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!

Arden is 5 months old!

Time is just speeding by. To celebrate Arden's special day she got to go to the doctor! After spending the morning with me at work (and attending her first marketing meeting) we went to the doctor and confirmed she has RSV. Luckily it isn't too bad. No breathing treatments, like we had to do with Stratton when he had it as a baby, just a prescription for some steriods and we were told to keep her out of school till Friday, and then she can only go if she isn't coughing.

She doesn't even act like she feels bad, she just sounds so awful!

Waiting for the doctor. This was before the breathing treatment they gave her in the office. She was not a fan!

Snuggling this morning. Aren't they the sweetest!?

Arden weighs a little over 14 pounds now! She is still wearning 3-6/6 mos size clothes. Size 2 diapers. She is eating oatmeal cereal once a day and likes it much better than the rice cereal! She is doing better with her bottles, but still doesn't take more than 4 ounces at most feedings. She usually wakes up once at night still. About 2 nights a week she will make it till 5am. She is rolling over very well but doesn't do it a whole lot. She'd rather scoot around on her back. She just jabbers and makes all kinds of shrill noises! I think she likes to hear herself talk! She is a happy girl for the most part! She loves to watch Stratton, take baths and chew on everything! She is so sweet and we just love her so much!

Mid Week Pics and Arden’s new trick

I realized I haven’t taken pictures of the kids in almost 2 weeks! So, last night before church I snapped a few of Jarrod and the kiddos. They were all cleaned up and looked so nice! And we weren’t running WAY behind like we usually are! Plus last night was a big occasion! Arden went to bible class for the first time! In the past she’s been ready to eat at 7pm, when church starts, so we just take her to class with us and feed her then she falls asleep and then there’s no point to take her to her own class, but last night she ate at 6pm so she was full and happy. So we dropped her off with Mrs. Cindy and she was fine with that. However our class is in the next hallway and I could hear her screaming a few minutes later! But it only lasted a minute. They found the pacifier and got her calmed down, then she was fine!

Then after church J took some of me with the kids. But it took several times to get this one!

We had about 10 like this. . .

Playing pirates! Jarrod said I couldn’t post this on FB! Haha!

Stratton said “Don’t take her picture, she’s my baby!” He’s very protective!

This is a common scene, he always wants to hug and love on her! I’m afraid he’s going to smush her! I can never tell what she really thinks of all his “lovin’”. Sometimes she smiles and sometimes she looks annoyed!

Arden is rolling over like a champ now!

And she learned another new trick!

Arden blowing bubbles

Blowing bubbles!

She thinks it’s funny to spit everywhere!

 

Also, I am going to have to start recording Stratton’s prayers every night. They are getting funnier and funnier. They are So random and very true to what is going on in a 3 yr old’s word. Last night, along with about 100 other things, he thanked God for gooey fish and Mickey Mouse clubhouse! Silly boy!