Our Church Easter Egg Hunt

Our church had its pre-school Easter egg hunt today. We had such a great time! We had a great turn out with about twenty kids showing up this year. The weather was nice (a little humid) and the rain held off. The kids played on the playground while we cooked hot dogs. Then they hunted eggs! Grant seemed to get the hang of it quickly. Erin, once she realized there was candy in the eggs, just wanted to open them up. She didn't get as many eggs as Grant, but that is ok. We are having a family egg hunt here next weekend! Here are a few pics from our day.

Erin just sat down and wanted Stephen to open them. I think they were "sharing" the loot in the photo!

This is what happens when Mommy turns her back and trusts that Daddy is handling the situation. What a mess! I probably would of had a heart attack if this had been Grant, but with the second child you just take pictures!

Erin's Eye Appt.

Sorry for the poor quality of the photo it was taken with Stephen's phone!

Erin had her appointment with the children's ophthalmologist yesterday morning. Her pediatrician had referred us to him because she has had a blocked tear duct. I made the appointment three weeks ago after Erin's 12 month check-up. Her eye was weeping and producing a lot of discharge at this appointment. She had been prescribed some eye drops which I began to use. Before I knew it her eye looked so much better. She wasn't even waking up with it matted shut like she has done consistently since birth, so I felt pretty confident that we wouldn't have to have the duct probed to open it.

The doctor came in and did an exam. He placed dye in each eye to check to see if the tear duct was still blocked. Good news, it isn't!!!! Yea!!!! I am so glad it corrected itself and I know Erin doesn't miss the constant goopy eye! He also dilated her eyes to do a complete exam. The Doctor said everything looks perfect!

Stephen, on the other hand, will being seeing his Ophthalmologist on Tuesday. Let's hope he gets good news too!

He's So Grown Up

Grant wore his new suit to church yesterday. He looks like such a little man (despite the burp cloth he is clutching in the picture.) I wish I could have gotten more pictures, but we were hurrying to get out the door and to Sunday school on time.

We had a good weekend. Friday night I went to dinner with some friends from school. We all met in Jr. High. We were in band together. It's nice how some friendships never fade. Even though it had been a couple years since we had seen each other it was just like old times.

Saturday, Stephen and I did some more spring cleaning in the yard and planted petunias in the flower beds. We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening just hanging out and playing with the kiddos. I also got some more sewing time in. It's so much fun sewing for little girls! I made Erin a blue with white polka dot sun suit with matching bloomers. I will post pictures later. It's in her closet right now, and she's asleep!

Sunday was busy as usual. We had a good day and enjoyed dinner at Five Guys with Jon and Amy. If you've never eaten at a Five Guys then you must give it a try!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Spring Flowers

The yard is in full bloom right now. The Azaleas and Dogwoods are beautiful and the Camellia's still have a few blooms left on them. I decided to get Erin in her Easter dress in with the Azaleas before the wind and rain comes and knocks of all the blooms. I plan on getting some cute pictures of Grant in his Easter outfit too, but it didn't happen today. I hope everyone had a great Saturday!

I think this one is my favorite

Swimming with Our Cousins

We are loving this weather!!! Liz and the kids are in town this week and we spent the day at my parent's house enjoying the pool. I am so excited about summer! Last year they had just had the pool put in and I did not really get to swim often because Erin was so little. This year she's big enough to enjoy it and Grant's brave enough to venture off the steps. I might even have him swimming without swimmies by the end of the summer! Thank you mom and dad for the pool! I know we will have lots of memories made there!

Erin took right to Anna this time

Grant swimming like a fish

I can't resist the ruffles!

James having fun in the pool.

Luke!

Anna!

Erin, with her serious face on.

Sweet girls!

Grant in the deep end!

An Afternoon at the Park

Today is an absolutely beautiful day! With the high in the mid 80's Stephen and I decided it would be nice to take the kids to the park this afternoon.

"I'm climbing!! "

Erin really does enjoy swinging. Don't let her expression fool you. She just clams up when there are a lot of people around. It's hard to get her to crack a smile.

Checking out the ducks at the pond.

The end

Erin's Afternoon Photo Shoot

I tried my best to do a photo shoot of Erin this afternoon while Grant was asleep. I wanted to take her picture wearing the dress that my great grandmother made. My sister and I both had our picture wearing this dress when we were twelve months old. Erin, however, was not very cooperative. You see, we are cutting a new tooth and this makes her extra cranky!!!! I did the best I could do without back up. It's too hard to operate the camera and wrangle a very active baby! I did get a few shots that I think are OK, but I haven't gotten "the one" yet. Maybe I can try again this weekend when Stephen is home.

This was a all out protest!

She kept saying, "Bow...bow...bow."

I like this one, but my flash didn't go off. It's very grainy.

This is probably my favorite from today.

This one cracks me up. She was heading for an exit off the bed.

Sweet girl.

No pictures! I'm DONE!!!!

Erin's 12 Month Stats and a Visit to a Specialist

Erin had her 12 month check-up this morning. She weighed in at 22.6 lbs. (75%) and is 31 " tall (95%). She is doing all that she is supposed to be doing right now. She can say a few words: mama, dada, hot, book, bye-bye, night-night, uh-oh, thank you, and doll. I don't think Grant could say this many words at 18 months! (He's been a little slow in the talking department, but is progressing more and more lately.) She loves to play with her big brother, swing and slide, and play with her baby doll. She's a good little mommy already. She will pat and rock the baby and give her sloppy little kisses. It's just precious. I introduced whole milk to her this past weekend. She's not the least bit interested in it yet. She is starting to wean herself a little bit, and she loves table food! I am hoping she is weaned completely by May because Stephen and I would like to go away for the weekend for our anniversary.

We have an appointment in three weeks with a pediatric ophthalmologist at the children's hospital here in town. Erin has had a blocked tear duct in her right eye ever since she was born. It hasn't corrected itself, and sometimes can get pretty nasty. Our pediatrician decided it's time to see a specialist and see if they would recommend probing the duct to open it. Stephen's most likely not going to be in town when we go for the appointment, but I am sure we will have to schedule the procedure for another day because Erin would have to be sedated for the procedure.

We are taking it easy here today after a busy weekend. I hope everyone else had a great weekend too!

Erin's First Birthday Party

Last night we had the pleasure of celebrating Erin's first birthday with our family. Erin seemed to enjoy her party very much, but we were worn out be the end of the evening!

Erin's caterpillar cake

We need to teach her to sit more lady like.

Grant ended up helping me open up her presents. She was too busy to want anything to do with it. He was a big help.

Erin received some very pretty spring clothes and some new toys. Here she is playing with her baby and her very own purse. She really loves baby dolls now. She rocks and pats them and sloppily kisses all over them. It's so sweet!

Here she is about to "blow out" her candle. (Well, her daddy blew it out, but let's pretend she did it.)

She liked her cake, but didn't destroy it too much. She mostly ate the icing and left the cake part behind.

Grant and Dixie enjoyed playing Thomas together.