So…..

Something happened yesterday that hasn’t happened in about 2 years and 4 months.  I was the target in Gracie’s first ever non-infant vomiting session.  It came out of now where.  She was excited about her new swimming suit I got for her and then it just came over her.  I didn’t know what to do but sit there and wait it out.  The poor baby was so distraught.  I couldn’t do anything.  But let’s back up. 

At 12:30 I got a call from Matt saying the daycare called them and Gracie was running a fever…again.  So I gathered my stuff and went to get her.  As soon as I walked in, I saw my baby and new she wasn’t feeling good.  When she saw me, she immediately started crying and complaining her head hurt.  I took her to the car and called the tele-nurse to get a referral to the outpatient clinic off post that we have been too numerous times with no problem.  I literally sat in the parking lot of the clinic waiting for the nurse to finishing triaging Gracie over the phone. 

The doctor, oh, excuse me, nurse practitioner, saw Gracie was so rough with her.  She was obviously in pain and she rammed the throat checker thing down her throat and said she had fluid behind her ear.  So they gave her antibiotics.   I got it filled and went home.  I gave her the medicine and about and hour and half later is when I became the target.  At first I thought it was just the Doritos she had since she literally ate 2 bowls of them (not something that hardly ever happens but since she actually had an appetite I didn’t think much of it). 

Fast forward about 5 hours.  I gave her another dose of her antibiotics before she fell asleep.  Guess what?  About an hour and half later, she woke up dry heaving.  So I took her to the doctor again this morning and come to find out, they gave her the wrong dose of medicine.  They gave her enough for an adult.  My poor baby, no wonder she couldn’t keep it down.  So they gave us a new antibiotic with the right dose.  So off to home we went and my precious little Gracie has been her happy self all day.  She is going to go to daycare tomorrow since she hasn’t ran a fever since yesterday.  My poor angel.  At least she is feeling better.  I realize that people make mistakes but I have never had a good experience with a nurse practitioner since I was pregnant with Gracie and this didn’t help that fact. 

Anyway, off to better things.  I have had such a hard time finding a swimming suit for Gracie.  I know it is early but anymore you can find the spring stuff the day after Christmas.  Ok, that might be a bit dramatic, but I won’t give you a day past New Year’s.  Plus, we are thinking about starting Gracie into swimming classes.  They started the new class on post of an evening, so we are looking into it.  I am also thinking about putting her into ballet.  They have a class during school hours where they will come and pick up the girls from class and return them after they are done.  The class if right there at the daycare so it is so convenient.   Anyhoo, here is Gracie’s adorable swimming sute!  I love it.  I have to admit I am not a fan of characters being on clothing, but this whole vintage Minnie thing they have going is super sweet.  I figured I need to give a little bit or it is just going to backfire on me.  Gracie is not a happy camper in these pictures, she was so not in the mood to get her picture taken.  But nonetheless, she loves her swimming suit!!!

Her new sunglasses…she loves all things Rapunzel these days!

Even though she is not longer a baby, I still love to watch her sleep.  She is just such a sweet little girl!!!

Just a quick note…

Dear Fake Monday,

I.LOATHE.YOU.FAKE.MONDAY!  Why must you show your ugly face on every Tuesday after a 3 day weekend?  It just throws off our schedule in the Cunningham household.  Not to mention today, you decided to make it a little bit trickier then normal.  After spending an hour and half at the pharmacy for a refill, I went to go get Gracie who was in the middle of a catastrophe Gracie sized drama about a snack, so it took us 10 minutes to leave school, and after a long busy day at work, I am just done.  So I FINALLY get home, give Gracie a bath, and now I have been laying on the floor of her room for over an hour and half waiting not so patiently for her to fall asleep.  Please Wednesday, be a real Wednesday, not a fake Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Me

Three B’s

“B” #1 Bieber~

Yes, ladies and gentlemen,  my daughter is a Justin Bieber fan.  I did not know this.  I am familiar with his “baby” song, but I don’t really listen to him.  So, it was a shock to me to see Gracie go NUTS over this song last Friday when I picked her up from daycare and they played one of his songs.  I thought maybe it was just the excitement of all of the other children…nope.  She.LOVES.this.song.  I decided to record her dancing to it when I discovered something else I didn’t know she knew how to do.  A SOMERSAULT!  Yeah, it was just a weekend of new things, but we will get to the rest of that in a moment.  Check out Gracie just dancing away (it is actually a really short video, but you will get the point):

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

“B” #2 Babysitter~

We have officially found a babysitter!  Not just a friend that is doing us a favor.  On Superbowl weekend, we went to a friend’s house for a party and met this super sweet girl who is in high school and loves kids.  She seemed to really like Gracie.  Although, Gracie spent most of the time playing and watching the game. so she didn’t get to know Tierra.  After talking it over, we thought we would try it out for one night to see how it went so we planned a date night.  Gracie was excited to have a friend over and quite honestly we were excited to go out for the evening by ourselves.  It was a success.  I left the house confident that things were going to go great.  Gracie didn’t even give us her sad face, a tear, or her ever famous, puckered lip.  She asked where we were going and said to have fun.  After a quick hug and kiss, we were out the door.  I have to admit it was the first time I left her without feeling guilty or in a rush to get back because I felt like I was being an inconvenience to our friends.  After dinner and a movie, we headed back home to find Gracie fast asleep.  We took Tierra home and called it a night.  The first thing yesterday morning, Gracie asked for Tierra.  Right then, I knew that we had found our babysitter!  I wish I would have taken some pictures, but I didn’t so maybe next time.

“B” #3 Breast Cancer~

On Sunday, we participated as a family in the Race for the Cure here in El Paso.  Matt’s mom and aunt are breast cancer survivor’s, so this is a cause that is close to our hearts.  When a girl from work approached me and asked if I wanted to join her team, I immediately said yes.  Every year I say that I am going to do it and I never do.  This year was different.  It was an early morning, but it was worth it.  It was so uplifting to be amongst so many people who were there supporting their families both near and far.  I am going to keep doing this year after year.  Gracie had a blast too.  She got to ride in her stroller (which she never does anymore) and even got to “run” back with Daddy.  When we were walking back to the car, she wanted to run again so we did.  This girl has so much energy.  Oh wait, she got to ride the whole 5k!

Us before the race…it was so windy (hence Matt’s hood attacking him, ha!).

This the only picture before the race Gracie was looking towards the camera…she was not in the picture taking mood.

Just before they turned around to run back.

After the race, still taking it easy in the stroller.

Racing back to the car! I love this picture!!!!

Poor girl was just tuckered out after all of that excitement.

The rest of the weekend was spent taking it easy.  We have all been tired, so it was a lot of movie watching and nap-taking today.  I love three day weekends.  Although, I really don’t like Tuesday’s after three day weekends but it is only one day right?  I just hope it goes fairly well!

Gracie’s Daycare Visitor

I went to get Gracie at school today and I couldn’t believe my eyes.  Not only was she actively participating with her special visitor but she was having a blast!!!!  I mean any time there is music, Gracie is usually having fun, but this was hilarious.  Let me remind you of Gracie’s fear of Elmo, Cookie Monster and Zoe in Jamaica, but today this is what I found today:

That is Gracie in the white shirt just three feet away from Mickey Mouse.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, Gracie was ALL ABOUT Mickey Mouse.  A little girl had a birthday party and her mother hired Mickey to come to school.  You all know how much we love Mickey Mouse in our house…ok, Gracie loves Mickey, Minnie, and quite honestly the whole gang.  As a matter of fact, on the way home from school, we had to discuss where everyone else was at.  It was such a sweet thing to see everyone get all excited.  We did have a meltdown on the way out of the classroom when Mickey decided to give Gracie a tickle instead of a wave.  She screamed.literally.  So it is nice to know she likes being near them but they better not enter her personal space!

This is her best friend at daycare.  They have been in the same classroom since they were infants.  They are two peas in a pod at school.  Excuse my child, she played really hard at school today.  Her hair is a complete mess!

Just a few more shots of her at school dancing..this girl loves to dance.  Also we went to the park after work so I am throwing in a couple of those pictures too! 

Have a great weekend folks!!! We have a lot going on so look for a post soon!!!

I promised….

So here you are!  We didn’t get a whole lot of cute ones, but I got a few and that is what counts.  I think Gracie was tired but she really wanted to get some pictures today so we just made it work! 

This is our very favorite valentine!  Attitude and all!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!!

What a week!

I am telling you, it has been a long time that any sickness has taken ahold of this house the way it has in the last couple of weeks.  Today is the first day I have been cough free for over 2 weeks.  Gracie now has a rash that they think is “left over” symptom of her cold and ear infection, and Matt is upstairs sleeping because he is still tired (although I think he is avoiding doing his homework, but that is just my opinion).  Gracie finally went back to daycare on Wednesday and I went back to work.  We had to say farewell to my office partner in crime on Thursday.  I no longer share on office, but I do miss her already. 

Yesterday we spent the day together as a family.  We went out for Gracie’s favorite, pancakes, went to the commissary, and came home to clean out both cars.  Then after all the errand running, we took Gracie to see Gnomeo and Juliet.  It wasn’t the best kids movie I have seen in awhile, but it was still cute.  She enjoyed it and only had to go to the bathroom twice (which means that she really liked it!).  We always try to do a family date night around Valentine’s Day.  It is a fun way to celebrate our Valentine’s!  I am going to fix a nice dinner tomorrow night and give Gracie her little bag full of candy and more candy! ha! 

I again have no pictures to share but that will hopefully change in the next few hours.  I have to run to the store and I want to take Gracie to get some pictures in her new dress.  I don’t know how well they will turn out and if the rash will show up but I haven’t had the chance to take advantage of a nice day and to play with my new camera so I am going to seize the moment!  If I am able too, I will be sure to post some pictures of Gracie later on today!  Enjoy your Sunday!!!!

Party Party Party!

I never posted this on Sunday! ha ha!!! I am so sorry, I promise I didn’t go MIA again.  I just didn’t hit the publish button!

Matt’s promotion party went great.  Thanks to all of you that sent something to him and shared kind words.  The whole event meant a lot to him.  It was anything hugely big, just some friends and co-workers getting together but it was a blast.  I present Matt with his well wishes book, picture frames, and name plate for his desk.  I think his co-workers think I am the best wife in the world.  Honestly, I just wanted him to know how proud of him I am and he deserved to have a party.  I didn’t get any pictures because Gracie was still not feeling great.  The evening started out fine, she was playing, talking to everyone, and then it went downhill.  She got fussy and fell asleep.  By the time the food arrived she was burning up…again.  So, I inhaled my food and brought her home.  One of our buddies brought Matt home later on.  Poor thing, she is just not feeling good.  She just hasn’t bounced back from this ear infection as quickly as she has before. 

Well, we are going to enjoy our Sunday at home.  We are all feeling better, but still not 100%.  It looks as though I will be staying home with Gracie again tomorrow.  If she doesn’t get this fever under control, I will have to take her back to the doctor.  Time will tell.  Happy Monday everyone!

Accidental Hiatus

Hi.  My name is Faith. (You respond: Hi, Faith).  It has been almost two weeks since my last blog, for this apologize.  This blog has been an afterthought to everything that has been going on.  Every night, I say to myself, “You have to type a blog tonight”.  So apparently it takes, 10 days, 3 work days at home (more on that later), and waiting on hold with UPS to track a package, to get the motivation or the stubbornness to actually sit down and type.  Quite honestly, I can’t even use the excuse “I haven’t had that much time on the computer” because I am always on it.  I think it had more to do with having both hands to do something, maybe some peace and quiet, or maybe I have been so exhausted that I can’t keep anything straight!  Either way….I am back.  So to get you caught up on everything, I am going to take an idea from Liz and bullet all of the stuff…it is the fastest way to go over all that has been going on.  So first up, and most importantly…..

• MATT GOT PROMOTED!!!!!!!!  That is right folks, after 5 years of being “promotable,” Matt is FINALLY a Staff Sergeant!  I am so incredibly proud of him.  He never gave up and continued to move forward.   

                Before the ceremony!  Still a SGT…not for long!!!!!

Gracie got to stick on pin on his rank.  That wasn’t exactly the plan, but we made it work.  That’s right folks, I put on my big girl panties, swallowed my frustration when things didn’t go to plan, and enjoyed the moment!  Take that New Year’s Resolution!!!!!I am just so proud of him!!! 

Officially a SSG!  I love this picture…although you can tell that we are all faking it until we make it.  It was SO cold!!!!  You will hear more about this momentarily…just wait…it’s a doozy!

• For those mom’s out there….do you want to know what question(s) are worse then Why?  Seriously, I am not kidding.  First of all, let me give you the answer to the inevitable question of Why?  Are you ready for it?  I am telling you, it works, at least for us.  BECAUSE I SAID SO!!!  Those magic words…or so I thought.  It stopped “Why?”  but led to and encouraged “What?” and “But how?”  Oh my my my.  There have been a lot a few times where I have seriously considered taking her to the doctor to get Gracie’s hearing checked.  I am so not kidding.  Then I whisper, I am not say it again and she giggles and moves on with life.  SERIOUSLY?  Then there is the “but how?”  Oh the but how…everything I ask her or tell her I hear “but how mommy?”  So then I tell her, and she asks…wait for it….”but how mommy?”  Oh MY WORD!!!!  I just take a breathe and ask her “what do you think?”  Then she typically has an answer, a long one, not kidding. The joys of motherhood!!!!!!  Can you believe this happy face?  Gracie loves to draw!  She does such a great job!!!

 

• El Paso Freeze…ok, maybe I should be a bit more dramatic. DOT.DOT.DOT.  So, do you know what happens to a desert area when they have a artic blast come through?  The whole town shuts down. Literally.  I mean, we didn’t go to work on Wednesday or Thursday.  This is not me being dramatic either. The lowest the temp hit was –3 or –4 and that is the temp not the wind chill.  We also got about (wait for it) 2 inches of snow!  Anyway, so you want to know what happens when El Paso gets real winter weather? Let me just list what happens:
• We have rolling blackouts because the electric company can’t compensate for the extra consumption.
• We are advised to stay to the “major” roads for 3 inches of snow.  No seriously, I am not kidding.
• You better hope you have stocked up on groceries because one of two things can happen.  1. They are out of groceries because the whole town has stock piled all supplies. 2.  You find a new time to go shopping because everyone refuses to expose themselves to the weather.
• You better hope you don’t get sick, because it’s useless to even think about going to the doctor unless you plan on going to the ER…that was not happening.
• They will continue to say the whole weather forecast over and over again until they actual believe that temps are below zero.
• The worst part about the whole freeze thing…I was sick, Gracie was sick, and Matt was sick.  Yep, you counted right, all 3 of us.  I took Gracie to the doctor today and she has an ear infection and a viral infection.  I am pretty sure I am the one that gave her the viral infection.  At least she could get some antibiotics for the ear infection.  Having a sick 3 year old is never fun.  I have not been back to work since Tuesday, I am feeling a little cooped up in the house.  Can you tell?  I am not for sure…I have been told I ramble when that happens! Ha!

I honestly think that is all for now.  I am sure I am missing something, but I will be sure to blog about it later.  We are having a promotion party for Matt tomorrow so I know I will have pictures for that.  I have a few surprises up my sleeve for him too.  But just in case he reads this before tomorrow night, I am not going to talk about them….sneaky sneaky!

I will once again apologize for my hiatus.  As you can see, it has been a crazy couple of days.  I promise I will try to do better in the future!