Arboretum

We went to the Arboretum Saturday with Emma's "boyfriend" Eli and his family. What great weather and what a great day! Emma had a blast and so did we. We had a picnic, and then the kids ran around checking everything out. I tried so hard to get a cute picture of Emma and Rachael, but it just didn't happen. Rachael does not do well in the sunlight. Her blue eyes are so sensitive, so each time we tried to sit her with Emma, she grimaced and cried! One of these days, I'll get some good photos of the two of them!

American Girl Doll

We bought Emma her first American Girl Doll in an effort to get her to grow her hair. She pulls it out around the swirl at the back of her head, making it thin in that spot. She started tugging on my hair when she used to nurse, but when I weaned her a 20 months, she started playing with her own hair in an effort to comfort herself. Eventually it led to pulling her hair out, to my horror! It is much improved since about a year ago, but we bought her this doll and tell her to pull dolly's hair instead of her own. (she only does it when she is in bed now). I figure the $100 the doll cost is a lot less that I would pay for therapy!!!

I found this cute dress for Emma with a matching dress for Hannah (her latest name for the doll, after her cousin Hannah) Sometimes, she is Tasha, after Hannah's sister, Natasha. (the 2 girls introduced ME to the American Girl Doll craze many moons ago). I hope Hannah and Natasha will read this post and smile!

Rachael's Doctor Appointment

We took Rachael to the doctor today for her 9-month appointment. Poor little pumpkin got a shot in her leg (which I didn't witness, but daddy did...I always leave the room because I get too upset).
We have taken Rachael to MANY doctors in her short 9 months. She is certainly behind physically, but we are going to physical therapy each week, which helps. Rachael was 14 pounds, 10 ounces today and she had grown 2 inches to 25 1/2 inches (I think that was the measurement...I already filed away the paperwork in my office!) She is still not even on the charts for her stats, but neither was Emma and she is healthy as can be!
Rachael is still not even sitting up by herself yet, which is hard for us since Emma was walking by 10 months. But we have faith that she will be OK in time. She is starting to play with toys more and can be put into a sitting position for several seconds...though she can't stay there by herself. She is such a sweet little baby...we really do love her. It has been a hard transition for all of us, but with time, things get easier. Thank you all for all of the prayers for Rachael...and for the continued ones...

Bathroom Renovation

Many of you know that I used to make a living renovating houses. Well, it has been a LONG time, but we are about to do a project on this house. We are not going "all out," because we will not be living in this house long term, but we thought we would renovate it so that it would sell better, or if we have to rent it, it would be in better shape (the bath is leaky and needs to be repaired). This photo is the "before." Look for a post in a couple of weeks (hopefully) to show the "after." We will be retiling the floor and shower, painting the cabinets, installing new hardware and faucets, installing a new tub, painting the walls, installing a new mirror and a few more things. (we won't be doing the work ourselves, except Brad will paint and install some hardware)

Rachael's plate

I stamped Rachael's footprints onto a plate when she first came home and finally decorated it a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, I had a problem with my kiln, so the colors faded and didn't look good at all. So, last night, we re-stamped her feet and I painted this plate for her. Her feet are a bit bigger, but FINALLY, Rachael has a footprint plate!!

Random photos

Kevin, saying the Kiddush

Here are some random photos from the last couple of weeks. Alan had a shabbat dinner at his house a couple of weeks ago with us and the Pollaks. It was lots of fun. And Emma loves having her photo taken with Rachael...so cute...

Emma had a little lamb...

We went to my friend, Edith's daughter, Emily's birthday party on Saturday. They live in Celina, a town that is about 45 minutes north of us. (on the way, we passed this HUGE mansion in Prosper belonging to football player, Dion Sanders. Apparently it is featured on a reality show about his family. It is HUGE...but I digress...)

Emily's family basically lives on a farm in Celina. It is awesome. There are all kinds of animals there, but the baby rabbits and new lamb caught Emma's attention. Apparently the mama-sheep rejected this sweet lamb, so they are bottle feeding him. He was so sweet, coming over to be petted and wanting to be held. I got several pictures of Emma with the lamb, but was so busy with Rachael, I wasn't able to get any photos of the cake and birthday girl. (and all the awesome food they had for the grown-ups). You'll have to believe me when I tell you it was an awesome party!

Ceramics, take 2!!

We decided to paint some ceramics today for Auntie Rebecca and family, and forgot that Sarabelle may come by. She arrived, just as we were getting started, so she was able to paint a plate as well for Alan. Both girls had SO much fun painting, and I'm sure Auntie Rebecca, Uncle Jonny, Natash and Hannah will love the gift Emma painted for them. Since they hardly look at my blog, I'm confident the gift will still be a big surprise when they get it in the mail!!!

Happy Valentine's!!

We had an AWESOME Valentine's Day at our friend's The Spauldings. Rayne cooked the most fabulous meal and we ate like Kings and Queens. The girls played nicely, too, and Rayne even provided crowns, wands and rings to dress up with. I forgot my camera, but lifted a couple of photos from Rayne's blog (hope you don't mind, friend). I love the shot she got of Rachael with her tiara. Thanks for a wonderful evening! We couldn't have eaten as well at any place in town!!!

Tribute to my Auntie Merle

My Auntie Merle died today in South Africa. She was my favorite Auntie and one of my favorite people in the whole world. She was only 66. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer last week and went into hospital to have surgery a week ago. Unfortunately, an infection developed in her lungs, which in turn led to multiple organ failure.

When I was a little girl, we used to go visit her, my Uncle Joey and my cousins and in Cape Town (we lived in Johannesburg). It was always such a treat to be with my Auntie Merle. She listened to me and was always so kind and thoughtful. When I went back to South Africa in the late 90's, she hadn't changed a bit. She was just as lovely and hospitable as she had always been. She had a soft, lovely voice and a calming effect on everyone and everything. I can still hear her say "Good Heavens" in my mind. That was one of her trademark exclamations.

I don't seem to have a recent photo of her so I'll have to dig for one. I always wanted to introduce Brad to her, so I am so cut up that she is gone. She will be in my thoughts and heart forever...