Catching Up

More like trying to catch up! I am so far behind on my blogging, posting, visiting it is embarrassing...............and somewhat stressful. I have been busy! I am still dealing (struggling) with clearing out what will be Cali's room. I found an organization that accepts donations of children's items and housewares for single mothers who need help so I have been going crazy. I think we now have a truckload to give them. Seriously. The woman is picking the stuff up on Monday. The room will then be ready for paint. Woohoo!!
I finished listing items on my Etsy store for now. You should see the beautiful earrings on there! My sister has many talents...............of which I am envious.
This past Monday we took Bella to a pediatric Rheumotologist. After making the appointment with this doctor over a month ago I kept wondering.............why does his name sound familiar?? Monday when we met him I thought................why does he look so familiar? About half way through our appointment I found out. For months and months I have been researching online and reading article after article on the FAPA Syndrome, cyclic fever, periodic fever, fever of unknown origin, etc. The doctor that originally headed up this research back in the 80's has a Fever clinic in Washington at the NIH- National Institute of Health. It is one of only two fever clinics in the entire United States. They specialize in kids that have periodic fevers like Bella and there is an 18 month waiting list to get an appointment there. I tried last year but there is also a list of criteria you have to meet. We hadn't been to enough specialists at that time. Anyway!!!! In talking to the rheumotologist (Dr H) I started quoting something from a study that I read months ago in order to question him on something he had just said. Dr. H not only finished the sentence but the next two paragraphs! I looked at him perplexed and he said "I wrote that. Where did you read it? WebMD?" And with probably the most stunned look on my face I replied-"Ummm, yeah. That and the multitude of studies done by Dr. Daniel Katsner.............." Again he cut me off "That's my mentor." I about fell out of my chair! He proceeded to tell Marc and I that he flys out to Washington once a month to work with Dr. Kastner in the Fever Clinic at the NIH, hold seminars, do research, studies, etc. and that he is probably there more than he is here. In fact, several of the articles I had read were written by this man. I might as well have been in the room with my favorite celebrity!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, to me, he was a celebrity. Marc and I looked at each other and started giggling like we just woke up to a puppy on Christmas morning. We felt like we had finally arrived..... we were in the presence of someone we know will find the answers we have been looking for for so long!!!!!!! And the angels sang!
Dr. H ended up spending and hour and a half with us. We discussed Bella's entire fever history, showed him calenders, journals, family medical history, her chart from the pediatrician, answered lots of questions and came up with a plan.
Dr. H was concerned with Bella's hearing and communication skills as we have been. He wants her to go back to her Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for an in-depth hearing test. IF they find hearing loss Dr. H will test her for Muckle Wells Syndrome. Also, for diagnostic purposes, we will administer a dose of Prednisone at the beginning of her next fever. If the Prednisone aborts the fever we know it is FAPA and what further tests need to be done. She goes back to her ENT on November 25th. So now we wait.
After we were done with the Dr we took Bella to the cafe and got her a snack before heading home. I think she enjoyed the alone time and 100% attention from mommy and daddy! What she didn't enjoy was biting into that bitter blueberry in her muffin!

So we moved onto chips! Yum! Much better........

And then we enjoyed some time in the Skywalk......................

Bella was fascinated that the cars and trucks were going under us and she could see them as they disappeared from one side and appeared on the other side!

Look Mommy Daddy! WOW!!

After a long day at the doctor's we headed home....................and Bella fell fast asleep.........

Some exciting news! Cali learned two new things this week. She has been working so hard to get that thumb in her mouth..............

And then Monday night she got it!!

Marc and I were so proud of her! And I think we must have snapped 50 pictures.

Then last night she decided to be more independent..................

And hold her own bottle!!! Marc and I were rolling! It was too fun to watch! Again, another 50 pictures. I am still nursing Cali but she gets one bottle at night to fill her belly so that she sleeps through the night. Funny thing was, she knew she was cool. She would suck on the bottle and then stop to look at us and laugh!

Those little hands...............................doing big things. She loves to stand with help from Daddy.

And is now sitting up with support. She doesn't even slump forward, but not quite able to do it on her own. I'm not ready for her to be doing that yet! Why can't they just stay babies longer?

Oh Bubbles................slow down and let mommy enjoy you.

Have a great weekend everybody! Stop by Tuesday..................and tell all of your friends..............
It's gonna be goooooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!

~Heather:)

The Princess & Her Frog

Could it be??? Two posts in the same week?!? Mamma must be gettin' her game back! LOL!!! I am only about a week late for this post but still wanted to share our Halloween with all of you! We had a great time. We went to Marc's Aunt's home and did our trick-or-treating in her neighborhood. She has a son 11 days younger than Kyle and this was their third Halloween and Trick-or-Treat together. She also has a son a year and 9 days younger than Bella. He is perfecting his walking skills and is very independant! As you can imagine it made the journey a little slow-going but it was a good time had by all. Marc, his aunt and I took 5 kids-4 and under- trick-or-treating and were amazed at how well they did! We were so proud!!
Since the night started fairly early and we were rushed to pick Marc up from work before heading to his Aunt's I got the kids ready here.
Bella was a princess this year. Of course she is a princess every day -but she was dressed in the official costume on this particular night!! I didnt want her to have to deal with some heavy or awkward crown thing so I got creative..............


And came up with this....................

Boy was it hard to get her to stand still for these pictures!!!!! I adorned her precious crown with a fancy headband, wrapped her hair in a lose bun, and then decorated her with irridescent butterfly barrettes! It turned out so cute!

Kyle went as a frog again this year. While I was clearing, cleaning and organizing closets a couple of weeks ago he saw his costume from last year and insisted he go as a frog again this year!

We had been to about 7 houses when a woman said "Awww, the princess has her frog! What a great idea!!" I was like "Oh! Yeah! I totally planned it the way!" Not. Pure coincidence. I'm too tired to be creative that way but apparently it turned out anyway!! hee hee

Daddy chasing Bella in an attempt to get all the kids lined up for pictures......

And as you will notice........we never did get a picture of all of them together!!! Marc decided to get in on the fun and steal his Aunt's wig.................

He looks like a guitarist from some 80's rock band!! Before we left our house Kyle told me that I needed a costume. When I asked him what I should be he told me a cat. So, with 15 minutes left before heading out the door, I painted my face with eyeliner and donned a black outfit thinking that would satisfy Kyle. Not so much. After drawing on my face he told me I looked like a mouse and told me I needed ears. He went running down the hall to Bella's room and returned with two pink cuffs from Bella's dress-up trunk. His gears were turning and I could not believe what he came up with...........I even had a tail!! Can you imagine the looks I received driving down the road like this?.....................

Uh huh! Mousey Mommy. Cali's first T-or-T!!! She even had a costume- which you cant really see! We found a dainty little sleeper with ballarena shoes sewn into the feet!! So cute! Hey Heidi-notice anything??? We use that blanket you made all of the time!!

Here's Bella truckin' through another yard! It was so fun to watch her this year. I don't think she quite got the whole idea of the night but she was sucking it in as much as she could- and living it up! I really wish I could have read her mind..........................Okay, I go and knock on someone''s door and when they open it I look cute and hold my bag open and they give me candy?? Seems weird but Whatever! Let's go to the next house and see if it works there too!! And my mom says never to talk to strangers?!?! why not!? Seems perfectly fine to me!

After the kids treated for enough candy to last them half a decade we went back to the house and let the kids play for a bit and eat some of the treats they earned........

This is the only picture I got of Kyle and Bella together...................

And the only picture of Cali's costume. I can reinact them, right?

She was a happy girl all night. She loves being outside anyway but she got so excited everytime we passed under a street light.............so she was excited most of the night!! LOL!!!

Mommy, Kyle and Bella posing happily, of course!! More like Mommy trying desperately to hold her kids for half a second for just one shot while they wrestle out of my arms to go feed their sugar buzz..........

All the kids played so well together despite how tired they were. And before we left Kyle decided that he already knows what he wants to be next year....................

AARRRRRR Matey! Yes, a pirate. But something tells me that unless I donate the frog costume you just might see him in it again next year. That's my boy.

Hope you all had a fun time!!

In other news: We sold our house!!!!!!! We are thrilled. We signed the closing papers a couple of weeks ago and all went smoothly. We did take a substantial loss on it but know that in the long run it will be worth it.

Bella just finished another fever. This one came just three weeks after the last one. Not good. Her temp reached 105.2 at one point and took 2 hours after Motrin to come down to 101!! On top of that she has a virus, as does Kyle. Everyone is having quite the time right now dealing with illness but we are hanging in there!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!

Hugs,

~Heather:)

***GRAND OPENING!!!***

It's official!!! My sister, Melanie, and I just opened our Etsy store!! Although it was much more work than I had anticipated it was well worth it to see the merchandise in our little online store! Melanie and I have been kicking the idea around for awhile now and finally made the decision to go for it. It will provide a nice outlet for creativity and, hopefully, bring in some extra income!!

The shop is called 2sisters1love and I think it is a perfect reflection of us. Two sisters that share the same love.........for all things crafty! In the shop we will be selling crafts, clothing, jewelry, children and baby items, children's games (educational included), home decor and accessories, Melanie's photography, handbags and totes, seasonal items, occasional vintage treasures and so much more!!!

We don't have everything listed in our store yet but we are getting there. Right now is just a small sampling of what our store will be and we will be adding more items regularly for maximum variety!

Here is just a taste of what you will find......................



Handmade jewelry.............





Journals and crafts...................

Seasonal items and clothing...........

Seasonal decor.............

Children's games.............

And photography.....................

In your choice of sizes....................

Just provide your own frame....................

and mat......................

and you will have custom artwork for any room in your home!

The items in our shop make great gifts for all occasions too!!

So go check us out at 2sisters1love and then come back and tell me what you think! Stop by often as we will continue to add items and increase the selection. This week we will be adding many pieces of jewelry, stuffed animals, primitive rag dolls, etc.

We will also be hosting a monthly give away right here on my blog with a featured item from the shop! I am so excited I can't wait!! I love give aways!!!!

And since no Grand Opening would be complete without a Sale.................this week (thru Sunday November 9th), if you purchase any item/s you will receive 20% off your entire purchase!!!! Just head over to the shop (remember we will be adding items all week) and if you see something- or many things- you want to purchase just convo me with the information/items and type in *GrandHH* in the message and I will create a custom listing with your items at the discounted rate!!

Well, I better go get busy!!!! Happy shopping!!!

~Heather:)

She Wasn't Kidding!

I am in denial. Normally I don't mind winter- as long as it stops snowing and warms up to 70 degrees after Christmas. LOL!!! But this year, for some reason, I am dreading it. Who am I kidding!?! This is Ohio......a state where the weather changes between the four seasons daily it seems. I was watching the news last night and the weather woman gave her report. I sat there laughing....she has to be kidding, right? This IS some kind of joke, right? It is, after all, only October! We haven't even been Trick-Or-Treating yet!
Well, our weather woman was not kidding. The report was no joke. And before I went to bed last night this is what I saw..................

Although the pictures are not that great (my camera does not do well in pitch black) you can see tiny little specks floating though the air and what is that on the ground................

And this morning I woke up to this...........

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Say it's not so! It's too early for this! Yes, way too early for me. But as much as I wanted to rub my eyes and reopen them to find green grass and orange and red leaves on the trees, I saw a blanket of fluffy white snow laying over everything. The snow has almost a velvet appearance and if the sun was shining I know it would sparkle like a new diamond.

The sun, of course, is not shining. It's actually very overcast today but seems bright outside because of this fluffy white stuff. I'm not even going to call it snow.............I'm just going to call it "stuff". Some strange substance that apparently fell from a plane or a spaceship last night when the rest of the state was asleep. Yes. Stuff. I am not ready for this "stuff". I am so in denial.

I have been extremely busy this week trying to get things back in order, list items on eBay and Craigslist, making drop-offs to the Goodwill, etc. Slowly working on getting the "junk room" cleared out so that we can get started on Cali's nursery. It seems like for every one thing I mark off of my "To Do" list however, there are five more things added. ARGH!!

Hopefully once we get everything rolling here I can get back to posting on a regular basis. I will never reach my 100th post at this rate!!! Oh my! But when I do I will tell you now- I am planning on one heck of a giveaway!!!

Cali is getting so big she has almost outgrown her bassinet so we will be moving her into her crib this week sometime. She is changing in looks so much! Her hair is getting thicker and darker (as are her eyebrows) and her face is getting so round! She is cooing and making the cutest noises! And she is getting heavier! It certainly makes it hard to carry her around all of the time like I have been. She is extremely fussy through the day unless she is being held. I really don't mind though because I know that soon she will be wiggling and squirming to get out of my arms so I am enjoying the cuddle time while I can!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

HUGS

~Heather:)

The 'Ol Switch-A-Roo

I can not believe it has been a whole week since my last post!! Oh my goodness. Bella's fever kept me pretty busy for most of the week. It started on Monday and didn't break until sometime during the night Thursday night. It was the worst one she has had in months. What a blessing it was for her to wake up Friday morning fever free!! I took Bella and Cali to the pediatrician Wednesday. Cali had her well-visit and got her 2 month vaccinations. She now weighs 10 lbs 14 ozs!!!!! That means she gained 2 full pounds in a month- and grew exactly 2 inches. Crazy!
The pediatrician and I discussed Bella's fevers and decided on our next plan of attack. She now has an appointment with a new pediatric rheumatologist November 1oth. Thank you all so much for your prayers and compassion regarding Bella. It means so much to Marc and I.

Well, Friday was back to business as usual once Bella's fever was gone. Saturday we all went back to the pediatrician's office for our flu shots. Bella was brave as always where mommy, daddy and Kyle were a little chicken!! When we got back home we worked on creating better organization for the master bedroom closet. Marc, Kyle and Bella hung shelves and mommy and Cali supervised.
Kyle and Bella had a ball hammering the nails into the wall.................

And did a fine job! Then Marc and Kyle hung the shelves..........

I finished my throw pillows for the living room on Friday.................... (oops! my mirror has little fingerprints on it!)

Notice anything different? Yup! Those are new sofas. But that is a post for another day......

I am really happy with how they turned out. I made 8 pillows and the total cost was only $13!!

The biggest project of the weekend, however, was the room switch. We tore the office apart in order to convert it into Kyle's bedroom. We took everything out of Kyle's room and put it in the living and dining room. Then we took everything out of the office and put it into Kyle's old room. It was a lot more work than I even imagined it would be.......especially with three kids underfoot!

This is what my great room looked like almost all day Sunday. Isn't it insane?!?

By mid-afternoon even Marc's skin was itching from the apartment looking this way. And we both realized that Kyle has entirely too much stuff for only being 4 years old. So this gave me a good opportunity to start sorting through stuff: to keep, to toss, to donate, to sell.

And this was after Marc took a very full truckload out of the apartment! The next picture is Kyle's old room.............now the junk room..............my nightmare. This is what I am left with.

This is the mess that I have to sort through and eliminate in one way or another before this room can become Cali's room.....................

Right now I have the door to that room closed and locked. I don't even want to go in there. I don't know where to begin....................

This room is 11'x 10' 6" and I have a small path clear around the room......the rest is stuff, and it is piled! Craigslist and Ebay here I come!

I will show you pictures of Kyle's room soon. I still have to hang his stuff on the walls and I have designed a closet/bookshelf unit that Marc is going to build. There is not a closet in his room currently but he needs the storage badly. Hopefully within the next few weeks that will be done. But I will let you peak in at my little man sleeping in his room after an exhausting day of helping...........

He fell asleep sitting up while reading a book! He was exhausted..........as we all were. It was a very tiring weekend...............

but the changes are incredible. And it was all worth it when we tucked Kyle into bed and heard him say "I LOVE my new special room!"

Now it's time to sort through the mess so we can work on Cali's room. After we take a much needed break!!

So, anyone wanna come help me sort through the mess?? I guess if you don't hear from me for awhile it might be good to call the search and rescue team! LOL!!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

~Heather :)