Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Rainy Days

The weather was rainy for 7 days in a row. We were stir crazy and so excited to see the sun yesterday! As she peered out the window, Emma Rose asked me on Monday, "Mommy, will it ever stop raining?" Then she said, "It breaks my heart not to go outside."


We were very fortunate not to be near the flooding. There were so many people in the metro area who had massive flooding. People lost their homes, lost possessions, and some lost their lives. It's still amazing that water can cause so much damage. The flood waters are receding, and damage is still being discovered. Some schools are still closed! We are so grateful to have come through this with only feeling couped up.


During our confinement, Emma Rose started playing the Wii a lot more than usual. She is having a lot of fun with the Carnival Games. Anabelle hangs out with her and gets between Emma Rose and the television. They both have been coloring and helping me bake. (I really needed extra calories when I couldn't walk.) I tried my best to come up with new things to do! Daddy let them go out and play on our front porch, and it was a treat for them to get some fresh air. We also took them to Chick-fil-a so that they could play in the play area.













Right: Emma Rose playing the Wii; Left: Anabelle on the porch in front of the umbrella

Below is Anabelle with Pie in her shirt. She could not hold her juice and her granola bar (aka gorilla bar) and Pie at the same time. She asked me, "Put Pie in shirt." Pie stayed there until snack was all done.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Silly and Sweet

Anabelle Tries on Daddy's Socks and Shoes

Anabelle (with Pie) and Emma Rose Cuddled Up on the Sofa

Our Sweet Hobie

Our little Hobie had surgery Wednesday. About two weeks ago, John found a lump under his left armpit. It was pretty solid and didn't seem connected to anything. Then a few days later, we discovered another smaller lump right next to the first one. We got him to the vet last Friday, and he said the lumps needed to come out. Surgery was scheduled for the following Wednesday.

The vet tech called right after the surgery and reported that Hobie did just fine. The lumps were now called tumors, and she let me know they "looked funny" according to the vet. They did blood work on him, which was all good. The vet also felt sure he had removed all parts of the tumors and had good margins. The tumors were sent for a biopsy, and we should know the results and the end of next week or the beginning of the next. I also found out that he'll be considered a senior citizen next year when he turns eight!

Hobie was pretty slow when he got home Wednesday night. He didn't eat until Thursday morning. I had to mix warm rice and broth into his kibble to get him interested. He had a little chicken and more rice with kibble later that night. He started wagging his tail a little on Friday, and Saturday he seemed to perking up a little more. He barked at the doorbell, too! This morning was the first morning he was asking for food and ate it without any broth. He's still tired, but he's beginning to act like himself more and more.

The girls are being very gentle with him, and Anabelle keeps asking about Hobie's surgery. She can't quite say that big word yet, but she knows Hobie feels bad. Emma Rose hugs Hobie and says, "You OK, buddy?" Then she loves on him. Anabelle will go with me when Hobie's stitches are removed on the morning of the 28th.
The dark spot above the stitches is where the larger of the tumors was removed. This picture was taken Thursday morning about 18 hours after the surgery. The vet shaved a good bit of hair off our little buddy, too. Poor Hobie.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Yellow and Toes for Dinner

Emma Rose learned all about the color yellow last month at preschool. We were asked to send her in something yellow on the last Friday of the month. I thought she looked so cute that I couldn't resist taking her picture!

Anabelle was so hungry at dinner that day, she decided to eat her toes. She thought it was hilarious. None of us could stop laughing! Is my cooking that bad or are her toes that good? (Those bits of food clinging to her eyebrow and cheek are mashed potatoes.)


Monday, September 7, 2009

The Swing Set

The weekend before Anabelle's birthday, our new neighbors down the hill gave us the swing set in their back yard. John and Dewayne took it apart, dragged it up the hill, and John put it back together. The girls love it. They've asked to swing (or "fwing" according to Anabelle) almost everyday since it's been here. Their giggles are priceless when they are swinging, and we are so grateful the neighbors didn't want it and gave it to us.
















Beth, Chris, and Grayson came over to swing one night soon after the swing set was operational. (John worked in record time and had the swing put together the day after it was dragged to the back yard!! He was awesome!) Aaron and Austin also came over and helped push the girls on the swing. The girls had a good time until Gracie and Anabelle started to have a fight over baby dolls. There was a lot of screaming (MINE!) and scratching going on. They are so funny!













I was also inspired to clean out a room in our basement and make it a playroom. It's definately not fancy, but it's being well used! The girls think it's awesome and have enjoyed being down there. Our plan is to get the HVAC installed sometime in the coming year. Since the weather is getting cooler, we won't have much of a need for the air conditioning down there. It'll stay pretty cool, and we can enjoy having easy access to the back yard all fall. We are using the backyard more than we ever have, and we are totally inspired to get the space finished sooner rather than later! John has also been able to enjoy a "basement nap" once last month.

I've also asked John to move a TV down there and to build the girls a craft table for the basement. I think they would have such a good time being able to watch movies and doing projects down there. I think glitter and glue is in their future, and I don't want it to be on my furniture and floors upstairs!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Anabelle's Second Birthday

Saturday was Anabelle's second birthday. I still can't believe we've had her for two whole years. She is a blessing to us and to her sister. We had a small celebration for her Saturday evening, and all of us had a great time. Her three favorite little girls were here: Emma Rose, Grayson, and Anna.



I made everyone guinea pigs by testing out a new recipe for slow cooked Boston butt. It turned out very well, but the cake didn't do so well. It was a pretty chocolate cake with caramel icing. Then the middle started to sink a bit. I was grateful I took a picture early in the evening! Anabelle blew out the candle on the first try, and then she sucked all the icing off the candle!



Anabelle received very nice gifts, and most of them were baby dolls, her new passion. She has had to sleep with them and her old baby dolls lined up in her crib every night since Saturday. Anna and her parents gave Anabelle play-doh, and it has been well played with, too. Some of it is in dried up little balls under the coffee table, but the vacuum will take care of that!














Left picture: Anna, Anabelle, and Grayson; Right picture: Anabelle blowing kisses to say thank you for a gift











Left picture: Anabelle opening a gift; Right picture: Dewayne and John showing Anabelle how to wear her new baby in the carrier

We all went out in the back yard to play after cake and gifts. The girls were able to swing on the new-to-us swing set and ride the power wheels. We had a great time!






Left picture: John, Keith, and Liz on the swing set with Emma Rose and Anna; Right picture: Anabelle in the power wheels Jeep and Grayson on the 4-wheeler (Hobie is staying out of the way!)