Zoo trip, continued...

And then there was the splashpad. We visited it after the Children's Zoo petting area, a fine place to finish off the day, get all of the rest of their energy out, and cool off. I thought that they BOTH would love it, and I'm still convinced that they would have, if some rather large boy, old enough to know better, hadn't purposefully splashed Tatum in the face immediately upon her entrance to this splashpad.

Um...as much as she loves water - and she is QUITE the water baby - there was virtually nothing that MawMaw or I could do to recover from that. And we tried. A lot. I ended up pretty drenched in the process, actually.

See what I mean? This face pretty much exemplified her attitude about this particular splashpad. And I can't say that I blame her too much! I can say; however, that I was disappointed...I was so looking forward to seeing her excitedly playing in the splashing water!

I was successful at getting her NEAR the water, which I considered an accomplishment. Woe was us though, if one of the spouts happened to go off and squirt her. Oh buddy.

Oh, and about two seconds after I snapped this particular photo, she got slightly daring and decided to go further into the splashpad...and promptly lost her footing on the incline and did a header. Compare the photos from here on out...You'll need a nice little strawberry on her forehead after this one. Poor baby!

See what I mean? Note the strawberry and my continued attempts to get her used to the spouting water.

And we must have gotten through a little bit...or figured out that we needed to put her somewhere where she felt like she was in charge of something...or where she could decide if she got wet or not...So on top of the turtle, we actually got our first, "I'm having a good time and enjoying myself" smile of the splashpad experience.

Now Kellen, on the other hand, LOVED the splashpad...almost all aspects of it (there was that one boy...but we dealt with him). Not quite as many pictures of him, but plenty of video to make up for it...he was quite the hoot (and it takes ages to upload video, so I'll just do one).

And here are some examples of my little artsy self..I'm not saying there all good...I'm just saying I got artsy...*grin* I don't think MawMaw knew what she was in for when she suggested putting the kids by some flowers for some spring pictures. Here is just a small sampling of some of the pictures that I took of the kids...and only later - when they were both oh-so-done with pictures, did I realize that I didn't get ANY of the two of them together. Ug.

And Tatum was doing SO WELL with the pictures that I really took a lot with her. Apparently, Kellen started thinking that Mommy didn't want to take any pictures with him, and was getting his feelings hurt...Poor little guy. I guess every once in a while I get a dose of sibling rivalry reality - not too often, but every once in a while. Of course, I assured him that I DID want to take his picture, and then proceeded to do so...and he hammed it up (would you expect anything less?)

Although Kellen really and truly tried MawMaw and my patience that day, we really still had a good time. I told MawMaw that I gave it 15 minutes after we got into the car for him to be asleep...she didn't think he would make it out of the parking lot. We didn't even begin to venture on Tatum. She ended up falling asleep in the stroller on the way to the car, and stayed asleep through the transition from the stroller to the car and then again from the car to the house. Kellen made it out of the parking lot, but was asleep by the time we got past Minute Maid field...so less than 15 minutes after we left. And HE made stayed asleep all the way home, and virtually made the transition from the car to the house as well...I did a quick potty break with him, changed his clothes and got him into bed...told him that if he was still awake after I brought Tatum into the house that I would read him a story. Nope. He was out by the time I brought her back in...Hugging Buzz Lightyear for all he was worth.

Memories...Sweet memories...

Recap of Spring Break Fun...

Here's a photo and video-clip recap of last week's spring break fun...

Incredible Pizza (Thursday night):

We were initially tentative with Tatum and the rides...put her on the truly "kiddo" kiddy rides and climbing toys...

Then after having Kellen ride his beloved train, we decided to let Tatum give it a whirl, with me standing inside, guarding closely. She was probably thinking, "It's about time, folks!" Take a look at that expression! She was LOVING her train ride! Oh boy...we have another dare devil on our hands! And where, I ask you, did she learn to put her hands on the steering wheel???

Backstory for what you're about to see:

Kellen goes to Incredible Pizza quite often while visiting his MawMaw and PawPaw. And they play games while there. Lots of games. Lots and lots of games. Really.

When you play lots of games and don't cash in the tickets for the "crap" toys, you can really save up over time, especially when you have generous workers :)

Exhibit A for what I'm talking about...

I have NO idea why the lady behind the counter had to walk away, but poor Kellen was NOT about to let Buzz Lightyear out of his sight! He was going to follow her until he had HIS Buzz in HIS hands. Goodness. (And I still can't figure out what it was that she had to go and do? Get a manager maybe because it was worth so many tickets???)

And here is a picture of him absolutely in love with the almost larger-than-life Buzz Lightyear.

The Zoo (Friday):

Going in...we were already seeing monkeys!

Then it was off to see the sea lions...and Kellen wanted to jump in and swim with them...Hmmm...sounds a little like something his Mommy would have said...

Tatum and MawMaw decided to feed some of the birds along the way...


We were able to get some really good views of the elephants...and it made me kind of sad to think back and remember Kellen being small enough to say "epetant" for elephant...At least this time he didn't tell everyone within earshot that they were "HIS epetants!"

And what would a trip to the zoo be without seeing the monkeys? Kellen asked for them just as soon as we walked inside the gate...

The Children's Zoo...I had hoped that Tatum would really enjoy the petting zoo...she wasn't afraid of any of the animals, and I did get some pretty good video (I'll have to upload it on another post later...), but she was more interested in the, ummmm, pellets on the ground than the actual animals. *Sigh* Maybe next time she'll be a little more interested in the LIVE things. However, Kellen did a GREAT job of showing her how to be gentle to the animals, how to pet them, and helped me try to keep her from putting things she was finding on the ground into her mouth...What a good big brother!

I'll have to start another post later about the splash pad and then my slightly artsy phase at the zoo...I did get some nice shots of the kids, though! I'll be sure to share soon.

Blowing Kisses & Peek-a-boo

So Tatum has perfected blowing kisses...and she's added the, "Mwaw" sound to it. And she even does it on request.

It is adorable. And sweet. And I must get it on film. Soon!!

She's also decided to play peek-a-boo with virtually anything she can find that will cover her face. And will proceed to say, "Boo!" when she uncovers her face.

I think she gets the idea. Smart little thing!

Full of "I love you's"

So Kellen and I have been having discussions about how he knows that I love him, and what things that Mommy and Daddy do that make him feel loved, etc. As I tucked him into bed last night, he tells me that he knows that I love him, because I tell him that all of the time.

In fact, he goes on to say, his heart is going to break because it's so full of "I love you's" - but he won't die.

So I ask him if he means that his love bucket is full and it's overflowing with love.

Yes, it's dumping over, was his response.

Now doesn't that just want to make YOUR heart melt some?

ETA: So after tucking Kellen in tonight, he tells me that his heart had a hole in it and all of his "I love you's" fell out, so he needed more. Glad to oblige. Then, we he had his fill of those, he told me that his heart was full of "I love you's" but that now he needed for me to fill him up with kisses around his face (and he proceeded to point all over his face where he wanted me to give him kisses).

Just hilarious and so heart warming! What a sweetie!

Some people need a filter!

So Maw Maw and I took the kids to the Houston Zoo on Friday for a little spring break fun (I'll do a separate post with some pictures later), and we finished the day by playing at the splashpad by the Children's Zoo area. Kellen immediately dove (not literally) into the water play and Tatum wasn't so sure about it - but that was in LARGE part because of being splashed immediately upon entrance to the water area. On purpose. By an older kid. Thanks.

So Tatum was walking around at the splashpad in a little swimmer and a tank top. There was another mom there with I guess a friend and a set of twins...skinny twins, but whatever - they looked normal, just smaller than Tatum (as a point of reference). So the mom asks me how old Tatum is and I tell her that she had just turned a year old earlier in the month. She makes a surprised face, tells me that her kids are two months older, then tells the friend that is with her, who then looks at me and asks if I'm going to put her (Tatum) on a diet.

Are you freakin' kidding me?

I laugh, remark that I wouldn't DREAM of doing such a thing, and then go on to say that she's actually been sick and has just lost a pound. (And proceed to smile a little bigger) Then I say why on earth would I even think of putting her on a diet? (All the while smiling...)

Here's my deal with comments like this...I mean, I am fairly secure in my the majority of parenting skills (ok...I can work on my temper, but hey, who can't?) - but what if someone who was second-guessing themselves had something like that said to them? What would a statement like that do to them? I'll let Tatum eat what she wants (and I offer healthful choices) - if she wants 2 scrambled eggs followed by a pancake along with milk and/or yogurt for breakfast - FINE! (and yes, that's a relatively normal breakfast for her - I have NO IDEA where she puts it, but I said the same thing about Kellen at that age, too). But what about a mom that was more unsure of herself???

Comments like these just go to prove that some people just need a filter between their brain and their mouth.

We'll get there!

So another trip to the doctor for Tatum today...She still has the ear infections...apparently the antibiotics weren't the correct kind to treat the infection she has (resistant strain, we guess), so we got another antibiotic. The first antibiotic has given her a yeast infection diaper rash, so we have a cream for that (and will have to switch to disposables until she's over that) - the 2nd antibiotic will only make that issue worse. The fever spike is unrelated to either of those issues...the dr did a test for the flu which came back negative, so he's speculating that it was viral. Good news on that front is that she hasn't run a fever since yesterday afternoon. Bad news is that she's still lethargic and isn't eating much.

We'll get there!

God Cartoons

I certainly needed some of these today...specifically the "Carry Your Books?" and the "Don't Worry?" I still trust you, Lord! In the midst of craziness, I still do...

I thought I said "Enough was Enough already?"

When I went to get Tatum from her crib this morning, I noticed that she felt warm through her night clothes. REALLY warm. I took her temperature, and I don't think I have EVERY seen a thermometer climb that high that fast....it finally stopped at 104.2.

No, that isn't a typo.

104.2. Seriously.

Consciously trying to stay very calm, I walked through the living room, to Matt and said, "I'm trying to stay calm, but we're certainly not going to church this morning. Her temp is 104.2...motrin and a bath, you think?"

We worked all morning on getting her temp to come down...an hour after the motrin it had only dropped 1 degree, but at least it came down some. We're keeping a chart of her meds, temps, input, output, etc., just in case we need to go to the dr or the ER at any point in time during this.

She's on antibiotics for her ear infections, so I'm guessing this is viral...Goodness gracious though...I'm just not sure how much more I can take. I don't know what kind of test the Lord is allowing us to go through, but I feel like I'm failing and that I just want to give up so that it will be over.

I'm sure that isn't the right attitude to have, but I'm just tired...tired of fighting illness after illness with the kids, tired of so many things that I'll choose to not list for fear of sounding like a whiny baby at this point in time.

At any rate, please pray for Tatum...pray that she's able to fight whatever it is that her body is trying to fight right now. And pray for our family that we're able to continue to deal with this.

Thanks.

This weather!

It's no wonder my little precious ones have been sick! This weather is driving me batty!

It probably wouldn't be that bad if I actually watched the news, or the weather channel, or some form of advanced planning mechanism in the mornings like a normal person so that I could properly clothe myself and my children. But honestly, who has time to do that while you're trying to get yourself and two little ones ready for their day and out the door ON TIME?? Really?

And don't answer that question or comment on this post unless you're going to support me in the fact that it's difficult to do - I don't want to hear about how easy it is for someone else :) Unless, of course, you have a SUPER-SIMPLE solution for this not-enough-time-in-the-morning problem so that it can be easily remedied.

I can't have the TV on because some little 4 and a half year old will be mesmerized by the TV and "forget" that he's supposed to eat, or get dressed, or go to the bathroom, or put on shoes, or...you get the point.

Ug. At least this morning the kids were dressed appropriately for the nastiness of today. They both had on jackets and Kellen had extra long-sleeved shirts at school. Me - oh no - nothing of the sort. I had on a light, three quarter shirt and NO jacket. Luckily, I had a very light jacket at the office, one that barely sufficed as a rain shield while held over my head to get me to my car. And speaking of getting to my car - where the heck are all of my umbrellas? You know, the things that I used to have EVERYWHERE? At one point in time I know I had at least a half dozen...with at least 1 in my vehicle. Amazing how those things seem to vanish just when you need them the most...I bet I managed to use them all and they are stocked at my office somewhere...buried in all of my bags underneath my desk. Yup...that's probably it.

I feel an office cleaning spree coming on. Hmmm...Just in time for spring break next week. Maybe I can make that happen.

As for the kids, they're both doing great. Tatum seems like she's really starting to feel better now. We have 3 and a half days of medicine in her and I'm thinking that it's starting to take effect. She's also cut both of those eye teeth as well, which I imagine has helped things tremendously on her pain scale. As for Kellen, I had a talk with the folks at daycare yesterday, requested and have been told that he's officially going to be moving up to the Turtle room on March 17th and visiting when there is an open spot before then. The Turtle room is the "official" pre-K room and although both the Turtle room and his current Jellyfish room are supposed to be pre-K, I can tell that they really aren't "equal" in terms of their preparation and "pre-k ness" if you will. So Matt and I are both thrilled about that, and especially since he'll be in Ms. Lisa's class. Kellen just ADORES Ms. Lisa! Loves, loves, loves her! I'm so excited for him!

I just can't believe that he'll actually be starting school - for real deal school - in August. Oh my.

Their favorite people

I think that Kellen just might be Tatum's favorite person...if not THE favorite, at least right after Mommy and Daddy. They were taking a bath tonight and EVERYTHING he did made her just giggle and giggle. It was the cutest thing!

And oh my...he is SO fiercely protective of her! Wow!

I just love watching their bond grow on a daily basis.

To my dear Tatum - sweet birthday girl

To my dear Tatum - sweet birthday girl,

I can't believe that it's been a year since I first met you, sweet Tatum. Wow!

I remember overhearing the doctor tell the nurse in the main office to call and schedule my induction, and then hearing the added words "non-elective". Those words scared me, and although a part of me knew it was precautionary, it still made me realize the doctor thought things were bad enough to not give me a choice about going into the hospital to have you on that Friday night...we weren't waiting on you to decide to come out anymore. And it was a long Friday night...not as long as some labors, but still a long night. And then Saturday morning came and you were here!

My biggest regret through it all was actually going through with that stinkin' epidural. If I would have known that 1) you would have been coming barely an hour after they had given it to me, or 2) it wouldn't have taken completely or that 3) even with it, I wouldn't have been able to get any sleep, I never would have gotten it. Actually, any of those three things and I would have changed my mind.

But you know what, in the end it doesn't matter. You got here, and you were ok. You were fine, actually - more than fine...you were perfect. With a full head of hair to boot!

You started out so small, so fragile, so tiny...you were engulfed in the clothes that we had waiting for you - they just swallowed you up - and they were newborn and 0-3 month size! But you caught up quickly and now, you have gotten so big! You're so smart, so advanced (and you're keeping us on our toes and have been for some time now), getting so independent and your personality is shining through more and more each and every day. You are truly such a joy and a delight to be around. You have a definite stubborn streak, oh yes, dear - you do...it's already apparent that you and your mommy are going to butt heads some in the years to come, but it's simply part of what makes you so special. (But I beg of you, please don't be just like your Mommy and have to learn everything the hard way. Please.)

I adore watching you with your brother. It is so sweet to see the look on your face when you see him...it's so completely obvious that he totally enthralls you - and that he is one of your favorite people. Please don't ever forget that he absolutely adores you - and has from day #1....and even since before that, actually. There will be a time, possibly, probably, when you don't feel that way about him and you think he never felt that way about you. Hopefully that time will be short-lived, but truly; the two of you adore each other - and I have the super secret footage and tons of cute pictures to prove it. :)

As for your birthday party...well, despite not feeling well, you had such a blast! You opened your presents.
Then you ate the oreos off of your birthday cake. Notice that I didn't say you ate your birthday cake, right? You didn't really eat much of your birthday cake...Daddy fed you some, but for the most part, you just wanted the oreos, and grunted at anyone who tried to take them out of your hands. It was hilarious to watch!

Then you got all cleaned up, put another adorable birthday outfit on, and played some more with all of your guests. You were a very good hostess! (If you can't tell from the picture, the onesie says "Birthday Princess" on it.

Here is Kellen and D eating some of the bear birthday cake. Apparently it was pretty good!

And of course, we had to dress up our Tree Friend for the party! Here's a picture of him all festive.

Here is Tatum early this morning playing with Kellen in her new playhouse. It has a doorbell, a mailslot, and a phone! It's adorable, and they BOTH love it. I think they'll get years of enjoyment of our this present! Great job, Maw Maw and Paw Paw!

So THAT explains it!

Well, the verdict is in. I actually called the doctors office on Saturday, ready to take Tatum in to be seen by whomever was on call but the nurse that I spoke with actually suggested to ride it out. This was after asking if she was eating and sleeping - answer was "yes" to both questions. They suggested to bring her in on Monday or Tuesday if she was still running a fever.

Knowing what I know now, I'm sorry that I did. But, I was following the advice, so I guess I can't beat myself up too much about it.

The poor thing has a doozy of a double ear infection, (so much so that we got a "WHOA" and a "Oh yeah, Wow!" from the doctor after he checked her ears) AND, while wrestling with her to clean out her crusty nose this afternoon, I discovered that she got her 5th tooth in today (2nd upper right tooth) and the 6th is not far behind (2nd upper left tooth). I didn't even know that she was cutting any more teeth. I had, in the back of my mind, suspected it, but not verbalized it.

Add teething two more teeth (in addition to the two that she cut about a week and a half ago) to the double ear infections and it's no wonder she's been miserable! I can't explain the cough and/or runny nose - and described both in detail to the doctor while I was there this afternoon (think: being "slimed" by Slimer from the Ghostbusters was what I actually told him in terms of its consistency and basically, its color) - but he said that her chest sounds are clear.

So, it's a round (10 days) of amoxicillin. Only her second, which is great in my book. I can't remember how many rounds Kellen had been through at this point in time.

Last night was just horrible with her...it took her a GOOD 2 1/2 hours for her to finally go to sleep. She was just miserable. Neither the "mommy" nor the "maw maw magic" was working. At all. And it was breaking both of our hearts in the process.

After over two hours of trying, I finally just laid her down in the pack-n-play and let her cry. I couldn't give her any more medicine than what was in her system (we had been alternating Tylenol and Motrin, and I even added teething tablets *just in case* - considering what I discovered today, it was a good thing I did, huh?). After a little less than a half hour, she was tuckered out and slept soundly all night long.

I'll post about her birthday party and add pictures and video later...She did so well! In spite of not feeling well...