Kegan's New Tricks

Today I got off of work early.....whooo-hooo! I always beg and plead to leave early. I miss Kegan so much during the day. Imagine if I didn't like my job? Madison got off of work a little earlier too, so we just hung out and played with Kegan. Her and her Dad practiced rythm by clapping to the songs from her toy.

Kegan and I then practiced saying "Thank You". I am teaching her to sign it, but I think she'll get the verbal part down first. She is really trying. And the nerve, no "Mama" yet. Great with "Dada" of course. Even if she won't say my name at least she will be polite about it by saying "Thank You"!

This is Kegan being silly

My little bright eyes!

Kegan is sick again. The ear tubes haven't been a miracle yet. She has had a snotty nose since our hurricaine guests left and her ears have drained constantly. She has been on antobiotic ear drops for 2 weeks with no relief. Good news though, she now likes to take Dimetapp. It was really rough with a constantly snotty kid who refused Dimetapp. What kid doesn't like grape???So a perk of working with doctors is that I ran into her ENT today and he prescribed her an oral antibiotic so we can see if we can get rid of the snotts. Wish us luck!

Kegan is also trying to master walking. She cruises well along furniture, toys, people, whatever she can get her hands on. She also does really well holding on with both her hands, but this is her practicing with only one hand. Needs a lot of work, but at the rate she has been going, I'm sure she'll have it down by this weekend. We'll get lots of practice tomorrow. I have the day off.

We've also installed one cabinet lock so far. Madison struggled through one and never made it any further, but as you can see it works well.

A Relaxing Sunday with the Family

Today was a great day for us. We started the day out with a 7am run. Madison ran 10 miles and Kegan and I hung back for a leisurely run just the two of us. It was a bit nippy out, almost considered wrapping Kegan in a blanket, but figured she'd have it off in a few minutes. She actually stayed awake for most of the run, only falling asleep on the way back when I took it offroad on the rock path. Ava, please note in the picture, Kegan is keeping a close eye on your rattle. I almost wonder if she hid it on purpose before you guys left to return home. Kegan with Ava's rattle

While Jen was here a few weeks back, we spent a lot of time on ebay looking at kids clothes (we couldn't help ourselves). Jen found some really cute coats, and I ended up buying one for Kegan. Gaygay, this one is for you. You will love it. I've been promising pictures of Kegan in it, but she's been so moody lately with being sick and all, I haven't gotten any untill today.

My little passie girl

Hey, why did you take that Mom?

Looks like a normal coat so far!

Check out her sweet new kicks!

Oh, my! Kegan's been swallowed by a flower!!!

This is embarassing, I'm outta here!

Thank you Mommy for taking that hot thing off! Check out my horsey in the pocket....cute!

Kegan the Hippie

Sorry no blogging for a while. We have all been deathly ill.....not really, that is exaggerating a tiny bit! Kegan just keeps on bringing these horrible viruses home from daycare and our immune systems just aren't up to fighting them. Last week she shared one that made it to her Paran Aaron, and he then passed it around at work. It even caused us to take Kegan to the after hours clinic for the first time Tuesday night. She was screaming her head off at us and wouldn't take her bottle. I was scared because it was so unlike her. Suppose I should feel fortunate that this was the first time we have experienced that.

So today, we are all finally better-ish and we just hung out. Kegan had a breakfast of only table food this morning with us. She is getting so big. She shared sausage, eggs, and biscuit with me and Daddy. Even did well with the sausage. After breakfast we headed out to Southlake Town Center for some shopping. We were hunting real shoes for Kegan since she is about to walk. The Target cheapies aren't cutting it anymore. They hurt her feet and she won't even stand in them. We found 2 pairs of shoes and a bunch of clothes of course. A big bonus was that Aunt Sherry joined us for lunch and helped us find our way around. She even bought Kegan a darling little dress. It is in the wash now so she can wear it soon. (Thanks so much Aunt Sherry!!!) We had a great time shopping and visiting. Kegan did relatively well, especially since Madison and I forgot to pack her lunch. Left it on the counter at home. We tried to wing it only to find out she is not a fan of the PB&J we bought her. Maybe in time cause what kid doesn't like PB&J, I mean except for me. All-in-all a good day. Can't wait until tomorrow so we can hang out some more. We'll try to remember to take some more pictures.

The Hippie Child

Kegan jammin out!

What you talking bout Willlis?

Hurricane Gustav and our visitors

It's been a while since I've posted. Things have been a little out of sorts to say the least. My Mom, Mom's parents, and my sister along with her family all evacuated here for hurricane Gustav last Saturday. While I've enjoyed the unplanned family time, it has really been hard on them. They keep worrying about imposing on us, but it is the least we can do. They are the ones suffering with their homes in disarray, unable to return there, because after a week, they still don't have power. Most of the men are back there trying to begin the repair process as well as they can. Food, gas, and supplies are scarce with few stores open. Those that do open have limited supplies and operating hours. All of the damage is mostly from the wind. Roofs messed up pretty bad with some water damage, but no flooding.

On the brighter side, Nana has had much quality time with both her girls. It has also been so great for Kegan to spend time with Ava. They are really cute together. they are so jealous of each other when Nana is around. She can't hold one without the other, but don't think she minds for a bit. She loves the attention from those little rascals.

Proud Nana and her girls!

After a week of being stranded at my house, we decided to give Evan a break and head to Six Flags for the day. It was Kegan's first trip there. She did so good. We were so proud of Evan. He went on the Tony Hawk ride and Judge Roy Scream. He has a history of being a little chicken when it comes to rollercoasters. Happy Birthday Kirk!!!!! We are so sorry to have such a good time on your birthday while you are stuck without electricity for the 3rd day since you've been home. We really were thinking about you. Thank you for being such a great Dad and husband and protecting and repairing the homestead for Jen.

Kegan happy to be at Six Flags!

She passed out for her morning nap shortly after we arrived. Note the left leg over the side. She gets that from me and her Pawpa! We can't sit straight, it's obviously genetic.

Evan and Jen riding on the Batman jets

Kegan checking things out on the train. Kegan really enjoyed the train ride in the park. It is a real train, noises and all. We sat just in front of the conductor, so Kegan had a great time watching him and waving at him. She stood up the entire time checking everything out.

Kegan and Daddy being silly at the train depot. You can see the conductor in the background letting people on and off the train.

Daddy stealing sugars before the train left the depot.

Crawling around with Mom on the train.

Oh my! That train whistle is loud!!!!

It was hot, we were tired and sweaty, so about 4 or so, we called it a day. It was some Texas festival something or another, at Six Flags and they had hometown vendors set up everywhere selling their little mom-n-pop stuff. Just outside the entrance we came across someone selling kettle corn and had to stop. Next door to that booth, was a man selling little pine children's and baby doll furniture. We came across this little swing and just had to get it for the girls. Aren't they so cute in it!?

Kegan and Ava sharing the swing.....well, sort of!

We also got this little wagon (you can see part of it at the bottom of the picture). It has a leather pull string and works well for pulling blocks and other toys around. Ava has tested it out for it's pull-ability and it works great. Kegan is still a little small for that, but will be there soon.

Had to throw this picture in because it is so darn cute. Kegan sort of reminds me of this.....

Kegan's surgery

This morning was Kegan's surgery. Since she was the youngest patient of both doctors today, she got to go first. Great for us since we didn't want to deal with the hungry beast any longer than we had to. Kegan usually gets up about 5:30ish most days, so since her surgery was for 6:45, it wasn't too bad. We just had to make sure Daddy kept her in his arms before surgery so she wasn't tempted to nurse. She got to wear this really cool gown and even got to pick her flavor for her anesthesia mask.

Check out this fashionable purple gown

Daddy playing steal the passie

Ha, I won!

The surgery was relatively fast. About an hour or so, felt like an eternity to me. I was just about to start freaking out when the second doctor came out to talk to us and I was relieved to know that they were done. They called us back to be with her after the breathing tube was out. She was still very sleepy. The wakeup was kind of hard. 45 minutes of uncontrollable screaming and crying. That also felt like an eternity. She eventually woke up. Was pretty frustrated to find that her sucking thumb had been taped down with her IV, but it did have a handy injection port that was a pretty good substitute to suck on. By 9:30 we were on our way home. Kegan was all smiles waving to everyone as we walked through the hospital. Aaaah, almost back to normal. We are now home. I am amazed at how much better she is hearing. Guess we never knew any different, but she reacts to every little thing. Hope that one doesn't bite us in the butt! She is playing and getting into things as usual, just napping a bit more. She looks normal except for a little bloody drainage from her nose from the tear duct stent. She is enjoying the sound of her voice. A lot more chatty.

Kegan waving, but not looking at Daddy taking the picture Kegan really was happy, I swear

check out those chompers

Today Kegan went to the doctor for her 9 month check-up. She has ear infections....imagine that. Guess antibiotics quit working after a month. She's been on Omnicef continuously waiting to get her tubes. Good news though, she is getting ear tubes tomorrow morning so hopefully this will be the last for a long time. It has gotten to where I hardly notice when she has them. I'm curious to see if it'll change the way she acts any. She is really still a super happy baby, sick and all. She is getting a tear duct stent too in her right eye. It'll be a 2 for 1 special. Oh, other news, Kegan is officially bigger than her scrunt cousin Ava who is 16 months old. Kegan weighs in at 19.9 lbs and is 28 inches long. Between the 50-75th percentile for her age.....sweet big girl!


So I tried to get some pictures of her new set of chompers. Hard to get the crazies to settle long enough to take a picture. Aaron calls her little piranha. Her upper teeth are huge even though they have barely broken the skin. Wonder what they'll look like when they are all the way out.

After all that good stuff, some bad news. Madison found out today he has a skin cancer on his neck. The dermatologist biopsied it but feels sure it is cancer. He'll have the official results in about 3 weeks and will then decide the best way to remove it. I feel bad because when this spot first showed up about 4 months ago I really blew it off. I told Madison it wasn't healing becuase he wasn't taking care of it. Only the last month or so I got concerned becuase it was still there. He is usually really great about applying sunscreen, but guess it really can be from all the damage you receive as a child...you know before any of us knew it was so bad. He is after all half albino too, so sure that is part of the problem. His fair skinned daughter will never leave the house without a hat or sunscreen. Kinda scary to have skin cancer at 30 yrs old. Please keep him in your prayers.

Big Girl at School

This morning was Kegan's first day in the toddler group at daycare. She went equipped with a new trick......almost walking. She is picking up on everything so fast. We bought her this shopping buggy toy Sunday afternoon and when she realized it rolled away from her she sat in the middle of the floor crying. She woke up this morning with a new day and a new attitude and decided she could make it work. She started off with three steps behind it this morning and by this afternoon, she could take it the length of the living room. Guess this is just one of the many new tricks she will quickly pick up on. She figures stuff out so fast. Yikes!

And, speaking of yikes. Her other favorite trick is to pull up on the soap dish in the bathtub. We know it isn't the safest trick, but figure she'll quit once she busts her face on it......is that bad parenting? Hey, at least we have the slip-proof padded mat in the tub to cushion her fall and possibly soak up any blood. We aren't totally clueless. I already almost let her swallow the rubber cap to Aaron's doorstop......good one there Mom! I'm not the best at childproofing. Hopefully Kegan will survive until I figure it out. We do, however, own outlet covers and a babygate.....progress! We're getting there. (Kelly, tell Chad to close his eyes for this video. There is baby nudity, he may be offended)