Spring break and an April update

A few days before we were supposed to leave for our trip Kaelyn broke out in hives.  It was so pitiful.  She had big whelps on her back and stomach area.  Thankfully it just made her itch. Benadryl didn't seem to be helping.  She broke out pretty soon after dinner. We had had spaghetti that night.  So I was thinking maybe the spices in it were a little strong.  She didn't seem to be getting better and the benadryl didn't work.  I ended up taking her to the doctor.  Since this was episode #2 they referred us to get allergy testing.  A few days after she initially broke out the doctors called in a steroid because I didn't see any change.  The meds finally helped.  I was thankful because we were supposed to leave by the end of the week to go on vacation.  The kids were going to my parents house while we were gone. I needed her to be better so I could enjoy my kidless vacation.

Jaxon amazes us all the time.  He doesn't forget things and is always making  us laugh.
"Mommy this is for you, because I love you" (He's the sweetest)

Is this all I get?
Prayer time- Thank you for dying on the cross for our sins. Thank you you rose again.  Thank you for the Bible that you wrote for me

God is great, God is good, Thank you for our meal. Amen

(Waving plalm branches) because the people were so excited to see Jesus.  "Jaxon what happened on Easter?" Jesus died on the cross for our sins and he rose from the dead and he is alive"

I asked Jaxon what he learned in Sunday school one Sunday, he said he didn't know, I said who did you play with, he said I sat next to my girlfriend she had long hair and a necklace

We had been wanting to visit Brian's brother, wife, and little boy out in Arizona before they move back east. So Brian and I decided to use his spring break to go visit. We decided to drop the kids off at my parents in VA and then fly out of VA/DC area the next day.

It was a great break and a time to get recharged.  We flew into Vegas and then drove to Arizona.  We did alot of hiking and ate some good food and spent time with his brother, wife, and little boy.
Welcome to Vegas- A casino waiting for us. Really in the airport??

We picked up the kids after being away from them for like 6 days.  They had a great time at my parents.  Kaelyn seems heavier.  My parents said she ate alot.  She's pointing when she wants something.  She's become a little more verbal. Still not walking yet.

Jaxon had fun riding/driving Andrew's jeep

We went and checked out Sci Works with a friend and had so much fun.

We signed up Jaxon for swim lessons this month at the YMCA.  He goes 2x a week.  Its a struggle to get him there but once he's in the water he doesn't want to get out. Its fun to watch him.  He loves it. Its only 30 minutes 2 times a week but I'm getting a taste of what life may be life with extracurricular activities in the evening.  It makes things easier if we just have to heat up leftovers when we get home.

Kaelyn loves to wave, give hugs (she will put her arms around your neck), say "me me" (mine), listen and follow directions (ie jaxon will tell her to pick her nose), "be be" for baby

we are practicing with her walking with one hand, she will smack her lips when she's hungry and let us know vocally that she's hungry or wants what you are eating.  Anything she wants, especially food, she says, "Mommie, Mommie" She loves to play with her brother.  Sometimes to wakes up with some wild hair.

I found out that one of my former coworkers, Dr. Brown, was retiring.  So I went to his retirement party.  It was great to see some of my old coworkers and visit with them.  

The kiddos love to play outside, ride their bikes, and go for walks.  Its not even summer yet and I already don't like the heat. Kaelyn loves to use her walker outside to go up and down the driveway or to chase her brother. She also loves to climb the stairs at the park.

We scored big at a friends estate sale, Jaxon got a school bus.

Jaxon loves his sister. He is always giving her hugs and telling her he loves her. Most of the time he will share his toys with her.

We finally had allergy testing done several weeks after her she broke out in hives.  They determined it was viral because it lasted longer than a few days and the hives/rash changed location. A wonderful friend watched Jaxon for me while I took Kaelyn.  He had so much fun playing with the girls and riding their barbie car.

We had lunch with my dear friend Kristen.  She's been married almost 6 months and I couldn't wait to see her to see how things were going.

My good friend Jessica is expecting #3 in a few months and we were able to celebrate with her. So excited she is having a girl. 

The plan was for Brian's parents to keep the kids for a long weekend so he could work on his national boards for his teaching license and so they could spend some time with them.  Also Brian and I had overlapping things going on on Saturday that we needed help with the kids. Brian's grandmother ended up in the hospital that week so we weren't sure what our weekend was going to look like. Thankfully it worked out and they took the kids for a long weekend.  Brian and I ate out 2x which we don't normally do, we took our kayaks to the lake, and got some things done around the house.  The kids had a great time.  They went to the park and rode the carousel, helicopter, train, boats, and the other amusement type rides.  Jaxon loved it and Kaelyn wasn't too sure about the moving horses on the carousel at first but then she loved it.

We had the physical therapist come by to do another evaluation to see how much progress Kaelyn had made and to determine if we needed physical therapy.  Based on her progress in a short amount of time they said they didn't think she would need therapy.  She was also doing a few things above her level, i.e. getting on and off her car and attempting to climb on the couch. They also said they know we are very active and we are invested parents so they didn't see a huge problem.  Well of course that night while I was having a girls night on April 19, she took a few steps for Brian and she climbed on the couch. 

The week of April 17, which was the week the kids came back from my inlaws Jaxon started to not want to nap.  I'm trying to figure out this whole "quiet time" thing.  Thankfully he can't come downstairs because of the gate blocking the stairs. I have been so spoiled.  He's almost 4 and he's always been a great sleeper and napper.  He's also good about not making a lot of noise.  Kaelyn's noise machine is on so she shouldn't hear anything.  He went for 3 days straight of not napping and then he took a nap 2 days in row.  Then of course over the weekend he napped better, I think because daddy was home.

On one of the days Jaxon did nap, Kaelyn decided she didn't want to nap and she stood up or sat up in her crib.  Thankfully she wasn't fussy.  She was just awake the whole time.

We went to the park and I was determined to wear Jaxon out so he could try naptime again.  We had a great morning.  The kids did great at the eye dr.  They did great at the park.  Jaxon has decided that since he can pee outside he can decide where outside.  Sometimes he doesn't try and hide so that no one sees him, he will do it so everyone can see him.  We went home and I put Kaelyn to bed and he was cooperative and went upstairs when it was his turn.  When I came back downstairs I looked at the monitor and could hear him up.  He said he was going potty.  I told him to make it quick.  I must have heard the toilet flush 3 times and he washed his hands multiple times.  I really wanted to see if he could go potty, wash his hands, and get back in bed by himself.  I couldn't wait any longer, he was taking way too long.  I went up stairs and I knew I should have come up sooner.  He decided it would be fun to take the diaper sprayer and spray water on the wall and on the floor. 

So at least he does nap some during the week just not everyday.

Fun in the hammock

We had a fun cookout at a friends house to say goodbye to our dear friends that moved.

Jaxon loves to go to the childrens museum to see the train and all the big vehicles (police car, race car, fire truck) Kaelyn loves to push the cart in the grocery store.

Its finally getting warm enough to play outside with water.  We had such a fun time at a friends house.