Union Springs Wellness Exclusive Gift Basket

Today is the 1st day of a new year, today also marks a day where many people set goals to achieve within the next year. One of my goals is to keep my family as healthy as possible and with 3 little ones not sharing germs is proves to be impossible most of the time. I was impressed with this review of Union Springs Wellness that I read at Real Moms Real Views. I would love to try Union Springs Wellness products! One lucky Real Moms Real Views reader is going to win the Exclusive Gift Basket from Union Springs Wellness. The Exclusive Gift Basket includes: MyClyns germ response spray, moisturizing hand sanitizer, fabric refresher & treatment spray, surface cleaner & treatment wipes, food wash spray and 2 wellness tips booklets. You can read the review and enter for your chance to win here but you need to hurry, the giveaway ends very soon,

Yard Work - Family Style

-The boys love to be outside. We decided to spend some time working in the yard (flower beds and front porch) and the garage for a few hours this morning while the boys played. I weeded 2 of the flower beds (still need to weed 2 more) and I "decorated" (swept, fixed the ferns and welcome mat, etc.) the front porch while Richard worked in the garage. Daniel enjoyed helping me weed the flower beds (dig in the dirt) and Caden enjoyed supervising the work being done. We enjoyed snack time outside (apple and water) before heading in to clean up and take naps.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

*Just a note: I am currently 32 weeks pregnant and am very proud that I was able to be outside doing yard work since I have either been recovering from a c-section (Daniel was born at 29 weeks) or on bedrest (Caden was born at 33 weeks).

Check It Out.....

-We've been updating.....

-"Donuts-Yummy!" - 5/12/09
-"Everhett and Jarod's Arrival" - 6/18/09
-"4th of July" - 7/4/09
-"Our New House" - 7/30/09

Try #2

-I really did plan to start updating the blog when I wrote my last post (on July 9 - "Back to Blogging). I even got one post written ("Everhett and Jarod's Arrival - 6/18). I feel like I keep making excuses...things have been crazier then normal the past few weeks. Everhett and Jarod arrived on June the 18th to spend the summer with us. We left for Flordia on June the 21st for a week. We spent a couple of weeks house hunting before leaving for Flordia and found "the one" 3 days before we left. When we returned from our "vacation" it was time to "move forward" with the details of the house (which has gone very smoothly). We all (well almost all) came down with a sinus infection that has "kicked our butt". Daniel's sinus infection turned into pnuemonia and Daniel spent several days in the hospital. I am going on week 2 with a sinus/upper respiratory infection (not fun). We are attempting to pack for the "big move" (scheduled for 8/1). Things are CRAZY but I am going to make myself spend time updating the blog in detail.

Back to Blogging

-We haven't updated the blog in a few months. We have had LOTS to share. We plan to one day turn the post on this site into a book for the boys to have so we don't want to leave a lot out. I am hoping that over the next few days I will have the time to sit down and update everyone on what has been going on in our crazy, busy life.

Finally

-As I was feeding Caden tonight I noticed a tooth (his first tooth) starting to break through the gum. I rubbed my finger across the gum and could feel the tooth. Caden has been "teething" for months and we were starting to wonder if a tooth would ever come in.

Going to Grandma's

-Our bags are almost packed and we are going to grandma's (Pop-Pop and Nanny's). Our plans are to leave tomorrow after Daniel's speech therapy. We are excited for our little get away and even more excited about spending lots of time with Pop-Pop and Nanny, uncle Matt and cousins Mary and Emma. We are also hoping to see Great-Great Mother and uncle Herb, aunt Tanya and Lallie.

Daniel's Eye Surgery

We got the call today. Daniel's eye surgery is scheduled for April 29. We have to be at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital at 9:30 a.m. and the surgery is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Daniel will have a pre-op appointment on April 27 and his post-op appointment is scheduled for May 4.

Daniel's Eye Check

-Daniel had an appointment with Dr. Morrison at the Tennessee Lions Eye Center today. His appointment was at 8:45 a.m. at the office in Franklin (about an hour drive). Daniel and I left our house around 7:30 a.m. and Daddy and Caden stayed home. The weather was cold, rainy and icey which made for a yucky drive. Daniel was very cooperative during the appointment. (He always does so well at doctor's appointments.) Dr. Morrison examined Daniel's eyes and immediately said that there was a problem with alignment in both eyes (the left one is more severe), he also said that Daniel has a blocked tear duct (left eye). Dr. Morrison dialated Daniel's eyes so he could get a look at how well Daniel's vision is. Daniel's vision is not being affected (as of now) which is great news. Daniel will be having surgery in the very near future to correct the alignment of the eyes. Dr. Morrison will cut the muscles inside Daniel's eyes to loosen them. Dr. Morrison said the surgery will take about an hour (he will also open the tear duct). We will get a call tomorrow with a date for the pre-op exam (Dr. Morrison likes to measure twice, cut once.) and a date for the surgery.

Cookie Baking and Pizza Making

-We decorated cookies today. The cookies were suppose to be Valentine cookies but I could not find the heart cookie cutter so we made cookies out of some of our favorite shapes - trains, cars, puppies and people. I did most of the decorating. Daniel decorated and redecorated one cookie while I decorated 7. Daniel would put the icing on the cookie then lick the icing off, he repeated this several times before eating the cookie.

-After the cookie baking and decorating we made inividual pizzas for supper. They were YUMMY! Richard and I both said that we might not ever get a carry out pizza again.

Dr. Amis

-Daniel and Caden had an appointment with Dr. Amis (pediatrician) today.
-Caden's appointment was for his 6 month well check-up. Caden weighs 15 pounds, 2 ounces and is 25 inches long. He is in the 25th percentile for both weight and height. Dr. Amis said that Caden looks GREAT. The only concern she has is that is head has a flat spot on the right side. She said that if it is not improved in the next couple of months that she would recommend using a cranial band. Caden's appointment ended with 3 shots - 2 in one leg, one in the other leg. Caden did not cry with the first shot but cried with the 2nd and screamed with the 3rd.
-Daniel's appointment was for allergy testing and an eye check. Daniel was GREAT when they drew his blood for the allergy testing. He laid very still and did not cry at all. I was so impressed, I tear up when I get my blood drawn. We are anxiously awaiting the results and hope that they are able to determine what Daniel is allergic to so we can hopefully prevent any reactions in the future. Dr. Amis refered Daniel to a new eye doctor (Dr. Morrison) at Vanderbilt. Daniel has been followed by an eye doctor since he was born and there is always been a concern that his eyes turn in. Dr. Amis feels that the condition has gotten worse and we have noticed Daniel starting to turn his head and squint his eyes to correct the problem. Dr. Amis felt that it would be best for Daniel to see a different eye doctor and we were very happy for a second opinion.

Things I've Done - Jenny's Version

I was tagged by a friend. The instructions are to copy and paste the list and put in bold the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (not all the way to the top)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (Does singing to my kids count?)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (Chick-Fil-A)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Eaten an ostrich burger.
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (on the Wii)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Spent the night at a hospital.
47. Had your portrait painted
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (Does babysitting count)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Driven across the country
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (with my grandmother's help)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Taught a Bible class
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Worked at a fast food restaurant.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Saw someone famous at an airport
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Cooking with Daddy

-Richard made cheesy hashbrown casserole, a very high calorie and very yummy dish tonight. I LOVE it, it is a Hamburger Helper meal and I had never had it before I met Richard. Richard cooked it for me one night while we were dating and this is what he cooked (won my heart/tummy). Daniel wanted to help and did a really good job pouring and stirring.

Pediatrician Follow-Up

-Daniel is still showing lots of signs of anaphylaxis. He has had welps come and go all day, thrown up a couple of times, had diaherra, refused to eat, acted as he was itching and acted like it was painful to have clothes on. The picture above was taken before Daniel left to go to the doctor's appointment. He looks so pitiful and has looked like this all day.
-The nurse from the doctor's office called this morning and asked us to make a list of foods that Daniel eats reguarly. The plan is to begin allergy testing by drawing blood today.
-Richard took Daniel to his appointment this afternoon. They were not able to start allergy testing today since Daniel is still showing so many signs of anaphylaxis. They increased the dose of steriods, the dose is actually stronger then what they would normally prescribe for someone Daniel's size and age but they are very concerned that he is still showing so many signs of anaphylaxis. The doctor prescribed an epi pen that we are to have with us at all times. We are to call the doctor on Friday to let them know how Daniel is doing and if he is better we will start weaning him off the steriod. We are to take Daniel back on Feburary the 2nd for allergy testing.

Oops.....

(I wish I would have gotten Daniel's reaction but I was laughing and quickly snapped the picture so that I wouldn't miss it.)

Family Movie Night

-We enjoyed a family movie night tonight. We allowed Daniel to stay up later than usual (he had a late afternoon nap), after Caden went to bed we popped some popcorn and enjoyed watching "Ice Age 2". Daniel "invited a friend" (Mr. Gecko pictured above). Daniel really seemed to enjoy the movie, several time he ran to the TV and held "Mr. Gecko" up and said "Look."

Christmas 2008 - Pop-Pop and Nanny's House

-We arrived at Nanny and Pop-Pop's house after a brief stop to say Merry Christmas to uncle Herb, aunt Tanya, Great-Great Mother, aunt Lallie, and cousions Lloyd, Zachary and Lucas. We all headed into the living room soon after our arrival and discovered Santa had stopped at Pop-Pop and Nanny's house too. We tried to keep order (that lasted about 2 seconds). There were TONS of presents and the kids went crazy. After unwrapping gifts and digging our way out of the sea of wrapping paper we enjoyed a yummy supper made by Nanny (roast, potatoes, carrots, green beans, rolls, yellow page pie). After supper the kids played with their new toys while the adults started a marathon of "The Unit" Season 2 (we watched the 1st season over Thanksgiving). We enjoyed our night and all got into bed past our bedtimes.

Christmas 2008 - Santa's Visit

-Santa stopped by our house a day early since we had plans to leave Christmas morning to go to Pop-Pop and Nanny's house.
-Santa brought Caden a playmat, a swaddle blanket, a bib "I love my big brother", a monkey teether and activity blocks.
-Santa brought Daniel a Thomas the train track and a stocking full of surprises.

-Daniel loved Thomas the train, when he came into the living room, he ran to the train and said "Choo, Choo".

-Daniel opened presents from Daddy and Mommy after playing with the new toys Santa left. Daniel got a new sweater (Caden got one too.), a Little People fire engine, a John Deere truck, trailer and Gator and a Magna Doodle. Daniel loved opening presents, he would open one, point to the tree and do the sign for "more".
-Mommy made a yummy breakfast (blueberry biscuits, sausage and eggs) while Daddy and Daniel played with all the new toys. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and packing for Pop-Pop and Nanny's house. We finished the day by watching "Polar Express" before going to bed.

Christmas 2008 - Caden's First Christmas

Christmas Oreos