3 Year Well Check

Ella had her 3 year well check last week with Dr. Dernbach. They gave her a developmental test and I have to say that even I was impressed with her answers. The Dr. said she was doing things you would expect a 4 or 5 year old to do. There were a lot of open ended questions like "What do you do when you're cold". I for sure didn't think she would get that...and what did she say "Put your jacket on". The funniest one to me was "What is a chair for" she said "To eat". Now, that probably wouldn't make sense to many people but all day long she hears "Ella, get up in your chair to eat that!" So it made sense to me. She weighed 36 pounds, which was down 2 pounds from her regular 38 because she had the rota virus the week before, and was 36.5 inches (I think, I can't really remember the exact height number). It was the 90% for both her height and weight...perfectly proportionate.
She did an awesome job letting the Dr. look and listen to her. Besides a few seasonal allergies...and every virus in town...she is perfectly healthy and right on track.
Unfortunately I had told her the night before that she didn't need any shots...I didn't think she needed any until kindergarten. Well, I was wrong, she needed her second Hep A. I felt sooooo bad. She fought it, and cried afterward saying "Daddy said I didn't need a shot!!" All I could say was "You're right Ella, but DADDY didn't know!" Even though it was me who had told her that. Part of me was kind of glad she blamed it on him and not me...at least he didn't have to witness it.
When it was all over she happily picked out her sucker and sticker and went on her way. Half way down the elevator she said "That Dr. hurt me!!!" I said no Ella it was the nurse who gave you the shot. The moment I said it all I could think was "Why do the nurses always have to do the dirty work?? And get blamed for everything??" I guess that is just the way it goes!

Another Shout Out: Tera

Tera and I were neighbors far before we were friends. I can clearly remember the day I knew we would be friends. I was close to being due with Ella and was going on a quick walk around the block (in an attempt to get my blood sugar down) when I walked by Tera's house she was out to get the mail and told me she was too pregnant and she was so excited we would be having babies together. This was probably the first time I had ever talked to her...and she gave me the biggest hug. She gives great hugs.

So, Ella was born in April and Marlee in July, and from then on out we came to rely on each other for much needed support. Wendy and I have been so close for so long that I never thought I would ever have another friend even remotely like her...and then came Tera. She is the type of person who you can talk about ANYTHING with, and she won't even blink an eye, never judge, and either laugh or cry along with you. I called her today to tell her about the blow out poop Hailey had...because I knew she would find it amusing. I called her a few weeks ago when I was having a blow out with Ella and thought I was going to kill her. I was in the middle of a full on panic attack...picked up the phone...called her...and in about 5 minutes was calmed down again.

She has two beautiful children who are so dear to my heart. Marlee because she and Ella are so close and are growing up together. I love that we have photos of them together when they are only like 4 months old. And Chase for reasons Tera knows...and because he is the most flirty, friendly little boy I think I have ever met...he takes after his mama.

Tera's daughter was diagnosed with some very severe allergies within the last year, and they have been through a lot trying to get her healthy. It was truly heartbreaking to see them go through this. This last week, at Ella's birthday party, I made Marlee some wheat free/dairy free cupcakes...and I can't tell you what a joy it was to see her devouring her cake with the rest of the kids. Not even noticing she had something different.

And through all of this...she is an AMAZING photographer!!! I have been blessed to have her take many, many shots of my family. I love going to her website just to look at her images. She has her own business and works from home...all while trying to take care of two little ones. I honestly don't know how she does it. You can check out her website at: http://www.photographybytera.com/

So Tera...I love you girl...Don't know where I would be without you!

I love distraction questioners...so this one was right up my ally. I copied it from a blog I read regularly: http://thedreamersandme.blogspot.com/

Two names you go by:
1. Mama, Mommy, Mom
2. Kelly or Kel
(I guess that was more than two)

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Black stretchy pants (they are my new mom uniform)
2. A hoodie from the Gap (another staple in my wardrobe)

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Be outside in the sunshine walking with Wendy and the kids
2. Playing games or doing puzzles with Ella

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. To have a very good night's sleep (insomnia has not been good to me again)
2. To make a decision on a 3rd babe

Two favorite pets you have had or have now?
1. We had some cats growing up...but I am sorry to say I am not a big pet person. Although my in laws have an awesome new dog that I would love to have.


Two people who will fill this out: (therefore these are my tags! You're it!)
1. Wendy http://www.wjwest.blogspot.com
2. Dani

Two things you ate last night:
1. Bertoli instant pasta; Fettachini Alfredo (it is actually really good, and only takes 10 min to cook)
2. Vanilla ice cream with milk on it...I love how it gets so crunchy

Two things you ate today:
1. A Zone bar
2. A cheeseburger happy meal from McDonald's (yes, I am ashamed to say I went to McDonald's today...but we all do it every now and then...right??)

Two people you last talked to:
1. Grant
2. Tera www.photographybytera.com

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Going for a long walk (trying to get ready for March of dimes on Sat.)
2. Clean the toy room...or at least think about cleaning it

Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Halloween

Two favorite vacations:
1. Hawaii (totally jealous my parents are going there in a few weeks!!)
2. England

Two Favorite Drinks:
1. Black iced tea with strawberries from Starbucks
2. Red Wine

Birthday: April 1, 1980 Yes, I am an April fools baby

Now copy, paste and blog it. I look forward to it!

March of Dimes: Walk America

I've decided to bite the bullet and participate in Walk America again this year. As many of you know I started as a nurse in the NICU right out of college...and although I have contemplated going elsewhere...my heart is in the NICU and I really can't imagine being anywhere else. I haven't been working for a while now but am looking at going back by the end of the month (I finally put a call into my manager!!). The babies I work for are so near and dear to my heart and amaze me with their strength and resilience. The March of Dimes directly supports premature or ill newborns, and are doing a great deal of research to try to prevent prematurity and to increase treatment to those who are born prematurely. It a cause very near and dear to my heart.
Actually taking to plunge to do that walk has been very motivating and has got me out walking every day to prepare. I can't wait to actually participate in the walk on April 26th and see all the people who come out to support those babies that I love so dearly.
Please help support me on this endeavor by donating to my fundraising page. My goal is to raise $300 dollars but am hoping to far surpass that. Any bit of donation is greatly appreciated!! My personal fundraising page (through the March of Dimes home page) is:

www.marchforbabies.org/kellycarrick

Thank you in advance for your support. I am attaching a photo of each of my babies...both born happy and healthy after the complications of gestational diabetes. I am so thankful for the wonderful care both them and I received during both of my pregnancies!!

Rota Virus

Our family got hit this week with the nasty bug Rota virus. Vomiting, Diarrhea, fevers, lethargy, stomach cramps. You name it... we had it. And yes, those are puke bowls in the photo of the girls on the couch. Somehow I managed to surpass getting it...I think I have had it a time or two before. Ella got it first, followed by Hailey and then Grant. I had to jump into nurse roll to take care of all my "patients". It was a really long week and we haven't left the house since Monday. The girls were very clingy...rightfully so...so each night was spent with them in our bed. I think we are finally on the mend though, Hailey seems to be the only one holding onto it a bit. I can't wait until all the illness is over. Our family seems to have been hit pretty hard this year. I would think it would be over now that it is springtime, but every time I think that we get hit with another round of something. It's got to be over soon right??

My Baby turned Three

Three years ago today...at 5:30am...my first baby girl entered this world....and my life has never been the same! When they handed Ella to me for the first time I was instantly in love with her. She was, and still is, absolutly beautiful. I know it is a bit cliche...but it seems like she was born yesterday. We had such a wonderful time during that first year. I would take her for long walks, carry her around in the front pack all the time, and snugle her in bed every morning. She was the most wonderful baby. Very laid back and independent. I remember her playing with her toys for up to an hour at a time at only 3 months old. She remains laid back and fiersly independent...although she is quiet strong willed as well. She is speaking very clearly and some of the things that come out of her mouth just floor me. She is potty trained for the most part. I put her in underpants 85% of the time and she has an occational accident. She is still in a diaper or pull up for night time and sometimes I get scared/desperate when we go out so I throw her in a pullup. Yesterday we got her first big haircut. Her hair was down to her waist, thick and curly. It was becoming a serious fight every morning to get it combed and pulled back and I was sick of the fight. My very good friend, and hair stylist, Carla was nice enough to fit her in to the end of her day yesterday, so we took her in. She cut it in an adorable little bob, left the bangs so I can pull them back and put in a few layers...it is so cute...and I must mention easy to do!

She had a blast at her birthday party today. We had it at the place where the girls take gymnastics class. There were 20 little kids there: preschool friends, family, family friends and neighbors. As requested she had a dora cake. She and Hailey wore matching ballarnia leotards and looked amazing. I think a fun time was had by all. Thanks to everyone who came.

Ella is growing up to be such a kind and loving little girl. When her friends are over she always makes sure to tell them hi and bye and thanks for coming...she also makes sure they have a drink or a snack if they need it. She watches out for her sister and loves to play with her (most of the time). She will out of the blue say "I love you Daddy" or "I love you Mommy". Lately she has been learning about friends and family and loves trying to name who is a friend and who is family. The first time I asked her who was in her family she said "Taylor". Makes since... she sees Taylor almost everyday. I often hear her saying "I want to see my fa-ma-ily." She loves to sing and dance and is also very athletic. Today at the gym she walked half way across the balance beam unassisted. She is also very smart. She can say all her ABC's, and can count to I don't know how many :) She can recognize letters and today when I put my necklace with and E on she pointed to it and said E...for Ella. Yesterday when she was getting her hair cut, Carla asked her "who is your favorit princess?" She said "mommy". It warmed my heart. No matter what I look like, or what kind of a bad day I am having I am always a princess in her eyes...her favorite one at that!! I am going to keep that in mind for when she is 13, I will say to her "Remeber when you thought I was your favorite princess"...

Grant and I could absolutely not be any more proud of our amazing little girl. She makes us smile everyday and it is such a joy to watch her grow and develop.

So, Happy Birthday Little Ella Grace...we love you more than you know!!

Mom

Back in the Day

Wendy and I have been the very best of friends for as long as I can remember. We actually became friends in the 4th grade because neither one of us wanted to play football with the rest of the class...so we played on the "big toy". I can't remember who read it to who...but we shared the Shel Silverstein poem "Sarah Cynthia Stout would not take the garbage out" (I think that is the name) with each other. From that day on we were pretty much attached at the hip. We have been through so much together; from the dances of high school, the basketball we played together...remember when we went to state, graduating high school, heading off to college (I finally got her to move to Eastern), too many apartments for me to remember, parties, trips, introducing her to Jay, weddings, the births of our babies (we have been there for each other while each baby came into the world...Taylor, Ella, Nolan, and Hailey...in that order), unfortunately some hard losses of some very important people, and now being stay at home mom's together. I don't know where I would be without her...she is my rock. We have the type of friendship most people just dream of having. We can talk everyday and never get sick of the other. We can say or do anything...without ever facing any judgement. We can count on each other when times are bad...or when there is good news to be heard :) She is the one I called immediately when I found out I was pregnant both times (right after I told Grant of course!). I know we will be friends for life...when we take our last breath (hopefully a long time from now) I know the other will be there.

I was at her house today...and looking through her photo albums and found the above photos of us through the years (there were a TON more...but I chose the most flattering ones to post!!). We have had so many fun times together. And man...I can't believe how thin we were. What I wouldn't give for that flat tummy back. I think I will post some of these photos on my fridge to keep me motivated.

So Wendy...I love you girl! You mean so much to me!

Wendy also has a blog...the address is: http://www.wjwest.blogspot.com/

Coming out of the Closet

Yes...I am still breast feeding my 18 month old...and for some reason I feel ashamed by it. She only nurses about 1 time a day, and might even go a day without, but she still comes up to me...pulling on my shirt and trying to get to her milk. Today she was trying to nurse while we had some family over and I just looked at her and said "Not now Hailey". As soon as they left I nursed her and she looked so happy...she pulled off and exclaimed "DONE".
It took a long time to establish Hailey at the breast. It was two months of bleeding, scabs, blisters, a lot of cuss words, trips to the lactation nurse and pain meds. If she had been my first I would have for sure stopped; it was that bad. But I knew that if I stuck with it, it would become easier and I would be happy if I did. I joked during that time that if I made it through I would nurse her until she was 2...and it looks like that is where we are heading.
I stopped nursing Ella when she was 11 months. I remember it very clearly because I was pregnant again with Hailey, and was so sick with nausea and vomiting. I was constantly on the edge of serious dehydration and my dr. suggested to me that maybe I should stop nursing Ella. I immediately started to sob. Maybe it was just the pregnancy hormones getting to me, but I wasn't expecting to react like that. Ella was more than ready to be done, but for some reason I wasn't.
The funny thing is, if someone else was telling me they breastfed their baby until he or she was 18 months or even 2 years...I would probably tell them how great that was...and would truly mean it. But for some reason, I don't really want people to know I am still nursing Hailey. At the same time, if she wants it, I am not ready to cut her off. Even though she is becoming more of a big girl everyday, she is still a baby in my eyes...and if she still needs her mommy milk every now and then, I will be happy to give it to her.
I am writing about it today just to get it off my chest (no pun intended!). I feel better about it already. Enjoy the photos of my beautiful 18 month old baby girl :)

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Yes, I have an April fools day birthday :) Today I am 28 years old...yeah (I guess). It has been an okay day. Ella woke up with a crazy rash and a fever. It is strep. So we spent our morning at the Dr. and the pharmacy. Right now I am just hanging out with Hailey while Ella is napping. After work Grant is going to take me to the driving range to hit some golf balls, and then we may go have a drink. I have been wanting to learn to golf so I am really excited for tonight. And it is a beautiful day out...so it couldn't be more perfect! I tried to take a photo of myself today to post...but I don't have a camera with a working battery at the moment...so I will post one from Hailey's birthday back in October...that is the only recent one of me that is any good :) Which is reminding me I need to take more photos of me and the kids, instead of always being behind the camera!