Ringing in the New Year the Wrong Way...

Sometime during all the holiday celebrations our family managed to come in contact with some nasty germs. Soooo.... Craig and I ended up ringing in the New Year in quite possibly my least favorite place ever. The Pediatric floor of the hospital. Craig was sick earlier in the week and it just was all downhill from there. Madelyn started with a cough Tuesday night and by Thursday we were in and out of the doctor's office and hospital all day. We saw the doctor twice during the day and we went to the hospital for a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia. Madelyn was then admitted around 10pm for oxygen or IV support if needed. She's such a little trooper. She didn't need any oxygen or fluids so after a night of monitoring they let us all go home. They also did a viral screening panel to test her for various viruses that could be making her sick. The results showed she has RSV which has caused Bronchialitis. Bronchialitis is an infection of the bronchials which can make it very difficult to breath, especially when you're such a little peanut. Sadly but not surprisingly... Georgia and I have also come down with it. I'm feeling yucky but I feel worse watching them hack and sneeze. Their coughs are so violent they end up throwing up so we have been watching them vigilantly for signs of dehydration. So much for those painful and expensive RSV immunizations the girls have been getting for the past 3 months. :O( Our familiy's new year resolution is no more hospital visits!

Christmas 2009

Babies make Christmas so much fun! This Christmas was as close to perfect as anything can get. Craig and I spent Christmas day at home, in our pajamas with the girls. We had monkey bread for breakfast, opened gifts and then spent the day enjoying our family and making desserts for the weekend and dinner. We wanted to get the girls something special for their first Christmas so we bought them baby rings. I think this is kind of a dying tradition but I think they are a special keepsake. I don't think I ever wore my baby ring as a baby but I wear it now on a necklace and it is so special to me. I hope the girls will enjoy them some day.

Craig and I apparently were both sensing tension in each other... without any hints from the other we both purchased massages for on another! We are going to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on January 9th and enjoy our Christmas present... I can't wait!

On Saturday my family came to visit. As most of you know my older brother Kris is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in Arkansas. We don't get to see him nearly enough so it was a wonderful surprise that he was able to make it home for Christmas. I love watching him around the girls. I have watched him handle boot camp, war and becoming a big bad military man without fear but he always seems a little skittish around the girls. Are they really that frightening? We enjoyed a great day of games and catching up with one another.




Madelyn








Uncle Kris and Madelyn



My parents got the girls a xylophone for Christmas... looks like Maddy is already eager to make some noise!



Georgia and Mommy





On Sunday the girls took a road trip! We left early in the morning and headed to Detroit to visit Craig's family. Uncle Chris and Aunt Liz drove up from Pittsburgh and his Aunt Pat and Uncle Duane also came over. The girls got lots of fun outfits and books. They also received a very obnoxious family of monkeys that sing "Daaaayyy-O" Madelyn likes to stare at the monkeys as they dance and then when the singing gets too loud for her she starts yelling at it. It's pretty cute. Maybe the funniest part of the day was who could and who could not tell the girls apart. I won't mention any names but a particular person was having a very rough time. :o)

We love being able to spend time with our families even if it is just a day here and there. You guys all made our first Christmas with the girls so special. I can only imagine what's in store for next year.


Hanging out with Aunt Liz & Uncle Chris




A picture with Craig's Grandma... (the girls' great-grandma)




Georgia is having a little chat with Aunt Pat.




Madelyn and Aunt Liz




Georgia and Uncle Chris




Sleepy girls getting a picture with Grandma & Grandpa