Addison is walking!

Last week Addison finally got the nerves to walk by herself! She is a super mobile girl now, getting into whatever she wants. She is loving walking!

A mini-vacation!!!! Micheal had to go out of town for work for a few days, and we got to go with him! We stayed at a place called Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin. It was a really cool place, it had 4 indoor waterparks, an indoor giant play fort thing, mini golf, arcades, laser tag, restuarants....on and on...it has lots of outdoor stuff too, but since it's still winter here, we didn't explore any of that! It was so nice to get away and even though we love family, it seems like one of the first and very few times we have taken a trip away and it be just us, so that was nice. It was a very nice trip. It was so wonderful to spend the day relaxing. Our room was really nice and the kids of course did great. During the day when Micheal was working we would go explore dry land things like the play fort, go eat lunch, come back for Addison's nap, and when Micheal got back we would rush out the door to the waterparks. Then we would come back after an hour or two, eat dinner, and then go out to the pools again, and still manage to be in bed by 9! Parker was so brave. He wanted to ride the big rides with us. So we strapped on his life vest and off we went...riding the big tube rides. Addison did well also, she was too little to ride rides etc, but we were able to float the lazy river and play in the toddler areas. She had fun, and even began to crawl in the water. I was worried about how she'd do, as when we were in NM she was stressed and scared of the water....but she wasn't well yet, so I think that was a lot of it. We also had to stop and buy some Wisconsin cheese curds in Wisconsin too! Yum Yum!

Parker and Micheal getting off one of the rides. I think he liked them more than us...we have to admit we are getting old, and would get dizzy riding in the dark tubes!


Parker and Addison in a raft in the wave pool. Parker really liked riding the waves...but all those pictures were blurry. He would want us to take him way up to the front with the big waves. Addison had nothing to do with it when they were going.

A view of one of the water parks. The kids could climb stairs, stand under buckets, go down lots of slides.....

Addison, ready to swim! She's easier to take a picture of these days, Parker doesn't want to cooperate a lot of the time when the camera comes out.

Daddy, Addison, and Parker in the tree swings. Addison loved these swings, her feet went in and out of the water as she went back and forth. Parker was really too big, I think he scraped his foot on the bottom from this. But, he had to do it if she was!

Addison, loving the swing!

Another one of the water parks. Parker and Addison didn't like this one as much, it had lots of spraying water...they don't want to be sprayed...just splashed.

This was the view from our patio...in the summer it would be really awesome to look out your window and see the water park and all the kids playing! But, obviously, the pool was like a giant ice cube!

Parker in the giant playfort. I had a hard time with this, because we went when Micheal was at work. It was 4 stories high, so he could climb endlessly, it was hard to keep my eye on him so that stressed me out, plus I had Addison, so what was I going to do if he got stuck!? Pull her and my silly self through this kid zone?! Thankfully he was safe and figured it all out on his own and stayed where I could see him to cheer him on.

This is Parker looking at a map on the wall to tell me where to go. He stood here forever, which his finger on his chin thinking about where we were going next. It was so cute, I had to take a picture!

Parker in the toddler area, about to slide down the beaver tail!

Addison did it!

All ready to go in the pool.

Addison after her first ride in the lazy river. All smiles!

This is Parker and Addison before we went to the pool the first day. Addison has a look of uncertainty, Parker is over filled with joy and excitement!

She can climb the stairs!

Addison has learned how to climb the stairs! ARGHHHH! I can not tell you how many times I have gone up and down them lately! She can go up, but not down...so when she gets to the top, you hear her call....if Parker leads her up there, they go exploring, and chase each other in and out of all the bedrooms. Oh joy! There is no way to attach a baby gate, so below you'll see my attempt to block the stairs when I've had one too many trips....Parker though likes to dump his toys in the wagon, and Addison likes to try to figure out a way around the wagon to get back up the stairs.



She made it to the top! Yay!


Here she goes, up and up the stairs! Notice the balloons? Every week at story time the the story teller gives out balloons to the kids afterwards. Addison is in love with these balloons and now he gives her her own. She loves to have them on her wrist, and when there is one in the house that is still floating, she wants them on her wrist at all times. I insist she take it off when sleeping and when we go outside though. She does keep them on during playtime and meal time!

February

Oh how the time flies again and again. A good thing I guess. This month started with us returning from our wonderful trip to New Mexico and getting settled back into our routine. We are getting a little cabin fever and ready to do some outside things, but it's still too cold, even if it's in the 30's. We had another big snow this month, getting several inches at once. We went to the bounce house place again one morning, and were able to go bowling one day too with people Micheal works with. Parker is learning more and more each day. He is really starting to know and identify so many things he sees. Parker has really grasped the concept of big and small and short and tall. And one day, I came into the living room and found that he had 2 eggs from the fridge wrapped in a blanket, for real, 2 real eggs! When I asked him what he was doing, he said that eggs had to be warm, not cold. So I had to convince him that these eggs didn't need to be warm, they needed to be cold so we could eat them. This was not an easy task, and he kept wrapping them up and walking away from me, as I was also scared he was going to drop the eggs. Eventually we agreed to put them away. Parker loves dinosaurs and we have been learning a lot about them and what they eat....leaves like grass or meat like hot dogs. He has also started singing the theme songs before his cartoon shows that he likes to watch. He loves to dance, and climb, and run. Addison is back at 100% and into so much now. She loves to explore and take things in and out still. She is learning to chase Parker, and he loves it.


This is us bowling. Everyone had the gates up on the gutters so that was really helpful in making sure Parker knocked down some pins. The balls were all too heavy for him to really roll, but he did it granny style and enjoyed it. Addison just hung out with us, after a while she was more annoyed she could get on the floor and crawl around.


They even had bowling shoes in Parker's size! So cute!


Parker's Aunt Kelly always makes this face at him, I have never seen him actually do it on his own until now.....now if you ask him to make a silly face, this is what he does.

A little blurry, but Addison the beautiful anyway.

Parker got a haircut from mommy this month! We convinced him he was wearing a superhero cape and that seemed to help...this is before the haircut, after the haircut, he stresses himself out so much he's sweating everywhere and red in the face. He doesn't like it, but his hair isn't over his ears now!

Addison loves to give love. This month she really learned how to give people kisses and hugs, and Parker is now able to handle it and she too without either of them getting hurt.

Parker can now open the fridge all by himself. And Addison thinks that whenever you open the fridge she should be in it. Yet another job for mommy!

Book Review-The Story of Easter Retold by Gwen Ellis, Illustrated by Steve Smallman

On one of the blogs I follow, I saw that a friend was doing book reviews in return for getting to keep the book for free! I thought I'd give it a try for a while.

I read The Story of Easter, Retold by Gwen Ellis and Illustrated by Steve Smallman. This is a children's book, and includes a DVD with short videos related to the story of Easter. The book is based on the story of Easter as told in the Bible. It starts with the request of a donkey colt by Jesus and tell the story of how He went from that point to His death and into Heaven. Each scene in the story is referenced by the passage in the Bible that it can be found. It also as a "thinker" box that asks a question or makes a statement to help promote discussion. This book is for children as young as 3, but with the "thinker" boxes it can easily be utilized with older children as well.

I liked how this book was clear in presenting the message it intended. The illustrations are colorful and pull the reader into the story. I liked that there was the basic part of the story for young children, but also challenging things for older children to think about and discuss with a parent or mentor. The DVD that came with the book contains illustrations and animations parallel to the book. The stories are accurate with what the Bible says and are short and easy to understand. The DVD is more appropriate for older children, and a great bonus to the book.

A Vacation to New Mexico

So there was a great big sale on airline tickets and we made plans to fly to my sisters, well the kids and I in January. A chance to visit and for us a chance to get out of winter we hoped for a little while! I was really nervous about flying with the kids by myself. It wasn't just one flight each way, was 2 each way. What if there were delays and what if the kids were fussy? Well, it turned out there were no delays and no fussing! yay! We didn't have any issues at all. Other passengers were so nice and offered to help me on each of the flights if I needed it. And the kids did great, Parker even took a nap on one of the flights! Addison did well also, still sleeping a lot from being sick, but was very agreeable and enjoyed it. One lady even asked me how much I traveled with them because they were "so well behaved, they must be used to all this excitement!". I graciously told her that this was the first time for Addison and Parker's second time on a plane. I gate checked the stroller and brought the baby bjorn. It was the perfect combo, as we didn't have much time in between flights, which was positive and negative. No time to change diapers, but no time to get restless in an airport either!

We had such a great time in New Mexico. We did some fun things, but also just hung out and rested. It was nice just to be. It did get cold and even snowed....gee I thought I came south for a reason! Oh well, at least we are used to it. I'll tell you more about what we did in the blurb's under the pictures, it's easier that way for me. We also had birthday cake one day for Addison's one year birthday and went swimming. Parker loved it, Addison thought it was too cold.

Addison sleeping on my lap in the plane. It was hard to take pictures on the plane, we flew in the morning and the sun was so bright out the window we couldn't really keep it open. :(


Parker watching a movie on the plane. It really helped pass the time when you can't get up and explore!

One of the first places we went was a restaurant called Weck's. We love this place and it's a must stop when we visit. Addison LOVED it, and Parker did too!

Parker at Weck's. They are famous to us for their bowl o papas...which are hashbrowns with some kind of meat that you order, then served with an egg on top and cheese. It also comes with red or green chile, we are wimps though and always get it on the side.


One day we went to the zoo and aquarium. It was a chilly day, but it was really enjoyable to go to the zoo when hardly anyone else was there. You didn't have to wait for anyone to move to look at the animals, and you could walk as slow and as fast as you wanted. We rode the train from the aquarium to the zoo and back...it was about a 15 minute ride each way. Parker loved it of course because he is so into trains and cars right now...along with dinosaurs.

Parker and Addison on the train. The way their we rode on the car that was outside, on the way back Parker picked the inside one with windows to look out.

Kelsey met us at the zoo. Addison took a while to warm up to everyone as she is so mommy attached and she had just gotten out of the hospital. But of course she warmed up to Kelsey rather quickly. Addison is so light she was spoiled and spent most of the day being carried around and not having to ride in the stroller or carrier!

Parker checking out the flamingos.


Addison sitting on a giant ant structure. Parker wasn't wanting to cooperate and be in pictures this day for some reason, so he missed out.


Parker and I under a giant garden dragon!

Addison LOVED the aquarium. She liked to look at all the fish as they swam right by her.

Parker and Addison in the aquarium.

Addison first checking out the fish. What do I see mom?!


One day we took them to the children's museum. Parker loved trying to figure everything out. This is Addison and I, she hung out in the carrier.

At this exhibit you have to figure out how to put all the pieces together and make them work like gears....Parker spent soooo much time here. He seems like such a boy sometimes! Denise and I were bored in no time, but Parker...nope!

Giant Bubbles!

Parker learning how water moves and how you can manipulate it to go where you want it to.

Aunt Denise amazingly has some empty cabinets in her home, I don't know, but she does. Uncle Lynn and Parker found them to be a hiding spot! When got home, one of the first things Parker tried to do, notice the word tried, is take all the Tupperware out of our cabinet to hide...uhhh no sir, we are not going to pick that mess up daily. Yes, Tupperware is reachable to you for a reason, but not for you to empty out everyday and hide in the cupboard!


Parker and I rode the carousel at the mall one day. He's my sweet boy.

Addison's one year birthday!

Addison Paylor

Addison turned one year old! Her birthday came right after her release from the hospital and on the day of our trip to New Mexico, so we didn't do anything big and dramatic. We were exhausted and just enjoying the wonderful life she is and that she was getting better. Addison is such a fun girl. She is quiet and observant, watching first to see what is going on. She loves her mommy and is super attached to her. Addison loves to play with Parker and is learning how to get his attention and get him to react to her. Oh the fights are around the corner, I can tell already. Addison has stunning blue eyes, and we get comments on them every where we go. She still can't walk, is really close, but it seems like being so sick set her back. Addison can crawl very well and cruise very well also. She pulls up on anything to get up and see. She still doesn't have any teeth! Everyone I've asked about it says that they have never seen a baby not get teeth, so they will come in some time. She loves to eat and drink. I think she eats more than Parker! We are running out of things that she can eat without any teeth as she is tired of "baby" foods. Addison loves baskets and bags and purses. She loves to empty them and examine everything in it, and then put it back. She also loves her bear and any stuffed animal she can cuddle. It's so sweet to watch her hug and give love to her animals and baby dolls. Addison doesn't like to be cold, so it's been a long winter for her. We haven't taken her for her well check yet, but will this week. After that, I'll add her size..but I know she's about 17 pounds....seems like her motor runs faster than the rest of us! She's a little peanut, but that's okay! We love her all the same! Happy Birthday Addison! We did have some cake at my sister's!



So we had Addison's one year well check yesterday! All is well. She weighed 18 pounds and was 29 1/2 inches long. She has to be 20 pounds to turn around in her car seat, so I guess she'll have to wait a few more months for that excitement. I remember Parker barely made the weight cut off by his first birthday. As for her kidney and double ureter issue, we are going to have to monitor her every few months to make sure she doesn't get any infection, as well as keep her on daily antibiotics to help prevent any chance of infection. So, overall it's a good report...nothing major like surgery required or more tests, so that's good!

Addison's hospital stay

Unfortunately, Addison had to be hospitalized! She hadn't been feeling well for about a week, just real fussy, sleepy, and a low grade fever. She wasn't eating well or being her normal self. We had a trip planned to fly to my sister's, and so a few days before we left, I decided I better take her to the doctor to make sure she didn't have an ear infection or something. So, in we went. They checked her out and her ear, lungs, everything seemed fine. They suspected more though, as she wasn't right and sent us to the Emergency Room. There they suggested it could be meningitis, encephalitis, a brain tumor...all kinds of things you don't want to hear them say. They were so fast and began ordering tests. I had called Micheal from the doctor office to let him know what was going on as I had Parker with me too. So Micheal worked his way out of work, and by the time he got there they had already done a Cat scan, a urine sample, a blood sample, started an IV, and did a lumbar puncture. All that was left was a chest x-ray. After that, they admitted us into the ICU while we waiting for the test results to come back. They said some of the blood cultures and spinal fluid cultures would take 48 hours before we would know anything. They started anti-viral and antibiotics right away as a way to start treatment for anything it could be. After 2 days and a night in the ICU and another night and day on the pediatric floor, we were released.

Turns out she had a mild viral meningitis and a UTI. The UTI led to an ultrasound of her kidneys and bladder, which led to further testing as they could see an abnormality on her kidneys. We have already started to follow-up with that and found out that she has 2 ureters on her right kidney...the tubes that drain into her bladder...and you are only supposed to have one. Hers also reflux, meaning it goes back to the kidney. This may or may not have caused the UTI. It's a really common issue, 1 in 100 children have this abnormality. We are still waiting to see what if any further treatment she will need.

Now is back to 100%, it took her a good couple of weeks to recover, but is back to her self and back to her routine. Thanks to God for healing her, thank you to everyone for all your prayers and support. It was scary seeing her so sick and tiny, and not knowing what she had.

Addison right after she had her IV inserted. She was a good trooper in the hospital. Mostly because I think she was too sick to fight and complain. She did cry, but would calm as soon as mommy or daddy held her close again. She got to the point where if a nurse or doctor even walked in the room she would wake and start to cry. This was in the ER.

Finally resting in the ICU.

Parker did so wonderful in the hospital. He was quiet and patient. He was so cooperative and did great while I comforted Addison during her tests. Later, some great people from church helped us occupy him with play dates so that he could get some time out to play and Micheal and I could focus on Addison.

Daddy and Addison, in the ICU. She really just wanted to be held all the time.

Finally, Addison started feeling better! This was like at midnight! Mommy was exhausted, but she was wide awake and so interested in playing, so I of course let her. She was released the next day to go home and rest, and we were cleared to go on our trip! Yay!