Family Dedication - October 2009

We decided to be a part of the family dedication at our church, which took place on Sunday, October 11, 2009. 

The purpose of dedicating our children was an opportunity as parents to commit ourselves to the task of raising our children in a Christian home. The dedication service was an opportunity to make a public commitment before God, our friends, and family. 

Ethan and Emily each received their own Bible and personalized dedication certificate at the end of the service. It was a very special day for us all!

Swaddling

Emily still does not like to be swaddled :(

 However, Ethan still likes to be swaddled :)

St. Patrick's Day

Day 3: Little trooper

It's strange how black eyes get worse before they get better. :( My little man is such a trooper though!

Supernanny!

Parenting Resource: SUPERNANNY!
By Janie Weybright Flip Flops Director 
http://sandalsgroups.com/users/family/blog.php?mode=view&bmode=read&id=3012

Home sweet home ♥

On the night of the Oscars (Sunday, March 7th) we decided to record it to watch later. Instead, we had a fire in our backyard and made delicious s'mores. It was the first time Emily really noticed the fire and the first time Ethan wasn't afraid of it. He was cautious, but actually sat close enough to stay warm. :)

This picture turned out weird because of the fire

 Emily checking out the fire

Ethan & Ryan relaxing by the fire after working on the house
(Ethan holding his favorite tool...lol)

 Ethan & Ryan enjoying the fire...♥ my boys

 Staying cozy by the fire with my babies ♥

 Enjoying the fire before bedtime 

10 months old & 3 years old

Pain & sickness

Yesterday was quite an experience in our household. It was definitely not an ordinary day. 

Emily had diarrhea all day long and vomited twice. She's never had the stomach flu before and Ethan never had it as a baby, so I didn't know what to expect. She had both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines, so I thought it could have been an allergic reaction to egg yolks, considering it's the most recent food she's been introduced to. 

Shortly after Emily vomited, Ethan decided to climb and stand on top of his Little Tikes police car (*see note). He fell off and landed head first onto the kitchen tile. When I picked him up I immediately noticed a "goose egg" on his forehead and swollen eyelid. Ryan immediately came home from work and confirmed that he was OK and didn't need to go to Urgent Care. Since he was raised with two brothers, he said there will be more falls and black eyes to come. It's not exactly what I wanted to hear. It's sad, but most likely true. Anyway, we finally convinced Ethan to ice his "boo-boos" and had him sleep in our bed, so we could keep an eye on him during the night.  

Ethan woke up happy with one very sad looking black eye. As you can tell by looking at the 3rd - 5th pictures below, his face looked much worse today then last night. Emily skipped solid food for dinner and nursed herself to sleep. She slept through the night, but woke up with explosive diarrhea (sorry, that was probably TMI). I was able to get Emily in to see her pediatrician today and was told she has a virus. She has to be on a liquid diet - breastfeeding and drinking small amounts of Pedialyte for the next 24 hours. For the next 72 hours after that, she can only eat plain white rice and applesauce. If all goes well, I can resume her normal diet in approximately four days. 

When my kids occasionally experience pain or get sick, I have NO reason to complain. My heart goes out to the kids who suffer on a daily basis, as well as some of their families. I thank God daily for good health and safety.

*Note: Ethan didn't have an interest in climbing until he was almost 2 years old. Now, that's all he wants to do. I know that's what boys like to do, but I don't like it one bit!

Ethan eating dinner after his fall

"Goose egg" and swollen eye after his fall

 "Goose egg" and swollen eye the next morning

Even with "boo-boos" he's still smiling :)

Close-up of his shiner & black eye

 Sick baby girl in the ERGO baby carrier

Ethan's quotes 2/11/10 - 3/2/10

February 11, 2010 – As we drove by Ethan and Emily’s doctor’s office, Ethan said: “There’s Dr. Saleh’s house!”

February 12, 2010 – When Emily began to cry, Ethan looked at her and said: “Sissy, you’re 9 months and you don’t cry.”

February 12, 2010 – Me: “Where does grandma and grandpa live?” Ethan: “At work.”

February 15, 2010 – While staring at his 9-month-old sister, Ethan said: "Sissy, you look like a princess."

February 17, 2010 – Ethan: “My tummy has a headache.” He meant to say his tummy hurt.

February 26, 2010 – Aunt KK: “Ethan, how old am I?” Ethan: “Big!” Aunt KK: “I’m 18 years old.” Ethan: “18! Wow…that’s a lot of money!” Then he corrected himself and said: “Wow...that's a lot of years!”

March 1, 2010 – Ethan: “You’re a good guy mommy!” Me: “Oh, really? I’m a good guy, huh? (LOL) Thank you!”

March 2, 2010 – Ethan said he's having a "daddy day" while watching the Man Caves show with his dad.