KellyC

My Montage 6/1/09 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-12-06T07:11:00.001-08:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Jackson

2009-06-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

My friend Danny wrote on facebook "What is it with NICU nurses and their babies?" Seriously, I don't know, but a large number of us have had our own babies as patients in our unit.
34 weeks and 5 days...I couldn't sleep. I was totally uncomfortable, nauseated, choking on reflux once I did finally fall asleep, hugely swollen. I started bleeding a little that night, but wrote it off. The next evening, Grant saw the blood and said maybe we should go in. Of course, of all my MANY visits to the hospital, this time I didn't bring any of my stuff. About 20 minutes after arriving to Kadlec, my water broke. It was official; it was on. At that point, they wouldn't stop by labor. I have to say, a big part of me was kind of relieved. It had been a long ride and it was finally over, and it just happened, on it's own.
It was my longest labor of all 3 of my labors, and an emotional one as well. I had Many a breakdown and Grant and I had bonding moments that we have never had, and probably won't ever again. My night nurse, Becki, was so awesome, she was even going to stay over her shift if it looked like I would deliver soon. Sam was my dayshift nurse and was there for my delivery and was also awesome. My water broke around 6:00 on Tuesday evening and I didn't end up delivering him until 2:40 on Wednesday. I was stuck at a 6 for a long time when Sam checked me and realized there was like a second bag of water or something and once that was broke, I was ready to push in about 30 minutes.
One of my very good friends Val, came to represent the NICU for the delivery. She wasn't scheduled to work that day and I was so happy that she came in extra to be with me! Dr. Ortolano had been through a lot with me and I was very happy to see him. He did an excellent job at coaching me through and making me go slow when I just wanted to push that baby out super fast. My epidural stopped working right before I had him and I could feel it all and wanted it over with! Thankfully, going slow helped me to not tear, and at the very end he asked me for my hands and let me deliver the baby out right onto my chest.
I can't explain that moment. Relief, joy, happy, sad, a little bit of everything. I got to hold him, nurse him, cuddle him; for just a while before he had to be taken to NICU for low blood sugar and being preterm. I can't really explain what that felt like either, but I think it answers Danny's question...maybe God puts us through those moments so we can be even more understanding to the families we take care of as nurses. They took him, and my husband went with him. They were done with me and everyone was gone and I just started bawling. I can't explain how lonely that felt...but I think I will be a better NICU nurse because of it.
Thankfully, I was able to be with him shortly after that. He ended up staying 2 nights in NICU and 5 more on pediatrics. I didn't have to leave his side because right when they discharged me they moved him to peds and I was able to stay in the room with him. His main lingering issue was increased billirubin and jaundice.
He is such a special little boy and I am SO thrilled to have him in my life. There were times during that pregnancy that I didn't think I would make it. I didn't want to do it anymore. Now, I can't imagine my life without him. What a journey.
Jackson Casey Carrick
May 13, 2009
2:40 p.m.
6 lbs 15 oz
19 inches long

a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KWP2t9ZCyk0/SjZ-k3QsodI/AAAAAAAAAzY/r4lYJ-61kts/s1600-h/jackson_birthmaster-102-77+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.jpg">

These photos were taken by my very good friend and wonderful photographer Tera Pettit
http://www.terapettit.com/
I am working on a slide show of all the photos set to music and will post that when I am done. I realize they are quite personal photos (although you can't see anything private) but I thought they were too cool not to share!

Babies

2009-04-22T13:01:00.001-07:00

I love this song and the video! Makes me cry. I wish they could stay little forever!

Happy Birthday Miss Ella!

2009-04-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is 4! I can't believe it...she is so grown up! I can't believe next year she will be 5 and start kindergarten, I can't even let my mind go there.
She had a great birthday party at Garland's gymnastics with her ever favorite Coach Brett. She had a great time. During the singing of Happy Birthday she put her head down and would not look at anyone but had a huge smile on her face. I could totally see myself in her at that moment.
The week before her birthday I woke to find that she had found some scissors and cut a HUGE amount of her hair off. The morning of her party I was calling all around to hair salons trying to get her in for a cut. She was very concerned that if we cut her hair off and she would look like a boy. I assured her it would be cute and she would look like her best friend Taylor and that if she didn't want short hair she shouldn't have cut it off! She was very good during her hair cut and it actually turned out pretty good.
She had her 4 year well check today and she remained in the 90% for her weight and her height. The Dr. said we can expect her to be around 5'8" tall when she is totally grown. She checked out perfectly physically as well as developmentally.
She is excited about having a baby brother and will often rub by belly and say "Don't grow too big baby". Or she will ask me if he is kicking. She loves her role as a big sister and I think will be a great help with the baby. Hailey on the other hand, says she is going to be the baby so who knows how that will go down!
Happy Birthday Ella Grace! We love you tons!

My New Dessert!

2009-02-24T14:09:00.000-08:00

Okay, well I've officially started my diabetic diet. For some reason I am really resisting it this time and I REALLY don't want to do it. However, I also REALLY don't want to deliver a 12 pound baby...so I will give in. This is the one situation where it is a benefit to work in the NICU, because I have seen those 12 pound babys, who don't want to eat, have an IV, and who's mother's walk in hours later looking exactly like what's happened to them...they've been riped open from one side to the other.
So, here is my new desert option. It has 100 calories, is about one carb exchange, and is surprisingly quite good! I could probably use the calories and fat that are in the full fat one but part of how they get those calories is through sugar, so that is out. I am partial to the key lime pie flavor! This will have to replace my very favorite skinny cow ice cream cones :(

http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/brands/product_image.aspx?catID=23382&itemID=14484

25 random things about me

2009-02-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

1. I am happy to be expecting a baby boy this summer
2. My little girls are the apple of my eye and I am constantly in awe of how beautiful and amazing they are
3. My husband has been amazing at pulling through during these hard times...I love him even more for that.
4. I just had a stent placed in my urinary tract due to problems with kidney stones :( yuck
5. Ever since I started working night shift 4 1/2 years ago I have problems sleeping at night. It's like it permanently messed up my sleep center.
6. Ever since my pregnancy with Hailey (that involved a lot of puking) once I start puking, I might never stop without some sort of medical intervention. Again, I think the puke center in my brain is permanently messed up.
7. I love giving birth to my baby's and find it very empowering, but I HATE the 40 week leading up to it.
8. I am very blessed to have one of those best friends that most people just dream of having. The type of friend that feels like a soul mate and one you can call on with absolutely anything! I love you Wendy!
9. I used to be a crazy active basketball player in high school, and I don't think I have even picked up a ball ever since.
10. I love to shop online! I love hearing the UPS truck pull up, knowing he has a surprise for you :)
11. I love reality TV...the bachelor, biggest looser, jon and kate plus 8, little people big world, and of course AMERICAN IDOL!!!
12. I HATE it when people eat really loud and with their mouth open, it feels like nails on the chalkboard to me
13. On that same note, I hate it when people (Grant) chug everything they drink and you can hear the gulp half way across the room.
14. On of my very favorite things to do it taking walks with Wendy and the kids down by the park. I am not sure how we are going to figure it out this summer now that 6 kids will be involved! It was so much easier when we both had 1!
15. I am very thankful for my parents and everything they do for us. I don't know how we could have made it through some of these hard times without them.
16. I love going to my in laws for Sunday dinner.
17 I am a neonatal nurse, and have only ever been a neonatal nurse, so I no nothing about adult health care! People often try to ask me questions, but really, all I know is babys!
18. I have a secret desire to be trained as a labor and delivery nurse, but have never even had the time to commit to do it. Maybe once the kids are all a little older.
19. I love making jewelery, and I think I am getting pretty decent at it. I made some very pretty Christmas presents this year. I learned how to do it from my lovely SIL Melissa.
20. I love Christmas music. I generally will start listening to it at the beginning of November and don't stop until well into January!
21. I desperately want to take the girls to Disneyland soon. They are at the age that they are in LOVE with all the princesses. I think they would get a thrill out of it. Not sure if it will happen though, at least until next fall maybe.
22. I have a small group of friends that have been with me since elementary school. We get together about one time a month to chat and catch up.
23. I am loving this new laptop Grant bought. I am typing in my bed while watching TV...it is awesome!
24. I am afraid of most dogs, and of heights
25. I am so excited to meet my little boy in approx. 20 more weeks!

It's a BOY!!!

2009-01-12T15:55:00.000-08:00

I had an ultrasound today and found out we are having a boy! I spent the rest of the morning in a state of pure joyous disbelief. I think having had only girls, I was just kind of expecting a girl. Also, the doctor did an ultrasound at 15 weeks and thought it looked like a girl, but wasn't sure. In our heads, it was another girl that we were going to name Leah. I should have been tipped off right there...us, already having a name, it could never be that easy! We are beside ourselves with happiness. It is just really cool to know one way or the other, but honestly...two girls and then a boy is what I always wanted. I know people who wait until their delivery to find out the sex of the baby and I honestly don't know how they do it! It is such an amazing piece of news that gives me a little bit of happiness and excitement in the middle of a very hard pregnancy. Hopefully this excitment will last the next 22 weeks and take me through to the end :)
Most of you who know us know that Grant and I did not easily come to a decision on a name for either of the girls until after they were born. We went into Ella's birth with two names picked out, and Hailey's with 6, three a piece! I am sure this one will not be any different. We have always liked the name Jackson. I also really like Casey and Aiden. I haven't ever spent much time skimming the boy portion of the baby name books, so I'll have to take a look. I am totally open to suggestions (as long as you don't get mad at me if we don't jump on it!!).

Change...

2009-01-07T16:43:00.001-08:00

Let me start by saying I have been feeling pretty crappy for some time now. Lack of energy, heart pounding, trouble sleeping, and PAIN!!! Granted I am 16 weeks pregnant, but this was going on long before this pregnancy. Also, I didn't feel this crappy when I was pregnant with Ella and taking care of myself better.

I don't always watch Oprah...but I record it. Today I watched yesterdays show of her Best life week with Dr. Oz. Halfway through the show I got up, went to my cubbard and swallowed my prenatal vitamin and my iron pill!!! I know that there have been many people in my life telling me the life changes I should do to start feeling better (MOM) but I think today I finally got it!

I haven't been the wife I want to be, the mom I want to be, the nurse I want to be, the daughter I want to be, or the friend I want to be. I am better than this...I just know it. I need to change...and it has to be know.

So...I am going to start a list and put it on my fridge. Here it goes:
-Take my vitamins...every day. At the very least my prenatal plus a vitamin D
-Take my iron as prescribed...I think one time a day (I'll look). Don't forget!!! It will make me feel better
- Eat breakfast every day. Shoot for oatmeal or cream of wheat. Figure out something for in a hurry (any suggestions).
-Cut WAY back on sugar. This means soda...which I love right now. This will probably become mandatory due to the diabetes I have dealt with in my previous pregnancies. It is torture at time, but makes you feel better.
-Stretch every day
-Exercise 3-4 times a week. Prenatal water aerobics, yoga, walk.
-Wake up at the same time everyday. Between 7:30 and 8:00

Alright, so I'll start with that. That is actually a lot of changes for me.
Encouragement is much appreciated!

Elf Yourself

2008-12-14T20:10:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Snow Bunnies!

2008-12-14T11:14:00.000-08:00

The girls were so excited about the snow this morning! Ella thought snow on the ground meant it was Christmas and shortly after she woke up she ran downstairs and then came up to report that "Santa didn't leave any presents for me, Hailey, Mommy or Daddy!" She was so upset. We had to explain to her that it wasn't Christmas yet. "But it snowed" she said. The Christmas anticipation is really starting to get to her!
Grant bundled them up and took them out to play and use the sled. Their little friend Harrison from next door joined them. They had a really good time until the end when Hailey lost her glove and her hand got cold and she screamed for like 30 minutes like she thought her hand was going to fall off. Not that she is a bit of a drama queen or anything!

Christmas getting to know you...

2008-12-10T09:33:00.001-08:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both...mostly wrapping paper though

2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial. We had a real one in our first Christmas in a house together...and it was full of spiders. That was the end of it for Grant!

3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? The week after Christmas

5. Do you like egg nog? I don't know that I've ever tried it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? An American Girls doll

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a very pretty Jim Shore one

8. Hardest person to buy for? My parents

9. Easiest person to buy for? My girls

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge!

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear

16. Favorite Christmas song? I really like them all

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay Home

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comit, Cubit, Donner and Blitzen, and of course the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I grew up opening them on Christmas eve and Grant on Christmas morning. Now it works out well because we go to my family's house on Christmas eve and then have our own little thing Christmas morning and then head over to his family's house. Still...I feel like there is something weird about opening presents in your PJ's.

20. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Idiot shoppers in the stores and parking lots!!! They are soooo rude!

21. Favorite thing about this time of year? Watching it through Ella and Hailey's eyes

22. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? I don't really have a theme...I just like things around me that are meaningful in some way

23. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? I like a traditional dinner for Christmas day...turkey, mashed potatoes, the works. Lately on Christmas eve I think my dad has been BBQing steak...it usually hits the spot.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? We got a family gift...and new camera, Nikon D60. It is awesome!

Baby Braids

2008-12-04T13:44:00.000-08:00

In the bathtub last night I was actually able to keep Hailey distracted long enough to braid her hair in two little baby french braids!! It looked so adorable and she looked like such a "big girl". They are not the best braids in the world but the best I could do with soaking wet, short, fine baby hair!! I knew they wouldn't last so I quickly had to grab the camera and start shooting a few photos...which posed it's own challenge to get her to sit still long enough to capture one of the back of her head!

Lately...

2008-11-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I've come to realize...

2008-11-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

1. I've come to realize that my boobs...
will never be what they used to be without surgery

2. I've come to realize that my job...
is amazing...although the 12 hour shifts usually get to me

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving...
I need to pay attention

4. I've come to realize that I need...
a nap and a nanny

5. I've come to realize that my heart...
can have irregular rhythms...but is full of love :)

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...
My kids don't listen

7. I've come to realize that I don't like....
having so much junk around

8. I've come to realize that money...
can be stressful

9. I've come to realize that certain people...
only care about themselves

10. I've come to realize that I'll never be...
PERFECT...damn it!!!

11. I've come to realize drugs are..
not for me

12. I've come to realize that my best friends....
are Many

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone...
is something I depend too much on

14. I've come to realize when i woke up this morning...
I was exhausted and thankful my sister was here to get up with the girlies

15. I've come to realize that last night before i went to sleep...
I was thinking about work

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking about...
taking a shower...I really want to take a nap but need a shower

18. I've come to realize that yesterday...
I felt better than I do today...maybe iron really is the answer!

19. I've come to realize that today..
I have been very unproductive

20. I've come to realize that tonight...
I'm getting a massage

21. I have come to realize that tomorrow....
my sister will leave and I'll be back at it on my own :(

22. I've come to realize that I really want to....
have my energy back

23. I've come to realize that I love...
my family

24. I've come to realize that i...
need to clean up the house!!

25. I've come to realize that this weekend....
I spent most of nauseated

26. I've realized the best music to listen to when i am upset...
country

27. I've come to realize that some of my friends...
are amazingly caring

28. I've come to realize that this year....
is going to bring a lot of changes!

Our Family

2008-11-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A baby shower and a baby funeral...

2008-11-04T12:28:00.000-08:00

This is a difficult post for me to write...but one I need to do.

This weekend I attended a baby shower for my very best friend Wendy who is expecting her little girl later on this month. I can't wait for this baby's arrival! There is nothing in the world like a sweet little baby...especially a girl...I'm a little partial to girls :) I have been invited into her delivery room again for this precious little girl. I was lucky enough to be there while her other children Taylor and Nolan were born and it is one of the most memorable experiences of my life. On the flip side I was lucky enough to have her with me while I delivered Ella and Hailey and again, it made my deliveries that much more memorable. I know she is starting to feel the exhaustion of that last month so I wish her all the strength in the world...and children that will behave perfectly and nap for 3 hours so you can rest! I also hope your little Jessy will be a nice baby and arrive on time or maybe a little bit early :)

I followed that baby shower by attending a funeral for one of my very favorite patients...Zachary. Zachary was born a little bit premature with multiple genetic anomalies and lived about 14 weeks before passing. I think he spent about half of that time with us at Kadlec until being shipped to Childrens. He, and his family, touched me very deeply and I can't really get them off my mind. Seeing his parents at his funeral rocked me to the core. It was like looking at my own family. That could easily be any one of us. Why them...why do they have to go through this horrible event. Their grief and their strength was palpable. They had a moment where people could speak and tell stories. Many people said things like "God has a plan" or "He took Zach for a reason". While I was standing there I was wondering if that was true. Why in the world would God have a plan to take a precious little boy from this wonderful family. Why would he want to rock them with the sorrow of spending 14 weeks in the hospital and then having to say good bye?? To never be able to take him home to the crib they had ready for him?? I guess it is beyond anything I can comprehend. I have to say this though...this little boy was incredibly blessed with amazing parents. I said this to her in an email and I truly believe it:
"A mother's love does more to heal a baby than we can even begin to imagine. Medicine can do amazing things to heal a child's body, but only the love from a mother or father can heal their soul. Zachary's soul was overflowing with health!"

People often gasp when I say I work in the NICU and respond with "isn't it so hard...I could never work there." I usually respond with "Actually, it is a great place to work, we get to see miracles happen everyday" That statement is very true; the highs in the NICU are very high...watching tiny little 1 lb babies grow and go home with their mommies, only to come back to visit months later happy and healthy and big and chunky. But lately I am reminded that the lows in the NICU are very low. Unfortunately we have had way to many lows lately...and it is truly devastating.

The one thing this whole experience did teach me is that it is so easy to take for granted the health of our children...the ability to hold them when we want and to put them to our breast to feed. To watch them grow and learn and become wonderful little people. What amazing things most of get to...and too often forget what a gift that is. How easy it is to get caught up in the little stresses and forget the big picture. That is the one big benefit of working in the NICU...prospective.

To this grieving family that I am thinking about...your son touched so many people's lives and you are all amazing people. I hope that you are doing okay. I really am sending so many thoughts and prayers your way.

My big girl....

2008-10-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hailey had her 2 year well check this week and, like usual, she remains a very big girl!!! Her weight was 33 lbs which was the 95% and her height was 36.5 inches which is in the 97%. If you take that old saying that a person's height will be double what they were at age 2 she will be 73 inches tall which is a little over 6 feet tall!!! Holy crap!! There are woman that tall in both of our families so it is possible. The first thing the dr. asked was "So do you think it will be volleyball or basketball??"
Overall she is perfectly proportionate (in a big way) and is very healthy. She is beautiful, and I am very proud that she is continuing to grow and be big and strong!!

Hailey Jane

2008-10-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2 Years...

2008-10-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

It is very hard for me to believe that Hailey has been in our lives for two years now. It seems like she's been around forever...but also feels like she was just born. What a crazy whirlwind two years it has been. I remember her delivery very clearly. It was pretty easy and she was ready to come into the world. I remember saying out loud when I first saw her "She doesn't really look like anybody"...and now I think she looks a lot like me at age 2. The first few months were filled with almost constant screaming and I wasn't really sure I liked this new little baby. When she was finally diagnosed with reflux and treated appropriately she was a much happier baby and a joy to have around. After I had Ella I wished for a cuddly baby (Ella wasn't much of a cuddlier) and boy did I get one in Hailey. She did not want to be put down, nor sleep much further than an arms length. She loved to nurse and didn't give it up until she was 22 months. Now she says "Milky all gone" As she is becoming a toddler she makes me smile on a daily basis. She loves to sing and you can often hear her in the next room singing ABC's in a REALLY loud voice. She also loves to dance...especially with her daddy, and she loves playing with her dolly's. She sleeps in a toddler bed now and in the mornings will pull out all of her pajama's and shoes and pile them on the bed. She does this really funny look where she will put her head down and then look at you out of the corner of her eyes. She usually does this if she is mad or unsure of something but it is truly hilarious.
She is an awesome eater and will eat just about anything...including broccoli. She is a very big girl all around (height and weight) and people are usually surprised to hear she is just turning 2.
She can say a ton of words and can ask for things she wants. She has starting using the potty on occasion and shows a lot of interest in it! She can jump off the couch and end in a somersault (she gets this from her sissy) She does twirls all over the house and loves to run and jump.
She wants anything her sister wants. If her sister wants milk than Hailey wants milk. If sissy wants water than so does Hailey. She gets along well with Ella although they do have their moments. Mostly fighting over a toy. Ella loves her little sissy and only calls her by her full name...Hailey Jane. I don't think I have even once heard her call her just Hailey.
All in all she has been the most perfect addition to our family! We love her to pieces and think she is the sweetest, prettiest and smartest little 2 year old girl in the world (of course we are a little bias). She melts our heart every single day!
Happy Birthday Hailey Jane...we love you!

Sausage Fest

2008-09-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

To anyone who is not from the tri-cities...and event called the Sausage Fest probably sounds a little bit odd. However; growing up here it is an annual event that we always look forward to. Good food, games for the kids, face painting, toys, balloons...just a bunch of fun things to do. This year we went and met up with our friends the West's. The kids had a blast and were really fun to watch.
I had to post the series of group photos so you could see the progression of Hailey picking her nose, eating it, and then the disgusted looks on the other kids' faces. Yep...that's my daughter for you. Ella was also picking her nose in the first photo...although I don't think she ate hers. Classy, I know.

Food Terrorist....

2008-09-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am trying to loose weight. So far I have lost about 12-14 pounds (depends on the day!). What I have been doing to loose it so far is just to cut out sweets. And then...this morning...I woke up to this...

I tried to ignore them. Cleaning, computer, laundry...but the smell of them was making it's way through the entire house. Eventually I gave in and ate that tiny little corner piece. Even without frosting it was delicious. Thanks Grant!!!

Growing up

2008-09-08T15:05:00.001-07:00

My little baby is growing up so fast!! Ella has started preschool two days a week! And it's not a co-op I just drop her off and pick her up. She had a blast on her first day...didn't cry at all (she told me this) and was happy when I picked her up. She said goodbye to all her teachers and off we went. She told me all the things they did and said she had fun. She is also in preschool at the daycare she goes to two days a week. So between the two of them I am sure her little mind is just going to start expanding with knowledge! I love her so much and can't believe how fast she is growing up. I am just trying to cherish each moment because they all go by so fast!
These photos were taken by my lovely and talented sister in law Chelee (you can see her website at http://www.michelleellisphotography.com/. She took these for us as first day of school photos. She also did one last year on Ella's first day of school and it is amazing to compare and see how different she looks. I will have to figure out how to scan it and get it in.

The Bully....

2008-09-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hailey has been having a bit of a hitting problem recently and we have been dealing with it but it is making it hard to go out anywhere with her in public for the fear of being judged because she is the "bully kid"...which Hailey definitely is. She will go up to the other kids and just flat out smack them for no aparent reason. Probably just to see the reaction take place. At our most recent playdate I think she hit every kid at least once. It totally looks bad on your parenting. I just need some help...advice...anything you've got, to try and help me work through this. The playdate we went on was with all the little babies who have been born of our NICU nurses within the last 3 years (yes...we've been popping them out!) We've had a lot of fun hanging out and watching the kids learn and play and grow up together.
The picture I added is of all the NICU mom's and their baby's taken by some very nice lady at the playground.

Lets see if I can label it from left to right:
Jessica with Jordyn and Kiley: Tina with Avvon and two more on their way :) TouTou with her son Drew: Sara with her daughter Jaidyn and one more waiting to come out to play :): Val with her son Andrew: and then me with little bully Hailey Jane. Ella didn't want to take the photo so her little head is right behind us a bit.
So, all in all, it was a really fun playdate and nice to catch up with everyone (outside of work) I just wish that I didn't have the bully to deal with. Truthfully, any advise that people have for me and I will be all over it!!

ps: Please try and ignore any spelling or grammer mistakes. I'm writing this after a 12 hour night shift, and falling asleep while I am doing it!

A mess...

2008-08-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hailey and her best friend Sage at Daycare...they crack eachother up!

Going down the slide at daycare!

I have been a bit emotional lately and the breaking point hit me yesterday. I was hormonal and emotional to begin with and then I went to pick my girls up from the daycare....only to find out they are moving all the teachers around and my little Hailey Jane will not have either of the two teachers she has had for the last few months. I started bawling my eyes out right there in front of her teacher. I am sure I looked like a babbling mess. I LOVE Hailey's teachers. I really felt like they loved Hailey and wanted to bring out the best in her. She is my baby and is harder to leave then Ella. It has only been the last two drop offs that she hasn't cried. It breaks my heart that she is going to have to adjust to a whole new group of teachers and kids...but I guess that is part of life.
Hailey is such an amazing little girl. She makes me smile and melts my heart on a daily basis. (She also drives me crazy at times but that is besides the point)!! Lately she has been a singing fool and my favorite is when she sings "You are my sunshine". She is smart as the dickens! Yesterday at daycare she was kind of clinging to me so I said to her "The babies at the hospital will be waking up soon so mommy has to be there so someone can feed them" It is just like she got it...she got down and walked over to the table and asked for some cereal. Who know I just had to explain it to her what I was going to do!!!
It has been really hard to me to adjust to the whole daycare thing. Even though they only go two days a week. So...now to add another change to it throws me for a loop. It will probably be harder on me then it will on them. I feel bad for the teachers that had to deal with me being a crying mess yesterday!

Yes...they get their curls from me!!!

2008-08-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

I guess my kids do look a little bit more like me :) Although it is pretty close to being split down the middle! A perfect mixture of both of us!

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Blank family tree - Descendants

Another one...

2008-07-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

I'm feeling a little uninspired about coming up with my own blog posts...so I copied another one of those little survey things. This one is about having babies...I'll use E for Ella and H for Hailey...

Child/Children's Age?
E: 3 years
H: 21 months

Name?
Ella Grace
Hailey Jane

Birthday?
E: 4/13/05
H: 10/5/06

Time of birth?
E: 5:30 am (I think)
H: 1:30 pm (I think)

How long did labor last?
E: 12 hours exactly from the start of the induction to the delivery
H: 12 hours from the time of early labor to the time of delivery...only about 4 hours of really active labor though

Who was in the room when baby was born?
E: Grant, Wendy, Dr. Dunlop, my nurse Heather, baby's nurse Lola
H: Grant, Wendy, Dr. Ortolano, my nurse Trish, baby's nurse Kim
(I only remember the nurse's names b/c I work with them!)

How long did you push?
E: 25 minutes (not too bad for a first baby)
H: 5 minutes (she basically fell out!)

Weight?
E: 7 lbs 9oz
H: 7lbs 3 oz

Length?
E: 19 inches
H: 20 inches

ANY HAIR?
E: lots of dark hair...which really through me for a loop b/c I was expecting blond or red
H: again...lots of dark hair

Who does baby look like?
E: Like dad from the start
H: They handed her to me and I said out loud "She doesn't look like anybody"...now I think she looks more like me

Have you lost it all?
E: lost all of it right away
H: lost all of it right away...then gained it all back :(

Was baby early or late?
E: Induced one week early due to gestational diabetes
H: Was supposed to be induced one week early because of the diabetes again, but decided to come on her one a week and a half early...I wasn't too sad about that!

Who drove you home from the hospital?
Grant

How many baby showers did you have?
Two for each...one with friends and family and one with my coworkers!

When did baby start sleeping through the night?
E: I think around 7-8 months
H: 11 almost 12 months

Did you breastfeed?
E: 11 months until I got prego again with H and just couldn't keep up with it
H: She still hasn't totally given it up at 21 months...I think we're close though

Who keeps your baby the most?
I do!!! Until a few months ago they were always in the care of either Grant or I (or a family member here and there) Now they go to daycare 2 days a week.

How did you pick the name?
We had a really hard time picking names. A little while before I had Ella my mom was telling me about some aunts she had named Ella and Sophie...I really liked them both. We went into the delivery with the names Ella and Kaylin. In the end I let Grant decide. Grant wanted to name her Grace, but I liked it more for a middle name.
For Hailey we went into the delivery each with 3 names picked out. Mine were Ava, Molly, and Alyssa...Grants were Hailey, Alexis, and I can't remember his third. Again, I let Grant make the final decision. Jane is her middle name and we just both liked the way it sounded with Hailey. Neither of them were named until they were like half a day old!

How did you know when it was time to go to hospital?
E: I went in two times with false labor. I had a ton of contractions but no change. Finally I went in for a scheduled induction.
H: I went in one night with really bad back pain thinking I had another kidney stone. They were just about to send me home and decided to check me again and I had gone from a 2 to a 4 in one hour. So it wasn't a kidney stone it was labor :) A little while after that my water broke on it's one. Then it all stalled and I was stuck at 4. A tiny bit of pitocin and I was on my way to delivery in just a couple of hours!

Did you go home or somewhere else when you left the hospital?
I think we went to the store to fill my prescriptions and get some food, then came right home!

Anyone spend the night with you first night home?
Nope...just me and Grant!

Did you cry the first time you held your baby?
E: No, but I couldn't stop smiling!
H: Bawled my eyes out...I think I was just so relieved it was over! It was not a great pregnancy!

Who cut the cord?
E: Grant...and blood squirted all over him!
H: Grant again, this time he did it better!

Where was the baby born?
Kadlec Medical Center

Did you video tape the birth?
E: We started video taping right after the birth
H: We had the camera all set up from behind (so you couldn't see the actual birth but could get the picture) Well, Dr. Ortolano came in and raised the bed way up b/c he is very tall, and nobody thought to move the camera, so you can hear everything going on, but can't see much!

Are you happy with how things turned out?
Absolutely. I had really crappy pregnancy's..but awesome deliveries.

Do you want to have another?
Yes, probably one more...not sure when though...

And sometimes what you do really does matter...

2008-07-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

The other day at work a former tiny preemie came in on her 16th birthday to bring us Cinnamon rolls and just to visit. Her Grandmother came with her and wrote to us one of the most beautiful letters I have ever read! I wasn't a nurse when she was born...nor even thinking of being a nurse...but her Grandmother's letter really struck a cord with me. Made me feel like even when I am so exhausted at the end of a 12 hour shift..my back and feet aching...that what I am doing is making such a huge difference in the lives of so many other people. It is not just about the baby, or the mom...it is about the entire unit of people that are a part of that little miracle's life! The line in the letter that struck me the most was this "Babies don't thrive on skills alone. You all bring such tenderness and devotion to each one."
I think sometimes we get wrapped up in the nursing skills we need to preform, along with the charting, the stocking, etc...which are important...don't get me wrong. However; I think we sometimes forget to give ourselves credit for the wonderful human touch we give as well. That Grandmother was right...if we just relied on skill alone, those babies would not grow and thrive like they do.
So, I just wanted to take a second to give all of the amazing nurses I know credit for what they do without even knowing they are doing it. It is what makes us who we are...and what an awesome group to be a part of!

Another distraction

2008-07-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

Just another thing to keep me away from what I should be doing, like say, cleaning my house!!

50 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50
things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1) Do you like blue cheese?
kind of...on a salad
2) Have you ever smoked heroin?
no, never even seen it, never wanted to see it...when I found out that celebrity Tatum O'Neil was arrested for buying crack cocaine I had to Google it b/c I had no idea what it was
3) Do you own a gun?
not even a plastic one for the kids
4) What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic?
I have just discovered sonic...I like a cherry lemonade
5) Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Sometimes...I don't like being weighed
6) What do you think of hot dogs?
Not a big fan..every now and then I'll get a crazy craving for one and then I remember why I don't like them
7) Favorite Christmas song?
Silent night
8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
I used to be a regular latte drinker but haven't had much of a taste for it lately
9) Can you do push ups?
I really haven't tried in a while
10) Can you do a pull up
again, don't know when the last time I tried was!!
11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
I love jewelry, I don't know if I could come up with a favorite. Probably my most recent fav is the green beaded necklace my SIL made for me last Christmas. I like making jewelry also.
12) Favorite hobby?
Lately I'd have to say swimming with the kids
13) Ever been in a car wreck?
a small one
14) Do you have A.D.D.?
no
15) What's one trait that you love about yourself?
my ability to listen
16) Middle name?
Marie, after my Grandma Myrna...who is still kicking
17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I need to clean up
I need to do dishes
I need to do laundry
(Not the greatest thoughts!)
18) Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
Lunch at the hospital
A Pepsi
My pass into the "biggest looser" contest at work
19) Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
iced tea, Pepsi, water
20) Current worry
Worried about Grant leaving to Houston for 2 weeks at the end of the month
21) Current hate right now?
my weight
22)Can you speak any different languages?
a little Spanish
23) How did you bring in the New Year?
I don't know if I was even awake? Probably in bed by 10
24) Where would you like to go?
Hawaii or New York
25) Name three people who will complete this?
that is anyone's guess, maybe Wendy will do it on her blog
26) Do you own slippers?
yeah..don't wear them very often though, every now and then
27) What shirt are you wearing?
pinkish peach v-neck with a white cami under
28) Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
not sure I ever have
29) Can you whistle?
Yes
30) Favorite color?
pink or red
31) Would you be a pirate?
I don't think I have it in me
32) What songs do you sing in the shower?
I don't sing in the shower, just focus and get it done!
33) Favorite girl's name?
Ella and Hailey I also love the name Leah, but Grant wouldn't let me name Hailey that
34) Favorite boy's name?
Jackson
35) What's in your pocket?
nothing
36) Last thing that made you laugh?
Watching Hailey and Nolan run in the sprinklers naked with their little round bubble butts!
37) Best bed sheets as a child?
i don't think i had special ones, but my mom never put a top sheet on our beds
38) Worst injury you've ever had?
whatever I did to my back when I was pregnant with Hailey. I think it really sealed the deal when I fell down the garage steps while 8 months pregnant. It hurt then and has never really gotten better...
39) Do you love where you live?
I do...we have a nice neighborhood...lots of kids and nice neighbors
40) How many TVs do you have in your house/apartment?
3
41) Who is your loudest friend?
I can't think of who...maybe Denise at work!
42) How many dogs do you have?
none...not really a pet person
43) Does someone love you?
of course
44) Favorite childhood memory?
meeting up with all my family at the river every weekend to barbecue and boat on the river, and playing with my little sis
45) What are you currently reading?
People magazine
46) What is your favorite candy?
Hersey with almond
47) something you've learned recently?
That I really CAN push through the hard times
48) What song do you want played at your funeral?
Elton John's Candle in the Wind
49) What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Passed out...I took a sleeping pill
50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Can I please go back to bed!!!

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful Dad's out there! I especially want to give a shout out to my amazing husband Grant...a dad who exceeded all my expectations! I love you honey!!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ch-Ch-Ch Changes!!!

2008-06-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

There are some changes happening the Carrick household!!! Now that I am back at work it as thrown our whole routine into a loop. My hours are all over the place: days, nights, weekends, weekdays...everything basically. The girls got enrolled in daycare at Kadlecs day care center. It is an AWESOME place! The girls love it. I feel good about taking them there. They are only on a per diem basis which means they can come on days where spots are available. This month they are going about 2 times a week. The first day I brought them I cried for 2 hours straight about it. I just couldn't stop. I called to see how the girls were doing "fine...they only cried for like 2 min" I thought...wow, what is wrong with me...they cry for 2 min and me for 2 hours. Today when I went to get Ella she said she didn't want to leave. In fact at first she pretended that she didn't see me b/c she know I would maker her leave....that little stinker! They love it there...they do a TON of activities and have great snacks and lunches. All in All, I think it was a really great choice for us, one that I feel comfortable with. We just have to get through this adjustment period to get it all worked out!

A few things I love about my job....

2008-05-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

I am back at work in the NICU...and I was thinking on my way home that there are some things just so amazing about my job...and here they are:

1. I love how you can be at a delivery a see a mom screaming her head off trying to get a baby out and the minute that little miracle pops out...she is amazed and her and her husband are crying in joy (or maybe relief!) nonetheless, it is the most amazing thing I think I will ever witness in my entire life...

2. I love how you can be in a c-section and everyone in the room is chatting and the room is loud and full of...well, just whatever...but the minute those dr.s start to bring that baby out, the entire room goes silent. The dr.'s are working very hard to get the baby out and it is almost like the entire room is saying a little prayer all at the same time...that the baby will come out perfect. When you hear that fist cry...everyone in the room breaths a sigh of relief.

3. I love how almost every time I am at work I get parents thanking me genuinely for helping their baby. They usually have eyes full of tears...and I usually do as well...and it feels so amazing to say to them "It is my pleasure..." As I have become a parent myself I feel a stronger connection to those parents and can't even imagine what they are going through and the strength they have to have to get through it. I find myself giving hugs a lot more then I used to...and crying with them more as well.

4. I love how you can take care of some really amazing kids...with amazing families, and you wonder often how they are doing after they leave. And then you might show up to work one day and see a photo of them a year later and that little 2-3 lb baby is now a big stalky toddler. I can't even tell you the sense of joy that brings.

5. I love that I have the most amazing co-workers who have the ability to take me away from all the intensity for a second and make me laugh my ass off....yet could turn around and help you save a baby in the next breath. How in the world did I get so lucky to be one of them?? I think sometimes even they forget how amazing they are...and how much their work means to people. This goes to everyone working there...but especially to Suzanne...who has made coming back to work an awesome time for me. A nurse who I feel I could ask any question to and not be made to feel stupid, one that I respect greatly and would trust her to take care of my sick infant in a heartbeat, and one who can make me laugh so hard I can hardly breath. Thanks girl, for helping me get my groove back :)

Being back at work has given me some of my self worth back, more confidence, a lot of fun, and I am starting to feel a little bit like my old self!! Don't get me wrong...I am tired as hell from being up all night...and feel a little rummy from it as well (so if there are spelling mistakes please ignore them) But I was just feeling so blessed I wanted to share it with everyone.

Good night all...

A long flight, a beautiful wedding, and some damn cute Hughes girls!!

2008-05-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Jason, Karrah, and their son Quinton

Cori, Nick, and Me

Cori and I

Back row: Casey, Jason, Nick
Front row: Heidi, Me, Traci, Julie and Cori

The Girls!! Me, Julie, Cori, Traci, and Heidi

Acting silly

I just got back from South Carolina where I went for my cousin Jason's wedding. Jason and I grew up together...he was the only cousin in a group of many who was the same age as me. I wouldn't have missed his wedding for the world. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. Appetizers, a four course meal, and of course...an open bar!!

All the people on our side of the family ripped it up. Drinking, dancing, singing...just having a general good time. It was wonderful to see some of my family that I haven't seen in a very long time. My cousin Traci even talked the bride into letting us do the chicken dance! A song/dance my Grandma Myrna headed up at every event there was! We all looked ridiculous doing it...but it is just part of the gig!

I have to say, seeing all of my cousins together made me realize what an amazingly pretty family I am part of (not to sound conceded). We are all tall blond bombshells. I think the shortest of us all is probably 5'7". It was wonderful to get a photo of all of us together!

It was funny to me that while we were growing up, there was such an age difference that none of us hung out really. There was a lot of babysitting going on...but not much more! Now that we are all adults, none of that seems to matter and we all can have an amazing time hanging out together...regardless of the age differences.

Leaving the girls for the first time ever was a bit difficult for me. I had a couple of full on breakdowns along the way. However; being at that reception without any kids to look after was actually really nice. It was the first time in a long time that I was actually able to just let loose and not worry about anyone else. It was so great to see them today, they were very welcoming and excited to see me!

So...that was my trip in a nutshell. I had an awesome time and am thinking I might need to take little trips without the kids more often :)

Summer is HERE...

2008-05-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

Well, at least for a weekend! Hope everyone enjoyed the wonderful weather we had over the past weekend...it was beautiful! The girls obviously enjoyed themselves!

Mom really does exist

2008-05-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know about any of you other mom's out there...but it seems like I am hardly have any photos of me and my kids because I am aways the one taking the photos. I just happened to be dressed up this weekend because I went to a wedding, and I had my sister in law Chelee snap some shots of the girls and I using my camera. I was a little bit like pulling teeth to get them to oblige, but they did and we got some good photos. They are just cute candids, and are a documentation that yes...I really was in their life when they were little!!! I think it is kind of ironic that we as moms, especially stay at home moms, are he ones with our kids 24/7, yet if someone were to look back at photos 20 years from now, they would wonder where in the heck I was!! So here is the challenge to all you moms...at least one time a month (a week would be better, but that might be pushing it) make sure you get a photo of you and your children. So when they look back through photos when they are older, they will have proof that you were ALWAYS around!!!

Mother's Day

2008-05-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

Grant's sister Chelee, His mom, and him

Grant's mom and dad

Booger girl

As you all know Mother's day was last Sunday, and I hope all you moms out there had a wonderful day. I worked my first night shift the night before, so I slept until about 2:00 in the afternoon. Grant and the girls got me a very nice mother's day gift. The gift included a new lighted magnified mirror (I wanted one) a really cool alarm clock sound machine, and a very nice eye mask that I wear when I have to sleep during the day after work. We went to Grant's mom's house for dinner and Grant's sister Chelee and her family were there as well. Chelee has her own photography business http://www.michelleellisphotography.com and she took the wonderful photos posted above. She wanted to get one of the girls and I since it was mother's day...but I had worked the night shift and looked like a worked the night shift (like a walking zombie), so I asked her if she would bring the camera back next weekend to take some shots! After dinner we drove out to my mom's house to bring her a mother's day card and gift. It was the first time we had seen her since they came back from a trip to Hawaii, and the girls were really excited. I then came home and passed out from exhaustion and had a great night's sleep. All in all it was a great Mother's day. I hope all of the amazing moms I know out there had a great one as well! You all deserve it!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2008-05-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Nothing will keep this girl from going outside to play!!! Yesterday I told her she couldn't go outside because it was raining, so she went immediatly over to the closet and pulled out her jacket and boots and came back to me saying "Now I can go outside". How can I say no to that! She looked adorable in her rain gear!

Update: Day one

2008-05-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it through my first day back at work...and it really was actually a good day. I think I forgot to mention that all my freaking out was just for orientation...lame, I know. I think most of my nerves came about leaving the girls. When I left in the morning Hailey was not up, and I wanted to wake her up just to give her a hug and say bye. Grant was not having that though, so I just didn't get to see her in the morning...making it a little sad to leave. During the whole day at work I was mostly so busy thinking and talking about other things that I didn't really have too much time to miss them. I have to admit...it was kind of nice to hear myself say something besides "Stop hitting your sister" and "Do you have to go potty"? At then end of the day Grant came to pick me up because we had to do a child switch so he could go to golf league. The girls were waiting in the Hospital lobby with him and as soon as they saw me came running up to me yelling "MOMMY!!!" and giving me tons of hugs and kisses. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder!!
I just want to say thank you for all of the AMAZING support I have received from all my friends and family. It brought tears to my eyes last night when I read all the comments. Sometimes I forget how much support is really out there...and when you see it, it is very humbling. I honestly couldn't be going back to work if I didn't have so many amazing people telling me I can do it. I have to give a special thanks to my loving husband, who has been so awesomely supportive of me going back to work, and who took a day off yesterday so he could stay home with the kids while I worked. Another big special thanks to my best friend Wendy, who is watching my kids today and never makes me feel like it will be putting her out. She went to the store yesterday to buy all sorts of special snacks and food just knowing my girls were coming. Anyone who knows them knows they eat ALL day long...so she was just gearing up for it. How sweet is that!
Again, thanks everyone...your support means the world to me!

Freaking Out!!!

2008-05-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am starting work tomorrow at 8:00 am, and am supposed to be there tomorrow, Thursday, Friday and Sat. night. And...I have been spending the entire afternoon/evening with my head in the toilet!! Is it nerves?? Am I sick?? I am assuming at this point that it is just nerves as I spent the weekend with stomach cramps and just a general "nervous" stomach. I am hoping, no praying, that I will wake up tomorrow morning feeling great and ready to sit through a day of nursing orientation. Otherwise I am going to be in misery! Wish me luck!!

Best Friends

2008-05-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

I feel so blessed that my daughters' best friends are the children of my best friends! On top of that, my husband the husband's of my best friends are also very good friends. It ends up working out very good for all of us. We can get together at anytime and do anything. Everyone gets along perfectly. Last night all the guys took off to the fever game, so Wendy and Tera came over here to hang out and have dinner. We had a wonderful dinner and all 6 kids sat up to the dinner table and ate...I could hardly believe it. We managed to make it through the night without any major drama between the kids (just a few minor ones maybe). As the night wound down they all cuddled up on the couch together to watch a Mickey Mouse show before they left. It was so cute to see them all sitting up together that I had to take a few photos. I can already picture them all sitting up there together in 10 years from now. I am certain they will remain very close friends....because if they don't, we will make them :)

Back to Work

2008-05-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I decided to take the plunge to go back to work. Once I got a hold of my manager things have seemed to go very quickly, and I will be starting next week!! I will be working per Diem in the NICU at Kadlec Medical Center. There is a part time position open, and I have already been asked several times if I want to take it, but I think I will just start out per diem and see how things go. I am very excited and my anxiety is lifting. I am nervous about going back to 12 hour night shifts...that is always an adjustment. I am also feeling a little anxious because I have a lot to do to get ready to go back to work. I have 3 entire days of nursing orientation, on a 8:00 to 4:00 schedule. That was stressful, because I had to find childcare, but I think I've got it taken care of. After that I am starting a month of orientation with my very good friend Suzanne. She has been a NICU nurse for like 25 years...and is one of the very best. I look up to her very much. She is the one who trained me to be a NICU nurse in the beginning, so I was thrilled when she said she'd take me back! I know she will help me get back up to speed! I also have to give a shout out to my best friend Wendy who, even in that crappy first trimester of pregnancy, is helping me out a ton with the kids. There is a lot of day time stuff I have to get done in order to get going, and she has offered to help out soooo much!!! I don't know what I'd do without her. I owe her big time!

So, here I am...after months of debating on what to do...I am back in the NICU. The only thing I know in nursing. Where I feel at home. Where I look forward to showing up to work. Where I am in constant awe of those tiny little miracles. Where I love and totally respect the group of nurses I work with. Where I am constantly being challenged and get to use my brain and the skills I worked so hard to obtain. Where I get to give back to people in the most desperate situations.
Can you ask for anything better...I don't think so!
So, to all my nursing gals out there...I'll see you next week!

Here is a link to a virtual tour of the NICU at Kadlec if anyone is interested:
http://www.kadlecmed.com/facilities/qtvr3.html

3 Year Well Check

2008-04-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

Ella had her 3 year well check last week with Dr. Dernbach. They gave her a developmental test and I have to say that even I was impressed with her answers. The Dr. said she was doing things you would expect a 4 or 5 year old to do. There were a lot of open ended questions like "What do you do when you're cold". I for sure didn't think she would get that...and what did she say "Put your jacket on". The funniest one to me was "What is a chair for" she said "To eat". Now, that probably wouldn't make sense to many people but all day long she hears "Ella, get up in your chair to eat that!" So it made sense to me. She weighed 36 pounds, which was down 2 pounds from her regular 38 because she had the rota virus the week before, and was 36.5 inches (I think, I can't really remember the exact height number). It was the 90% for both her height and weight...perfectly proportionate.
She did an awesome job letting the Dr. look and listen to her. Besides a few seasonal allergies...and every virus in town...she is perfectly healthy and right on track.
Unfortunately I had told her the night before that she didn't need any shots...I didn't think she needed any until kindergarten. Well, I was wrong, she needed her second Hep A. I felt sooooo bad. She fought it, and cried afterward saying "Daddy said I didn't need a shot!!" All I could say was "You're right Ella, but DADDY didn't know!" Even though it was me who had told her that. Part of me was kind of glad she blamed it on him and not me...at least he didn't have to witness it.
When it was all over she happily picked out her sucker and sticker and went on her way. Half way down the elevator she said "That Dr. hurt me!!!" I said no Ella it was the nurse who gave you the shot. The moment I said it all I could think was "Why do the nurses always have to do the dirty work?? And get blamed for everything??" I guess that is just the way it goes!

Another Shout Out: Tera

2008-04-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Tera and I were neighbors far before we were friends. I can clearly remember the day I knew we would be friends. I was close to being due with Ella and was going on a quick walk around the block (in an attempt to get my blood sugar down) when I walked by Tera's house she was out to get the mail and told me she was too pregnant and she was so excited we would be having babies together. This was probably the first time I had ever talked to her...and she gave me the biggest hug. She gives great hugs.

So, Ella was born in April and Marlee in July, and from then on out we came to rely on each other for much needed support. Wendy and I have been so close for so long that I never thought I would ever have another friend even remotely like her...and then came Tera. She is the type of person who you can talk about ANYTHING with, and she won't even blink an eye, never judge, and either laugh or cry along with you. I called her today to tell her about the blow out poop Hailey had...because I knew she would find it amusing. I called her a few weeks ago when I was having a blow out with Ella and thought I was going to kill her. I was in the middle of a full on panic attack...picked up the phone...called her...and in about 5 minutes was calmed down again.

She has two beautiful children who are so dear to my heart. Marlee because she and Ella are so close and are growing up together. I love that we have photos of them together when they are only like 4 months old. And Chase for reasons Tera knows...and because he is the most flirty, friendly little boy I think I have ever met...he takes after his mama.

Tera's daughter was diagnosed with some very severe allergies within the last year, and they have been through a lot trying to get her healthy. It was truly heartbreaking to see them go through this. This last week, at Ella's birthday party, I made Marlee some wheat free/dairy free cupcakes...and I can't tell you what a joy it was to see her devouring her cake with the rest of the kids. Not even noticing she had something different.

And through all of this...she is an AMAZING photographer!!! I have been blessed to have her take many, many shots of my family. I love going to her website just to look at her images. She has her own business and works from home...all while trying to take care of two little ones. I honestly don't know how she does it. You can check out her website at: http://www.photographybytera.com/

So Tera...I love you girl...Don't know where I would be without you!

2008-04-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

I love distraction questioners...so this one was right up my ally. I copied it from a blog I read regularly: http://thedreamersandme.blogspot.com/

Two names you go by:
1. Mama, Mommy, Mom
2. Kelly or Kel
(I guess that was more than two)

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Black stretchy pants (they are my new mom uniform)
2. A hoodie from the Gap (another staple in my wardrobe)

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Be outside in the sunshine walking with Wendy and the kids
2. Playing games or doing puzzles with Ella

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. To have a very good night's sleep (insomnia has not been good to me again)
2. To make a decision on a 3rd babe

Two favorite pets you have had or have now?
1. We had some cats growing up...but I am sorry to say I am not a big pet person. Although my in laws have an awesome new dog that I would love to have.

Two people who will fill this out: (therefore these are my tags! You're it!)
1. Wendy http://www.wjwest.blogspot.com
2. Dani

Two things you ate last night:
1. Bertoli instant pasta; Fettachini Alfredo (it is actually really good, and only takes 10 min to cook)
2. Vanilla ice cream with milk on it...I love how it gets so crunchy

Two things you ate today:
1. A Zone bar
2. A cheeseburger happy meal from McDonald's (yes, I am ashamed to say I went to McDonald's today...but we all do it every now and then...right??)

Two people you last talked to:
1. Grant
2. Tera www.photographybytera.com

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Going for a long walk (trying to get ready for March of dimes on Sat.)
2. Clean the toy room...or at least think about cleaning it

Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Halloween

Two favorite vacations:
1. Hawaii (totally jealous my parents are going there in a few weeks!!)
2. England

Two Favorite Drinks:
1. Black iced tea with strawberries from Starbucks
2. Red Wine

Birthday: April 1, 1980 Yes, I am an April fools baby

Now copy, paste and blog it. I look forward to it!

March of Dimes: Walk America

2008-04-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

I've decided to bite the bullet and participate in Walk America again this year. As many of you know I started as a nurse in the NICU right out of college...and although I have contemplated going elsewhere...my heart is in the NICU and I really can't imagine being anywhere else. I haven't been working for a while now but am looking at going back by the end of the month (I finally put a call into my manager!!). The babies I work for are so near and dear to my heart and amaze me with their strength and resilience. The March of Dimes directly supports premature or ill newborns, and are doing a great deal of research to try to prevent prematurity and to increase treatment to those who are born prematurely. It a cause very near and dear to my heart.
Actually taking to plunge to do that walk has been very motivating and has got me out walking every day to prepare. I can't wait to actually participate in the walk on April 26th and see all the people who come out to support those babies that I love so dearly.
Please help support me on this endeavor by donating to my fundraising page. My goal is to raise $300 dollars but am hoping to far surpass that. Any bit of donation is greatly appreciated!! My personal fundraising page (through the March of Dimes home page) is:

www.marchforbabies.org/kellycarrick

Thank you in advance for your support. I am attaching a photo of each of my babies...both born happy and healthy after the complications of gestational diabetes. I am so thankful for the wonderful care both them and I received during both of my pregnancies!!

Rota Virus

2008-04-19T13:40:00.001-07:00

Our family got hit this week with the nasty bug Rota virus. Vomiting, Diarrhea, fevers, lethargy, stomach cramps. You name it... we had it. And yes, those are puke bowls in the photo of the girls on the couch. Somehow I managed to surpass getting it...I think I have had it a time or two before. Ella got it first, followed by Hailey and then Grant. I had to jump into nurse roll to take care of all my "patients". It was a really long week and we haven't left the house since Monday. The girls were very clingy...rightfully so...so each night was spent with them in our bed. I think we are finally on the mend though, Hailey seems to be the only one holding onto it a bit. I can't wait until all the illness is over. Our family seems to have been hit pretty hard this year. I would think it would be over now that it is springtime, but every time I think that we get hit with another round of something. It's got to be over soon right??

My Baby turned Three

2008-04-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today...at 5:30am...my first baby girl entered this world....and my life has never been the same! When they handed Ella to me for the first time I was instantly in love with her. She was, and still is, absolutly beautiful. I know it is a bit cliche...but it seems like she was born yesterday. We had such a wonderful time during that first year. I would take her for long walks, carry her around in the front pack all the time, and snugle her in bed every morning. She was the most wonderful baby. Very laid back and independent. I remember her playing with her toys for up to an hour at a time at only 3 months old. She remains laid back and fiersly independent...although she is quiet strong willed as well. She is speaking very clearly and some of the things that come out of her mouth just floor me. She is potty trained for the most part. I put her in underpants 85% of the time and she has an occational accident. She is still in a diaper or pull up for night time and sometimes I get scared/desperate when we go out so I throw her in a pullup. Yesterday we got her first big haircut. Her hair was down to her waist, thick and curly. It was becoming a serious fight every morning to get it combed and pulled back and I was sick of the fight. My very good friend, and hair stylist, Carla was nice enough to fit her in to the end of her day yesterday, so we took her in. She cut it in an adorable little bob, left the bangs so I can pull them back and put in a few layers...it is so cute...and I must mention easy to do!

She had a blast at her birthday party today. We had it at the place where the girls take gymnastics class. There were 20 little kids there: preschool friends, family, family friends and neighbors. As requested she had a dora cake. She and Hailey wore matching ballarnia leotards and looked amazing. I think a fun time was had by all. Thanks to everyone who came.

Ella is growing up to be such a kind and loving little girl. When her friends are over she always makes sure to tell them hi and bye and thanks for coming...she also makes sure they have a drink or a snack if they need it. She watches out for her sister and loves to play with her (most of the time). She will out of the blue say "I love you Daddy" or "I love you Mommy". Lately she has been learning about friends and family and loves trying to name who is a friend and who is family. The first time I asked her who was in her family she said "Taylor". Makes since... she sees Taylor almost everyday. I often hear her saying "I want to see my fa-ma-ily." She loves to sing and dance and is also very athletic. Today at the gym she walked half way across the balance beam unassisted. She is also very smart. She can say all her ABC's, and can count to I don't know how many :) She can recognize letters and today when I put my necklace with and E on she pointed to it and said E...for Ella. Yesterday when she was getting her hair cut, Carla asked her "who is your favorit princess?" She said "mommy". It warmed my heart. No matter what I look like, or what kind of a bad day I am having I am always a princess in her eyes...her favorite one at that!! I am going to keep that in mind for when she is 13, I will say to her "Remeber when you thought I was your favorite princess"...

Grant and I could absolutely not be any more proud of our amazing little girl. She makes us smile everyday and it is such a joy to watch her grow and develop.

So, Happy Birthday Little Ella Grace...we love you more than you know!!

Mom

Back in the Day

2008-04-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

Wendy and I have been the very best of friends for as long as I can remember. We actually became friends in the 4th grade because neither one of us wanted to play football with the rest of the class...so we played on the "big toy". I can't remember who read it to who...but we shared the Shel Silverstein poem "Sarah Cynthia Stout would not take the garbage out" (I think that is the name) with each other. From that day on we were pretty much attached at the hip. We have been through so much together; from the dances of high school, the basketball we played together...remember when we went to state, graduating high school, heading off to college (I finally got her to move to Eastern), too many apartments for me to remember, parties, trips, introducing her to Jay, weddings, the births of our babies (we have been there for each other while each baby came into the world...Taylor, Ella, Nolan, and Hailey...in that order), unfortunately some hard losses of some very important people, and now being stay at home mom's together. I don't know where I would be without her...she is my rock. We have the type of friendship most people just dream of having. We can talk everyday and never get sick of the other. We can say or do anything...without ever facing any judgement. We can count on each other when times are bad...or when there is good news to be heard :) She is the one I called immediately when I found out I was pregnant both times (right after I told Grant of course!). I know we will be friends for life...when we take our last breath (hopefully a long time from now) I know the other will be there.

I was at her house today...and looking through her photo albums and found the above photos of us through the years (there were a TON more...but I chose the most flattering ones to post!!). We have had so many fun times together. And man...I can't believe how thin we were. What I wouldn't give for that flat tummy back. I think I will post some of these photos on my fridge to keep me motivated.

So Wendy...I love you girl! You mean so much to me!

Wendy also has a blog...the address is: http://www.wjwest.blogspot.com/

Coming out of the Closet

2008-04-05T18:18:00.001-07:00

Yes...I am still breast feeding my 18 month old...and for some reason I feel ashamed by it. She only nurses about 1 time a day, and might even go a day without, but she still comes up to me...pulling on my shirt and trying to get to her milk. Today she was trying to nurse while we had some family over and I just looked at her and said "Not now Hailey". As soon as they left I nursed her and she looked so happy...she pulled off and exclaimed "DONE".
It took a long time to establish Hailey at the breast. It was two months of bleeding, scabs, blisters, a lot of cuss words, trips to the lactation nurse and pain meds. If she had been my first I would have for sure stopped; it was that bad. But I knew that if I stuck with it, it would become easier and I would be happy if I did. I joked during that time that if I made it through I would nurse her until she was 2...and it looks like that is where we are heading.
I stopped nursing Ella when she was 11 months. I remember it very clearly because I was pregnant again with Hailey, and was so sick with nausea and vomiting. I was constantly on the edge of serious dehydration and my dr. suggested to me that maybe I should stop nursing Ella. I immediately started to sob. Maybe it was just the pregnancy hormones getting to me, but I wasn't expecting to react like that. Ella was more than ready to be done, but for some reason I wasn't.
The funny thing is, if someone else was telling me they breastfed their baby until he or she was 18 months or even 2 years...I would probably tell them how great that was...and would truly mean it. But for some reason, I don't really want people to know I am still nursing Hailey. At the same time, if she wants it, I am not ready to cut her off. Even though she is becoming more of a big girl everyday, she is still a baby in my eyes...and if she still needs her mommy milk every now and then, I will be happy to give it to her.
I am writing about it today just to get it off my chest (no pun intended!). I feel better about it already. Enjoy the photos of my beautiful 18 month old baby girl :)

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2008-04-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have an April fools day birthday :) Today I am 28 years old...yeah (I guess). It has been an okay day. Ella woke up with a crazy rash and a fever. It is strep. So we spent our morning at the Dr. and the pharmacy. Right now I am just hanging out with Hailey while Ella is napping. After work Grant is going to take me to the driving range to hit some golf balls, and then we may go have a drink. I have been wanting to learn to golf so I am really excited for tonight. And it is a beautiful day out...so it couldn't be more perfect! I tried to take a photo of myself today to post...but I don't have a camera with a working battery at the moment...so I will post one from Hailey's birthday back in October...that is the only recent one of me that is any good :) Which is reminding me I need to take more photos of me and the kids, instead of always being behind the camera!

You Gotta Be

2008-03-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to that song "You Gottta Be" by Des'ree a lot lately in an attempt to get myself pumped up and my confidence up to go back to work. As I am listening to it though...I am realizing the chorus (my favorite part) and the first verse pertains A LOT to motherhood as well. So, for those of you not familiar with the song, here are the words:
First Verse:
Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry

Chorus:
You gotta be Bad
You gotta be Bold
You gotta be Wiser
You gotta be Hard
You gotta be Tough
You gotta be Stronger
You gotta be Cool
You gotta be Calm
You gotta Stay together
All I know, All I know...Love will save the day

Those words: Bad, Bold, Wiser, Hard, Tough, Stronger, Cool, Calm, Stay together
These are all words that as a mom (or a nurse) you try to do to make it through the day (I especially love the stay together part!) . And when it comes down to it...in the end...Love will save the day.

So all you moms (or nurses) out there should download this song and listen to it every morning as you have those first sips of coffee. It could be your mantra!

Anxiety

2008-03-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

I am having terrible anxiety about going back to work. I want to REALLY bad...like next week. But I am so anxious about it. It is starting to effect my sleep and life.
Any positive encouragement would be greatly appreciated!!

Daddy

2008-03-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight the girls were very busy helping their daddy get the bread ready and telling him an intense story about Swiper the fox at Aunt Wendy's house today(that sneaky fox). As you can probably tell by the photos the girls are always beyond happy to see their daddy walk through that door at the end of the night...it is the closest he will ever come to being a rock star!!!

Taking After Big Sister!

2008-03-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hailey's hair is getting longer and looking just like Ella's with tons of blonde ringlet curls! The problem with having girls with curly thick hair is they wake up with the craziest bed-head, and it is definitely a process to get it brushed out and looking presentable. Today Hailey woke up with the best bed-head I have seen in a while so I had to take photos. I tried to get a good one of Ella's bed-head as well, but she wasn't too keen on having her picture taken, so she shut the playroom doors on me and all I could get was her through the glass.

What to Do???

2008-03-24T22:17:00.001-07:00

I am torn about work. Do I go back to the NICU...that I know and love. Do I try something new with hospice. Do I spend most of my time in the birth center? What about something completely different and outside of the hospital. I am leaning towards going back to the NICU/birthcenter arena for now. Hospice care is still very near and dear to my heart...and something I would love to do someday. I honestly just don't know if I am in the right place to spend the time and effort to learn something new right now. I noticed on the recent NICU schedule there were not many per diem shifts available to pick up, so I would probably have to split my time between there and the birth center...which would be fine by me.

As I am writing this I am listening to the song "You gotta be" by Des'ree. I am sure you all have heard of it. It is the song I used to listen to all the time on my way to clinical when I was in nursing school. The chorus part reminds me of everything you have to be when you are working in the hospital, and it would help me build my confidence as I headed in to that dreaded clinical day (all you other nurses know exactly what I mean by dreaded!!!)

I got a cortisone injection in my back and it is starting to kick in. If it works well I think I will call my manager next week and see what I can figure out. Hopefully she will take me back. I am sure she can always use perdiem nurses.

I am just feeling kind of torn as to what to do.

I didn't have any photos of my in nursing school, or at work, so I am posting a photo of Grant and I when we took to Mexico as a reward for finishing nursing school. Man...what I would give to have that tight little 130 lb body back. The funny thing is at the time I probably thought I was fat. If I could go back and talk to myself, I would be saying "Walk around in a bikini all day" b/c you don't even know what is coming ahead. (two kids and a completely different body!!!)

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter with their families. We are having a very busy...but fun weekend. We gave the girls their Easter baskets yesterday, and once again I went a little overboard. This morning we went to Grant's parent's house for an Easter egg hunt. Ella got right into it and was running around like crazy finding all the treats. Hailey didn't quite get it and needed a little coaxing from her Booma. For someone who doesn't normally attend church, we (meaning me and the kids...not Grant) went to two church services. One yesterday was with a church called the Reach, and it was a play type of production. Today, Ella and I went to a Church called the Faith Assembly, and Ella got to go to Sunday school while I went to the service with my friends Wendy and Jay. I actually really enjoyed them both and will probably keep attending one or both of them. The Faith Assembly had a rock type band playing with very cool music. That was a stark cry from the Catholic church I had been to as an adult with my Dad. I grew up in a Lutheran Church, that wasn't quite as ritualistic as the Catholic church, but still a far cry from both I attended this weekend.

The girls looked amazing in their little Easter dresses, and of course got a lot of "oohs and ahhs". I only have one photo right now of Hailey in her dress (Ella had the same outfit), but I will post more photos when I get the ones my sister in law Chelee took. In the mean time, enjoy the photos of the egg hunt and my happy little babies on Easter morning!

Little Gymnasts

2008-03-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

The girls take a gymnastics class one day a week now, and they absolutely love it. It is for 18 months to 3 years, so Hailey is a little young, but they let her go anyway. I am on the floor with them as well as two teachers. They smile the entire time, and love every second of it. The best part about it is they are usually so worn out afterward they take a great nap. They are also learning so much. On the first day I had to put my hands over Hailey's hands in order for her to grip the bar or the rings. Now, only 4 weeks later, she can grip the bar by herself and even pull her legs up to her chest while doing it. Ella, of course, is amazing at all of it and they said she could go into the older class...but it is just easier for me to have them both in the same class. Both of them are doing somersaults all over the house, and Hailey has learned to jump with two feet (which is hilarious to watch). I know I posted a ton of photos, but there were too many cute ones to choose from!

Getting Ready for Swimsuit Season

2008-03-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

I went to the mall last week and gymboree was having a sale on their swimsuits for the kids...and I couldn't resist. As soon as we got home I made them try the swimsuits on and they looked soooo cute. I also ordered them each one from old navy who was also having a sale. From old navy I got Hailey a little two piece that shows off her big old belly. I am looking into signing them up for swimming lessons at the club soon, so they will be ready for summer when it hits. I, on the other hand, am not swimsuit ready so you will be finding no photos of my posing in a suit on my blog! Or in person maybe! I guess I still have a few months to do some toning!

Hospice Care

2008-03-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I attended a funeral of a very dear woman who died after a long battle with cancer. She was Grant's granddad's wife (second wife, first one also died a few years ago). About a year ago, my most endeared aunt Katherine also died after a battle with cancer, as did her sister about a year before her. Most of them were blessed with hospice care at the end of their illness...when no other treatment remained. The poem on the inside of the card from the funeral last night (Janice Carrick) spoke to this so beautifully:

God Saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be

So He closed his arms around you

And whispered, Come to me

You didn't deserve

What you went through

And so He gave you rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

As He only takes the best.

And when I saw you sleeping

So peaceful and free from pain,

I would not wish you back

To suffer that again.

Okay, now I am sure many of you are wondering why I am posting such a sad post. I know it sounds kind of corny, but in some weird way I am feeling pulled to hospice nursing. My family thinks I am crazy. They think that since I cry at every funeral I attend, how could I deal with death and dying as a job. But I don't really see it that way. I see it as a way to end people's suffering, to make them comfortable in a very painful time, and to let them end their life with grace and dignity. I don't know, maybe my family is right, but it is still festering in my mind.

I went onto our local chaplaincy's website and they actually are looking for a perdiem RN to work every other weekend....a perfect schedule for me. I think I will call them today and inquire. Maybe I can start by being a volunteer and see if I do have the capacity to deal with it. I mean, I am trained as a NICU nurse and deal with the everyday life and death situations of newborns. You can't get much more stressful than that. In a perfect world I would work as a hospice nurse half time and a labor nurse the other half. So my world could be filled with the coming and going of life, and I could aid in the miracle of both.

I will leave you with some photos of my nursing graduation. I have been thinking a lot about the part of me as a nurse, and am aching to get it back into use again. I am so proud to call myself a nurse, and am truly blessed by all the wonderful nurses who trained me to become the nurse I am today.

Is it Spring yet???

2008-03-06T07:14:00.001-08:00

It has to be close...right? Yesterday was actually a very nice day and we were able to go for a walk and play outside. We were hit this week with yet another round of illness. Grant woke up Monday morning with a high fever; a sinus infection. By the end of that day I too had a fever and just felt crappy. Hailey is finally getting over her "cold" of two plus weeks, but has still been acting like she is not feeling well. Ella has actually been able to bypass most of the illness somehow. She must have an immune system of steal. Probably all the breastfeeding. Although that wouldn't explain Hailey b/c she is still breastfeeding and has gotten every cold that has come around. (okay, I am knocking on wood right now b/c I just said out loud that Ella has an immune system of steal...she will probably get the flu tomorrow because of it)

I am yearning for springtime. For the sunshine, the warmth, the walks outside, being able to let my kids run free in the yard, planting flowers and trees, the vitamin D!!! I can feel that it is right around the corner, but March is a very hard month. You get glimpses of spring (like yesterday) and then it could snow again the next day.

On a completely other note...I know I am not the only American idol fan out there. It is what helps me get through this time of year (lame, I know...but true). Who do you guys like??? I am in love with David Archuleta and Jason Castro. On the girls side I do like Brooke, but I like the boys this year better in general. I thought David A.'s version of "Imagine" last week was incredible and I downloaded it from i-tunes.

I will post some photos of the girls from last summer to help with my sunshine dreaming. It is amazing how much they have changed since then!

Preschool

2008-03-04T19:21:00.000-08:00

I never knew the craziness that comes with preschool until recently. First of all, I think it is crazy that we have to make decisions about what preschool we want our kids to go to in September, when it is only the beginning of March. A lot can change between now and then. I was starting to get stressed out about getting her into the "right" school, and then decided that any school would probably be just fine. What I wanted the most was a school that was not a co-op. Yes, I do love the idea of a co-op, but when you have another little one to take care of, it is not easy to arrange babysitting and such for the day you have to be in the classroom. So, I succumb to the craziness and got up at 4:30 am the other day in order to get Ella enrolled in the preschool I wanted. I had to go at 5:00 to get a number and then go back at 7:00 to wait for my number to be called and hope there were still spots available. There was...and she got in...but the whole time I just kept thinking how crazy it all is. I know it is nothing compared to the competition that comes with getting into an east coast preschool, and hopefully it never comes to that, but there was still this weird feeling of competition. They are only 3 years old for goodness sakes. I actually really cannot wait until she is in kindergarten, in public school, and I know she will get in no matter what. Plus I won't have to pay for it. But I guess even then, you might not get the teacher you want, or the school you necessarily want.

Anyways, the conclusion is that Ella got into the preschool which was my first choice and she will be going next year two days a week on tues. and Thursday. That means I have 2 hours and 20 mins with only one child which will feel like a break to me!!! Yeah!

PostPartum Depression

2008-02-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine recently posted a very private, but moving piece on her blog...which inspired me to do the same. This is something I rarely talk about except with the people very closest to me. However, maybe writing about it will help someone else out there who has experienced, or is experiencing the same thing.
It really started about a month or so after Hailey was born. She was a VERY colicky baby and would cry most of the day. On top of that I had a very active 18 month old who still needed a lot of care. Hailey only slept for maybe 2 hours at a time at night, so my sleep was horrible. Grant was working long hours, sometimes not coming home until 8 or 9 at night. The day that was the breaking point was a very clear one to me. It was about 7:00 in the evening and Hailey had been crying for hours and Ella was acting up...being normal for a toddler...but too much for me to handle. I remember Ella wouldn't let me change her diaper, so I just was letting her run around naked. I was sitting in Hailey's room with the lights off, rocking her, trying to get her back to sleep. Ella was running around like a crazy woman, and throwing things off the banister to the second story. I had a very real thought that I wanted to throw both of them off the banister and it scared the HELL out of me. I immediately called Grant and told him to come right home. The next day I called a wonderful physicians assistant I had known before and I knew would help me because I had tried to express this to my own dr. only to be pushed off. I went and saw her and she was very understanding and started me on some medication. It took a few different tries, but I finally found one that worked. She also helped me get into a pediatrician because my family dr. just wasn't helping me with Hailey. The pediatrician was also my saving grace b/c she diagnosed Hailey with reflux and finally after two different medications, we found one that worked. Over night Hailey became a different baby b/c she wasn't in agony anymore.
I still feel like I am battling with it a bit. I have very little energy, and although I am not a weepy type of depressed, I mostly feel very overwhelmed. The medication does help. The winter does not help. I am looking forward to the spring time when I can get outside for walks in the warm sunshine because I know that will help. In fact over the summer I went off the medication because I was feeling so good just due to the weather.
I am writing about this because I know I am not the only one who has gone through this. Many people have experienced and gotten good treatment. Others may have it and not recognize it quite yet. If anyone reading this needs to talk about it, please give me a call or an email shout out. I can totally understand because I have lived through it.

Talent

2008-02-28T21:44:00.000-08:00

I have two amazing sister in laws and a wonderful friend with home business and want to give them a shout out. They are amazingly talented in many, many ways, and I feel so lucky to have them in my life.
1. Melissa: She started her own purse/bag business called Borsa Bella. Her bags are amazing and I own too many to count. Everywhere I go with them I get many compliments. I recently got to be the model for her new spring collection which was really fun. Her website is: http://www.borsabella.com/
2. Chelee: She recently started her own photography business and is doing really well. She has a great eye and natural talent. My children have been her models many times over and are all over her website...it makes me smile. Her website is: http://www.michelleellisphotography.com/
3. Tera: She is my very good friend and has been doing photography for some time now. She has taken many, many photos of my children and family and you can find them all over my house. She is also a natural talent, has a wonderful eye, and an innate ability to make you feel relaxed and at ease in front of the camera. Her website is: http://www.photographybytera.com/

So, if you have time, check out their websites...you will not be disappointed.

Another distraction

2008-02-27T13:56:00.000-08:00

I stole this from a friend's blog. It is called the hubby tag

What is his name? Steven Grant Carrick, but he goes by Grant

How long have you been married? A little over 5 years

How long did you date? Gosh, I can't really remember. We started dating when we were 18 and got married when I was 22, he was 23, so I guess that is about 4 years.

How old is he? 28

Who eats more sweets? Me for sure. Although Grant does like sugary drinks like soda pop and chocolate milk.

Who said I love you first? He did...we were dancing in his room to "Lady in Red" I can't believe I remember that.

Who is taller? Grant. He is 6 foot 2 inches and I am 5 foot 8 1/2 inches.

Who can sing better? We are both equally crappy singers. Although Grant likes to make up new words to songs

Who is smarter? We are both "smarter" at different things.

Who does the laundry? I do mine and the kids and towels/linens. Grant does his own. I did his one time when we were dating and he re-folded everything. That was the last time.

Who pays the bills? I have been. But I haven't been doing a very good job at it, so Grant set most things up on autopay.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you are laying in the bed, Grant sleeps on the right.

Who mows the lawn? Grant usually does. But I did do it a few times last summer. It is actually kind of relaxing.

Who cooks dinner? We both do.

Who drives? Always him

Who is more stubborn? I don't really think either one of us is stubborn; mostly laid back

Who kissed who first? I can't remember...we were in Mexico and had a few drinks in us :)

Who asked who out first? Nobody really asked the other one out, it just kind of happened.

Who proposed? He did. He took me to Levenworth and proposed under the snow as all the Christmas lights were being lit up. He wanted to get down on a knee, but there was TONS of people around and I didn't want everyone to look at us. I wanted it to just be between us. I have said that it felt like when you are in the movies and the camera pans around a couple. It felt like the world stood still, and we were the only ones in that huge crowd. It felt right.

Who has more siblings? We each have 3 siblings

Who wears the pants? Probably depends on who you ask :)

Overconfident

2008-02-23T08:14:00.001-08:00

Ella has been doing really well with her potty training. In fact on Wednesday she did all her pee and poop in the potty with the exception of one pee accident. I got so confident that the next morning, while getting ready to go the chiropractor, I decided to put Ella in panties. "She can do it" I thought "She did it all day yesterday". You guessed it, right in the middle of my back adjustment I started to smell something and I knew it wasn't the Dr. I realized it was Ella that pooped and then in the next second, remembered she was in panties...oh man. It wasn't that big of a deal in the end. Easy to clean up, and I had an extra pair of pants and a pull up in the car. But I learned a good lesson. In the beginning of potty training, even if they are doing great, put them in a pull up while going out, or else you will inevitable end up with some sort of mess to clean up. It is just Murphy's law...the kid knows that you are out and that they don't have any diaper on, and they go for it. When she has the pull up on she doesn't poop or pee. Go figure.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

For Valentines Day we had a couple of Ella and Hailey's little friends over for a small Valentine's party. They were able to make their own valentines, and each got a little heart shaped cookie to decorate. They had a really fun time.
Grant and I didn't really celebrate it this year. We got each other cards, but that is about it. He asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner and I said I really would like to go out to dinner with all 4 of us. We never go out with the kids. So I think we might try to go out this Sat. around 3:00 or so, so we are in-between the lunch and dinner rush.
I hope everyone else had a very wonderful Valentine's Day and took some time to remind the people you love just how much you love them.

My new favorite sound....

2008-02-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Yep...you guessed it...tinkle,tinkle, tinkle! Ella has started to use the potty again. We pretty much had her trained right before Christmas, and then all the excitement of Christmas happened, followed by a bunch of illnesses, and we just gave up and put her back in diapers. We are starting again, and I am just letting her go around without a diaper and then when she feels the need she runs to her potty. She is doing pretty well with the pee thing. Now, the next sound I am waiting for will be...plop,plop.

My New Toy

2008-02-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

I finally got my new I-phone. It was one of those things that I really didn't even know I needed it until Grant got his...then I had to have one! It is really cool. Not only is it a cell phone, and an I-pod, but you can also send and recieve email, search the internet, and (my very favorite) text! I am new to texting, I never figured out how to do it on my old phone. So if any of you reading this are "texters" as well, send one my way! I love to text, but don't know very many people yet who do it.
This is probably the coolest new piece of technology I have ever owned. Now I just have to get some accessories for it! Like a docking station for one, so I can listen to it through speakers. Does anyone have a good one that they can suggest?

(sorry for the bad photo quality...I couldn't get my flash to turn off for some reason)

Sleep: Part 2

2008-02-08T19:17:00.000-08:00

Well, last night, for the first time in a while, I actually got a good nights sleep. I can't revile all the tricks I used :) But I did make myself stay up until midnight, and instead of falling asleep to the TV, I fell asleep with my head on Grant's chest. The rhythm of his breathing was actually really relaxing. I slept from midnight until almost 8:00. Although I felt more rested in the morning, it did trigger a migraine headache. I have heard that changes in sleep can trigger a migraine, but wasn't sure if I had ever experienced it before today. I never had migraines until my last pregnancy and since then have had one every now and then. Thank goodness for Excedrin migraine. It works like a charm. Hopefully tonight will go well also. Wish me luck!!!

On another sleep time note. Up until now, we have used a lock on the outside of Ella's room to keep her in her bedroom at night (it sounds mean, but it was really about keeping her safe and from wondering the house at night). But I have been thinking that if I am going to potty train her, she is going to need to be able to get out of bed to use the potty if needed. So tonight I did not lock her door and she was supposed to go to bed 30 minutes ago, and this is her second time out of bed already. I guess I better go address the problem. Any suggestions on how to keep her in her room without locking the door???

Insomnia....I'm it's bitch

2008-02-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the profanity, but I am feeling really crappy. Every night, for a while now, I have been having a horrible time sleeping. Most of the time (with the help of some sort of medication) I can fall asleep okay, but for the past week I have been awake from 2:00 to 4:30 am. Laying there, wishing I could go back to sleep, my back killing me. Last night, on the suggestion of a friend, I tried Melatonin. It worked okay, but I was still up from 2-4. And then I finally fall back asleep for a couple of crappy hours before having to wake up and start my day. It is leaving me feeling DRAINED and I have such a lack of energy b/c of it. The worst part is Grant starts sleeping the minute he hits the pillow and continues all night long. It makes me very jealous. I am not sure if it is the years of night shift that have messed me up, the waking up with Hailey so long, or my crazy aching back, but I really hope I can resolve it soon!

15 months

2008-02-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hailey had her 15 month well check today. She weighs 28 lbs 10 oz, which is the 98% (OMG) ht was 32.5 inches, which was like 85%, and head was 48 cm, the 95%. She remains a big girl!!! She has been in the 90% to over 100% her whole life. I was a bit concerned b/c her sister started to thin out by now with all the walking and such. Dr. Dernbach just thought Hailey was very normal, and probably a little bigger boned, and has the making to be a great post basketball player! She said she expects to be reading her name in the paper someday for her wonderful basktetball abilities :) I said I would be pushing for basketball over hockey for sure (can you imagine!)! She agreed. She asked if her dad was a bigger guy, and I explained Grant's size to her (not fat by any means, but big for sure). She said that was probably where she gets it from. Although there are some big people on my side of the family as well! Anyways, she is right on target with her development and doing wonderful. In fact, she says way more words than she is supposed to at this age. I love Dr. Derbach's well checks. She is very through and takes at least a 1/2 and hour with you. A stark contrast to the family practice we went to before (although I did love that dr as well). Hailey didn't have to get any shots today b/c we came in and got them a couple of weeks ago. But as soon as she saw the nurse she started bawling. Grant said "Well, yeah, she is not stupid!". That is true. She is an amazing little girl and I love her to pieces. Although it is no wonder I have back problems hauling her around!

The photos are of her painting with pudding the other day. Although she mostly ate the pudding as opposed to painting with it! Surprise Surprise!!

Distraction

2008-02-05T14:30:00.001-08:00

I will do anything to keep me from all the work I have to do around the house. I saw this on someone elses blog and decided to copy it:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I think my first name was after another baby down the hall from where I was born. I was originally named Elizabeth Marie, in fact it was on my little crib card, but then my parents heard of a Kelly and decided to change it to Kelly Marie. Marie is after my grandmother, my dad's mom, Myrna Marie.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A couple of minutes ago when I read my friend's blog. It is a long story.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I have the ability to have good handwriting but most of the time go to fast and it ends up messy
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Ella Grace, 2 1/2 years, Hailey Jane 16 months
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDSWITH YOU?
I think so...I would like to think I am a pretty caring friend
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Occationally
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, never had trouble with them.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way, I am afriad of heights
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I have eaten Cherios occationally. When I was pregnant with Ella I had a constant craving for Lucky Charms, but could not have them due to the Gestational Diabetes...it was torture.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Sometimes
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically or emotionally??? It comes and goes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Any kind. I am currently addicted to Skinny Cow ice cream cones.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? The tone of their personality/mood. I can't really explain how I can notice it, but I can.
15. RED OR PINK? both
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My lack of energy right now.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I don't know about the most, but in high school I had this great friend named Julie Bowman whom I haven't seen since high school, and I do miss her.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?Yes, fill up that comment box or email me!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black streachy pants from Target (thanks Tera for the suggestion) and white socks.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A really good rasberry scone from desserts by Kelly and a fruit and yogart parfait from McDonalds.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Tony Lucca on I-tunes
22. HAVE YOU HAD BRACES? Yes, for about a year
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Clean babies and baby breath after they have breast fed (weird I know)
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THEPHONE? Wendy
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I copied it
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I like to watch sports where I know someone who is playing, so I haven't really watched much lately. I kind of got a little into football this year. I did enjoy the last quarter of the superbowl game.
27. FAVORITE KIND OF PIZZA? Too many to choose
28. EYE COLOR? blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Lately scones and bagels (carbs I know).
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings only, I haven't watched a scary movie in years, in fact I can barely watch the commercials for them
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? I honestly don't know. Probably a Dora the explorer one
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White shirt with red hoodie
34. FAVORITE SEASON ? I like the changing of the seasons, every one.
35. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Ice cream
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? don't know
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? don't know
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Unfortunatly I haven't read a book in a while. I do have an obession with celiberity magazines though. I just read an entire People magazine (which I am sure is good for my mind)
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have a mousepad
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Reruns of How I met your mother
42. FAVORITE SOUND? My kids giggiling
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Europe
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't know
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Fargo, ND
47. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR PET PEEVES? When people make lots of sounds while eating or drinking. It sounds like nails on the chalkboard to me
48. THINGS YOU REALLY ENJOY DOING? Cuddling my kids, shopping, searching the internet, talking to friends
49. FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL (OR COLLEGE)? Biology, Anatomy and physiology
50. DO YOU DRINK COFFEE? For sure, everyday or else I get a headache

A little bit of Crazy talk

2008-02-04T20:20:00.000-08:00

I have been looking at the video and photos of the girls births and first few months....and I have to say, it has me thinking I would love another baby. I HATED being pregnant, but I loved giving birth, and I love those first 6 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I am not about to start trying again (I am starting my birth control tomorrow)....I don't think my body could handle it. I need some good solid months of some serious vitamin and mineral replenishing, and I need to get my back in better shape. In fact, that is what is really holding me off. My back hurts so much as it is, I can't imagine adding the weight of a pregnancy to it. I would be in misery. Not to mention the months of puking, the gestational diabetes and the kidney stones. Maybe by the end of the summer I will be ready. That would be ideal anyway b/c I would prefer to have another spring baby as opposed to a winter baby. I battle a bit with the winter blues as it is, so add to that some serious hormones and lack of sleep and it is not a good combonation. I will try to figure out how to post the video of hailey's birth like I did Ella. In the meantime, I will post a few photos of Hailey's beginnings.

Winter Blahs and Springtime Dreaming

2008-02-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else having the same winter time blahs that I am experiencing??? I am having a seriously hard time getting motivated, a bigtime lack of energy, and some serious yearning for some warm sunshine. This always happens to me this time of year. I should try and plan a Hawaiian vacation for every Feb. (I wish). It usually starts in January, and goes until about the end of March. Then, in April, it at least gets warm enough to get out for a walk or a trip to the park.

In an attempt to do some Springtime dreaming I dressed the girls up in some new spring outfits I bought for them. It helped a little I guess!

Makeup party

2008-02-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

After 4 days of not leaving the house due to snow...and being locked up with two toddlers, Ella and I decided to have a makeup party. When she woke up from her nap (before Hailey) we took out her little makeup kit and went to town. The product was what I thought we would be seeing in 15 years from now...and it was a bit scary. Nonetheless, it got us doing something besides watching Dora and boots, and took up some of our afternoon. Oh, and we also did finger and toenails.

2008-01-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

This video is why I got pregnant with Hailey. I had come home after a night out with my girlfriends and my husband had put together this little video from when I delivered Ella. It was supposed to be of Ella's entire first year, but this is how far he made it. I watched it and cried. The song playing...Cannonball...was the song we listened to on each of our 3 trips to the hospital (2 false alarms and 1 induction). After watching that video I knew I wanted another baby. I thought we would try in a couple months but the very next month (thanks to a bit of Merlot) we were pregnant once again. It is funny though...the video does not have the same effect on me anymore...thank God or I would probably have 5 more kids by now!

12th Man

2008-01-29T14:15:00.000-08:00

Even though the Seattle Seahawks did not make it to the Superbowl this year...we are still huge fans in this household. My husband never missed a game and even traveled to Seattle to catch a few live. Every Sunday he and the girls would make a big deal about taking out the 12th man flag, unrolling it and placing it outside the house. It was their little ritual. I found these little Seahawks cheerleader outfits on sale at Target last week and I could not resist. I tried to buy them in big enough sizes so they could wear them next year during the season. I hope it works out. They look so adorable in them!

Bye Bye Bottles

2008-01-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

At Christmas time, Ella was still taking a bottle for her nap and bedtime. She is 2 1/2 and I thought it was probably time to say goodbye to the bottles. A friend of mine from preschool gave me the idea to leave them out for Santa in exchange for presents. We spent the two weeks leading up to Christmas talking about what we were going to do, and told her that Santa was going to take her "babas" and leave her toys; and Santa would then bring the bottles to baby Chase (the 6 month old baby of a friend of mine). So, when Christmas eve came, she helped us put all the bottles in a bag and left them next to the cookie for Santa. The next day all her bottles were gone and she had a ton of toys. The first couple of days were a bit rough. She would cry at bedtime for a bottle and say "I a baby, I need a baba". But we would just remind her how Santa took them to give to baby Chase. She seemed to be okay with it. Even now, occasionally she will say things like "baby Chase has my babas".

I have heard of similar tactics used for getting rid of binkys, such as leaving them for the binky fairy, or exchanging them for a new toy/bike. Thankfully we didn't have the binky to deal with, but the bottles were just as bad. The Santa thing worked well for us...I just hope it doesn't make her have a lifelong hatred of Santa!

I'm Back

2008-01-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Trying to get back into blogging. A lot has gone on in the last few months...keeping me away from the computer...but I am getting back!

Here are my updates:

1. Hailey is now 15 months old, and feisty as hell. She is a chubby little thing still, only has 4 teeth (with a huge gap between the front two...which is so endearing), runs all over after her sister, says a ton of words (if you are listening) and FINALLY is sleeping through the night! (well, at least until 4:30 am). She is BEAUTIFUL. She is an old soul. Her entire face lights up when she smiles. She is my baby.

2. Ella is now 2 1/2 years...almost 3. She is our little dare devil. I really think she is part boy. She jumps off of everything in the house, and then ends it in a flip. I should probably get her into some sort of gymnastics class. She is also BEAUTIFUL. With a head full of golden curls. She goes to preschool one day a week, and loves the art table the best. In fact, she stalks the art table waiting for someone to leave so she can jump in. She is currently really into Dora the Explorer, and playing tea parties with her little sister.

3. I have been off of work for about 6 months now and am feeling ready to go back. I have been dealing with some back issues, and think I am finally to the point where they are worked out. I am also finally getting some rest due to Hailey sleeping through the night, so that helps everything in general. I will probably go back to the NICU, but am thinking about splitting my time between the NICU and the birthcenter. You see, I have a undercover desire to be a lactation nurse, and in order to take that certification you have to have a certain number of hours working with breastfeeding moms (and no, your own breast feeding does not count or I would already be there...for sure...Hailey still hasn't totally given it up). We do work with breastfeeding in the NICU, but not as much as in the birthcenter with all the big healthy babes.

I have also gotten into making jewelery thanks to the teaching of my sister in law Melissa. It is a great hobby, and a great thing to give as gifts. I can become a bit obsessed and sometimes once I start, I can't stop!

4. Grant just finished a year working for Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and is going back to Bechtal starting this Monday. He liked his job at Battelle, but is also excited to get back to Bechtal. His newest toy is his new I-phone from apple. And yes, I am majorly jealous. I want one too!! It is very cool. He also got guitar hero for his Nintendo Wii for Christmas and enjoys that as well. He is very much in love with his girls, and spends all of his free time with them (and me). I am pretty sure he has succumb to the fact that he is going to be surrounded by girls :)

As I am writing this I am listening to a new (to me at least) artist named Tony Lucca. If you all have I-tunes...look him up. I am in love with the song called "Feels like love".

Well, that pretty much sums things up for now. I will post some photos taken by my very good friend and photographer, Tera. Her web site is http://www.photographybytera.com/ ...check it out. She took these family shots last fall and they are the ones I used on my Christmas cards. As soon as I figure out how to post video, I will post some of the clips from our Christmas...which was a blast.

Hope everyone is doing well....and Happy New Year!

Still Here

2007-08-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

Not sure if people are still logging onto my blog...but we are still here. It has been a long time since I have posted last...this I know...things have just been a bit busy, and I haven't felt very blog inspired. Nonetheless, I will update now:

1. Hailey is crawling all over the place, pulling herself up and working SO hard to take steps. She walks all around the furniture and with her little push toy. She FINALLY has pushed through her first tooth after months of teething. She is still a little piggy and at her 9 month check she weighed almost 24 pounds. She is adorable and fun and I love this 9-12 month age.

2. Ella is talking MUCH more. Just yesterday she went upstairs and half way up she turned to look at me and said "I'll be right back okay mom". I don't know why that was so profound to me, but it was like she was actually communicating. She starts preschool in two weeks. She goes one time a week for 2 hours. It is a co-op, so I have to be in the classroom once every 3 weeks or so. We have two other close friends in the class.

3. As a family, the summer has seemed to fly by. We went to the coast in July with a stop in Portland to go to the Zoo. We went with some very close family friends. We also went camping for a couple of nights, which the girls LOVED. Last weekend we were up in Sandpoint, ID for a wedding that was held at the top of Schweitzer mountain...very pretty. We may head back to the coast for Labor day weekend, but that has not been confirmed. Other than that just our daily life seems to keep us busy. We have done a lot of visiting with friends and family, swimming, running through the sprinkler, and sleeping when we get the chance.

4. Two of my close friends have welcomed babies in the past 2 months. My friend Mandy from nursing school welcomed a baby boy named Eli on July 13ths. My very good friend and neighbor, Tera, welcomed a baby boy, Chase Matthew, on July 22nd. Since Tera and Chase live just around the corner I get to see them a lot and get my baby fix in. I just have a thing for newborns.

I hope everyone else is doing well and enjoying their summer. I will make an effort to blog more often to keep you all updated.

I will leave you with some photos from our July trip to the coast! Enjoy

Sink Bath

2007-06-26T10:48:00.001-07:00

Hailey loves taking a bath. She especially loves the sink baths because it provides a nice mini tub for her. Usually I bathe both girls together in the big bath tub and Hailey sits in a little bath seat. Hailey is becoming such a happy baby and smiles ALL the time...even at 2:00 am. This is a stark contrast to the first four months of her life that she spent screaming. Now if I could only get her to sleep a little better at night we would be set. She only sleeps for about 3 hours at a time. 8 months of that is getting to be a bit tiring. Nonetheless, she is beautiful and wonderful and a joy to be around!

Bed Head

2007-06-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ella has the most amazing bed head every morning. She has my hair....thick, wavy/curly and a ton of it (thanks mom). I am sometimes amazed at the shear amount of hair she has. You all are lucky you don't have to comb it. You would not believe how many people come up and ask me "How long did it take you to curl her hair like that?" I am always thinking in my head "I can hardly even get a comb through her hair...I can't imagine coming at her with a HOT curling iron...Hello people".

On this particular day she had gone to bed with wet hair and woke up looking like this. She would not look at me because I was standing in the way of her Micky Mouse Clubhouse show...God forbid!

Bathing Beauties

2007-05-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

With the weather getting warmer, we have been spending more time outside. Today was the first time we broke out the kiddie pool and both girls loved it! They both looked so adorable in their swimming suits so I had to share some photos. I only wish all the rolls looked as adorable on an adult as they do on little miss H! I hope everyone else is enjoying the warm weather as well!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2007-05-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

I hope all you mom's out there have a wonderful Mother's day and take some time for yourselves. And I hope all of you have Children and Husbands who take the time to let you know how much you are appreciated. I would like to give a little "shout out" to my mom....who is so wonderful and caring and helpful to me. I don't think you completely appreciate you mom until you become a mom yourself. And I don't know what I would do without her. I love you mom :)

Amazing Artist

2007-05-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

I got E an easel for her birthday and finally got it put together last week. She was beside herself with excitement as she watched me put it together. She loves painting....usually finger painting, but sometimes attempts to use the brush. It is a great activity for her to do in the afternoon.

Playing Dressup

2007-05-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

E got a lot of really cool dress up clothes for her birthday. The tutu was hand made for her from her very talented auntie C. She loves to play dress up and dance around the house. Now if I could only get her to look at me when I am taking a picture...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELLA

2007-04-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

My baby is growing up!!! She had her second birthday on the 13th of this month...yes it was Friday the 13th! We had two little celebrations for her. One on Friday with all the family members. And one on Sat. with all her little two year old friends. We had a garden themed party where each kid got to pick out and plant a flower into a little pot. We had "dirt" cups instead of cake. Basically chocolate pudding with oreo cookie crumbs. And each little party bag had a watering can a shovel for future planting adventures. It actually went over far better than I was expecting. It was raining that day which I thought would put a damper on the whole thing, but we just moved the planting part into the garage.

I can't believe she is already 2. She is my baby. I swear she was just born. They grow up way too fast!

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Me!

2007-04-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my 27th birthday! The first in two years that I haven't been pregnant for! It was quite exciting. We had a few people over with their kids and hung out, ate BBQ and drank red wine! For my birthday I bought myself a really cute new diaper bag/purse. I am loving it. It is cute and springy and pink! My little nephew called me an couldn't believe my birthday was on April Fool's day. I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!

Best Friends

2007-03-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

H is finally getting to the age were she and E can play together a bit. I can often find them laughing at each other as H thinks E is so funny, and E thinks it is funny that she can make H laugh. H is so tolerant of E and lets E give her tons of kisses and hugs. I hope they remain the best of friends as they grow up!

First Food

2007-03-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

H had her first "real" food this week. Cereal with breast milk and bananas. She gobbled it all up, but if she got a bite that had too much banana, she would act like it was sour tasting and squeeze her eyes shut. She looked so grown up having her first bites of food. I can't believe she is almost already 6 months old!!!

Finally

2007-03-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Finally we have some good weather and have been able to go outside a bit. January and February are the worst months for me because they are so cold and dreary around here, and when you are stuck in the house with two kids it gets even worse. We are all so excited to be able to get out and play. There is a new park about 2 blocks from our house that has absolutely perfect toys for my little E. The photos posted are of my kids and our friends' kids at the park.

Update

2007-03-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Just posting an update as to what has been happening in our lives...which is not really much at the moment. We have all been pining to go outside. We know the nice weather is right around the corner, and cannot wait. We even have a wonderful new stroller to take for walks. The girls have been going through a grow spurt as they have both been eating and sleeping a ton (eating more than sleeping). Also, most of their pants are becoming too short. H had her 4 month check up a couple weeks ago and she already weighs in at 17 lbs...I am pretty sure it is all in her cheeks. She also is rolling over in both directions, which as every parent knows is a big accomplishement for a little one. E "peeped" in the potty for the first time last week which lead to a big celebration. She in really no where close to being trained, but enjoys sitting on the potty. After she saw her best friend T go on the potty, she had to do it herself. G has been enjoying his new job and has been able to spend a lot more time at home. I have been working about one shift a week, which is just enough to keep my feet wet. I hope all is well with everyone else!

A Big Girl Bed

2007-02-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

My little girl is growing up. About 2 weeks ago I went to get E from her nap only to find her straddling the crib rail and riding it like a horse. The day has come, I thought, that I have to transfer her out of the crib. After much deliberation about what type of bed to move her to (and a little annoyance that the "3 in 1" crib I bought her is really more of a "2 in 1") I decided to get her a toddler bed, figuring I could use it for sissy when E is done with it. I wasn't able to find any in town that I liked so I found one at toddlerbeds.com. It is a cute little white scalloped bed with a heart cutout in the headboard. She loves it, and loves her new found freedom. She will play in there by herself for up to an hour after she wakes up. Her favorite activities are taking all of her clothes out of her dresser, and all the toys out of the basket. So, needless to say, her room is a disaster zone, but that is okay. She is doing great adjusting to her new bed!

Happy Valentines Day (a bit late)

2007-02-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's day. We spent it at home...sick (what else is new). It has been a long winter of sickness for our family. I hope it will be looking up soon. G got me some really pretty white gold hoop earings, and I got him a gift card to go golfing. E made Daddy some pretty Valentines out of construction paper and stickers and also got him his favorite candy bar.

We had a really good night hanging out together as a family.

First Haircut

2007-02-18T13:49:00.000-08:00

Last weekend E got her very first haircut. She has a ton of very curly hair, so my hairstylist cut just a little off the top so it would lay a bit better. She did pretty well sitting there considering she is a busy almost 2 year old.

Self Questioning

2007-02-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I had two run-in's with some very negative people who in their very passive aggressive way said mean things to me and made me feel badly about myself. Made me question whether I really am doing anything with my life, and if I am good at anything? Do I stand for anything? Why can I not stand up for myself? Why am I letting people like that get me? They are really just negative people who are probably so miserable with their own lives they have to bring down others. So now it is midnight, and I can't sleep even though I am sooooo exhausted I could really sleep for 3 days and still be tired. So I am going to make a list of things I think I am doing well. This might sound a little weird, but maybe if I do this I will be able to sleep.
1. I stay at home and take care of my kids. Yes, this can at times be a daunting task, and some days I would much rather be at work. But I am here, everyday, doing the dirty work. And I love it.
2. I take care of very sick infants for my "other than mom" living....not a lot of people can say that.
3. I genuinely care about other people and would help out a friend in an instant, without even thinking twice about it.
4. I have an amazing husband
5. I have amazing parents
6. I have a best girl friend I couldn't live without (not a lot of people can say that either)
7. I graduated college
8. I don't know...I guess that is it

So maybe that will help me put an end to it all and go to sleep. Unfortunately both of the above mentioned people are people I will have to interact with again, so I am just going to have to put my game face on and not let them get to me. Maybe my extreme exhaustion is just making me more sensitive...or maybe I am just very sensitive. Maybe I should add that to the list.
Good night

Hair

2007-02-08T07:56:00.002-08:00

E has the most beautiful blond ringlet curls all over her little head. They are amazing. However, unless I do something with them, her hair is HUGE and all you really see is hair. Now, doing something with the hair of an almost two year old is like pulling teeth. When I try to put it in pig tails you would think I am pulling each hair out one by one. So I've been thinking about layering the top part of it a bit. Keeping the overall length, but shortening up the top part. Then maybe it will at least not be so BIG when I don't do anything with it. I don't know...what do you think???

P.S. Update to the sick kids, loosing it mommy situation. I had a massage and a facial last night and I feel like a whole new person. It was like a mini vacation. Worth every penny. H got up every 2 1/2 hours last night, and E got up once for about an hour, and it was much easier to deal with after the mini vacation I got! There should be government mandated (and paid for) massage and facial appointments for mom's every two weeks. I bet there would be a lot less child abuse and neglect in the country. Which would then lead to a lot less money spent for foster care and medical care...ect. I'm just saying...I think it would work!

Hair

2007-02-08T07:56:00.001-08:00

Hair

2007-02-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

Sick Kids

2007-02-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

I hate sick kids! I know this is an ironic statement coming from a person who takes care of sick babies and children for a living....but that is different in many different ways:
1. You get paid to do it
2. You get a lunch break, and a bunch of little breaks throughout the day
3. You get to leave at the end of 12 hours
4. You don't have to sleep with them
5. You never have to do more than a few days in a row

I know I sound like the meanest mother around...but I am just getting really worn out. The kids have been sick for going on 2 weeks. Every time I think they are getting better, it doesn't pan out. It is like 1 step forward and 2 steps back. I am getting a massage tonight at the Nuvoe (sp?) day spa, so hopefully I will be a whole new woman tomorrow. It has just been a long 2 weeks!
I hope everyone else is feeling healthy! It's that time of year!
Kel