It's time to get started

Nothing like a trip to the beach to motivate you to lose weight. I have been back in the gym working out since the beginning of February. That sounds like two months worth or working out when in reality it hasn't been that long. I missed over a week when Allison had RSV and another week with Lauren's last stomach virus. I'm so glad to be able to exercise once again, but I haven't yet stopped eating all the junk food that I have been eating since being pregnant with Lauren. So, tomorrow is the day. I am embarking on a new diet. It's called the Flat Belly Diet and I like what I read about the changes it helps you make that are life-style changes, not just changes for a period of time. While the diet in theory is for 32 days, it really is about life-style changes that will continue after the 32 days are over. I was able to make those life-style changes when I did Body for Life back in late 2002 and 2003. My brother and I were both doing Body for Life and we lived together at the time so it made it easier to eat the right way. I am convinced I can do that again. However, almost 7 years and two children later, I don't know how easy it will be. But I'm determined to give it a shot!

Vacation Booked

Woo-hoo!!! We're going to the beach!!!! I can't wait to see the girls reaction to the beach and the ocean!!! Lauren talks about it quite a bit. We were supposed to go the the beach last September for the girls' first visit, but my grandmother passed away the Thursday before we were supposed to leave on Saturday. So we ended up cancelling the trip.

Now we have a week booked at Hilton Head for May 24-31.

My parents used their time share to book the resort. It is not directly on the beach, but I think there will be plenty to do on the property to entertain the girls.

I know the girls will love this pool!!!

Only two more months until the big trip!!!


We have just finished quite a week. Lauren was on spring break last week and unfortunately she spent the whole week sick with her second stomach virus this year. Although we were fortunate that the rest of us stayed healthy this time (last time all four of us caught the bug), this was a much worse virus for Lauren and she ended up at the dr.'s office Friday afternoon, then on to Children's ER that night. She could not keep anything in her stomach and ended up mildly dehydrated. Uncle Bill called right as I was getting ready to take Lauren on to the ER and he offered to come go with us. Daddy stayed home with Allison who had just gone to bed. It was a long, busy night in the ER and we were there from about 9:00 p.m. until about 3:30 a.m. Lauren was wide awake until I finally got her to sleep after 11:00 right before they came in to wake her up to start the IV. They tried two times and couldn't get the needle in, but were able to draw blood to do some lab work. Around 1:00 a.m they came back and another nurse got the needle in to start the IV. Lauren was not happy with another "poke"! By that time, she was exhausted and felt pretty miserable. I was able to get her to sleep while the fluids slowly dripped in. We were able to leave right after the fluids were in. We were blessed that she didn't have to be admitted to stay in the hospital.
Saturday morning she was up around 8:00 a.m. and was ready to eat our ritual waffles that Daddy makes every Saturday. She was able to eat and drink and go to the bathroom through out the day. And today she is pretty much back to normal. After lunch she did come to me for me to hold her and she said her tummy hurt. I asked her how it felt, if she felt sick like she was going to throw up, and she said, "No it's hungry!" Music to my ears!!!

Not Out Yet!

Well, looks like I posted a day too early. Ended up taking the girls to the dr. today and Allison has RSV. :( The good news is that Lauren is ok. But we have another week of confinement to let Allison get well. Allison is definitely keeping us on our toes with her illnesses. Lauren spoiled us by not getting sick very often. But I still thank God that we have had healthy children and I pray that He will continue to bless us with health!
Another blessing is that Mom went to the dr. today and she only has one more 6 month visit to the dr. who did her breast cancer surgery. After that she will only have to go for a check up yearly. She will be a five year survivor this August.
Brother Bill is also doing well after his elbow surgery. He goes back to the dr. tomorrow to get his stitches removed and the splint off. He will still have to wear the splint some for a couple more weeks, but at least he can take it off for periods of time.
God is good and has blessed our family!!

Let Me Out!!

We have been couped up in the house since Sunday with coughs, runny noses and fevers. Neither girl has enough fever to really warrant a call to the doctor yet. But both girls have pretty nasty coughs that get worse when they lie down. Lauren has taken a nap two of the past three days which tells you she doesn't feel well. Allison pulled an all nighter (ok... just most of the night) last night. She had so much drainage in the back of her throat that it kept waking her up. If I didn't go in there when she cried she would cough and cough for ever! If I went in there she would go on back to sleep on me. But as soon as I put her back in bed the drainage would wake her up again. I finally gave her some Triminic around 3:00 a.m. and headed for the recliner with her to sleep the rest of the night. I'm praying for better sleep tonight!
I think Lauren may be able to go to school tomorrow as she has been fever free for a little over 24 hours. She still has a cough that doesn't sound very pretty, but hopefully it will be even better by in the morning.

At least we have had some good laughs even though the girls have been sick.
While at the dinner table, we usually try to encourage Lauren to eat her veggies by taking bites with us. Here's part of a conversation we've had a couple of times lately.

Me: "Lauren, let's take a bite of green beans."
Lauren: "You eat what you eat, and I'll eat what I eat!"

Here's another conversation tonight.

Lauren: "Let's all take a drink."
Allison: (Without missing a beat) "I'm busy!" (She was eating and wasn't ready for a bite!)
Where did she get that response? Sounds like something coming from a Mom, but I don't remember using the word busy with her a lot. I usually say, as soon as I finish this I'll........

I guess I shouldn't complain too much about the girls' health because I know friends who have had it a lot worse than we have! Here's praying for spring to arrive swiftly and good health to prevail!!

February

I guess it was fitting that I got the girls to their first dentist appointment in February (Dental Health month). I'm so thrilled that both girls have nice healthy teeth and no cavities. I was so proud of Lauren. When the hygienist came out, she told me that they would do what they could at this first visit, because they wanted it to be a positive experience. Lauren marched right in and climbed up on the chair and was ready to go. We have been talking about the dentist for quite a while preparing for this day. The room had 4 stations for kids with flat, padded table like things. Above each station was a television complete with headphones. Lauren went first for her cleaning and she did exactly what she was asked to do. When the hygienist started brushing, it startled Lauren a bit, but then she opened right back up and let her finish. She even let her floss. I have to admit that I have not been flossing. :( But I told Lauren that we had to make sure we brushed her teeth at least twice a day and floss because that is what the dentist told us to do.

I'm impressed that Bill started the flossing tonight even though it was late after getting home from church. He said Lauren did great. I even attempted to floss Allison's teeth. It's pretty challenging to get in that little mouth and floss.

When it was Allison's turn, she hopped right up on the bed thing (I don't know what to call it). I thought, wow! this is going to be easy. But once the hygienist started the brush, it scared Allison and she didn't want to lie down. The hygienist said it was fine, and just stopped. Allison did let the Dr. in to look at her teeth, but she was still a little timid. He was able to see that the teeth looked healthy and he did not see any problems.

We were so happy for a good first visit to the dentist!

Here are a couple of pictures I took at Lauren's school Valentine party. I got to plan the activities for the party and help. It was lots of fun. I think the kids enjoyed the activities we did.

Lauren and Darrah

Handing out Valentine cards

Building conversation heart towers..Lauren started licking

hers to try to get them to stick together!!! yeah right!

I took this picture today as the girls were watching a movie while I was getting dinner ready. Lauren is really into picking Allison up and holding her. They are sitting on the love seat!

I love you sweet girls!!!!

For February 14

Fourteen Things I Love About Lauren

1. I love how she always wakes up happy!!

2. I love her exuberance for life.

3. I love how she is learning to say her own prayers (not just the memorized

ones).

4. I love how she talks on the phone to her Daddy, grandparents, & Uncle Bill.

5. I love how she tells you what she wants you to say.

6. I love how she can go up to other children so easily and want to play with

them.

7. I love when she crawls in bed with us and wants to snuggle.

8. I love the fact that she loves to go to school and walks in and starts playing

without even looking back to say goodbye.

9. I love her smile.

10. I love her strawberry tinted hair.

11. I love the way she can't wait to see Allison in the mornings or after she

wakes up from her nap.

12. I love how she runs to the door to kiss her Daddy when he comes home from

work every day.

13. I love how she sings while we are in the car, or in the house or anywhere.

She loves to sing!!!

14. I love her laugh.

14 Things I Love About Allison

1. I absolutely love how she has just learned to pucker up her lips to give you a

kiss.

2. I love how she always wants to love on my belly. She has such a fetish

for bellies.

3. I love how she says, "No Mam" if she doesn't want you to do something.

4. I love how she laughs with Lauren.

5. I love how she says, "May have it please" when she wants something. She

can really turn on the charm.

6. I love how she likes to play like she is sneaking up to get you.

7. I love how she says "I luthe you" for "I love You".

8. I love how she loves to sing. I'm amazed at how many songs she knows.

9. I love how she runs flat footed.

10. I love her long brown eyelashes.

11. I love how she watches Lauren and wants to do everything she does.

12. I love how snugly she is.

13. I love her smile.

14. I love how she always wants to be a "jaybird" and take off her clothes.

I love you my sweet girls. Happy Valentine's Day!

Ear Infection # 2

Poor Allison has her second ear infection in less than 2 months. :( Yesterday she cried a lot during the day and said her ear hurt. She was quite pitiful. Luckily Motrin helped ease the pain. We woke her up last night around 10:00 to give her another dose so she wouldn't be in pain. That was a mistake because she was then awake for about 2 hours. Oh well! We saw Mrs. Rachel at the dr.'s office today and sure enough she has the beginnings of an infection. We started on the antibiotic today. I pray that she is not going to have a lot of these infections. We have been so blessed with such good health for our girls. I would hate for Allison to have problems with her ears.
It is truly amazing how well she can talk and communicate. I forget she is only 20 months old because she can tell us what hurts so clearly.
I'm ready for spring. We have certainly had our share of winter illnesses!!!