June 2011

The first of June didn't start out too well.  Kennedy for just over a week had been fighting a fever, really seems since her 2 year old checkup appointment.  Over the past week she would fever, but the fever usually broke.  The highest that it had got was roughly 100.0.  Not anything to rush to the doctor.  Just some meds to help break and she is good right?   Finally, it spiked to 102.5 degrees.  I was a bit worried.  I called the doc first thing in the morning and waited for them to call since it was before they opened.  In the meantime what does one do to help a fever go down, but give their child ice cream in a cool bath.  (Hey, I am a first time mom.)  Kennedy's cheeks were so rosie and you could tell that she did not feel the best. 

We got to the doctor and he did a rapid strep test.  As the doc was asking all her symptoms and such I said I was concerned since her temperature spiked to 102.5.  His reply was "oh, we usually don't get too concerned until it reaches 103.0."  In my simple mind it was only half a degree off.  But I learned something new.  As we waited for the results Kennedy decided to check in the exam table.



The doctor came back in told me that the rapid test came back negative.  But also he said that there was another little boy in his office with some of the same symptoms that Kennedy had and his test came back negative as well.  They would culture the swabs over the weekend and I could call back Monday to get the results.

I called back to the doctor's office Monday morning.  It took awhile for them to call me back.  I asked the nurse if I could get the results of Kennedy's culture and she said she was a bit confused.  I recapped what happened Friday.  Then she said she was confused because they usually don't culture a POSITIVE (yes, POSITIVE) rapid strep test.  I asked so you are telling me that her test came back positive on Friday and I am just finding out Kennedy does have strep.  The nurse apologized and IMMEDIATELY called in a prescription.  I had strep back in March and if Kennedy's throat felt like sharp pieces of glass in her throat all weekend - poor girl.  The nurse also told me that the little boy that also was tested for strep that his culture came back positive too.  I wonder if there was some unfortunate human mistake that someone looked at the wrong test results of Kennedy and the little boy's.  Life happens.  But this is the second time this year I have left a doctor's office of Kennedy have strep.  Also in March she has test positive for strep but I was never informed.  Glad she was okay. 

Kennedy likes to help "clean" the house with me.  This is her idea of vacuuming. 

Kennedy has started to like playing dress up.  Well, she found some "dress-up" clothes alright.  And she tried them all on.  And when I mean all I mean all.  Let your imagination wonder, but not too far...



Needless to say I have moved them.  But then a few weeks later she found them again.  Again, I have since moved them .  She has not found them since. 

Also this month Kennedy went back to the doctor.  Since May from her 2 year old checkup she has been 3 times.  This time she had some going on with her foot.  We play softball on Thursday nights.  My friend Kenzie is an RN.  I showed her Kennedy's foot and was like what do I do.  She said when I get home put some peroxide on it and draw a line with a marker on to see if the infection is spreading.  I did just that when we got home.  The next morning the infection had spread.  I called the doc and they got her in.  My mom took her cause the last two Fridays I have had off I have made plans to go riding horses with my dad.  Now, it being literally 2 weeks since her last visit.  The doc was unsure what it was on her foot.  It was a bacteria of some sort, possiblely staph.  He didn't write a prescription right away cause  their computers were down and didn't want to give Kennedy the same prescription for her strep.  Her last dose was only the day before. I had to call the doctor' when I got back and they called in a prescription.  The infection went away.  Again, another learning point for Kristin.  Very educational month as far as health goes. 

One night we had some friends Jeremy and Connie with their kids over for dinner.  (BTW - Jeremy is the man who lined Blake and I up.)  After dinner the kids wanted to play outside.  We took Kennedy's new car and trailer outside.  Brooklyn wanted to drive and that left the open spot of the trailer.  Glad Kennedy's small.



Towards the end of the month Blake's buddy Rick asked him to fish in a fishing tournament with him at Strawberry Reservoir.  They did okay, but we had more fun with us all fishing all together.

 Kennedy on our way to Strawberry.  It is so fun now that she faces forward.

 Rick and Kennedy

 Blake and Kennedy getting ready to fish from the deck

at the lodge we stayed at.

 Kennedy's first time sleeping in her new sleeping back.

She is getting to be such a big girl.

 Rick and his wife Kaily have a little girl that is

almost 3 months old. I guess not only can a

stroller be used to carry the baby, but all

your fishing gear too.  A little redneck.  We had

a good laugh.

 Kennedy and Dad fishing.

 Kennedy lost interest real quick.  Fishing from

the shore was a bit rough.  It was really windy.

We got skunked. 

Dad and Kennedy headed back to head home.

May 2011

Sometime ago back in November I posted about Kennedy wanted to potty train.  I was thinking she was going to get this.  I was like WOW!  This is too good to be true.  I was talking with my sister-in-law Liz telling her how Kennedy was doing.  She said her niece did the same thing.  But she ended up taking 10 months.  I was like "oh, no Kennedy has got it."  I think I jinxed myself.  We are now to May, 6 months later.  The only thing is 18 months is rather young in Kennedy's defense to be completely potty trained.  She was on a good track of understanding what needed to take place. 

Now we are to May.  Around Kennedy's birthday she finally decided she wanted to wear "panties".   I was not ready for the mess so I just had her in pull-ups.  Since she was going to daycare too, I didn't feel comfortable if Kennedy had accidents very often at the sitters.  The first week went great.  If I remember correctly I think she had really only about 3-4 accidents for the whole week.  However, the next week was a different story.  She treated her pull-ups like she was in a diaper.  Kennedy and I had a talk.  I told her if she was going to treat her pull-ups like a diaper, then I was going to put diapers back on.  She said that she wanted  her "panties".  So we tried it again.  We are now wearing "panties".  Hopefully in no time she will be wearing really panties. 

My question to you are pull-ups good or bad?  I have decided they are definitely more of a convenience for the parents.  That way if the child had an accident you don't have to clean up too much.  But does the child to begin to understand what they are suppose to do if they are wet?  Or should a parent just skip the whole pull-up scene and go straight to panties/underwear?  I think it really depend on what kinda time you have to dedicate to potty training with your child.  I felt with Kennedy it wasn't too bad using pull-ups.  My work day is a 9 hour day.  Stay at home moms have an advantage in this department of the potty training going very smooth and quick.  After I thought about it, she may have got a bit confused.  But she day by day she did a little bit better. 

Any thoughts?

Kennedy had her 2nd birthday.  I posted those pictures already.

We just went up for the afternoon to the cabin for Memorial Day, since it was cold.  And when we got there this is what we saw. 

SNOW

This is SPRING, not WINTER.  But we had fun.  It was also VERY pretty with just the light dusting on top. 

 Kennedy and Jordyn

 Me and Jordyn

My DORKIE brother Colton

We also went to Blake's parents for his dad's birthday.  After the festivities, Brooke decided to pull the kids around on a blanket on the floor. 

Brooke pulling the kids - Kaitlyn, Kennedy, and Jordan.

They giggled and laughed so much.  

My car also during the month of May needed a little tender loving car.  I was quite upset because that meant I had to get the back of my car repainted and detailed.  However, the guy that did my detail work has since past away.  So I had to have the paint shop locate a person that still free paints on vehicles verses using the vinyl stripping. 

Because the paint repair shop did not know if the paint would continue to flake as they fixed it, their suggestion was to start from scratch.  So that is what they did.  The gentleman that did my detail did a great job.  There are some things that I can tell are different, but at first glance all is well. 



April 2011

As many of you know there was the possibility of a Government shutdown because Congress had not come to agreement on the budget.  Normally the Government operates on what as know as the Continuing Resolution Agreement (CRA).  CRA goes into effect at 12:00 AM eastern time Oct 1.  The beginning of the new fiscal year and it end 11:59 local time 30 Sept.  In years past Congress has agreed to a budget sometime between November and December.  Since the Government is financially strapped, it has taken a bit longer for Congress to come to an agreement.  This year if I remember there were roughly 8 extensions to the budget.  Finally it came down to crunch time the first part of the month.  If Congress had not come to agreement by 11:59 pm eastern time, the entire Federal Government was going to being furloughed.  That means all civilian worker in the Department of Defense, Forest Service, National Parks, etc would be closed.  However, the Post Office and Military would have remained open because they are paid and operate out of different pot of money.  The possibility of a furlough scared me. Blake and I are prepared because of the type of job Blake has.  But I did not want to dip into savings if I really had to.  This was almost the case.  Finally Congress came to an agreement.

This made me think about workers that are laid off.   It made me really respect their position.  Because at the end of the day for me, I still had a job and position to go back to just no pay.  But when one is laid off, they have no job or pay and are left wondering how they will provide for their family.  I after this I count my blessing.  It may seem like a lot, but I have a job, Blake has a job, we both have vehicles to transport us to point a to point b, we have a home, we have clothes, food to eat, and a beautiful daughter aka a family. There are many that don't have all of that this day and age.  We are definitely VERY fortunate.  Remember to be thankful for the small stuff.  It is the small stuff that counts, not the big stuff.

We went to Iceburg's.  This was the kid's cone that Kennedy got with her meal.   Not sure what their definition of kid's cone this is.  It is more like a monster ice cream cone. 

Blake and I had a chance to go to my favorite country singer - King George Strait.  I convenienced my dad to go and my parents came with us.  Along with Blake's friends Ryan and Kristina.  With George came LeAnn Woolmack and Reba McEntire.  I saw this same show in Las Vegas with my friend Whitney the year before.  I wasn't too sure about Reba.  But man is she a GREAT performer.  Such a crowd pleaser.  When I heard they were coming to Salt Lake, I jumped on it.  The show was great, however our seats sucked.  Yes I know I picked them, but no one wanted to pay an arm and a leg for seats.  I was ready too, but I went with the group.  We sat in the lowest possible upper bowl seats in the ESA.  From that expirence now, I will make sure to cough up the extra bucks and get lower seats.  I was a bit jealous of my my Lynley, because she and her husband got floor seats.  And to make me more jealous she got to shake George's hand.  Their seats were right by the isle where they walked on and off the stage.  The music and food were great.  Can't wait until George comes again. 

Since we celebrated Easter.  We had some Easter Egg hunts.

 My Dad

 Ellie and Sharon

Sister-in-law Jordyn 

Me and Kennedy

We also made it to Tepanyaki with Blake's friend Quinn.  He recently got engaged and wanted us to meet is cute finance Stacie.  We took Kennedy with us.  Trying out the chopstick.  She has some work to go.  At least she tries.  She follows in her dad's footsteps.  I don't eat well with chopsticks, I just go for the fork. 

Not much other than that took place in April.

March 2011

Not much happened in March.  But we did make it to Phoenix for my cousin's wedding. 

So before we left for Phoenix we pulled out Kennedy's next size of car seat (the convertible).  Well, it was a bit big for her.  Plus, if someone other than me was to pick her up from day daycare they would need a car seat.  I was on the search for a new one.  Here is suppose to be one of the last times she rode in her infant seat.

This was a big a decision of do we turn her face forward or leave her refacing.  It seems still kinda conversational at this time, because they had not American of Pediatrics had not come to with their published recommendation.  The current publication was to be rear facing till the age of 1 and 20 pounds.  Key word "AND".  Well, rewinding Kennedy at her 1 year old appointment only weighed 16 pounds.  I always asked her pediatrician what I should do.  Ever since I started taking Kennedy to him, his recommendation was keep her rear facing till she doesn't like any more.  Basically as long as we could.  So that is what we did.  Many think I am nuts.  But she didn't mind.    

Before we headed to Phoenix I felt like I had pieces of glass in my throat every time I swallowed. Since we were leaving town, I thought I better head to the doc. The doc took a rapid strep test. It came back positive. The medication I took that night was a miracle. It helped so much. My throat felt a whole lot better.

We were leaving on a Friday. Thursday night Kennedy was not in a good mood, nor was she acting like herself.  She was more clingy than normal too. So before we left we headed into the doc for her. We were thinking that she may have had strep too. Her doctor's office took a rapid strep test for her too. But her results were NEGATIVE. Off went to Phoenix.

That night we stopped in St. George.  I thought it might be easier only driving half-way for Kennedy.  When we went to Reno in January, it was ALONG ride home.  Friday night we meet up and had pizza with good family friends the Charlton's.  It is aways fun to see them.  Before we meet up with them Kennedy was trying out her "new" sleeping arrangements.

Yes, she fits in the door of a dresser. 

No, we did not have her sleep there.

We got back and ready for bed.  Kennedy did her nightly routine.  Brush teeth, change into pjs, and tried to go potty.  She did.  YA.  Not the first time, but that is always good.  The next morning we got ready.  She went on the potty again.  Then we meet Dave for breakfast.  We had a yummy breakfast.  Once we finished.  We prepared to get on the road.  Blake took Kennedy to the bathroom.  As luck would have again she used the potty.  Just as any person would think, but she cant keep this up the whole way to Phoenix.  Well, she used bathroom all along the way.  Never once went in her diaper.  She kept this up until she started playing with my cousin's son Hayden Sunday afternoon.  I sure got my hopes up.  But one has to remember when she ready she will do a good job and it will be on her terms.  Along the ride though the Phoenix we thought Kennedy might like to face forward.  This was not a good idea.  Facing forward for the first time on a long car ride do not mix.  I am sure you can guess what happened.  Needless to say we pulled over found a car wash to wash her seat out.  Poor thing.  What is one to do since it is the law children are supposed to be in a child seat.  Well, we put it all back together, put a plastic black garbage bag over the seat, then a fleece blanket.  That way Kennedy would not sweat on the plastic the rest of the way.  We arrived at Curtis and Debbie's and the first thing we did is get the car seat in the washer. 

Saturday and Sunday we all just hung out.  On Sunday we went to the park and played with everyone. 

On Monday we had a bit of time to kill.  I persuaded my mom and dad to go to Pei Wei.  In the parking lot there was this sign.  I wasn't sure how to take it.  I thought those bumps in the road were called Speed Bumps.  But in Arizona they called them something else. 

Breanne is my cousin that was getting married.  She married a cute kid named Andrew.  They were married in the Mesa temple.  Breanne ended up getting married on our grandma Bernice's Birthday.  Kinda a cool way to remember.  Grandma Bernice pasted away in Oct of 1997. She will have been gone 14 years in Oct.  Man, I wish she were her.  But I knew she is around.  

Uncle Curtis, Aunt Debbie, BreAnn, Andrew, Andrew's Parents

My Cousin Danielle, her baby Jordin, my aunt Debbie, and Debbie's mom JoDene.

4 Generations.

My cousin Danielle's son Hayden.  He is 3. 

Kennedy loved this pond at the wedding reception.

Headed home.  Kennedy wanted to wear Blake's sunglasses

and she wanted him to wear her sunglasses. 

Blake looks pretty cute in pink. I tried to get him to keep them.

But he switched back.  I can't image why...

Kennedy is keeping entertained by watching various Disney movies.

Man, I think what did I do when I was a kid traveling.

Oh, that is right.  I have this wonderful trait from my dad.  We

call it the Lindsay sleeping gene.

Random Pictures.

I was able to get Kennedy's first single pony tail.

February 2011

Poop Episode
So one Saturday, the 5th of Feb to be precise.  I put Kennedy down for a nap about of 2:00.  She was tired.  We meet up with my mom, dad, Colton, and Jordyn for lunch.  Blake was out of town or at a work outdoor retailer type show.  But the main thing was he was GONE. 

It is about 5:00 pm.  I thought she would have been up by now.  But nope still she sleeping so I thought.  I wanted to run to The Children's Place.  They were having a pretty good sale.  About 5:30 I went to wake her up so she would go to bed later that night.  Well, she was up alright.  She was playing.  She was playing not with any toy, but with her poop.  GROSS is all I have to say.  I immediately called my mom for moral support.  She came really QUICK needless to say.  I wondered why she was so quiet.  My friend Whitney had this happen once with her twins.  But they did it at the same time.  YUCK.  So I felt I was prepared and my child would not do that.  Never think that way.  Anything is possibly. 

The pictures really do not jusitify all where the poop was.  It was in her finger nails, around her mouth (yuck - but she is still alive), caked in the Velcro of her shoes, blankets, and quilt.  As you can tell ALL OVER.
Let's say I am very thankful for the person who came up with the idea of disposable diapers.  Those people who use cloth diapers and have to clean them all the time are up in the night.  This is one area that I am not earth friendly. 

Early preparation for Halloween costumes

Any takers for her to be a Ghost?

Being Grandpa Bart
At my parent's house there is this picture of my dad in his shorts and cowboy boots.  I think Kennedy has sneaked a peek.  i will have to give her some fashion lessons as she gets older.

Snowmobiling Cabin

We were able to make it to the cabin on at least one snowmobile trip.  The snow when we got to cabin was quite deep.  Kennedy got a new helmet from my mom dad that she can wear either for snowmobiling or for the four wheeler.  Normally, I would prefer gender neutral on these type of items.  But after talking over with my mom and dad.  We figured the helmet would fit to her head and she would be wearing it still by the time the next child would need one. So we have quite awhile before that.  Plus since grandma and grandpa purchased it, we shouldn't be so picky.

Getting suited up to head in to the cabin.

Kennedy just "LOVES" her helmet.  I hope

she start to eventually like it. She will have

lots of opportunity to wear it in the future.

This is what the front of our cabin looked like when we arrived.

 Blake and Kennedy

Kennedy doesn't quite like the snow yet. 

Doesn't she look so happy?

 Remember the first picture of the snow. 

Yes, Blake dug the front door out. 



 Because the snow was so deep we have to enter from

the back.  Since it was before Blake dug the front

door out.  CRAZY MAN!

Kennedy and I enjoying the porch after Blake's

hard work.

 My mom.

 Kennedy

 Grandpa cleaning up the snow.  So our feet don't get wet later on.

Packin' up to head home.