Another Daddy Update

Reading our favorite book - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Anyone who knows Daddy, knows he is quite unique. Now we have scientific proof of it! As you know, over the past couple of months, he hasn't quite been himself. It started with muscle weakness and progressed to numbness and tingling in his hands, trouble with one of his eyes, loss of balance...The initial probable diagnosis was Multiple Sclerosis, but after an MRI of his brain showed no spots, the mystery continued. More tests ensued including one that showed a spinal condition (most people with this have severe pain, but not Daddy) that needed immediate surgery. The doctors explained that the spinal condition could explain some of his symptoms, but not all of them, so the mystery continued. Now, we have received the results of the spinal tap, which shows...Multiple Sclerosis markers. It's great that he doesn't have the characteristic spots on his brain, but very atypical. Leave it to Daddy to do things differently! Now, we are exploring medication options to help minimize his current symptoms and keep new ones from developing. This has been/will continue to be a process, and Daddy has shown great patience...although he does have one hand ready to rip off the neck brace and the other hand holding his car keys...

Binky Bliss

I have mentioned before that I still like my binkies, and that hasn't changed. They are supposed to stay in my bed, but occassionally they find their way out of the bed and back into my mouth. I can sneeze, cough, etc...without losing it, but on this day, I showed particular talent, don't you think?

New Sippy Cup

Thanks, Daddy, for going under the knife so I could get this really cool sippy cup!

My Friends are in Town

Mommy and April

An Embrace with Vaughan

Nash and His Silly Face

Three months ago, our good friends, the Segers, moved all the way to Portland, Oregon! Mommy and I were scheduled to go visit them a couple of weeks ago, but we had business here that needed our attention (our favorite guy-Daddy). We have missed them greatly and are soooooo glad they are here for a visit. We met for a quick visit at Starbucks this morning and plan to see them lots while they are here. I am always game for spending time with handsome boys!

Two Years and Four Months!

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

This month has been tough. Your daddy has been ill, which meant lots of doctors' appointments and even a hospital stay, which meant time away from you. 99% of the time, I am the one who is there when you wake up in the morning or after a nap. Lately, though, you have had your share of other, although familiar, faces there. I have felt very torn, knowing your daddy needs me but also filled with concerns that you need me. Luckily, you have handled the changes to your routine with great stride and have shown genuine compassion for your daddy. When you walk by him, you pat him on the back lovingly. You understand he can't pick you up, so you hug his legs or snuggle next to him in bed to get your affection. You are the best medicine he could possible have and his greatest motivator to get healthy. My sweet daughter, may your heart always be filled with compassion for others. It's one of the best qualities to have!

I love you more with each passing month...day...moment,

Mommy

Funny Faces

Extra Fun Day

Don't get me wrong - I have plenty of fun on any given day, but today was EXTRA fun!

I played at Central Market.
I got a balloon.
I blew bubbles.
I chased bubbles.
I played in the sandbox.
I slid.
I swam.
I had a picnic.
I cut play-doh with my safety scissors.
I ate some Whoopie Pie (the best thing ever!)

The list could go on and on...

I *HEART* Chocolate Milk

I am officially obsessed with/addicted to chocolate milk. Mommy bought me these nifty organic milk boxes at Costco to have on those days when convenience comes in handy. They are delicious, and if Mommy let me, I would drink them all day. When I wake up, after saying, "Hi, Mommy!", I say, "MILK!" During the day, I go to the cabinet and plead for it. Mommy says a girl can't live on chocolate milk alone...I say let's give it a try!

Thanks, Caroline!

Accessorizing my Doll

Check out the earrings!

Nightgowns aren't only for nighttime when they are this pretty!

My friend Caroline passed along some of the clothes she has outgrown. We were thrilled to receive such a generous gift...and as fast as we grow, passing along clothes is the way to go! She even sent some dress-up clothes! If you see me soon, expect to see me in a Disney princess nightgown and "glass" slippers, carrying a pink purse full of jewelry.

Update on Daddy

My daddy is recovering well from his surgery. He was back at work for a little while on Wednesday and by yesterday, had a full day there. He doesn't "slow down" well at all! This morning we played ball in the yard, with some slight accomodations! Mommy and I thank everyone who has been so supportive of us during these last few tough weeks.

Ice Cream Cones

I have always loved ice cream, but I recently discovered the joy of having it in a cone that I can hold in my own hand. Mommy discovered that when you give a two-year-old an ice cream cone, it needs to be consumed outdoors and clothes should be removed first.

Daddy's Surgery

Hospital bracelets haven't even been cut off and Daddy is on the phone working.

As I told you in an earlier post, my daddy hasn't been feeling well lately. The doctors diagnosed him with a spine problem, so he had surgery yesterday morning. In typical daddy fashion, he is already home and doing well. He is on the phone doing business and even wanted Mommy to take him to his office this afternoon (she refused). He will have a neck brace for the next couple of weeks and can't drive for that length of time, but we'll be most happy chauffeuring him around!

Sandwich Stack

Mommy asked me to make her a sandwich in my kitchen. I really love my Mommy because I made her the BEST sandwich ever!

YEAH!!!!!

Don't look at the photo if you're easily grossed out, but this was just too big of an event to not record. When Mommy asked me (as she does every morning), "Do you want to sit on the potty?" I actually replied, "Yes!", and I meant it...just take a look (again, unless you might get grossed out - if so, I am sorry!)

No Mystery Here

Could this be why there is about a pound of sand at the bottom of the bathtub after it drains???

Cheap Entertainment

I don't touch, but I get really, really close...

I have discovered the joy of the bug that was created in large part to entertain children - the Roly Poly. When I see one, I get so excited, you would think it was raining dolls. Mommy has taught me not to touch them, only to watch, but gosh is that difficult!

Nurse Victoria

Giving Healing Kisses

Providing the Best Companionship

As some of you may know, my daddy has not been feeling well lately. He went to the doctor two weeks ago and a whirlwind of tests ensued. After three MRI's and a CT scan, today he went for a spinal tap. Now, he has to lie on his back until tomorrow morning. He is nestled in the guest bedroom, and I am helping take care of him and keeping him company.

Perfect Timing

Who knew that when Daddy went to Randall's at 6:00 p.m. on Mother's Day, the absolute last card on the shelf would be the perfect one?

Mother's Day Swing

I always adopt my cousin Sam's doll during my visit. He is 25 now, so he no longer needs it, and probably doesn't want to admit that it was once his!

Remember the flowers I helped BaBa plant during my last visit? Look at them now!

I insisted on putting Carsyn in her stroller so I could push her. Isn't she sweet?

Poor Jake is always ready for me to leave when I visit him!

Searching for strawberries with Aunt Celia

"Granny, please don't show her how to push the panic button!" said Mommy.

Granddaddy, Daddy and Me

We broke in Mommy's new car this weekend with our travels to see family. Our first stop was Houston to see Granny, Granddaddy, Uncle Larry and Aunt Celia. Then we were off to Victoria to visit BaBa. On our way home we stopped to visit our friends, the Autreys/Boones, and got to see baby Carsyn.

End of Year Picnic

Believe it or not, yesterday was my last day of school. We celebrated with a school-wide picnic at the park. It's been a great year, and I will miss my teachers and friends!

The Things We Do for Our Kids

Mother's Day is coming up this weekend, so for all the fellow moms our there, Happy Mother's Day! As we all know, we make great sacrificies for our kids...as evidenced by my willingness to give up my chair for my babies while I sit uncomfortably on the arm rest.

New Doll

I have quite a collection of dolls because they are my absolute, most favorite toy. They are all shapes and sizes, but none of them do anything that I am not responsible for (like putting them in the chair for a tea party). Today; however, I added a new doll to the collection, and she SWIMS - all on her own (well, with the help of three 3A batteries, which Mommy says we will now have to buy in bulk). I am sure she and I will have loads of fun this summer!

Teasing Mommy

People often ask if I am potty-trained yet. Mommy gives them the same answer I give her when she asks me if I want to go on the potty - NO! The other day, Mommy heard my step-stool moving, which rarely means I am putting it in front of the sink to wash my hands (its sole intended purpose). In this case I moved it by the toilet, put my Elmo potty seat on, climbed up and grabbed some toilet paper. Of course, I was fully clothed and there was no real intention of using the toilet, but it appears I have the idea down...

Rubber Ducky

September 2007

April 2009

When I was little (hey, it's all relative), I used to take a bath in this blow-up duck. It is the perfect bridge between a baby bath and the big tub - plus when you squeeze the bill, it QUACKS! The other day, I found the duck in the closet and, after trying to blow it up myself, begged Mommy to do it. Since then, I have been dragging it around the house, filling it with miscellaneous items and insisting that it be brought in the tub with me. I no longer fit in the duck, so between the duck, my pool floatie, a tea set, two boats, 54 foam letters, three wind-up butterflies and my princess crown and mirror, there's not much room left in the tub for me.