18 Months Old

I have officially hit the Toddler Days. I turned 18 months old over the weekend and it feels great. I am not so sure how it feels to Mom and Dad, but to me, it is a lot of fun. Now that I am 18 months old, I am up to a lot! Here are some things that I am up to . . .

FAVORITES:
*Watching Yo Gabba Gabba and Dora on television
*Playing with my baby dolls and feeding them
*Playing in my Dora tent
*Climbing on everything
*Chasing Dad around the house
*Playing with toilet paper (don't ask)
*Opening and closing doors
*Sweeping the kitchen
*Helping Mom load the dishwasher
*Singing and dancing
*And much, much, more

MILESTONES:
*Running
*Climbing
*Talking all the time - I know lots of words and can repeat almost anything
*Telling Mom and Dad when I pee or boo-boo in my diaper
*Sitting on the potty (although no action yet)
*Talking on the phone
*Feeding myself with a fork and spoon




These are the only things we can think of right now but I am sure there is more. I am a busy toddler, always getting into things, wanting my way, and trying to get away with things! The real fun has begun!

What a Weekend

I had such a blast this weekend that I refused to go to sleep last night. Yes, refused. I screamed, snotted on myself, pulled my hair, plugged my nose, everything I could not to go to sleep. Since I had been sick, going to sleep was so easy, I wanted to go to sleep, get some rest because I was well on my way to recovery. Now, well it is a different story. I have so much fun playing that I can't stand going to sleep.

This weekend was too much fun because last night, I WAS NOT GOING TO SLEEP! This weekend was my cousin's birthday party and as you can imagine, there were lots of other kids for me to play with. We played dress up, we ran around, played blocks, watched cartoons, played Geotracks, and just had an all around good time! So much fun that I crashed the entire drive home. It was a Monster truck theme, which I do not know much about, but it was fun nonetheless because I got to play until I just fell out!

Mom and Dad just gave up on the screaming and no sleep antics last night and let me go until I crashed. I felt it this morning though because I was quite the grumpy bear! I didn't want to get up, get dressed or do much of anything. Once I got to school though, I cheered up when I saw my friends. It turned out to be an okay day. I am trying to decide now about tonight?

Back in Action . . . But Slowly

This is a picture from my last day in the hospital on Saturday and I was looking the best I had in about a week, but still pretty rough huh? I am slowly making my way back into the action and fun that I love to have. But the last week was a whole lot of action but absolutely, positively, NO fun at all!

To bring you up to date . . . On last Tuesday, Mom and Dad took me to the doctor because I woke up with a fever and just not feeling good. I was irritable and just wanted to be left alone. The doctor said that I had flu-like symptoms and put me on two antibiotics and ear drops. The problem was that I would not eat or drink and definitely wouldn't take any medicine, therefore, I was not getting any better. This was actually causing me to get worse by the hour. Mom and Dad tried every way possible to get me to eat or drink or take my medicine all day Tuesday and even Wednesday morning. When they still couldn't get anything down me on Wednesday morning, we all kind of knew what was coming next. Mom called the doctor's office and talked to a nurse but we had already tried everything she suggested. The doctor told us we needed to go to the Emergency Room immediately. So that is exactly what we did. Mom packed a bag of everything we might need, from a change of clothes, to dolls, to my portable DVD player with movies.

Once I got to the ER, they quickly wanted to poke me. It was the most horrible experience ever! It took four different people to try to get a vein to get that IV in. We all knew I needed it to get some blood for tests as well as just get some liquids in my system. After many attempts, screams, and crying from both me and Mom, the IV was in and the liquids had begun. All I wanted to do was to sleep, I was so drained. When the tests came back, it showed that my white blood count was up sky high and the doctor was a bit freaked out. He said that it was going to be at least two days for me to stay because they had to see my blood levels come down.

After several hours, they finally moved me to my room in Pediatrics section of the hospital. Although this was a little better than the ER, I still did not enjoy it. That evening, they came for more blood, this time cultures. I guess that we are glad that they did these, even though it hurt, because they found out the real problem-I had a strep infection that had gotten into my bloodstream and was pretty bad off. At this point, Mom and Dad just wanted me to get better. Mamaw "flew" up that evening to help out and comfort me and Mom and Dad. It was a huge surprise for me to see her and I perked up for the first time that night.

They continued the IV liquids and now added an antibiotic to attack the infection. After four days of many pokes, temperature checks, antibiotics, liquids, and checks, I was able to come home. I had two bottles that day and that was the best since Tuesday morning. I was so happy to get that IV out of my arm. Mom, Dad, and Granny were there to support me and it did hurt, but it was a good hurt. The doctor sent me home with antibiotics and we were instructed to come back for a check-up on Tuesday.

That is the VERY condensed version but I am happy to report that every day, I am feeling a little bit better. I have been taking my medicine (I think MOm is slipping it in my food and drinks to be sure after this scare) and eating a little at a time. Today, I even had half a piece of pizza so I think my appetite must be coming back. I am still pretty weak and tired but I have to say that being home is helping. I am a cuddler and like to fall asleep with Mom or Dad now but I think they probably don't mind considering all I have been through lately.

I have my doctor's check-up tomorrow to follow-up on how I am improving. We will certainly keep you posted but I know it will be good news. Everyone was great and I had a lot of support.

Still sick . . .

Wouldn't you know it? I am still sick. I am feeling better but still have quite a cough and runny (I mean waterfall) runny nose! I have been giving Mom and Dad a super hard time taking my medicine and gag as soon as it touches my tongue. They tried explaining to me that I am not going to get better soon if I do not take it, but I guess they forgot they are dealing with a one year old. And a very head strong one year old at that! So today, Dad rearranged some things and worked it out so that I could stay home one more day and try to get over my cold. I am doing better, the cough is better but just waiting for this runny nose to go away. While I was out for the day, I thought I might get some work done . . .



(more like Dad was trying and I took over when he walked away-as you can see, I don't look so hot!)

Happy New Year

We had RSVP'ed, I had the cutest outfit to wear, and was ready to enjoy NYE at a family friendly party with Mom and Dad! Until ... I woke up Thursday morning with a cough and runny nose. I had been fine but as the day went on, it became clear to us all that I was not getting better! So a change of plans ... NYE with Mom and Dad, some pizza and movies! It's ok though cause I loved being in my pajamas! I got to stay home play, play, play, and watch the snow! Not too bad. Today, it is cheering The Ohio State University football team on to a win so we will have fun in our house :)

We all also made our resolutions and here are mine:

1. Ditch the bottle! (I know, I know, it's only in morning and before I go to bed)
2. Lose the pacifier (I'm only using it when I'm sleepy)
3. Learn to potty (I already can say when I go)

Happy New Year and make it the best! Lots of love. . .

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed

Whew! There is no other way to start! What an amazing Christmas! I enjoyed time with family and friends and celebrating an amazing holiday.

It all started on Wednesday night when I got to open up some gifts from Mom and Dad. They thought it would make traveling a little easier if I opened my Yo Gabba Gabba DVD and my new magna doodle. I love them both. Then it continued with my Godbrother and his mom. We had dinner and exchanged gifts. They got me my very own shopping cart to go with my kitchen I love to play with. They also got me an Elmo purse-it has a compact, lipstick, change purse, etc. All just my size. It was a nice night.


Very early the next morning, we were off to spend time with Daddy's family. On Christmas Eve, we went to dinner with my Grandpa and my Uncle P. It was fun times and Grandpa gave me a great gift card that I cannot wait to spend! The next morning was the big day! I woke up and got to open more gifts and celebrate with Mommy and Daddy, Granny, Uncle C, Grandpa O, and V. I got two baby dolls that coo and make noises. One needs her paci or her bottle to soothe her and the other needs her blanket. I also got my very own potty! I have begun to tell Mommy and Daddy when I poo poo so they thought it would be a good gift for me. I also got a fishy lamp, Dora book and music player, and Dora doll. Later that afternoon, we were headed for family dinner where we got to see the rest of the family. You will never believe that when I got over there, I got a Leap frog ABC caterpillar, a play lawn mower, huge pink teddy bear, two book sets and an outfit. I would say that I did ok and it wasn't over yet! We had to leave family dinner to drive back home, where we were hosting Christmas with Mom's family.


On Saturday morning, Mommy and Daddy got up to start preparing for Family Brunch with Mom's family. They did a great job and put out a nice spread, thanks to the help of the great new griddle Mamaw and Papaw gave Mom and Dad. Once everyone got there, we enjoyed brunch. We had an adult table, girls kid table, and boys kid table. It was pretty fun! After brunch, we had a blast opening the mountain of gifts that Mamaw and Papaw brought, as well as my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Wow, there were people and gifts everywhere. Dad captured some shots of all the fun. I got so much stuff that I am sure that I am forgetting something but here are some of the things: baby doll, baby doll accessory set, caterpillar ride on, cabbage patch doll, Tinkerbell DVD, Dora cards, shoes, teapot set, Dora backpack, Little People school set, extra Little People, Dora tent and tunnel, my size tricycle, Dora doll, Little People car set, and a gigantic stocking filled with all kinds of other goodies! Wow, what a day. The next day we went to hang out at my aunt and uncle's house who also live here. It was fun, they did a great job on the food. My favorite was the cookies. We played so much that I forgot to take a nap until 6:00pm! Yes, that is so late. So Mom and and Dad were worried I would never go to sleep. I did, but it was late. There was just too much excitement.


Today, I have just been non-stop in playing with all of my new items. I cannot believe how good I was treated this Christmas. I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and we are looking forward to a wonderful New Year!

Christmas Photos

Mom had the wonderful idea to get the Christmas photos of me and the family this weekend. Well I really wasn't up for it so I was not the most cooperative but I think somehow Mom managed to get some pretty good ones. I think that from being sick this week, I wasn't quite ready to jump in some tights and nice dress but we did it anyway! Mom was on a mission and well when Mom is on a mission . . . enough said!

Check out some of them . . .