to talk, right after her diagnosis, the first thing she said was, "Well, I get to go see Wayne!" That is my grandfather who passed away nearly 50 years ago. It was amazing to see her peace. She knew she was going to Heaven and honestly, I think she was ready. And I think she gave us a week for the rest of us to catch up with her peace. I told her a little fib and told her I was okay with her leaving us. It hurts so bad, but knowing that she is without pain, and is with her husband and her son (my uncle, who died five years ago), I am happy.

Of course, not only was she my grandma, but she was "CeCe" to Addie and Landon. She had originally chosen "G.G" (Great-Grandmother) to be her nickname, but Addie couldn't say it. So it became "CeCe," and it really seemed perfect. She loved those babies more than anything. Even on a day where it was obvious that she wasn't feeling well, one sight of either Addie or Landon would cheer her up. I have prayed every day that Addie will remember her and remember how much her CeCe loved her. I think at the very least she'll remember the York Peppermint Patties that she got whenever she visited her :)

I don't think a day will go by that I don't miss her. I am so thankful that God gave her to us for so long. I am also so grateful that I got to sit with her and tell her just how much she meant to me. I know that she knew, but it (selfishly) began my healing process. She was a beautiful woman, and she will be loved and missed forever!

Ten months

And only a day late - ha HA! This month has been a whirlwind with the holidays, but it was definitely a good one. Landon continues to be SO active. Changing his diaper and getting him dressed is practically a two-person job. He hates to be still for any amount of time anymore, but he will cuddle a little first thing in the morning while he drinks his first bottle. Addie, Landon and I all sit on the couch and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while he gets out of total starvation mode (he thinks, at least) and Addie slowly wakes up. That is my favorite time of the day! I'll pretend that they enjoy the snuggle time, too.

Landon had a visit with the ENT yesterday, who determined that it is time for tubes. Landon has had a little cold for the past week and the doctor noticed that fluid is just sitting in his ears and not draining properly. There was no active infection, but it was headed that way. Poor kiddo. SO - he's apparently a "perfect candidate." We're still trying to figure out whose fabulous genes gave our babies their bad ears! ;) He will have the procedure at the end of this month. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for a smooth procedure, and also that this will help his ears in the future. More on that closer to the time...

Anyway - here's the list:

At ten months, Landon:
* is over 20 pounds, although I'm not sure exactly how much
* is wearing all 12-month clothes; size 4 diapers; size 3 shoes
* is walking with assistance EVERYWHERE
* is climbing stairs! EEK!
* is still babbling a lot - I'm honestly not remembering if he has any new words since the last time I posted, but he is definitely more emphatic when he says things now!
* is a dancing fool when he plays with his musical toys
* is a daddy's boy right now
* chews on everything, but still only has three teeth
* is showing his temper a lot more readily lately
* only wants table food now and eats pretty much whatever we're eating
* wants to be held if he sees someone standing up
* is all over Addie's toys now and she is NOT a fan
* has pretty impressive fine motor skills for a little guy! He's getting very good at putting small items in slightly-larger boxes, etc.
* still sleeps from 7 p.m. til 6:30 a.m. - clockwork - and takes two to three short naps a day
* is still a sweet, cute, precious boy!

He looked like such a little man in this outfit!

"CHEESE!"

Oh, and...

Happy New Year! As I put on my Facebook status, I hope your year is filled with more laughter than tears. Cheers!

I have a confession...

I love when Addie says words incorrectly. LOVE IT. She has had such a good vocabulary for such a long while that it doesn't happen often, so when it does, I can't help but repeat the word(s) exactly like she says them because I think it's so cute. Yes, I know I should say them the right way so she learns, but hey, she has her WHOLE life to speak correctly, and I'm hanging on to my little girl as long as I can. And seriously, for the most part, she even uses "and I" and "and me" the correct way, so I feel I can let her say a few silly things without fear that she'd be embarrassed if she knew better ;)

My favorites?
"be-cation" for "vacation"
"whistletoe" for "mistletoe"
"reckles" for "freckles" (this is my ULTIMATE favorite!)
"lose" for "use" and "lellow" for "yellow" (even though she can say her 'y' sounds)
"Darbie" for "Barbie" (she doesn't have any dolls, but does have a cup with Barbie on it)
*"Old MacDonald's" for "McDonald's" (not that she's ever been there, it's just...er...um... :))
*"cheesebarger" for "cheeseburger"
*She also sometimes says "bees" instead of "be" - like "I'll bees ___ and you can bees _____." (I don't use that one back, but I do think it's adorable :))

I know, child educators everywhere are cringing...ha ha!