Sassy 80's Baby!

I just love how she has her hand on her hip and she is actually keeping her sunglasses on (for once).

We had some fun with posing as you can see:

"No more pictures please"

After many attempts to get a picture with my eyes open and Sabrina smiling, this is what we came up with.

On another note. We went to the doctor the other day and I pointed out some little red dots on the side of Sabrina's face and neck. The Doctor then suggested that we run some full blood work (she just got some done 6 months ago for what I thought was required lead testing) so that we could check her platelet count and iron (she is low already but has been fine when I give her vitamins). I am bad when it comes to thinking first before I speak and said: "Oh well I have a low platelet count that dropped when I was pregnant with her." Oh course on hearing that she wad even more avid to get the blood work done.

When I went home I was of course not looking forward to getting her blood work done again, seeing as the last time it was such a traumatic experience for the both of us. Me not looking at her arm but being freaked out by the faces Reed was making at the phlebotomists taking her blood, and Sabrina screaming her head off while they tried to locate a vein and proceed to "fish around" for it. I got home and talked things over with Reed and realized that she had her blood work done when she was first born to check her platelet count and it was fine! I do not think anything would change since then, and the red spots are gone anyway so now I am debating getting it done at all. And also come to find out that the lead testing is not required.

I have such a hard time disputing doctors; especially nice ones, any suggestions?

It did not make matters any better that when we got home Sabrina got a bloody nose. So of course being already upset at the looming potential blood work, I was a little freaked when she got her first bloody nose.

Maybe she got too much yogurt up her nose from opting out of using a spoon and thinking it is much easier to just drink your food...

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mom's "39Th" Birthday! ... I will not reveal her age- she does not like me to say it :) Although she does not look her age at all!

Mom,

There are so many wonderful things I could say about you...but then everyone else would get jealous. But I just want to say how grateful I am to you for being such a wonderful Mother to me and all of us children. I feel so blessed to be able to be your daughter and one of your best friends. You have loved me with all of your heart and you sacrifice so much for all of us! I love you so much and I can't wait until I get to visit again!

Love,

Jen

PS- I hope you enjoy the pictures and they brighten your day.

"Spring, Spring, Spring"

I always think of that song from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers when Spring weather rolls around. (lets just hope it stays this time!) So here are some pictures from our adventures in the outdoors by our Apartments.

"You can't take it with you"

Yesterday I was thinking about preserving my "valuable" things in life- the expensive stuff. Which for some reason got me thinking of the scenario of what if there was a fire and I could only grab a few things. What would I take? I thought of course of the important documents like Birth certificates and social security cards, my wallet,scriptures....and diapers and food to hold us over. And then I thought of what if I could take multiple trips and get other stuff I wanted. And I realized very fast how many worldy posessions I would miss. This made me think of how I always say "It's just stuff. It's not important." But me considering wanting to go back and get all of our valuable items made me realize that I hold them higher than I keep telling myself. Technology and modern day appliances are wonderful inventions, but do I really need an ipod?

What my thoughts came down to is yeah I would miss my convenience items if such an event were to occur, but as long as I got out with my family and my faith still in tact everything would be alright!

These thoughts also came due to the fact that Reed's bike was stolen and then returned a few days later.( my mom spotted it while they were in town- by a tree near our apartment) We were upset since that is Reed's main transport to school so that we can save on gas, but after the first feelings of being upset and "how could someone just take it!" We both said "well its just stuff we will figure something out." I also lost my ipod that; I was fortunate enough to havein the first place, at my parent's house while I was visiting recently.

Thank you person who stole and then returned Reed's bike- we learned a valuable lesson...but we are also very grateful that you decided to give it back!

Our NOW locked up bikes- my bike of course was not stolen- either the person was a boy and it was too girly, there was only a need for one bike, or mine was not as expensive as Reed's. Why they returned it we don't know but either way we are glad it is back!

Finally Updated!

On March 28th I flew out for only 20$ to see my family in Maryland. I had a credit on my account with Air Tran so I decided to use it. The ticket was only about 75$ before my credit was applied- can't beat that. Then again I only flew one way.

While we were there unfortunately we got sick for 7 out of the 10 days we were there. Sabrina got the worst of it with a fever and diarrhea for 6 days! I ended up having to take her to the hospital there- which meant the ER because of the insurance we have. They said she was not dehydrated enough for an IV which was a relief- so they gave us a pedialyte and some Motrin and sent us on our way. At one point near the end I had been praying so hard for her to get better (Isn't it funny how we pray the hardest and most when we need something) and I had the feeling that she would be alright and I felt extreme peace, but of course continued to worry when she had been having diarrhea every 15 min to a half an hour- which went to every 3 hours while she was sleeping. Finally she slowed down not until she had pooped while I was in the process of changing her and of course it shot out all over my clothes! Luckily not on my face or I would have really freaked out. My prayers were answered and she eventually got better, after which the house was a much happier place and we did things everyday to make up for the lost time.

On the way back my Mom, Dad, Sabrina and I took our new traditional visit to Michigan to see my brother David and his wife Ellie and their 7 children. (Reed had school so he saddly could not come). My camera decided to die on me right when I got to MD so my pictures are limited. However, I used my Mom's camera for some fun pictures of the weekend before Easter Sunday in Michigan (those to come later).

Sabrina loved the time she got to spend with her 7 cousins! She went with Johnny and Nate downstairs and watched Backyardigans while they played with toys, and Her and Lydia (who is 2 and 1/2) were instant shadows of each other. Each wanting to do what the other was doing or of course wanting what the other one had. We went to the best mall I have ever been to! It has a huge play place where my dad and brother and neices and nephews played with Sabrina- it was a huge mall with ALL OUTLET stores! There were so many good stores! I could have spent all day in there, but of course kids can't play ALL day. We went through the Passover feast and got to see what some of the Jewish traditions are (very educational). We dyed Easter eggs- or for Sabrina it was basically throwing the egg into the dye and then taking it out again. Then the next morning we had an Easter egg hunt which Sabrina loved! She just toted aroung a basket and put the eggs in that we pointed out to her- if she did not find them herself (pics of that to come). She started to cry/scream when we left their house. We all enjoyed the time spent there.

After that we drove down to Cincinnati where I met up with Reed again and we stayed with Reed's parents. Sabrina got a cute easter bag there with treats that she immediately wanted to eat of course.

Easter is such a wonderful time to reflect on the life of or Savior Jesus Christ! I am so grateful to Him for his example in life and His loving sacfice for our sins and the glorious ressurection that allowed us to be someday ressurected as well

We had a spectacular Easter dinner (Eva your talent never ceases to amaze me!) with some friends of ours the Taylor family who live in Cincinnati- my parents and Brother Jim and his wife Patty and their 3 kids were there as well- and we ended the delicious dinner and great evening with a traditional game of Balderdash in which we got to create our own use of words like "croach" oh there were some funny definitions for that one! And they were all clean too!

The following monday we had a fun filled day at the Museum where we played in water and sand and climed all over the place in the Children's section.

When my Mom and Dad dropped us off on their way back to MD Sabrina was definately not happy. It is sad to have to leave family twice in one week.

Now we are back in home where we are slowly getting back to a routine again. Her sleep schedule is so messed up now! Not to mention she is sick again and currently has a temperature of 104! I cannot wait for the warm weather and for all of these sicknesses to be over with. I hate seeing Sabrina sick. It will end soon...and then there will be next cold season :)

I hope this note finds everyone well! And if I don't procrastinate there will be another blog post soon with more pictures! Until then these will have to hold you over.

We went to the zoo in Cincinnati before we left for MD.

Watching what I am sure was The Waltons and scarfing down popcorn and juice. Such a good show!

Looking snazzy in Grandma's reading glasses! Sorry the image is blurry- she would not stand still long enough for me to get a good picture.

She got into my makeup and proceeded to put the mascara on her eye. She is so savy on makeup already!
My poor sick baby and sleepy hubby. Sabrina loves to put her hand down shirts for comfort, even daddy's.

Obvious Troubles with Blogging!

Recently I decided to catch up on Blogging and actually POST SOMETHING! However my brilliant idea to catch up on a whole 15 months of life-shown in pictures for Sabrina- has been coming VERY slowly. My pictures keep getting all mixed around with the words I post with them. Anyone have any suggestions so to how to fix this? In the meantime while I figure it out, here is a semi-current picture of Sabrina.