Hopping, Twirling & Climbing

After KinderDance on Friday, we'd planned on going to the downtown branch of the library but it was closed because of Veteran's Day.  The next thing on our list was to hit the Children's Museum since we hadn't been since they replaced the Dora exhibit with one on frogs.  I was a bit nervous as Fridays during the school year can get a bit chaotic.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the full parking garage did not equal hordes and masses of people inside.  Phoebe loved seeing that they'd already begun to decorate for Christmas.  Maverick loved sitting up in the stroller and actually see what was going on in front of him!

Phoebe informed me when we left that her favorite stop this time was the dinosaurs.  There's a lot of background noise in this exhibit - thunderstorms, dinosaur noises and she's not a fan of loud noises (sirens, thunder, air vents, you name it!) but for whatever reason, she was very interested in fossils this visit.

We also spent more time in the train exhibit than usual.  One ticket, please!

The frog exhibit left a LOT to be desired.  It was neat to see all the different shapes, sizes and colors of frogs - however, there just wasn't a lot for a three year old to DO.

She did dress up like a frog and chase flies for a bit but that got old pretty fast.

So we headed to see Barbie.  Here she is showing off her latest dance moves.

Styling Barbie hair.  She's already more talented than her mama!

On the way to the museum she'd mentioned that she wanted to ride the carousel.  I was nervous about balancing Maverick and Phoebe but luckily the bench ride was open on our turn so we got to all sit together.

Phoebe continues to get more adventurous and daring - climbing up ladders and going down slides, things she wouldn't do on her own before.  Just shows she's growing up and becoming more courageous - trying new things isn't always easy for her but we're proud of her when she does.

We're getting pretty tired by the time we make it to ScienceWorks - just taking a quick break on the couch.

I reclined his seat and surprisingly, he took his wa-wa (which he has hated since his double ear infection) and he took over an hour nap while we continued to check things out.

We were there a total of 5 1/2 hours so we were all pretty tired when we left.   Everyone stayed awake on the ride home except for the last five or ten minutes.  We're lucky to have such a great place to go on days it's too cold to be outside.  We'll be back next month for Jolly Days - that one may require extra hands - I don't see me making it down the large slide with both kids all by myself! 

We spent most of Saturday house shopping but didn't find much we liked.  Maverick is getting his two bottom teeth so sleep continues to elude us.  I'm sort of hoping that whatever pain medication they give him after his procedure on Wednesday will cover his mouth as well!  We're slotted for surgery at 9:00 and it's just over a 90 minute procedure.  We'd appreciate your prayers!

7 Month Smiles

We're still adjusting to apartment life but I'm pretty sure Phoebe thinks it's just one big party!  She got a Halloween package from Nana last week and has been very entertained with all the contents!  We all loved the dried pineapple, peaches and apples she sent as well - she's got me seriously contemplating the purchase of a dehydrator!  If only our apartment was bigger....

We're certain our kids have inherited Ryan's sweet tooth.

Here's our happy seven month old!  When we were at the pediatrician's last week he weighed in at 16 pounds, 11 ounces.

He absolutely hates taking the antibiotic he's on, but he sure is happier!  Ryan's convinced he just doesn't like anything cold but I'm not so sure.  He's definitely inherited my stubbornness!

Hanging out Saturday morning while Ryan took Brutus to the vet.  We got notified from our complex last week that Brutus is a "restricted" breed and that we weren't allowed to have him stay with us.  We calmly reminded them that he was pre-approved by them even before we looked at the model, gave over his paperwork stating he's a bloodhound/rottweiler mix and got the green light yesterday that he's free to stay with us the duration. 

And although he's happier and his eyes have cleared up, he still refuses to eat solids of any sort and is still waking up three times a night.  At least now they're three hour stretches instead of two.  Here he is, bright-eyed at 4:30 Sunday morning.  Time change?  What time change?

We stopped by YiaYia and Papou's to suffer through the Colts' game together after church on Sunday.  He got this Taylor hat from some dear friends of our family. 

YiaYia says that our kids are the BEST medicine!

While the boys watched football, Phoebe and I took YiaYia on a walk in her new wheelchair.

We stopped by their neighborhood playground to let Phoebe burn some extra energy.

She's getting SO brave! 

Next Wednesday Maverick has surgery at Riley - just a little corrective procedure done by a urologist.  Ryan got to take him to Riley a couple weeks ago while I was home sick so I'm not sure of all the particulars.  They've assured us they do ten a day and it's really minor, but this mama is having a hard time just thinking about it.  We'd appreciate your prayers that he continues to get over this double ear infection and can be well-rested prior to the procedure.

Pink-or-Puke

Last Wednesday, I got Maverick out of his crib around 4 (which has been pretty typical since our move) and noticed it was wet.  I guess I shouldn't have been all that surprised when he threw up about 30 minutes after he nursed.  I figured he was teething or just had an upset tummy because of nasal drainage (even after a call to the pediatrician and the nurse's warning about a nasty stomach virus going around).  I was supposed to head up to Fort Wayne for work so Ryan stayed home with the kids after yet another puking episode.

I really shouldn't have been surprised when I woke up Thursday morning feeling pretty yuck.  Ryan took Phoebe to daycare and I hung out with Maverick in the morning (and the maintenance guys fixing our dishwasher).  Luckily Ryan was able to take Maverick to his urologist consult that we had to set up two months ago (surgery is set for November 16th) while I stayed in bed. 

And of course, it was definitely no surprise when Phoebe got out of bed at 9:30 that night confused, asking, "Why are you taking off my pjs?" and Ryan's response, "Because you're covered in puke..."  Loads of laundry ensued and Ryan ended up out-of-commission all day Friday. 

It was not our proudest Wallis moment, however, we're grateful we didn't all get it at once - it made taking care of the kids and actually being sick a bit more doable.  Either way, lots of snuggles and a few naps were had by all.

AND we got it all out of the way in time to be able to enjoy the Halloween festivities.  Our little Rapunzel was so excited to go to the Fall Fest at church.  Here she is ready to trunk-or-treat!

Daddy and Pascal.

A quick stop in the nursery to heat up a bottle for Mav.

Past (every one's) bedtime!

Enjoying some of her loot during the Colts' game.

We didn't go to church on Sunday because Maverick couldn't open his eyes when he woke up - completely glued shut with gunk.  Stuff continued to seep out throughout the day so we went to a Minute Clinic but they don't treat anyone under 18 months of age.  Conveniently, Ryan and I were able to get our flu shots out of the way.

After a visit to the pediatrician on Monday morning, we got the "H-flu" diagnosis - something Phoebe had when she was a baby, too.  Essentially it's a double ear infection that seeps into the eyes and leads to pink eye.  Antibiotics and drops for ten days.  Poor boy.

However, this diagnosis also explained why Maverick has been waking up every two - three hours VERY unhappy and refusing to take his wa-wa and not take a bottle.  We're told it's also probably why he's been opposed to trying solids as it hurts when he swallows.  Here's hoping everything works itself out - we're feeling like we've got a newborn on our hands again with the lack of sleep we're dealing with!

Phoebe's class got to trick-or-treat and have a Halloween party on Monday.

Here's hoping pink eye stays away from the rest of us as he finishes up his drops and that maybe by the end of the weekend we're all sleeping through the night again!