Surgery.

Before.

After.

Presley was such a trooper! She was even up on her own at 6:30 AM (thank goodness because she can be a grump if you have to wake her up). The day went like this:

1. Out the door at 7:00 AM


2. Checked into the hospital at 8:00 AM


3. Admitted at 8:20 AM


4. WAITED until 10:40 AM to go off to surgery--this was so sad because Presley was SO hungry. She was fine until about 10:00 AM when she couldn't stop whimpering about being hungry and thirsty.


5. Out of surgery at 11:15 AM


6. Recovered for a couple hours and home by 2:00 PM

Presley watched movies and played with all the toys we brought PLUS all the fun toys/activities in the bag the nurses gave her (stickers, play dough, yo-yo, animals, crayons). When it was time to go with the anesthesiologist she happily kissed us goodbye and was wheeled away.

The doctors and nurses loved her--they all commented on how happy and sweet she was (she waved to everyone and was very cooperative).

Recovery was pretty good. Presley was out of it for a bit but quickly came around for the fruit snacks she was promised and a sippy cup of Sprite. She also downed a whole bag of fish crackers, 2 suckers, a cheese burger, and apple slices. She was a hungry girl!

Once the IV was out (it was in her foot!) and we got her dressed (she was a bit confused about the diaper they had put on her during surgery--we played off as the doctors being silly) we headed home. Happy to have this behind us.

It is now nearly bed time and Presley is up and about walking around. Hard to believe this will all be forgotten in a few days. Can you believe how small her bandage is?

Bubbles.

What girl doesn't love a bubble bath!

9 Months.

Just when I thought Stella was so cute grabbing her toes--she learned to CRAWL! On the 1st of March she learned to get up from her belly into a sit and yesterday she crawled (just 3 steps but more have been happening all day).




At her 9 month check up last week, Stella weighed a small 15 pounds 10 ounces and was 27.5 inches long. Overall she is small but still growing.

Ready for church.

This is what I came upstairs to after bathing Stella--Presley into my makeup and proudly announcing that she was "Ready for church Mom!".

I do believe there is a similar picture of me with my mom's lipstick all over my face and body . . . thank goodness Presley just got the mascara on her face!

Fixed.

On Thursday, March 5th Presley will have this fixed.



It is her umbilical hernia. Most kids have this from birth and it usually fixes itself, but Presley's just "popped out" a couple months ago. I am trying to keep this low-key--mostly for myself--I know any surgery can be a big deal and will have risks.

It finally happened . . .

Presley got up out of her bed, out of her room, and came upstairs to tell me that she was not tired and was done taking a nap (for today hopefully).

It was so weird, but I knew it was bound to happen at some point. 11 months of Presley in her big girl bed and new room--I have been so LUCKY--with not a single attempt to get up (at night or at nap time). I didn't make a big deal about it and we went on with our day.

After I put her to bed tonight I was worried she would get up. So after I fed Stella and put her to bed, I checked on Presley. She was asleep but had turned on her lamp (she knows that is a no-no). I will not complain!

I wonder if she will wait for me to get her in the morning (like usual), or if she will come up on her own???

Valentine fun.

After all the candy, cards, and gifts {thanks everyone}, this is what Presley liked best. The stickers that came with the $1.00 box of Valentines she sent her friends.




Stella did not like them near as much!

We've been sick.

After all of Chris's travels these past 5 weeks you would think we deserved a break and some good "family together" time. Instead we each had a version of the 24-hour stomach bug and have spent the better half of last week in bed and recovering.


Poor Presley was so wiped out she fell asleep on the couch. She was so confused the first time she threw-up, it was so hard to watch (and smell, and clean up, and repeat). For the rest of the week she has carried a bowl around to barf in.

Stella didn't get the bug--not even a bit--thanks to breastfeeding, I am sure! We are all healthy now, and plan to stay that way.

Presley logic.

• Presley needs 2 of everything "Because I am 2!"
• "When I get up, the sun will come up." She says this in the morning if it is still dark outside when she wants to get up.
• As she takes a toy from Stella "Look, I am sharing!"

I suspect things will only get better as she gets older. On a side note I signed Presley up for preschool in the fall. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. More proof of that--she now knows all the letters, their sounds, and she can sound out words and tell me what letter they start with.

Accomplishments.

In January, after looking at Presley's teeth I decided it was time for her to stop sucking her thumb. The front right tooth just kept poking out and it was apparent that it was only going to get worse. I prepared for the worst and asked Presley if she would stop sucking her thumb--to my surprise she said "Yes!".

After nearly a month of not sucking her thumb (not even once), a few struggles to fall asleep, and a nearly lost nap (I can't believe it is just about gone) Presley has STOPPED! No drama, no fuss--we are all very lucky! As an incentive Presley got to take a trip to Toys R Us to pick out any 2 toys she wanted for accomplishing the task (2 toys because she is 2, Presley logic). After much deliberation and a tour of the entire store she picked out an ice cream food set and a Hello Kitty doll.


Not to be out done Stella has also had her share of teeth drama. After what has seemed like an eternity of 'teething' Stella finally pushed out two little bottom teeth on the 2nd of February. They only poke through enough that you can barely see them but if you stick your finger in her mouth you can definitely feel them. Stella can't stop playing with her tongue and lips--she even makes a popping sound, not to mention all the drool and 'raspberries'.