Another bug bite

Remember this post about Laney's bug bite last month?  Well, we had a repeat, kind of, not as severe but definitely another reaction.  She woke up last Friday morning and immediately showed me her hand when I got her out of her crib. 

This was her hand at breakfast.  It was definitely red and swollen but again, not affecting her daily activity or happy demeanor at all.

Adam had gotten home early this Friday and after talking about it, we were still worried about it enough for me to take her to urgent care.  Our main concern was infection and with our experience last month, we thought it would be best to get another opinion and have it documented.

So at 4:30 on Friday afternoon, Laney and I headed to Urgent Care.  Luckily we were the only ones there so we were seen right away.   

Here is her hand at Urgent Care.  The redness had lightened up but it was definitely still swollen.  Doc confirmed no infection and definitely another allergic reaction.  For future issues like this we will stick to Benadryl and keep a close eye on it for infection.  She gave me some key signs that point to infection and when to be worried.  We don't know what bug she is allergic to....maybe ant bites??  She has other bug bites on her legs and they are normal looking bites.  Right now we are just thankful that it's a mild reaction and nothing severe!

Our Weekend-enjoying the cool(er) weather

We had a weekend at home with no plans besides a birthday party for one of Coop's buddies and church.  It was really nice, we watched cartoons in bed each morning, ate breakfast and lunch at home (we went thru almost an entire container of peanut butter since Friday!  We love PB&J!) and everyone got lots of sleep.  The weather has cooled off and we haven't seen over 100 in probably a week!  This weekend it was upper 80's/low 90's...crazy cool weather for Texas in August so we took advantage and headed outside.  Friday night we went to feed the ducks then Saturday and Sunday we went to the park.  We haven't been to the park in weeks because of the hot, hot weather.

 This girl was dying to go feed the 'go-gos,' her word for ducks.

 Coop was so funny, he was talking to the ducks about the bread like he talks to Lola about her treats ;).

 Laney Faith rarely smiles like this when the camera is out!

 We went to Old Navy Saturday morning for everyone to get new jeans (major sale, $8 kids and $15 adults!) except for me...but Cooper thought it was funny that one of the mannequins had a belly like his mom :).  Does anyone else's children love the Old Navy dog or is it just my kids??  Laney is giving the dog kisses here and I think I have the same picture of Cooper at this age.

 After Old Navy we went to the park and apparently she thinks she's too big for the baby swings and Cooper rode his bike all around.

 Sunday I made us lunch and we took it to the park to eat and play.

Oh Laney, she is making quite the faces these days.  Not only did I make lunch to take to the park, I let them play in the sandbox...yep, best.mom.ever.

Hope you all had an awesome weekend too!  We are gearing up to celebrate our baby turning 2 next weekend!!!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Visit

As I wrote in kids' birthday party post, Grandma and Grandpa were here last weekend.  I don't have many pics other than the party because they often had the kids without me ;).  When you don't have grandparents that live in the same city, you take full advantage when they are here...hello free (and the best) baby-sitters!!!!!  Friday night Adam and I ran birthday errands and went out for dinner/ice cream.  Saturday they took the kids out all morning so Adam and I could cook/clean/get ready for the party.  

 Grandpa got to read lots of books to Cooper over the weekend and was corrected if he read any character name wrong ;).

 Yep, Adam and I sat across the booth all by ourselves :).  

 They got Coop a Power Ranger costume, he was pumped!

Another thing Grandparents do...actually put money in the machines instead of just tossing the kid up there and telling them it doesn't work/you don't have any money....of course, I never tell my kids that ;).

Cooper's thoughts on Baby #3

I just love that Cooper is old enough to really start comprehending the fact that I am pregnant and what that means in a few months...we will have another family member, I am not just getting a belly from eating too much ice cream!  He has some 4 year old thoughts that I don't want to forget from this time.   Here are a few that have stuck in my mind recently.

**In an attempt to stall bedtime he says to me, "Can you believe we are going to have 3 kids!!!  It's going to be awesome!"  Clearly listening to his Dad and I.

**The other day he asked if he could hold the baby after it was born and if I would take a picture.  I said, "Of course you can!  As much as you want!"  He said, "Ok, I'll hold the baby, you can put the carseat next to me for it and Laney can sit with me too for the picture."

**He has decided it's a boy and named it Colton, however recently his boy name has changed to Wyatt.  Even though he says it's a boy, he almost always refers to it as a she.

**On the way to the gym he says, "How do you know she likes it when you work out?  What are you going to do if she doesn't like it?"

**Occasionally at bedtime he will kiss my belly.  Every night he says prayers, he has me hold up my hand and prays for all 5 of us (Lola).  He thinks it's funny that I have to add an extra finger so he can pray for the baby ;).

**When Laney is rough housing, he often reminds her to be careful, that Mom has a baby in her belly.

Record Speed Mani/Pedi

While I was putting away laundry tonight, Laney was right behind me shuffling thru our bathroom cabinets.  She brings me her nail polish (she knows it's hers because I have tried, unsuccessfully, to paint her nails over and over again), sits down and grunts at her toes.  "Oh, you want me to paint your toes."  She nods, smiles and gives me a 'yeah.'  So I sit and paint those tiny toes in probably under 1 minute.  I say, 'all done, so pretty Laney Faith!'  She points her finger at me, clearly wanting her finger nails painted as well!  What?!  Of course I oblige and finish those in about a minute as well.  I tried to get her to sit still but she was off and running to show her brother.  

 Couldn't get her to keep those toes still for a pic!

Oh my gosh, I love these chubby little fingers!!!!!!!!

Double Birthday Party for our August Babies!

I love celebrating birthdays and hate that we squeeze our 2 kids in the same month!  Wish we could spread it out more...it's like Christmas in August around our house right now.  Poor baby #3 is going to be like "what the ???" when August rolls around each year and he/she is left out.  Cooper turned 4 yesterday, much more on his big day coming up!  Doodles turns 2 in 10 days.

I am so thankful that Cooper is clueless that his preschool friends have had some big and creative birthday parties to celebrate turning 4 because this momma isn't ready for that yet.  He had 2 requests, he wanted a Batman party (which just means let the kid pick out some cheesy decor from Party City) and a piñata...easy enough.  Well, with Laney turning 2 just a couple weeks later, I really couldn't stand the thought of 2 separate parties so we combined them and it was perfect (in my mind)!  Laney can't tell you how old she is going to be but she knew she wanted a Minnie Mouse party.  So I sent a last minute email out to our friends that have kids Coop and Laney's age to invite them to our house for dinner and cake.  Adam wanted to know what games I had planned for the kids...who did he think he was married to???  I didn't have any games planned...our house is full of toys, play away kids!  So that was it...we served dinner, kids played inside/outside, they demolished the piñata and cake, and presents were torn in to.   It was perfect.

 I learned quickly that gifts on the floor weren't going to work...too many curious kids ;).  That banner is our August mantle decor.

 Some of the cute girls...there were lots of them!

 The only 4 boys!

 We made Minnie Mouse cupcakes for Laney and

 a makeshift cake.  It was this cake with my mom's icing and a Minnie decoration thrown on top.  Cake was freakin' delicious!  

 Coop's tradition is a cookie cake because that's my favorite :).  I am certain I took down at least 1/4 if not 1/2 of that cake myself in the last 3 days.  

Last year he and his dad had buzz cuts, these year the look is long...can't keep up with these two, see them here.

 This year he was all smiles while being sang to!

 Oh Laney, would it kill you to smile?  Even a ridiculous smile like your brothers?  And her hair looked way cuter before playing in the water table and sweating buckets outside. :(

 She's 2...what?!  Girl was not letting go of that candy cup from the pinata. 

 She was all smiles during the Happy Birthday song!  Rarely capture that smile!

 Big brother stepped in to help and she didn't mind one bit.

 All she really wanted was those suckers.

 Doodles and her friend Emma chatting over dessert.

 All done!

 They loved that Batman piñata!

 We let him have the final swings and with his tee ball bat...the kid was serious!

 Candy chaos!!!

 Suckers in the rug...awesome!

 #1 mistake...letting the kids run the present opening.  I think I only got 1/2 of the presents wrote down, not sure what I am going to do about Thank You notes...oops.

 He was on cloud 9!

 She has taken quite the liking to Dora lately, now obsessed with this pillow!

 Kisses!

 Her first nightgown from the Fimmens and it was Minnie!

 Loves her new princesses.

 See that, he's 4!  And I had him in a much cuter birthday outfit which he proceeded to soak with water so this is what he ended up in...at least it was still Batman.

 The kid crew minus 3 that left before I got the picture.  

 Laney completely soaked her dress for the 2nd time and ended the night in her bows and diaper.  The kids got these chairs and loved them, Laney's was Dora and Coop's was Jake.

 I can tell you this party never would have been possible without Grandma and Grandpa here!  I was able to grocery shop, cake order/pickup, cook, bake, clean all kid-free.  I actually really enjoyed it all!

 After everyone left he said, "Mom, I am going to line up my new guys so you can take a picture."  Not sure how/why Elmo was included.

 And then everyone got a pic with the birthday boy.  It started with Grandpa and then he called the rest of us over one by one...

He caught Dad right before he went to bed...yep, Cooper is known to outlast his Dad at bedtime.  He's a night owl like me ;).

  I actually had to beg for my picture!

It was a great kick off to our birthday kids and their month!