On the Mend

We followed up with a visit to the doctor again today because Peyton has started to look like a little puffer fish.  I checked on her a few times last night to make sure her airway wasn't swelling the way the rest of her is.  Her skin is tight, red, blotchy and we won't be putting her on amoxicillin again any time soon.  The doctor felt like it was likely a reaction to her medication.

On a good note.....She was smiling tonight, she crawled around on her own without clinging to anyone and she went to bed without a fuss. 

Now, if Libby will stay in her bed tonight....  She screamed for me in the middle of the night last night.  This isn't typical, so I went and got her.  What we pieced together today (we think) is that she may have had a nightmare about the Easter Bunny.  She really doesn't like the Easter Bunny.  Anyway, she slept with us from 1 till about 4.  Elbows in our sides, knees in our back. At one point she laid on my head and said, "I love you, Mommy."  When Peyton woke up at four I fed her then put both girls back in their own beds.  Including the three hours in our bed, Libby slept 14 hours last night.  I really can't complain.

It's good to feel like we're on our way to being healthy again. 

The ER on a Saturday Night

Ugh.  Yep, you read that right.  Last week while we were in Bend Peyton saw a doctor who prescribed Amoxicillin for an ear infection.  Then, on Friday we followed up with a visit to our own doctors office, but not our own doctor, and her temperature was normal (or so they said), her ear on the mend. On Saturday her temperature was high, but it wasn't until just before bed that I took her temperature and it read 104.3.  I didn't think that could be right, so I took my own temperature with the same thermometer....98.7.  I took Peytie's again ...........104.  Shane and I were on the phone and he said, "I'll meet you at the ER."  

Have you been to the ER on a Saturday night?  Don't.  I'd not like to repeat it anytime soon. Though our nurse was great, I'd like to spend as little time as possible there.  They gave Peyton a mega-dose of Tylenol and Shane rocked her to sleep while Libby and I watched Dirty Dancing from the gurney in our private room.  Libby wanted cartoons, but believe it or not, Dirty Dancing wasn't as bad as the cartoons on at that hour.  Libby ate crackers and apple juice and obsessed over the frog that scared her with his croaking just outside the main doors of the ER. Peyton slept and her temperature quickly dropped.  We left at 12:30 with instructions to give Tylenol and Motrin as needed over the next few days.

Part 2:  

Today we have a rashy swollen little one.  This is almost identical to a reaction that Libby had at this age when she took antibiotics for an ear infection....sigh.  She is blotchy, puffy and generally not herself.  She can play independently for about 20 seconds before she looks for a leg to cling to and a shoulder to cry on.  I'll be checking on her more than once tonight.  We're hoping tomorrow will be better.

Our Little Conversationalist

Libby is talking up a storm these days.  We have conversations over meals, in the car and on our bike rides.  Today, after taking Peyton to the doctor we had lunch at Cafe Yum on the first floor of the hospital.  Then, we checked out the hospital grounds.  It was a beautiful morning and Libby loves the huge water feature in the front.  When we got there she wanted some money to throw in the water.  I gave her a penny and said, "Make a wish before you throw it in." 

Her wish just before she threw the penny....."Happy Birthday Daddy!"

A Day at the Beach

It was another (cool, but) gorgeous day here, and the weather report said clear skies at the coast, so this afternoon we headed for the dunes at Honeyman.

Libby listens to Annie on the way.  The headphones are so she can listen, and we don't have to. Shane looked back at her and said, "She looks so sad."  She's actually just concentrating on holding the headphones on her ears.  She always looks like this when she wears them.

Shane and Peyton share french fries from the golden arches before we unload.
"Grunny, wait for me!"  I don't know who was more excited.  But, I do know Grunden's got a speed avantage.
Shane and Peytie throw the ball for Grunny.  If you look closely, you can see Grunny swimming after his ball.
Look at that blue sky!  The sand was new to Peyton.  She tasted a little.
Libby climbs the hill.....
........and runs back down.
Peyton hangs on tight.  The wind was whipping, and I think she was a little nervous.  She wanted to be held most of the time.
Our littlest mover stood on her own tonight for about ten seconds.  I'm sure those seconds felt like an eternity to her.  She stood after her big sister (who shall remain nameless) took away the stool she was using to steady herself.  Oh, the look of surprise when she realized she was holding onto nothing!  I missed the moment with my camera, but I know there will be others.

Lessons From a Big Sister

Libby's got a lot to teach her little sister.  The latest lessons involve walking.....

Going too fast proves troublesome for Peyton...
Peyton gets help at mealtime when mom isn't looking.  Thankfully, it's a soft spoon.
Taking a moment of solitude....
Peyton fell asleep on our bike ride just before we got home.
Helping to empty the dishwasher is a new favorite.  Unfortunately, her skill isn't limited to the dishwasher.  She likes to empty the towel drawer and the rubbermaid cupboard too.

Easter Weekend

Happy Easter from our family to yours....  As I'm sitting here writing the girls are napping and I'm in the sun on the back deck.  Oh sun, I've missed you.

Peyton finds a new toy to play with.  She might have a little tomboy in her.

Libby works diligently at Grammy Pearl's roll top desk.  Julane and I played at this desk when we were little.  I wrote our names in the back of it.   I was busted because I turned my Js backwards.  A dead giveaway.
Libby decorates an egg on Saturday.  She wanted to taste the dye so we let her.  She liked it and wanted more.
Getting crazy with the boys.  Libby and Jayden ran wild all over the front yard while my mom and Jamison played (I think) a game of horse.
On Sunday morning we went to church with the Dovers and my dad and Grandma Margie. Then, Shane met up with us in time for brunch at the golf club.  This picture was taken after we ate but before the egg hunt.  Libby was ready, but when the Easter Bunny came out she wanted no part of that.  
Give me the go!
Peyton joins in the hunt.
Daddy is proud of his girls.
A family photo op.  These are harder to come by than you'd imagine.
Bubbles have become a before dinner tradition at Grammy Jane's house.  Check out those bubbles!
Peytie was all smiles balancing between the ball and the barstool behind her.  The first time she let go we all gasped.  We couldn't believe she could stand without holding on.  Then, we realized she was leaning against the stool behind her.  A little trickster.
On Tuesday as I was loading the car to go home my mom and the girls all piled into a box for some last minute fun.  How many grandmas do you know who'd pile into a cardboard box with two kids?  The blanket was the final touch on the fort.
Peyton stands for everything.  Two days after she started crawling she stood.  She's starting to let go with one hand.  It won't be long.....
Let me at 'em!

Happy Tax Day...

Wishing you well on this April 15th.  Look closely at Peytie's shirt.  May the day bring you a big fat refund.

Stay tuned for Easter pictures.  I've got lots!