ENT

Well first – not a one of these pictures has anything to do with the ENT, but since I took the pictures this week and we went to the ENT this week – it made sense in my head that they should go together.

We are officially scheduled for tubes on Friday, April 27^th and this is one happy momma! Including this week’s diagnosed ear infection, we’re on #8 {and I’m just praying we don’t have any more between now and then}.

There wasn’t much to the appointment, except waiting in the waiting room for an hour and fifteen minutes before we were called back. That means I sat with a 10-month old in my lap for over an hour trying to entertain her. At that point, anything in my purse was free game if it would keep her occupied. Apparently, my wallet did the trick and she was mesmerized with that thing. We ate puffs, played with a doll, waved and growled {don’t worry – it’s a very happy growl} to a couple other kids that came into the waiting. I am always ultra-paranoid about having my baby be “one of those kids” that screams and yells and pitches fits in public. But, all in all, I was very proud of how my little patient acted.

Once we saw the doctor, all he said was that based on the number of infections that she has had, he definitely felt like she would benefit from tubes. He explained a few things and then the nurse came in with the calendar. And that was that.

I’ve heard so many encouraging stories from other mom’s whose babies had tubes in their ears, so I’m not worried a bit about this. I’m just so excited for my little girl to be out of pain!

Bluebonnets

The Bluebonnet is the Texas state flower so this time of year they grow freely. For years now, I've seen people go and take pictures in the Bluebonnets with their families and I was so excited this year to join in the fun!

I’m very new at taking pictures with a DSLR and am hoping to go to a class at some point to learn more and better my skills {either that or pester my photographer friends into teaching me a few things}. I don’t have a desire to photograph on a professional level, but I would love to be able to capture memories and know a little about what I’m doing with my camera.

That being said, these are straight out of the camera {since I also have not yet mastered Photoshop} and my little turkey was way more interested in EATING the flowers than posing in them. 

My parents met me there because it really does take a village, people. Stella is on the go all the time! We definitely got a few good shots. And, being the biased mom that I am, I think they turned out pretty perfect!

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter weekend, despite Stella being sick. I worked from home on Friday since the daycare was closed for Good Friday. Luckily, Stella was a very sleepy girl on Friday and she took some lengthy naps throughout of the day. There were other times where she played in her play pin {or peeked over her play pin at me}.

Friday evening my parents came over. They had to have their dog, Sally, put to sleep after she had a stroke. We had Sally since I was in seventh grade and picked her out at the animal shelter. So it was very sad, but she had a good, long life {she actually had two years longer than we thought since I "lost" her while dog sitting for my parents when they were in Georgia over Christmas in 2009 - miraculously two weeks later she was found}! I was already cooking a pot roast in the crock pot on Friday and planning to make Pioneer Woman’s smashed potatoes, so it was no problem to have my parents join in for dinner that night, as well.

Then, Saturday, Stella and I picked up my mom and went to see the Easter Bunny! I’m not gonna lie, that guy is a little creepy looking. Stella did really well {i.e. she didn’t burst into tears when she saw him}. We never could get a real smile out of her, but we got the best shot we could! Plus, there was a small farmer’s market at Firewheel where I was able to pick up some onions, corn, and green beans!

Stella went and napped over at G-Mommy’s while I got a pedicure {I picked a purple polish to match the pastel purple and green outfits we were coordinating for Easter} and made a Target run {the Easter Bunny was not going to visit unless I made a quick shopping trip!}. As soon as I got back to my parents house I could tell my little sweetie wasn’t feeling real good. My mom thought she felt hot, plus she had a runny nose and her eye was swollen. Sure enough she had a 102.2 temperature when we got home, so I just tried to make her comfy and love on her {which isn’t hard for me, but she is the opposite of cuddly}. My sister in law and brother in law came over for dinner that night and we just hung out and had some good “catch up” time. I kept hoping and praying that Stella would feel better on Sunday morning since it was her first Easter.

As soon as Stella woke up on Sunday I knew she was still running a fever. It was a little over 100, but high enough where I didn’t want to expose any other kids to her at the nursery. So, we cancelled our breakfast plans with my parents, sister, and brother in law. Stella and I watched the church service on-line and Blake went to the early service. Stella also played for a little while with the presents she got for Easter. I won't go into detail on how disappointed I was to have to miss church, especially on Easter, and especially on Stella's first Easter.

I was 99% sure that she had another ear infection (this will be her 7th  - but the ENT couldn’t get us in for 6 weeks so we we were having to wait until April 26th). Her fever got better and she was acting  happier, so we decided to go over to Blake’s grandparents for lunch and an Easter egg hunt. Since they only live a few miles away I knew I could take Stella back home quickly if she started to get fussy again. We had a wonderful lunch and it was so nice spending time with family. Even though we live so close, I never feel like we get enough time together.

We spent the rest of the afternoon being lazy and watching the Master’s {yay, Bubba!}. The only time my baby girl has EVER laid her head on me was her last ear infection when she ran a fever. She is the most independent little thing and although she does want me constantly close to her, she’s not one for cuddles or even sitting still. So, when she laid her head on me yesterday, I KNEW she wasn’t feeling herself. Like I mentioned earlier, I am so very ready to get these tubes in her ears because I know she’s so uncomfortable with all this ear pain and I feel so helpless. The last ear infection we had to go to the doctor 3 days in a row for antibiotic shots since the oral antibiotics were no longer strong enough.

  

 

All in all, we had a fantastic Easter weekend remembering that the true reason for celebrating is that Jesus Christ died for us and He is risen!

Stella Update - we went to the doctor today and it is another ear infection. She's on some very nasty tasting antibiotics {according to the doctor AND pharmacist - I'm going to take their word for it} that she has to take 3 times a day. He said he did not want us to wait to get into the ENT so he referred us to an ENT that can get us in for an appointment this week. So, I'm praying that by the time this infection clears we can have the tubes put in right away.

Tornado

This past Tuesday, storms came through the DFW area. I kid you not, I probably have a dream about a tornado at least once a month. So, I may be a tad overdramatic when it comes to tornado-producing-storms. Luckily, we had no damage and are all safe, but I had to share this sweet picture of Stella while we were hiding out in the bathtub. She was really enjoying playing in the tub with all the pillows and lack of water!

Stella's First "Ride"

Last week we put Stella on a horse for the first time. There’s really no good excuse why we have four horses and she’s JUST now getting to sit on one. Stella loves animals – dogs, cats, horses, anything. She smiles and giggles at them. I am vowing to get a puppy soon {not that we need a third dog or anything}. But, she must get it from her mama, because I’ve always been an animal person, too.



First we made introductions...



She wasn't too sure about being on this big animal...

Then, she started to warm up to him...



Ride 'em Cowgirl!

We went to check on the steers, who, I’m happy to report, are all doing well. They’ve settled in so nicely and really have taken to their new home. My dad met us out there, since 10 of them are his, and walked around the pasture with us. Stella babbled the whole time - she absolutely loves being outside!

G-Daddy and Stella

Then, I got to give my horse some loving! Cadillac is truly the sweetest horse you'll ever meet. He's always the one that comes up to the gate to greet you and he will literally following you around like a puppy dog!

{Cadillac following Blake around}



{Me getting in my lovin'}



{Sweet boy}



Cousins Play Day

Last Saturday Stella and I went over to play with Carson and Allie. Carson and Allie are second cousins to Stella. Blake’s cousin, Heather, and I have been wanting to get the kids together for such a long time, but it seems like every time we would make plans one of the kids would be sick or not feeling well. So, we finally got to hang out!

Carson and Allie have a ball pit that Stella just loved! Stella truly loves her cousins! She is such a social butterfly and I love that she loves playing with other kids!

Carson and Allie also had a sand box – it was so cute seeing Stella put her feet in the sand for the first time! I’m getting such good ideas on some toys for my little girl!

And they had this fun swing on their porch!

I’m so thankful to have Heather, Carson, and Allie to spend time with and we look forward to many more play days ahead!

Blake's Baptism

What a wonderful way to start our Easter weekend - the most important weekend in history, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

I cannot even begin to describe how proud I am of my husband. When God brought us together several years ago I never could have imagined all the work that he would do in both our lives. It's been so amazing taking a front row seat to the awesome transformation that God has begun in Blake.

Over the last several months I have seen such an amazing change in the way Blake has been seeking after God. It's convicted me to seek and pursue God and get the passion back for my faith. Blake felt that he needed to be baptized again to symbolize the "line in the sand" from his past. Our Pastor asked if he could film Blake's testimony and baptism as part of a series after Easter. So, today Blake gave his testimony and was baptized. We were all there to witness this public declaration of his faith. All Blake's family as well as my family were there to share in this special, intimate moment.

I wanted to share a few pictures that I took, so I apolgize for some of the blurriness. The filming of the testimony and baptism will be shown in one of the services in the next few weeks. I'll keep ya'll posted as you can go to our church's website to see - http://www.northplacechurch.org/.