Our Week

Every Sunday I write a family email to our family scattered around the country.  I just finished writing it, and because of the week its been, I decided to put it on the blog.  Its been one of those less than perfect weeks.  :)

Its been a week of the good, the bad, and the ugly around these parts.  I'll start with the bad so we can end things on a positive note.  :)

BAD:

*Richard took another visit to the podiatrist on Monday because of a basketball injury to his toenail that happened 18 months ago.  :)  This time they only took some of his toenail.  He spent Monday night in pain with his foot elevated. 

*Bridget came down with a cold on Tuesday and was an emotional wreck for two days straight. 

*Bridget started throwing up on Thursday.  Thursday through Saturday she was a mute spending her time lying on the floor, the couch, me, or asking for her bed.  So sad to see.

*Marshall has been throwing up since 12:30 am this morning.

*Richard is the only one of us who went to church.  He was a good sport and taught my Sunday School lesson.  I must note that this is a good thing for me.  :)

*It is finally spring here and we have spent 90% of our last four days inside.  At least we can have our windows open, that has helped boost all of our spirits.

*Richard and I had to cancel our date and dinner with neighbors because of sick Bridget.

*I am just waiting for this flu bug to hit me.  I know, its pessimistic, but its a true worry.

GOOD:

*Richard had Monday off so we all slept in until 7:45.  Hooray!

*Monday was good weather that we were actually able to enjoy.  After preschool the kids and I went to the Irion's for a picnic lunch.

*Tuesday I was able to have lunch with friends at Karisa's and we got to Skype with our dear friend, Chelsea Rowan, who moved to Colorado almost two years ago.

*Bridget had 30 minutes of happiness at Rhyme Time at the library on Wednesday morning.

*I have probably read over 100 books to each child this week.

*I dragged two screaming children out of the house on Friday morning so we could go on a walk and play at the park.  Once we got out they were both happy.  Bridget was content to sit in the stroller or on my lap, but Marshall was able to run around and have fun.

*Richard has become a huge BYU Men's Volleyball fanatic. 

*I got to take a much needed nap this morning as the kids and I lay on our towel covered couch watching movies. 

*Bridget has eaten more food today than she has in the last five days and is actually talking today, a huge step in the right direction.

Well, there you have it, 8 bad things and 9 good things, so overall, I would say we are doing well.  :)  Hopefully this week brings less bad and even more good.  :)

Legoland

Last week we drove down to Chicago and took the kids to Legoland.  Marshall was in heaven.  Bridget was enjoying herself until she encountered a Lego Darth Vader, too much for her I guess.  But, she eventually snapped out of it and started smiling again.  :)

This was right after she encountered Darth Vader.  Still in shock.  The giant Santa probably didn't help.  :)

There's a smile!

Marshall could have lived at this racing station; he had a ball.

Another First

Bridget, our second child, and more adventurous spirit, has given us yet another first as parents...

The first x-ray.

You may recall that about a year ago I placed my first call to 911 because she fell off a stool in the bathroom, hit her head on the floor, and passed out.

On Tuesday night she jumped off our couch (which we have told her about 100 times not to do) and she has been limping ever since.

After a day of waiting it out, a call to the nurse, and ibuprofen, she still woke up with a limp this morning and the pediatrician wanted to see her.  She ran to the van just before her appointment so I felt a little sheepish taking her in, but the doctor said with her young age, inability of a two year old to accurately communicate when and where it hurts, and the weekend upon us he opted for an x-ray.  So the three of us spent the afternoon in a pediatric radiology waiting room.  It was grand.

Fortunately, there is no break or other cause for concern, probably just a little sprain.  Richard, the expert radiologist, agrees with the diagnosis.  He requested that I get a CD of all the images for him.  :)  

Oh little Bridget, we sure love you, but I think you are going to give us some crazy adventures as your parents.

P.S.  I think this is just the cutest little foot, both inside and out.

A Trip To The Firehouse

This last week for playgroup we took the kids to the fire station for a little tour.  Let me just say that those firefighters were so kind to let 19 kids five and under invade their workplace for an hour.  At moments I was getting a little worried that we might be asked to leave early just due to the noise we were causing, but I had multiple firefighters tell me they should have little kids come more often, that it felt like Christmas.  Glad some people felt that way.  :)  

Anyway, it was a huge success.  Marshall has told me repeatedly, "Remember I am going to be a firefighter for one hundred days."  After hearing this 50 times in the last four days, don't worry, I'm not going to forget.  :)  I should also note that last year our playgroup did the same thing (different fire station) but Marshall would not go near the trucks, let alone inside them, so this was a huge improvement.

Ultrasounds

One thing that has been different about this pregnancy is that I have had multiple ultrasounds.  Some have been planned, others have not.  I am 23 weeks along and I just had my 6th ultrasound on Monday, it should also be my last one.  Thankfully everything is just fine with me and the baby, not that there have ever been major concerns, its just that things came up and the best way to address them were with an ultrasound.  I sure appreciated those ultrasounds in the early weeks, always so reassuring to see a heart beating.  We now have probably 30 pictures of this little girl in her first 23 weeks of life.  :)  It has been really neat though to see her development, which is why I am posting these, in case you find it as fascinating as I do.  :)

6 1/2 weeks.  So, so tiny.  But, she still had a heartbeat that could be seen and heard with the ultrasound.  Amazing.

8 1/2 weeks.  I think the growth in these 15 days is just amazing.

9 1/2 weeks.

12 1/2 weeks.

18 1/2 weeks

22 1/2 weeks.

And me at 20 1/2 weeks.  A little outdated by now, but its my one and only belly pic so far, quite a bit bigger now and finally gave into maternity clothes.  :) 

A Strange Phenomenon

Strange, but very welcome things, have been happening around here this week.  

Example A.

Marshall and Bridget have played with each other so well this week, especially in the mornings.  Usually they get one hour of tv in the morning so I can shower and pull myself together for the day without listening to them fight and yell at each other.  :)  Multiple days this week we didn't turn on the tv until late afternoon!  This makes me incredibly happy.  They have spent time playing in Marshall's room and in the basement, which up until now they really only play in the basement if friends are over.  I am on Cloud Nine about all of this.  I am praying this lasts for the rest of their lives, or at least until after baby #3 arrives.  

Example B.

Two times this week Marshall has independently vacuumed the living room rug.  One day he even took off the couch cushions and vacuumed out the crumbs.  Finally this kid is starting to pull his weight around here.  :)

Marshall has also been begging me to change the batteries in a couple of his toys for the last couple of weeks.  Being the wonderful mom that I am I kept putting him off.  The other day he asked again, so I gave him a screwdriver, and went to lay Bridget down for her nap.  When I came back he had successfully unscrewed everything and was ready for the new batteries.  He was on such a roll that I gave him some of Bridget's toys to take care of.

I think its time to start implementing a job chart.  :)

Random Happenings

Life has been busy around these parts, and also, thanks to the weather, we've been going a little nuts.  Here's a random smattering of our lives these last couple of weeks.

Playing ghosts, or "ghostes" as Marshall pronounces it.

Bridget has been enjoying her little kitchen and she definitely cooks in style.

Marshall has been mastering his picture taking skills.  He took these next couple of pictures, quite impressive for a four year old.

In an attempt to get Marshall to fall asleep with his light off at night we've pulled out Richard's old stuffed cat, Muffins.  Marshall is super attached.

Bridget is still fairly difficult to dress every morning, but she is more easily appeased when she has complete control over what she's wearing.  Can you tell she picked out her clothes this day?

She's obviously so happy about it.

The Best Of Bridget

The weekend before Bridget turned two she had her first little photo shoot.  The wife of one of Richard's fellow residents was kind enough to spend a morning with Bridget and me taking picture after picture and doing it all for FREE!  I love how they turned out.  We've never gotten newborn pictures done of our kids, but it has now become a tradition to get two year old pictures done.  I loved how Marshall's turned out years ago and I love Bridget's just as much.  They are at such a fun and expressive age.  Here are just some of my favorites; I have 138 to choose from.  :)

Richard and I love this one.

And this one.  Our top two favorites.