Funny Faces and Secrets

I have been needing a new camera for so long now and for my birthday Mitch got me one!  I am so happy!  So, I was just playing around and testing it out, and I was able to snap some pictures of the kids making funny faces together and telling each other "secrets".  They don't really say anything to each other, they just move their mouths to make it look like they're talking, and sometimes they might add in a slight whispering sound.  It is so cute.  Kayla picked this up a few days ago when I whispered in her ear that I loved her.

words, words... oh how we love words!

As some of you know, Kayla is having a really hard time learning to talk.  We have seen a hearing specialist, which is required before we are able to get her into a speech therapist, and the results for her right ear were inconclusive.  She failed all tests on her right ear, but that's because they think that there might be fluid in her ear.  We have to go back and re-do the testing once the fluid clears up... if fluid is actually the problem.  We'll see.
Anyway, every day is a struggle with her speech.  She usually whines and cries when she wants something and we have to tell her to use her words.  At that point we have to say whatever word she's looking for first, and then she tries to repeat it.  99% of the time this is a very frustrating event for anyone involved.  She so badly wants to talk and gets so frustrated that she just can't get the sounds out right.  We so badly want to help her but just don't know how.
Well this morning, instead of whining and crying for something to drink she just looked at me and said "drink".  I was in a little bit of shock, I must say.  Of course, it didn't come out sounding exactly like the word "drink" but it was close enough that we both knew it was "drink".  I made such a big deal about how proud I was and she got so excited!  That is the first time that she just came out with a request on her own without tears and without prompting for words.  It was amazing!
To make the morning even more exciting, when she was done with her french toast, instead of pointing and whining for more, she just looked at Mitch and said "more".  I observed this from the reflection in the bathroom mirror and I had to stop putting on my make-up to smile.  He was busy making coffee and wasn't really catching on, and I heard her keep saying "more".  He must have been in la-la land because I finally said to him, "listen to Kayla.  She's asking for more".  Then it was his turn to be in a little bit of shock.
A few minutes later, I was in the kitchen and she gave me her cup and said "more".  She wanted more milk.  I got her some and gave it to her and she said "thanks".  It was such an amazing morning! 
Maybe this is a turning point...

Spring or Winter? I'm Not Entirely Sure

So on Friday it was a beautiful day!  The sun was shining, the air was clear, and we wore short sleeves and summer dresses.  Being that it's Lent and it was Friday, there was no meat for us.  We went to a fish fry at our Church and had some yummy fish and chips with coleslaw and salad... and who couldn't forget the clam chowder and rolls.   We enjoyed some of that, too.  Mom, James, and Grandpa John met us there to join in the fun.  Afterwards, we had fun playing on the playground and then headed home to make s'mores.  It could not have been a better day.
Now, on to today.  It's Sunday and I woke up to snow so heavy and thick that it broke one of our tree branches.  What the heck?  Isn't it supposed to be Spring?  It was warm and raining when I went to bed last night, and I'm really curious at what point it got so freezing that we got snow dumped on us like it's December.  I don't get it.  So.... we made the best of it.  We all had naps and then woke up and played in the snow, followed by hot chocolate with marshmallows and nachos for dinner.
But you tell me... is it Spring or Winter?  I can't tell anymore.

Here are some pictures of Friday's events:

 Jaxton and Uncle Mark

 Grandpa James and Kayla, sharing a drink and good conversation

 Peek-a-Boo!

 Kayla and Great Grandpa John

 Daddy and Kayla

And here are some pictures of another day of snow:

Kayla doesn't quite know what to think.  She kept getting stuck while she tried to walk.

 In the very beginning of playtime Jaxton hit Kayla in the face with a snowball.  After that, anytime anyone bent down to touch the snow, Kayla would hide her face because she had it in her head that we were gonna hit her with snow.  I swear she spent more time doing this than actually playing.

 Here she is hiding again.  She cracks me up!



It's A Girl!!!

Well we had our ultrasound yesterday and it's a girl!  I'm so happy.  First and foremost, everything seems to be on track and healthy... thank goodness!  The ultrasound tech said that her heart looked really really good and strong, and she didn't see any problems anywhere else.  She weighs 10 oz and apparently that's big.  The ultrasound tech said that the average baby, at this point, usually weighs anywhere from 6-8 oz.  Secondly, as far as the gender, I know I would have been happy either way, but I was hoping for a girl.  I loved having a sister and I can't imagine baby Kayla being the only girl.  Jaxton kept denying that it was a girl at first, but now he seems to be getting used to the idea.  I don't really think that the ultrasound pictures were all that clear so I won't post them all.  The baby kept trying to turn over, so we couldn't really get a good profile of the face.  The best one that we have is a picture of her putting her hand on her forehead.  You can see her arm coming all the way up to her face and her hand is on her forehead.  Her legs are also bent and you can see a little foot almost touching her elbow. 

A boy or a girl?

Last night Jaxton and I were talking about whether the baby would be a boy or a girl.  I have my ultrasound later today and he's so excited to go with us... he swears that I'm having a boy.  I thought that we should have the conversation of "what if it's a girl?"  I would be so sad if his excitement turned to pure disappointment.  So I say to him... "what if it's a girl? Wouldn't that still be exciting?" 

Jaxton's response:  It's a boy Mommy
Me:  But what if it's a girl?
Jaxton:  It's not.  I told you it's a boy.
Me:  But if it's a girl, you'll still love it right?
Jaxton:  long pause...   Ughhh!  I guess I'll change her diapers.   All with a roll of the eyes.

Apparently, love to a 4 year old is changing diapers.

Magic Monkey Bananas!

We recently got a book from the library called "No More Cookies".  In the back of the book it gives a recipe for Magic Monkey Bananas, which are just chocolate covered bananas with sprinkles.  I have never made these before, but knew that they had to be put in the freezer for a period of time once they were covered in chocolate.  So since we are all home on Sunday nights, I thought it would be fun to make them for dessert.  Well... come Saturday, Mitch found out that he had to work on Sunday and was really disapointed about it.  We usually look forward to our Sundays since we are all home.  Anyway, Jaxton and I made the Magic Monkey Bananas and brought them to him at work.  He was so excited to sit down with us and share in the fun dessert, even though he had to work.  Jaxton could not have been more proud to bring Daddy a special treat!

Then we headed to Wal-Mart for diapers and I found the cutest little outfit for Kayla.  Geez, I can't wait for spring!



A Sweet Moment

The other day Kayla must've decided that she was tired.  She layed herself right down on the living room floor and just stayed there.  Jaxton saw this and layed down next to her and started rubbing her cheeks.  It was so cute.  I love the sweet moments...