New Wheels

Complete with driver.

January Babies

Emerson has a busy Birthday Party season every January. Some of her favorite people celebrate their birthdays this month and we can't think of a better way to spend our week-ends in January.

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBEKAH!!

Emerson's cousin turned 5 this year. We did not attend this party...not because we didn't want to, but because Rebekah lives in Canada and it's VERY COLD there this time of the year. We are warmblooded around here and don't think we'd tolerate the cold. We are excited that we get to see Rebekah in February when she comes to Texas for a visit.

2. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIE!!

Cassie turned 4 this year and had a great party at Inflatable Wonderland. With bounce-houses, pizza, movies, dancing and a Tinkerbell cake, it was a fun party.



Cassie is shy when the time comes for everyone to sing "Happy Birthday", so we got a picture of her and her brother, Taylor, sitting on the Dino.

3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER!!

Emerson's friend Parker turned 4 this month. We made the trek up to Austin to celebrate with Parker at her Tiny Tea Party. We got to see Parker's new house and meet Parker's new, very special birthday present, a sweet kitten in a pink bow.

4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAL RILEY!!

Michal Riley turned 5 this year and had super fun party at Funtastic Playland. There were lots of fun activities for kids of all ages. Emerson (and Mommy) got to see all our good friends that we have known for a long time. The best thing about Michal's party? The PINK cupcakes!

Hope and History

Yesterday, history was made; I think we can all agree on that, no matter what side of the fence we stand on. I think this image speaks volumes for the US as a nation and the Americans as a people. I am very proud to have participated in the process that brought this moment to fruition. If we as Americans can do this, then we can do anything! I choose hope.

Problem Solved

What's wet and wiggly and can hear?

Emerson has done really well since having the tubes put in her ears. She holds still for the trice daily ear drops and even holds the box that the little bottle of ear drops lives in when not in use while getting said ear drops. BUT she fights fights fights when it is time to wash hair. She is supposed to get fitted for ear plugs at her follow-up appointment with her ENT, Dr. H., but that doesn't happen until the 29th. In the meantime, I am doing the cotton ball/Vaseline thing, but it's not working. The cotton balls always fall out and she fights if I try to hold her ears closed. Have any of you ever tried to hold on to a slippery wet screaming wiggling toddler while rinsing hair and holding the ears closed? My third nurse hand is fairly well developed, but even I can't do this without both of us being reduced to tears. The other day, I considered just not rinsing the shampoo out of her hair. SERIOUSLY.
Other ideas I've had and already considered:
1. NOT washing her hair until the 29th, but I am afraid that her school may not let her back in after a few days of this.
2. Trying to recruit the cats to groom her hair, after all, they do their own all the time.
Any other suggestions anyone may have, please place in comment section. As you can tell from my other ideas, I'm getting desperate.

Like Aunt, Like Niece

Emerson had PE tubes placed in both ears today. She did awesome and we were home by 8:30am. Emerson's surgery was at the same place as last time. It is nice to have friends in the right places. Emerson hasn't had a lot of ear infections (5 in 2 years...not bad for a daycare child), but she chronically has fluid behind her eardrums. This has affected her speech to some degree. Her ENT, the wonderful Dr. H, said Emerson hears like she is underwater, everything is muffled and muted. This had caused problems with expressive speech. She talks all the time, jabbers away, but you can't understand much of it. Hopefully with the tubes, she will be able to hear better and her speech will improve.
Right now the girl is sleeping with her Dad and I am off to get her Rx filled. Then I may join them :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

After a lot of good ideas and some amazing surprises, we ended up having a great New Year's Eve celebration. Lets just say we took a 2 hour tour of San Antonio before heading home for the party. Amy, Alex and Angela were able to join us and ring in the New Year. We had some good food, good laughs, a champagne toast and two certain people of short stature shared a New Year's kiss. Emerson gave it the old college try, but was in bed long before midnight. However Alex was a trooper and was awake to say "Happy New Year" and toast with his milk!