Where we've been.

Check out KRISTA'S DAILY PIC for a sampling of what the girls and I have been up to.

Atlanta, GA. Charleston, SC. Mooresville, NC. I will post more photos when we return!

And they're off!

To North Carolina! Two kids on a plane. One helpful grandma. Hopefully I brought enough stuff to keep them occupied during the trip.

Wish me luck!

More than I can chew.

I bit off more than I can chew . . . my sister-in-law hosts a girls night out and this month we had planned to sew a sling bag (yes. needle, thread, sewing machine). The day before I purchased the fabric and all the supplies--not even thinking that it had been over 2 decades since I had last really sat down to a sewing machine.

It took me 4 hours to cut out the pieces from the pattern and get those pieces lined with interfacing . . .


It took me another 3 hours to sew the pockets, the pleats, and the top band together . . .


At this point I was 3 steps behind the other girls, it was late, and I knew that there was no way I was going to be able to sew straight enough to finish the bag and have it look good. So, I dropped off the bag at my mom's (expert seamstress) and begged her to help me.


My mom finished the bag (in what I think was probably under an hour) and it looks perfect! Thanks mom! Next time I will try to pick a project that I can finish.

Girls.

Stella

• At her 1 year check up weight 16.5 pounds, length 28.75 inches, head 17.5 inches. She is a petite thing!
• Words she is saying, "uh-oh", "honk honk", "thank you", "mama", "dada", "bye bye".
• We are still trying to work out the stomach issues, but for now she is happiest on baby cereals and breast milk.
• Her teeth are HUGE but so cute.
• She is a snuggler.
• Loves to crawl up the stairs, but can't come down.

Presley

• After she has been put to bed she pulls out all of her pajamas and changes several times during the night--I am always surprised at what she is wearing in the morning.
• Still calls her blanket a "blanklet".
• Is alternately a princess or a ballerina.
• Loves to tackle her daddy.
• Bit Stella's finger the other day, which prompted Stella to bite her back three times while riding side-by-side in the jogging stroller.
• Loves to play pretend with dolls, stuffed animals, toys--anything.

Day of fun.

Last week Presley and I had "Presley and Mom's Day-of-Fun" (anybody get the reference?). While daddy watched Stella we did a few things that Presley picked--just the two of us. A day at the Farm and an hour running around Ikea. Strange, I know, but Presley just loves to play with/on all the things they have at Ikea--and we only walked away purchasing a cinnamon roll.


This was Presley's 3rd attempt (in as many years) to successfully ride the ponies. She struggled through but made it! I think it helped that the pony she picked to ride was named Roxy.

The best part--now when ever the two of us go anywhere without Stella and dad, Presley thinks it is another "Day-of-Fun".

It's a race!

This morning we all got up early for the Homestead 5k/15k. Can you guess which one I did? Camille and I came in 4th and 3rd to last--keep in mind we walked and pushed our kids and it is a hilly course. 46 mins 13 seconds.


The morning was overcast and cool but perfect for the race. Can you believe Camile just had baby Truman 5 weeks ago? This puts me in the mood to get faster and start running.

Spring evening.

After a needed day of running errands (shopping) ALONE (Chris watched the girls all afternoon), we spent the last hour before bed riding the girls around in the Chariot. Presley declared that it was more fun to ride with daddy pulling them than with mommy pushing them . . .




These are the lilacs from the one bush we have near the driveway--they are so fragrant. In a week or so they will be gone, but maybe spring will stick around a bit longer (wishful thinking).

ONE.

Our little Stella turned 1 today! We celebrated last week on Mother's Day (with everyone in town except 2 brother-in-laws and grandpa Carl). Krista made a fabulous cake and took wonderful pictures (that I hope to see soon!). Here are a few of the moments I snapped . . . Krista was the "hired" photographer so better pictures will be coming soon. The cake eating sequence.

Not so sure.

What to do with utensils.

Digging in.

Presley starts helping.

Stella had fun watching her big sister open all her presents (and confiscate a few of them too). Everyone was so thoughtful and generous. Thank you. I can't believe another year has come and gone. We have so much to show for it.

Update 2.

Saw the allergist--the one we wanted to see was booked until the end of JULY so Stella saw a doctor she recommended. The doctor's office was clear on the south west side of SLC (we live 45 mins from the north east side). It was a long day.

Stella was tested for several food allergies (the standard scratch tests). She came back negative for everything except egg whites (she had a very small reaction that basically means nothing).

After 2 hours of talking and testing and more talking the doctor thinks it is not an allergy but an acid issue (like I originally thought). New plan: double the dosage of Prevacid (7.5 mg twice a day) and add in foods in a week. IF that doesn't work add in Zantac and see a gastro doctor for a pH test and blood work.

Cross your fingers this works. I may never get to wean Stella.

Update.

It has been nearly 2 weeks with the Prevacid and after a 3 day trial with peas, the nightly screaming is back. The next day we were back on cereal and breast milk--and back to sleeping through the night.

Stella has an appointment with an allergist next week. Is anybody familiar with food intolerance? Needless to say, after consulting with the doctor we are stopping the Prevacid and on to other causes.

I am beginning to be more concerned. Breast milk and cereal is not a great diet for a baby who will be turning one next weeek . . . . we have been on this simple diet for 5 weeks.