More Illness to Report

We hoped for just a cold, but instead got RSV.  We dreaded RSV last year as it is particularly dangerous in preemies.  We did our best to avoid it, but at least it came at a time when they were stronger and healthier.  Along with the RSV, Hallie got a rash that covered her whole body, caused her face to swell and ended up taking a trip to Cooks Children's by ambulance. The rash was unrelated to RSV.  It is called Uticaria Myltiforme and is not usually dangerous unless unless the throat started to swell.  Thank God, that did not happen to Hallie.  It is basically a reaction to a virus, nothing more.  The terrifying part for parents is that it comes out of nowhere and spreads rapidly, looks terrible and causes swelling.  Grayson was suffering from RSV, having trouble breathing and feeling downright terrible as this started with Hallie.  As she started to recover from her rash we started seeing signs of RSV and of course, she got it, too.
It took two full weeks of doctors appointments (nearly daily), breathing treatments, sleepless nights and a lot of help from Mom before we were finally out of the woods.  They each ended up with double ear infections to top it off.  We decided enough was enough and pulled them from the church and gym daycare. They are still putting things in their mouths and are not yet learning much, just playing and acquiring germs. Since then, we have been healthy aside from a minor cold or two, which we can totally live with after the nightmare of more serious illnesses.
Spring where are you?!  We are ready for a season of health and wellness in our home!

We ended a rough few weeks on a sweet note.  Daddy, Grayson and Hallie showed up to work to bring me roses.

Melt a mamma's heart!

Stomach Bug, Stitches and Road Trips, Oh My!

The Clark family left January feeling a bit beat up. The stomach bug took us down one by one starting with Grayson. Of us all, he seemed to handle it best; Hallie, daddy and I weren't as lucky.  Poor Hallie was a mess, she didn't understand what was happening to her.  She cried and slept a lot. We spent one entire day snuggling on the couch, I'll call that the silver lining.  It was pretty awful to watch the littles so miserable.  Being sick as a parent takes on a whole new meaning and that meaning is, there is NO time to be sick!  Fortunately, Aaron and I got it at the front and back end, separately.  He was fully recovered by the time it hit me.  Just thinking about it again makes me feel ill all over!

Poor little Hallie had two Stiches in her forehead last week.  She was playing at Nana's and slipped and hit her head on the mantle.  We hoped we could glue or butterfly, but due to swelling that wasn't an option.  She handled it like a champ until the two (painful) numbing shots were adminstered and she had to be held down. Daddy does better than me with this kind of thing.  I was backed into the corner, teary eyed while he stood over her and tried to keep her calm.  By the time we left she was in good spirits, thank goodness!  I assumed, my rough and tumble Grayson, would be first to hit this unwanted milestone, but sister to beat him to it!  Minimal, if any, scarring is expected.  

We are now on our way back from a great weekend in Conroe with Mike's family and wouldn't you know it, we are dealing with another illness! G woke Friday night with fever and a cough that is giving him a hard time at night.  There wasn't much sleep to be had, but we had a blast aside from our latest ailment.  Hoping it's downhill from here and crossing fingers (tightly) this one bypasses Hallie.

Nana and Hallie at our lunch stop. 

Grayson made a new best friend and can't wait to go back to Mimi's. 

Fun on the golf course. 

Five Years of LOVE

Aaron and I celebrated our fith anniversary last week.  It's hard to believe it has been been years already.  I speak for both of us when I say, that we look around us and are in awe of our blessings.  Being parents has been trying, but has also brought us closer together, sharing such a sweet love for our children.  We exchanged our traditional letters and spent the evening downtown Fort Worth.  We walked through Sundance Square after dinner to take in the gorgeous tree, fountains  and lights galore.  We even danced together downtown.  It was my perfect version of our anniversary, romantic and festive!

Fall Fun and Wedding Celebrations!

What's more exciting than holidays and weddings? We have been celebrating both! Alison and Jayce had a gorgeous wedding in Ocotber and Mike and Mom had a beautiful wedding in November.  Both had perfect fall weather.  Cheers to the happy new couples as our families continue to grow.  We are blessed!

As for our two 15 month olds, they are walking and talking up a storm.  Grayson started walking first, but Hallie was very determined and mastered her new skill before Grayson. He followed closely behind and both were on the go by 14 months. Surprisingly,  I find walking easier than crawling.  Their vocabulary is growing everyday, and their little voices fill our home with the sweetest sounds.  No, cow, moo, what's that (merged into one sound), ball, dada and baby are some we here most frequently.  Grayson said Pop for Poppy (Mike) which melted all of our hearts.  Hallie has 7 teeth and is working on her 8th. Grayson is getting his eye teeth at the same time.  Both sleep from 7-7 on good nights, when teething and colds don't interfere.  We are still taking two naps most days, but the transition is near.  As with everything baby related, change is the most constant part of our schedule.  Grayson is opening doors and learning to love books like sister.  He is really into balls and Tupperware right now. Oh and the dog dishes, nice...  Hallie has her nose in a book and 'reads' out loud to us.  It's mainly babble with cow and dada thrown in here and there.  She loves to get in and out of her car, until Grayson tries to join her.  They get along and play well aside from the occasional stolen book or toy.  Both really love their baths, grandparents and Mickey Mouse.  Neither like getting dressed, doctor visits or diaper changes.  They have decided to boycot eggs, but devour fruits and vegetables. A win in my book!

The holidays are among us and we are soaking in every special moment. Our second Halloween with Grayson and Hallie was much more exciting than our first (still on doctor orderd lockdown last year). We went on a hayride with friends and our family dressed as cowboys and Indians. The babies weren't sure what all the fuss was about but are always happy outside on a new adventure. They were cute as could be!

We spent Thanksgiving with the Clarks and Thomas'.  Grandma cooked the entire meal herself, aside from cranberries and desert. She is truly is Wonder Woman and insisted we come empty handed. We had a second dinner with Mom and Mike Sunday.  Aaron fixed his first turkey and did a fabulous job. We were all impressed!  Unfortunately, the babies and I all got sick, but, we were still able to enjoy our time together as a family. H&G really dug into the turkey, stuffing and cranberries!

Pumpkin patch fun. 

Christmas is around the corner. We have had so much fun watching Christmas through the eyes of Grayson and Hallie.  They love taking walks through the neighborhood to see the festive lights and have been great about the no touch rule for the Christmas tree. Hallie takes it seriously and calls the tree, 'no-no'.  Tonight we are taking them to the parade of lights and Wednesey they will meet Santa Clause for the first time.  I can hardly contain my excitement!

Helllllo October. You've been missed!

You know I love a particular month when I sit down just to write about it!  The brutal summer has come to an end.  We are finally enjoying cooler temps and we are no longer trapped inside. Big Daddy built an awesome swing for the backyard and the babies really dig it!  We have plans to visit the zoo, the pumpkin patch, the park and all the other places we avoid during the heat of the summer. I so wanted to do all of this last year, but we were still restricted to the house.  I fully intend to take advantage of our freedom this fall.
Aaron has been enjoying football, and I am gearing up for fall gardening.  The house is decorated and Halloween costumes are in the making.
Aaron and I joined friends in beautiful Broken Bow for a relaxing weekend. We nearly had the lake to ourselves.  The water was crisp and refreshing and the temperature was perfectly set in the mid-eighties.  Broken Bow never disappoints!

View from our cabin.  I am strongly considering a move. 

13 Months

So much to report as these little 13 month olds think they are all grown up.  We have officially entered the walking stage!  They aren't full blown cruisers yet, but are testing the waters.  Grayson was first.  Aaron looked over and G was squealing like he does when he's playing and took two steps towards him with his arms out, trying to get to Daddy.  I wasn't home, bummer!  I got home shortly after and was able to see two more steps.  He is now up to three at a time.  He is very cautious and prefers to be on his own versus us trying to stand him up and encourage him.  Who's surprised by that?  Not me!
Hallie took her first steps almost two weeks later, and guess what?  I missed her's too!  I walked out of the room and asked Aaron to supervise for two minutes.  And she did it!  I saw her take one step shortly after.  She seems to be more methodical about walking and standing.  You can see her wheels turning, whereas, Grayson just goes for it.  This is one milestone that I am not dying to hit.  I was so excited for them to sit, crawl and pull up, but as we leave the baby stage and head in the direction of toddlers I have to admit I am a little sad.  I'll get over it, and in the meantime, enjoy watching them master this skill individually and uniquely.
It has been fun seeing them interact with one another more frequently.  They 'talk' to each other, follow each other and play together now.  A few nights back I was cooking dinner while they ate in their highchairs, and looked over to see them reaching for eachother's hands.  They held hands for about 5 minutes.  It was precious!  They laughed and jabbered back and forth the entire time.  Big Daddy built a swing set (HUGE HIT) in the back yard.  The first time they swang Hallie just looked over at Grayson the entire time with a huge grin, as if to say, isn't this fun, G?   Grayson is pretty rough with all of us, and while we are teaching him not to hit and bite, Hallie doesn't yet understand his way of play.  He grabs her hair, pushes her, you know, like brothers do.  While I don't think he means to hurt her, he is so much bigger and stronger, that we are having to carefully watch them together.  In total Hallie form, she loses it and throws herself backwards (or forwards) on the ground, while he laughs. I can't imagine what the older years will bring considering, I am already play referee at 13 months!

See what I mean?

New Swing Set!

 

GRAYSON
25.12 pounds
31 inches
8 teeth
Learning to drink out of a sippy cup, although he nearly drowns himself every time.
Drinking from straw
Eating just about anything we put in front of him.  Loves salmon, asparagus, papaya, pancakes, grilled cheese.
Favorite toy right now is the new play kitchen and kitchen accessories, perfect size for little hands.
Loves baths, this isn't new, but trying to stand the entire time is.  "Sit down, sir," is played on repeat.
He may be getting new teeth as he has been waking up fairly consistently over the last week.
Says, toes, dada, dog, Jet, MAMMA and is making other news sounds that I believe are 'th' noises.
G is still mellow, fun loving and all around a happy guy.  He laughs constantly and usually isn't fussy other than when he is first waking up from naps and when he is overly tired.

HALLIE
20 pounds
29 inches
4 teeth currently, but her top two front teeth are coming in now.  About time!
Learning to drink out of sippy, but prefers straws and bottles.
Learning to climb.  She climbed onto mom's brick hearth.  Determined little lady.
Kisses her baby doll with opened mouth kisses.
Says, toes, dog, mamma, dadda, nana, uh-oh and I think she tried to say Mickey today.
Also eats just about everything we give her.  She may even have a better appetite than G these days!
Sleeps well, but is hard to rock to sleep.  We have been giving her a bottle to go down.  Not in the rule book, but it works so we go with it.  I would love to rock her to sleep, but if we are with her she will stay up until she passes out on us hours after her bedtime.  She is still camped out in the play room pack and play.  We had her in the nursery with G and they did fine, but for naps they both go longer when they aren't in the same room.  For now this works.
She is sweet, funny and so expressive.  Her determination is really shining through as she gets older.  For example, she loves to push her walkers, but if they get jammed or stuck on something she cries and throws herself face first on the floor!  It's wild.  She must have gotten that from Aaron.  Ha!

Both are ecstatic when Aaron comes home from work.  They squeal, drop what they are doing and race to him.  I am not sure if I have witnessed anything sweeter in my life.