Allergies, Eczema, Earaches, and Asthma?!?

"OK, really they have what?"

Well, as many of you already have heard about our visit to the doctors office yesterday afternoon it was eventful to say the least. Mommy wanted to take both of us in, because we have had a runny nose and a cough for too long so she wanted to make sure it wasn't anything to worry about. Well... She and Nana (our Nana came along to lend a extra hand at the office) were very shocked to hear the prognosis...

James has allergies. Seasonal, allergic to pets, dust? Who knows! Those would have been excellent questions to have asked , but Mommy's brain froze (Mommy guilt #1). So James has to take a little medicine before bedtime and that should make him feel better and dry up his little nose.
Next, it was my turn. Dun, dun...

First, the doctor looked in my ears and said I have an ear infection in the right ear (Mommy guilt #2). I guess my signals were not as obvious for Mommy and Daddy to have noticed. The doctor said all I have to do is take some antibiotics 2x a day for 10 days and that should clear it up. No problem!

Then, the doctor listens to my chest, and continues to move the cold, circular metal thingy around to have a better listen. Then, he looks up and says "I think she could have Asthma." (Mommy guilt #3) Well, I have no clue what that means other than it could be related to a "ma" of some sort. I looked at my Mommy and Nana and they both looked stunned. The doctor wanted to try a breathing treatment in the office to see if it would break up the airways a little so that he could rule out Asthma for the time being. He said he usually gives his patiences two free Wheezes before diagnosing Asthma. So, the nurse came in with that breathing mask contraption and boy I wanted no part of it! After, the nurse and my Mommy wrestled with me for awhile, it was finally over and the doctor took a second listen to my lungs. He said there was no improvement, "she has Asthma." So, after my Mommy was told all of the directions that are needed for my daily treatments (don't worry she had him write down all of the medications and directions, because her brain was now having a meltdown), there was one more thing that I needed to have checked. I have had little red patches of skin in the folds behind my knee that we didn't know what was causing them. Well, those are called another scary word, eczema (Mommy guilt #4) . Mommy has to put some special cream on those red areas and then they should go away in no time.

So, that's that in a nutshell. Mommy has begun deep cleaning James room from top to bottom. She will begin tearing up my room as well. Mommy said she wants the house as dust free and germ free as possible for the time being. So, we will go back in a week (it will also be my 9 month check-up) to see if there is any improvement in all or any of our aliments.

See Mommy, it really isn't that bad! OK, but seriously five times a day! That's asking a bit much!

Playdate with Good Friends

This is my "buddy" Ryan (Daddy is not to keen on the title "boyfriend" just yet, I have to be in my thirties to have a boyfriend!). It may not look like it, but I am 6+ months older than Ryan. Yet, we are only a 1 pound different in weight! Ryan's mommy wasn't kidding, he really is a big boy! I really got a kick out of his way cool wrist rattle, thanks for letting me bat at it Ryan!

Hey Ryan, I wonder what this key is for? What do you think?

Cheese!!! We had a lot of fun playing inside and outside during our play date. Thanks for spending the afternoon with us. We can't wait to visit your house next time! See you soon!

"Umm, Mommy? She's invading my personal space, HELP!"

Memorial Day Parade

This was our first time seeing a parade and boy it sure was fun!
We saw cool planes doing all sorts of neat tricks in the sky. James was super excited to see the airplanes fly so low over us! He kept yelling "Airpanes!!! Airpanes!!!
Our Nana, Papa Bob and Uncle Luke watched the parade with us. They had a great time seeing all of the floats and people in the parade too!
Just one of the many, many things we saw. Some of the things were bands, dancers, tractors (again one of James' favorite) silly little cars, old fashioned bicycles and much, much more!
Wow! Daddy Big Tractor!!! Awe Cool!!!

Oliv-ve-A!!! (Olivia) As you can see Olivia was just as excited to see James and he was to see her in the parade! Great Job leading the band, Olivia!

Even though it may not look like I am enjoying the parade, I really had fun! Mommy thought I might get a little frightened by all of the loud sounds coming from the parade, but nothing seemed to bother me at all! I guess I am a big girl now!!!

The cRaZy Magic Carpet riders!!! They were so much fun to watch!

Here are some of the silly little cars! They were playing follow the leader.

We really had a great Memorial Day! Mommy will be posting the rest of the pictures from swimming at Grandma Judy's and Papa's house soon! We hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!

Hit the Road James!

Beep! Beep! Look Out!

Here I come!!!

Hey mommy! Do you want a ride?

April Showers Bring May Flower?

First, James is adding the ever important soil to his little flower pot.
Then, we added seeds and sprinkled some water on top.
So here's the before...
And a week afterwards.

James has a green thumb after all!!!

Laundry Day!

Friday was Laundry Day.

Nothing like folding a few loads while sitting in the basket!

So cute!

Hey James! Who turned out the lights?!

MOMMY!!!!

Bubble, Bubbles and more BUBBLES!

Uncle Jim visited us today on his day off. We had a lot of fun playing in the backyard. Mommy decided that it would be a great day to bring out all of the bubble wands, bubble makers, and other bubble thingies. My piggy bubble blower wasn't working, but Uncle Jim fixed it for me. See how many bubbles it can make?! Thanks for coming to visit Uncle Jim!!!

Mommy has been very busy lately, therefore she has fallen behind on the blog. Here is a very quick recap of the last weeks events. First, Amelia and I went to Nana house for the day on Thursday so Papa (Grandpa Pete) could take mommy on her Mother's Day shopping spree. They had a terrific time together and Mommy was thrilled with all of her new outfits! Then, the weekend was another crazy one for us. First, we went to our Auntie Shell's 50th birthday party, it was Amelia and I's first surprise party. We had a great time seeing all of our family together and Auntie Shell sure was surprised! Then, Saturday morning my mommy finished working on a Noah's Ark baby shower cake, that almost sank in the ocean! No fear, Daddy and Mommy put their thinking caps on and they were able to save the cake from disaster. After, we delivered the cake we headed to my Nana and Papa Bob's house for a big multi-birthday celebration. We celebrated Auntie Annie, Uncle Luke, Auntie Rita and Nana's birthdays. It was so much fun playing with everyone. I got to ride on Nana and Papa Bob's new tractor, went for a pony ride and played with Auntie Rita's dog Willis. It has been a while since we have had everyone together, it was a lot of fun! Then, Sunday Daddy made us a yummy breakfast and we had sometime to play around the house. After our naps we headed to our Uncle Chris' farm and celebrated his birthday. I had so much fun running in the newly planted corn fields, throwing rocks in the creek and seeing all of his farm animals. Grandma Judy took so great pictures of us and some of Amelia since this was her first time out on the farm. We also got to see the cutest newborn kittens and piglets that you have ever seen! Mommy was tempted to take a kitten home with us, but she quickly reminder herself that a cat in the house is not going to happen for a long time, if ever! As, you can imagine our Monday was rather quiet around the house, we needed to catch up on our missed naps. Hopefully, Mommy will get some pictures of the parties and the farm soon and she will post them on the blog (our camera's discs are all full, go figure!).

1,2,3 Strikes Your Out!

Today, Uncle Jim spent the afternoon with us. As you can see he was helping me hit the ball rather than hitting the tee!

"Ok, keep your eye on the ball!"

Watch out Mommy, I hit a home run!!!

Thanks Uncle Jim for having lunch and playing with us today!

Daddy's Helper

Time for work...

and time for play!

243 DAYS OLD

Amelia is 8 months old today. She is getting bigger every day. She is very quick at rolling over, especially if she wants to get something. Amelia sits up very well and is able to pick up things without falling on her face! She is working hard at making new sounds and using baby babble, James gets a kick out of her squeals and "gremlin" like sounds. Also, our baby girl is trying so hard to scoot forward. She knows her feet have a bigger role to play in her mobility and that they are not just for sucking on! No teeth, yet! Although, we think she is getting some soon. A new source of entertainment is watching Amelia give everyone the raspberries, silly little girl!

Yes, I know the video is very dark. This is my first trail run, I should get better at it soon. Amelia is holding her pink pacifier. She loves to gnaw on it! In the last photo she has her death grip on it again.

Happy birthday Baby Girl!

We love you!!!

MS Walk 2008

Today our family joined hundreds of others on a 3 mile walk for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Our dear friend Hailey's mommy was recently diagnosed with MS and we wanted to show our support for her and their family. As you can see it was a beautiful day for a walk! Everyone enjoyed the morning outside while breathing in all of that fresh spring air.

James and Amelia enjoyed most of the walk in our new jogging/bike stroller. During the last leg of the walk James wanted to stretch his legs and walk with the rest of us.
Lauren and Hailey had a good time holding hands while sitting on their Dads shoulders. How Cute!
We made it!!!

70 Degrees and Lovin' It!

The girls are swaying on the swings...
The boys are slippin' down the slides...

But wait! Where is Nana and Mommy???

Nana was playing at the park with everyone too, she took a moment to snap a few pictures for Mommy. Mommy took a detour to a Garage Sale that was on the way!!! She just can't resist a good garage sale!

Awe!!! How cute are they?!?!?