Happy Birthday Channing... The Sick Week!

On the official big day, she was the sickest of all (had croup the entire first week of school).  Her fever had started monday, got worse on Tuesday, and by Wed. she couldn't get off the couch all day.  She tried to get excited about presents, and even gave her famous one arm shoot up, but that was all she had in her.  I felt so bad for her, and so many people called to sing to her and to tell her happy b-day, but she couldn't even talk.  That afternoon she got up for about an hour and we played with her american girl paper dolls. By Thursday, she was a little better, although not well enough to go to school.  By about 3pm she perked up and wanted to help snap green beans, and play a little.  By Friday she was able to go to school, and I brought cupcakes up for her little class b-day party.  Unfortunately that was all she was able to do, and last night (Friday) she fell asleep at 6pm and has not been up since.  This has really taken a toll on her
:( !

Mornings With Maddox

I've been really thinking a lot lately about just getting shots of my family doing things they enjoy on a daily basis.  My mom will tell me all these stories about things we did when I was a baby or a young child, and of course there are some pictures, but I wish I could actually see us doing more of those things.  Sometimes you choose what to remember, and sometimes you forget some of the best things because you're so focused on the not so good.  I find myself attracted to a kind of grungy, 70's look because I can imagine that was kind of what my mom and dad were like back then (even though I was actually born in 1980).  I like the way those pictures look from back then..... and pictures like this of me with my kids make me feel nostalgic.
I wanted to document my mornings with Maddox because I love them so much (even if they do start earlier than I would like!).  He has started waking up about 6:00am most days, and he is such a happy, little camper.  He loves to play, loves his bottle and cereal, and loves his floor time.  This particular morning I laid him in his bed to play a while while I put up all of his laundry.  He just kicked around and laughed.  Made me have to go grab my camera!

Precious Baby Harper (my perfect niece)

Finally blogging about Ms. Harper.  She is welcomed into this world by a big happy family, 3 sisters, a brother, and an awesome mom and dad!   Her siblings weren't home the weekend I went in to do these, so I hope I can get some of the entire family soon!  My sister has become such a fabulous person and mom, and I am so proud of her!

Channing Going to Kindergarten!

I have held off as long as I possibly could, and now it is officially time for Channing to start Kindergarten.  I am not sure exactly how I feel about it.... I know she is ready, and I think giving her (and myself) the extra year was definitely the best decision.  I feel like she has grown so much socially and emotionally over the past year, and I am really excited about the school district we are in.  I feel very confident in the teachers, facilities, etc.... as far as I know, anyway.   Channing is nervous, but excited, to go.  She is coming along with her reading, is super independent with everyday tasks (tying shoes, picking up after herself, following directions, using manners), and all of that good stuff.  I feel that my main job is to be sure she gets plenty of rest, because when she doesn't, that is the only time we have problems.  The other big job I am going to have is keeping up with this new schedule.  I know it sounds crazy for a 6 year old, but she has soccer practice 2x week, drill team practice and games every week, and not to mention various school activities and PTA meetings I need to keep up with.  A far cry from getting up in the morning, sitting around sipping coffee, and wearing pj's half the day.  It feels as though our simple, lazy life is rapidly changing.  I'm sure it will be great.... just taking some getting used to.   I've been looking for more excuses to get dressed anyway!
August 19th: Meet the Teacher
At 6:00 we had "Meet the teacher", which really gave me butterflies.  I guess because we are so new to town, and obviously new to kindergarten, it just seemed like a big deal.  Gracie was in town, so she went with us, and Channing felt cool having the big girl to walk with!  We got a great teacher (of course, what do I know.... any of them would have been great at this point.  ignorance is bliss!).  She quickly realized she knew 2 boys in her class from pre-k and that's just about it.  No girls at all.  But, maybe that's a good thing.  Maybe it will help her meet even more new people, as being alone usually forces you to do.  Anyway, seeing her nervous little face breaks my heart, even though I know deep down she will be fine.  I just know how that feeling of being stranger sets in your stomach and just makes you feel a little sick and uncomfortable, and I can feel her pain.  But at the same time, the class room is cute and organized, and the teacher is full of energy, and I know she is really going to love it once she gets in the groove.
August 20th: Birthday Party (which was awesome!  see previous post!)
August 21st: Took Jade home, did some shopping, got ready for SCHOOL the next day!
August 22nd: Woke up a little SICK.... YUCK!  Seemed warm and I could tell she didn't feel her best, but thought she maybe would get over it after she got going.  She begged me to take her to school, and since school only goes until 11am this week, I didn't want her to miss.  I picked her up at 11am, and she was sitting out front with her class, and when they called her name she walked to the car like such a big girl.  This is all so bittersweet to me!   Anyway, she seemed to feel okay, said she had an awesome time at school, but as the day went on, she got worse and worse.
August 23rd: Sick as a dog.  103 fever, sore throat, very lethargic.  Took her to the doctor.  Maybe strep, but test was negative.  Went ahead and started anti-biotics.
August 24th: Happy Birthday Channing!  So sorry I have to take you back to the doctor, and also to get chest x-rays because the doctor is worried you have pneumonia.  Luckily, it wasn't pneumonia , but they do think she has croup.  Finally about 3:00 today her fever broke and hasn't been back since.  But, she still can't talk, and has wheezing spells that panic her.  She is in bed with us so we can help her if she wakes up unable to breath.  What an awful way for her to spend her birthday, but it could always be worse.....

Dear Channing,
Thank you for being such a sweet, brave girl.  For walking into a new a brand new school, with a room full of brand new people, and making the most out of it and not complaining.  For being you every day, for knowing how you want to dress, what you want to do, and how to be your own person.  Thank you for hugging me, smiling at me, and making me remember everyday how lucky I am to have such an awesome family.  For being sick and feeling absolutely terrible, and still smiling at our baby brother and trying to comfort him when he cries.  For missing Jaxson (who I miss too because he's been gone all week), and saying that you just want your "bro-bro" to come home.  We all love you soooo much!

Channing's 6th Birthday Party!

Kind of the finish to our fast, fun summer.  A cute little tea party at Cachette was absolutely perfect, and I think Miss Channing had a blast!  We had the party from 10-12, and we played a couple of games, the girls made a necklace, we had tea, lemonade, sandwiches, scones, and cupcakes.  Channing loves zebra, so that was our accent color.  Gracie and Jade came to spend the weekend with us, so that was an extra treat.  More in the next post on Channing heading the Kinder!!