February 29

Hannah has gradually gotten better as the day has gone on. She is even up and playing and running around some! Her appetite is slowly coming back and she hasn't had a fever all day. We took her to get some lab work done and it all came back normal, so I am hoping that is the antibodic working its magic. This has really been one of the scariest experiences I have had to go through with Hannah. After all, I knew it was serious when she told me the pain hurt worse than when she broke her arm! My baby is very tough and it was very hard to see her like that.

February 28

Today we spent several hours at Dr. Kilbane's office and talking on the phone with her after hours trying to get a better understanding of what Hannah has going on in her chest. The doctor consulted with several other doctors and looked at her x-rays and they don't believe she has pneumonia after all. But they do think she has an infection in the pleural space in her lungs, which is what is causing her such discomfort. The treatment is still an antibiotic though, so hopefully we are on the right track to getting her better.

Words can not express how grateful I am to have found a doctor who goes out of her way - after hours - to call and text me to check on Hannah. It is virtually unheard of today to get this level of care from a doctor.

February 27

Today was a normal day until my baby girl started coughing and getting stuffy AGAIN before bed. I had resolved to call her doctor again in the morning. Too bad it never got to that point because at 11:30 p.m., she woke up screaming of pain in her chest and had a 103 fever. She was one VERY sick little girl. I took her to the ER (thank God Mimi was still here since Mike was in Colorado) and we were there from midnight until 5:00 a.m. It was awful and I have never seen her so sick. They thought it was pneumonia and pleurisy and sent us home with an antibiotic and Motrin. Here she is in the ER room doing a breathing treatment.

February 26

Today was my big boy's birthday! We had a great day playing with all of his new toys, went to the park and then the Thomas family came over for a pizza party. All in all, this was a great birthday for my baby!

February 25

Today Austin had his big party at James River Equipment. It was every boys' dream to ride on all of that equipment!!

February 24

Party preparations going on around here today!!

February 23

Today, I took Austin to get a haircut. I am so proud of how well he does now with something that was SO scary for him. He must be proud of himself too, because he asked me to take his picture! First time I have ever taken him with no tears!! (Usually his Aunt Jill has to take him!)

February 22

Hannah told mom today that she wanted to get Austin a present. And she told her not to worry because she had $5.00 in her piggy bank.

February 21

Back home in Charlotte after a great visit with my parents and great Mimi. Mom is here this week with me to help get ready for Austin's party this weekend. I love having her here. Everything just feels right when she is with us.

February 20

Lost power at mom and dads today because of the snow. The kids went to Grandma and Grandpa's house. And mom and I had a great day to ourselves. We went to a movie, lunch and shopping. I laugh so hard with my mom. How did I get so lucky to have the most amazing parents in the world? I feel so incredibly blessed. My parents have taught me so much about what being a good parent means. I love every second I am with them.

February 19

The kids and I arrived at Mimi and Papa's today for a short visit since the kids have two days off from school this week. We arrived and so did the snow! I loved seeing their big blue eyes light up at the first sight of it!

We played for awhile outside and then took a hike over to great Mimi's house through the cornfield. We were greeted with hot chocolate. What a great memory!

February 18

Another great Saturday with my family. Errands, soccer for Hannah and then I had a photo shoot. I love days like this.

February 17

Tonight the four of us went to dinner. As we were recapping the best and worst part of our days- I loved it that neither Hannah nor Austin could come up with the "worst" part. They only had good parts to their days! Just the way their little lives should be! Mike and I both agreed that that moment was our "best" part - being together with everyone. Yep, life is good.

February 16

Austin was in the back seat and yawned really big and really loud. I said "What on earth was that, buddy?" He said "Nothing, I just honned." I think you meant "Yawn, sweetie." He started giggling "Yea, that's what I meant."

It reminded me of how Hannah used to yawn and say "Whoa! That was a big growl!"

February 15

Tonight I realized that it was just a few years ago that I was certain that Hannah would never again go an entire night sleeping in her own bed. I thought for sure that she would be 17 and still climbing into our bed in the middle of the night.

I am not sure when, but sometime in the last two years, she just stopped coming into our bed. I don't remember a specific night when the tide changed. I am not sure I even thought about it much until recently. Things just change so fast. I guess I should be thrilled that she is so comfortable in her own bed to no longer needs to be in ours. But that's just it - she no longer NEEDS us in that way that she used to. Its bittersweet. Our baby girl is growing up so fast.

February 14

Happy Valentimes Day! (I love how Austin says it!)

We had a great day today - celebrating our love for our family. I woke up to Hannah asking me what I eat for breakfast.

Then when I came downstairs she had poured my cereal, my milk and sat a banana beside my bowl. Then she asked me what daddy eats for breakfast and I told her he eats eggs. She frowned and said "I can't make those. Does he like bananas??"

Austin randomly gave me a huge hug tonight and said with a big grin "my whole family is my valentime!!"

Mile bought me beautiful flowers and took me to a great dinner at The Prickly Pear. It was a great night - and he planned it all.

I am one lucky girl.

February 13

I went in to get Austin out of bed this morning and when I opened the door, he had the biggest grin on his face. I don't know if I will ever get used to seeing my kids' faces light up when they first see me after being away from me for a little while. It truly is the best feeling in the world.

After many hugs and giggles this morning, he starts scrounging around in his blankets and pillows and says "Mommy! I have to show you something!!" He cant seem to find what he is looking for, so I ask him what it is. He said "I can't find the Fairy tooth! I put it under my pillow last night!!"

While trying to hold back my laughter, I help him find the little tooth-shaped box craft we recently made for Hannah who is hopefully going to lose a tooth soon. He, of course, had to make one too. I clearly did not explain the purpose of the box though. My sweet boy slept with it under his pillow all night and it was the very first thing he thought about when he woke up. Too bad he probably has about 2 more years until he can put a tooth in there and really reap the rewards of the tooth fairy!

February 12

I was talking to someone about something and said "That would be my worst nightmare!" Hannah looked up and said "What would be your BEST nightmare momma??"

I love how intuitive and literal she is!

February 11

Today the kids went to a birthday party at a gymnastics center. They had a blast! They did the trampoline, balance beams and even a zip line! And yes - they BOTH did them all! Even my baby boy who used to be terrified of even going down a slide. I was so proud - and I could tell he was proud of himself too!

February 10

Movie night and pizza night to celebrate Hannah's excellent 2nd quarter report card. So proud of how well my baby girl is doing in school!!

February 9

And another precious one sleeps.

February 7

Hannah was home sick again today. Dr thinks it is a sinus infection now that the symptoms have been around for almost 3 weeks now. My poor baby girl!!

February 6

I used to be afraid to check on the kids when they were sleeping. I was too worried that I would wake them up. Now, though, I can't go to bed without taking one last look at them and stealing a smooch. This has to be the most precious part of my day.

February 8

"This is the best day of my whole entire life!" We are working on Austin's 4th bday party invitations.

February 5

Super bowl Sunday! My boys getting ready to see the big kick off!

February 4

Tonight was make your own pizza night! The kids LOVE it! Then I caught them in a sweet moment after dinner when they didn't know I was looking: they were snuggled up in the chair playing Hannah's DSi. I looked up and saw Hannah put her arm around Austin, give him a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek. I snapped a quick picture after the moment. Love them!

February 3

Today was a fun, craft day! I went to Joy's house to make headbands and bracelets out of old T-shirts then came home and worked on Austin's superhero Valentines with him. So cute and he helped with it all! Hannah had a friend from her class come over. Then we went to dinner with the Crawfords' and the Thomas' while the kids all stayed at Jill's house with Reagan. It was a fun-filled day of family and friends.

February 2

Austin's OT told us today that she thinks we should take a break from therapy for awhile. I wish I could say it is because he is doing so great with his eating that she doesn't think he needs it anymore. However, it is more that he has kinda hit a wall and isn't progressing too much anymore. He isn't REgressing either though. So, she thinks taking the pressure off and not doing weekly sessions for a few months may be good for everyone. We are going to take a few months and enjoy the break. If he starts dropping foods again, we will start it back up again. I hope we can stay on a break for a LOOONNNGGG time!

February 1

I just love his little feet!