a drag

Well, on Tuesday, I thought I was starting to feel sick.  I had an itchy/dry/scratchy throat, and I felt a little snotty ... and I kept sneezing like there was no tomorrow!  Koki sneezed a lot on Tuesday, too.  So, I bought some throat lozenges and stocked up on children and infant Motrin and acetaminophen (since I was all out at home).

On Wednesday, Colton started with these goobies in his eyes.  Sometimes when he gets too snotty and all stuffed up, boogies come out of his tear ducts.  I kept wiping them out (which he thoroughly dislikes).  He had a slight runny nose, but nothing too terrible.  Koki started in with the runny nose again!  I really dislike her getting those.  I feel like I wipe that nose a million times a day for over a week each time she gets one.  Ugh!  But by Wednesday afternoon, I was feelin a million times better.  I didn't feel like my nose was runny or stuffed or full of snot anymore.  My throat was much better.  I wasn't sneezing much at all.  I thought to myself: "Maybe this will all be over in a flash!"

By Thursday, Colton's goobies in his eyes kept coming and coming.  I felt like I was wiping them a million times that day.  He didn't seem to have pink or redness in his eyes, so I was pretty sure it was just an overabundance of snot in his nasal cavities that were coming out through his tear ducts ... or maybe clogged tear ducts.  Thursday night, I noticed Koki had a little bit, too.

Through this all, Koki was having a hard time going down for naps or bed.  She would cry an insane amount of time before finally falling asleep (which is not like her at all).  I even had to rock her to sleep on Thursday night and for a nap on Thursday (which I haven't done since she was ... maybe ... 4 months old).  Still, I figured it was all of the snot and such.  Meanwhile, Colton kept waking from naps and bed with his eyes glued shut. So, obviously ... there was a lot of goobies going on there.

On Friday, we did a MOMs Club event and had lunch with them.  At lunch, I rubbed more goop out of Khloe's eye.  Then I thought it looked a little red, so to make sure I wasn't spreading germs ... I called our pediatrician.  She had an opening right away.  I'm not sure you would call it that, though.  I waited to see her for an hour and 15 minutes.  So, even though my appointment time was right away ... my actual doctor time was much, much longer.  Anyway, we saw her, and sure enough, she felt like both kids had conjunctivitis in BOTH eyes!  Both kids.  Really!?!  How could I miss that? Then she said that since Tuesday (when Koki had her 12 month check up), Khloe had contracted an ear infection in BOTH ears!  Double conjunctivitis and double ear infection!?!  No wonder we had been having such a hard time falling asleep!  Poor baby girl.  Colton's ears looked good and normal, so we just had to get drops for his eyes.  So, since Friday afternoon, both kids have been fighting me as I put a drop in each eye ... three times per day.  And Sissy has been having amoxicillin twice a day for her ears.

Both kids seem much better today.  Khloe took a good, long nap this morning, and I'm sure she will sleep well this afternoon, too.

Ah ... cold and flu season ... it has begun.

first birthday celebrations

My baby girl is now a one year-old!  It's amazing how time flies.  We had a super busy week and weekend, but it was fun having friends and family here to help celebrate Koki and her special day.

Last week ... was a blur!  Monday, we had a MOMs Club meeting where they honored the kids whose birthdays are in September.  Koki got to wear a crown and everyone sung "happy birthday" to her and the other kids.  It was really cute!

She wasn't so sure about that crown!

Such a serious nelly in this picture!

Billy's parents came to visit on Tuesday.  We all went to the water park on Wednesday.  It was fun to see the kids enjoy the water together with Grandpa and Grandma.  Colton cried when it was time to leave.  He didn't want to go home ... he was having too much fun!

Enjoying the pool with Grandpa & Grandma Heinrich!

Building a block tower with Grandpa H.  (Those are the blocks Grandpa made for Colton & Khloe.)

Uh, oh!  Here comes Khloe ... a.k.a. Godzilla!

Kaboom!  I actually think it fell because it was getting too tall.  But we can blame it on Koki.  Colton was not happy!  And when he started crying ... so did Sis.

Not happy that the tower fell. 

Starting over!

On Thursday, I got my hair cut and dyed.  Gwendy found a deal on livingsocial.com.  It was a hair cut and partial highlights for $60.  So, we both bought it.  I went and redeemed my deal on Thursday, so Mom could watch the kids for me.  I think it turned out pretty good.  I am happy with it.  My hair is in this awkward stage of growing out ... not really how I want it to be, but what can I do as it grows out?  Billy got to stay home on Thursday, too.  He and Dad built a train table for Colton's 3rd birthday.  I have a few months to get it sanded down and either painted or stained (we haven't decided what we want to do).  It looks great, though!  Thursday for supper, Koki had her very last bottle with formula.  She would get a sippy cup with Almond Milk starting at breakfast on her 1st birthday.

Koki with her very last bottle.  On her birthday, she will start with Almond Milk and a sippy cup.

I made these cookies on Thursday to have for the party on Sunday.  They are little dolls.

I like how they turned out!

Friday, Khloe's actual birthday ... I was busy making decorations for the party, shopping for the food and last minute items, and preparing for Sabbath lunch.  It was a busy Friday, to say the least!  Since her last bottle was for supper on Thursday, I gave her one of Colton's old sippy cups (the one he drank milk from for the first three months after his change out of a bottle), and she was not interested.  She drank from it a little bit, but I think it came pouring out too hard.  She would get mouths full, and then she would just let the milk run down her face!  It was frustrating.  She, also, switched to Almond Milk.  I didn't know if it was the milk or the cup, so I put the milk into a bottle ... which she promptly drank down.  So, I knew it was the cup.  We headed to Gwendy's house for MOMs Club on Friday ... and I asked her if I could borrow a sippy cup from her to try with Khloe.  I took one that has a slower flow, and for the most part, that is much better.  She will drink all of her milk from that cup.  The only problem is that she wants me to hold it for her.  She's been holding her own bottle since she was 6 months old!  I very much dislike holding her cup, but we are taking baby steps.  She must master the newness of the cup and the milk ... then I'll work on letting her feed it all to herself.  Who knows ... maybe she'll prefer her straw cup for milk after all!

The top picture is Koki at 2 days old ... and the bottom one is her 1 year picture.  Can you believe how much she has grown!?!  It is incredible that one year is already over.

Breakfast on her 1st birthday ... no baby food ... no bottle ... just big girl solids and a sippy cup.  She did alright.  Can't believe she's already 1!

Khloe's birthday cake ... it's a small one, because there will be more cake at her party on Sunday.  It's triple chocolate with homemade fudge frosting.

Just for Khloe.

Happy 1st Birthday, Koki!

Singing "happy birthday" to Sissy.

She doesn't do well on the spot.  She seems uncomfortable with everyone singing to her ... and she doesn't like the flame, at all!  Couldn't get any smiles out of her until the candle was blown out!

She's intently studying the candle.

Now, it's blown out so she started clapping.

A little taste ...

Trying it out.

Mmmmm ... it's good.  Shove some more in there!

Can't get enough!

Back for more.

Tasty! 

Finger licking good.

Such an innocent face!

Clapping and cheering for herself.

All gone ... I guess she's telling me she wants more!

Big teeth ... big grin.

One last lick of the hand.

My sweet dolly ... one year-old.

For supper on Friday, I made a small chocolate cake for Khloe's birthday (much like the small cake I made for Colton's actual birthday-day).  I'm not sure Koki is very excited about fire.  She is so serious when we sing "happy birthday" to her, and the candle is lit under her nose.  At one point, she started to cry.  Colton happily blew the candle out for her.  She did enjoy eating a piece!  She smashed it all over her face, and said, "Mmmmmmm ...." throughout gobbling it up!

On Sabbath, we had Khloe's dedication.  It was special to have some family here ... Billy's parents, sister (Brenda) and her family, and our friends were there to support Koki.  Pastor Claudette, our associate pastor and Children's Cradle Roll teacher, did her dedication.  It was a very special time for us to dedicate her to the Lord ... one day after she turned 1!

Up front with Pastor Claudette

Prayer of Blessing & Dedication

Prayer 

Hugs

Grandma & Grandpa H with three of their grandkids (Khloe--1 year, Colton--2 1/2 years, Ethan--8 months)

Colton was really happy ... but that was really a fake laugh.

Our family of four

Sunday was Sissy's big day!  Her first birthday party.  I decided to have a vintage dolly themed party, because we always call her "dolly".  I based the colors off of some bunting that Auntie Aubrey made for Khloe when she was born.  I used those buntings in the decorations.  I think it turned out really cute!  A lot of friends and family were able to make it for the party.  It was really fun to have everyone there to celebrate Khloe's birthday with her.  Colton had fun, too ... since a lot of the kids there are his friends!

The invitation to Koki's birthday party.  I think it turned out pretty good.  Photo was taken by my BFF and fabulous photographer, Aubrey Leeker.

The spread ... fruit kabobs, pasta salad, cheese and crackers, veggie meat rollups, biscoff dolly sandwiches, veggie chicken salad croissant sandwiches, dolly sugar cookies, carmel buttercream frosted brown sugar cake, rock candy, and gum balls! With raspberry sherbet pink lemonade to drink.

I printed this vintage paper doll off of onto card stock paper and used it for the cake topper.

You can see the buntings that Aubrey made for Khloe when she was born.  They are so cute!  My inspiration!

#1 balloon ... and polka dot balloons.  So cute!

I cut paper doll chains.  They are pink, but you can't tell with it being in a window for the picture.

Lemonade in mason jars with cupcake toppers and paper straws.

Up close of the drink cups.  I love them!

I made this out of foam core, coffee filters, and hot glue!

Khloe through the year.

Birthday Girl ... eating her lunch!

Big smiles! 

Some friends at her party.

More family and friends playing in the toy room.

Sweet baby Carson hanging out. 

Family visiting in the family room.

Mike Mewhirter and his new son, Beckham ... Just two months old! 

Mellie and Duska 

Aunt Brenda, Mom H, and Beth chatting in the kitchen.

Uncle Gerson and Ethan.

Colton with his cousin, Emily.

Big Girl now!  Miss Mei Mei.

Giving me smiles while she eats.

This is her newest thing.  She tries to smile when I say, "Smile!"  It looks a little cheesy, but it's a smile, folks!

A blurry giggle ...

My sweet, happy girl.

Clapping for herself!

A cupcake to smash all for herself!

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Koki.

She's eyeballing that flame!

Ready to grab it ...

She's not so sure what to do with it ... she had just tried to open her mouth and gobble it up without using her hands.  That didn't work so well ... what to do!

She doesn't know what to think. 

She takes a lick.

And decides it's okay to shove into her mouth! 

Mmmmm ... big bites! 

Delish!

Frosting everywhere!

The actual cake

All lit up! 

Happy Birthday to you, Koki!

Smiles.

Four Layer Brown Sugar Cake with Carmel Buttercream Frosting (all homemade by me!)

Frosting everywhere!

Yummy! 

Just a few present pictures ... I didn't post pictures of all of the presents she opened, but she loves them all.  I especially love all of the books she got!  Both of the kids enjoy sitting and reading them.  She got a lot of cute outfits, too!  She has already worn a new outfit every day this week!  Thanks everyone for all of the adorable and thoughtful gifts.  We were so glad you all could make it ... and for those of you who couldn't make it, thank you for sending lovely thoughts, gifts, and wishes our way.  We missed you!

All cleaned up and ready for presents ... Khloe's first Cabbage Patch kid!  Thank you Mellie, Dave, Mei Mei and Jack!

An Aristocat Kitty from Aunt Cherrie and Uncle Josh

A popular item ... from both Auntie Gwendy, Uncle Brian, Mason, & Carson ... as well as, Auntie Duska, Uncle Mike, Landon & Beckham

Pink!  Just for Koki ... from Grandma & Grandpa H 

I love my little helpers in the background ... Mateo and Mason were there to help open all of the gifts.  So special and sweet!  This shopping cart was a BIG hit at the party ... Cole uses it a lot, and I have to make sure he gives Khloe a chance to walk around with it.  Thank you, Ethan, Beth & Emily!

One of several cute outfits from Grandpa & Grandma Bourland!  Thank you!

Grandma H with Ethan ... Mommy & Daddy close by!

By Monday, I was exhausted.  All of our guests had left, and I was ready for some good rest.  Unfortunately, the kids and I caught a cold throughout it all ... and it wasn't too restful of a day after all. Oh, well ... it was all worth it!