The ARK

As a single income family I am always up for things that are FREE!!!  Way Way told me of this play place that is in a church.  The building has a roof just like an ARK and is open to the public for free play.  The play area is huge.  It is reminiscent of the Wiggly Play center just cheaper.  We loved it.  Kaylie was slightly intimidated but once it started to clear out she started to enjoy herself.  We will definitely go back.  Definitely an awesome way to minister to the public. 

We went out to lunch afterwards.  The way Kaylie is sitting makes her look huge next to the other two.  She is actually smaller than Claire. I love these three little people!

A splishing and a splashing

It is not unusual for certain things to take Kaylie awhile to get comfortable adjusting too.  Last year I had thought we had finally broken the fear of splash parks being that she is able to take showers and get water in her face.  I knew being her first time at a splash park since last summer I really didn't know what to expect.  I had hoped it would be great but I never know with her.  At first it was not something she wanted anything to do with.  I remembered her pail which helped a little.  Since Ms. Molly was there with KT and Nolan that helped some as well but she pretty much attached herself to Molly and wouldn't leave her alone.  Once we figured out to make them race the fear was broken.  The raced all over.  That was the end of her fearfulness.  Once a few more of our friends showed up we couldn't stop her.  I was most impressed when she actually stood under the big buckets of water and waited for them to fall.  We have come a long way. 

My favorite things about these pictures is the look on her face.  She gave us many classic looks.  The other funny...for some reason she thought her pail would protect her from the water.  Not so sure about that.

End of another chapter

On Tuesday I picked Kaylie up from school and her teacher told me Kaylie kept saying her stomach hurt.  She had been complaining during ballet but I figured she was just tired.  After a few minutes and a feel of her forehead I knew she was sick.  We went home and sure enough she had a 102.  This is unusual for her being that she has only had temps after she has gotten her shots so I was slightly alarmed.  After complaining her throat hurt she earned herself an immediate trip to the doc in case it was strep.  All said and done it was just a virus and we had to just "wait it out."  Normally this would be fine but it was her last week of school and I didn't want her to miss out.  Each day I watched and waited to see what her temp would do.  I thought she would make it back on Thursday until right before she went to bed.  She ended up missing her class party but ended up making it the last day to say her good byes to her teachers and her friends.  Since she no longer qualifies for the special needs school this was the end of another chapter in her life.  This chapter has been a positive one for our family.  We have been so grateful for her teachers and all of those around her that have taken part in her growth both social/emotionally as well as academically.  I know if it wasn't for these individuals we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are. 

Summer time

You know summer has started when you jump in a cold pool for the first time.  That time for us was Memorial Day weekend.  We were invited to the Stall's house for a pool party.  Our little fishy had a blast.  Bring on the summer!

When we finished our last swimming class little miss could jump in, turn and swim back to the wall.  We have to remind her to wait to jump in until we are ready especially when she gets excited.  She had just started floating and can hold her breath for a good 15 feet.  We will spend a good part of the summer practicing before she restarts her lessons in the fall. 

Baby moon

In honor of the new addition to the Wells family we offered to watch G-Man over night so his mommy and daddy could enjoy a night away before they are a family of four.  Kaylie and Garrett love each other so we knew this wouldn't be a problem.  Things went smoothly until a wave of nasty storms came through and ended up putting us under a tornado warning.  We had just gotten the kids ready for bed so we were able to put them in the closet with blankets, pillows and toys along with two dogs, and a mommy and daddy. 

One a side note...Both times we have watched Garrett for his mommy and daddy to have a special date we have had to take cover.  Hmmm..

Once in the closet the main goal of the evening was not to blow away and the other was to keep Shiner and Bailey from eating G-Man.  With Shiner drugged up it was easier than we expected.  Thankfully the storms didn't do anything and we were able to come out of the closet.  Right as they started to go back to sleep another round hit with a batch of hail.  This one didn't spur a tornado warning but did scare me enough to bring the little ones back downstairs.  At this point it is passed 11.  Once everything was finally over off to bed we went.  Sleeping soundly we were abruptly awakened by little man not remembering where he was.  Kaylie was soon to follow and at 3:30 the three of us were down stairs and pretty much awake for the day. 

Even though the two barely slept they were pretty happy.  We went to Mc. Donalds for lunch before taking Kaylie to school.  Garrett and I came home and he napped.  I was super jealous of him considering I spent the time cleaning.  When it was time I woke him to get Kaylie.  They played when we got home and all of a sudden I had Garrett next to me and the rest of the house was silent.  I knew Kaylie was tired but I didn't expect to see her passed out on the floor clutching her toy.  Garrett even attempted to take it from her and in a completely passed out state tucked it in closer to her.  She wasn't having any of that. 

The night ended with us meeting up with Russ and Deanna at Freebirds to eat and give back their merchandise.  Overall, we had a great time with lots of crazy yet good stories to tell.

Thank you soooooo much!!!

Thank you so much Ms. Kristin for the beautiful pictures you took at Kaylie's birthday!!!

Picture taken at Ms. Kristin's thank you lunch.

4 year well check

This years well check was the dreaded well check.  It was the one you hear the most about because they have to have four shots.  For her it was bad from the shots on...for me I dreaded it many weeks before knowing what I was about to subject her too.  Needless to say after all was said and done she got to go to the store and get my infamous procedure present.  She would sit in the back and whimper absolutely breaking my heart.  I was willing to buy her the world to make her feel better. 

On a side note...the doctor's office has a lot of sympathy for these little ones.  As she walked up to the check out whimpering the lady at the desk noticed it was her four year.  She stood up, walked away and came back with a toy for her.  She got to pick two pops and have as many stickers as she wanted.  She said they only do this for the four year because it is so miserable.  We appreciated their way of thinking.

Stats

Weight: 27 whopping pounds - puts her at < 3% ...That means she is taller than less than 3% of kids her age.  Doctor wasn't worried about this considering she has gained 4 lbs. in a year which is consistent for her.

Height: 37 1/4 inches - puts her at 10% ...Although this is not too bad their is still a need to be concerned.  At her three year she was 25% and doctors are not fans of decreases in growth therefore the discussion over growth hormones (which had initially been brought up a few months before by her endocrinologist) came in.  He told us he agrees with the endocrinologist and thinks with only 1inch of growth since her three year appointment we need to consider it due to inconsistent growth.  At this point their is no telling how tall she will be based on atypical growth patterns.  We will meet with the endocrinologist later this month to figure out what the next steps are.

Other than that everything was great.  Dr. G. was pleased to see her engage in conversation and answer his academic questions.  He has loved seeing how much she has grown both socially and emotionally. 

Picture is of her first vision screening.  She didn't know what to do at first but after do the hearing test she decided she was ready to do the vision and thankfully passed it.  Watching this tiny little thing do this test was super cute.

Another one bites the dust

During another storm we came home to find this.  Another pack and play bites the dust.

birthday night

The day of her birthday was incredibly busy.  We woke up and she decided she wasn't in the mood to swim.  Not really wanting her to get her hair wet I was fine with that.  We got dressed, headed to dance and then Chick Fil A and Target to get her cupcakes.  After school is when the real fun began.

Instead of a cake I had Kaylie help me make her favorite brownie treat.  She loves to help cook and she loves brownies so I knew this would be an absolute hit.  Afterwards I had her help me decorate.  When we first picked out a theme she debated long and hard between Hello Kitty and Barbie.  Hello Kitty ended up winning but a few days before her party she got back on a Barbie kick.  Giving in we ended up surprising her with some Barbie balloons and a few decorations for our house on the day of.  We didn't use most of the Hello Kitty things we had gotten for her party so with the money we saved from that we felt we could do that.  She loved it.  

For dinner mommy and daddy surprised her with her favorite pizza from Chicago St.  For previous birthdays we haven't had to think about surprising her with a special meal because she didn't eat much.  We realized this the morning of and she couldn't have been more excited.  She is definitely my daughter when it comes to her love of pizza.  If you watched her eat her pizza you would never know she had a feeding disorder.  

To finish out the night we had birthday brownies, opened presents, and played a little before tucking our little four year old in bed.  She had a great day and was truly exhausted.  Happy birthday baby girl! 

Before we left for school I was able to take an "I'm 4" picture.

I know she is somewhat hidden in this picture but I still think it is incredibly sweet.

While she waited for her brownies to bake she decided to do a little redecorating.  By the time she was done I had ribbon all over the floor. 

On a random note...her Nonna made her and I matching aprons.  She asks for it every time we are cooking. 

Right when she heard the garage door open she went and hide under the table so her daddy would have to look for her.  This would be a good place to hide if it wasn't for the fact that she couldn't stop giggling.

Had to have the blowers.  I guess if she was going to request a "must have" $2 party blowers are the things to ask for. 

Sharing a loving moment with her daddy before shoveling another piece of brownie in her mouth.