I'm on a roll updating the blog. I have a ton of posts I want to do, but then the process overwhelms me and I just don't do any. I'm going to embrace the post about our present, and we have two sick tots. :-/
Last Monday night Paisley woke up crying. She laid down with us and sleep was on again off again. She was congested and felt feverish.
Tuesday she acted in better sprits as the day went on so I thought it was a one time deal. After nap, she was feverish again. That evening Jordan mentioned the doctor- which I had contemplated- so my decision was made.
Wednesday we saw the nurse practitioner and P had an ear infection. Mac had his throat swabbed, but everything came back negative.
Some improvement Thursday until P woke up from nap. She had a 103.5 temp.
Friday morning we went back to the pediatrician. I waited around an hour so we could see our regular doctor.
She looked and listened to both kids, and P was diagnosed with bronchitis and a bulging ear drum. Since she's allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins, we are limited on what she can take. We were on Primsol but switched to a stronger med- Biaxin.
Mac was swabbed again and has strep :-/ because Mac has a sensitive stomach, it's better for him to have a shot rather than 10 days of an antibiotic. And let's face it, it's easier to have less syringes lined up at night.
So here we are- breathing treatments for P every few hours, little sleep at night and fussy during the day.
We were suppose to visit the Nashville Allens this weekend, but we couldn't take the tots. I stayed home, and Jordan took Lilly Scott. My mom- a saving grace- came to spend the weekend and help me. Bless her. She's so good to us.
Poor babies. Poor us.
You can see the regression in the pics as the week went along.
As always,
Ashley
We are finally at the end of the adoption. Lilly Scott Allen is our pride and joy :-)
The Tuesday after Easter, my parents came to be a part of a special event for our family. We so appreciate the love and support of Nana and Paw Paw's presence with us on this special day.
After court, we ate brunch and came home for an egg hunt.
I've had two special friends turn 30 this year. I'm a couple years behind them so I have a fun birthday celebration to embrace in my near future :-)
For Leslie's birthday we went to Atlanta and stayed up waaaaay past my bedtime. After a delicious dinner, we went to a few places with live bands and no bump and grind kind of places.
Anna's birthday was a surprise Jordan as I got to be a part of. We ate dinner and 'strolled' down Frazier on Chattanooga's Northshore. We landed at a cool local restaurant called Hill City Pizza where Anna's family and friends were anxiously awaiting her arrival.
We went to Murfreesboro for Easter this year. We had planned and prepped for a spectacular holiday with family and friends and Aunt Dee's cooking :-)
Our plans were rocked when Lilly Scott ended up with a 104+ fever. We took her to a walk in clinic that was open (the day before Easter, mind you), and when the nurse practitioner walked in wearing a surgical mask, I about lost it. Turns out poor LS had flu B and strep. She was devastated, and I just wanted to make her better.
We decided to go home to minimize exposure. I cried, Jordan kept all of us together and Mac and Paisley were clueless. Before we left Uncle Larry brought us food to enjoy at home, and we were on our way.
The next day we spent quarantined at home. It was sad for us all, but it is what it is. No one was to blame- it just happened. We made up for Easter a few days later... See the next post :-)
The first year went fast, and the last six months have warped us! I say it often, and I mean that these days fly by. I love most of the moments, and there are some that I wish would pass sooner. Overall, I am incredibly blessed to have three amazing kids.
Mac and Paisley are getting more fun (and challenging) every day. Tantrums are here, and so are kisses. We'll take the good with the bad, I guess. I don't see any other option, but these mood alterations give me a window into the little person you are. I do love that.
Getting the two of you to sit still is ridiculous. I have to jump up and down, make crazy noises and promise a treat just to get your attention. Fortunately Mac has started saying "cheese" and showing a sweet smile when he sees me trying to capture the moment. Paisley could care less. I get more pictures of her profile than anything else. Figures.
You still love bath time. Peek a boo is your favorite bath time game, and 'Wheels on the Bus' is the favorite song. You both master the movements of the wheels. It's pretty cute.
Mac's faces... there's about 384. I managed to catch a few of my favorites.
We have a biter. Paisley. Mac fell victim to her in the bath. Believe it or not, parents don't teach their kids to bite. Kids just do it. I've only realized this truth in becoming a parent of a little vampire.
Our days go like this:
Breakfast at 7
Take LS to school at 7:45
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (your FAVORITE!) at 8
Snack or YMCA at 9
Music/Play or MDO at 10
Lunch at 11
Nap at 12
If it's a Tuesday or Thursday, I pick you from school at 2, we go home and walk to pick Lilly Scott up from school at 2:40.
Snack at 3:30
Dinner at 6
Bath at 6:45
Bed at 7:20
All of these times need an asterisk as they are all the 'plan', but we know how well plans go around here... ;o)
A couple cute pics of our Mickey Mouse moments. Mac says 'Kiki' and Paisley calls him 'Titi'.
You are both SO active. Mac still gets too nervous to walk more than a few steps. We've been cleared by the physical therapist, and you WILL walk. You hold yourself back. It's hard not to compare you to other kids, but as I look into the window of your personality, the individual you are is very apparent. It's who you are. I won't try to change that. This is part of your journey. You're sweet and timid. And I love that I can hold you for cuddles. You don't love cuddles from Paisley, though. You'll let her kiss you, but then you're over it. As the pictures show below, it doesn't stop her.
You LOVE music and balls. You dance and throw the ball like a champ. Dad loves throwing the ball with you. He's your new favorite person, by the way. You scream 'Dada' at the back door all day.
You are a terribly messy eater, and you rub your hands in your hair after you eat. The other day I found a green bean in your hair.
You've also mastered opening doors. You love playing in toilet water. Gross. You do move much faster that I can keep up sometimes, and you're so smart to know when I'm tied down.
You love wheels and watching how things work. Are you a future engineer?
Paisley, on the other hand, doesn't stop. You love to climb and jump and wrestle. You still love bows too so I'm happy. ;o)
You are full of SPUNK. You laugh ALL the time, and mostly you laugh at yourself. You go from laughing to crying because someone bumped you. You're strong and sensitive all in one. There's a spiteful side there too, my dear. If I tell you 'no', you'll go to the very edge of whatever it is and watch me. I see a lot of clashing in our future. I will try to remember to bend the will without breaking your spirit.
You ADORE Lilly Scott, and you want to be wherever she is. You're quite the little mother as you pamper and love your baby. The double stroller is very fitting for your world of baby dolls.
You love sitting on your potty, but we haven't gone in it yet. Once you did, but it was pure luck. I saw your face and knew what you were doing. Then we ran to the potty where you finished. Hasn't happened since.
You are nonstop until you crash. You love your bed and try to climb in when you're ready. You've pulled down the bumper pads to use as pillows, silly girl. I watch you on the monitor and know you're safe. When you wake up, it's not long before you hit Mac's bed and yell his name. Dad and I race to get to you before you wake him.
Lilly Scott turned 7 on January 11. She was SO excited to share in the month long celebration. She wore her official birthday dress, had a party at school and celebrated with a few close friends and family at the Gymnastics Center of Chattanooga.
Classroom party where we served warm KK donuts.
Lilly Scott came home to a big surprise :o)
Probably my favorite picture of the whole weekend.
Her second big surprise... Nana came to Chattanooga for the birthday dinner!
Party time!
Happy Birthday to you!
Go, Gracie!
Gracie, little Maggie, big Maggie and Logan enjoy their cupcake
Go, big E!
Lilly Scott,
You weigh 49 lbs, and she is 48" tall. You love art and animals and people. Your heart and outgoing nature amaze me. You're not shy in unfamiliar settings and adjust when your nerves make you uneasy. You have been such an amazing addition, and our family has been blessed by your very presence. Stubbornness is part of what we are working on as well as first time obedience. It absolutely melts my heart when I hear you sing praises to Jesus. I know that you are surrounded by amazing teachers and caregivers at SBA, and it makes me proud to send you there.
Humor is something you come by VERY well. Comments, songs and gestures absolutely have us to the floor in laughter.
Here are some of your 'Lilly-isms':
-In college do you have to wait for your food, or do you have a waiter?
-Me: Fix your headband. Your hair is in your face.
LS: It's not a headband. It's a crown.
Me: If you're a princess then I'm the queen, and you have to do what I say.
LS: I'm a princess with dead parents.
-I want to be president when I grow up. Their house has pools and games inside. It even has a Walmart.
-After walking in circles behind you for 10 minutes in the corn field, we decided to take the lead. You continued to yell 'just trust me!'
-Talking in depth to you about college and the importance of being a good student beforehand. You interrupted me saying 'one, two, buckle my shoe...'
Your favorite foods are tomato soup and pizza (you eat about 5 pieces!), and you strongly dislike tomatoes (oh, the irony) and mushrooms.
We have learned so much on this journey, and we look forward to being your mom and dad for the next 184 years :o)
