Lots of Kisses

Hannah's new favorite thing is to give kisses. She kisses me, Emma, Travis and even Jack! When she talks to Honey on the phone, she will kiss the phone over and over....it's a big open mouthed kiss followed by a "MUAH"! So cute!

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH**

Hannah Brooke turned 1 today! It's a tradition in our family that no matter what other party we have for a birthday, no one gets presents from us until the actual day. So, last night we celebrated Hannah's birthday. We had lots of yummy cake and presents. She had so much fun. Hannah didn't want to get her hands dirty, so she dove FACE FIRST into her cake! During presents, she couldn't get her attention from the first present to open the rest, so thank goodness Emma was there to help out and show her what it was all about! :) Hannah loved her new wagon and water xylophone. Overall, she had a great day! She goes to the doctor on the 8th, so I will have updated stats then. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures!

Just Call her Rosie

Friday, I had to go pick Hannah up early. She was running a high fever. I called Dr. Lovell and made an appointment. By the time we left for the doctor, her fever was up to 104. I was VERY worried. However, she had no other symptoms. We got to the doctor and he checked her ears, her throat and her nose....NOTHING! So, we had to have blood work done. Of course, it was late Friday afternoon and the lab wouldn't have anything for us until Monday. We were sent home and told it would be ok and to come back Monday morning. Friday night, Hannah went to bed at 7:15 and didn't wake up until I woke her at 10:15 Saturday morning! Of course, I was worried and checked on her every 10-15 minutes and finally couldn't stand it anymore and woke her up.

She was much better Saturday with her fever only dancing around 101. I was feeling good and thinking we would just cancel the appointment for Monday because she was getting better. Saturday night, at bath time...there it was! A RASH...ALL OVER HER! But, still no fever. Sunday morning, she woke up and the rash was worse, but still...NO FEVER!?! I put her in the bath again trying to comfort her. She was a terror all day long. And...I forgot to mention, Travis was out of town working! Thank goodness my wonderful mother was on her way up here for a training and she rescued me long enough to go to Walmart. Travis got home Sunday night and stayed with her Monday.

We both took her to the doctor Monday morning and Dr. Lovell laughed! HOW DARE HIM LAUGH AT MY RASHY CHILD!?! He said, "It's easier to diagnose on the backside of this than the front...she has Roseola!" Unfortunately for Hannah, there is nothing you do for this, but wait it out. So, Travis and Hannah went home and she slept most of the day. I got home and she was MUCH more pleasant than she had been the past two days. This morning, she woke up rash-free and happy! So, she is at school today and HAPPY! But, I will still call her ROSIE!

Here is a picture of her after the doctor Friday, (notice the big pink bandage from the blood work!). Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the rash, but here are some bath tub pictures. This is the only place she was happy, so we spend a majority of Sunday in the tub!

Pre-Party, Fun with Cookie and Easter Weekend

This past week, Emma went to Hot Springs and spent some QT with Honey and Daddy Brooks. She made cupcakes for Hannah's early birthday, went to the Mid America Museum and Daddy Brooks even took her to get a mani pedi! She had a ball!

Travis, Hannah and I arrived in Hot Springs on Friday evening. We had a blast playing and having Hannah's "Pre-Birthday Party". Also, Molly (Cookie) and her family came by and watched the game with us. It was so good to see them all. Emma had so much fun playing with Sydney. She loves playing with older kids. Hannah and Carson were both a little fussy and not too pumped about each other, but we did try to get a picture or two! Cookie, it was so good to see you and your family! We MUST do it more often!

Saturday, Mom, Dad, Travis and I went to the horse races at Oaklawn. We go every year at least once and had a blast as usual. Mom and I pooled our money and ended up doing ok. Travis...poor Travis...he couldn't win if there was one horse racing! We had so much fun. My grandparents kept the girls and had a blast. Emma always loves going over there. Thank you, GrandDa and Daddy Ben, for keeping them. Saturday night, when we got home, we decorated Easter eggs. This year, Emma wanted to actually color them. I say this, because last year when we asked her what color she wanted her eggs, she got super excited and said "HOW ABOUT WHITE!?". Before bed, we talked about what Easter meant and why we celebrate Easter. I had a hard time helping Emma understand that the Easter Bunny is NOT in the Bible. But, I think she finally got it.

Sunday morning, the Easter Bunny had stopped by and left the girls some things in their baskets. I did not get a picture of the baskets before Emma dumped them out. Then, we went to church with Honey, Daddy Brooks, GrandDa and Daddy Ben. I have a few pictures of the girls to share, because I could NOT get them both to look at the camera at the same time. They looked beautiful in their dresses. At church, it was a wonderful sermon and both girls were pretty good in church. After church, we went to the Country Club for lunch. It was great. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for taking us. Overall, we had a great Easter weekend.

Sunday Fun and Fits

This weekend, we took Emma and Hannah to watch "Horton Hears a Who". It's a great movie and they had fun. Hannah took a little siesta during the middle, but woke up just in time for Jim Carrey and Steve Carroll's rendition of "I can't fight this feeling...". Hannah was dancing. It was hilarious. Emma is kid in the movies that laughs really loud....louder than everyone else....louder than the movie. Yeah...she's that kid!

When we got back from the movies, we played outside. I brought Hannah inside to change her diaper and...duh duh duh....the temper that we didn't know existed came to light. She kicked, screamed and threw herself on the floor. I couldn't even get her pants back on her. Needless to say, we didn't go back outside and to find some humor in this fit, I took a picture to share with the world! I will also show this picture to her when she tells me about the fits her kids are throwing! :) She had another one this morning and Travis and I are at a loss with what to do with her. Hopefully, she will grow out of it...I did, right?

So...Emma is the "Loud Laugher" and Hannah is the "Fit Thrower". What are/were your kids?

Parker's Birthday

This weekend we went to Parker Stearns birthday party. She turned one and we had a great time. The girls had fun "helping" Parker open her gifts and Emma loved the cake. I wouldn't let Hannah have and because she has to wait until her party! :) Here are a few pictures from the party. Thanks for inviting us, Jamie! We had a blast!

11 MONTHS...plus a few days

Ok...so I am not the best at posting the updates, but Hannah turned 11 months on March 3rd. She is getting so big, I can hardly believe how time is flying by! We don't have another check up until her 1 year visit, but she is getting sooooo big!
Hannah is pulling up and cruising on everything. She knows how to call Jack and say Bird. She is eating almost all table food with very little baby food, if any and does great with her sippy cups. The only unfortunate part about her eating habits is the only time I can get her to use a plate or bowl is when she is on the floor. If she has one in her highchair, she just dumps the food off and throws the plate on the floor. We are working on that! Hannah's favorite person, by far, is Emma. Emma will scream and then Hannah will copy her. They will both just laugh and laugh! Hannah has started copying everything we say and loves when you copy her. She is growing like a weed and is now facing forward in her car seat! Pictures are below...enjoy!

Here Comes Spring!

This weekend, we had an absolutely beautiful day on Sunday. It was sunny and warm...quite a change from the snow we saw last week. So, after church, we took advantage of the day. Travis and I worked in the yard (which really needed it since it was totally neglected last spring/summer as we were consumed with a new baby). The girls had a blast playing outside. After Travis and I finished the yard work, we played too. We played in Emma's club house, pushed them on the swing, played baseball and chased them down the drive way on their ride on's. It was so fun. I really hope this weather sticks around! If you wonder why Hannah's mouth is wide open in all these pictures, she was yelling...no...SCREAMING at Emma. They like to do that to each other and laugh...A LOT!