Bella's Hospital Stay

Friday night Bella had a very rough time sleeping. She would be asleep for about 10 minutes and wake up screaming in pain. We could not for the life of us figure out what was ailing her. We tried gas drops, ear drops, tylenol...nothing. It was about 3am and Caydence bug was fast alseep so Daddy took her to the ER. He called on the way and she was sound asleep. We decided to bring her back home with no real 'visit'. Back home she started the same cycle of waking and crying. Off to the ER Daddy went again. This time she she saw a doctor that said 'ear infection, right ear'. Sent Daddy home with meds. When Daddy got home we decided after her fever spiked 2 degrees in 15 minutes, she was gonna have to go back. We talked to her pediatrician and he agreed. This time, she was going to stay a while. They poked and prodded her in every way possible. They said DOUBLE ear infection...so in the course of 2-3 hours her left ear had gotten infected. And I mean they were running...first clear, like water, then blood. =( I dropped Caydence bug off to Gman's birthday party and headed up to see my baby. The doctors decided it was either RSV or pneumonia with the double ear infection. She had a high fever and low oxygen so she got admitted. After a long day she was finally able to rest and I grabbed a camera to document this trip. Here are the first pics:
(If the picture isn't big enough then if you click on it a new window will open with the pic bigger or full size)

She loves her daddy and they were both beyond EXHAUSTED. See the little oxygen mask? It was awful. I literally hate those things. I realize a necessary evil, but they are itchy and annoying. Then that poor little arm. She had to get an IV for fluids and antibiotics. They had to tape and tape and tape again because she is SO strong. The most fight I saw her give at any time was over the breathing treatments. She did NOT like them.

I decided to take pics of the room. Cute area for a kid. Caydence loved the butterflies on the ceilings. They are all over the place. I told her they were trailing down the hall into our room. =) She remembered them from her visit to the ER last year for the flu/strep.

Gigi kept Caydence for us the first night but then she had to go back to work. Not to worry, we had entertainment:

The night Gigi and Gman brought Caydence to the hospital we were all utterly exhausted. Gman, thoughtful as ever, had Caydence help him make us cookies. We were so hungry we gobbled them right up! I didn't even get the camera out while they were there. I was uber tired folks. The next day Bella was feeling good enough to get up a while so we let the girls play in the baby bed. It looked more like a cage or a 'prison' as Daddy called it.

Check out the hammer in these pics. I got this toy from the hospital play room. It came with a hammer to hit a toy that made noise. I picked this little gem up because Bella was so frustrated she was wanting to hit. Jacked me right in the nose with a book...still have a bruise! She did enjoy a little game of patty cake too!

At the hospital there are these SWEET volunteers who give out handmade items to the kiddos. The first day they came around and gave Bella a bear. It was cute but the same as all the bears we got when the girls got tubes. They were out of the smiley face pillows so they came back on day 2 to deliver one to Bella. It was a different volunteer who thought Caydence was the patient. When Caydence realized the pillow was for Bella...well, she wasn't happy. See below:
Not to worry...I asked to purchase an extra before we left and they gave Caydence a 'green' smiley pillow. It matches Mr. Green Bear (her xtra from the flu/strep ER visit) so she's happy.

So Monday, Gigi has meetings in Huntsville and stopped by to see us. I was SO glad to see her. She brought Caydence some 'bug juice' and zebra cakes, and me a dmd (diet mountain dew). I thought Bella was gonna flip her lid when she saw her!

Not to be out done, everyone knows Caydence LOVES my momma...

Our last night Aunt Nancy came to visit. Caydence and I had run home for a while. Caydence fell asleep so we were later than I had anticipated getting back. My girls sure do love their Aunt Nancy! And I do too!!! By this time Bella was feeling much better. Nancy even got to see her dance to D-d-d-d-d-dora!
While Caydence and I were out of the hospital I called the daycare to let them know about Bella and why the girls weren't at school. Then when Caydence and I got back to the hospital I saw these:
Ms. Amanda from daycare sent them to Bella. Bella adores her. And it was very sweet of her to send these.
I took one last picture of the girls eating dinner together. You can tell that Bella is much better now. She was dirty and had no bow so I improvised folks!
I can't say enough good things about all the staff at Huntsville Hospital for Children...ER included. They are top notch! Nobody wants to have to be there and be sick, but they are there to help you and it was very nice under the circumstances. We are now home (as of this morning). Bella is still sounding less than normal when breathing but her oxygen was up to 95 and she was fever free for 24 hours. We are all SO happy to be home. And SO thankful that God placed the right people in our lives at a time of need.

Enhancing the blog style...bear with me!

This week I've spent alot of time reading lots of blogs. I have a LONG way to go in getting this thing decent! I am going to promise to do a better job of adding pictures! I always feel like we get up and rush rush to work and school and then when we get home we are cooking, cleaning, getting the girls ready for bed and then doing it all over again the next day. I hardly have the time to get a camera out! But, I decided to MAKE myself. So this week I tried. =) Here we go....
I am wanting a new lense for my camera. I have a friend at work with the lense I am looking into and she let me borrow it! Great friend! Here is my first picture with it. The girls were in bed and I put a doll (Savanna) in front of a pile of toys. I am still loving my new flash I got for Christmas. But what do you think of the lense?

So Thursday night Tim had to work out of town and my mother came over to help me out. I didn't get the camera out before The Boo went to bed. She conks out about an hour and half after we get home. Here is a look at what I got of The Litttle Missy Princess and Gigi.

Girl Talk...

Sweet Kisses...

Say Cheese...

In the spirit of Vday coming up I bought these:
Cropped pic to cut out an oven covered in fingerprints LOL...

And the best for last. I have an old pink boa that I had bought thinking I'd eventually use it in a craft somehow and it's ended up as a toy for the girls. Caydence grabbed it and ran into the hall with the dog. She said "look mommy he looks like a lamb." All of this was in the middle of me trying to do hang and fold laundry. Ofcourse he ran for it before I could grab the camera...BUT below are the after shots when we had a redo!
Take One...the happy dog:

Take Two...He's getting love:

Well, that's it for now. I know it was a LONG post. Lots going on. Stay tuned. I am getting SO inspired from reading DIY blogs and I am starting some projects that I hope to post soon!

How great is our GOD

The last couple of weeks have had me thinking about my life and how marvelous our God is. Tim and I have been cleaning up the house and decluttering. In the process we found lots of old cd’s with photos from my past. The bulk majority were of my stepson. I hated to throw them out as I loved him dearly. But my life had changed and those memories no longer belonged with me. I decided to contact his mother to see if she might be interested in having them. She and I never had a good relationship which goes beyond reasons that would be obvious. (that would have to be a whole other post). Since we didn’t have ongoing contact and the last time we communicated was negative I wasn’t quite sure how she’d respond. But being a mom I had to try to give them to her. I felt like those memories of his life belonged with her for safe keeping. She was very polite in her reply and she did want the pictures. She also sent me a friend request. I contemplated accepting it for a while. I’ve never contemplated accepting any friend request before. But this one had me remembering things in my past that were painful. And that got me thinking...
How great is our GOD! From all my pain and misery in my first marriage God has truly blessed me. I have a husband who has marvelous qualities. He is faithful, handsome, hard working, very intelligent, devoted to family, and he loves me with all that is in him. We have been blessed with two daughters. And there was that time in my life that was void of these three wonderful people that God has placed in my life…two of which HE has trusted me to help guide in life. Life is never perfect. But we each should choose to celebrate the day for the goodness that God has placed in our lives. I am so thankful for what God has done for me. I am so thankful that God’s plan was so much greater than the one I had in mind!

One of my favorite songs inspired the title to this post.

Here's the handsome hubby:


The Little Missy Princess

The Beautiful Boo

Photographer Pet Peave

So on facebook this week some of my favorite photographers joined a new group. "Just because you have a nice camera doesn't make you a photographer" Something along those lines. Well, that really got under my skin. Just because they are good at their chosen profession doesn't mean that they should belitte anyone trying. I mean, come on folks, have some humility about you! I personally think that it was a bad move on their part business wise. I mean who likes it when someone says "I'm better than you are"....not me. I for one think you can be blessed with a God given talent, be very good at editing, both, or be a product of hard work. But why bash the person just starting out? I don't get it. Didn't you, professional photographer, have to start somewhere????

Mall Trip

Yesterday Tim and I took the girls to the mall. Tim wanted to spend his gift card he'd gotten for Christmas to American Eagle. Since we were not planning to go and we didn't have the stroller with us I thought the girls and I would just hang out in the play area until he was finished shopping. When we got there we found some friends that we already knew playing. Caydence and Bella immediately started to play and I sat down with the other mommy and Tim was on his way. Before I knew it Bella had toddled out of the play area. When I noticed I jumped up and went to get her...at that point she was almost two tables into the cafeteria! After that heart pounding episode she decided she wanted to hang close to mommy (thank goodness). Tim was back just in time to see Caydence, in the middle of the play area in a little 'boat' with two boys who looked to be her age. She had both little boys attention and was chatting away. I pointed it out to Tim and he wasn't too thrilled about her making friends with two boys. LOL! Next thing I see all three of them are getting out of the boat and are holding hands. Within seconds I hear Caydence crying. About that time I ran over to her and the little boys mommy is running over. When I got there her had was turning red he'd been holding it so tight. He looked like, 'what did I do?' After consoling Caydence she was ready to go home. It was all fun and games until he held on a little too tight for her comfort. He was only trying to play and have fun with his new friend. It was sweet seeing the interaction.

Ralph...RIP

The hubster, Tim, had a pet from his younger days...the cat named Ralph. Tim claimed him as his own. It has been an ongoing discussion as to just whose cat Ralph has been all his life. Apparantly his original name was Shadow and Tim found that too unoriginal so he renamed him....King Ralph. And it has stuck. Ralph was not just any cat. He was a cat with a dog's personality (in my opinion, that is the BEST!). So all the brothers loved this cat, grew up with this cat, neighborhood kids and friends loved this cat. He could speak his own name, he hated homework, and he loved lunch meat. Ralph was getting older but our girls were able to get the opportunity to meet him just before he passed. They were instantly in love with Ralph. All I heard for the few days that he was around them was "where's ralph" , "can I pet ralph", "i want to snuggle with ralph" and my favorite of all "is ralph a cat"...ofcourse she knew the answer to that one. ;-) At first I was suspicious of him because after all he is an animal and the girls are only 2.5 years and 1 year old. I quickly determined he loved them loving on him just as much as they loved doing it. Ralph had some health issues that were ailing him in the end of his days. He was in lots of pain and was unable to eat...his favorite thing to do. Even though he was having a tough go he was so good and gentle with the girls. He certainly made an impression on our girls. We were driving back to Mimi's one day and Caydence busted out with "There was a farmer had a cat and Ralph was his namo...R-A-L-P-H" I had only sang that to her one time. Good memory that girl! And she loves to sing! The Missy Princess and the Boo both enjoyed the few days they spent with him and it is certain he will be missed by our family.

December Pictures

Got an opportunity to load photoshop on the laptop over the weekend after our desktop died. FINALLY got around to editing 'some' of the 800 photographs we took through December. Yes, I love pictures. Photoshop will automatically take out the redeye for you. I haven't had issues with this previously, however, this go round the red eye remover placed 'blue eye' on many of our pics. I was SO dissappointed. So family members, if you do not see many pictures of yourself and you know I took them, you probably got the blue eye. ;-) Don't worry. I am trying to figure something out but for now only the 'easy to edit' photos made the blog. By no means are our memories complete without you!

Bella's First Birthday

MimiVisit 11\15\2009 (29 photos), by Robin Hanlon

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Halloween Slideshow

Tate Farms Slideshow

Tate Farms 2009

Tim was able to get a pass and come home for the weekend. We decided to take the girls to Tate Farms for some fun! Last year we determined that Mimi would come down this time of year and go with us but the flu kept her home. We missed Mimi this trip. Caydence was a perfect age to have fun on all the playgrounds they had set up and in the corn and cotton filled bins. She was super excited to pet a bunny since that was her favorite from last year. First she held a white bunny who was really sweet. Next she picked out a black bunny to hold and when daddy was holding him she went to pet. The bunny bit her! =( Had to go to the office for first aide. The folks were really nice but didn't seem too organized on getting the 'incident report' or getting her cleaned up. I had to pull out baby wipes to get the blood off. They did provide bandaids and saline rinse. By the time that was finished Bella had fallen asleep on her daddy! Luckily we brought the wagon! Caydence and Daddy rode the corn-cob train. I got pics of it but they are blurry since I am still getting used to my camera. I will post all the fun pics next. Enjoy!

Daddy's Girls

Pictures

The order we placed for the tea party / 2 yr pics are available!!! I will be picking up the order today at lunch and mailing it out Saturday. I can't wait to get mine to put out! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope everyone has a blessed day! =)

Pictures

Got proofs from the tea party pics! I am SO excited. I love them. I hope you all love them too! I ordered a 4x6 of each of the girls for each of our parents. Placed the order on Monday so hopefully we will have them in a couple of weeks!!! Photog didn't post them to her blog but if you are interested email me and I will get you the 'proof' website to view.

Booked photo session called "vintage icecream" with a different but equally great photog in our area. That sitting is on Sept. 21st. SO....Bella's 8 month pics will be just snap shots. I will try to get a good one. And once I finally do I PROMISE to try REALLY REALLY hard to develop beach pics and include the great one we decided to make her official 6 month pic!

We are so fortunate to be able to get the girls to professional photogs so often this year! They are offering AWESOME opportunities at irresistable prices. =) But then we have to buy the pics! LOL! Ofcourse they are Soooo worth it!

I hope everyone is having a BLESSED day! TIM, we MISS YOU and LOVE YOU! I will be mailing you a package out on Saturday.

Destin Vacation with Mom and Josh

Fourth of July Fun

Vacation with Tim before Iraq

Bella 6 month

Happy Father's Day Tim!

To Daddy From Caydence

My Daddy is a hero
Fighting in a war.
I am too small to understand it
I just wish I could see him more.

I miss him in the morning
Each and every day
And I miss him in the afternoon
Because we’d run and play

I miss him at bed time
Reading Good Night Moon .
I wish this war was over
So I could see him soon.

Each night he’s in my prayers
And this much is true,
I’m still Daddy’s Little Girl,
And I love and miss him too!

To Daddy From Bella

I’m Daddy’s Angel Bella
With a sweet smiling face.
My Daddy is gone for now
Fighting a war in another place.

And though I’m still a baby
My legs still kick with joy
Whenever I can hear
My daddy’s soothing voice.

I know my daddy loves me,
Even though he’s far away.
I can’t wait until he’s home for good
To watch me grow each day!

My Husband, My Hero

I've spoken with Tim in the last week on and off as his time has allowed. I wanted to let everyone know that he is doing ok. When he gets to his final destination I will send out his address. Once he is there he will also have a better idea of things he might be needing. I have had lots of folks asking me what they can send him so I will let you all know things as soon as I find out. Thank you all for your continued prayers for his safety. Thank you all for the continued help and support of me and the girls while daddy's away.

Four Days Leave

The girls and I were able to visit with Tim for a few days at Ft. Walton Beach with the help of Jeannette. THANK YOU JEANNETTE! It was a very nice trip. The weather was beautiful, the girls and their daddy enjoyed playing on the beach making sand castles, sliding on the rock slide, and falling asleep together. Tim and I enjoyed dinner with and without the girls and a great walk on the beach. Watching Tim leave us again was more difficult than the first send off ceremony. Tough for both of us to swallow since we know the road ahead. Please pray for his safe return to us.

Tim

Very excited. Only 7 more days until we get to see Tim. =) It feels bitter sweet though because it means we are much closer to him actually leaving the US for the Army. I know my girls will be so excited to see their daddy though. And I can't wait to capture the look on their faces on camera!

Pig Flu

The pig flu, swine flu, N1H1, whatever you want to call it...it's been diagnosed in 2 Madison children in kindergarden. Madison City, Huntsville City, and Madison County schools are all closed through Monday. The elementary school with the students is closed 7 days. Now, I don't want my girls sick, but from what I'm hearing this flu lasts less time than the normal flu and has not been nearly as deadly. So what gives?

March and April Pics