13 months earlier

This past weekend Natalie Grace turned 13 months old. She is growing up too fast. She is practically running everywhere now. She just loves to chase the dogs and scare them away with her corn popper (Thanks Auntie Allie). She also likes to play on her piano from Gigi Jackie. Her and mommy have been working on playing with just one finger at a time and she seems to be getting better. Of course she constantly gets in her car and shuts the door and then looks at you like "Ok... I am ready for you to push me". It is so cute. She loves her new toys.

In celebration of her 13 months Chris, Natalie and I went to the Oklahoma State Fair. I had 1/2 a day of school on Friday so we decided to get there early before the massive crowds of people showed up. Natalie seemed to really enjoy it. The State Fair for me has always been about 2 things... THE FOOD and THE CAR SHOW. I really enjoy the food you can eat a the Fair. I think this all started back when I was in the Pride and we would go to the OU/ Texas game. After the game was over we always were able to have about 2 hours at the fair. This is wen I began to try the weird Fair food. I LOVE the funnel cakes you get at the fair. This year I ate another one of my favorites... Fried Twinkies. These are so good yet so simple to make. Natalie and I also ate:

Craw fish Etoufee

State Fair Corn dog (cant not eat one of these)

Fresh lemonade

Real Root beer

These are all such great items to get at the Fair. However, I noticed this time around how incredibly easy these food items were to make. I keep saying... "I could rent booth space and do this!!!" Seriously... someone was selling chocolate dipped cookie dough. this was basically 3 bite size squares of Pillsbury "Break and Bake" and then they dipped them in chocolate. I saw someone else serving fried apple pie. Again.. I can make pie!!!

Overall, Natalie, Chris and I really enjoyed the fair!

Reality TV Summer 2010

Chris and I are really hooked to reality TV right now. We like all of the popular shows like:

America's Got Talent (AGT)

Big Brother (BB12)
Amazing Race

Survivor

Apprentice

There are others but these are our favorites. This summer the reality TV shows did not let us down. America's Got Talent was really good. I enjoyed watching all of the acts and performances of the contestants. In fact, I am formulating a talent show at my school based off of this show. However, on the finale last night the announced the winner and I was SHOCKED! Included in the finale was a crazy male "lady gaga", a not so special soul country singer, an awesome fraternity group that did a light spectacle show and a 10 year old female opera singer. I have been amazed by Jackie Evancho, the 10 year old. I cannot believe that she can sing like that. I have also really enjoyed Prince Poppy-cock (The Male "Lady gaga") and knew he would go far. However, the results proved that Michael Grimm (The Soul Singer) won. Of course last year on AGT a singer won and I thought the variety act should have won. I was really upset.

Last night was also the BB 12 finale. I have only been watching Big Brother for about 4 summers but this has been my favorite thus far. I really liked all of the drama and for the most part, I liked all of the house guest. In the finals were 3 "Brigade" members and I really liked them all but Lane was my favorite. He always had the FUNNIEST Diary Room comments such as:
"$10,000? Do you know how many cases of beer that would buy?" ( I am not a drinker at all but I thought that was funny)

"It took forever... it was like waiting for the end of a Harry Potter movie" (Best ever)

I really wanted him to win but the other "Brigade" member won. The most shocking thing of the BB12 finale was that "America's Favorite" player was Brittney! REALLY?!?!?!? I really did not like her. Sh was so whiny! Ahhh.. drive me crazy.

I am ready for the fall shows. We DVRed Survivor and will watch soon and Apprentice starts tonight.

What an ADVENTURE

Well yesterday Natalie had her 1st trip to the Emergency Room. On Monday when Natalie woke up from her afternoon nap, she seemed fine. She drank her milk and even smiled. At about 5pm she threw up her milk from her 5 0'clock feeding. She seemed to have drank the milk fast so I didn't really think anything of it. Then I began to feed her dinner. She didn't seem as interested in her hot dog and green beans as usual. At about 5:15 she threw up again. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning. She continued to throw up about every 15 minutes and in between these "adult-like projectile" vomits she would have dry heaves and her stomach would contract. She was so miserable. I had called the nursery at the hospital to see what they thought and Walgreen's and CVS pharmacies too and they all said it was more than likely a 24 stomach bug and "This too shall pass" (BTW... I HATE that phrase :) ). Natalie was so uncomfortable but around 7:10 and after about 12 vomitting episodes and 3 baths she fell asleep. I thought the nurses and pharmacists were right so I felt relieved. At about7:45 she woke up. She seemed OK at first then, somehow out her tiny little body came more vomit. Chris and I decided we had enough. I called my mom and mother in-law whom both said to take her in. During one of these calls, Natalie threw up AGAIN!
We finally made it to the ER at 8:15. We were greeted by a friend from church and ER nurse who took us to triage and got the ball rolling for us. We were almost immediately sent back into a room to see a doctor. *Disclaimer- here is where my ranting will begin
This doctor was about 5 feet tall and seemed a little odd to me. He was repeating himself and just acting weird. He took the usual doctor test of the ear and mouth and eyes and then left the room. He then returned and said he would like to take some tests to see what is going on. Poor Natalie had to get blood taken and then have a strep test taken. She hated both of these. After about 1 hour the results from the lab work came in. The doctor came into the room and said, "Well after looking at the labs, I cant really put my finger on what is going on. I am not sure but I THINK it is NOT meningitis." (Enter Kellie Klingsick and the panic button) Wow... i was just floored. Meningitis had NEVER crossed my mind. The doctor continues "well she doesn't have a fever and she is turning her neck really well so it is more than likely not meningitis but I am not positive. I hope I didn't just worry you more." I think this comment should be entered into a "worlds dumbest statement" contest. It would win. In the mean time Chris is holding Natalie and just rolling his eyes in disgust of this guy. Chris said, "Thank man!" Chris knew I would be worried.
After another hour he came in and said, "Yeah I just don't know so why don't you follow up with her pediatrician tomorrow and just go from there". WOW!!!! Really... you went to med school and passed the test and all to tell me this! I was pretty mad. He did give her some rubbing lotion that would make the nausea go down as well as an anti-biotic to help with the bacterial infection. We got home at about 11:45. The good news was at this stage Natalie was so thirsty she finally drank pedialite and went right to sleep.
This morning Natalie woke up and was very thirsty. She drank several doses of pedialite and juice. We had to call and try to get in to see our pediatrician and the earliest they could see us was 1 so we arrived at 12:30 to get blood work done. Poor Natalie was so hungry and just overall tired and worn out by this time. The lab techs just couldn't seem to get a feel for her vein so they ended up poking her 3 times before they got any blood. After about 2 hours waiting for the pediatrician and the lab results we were told... "It is just a 24 hour bug"! Wow... I knew it! I feel so bad for Miss Natalie but really, I did all of this, didn't sleep at all due to a "meningitis" scare, took 1/2 day off to come to this pediatric appointment and your response is "It is a bug"! It is a good thing I just got up and walked away...
Through all of this I have learned why parents always say "The 2nd and 3rd ones take care of themselves". This statement obviously being about the 2nd and 3rd child. Let me tell you, our next little kiddo will just have to deal with it.
Bottom line... WHAT A Waste of time the ER, Doctor's office and overall medical experience is!

My Princess Natalie Grace Turns 1!

On August 25th, my little baby Natalie Grace turned 1! This past year has been such a whirlwind of events. I feel like it has just blown by. She has gone from a newborn to a crawler and now a walking, no make that a running, toddler. She has gone from just staring at me while eating to throwing food on the floor while she eats. It just amazes me how much she has changed and grown up. She is my little Princess Natalie. I prayed and prayed for her and God gave me so much more than I asked for. Thank you Lord for Natalie Grace.

On her actual birthday we went out to eat at Chicago Street Deli on my planning period and lunch break and then after school we went to the park. She loved the park because she was able to climb UP the slide. She didn't want to ride down the slide... no, that was too conventional for my child. She was determined to get to the top of that slide.

After the park we came home and she got to eat her birthday cookie from Chicago Street. She was getting cake on Saturday at her party so we decided a small cookie would be fine on her actual birthday! She opened 3 gifts from Gigi Shirley and Mama and Dada. Gigi Shirley got her a bright red-haired doll. Mommy and Daddy got her a "Busy Ball Popper" and a "Laugh and Learn Puppy". She loved all of her presents.

On Saturday, August 28th we had her Princess Birthday party. We had "Royal Desserts" and punch. Natalie got so many gifts and she loved them all. I think my house can now have a sub-title of "Toys are Natalie's". Gigi Jackie and Grandpa got her new tennis shoes and a heavy winter coat. Gigi Shirley and Poppi got her a Princess Coupe Car, Learning Farm, OU Riding Horse, A massive stuffed penguin and a bath toy. Auntie Allie got her a corn-popper and a book of Princess stories. All of our friends also brought her gifts. Overall her birthday was so much fun and I thank everyone who helped make it a memorable day!

Love you all!