Where to begin...

 I have so much to write about...don't know where to begin. Life is busy...like it is for everyone else. And- I haven't made this blog a priority. I mentally make a list of things to mention on here, but rarely get around to it. So, here are a few highlights.

 My girls are becoming friends! There is almost a four year age gap, but these two still have fun together. Yesterday, they were cuddling on the couch and watching TV, so I snapped a quick picture.














My dad offered to stain our deck for us...it was in really bad shape. He didn't have to offer twice. We took him up right away.

Before














Unfortunately, nothing is ever as easy as you think it's going to be. He was planning on spraying the deck with an oil-based stain. But, we got a latex one, so every single board had to be painted...by hand. It took days longer and Dad wasn't able to complete it by himself--- or in the time he had allowed. I ended up doing quite a bit during nap times. The original color Micah got was atrocious too! We had a hiccup with HD trying to get them to fix it. No matter what they tried, they said it would always be orange.


First color


So the end result is not the color I would have picked, but it was MUCH better than the original. Something I can live with anyway. The deck is sealed and preserved now too, which was the whole point of staining it in the first place.

Tadaaaa!

Of course, the dogs got stained too!



 I have to show you some of Addie's writings. She's doing great at reading and sounding out words as she writes. It's fun to see how she invents words based on their sounds. I'm really proud of how well she is doing in school.

 





Micah and I always take turns putting the kids to bed. One will read to Addison, the other to Eliza...then we switch the next night. However, lately, Eliza has wanted to listen to Addie's books at night. She squeezes herself in between Addie and me/daddy and sits still MOST of the story. 

 

Five months belly shot
 

 Our nephew and his fiancee had their little man Zander last week. We went to meet him at the hospital. Addie was wonderful while holding him. Eliza was intrigued...as always. She kept scooting closer to get a better look, but was gentle the entire time. She never did poke him as I expected. Guess she understood that a baby this size was off limits. Don't worry about her not getting a chance to love on Zander. She got her day in the sun. She held him while on Micah's lap!
 

Last Friday, we met up with a high school friend of mine for a playdate at Deanna Rose Farmstead. Angie married another good friend of mine (Justin)...and their little boy is the spitting image of Justin. He was adorable! Eliza loved him...and he seemed to enjoy her kisses too! I hope we get to see more of them soon!

 

 On a more serious note...My Kaylee hit the bottom again this past weekend. We came home from the hospital from meeting baby Zander and discovered a huge COSTCO size bag of chocolate chips had been devoured by someone...hmmm. I can only assume that Lucas pulled it out of the pantry, but b/c Kaylee is the alpha, she probably ate it all and he was forced to watch.

Unfortunately, her love affair with chocolate was almost/perhaps still her doom. She ended up have pancreatitus again. I was up quite of bit of the night with her while she puked and pooped all over. By the morning, I knew I had to take her in. Friday was probably one of the worst days of my life. She pooped all over the back of my car on the way to the vet and Dr. Wingert said he wanted to keep her over night so she could get some fluids in her. She came home the next day...but was incredibly woozy and shaky. This morning, it appears that she is going to be okay. I've been cooking her chicken and hiding her meds in there to help her keep them down. She followed me up the stairs twice today---- which is HUGE! I know we are on borrowed time with her. I cry every time I think about losing her.

She laid in the sandbox today while I pushed E in the swing.

The face of an angel...

Finally, Eliza took a nasty fall at our Community group last night....while holding a baby stroller...on the stairs. It was traumatic for everyone who saw it. But, it appears her eye took the brunt of it and she should recover. Too bad I have to face all the stares from strangers when we run errands today!

There are some good things that happened this week. 

• Micah "fixed" my microwave...after I lived without it for 5 days. He discovered the breaker needed to be flipped. I've never claimed to be smart!
• I went to a Women's Retreat from my church.
• My mom came up and took the girls to the Blue Springs Princess Party (since I was at the Retreat). More pictures to come- I forgot to snag them from her camera.

It's a BOY!

So...we already had an inkling...okay, more than that. A couple weeks ago, I had a kidney stone and my OB sent me to the ER. It was extremely painful, by the way. While I was there, I had a sonogram done and we were 99.9% we were having a boy.

However, yesterday, we went for my scheduled sonogram and had our suspicions confirmed. We're very excited! Well, maybe not all of us. Addie was a bit disappointed because she wanted a girl. Boys have those "hangie down parts" and she wanted a baby with the same parts.

Micah, however, is super proud. I didn't even know he wanted a boy...he always commented that he loved our girls and would be happy with another. It's funny to me how much he loves those girls, yet he's stoked to be having a boy.

Here I am at four months. Addie took the picture for me. You can see the difference between my growth with Addie and Eliza too!

 Here are some sonogram pics...not very clear, but you get the idea. I promised Micah I wouldn't post pictures of the baby's privates...so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Our School Girl

Today was a historic moment in the Hunt family...Addie Sue went to her first day of Kindergarten. We took pictures of her before the bus came. Then, once she got on, we rushed to her school to take more pictures. All the while, she went about her business. Not a hint of worry. I'm glad for that. I managed to hold it together too. I didn't want her to think she was going to an awful place!

I must say...today has been weird. I finished reading a book, checked my email/facebook, ate lunch in peace...all while Eliza slept. No one interrupted me, asked for a snack, asked if her quiet time was over, etc. This break was nice. But I still miss her.

The hard part for me is not knowing how her day is going. Is she making any friends? Is her teacher kind? Is the environment she's learning in healthy? Did she play with anyone at recess?

We considered placing her in a private Christian school, but we decided to give public school a try. It's much easier on the pocketbook...but I wonder if she is encountering kids with hurts far beyond her understanding. I just pray that God will be with her....and help her make good choices. To be a friend to someone who really needs it. To do her best. To show love to others. To feel loved herself.

I can't wait to see her when she gets off the school bus today!

Back on top!

I'm happy to tell you that Kaylee is back! After bloodwork, we discovered she had Pancreatitis, a painful condition that does not allow digestion. The vet put her on an antibiotic for about 10 days and she has bounced back. We did switch her to an organic food, that is low-fat & she is on Tramadol (full dosage). But- it seems to be working! I read that older dogs are prone to getting this condition, so we have to watch and make sure she doesn't get ahold of anything fattening, as it can cause a recurrence. She has vomited occasionally, but nothing that has caused her to get behind on her meds and cause hip pain.

 Click to see sweet Kaylee 5 years ago when I first started blogging.


THANK YOU JESUS! Even if we're just buying time, I'll take it!


I'm a bit past 15 wks now, and I've got my three month belly shot to post. It's a bit embarrassing b/c I'm sooooo big compared to my other two. But I've got to do it for the third kiddo too...



See me with Addie Sue and Eliza at three months and you'll agree:

 I wish I could tell you it was ALL baby...but I think that would mean I'm in denial.

Anyway...

Micah ran in the Warrior Dash in July. I was supposed to run it with him, but I got pregnant. I'm soooo glad I did. M said it was harder than he thought it would be. I guess the race was entirely made up of hills that were muddy and full of jagged rocks. Running up and down them was too dangerous.
Doesn't he look cool?

Jumping in at the end:

Micah and Joel

These are just random pictures taken the last couple weeks:

This what Daddy teaches our girls to do...something I would never think of in a HUNDRED YEARS (Candyland is more my style). This is why he is the fun parent:

My sister has been in town for the last couple weeks. We went to a Combat Air Museum in Topeka and the kids got to run around. Unfortunately, it was not air-conditioned, although the weather cooperated, it was too much for the pregnant woman to handle. I ended up getting sick at McDonald's shortly after leaving the museum. Oh Joy!

Grandparents and the grandkids:

An aerial view of the museum:


Hot and tired: Addie, Toby, and Caleb



For some reason, I can't find all the other pics I have of my trips to Topeka. Not so much a shock for those who know me well. I'm pretty impressed with myself for posting two times in one month. I looked back in 2006 when I first started blogging, and it is crazy to see how much more posting I did. Each year, my posts get smaller and smaller. Guess that is an indication that life is getting a bit busier with kids and dogs taking much of my time. The time I do have alone, I usually just want to rest. I'm still tired and waiting for my burst of energy to come so I can get some projects done around the house.

Two important events are coming up this month.

First, Addie starts school on Wednesday (Aug.16). I can't believe she's in Kindergarten. I hope she enjoys school and that her teacher is loving and effective. I haven't really heard anything good about her yet, so I'm waiting to see what I think.

Second, we find out the gender of our baby in two weeks (Aug. 30)! Looking forward to that...and hearing that the baby is alive and well. I'm feeling some movement...which is reassuring, but it's always wonderful to hear the heartbeat and see all the body parts.

Until next time...

Good news & Bad news...

This home has been a bit of wreck the past couple months. I'm on an emotional rollercoaster. There are so many thoughts going on in my head...I've decided to pour them out before I go to bed...sort of an emotional release.

There is good news to share...and bad news:

The good news (in case you aren't on FB) is that I'm expecting and baby #3 is due in January. Everything is going smoothly, even nausea has been better than previous pregnancies. Now that I'm in my second trimester, I'm expecting some energy to hit and nausea to subside. We're thrilled to welcome another baby...even Addie! She prays for the baby at night and even told me, "I'm so excited to meet the baby...I can hardly wait!" Eliza thinks she likes babies...but we'll see when our baby comes home to stay and takes up Mommy's lap!

The bad news is that my Kaylee Louise is not doing well. She's been struggling with her hip pain for a while now, however the last month it's been worse. When we returned from vacation, my parents called and said she wasn't doing well. They had taken her to a pet hospital b/c she was vomiting and not able to keep any food down. Without a urinalysis or bloodwork, the vet suspected she was in renal failure (kidney failure). I took her to my vet and a urinalysis showed that she is not...that's good. However, she is not eating well. She was eating more when we got her back, but she seems to lack interest now. She does perk up when I suggest we go on a "walk"...so I take her for a short one. She doesn't last long, but if it's the only joy in her life right now...I want her to have it. Tonight, she refused everything I offered her. Beef broth, rice, boiled beef, treats, even a chicken nugget (I was getting desperate!) Without food in her tummy, I can't give her any pain medication so in the morning she probably won't be able to walk. :(

I'm at a crossroads. I know that I'm going to have to decide soon how much is enough. Maybe she's just done. I pray to God that I can let her go and not keep her around for my own selfish reasons. I love her so much. I can't stand to see her in pain.  She's not herself anymore. No more greetings at the door (with a shoe hanging from her mouth), no more zig-zagging on her walks (annoying Lucas and me to the hills), no more catching food before it even hits the floor, and no more following me all over the house. She stays put most of the day...I miss my shadow when I go to bed at night.

I don't think my girls have ever seen me cry so much. I keep fluctuating between hope (when she perks up) and devestation. She's on the best pain meds I can get for her...if they don't work, there's only one option left.

I knew this day would come, but it's not any easier. It sucks actually. 

PreK Graduation

Addie Sue had her Preschool Graduation from Play to Learn on May 19th. It was really cute. Each class sang a song and then the entire school sang one together. I would have gotten teary-eyed over the whole thing if I weren't so consumed with Eliza! She was up and down, under the pew, in the aisle, wanted dad, wanted mom, wanted Memaw, wanted Epa, and pointing and yelling at Addie on stage. Needless to say, she was a handful.



Here she is with her buddy, Andrew. We used to be neighbors with them at our old house and have managed to keep in touch. They've been friends since they were two...and they've both grown so much!


I love Andrew's mommy, Tara. She's a great friend. I got a picture with her, but we never did get one of the Hunt family together. How sad is that?



Addie with her grandparents:



You know how I told you E is a handful. Well, she helped her self to more refreshments while we were taking pictures. She offered to share though...so no harm done!  :) Yum






We've been playing in the sandbox out back just about everyday. Since it's a big sandbox directly under the deck, I can't really cover it so it's inevitable. Between the dog's fur (it's shedding season) and sand, my floors are always gritty!

I usually end up giving them baths every night or at least spontaneous soakings in the sink before naptime so that the sand doesn't make it in their beds.

 I know some of you with young children still have nappers...but not me. This is what Addie does during her "quiet time":

My girls were headed to the car after church on Sunday and Addie grabbed Eliza's hand to make sure she was safe in the parking lot. Isn't this cute?

If you look closely, you'll see in the picture above that E has no shoes on. She takes them off all the time. Addie, however, puts everyone else's shoes on! She's trying on Memaw's shoes below:

More news to come...
Addie starts summer school on Monday! Oh and Addie is riding her big girl bike without training wheels, but I don't have a picture yet- will do that soon!

What isn't new?

There is such a plethora of new information to divulge...I'll have to narrow it down to the top 10.

1. My garden: It's exquisite! I had to remove 12 barrels full of white rock from the front of the house...put in mushroom compost, and organic mulch...and tons of $ on perennials- but I LOVE it! It makes me so much happier to pull in the driveway and not see the old, dated white rock.

 

2. Piece and Quiet: I've been spending some of my mornings outside on our front porch for my quiet morning/prayer time. It doesn't last long b/c one of the girls is always up by 7:30. Nevertheless, it's the reason I wanted a home with a front porch...So I could sit outside, drink coffee and relax!

Addie caught me in the act one day last week!

3. My beautiful girls: Addie actually let me curl her hair for Easter. Don't they look adorable in their matching dresses? I know they'll be annoyed with me later- but it's too cute to pass up!

4. Kids and Candy: So...I give them too much evidently. A went to her dentist appt. at the beginning of the month and we saw a different dentist than the person who had been checking her out the last two years. Lo and behold- there really was something wrong with her 2 year molars! I had been concerned about them ever since they came in. They are brown in color...they look odd. The previous dentist said there was just a discoloration- we'd just keep an eye on them.  The last dentist said, "Take her to a pediatric dentist- she'll need 4 crowns". Turns out she has "hypocalcified enamel (basically no enamel) and her teeth are soft and falling apart. She got her first crown last week and actually had fun! Let's hope tomorrow will be fun as she gets her second one!

On that note...guess this will be Eliza's last sucker. Who am I kidding? It's the first of many, I'm sure.

5. Addie and the splinter: Addie got her first splinter and it only took four adults to get it out. She gets really upset about anything that might possibly hurt in the slightest bit. A bit dramatic- and yes, I know she probably gets this from me!

6. A new roof: We'll be getting one in a couple weeks. We're having a man from our church put it on and I think he's getting us a good deal...so our house will be looking spiffy soon- at least from an aerial view.

7. Spinning in circles: literally. The kids got to ride the carousel in T-town over Easter weekend. It's a tradition that we ride the carousel and train at least once when we visit.

8.A's soccer season is over. She was just getting the hang of it too! Hopefully, she'll want to do it next year!

9. Graduation: A is officially enrolled in Kindergarten at William Bryant Elementary. She sailed through screening and seems to be ready. She even made a new friend during enrollment and was doing headstands with him while mommies filled out paperwork. I'm sure the K teachers were making mental notes over who gets the two squirrely kids. Just kidding! She'll be a catch to have in class and I'm sure her teacher will enjoy her. She finishes up preschool this week. Her End-of-the-year program is this Thursday. I've heard others say it but it's true: It's hard to believe my baby is going to Kindergarten!

10. Growing like a weed: Eliza is trying to be a big girl. She had her 18 month check up and is 60% for height and 25% for weight. Her head is in the 50%tile. She says "Where it go?" or "Night, Night Mommy!" and she's learning just like a toddler...soaking everything up. She imitates, Climbs- EVERYTHING, and gives the best kisses this side of the Mississippi. Who cares if they are a bit wet and mucus covered!