Holland is 23 months old

Holland is doing great. She knows all the colors, numbers 1-10, and ABC! Holland is around 3 feet tall now. I just hope the old wives tale doesn't come true about a child doubling the height they are at 2 years old. Being tall isn't bad, but being 6 foot and a female isn't easy. Holland had her first trip to the ER a couple of weekends ago. She was running over 104 degree fever all day. We called the pediatrician on call and she said to just keep doing what we were, even though we could never get her fever down below 104. Around 10pm we got over 105 degrees so we went to the ER in Henrietta. We walked in and were immediately taken care of. The doctor was in to see Holland in a few minutes to tell us that she had her first ear infection. We had gone 23 months before her first ear infection. It was sad to hear the news, but we have been so lucky to have gone this long without one. We had no idea she had an ear infection. She showed no other symptoms other than the fever. She was playing and talking like nothing was wrong. The nurse gave her antibiotics and we were leaving the ER in less than an hour of being there. Here is a picture in the ER. She was not a fan of having her temp taken by the nurse.

We have been hard at work on Holland's birthday party. We are using a ladybug theme for 2nd birthday. It's so cute! We are also getting her new bedroom ready. She will have a full size bed to sleep in on her 2nd birthday.

Simmons Petting Farm

A good friend from work, Scott, has a farm that has cows, goats, mini horses, a llama, a donkey, and some chickens. I had been wanting to take Holland out there for awhile but it didn't work out until yesterday. Kirk brought Holland over to me at work and then we went over to the Simmons Farm. She knew all of the animals, and would call out what they were when she was around them. Holland is around cattle a lot, so the cows didn't thrill her much. She first chased the chickens and they ran off.

Scott put Holland up on the donkey, named Sawyer. Too bad Scott, got you in the photo! :)

This is Hershey, the llama, smelling Holland's hair. He's weird about smelling peoples faces and hair. He has the softest nose. So squishy! He just got shaved a week or so ago.

Holland loved the goats! She wanted to chase them all over. One of the goats stood still for Holland to pet her.
She found the ball the horses play with and then carried it everywhere. She knew what the horses were even being mini horses. When she picked up the shovel, I thought she wanted to help Scott clean up the pens. Then she saw the goats and started running after them again.
Scott took Holland into the chicken coop to collect the eggs for the day. I was worried about this part figuring that Holland would squish an egg in her hands. Instead, she dropped one. Sorry Scott!

Thank you Scott for letting Holland come chase your farm animals! We had fun! Holland and I went to Home Depot for some Mother's Day shopping for Mommer and then ate at Taco Bueno. Yesterday evening was really a first for Holland and I. Our own little Mother/Daughter afternoon out by ourselves. Needless to say, I was exhausted.

Girly girl!

Last Sunday, Holland and I were going to get ready for church. We went in to Holland's room and I had already picked out her outfit and she says "no." She proceeds to run to her closet and pull out a rainbow sundress. Then she says, "hair bow, shoes." I got both items and we went over to the changing table. After being dressed, Holland says, "brush hair, brush teeth." We go to the bathroom and finish getting ready. Then she runs into the living room and runs over to my camera bag. She then says, "I pretty, take picture." Then poses!

Happy Easter

What a beautiful day! Kirk had to work so Holland and I went to church with Mom. It was a beautiful Easter service. Holland's newest book is "The Story of Easter" and it's really written on a child's level. It has beautiful illustrations and child like writing for the story. We read it to Holland and she really enjoyed it.

I used to have a wind up toy record player I loved to play with. Over Spring Break, Mom and Kate found that old wind up record player. Mom ordered another one for us to have at home for Holland and some extra records to play on them. Holland loved it! Probably as much as I used to.

We had Easter dinner and an egg hunt over at Mom's. Holland had so much fun! She had her first egg hunt and really did good. She even got the prize egg!

Holland's first homemade strawberry shortcake and she did not want to share! :) lol

Spring Break is over

During Spring Break we wanted to get a lot of things done. Our agenda consisted of Easter sugar eggs which are just about done. We didn't get to have the garage sale yet, but it is all set up and ready to go. The spare bedroom is cleaned out, baseboards removed, and we have painted edges of everything. We all got to see doctors this week. The garage was completely cleaned out and we got a new roof on the patio. And, Billy's current residence is the backyard. We got a ton of stuff done and it feels great to have such an accomplishing week. Now we just need good weather for a garage sale and finish painting. Woohoo!!!!!

We all watched Twilight Saga: New Moon today. Loved it!!! Kirk is still on Team Edward, but I have now switched to Team Jacob! We will have to break down and buy the Twilight Saga series on Blu-ray.

Spring Break 2010: Thurs-Sat

Thursday - Kirk worked in the garage cleaning and organizing while I went through the house pulling out stuff for the garage sale. It's so awesome to have clean shelves and closets..... to store more stuff! :) Just the way life is. Holland and I went over to Mom's to work more on the Easter sugar eggs. Kate came in so all 4 of us girls decorated the inside of the eggs. So much fun! Holland began to get a little fussy so we came home and I took Holland's temperature. She was running 102.3 fever! She didn't have any other symptoms other than the fever. She was a little cranky but that was it. We gave her medicine and a cool bath to get her fever down. After the bath, she felt a lot better and played hard all evening. Holland's fever never got below 100 before bedtime.

Friday - we got up and took Holland in to sick time at the doctor's office. She has no drainage. Her ears, throat, and nose were all clear. Doctor didn't know what was really wrong other than it might be some simple virus with just a fever. After we left the clinic we went to Walmart and came home. Kirk and I finished up the garage and started setting up for the garage sale. We have all the little things already placed on a table, stuff labeled and packaged, and bedroom furniture ready to go! Kate came over for supper and hung out with us while we relaxed.

Saturday - well......................... no garage sale. It's snowing!!!! I don't mind giving up a garage sale to hang out in the house watching it snow! How fabulous! We have everything ready so all we have to do is have some good weather, open the garage, and move the tables out. So, since we are staying in, Kirk and I cleaned out the rest of the stuff in the spare bedroom and I started painting the walls. Tonight we went to Mommer's house to celebrate Mom's birthday. We ate and had fun just enjoying each other's company.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

St. Patty's Day

Today was a busy day for us. Kate came in for the remainder of Spring Break. She came over and we played a little Wii Just Dance. So much fun!! Kirk worked on the patio roof and finished it. I cleaned the living room, dining room, pruned the shrubs, and put out new solar lights. Precious, the Chihuahua, is happy Billy is outside. However, Billy isn't adjusting as well as we had hoped. He is still getting his anti-depressants and he should be okay in another day or two. Right now, he is exploring and hopefully he is getting used to his new space.

Since we didn't get to go out to celebrate St. Patrick's day, I made sure I had plenty of Guinness for Kirk. Holland loved her new shamrock t-shirt and new hair bows for St. Patty's. She loves dressing up!

Spring Break 2010: Sat-Tues

We did our normal chores over the weekend. Laundry, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, etc. Monday, I had my dentist and eye appointments. They went great! Teeth were very clean and eyes are getting better over age! I'm sure that will change the older I get. Holland and Kirk played Just Dance on the Wii. They loved it! Holland had a blast trying to make the same movements. So funny!

Monday morning I saw that Sesame Street was on. I turned the channel to PBS and Holland saw Elmo and was immediately hooked. I'm rarely at home during weekdays to see Sesame Street on so I have no idea if Holland watches it at her sitter's house, but she loves it!

I'm a bad mom since I haven't given Holland fresh fruit yet. I know, I know! It's not that I didn't want to, it's just that I never got around to it. She eats fruit cups and fruit yogurt every day, but I've not bought fresh fruit for her to eat. So today, Tuesday, Holland had fresh strawberries, blueberries, and grapes! She loved them all! It was so awesome to see her enjoy fresh fruit since I don't eat any of it. :)


Holland and I went over to Mom's to help start the Easter sugar eggs. We are making light green ones this year. So far, so good. I'm learning more and more each year. I helped mix the sugar and molded several of the eggs. It's so much fun!

I took Billy Bob to his vet appointment today. It was the first time he had actually behaved like a somewhat normal cat. He got all of his vaccinations and is ready to move outside. When we got home, we took him straight to the back porch where his new bed and house were awaiting him. He has a new reflective collar on and is ready to be a wild kitty. I'm really going to enjoy not having to deal with all of his cat hair everywhere. Here is Billy checking out his new house and bed.
While preparing for Billy to move outdoors, we realized we have to have a roof on the patio that doesn't leak. The current one leaks some when it rains since it's not a real roof. Just something we had to throw together years ago. Kirk bought all new supplies and we anticipate this roof being much more protective and waterproof then before. That will be good with Billy living outdoors now.

Spring Break begins!!!

Finally.... Spring Break! I have so much planned for our little family. They will be so happy when I go back to work after Spring Break. Our current agenda is to make Easter sugar eggs, clean out the spare bedroom, paint the spare bedroom, move Billy Bob (the crazy cat) outside, and have a garage sale. That's all. Nothing big. :) In our spare time we will play the new Wii game I bought today, Just Dance. I've only played for a couple of seconds but I loved it! I also bought some digital scrapbooking software and it's absolutely awesome! I've already made some really cute baby shower invitations. And, I can't wait to catch up on Holland's scrapbooks. Wish me luck with all the plans!

He's home!

Kirk was gone this past week for training and it was insane not having him home. He typically has Holland duty in the am, since I'm gone before either of them get up. I fed cattle and took care of Piwi while he was gone, too. One good thing is Piwi minds me very well now. I'm doing much better at giving commands in czech. I don't do great at staying home alone or with Holland. I feel much safer when Kirk is home with us. This week there was a rash of break ins in our area and of course, I went nuts trying to protect our house. Needlesstosay, I'm so grateful Kirk is back home and we all feel so much safer now.