Surprise in a Box

So moments ago, Mark went to get the mail.  Since we both came home early, we didn't check it earlier.  Well, what a surprise awaited us!  It was the mother of all care packages from Mom and Dad Murrill.  It was too heavy for me to carry in!  As you know, I love getting packages in the mail, so this made us all excited!  Even Monroe squealed with delight as I was opening it.

You won't believe all of the fun things inside!

 Two of Monroe's favorite things...books and stickers.  Good call Grandma and Grandpa!

 I love matching outfits!  So cute:) 

 Monroe did very well in this package!  Aren't these adorable dresses?!  I LOVE the khaki one!  It's my favorite. 

 Adorable summer clothes!  Just what we were needing. 

 I have a thing for little girls' pajamas.  I just adore them.  These are two adorable ones! 

 Little Sis did very well, too!  

 She got some jammies, too! 

 Practical items!  We LOVE almonds and enjoy roasting them and the dried mango is Mark's fav.  You can't go wrong with diapers! 

 Mother's Day Surprise!  I love the summer dishes and placemats.  They are perfect for outdoor eating on the new table!  The apron is the cutest ever!  I can't wait to wear it.  Now, I just need to cook something:) 

 The cutest little rain jacket for Rosie.  She definitely could have used this one today. 

We love books.  Mom and I had been talking about Erma Bombeck books.  I can't wait to get started.  Mark is excited about his new read, as well.  

So, do you see now what I was talking about?!  What a fun package.  It really made our night.  It had been such a hard day and we really needed a pick-me-up.  This really worked:)  Thanks Mom and Dad Murrill!!!

Rosie is definitely doing better.  I went upstairs after I did my last post and she was just waking up.  We read books and she ended up finishing "The King's Speech" with us.  As you can tell below, she loved it.  She's quite the intellectual!  By the way, it was a very good movie.

 Daddy and Rosie enjoying the movie.  

She ended up getting super hungry so I made a fruit salad and she went nuts!  

She ate a very large portion of this.  I was so glad she was feeling better. 

A mouth full of fruit.  You can tell she's looking a little under the weather and rough, but she's in much better spirits! 

So, now I'm really going to bed.  I feel like a trillion bricks have been lifted off of my shoulders now that she's not so sick.  I'm praising God that she's better.  Thanks for all of the prayers.  Love you! 

Sick as a Dog

Last night was a rough one.  The storms came rolling in last night and they were something crazy...rain, hail, tons of lightening and thunder--pretty scary stuff.  Especially for a toddler.  Rosie woke up a few times  scared out of her gourd.  I finally brought her in bed with us and soon figured out that she was VERY warm.  Poor little thing was not only scared, but sick.  We gave her some tylenol and put a cold cloth on her.  That seemed to help, but her sleep was fitful.

This morning, she seemed to be feeling better, but was still a bit warm.  I called Shelley and she said to go ahead and send her.  My heart hurt as I was getting her ready to go, because I knew in my heart she wasn't feeling good.  She did have her morning milk with no problem, so that made me feel better.  I kept in touch with Shelley all morning and she was progressively getting worse.  She took a nap, but woke up burning up and she wouldn't eat a thing.  Luckily, I have the most flexible boss in the world and she let me work from home the rest of the day.  I went and picked Rosie up right away and she was so lethargic.  It just about killed me to see her like that.

I got her home, gave her some tylenol and a bottle and a quick tepid bath.  She fell asleep beside me as I worked on job stuff.  Mark was able to get off early and when he came home, she was still very sick.  She fell back asleep, but she really started sweating at that point.  By the time she woke up, her fever had broken and she screamed out, "FOOD!"  She ended up drinking another bottle of milk, a carton of yogurt and two pieces of dinner roast.  By the end of the meal, she was squealing with laughter and seemed to be back to normal.  She was happy and feeling much better the rest of the afternoon until she got her blanket and binkie and wanted to take a nap.

She is still resting and I really hope she wakes back up so we can see how she's doing.  I really hope it doesn't get bad again.

Mark rented two movies and I have been working away on a project for my boss.  I actually have gotten all of my work done, which I never dreamed I would be able to do.  Great news!

So, that's all for today.  Well, besides the fact that I'm super sad that Tasha and Colton left this morning.  So is Rosie.  She wondered around looking for him for quite awhile.

Have a good night.  I'm pretty exhausted myself after being up all night.  I'm heading to bed early.

Sbarro's Revenge?

So...no zoo, no splash park, no nothin'!  Something we ate yesterday did a real number on us.  We are thinking it might have been our Sbarro lunch in the mall.  My tummy was queasy all day, but poor Tasha was up all night throwing up and being sick.  I feel horrible for her.

We lazed around the morning and since Colton's and Rosie's nap schedules were just opposite of each other, and we wanted Tasha to have a nice nap, the two of us decided to get out of the house.  There were a few times I thought I might throw up when we were out, but I "mind over mattered" it and was able to beat the urge.

Rosie and I ended up going to the grocery store and to the park.  Rosie had so much fun swinging and playing on the equipment.  It was SOOO hot, though, so we weren't able to stay very long.  We headed home and I stripped the kid down and got the hose and a tub out and she spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the water.  She had a BLAST.  I had a blast watching her and sitting in the shade.

Here are a few pics of her playing.

 She loved the hose.  I came very close to turning it on when she was holding it, but I restrained myself.  I did spray her a few times, though.  She thought it was hilarious! 

 She loved stomping in the water.  It looks pretty yucky, but it really wasn't.

 I love this kid.  

 Little Bit got a special surprise in the mail today from Kaylee...

Isn't this so cute!?  I can't wait for her to wear this!  It has a little onesie, pants, a hat and little socks.  Thank you Auntie Kaylee.  

We took it very easy the rest of the evening.  We were all pretty hungry by the evening, as we hadn't eaten anything.  (Well, I did have a piece of toast at breakfast.) So, I went all out and made dinner roast and mashed potatoes & gravy.  I know...what was I thinking?!  Well, it tasted great, but we barely ate any.  At least I love leftovers.  Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to eat more.

The kids played outside while we watched on.  It was a lot nicer out then it had been earlier, but the mosquitoes sent us running inside and the remainder of the evening was spent reading book after book after book.  Both of the kids LOVE books and could hear the same one over and over.  It's actually very cute, although at times it definitely drives you insane.  

   

 Tasha and Colton enjoying a special book moment.  She looks pretty amazing to have been sick all night and day!!! 

I really don't want to go to work tomorrow, but what's a girl to do?!  I haven't been there in so long, that it just sounds pretty overwhelming.  At least I only have to work Thursday and Friday.  Hopefully, it will just fly by.

Well, I better bring this to a close.  Sweet dreams!!!

A Ball at the Mall

The mommies and the kiddoes are having a blast.  Colton and Monroe love playing together.  They both have little strollers and are constantly chasing each other around with them.  They just laugh and laugh.  It makes me so happy for them to be such wonderful friends.  

  

                                                

Today we got up and after breakfast and naps we headed to the mall to have lunch and do some shopping.  We had some very yummy Italian and you can never go wrong with Italian food.  Kaylee had tipped me off that Gymboree was having a ginormous sale today and I also heard that Crazy8 was, as well.  We stopped by Crazy 8 first, and boy did we ever hit the jackpot. 

 These are the little things I got for Monroe at Crazy 8.  The most I paid was $5.99 for the dress. Everything else ranged from $1.99 to 4.99!  

I also found these little shoes for babycakes.  I think they are so cute and can pretty much go with anything.  

We weren't super impressed by the sales at Gymboree.  They were still a bit pricey, so we didn't end up getting anything there.

We did stop into Marshall's and I found something very exciting...

Little Bit's coming home outfit!  I know it's kind of simple and plain, but it is very sweet and super soft...just what I love.  The little swaddling blankets are from Ashley's mom.  They are so cute.  

We started realizing the kids were pretty exhausted.  In fact before we could get to the car, Rosie had fallen asleep in her stroller.  She woke back up when I put her in her seat, but two minutes later we looked back and found this...

Our little sleeping angels.

We are now home after eating dinner with Mike, Melissa and the boys at Sweet Tomatoes.  It's always a party with four kids in a restaurant!  We also ran into Target to get a few little odds and ends.  I was super happy to find a sheet set for Rosie's new bed.  I think they look great with her little quilt.

I came very close to buying some hair color, but after walking around for a bit, I put it back.  I always feel very claustrophobic with my hair during pregnancy and this time is no different.  I don't want to make a bad decision, though.  I'll give it a few days.  

Well, I better run.  I'm so sleepy and we have every intention of heading to the zoo tomorrow.  Well, as long as it isn't as hot as it was today...98 degrees!  I never thought I would complain about heat in Chicago...actually, I'm going to refrain from doing that, because I truly do NOT want the cold back.  If worse comes to worse, there's a little splash park down the street.  We can always take the kids there.

Love you!   

  

Friends are Friends Forever

I officially feel like a little Chicagoan!  Some of my besties, Ashley and Jaime came to see us this weekend and we had a B.L.A.S.T!  We laughed our way around Chicago's most touristy locations.  We did A LOT of walking, but it was worth it.  I have about 20 million hilarious stories to share, but I don't want to bore you to death.  Let's just say, I have a quite a few more laugh lines after this weekend and I don't mind a bit.  

 This is the amazing view from the Signature Room Restaurant in the John Hancock Tower!  It was on the 95th floor.  Great food, great atmosphere.  I would recommend it to anyone visiting Chicago.  Just remember to make reservations!

 We had a wonderful waiter/photographer.  Look at those HIGH towers in the back of us.  They look tiny compared to where we are.

 I love this pic!  The two girlies taking in the city!

 The Bean!

 Us and the Bean! 

 Isn't Chicago beautiful?!  This is Millennium Park! 

 Talking it out.  

 We tried Chicago Dogs for the first time. They had really good veggie dogs.  I'm so very glad I gave them a try! 

 We also fit in a quick trip to Indiana!  This was the beach.  After over an hour drive, we had to leave 30 minutes later due to rains!  It was still fun though!  Cold, but fun! 

 The water was in the 50's which we learned can cause hypothermia, but the guys couldn't resist.  We enjoyed watching them freeze their booties off from the shore! 

 Beach time with my little shadow.  I love her eyes in this pic.  I am not sure why it looks like I have a mustache.  

 Chicago Pizza and Root beer.  I later learned it was Barq's so it was full of caffeine.  Little sis and I were wired for the rest of the evening.  Oops!

 We did a number on that pizza!  It was soooo good! 

Mark scored us tickets to the White Sox Game in box seats!  We got free food and got to watch the game in style.  It was such a fun experience.  

 This was the dessert cart.  Everything was AMAZING!  It was very hard to choose.  I got a toffee blondie, Ash got a gooey, caramely brownie, Jaime got a piece of cheesecake and Mark got a bag of Garrett's popcorn and some gummy bears.  We also got some ice cream at the Sundae Bar!  I got mine in a little white sox helmet that Monroe fell in love with!   

Monroe enjoying running around at the game.   

This pic cracks me up!  I guess she was pretty worn out from the experience. 

 The gang!

 Mark enjoying the view and the game!  

 We had so much fun! 

 Another group shot!

 Ashley asked for her sundae in this helmet.  They declined.  

 The view from the stadium.  I love the Chicago skyline.  

 More stadium shots.

Driving downtown.  This is what used to be the Sears Tower and is now the Willis Tower.  It is gargantuan! 

I can't tell you what a great time we had.  I was very sad to drop them off at the airport this morning.  Hopefully, we will all be reunited again soon.  Luckily, I couldn't be sad for long, because Tasha and Colton arrived last night and we've already had a great day with them.  I feel so blessed with great friends that make my world so much more full.   Love you all!

Hump Day

It's 10 pm and that is my time to start heading to bed on work nights.  I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.

My doctor's appointment went well.  Although,  I must have gotten a little too cocky when it comes to the whole pee in a cup thing, because this time, it wasn't as smooth of a process.  Let's just say there was a very long and hot hand washing that followed.  Oh, well.  Things can't always go your way.

The doctor said I was measuring 27 weeks.  I am a little over 26 weeks, so he said that was perfect.  My blood pressure was great at 120/80 and the baby's heartbeat was strong and amazing.  Every time I hear that little heartbeat, I am so grateful to God for the opportunity to be blessed with another little person.

He gave me my lab order to get my iron levels checked and my glucose test.  Even though I think it will be fine, I still get worried about that glucose one.  Keep that in your prayers.

So, that's pretty much it other than the fact that my child has come home from daycare the last two days acting like a little hellion!  I don't know what's got into her, but she's thrown some major fits.  Hopefully, this is just a short phase.

I'm heading upstairs to bed.  The house still isn't 100% clean, but I made some laundry strides tonight.  One more load and I'm all done!  Well, then I have to put it away...ugh.  I hate that part.  I still need to clean the bathrooms and do a few little minor things and we will be ready for our visitors!  Yippee for friends coming to visit!!!!  Love to you all!

I have a bone to pick...

...with the person who invented thigh highs!  What were they thinking?  Well, I guess a better question would be, "What was I thinking?"

When I got to about 6 or 7 months pregnant with Monroe, my uniform became dresses.  I wore them almost every day to work.  At AHS Corporate, you were supposedly required to wear hosiery, but many to all women ignored this and chose to go without.  I took it upon myself to decide that hose was not required for any pregnant woman during the summer months.

Things are a little different in the hospital setting.  You MUST wear hose and they aren't kidding around.  I have been dying to wear dresses, but in this newly acquired heat that has arrived in Chicago, I couldn't fathom wearing pantyhose, especially since I have a pantyhose phobia!  I started despising them in highschool, but when I got pregnant it got overwhelming to the point that I actually had a panic attack one day while wearing them.  The tightness around my belly was just too much for me to handle.

This weekend, I got the bright idea that I could wear dresses if I had thigh highs.  Then, I wouldn't have to worry about the suffocating feeling I get.  Well, I got some and wore them for the first time today.  All I can say is, never again.  I must have looked like such a weirdo, because they kept falling down.  Well, actually the right leg stayed up perfectly, it was my left leg that had problems.  Every time I walked anywhere (and I do a lot of walking at work) it would slowly start to inch it's way down my leg until it was down around my ankle.  Most of the time, I would feel it happening in time and I could duck into a quiet corner, but there were at least three times, where I'm sure someone saw.  How completely embarrassing.

I think I have some good news...knock on wood.  On Saturday I started getting kind of itchy again.  If you know anything about my first pregnancy, you know that I went through three arduous weeks of intense itching--from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.  It was the worst medical ailment I have ever dealt with and I was terrified that it was back.  I really couldn't imagine having it for the rest of my pregnancy as I have 14 whole weeks left instead of just three.  I mentioned it to Mark, and you should have seen the fear come across his face.  It was pretty excruciating for him, too.  I would cry myself to sleep some nights and he really felt so bad for me.  Anyway, I think it was just the change in weather, because it has completely gone away now.  Well, actually, now that I'm talking about it I'm itching again, but I'm sure it's just psychosomatic.   So anyway, I'm very relieved.  Please pray that it doesn't return!

I have my next doctor's appointment tomorrow.  It has really snuck up on me.  He's seeing me every three weeks now, so it comes a lot more often.  I almost forgot about it and probably would have, if they hadn't called to confirm.  Hopefully it will go smoothly.  I really don't have much to mention to him.  I have been having a lot of pelvic pain, but I had the same thing with Monroe, so I'm not too concerned.  I'll let you know how it all goes.  

I almost forgot to mention what a wonderful surprise it was to have my favorite person guest blog (or web log) yesterday!  I just love that guy.  He was so good at it, huh?!  I think I've almost got him to agree to sign a contract for at least three guest posts a year!  We'll see what I can negotiate.  I'm also trying to convince him to start his own blog.  He's such a talented and entertaining writer.  I wouldn't miss a post!  I haven't succeeded yet, but I'll keep working on it.

I better run.  I have lots of cleaning to do.  We are trying to get the basement spic and span before my two friends, Ashley and Jaime arrive on Friday!  I can't wait for them to get here and I really want their time in the "Love Cave" to be perfect:)

Have a great night!