Oh Soy, Oh Soy!!

I mentioned last week that AC's diaper rash was back. It still is. She has also been having some gastro issues (you don't want to know the details, trust me) for about a week. Yesterday I called the pediatrician and we saw her first thing this morning. The good news is it is not anything fungal. The bad news is Dr. Fang thinks she has a milk allergy. This milk allergy is causing her to skin to react (the diaper rash) and causing her to have digestion issues (inflammation of her large intestine). So, no more cow's milk for AC. Just like with her formula, she only gets soy milk. And soy yogurt. And soy cheese. Yummy.

On a happier note, we got new patio furniture yesterday. Late last night, Daddy took the enormous box it came in and made his girl a clubhouse. He and I were both so excited for her to wake up and see it. Kinda like when Santa comes!

She absolutely loved it. Take a look at how it looked inside when she went to bed tonight.

We also went back to the chiropractor. Daddy wasn't here to watch her and I had already rescheduled this appointment twice. I decided to take her with me and prayed that she would cooperate just enough for me to do the minimum. Thankfully there was a really sweet 9 year old girl there (who told me that AC was as big as a 3 year old and that I looked like a teenager...both of which I've been told before) who kept her busy. She was a complete angel. And she got her little back adjusted, too! It is quite funny to watch her when the chiropractor is feeling her spine. It must tickle.

Anyway, I'm hopeful that the soy will be the key to solving these mysterious issues she's been having. And I'm so very thankful that God chose to give this vivacious, loving, beautiful girl to us. She lights up every room, this girl. She's something special and she ours. How awesome is that!

Big Girl Drawers

Somebody got big girl under-roos (as Daddy calls them) today.

Hiding!

She's totally not ready for them. In fact, she peed in this pair not long after I took these pictures. I thought I would buy some and see how she reacted. Now I know.

I felt a little sad seeing her in big girl under-roos. She didn't look like my little baby anymore. I just hope she stays as sweet as she is now forever.

Dancing in the Rain

What's a girl and her mama to do on Rainy Day #2? Dance, of course!

FYI: She isn't wearing diapers while we are at home, which is the reason for the unbuttoned onesie. Potty Training Step 1 in progress.

Lots of curls=very high humidity!

This was a much needed break from an all-day attempt to clean out our garage! Sometimes, ok..most of the time, I wish I had a magic wand to fix our unorganized messes!

Happy birthday, Papaw! We hope you had a fantastic day!!!!!

Slow Weekend

Not much has been going on around here. We've been playing outside a lot and enjoying our time with Daddy over the weekend.

Here are the highlights:

1) AC drew all over the TV with a red crayon. Awesome.

2) She got a Ms. Potato Head and loves it!

3) AC and Daddy went to the chiropractor with me today. AC screamed bloody murder when the chiropractor started adjusting my back. Daddy had to take her outside and I could still hear her screaming, "MAMA!! MAMA!!" I guess she thought he was hurting me. It was funny and sad at the same time!

It's hot here, folks. Hot and humid. It's so humid that when you go outside, it feels kinda like the air is sitting on your shoulders. Not loving it...to say the least.

A House Divided

In just a short while, we will know which of these little outfits is the lucky one.

The Return of the Rash

The diaper rash is back. I'm so fed up that I hate even saying it. I spent a little time googling what to do for it and why it might be recurring. One website said that the only way to make sure that it goes away and stays away is to potty train your child. While I'm annoyed by the ridiculousness of this statement (not all babies with rashes are capable of using the potty yet), I'm going to do it. Yes, I'm buying a potty chair. I'm that sick of it. It may take a month or 6 weeks, but I believe she can learn. She has been showing signs of bladder control for a month now. My mom said that both my sister and I were using the potty before we were 2 years old. So, here we go! God willing, I'll have a 22 month old potty user!!

Today we had to run to the furniture store. AC scribbled all over my couch cushion with a black pen. I wanted to see if they would sell me another box of stain remover. No luck. I have to call the manufacturer. Before we leave to go anywhere, I let her select 2 toys she wants to take with her. She chose a ball (like always) and a purse. Little did I know that this particular purse contained a wad of brown play-doh. It wasn't until I was pinged in the back of the head while sitting a stop sign that I realized she had play-doh. And not only was she throwing it, she ate most it.

Look at that play-doh face. Disgusting, huh?

So, I'm taking suggestions for good potty chairs and techniques. And in the meantime, pray that this rash leaves us the heck alone!!!

The Beach

We haven't taken the time to go the beach since we moved to the new house. It probably seems crazy to live so close to the ocean and not go more often. The truth is that I've gotten used to everything (shopping, restaurants, entertainment) being so close that a 40 minute drive to the beach seems like a big hassle. The beach is only about 20 miles of away, but with all the traffic, it can take quite a while to get there. Well, this morning AC and I packed up the car and headed towards the water.

We didn't wear bathing suits. I knew she wouldn't want to get in the water. I was right. Only playing on the sand for us. She had fun but we didn't stay long. Taking a toddler to the beach is definitely a two-person job. After 20 minutes I was worn out. And besides, it was swarming with spring-breakers.

If any of you is in the need for a little sand and sun, come on down! We'll go to the beach everyday, if that's what you want!! AC would love it!

The Big 2-0!

As of this morning at 7:33, my girl is 20 months old. I can't even believe it. In just 4 short months, she will be 2. This is so hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday that I took this picture.

AC at 10 months old

Here she is today. Twice the age she was in the picture above.

I'm sad. If what people say is true, she will be 20 years old before I know it.

Bargains

Preface: Daddy took AC with him to Sherwin-Williams yesterday. She came back with only 1 shoe. The other shoe is M.I.A. forever.

AC and I headed to Old Navy this morning to buy a new pair of little silver flip flops. I am sad to report that they didn't have any silver ones. And you know I'm not going to buy the pink or purple ones with flowers/butterflies/sparkles, etc. I just can't do it. I'm not that desperate. Old Navy was a waste of time. However, T.J. Maxx wasn't. We left there with 5 outfits for AC for only $25. While not a complete steal, it was a good deal for me as I am not a bargain hunter. It stresses me out. Here's what we got.

All things from Carter's. T.J. Maxx is the best place to buy Carter's, in my opinion.

AC had to point out the eyes and mouth of the fish on the this dress.

In other news: AC is talking more and more each day. You must know how thrilled I am about this. Finally. It's like a switch has been flipped inside her little brain. New words this week:

mon = come on

wawa = water

yeah = yes

up = up

All her words:

Daaee = Daddy

Mama = Mama

nana = banana

ba = ball, box, or book

du = duck

bee = bread, Barney, or Buzz

wee = Woody

beer = bear

ra = rock

na = no

baaa = back

woof = dog

maow = cat

ride, ride, ride = horse

moo = cow

open = open

hi = hi or bye

ah nah = oh no

wow = wow

bia = yet to be determined, possibly Gracie

Another Video

Here is another video from yesterday while I was experimenting with Daddy's camera.

Dancing Monkey (& Girl)

I promised a video and am making good on that promise. Forgive me that it is only 8 seconds and of pretty poor quality. Little did I know when I purchased this fancy new computer that my video recorder isn't compatible with Macs. So we are improvising. Daddy's camera has a video option that is very easy to upload. It'll have to do.

About the video: Daddy bought AC a dancing monkey yesterday. She really loves it. She loves it so much that she likes to make it dance for LONG periods of time. I, honestly, want to chuck it out the window.

Enjoy. Oh, I had some issues getting it to play. I just kept clicking on it and messing with it and eventually it worked. It was most helpful to click in the area under the video that reads "0:00/0:00". Good luck!

Spring Has Sprung

Happy St. Patty's Day, everyone! I assure you that we all wore green today. No pinches around here. And guess what???? We have BABY ducks!!! Hello, Spring!

It was love at first sight for AC. Boy was she furious when I wouldn't let her grab one, but not nearly as furious as the mama duck appeared to be! They are so cute.

Hello, my girl! Love her and her spunky little pigtails.

Helping me water our flower.

My first girl. Love her, too.

And today, we are sending up prayers for this sweet lady. We love you, Robin, and are thinking of you.

One Year

I still miss her.

So today, one year later, I did things that reminded me of her. She use to make lemon cake. It was simple, but I loved it. I made my own this morning.

In the summer, she planted red geraniums. I went and got one of my own. It has a single red bloom.

I told my girl about this day. The last day we spent with each other.

And I spent a lot of time imagining what she would say today to this beautiful little great-granddaughter of hers. I hope we are making her proud.

I'm so very glad that she was mine. My Granny.

Terrific Tuesday

Today was a really good day around here. Nothing extraordinary happened. It was just a relaxed and upbeat day. This time change has thrown off AC's sleep habits a bit. You all know my girl goes to bed super early. Well, we've moved it back an hour because it is so bright outside at her bedtime. She is adjusting well. She woke up this morning ready to play. After breakfast, we ran to Home Depot, Target, and Publix. When we got home, she decided to play with her baby and stroller for a bit. Eventually, she decided she wanted to sit in Baby's stroller.

She didn't play this for long because the stroller quickly collapsed under all of her 30 lbs.

Then she decided to have a tea party with my new dishes. I bought 16 pieces of Corelle because it is virtually indestructible. And because I only have 5 pieces of my original set. I'm hoping my new Corelle lasts as long as my mom's has.

We also went to the park. She had so much fun. She found a friend that was about her size. She was so very sweet to this little girl. She gave her multiple hugs and kisses, helped her get off the slide, let her hold her ball, and told her a few stories. She is incredibly friendly and this makes me smile. She had a quick bath and then I had to go back to the chiropractor. So, Daddy fed AC her dinner and put her to bed.

The chiropractor said I have a reverse curve in my spine which causes it to be weak. I need lots of adjustments. Blah, blah, blah. When I got back I asked Daddy if AC ate her dinner without a fight. He proceeded to tell me that she didn't want it so he gave her yogurt and piece of bread. And she ate it, he said. Whatever works, right?

Sunny Saturday

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday way down here. As I mentioned yesterday, I started this day with an early trip to the chiropractor. I've never been before but Daddy made me an appointment after months of listening to me whine about neck and back pain. I honestly don't think I've been the same since I was about 7 months pregnant. Anyway, the chiropractor did a thermal scan of my spine to see where most of the tension/stress was. Here is a copy of the results.

Green is good (no tension). Yellow is mild. Orange is moderate. Red is severe. I was amazed at how accurate the scan was. Check out my neck. The top vertebrate is off the charts. And check out my lower back. Very interesting, I think. They also did x-rays, which I won't see until Tuesday when I go back. I'm very excited to see what is up with my neck and get it straightened out!

What were AC and Daddy doing, you ask? Well, some hardcore partying, it seems. Here's a small snapshot of the disaster in my house when I got home.

Later in the day, they shared one of those yummy banana pudding milkshakes from Chick-fil-A. She loved it!
We ended the day with a little Skype time with Nina, Papa, Meg, and Bennie! Now she's in bed and Daddy and I are about to start cleaning up all that mess. We love you all!

Friday's Favorites

It was a busy day for us. Gymboree this morning. Long nap. A few hours at the park. Out to dinner with Daddy. And now we are all ready for bed. Whew! That's a lot of activity for 2 girls that have been sick for last week. I should win an Olympic Medal for taking her to dinner. The girl is a busybody. It was all worth it though when she waved like Miss America to every single person we passed on the way out. She's a friendly one, this girl! Anyway, today is dedicated to all my girl's favorite things this week.

1) Uncle Bob and Aunt La! Thanks for the surprises! Each and every thing was a big hit!

2) Her new sippy cup. It's got a straw and a lid that she can open and close herself. I think it makes her feel like a big girl!!

3) "Moo, Baa, La La La!" by Sandra Boynton. Wouldn't you know that she loves the book with all the animals sounds! She likes all of Sandra Boynton's books, but this is, by far, her favorite.

4) Mama's bracelet. She LOVES this bracelet. I hide it all the time just to find her with it again. She puts in on her arm and pushes it all the way up to her shoulder. Then she gets frustrated because it won't stay there.

Well, we hope you all started your weekends off right. The weather here is amazing right now. Today was sunny and 68. I like to think that in Heaven, it is always 68 and sunny. Tomorrow will be busy for us. I have my first ever appointment with the chiropractor (that's a story for another day). Daddy has a football game. And there is a big community yard sale. We love and miss you all. Oh, and I'm still working on the video I promised. Hopefully tomorrow.