6 Months Old?? That can’t be right!!

Our sweet happy girl!

At 6 months I can’t remember what it was like not to have Arden around! Okay, I can remember but it’s like remembering the days before facebook, sure we had more “time” to do other things, that we now spend reading status updates, but honestly who wants to go back to those days? She is really happy most of the time. Her personality is coming out more and more. The funniest thing is to watch her grab at whatever Stratton has. She is a mess! My best guess to how much she weighs would be about 14.5 lbs. She is taking about six 4-6oz bottles a day and oatmeal twice a day. And in the evening we are mixing in some squash! We just started that over the weekend and she loves it! She is still wearing 3-6 size clothes. In fact she has 2 pairs of GAP jeans that are still about 2 inches too big in the waist. They are tough to get up over her legs and hips but once they are up they are so big I can’t let her wear them they look ridiculous!! Too bad, cause they are so cute. We don’t go for her 6 month check-up till the end of the month. We kept getting called to reschedule and we like to go on Fridays since Jarrod is usually off, but the last time I told them just to schedule it as soon as they could and it’s on a Wednesday now.

I think Arden is finally starting to feel like herself. Although, to be honest she never really like she felt bad in the last week or so. We took her to the follow-up appointment with the ENT on Friday, only to find out that she has an ear infection! I felt bad, but we had no idea! She wasn’t running a fever, acting too cranky or pulling at her ears? So, that appointment was for nothing. Well, I guess not completely nothing since we did find out about the ear infection. . .Then we took Stratton to the Dr. I thought that if Arden had an ear infection and had no symptoms then Stratton probably had it too since he actually had a croupy cough and sounded really congested. Sure enough. He has bronchitis and sinusitis, though. So now both of them are on antibiotics and cough meds and antihistamines.  Friday we spent $115 on doctor appointments and meds. Ugh. But at least everyone is feeling ok now. Right at this moment, but who knows it could change at any moment!

We spent the majority of the weekend in Hickory Ridge. After Stratton’s swim lesson Friday night we headed that way and didn’t come back till Sunday afternoon just in time for church. It was late when we finally got there Friday night and it was around 10pm by the time Stratton got to bed. We had family/kids pictures taken Saturday at the barn and in grandma and grandpa’s yard. Stratton was tired and didn’t want to smile (of course) so who knows if she got any good ones of him. Arden did really good, so at least there will be some cute ones of her! Then after a nap we all loaded up (Yes, all 6 of us- us and my mom and dad) and went to Gregory to a newer restaurant that is attached to a barn. It’s called the Tamale Factory, and the Tamales were good, but the menu was really random. They had steaks, fish and shrimp and then tamales? It was ok. I got the fish and it wasn’t great. The barn that it is attached to is a really nice one, they had some horses and Stratton wanted to go watch them and we could hardly get him to eat! We met Jarrod’s parents there and had a good time seeing them and visiting. Our reservation was at 5:30 and I think it was about 7ish when we left. Then after we got back to my mom and dads, we tried to get the kids ready for bed and it was probably around 9pm before Stratton went to bed (which was actually 10pm since we were “springing forward”). Sunday after morning services at Hickory Ridge we all went back to my mom and dad’s for lunch and Jarrod and I finally had a birthday party! Stratton took a short nap and then it was time to go again! It was such a rainy, icky day. But we needed to get back to Jonesboro for our small group meeting after church. We had it at the Wallis’ gym and ended up staying there till 8:30 so it was about 9:30 by the time we got Stratton to bed, again! Whew! Three late nights in a row and between all the weekend’s activities and the time change we are WORE SMOOTH OUT! This morning poor Stratton was struggling to wake up, I’m pretty sure he fell asleep about 3 different times this morning before school.

Hopefully we will have a less stressful week and upcoming weekend!! We need some rest!

Nuke another hot dog.

I saw this today and thought it was so funny, and so true.

 

Which led me to thinking.  It’s strange that I used to find cooking relaxing!! I remember a time when I looked forward to going home and cooking (while watching STYLE or reading a magazine that wasn’t about parenting or cooking) as Jarrod and I talked about our day.  Those days are long gone. I mean LONG, long gone. I can’t even see them in the rear-view mirror anymore.

 

Cooking now is like an Olympic sport OR like an episode of Iron Chef. Seriously, you want some entertaining TV?? Let’s put those celebrity Chefs in a kitchen with a hungry 3 year old and just see how much they get done. And just for fun let’s have their “culinary genius” judged by a panel of 3 year olds. Talk about criticism.  Talk about some good reality TV. I’d watch it.

 

The second we walk in the door Stratton heads for the snacks. Then WW3 ensues as I tell him he can’t have a snack, because (hopefully) supper will be ready soon. And then and there, in the middle of our kitchen, the nightly “Battle of the Snack vs. Dinner” takes place. And while there is no bloodshed, there is plenty of drama and usually ends in a traumatic tantrum which leads to this momma bringing out the big guns. . .aka the wooden spoon.  Battle over. And apparently forgotten since we will inevitably meet again same time same place the next day. . . The unworthy opponent  retreats to the living room to watch Disney Jr. and drink his chocolate milk.

 

Mere minutes later, he returns to find out what I am cooking, and upon learning that we aren’t having his top choice of hot dogs or pizza, commences to throwing another fit and whines about how he doesn’t like whatever I decided to cook. Then he continues to annoy me test my patience by messing with the dirty dishes in the sink, getting in the drawers (especially my baking drawer where I keep the marshmallows), getting into the fridge and cabinets. . . basically anything he can do to slow down the process of me getting food on the table in a timely manner.

 

One day a few weeks ago when my mom was over we were all in the kitchen getting supper ready and no one was paying much attention to Stratton. (BIG mistake. ) I look over and he’s at the sink with the dish scrubber brush IN HIS MOUTH, brushing his teeth. Can I just say that had one of those moments where I honestly thought there might be something mentally wrong with my child. WHO DOES THAT??? I snatched it away from him (had a mini stroke) and then I panicked. I started thinking back to the last time I used it. . .was it to scrub raw chicken off the cutting board??. . . Then, Jarrod saved me from the guilt of giving my son salmonella and told me he had just pulled it out of the dishwasher (which we always run on sanitize cycle) a few minutes earlier. RELIEF. True Story. I can’t make this stuff up folks.

 

I do try to let him help sometimes. That’s a BIG step for me. My OCD self has a hard time “letting him do-it”. Like when he carefully places 45 pieces of pepperoni in the same 1 inch section of the pizza. . . It takes all I have in me to not go behind him and spread them out where they are even and symmetrical. This actually happened again last night and after his pizza was cooked and on his plate he decided that there were too many pepperonis on it and they were burning his mouth, so he picked them all off.

 

I long for a day when I have clean, well behaved children who are eager to help me in the kitchen and thrive on following specific instructions. . . but while I’m dreaming, I’ll pretend I’m in my custom kitchen with professional grade appliances putting together a lavish four course meal . . . and not washing off the chicken that fell in the floor.

 

I digress. . .and nuke another hot dog.

Busy Sunday!

Sunday we got up and went to early service! {If you’re not impressed you should be, it starts at 7:45am} It wasn’t too bad. I actually thought it might have been a little less stressful than our normal Sunday’s trying to make it by 9am. But it is SO early. We went to church, bible class and were sitting in the O’Charley’s parking lot at a little after 10 am! Can’t beat that! We had brunch then went home and took naps (short ones) then got ready for the birthday party!

Cooper’s 5th birthday party was Sunday afternoon. Stratton was so excited! The boys had a great time playing, Stratton didn’t want to leave!

Stratton of course got cake and icing on his shirt and was really sweaty so we ran by the house for a quick change of clothes and headed to church. After church we went to eat with Matt and Carla and Sawyer. I think Arden and Sawyer are going to be good friends. She laughed hysterically at him because he was upset and crying. Always a sign of budding friendship, right?! He is eating baby food and she really watched him closely. Something must have “clicked” because she took her oatmeal last night like a champ! She opened her mouth and ate it so good! Not like most nights when I have to poke it in her mouth! I must have let her eat too much though, because about midnight she threw up again. Ugh.  We went ahead and sent her to school today, since they told us at the doctor’s office that she shouldn’t be contagious anymore. Hopefully she will have a good day. It seems like lately she’s only been sick at night, anyway. Stratton has swim classes again tonight, but other than that I am looking forward to an uneventful week!

Finally feeling better. . .maybe.

Saturday we didn’t do much at all. Jarrod and Stratton went to the gym about 9:30. Stratton really enjoys playing at the “Kids Club”! We had lunch then we all took a nap, while Jarrod went and got his hair cut. I did some laundry, and stuff around the house. . .nothing too strenuous!  We did get out to grab some dinner, at Cracker Barrel- per Stratton. . .he wanted pancakes. We decided to let Arden try out a high chair (with a blanket stuck behind her for support) and she did great!! She was so much happier than being in her carseat or the bumbo seat. We have the cover we used when Stratton was a baby and she’d rather chew on it than her toys.

After we left Cracker Barrel we ran to Walmart to get some groceries. Shopping with two kids is so hard!! Jarrod ended up taking Arden to Subway to try and feed her while Stratton and I did the shopping. It was a pretty quick trip! We got back home, got baths and put the kids to bed!!

So far so good! She hasn’t been sick since Thursday night! I hope she is finally getting over her tummy problems!

Friday = LONG day!

I got up and went to work after getting up with Arden about 3 times. I stayed home with her Thursday and she did great all day, but then she got sick again Thursday night. Jarrod had an appointment Friday morning so she got to stay with me at the office for a couple of hours.  Just about everyone was gone for some reason, so it was quiet and she took a little nap!

Friday at noon I met my friend Erica at the gym for our workout, then grabbed something to eat and headed back to work. Got back to work changed clothes and headed to Arden’s Doctor appointment. We saw Dr. Bailey this time (LOVE HER!) and she was convinced A’s stomach issues were from a virus and it was just taking it’s time clearing her system. Apparently, babies can have vomiting and diarrhea for up to two weeks! Who knew?? Not me! She said it should start getting better, but gave us a baggie for her next dirty diaper to take to the lab and have it cultured just to make sure it’s not a bacterial infection.

Then it started to snow. Crazy Arkansas weather. Luckily it didn’t' stick, but it was sure coming down for a hour or so!!

After her appointment, she came back to work with me. Jarrod went and picked up Stratton and they made a much needed run to Sams. Stratton LOVES Sams. Not sure if it’s because Jarrod lets him have a hot dog and icee every time we go or what?? Friday night Jarrod took Stratton to his swim class (and got to work out while Stratton was in class) and Arden and I went to Kohls and ran some other errands. She was really good! I have been nervous to take her out in the stroller much, since she hates her carseat, but she napped a little and wasn’t a bit of trouble.

Stratton loved his swim class! He was excited to tell me all about it! He even had to call Pops and Gigi and tell them all about it, too! I’m so relieved he likes it! He was supposed to be going with his friend Olivia, but she fell and broke her elbow so she isn’t able to take the class! I was afraid he wouldn’t want to go since he didn’t know anyone and he can be a bit shy. But apparently, he didn’t have any problem! I will have to go with him next week some time and take some pictures! They really prefer for parents not to stay, and especially in Stratton’s case, he doesn’t do as well when we are around watching him. It will be for 4 weeks, on Mondays and Fridays from 6:30-7:30pm. I think it will work out really good since Jarrod can take him and work out while he’s in class!

Silly, sweet kids!

SILLY:: I forgot to put this one up last time I posted. . . Arden had just tooted really loud and they both thought it was hilarious! Stratton especially got ticked!

SWEET :: Could she be any more precious?!

SILLY :: We do not condone the act of tying balloons around his head!

SWEET :: Forced smiles are still smiles!

Dear February, please be OVER already!

We have been so sick this month. Stomach virus, fever virus, rsv, sinus infection, bronchiticus, ear infections. . . .the list goes on. I feel like we've had the plague! We've been to the doctor so much lately, I'm thinking they need to name a wing at the new hospital after us!

Jarrod and I have tried twice to get away for a weekend this month, both times plans changed due to sick kids, and or us getting sick too or funerals. Not looking promising anytime in the future either.

Even though we've been sick we've still been busy. We joined the gym last week. The St. Bernards Health and Wellness Ctr. It is so nice! Me and a friend are going to start going to a class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at lunch. I've only been once so far, with everything that has been going on, but it was good (and by good, I mean brutal). I couldn't hardly walk the next day. Stratton is going to start taking swimming lessons there this week!

Then a childhood friend died in a tragic car accident last week. Amy and I were great friends all through elementary school, and good friends in high school, but lately only really kept in touch via facebook. She was the choir teacher at Harrisburg and left behind two little kids. The funeral was really sad, but also a testament to how many people loved her, I have never seen so many people crammed into a funeral home. It's all just so sad and really makes you think that we really don't know how much time we have left on this earth.

On a happier note, we have had some reasons to celebrate, too. My grandparents celebrated their 60th anniversary. . .and there was of course a party!

Jarrod had a birthday! # 31!

And my birthday was yesterday. I got a very pretty set of earrings from that designer Sissy's carries from Greece that I like so much!

And for the record books, Arden has said "momma" twice! And looks like she might be getting a tooth!

Today, back to the doctor [again] with Arden. Fun times!