Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas a day late!  I have to admit.......I have been bit of a Grinch or a Scrooge this year.  Trying desperately to stay in a good mood and get the Christmas spirit, but I won't lie - I've had to work at it.  My reasons for this negativity? Combination of sleep deprivation, exhaustion, breastfeeding, sick kids (who are somewhat well now), Matt working almost every day this month to be off next week, and the well kid having a relapse of the terrible 2's.  The last reason being the main reason.  I don't think MC handles excitement well.  She has stayed in trouble pretty much since the beginning of December.  Not sure if its a Christmas thing or just a new hormonal rage thing.  Her manners have completely left the building.  I was mortified in her school office the other day when the secretary gave her a compliment and she replied with the most sarcastic and rude tone of voice I've ever heard come out of her mouth.  

She has been so bad, that I began to use the Advent Calendar (that holds a piece of candy for each day) as a new reward system.  As I put it in the attic today, I had to empty all the doors out.   Yeah it was that bad.  We also took several presents away and she can have them back if she stays on "green" (which is the good color) at school for the month of January.  

We hated to kill her Christmas spirit on Christmas morning, but again I won't lie - she and Mattox got several spankings this week.  Christmas or not - I'm not gonna let them walk all over me and get away with it just because it's Christmas.  

It killed me when she went to bed Christmas Eve and told Mattox, "I'm not sure if Santa is coming or not..."  Yes, just call me Scrooge.  Believe me, I wanted to cry with her.  I don't believe in threatening your child to make them do something and then not follow through.  Maybe that's whats wrong with kids today - they think they can get away with too much.  Anywho - back to Christmas!

let me introduce yall to the newest not-yet-member of our family:  Mr. Aaron!  This is my SIL's boyfriend of a year and he sure knows how to make things interesting!  Good times.  

Mr. "A-Ron" playing around with Mattox's new cowboy hat

I'm in a much better mood now... my tree was down by 7:30pm Christmas day and the inside decorations are in the attic!  Yep, just call me Scrooge.  ;)  


We have our weekly weigh-in here.  Mitt is up to 10 lbs 7 oz on Christmas day.  

She LOVES to get weighed (maybe bc we make a big deal about it each time bc she used to cry).  Our pediatric dentist let us borrow her infant scale for awhile - and it is a must for anyone that might have weight issues in babies.

~5 1/2 months.  10 lbs 7 oz.

Future NBA star?   (and that was probably the last time he rode in that car seat bc he's too tall for it) He's 2 going on 6 I think.

One of VERY few matching/coordinating outfits...and of Mattox smiling at the camera.

Yes, he's the real scrooge.  All that waiting...in baby sister's bouncy seat.

Oh there's a smile!  He got a basketball goal.  Like Father Like Son

Cousin Kendall and MC

I used to make that face too.

Very glad to see 5 stockings this year.  This time last year I wasn't sure if we would have 5 this year. My grandmother made all of those and they are my favorite of all our Christmas decorations/items.

None of them were quite awake on Christmas morning yet.

Her Tigger doll

Thank you Poppy for putting that massive dollhouse together! It's taller than her!  

Mitt's new play yard.

And now we are on to Tennessee for Christmas #2 and New Years! Mitt's first road trip!  Wish us luck! 

Seeing double

This picture:

brought back memories of this picture:

love it!!

Washi Washi

I won't bore you with too much stuff.  Just have to share 1 quick thing.  

I have been extremely fearful of taking a plunge into the unknown - which is... FONDANT icing.  Yep.  I thought I would start myself off easy (and I teach myself people because I don't have time to take a real class -- hint hint that would be an awesome Christmas present --)  so I bought the premade store box of rolled fondant.  I found a recipe for marshmallow fondant that seemed easy enough so I made that too just in case I didn't like the box stuff (which is super sticky obviously but tasted the exact same as the boxed fondant to me).

I LITERALLY stared at the box for at least 30 minutes... and kept procrastinating by doing other kitchen duties.......Read the directions 1000 times.  SEEMS easy enough.  

I have a new appreciation for cake makers.  And I see why they charge and arm and a leg for that stuff.  Its cheap as dirt to make, but it is a pain!  

Here is my final product:  

For some odd reason I like to know what I learned:
1)  What WASHI tape is.  Yeah, Washi.  I got your Washi right here.  Washi Washi Washi.
2)  That fondant icing is not my friend.  
3)  Fondant won't stick to your cupcake by itself... I was suppose to make regular buttercream icing too and ice the cupcake first.  Ummmmmm no.  Not happening.  I just made some serious icing and you want me to make buttercream too???
4)  Edible markers.  Awe.some!  Who knew this and why didn't you tell me?

Lets Get This Party Started

"Hello everybody?  I should say it?"  

Our Sunday School's Christmas party was this past weekend.  This year's theme:  favorite Christmas movie character.  Apparently some people had trouble figuring out who I was.  I do wish my hair was gray-er here, but the gray hairspray was beginning to scare me a little and I had mental images of it all falling out or not washing out.  But no, I am not this gray yet it is my real hair.  I also rolled it into ringlets, but my hair won't hold a curl... obviously not blood related to the Miley's -- ha!  

And then after posting this pic, I realized my hat was on the wrong side, but anyway -- here is AUNT BETHANY!!! From National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  Only one of the best movies ever made.  

"Is your house on fire, Clark?" 

So if anyone needs an Aunt Bethany costume for parties or Halloweens to come - you know where to find it! 

Here's to the week before Christmas!  My kids are all stirring not a creature asleep....;) School parties, Santa's busy, cooking, and we still aren't out of school this week! 

"Is Rusty still in the Navy?"
"Grace?  She passed away 30 years ago."

5 month Update

5 months old. wow.  I'm sure most of you who know me, know that I am already planning her birthday party next summer.  unbelievable.  course I know that a plan can go out the window in a second... but alas, i.am.a.planner.

Mattox and Merritt have both been very sick this past week.  
Mattox: vomiting, low and high fever, and just overall not feeling well.  He is getting his 2 year molars as I type.  Runny nose and cough didn't start until recently.   
Merritt: low fever, horrible cough, nasal and chest congestion.  We've been suctioning her nose like crazy because she can't breathe to eat... so she has lost weight this week. :(

5 month update!  At one point last week, she was up to 10 lbs. 9 oz, but the official weigh in yesterday (due to illness) was 10 lbs 1 oz.  She wears 0-3 month clothes (and the pants she has on the picture below are newborn size).   Wears size 1 diaper.  Never sleeps more than 4 hours usually.  

The cardiologist told us we could cut out her Lasix (diuretic) for her heart, but honestly - I think she just feels better when I give it to her.  I only give it to her once a day instead of twice, but she sleeps better and is just overall happier on those days.  Course I only have a tiny bit left.

She's very happy when she feels good - a definite SMILEY MILEY.  These pics don't reflect that, but this is as good as it got since she's been sick and can't stop coughing.

I am posting a link to a video that I posted on Facebook as well.  An O baby made national news on the TODAY show this past Sunday.  Its so great to see this little girl get recognition for her battle.. and she won.  She finally got to leave the hospital.  This little girl is what we expected Merritt to be like.  We fully expected months in the hospital, many surgeries, G tube and a trach, etc... We are all blessed beyond measure.  These parents have my upmost respect for what they have had to endure and how they stuck with her when most people would have given up on her.  

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50135736

Happy 5 months!  Although Merritt doesn't let me sleep much, I am counting my blessings = we are home.  she is breastfeeding.  she is gaining and growing.  she is tube free.  she has no other issues at the moment besides reflux.  and she's about to celebrate her first Christmas.   it doesn't get any better than that!

Turn your eyes

onto a 10 pound Mitt!!!!!  Ok I'll stop obsessing over her weight.  Our pediatrician said we need to work on better head control and sitting up skills.  So this little 10 pounder is getting lots of exercise lately.  Since its flu season, I try to limit her outings.  I haven't taken her to church, but heaven help me she went to her first Nutcracker performance! lol!  couldn't miss that!  And check out MC's old Christmas dress that FIT her somehow ?!? She is definitely playing catch up lately because she is still eating every 2-4 hours.  Needless to say I am exhausted.  I don't know how I found the time or energy to leave her for the first time so we could go to a New Orleans Saints game!  I needed a break and we had a great time (even though the Saints lost).  Merritt touched her belly for the first time...and I don't know why, but I found it odd.  Its like she noticed it for the first time and she grabs it alot now.  Weird to me.

Our first date in almost 5 months!

And because Sarah is the most awesome friend ever, we got to meet tobyMac!  The concert was awesome!! We got to see Mandisa (who we were most excited about), Brandon Heath, Group 1 Crew, Britt Nicole, Chris August, and Jamie Grace.  I won't post all the pics but we had a great time! It was a very intense and high energy concert = I'm not in my 20's anymore...but we hung in there! ;)

me, Tyanne, tobyMac, Sarah, and Jennifer

Mandisa

Group 1 Crew 

Every morning, I wake up singing a song in my head.  Sometimes its what I heard before I went to bed.  Sometimes its a popular song that the radio plays too much.  Sometimes its a song from an SNL skit the night before.  but yesterday, I woke up singing "Turn your eyes upon Jesus".  I can't remember the last time I heard it.  Months or maybe even a year.  We attend the contemporary service at church so we don't sing the old classics very much.  As I was having my morning prayer, I told God that it was an interesting song to put in my head.  To my surprise, we sang it in church later that same morning!!!!!!! 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Genetics!

Every Genetics appointment with Merritt, my mind instantly went back to my college genetics class.  Chromosomes are just insanely interesting to me.   Its like a map of who you are physically!  Dr. F has been following her since she was born.  The amnio I had done when I was 20 weeks pregnant could only detect the major chromosome abnormalities.  There were several other syndromes that we had to wait for a blood test to prove after she was born.  

What a way to celebrate this Thanksgiving:  she is normal!  

(we thought that all along, but to get verified blood proof of it is still amazing).  

I've been sweating the last 4 weeks just a little bit, because you can't change chromosomes.  They can put organs back inside a body, they can even fix a hole in your heart, but they can't fix chromosomes.  And that's always scary to me.  

Anyway - I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving.  For once I feel like Merritt's "rough beginnings" are coming to an end.  I know her journey is ongoing - but maybe we're finding a new peace and a new normal now.  

We have so much to be thankful for I can't even begin to list them all.  Mostly, I am thankful for the Mighty Healer, Our God.  My heart goes out to all of you who are still praying for some sort of healing, whether its physical or emotional, etc.  I will pray for you.  I am reminded of Mercy Me's song "The Hurt and the Healer".  It reminds me that things could have turned out differently, and I will be forever changed, grateful, and thankful.  

"O come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."  Psalm 95:1-2

GOBBLE GOBBLE!  her 1st Thanksgiving.  (9lbs12oz.)

Oh Yes I Did!

Saw these TeePee Cupcakes on Pinterest (as many of you did I'm sure).  The link for idea/tutorial is HERE.  But I can add a major list of sidenotes from my own experience to these directions!  My only assignment for MC's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast was cupcakes.  Yeah I think I can handle that! lol!  Well, I was going to do turkeys but saw these and decided they looked more fun.  

Carrie's Footnotes:
1)  Buy SUGAR cones.  NOT WAFFLE cones........................6 boxes later...
2)  Buy KROGER brand.  Not brand name Keebler.  Those began to "unwrap" in the oven. And they are smaller than generic.  
3)  The upside down aluminum pan did not work for me.  See my invention using my CorningWare in picture below.  
4)  My oven on REGULAR bake setting did not work for me = burnt cones.
5)  CONVECTION setting on the oven worked like a charm.
6)  Check for holes in the cones.  Or you will have an empty cone 15 minutes later. hehe.
7)  Cute? Absolutely.  Tedious?  a tad bit.  Worth it in taste? No.  Worth it in creativity? Yes.  Messy? you bet.  Will the kids love it? I can only hope.  
8)  The cupcake WILL fall out while dipping the bottoms.  good luck with that.
9)  And the lady is serious when she says "use scissors".  There is no knife in my kitchen that will do what you want it to do.  Scissors.  Who knew.

Aluminum pan + Waffle cones = COLOSSAL failure!  I took this right before they all toppled over.

That's more like it (my own invention).  Minus the waffle cone part.

Yep.  A hole will give you mistake #1001.

Epic failure on the right with waffle cones.  Lovely little teepees on the left.

It's a TEEPEE cupcake!  They should really be called cake-bite though.  There's literally 2 small bites of actual cake inside. 

My little Indian village

Let's top it off with some ACORNS in case they don't like the cupcakes. lol!  These are so easy even Mattox helped make them.  

You Spin Me Round

I'm gonna call it the Miley Rollercoaster.  Yep.  This week has been nuts.  let me give you the SHORT version and I think you'll get the idea of what's in between the lines.

Mati Claire vomits .....  then goes slipping and sliding in it ... hits her toe on the cabinet while sliding ... toe is bleeding ... Mattox has diarrhea and bleeding gums from teething ... yeah, his last 2 molars ... Merritt is just fussy for no reason ... ahhh.  Just breathe.  or wait, maybe it was that mexican food I ate ... so I have all 3 at home with me and can't get anything done because all 3 want me to rock them ... yeah, um, I only have 2 arms and 1 lap ... did I mention it was his LAST 2 teeth (what's better than a hallelujah?) ...  MC is literally bouncing off the walls this morning so I send her to school ... and Mattox to MDO ... Merritt has a cardiology appt ... Hole #2 of 3 has closed... what's better than a hallelujah again? ... the big VSD is still getting smaller.  To God be the glory!... Just shows me that He is the Healer ... again ... that child is nothing short of ANOTHER miracle ... Mattox does #2 in the potty all by himself...  oh praise Jesus ...  Mati Claire throws up again ... I cut out cokes in attempt to begin my weight loss strategy ... got some major Christmas shopping done online ...... and man its only Tuesday.

4 months old!

Might be a boring post.  Sorry.  I'm mentally and physically exhausted.

Punkin is 4 months old!!!!! How did that happen?  She still looks like a big newborn, so in my mind, she still is.  She acts, sleeps, eats, and does everything else like a newborn.  She's working on holding her head up, but with 2 maniac older siblings, she doesn't get alot of tummy time -- or any time in the floor for that matter.  I am working on stopping what I am doing and trying to devote more time for this.

She is more interactive and is starting to smile alot!  That's worth everything in the world to me!  And boy, oh, boy does she look like Mati Claire!  I'll be changing her diaper - and my mind just goes back in time - I forget who I'm dealing with.  So far, my favorite thing to do is change her diapers.  Why you say?  Because as strange as this is... I get to move her tiny little fat roll on her thighs to clean her up!  Weird - but it makes me smile every time!  It's the little things, people!

She has her cardiology check up this week, so I was going to wait to post these pics, but couldn't help myself.  She's too darn cute.  She weighs 9 lbs. 7 oz.  Wears Size 1 Diapers and finally bumped up to 0-3 month size clothes... but not 3 months size.  The most she'll sleep at night is 5 hours (and that's rare).  

Matt and I would love to have more kids.  Crazy I know!  But sometimes I think God is stretching out this newborn phase so that I can soak up every minute of it... because maybe she's the last.  Only He knows.  And as much as I complain about not getting any sleep, I love this stage.  They are only this little for a short while.

On Facebook, people will post what they are thankful for every day for the entire month of November.  Don't get me wrong - I'm all in favor of this.  But I have more than 30 things to be thankful for.  And I thank God for them every single day.  Here's a picture of the top of my list this year:

She is really discovering her surroundings - and was fascinated by the flowers on her feet.  

Wanted to show yall a different angle of her hernia/O.  Sometimes the pictures make it look bigger than it is. 

I'm under the impression that I'm not suppose to any video footage of yesterday, but I think I'm allowed to post the still-shot pictures.  Mati Claire had Parent's Day at Ballet yesterday.  Ahhh... loved it!  Of course I didn't read the parent rules until today - I wasn't suppose to take my flash camera in and there I was snapping away!  For those of you that don't know, we changed her ballet school this year.  New teacher, new school, new rules, and obviously it has paid off!  She is learning alot!

MC, Brooke, and Wellsley

Pique 1, pique 2! 

Check out that first position!