Tall, skiny and healthy... mostly

Today was Wesley's 18 month well child checkup. He has grown up but not out. He is now in the 97% for height and 60% in head circumference but only 25% in weight. He has lost 5 oz since his 15 month checkup and has dropped from the 50%. The Dr only seemed slightly concerned, and asked us to make sure he is getting enough to eat and such. Also told us he should be drinking more milk, at least 2% so we will have to switch that up. We talked a little about his breathing problems of the last couple of months and the Dr. said we should just wait and watch and after his 6 months of treatments we will see how he is doing. Other than that he is a happy boy. I was instructed to make sure he gets his flu shot early this year, as getting the flu could be very problematic for a kid with breathing problems. Wes was very well behaved during his appointment and we are glad to hear that he is healthy!

sick

Today I (and Wes) are sick, we didn't do anything interesting. Tired.

Ella is pretty and Wesley is resigned to his fate.

Today Ella got all dressed up pretty for church. She chose to wear her princess dress, her new golden shoes and her pretty jeweled butterfly barrette. (her words) She asked me to take some pictures of her outfit. My favorite part is that she had me tie her dress in the front... so the knot won't hurt her back when she sits. I am with her, that knot DOES hurt when you sit!

Wesley is now mostly resigned to his fate. He is taking his treatments with good grace. He will sit and play or read with Daddy. As soon as the motor goes off though, he rips the mask off with a smile.

AGAPE baby and family fair

Today was the annual fair. This is our third year participating in it. This year we spent a ton of time improving our booth and trying to make it something really special. We wanted to have our best year yet, and I hope we do! The fair went well today, no bookings on the spot, but last year we only got 3 of the 16 bookings from the fair on fair day. The rest trickled in over the next 3 months. We are hoping we have the same luck this year. We really liked the way our booth turned out and I am very proud of the impression we put forth. Jon and I talked to tons of people and feel really good about the way things went. One of our "babies first year" clients from last years fair stopped by to see us and chatted for a while. She asked us if we had had lunch and I said no. She said her husband (who is a chef at Ruth's Chris steakhouse) was bringing her lunch and she would call and have him bring us some too. How wonderfully nice of them! He sent over 2 grilled chicken sandwiches with fries and fixin's. They were awesomely yummy and much better than the sad cold-cut sandwiches they were selling at concessions. Thanks Jennifer and Lou! At the end of the day, I got my hair sprayed pink by the girls from the Madison Academy Anchor club and Jon got his sprayed blue from the boys of the club. Ella loved our special hair. While we were working the crowds at the fair, Nana watched Wes and Dad took Ella out for a fun afternoon. They went to see Shrek 4 at the $1 theater, then they ate out at CiCi's pizza. Then a little shopping where Ella got GOLD SHOES, a barrette stick-on nails and a cute new jacket for winter. She had a great day with her grandpa.

A work in progress

Today I spent all day getting ready for AGAPE. I had to design and print some entry slips for the drawing we are having, then send some fliers to the printer and then get moving. We stopped at Mom's house to get some fabric to recover my backdrop and then picked up the fliers at the printer. Then we went to an awesome friends house who was so willing to watch the kids while I recovered the backdrop. It was much easier to do without kids sticking their little fingers and faces near the staple gun! After I had finished that I ran back over and grabbed the kids and headed back to mom's. She helped me make an awesome display board with her cutter machine. It looks awesome and I think it will really draw people in to my booth. After that was done we were off to the VBC to start setting up. Jon came home early to help me. I took some shots as we were setting up, we still have a lot to do, but luckily we have just over an hour in the morning to finish up the booth. I hope we do well tomorrow!

Makeing new friends

Today we spent time with our new friends. They are here on business for just 6 months but we have enjoyed their company. Today we met up and went to Palmer Park together. The kids had a blast swinging, sliding and generally running around. Ella loved the wheelchair swing and figured out how to operate it all on her own. She even took Wes on a ride. Once it got unbearably hot we all went over to our friends house (they are allergic to cats which rules out our place) and hung out until nap-time. After nap I mounted the pictures that the UPS man delivered that I am planning on using at the AGAPE fair on Saturday. I ran out of double stick tape, so I will have to pick some up tomorrow. Poor Jon had to take a detour home so his commute had an extra hour tacked on it and he got home late. I did get to go to Enrichment tonight and learn about gardening and using green tomatoes. I got volunteered to help with the prep and cooking in front of everyone, I was so nervous, but I think I didn't make too much of a fool of myself. I had fun.

Rock on Jonas, Rock on!

A few months ago I did a "rocker chick" photo shoot for my neice. It was fun to do something different and try new processing and angels. My sister loved the shots and while she was in town this week she asked if I would do some for my nephew as well so she could hang up a series of the two of them in her new house in Wisconsin. I was happy to oblige and I think they turned out cute. Jonas is too cute to have a hard edge, so his shots aren't as hard core as Brenna's but I think my sister will like the way they turned out.

Last day

Somehow I managed to post this on my pro blog instead of here... but this was yesterday's post.

Today is Kristy's last day here in Al before driving all the way home to WI. We had such a nice visit and we are glad that they got to stay a little longer. To say farewell we got a baby sitter and Kristy, Mom and I went to the movies to see "Step it up 3-D" It was super cheesy, but the dance sequences were nice. After the Movie Mom treated us to lunch at RedRobin. Then we came home and I took the babysitter home and then went to my house to wait for the Terminx guy who was coming to inspect the house. Mom took Ella to her rescheduled Gymnastics class. According to her, Ella did great today. Then Kristy and the kids came over for dinner while Mom and Dad went Bowling with friends. We are glad that they could come and I hope they have a safe trip home.

Busy

Today was a full day. I am going to be having a booth at the AGAPE baby and family fair on Saturday and I have a lot to do to get ready. I spent all morning paying bills and making phone calls that had piled up while we were on vacation. Then I took the kids and Kristy and her kids over to the Barnes and Nobel at bridgestreet for Story time and to meet my friend Megan. Megan brought our new embroidered "photography by shannon" polo shirts with her. They came out great!! Megan does an awesome job, if you need anything sewn, embroidered or monogrammed you should check her out! After story time we headed over to Sams Club to get some things and meet a friend for lunch. Then Hobby lobby for more supplies for the fair. Then home for naps and more computer work, getting pictures ready to print for my displays. A nice family home evening watching Percy Jackson and eating brownies. A busy day back at home and an even busier one tomorrow!

Tired

Today was long, and I am tired. Church and teaching my class, an afternoon with 4 kids and dinner at mom and dads. TIRED! Kitzel is happy to have us home!

Home again, home again, Jiggity Jog.

Today was a long day. We got up at around 7am and packed and cleaned and packed. After the house was in top shape, we took pictures since we had neglected to do so when we first got in then we headed out. A long drive with only a few stops and we are finally home. I had a great time at the beach, but I sure am glad to be home again. Now I have to get cracking on getting ready for the AGAPE baby and family fair next Saturday.