Night Night Mommy

Yes, you guys are right. I need to update!

Makena is FINE now. Thank goodness--after another bout of fevers and a urine sample...bladder infection is ruled out (drug use as well...ok, maybe that wasn't such a funny joke).

She is feeling much better and is doing well. The other night we were all asleep in bed together and I had my back turned to her. I felt her moving around and she put her hand hon my shoulder to pull herself up. She leaned into me and I could feel her breath on my face. Sheput her hand on my cheek and said "night night mommy". Tell me that is not the most precious thing ever! This was at 2am! I have been in night night land for at least 3 hours. But sweet all the same.

MOMMY LOVES MAKENA!

Katie, I am in desperate need of a girls weekend. Where can we go--cheap??

Can we say SLEEP??

It has been a rough couple of days. Makena caught a low grade fever on Sunday and she has been down hill every since. Here fever was up to 104 last night and has hovered around the 101-102 mark most of the other times. I took her to the doctor today and he said there is nothing obvious to indicate a bacterial infection. If it is viral, she should be feeling better and fever should drop within the next day. If it does not--he will do a urine culture for a bladder infection. He said at her age, it is VERY rare to have a bladder infection without something else wrong (i.e. something is not right with her urinary tract system). If it turns out to be a bladder infection, they will do x-rays and run other test to ensure her system is functioning properly.

So, here's hoping she feels better soon--aside from the scary thought of a bladder infection...mama needs some sleep. She was yapping in her sleep and thrashing around the bed for almost two hours straight last night. Dr. said it may all be fever related--stress to the body.

Hopefully, I'll post tomorrow with some good news.

Where have we been??

Live has just taken over and I just don't have the time to update as much as I use to. Justin has been doing a lot of traveling recently and my work has been so busy. When I get home, I want to spend time with my family and then go to bed!

So what's new??

1) Makena says "I love you", more like "i ub u", but you get the idea.
2) Makena LOVES books (thats not news is it??)
3) Makena can sign apple!! I found this out yesterday when her teacher asked her to show me. I am so happy she is learning new things in school. It makes me sad that I didn't teach her how to sign apple though. When she did it for the first time, it wasn't for me, it was for her teacher :(
4) Makena dances in her carseat. When we are driving a long and a song comes on we both like, I sway back and forth in my seat and she follows suit. We have even implemnted the "wave your hands in the air, wave it like you just don't care" motto. Of course, I only do one hand so I can drive...Mak follows suit on this as well.
5) PUPPY!! She can spot a puppy a mile away.

There is so much more, not enough time to tell it. This is all I got for now!

Thank you again "Aunt" Katie

Why aunt in quotes?? Because Katie and Taylor often call Katie "aunt" to Makena. Probably because Katie is an aunt to Rylee Kate and out of habit therefore is refered to as "aunt" towards Makena. That's okay...Aunt Kadeee works for Mak!

Katie came over this last weekend and took some awesome pictures of Mak. Of course I don't have all the pictures yet, just the ones that she has kindly emailed to me pictured above.

My FAVORITE is the feet picture, but I have so many favorites I can't seem to really pick. I love the first two, the one in her crib...OH HECK! I love them all.

Thanks so much Katie...

Oh and do you like my ring?? I got that for Mother's Day! Thank you very much Mak Mak and Justin! Love you!

Again!

I am so far behind in this blog, I am not sure what happened before what. Anyway, Makena was bitten at school again last week.

4th time in the two months she has been there!

I wasn't very nice to the director of the school. I asked her to verify if it was multiple children or if it was the same child that was biting her. The director told me the next day it was not the same child, they were different children. WHAT!?? You mean to tell me, in a class of 12 kids, at least 4 are biters?? I don't know about you all, but the ratio of 3 to 1 does not sit well with me. She said she would talk to the teachers.

Here is the deal...I worked in a preschool. I know it is difficult to keep an eye on all 12 kids with 2 sets of eyes, but why--why is my baby the one getting bit? Granted, I am glad Mak is not one of the biters, I wish she would at least retaliate in some way though. They tell me she doesn't even cry.

Seriously--

Makena has been bit before in my presence and she cried hard and she didn't even bruise. Every bite she has had from school she has bruised from it...and the bites have all been on her right arm.

I am so sad for her--I know she is well cared for by her teachers and I am confident that her teachers are not neglecting her--I just wish these teething, non-communicating carnivoros would stop biting my baby.

James Blunt Part 2 (deux)

Alrighty then...

The evening of May 6th Katie and I left Dallas and began our 3-1/2 hour drive to Austin. We got there around 10:30pm or so and my Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Patrick were so kind to give us a place to stay.

Anyway, Sunday morning we got up, played with Tristan, my cousin who I found out was named after Brad Pitt's character in the movie Legend's of the Fall. Then, we were treated to dim sum (chinese resturant where the servers walk around pushing carts with some yummy food). It was lots of fun.

What we did after that was not too much fun really....NOT!

We headed down to The Backyard in Austin. i was already excited because it was an outdoor venue. I just knew the atmosphere would be different outdoors versus indoor. We got there about 1-1/2 hours before gates opened. When it did open, Katie and I were center left of the stage right in front! I mean smashed up against the stage. Talk about excitment! So we hung around, met a few really nice people and then the concert started.


Toby Lightman opened for him and she was FANTASTIC. I managed to get her setlist, but didn't have a chance to get it signed.

Then it was the main event. It was awesome to be outside, listening to great music and just having fun! The eletric gutarist winked at me, the piano guy shook my hand and James grabbed both my hands as he reached into the crowd. I managed to get James's set list too! It was awesome!

So then, at 10:30pm we got on the road and headed home...why you ask??

We had a date with the man himself the next morning. Seriously!

Katie and I did anything to stay awake. We sang JB songs, church songs, 80's stuff...anything...we chatted and then we took the wrong exit off I35! Anway, we made it back to the correct highway after a couple of curse words out of my mouth...hey, it was late and I was tired...give me a break!

We made it home, slept for 1-1/2 hours and we were up again and headed to KISS FM.

We hung out outside for a bit, then into the Texas Bar & Grill. They had a mini-stage setup.

They gave us an opportunity to ask questions and I quickly raised my hand. I said "Good morning James, first thank you for what you do, second, I saw you in Chicago, last night in Austin and drove home to be here this morning. I had 1-1/2 hours sleep, I wonder how you feel this morning?" James said and I paraphrase here..."did you see me turning around to the band and telling them the stalkers were in the front row?" I said "those must have been the teenagers behind us" Then he said something like "I had no sleep the night before, but I got some rest last night so I probably feel better then you do."

He answered a couple of other questions, then sang High and You're Beautiful. Afterwards, they took photos and James signed his promo photo for us all. I asked him if he would sign my setlist from last night and his security guy said no, but James snuck (sp?) his hand between his bodyguard and a radio staion worker and I handed him my setlist, he signed it and handed it back and smiled at me. After he had taken the photo with us he spoke to us and asked me my name and then he leaned into Katie and asked her what her name was. Holy cow we were in James Blunt overload by then I think.

I'm on the right side of the photo next to JB, Katie is next to me

After that, it was home and to bed...well sort of. I didn't really sleep! We headed to Nokia Theater around 5 for round 3 of JB. I won't go into too much details as it was about the same as all the other concerts we went to, except Katie and I sat for this one. It was a nice perspective from being in the PIT.

There you have it, the James Blunt chapter has come to an end...until next time!

Coming to a blog near you...

I know, I know...I haven't updated. Between work and my family, it has been a bit crazy. Not to mention seeing James Blunt twice in one weekend.

So updates you can expect...

1) JB Part Deux (2)

and

2) Mak got bit again in school!!

Pictures will be posted as well.

There Katie...I posted about an update. Is this okay for now?

JB part 1 of 2

Okay, Katie and I are on the second to last leg of chasing James Blunt all over the state. We saw him in Chicago in March and tomorrow we will see him in Austin. I am actually excited to see him in OUR state of residence. I have family in Austin too, so I am so comfortable with the area. Chicago was fun, but it is going to be awesome to be in our neck of the woods. Outdoor venue too...F-A-B!

Monday morning is breakfast with JB and then his concert in Dallas. It is going to be a long two days, but well worth it! The chance to just BE and have a good time!

Part 2 will come sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday.

P.S. My final exam is on Tuesday...I will need a Red Bull I think.

P.P.S. Makena is doing wonderful and I think her and Daddy have really enjoyed their time together. Thanks to you both for putting up with me.

XOXOXO

I know...everyone is sick of this James Blunt post

So I will post about something else.

1) Makena is so sweet. Justin was out of town and came home yesterday. She thought she heard the garage door and started saying "DADDY??" It was precious. She has several new words
- Bubble
- Outside (better known as outshide)
- OH NO!! (she says it very clearly and she knows the most appropriate times to say it too)
- Bappi (we think this means paci, blankie and teddy all rolled into one...all the necessities for night night)
2) Speaking of paci...her teacher told me so far this week she has not asked for paci and she goes to sleep at shcool with out her paci! She doesn't need paci at home until she goes night night and I just can't seem to take it from her. Doesn't make her happy. I am sure she is working us!
3) Go check out Katie's blog. Some awesome pictures of Conan!

--that's all I got folks! Life has been pretty hectic since I went back to work.

As if once wasn't enough...

I realize most would think I am on the brink of obsession, but Katie and I are going to see James Blunt not two but three more times.

Originally it was only going to be one more concert in Austin. I had Dallas tickets I tried to sell, but that has fallen through and now Katie and I decided we are going to the Dallas one too.

So thats two...the third is the real kicker!

Our local radio station here in Dallas ran a contest all weekend...20th caller wins breakfast with James Blunt and a private performance...plus two tickets to the show.

I didn't win, but Katie did! I had been trying to get through since 5pm Friday. Saturday morning I was trying any chance I got and when I met up with Katie, we were on our way to Cassy's house for Rylee Kate's birthday party. I told Katie she had to call in with her cell and I would call in with mine when they announced the time to call in. HOLY COW...we were in the car all of 5 min and it was time to put our fingers to work. We literally drove 2 miles and redialed 3-4 times and Katie got through! The DJ answered and Katie asked what caller was she and he told her 20 and we all screamed! Katie told him we went to the Chicago concert and we are going to Austin and Dallas and the Dj asked her if she was obsessed. I have to admit, I was the bigger fan of the two of us...but after this, I almost bet my life that Katie is a big fan too!!

I LOVE YOU KATIE...thanks for being obsessed with me. I feel like a gitty teenager. These are the things I should have been doing in high school and college! Oh well, keeps us young!

Thanks to our husbands for putting up with MY craziness...though Katie...you are well on you way!

Daddy-UPDATED

Walk along beside me Daddy

and hold my little hand.

I have so many thing to learn,

that I don't understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe

from dangers everyday.

Show me how to be my best

at home and at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand

to guide them as they grow.

So walk along beside me Daddy

we have a long way to go.

-Author Unknown

***Click here for more sweet pictures of Mak

Life as we know it has changed!

New school for Mak, new job for me, means busy days for all of us! Makena started at her school 2-Mondays ago and has adjusted rather well. She doesn't cry when I drop her off (well sometimes) and she is already well loved by her teachers. Apparently she is attached to Ms. Jennifer...when she leaves the room, Mak cries. She has had a difficult time adjusting to naptime. She is use to being on her own in her room and her own bed. She had only been taking 30 minute naps, today she took a 2 hour nap though. WOOHOO! She has been attached to my hip as soon as I pick her up from school though. Her reaction when she sees me walk through the door is priceless. If I remember I will try to get a picture of it soon. I walk in and with her mouth wide open and this shocked look on her face and then she yells "MAMA!". Just melts me...

My job...going great, I love it! Hard to explain what I do since I don't really know yet, but I know I love it. The dynamic of the office is wonderful and they have approved my hours 7-4. This works out well for our family since Justin gets off work around 4 as well.

Here are some pictures I took a couple of weeks ago. The these where taken the eveing after her first day at school. I started the tub and walked out of the bathroom for a minute. When I came back in she had climbed into the tub fully clothed! That was when we discovered the girl could climb. There are cute tennis pictures to come.

To the kid who bit my baby...

GRRR!!!!


I picked Makena up from school today and when I got her out to the car and put her in her seat, I noticed what looked like a bite mark on her right arm. It looked fairly fresh too...I could still see the teeth mark...4 teeth on top and 4 on bottom. I went back in and asked her teachers what happend...they had no idea, she didn't cry they said! ARGH!! I know kids bite and it happens, but I am worried that if she didn't cry this time, she might not cry next time! (DEEP BREATHS)

Anyway, I still have a post coming soon about work and Mak's school and some fun pictures...they are coming.

Katie...this post is for you

FYI...I am working on it ;)

Updates

We have had so much excitment with the Chicago trip, I forgot to post about some recent changes in our life.

1) I got a job. I will be working for a Risk Managment consulting firm. I will be the Exec. Assistant to the Pres. They consult in the medical and aviation arena. They deal with doctors and hospitals daily...this will be a good thing for my goals as far as nursing goes. I will still be going to school.

2) Makena started daycare/school this week. She doesn't seem to be having too much trouble adjusting. She is more whiney and clingy in the evenings, but hopefully she will be herself again soon.

I think that is it...

The best hot dogs are in Chicago!

Okay, the only way to tell about the trip is to go day by day.

Day 1: Friday
Hugs and Kisses to the family and we were headed to DFW by 3:30. We get there way early hoping to fly standby on an earlier flight. We got on the 4:30!! We, get down to the gate and the 4:30 gets delayed due to inclement weather in Chicago. So when do we depart Dallas?? 6pm! Whatever, still earlier then when we would have left if we had waited till our 8pm flight which probably was delayed too. Anyhow, we got on our flight and sat next to a native Chicagoian (?) and she told us of some places to go and we thought we had some sort of plan of action by the time we got off the plane.

So we are in the Chicago/O'Hara Airport and I call the hotel to pick us up. They said and I quote, head down to door 3 and my driver will pick you up." Uhmmm, dude...where is door 3? So he tells me door three is lower level by baggage claim. So we get down to baggage claim and I see numbers 1-4, we head down to door 3 and then we notice they all have letters after them 3a, 3b, 3c...etc...

What the heck?? So Katie and I walk around outside seeing all these people getting picked up by their loved ones, cabs and limos...NO HOTEL VANS!

We are walking like we were lost apparently because some really nice guy driving a bus to pick up car rental people stopped opened his window and asked us if we needed help. YES SIR! Where the heck is door 3? Door three was across the street where all the hotels pick up. HELLLLOOO?? Why did the hotel guy tell us it was downstairs by baggage claim if it was clear across the other side of the street without one baggage claim conveyor??

Whatever...so we get picked up and head off to the hotel. We ended up walking to Gino's for a true Chicago-style deep dish pizza. OH MAN! To die for...seriously! However, walking there was a bit more then we had anticipated so we called for the van to pick us after we were done.

Went to bed at about 1am and it was the best sleep ever! The beds and pillows...well, just heaven.

Day 2: Saturday

We were up and out of the hotel by 9am headed to gosh knows where, but by golly, we were going! I have never been on a subway/railway system before so that was very interesting. Katie really was the navigator throughout the weekend. We talked to a guy on the rail and he told us of some places to go and again we thought we had a clear plan. By the time we got so where ever it was we were going...we had no idea where we were. That's okay, we were really rolling with the punches this weekend. Only thing we had to be on time for was the concert.

We walked around downtown, found a hole in the wall for breakfast and ended up on Michigan Ave...ONLY AFTER we found beanies for our freezing cold head and ears! Thank goodness for those, we would have been a couple of frozen southern girls. I can't believe how hard it was to find beanies in Chicago this time of year. We went to the Hershey Chocolate store, walked through the mall, took a picture for a Butterfinger advertisment, walked and walked and then took the rail some more I think and then headed down to Wrigley Field to take a pic in front of the entrance sign. THEN...we headed towards the Riviera Theater.

Lets just say we were a bit scared when we got down near the theater. It seemed like a rough part of town and asking people for help wasn't such an easy task. Katie has this ability to walk up to anyone and ask them a question or ask them to take a pic for us, whatever it was she could ask it. You should have seen us down there...it was scary! Anyway, we figured our way around the area and made it to the theater just in time! WHEW!



Okay, so we got there at 2 and the doors didn't open till 6 and the concert didn't start till 7...we were front row almost center baby! It was so awesome! That 4 hours in line waiting was well worth it and we made some friends while standing in line so it was much more tolerable. However, we should have sat in line not stood in line. We probably stood 4 hours in line then another 4 hours inside the theater...PLUS walking around before that. GEEZ, we were hurting.















Anyway, the concert was more then I had expected and I couldn't have had a better time, James Blunt is so good live...I mean, he didn't say much during the concert...but he has so much more energy then I had expected. Really...all the songs you hear on the radio and the performances you see on TV have been his more mellow songs. I love his up-tempo songs on his CD, but I have never seen him perform them. HOLY COW.

So the concert is over and we file out like a heard of sheep. We and the friends we made decided to wait outside the stage door for autographs. He came out within 45 min...it wasn't bad at all! Anyway, while waiting for him, we went over to his tour bus and I just had to kiss the bus! Yes people, I kissed the tour bus. It was the closest to kissing the man himself! LOL, just joking...well not about kissing the bus. So got his autograph and then headed back to the hotel. We crashed by about 1am or so...sore feet, ankles, calves, backs...you name it, it all hurt. Got another awesome nights rest.

Day 3: Sunday

We had big plans, but ended up taking the subway down to Lincoln Park and ate the best hot dog! Katie has a picture of it...check her blog for her pictures and her version of the weekend. After lunch we just wanted to go home...we were so tired. We went to the airport hoping to fly standby on an earlier flight. We get there and find out there are over 90 people flying standby. So we resigned to the fact that we will not leave until our scheduled flight. We got home and in our own beds by 11:30pm.

Thanks Katie for such an awesome weekend! You are a great friend and I would roll with the punches with you anytime...as long as we aren't late for the James Blunt concert! (((HUGS)))