13 Months Old

Here we are again!! I cannot believe that LeLe is continuing to grow so fast. She continues to amaze us as all of her accomplishments. At 13 months, she can walk/run anywhere. Her vocabulary is growing expenitially. She can now say a lot of words including: DaDa, MaMa, BoBo, this, that, wow, doll, ball, baba (baby), booma (boomer), wawa (water), thanks, eye, Matt, papa (pappy), hey, bye, lala (Aunt Laura and Lauren), didson (Adison), Hall (Hall Welborn), AuReaves (Anne Reaves), nana (Banana), nonut (donut), ight (light), and pretty much anything else you want her to say. She copies everything that she sees us do. She can point out almost all of her body parts and will find them on the babies and the dogs. She loves showing off her tongue when we get to that part. She won't keep a bow in her hair and still doesn't drink milk. She likes taking the lids off of her sippy cups and also enjoys pouring the drink out. That obviously is a trick that we don't necessary care for her to have. She has even taught a little boy at school to take his lid off too! She is a very happy baby and loves telling everyone "hey" as they walk by her. She keeps us on our toes very much! Her name "Hurricane" is still very accurate.

Another Doctor's Appointment

This morning, LeLe was still acting fussy and sick. Pappy called around 11:00 and said that he had been diagnosed with the flu. Since LeLe saw him yesterday and still isn't acting right. I called the doctor and they wanted to see her at 2:00. LeLe actually let me read her books! This is very unusal considering she is normally too busy. Luckily, Lauren volunteered to go with me! She has been a huge help while Matt has been gone!

LeLe has broken out into a rash that is covering her chest and back. Dr Huie isn't sure if she is allergic to the Amoxicillin or if it is a virus. Her ear has cleared up so that is great and isn't what is causing the fever at this point. He recommended that we quit the Amoxicillin and that we continue to treat the symptoms of the fever. They tested her white blood count and her for the flu but both came back negative. So, no school for her tomorrow.

She was so ill that she wouldn't let me brush her hair. So, check out her bed head in these shots! She did weigh 21 lbs and 4 oz. So, she has gained a pound in less than a month. I am sure that chocolate milk (that she sometimes drinks) and the powdered doughnuts have contributed to this!

Horrible Friday!

Okay, maybe the title is a little harsh, but let me give you the rundown of my friday. Matt left early this morning to go to Little Rock Arkansas for work. I was looking forward to getting a lot of my sewing done while he was gone. I was going to run to my favorite sewing store, Thimbles, to pick up a couple more fabrics and a pattern for size 4 shorts. I got LeLe all ready. I decided not to put on makeup and just pull up my hair considering I was just running to the fabric store and then to Wal-Mart and most folks I know, would be at work. Did I mention that by the time LeLe got up at 10 and we got out, it was now around 11:30?

Anyway, so, I go to start the ole reliable Tahoe when it started choking to crank. I thought, well maybe it is just the battery, so I let it run a few minutes and then turned it off and cranked it again. This time, it was making a swishing noise. So, in a panic, I got in the car and started driving. I called Matt to see if he wanted me to take it to the dealership or if I should run it to Estes Warehouse Tires....but, by now, he is on the plane. I called dad to make sure that he was on standby in case I broke down on the side of the road. Luckily, I made it to the dealership with no problems.

When we got there, the service man thought it was a fuel pump so he decided that he should get me a rental car and keep the ole Tahoe. By this point, LeLe was very hungry and acted like she wasn't feeling so hot. She has had a runny nose for weeks but I am thinking at this point, it is just the time of year. So, finally, the Enterprise man shows up. Of course, he is some dude right out of college and has never installed a car seat. Since, he was overwhelmed, I decided to hand him LeLe while I unhooked the car seat. He hesitated and then held her like she had used the bathroom all over herself. So, I decided to grab her back and then try to get the blooming car seat out. Did I mention that I had about 4 bags of fabric to match for the spring clothes, along with other items that I was going to take back to places. So, the poor guy was a little overwhelmed. After I loaded up the Saturn trunk and installed LeLe's car seat, it was a short ride to the Enterprise place. When we arrived, we transferred everything over to an Envoy which took about 30 minutes with a screaming child. Where the dude says, madame, can I have your driver's license? I handed him my temporary license (that I have been carrying for a couple of weeks). He goes..Madame, this expired today and we cannot let you drive with an expired license. Have you received your new license? Of course, I think I have but where it is...is a very scary subject. I am hopeful, that it is back at the dealership. Dude takes me back to the dealership to search through my little wallet on my key chain...no luck. Then I start to panic and search the whole blooming Tahoe...not driver's license. So, I return to the Enterprise dude and inform him that he will have to take me home to search for it. When we arrived at the house, I ran inside and searched (what seemed like forever). Then I started freaking out...I had left my baby in the car with some random man from Enterprise! I inform the dude that he is going to have to leave me here and I will get someone to bring me back. So, we unload the 800 lbs of fabric and the car seat into the garage and dude goes back to work.

I call mother in a panic. Luckily, she isn't that far away and can take me to get a new license. We load LeLe up in the car and head to Greensprings where they renew license. I explain to the lady that my temporary license had expired and I have yet to receive my new one. Now, let's just say, she thought that I was crazy. She explained to me that she couldn't give me a new license unless I was sure that the other one was never received...and that it was against the law to have 2 license...blah blah blah. I finally said...look lady, I have a 1 year old and really wouldn't have come to the license place with no makeup and my hair pulled up unless I was desperate. So, she finally gives me a new one. Then she says...that will be $18.50 cash or check. Well, did I mention that all of my money was in my little wallet on my keys? Luckily, mom had enough cash to spot me. We left with my BEAUTIFUL new license (mother says that if I get killed, folks will think that I look better dead than alive in this picture).

So, Mom takes LeLe and me back to Enterprise to get the Envoy. I took out her car seat and LeLe and I were on our way. By now, it is like 2:30. LeLe is fit to be tied. So, we come home and she takes a nap. She woke up around 4:30 and we headed to meet Lauren for dinner. I went to see mom, then to the fabric store. While at the fabric store, I noticed that LeLe was unusually still and rather warm. When I got home, she was running a fever of 103.8! I called the doctor and was referred to the after hours clinic. Unfortunately, Kate wasn't working tonight. Lauren met me there to help with Hurricane that seemed to be getting worse by the minute. Our appointment was at 8:30. Finally, around 10:00 the doctor came in and informed us that it was a right ear infection. I knew it! I never should have said in writing that we haven't had an ear infection!! Anyway, we run by RiteAid (24 hour one) and come home....by now it is midnight and little Hurricane has yet to go to sleep.

Whew! What a day!

Camera and Doughnuts

Let's reminisce for a second, in June 2005, Matt and I took a trip to Africa. Laura was expecting Anne Reaves. I would call her via the satellite phone every evening to make sure that Anne Reaves hadn't arrived. We spoke right before we left Zimbabwye and everything was looking fine. Matt and I decided to tip our Professional Hunter our Canon Rebel camera. Let's just say, we didn't know that when we arrived in Atlanta (22 hours later) that Laura would be in labor with Anne Reaves. When we arrived in Birmingham, we went to meet Anne Reaves and then I ran to Best Buy to get another camera.

The camera has been excellent (we won't mention the fact that I gave Matt a really hard time when he originally bought it). But, tonight, the old faithful camera, died. Well, let me rephrase that...me bending one of the pins inside of the camera so now you cannot insert a CompactFlash card. What does this mean?? I means that I drive directly to Best Buy to swap out the camera. I know this sounds crazy, but I have very mixed emotions about the camera. I cannot believe that Anne Reaves is almost 4 and that this camera has been through so many exciting times. But, I didn't hesitate when they said 3-4 weeks on service...to pitch a fit and end up coming home with a new one. So, folks, this week, I have been testing out the new camera. Not many great shots as I am still trying it out...but, some you may enjoy!

LeLe loves powdered doughnuts! Let me say...I cannot blame her. Before I knew I was pregnant with her, I found myself walking around the grocery store eating them before I even paid for them! Anyway, I got tickled at her getting powder EVERYWHERE! Her favorite part is shoving the whole doughnut in her mouth and then trying to talk...blowing powder everywhere.

Dinner with Bobo and Pappy

Bobo and Pappy came over for dinner tonight. It has been a very long time since dad was able to come over. We were SO happy to have them. Of course, they brought Hoss too. LeLe absolutely loves Hoss. All she wanted to do is kiss him. I ended up giving Hoss a bath. It is alot different than giving my goldens a bath. I simply held him with one hand under the sink and rubbed in puppy shampoo with the other. Since he was cold afterward and we have yet to find him a sweater, mother blew him dry with the hair dryer and then I cut up one of my socks (to make him a sweater). It fit perfectly but we forgot to take a picture.

This little puppy reminds me very much of a baby shitzu. He has yet to cry in front of me. He is just a little joy. Matt grilled filets for dinner and they were absolutely wonderful. We have been getting our steaks from Mr. P's deli and they are fantastic. We very much enjoyed spending time with my parents as well and are very happy that dad is doing better.

Meeting our New Family Addition

On Friday morning, mother and I headed to Arab to pick up dad. He had been there all week long visiting with the his sister, Aunt Laura Jane and her family. He was surprised by them with a beautiful new calvachon puppy. The little guy is so TINY! My cousin, Corey, had gotten one previously and dad fell madly in love with Bernie. Bernie was such a hit that Laura Jane even got her one (named him Luther). So, mother and I got to visit with all of the new puppies.

Before we went to Arab, we visited mother's friend, Freda Richey. She was precious as always. LeLe loved her but didn't show many tricks. We had to hit JJ's Hamburgers on the way to Arab. I don't know what is so good about that place but everytime I visit Guntersville, I have to have a hamburger and their seasoned fries.

Anyway, Dad is estatic about his new puppy. Due to his size, he has named him "Hoss". LeLe enjoyed meeting all of her cousins and loved visiting with "Uncle" Corey and Aunt Laura Jane. Thank you Aunt Laura Jane and Corey for Hoss! In the picture with dad, Hoss is on the left and Luther is on the right.

Feeding Time

I cannot believe it!! LeLe fed herself tonight with a fork! Bobo has been working with her and you can tell. Tonight, we had chicken and broccoli noodles. LeLe LOVED the noodles and was using her fork to stab them and then cram them in her mouth. She is learning to walk very fast now and doesn't crawl much anymore. She still loves her big bear and her baby dolls. She now can say "doll" and has learned to hush the dogs when they bark. Oh me....I need to start correcting my language now.

Day with Family

Luckily, Lauren doesn't have school on Mondays. So, since I am off work, we often run around and do errands. This morning, she watched LeLe while Matt and I refinanced our house (at a wonderful rate). LeLe absolutely adores Lauren. We also found out today that LeLe LOVES powdered doughnuts. I was thinking that everyone has to drink milk with doughnuts....but NOT LeLe! Lauren and I made our Monday visit to Target but didn't find any treasures today.

Matt, LeLe and I finally got together for dinner with Hollie and Alex for our Christmas celebration. Since we love Sol Azteca, we decided to meet there (plus the fact that Matt and I are starting the Scale Back Alabama program tomorrow). Matt and I love spending time with them and had a wonderful time watching Alex get so excited. We also enjoy all of Alex's stories about his day, school, friends, etc. Thank you Hollie and Alex for meeting us for dinner!

When we got home, we pulled out LeLe's winter wardrobe since the temperature is finally going to get below 60! As you guys have already seen by her birthday shots, she is not keen on wearing hats. She hasn't figured out how to pull this one off though. Her other hats stayed on about 3.2 seconds. Stay warm my friends!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Laura and the girls came us yesterday to go to a 50th wedding anniversary for Lauren's grandparents (Nana and Papa). Since she was coming in town, we had to make a stop for lunch at Jim N Nicks and then make our usual rounds to all of the children's shops. For some of you who don't know, Lauren is the oldest cousin (after Laura and me) on my mother's side of the family. She has been a lifesaver to us on many occasions! Happy Birthday Lauren! We love you!

LeLe was so happy that her daddy is back home! Their ritual is for him to give her a bath after supper. Tonight, they spent extra time in the tub. He even made her hair into a mohawk!

1 Year Check-Up

Laura Elizabeth had her 1 year doctor's appointment today. I believe that Dr. Huie probably cringes when he sees me on the appointment list. If you know Dr. Huie, he reminds me very much of Mr. Rogers. He is very old fashion and straight to the point. He has a very calm voice (opposite of mine) and always makes me feel better. Anyway, I came with my list of questions as always (I have done this every check-up). I thought I would share with you guys in case you ever have the same questions.

As you know, LeLe DOES NOT like milk...not strawberry, not chocolate, not plain, not warm, not cold, not mixed with formula, not mixed with juice, not mixed with Ensure, not in a cup, not with a straw, not at all! The only way that I have gotten her to take more than 1 ounce is through her bottle that is now illegal! Which brings me to my first question for the ole doctor.

1. Bottle vs. Milk - Which one is more important? Her drinking milk through a bottle or her not drinking milk through a sippy cup? Dr Huie's answer - Milk through a cup even if in a minuscule amount is better than drinking a lot through the bottle. He mentioned that he had no problem with adding flavoring (chocolate, strawberry, etc) if it meant she would drink it. I explained that she has only drank 4 ounces one day and that was at school. Other than that, we live off of water.

2. Since she isn't drinking milk, should I offer juice? Dr Huie's answer - I am not a big fan of juice. It is full of sugar. Just make sure that she is getting enough calcium and fruit through her diet.

3. Formula vs. Milk - I explained to Dr. Huie, that LeLe will drink formula from a cup. Does it matter if she stays on formula a little longer until she acquires a taste for milk? - Answer - No, he doesn't have a problem with formula as long as it is not from the bottle.

I am not sure how much I have explained LeLe's obsession with throwing things. She loves to throw the ball. Which originally, we taught her and thought it was a fantastic trick. Until...she now throws her hairbow, socks, shoes, dolls, food, drink cup, etc....which brought me to the next series of questions.

4. What do we do when she starts throwing food? - His answer...take it away. Take the type of food that she is throwing away from her. Soon, she will understand that when she throws, it will be taken.

5. Since she very much enjoys throwing meat, how much meat does she really need? His answer - Meat is important. Just continue to offer it even if she doesn't even try it. He also mentioned trying to trick her into thinking it is something else. (I kind of laughed internally when he said this...we can't even trick her into drinking dang milk much less something she can see!)

I asked about the car seat. If you know Matt, he has become very protective of his little angel. One weekend we were in Costco when she was very small. This fireman came up and was going on and on about how wonderful her Peg Perego car seat was and then began to tell us about other car seats he recommended. We explained that we had the Britax Boulevard car seat...blah blah blah...leaving out the part that I picked it based on fabric. :) Anyway, he explained that the longer that we leave her facing backwards, the safer she will be. Well, LeLe is thanking him very much cause Matt would like to let her sit backwards the rest of her life!

6. At what point, does Dr. Huie recommend turning the car seat around? His response, it is based on the car seat recommendations. Most of the beginning at 1 year and 20 lbs. But, some folks do believe that leaving them facing backwards as long as possible is best especially for smaller children. So, what does this mean for LeLe? Pretty much nothing until we can convience dad that she is big enough to face forward. :)

Finally, we are so very fortunate to have a good sleeper. LeLe has slept in her room ever since she got off of the bili be when she was about 2 weeks old. Anyway, now she goes to bed around 8ish and on the days that she doesn't go to Mom's Day Out, she often sleeps until 10 or 11. Which brought me to my final question..Is this normal? His response - It won't last. So, until then, I promise you, I will continue to enjoy sleeping in!

We were VERY happy about LeLe's first year visit. She ended up getting 3 shots which she was not happy about. She was 30 inches tall (75 percentile) and 20 lbs 4 oz (a little less than 50 percentile). Dr. Huie stressed us keeping her safe since she is "an active" child. He was impressed with her vocabulary as she said "Hey" when he walked in the room. Then showed Dr. Huie how she can say "Doll" and then point out the doll's eye while saying "Eye" 10 times. When he was leaving she said, "bye" with her arm waving as fast as it could. I believe that she was happy to see him go but little did she know that the nurse was coming back to be the bad guy!

Thank you Lord for our healthy and happy angel!

Visit from the Welborns

Tonight, we had the Welborn family over for dinner. LeLe had the best time playing with Adison and Hall. They were so sweet and polite as always. We also exchanged gifts with them. LeLe loves her new babies!