Emerson Ann & Stella Louise: May 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

May 29th, 2009

The weather was finally warm enough for the girls to go swimming! They loved their new "big girl" pool and sprinkler. Emerson liked playing in the hose and going down the slide. Stella enjoyed stepping in and out of the pool and playing in the sprinkler.

They weren't sure what to think about their new pool at first.

Emerson liked standing in the pool (probably because she isn't allowed to stand in the bath tub.)

More standing...

Stella wasn't sure about the pool at first.

Daddy got out toys for the pool.

James sprayed Emerson with the hose as a joke, and she loved it! She followed him around trying to get him to spray her.

Stella showing off her tankini.

The hats didn't last very long so James set up our patio umbrella for shade.

Daddy trying to convince Emerson that the Elmo sprinkler was fun.

Emerson didn't want to get too close to the sprinkler.

Stella loved it!

The water was so cold!

Our very own Redneck Riviera! It started out as just the swimming pool in the front yard, but it turned into quite a spectacle by the end of the afternoon. We just kept adding to it!

The girls eating snacks at their table after swimming.

Stella's first band-aid. She fell on the concrete a few days ago, and then fell on the carpet this morning and scraped it up again. I guess we are going to have to buy some fun band-aids.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

May 26th, 2009

The girls are both doing really well. We are all having problems with allergies right now, but that's just part of springtime in the Midwest! Emerson is talking non-stop, but we rarely understand what she is saying. We think she might be fluent in Chinese! Stella is starting to make more sounds too. Stella's pre-op appointment is June 1st, and her surgery is scheduled for June 4th.

Today we all spent some time with Papa Fox, and we helped him celebrate his 79th birthday.

Emerson was really excited to see Papa, but Stella was more interested in exploring the nursing home.

The girls enjoyed eating ice cream cake with Papa!

Coloring at their new table. They both think that they need at least one crayon in each hand!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

May 21st, 2009

Stella had her first appointment with the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor yesterday. It was a rough afternoon for us. Our pediatrician's office had referred us to a doctor and set up the appointment. When we got to the first ENT's office we discovered that they don't accept our insurance. I was pretty upset because we had driven an hour for the appointment. The first ENT's office was nice enough to call and try to get us into a different ENT's office that did accept our insurance. The second office said they could get us in, and we were very thankful that we wouldn't have to make a second trip to Columbia to see a different doctor. We ended up having to wait at the second ENT's office for a few hours before we could be seen. Luckily, both of my parents had gone with me. The girls are so active now that it is a challenge to entertain them in a small space for long periods of time. Having extra adults always helps.
Stella still had fluid in her ears, and the ENT decided that she is a good candidate for tubes. They will be contacting me to schedule her pre-op appointment. I also had a chance to talk to them about Emerson's ears. She felt like Emerson would also be a good candidate for tubes, but we will wait for her next ear infection since she doesn't have any fluid in her ears right now.

We got the girls a Little Tikes table and chairs set. They are pretty excited about it!

It reminds me of the table and chairs set that my brother and I had when we were little.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

May 14th, 2009

I am sorry it took so long to post more pictures. I had PRK eye surgery (similar to lasik, but it has a much longer recovery) last Friday. I spent the last week trying to recover. The girls are both doing great. They are going to start seeing a speech therapist weekly, in addition to their other therapies. Stella has an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor next week so she can get tubes in her ears. We also visited the opthamologist a few weeks ago. Emerson's vision still isn't perfect, but it doesn't need intervention right now. Stella involuntarily gave up her binky 16 days ago! The first week was pretty rough without the binky, but she has adjusted well.

We gave Stella a pony tail (as a joke!)

The girls love wearing shoes and slippers, but they haven't figured out how to match them yet!

Stella wearing one duck slipper and one lion slipper.

I'm not sure what Emerson was trying to do, but the picture is too funny not to share.

Stella is such a poser.

Emerson finally figured out that there is a fort under her slide.

Stella trying out the fort.

Emerson sitting in the sink on her kitchen set. She climbs on everything.

James and I before my surgery. James got to go into the room with me and watch the entire surgery.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

May 3rd, 2009

Team Emerson and Stella participated in their first March for Babies today! Our team had the privilege of leading the walk. We had 14 people on our team, and we raised $1,355.00! It was an amazing experience, and we are hoping to participate every year. We are so thankful for all of our friends and family that walked with us, sponsored us, and supported our team!

Stella getting ready for the walk!