Swimming Lessons!

Camille started swimming lessons this week.  I took a couple pictures on her first day.  She's the 3rd child from the left.

Here is what Camille has to say about swimming lessons:
"I want to tell Makaela about my swimming lessons once our house gets sold."  I guess these two sweet girls are going to have a reunion!
"I want to tell Aunt Becky that I won't go too deep and my teacher's name is Sarah, just like your best friend."
I asked Camille if she wanted to tell everyone what she does and swimming lessons, but the response was "I don't know."

There you have it, folks!  Camille misses her friends from Gainesville and her Aunt Becky!

Growing, At Last!

We gave up on modern medicine.  No more blood tests.  No more consults with specialists.  No more ultrasounds and x-rays. 

We turned in the only direction we know works for sure.  We took Meghan to our favorite priest and good friend, Fr. Gjengdahl.  He was the acolyte at our wedding (before becoming a priest), and he baptized Camille.  A few weeks after arriving in Minnesota, we took Meghan to Fr. Gjengdahl for a special blessing for sick children.  That blessing is the only thing that worked.  Since that blessing about 8 weeks ago, Meghan has gained 2 lbs! This was after not gaining an ounce for 6 months.  "Thanks be to God" is all we have to say! 

The many faces of a blessed and GROWING Meghan:

Sisters!

After several demands for pictures of the girls, I finally uploaded a few.


Camille's legs are not actually as long as they look; just a camera optical illusion.





Last week Camille asked me if she could drive the car at the grocery store with her "best friend, Meghan".



Who knew grocery shopping could be so much fun?!

Meghan liked to yell out the window at the passing shoppers!



Girls Gone Wild at Rainbow Foods!



The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... sunshine and heat!  Yesterday the temperature was in the 90's!

I am thinking...Camille's eczema is going to get much worse once she starts swimming lessons next week.  Chlorine every day is going to leave her with skin like an alligator.

I am thankful for...chai every morning.  Yum!


From the kitchen...Granny made us dinner last night.  Usually I cook dinner, but she offered to do it since I haven't been moving much. The chicken and rice hotdish was delicious!

I am wearing... my new PJ's mom gave me for mother's day.  They're dark purple with lime green dots and really cute!

I am creating... a grocery list. (Yes, I know, boring, and the same as last week...) That's what I do on Tuesdays.  Wednesday is double coupon day here.


I am going...absolutely nowhere!  I was pondering a trip to Sam's club and the grocery store, but have to wait until my daily dose of ibuprofen kicks in.


I am reading...CNN.com.  Ken and I are following the Casey Anthony trial.


I am hoping... Meghan does not get the chicken pox.  She was exposed to my shingles and wasn't vaccinated for them until Monday.  We have already been pretty much quarantined for the last several days and I would hate to have this continue too much longer.  Also, I bought new shoes for zumba and really want to try them out at the Y on Friday.  Hopefully we'll all be in good shape by then!


I am hearing...the girls playing with eachother.  We had a rough start to the morning, but Meghan's nap seems to have cheered them both up.


Around the house... disaster!  I have barely moved from the couch in three days and have pretty much let the girls run amok.  There's always time for cleaning tomorrow...

One of my favorite things...hearing Meghan talk.  She has several words in her spontaneous vocabulary now and she also repeats what we say.


A few plans for the rest of the week...doctor's appointments.  I have my shingles re-checked on Thursday and Meghan has a post-op appointment for her eye.  Unfortunately, it appears that Meghan's tear duct has already closed up again.  Her eye has been water for a couple of days.


Here is a picture (or two) I thought of sharing... we went to a farm a few weeks ago.  The girls had fun!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... the trees and flowers are filling in nicely.  I have really missed watching the seasons change.
I am thinking... these classes I am taking at the Y are going to be the death of me.  I had no idea that I was soooo out of shape!
I am thankful for... Granny watching Camille today while I rushed Meghan off to the pediatrician for a pre-op physical.  Naps went longer than I had intended, and Camille was not quite awake enough to get dressed and rush out the door.
From the kitchen... I am failing this stay-at-home mom stuff.  I guess I better make a menu this week.
I am wearing... jean and a T-shirt.  I am still accepting that I only really need one pair of shorts while living in Minnesota.
I am creating... a grocery list.  (Yes, I know, boring.)
I am going... to a Zumba class tomorrow.  I went to my first one ever last Friday and had a great time!
I am reading... ummm....Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown.
I am hoping... Ken and I find a way to meet more couples with children.  We could really use a night of entertainment including adults. 
I am hearing... Granny listening to the Twins game upstairs.  One-hundred and sixty-nine games per season and she doesn't miss a single one.  I just heard her mutter, "oh, he shaved off his mustache."  Yes, she really knows the team that well.
Around the house... everything is pretty much cleaned up and has a home.
One of my favorite things... Camille and Meghan are so affectionate.  Camille gave me a snuggle and an "I love you" after I read her a story tonight, and Meghan likes to give me a little kiss on the cheek when I put her into her crib at night.
A few plans for the rest of the week... Meghan is having her eye surgery on Friday morning so we are not making any other plans for the weekend.
Here is a picture I thought of sharing...

Meghan received one nasty bite from another child today at the YMCA.  Amazingly, the child also had a pacifier in his mouth when he bit her.

A Little Update

Somehow we are busier now than when I was working full time. 

Ken is enjoying his new job.  Camille and I think it's awesome that he gets to ride the train into the heart of the city each day...and Ken doesn't seem to mind the commute.  He has already re-connected with his referee friends and has even braved the cold to referee a few games.

The girls and I have fallen into a rather busy routine.  Camille and Meghan go to their grandparent's house 2-3 mornings a week so I can get some work done.  We try to visit my grandmother (the one we're not living with) once a week.  We drop into the local library for story hour every so often.  The rest of our time is spent either A) going to Meghan's numerous doctor appointments or B) going to the YMCA.

Meghan's latest tests have all come back normal.  In the last month, she has gained a pound (hooray!) and started walking.  We are still waiting for a few more tests to be done, and then she will likely have her entire digestive tract scoped to look for possible causes of malabsorption.  Also, on May 27th she is going to have surgery on her blocked tear duct.  She is still eating massive amounts of food for a 15 pound child.  I am afraid we will need to take out a loan to feed her when she is a 30 pound child!

After a lot of coaxing by Ken, we joined the local YMCA.  They have a great little daycare where the kids can stay for up to 2 hours while I work out.  Initially I was not thrilled with the idea of a gym membership.  However, one of the employees helped me set up a fitness plan, and I am devoting some much-needed attention to my mid-section after having 2 kids.  I took in several classes this week, including one that required me to stay in a push-up position with my legs on a large exercise ball.  I was rolling all over the place!  Of course, I'll go back next week as it's the only time I get a chance to take a shower without worrying what the kids are into.

Camille likes going to the YMCA.  On certain days they let the kids loose in the gym with "bouncy balls," as Camille would say.  She considers gym days a smashing success and is quite mournful if she is not able to go.  Camille is still adjusting to the move.  She and I keep talking about various ways that she can make friends and how she can introduce herself to other kids.  She has been rather disagreeable and in a sour mood, which definitely tests my patience.  I am wondering when I'll get my smiley daughter back.

For me working from home is a bit of a chore.  I feel like I should be constantly working if I have free time.  In spite of this feeling, I don't get very much done as I am often distracted.  Hopefully I will figure it all out soon!

Of course, I have stayed up too late and Meg's crying now.  Good night!

Happy Birthday, Meghan!

Meghan turned one today!  She had many adventures in her first year of life.

Meghan at birth

1 month old!



Meghan is baptized.  June 24, 2010 in Kindred, ND

Meghan at 2 months old, sunning herself at Uncle Jason and Aunt Nikki's lake home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Meghan at 3 months.  Look at that chunky baby!



At 4 months, Meghan takes her first trip to Cocoa Beach for the National Kidney Foundation Surf Festival.



5 months!

 

At almost 6 months of age, Meghan enjoyed our family trip to Quito, Ecuador for a friend's wedding.


At 6 months, Meghan took a trip to Savannah, GA and stayed at the haunted Kehoe House. (It's still a mystery where the pictures are from that trip.)



At 7 months, Meghan took her first camping trip to Little Talbot Island.




At 8 months, Meghan braved her first ND blizzard...



 and enjoyed her Aunt Becky's wedding.

Meghan enjoys building a bear with Camille at 9 months.


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Meghan at 10 months with her big sister.

 

Meghan helps drive through Kentucky during our move from Florida to Minnesota at 11 months old.



Meghan turns one!

Meghan is definitely a gift from God.  In spite of her "failure to thrive" diagnosis, she continues to thrive.  Please pray that in her next year of life the cause of her poor weight gain is discovered quickly, and she is able to further enjoy the innocence of childhood.