Baby's First...

...trip to the emergency room. Last Monday, while getting ready for the day, Autumn ran into the bathroom and tripped over Eden. She knocked her over and landed on top of her. I heard a crash and crying and ran into the bathroom, Autumn immediately exclaimed, "I didn't do anything!" Which is kid speak for I did something, don't be mad. When I picked Eden up I immediately saw a dent in her head. I just about lost my mind. I called 911 and before I knew it the firefighters, EMT's and police were here. My wonderful friend Tara arrived in the midst of all of this to take Autumn to school and very calmly collected Aspen as well. We went to the hospital in the ambulance where Austin met us. After a nerve racking hour, CAT scan and multiple traumatic tries at starting an IV (they finally put it in her head), the doc told us that her skull was fractured, but that there was no internal bleeding or swelling. I was so relieved. We had to stay in the hospital overnight so that they could watch her, but she was smiling and happy by the afternoon (once she was sure no one was coming at her with a needle) and thankfully has been ever since. She still has the dent, but we were assured by the pediatric neurosurgeon that her head will reform as she grows. We'll pay him a few visits over the next few months to make sure everything is going well. Thanks to my mom, sister and Tara for keeping my girls and thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, phone calls, and acts of service. We love you!

Sisters

Nothing makes me happier than when the girls play together. Occassionally the stars align and the girls let Eden play and Eden's OK with it too. Usually Eden climbs into the Barbie house, looks like one of their baby dolls, or just ends up being a play thing herself. But it's just as cute as can be when they're all together and no one is crying.

Mean Mommy

Autumn got in trouble last week, not big trouble, but trouble. Really, I don't remember what happened, just that she disobeyed me. After her doing her time in time-out she went to her room. I figured I'd let her cool off, soon however, she came and asked me for some tape and then disappeared. Shortly thereafter she called me to come to her room. I came to the door and this is what I found...

I had to try with all my might not to laugh. Really, it was cute, she was trying to express her frustration in the best way she could. I hugged her, all was right with the world and asked her if I could keep it, the likeness is uncanny.

I should have named her Hoover

Eden is nine months and is at such a cute age. She's crawling around and pulling herself up. She smiles all the time with her two cute teeth and cries longingly if Austin doesn't pick her up within ten seconds of coming through the door. But the cutest thing she does? Eats everything off the floor. It doesn't really matter what it is, scraps of paper, crunchy macaroni, clear (read invisible) hairbands. If you drop anything, Eden will promptly find it and put it in her mouth. I never know what I'll find when I stick my finger in her mouth to fish things out. As it goes, it's not as bad as Autumn. When she was the same adorable age, she ate not one but two moths. I'll never forget the tell-tale moth dust on her chin as I screamed in disgust when I realized what she was chewing on. I'm not kidding this happened twice. I promise, I really do vacuum, apparently it's just not as thorough as Eden is.

What would you do for five bucks?

Austin is constantly daring me to eat repulsive things for five bucks. The conversation usually goes something like this "I'll give you five bucks if you eat that" (usually it's bacon grease or some sort of leftover cooking refuse). To which I reply "You don't have five bucks, I have all of your money." That usually ends the conversation.


Last night Austin helped me make creamy turkey soup using congealed turkey stock I made the day before.


Apparently Austin has given up on me because he called Autumn into the kitchen and told her, what else? "I'll give you five bucks if you eat this" "What is it?" "Turkey Jell-O" "O.K." And I'm not kidding, she ate it, no reservations. She didn't gag or flinch. She didn't think it was too bad. Then to top it off Aspen came in demanding a bite of "Turkey Jell-O." Austin initially told her no, but that just made her want it more. Crying ensued and she got her bite. Again, no gaging, nothing. She just said "I no like it." I can't believe it! I can't get these kids to try anything new, maybe jell-o is the key. Perhaps that's how green jell-o with carrots came about--mom's discovered kids will eat anything in jell-o. When it was all said and done Autumn promptly demanded her five bucks. Guess who had to pay her.

Familee Vacation - Sweet Home Alabama

Princess Tea

Autumn's 5th birthday was Wednesday. I can't believe she's five, please someone tell me where the time's going. We had a princess tea party for her, her first party since she was one. (That party was nuts, so I decided not to do one again for a long, long time). The girls all came in their princess attire and they were too cute for words. I think everything turned out well, we had pb&j tea sandwiches and fruit and "tea" (apple juice with ginger ale) from a real teapot with real teacups. They were all such little ladies with their best manners at the table.

We painted fingernails, had a princess relay, played musical hearts and had princess trivia during cake. The party went by so fast, I still had more to do, but I think at some point, they'd just like to play. I'm inexperienced at children's parties, so I learned alot of lessons from this one. My biggest regret is that my "teacup" cupcakes didn't turn out. I just couldn't figure out how to frost all sides of the cupcake without making a huge mess (I should have used different frosting). So the cupcakes left something to be desired--but the girls didn't seem to mind. Autumn loved her party and keeps asking if we can have another princess tea party when she's 16. I hope all the girls had fun too. Thanks to everyone who helped! I just have a few pics, because my aunt and Janel took most of the pictures on their own cameras. I'll add more later.