Tale of Two Sisters & A New Brother

One of the last nice days of the year I think. The ear infections, coughs and runny noses finally hit me as I went to bed with a golf in my throat so today was a day to relax. Unlikely.

Actually not too bad as John & Caileigh spent most of the day painting (thanks to Aunt Amanda and her cool princess activity book she gave to Caileigh for her birthday)and then plotted their strategy for putting up the outside lights. I think I overheard "dad we need to go through the lights one more time so we know what ones to use". John shook his head a few times today as Caileigh surprised us all by getting dressed by herself which included picking out her own outfit. And as we made our way out the door, she in her pink leggings, black shirt, pink sweatshirt, pink headband and small dog in her purse slung over her shoulder (thanks Nin Nin!). John said, what is going on here?! Ah 4 year olds!

More decorating and organizing the house today. Getting ready to chop down the tree next weekend. But first it was time to set up the manger scenes and the Inn at Bethlehem. Caileigh is doing a great job of telling the story to everyone about how Mary & Joseph tried to get a room at the Inn but instead had to stay in the stable. Keira is getting a kick out of playing with all the "little people". So far she doesn't seem to notice the tree which is good!

Oh and Caileigh woke up around 3 am screaming and screaming b/c her ear hurt. She & John slept downstairs while Keira and I slept in various rooms throughout the night. Turns out Caileigh has another ear infection. No big surprise as her hearing was getting worse.
Lets hope this round of antibiotics actually works. We go back to the ENT mid- December.

But the bad hearing hasn't stopped our little writer from writing and recognizing all her letters. You just tell her how to spell it and off she goes! Her writing easel is getting put to good use !

Happy Birthday Daddy!! What a fun birthday! After a quick trip to the stores for the black friday sales, it was back in time for breakfast in bed! Then since it was such a cold dreary day outside, the birthday boy and Caileigh decided to stay in their pajamas almost the whole day! We got down all the Christmas decorations and started decorating. Then it was a nice dinner of ribs in the crockpot. We finished the day with pumpkin pie & ice cream! Happy Birthday to our favorite husband and daddy!

Happy Thanksgiving !!
Even though we say thanks to God every night for our many blessings (esp the one the little one crawling all over me as I type) we don't always say thanks to you! All of you that check in on Caileigh and Keira's lives - thank you for loving us and being a special part of out lives!!

Well the good thing is that both girls made it through a whole week at school & daycare! Unfortunately Keira decided that sleeping through the night was for the birds and she's back getting up in the middle of the night.

Keira still favors saying "Daa" whenever you say "say Ma". Oh, except in the middle of the night = "maa maa maa'. And Daddy taught her to share so she loves to hand things back to you and take them from you. Caileigh and I have been brushing up on our sign language to teach Keira more signs that just "more".

And Keira has learned to shake her head no, again and again. Especially when you say "no Keira" she shakes her head for you! Or if you offer her something she doesn't want, she lets you know it!

Looking forward to the short week at work, Thanksgiving & Daddy's birthday!

More and more ear infections! Poor Keira had a fever on Thursday of 102.5 and since we just happened to be going to the ENT with Caileigh we dragged Keira along and she had another ear infection. Only one ear but she's on her third antibiotic. She's seems ok but isn't drinking or nursing too much anymore so I'm sure there's some teething contributing to her strike. Always a mystery! Caileigh is still not hearing well and neither am I so the whole house is deaf!! Go away fluid!

Otherwise a beautiful weekend, got lots of yard work done -- finally!! Daddy went to the Steeler game (which we lost) and the girls and I went across the street to the neighbors for a tailgate. I'm out of town Monday so its just the girls and John again! Happy Birthday Pap Pap and Aunt Bridget!!

Yay for no fever so Caileigh could get her flu shot. She did great, shed a few tears but not for long after Dr. Adhar promised her a fortune cookie & candy (that we took to Dr. Adhar last week!). Her ears look better, still infected but not as bad. We go Thursday back to the ENT to check out and see if she needs tubes. Frankly, I'm hoping she does b/c every time she gets an ear infection her hearing goes bad. And its very frustrating for her and us!! We shout and she says "what" and then we know her ears are full of fluid. Hopefully they will clear soon, poor kid.

And then as if a flu shot wasn't enough, Caileigh had a dentist appointment too! She was quite the trooper and sat still the whole time and didn't complain once. Her teeth look great says the dentist, and she's doing everything right. He said stay away from juice, pop, candy and chewy things which we do so she's doing great!

And I wouldn't be a good mom if I didn't end this proud post with the proudest news of all ... Caileigh is spelling and writing her name all by herself! Not just her name but other words too (as you will see when you get your thank you notes!). Thanks to the great teachings of her Aunt Molly and Caileigh's love of writing all the time, she has her name down pat! She even recognizes the letters in other words - "hey there's a C" or "that's a K in Keira's name"! We're pretty proud of our 4 year old :) Harvard is already calling - ha ha!

What a gorgeous day today! Mom, Daddy & I went to see "Harold & the Purple Crayon" downtown while Keira hung out with Grammy & Pap Pap. Then they came back to our house for dinner for Pap Pap's birthday.

I have to get my flu shot tomorrow so hopefully everything else will be fine and I'll be able to get it!

Fun Saturday! Gymnastics, then yard work with Mom & Dad, nice long nap with Dad and playing with Grandma & Grandpa while Mommy & Daddy went out on a date!

Back to the doctors for both girls to get the flu shots they couldn't get 2 weeks ago. Keira's ears were clear so she got her shots but Caileigh had a double ear infection (not a shock) so she couldn't get any shots. We'll go back Monday for those.

Happy 10 months Sweet Keira! Boy your 9th month was rough! It seemed like you were sick the whole time but now you're finally starting to feel better (even though you are still not sleeping so great). What's new with our favorite 10 month old?

-- she must be getting ready to get some teeth on top b/c she always has her finger in her mouth;

-- she's crawling fast and pulling herself on anything she can. We had to put up the child locks since she's opening cabinets;

-- she's waving! Usually hi in response to you waving to her;

-- saying "da da" and "ma ma" - sometimes in response to right person!

-- clanging things together, stacking blocks & sometimes getting food in her mouth with a spoon!

We love you Sweet Keira!!

Big day for Daddy! His first half marathon! The girls and I met Ms. Eileen, Grandma & Grandpa down at PNC Park and cheered everyone on as we waited for Daddy to run by! He was looking good at 6 miles and we cheered as he ran past.

Then, in the car we drove uptown to Grant Street where we waited and cheered for all the runners. Then we saw him again - looking strong (even if he wasn't feeling that way). That was 10 miles so we hurried up and got in our cars again and drove to the South Side for the finish!!

We got there just in time to see him finishing the last mile and running to the finish! YAY!! We were so proud of him - the best Daddy in the world!!

Happy Halloween!! Seems like Caileigh has been in her costume for days, first the Children's Museum, then school parade & now Halloween!

Princess Belle was all excited and we hit a ton of houses, she got more and more brave every house! Keira & Daddy stayed home and handed out candy to all the nieghborhood kids. Then after about 3 candy bars it was off to bed!