Christmas 2013

With both of the girls being sick the week before Christmas it kind of snuck up on me. Thankfully I had done most of the shopping in the weeks prior. Kevin and I split up our lists the weekend before and were able to check everything off of the to do list. Santa came a little early since we wouldn't be home on Christmas morning. The night before Emily was not interested in leaving cookies for him but wanted Daddy to. When the girls came downstairs they found a rocking cow for Liza and a mini trampoline for Emily. However Eliza was more interested in the little bit of cookie Santa left on the plate. She ate it right up. Apparently she was a little hungry.

Beginning Christmas Eve, We spent 3 days on the road visiting my parents, Kevin's aunt and uncle, and Kevin's parents. And made it to our 4th Christmas celebration this past Sunday. I love being with everyone at Christmas time. I find the older I get the less I care about the presents and just enjoy the time together. It is rare for my immediate family to all be together and it is always great to catch up with the boys. We only see the Krause side of the family once a year so it is also a wonderful time getting together with Kevin's cousins. Spending an entire day with Kevin's parent, Brian, Beth, and all of the kids doesn't usually happen unless there is another event to attend. It was great relaxing and catching up. The girls got far too many presents and enjoy them all. It is clear that we live in a Doc McStuffins, princess, Minnie Mouse house!

We are certainly blessed beyond measure. Each day I thank God for all we have and ask for continued health and prosperity. There is no doubt there is a lot of love within our family and extended family. While I am looking forward to a little downtime in January I will miss the glow, wonder, and love of Christmastime.

A Week Ago...

One week ago Emily had a seizure while walking down the steps after her nap. She fell about four steps hitting her head on our tile floor. After an ambulance ride to American Family Children's hospital, many tests in the ER, and a night stay at the hospital it was determined that she suffered the seizure because of a spike in temperature from a sinus infection and had a mild concussion from the fall. These types of seizures are called febrile seizures and are not uncommon in children under 5. The tiny body can not handle the quick change in temperature. This week she has spent a lot of time recuperating, resting, and cuddling. After the antibiotics finally kicked in (after several days and an incident of throwing up in the car) it seems that she is doing much better. Em still gets frustrated and confused at times. And seems a bit skiddish about getting back to "normal" life. This is all completely normal and should resolve with time. The doctors said the after effects of the concussion could last for 2-4 weeks.

Eliza also had a return of a sinus infection this week which resulted in some throwing up in the car on the way to the doctor's office. Both girls are now on Augmenin and should be better from their sinus infections by Christmas. Needless to say we hope we are done with medical things for awhile.

This experience has been one of the scariest things that has happened to us. Although we do feel very blessed that the cause of her seizure is nothing more serious and is more than likely a one time thing. Emily has been a trooper through the whole thing. We are looking forward to her getting stronger and more like herself each day.

Smiling in her C collar 

Sleeping 

Much happier girl at home 

Sick Baby 

Feeling better 

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

I had the bright idea to stage a picture of the girls for our Christmas card this year. Because of a great sale going on I had one night to complete this task. Let me tell you staging a three and a half year old and a one and half year old is no easy thing. We did get a couple of good shots. You will have to wait and see which one made the cut. I will say this. They are pretty cute. Christmas season is in full swing!

Thankful

Thanksgiving is this week. I often do thankful posts for the entire month of November on Facebook. I often feel that Thanksgiving is overlooked. But I think it is a chance to think about the year that has gone by and all of our blessings. This past year has been a great year for our little family. The first full year of Kevin's shareholdership has gone well. He is busy doing something that he loves doing. He has worked very hard learning how to balance it all and has been fairly successful at that balance. I started working full time and taking on more responsibility at work this past year as well. Although it holds it fair share of challenges being a parent and working full time, I truly enjoy what I am doing every day. I work for a great company with extreme flexibility and have a lot of exciting opportunities in my future here.

The girls are exhausting and amazing. Every day they are both learning new things. They love each other so much. Every morning when we get up Eliza is so excited to see her sister.They hug each other and give kisses. It is in those moments that I feel blessed to have been able to carry and birth my two girls. While having two children is often overwhelming and difficult I can not imagine our world without them. They teach us both new things every day. Their sisterly bond is something I look forward to watching blossom.

We count our blessings each and every day as we have a lot to be thankful for. Our goal is to teach our girls how to be grateful for all of the things we have and learn to give back to those who have less then us. I hope they are able to learn that life is about more then the stuff we have. It is about the love and connections we have with each other. Happy Thanksgiving!!

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