16 Weeks

Well, I'm 4 months today. Smallest I've ever been with any of my pregnancies thus far. I just look pudgy.
Lucas was my photographer. Pretty good, huh?

Side steppin' boy

Lucas learned to run side ways today. He's very proud of his accomplishment!

Whistling with Daddy

Now this is how you do it Abrianna...

Just purse your lips and blow.

Okay, so she didn't really make a sound but she sure did try. Lucas has been trying to whistle lately. He does make the right combination occasionally. Then gets really excited when he whistles.

Sabbath pictures

I had fun playing dress up with the new clothes from Grandma 'Tine.

My wistful girl.

Expectant boy.

Curls curls everywhere!

When Abrianna's hair is wet or damp it turns into a head full of beautiful curls!

Disaster in the Dining Room

A busy day of mostly successful potty training. I was feeling ( actually literally feeling) good and tackling my messy kitchen- counters, table, and bar.
Abrianna was busily occupying herself at the table, standing on a chair. I happened to glance in her direction just in time to see her fall, hitting her right side of her neck and the base of her skull on the tile.
The shrieking that ensued was a gut wrenching sound. Anybody who has a child would know exactly what that sounds like. It's the kind of sound that immediately makes mom think, " Dear Lord! My child is REALLY hurt!"
The crying reminded me of when she broke her arm. But it was worse. I was thinking brain, skull, or neck injury.
Grabbing the phone, I called my chiropractor colleague to ask his opinion. He said I needed to try to calm her down ( yeah right) and ice the area.
She screamed with each turn of the head or application of an ice pack. About this time, Rick walked in the door from work. He agreed we needed to go to ER and rule out a serious injury.
Lucas ( who was recovering from the stomach flu and recently woken up from a nap and in the bath tub) was sent to his room for clothes and shoes.
I wrapped Abrianna in my coat and we piled into the van. Rick told Abrianna to stop wriggling and that it wouldn't hurt so much. Amazingly she listened and obeyed her Daddy- Praise the LORD!
At General Hospital, the waiting room was crowded. Several people I think were there with the flu. I certainly hope we don't get that too.
Dr. Peterson ( an old family friend of the Drakes) sent her for an x-ray. Poor baby. Rick had to be the one to keep her still on the table. She was terrified of the machine and screamed trying to get away. What calmed her down was to sing to her, Only a Boy Named David and Jesus Love Me.
I asked the tech to see the x-ray. There was an obvious break on her right collar bone. What can be done? Well, in an older person with a worse break, a figure 8 brace is used for stabilization.
For her, nothing. Just medicine. I'm honestly terrified to be her caretaker right now. When I pick her up, she almost always cries in pain no matter how careful I am.
She is in her same outfit from yesterday and will remain in it all day today. I don't have any button shirts for my little girl. I'm afraid to remove her clothes because I KNOW that she will cry.
Please keep us in prayers- that she won't get hurt worse, and that brother won't inadvertently hurt her worse.
This may be a real challenge for the next month.

My Big Girl!

Yesterday, Abrianna told me she was "pooping." I asked her if she wanted to go on the potty. So out came Lucas little potty chair. Down she sat and promptly peed. On went her diaper. I caught her several minutes later squatting and pooping. I asked if she wanted to do that on the potty. Yes! So she held the rest in and finished her business in the proper area. She went 4 times in a row yesterday before becoming tired of it.
Then we had an accident on the floor. That's okay. She is only 18 months old.
This morning, noticing she was dry, I asked her if she wanted candy and put her on the potty. Yep. What a food motivated little girl. We're 3 for 3 so far this morning. She really likes Skittles and is trying to go so she can have more.
I don't know if this is the real thing or if she'll lose interest but I'm enjoying the lack of diaper changes.