February Fun

We have had a pretty nice start to the month.  January was pretty quiet- which ended up being a good thing as February was filled with lots of travel and tackling new things...

Starting with Harper...

She FINALLY got to try out the the ice skating rink for a birthday party to celebrate her friend, Elise.  The temperature was nice and cold at 60 degrees- not so chilly- ha.  Regardless, she was pumped to get out on the ice- the wetness and out-of-control feeling she felt once she got out there- not so fun.  So glad we got a chance to get away for some Mommy-Daughter time, but I don't think figure skating is something Harper will dream of- hehe.

We also caught up with some of her school friends at the trampoline park, High Rise.  Harper LOVES this place, and was even brave enough to jump off the high platform... well, maybe a sit and scoot off the platform, but all-in-all... she felt the rush of adrenaline from the jump and spent the rest of her time jumping over and over and over again!

 

School Fun: practicing writing and Valentine box decorating;)

And then it was time for some fun outside our zip code as we headed to St. Louis for a quarterly meeting with Maggie's doctors.  Harper loved her days spent in the Sibling playroom there at the hospital: they brought in the therapy dog to play with the kids and even had daily yoga classes!  She was in Heaven.  On my bucket list: check out the American Girl Store & Bistro with Harper. It's never quite worked out, but seeing that Harper got her very own American Girl doll this Christmas {thank you, Nana}, I decided we should check it out.  So we left Daddy to work in the hotel while the little sisters napped and head out for an adventure- hehe.  She was happy as a lark just playing in the different set ups around the store- she would go to each one saying, "this is not how it is in the magazine- I'll fix it".  Quite an organizer- hmmm, wonder where she gets that from?!  Bistro wasn't open, so we came back the next afternoon to enjoy a milkshake and cupcake with Jules Siland {aka: her doll}.  She had a great time and I enjoyed a little time with my oldest- she's kinda fun!

 

{Jules even got a cupcake!}

Maggie's appointments went pretty well.  She is still making progress which is the best!  She will begin bridging over into the cerebral palsy clinic this summer.  Bittersweet for sure: saying goodbye to doctors that have worked with her since she was born, but meeting a brand new team who understands just what Maggie's special needs are.  She also had a hip x-ray done that showed some issue- just need to get this baby up on her feet as much as possible.  Thank goodness for an incredible group of therapists working with her to help her body develop the best it can .

 

Two new things: she can push herself up to sit on the floor {not exactly the way her therapists want her to look when sitting, but she's so proud of herself- can't help but cheer her on:)}.  She also got a stroller to help keep her aligned correctly when I need to transport her.  She loves it, and I love that it folds to fit in the van AND will help my back out.  Carrying she and Evelyn (at the same time I may add;)), was becoming a bit tricky.  Have I mentioned how much her therapists rock?!  They were so wonderful in helping me get the stroller for Maggie- grateful!

We had a pretty routine start to that next week, and then packed up once more for Kansas City.  This time, to meet with a new doctor and get botox injections to help her muscles relax and develop correctly.  This trip, we were minus 1 though.  Harper had Valentine's Day events at school and after spending the better half of three days putting her valentine's together I didn't have the heart to tell her she couldn't pass them out.  Thank goodness for incredible neighbors who offered to look over not only our house and pets, but our 4-year-old while we were away.  Harper had a blast and it was comforting knowing she could keep to her routine for a couple days, while we were busy with Maggie Lou.

So, Mommy, Daddy, and little sisters enjoyed an evening in Kansas City and were up early for her first round of botox injections in which she would be put to sleep for the procedure...

 

My stomach was doing flip fops the morning of the procedure: never fun knowing your baby will be put under- not sure I'll ever be comfortable with it, but when the nurse gave her TIGER scrubs to change into, I knew things were going to be fine.  We were only apart for 45 minutes when the doctor came out to meet with us: she did WONDERFULLY.  As always, she had a little hiccup with her heart rate during the procedure, but she woke up just fine and the doctor was pleased.  When we went back to see her, the nurse was rocking our little munchkin- it was precious.  The hospital was amazing, and I think that the injections will be such a great thing for her as she learns how to move and strengthen her muscles the right way.

 

Although we were thrilled to get the injections past us, this past week, little miss fell ill again.  Little 24-hr tummy bug, but this was pretty much how she was for that day... makes momma's heart hurt, but at least she bounced back pretty quickly!!

Littlest nugget is 11 months old.  How can this be?!?!  Evelyn is rocking and rolling- crawling all over- trying to pull up on everything- tearing the house apart- and keeping us busy.  She may make us tired, but we wouldn't change it for the world.

I found this little gem in the closet, and her face looked about like she had just laid eyes on Disney World for the first time- she was pumped.  She's trying to figure out how the walking part happens, but loves feeling 'so big' with her sisters.

 

{my goodness she looks more and more like her Nana every day}

And the mister decided it was time for something new- after testing with the allergist, he found he has an allergy to corn.  I thought at first: no big deal, easy enough to stay away from...ummm NO.  Corn is in everything.  And I mean, everything.  If it's not fresh produce or meat, there's a great chance there is some sort of corn in it.  I am always up for a challenge and of course want to help him as much as I can so I found this little gem.  Knowledge is power- right?!  He's been a solid week corn free and feeling good- grateful for this healthy (yet challenging:)) new change!

 

So all in all this month so far has been all about tackling new obstacles: whether its the high jump, learning how to better understand two-year-old muscles, or figuring out how to make dinners without corn- we got this.  Lee Crew is up for the challenge... here goes nothin' ;)!!