Comfortable....

I am so very relieved to say that my Kelsaroni is now feeling a lot more comfortable these days. To tell you the truth, I have NO idea what the problem was. It was like a night and day difference that change about a week ago. Maybe her digestive system just had to figure itself out? maybe she had acid reflux and it's doing better? who knows?! Whatever it was, has definitely fixed it's self and she is a MUCH happier camper. No more walking her for hours around our kitchen island, applying pressure in whatever way to her stomach to help relieve pain, endless evenings of her fussing or sudden screams from sleep that she's in pain. She now sleeps most of the morning, awake on and off during the afternoon hours, alert at dinner time and sits contently in her highchair watching us eat. At 8pm she has a bottle then sleeps until 4am on the dot, eats and goes back to sleep until 7am. I hope I'm not jinksing (I have no idea how to spell that) this wonderful routine or contentment. It has been like this for almost a week. She is smiling all the time and cooing like crazy, which is so rewarding to see. Let's just say our house is a much happier house these days :)

Garage Sales: Fun & Addicting

This past Saturday, Bren and I woke up bright and early to hit the garage sales by 8am with our friend Erin and her sister Emily. Of course we hit the ones that say "Baby/Kid stuff" or girl clothes. It's a great hobby and plus it's usually pretty cheap! Here are some pictures of the great bargains I got!


Life doesn't get much better than this: All clean after bath, sitting in new chair, with new pj's on from Aunt Brenda, with blankie in hand, watching Dora.


Thanks Mom, I love my new Little People!

Kelsey enjoying her new bouncy seat.


A new way to do her new Barney puzzle.


It is always nice to be all home together on Sunday afternoons. I didn't even have to cook a Sunday dinner, we went out to Red Robin with Jason's family for lunch. Once we got home, we had a good time playing with all the new toys. (Jason and I also enjoy when Macey gets new toys, something new to do!)



The flash startled Kelsey- look at Macey's face!


Little construction worker Macey, wearing her dad's work hat and belt, climbing up dad's back. I didn't grab the camera quite fast enough, she did have his ankle brace on too earlier.
Reading books to Kelsey....
This blog is turning into more pictures than writing, but since I love pictures a lot more than writing, it doesn't surprise me. Hope you enjoy looking just as much as reading :)

My Mom...

I've been debating if I've wanted to write about what happened a year ago or not. As I sit here not even knowing what to write, I do feel that I want to write in honor of my wonderful mom.
It was a year ago yesterday that I came home from work to find my mom unresponsive while watching my daughter, Macey. After chasing the ambulance to Allegan Hospital, they soon told me that she would be airlifted to Bronson in Kalamazoo. It was there that they told us that she had had a brain aneurysm and would be taken back for surgery right away. She made it through surgery, but we knew her chances of a full recovery wasn't possible.
We lived at the hospital all week. We'd only go to see mom once or twice a day since it was so hard to see her in the condition that she was. We wanted the happy, cheerful, energetic, and loving Mom to be our last memories painted in our heads.
It got to the point where we had to say our "goodbyes" for now, and to let her go. She was a strong believer in donating her organs so we let her go on her own. She blessed many people's lives with her organs.
It was April 28 when my mom went to be with the Lord and I know she's been looking down on us ever since. We miss her dearly and can't wait to see her again.


Memories of Mom:

Us laughing for no reason at all at fast food drive thru's that she had to drive off because she couldn't finish ordering.

Shopping for any reason at all and going out to eat.

She couldn't spend enough time with Macey, or spoil her enough. I am glad Macey was only 14 months old when all of this happened so she has no memory of that day. She still recognizes my mom as Grandma in pictures to this day....

Relaxing up north at Clam Lake. Fishing in the rowboat, just us girls and going to the Dockside to eat.

Talking on the phone everyday and not for just 5 minutes.

Rushing home after Christmas Eve servive to open gifts. She'd always buy us WAY too much.

Many many trips for David's baseball games. She never missed a single one.

Laughing so hard in dressing rooms when we'd try on a pair of pants that were too tight. We'd still go pick up fries at McDonalds or stop at Captain Sundae on the way home :)

Many trips to the beach in the summer.

This list could go on and on. I am so thankful that I have so many great memories of my mom that will never fade. She was a great mom and I look up to her for SO much.

Fun with friends

look at that dirty face!


Whitecaps game on Friday night

Chaos at Brenda's house....
Wagon ride with friends and Chex Mix
The park sure does make you thirsty!

These past few days have been busy. We went to the Whitecaps game on Friday night. The weather was great and Macey loved it. She especially like the Pig mascot, and her Aunt Brenda was patient enough to listen to Macey ask every 10 seconds where the pig was. (thanks Bren) Both girls behaved really well considering how most evenings go for Kelsey and Macey was up way past her bedtime.

Saturday started off with getting Jason's haircut, visiting my dad, and getting groceries before coming home for lunch and naps. Then off to my Aunt Jean's to try on Macey's flower girl dress and accessories. She was not thrilled about this at the time since the dogs were outside playing and that was a lot more appealing to her. After reasoning with her, she got it all on and looked adorable then was off to run around outside with the dogs.

We then hung out at Brenda and Keith's house for a cookout. Many friends came with their kids so Macey had a blast playing with them. It's so much fun to watch all the little ones interact as they're getting older and can somewhat now play with each other. It pretty much looked like a tornado had come through their house by the end of the night.

Today me and the girls drove down to Colon to see my friend Elizabeth and her two kids, Bennett and Annabelle. It was a spur of a moment decision on our part since the weather was so nice. I'm so glad we went, the kids had fun playing outside at the park most of the day.

Now the house is quiet with tired children and it's about my bedtime. (yes it's only 9 o'clock)

Bright Sunny Days...

The last few days the weather has been beautiful out. We've tried to spend as much time outside as possible. Macey has been enjoying the outdoors a lot so far, even more than last year I'd say. We walked to a nearby school playground yesterday. Sixteen preschoolers came out to play while we were there. Macey was loving it. They were four year olds so it was amazing to see what she'd be like in just 2 years from now. The kids all waved and said goodbye to her as we left. We came home and had PB&J sandwiches for lunch and she went down for her nap. The park and fresh air must have tired her out because she slept FOUR hours. Last night she had fun in her sandbox and we put out her swing. It's so nice to be outside again. Tonight we're heading to the Whitecaps game. Macey is excited to wear her new baseball hat from her Aunt Brenda and to eat "nacks" (snacks). We should have great weather!

Mace being the little helper that she is.
Bumpa, Skylar (Dad's neighbor), and Macey
Smelling a hyacinth that we planted last year from Mom's funeral
Having fun on a beautiful spring evening in her sandbox

Typical Wednesday

Kelsey at 6 weeks old
Going out for ice cream for Aunt Lisa's birthday. Macey surely enjoyed this :)
Had to sit between Tony and Bumpa. She looks so proud doesn't she?
Our sleeping beauty......
Look at that face, doesn't she just look like trouble?

Today is a typical Wednesday. The girls and I came into Holland to hang out with Brenda since it's her day off from work. I had my 6 week appointment this morning at 9:30. The morning was a bit rushed to leave the house by 8:30am with both girls, but I am getting much better at this task. The trick I have figured out is, giving the girls baths at night. Usually that is a morning routine, but with summer around the corner and trying to get ready at a decent time in the morning, evenings work much better for this. Brenda had both girls while I was gone at my appointment, which was a first for her. She had things under control when I returned, Kelsey was eating like always and Macey was watching a new Barney movie that we rented, and looking at books.

We just booked our reservations for a camping adventure at Sandy Pines this summer. There will be 4 of us couples, 5 young kids, and a dog. This should be a good time! It will be here before we know it.

After Macey's nap, we'll be heading to Carter's for their Warehouse sale and Old Navy. Then off to dad's for our usual Wednesday dinner.

Kelsey has been doing a little better these days. The doctor suggested Soy formula. I'm not positive this is the answer as I see her stiff as a board right now in Brenda's arms trying to pass gas. She's been sleeping a lot the last few days so maybe that's why she seems better :) At least she's comfortable enough to sleep well. If this doesn't work, I'm suggesting it be acid reflux. I'm hoping to solve this REAL soon.

A bit off...

The past few days have been a bit off in our household. At times, it has been peaceful and quiet, yet other times there's been at least one if not two children crying. Macey found herself in the naughty spot a few too many times yesterday. We're hoping this is due to teething. She has been working on getting her canines which has been the slowest process ever! Her rubber ducky has been in her mouth most of the morning or her fingers, and this is quite unusual for her.
Our poor little Kelsey is still dealing with fussiness and we're too sure what the problem is. We thought it was solved by using lactose free formula, but again here we are fussier than ever :( I have actually been able to set her down for a few minutes so while I wait for the doctor to return my call, I am taking a few moments for myself. These days that means blogging and downloading new pictures, which I find myself taking more and more of each and everyday.
I must hurry now as I hear Macey waking up from her nap.....here are a few pictures from the past weekend.


Finger painting early Saturday morning in her PJ's.


Quite proud of her work!

Daddy and his girls

Me, attempting to get a picture of me and my girls. (thanks Macey for posing nice for mom!)

She sure loves her jelly on toast in the morning.

,

Goofball

Since I posted some pictures of Kelsey earlier, I thought I better post some pictures of my big goofball, Mace. She's been so full of it lately so here are some pictures.



Smelling to see if Kelsey pooped.


Silly faces..........

She was determined to use the big red bowl for her mac & cheese.

Smiles

I finally had my camera at the right time today to catch a few of Kelsey's smiles. This past week she has been starting to smile more and more, and they're not those "gas" smiles in her sleep :) She has been extremely happy the past two days since we switched her formula to lactose free. We're really hoping that does the trick for all her gas and digestive problems. Enjoy the pictures of our happy little girl!

April 9, 2008

Today Bren and I went shopping at Rivertown Crossings Mall. I had something to return and Brenda had to shop for some gifts for some friends. Jason's mom watched the girls so we could shop without having to stop to ride the carousel, play in the play area, change diapers, feed, etc. We were done shopping after only an hour and a half. Normally an outing to the mall is an ALL day event. Before we left, we stopped at Chili's to eat lunch. We got the lunch special for $6.99- half of a turkey sandwich, cup of soup, and fries. It sure did taste good!
Now we're back home and both girls have been sleeping for the past 2 hours. Brenda is tucked in my bed holding Kelsey as I search online for campgrounds to go camping at this summer. We're thinking Sandy Pines is looking quite fun.
Now we're going to look back at old pictures to see how old Macey was when she wore the outfit that Kelsey is wearing today. Kelsey is growing at a MUCH quicker rate than Macey did. So much for them sharing clothes. It is weird to me anyways seeing Kelsey in, "Macey's" old clothes.

Okay, here's the picture we found, Macey is on the top (2 months old) and Kelsey is on the bottom. ( 5 weeks old).

Macey sure had some chubby cheeks didn't she?!

One month old today

Today our little miss Kelsey Lynn is one month old. As I type this she is in my arms sound asleep, but if I would actually like to type with two hands that means setting her down, resulting in her waking up. She is already spoiled I know. Today I am able to hold her all day long since Macey is with her Grandma & Grandpa Burgess for the day. I am still in pj's, not showered and it's 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I do not have to make dinner since I am throwing a frozen meal (Brenda's) in the oven from our frozen meal party -- what a great day! I do miss having Macey around though. The house is way too quiet. She did actually talk on the phone to me just a bit ago (she has a fear of the phone when it's on, who knows why) and she said, "nuv ooo mom" so I am now anxious to have her home again soon. Jason will pick her up on his way home from work.
I was taking pictures of Kelsey today and realized how much she has grown in just a month. She is starting to get chub on her legs and her cheeks are defnitely filling out nicely. I still cannot say if she looks more like me or Jason. I hear so many different things. She resembles Macey when I look back at pictures, but for the most part she's going to have her own look. I am curious what will happen with this dark hair of hers. Macey's fell out around 4 months and came in blonde. It will be interesting to see how she changes these next few months.