Jillian Has a Perfect Heart

Monday was Jillian's cardiology appointment at Children's Mercy and everything is perfect. I couldn't be more thankful. This has stressed me out and left me on the verge of tears (sometimes in tears) for the past couple of weeks. I was so relieved that I started crying when I called Andy to tell him the good news.

The took her height, weight, temp, BP and did an EKG. She had to hold completely still for 10 second for the EKG - it took 3 tries. Then the doctor came in and said that her EKG was normal, asked me lots of questions and then listened to her heart. She told me that the oscillations radiated up her chest and that her only concern was a hole between the atria, so she wanted a echo. This is when I started to have a mini panic attack. I had this horrible vision of me watching the screen and seeing the hole in her heart, which made me think of open heart surgery and you can see where this was going. I was worried about Jillian holding still for the echo and the doctor said they would look at the atria first thing, since that was her suspicion. So we went for the echo and laid her down and gently wrapped her legs, I gave her her snuggly and they turned on Dora. She did a little wiggling, but the tech easily completed the whole thing. Jillian was an angel! The doctor came in and said that everything was normal and that we didn't need to be seen again. She said that she may out grow it, but she had no concerns about Jillian.

Yeah!!! I can finally relax. As we were leaving I see all the kids in the other rooms and think about how they DO have heart problems and how their parents must feel and how it affects their lives. Like I said, I am so THANKFUL!!! For those of us with healthy children, don't ever take it for granted. Go hug your kids! :)

Bow Baby

So Jillian's hair is just long enough now for me to put a little bow in her hair. The problem is it doesn't last very long. I am trying to convince her to keep them in, because they are so cute. Jillian loves brushing her teeth. She throws a fit when I take her tooth brush away from her. So instead of making her mad before errands I just let her keep it until she is done.

I put her bow in before our morning of errands and it made it through the gas station, bank and halfway through Wal-Mart. Then I looked at her and it was missing. We tried retracing our steps but couldn't find it. We lost a cute brown polka dot one a couple weeks ago at church. I hope that if I keep being persistent she will get used to them. I think they look adorable.

Abby and I used to take pictures of each other taking pictures of each other when we were little, just like this one. I thought it was funny that Jillian was mimicking me. I love that girl!

Nana and Papa's House

The kids had a blast playing at Nana and Papa's house. Early Sunday morning Brett came up to go hunting and Payton came with. Drew had so much fun playing with Payt. Jillian was acting a little puny that morning I am not sure what was going on. She slept in so late (8:00) that I had to go check on her. Here is little man hanging out and looking cute. Nothing better than some Nana loving.

Believe it or not, this is a happy face.
Multitasking
Home girl is all about hats and putting things on her head. I don't even know where she found this hat, I just saw her walking around with it on.

Too Cute

I wish this picture was closer up to the kids, because the expression on Jillian's face is so cute. Drew is saying "hi puppy dog."

Where'd you go?

There you are.

Woof Woof!

A bucket from a happy meal in the 80's. To Jilli, this is also a hat.

My mom bought a Mizzou tiger tail for her van and Payton put it on Drew Sunday.

We left Nana and Papa's after lunch and both kids fell asleep, but not for that long. I was looking back at Drew in the rear view mirror and he had the most pitiful sad look on his face and I asked what was wrong. He said " I miss my Papa." How sweet is that. A definite Papa's boy and Jillian is definitely a Nana's girl. I love watching my parents with my kids.

Birthday Campfire

My parents came up for my 30th birthday last week. Dad and Andy conquered my list - which include installing my new sink. This became a 4 Home Depot trip project, but I love my new sink. Dad went home and mom stayed so Andy and I could go out for dinner on Friday night. We went to Skies. It is a rotating restaurant on top of the Hyatt in KC. It was so much fun. I found a new favorite wine :) I told Andy I don't know if it is you or the wine, but I am having such a good time. I am pretty sure it was him. We both look exhausted in the picture below because we are both exhausted.Saturday morning the kids, mom and I went to Auxvasse. Drew was so excited to go to Nana and Papa's house for a campfire. He has been talking about it for weeks. So Papa couldn't disappoint his biggest fan, so he built a campfire on a 36 degree, windy day. Drew went out with Papa and got the mail, rode the gator, went to the dog house and built a fire. Here are the boys bundled up for their outing.

Drew was having so much fun with Papa.

It was cold, but Nana made it more bearable, by bring the boys some hot chocolate out. So sweet that Nana.

I had to take the key out because he kept pressing the gas and creeping the gator towards the fire.
Drew enjoying his campfire.

Before any of the hot dog roasting even began, Drew told Papa he was cold and going to go inside. So we asked for this campfire and Nana and Papa were the ones that ended up out in the freezing cold cooking the dogs. We had dinner and then opted for S'mores in the microwave. Still just as yummy.

I remember that chair from when I was little, I think.

Sunday Family Time

Recently our weekend routine involves church on Sunday followed by a meal we all enjoy together and a dessert. This weekend Drew said that he wanted ice cream cones. So after lunch we went out on the back porch, stripped the kids down and enjoyed some ice cream. Drew was too busy being busy to eat his cone, but Jillian was loving it!

Yes, both of my children are standing on the table outside. It is impossible to keep Jillian off, so I told Drew to give her a hug and kiss. So I guess Drew being on the table was my fault. Jillian though, she is a crazy climbing monkey right now. We may be making regular visit to the ER if this keeps up.

Kiddo Updates

Jillian is saying more and more or at least repeating more, she now says moo, oink, quack, duck, cookie, nana, papa, night night, ball and it seems like she is trying to repeat everything. It's like the light bulb all of sudden clicked on. She was kind of in her own world, just playing. Now she is following directions, pointing and just seem to be getting it. It feels like it was all of the sudden. She is so sweet.

Jillian also is getting more teeth, he bottom right incisor has finally broke through. It seems like she has been teething and getting new teeth constantly for the past couple of months. I bet that feels great :)

Jillian goes to the cardiologist on Nov 17th. I will keep everyone updated.


Drew is giving me a run for my money with this potty training thing. Just this week he has peed on the floor, peed while standing on his little table and pooped on the floor. I have been letting him go around bottom naked, because he will just pee in the pull up. I am hoping that when Nana comes for a visit he will do better for her, he always seems to.

Drew is a very sweet big brother. He will try and comfort Jilli if she is crying, he will tell me to be nice to his sister when I am tell her no no or if I make her cry. He brings her binkies, her drink and gives her food. He can be a stinker too, but for the most part sweet. I tell him he is the best big brother and I think that makes him proud.

Drew like to pretend that he is sleep walking, sleep eating etc. I think it is funny, I don't' know where he got it from. Also when he has done something wrong he gives it away because he will close his eyes and pretend he is asleep. When he pooped on the floor I asked him if he did this and he said that he was just sleeping.

The funniest things come out his mouth. After my interview Andy told him to say good job, congratulations when I got home. Which he did, but he added - you deserve a gold medal. Thanks Drew!

It's Raining Marshmallows, Hallelujah!

So Jillian climbing onto the table is becoming a regular and I have now learned my lesson about leaving things on the table. I found her in this marshmallow mess and I called Drew over to eat some. He must be thinking that my mom is crazy and I like it. After eating a few we called the dogs in and started sweeping them onto the floor and their heads while singing it raining marshmallows, hallelujah! Sometimes it just feels better to have fun instead of getting mad, and plus it really hard to get mad at these two cuties sometimes.

And she's safe.

Cutie Girl

Jillian the wild women and Drew shhhhhing her :) These pictures are with my new camera and as you can see the marshmallow bag that Jillian is wildly waving is blurry, I guess the automatic setting for subjects that are still. I will have to read more.

Halloween Cards from Nana & Papa

Jillian enjoyed tearing apart the envelope and taking everything out of it.

What's this? Piggy food?

Drew loved the stickers (I am finding them everywhere) and feeding piggy. He still gets his card off the entertainment center and wants me to read it to him. Thanks Nana and Papa.

Trick Or Treat!!!

Friday night we went to the Long's house for dinner before trick or treating. Getting everyone dressed and ready for trick or treating was a task. The dads took the kids trick or treating and the moms handed out candy. Neither of my kids would wear their hats, so it wasn't obvious what they were, but oh well. Jillian made it about 8 houses and then when they came by our house Andy dropped her off. It was way past her bedtime, but she still handed out candy with me for a while. When they came by the house and dropped Jillian off, Drew got upset because he didn't want to stop. I think he did better after sis was dropped off, because he got dad's full attention. Drew was pretty good most of the time, he had one perfect run where he said trick or treat, AARRR!, told them what he was and then said thank you. All the other houses were just parts of that.

This is the funniest picture of the day - Jillian with her candy bucket on her head :)

MMMM.. Candy!

Emily the dalmatian, Owen the alligator and dad the engine. We have a hilly neighborhood, it was hard work pulling kids around in the wagon.

Drew and his jack pot. He was almost glowing he was so happy when he got home. We let him pick out a few things to eat that night and now if he eats well at lunch and dinner he gets to pick a piece of candy out his bucket. Today after lunch he picked out sour patch kids and didn't like them, so mom got them - yum!

Happy Halloween!

Friday morning when I got home we gave the munchkins their Halloween gifts. I know they get candy, but Jillian really doesn't get to eat much of it.

Drew got a mini etch a sketch.
Jillian got a pumpkin fairy wand! Poof!

And a my little pony with a witch hat.

Trying the hat on.

They both got stuff bears. Drew's was dressed as a pumpkins and Jillian's like a candy corn. Drew really looks interested in a stuffed animal, huh?

Drew also got some cars. The funny thing about that gift was it was a reward that he didn't get, because he wouldn't behave. About a month ago we had a horrendous trip to target and Drew wanted these cars. We kept them in the cart and ended up buying them, but he was misbehaving so badly that I didn't give them to him. For a couple days after that he would ask about them and I told him if he followed the rules and didn't get a time out he would get his toy. That never happened and he finally forgot about them. Not completely though, because he recognized them when he found them in his goody bag.

A Few Co-Workers

So I got a new camera and I was trying it out at work the night I got it. I am not sure that I love it, but I am probably just not used to it yet. So here are few of my co-workers. This is Mindy, she works X-ray till 11:30. She is fun to work with and always keeps me laughing with her stories.

This is Chandler - he works overnights with me doing CT and X-ray. He said that the flash was too bright - oh come on not him too. Chandler loves to hear stories about funny Drew comments, which I think is amusing since he is a mid twenties single guy. Not what most usually want to talk about.