Emma had her 15 month well baby check up today.... She got an overall thumbs up from the doctor for being a healthy baby. She weighed in a 23 lb 16 oz (75th percentile) and is 33 inches tall (95th percentile). Yeah Emma!!! She did have to get three vaccinations, but she did great! She cried when the nurse gave her the first shot, but she calmed down as soon as I put her skirt back on and was cheerful by the time we got back in the car. Emma's reward for being such a good girl was getting to have lunch with her Daddy.
Other Notes......
Things have been pretty quiet around our house. We had the pleasure of seeing Pete and Judi Coffey (Dave's cousins from Houston) twice in the past 2 weeks. We have also celebrated Father's Day and Dave got his much desired Blu-Ray player and even got it all hooked up! Yard projects took up a large portion of the last weekend. Dave revamped the final neglected flower bed around our patio. It looks so much nicer out there!!! With this work complete, most of the major house projects are now complete. It's a great feeling to know that after 2 1/2 years, we are finally entering the normal house maintenance projects vs remodeling and improving.
Emma still doesn't like her swing, but we have made progress. Every time we go outside (almost everyday) we take the swing with us and hang it in the tree. At first she wouldn't go anywhere near it, but now she will go up to it and push the empty swing. When I ask Emma if she wants in the swing, she shakes her head no or cries if we try to put her in the swing. So, still no swing for Emma.....
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Gigi and Poppy Visit
Mom and Dad arrived last Thursday and had a great visit, here are some of the highlights....
Thursday
Mom and Dad arrived right around dinner time and Emma was a little shy at first, but it seems like showing her Mom and Dad's pictures everyday has helped, because she warmed up in just a few minutes. Before we knew it, she was giving hugs and showing off all the toys in her room.
Friday
We had originally talked about going to Morten Arboretum in Lisle on Friday, but Dave wanted to go too, so we decided to wait until Saturday. On Friday, we headed to Home Depot to get supplies for hanging Emma's swing in one of our trees. The $25 swing, cost $40 to get supplies to hang. Dad had the everything up in the tree within about 45 minutes and Emma HATED the swing. As soon as we put her in the swing, she started crying and saying "no, no, no." So, we gave up on the swing for the time being! We all went out in the back yard and she loved playing with the bubble machine Mom and Dad brought for her. That evening we took Mom and Dad to Giordano's for Mom's birthday. The pizza was great, but the waiter forgot Emma's dinner! By the time her chicken fingers arrived, she wasn't hungry!
Saturday
We woke up to gray skies and rain, so no trip to the Arboretum for us.... We ended up going to the Dupage Children's Museum in Naperville. Emma had fun, especially with the air system toys. But, I'm not really sure she's old enough to enjoy it enough for the price of admission.
Sunday
Emma was baptised at First United Methodist Church. Grandma and PawPaw Breese and the Havemann's (Aunt Julie, Uncle John, Jack, and Kyle) met us at the church and Emma did really well. It's a good thing that the baptisms were early in the service, because I'm not sure how long Emma could have continued to sit still. After the baptism portion of the service, Emma went to play with her pals in the nursery. To celebrate Emma's big day, we all went to Egg harbour for brunch. That afternoon, Mom and I got out to do some birthday and father's day shopping. Later, we all took a walk to the park and Emma had tons of fun on the slides... She still didn't want to try to swings though.
Monday
We all went to Brookfield Zoo and had a great day. Emma enjoyed the Children's Zoo and wasn't scared of the Dinosaurs Alive Exhibit at all. We thought Emma would like the carousel, but she didn't want anything to do with it. We tried several different places to ride, but I ended up having to hold her to finish the ride.
Tuesday was a quiet day, we all just relaxed and Mom got caught on laundry before they headed out on the next leg of their journey (to Ohio to visit Alpaca ranches). When Mom and Dad left on Wednesday, Emma waved and blew kisses. When we came inside, I think she realized what was going on and she started to cry, but she still went done for her nap. The worst part was after she got up from her nap.... Every room we went into, she looked for her Gigi and Poppy and started to cry.... I felt really bad for her because she was so sad....
Thursday
Mom and Dad arrived right around dinner time and Emma was a little shy at first, but it seems like showing her Mom and Dad's pictures everyday has helped, because she warmed up in just a few minutes. Before we knew it, she was giving hugs and showing off all the toys in her room.
Friday
We had originally talked about going to Morten Arboretum in Lisle on Friday, but Dave wanted to go too, so we decided to wait until Saturday. On Friday, we headed to Home Depot to get supplies for hanging Emma's swing in one of our trees. The $25 swing, cost $40 to get supplies to hang. Dad had the everything up in the tree within about 45 minutes and Emma HATED the swing. As soon as we put her in the swing, she started crying and saying "no, no, no." So, we gave up on the swing for the time being! We all went out in the back yard and she loved playing with the bubble machine Mom and Dad brought for her. That evening we took Mom and Dad to Giordano's for Mom's birthday. The pizza was great, but the waiter forgot Emma's dinner! By the time her chicken fingers arrived, she wasn't hungry!
Saturday
We woke up to gray skies and rain, so no trip to the Arboretum for us.... We ended up going to the Dupage Children's Museum in Naperville. Emma had fun, especially with the air system toys. But, I'm not really sure she's old enough to enjoy it enough for the price of admission.
Sunday
Emma was baptised at First United Methodist Church. Grandma and PawPaw Breese and the Havemann's (Aunt Julie, Uncle John, Jack, and Kyle) met us at the church and Emma did really well. It's a good thing that the baptisms were early in the service, because I'm not sure how long Emma could have continued to sit still. After the baptism portion of the service, Emma went to play with her pals in the nursery. To celebrate Emma's big day, we all went to Egg harbour for brunch. That afternoon, Mom and I got out to do some birthday and father's day shopping. Later, we all took a walk to the park and Emma had tons of fun on the slides... She still didn't want to try to swings though.
Monday
We all went to Brookfield Zoo and had a great day. Emma enjoyed the Children's Zoo and wasn't scared of the Dinosaurs Alive Exhibit at all. We thought Emma would like the carousel, but she didn't want anything to do with it. We tried several different places to ride, but I ended up having to hold her to finish the ride.
Tuesday was a quiet day, we all just relaxed and Mom got caught on laundry before they headed out on the next leg of their journey (to Ohio to visit Alpaca ranches). When Mom and Dad left on Wednesday, Emma waved and blew kisses. When we came inside, I think she realized what was going on and she started to cry, but she still went done for her nap. The worst part was after she got up from her nap.... Every room we went into, she looked for her Gigi and Poppy and started to cry.... I felt really bad for her because she was so sad....
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Walk Update
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here.....
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - Chicago was last weekend and here are a few highlights....
Friday - Event Eve
This was Emma's first stay in a hotel and she did really well. She seemed a little overwhelmed by everything around her she loved watching the planes take off/land at O'Hare. We took her down to the lowest level of the hotel where there wasn't much going on and let her run around for a while. That seemed to help her burn off some energy, but she still didn't want to go to bed. Dave ended up putting the pack in play by his side of the bed and draping his arm in and she settled down.
Saturday - Walk Day 1
Other than Emma, we didn't sleep tat great, so I think it was almost a relief when the alarm went off at 3:30 AM. I got myself dressed and my gear and I left the room about 4:45 AM to go get the bus to Soldier Field. Once there, it was breakfast and the Opening ceremony. The actual walk kicked off at 7 AM (why we had to be at Soldier Field so early, I don't know). The first part of the walk took us along the lake and it was amazing! I was in the middle of the 3,000 person pack and as we followed the curve of the lake, I could look out and see the front of the group. After we left the lake, we were in several residential neighborhoods and everyone came out to cheer for us. It was a nice feeling knowing that what we were doing was important to people. Dave and Emma were at the first cheering station around mile 7.5 and that was a nice boost for me. I felt good walking up to the lunch stop. I made the mistake of taking my shoes and socks off at lunch and noticed blisters starting on my toes and I put band aids on them.... that was a mistake. After I left lunch, my toes starting to hurt a little more. I stopped at the half marathon rest stop and had the medical tent to have the toes looked at. The blisters weren't poppable, but they did doctor apply moleskin and off I went. Dave and Emma were waiting for me waiting for me around mile 14 and that kept me going during what was the loneliest stretch of the walk. After leaving them, I struggled a little more and when I got to the mile 15 quick stop, I decided to hop on the sweep van to the next rest stop. At the rest stop, the toes were still hurting, so I took the bus to the final rest stop and then walked the last 1.3 miles to the Wellness Village. After getting me gear and getting the tent set up, I headed to the shower and then to medical. The blisters still weren't poppable, but the medical staff did provide me with mole skin for the next day. I then took advantage of the spa zone massage chairs and had dinner. Saturday night, I crawled into my sleeping bag and actually slept pretty well. Mylar blankets are a godsend!!
Sunday-Walk Day 2
When the alarm went off, I actually felt rested! I got myself ready, had breakfast, and got ready to walk. We left our campsite at 7:30 AM and headed off to walk some more. We went through the Loyola University Campus and it is amazing!!! The blisters were bothering me more and more, so I stopped at one of the rest stops around mile 5 and had the feet tended too. When I left the rest stop, I wasn't sure I could make it the whole way because I was really hurting. From that point on, I never really stopped again. I went through the quick and rest stops and kept my water bottle full and grabbed lunch/snacks as needed, but I just kept plugging along. We walked through some really nice areas on Sunday, by the Lincoln Park Zoo and along Lake Shore Drive before we starting getting back into the heart of the city and Old Town. Dave and Emma were waiting for me at Millennium Park, just before mile 12 and that's where I was trying to get. By the time I reached them, I was really starting to hurt. We headed off as a family and we finished the walked. The last .1 mile was really emotional because there was a huge crowd waiting for us and complete strangers were saying thank you and patty me on the back. After finishing and getting my gear, I went to take off the walking shoes and socks and was shocked at the size of the blisters on my toes. One of them was so big that the medical staff decided to pop it. When we got home, I was so STIFF and my feet HURT. I soaked my feet, drained the blisters, and rested.
Post Walk
I was amazed on Monday when I woke up that I actually felt pretty good. I was even able to wear real shoes yesterday (Wednesday)!
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - Chicago was last weekend and here are a few highlights....
Friday - Event Eve
This was Emma's first stay in a hotel and she did really well. She seemed a little overwhelmed by everything around her she loved watching the planes take off/land at O'Hare. We took her down to the lowest level of the hotel where there wasn't much going on and let her run around for a while. That seemed to help her burn off some energy, but she still didn't want to go to bed. Dave ended up putting the pack in play by his side of the bed and draping his arm in and she settled down.
Saturday - Walk Day 1
Other than Emma, we didn't sleep tat great, so I think it was almost a relief when the alarm went off at 3:30 AM. I got myself dressed and my gear and I left the room about 4:45 AM to go get the bus to Soldier Field. Once there, it was breakfast and the Opening ceremony. The actual walk kicked off at 7 AM (why we had to be at Soldier Field so early, I don't know). The first part of the walk took us along the lake and it was amazing! I was in the middle of the 3,000 person pack and as we followed the curve of the lake, I could look out and see the front of the group. After we left the lake, we were in several residential neighborhoods and everyone came out to cheer for us. It was a nice feeling knowing that what we were doing was important to people. Dave and Emma were at the first cheering station around mile 7.5 and that was a nice boost for me. I felt good walking up to the lunch stop. I made the mistake of taking my shoes and socks off at lunch and noticed blisters starting on my toes and I put band aids on them.... that was a mistake. After I left lunch, my toes starting to hurt a little more. I stopped at the half marathon rest stop and had the medical tent to have the toes looked at. The blisters weren't poppable, but they did doctor apply moleskin and off I went. Dave and Emma were waiting for me waiting for me around mile 14 and that kept me going during what was the loneliest stretch of the walk. After leaving them, I struggled a little more and when I got to the mile 15 quick stop, I decided to hop on the sweep van to the next rest stop. At the rest stop, the toes were still hurting, so I took the bus to the final rest stop and then walked the last 1.3 miles to the Wellness Village. After getting me gear and getting the tent set up, I headed to the shower and then to medical. The blisters still weren't poppable, but the medical staff did provide me with mole skin for the next day. I then took advantage of the spa zone massage chairs and had dinner. Saturday night, I crawled into my sleeping bag and actually slept pretty well. Mylar blankets are a godsend!!
Sunday-Walk Day 2
When the alarm went off, I actually felt rested! I got myself ready, had breakfast, and got ready to walk. We left our campsite at 7:30 AM and headed off to walk some more. We went through the Loyola University Campus and it is amazing!!! The blisters were bothering me more and more, so I stopped at one of the rest stops around mile 5 and had the feet tended too. When I left the rest stop, I wasn't sure I could make it the whole way because I was really hurting. From that point on, I never really stopped again. I went through the quick and rest stops and kept my water bottle full and grabbed lunch/snacks as needed, but I just kept plugging along. We walked through some really nice areas on Sunday, by the Lincoln Park Zoo and along Lake Shore Drive before we starting getting back into the heart of the city and Old Town. Dave and Emma were waiting for me at Millennium Park, just before mile 12 and that's where I was trying to get. By the time I reached them, I was really starting to hurt. We headed off as a family and we finished the walked. The last .1 mile was really emotional because there was a huge crowd waiting for us and complete strangers were saying thank you and patty me on the back. After finishing and getting my gear, I went to take off the walking shoes and socks and was shocked at the size of the blisters on my toes. One of them was so big that the medical staff decided to pop it. When we got home, I was so STIFF and my feet HURT. I soaked my feet, drained the blisters, and rested.
Post Walk
I was amazed on Monday when I woke up that I actually felt pretty good. I was even able to wear real shoes yesterday (Wednesday)!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Getting Ready for the Big Walk
All this week, I have been attacking chores around the house, especially upstairs because Mom and Dad will be here next week and this weekend is the big walk. I think some of the effort to get the house ship shape has also been burning off nervous energy related to the walk.
I'm very nervous about this weekend!!! I'm nervous about being able to make the distance and I'm nervous about leaving Emma. It will be the first night she and i have been apart since she was born!!! She'll be with Dave, so I know she'll be okay.... it's just the first night without Mommy....
I think it will be harder on me than on her!!
I'd like to say a big Thank you to everyone who has supported the walk efforts - both with financial support and moral support. I couldn't have gotten this far without any of you! Special thanks go out to Happy Dog Barkery, Bark N Beauty's, and Dr. Fred McGuire. They are local business who answered the call for financial support of the cause. A VERY special thank you goes out to Dave for being extra supportive and taking Emma duty every weekend so I could get my long, long walks in. :)
I'm very nervous about this weekend!!! I'm nervous about being able to make the distance and I'm nervous about leaving Emma. It will be the first night she and i have been apart since she was born!!! She'll be with Dave, so I know she'll be okay.... it's just the first night without Mommy....
I think it will be harder on me than on her!!
I'd like to say a big Thank you to everyone who has supported the walk efforts - both with financial support and moral support. I couldn't have gotten this far without any of you! Special thanks go out to Happy Dog Barkery, Bark N Beauty's, and Dr. Fred McGuire. They are local business who answered the call for financial support of the cause. A VERY special thank you goes out to Dave for being extra supportive and taking Emma duty every weekend so I could get my long, long walks in. :)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Updates
Sorry I've been lax in updating things lately... It's really been pretty quiet, but here are a few highlights:
-Dave and I had a rare "date night" for my birthday and we went to Mon Ami Gabi for a very nice dinner. We don't have too many Emma-less dinners out and it was a very nice treat. Emma had a good night too, she got to stay with Grandma and PawPaw Breese and play with the Havemanns.
-We discovered on Memorial day that Emma has allergies; She woke up with a runny nose and sneezing. After a call to our pediatrician, we now have her on Children's Zyrtec and that seems to be helping her.
-My own allergies started going nuts Monday night/Tuesday morning and my issues continued for the rest of the week. I finally gave up on Saturday and went to the urgent care clinic because I wasn't feeling any better. The doctor prescribed a nasal spray and Zyrtec D and I was amazed that I felt better Sunday morning. I'm still not 100%, but I am on the mend.
-The Avon walk for Breast cancer is this coming weekend and I have raised all of the $1800 needed, except for $35. Given how tough things are for everyone, I am very grateful for all of the support!
-Dave and I had a rare "date night" for my birthday and we went to Mon Ami Gabi for a very nice dinner. We don't have too many Emma-less dinners out and it was a very nice treat. Emma had a good night too, she got to stay with Grandma and PawPaw Breese and play with the Havemanns.
-We discovered on Memorial day that Emma has allergies; She woke up with a runny nose and sneezing. After a call to our pediatrician, we now have her on Children's Zyrtec and that seems to be helping her.
-My own allergies started going nuts Monday night/Tuesday morning and my issues continued for the rest of the week. I finally gave up on Saturday and went to the urgent care clinic because I wasn't feeling any better. The doctor prescribed a nasal spray and Zyrtec D and I was amazed that I felt better Sunday morning. I'm still not 100%, but I am on the mend.
-The Avon walk for Breast cancer is this coming weekend and I have raised all of the $1800 needed, except for $35. Given how tough things are for everyone, I am very grateful for all of the support!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
