House of Four Krauses

November 14, 2013

Key West

Kevin and I were fortunate enough to take a vacation to Key West FL last week. Friends of ours got married on the island and it was a great excuse for a much needed vacation. The girls went to Uncle Brian and Auntie Beth's for 3 days and then to Nana and Papa's for 3 days. Kevin and I had a great time. We missed the girls terribly but knew they were in great hands. The girls had so much fun playing with their cousins. Here are a few highlights from our trip and the girls time.

Fun times with Auntie Beth

Same jammies different house

Reading with Papa

End of HWY 1 Mile 0

Boat Cruise

Nice Day for a wedding

Butterfly Museum

Top of the lighthouse

Nice view

Great live music

Happy Halloweenie!

Halloween was so fun this year with both girls. Emily dressed up as her favorite Disney Jr. character Doc McStuffins. Doc is a doctor for toys. It is a cute show. Eliza was a pumpkin which many may remember from a couple Halloweens ago. It was warm on Halloween but rainy. I was worried that the rain would dampen our trick or treat efforts. Emily had been talking about Halloweenie for so long. Fortunately the rain quit right about the time we started trick or treating. The girls were troopers. We did more houses this then in the last 2 years combined. It was so fun being out with them. We are already looking forward to next year!

Out two cuties

C'mon guys!

Doc McStuffins!

She insisted on carrying her own bag

October 17, 2013

Eliza's Recovery & update

Post surgery Eliza has done very well. After a few unhappy days of recovery she is seems to be a much happier kid. She smiles more and just seems happier over all. Liza has started saying more words or sounds that are like words. She says ball, buh bye, sis, hi. You can see her growing and changing every day. She recently moved up a room at daycare. She loves being with the bigger kids. One of Eliza's favorite things to do it clean up. Or put things into a bucket. She is also very big at closing things like a closet door or the refrigerator. Eliza loves to dance and will drop whatever she is doing when she hears music. It is very cute to watch. She just turned 15 months. It is hard to believe.

Playing with Sis

Pumpkin Patch

This past Sunday we took our annual trip to Treinen Pumpkin Patch. It is one of my favorite things we do as a family. This year our friend Blythe was in town from Kansas. Her daughter Marlow and her mom were able to join us for a trip through the corn maze and pumpkin picking. It was a beautiful fall day. Emily did a great job picking out pumpkins for everyone. We are planning on painting them before Halloween. I am already looking forward to next year!

Marlow and Em leading the corn maze

At the top of the big tower

September 19, 2013

Eliza's surgery

On Wednesday September 11th we took Eliza to American Family Children's Hospital to have ear tubes put in and her adenoids taken out. After several months and routine ENT check ups it was decided that there had been too many ear and sinus infections and surgery was the answer to helping Eliza. Kevin and I thought about it for awhile. I talked with many of my friends whose children had had the procedure done. Every single one of them said they would do it again. So we decided to move forward.

In the days leading up many people asked how I was doing with everything. And the truth of the matter is I was relieved that we were hopefully at the end of all of the infections and antibiotics. I wanted Eliza to feel better and not have to take all of the medication. I think that Kevin and I were both very at peace with our decision.

Eliza did go under general anesthesia for the procedure. Children's Hospital was phenomenal in their preparation of us. They fully explained everything to us several different times. I was able to carry Liza back into the OR and hold her while the anesthesiologist administered a grape flavored mask. After I helped lay her on the table I was escorted out of the OR. There was never a doubt in my mind that I was leaving her in the best capable hands. There was also never a doubt that the surgery would be anything but positive.

Coming out of the anesthesia was a little tough for Liza. But after some pain meds and liquids she opened her eyes. The procedure itself took about 45 minutes or so. We were probably at the hospital for about 4 hours total. Liza slept most of the day Wednesday. She required a lot of snuggling and rocking Thursday morning but by Thursday afternoon she was back to playing and eating crackers.

Now that we are a week later she is back to being her sassy little self. I am hopeful that having the surgery will bring positive results so we can stop seeing the pediatrician and pharmacist so much. Only time will tell.

Resting post surgery with Daddy

Her IV was placed in her foot for comfort

On the way home

Thursday afternoon

What throat pain? Eating crackers Thursday afternoon

Labor Day On the Pontoon

Pontoon by Little Big Town has long been one of Emily's favorite songs. It is a catchy song that she has been singing every since it came out. She actually used to refer to it as the Motor boating song but has since started calling it Pontoon. Anyways our neighbors, the Rahn's, invited us and a bunch of other neighbors to go pontooning on Labor Day. To say that Emily was excited is an understatement. She was so excited she talked about it for days. When out on the water all young ones have to wear a life vest at all times. At first I was concerned how Eliza would do with this. When we went to purchase a life vest for her she got very upset when we took it off and became very attached to it.

The morning of Labor Day started out chilly and Angie even considered calling it off. Emily would have been crushed if we called it off. Thankfully we didn't and it ended up being a beautiful day. Many even got into the water. Both girls had a great time (despite some of the faces Liza is making in the pictures). Emily still talks about being on the pontoon. It was by far one of the best Labor Days for us in a while.