Grant's Birthday Party

Happy 4th Birthday to Grant!! Thanks for inviting us to your Bouncing Tiger party on Saturday. We had so much fun jumping and bouncing and running through the cool train. The "army" treat bags were a huge hit. Lauren and Annalise are still playing with them. Where else would they get army men?

Grant's Delicious Birthday Cake!! Yummy:)

Annalise, Mrs. Cara, Lauren and Grant

Annalise and Lauren

Kyndal and Annalise (Trouble x2)

Tree Cutting

We have been planning, scheduling and rescheduling for months to cut TJ's (a guy I work with) trees. Finally on Sunday, it happened. Three pine trees down and pruning of a fourth one. The weather was beautiful, we had help from Matt and Elaine; as well as Lauren and Annalise who helped pick up the limbs. I was amazed that in only 2 hours - it was done.

Sorry, you have to look sideways.

Elaboration to Easter event

Chris' black eye was the result of him breaking his nose. Sorry no pictures of the crooked nose, because he went into the bathroom and cracked it back into place before I could get to the camera. Carl was both amazed and thankful. Thankful that it was not him that got hit by the fierce vine that got caught on the rack of the 4-wheeler and popped Chris. Thankful that Chris decided not to duck and "took one for the team".

For those of you who are concerned, the vine was okay. Although, Chris did later take the machete and chop it into many small pieces for revenge.

For me, I have had a week of laughter. Since I am the one who usually does something stupid; turnaround has been really nice:) I have shared the story with everyone I know and some I did not know. Chris has been a real sport and taken the laughter in stride.

Cara- Chris says if he still has a black eye - he will be coming to Grant' s party just to give you some laughs. That will be your chance (or his) to punch the other in the nose:)

Easter

Easter was full of laughter, good food and family fun.

Here is some of the kids playing.

My favorite surprise was seeing my friend Dodie and her family.

My biggest shock - Eli is just getting so big!!

My favorite food was the brownies. Thanks Liz:)

Most shocking moment - Carl riding a 4-wheeler.

Funniest moment - Chris getting a black eye riding the 4-wheeler with Carl. hehe

Aquarium of the Americas

The day after the Christening, we decided to walk the Riverwalk and take the girls to the Aquarium. We had not been since Katrina hit in 2005. It has definitely changed since then. The girls favorite section was the Mississippi Delta exhibit. It was everything that they are familiar with (alligators, turtles, jellyfish, etc...). I was so proud of Lauren who conquered her fears and was interested in touching all the animals on display. It turned into such an educational experience for us all; as Lauren always has more questions than we have answers for. We found ourselves reading the placards to get the answers to so many of her questions.

Annalise and Lauren

Christening of the "Bill Tullier" in New Orleans

The Christening of the Bill Tullier was an amazing experience. If you ever get the opportunity to attend such an event; it would be my recommendation not to miss it. It is something that my family will always treasurer. The girls were excited about seeing a boat like Uncle Pete works on. They asked tons of questions and were intrigued by most of the events. As you can see from the pictures - Lauren, Annalise, Nicholas and Landon were little ladies and gentlemen. Thanks Billy T!!

Easter Bunny Photo

Lauren and the Easter Bunny.

(Where's Annalise? At this time, I am holding her. Maybe next time?)

Sugar levels are okay

I had yet another doctor visit today and everything was fine. All my bloodwork came back okay and I passed the glucose screening test. I am measuring fine and have officially gained 10 pounds. Right on target with 12 weeks to go:)

We talked more about labor and delivery. He also mentioned that this baby is measuring larger than the girls did. He must have seen the panic on my face, because he immediately began to comfort me with all the precautions he has prepared for this time. (For those who don't remember or know, I had Annalise without an epidural. It was not by choice.)

Yes, we have made a decision!

After several weeks of searching for the perfect bunk beds for the girls, this is the one that we all agreed upon with the proper bedding.

And no, no talks about a name yet.

The Results are in...

Today was the big day - Allergy results are in!

Annalise's results were excellent news. Her allergies are getting better. Her counts have reduced on almost everything including apples. Apples had been a +5 (worse) and resulted in anaphylactic symptoms and countless trips to see the doctors. This count is now a mid 2.

The not as good news is that she is now testing at a medium level for egg whites. This is the first we have heard of this allergy; but very manageable. (I think!) Lucky for us, I work with a girl named Cara whose son has allergies but their reactions are different. I know she will be my guide into the new phase of avoidance of egg whites.

Dr. gave us a new prescription for a nasal spray to help alleviate some of the symptoms from her chronic rhinitis.

Annalise will have to continue to carry an EpiPen, daily medication and a nasal spray especially with the SpringTime coming. Spring is our most active allergy period.

Another prayer needed...

Last weekend, we received our school packet for this fall for both Lauren and Annalise. Tuition increase was drastic. We found ourselves contemplating what to do. After several sleepless nights, late night chats, number crunching and figuring, and phone calls and emails with all the parents we know. I also found myself being stopped in the local stores by people I did not even know to determine what we were going to do (I had Lauren with me in her uniform). It is amazing that everyone is so stressed by this change. A number of Lauren's friends have already decided that they will not be returning next year. This is huge; since some of this kids have been together since they were 6 months old.

During the week, I have been on the phone with numerous schools, school boards, and administrators in our quest to do what is best in the long run for our girls. As every other parent has been in the school. Please pray that we (all the parents) are given the strength and judgement to make the right decision for their future.

Update and A great laugh...

Since Valentine's Day we have been pretty non-stop. Saturday after V-Day, I picked up Mom and picked up T.J. Ribs. She has been asking for them for weeks (maybe months). Monday through Thursday of last week, I was in a training class with three 'hot' LA State Troopers as my instructors. It made it very easy to attend the class; focusing - now that was a different story. Friday and today, I have been playing catch up.

On Saturday, Annalise and I picked up Mom and made our way searching for bunk beds, visiting Carl and Mrs. Mary, and meeting Christi and the girls at the mall. By the time Mom made it to our house she was exhausted and ready to go back to the rehab center. Chris and Lauren built a tire swing that Lauren had requested earlier in the week.

For those of you who need a laugh and know me well... tonight as we were eating 'steak' fajitas for supper... I was talking on the phone and obviously forgot to chew and once again CHOKED on steak. I am okay and not sure when I will learn how to eat steak without choking.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was great!

The night before we went out to eat with some friends (Matt and Elaine) and their girls Lauren and April to The Chimes. That was the first time for everyone to go but me. The evening was enjoyed by all.

Valentine's morning the girls were little angels jumping and scurrying around anxiously awaiting their school parties. Waking up to everyone in great moods, eager to go to school and actually on time was amazing. Valentine's hugs and kisses were shared by all.

On my way to work, I surprised Mom with a Valentine's morning visit and her goodies. All she wanted was a couple of snacks and a new remote control. Easy enough... she was so happy over a remote control. I guess it is kind of hard being in a wheelchair and having to watch the same channel all day and night or actually have to get up and MANUALLY change it. Okay, I know we don't remember those days that would make us old or something. hehe.

While I drove home from working late, I contemplated the mood of the house and what surprises might be awaiting me. And I don't mean gifts... I mean another appliance breaking, school notes (Annalise), needs for bandaids, Dixie poo on the floor, kids on a sugar high, etc... To my surprise, Chris had everything (mostly) under control. I was greeted by the girls playing in a large washer and dryer box and Chris hooking up the hoses to the new washer. Ah, what a great husband... a week with no washer was stressful; but we lucked out with picture day and a spirit day in the same week. So the three uniforms we had worked out perfectly, except Lauren does not like all of them.

The girls gave me lots of hugs and kisses, exchanged gifts, took a nice bubble bath, ate and snuggled in for the night. We were asleep by 9pm; while Daddy (Chris) decided that he would help catch up on some of the laundry and try out the new appliances. It was so nice to wake up Friday morning and have my choice of clothes. You know being pregnant only gives you a limited selection of things to wear anyway.

All in all, early morning, on time, happy family (kids, husband and Mom), great day, lots of hugs, kisses, and smiles, a new book, candy, and a early night to bed snuggling with my two little angels. Definitely ranked as two thumbs up.

OB Check-Up

All is going well with our growing little baby boy and myself. The doctor and I began having the conversations about labor and delivery. The heartbeat is around 146 now. He is a little boxer. We laughed as everytime they got close to him he would begin turning and kicking. Watch out Lauren and especiall Annalise! I am feeling great.

Annalise's Allergies

Annalise went again today for more testing on her allergies. For those of you who don't know, she has had severe allergies since she was 7 months old. She is deathly allergic to apples. We carry an EpiPen just in case. Well due to some issues, we are switching allergist. The new allergist is doing the whole gammit of test. Annalise usually gets test every 6 months anyway. But this doctor wants to start over and make her own judgements. Wish I appreciate greatly the second opinion.

Lauren and I took Annalise to 3 different centers for testing. Annalise usually is held down by 3-5 people for the bloodwork. Today, she was a trooper and screamed, kicked, and hollared; but was controllable with a third person in the room on standby. She gets over it real quick with stickers, juice, and a coloring book or Dora movie. I on the otherhand, don't adjust quite so easily.

It is amusing because as parents we tell our children that we are here to protect them; BUT I am going to allow these strange ladies to stick you with needles repeatedly. Yes, I know it hurts, but it will make you feel better. her response, Mommy but I feel okay - nothing hurts now. What she has not realized is that I feel so bad for her that I just might consider buying her that horse that she always ask for if she would only ask at the right moment in time. Okay - maybe not:)

Results should be back in 10 to 12 days.