Growing Up Garner

Thanksgiving 2007 turned out a bit different then we planned it to be.
Plan A was for all of the fam to meet in Corpus at Josh and Sheridan's casa. We always have so much fun when we go down there. The guys and kids can fish and do various fun activities and then they always graciously give the girls some shopping time and we fix meals and laugh at the kidos. Well my poor Momma was still recuperating from her recent hospital stint and allergic reaction to some drugs, Ab and Kevin couldn't get away from VA b/c of several reasons one of which Kevin had to work, so plan C was our little fam and Josh and Sheridan's fam still getting together.
I was almost completely ready by Tuesday night (the plan was to leave on Wed.) the girls clothes were coordinated and ironed I was almost done with my packing, the groceries were bought, the house was clean, and the turkey almost thawed. I went to a baby shower on Tuesday night (a super fun one for Baby R) and by the time I was home and asleep it was late. Well I also watched biggest loser, which made it about 1 AM.

I had been asleep about and hour or so when I heard the washer and dryer going and Shelby crying.... not good signs. The barf bug finally found us, she was a super sick girl and we had to cancel our plans. In the midst of washing and disinfecting EVERYTHING, (even steam cleaning the carpets, and washing Ellie shelby's baby) James and I managed to have a small little Thanksgiving celebration.
James fried us a yummy turkey and we had wheat rolls, green bean casserole and pumpkin crumble cake. Not a huge meal and definitely missing some of the traditional elements (I love dressing maybe next year!) but it's what I had on hand without going to the grocery store. So both girls were napping when it was time to eat (Shelby was still feeling rotten) and James and I had a date lunch at our table. We tried to recall back as many Thanksgiving's as we could and enjoyed our time together (although we for sure missed being with extended fam).
We froze a LOT of baggies of turkey and then turned on KSBJ which is playing Christmas music until Christmas and listened to it while we decorated the house for Christmas. Shelby is feeling a little better today, she wanted to eat breakfast and a little bit of lunch but still is pretty weak and not 100% quite yet. We are glad she is over the worst of it though. It's so sad to see your kids sick.
So we made pie out of pumpkins!

Okay so I know there is this ongoing thing about diet coke's and how they are not great for you. Well every time a new study or findings come out I try to pay attention because I truly do not want to harm my body by drinking these. I say all of that to also say I LOVE them, yes love them!!! Especially with the "good" ice (like the small circles that sonic gives and a Styrofoam cup to keep it cool longer....It's frosty, tasty and just delicious!! I crave them, and they are just a treat to me. So you can imagine my joy when I found (or my husband, way to go babe!) this article in his Men's Health Magazine (we love this magazine by the way, both of us do).
"Aspartame" "Your brain's safe. A review of over 500 studies on aspartame found that there is no evidence that aspartame causes cancer or neurological damage in humans. The author's (scientists from 10 universities studied research on various levels of intake, including those that far exceed daily averages."

Shelby has a veggie tales worship CD that we were singing too today on our way to go and pick up James for lunch. Seek Ye First came on and Shelby would giggle and say they said my name again every time the song said "and all these things SHALL BE added onto you....". It was funny! I think I will think of her every time I sing that song now : )

We have enjoyed our evening walks even more with the cold front going on. Here are a few pictures of us bundled up. I feel as if I should explain Shelby's outfit. Before nap we always take out her hair and she likes her pants (especially jeans) off for comfort. So in the evenings she wants to put on "soft pants" and we usually don't redo the hair unless we have somewhere to be. So that is the result ; )
Just another note on hair she is starting to request certain do's. Her current favorite is Ba-rave's (braids). When I'm fixing her hair she is looking in the mirror and every time she says "Hey it looks like a curvy slide" to which I say "yeah it kind of does". It's our little script.
The other pics are of James with the girls, there is a little resemblance don't ya think!

Shelby Kate had her first visit to see the dentist on Wednesday. She was fine until they went to recline the chair automatically, well for Shelby this was a new experience b/c we don't have a recliner and she was not digging it. The tears begin to flow, we calmed her down by talking about the upcoming playdate with Bee (which was taking place right after the dentist). I was sent back out to the waiting room and she was back there with the very nice nurses. They did manage to take x-rays and floss her teeth (although I did hear her cry one more time). She came out all smiles though with a sticker and new toothbrush. Bee was in the waiting room and she waved saying bye Momma bye Daddy and preceded hand in hand with her Bee! So we all survived!
In the waiting room Zoe was standing in our lap and a man was there with his small boy. He said is she 9 months? Um.. no she will just be 4 months old next week. He said wow she sure holds herself up good. I don't know why Zoe is thinks she needs to flex her muscles all the time I guess she is just wanting to be up and around to play with her big sister. ; )

Have you ever been reprimanded by a printer? Or excuse me a printer/copier/scanner/fax machine? James was printing some pics last night and something was messing up, on the screen it was giving some kind of error or still trying to read message or a check the tray message.
Well me being the super savvy computer chick I am just decided to turn it off and then back on again. I mean doesn't that fix everything? Well it wouldn't let me turn it off, so I thought I'll show you I'll just unplug you! (which I did) So when I plug it back in there is a new message for me on the screen that says something to the effect of

"Do not unplug the printer or unplug your power cord when you have not fixed the problem (whatever that problem was.) When you have finished reading the message press OK."

Seriously was it trying to put me in my place or what? All of the Geek Squad'ers out there are cringing that I would mistreat a computer'ish type thing so poorly. (well maybe my husband too). I learned my lesson though!

On a mommy note....I so delight in my children! Don't get me wrong they are by no means perfect but it's so fun continuing to learn about them and what they love and hate and hearing the sounds of their giggles, those giggles and belly laughs that are just pure joy. How can that not make you smile?

So last night we are taking a walk after dinner (in the dark of course b/c of the time change) which we do pretty often if we are home and don't have anything to rush off too. Well James and I walk and either push Z in a stroller of carry her in a snugly. Shelby Kate rides her tricycle. There is one part of our small route that goes down hill a little bit and Shelby rides really fast on it. Last night we were in front of her and heard her start to zoom behind us. I just started jogging ahead to get out of the way.

S: (totally laughing) Oh Daddy look at Momma she can run!

James: yes she can

S: Look at you Momma you are running all by yourself!!! (she is saying this in shocked amazement in her outside voice!) Good job!!!

thanks shelb!

This weekend Shelby Kate and I took Zoe to the mall to get her ears pierced (with the help of fabulous "Aunt Paige"). Some sweet friends at church let us use their numbing cream and Zoe did great. She was mad when I was holding her down so tight but as soon as I release the grip she was happy again. They look so cute and girly! I think I was a little nervous for her so went for a little retail therapy afterwards at the GAP. James was gone for a few days (gathering meat)but gave his blessing before he left. He would rather not be there for it but likes the result.
So there are before and after pictures of Zoe, plus some pics of things we do when Daddy's gone, like mani's and pedi's and playdough people.
James made it back safe and sound and we were all so glad to see him again.
On another note Shelby has heard us talking about the barf bug going around, and we wouldn't let her drink out of the water fountain Sun. AM b/c of it (which she was most sad about). We explained to her that sometimes there are germies or "barf bug's" on the water fountains. So last night on the way to church this was one of her conversations:

S: Mommy if there is a barf bug at church on the water fountain I will run from it.

Me: Oh you will?

S: Yes I will run real real fast so it couldn't catch me but if it did I would get it with a broom.

So beware of those bugs! : )

Zoe rolled over for the first time a week ago. I was amazed b/c Shelby didn't even try to do this for such a long time. I'm not sure Zoe looks too happy, I think she was surprised more then anything.
Then here is Shelby with the Garner women in all her Princess splendor ; )