Weekending

Because we didn't have anything of real significance planned for this weekend, the plan became to take care of a few errands on my to-do list.  We had some items to return to Dick's (and Steve had a gift card burning a whole in his wallet), and I had a coupon for Babies R Us, where I wanted to pick up an exersaucer for Emma. We borrowed one when Sara was a baby, and have put off getting our own for a while.  But between my coupon and Emma's growing eagerness to hold toys and play in a position where she can see what's going on, it seemed like a good time to make the purchase.  Of all the "big" baby play items - swings, bouncy seats, etc. - this is the first item we've purchased new. 

After running around yesterday, Steve and I were both growing more and more concerned about Emma's cough that wouldn't stop.  When I picked her up on Friday afternoon, she had drainage in her left eye.  I *illegally* treated it with some eye drops we had on hand from one of Sara's ailments.  They eye cleared up, but Emma wasn't eating much, and she was sleeping even less.  Yesterday evening we finally went to our pediatrician's after-hours clinic (in hindsight, we should have - and would have the first time around - gone a lot sooner).  As soon as we were back in the room, the doctor asked, "Is Emma the baby I heard coughing in the waiting room?"  When I confirmed, he said, "It's RSV.  I'm still going to check her, but it's definitely RSV."  It also turned out to be a double ear infection.  We left with a prescription for an antibiotic and instructions to begin breathing treatments (we're pros at this).  After a breathing treatment, Emma slept much better last night, which means the rest of us did, too.

This morning Sara and I ran to Kroger and a couple other places.  We went to Payless for new ballet slippers, and then stopped in to browse at Kirkland's where Sara found a clearanced felt Valentine's heart for her room and I picked up another new kitchen decor item (are you noticing a theme in our lives these days?).

I spotted it a while back, and today it was on sale.  Sold.  Now let's see if we can all follow the rules. 

I was glad to be able to spend some one-on-one time with Sara this morning.  Even though at first she said she wanted to stay home with Daddy, after running our errands she told me, "You were right, Mom.  We had fun."  This afternoon we put the finishing touches on some Valentine's decorations, which we found Sara's latest Highlight's magazine.  My mom got her a subscription for her birthday, and it really is a great magazine.  Sara gets the "High Five" version, which is for pre-schoolers.  I definitely recommend it!

 I can't believe it's already time to get ready for another week.  Only six more until spring break ... but who's counting?!

Give Peace a Chance

I have new kitchen decor.  Can you spot it?

It's not trendy or fancy, but I'm hoping it brings a little more peace into our lives.  It's a star chart, straight from the teacher store.

Sara has been struggling with following directions and talking back more and more lately -- not all the time, but enough to get me thinking.  After a poor report from school yesterday and a particularly frustrating morning today, I texted Steve mid-morning to let him know I thought it was time for a real system, rather than our usual routine of getting mad, raising our voices, and leaving the house upset with Sara, each other, and ourselves.  I have no illusions that this chart will completely reform our lives, but I have high hopes that the visual will help Sara; she definitely understands right from wrong and good from bad.

We worked on the chart tonight (Sara has started doing this curly-cue thing to her "S", and I'm not sure why), and talked about how Sara can earn stars.  It lists tasks such as wake up and get dressed without whining, follow directions the first time, bring your plate to the sink, eat your dinner and try new foods, be kind, and have a good day at school.  Rewards include iPad/computer time, a new book or new art supply, a trip to the park, donuts on Saturday, and - the grand poobah - a trip to Chuck E Cheese (that's worth 50 stars).  

Tonight Sara got three stars: one for a good day at school, one for eating her dinner, and one for bringing her plate to the sink.  At bedtime, she proceeded to throw three fits: one over heart candies, one over books, and one over a light in her room.  It might be a while before she's earning no whining and  follow directions the first time stars.  But hopefully we'll get there.  A system is a place to start, so we'll see how it goes.  Wish us luck!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Funday

Emma and I were already hanging out in bed this morning watching the news when Sara hopped in and said, "It's just us today ... just the three girls!" Since then, she has been immersed in art projects, painting almost enough pictures to open her own gallery. We also made French Toast and a Valentine's Day decoration.

We'll be headed to the park soon, and I have plans for dinner in the works.  I could get used to these Monday Fundays.

Sister Time at School

It's the little things.  I opened my e-mail to find this surprise from daycare on Monday afternoon:

It made my day!  I'm so glad that Sara is happy at her new school (the pic on the bottom left is of Sara with a new friend, Bria), and I just love that she gets to visit Emma during the day.  I have special memories of getting to go visit Melissa during the day when we were at daycare, and I think it's wonderful that Sara gets to do the same.  (I also remember getting in big trouble one time when I asked to go visit Melissa; one teacher said "no," so I asked the other teacher and she said "yes" ... so I went.  I'm sure Sara would never do anything like that).  I love that my girls can be together when I'm not with them.  Feeling more and more like we made the right school choice for Sara.  What a relief!

the week(+) that got away

Well, I took an unintended blogging break.  Last week was one of those weeks where I felt like I went to bed on Sunday night and woke up the following Sunday morning (but don't let that sentiment insinuate that I am feeling rested). 

As we worked to get back into our routine after the holidays, we started with a major change: Sara switched schools.  Since Emma started daycare, we've had the girls in two different places.  The original intention was that we'd move Emma once a spot was available at Sara's school.  However, for many reasons (including finances, school security (yep, I said it), pre-k curriculum offerings, and - let's be honest - convenience and sanity), we decided to move Sara, and the return from winter break felt like a good transition time.  I was so worried last Sunday night that maybe we'd made the wrong decision.  I felt sad for Sara having to leave a school she knew so well.  Steve and I both took the girls on Monday morning, and although we had anticipated tears or at least that Sara might hold on a littler longer when we hugged her, she sat down for breakfast and said goodbye to us like it was no big thing.  She was such a trooper, and had a great first week in her new class.  I told my mom tonight that if I had had any idea the transition would be so easy, I would have just moved her back in October when Emma started.  I'm so proud of Sara's social tendencies and her adaptability.  I hope she always maintains those qualities.

On Tuesday night we celebrated Steve's 32nd birthday.  He wasn't at all disappointed that Sara declared Buffalo Wild Wings as the birthday dinner venue, and we followed it up with the cherry pie Sara and I made Monday night.  And then ... we followed all that up vomit and diarrhea from poor Sara.  When Steve and I were finally in bed around 2:30, we had the dreaded, "What should we do about tomorrow?" conversation.  We decided to wait and see how she was in the morning.  Luckily, Sara hopped out of bed Wednesday morning ready for breakfast, and was fine the rest of the day.  We concluded that something she ate must not have agreed with her.  Is it possible there could be such a thing as too many chicken nuggets? 

Unfortunately, our late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning set the tone for the rest of the week, and by Friday afternoon, Steve and I both felt like crud.  We diagnosed ourselves with exhaustion.  We had a very early Friday night (even the girls were asleep by around 7:00).  Steve was in much better shape than I was, so he took Sara to a birthday party on Saturday - her first trip to Chuck E. Cheese!  I'm sure you'll be shocked to know that she wants to go back.  The rest of Saturday was low-key (thankful for the storms that made it easy to sit around in sweats), and we're all feeling more normal today. 

Last night Sara said it was time to decorate for Valentine's Day, so we put out our decorations, and then added a few more today after a trip to Target's trusty dollar section.  Today we also got to meet baby Chloe.  The Wittman family moved to the Austin area before Christmas, but came back to Dallas for Chloe's birth.  We miss having them down the street, but were so glad to get to see them and meet their sweet new girl.  It made me sad to see a newborn make my Emma look like a giant.

Now we are working on calling it another early night.  I hope to be back here sooner than later!

Four Months

(see stats in previous post)

What's up, Doc?

Sara and Emma had, respectively, their four-year and four-month check-ups this morning.  Here is the beautiful outfit that Sara selected for the occasion:

I tried to convince her that it might be too much pink, but I quickly backed off when I realized I didn't have the time or the energy to win the outfit battle.  Plus, she told me, "Ooohhh, it's so cute."  What could I have possibly said in response? 

Sara now weighs 36 lbs 4 ozs, and is 38 3/4 inches tall.  She cried harder today than she ever has when getting shots, and I'm thankful that, with the exception of flu shots, etc., we don't have another round of vaccines until she's eleven.  That feels like eons from now, but somehow I know it will be here in the blink of an eye.  All else was good though.  The doctor was happy with her speech, her demeanor, her hearing and vision screenings, and her overall health.

Emma is 12 lbs 12 ozs, and 23 1/2 inches long.  She's still an itty-bitty.  Emma is right on track developmentally: she is rolling from tummy to back, "talking" and cooing, grabbing her hands and feet, and - recent development - sticking out her tongue.  We're ready to start cereal and baby food! 

I'm so thankful for my two healthy, growing girls.  After all the shots, they're fussy, feverish girls with sore legs, but that's temporary ... nothing a little R & R this afternoon with mom can't cure!