Update -end of February and March

The last two weeks of February were stressful. Hailey caught bronchitis and Justin's Grandpa Magee had a mini stroke.

For those of you who have known and are praying, Grandpa Magee came home on Saturday, March 20th. He is doing better, but is doing a lot of therapy and rehab, and still has moments of confusion and exhaustion. Thank you for your prayers for Justin's family during this time!

Going into March we had big plans for fun on the 7th! Ringling Bros Circus was in town and we went with Papa Tom, Grandma Barb, Aunti Amy, Uncle Brad, Cousin Dominic and Uncle Jason! It was fun - though not as exciting as I remember it as a kid :). Kaelin didn't seem to be as into it as we thought she would be. Two days later we found out why - she had strep, which Hailey caught the following week, and Dominic the week after that! Yuck! Dominic is still healing, but the girls have bounced back.

The same day that Kaelin came down with strep (March 9) I herniated a disc in my neck. I have had an x-ray and have been doing physical therapy but it is still very painful. The next step is an MRI. I am attempting to deal with that later as this Monday (March 29) I am having knee surgery for them to go in and fix whatever tear there is. This will be followed by 2 days of complete bed rest, and 4 weeks of therapy 3 times a week! I am so greatful for Jecca and Amy who are helping with the kids during these next few weeks!

Besides all of that not much is happening around here :P Justin travels about every other week. The girls and I are itching to get outdoors, as spring is coming to the area. It has been about 50-60 almost every day for 2 weeks. We took our first trip of the year to the park, and spent sometime out front.

NEW CAR

Today we got a new car from a wonderful salesman named Jerry at Boardman VW.

Say goodbye to Big Red, who faithfully served us since 2006, after she had already served Tom and Barb for 5 years! I am now a minivan Mom (even though I didn't want to be!). We are the owners of a brand new 2010 VW Routan (silver). We got a great deal, and it came fully loaded with options we hadn't even considered. It has even has Auto Start!!
There is an umbrella holder on the floor of the driver's side door!
It has a sunroof, flip down mirror to view the kids, Navigation system and Sirius radio. Oh, and heated seats for both the driver, passenger and the 2 captain's seats the girls are using now.
It has two TV screens that can be watching movies or playing games (you don't have to do the same on both). It came with two goofy looking headphones and a remote.
The back windows in both the second and third row have built in retractable sunshades.
The third row also flips around for tailgating/drivel-ins or sporting events! It has a TON of storage too. There are even two bins under the girls feet for me to store our emergency blankets/pillows and extra diaper bag/change of clothes for the girls.
The sliding doors on both sides and rear gate are all push button power operated.

I am SOOO excited (and so is Kaelin - she keeps saying we can get our friends to ride with us now). I have never had a NEW car before and this one has all the bells and whistles! It also comes with a 3 year maintenance plan where they take care of things like rotating tires and oil changes!

Anyhow - I just wanted to show off my new toy :).

Blog Dump

Sorry for the blog dump - but here is what is happening in our house:

Hailey turned 18months on January 30th. She is trying to say all kinds of words! 'Please' is one of her favorites! She also likes to try to go on the 'big potty' before her bath. She has successfully gone at least 5 times now! She tries to climb into her own high chair - SCARY, and is showing a bit of a stubborn side beneath her angelic front :). She is already in size 6 shoes, and is beginning to slowly grow out of 18 month clothes already!

Here are some pictures of her - one is with Grandma Cindy.

This picture of Kaelin and Daddy was also taken January 30th at Grandma Cindy's house. Her house is great for nap time!

As most of you know we have gotten a TON of snow. Every time it seems to stop for a day, we have a new storm or at least flurries. I think we are all over the snow! Here are two pictures of our back porch - one is of our picnic table and grill and the other is of Justin getting ready to dig a path for Bandit. Justin is very lucky that our next door neighbors have a snow blower! He and John have been taking turns clearing the driveways!

That is it for pictures.

Justin started his new job on February 1st and is very happy with his decision. He is getting an opportunity to go to Germany in June! (I am jealous.)

On Monday, February 8th, Kaelin and I were in an accident on my way to the dr. for a sinus infection. (Hailey was at Aunt Amy's). I slid on a patch of ice into her car waiting to turn out of a parking lot. We will have to replace her bumper. Unfortunately the accident bent my steering column or something, it was almost impossible to drive my car. I also hit my knee on the steering wheel.

In two days my knee ended up swelling to twice the size it should be and was very painful. Wednesday I had xrays, and Friday an MRI. I was in a brace and on crutches, not allowed to put any weight on it. I was also not allowed to work at the florist shop Valentine's weekend(busiest of the year!!)

Yesterday I had to go see a surgeon. Apparently I have a baker's cyst (this has been bothering me for more than a year) as well as a sprain on the outside of my knee cap. The dr. also thinks the MRI is missing a tear internally. He wants me to do some exercises and continue to wear my brace to get some fluid down. I check back in with him in four weeks and at that time we most likely schedule a scope surgery to find/fix whatever damage their is. Unfortunately there is at least 4 weeks of recovery after that! (Thanks again Jecca for going with me and wrangling the kids!)

Good news is Kaelin is FINE - she told everyone we bumped another car. I started to put weight on my knee Sunday and am able to get around and I will will be going back to work this Saturday.

Other news - we are going Friday to check out a preschool for Kaelin! YIKES! It is a Christian school and she would attend three days a week from 9-12. It comes highly recommended from friends and neighbors and is also surprisingly affordable. I can't believe she will be 4 this August and then next year (August 2011) 5 and attending Kindergarten!

Hope all is well with you - our family and friends, and that everyone had an enjoyable Valentine's Day!

HAIRCUTS

I got my hair trimmed yesterday. During the process I decided Kaelin needed a haircut and it was time for Hailey's first trim!

Hailey was starting to get a mullet :) - showing her true Pennsylvania roots. We just had the lady trim a little off the back and straighten her bangs a bit. We'll see if it helps. I think we have a lot more growing to do before it all evens up.

Before: During: - she was NOT impressed.

During #2: Still not happy.

Afterwards:

Kaelin keeps telling us her hair is in her face. So - we decided to cut a bit off rather than the usually trim. We took off 1.5-2 inches I believe. Here is her during her cut - she likes to get her hair done.

Here is Kaelin this evening with her new hair cut. So cute.

The past few weeks

Wow - what craziness is happening at our house!!



Hailey is a big goof. She is so silly, cuddly, and .... showing her stubborn side! She has been sent to the corner a few times, beginning a couple weeks ago. Mostly for pulling Kaelin's hair! YIKES.



She tries to say a lot - Papa, cold, juice, sissy, and night night.

She also loves to try on clothes, preferably Sissy's but anyone's will do. She is partial to underwear or bathing suits. Below is a picture of her with 5 pair of my underwear on. What a weirdo!
Her hair is crazy. She has a few curls, but usually it just looks like a mess. I have attempted to put it in a little pony tail - it worked for about 5 hours before she took it out and had a mohawk. She is actually awake in the next picture, but is looking down at her lunch.

I just thought I would share the next picture with you - this is what happens when I tell Kaelin to go put her jammies on. She LOVES dress up!!

Justin and his dad built me these shelves on either side of our fireplace! I LOVE THEM! They did an amazing job! And, bonus, Barb came with Tom to play with the kids three nights in a row! Yea for Tom and Barb!

We had to run to Home Depot one night for zip ties - weird I know - however the girls LOVE the car cart, even if it is impossible for me to push.

Most of you know this is our nephew Dominic. I watch him on Tuesdays and Fridays most weeks. He has SO much energy but HATES to nap. This is what happens during dinner occasionally.

Other updates: My foot is slowly healing. I am supposed to wear my cast for another week, and then slowly transition to a tennis shoe. Truth be told, I am trying to transition out of it at home at least half a day now.

I think thats it! Everyone is healthy and well. The girls are growing. Hailey is working on her top to 1st molars (as usual the process takes several months for her teeth to come through).

Beginning of the Year Update

We arrived home from DC well - but it has been snowing here at home forever! You can't see our porch! Bandit is up to his belly in snow :).

Hailey and I are both ill, we went to the clinic on Sunday morning to find out we both have bad Sinus Infections (and I thought she was just teething - oops!).

Also - I just realized two things in talking to my Grandma this morning:

1 - if you have been trying to reach us at home and not getting an answer or the machine, it is because someone unplugged the phone line! I just realized it this morning - but apparently it has been a problem for a few weeks.

1 - If I haven't already told you, now you will know - I broke my foot - AGAIN. This is the fourth time in four years. We don't know how, it just started hurting one day. I have a stress fracture and am in a walking boot.

Hailey is working on more words! She is very good with "Up". She is also trying out: on, off, open, all done, all gone and drink (which sounds like dink).

Ok, I think that's all! I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year!

DC 2009

We spent the last 5 days of 2009 in DC visiting our very good friends, Kathy, Peter and Claire (who is 2 and ADORABLE!).

Unfortunately Hailey started getting sick on Wednesday - which I thought was just teething (she is working on upper molars). Unfortunately more than teething!

Poor Baby! Kaelin and Claire playing doctor.

Claire in the pool in our hotel.

Daddy bouncing the girls up and down - They LOVED it!

Hailey riding around the pool on Daddy's back.

Kathy, Peter and Claire at the Air and Space Museum.

Justin and Kaelin at the Air and Space Museum.

Kaelin flying a plane at the Air and Space Museum.

Justin went out with Peter several times to see the Capital Building, The Mall, The Washington,Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, Arlington Cemetary, and other memorials...but it was too cold to take the kids out, especially with Hailey feeling icky. We hope to go again when it is warmer this year!