Turkey hands

Kayla decided that it would be fun to trace her and her siblings hands yesterday to make a bunch of turkeys and make a cute little sign for Thanksgiving. She traced everyone's hands and had them color their own turkey. Well everyone but Hailey anyways. Kayla colored hers for her. Then she made up a little sign to stick them on and hang on our front door. It turned out really cute!

Chica is movin on up

JR and I had been debating for some time now as to whether we should keep Chica - our African Grey Parrot - or try to find a parrot rescue to take her to. It was a very hard decision because we did chose to take on the bird and we weren't exactly smart about it. Like learning all about the birds before we made such a big decision. Most parrot's are "will" birds....in other words they will have to be passed down to another family member when you pass away because they live so darn long! And since all we had owned before were parakeets and cockatiels, we really had no idea just how much work she would take. And then we added a couple extra babies into the mix (Kayla and Eli were about 7 & 4 when we got her) and it just really didn't make sense that we continue to keep her. I really feel like we got her out of a less than ideal situation when we got her when she was just over a yr old. Now it is our turn to make sure she lives in an ideal situation and let her get some rehab and love. She needs the rehab because she is a feather plucker/shredder. She really isn't pretty so I knew nobody would be interested in buying her or adopting her from the pound. African Grey Parrot's are known to have emotional issues and love to pluck their feathers. And sometimes, once they start, just like nail biters, they can't stop! She also bit JR's mother, bruising her arm. And she bit Emma, though not hard enough to draw blood. I don't really want to risk that happening again with Emma or with anyone else for that matter. So we found a place in Littleton, CO that is a parrot rescue and this guy is excited to get her and start working with her. He already has lots of plans for her and he has lots of friends for her waiting. He was actually taking in a bird this evening that is a feather plucker so maybe she and Chica will become the best of friends! :) He also has a lady all the way up in Washington state that works with "troubled" birds! After many, many conversations with this guy I feel pretty good about him and his organization and trust he will do what is best for Chica. That was the hardest part of all, making sure she didn't end up on some bird "farm" where she was just as ignored there as she was here! So tomorrow morning we will load her and her cage up in the van and take her to her new home where she can be much happier!

Twilight and drinks

I went with a friend and some of her friends to see the movie tonight. Yep, that's right, on opening weekend. BUT our show wasn't sold out thank goodness! I liked the movie. Didn't LOVE it. Just liked it. I really don't like the guy they picked to play Edward. He just doesn't match what I had pictured in my mind. They did do a good job of keeping with the book though. And with getting that 1st book in a 2 hour movie.

Afterwards we went for dinner and then drinks. I think I have found my new drink of choice....chocolate martini. Yum!

Hailey's birthmark

Today was Hailey's appt with the dermatologist up at The Children's Hospital in Denver. First of all, that place was HUGE! It's actually part of a gigantic campus of University Hospital so it takes up quite a bit of land. When you walk in the front door it's a bit like being in the food court of a mall or airport. Yeah, like the airport. Between the parking garage and entrances to the cars constantly pulling up to the front door to pick up or drop off someone or some family. So it was a little overwhelming in a sense when you walk in but I was immediately greeted by a lady asking what I was needing and pointing me to the correct desk to go to so that I could check in and get my parking validated so that I didn't have to pay for it. Then she sent us on our merry way to the 2nd floor where there are several specialists and their offices. They have this system of letters corresponding to each specialty and each letter has it's own waiting area. What's funny is as I am typing this it makes me think of one of those surreal movies where everything is controlled by robots and very exact. But it didn't actually feel that way! Anyways, they called us back almost immediately after we sat down. There were 2 nurses to check us in and get vitals and they were both very gracious. The nurse that took us back to the room actually pushed the stroller for me and asked where I wanted it parked. And then the best part, just before she left the room she asked me if there was anything I needed her to get or do so that I could be totally comfortable! WOW! For all the doctor offices I have been in I have never had that kind of service! And this is just for skin! I can only imagine how great they are with some of the patients in the scarier areas! Since this is a university hospital, we actually had a resident come in first to take a look at her. And then the regular doc came in. He was great too! So I guess it's safe to say that I have a great feeling about this place and Hailey going here.

So the diagnosis is that we are just going to leave it be. They took a picture of it to put in her file so that they have a baseline and can just watch it. I have to take her back when she is 1 yr old so they can see what it is or isn't doing at that point. They don't like to mess with birthmarks unless they absolutely have to. Those scenarios are if it is going to start forcing her eye shut or threatening the structure of her face. And once it has "gone away" if there is anything left in there, they may do something to get rid of that. So for now, we just wait. I am glad to at least have someone in this field to keep an eye on it in the long run but I am also glad that they don't just take these things off without thinking long term and what this thing is all about. I can see why my pediatrician recommended this office even though it is a drive!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Today is my mom's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is because a lady never tells. :) Of course, we didn't get to do anything with her because she spent the day traveling to CA to go celebrate my uncles retirement. But we all got to wish her a happy birthday on the phone this evening. We will just have to do something nice for her when she gets back next week!

Finally!

Guess where I am typing this from......that's right...my laptop! It got fixed tonight! I actually wasn't expecting it since I never go the call from the tech to schedule the appt but of course I told him to come right over! He didn't have to anything but replace the ac adapter. So it was a nice quick fix. Of course he didn't leave without trying to sell me on some computer upgrades and what not!

And now a cute little conversation between Emma and I this morning. I was in the bathroom getting ready and she comes in there whining and tells me "he spanka me!". I asked who and she tells me Eli. So I said "Eli spanka you?". And her response......"yeah, ovously!" (obviously). I clarified that I had really just heard that and then kind of stared at her for a minute in awe. Like how dare I not just know that! I guess we must say that word alot around here!

Carrots!

Hailey got to try carrots for the first time. She isn't giving us the classic reaction to ANY food! But she is still cute and Kayla snapped a couple cute pictures of her with carrot all over her mouth so I still have to share. Call me crazy, but I love this part about babies, introducing new foods and slowly transitioning from bottle to solid food.

My laptop

Today was a pretty bad day for me all the way around. But I did get one small bit of good news. I called Dell about my computer and since I had an extended warranty they are going to send a tech out to come replace my motherboard and AC adapter. I am really glad I opted for that warranty now! So I should hopefully be up and running sometime this week! And then maybe I can do some posts with some pictures since that is the computer I store them all on.

She's rockin.....but not rollin

One of Hailey's favorite thing to do these days is sit up on my lap and rock. It is too funny to watch her do it. She has figured out how to make herself lean forward and push backward. At first I thought she was doing it on accident! That is about all the movement you get out of that baby right now though! She isn't even close to rolling over. Which, really, I am ok with. I have 3 mobile children. To have the 4th stay put in one spot is a great thing for now! :)

Taking back my room

Finally.....I can finally have my room back after almost 5 months! Now that Emma is sleeping in her big girl bed, the crib is down and the pack-n-play is in her room I have started putting Hailey to bed in there. Well, tonight is actually only the 2nd night but I still think it's worth celebrating. Not sure how many out there feel the same way I do but my room is MY space. It's my little sanctuary in the home. Obviously it isn't off limits to the kids but I do enjoy winding down in the comfort of my own space! So now I can get it organized (it became the catch all over the last 6+ months). I can also go back to reading in bed before I go back to sleep! Yep, it's the little things in life that make me happy.......

Uh oh

So tonight when I plugged my laptop in and powered it up I got a message saying something to the effect of my battery is going to die soon. And not in the way of just plugging it in and playing some more. Oh no, it means that I will have to replace the battery. Yep, right before the holidays. And then, my dear sweet Emma (totally not her attitude tonight) decided to unplug the cord from the back. Well when I plugged it back in I heard a noise and thought I had just brushed a diaper laying right there. Nope! Eli saw what he calls sparks. I didn't see anything but considering that I did hear it that was enough for me to not let it be plugged in! SO, I guess I will be calling Dell tomorrow.

Should

Emma's newest word is "should". It is quite cute to hear her use it. She will ask "Should Emma have milk?" and then promptly answer herself with a yes and a mmm-hmmm. Or she will say we should do something. I love hearing toddlers use these "big" words as they learn them!