Kentucky Derby

The RUN FOR THE ROSES.
Fastest 2 minutes in Sports.
First leg of the Triple Crown.

Back in grade school I did a report all about the Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby... the Sport of Kings, Horse Racing. Wish I could find that report.

I love everything about it. Mostly because I was horse OBSESSED as a girl and dreamed of being a jockey, owning a horse, riding in the olympics,... you name it!

So today, on the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby, I taught my girls all about the excitement of the Run for the Roses. We talked about the race, the fashion, the track, horses, what a jockey is and does... and then we ate Derby Pie with friends as we celebrated the 2:02:89 win by ORB.

Of course, they now want to go with me to the Derby. Which is NEVER happening. But I still dream of going... maybe next year? A girl can dream. :)

So happy Derby Day...

I'm just going to share the recipe I used for Derby Pie today and encourage you to make it. Its DELISH even without the nuts (as I made it).

http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/sweet-idea-thoroughbred-pie-kentucky-derby-195100237.html

YUM!

Up next, the Preakness on May 18th and then the Belmont Stakes on June 8th.

Health Scares... are SCARY!

This was our starting point, the day before Easter.

Ms L woke up and complained that her knee hurt when she bent. As any good mom would do, I lifted up her sweatpants and was shocked to see a grapefruit instead of a knee! After a call to the DR. we began ice and ibuprofen. As the day went on she developed hives on her joints (ankles, back of knees, wrists, fingers, spine, neck, toes...) so we called DR again and headed to the ER, at bed time. Awesome. The ER DR said, allergic reaction, gave her benadryl and sent us home. 

By Monday evening she was a mess, not wanting to walk, knees still swollen and just upset. So we spend 5 hours on Tuesday at our Peds with our AMAZING PA. After bloodwork and xrays, they decided on POST VIRAL ARTHRITIS/ TRANSIENT-TOXIC SYNOVITIS. Basically her body failed to fight off an infection the previous week (she had a double ear infection) and the toxins settled in her joints. Its a virus that they body just needs to fight off. 

We went home and went about the LONGEST week. Linnea's hips flared up next and she could barely move, roll over or be carried without extreme pain. Then it went to her knees and ankles again. Over the weekend her pain was unmanageable so we headed back to the Drs... hoping for some relief so she could sleep (we could ALL sleep). 

They decided that we should do more bloodwork to see where things were at and include more tests for autoimmune diseases, LUPUS, Juvenile Arthritis among other things. She also had an EKG to rule out Rheumatoid Fever and xrays of her hips to rule out Hip Diseases. 

At this point we are waiting on results...

XRAYS are clear.

EKG was clear.

Blood was not. She tested positive for some things and in general it was abnormal from last weeks set of results. Good thing we got base line bloodwork last week!!!

This Thursday we meet with a specialist (Rheumatologist) to see what her take is on all of this. Our Doctors feel that some of the bloodwork and symptoms still point to the original diagnosis, but that not all of them line up. So we're thankful they pushed for us to get in with this specialist on the one day she's around this week! 

We feel so blessed by the prayers and support our family & friends have showered us with. 

THANK YOU!

Tired is all the rage when you've carried a 43lb kiddo for 10 days,

Caitlyn

Easter

The reason for the season.

Thank you Lord for loving us and sending your son to pay the ultimate price that we might know you!

While the girls are obviously excited by the goodies and egg hunt, they also really enjoyed church and celebrating Jesus with their Grandma & Grandpa!

The girls LOVE the saying "You get what you get and you don't get upset!" Thank you preschool. And so this family picture is exactly that!

Spring Break Silliness

Spring break was filled with activities... a staycation if you will!

In no order what so ever... here's some of our week. 

On a warm-ish day we headed for the ZOO with friends... along with everyone else in the area. 

IT WAS PACKED! But the Dads did a great job pushing/pulling. And the kids had a blast!

We were excited to take the girls on their first train ride to downtown and see the sites. We passed time on the PICASSA art and of course visited the BEAN to see our cute faces smile back at us.

Lastly, we got the girls hooked on Legos! It is a great activity for Daddies & Daughters while Mommy sleeps in! What more can I ask for?

 

The girls loved having us both home! But looked forward to schools return. And EASTER at the end of SPRING Break held a lot of appeal. Shocking, I know.

Our one winter storm...

At least the one winter storm worth mentioning...

The girls waited all winter to build snowmen and February brought us our chance. Well, their chance with Daddy that is. Among the activities that are "Daddy Activities" are building snowmen. Can you blame me? He does a fantastic job!

Happy 5th Birthday!

On this day, 5 years ago, two little bundles joined our lives. And they've never been the same. Fun, laughter, giggles, smiles, frowns, joy, and a multitude of other blessings have abounded.

At 5 years old, Linnea is 42lbs & 43 inches and Signe is 41.5 lbs and 42 inches. Your vocabulary is huge and your attitude matches it. We see all sorts of personality shining through and most of it is wonderful. You play so well together and have the same interests in arts (using tons of tape to decorate our walls), dolls, pretend, puzzles, building, iPad & leappad stuff too!

 Lately Linnea is going through quite the strong-willed phase and Signe is enjoying rubbing it in when she is listening and Linnea is not. Oh the joys of parenting. 

You both LOVE school, art and gym are probably tied. This year you have talked non-stop about the friends you have made... Krislinda, Juaquin and Max are the forerunners for fake phone calls! And usually include platitudes of "I love you" and "you're my best friend."

While you continue to be great eaters, you know and love having your one treat a day! And you plan it out WAAY ahead of time.

Your new activities this year have included swimming lessons and gymnastics. You have flown through each of the stages of swimming and are like little fish in the water! Gymnastics is a blast... mostly you both like the trampoline and jumping into the pit. Most of the time we see you picking wedgies while in class. If only I could catch it with the camera. 

Linnea, you say the word "GREAT!" about everything... good or bad. If I say time for dinner, you say "GREAT", are ready to go onto the next activity it is "GREAT". You say it so seriously, Love it.

Signe, you LOVE saying "ACTUALLY", "EXCUSE ME MAMA," "may I tell you something?" 

Both of you are responding well to having speech therapy in preschool and enjoy working with Ms. Mickey. It has helped to clear up your sound, slow you down a little too. We're still working on it but more and more are we able to understand what you say. 

You say way to many cute and funny things for us to keep up. I wish daily that I was better at writing it all down. But life is busy and I just take a million pictures instead. Thats more my speed. 

Love you. We are so happy to be your parents.