It is amazing how they bounce back...

It is amazing how they bounce back, last night she didn't feel so hot and now she's doing flips onto the fold out couch... luckily between throwing up bouts - which have been days apart she's been okay so she's enjoyed the vacation:-) Eva has a few more spots but doesn't seem to have any of the more serious effects - but we are watching. Okay going to breakfast soon, get Grace some bacon and eggs:-)

The BRAT diet...

Grace threw up again, and then tonight she had totally liquid diarrhea. She's not had any peanut butter (there has been a recall for salmonella). Matt thinks it's the milk/milk products so we're not going to let her have any more milk items... bacon and eggs seem to do okay. We've been doing the BRAT diet - Banana Rice Applesauce Toast, that's supposed to be good for both ends – although she only eats the banana and toast:-) Maybe she’s not really a brat (ha ha ha).

Seriously???

Grace just threw up again - she had pizza like an hour ago, Matt thinks maybe it's their milk products? Who knows!

Snow vs. Sand...

Matt's mom wrote to say,

This morning we have 9 inches of snow and have a snow warning today until noon. It is still snowing heavy expected to stop around noon. Expect around 2 more inches. Chance of more snow Thursday and Friday. NO snow expected Sat. or Sunday. Chance of snow again Monday. All schools closed. IU is even closed until at least noon today. Of course I am not taking Kim in today.

I'm sure I don't have to say this but we are SO GLAD WE ARE HERE!!!

Could it be the milk???

Not sure if Grace was not over what she had or what… Matt thinks maybe it was the milk she drank? But this morning she drank her milk (skim) which I practically insisted on, she’s had almost nothing to eat the entire time we’ve been here. Well I then felt awful b/c she threw up! Grace wants to go back and do the Activities again, I feel so bad saying no, but I don’t want to get anyone else sick… we're letting her eat right now (she says she wants BACON) and then I guess we'll see what happens... I hope it was the milk and not the stomach virus. Grace has had so much fun playing all day that every night at dinner she crashes and sleeps through dinner:-) Eva has been awake for all but one dinner so far, but it's funny b/c she gets so MAD when Grace goes to sleep in HER stroller:-)

Matt had so much fun fishing - caught 13 fish, like 35 pounds of fish! We were going to have it cooked down here but now he's thinking about having it sent home and have a party or serve it at cards...

Activites...

Grace's friend Amy went home, but Grace wanted to go do the Activities again... so I went over w/ her to make sure she was okay... no one had signed up - but I asked Grace if she was sure she still wanted to stay... you know Grace she'd already made friends w/ the teacher (who was young and fun) but she said she wanted to stay. This is the first year she's been able to participate b/c you have to be 4 to do them.

I think another little girl joined late but they made a pinata, fed the fish, made bracelets and bubbles and then played games on the beach.

Just another day in paradise...

Grace seems to be doing a lot better, didn't get sick at all yesterday and slept pretty good. Eva and I are out on the patio right now, just approaching 7:00 a.m. here, Grace got up once last night but is still asleep now. She fell asleep at dinner last night, poor thing and she loves going out to dinner - she's such a social butterfly, as you know:-)

Matt drove into Hacienda yesterday to talk to Jeff Olds, we'd tried emailing and sending text messages, and Matt tried calling their room but they weren't ever in... he found them poolside and they hadn't gotten any of the messages. But they are planning on going fishing Tuesday morning; I think Matt is looking forward to going. Maybe this year they will catch something we can eat:-) Derrick a friend from down here went fishing and caught so much he had enough for extra for like 16 of us! The restaurant here at the condo cooked it all and it was very good. One of the other guys brought fresh shrimp that he bought off a shrimp boat - Matt said it was super good! I think he was shocked at the difference from back home.

Just another day in paradise...

Grace seems to be doing a lot better, didn't get sick at all yesterday and slept pretty good. Eva and I are out on the patio right now, just approaching 7:00 a.m. here, Grace got up once last night but is still asleep now. She fell asleep at dinner last night, poor thing and she loves going out to dinner - she's such a social butterfly, as you know:-)

Matt drove into Hacienda yesterday to talk to Jeff Olds, we'd tried emailing and sending text messages, and Matt tried calling their room but they weren't ever in... he found them poolside and they hadn't gotten any of the messages. But they are planning on going fishing Tuesday morning; I think Matt is looking forward to going. Maybe this year they will catch something we can eat:-) Derrick a friend from down here went fishing and caught so much he had enough for extra for like 16 of us! The restaurant here at the condo cooked it all and it was very good. One of the other guys brought fresh shrimp that he bought off a shrimp boat - Matt said it was super good! I think he was shocked at the difference from back home.

A better day?

Well Grace got up at 4:30 a.m. and was hungry and thirsty - she had Gatorade and pretzels... drank it much faster than I wanted her too. Then laid down and watched Hannah Montana on the DVD player. Then got up at 5:45 a.m. asking for more to drink, I’d said let’s wait b/c I didn’t want her to get sick, but she grabbed Eva's orange juice and w/in minutes threw up everywhere. I hope or think it was b/c of the orange juice - she's not supposed to drink anything like that. Since then she's been fine had cheerios and Gatorade.

Tons of fun, but...

Today was great – the girls both had so much fun. Grace made a friend at the pool, Amy – who was 11. Just walked right up to her, “Hi, I’m Grace… want to play w/ me?” It worked b/c off they went. Amy asked if Grace could participate in the Condo sponsored “Activities” they had so much fun! Doing a treasure hunt on the beach, and tons of other activities… however, right at the end Grace threw up. We thought she just had too much sun, sweet thing to drink, and no nap... but she's thrown up at least 7-8 times. She can't keep anything down, not even ice chips - poor thing! She doesn't have a temp - or at least right now she doesn't. I don't it could be something she ate b/c we've all shared meals... Eva, Matt or I ate it w/ her... I emailed Jess b/c I know she wrote and said Ella didn't go to Brenda's on Friday the 23rd (the day we flew down) b/c she was throwing up but I don't know how long, etc... I know there has been a 24hr bug going around. Thankfully she's asleep right now, but earlier woke up to throw up. She's so worried about not getting to go to the pool... poor thing! I hope she is feeling better tomorrow.

The weather has been AMAZING... especially considering the last few years. Mom, Dad, Rob, Sunni, George and Jimmy went out for dinner, we thought we could go but after the second throw-up we knew that wasn't happening. Eva's sitting next to me eating chicken nuggets - I'm so happy she likes the beach and the pool this year, last year she wouldn't even touch the sand.

Mexico a second home...

Tonight we all went out to dinner - Eva was playing "peek-a-boo" in the car and was all wound up and then like 2 minutes before we got there fell asleep and slept through dinner - moving her, and putting her to bed when we got home. She selept in her clothes!

Then Grace played and colored all through dinner and then like 10 minutes before we left she fell asleep and also never woke up - well I say never, she woke up at 4:30 and got in bed w/ Nanni and Poppy! We share the condo w/ them till Monday when ours becomes available.We're getting ready to run to Walmart to get Eva chicken nuggets:-)

Both girls can't wait to get outside to the pool/beach!

Our flight to Mexico...

Our flight was good; the new Indy airport is AWESOME! We left Indy super early (I thik our flight was at 6:00 a.m. – so we left the house around 3:00 a.m.!!!!) but everything went well. Bill at Linnies Bakery – our second home:-) told Matt to stop on his way out of town and we did – it was GREAT, he had little bags of donuts all made up for each one of us! We were in love at the airport, we weren’t stuck eating airport food – we were all munching away on our donuts! Both Grace & Eva had little bags full of donut holes – it was wonderful!

We got into Cabo almost an hour early, luckily Dad was there early we only waited like 15 minutes for him. When we got there Grace got in the pool and swam w/ her life jacket on and Eva loves the beach and the ocean - she's not bothered by he sand at all this time.

News from Vickie…

Hey Christy - Dr. Rees said it is (Henoch-Schonlein purpura ) fragile capillaries due to infection (strep) or other infection. He said Eva should have extra Vitamin C -- lots of juice with Vitamin C. And nothing constrictive on her arms or legs.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Okay so Eva had this minor rash, and I’d noticed that it seemed like when the rash disappeared a small bruise was left behind… odd, I know but nothing too strange. Well after Eva started to get a diaper rash, Matt & I thought we should probably pop in and have the doctor check the rash, her diaper area and give her ears a once over before flying. Matt got an appointment for 11:30 a.m., at 12:30 p.m. he called me at work in near panic – oh wait, that was me – Matt was deadly calm… which is very scary by itself. But the news he was telling me was even scarier! Eva has HSP -- Henoch-Schonlein purpura it’s a virus that often follows a respitory infection or exposure to strep, but can have irreversible kidney damage. Of course I was freaking out – this is my B A B Y we’re talking about… And to make it worse, they wanted to draw her blood! Matt was taking her to get her blood drawn, and I went tearing out of the office rushing to get home to her & Matt.

I called my parents in Mexico to get a better idea of the hospital and doctor situation down there, and was somewhat reassured b/c there is an American Hospital w/ a Trama 3 unit – they speak English and the condo has doctors on call that will come to the room. Nice, but is it enough? After at least 5 phone calls w/ not just the doctor’s office but Dr. Paula I started to feel better. They reviewed Eva’s labs and said for now she was okay – but it was early. Dr. Paula said she felt okay to let Eva go (which wasn’t what she’d told Matt only hours earlier) but after knowing the hospital/doctor availability I think she felt better. She provided a steroid script and we had it filled in case Eva had any bleeding – if that were to occur we’d start the steroid and fly back IMMEDIATELY.

I have to wonder two years in a row w/ near vacation misses – are we destined to go to Cabo?? I want to say YES!!!! But I’m starting to wonder;-)

Note from Miss Rhonda Grace’s Preschool teacher…

Mrs. Lux,

Grace did mention it, but she seemed alright. I'm sure she will have lots of questions.......She told me you are getting her a blanket with a picture of Grace and the dog she says she can't wait! Sorry for your loss I know its hard animals bring so much love to you heart!

Miss Rhonda

The girls first time bowling...

Rick & Vickie had invited us to go bowling w/ them last night but I didn't mention it to the girls just in case - but the day had gone pretty well (and I was desperate for them to take a nap! That seemed to be the only thing that convinced Eva a nap was worthwhile!) So after dinner we met - Andrea/Dan, Kevin/Brittany, Rick/Vickie and Wilson/Heather at the bowling alley. It was so much fun! Neither of the girls had ever been bowling before, but Grace was actually really good! I would love to say it was b/c she had bumpers but for our ("the girl" lane) lane, everyone had bumpers and Grace scored at least as well as I did - maybe b/c she had Eva helping her:-)

For most of her bowls, Brittany (sometimes Andrea) would go up w/ her & Eva and help them roll the ball. Brittany & Grace got pretty good mastering the art of bowling alley "lay-up's", essentially using the bumper to bounce a perfect strike off of! Eva was so CUTE when she would go out and help, as soon as she was finished she would yell, "Mom, Mom, Mom" wanting me to see what a good job she did - and then every time she would come running (taking teeny-tiny steps, but going very fast) to give me a double high five! She must have seen us being silly giving each other exaggerated high fives, b/c then she had to do the same thing....

I love how she mimics Grace, and Grace is so good w/ her always taking the time to help her, show her, share what she's doing. Not once the entire time did Grace get upset or mad that Eva wanted to bowl w/ her ball, she would squat down and show her how she rolled it. Makes me very proud of her - she has such a sweet heart!

An evening at Rick & Vickie's...

Tonight Andrea & Dan were in town and stopped by to visit... when Matt heard Vickie was making lasagna he finagled an invite:-) So we all headed over to Rick & Vickie's (w/ chicken nuggets in hand for the girls); we had so much fun! Andrea had brought home her (and Dan's) golden retriever - Jake. Grace was in LOVE! Jake would go nuts chasing the light off a flashlight, both girls thought this was the neatest thing ever:-) Although I think Eva might have been more interested in silently stalking their cat, Tiger.

Eva was cute, when Jake was out on the patio she would go to the glass and play peek-a-boo w/ him... no clue we were all watching her:-) She'd look at him and say "boo!" smiling, it was so sweet! When we finally left (b/c we did stay pretty late) Grace was already begging to go back, she wanted Andrea to come have a sleep over w/ her:-)

Whew! She's very determined...

I can't get over how HARD HEADED Eva is - wow.... and I thought Daddy was hard headed, but whew! Eva tops us all, in her shear determination alone. If she wants something - or generally - someone (ME) nothing is going to stop her, and those who try will be forced to listen to her scream and cry until she gets what she wants.

Last night, Eva kept crying every time I laid her down in her crib... which I'd wait until I thought she was asleep, but the minute I started to lay her down - her eyes pop open and she starts clinging to me. I was hoping Matt might be able to help, but he was working on the cable in the basement (which was for me) so I decided I'd just take Eva to bed w/ me. Here is where it all went wrong... I mean, no one sets out to make a bad decision, but looking back you always know the wrong turn. For me it was here... so Eva is in bed w/ me, all grins. In comes Daddy who offered to help, took Eva to rock her -- this was followed by S C R E A M I N G. Eva was quickly returned to me, w/ the comment "she's a brat" (Matt later clarified this statement say's she's not a brat but has a very strong will!) So back to where we started Eva & I in bed... where Eva slept apparently pretty well, and I got ZERO sleep!

I was either comforting her while she cried out in her sleep. Or ensuring that she wasn't falling out of the bed.... she turned in circles all night long. So when I wasn't worried about her falling out, I was trying to breath w/ her toes in between my ribs.... ugh!

I'm hoping tonight goes better. And someday Eva when you look back and read this, know you've always been "strong willed" :-)

Note from Brenda....

Note from Brenda, I LOVE getting these! Makes me feel a little closer to the girls when I'm stuck at work:-)

"Eva walked in this morning and had a headband in. She wanted me to notice it right away. She kept it in for a while and then put it on the desk where Grace always puts hers. I just love how she has to be just like Grace. It is so cute."

Let her heal...

Grace is so cute. Tonight she brought me one of her little Cinderella dolls b/c Cinderella's hair was coming lose from her head. I was rocking Eva for bed, so I told her we'd have to see if Daddy could fix her. Grace said, "It's okay Mommy. I'll lay Cinderella here (on her desk) so she can heal." Isn't that SWEET!!! Got to love Gracie - she has a heart of gold:-)

A play date w/ Emma...

Today after Sunday school & church Matt & Grace headed to Rushville to pick up Emma:-) Grace has been dying for Emma to come play for the day (she would love for her to spend the night too - but Emma's not sure she's up for that yet. The last time she spent the night I guess Grace talked nearly all night!) Considering the girls are three years apart it's amazing how well they get along. They played upstairs in the play room nearly all day w/out a peep out of them! The only time you heard them say much of anything was when Eva would interrupt them, generally trying to destroy something, then I would hear "Mom! Eva's trying to... fill in the blank." But otherwise they had a GREAT time playing house, dress-up, w/ the Barbie's - you name it and they did it. And for little people they even did a good job cleaning up!

Potty talk...

Today Grace informed me, "Mommy, you know if you don't do a good job wiping after you potty - you'll end up w/ a pee-pee that looks like a boy." So trying to keep a straight face, I said, "Really? What makes you think that? Did someone tell you that?" And Grace, then says, "No, it's just something I know."

I later that evening told Poppy - he said he'd always wondered how he ended up that way:-)

South Riley Hallway...

I started working w/ Grace last night to teach her our address... we hadn't worked on it much in the past since she's had four addresses, but since this one should stick thought we'd better work on it. So last night I'd say the address, and she would repeat it - well she'd sort of repeat it... she could remember the "Riley" part b/c of our dog and Riley and Brenda's but she couldn't get Highway - she'd say South Riley Hallway:-) I tried giving her the tip of waving hi - hi-way but that only stuck the first time, for now if she's lost she'll tell them she lives in a hallway:-)

A New Year a New Room??

Okay so we've been sleeping at the new house since 12/22/08 and Grace has done a pretty good job about sleeping in her room. Her room is the room w/ the two cute little twin beds, that we had been planning on letting them share. I know share, but this is what Grace SAID she wanted... otherwise I might have gotten her a queen sized bed. But after a night or two she wanted to switch from the bed near the window to the other bed, when I said no that would be Eva's bed soon she said, "No Eva's bed is in the other room". News to me!

We have the other bedroom set up w/ Eva's crib and the bedroom suite they previously had. I had initially thought Grace might insist on sleeping in the same room w/ Eva since they were used to doing this, that is until Eva was able to sleep in a big girl bed. But no, Grace wanted her own room now.

So Grace has been sleeping in her room for the last two weeks w/ Eva in the other room. Eva's a relatively good sleeper so I wasn't too worried. But tonight, Grace said she wanted to sleep in the SAME room - in Eva's room w/ her b/c she's "scared". Rather than argue with her I said, that was fine - but we watched what I wanted on TV while I rocked Eva and NO TALKING;-) Grace agreed, hopped up in bed happily, while Eva burst into tears saying "my bed, my bed". She doesn't talk much, so it was a little shocking that she was so upset. I reassured her repeatedly that Grace would not be in her bed but right next to her, she either gave in b/c she was so tired or decided it was a losing battle b/c she finally fell asleep.

Grace on the other hand didn't go to sleep so quickly... I was watching The Bachelor and Grace kept whispering to me about the show. I said, "Grace - sshhhh you have to be quiet." Grace informed me, "I am quiet, I whispered!" Which she did, so I had to say, please no whispering:-) Grace then informed me, "I'll just leave one eye open so I can see the girls in their pretty dresses." She's so sweet and kind hearted, who could ever be mad at her long:-)

Our First Party @ the New House

Tonight we had our first real gathering at the new house - minus a holiday like Christmas or New Years. So Mexican night:-) Rick, Vickie, Brittany, Kevin, Rob, Mom & Dad and Jim all came over. It was a GREAT evening. The girls LOVE playing w/ Brittany and Kevin! Brittany had them riding on her back around the living room, it was great - it makes me laugh just thinking about them. She tried to teach Grace how to do the Hannah Montana wii game, Grace still doesn't have the hang of it, but it's fun to watch another grown-up dance to Hannah Montana... normally it's just me looking silly!

Grace wasn't super interested in the wii High School Musical game... you sing to the songs, but little Eva was rocking it out w/ Poppy. I mean seriously look at her holding the mic, I think there might be some real potential there!

Later in the evening, Grace was talking to Jim (which can never be a good thing!) Grace informed Jim that "if you pick your nose you could end up w/ worms in your poop" something Brenda told her:-) Jim w/out missing a beat agreed and said, "yeah, I did that when I was younger got a fungus under my nails and had to get a SHOT to get rid of it". So of course Grace has been sharing this info w/ anyone who will listen!

Jim must have enjoyed talking to Grace b/c I'm still shocked he knew the entire story but he told Grace (and Eva - who was unaffected) the entire story of Peter & the Wolf. Grace stood looking up -- not talking (I know shocking!) listening intently. Looking back we should have handed Jim a drink and drug him away b/c Grace was then terrified of the WOLF, go figure!