Ear infections... blah!

About a week and a half ago we took Claire to urgent care on Sunday afternoon after noticing that she was pulling on her ears.  She was super crabby that day and every time she would try to take a bite of food, she would scream out in pain and spit it out.  I asked her if her ear hurt and she said, "Two ears hurt."  So, we took her in that day and sure enough, double ear infection!  She was treated with an antibiotic and seemed better. 

Well, yesterday she was complaining about "owie diaper rash" so I decided I better take her in in case she had another UTI.  We are waiting on the results of that and should hear back this afternoon but, while we were there, the doctor noticed she had a fever so decided to check everything else out since we were already there.  Guess what?  Double ear infection!!  So, we're guessing the one from last week never went away. We're trying another round of stronger antibiotics in hopes that it will knock out the infection.

Emma has a really runny nose and seems to be coming down with a cold.  I'm hoping she doesn't end up with an ear infection too!  So, today we are laying low and having a jammie day!!  Thankful for access to doctors and medicine today!!  Meanwhile my family in Africa is struggling with sickness, too, which is SO MUCH scarier for them.  Praying for restored health for them and for the doctors who are treating them.

5 months!

Happy 5 month birthday, baby girl!  You are loved!!

Eating and Rolling

It's been a big week for our soon-to-be 5 month old!  We tried rice cereal for the first time a few days ago.  She wasn't sure what to think at first, but after a few times, she loves it now!  She ate up a whole bowl last night.  I'm looking forward to introducing her to more foods soon. 

Here we go!

Hmm... what is this stuff??

Big sister wanted to get in on it and loved feeding Emma!  Emma, on the other hand, wasn't so sure.



I don't know what just happened!



In other news, Emma rolled over for the first time today!  Most babies roll from their tummy to back first, but since Emma HATES tummy time, I rarely do it with her and she hasn't had much of a chance to try rolling that way.  Instead, she rolled from her back to her tummy!  She was  happily laying on her back on the little baby gym while I was on the phone.  When I checked on her after awhile, she was on her tummy! 

She's getting so big so fast!  

"I had a good day, Mom"

... said to me by my 2-year-old before bed tonight!  It was snowing all day long so we made the most of it!  The teacher in me came out and we made and colored snowflakes and talked about the letter 's'.  The letter part was probably over her head but I was having fun so I went with it! 

The snow coming down in our backyard.

Emma hanging out in the high chair while Claire and I colored.

Claire and Daddy made a snowman after he got home from work!  What a fun ending to a fun winter day!  (I can't believe I just used the words 'fun' and 'winter' in the same sentence!!)

Claire Quote

Today, while I was going to the bathroom, Claire came in the room and said, "Do you have a tail like Daddy does, Mom?"

Open wide!

It was a big day for Claire... she went to her first ever trip to the dentist!  The office was so fun... they have a huge play house with lots of dolls!  Claire was thrilled about that.  The play house was made to look like Kinnick Stadium.  It's adorable.  They also have video games for the older kids to play. 

They brushed her teeth, the dentist took a look at them, and then she also got a fluoride treatment.  Although she was FREAKING out while they were working, she loved playing before hand with the cool toys and she loved all of the 'prizes' she got for going!  When she was done, the dentist gave her a gold coin she could use to put in one of those gumball machines that was filled with toys.  She picked the one with the bracelets inside and she's been proudly wearing it around all day. She also got a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and t-shirt. 

Hopefully she won't be as scared next time we go!

Baking

Claire was so excited to do a little baking!

We just had to wear our aprons Grammy made for us!

Someone was having FUN!

Making sure the dough tastes okay! :)

Lou Lou

Is it weird that Emma's latest nickname is Lou Lou??  Seriously, sometimes I can get out of control with nicknames and I think this is a good example!  Before Emma was born, I always thought her nickname would be Em or Emmie.  BUT... somehow I started calling her EmmyLou.  Why?  I have no idea...  Then it became Lou Lou and most recently I've been calling her Lou Lou Bear.  So I have Claire Bear (or C-Bear... or even C-Bear-Grace...) and Lou Lou Bear. I KNOW... I'M WEIRD!!!!

Anyway, here are some pics of our sweet lil Lou Lou Bear...  :)

I sure love that sweet face!!!

Oh, and can  you tell that she's really been into sucking on her fingers lately?!

Bathtime Fun

One of Claire's Christmas presents was some bath crayons.  She loves them!  I think her Daddy does too!  Check out his artwork of baby Jesus in the background!

Oh, and just for the record, Claire LOVES hearing the story of Jesus' birth. She asks to hear it every. single. day. I guess it's true that it's one story that never gets old! :) And she has changed her favorite doll's name from Molly to Jesus...

Claire's big performance

Check out Claire's big performace at the talent show during the family reunion we just attended (more to come on that later..) 

We had been talking FOR WEEKS about singing Away in a Manger for everyone at the reunion.  She always would say she wanted to do it but I would've put money on her getting too shy and not actually following through.  She definitely surprised me!

 

I think it's safe to say she stole the show!