First Day and Last Day of Kindergarten

Ellie & her dad on her first day of Kindergarten!

I found my locker!!


I love this pic. I took this one on her first day of Kindergarten and decided that I'm going to have to take one right at this very spot every year that she'll let me. What a sweet picture!!!

Today was so sweet. The very last day of Kindergarten. It was just yesterday that Jeff and I were taking her in her classroom for her first day of school, meeting her teacher, Mrs. Potter, seeing her beautiful classroom and meeting all her new friends. They all seem to have grown up so fast this year. I must admit, sitting there watching her in her class today made me sad. I was having to hold back the tears.

The transition to first grade should be an easy one for her next year, though. She was in a multiage classroom which means that there was just a partition separating the kindergarten class and the first graders. At times throughout the week the first graders would come over and help the kindergarteners with their writing and drawing. Ellie got to know the first grade teacher, which is nice, so there should be no transition problems. Basically the way it works is her whole kindergarten class will just transition over to the first grade classroom and then Ellie will be the big first grader coming over to help the kindergarteners. We're keeping our fingers crossed that her friend Lily gets Mrs. Potter next year so that they will be able to see each other some.

Ellie & Fisher!

Last Day of Kindergarten!

An evening at the park with my boy!

Fisher and I had so much fun this past week. Daddy took Ellie to her swimming lessons Tuesday and Thursday night and I took full advantage of a beautiful evening. I got my boy and headed to Chester Frost. I promised him that if he would ride in the stroller and let me walk for a little bit that we would hit the sandy playground on the way out. It was so much fun. We saw tons of squirrels, geese and baby geese (goslings??) so cute and fuzzy. It was AWESOME!! Decided I need to do this every week. Of course, Fisher it two now and I'm wondering how long he's going to tolerate this habit of mine!

Bunny Hop

This year Ellie decided to take her best friend from Kindergarten to the Bunny Hop with us. It was soooo much fun last year. It's held at the Pavilion downtown and they always have the sweetest little bunnies from Noah's Ark Petting Zoo there for all the kids to hold. It's so sweet because they wrap them up in little baby blankets for the kids. I got tons of great pics last year of Ellie and her cousin with the bunnies. I mean, after all, it is called THE BUNNY HOP! This year, unfortunately, the bunnies weren't there! I was so disappointed. I couldn't believe it! The girls still had a great time, but.... Anyway, here's some pics!





Thank goodness for the turtle who saved the night! He was quite an interesting fellow!

Swinging!!

Fisher and Ellie both love the swingset we have in the back. We've had some pretty nice days in Jan and Feb, so here's some random shots!

Fisher is 2 (yeah, like a month ago)

Party Friends!


This pic is so cute. We all stood around him and sang Happy Birthday and then he did the "more" sign (sign language), so everybody sung it to him again. He loved being the center of attention!


Life-size Pirate!


THE CAKE!


Fisher had a great birthday party - LOTS of friends. Mom did his cake, as usual, and it was awesome. He had a Peter Pan/Captain Hook party. He got lots of great toys that him and his sis are enjoying. I'm just going to post some random pics of the festivities!!

Fisher

Thought I would do a quick update on Fisher and then get more caught up on my posting. He's been to a few docs lately and he's doing great. We had the dreaded geneticist, but did well! I always hate going to her b/c it just reminds me of what's going on with him and that he's different. I really don't think about it much b/c he's doing so good. HE'S WALKING!!! Plus, we don't get any positive feedback from her. So, needless to say, glad that one is over!
The surgeon said he looked great! We have a one-year follow-up with her from his surgery last year and now that's another doctor we can cross off our list. The list is getting smaller and smaller - YIPPEE!
We went to the doctor this morning and found out he's got a sinus infection - talk about disgusting.... Ellie had one a couple of weeks ago and it was nothing like this. The poor guy has been waking up every morning with his nose completely shut with gunk! It has been such a burden and chore to clear his nasal passages every day. So hopefully with a little antibiotic in him tomorrow will be a good day. You know, Jeff or I neither one have sinus problems, so what's up with all the sinus issues with the kids? Very odd.

Ellie's name is on the Board!

YIKES! There was a note from Ellie's teacher today in the back of her OK book! There has never been a note in there. It's the space in the back that's only for the teacher and parent to communicate and tonight there was a note. Something about her behavior. My girl? Is she talking about my sweet Ellie???? Anyway, it took some probing but I finally got her to talking a little bit. You know, it's pretty difficult to talk with a five-year-old. I thought it would get easier as they understand more stuff, but, no, it's not. She really didn't want to talk much and I don't know what to believe when she tells me stuff. Not that she's lying to me at all - that's not it. She's just explaining something with her feelings more so than what may have really happened. Like she's come home lately saying that Katelynn (her best friend since they met day one) is not her friend anymore because Katelynn is mean to her or Katelynn won't play with her. I think they're still friends, but I honestly don't know. I've met Katelynn several times and seriously doubt she's mean to her. I'm thinking about calling Katelynn's mom just to see if Katelynn has said anything about them not being friends anymore. Is that crazy or what? I just worry about my Little Bit's feelings. It's just so hard when they start school and you don't know everything about everything anymore. I have to poke and prod and pull teeth to get an answer to any of my questions!

Oh, back to being called out in class. Turns out a kid at her table was talking, so she was talking to him instead of listening to Ms. Potter. When I asked her if she was listening to Ms. Potter and if she made a good decision today, she said that she had good listening ears but that Ms. Potter asked for all their eyes to be up front and she didn't hear that - ha!!

Will blog about the party as soon as I can get some pics on the computer to upload - hopefully soon.

Saturday fun!

We had such a great day today. I'll have to post the pics later. I'm super lazy in the evenings and like to sit in the bed with my laptop while Ellie is watching a movie on the weekends, but my camera pics are on the big computer in the office. Maybe I'll post the pics tomorrow. We'll see....
Anyway, we went to Avery's birthday party at the Spirit Barn today. That place is so cool for a birthday party. Ellie ran around everywhere and had a blast, but it was fun for Fisher, too. His favorite was me holding him and jumping on the trampoline. His mouth was just wide open!! He was great. Of course, toward the end I was bouncing kind of slow on the trampoline and he put his head on my shoulder and fell asleep. That is so awesome!! I wonder how much longer I'm going to get to hold a sleeping baby.
It's funny how so many people can't wait for their kids to grow up. You know, I worry about them getting bigger! I like them just the way they are. Of course, I was looking back at some pictures of Ellie when she was three and she just seemed so little then. Man, time flies. You know, as all the parents were sitting on the sidelines today watching their kids, I had the thought, "wow, when will I be able to do that and let my kids run around," and as soon as I thought that, it was gone. I absolutely loved being out there in the middle of the kids keeping up with Fisher. I figure I'll have the rest of my life to sit and visit with people. My kids are so fun to be with.
With that said, I am so enjoying my time at home with them while Mom is gone. I need to plug more time in my workweek for them. Fisher's Family Training Coordinator at Siskin mentioned that it would be beneficial if he started going to school at Siskin next August just about two days a week. They want me to think about it for a few weeks, but I know I'm going to let him do it. Talk about a hard day!!! He'll only be 2 and a half. I just can't imagine him being in preschool. But things are going to be a little different for him and I definitely think the structure and activities they provide down there will help him blossom. But two days is all they get!!! He gets a lot of structure and activities from him Gam, too. I think she'll have a hard time giving him up! Enough talk about that.
Again, even though it's difficult being a parent, I wouldn't trade a day of it. I can definitely say that I cherish every day with my babies!

Back to normal

Okay. Back to myself today, doing good. Just have crappy days every once in a while and it's probably not good that I have the computer strapped around my neck so that everyone can hear how crappy my day is! HA! I know that I've got a beautiful family and am blessed with two awesome kids and a great husband/dad, too, so I'm good. Things I worry about pale in comparison to things that others are having to go through, and I know that.
Please pray for my friend Debbie. She's at Vanderbilt now. She started a drug trial last week with Merek b/c that's her last hope and it's not going well. Hopefully we'll know more today, but it's just awful. I HATE CANCER!! It has taken way too many people away from me this past year and it's sooo sad to see what they and their family has had to go through.

Kindermusik

I know I'm supposed to be working right now and not bloggin', but I got something on my mind. I think once I post I'll be able to concentrate on work more anyway.

You know, I was so excited about Kindermusik starting back last night for Fisher. We've done two semesters and he's absolutely loved it. We've been in the 6 months to 1 1/2 year class, though, so Fisher was the oldest in the class last semester. He could have moved up last Aug., but his teacher thought he would enjoy the class more if he stayed back one more semester, which was fine with me. I mean, I know that he's a little delayed in motor skills, etc., and I didn't want him getting run over in the bigger class. So you would have thought I would learn to prepare myself for these moments better, but it always takes me by surprise. It's so frustrating!! I'm not sure why I can't -- well, I guess I "can't" b/c I really concentrate on Fisher being who he is and try really hard not to compare him to others, which is usually ok, but it wasn't last night.

We're now in a class where all the kids are walking and running around, talking, etc. You get the picture. And, too, we're doing a class that I did with Ellie that was so much fun. I can now go back in my memories and remember what it was like when Ellie was in the class running around. They sing this song "Roll over, Rover" and the kids are supposed to get down and roll over. Well, Fisher doesn't roll over at all. I kind of had to force him, which wasn't easy. I mean, how did I miss this milestone? How have I not taught him to roll over. It just broke my heart. And then he's doing his little dancing thing when he sits on his knees and waves his little arms and swings his head back and forth saying "Mama, mama" and I'm trying to distract him so that he won't do that so that people won't look at him and think he's different. I'm so mad at myself for doing that. I'm not sure it's a good behavior that we need to continue, but it's him and is it wrong that I'm trying to get him to stop? I felt like I was taking something away from him by making him stop.

Thankfully, these moments are few and far between for me, but I do realize that I'm going to have them for the rest of my life with him. Things are going to be different for him and, quite frankly, I don't live in reality with him very much. I treat him like he's my sweet boy and try to not think about the things that he's got going on. That's the only way I can make it. I definitely couldn't live my life feeling the way I did last night or this morning. And, too, he's come such a long way and he's done so good that I feel guilty for feeling this way about him. He's such an awesome little guy that tries so hard to do everything that we teach him. It's not right that I get so upset when I'm in a room of kids that are doing so much more than he is when he's doing the best he can at what he does.

I'm glad that we don't have class this Monday. At least I'll have one more week to pull myself together before I do it again. He absolutely loves his music class and there's no way I wouldn't take him. It's been really good for him. So I'll just have to suck it up and get in a better frame of mind for the next time. At least I'll be better prepared!!

Thanks for listening.....

Ellie's Tummy

Well, I think we have finally figured out what's going on with Ellie's tummy. She has had LOTS of accidents with pee and poo in her panties since about July. She took some medicine which made her poo really runny, so she had some accidents then, but still, long after the medicine was gone, still having accidents. I know, not what my potty-training friends want to hear!!
Anyway, we went to the doc on New Year's Eve and saw Dr. Wiley b/c Dr. Shumaker wasn't in. I'm glad we saw him. I guess we were fresh faces to him so he really listened to what I was saying: Ellie is smart enough to know when she needs to go to the bathroom. She says when this happens that she doesn't know it's happening. I BELIEVE HER! So he sent us for a tummy x-ray.
Sure enough, there were signs of Silent Constipation. I didn't realize you could poo when you're constipated, but apparently you can. So to make this yucky story short, she's on Miralax every day for two weeks to clean her out, then we have to give it to her every other day for two months. He said it could take two or three months to get this problem cleared up! She's doing really well and doesn't mind taking the Miralax - says she can't even taste it - THANK GOODNESS!! The other alternative was the E word - YIKES!!

Date night!

Yea, Jeff and I had a date last night!! That doesn't happen for us very often. It's tough to call on Mom to babysit in the evening after she's had the kids all day for me. Plus, it's hard for me to go out with Jeff and leave the kids at Mom's when I haven't spent any time with them all day!! But we did it. We went to Red Lobster, one of Jeff's favorite spots. It's funny how we tend to stay in Hixson even on a date night. Could have gone anywhere, but we stay in Hixson. Are we homebodies or what? Anyway, after we got the bill for two entries and two teas, it was very easy to see why Red Lobster was dead and Chili's was slammin'. They have gone up on their prices so much! YIKES!!
Anyway, after I got over that shock, we were still able to enjoy the evening. We headed over to Verizon and got me a new phone for $0. Can you believe it? It was time for me to reup my phone, but I had no idea that it would cost me nothing. But of course, I'm out on the front end awaiting my rebate - ha, ha.
We also went to Wolf Camera and looked at their cameras. I was so disappointed with my Christmas pics this year, and really all of my pictures this year. I've got a good camera, but it's not taking the kind of pics I want to take. The pictures are blurry if anybody in the picture moves and the flash is so delayed that I'm missing out on the "perfect" shot. So I found one I like, just have to save a little more $$ before I get it. Once you have kids, though, you really understand how important your pictures are. They're only small once!

Christmas Day 2008!

This is Fisher and his Mammaw at our house for Christmas Dinner! Obviously Blogger posted my pics out of order!

I love this picture!!! This was Christmas afternoon. As much as I would love to have a white Christmas, I have to admit that it was very nice to be able to get outside on Christmas and play in the sunshine for a little while. The weather was great. We went for a walk, played on the swingset and walked in the crunchy leaves in the woods!

Such a sweet smile. He's ready for our walk!

Jeff's favorite present. His mom and dad had this done for him.

My rock star!

One of Fisher's favorite toys, a 12' tunnel. Ellie is hot on his heels!!

The Rudolph critters. Santa came through!!

Ellie said this was the best Christmas ever! I'm not sure why, but she really seemed to enjoy herself. She is so good on Christmas morning. She won't come out of her room b/c she wants to wait on Fisher and go to the tree together! So she just called me in there, we got Fisher up and then it was off to the tree. She did really good opening all of her presents, then we fed Fisher, then she helped him tear into all of his! Of course, while she was busy opening, Fisher had a new train table that he was playing with, so he was having fun!

We did have a great Christmas. I've had to work more than I wanted to over the break, but it's been so awesome to have the extra time with the kids! We've had lots of fun. Plus, two more days before Ellie goes back to school! Got a playdate with Clay (her boyfriend) planned for Tuesday. She is soooo excited. We haven't seen him in months!

Christmas Eve 2008!

This is Allison (cousin) and Ellie doing their singing program that they always do for us on Christmas Eve up at Jeff's parents.

Putting reindeer food out for Rudolph and his friends!

Baking cookies for Santa!

Fisher just loves having a sister!

Our elf Caper on her her last night with us. WHAT A MESS!

Christmas Parade Downtown Chattanooga

This is one of the EPB windows downtown.

Not a great pic of me, but the kids looked sweet! I think they both really enjoyed it, but it was sooooooo cold. We were very bundled, plus had some hot hands. Luckily I packed marshmallows (Fisher's new favorite) and hot chocolate to keep us warm!

Such a sweetie!

Gatlinburg Fun with Gam!

Well, where do I start. It's obvious that the holidays have overwhelmed me and I haven't been posting in a while. Better resolve to do better in the New Year! Ha!!
Anyway, Ellie, Fisher and I went with Gam to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for a long weekend in December. It was the one-year anniversay of my Nana passing away last year and I just thought we needed to get out and have some fun so we weren't too sad! So Ellie skipped school on Friday and we headed out. She has been three times in her life so far, but the last time she went she was three. I'm thinking the whole time I've been taking her that we're making great family memories, etc., well, she never remembered going and didn't have a clue what she was in for. Well, I'm sure that she remembered this trip this year.
We, of course, had to go to the Cat House in PF. We always make stop there to get our kitties at home a little treat. Plus, they always have cats roaming around in the store for adoption, so it's a neat place to go. After that we just walked around the Old Mill shops (i.e., Toy Store) and then ate our favorite meal at the Old Mill! I love that place. After dinner we headed to the Christmas Shoppe. We love that place! It's huge! The decorations there are just awesome. Ellie really had fun in there. Af that we headed back to our room for hot chocolate and popcorn. Mom had found us a really great place to stay that has a mini-kitchen plus the bedroom is shut off from the living space, so we put Fisher to bed and settled in with a movie.


Ellie brought Fisher an icicle to touch!

Ellie & Gam

We found this snowman on the side of the road!

Saturday, we headed to Newfound Gap for snow! We could see it in the distance on the mountain tops and had to find it. It was so awesome watching the scenery change the closer we got to the top. Ellie had a blast playing in the snow. Fisher, on the other hand, got out one time, but for the most part enjoyed it from the car. After naps in the room we headed up to Gatlinburg for the evening. It was fun shopping around up there. They've even got a Bubba Gump's now, so that's where we had dinner. We saw carolers on the streets, too. So awesome! Ellie absolutely loved it. I think Fisher had a good time, too. He's such a great little guy. Just goes with the flow so easily (as long as he gets his nap!) We hit some outlets on the way home on Sunday to wrap up the trip.

Walking in Gatlinburg!

Cuddling in the sleigh! It was too cold to get Fisher out of his stroller!

Fisher loves lion!

Creek by the place we stayed!

Definitely not the kind of trip I used to take to PF/Gatlinburg when I was without kids and shopped all day long, but I wouldn't change it for nothing. We had such a great time. We're going to have to plan a trip in the spring with Daddy and go to the aquarium, and do go carts, etc.