Does Santa pee standing up??

2009 is quickly coming to an end, and I'm still wondering where the whole year went?? Presley will be 1 in just a few days; it's completely overwhelming. I still feel like she's my little baby, when I guess she's turning into a toddler before my eyes. Just the day after Christmas she started walking more than crawling! Her little personality is too much fun as she is the happiest baby I have ever seen. Her smile lights up her entire face and now it's just not that "gummy" smile as she has 5 teeth. I have a ladybug party planned and am attempting to make her cake as well. Maddy's turned out really cute, so I thought..what the heck, why not make life harder and attempt it again??
Madysen is now 3 and we are still potty training. She is still completely and utterly terrified to #2 on the toilet, so I would say she's 95% day trained and we haven't even begun night time yet. She will ask for a diaper to do her duties, then back to underwear. I'm afraid to push her because her pediatrician said just to back off and the let it happen. Last time I tried the "tough love", she was constipated for days and miserable. I know it'll happen, but its so hard when everyone else you know with children the same age compare stories. I constantly question myself wondering if I'm not doing something right, but I feel like I have taken everyone's advice and still no success. I keep praying to God that he gives her the courage to overcome her fears and it will happen. I just can't help to be jealous of those other mothers though who "just put underwear on their kids and that was it!!" Oh well, I suppose it will happen sooner or later! I'm just curious as to how many diapers I have changed in the past 3 years?? :) As we have started using the potty, Maddy has had so many questions about why boys stand, why girls sit, why the Walmart bathroom is icky, why she can touch some toilets and not others, and so on and so on. But, recently she asked out of nowhere, "Mommy, does Santa pee standing up?"... I just thought that was adorable! Someday, I know I will definitely miss these innocent moments.
Christmas was EXCELLENT this year, despite my husband having to work Christmas morning. Maddy was such a blast. We did the whole Christmas Eve tradition--cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer, and read The Night Before Christmas. Presley wasn't too interested in opening presents but was more intrigued with the boxes above anything else. Maddy however loved all of it, especially her roller skates!
And so, as 2009 comes to a close I remember this year as full of so many adventures..having a new addition to our family, a summer full of fun on our old boat, a great time watching Madysen interact with the neighbors and build new friendships, and wonderful holidays with the ones we love. We have all that we need- happy and healthy children, a strong, loving marriage, and many people who love and support us. Thank you 2009 for all the memories....

too busy enjoying life

Wow... it's been too long since I've posted. So much has happened in the past few weeks to write everything, so I'll just highlight the most memorable. My baby girl is 11 months today and my other baby girl has her 3rd birthday in just 9 days! I can't believe it! We are planning a Shrektacular 3rd Birthday for Miss Madysen. I'm so excited because this will be the first year she will actually have little friends to help her celebrate. I'm going to attempt to make her birthday cake. I know, I know, what am I thinking??? I just want this birthday to be extra special for her. She has been experiencing a little jealousy lately, so I want this party to be all done up, just for her!
Recently, we celebrated Thanksgiving. Since Jeff's dad passed on this day 2 years ago, the day has since taken on a different mood. We really try our hardest to be grateful for the day and really celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving. We were so thankful this year for a healthy, happy family and for everyone being able to get together at our house this year. I hosted my first ever Thanksgiving and totally LOVED it! I really wanted to take some of the burden off my mother-in-law and have it at our house. The dinner turned out fantastic ( just a bit earlier than anticipated...darn Turkey bags) and we had our share of Smith Family Catch phrase. Hopefully we can continue the tradition....
Now, on to Christmas. Yes, I was one of those crazy mothers out on Black Friday at 330 am scouring for the big deals. I know, I know, but I was a Black Friday Virgin until this year. And, let me just tell you... I'm hooked. I had SOOOO much fun laughing at all the crazed people that I think I'll continue this every year. I did manage to get a lot of shopping done for not that much money, so I was happy. We did see one woman practically want to fight another woman because she was in the "express" line but had more than 10 items. Ashly and I were in the middle of their battle of words and all we could do was laugh. Ashly was an amazing Aunt dishing out elbows and shoves to get a pink digital camera for Madysen. God, I love that kid (well I guess she's an adult, but she'll always be a kid to me.)
And so, as all the chaos approaches with the holidays and birthdays, I just like to look back on the year and say once again how blessed I feel. I had never thought I would ever have a life like this. I prayed so many times to God to please just bless me with a normal life, a soulmate who loves me unconditionally, and a family of my own to love. After a several tough years, I finally have everything I could have dreamed of. I am so lucky to stay at home with my girls and watch them grow everyday. My husband surprises me everyday with the amount of love he has for me and the kids. Even though some days are harder than others, I see so many working moms that have so much more stress. I'm thankful that I don't have to carry that burden and just enjoy this moment!

God is good

First of all, I want to say that for anyone who doesn't believe in God, I don't understand your logic. This past Thursday, I had the scare of a lifetime. I was getting pizza out of the oven and told Maddy to yell down to Jeff that the pizza was done. Presley, who absolutely worships her older sister, had followed Madysen over to the gate. As I was cutting up a piece of pizza, I heard Maddy yell down to Jeff, then all of a sudden, I heard this thump..thump, thump. I don't even know what I did with the pizza at this point because my motherly instincts took over. I didn't have time to wonder what the noise was, my brain already knew that it must be my baby girl going down the stairs. The rest is somewhat blurry, but what I remember is that I ran over to the stairs to see the most awful, gruesome sight any parent should see. My precious Presley was rolling down the unfinished stairs with her head hitting each one until she landed on the concrete floor. At this time Jeff too was at the bottom of the stairs, as was I. He later said that he doesn't even remember seeing my feet touch the stairs, that in an instant I was at the bottom.
Poor Presley was screaming bloody murder and I just was in shock. Jeff scooped her up as I began to fall apart. We went up stairs to check her out. She had several scuffs and marks on her head. I was completely frantic screaming "We need to go to the hospital!" I could tell by the look on Jeff's face that he was just as scared. I grabbed the phone to call Darlene. Dear Lord I probably scared her to death. She picked up the phone to me crying "Please come over, Presley just fell down the stairs."
While waiting the 6 minutes for Darlene to get here, I was still in "super mom" mode, packing a bag for the hospital and calling the pediatrician. The picture of Presley's poor head hitting the stairs would not escape my mind. Sometimes knowledge is evil.. all those medical shows and long conversations with Kelly had my head spinning with all sorts of terrible scenarios. Darlene got here and we immediately left for the ER.
This was probably the longest ride EVER as I was holding Presley in the backseat. Presley's mood started changing and she became eerily calm. At this point, my panic turned in to all out hysteria. She looked up at me with these huge, blank eyes and I just knew that something was wrong. My stomach was turning and I was seconds from vomiting. All I could choke out was "Jeff, you have to hurry!" I just kept looking at my baby praying to God that He would keep her safe. Her face was an unforgettable grayish color and she kept wanting to fall asleep. I knew I could not let her sleep, so as calmly as I could, I tried talking to her.
After being behind every slow car on the road, we finally pulled into the ER. Running to the front desk, I told the admitting lady what had happened and begged her to get my baby girl back. Of course there were about 30 people with masks on thinking they have the swine flu. Jeff took Presley and then she started vomiting. I was so scared that she was suffering from some head trauma, so I went back up to the desk and told the girl "Please, you have to take her back! She's puking all over, please!!!" So, they got her back and started the initial evaluation. At this point Presley started to act like her normal self, but I was still a wreck. The nurse even snapped at me to calm down, but I just coudln't until I knew she was okay. They took us into a room and ordered a CT. I was getting more and more sick and Presley was back to herself. In fact, when the doctor came in to check her, she was chewing on her foot!
So needless to say, Presley's CT came back normal and we were sent home. The whole ride home I was shaking and feeling nauseous. I ended up vomiting when we got home from my nerves. I have never, ever been that scared in my whole life. I am so grateful that Presley is okay. Not just okay, but not a bruise on her! It's a miracle. She has a little scape on her forehead, but nothing on her body. I am in shock!! God was definitely looking over us that night. When we got home, Jeff counted how many stairs, since the ER doctor questioned us when we said 20 stairs. So we exaggerated a bit.. only 14, but when you are rolling down them, does it really matter????
Today is Saturday and I still haven't recovered from this. I just keep replaying the whole event in my mind thankful of our outcome. I know that life can change in an instant, and I will forever believe that God was looking down on us that night. Every coo, every giggle, every cry... I truly and completely cherish because in the moment, I thought I might not ever hear that again! Even now typing this, I get emotional. Thank you God for your love! God is good.

Brrr... it's cold out there!!

So many things to blab about.  Presley had her 9 month appointment last week and was given the okay for table foods.  I can't believe she's old enough for that yet.  How come time flies so much faster with the 2nd kid?? My little girl already weighs 20lbs.  She had her shots too, which she tolerated just fine.  Being the terrible mom I am, I forgot to pre-medicate her, so my poor baby had a little fever that night.  Presley is such an amazing baby though, you'd never know she had shots.  She was her normal happy self all day!  Dr. Paul also increased her dosage of the Axid to 1.5ml, and when we are done with the bottle we are switching to Zantac because insurance will cover more of the cost.  What is with insurance?? You pay so much every month for coverage, yet you still are paying out the butt for every little thing!! It aggravates me so much that there are lazy people out there who refuse to work, yet keep having kids and FREE insurance.   Meanwhile, my husband busts his behind everyday for us and we have to keep paying out of pocket for everything.  Obama, please fix this!!!  

On a lighter note, our family traveled to Anna, IL this past weekend for our annual Smith Family Reunion.  We were so excited to catch up with the family and for everyone to meet Presley.  Surprisingly, both girls tolerated the 5 hour trip wonderfully.  

First Post

This is my first time blogging.  I've wanted to create a blog for awhile now, but put it on the back burner along with all the other "projects" I've wanted to do like clean the windows, organize cabinets and the lastest obsession, re-decorate the house.  So, I just decided that tonight was the night to overcome my blogging fear and create one!  Today would be as good a day as any considering the chaos in the Smith household this fine Tuesday.  Maddy suspiciously ended up in my bed again this morning, so when we decided to finally get up for the day, she complained of having a belly ache.  I thought.. wonderful start to the day.  I hope it's not another one of her constipation episodes.  So, upon eating 2 frosted donuts, she decide to vomit all over herself and the carpet.  Feeling terrible for my little moo-moo, we huried and cleaned her up, then threw all the clothes in the laundry.  I decided our best bet was to lay on the couch and watch Presley-poo play with her toys.  Now remember, we're all cleaned up with new pj's on and about 30 mins later, another huge vomit. Thank God for leather couches.  This time little Presley was in the line of fire, so that meant THREE changes of clothes (I had a lap full as well)!  The joys of motherhood.... Needless to say, Madysen must have gotten it all out because she immediately returned to her normal, goofball self.  So tomorrow is Mommy and Me class at the Library... hmmm.. that should be interesting!!