Kinzie turns 1

OK, so I realize I haven't kept up-to-date very well but we'll try
this again. I couldn't tell you everything that happened since last Easter so we'll just say - we've been busy. Thanks to the people who created these blog backgrounds - maybe it'll update us a little!



Here are pics from Kinzie's 1st birthday. She enjoyed her presents but never go into opening them up herself. She did however really enjoy her hot dog, strawberries and especially her cake! She ate practically every bite of her cake. She had one of the butterflies and she devoured it without even making much of a mess. No icing everywhere for her.....she made sure it all went in her mouth! She's a girl after my own heart!






Our thanks to our family who helped her celebrate her big 1st
birthday!

Easter

Here is Colton's Easter egg hunt at his school. He had a lot of fun - Daddy and Kinzie went and watched him and took pictures for Mommy since she had to work.






Here is Colton helping decorate eggs (and himself in the process) and he also helped me make this Easter Bunny Cake. He put on the M&M's.
















The Easter Bunny visited. Colton was excited for his new "Mack". Kinzie liked her Butterfly car, too. They had overflowing baskets with toys, books and a new VeggieTales movie. Daddy thought the Easter Bunny was awfully generous this year!













Here they are in their new Easter clothes. I didn't get the best picture. Colton helped pick out this Dinosaur tie but he wasn't thrilled to wear it. They still looked really cute - maybe I'll be able to get a better picture later.















We have our baskets - let's go hunt those eggs!

Colton was excited to get the eggs - they were all filled with candy!! Kinzie just wanted to chew on the eggs - maybe she'll hunt them better next year.

Family Vacation to San Antonio

Jason and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on March 27th. For the past 2 or 3 years we had discussed taking a cruise. We thought it wouldn't be very romantic or fun to cruise with an infant; therefore, we decided since we had to take Kinzie we would take Colton, too. So we went to San Antonio and visited SeaWorld, The Alamo, The Tower of the Americas, The River Walk and the Ft. Worth Zoo (on our way home). We had a lot of fun and would love to go again - Colton had so much fun doing everything....Kinzie slept! Here are a few photos highlighting our vacation. (A note on the picture of Colton making a wish - after he threw in the coin we asked what his wish was and he said "God to forgive me". We both had tears in our eyes as we realized he is listening as we say our prayers. What a sweet heart he has.)

A lot of "Firsts"

I'm behind on updates so here are some "1sts" for the month of March.

1st Trip to the Dentist

Colton had his first dental check-up in March. He did great! He opened wide and let them count, brush, floss and fluoride his teeth. He thought it was neat how they turned his tongue and teeth pink to see how well we're brushing. No cavities - Yeah! But they said we might prepare for braces in the future. Sorry, Colton, Mommy and Daddy had them, too! (No I did not clean his teeth this time. I wasn't certain what he would think and I wanted to be the one holding his hand not holding him down if needed!)

1st Bowling Trip

Jason's Grandma and Aunt Kay came into town for a visit and we all went bowling together. It was Colton's first attempt at bowling. He had a lot of fun rolling the ball even though it went in the gutter a lot of the time. There were several times I didn't think the ball would get to the pins it was rolling so slowly but somehow it always did! Kinzie did not bowl this trip - she enjoyed being held and slept the rest of the time.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Colton received this really cool "Lightning McQueen" kite for his birthday. We finally had a day where the Oklahoma winds weren't too strong and we could take it out. He had fun running with it and only got it stuck in a tree once. He also had fun taking pictures of me flying the kite a few of which actually turned out!

Sick Baby

Both Colton and Kinzie had well child check-ups yesterday. Colton's 3 year and Kinzie's 4 month. Colton is growing so fast and is the 95th percentile for height and weight - he's doing great besides a few spring allergies. Kinzie is 50th percentile for height and 10th for weight. She's our little-bitty girl. Which would be fine if she were well.

In January, Kinzie was treated for a double ear infection, sinus and bronchial infection. 5 shots over the course of 10 days. Poor Baby!! I was told the cough would linger and to bring her back only if she ran a fever or quit eating and became very lethargic. She has kept coughing but has been as happy as can be. She is talking up a storm (I wonder where she gets that) and can roll both ways. She will also hold toys she can wrap her fingers around. Because she's developing well and is happy, I haven't worried about the cough too much. Yesterday, however, Dr. Stephens said she is not a "well baby". She still has fluid in her ears and still has a bronchial infection. They gave her another shot of antibiotic as well as a prescription for an oral antibiotic and a nebulizer and medication to do breathing treatments. It is horrible!! She screams and cries through most of it and it is hard for me to hold the mask over her mouth so she is actually getting the medication. This morning we both cried through her treatment. I feel so sorry for her - I hope this helps her get well finally. If anyone has any tips on administering these treatments please let me know. I would appreciate it.

Change

I am not great with change. I know change is inevitable and don't get me wrong - sometimes it's good. But good or bad I have a hard time adapting. I like consistency and I'm not a huge surprise person unless it's receiving money or some pampering thing I would never do otherwise. I am the kind of person who would pick out her own gifts so I know it will go in my house or fit or just that I'll like it. Jason has a hard time shopping for me unless I go with him or he just gets me a massage or pedicure. (You can't go wrong with gift cards!) I love my children to death but the change that brought to our house was HUGE! and I had a very difficult time adapting. (Especially to the change in my sleep patterns). I like quiet time - that changed. I like to read a lot - that changed. I used to exercise a lot.....if you could see me you would be able to see that has changed too. I have worn my hair virtually the same my whole life. (Color has changed but it has always been long) I have clothes in my closet (this is almost emarrassing to admit) that are from college. I have a hard time adapting to the new styles. I am always the last one to change to the new style and then they change the style again! I figure if I hold onto the clothes long enough they'll come back in.

I say all of this so you understand how hard this next change in my life will be. Jason will be changing to a different shift this month. After being on red shift for almost 8 years he will be going to blue shift. I know you are probably thinking, "What's the big deal - at least he didn't lose his job." While this is true and I am thankful he has a job you have to understand that I work around Jason's schedule. Therefore, when his changes mine has to also. We just changed to this schedule in January and now I have to go to my office and tell them we have to completely rearrange my schedule. This wouldn't be so bad but we just set it all up for the next 2 years. I wasn't sure they were going to let me work around his days off at first and after going through and moving a bunch of patients and marking days off around red shift I now have to do it all again around his new shift. Like I said.....I don't do well with change. Even good change can be hard for me. I am sure God is trying to stretch me and make me grow .......... to be more flexible and adaptable ..........and just trust Him. It will take some time but I'm sure I'll get used to it - but watch - just when I do they'll change something on me again. I might adapt eventually but that doesn't mean I have to like doing it!

Colton is 3

Colton celebrated his 3rd birthday this year. I can't believe he's 3 - time goes too fast! He was so excited about his birthday this year and had a lot of fun with his cousins at his party. He loves "Cars" so we had a Cars party. The race track must have been too realistic, though as I found he and a cousin driving the cars on it. We repaired it as best we could - I just wish we had taken pictures before they found it! Colton has been asking for a bicycle for quite a while so Jason and I decided to get him one. He is still getting the hang of riding it hopefully we'll get more nice days so he can practice. I'm afraid we won't be able to keep up with him once he gets going. Thanks to everyone for the fun party and gifts!

Colton wanted all his cars on the cake - I did my best!

Blowing out the candles

The kids are ready for cake

Colton's new "Cars" bike