Catching up

OK - so instead of trying to do a post for everything I've missed lately, I figured I'd just throw it all together in the same pot. Whew...it's really been bugging me that I haven't posted anything in a while. Since the girls arrived, and even more since I bought my new camera, I feel like my life is based on pictures! When I look back at the past two years of Madelyn's life, I remember things by the pictures and videos I took. And let me say that there are 5,000 pictures on our computer of (mostly) Madelyn and Emily. Emily's numbers will quickly catch up to her big sisters! I've been going through and deleting some and backing them all up...I don't know if I could live without having all these treasured photos!

Alright so here it goes...catching up --

I went up to Stafford two weekends ago for my high school field hockey reunion. It's usually the "originals" that all show up - the girls who graduated in the 80's, I feel good saying I'm NOT an original! :) But a little sad that I was the only one from my class to show up. With the girls in tow - we didn't stay long unfortunately, Miss Crabby Pants was in full swing that day.

The main reason I wanted to be there was to honor our former hockey coach, Carol Lysher - she's been battling cancer and has come a long way the past few years. She coached my sister and I - and I've looked up to her since I was a little girl watching my sister play. She's such a role model for ladies of all ages, such a caring, generous person. They dedicated the hockey field to her and named it after her - "Carol F Lysher". She was surprised and elated, it was an emotional time.

It was a great weekend spent with family as well - wish Ben was with me, but he stayed home to work on the Firebird...which is SOOOO close to being completed! I stayed at my Mom's place and my Dad came over lots to visit - we went out to eat with my parents, brother and nephew Saturday night and spent a while at my Dad's house Sunday. It was a busy weekend, but it was great to be with everyone. My sister even came up Sunday...it was great. These moments when we're all together happen about 2 times a year, so I cherish them. I have to say that I am so thankful my divorced parents get along - I think they are better friends now than when they were married, strange how things work!

Grandpa gave Madelyn a tea party outfit!

She LOVED it! She wouldn't take the hat off

all day, even wore it to go potty!

Grandpa and his girls

Playing hide and seek

These are some of this past week --

10 weeks old!

Isn't it sad, I even tried to get a picture of

Madelyn on the potty! She's hiding from the

paparazzi (ME) under that hat I guess...and she

told me "no mommy, don't take picture of me

on the potty" I couldn't resist!

A little lapse -

It's been a while since I've posted our latest pictures and stories. I've got lots to share, just have to take the time to do it! Last weekend I headed up to Stafford to visit family and old friends...this weekend was great too - beautiful day today at Browns Island walking along the RIVAH!

We had dinner out in Amelia for my Mother in Law's birthday last week, it was fun and nice to get out there. We start our new Romp n' Roll class this week - Madelyn will be in a gym AND art class, I know she's going to love it. This weekend coming up we're having some fellow "parent" friends over with their kiddos for a cookout and playtime for the little ones. Back up to Stafford the following weekend, whew ...busy busy!

I'll get these things up VERY soon, I've got some great pictures to share...I just can't get my camera off of Madelyn! It'll be exciting when Emily does a little more than lay there and spit, then I'll have lots more pictures of her :) Poor thing, I love her!

Update on Haylie...

ANOTHER UPDATE!! Haylie made it home last weekend, she's so happy to be home - and we are happy she's home, too! :) She's feeling much better - thank you everyone for all the prayers!
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UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE...since I posted this update this afternoon, guess they still aren't positive WHAT is keeping Haylie there. She's still at Walter Reed, and might not be Parvovirus like previously thought??? She's a medical mystery!
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Whew - with EVERYTHING this girl has been through, another bump in the road for her! This time it was just (well, not JUST, but not a serious thing is what I mean) a virus. PARVOVIRUS to be exact. Not the canine form - the pediatric form. Looks like she'll be home today...she's ready to get outta there! I found this at mayoclinic.com:

Doctors today refer to it as parvovirus infection or erythema infectiosum. Some people may call it slapped-cheek disease because of the face rash that develops resembling slap marks. Parvovirus infection is also commonly called fifth disease because it was fifth of a group of once-common childhood diseases with similar rashes. The other four are measles, rubella, scarlet fever and Dukes' disease.
Whatever the name, parvovirus infection is still a common but mild infection in children that generally requires little treatment. However, parvovirus infection in some pregnant women can lead to serious health problems for the fetus. Parvovirus infection is also more serious for people with certain anemias or with a compromised immune system.

Get better Haylie!

We're thinking about Haylie...she's back at Walter Reed. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers! She's had a fever the past several weeks and complaining of some aches and pains. The first phone call Ben got was that she was in heart failure again, then they thought possibly meningitis...but numerous tests are being done and hopefully we'll hear something today. We talked to her on the phone lastnight and she was in pretty good spirits, that's Haylie for ya. She's a fighter!

Mom and Dad are on their way up this morning, going back and forth to the hospital is (unfortunately) something they're use to doing. We'll keep everyone updated as we hear anything.

We love you Haylie!!

Here's Haylie holding Emily

Haylie and Madelyn on Easter

Potty time in the Jones house!!

The potty training summer boot camp has officially kicked off in our house. As of 1:00 today, Madelyn has gone not once, not twice...but FIVE times on the potty! YAY!! I'm so excited for her, the look on her face when I started jumping up and down on the bathroom floor is one I'll never forget! She is so proud of herself, and we are sooo happy for her - and for our wallets also!

We had been trying the past several months, but not seriously...Emily was on her way, then Madelyn started the crazy bedtime thing, then Emily arrived, so we never wanted to push her with too many things going on. Today, after two yucky deliveries in her Pull-Up, I told her there would be no more and she'd have to start wearing her big girl underwear. She pranced around all day with them on - and she drank more milk, water and apple juice today than she usually does in a week!

The first potty came before naptime, then shortly after nap, before and after dinner and before bath time. After she'd been in bed about 20 minutes, we heard "I need a new pull-up". She went potty in her pull up and she didn't like it! We're off to a good start so far!

A beautiful day at Maymont

We had a great day Sunday at Maymont. After nap time we packed up and headed out to our favorite (and FREE) family day trip destination. The weather couldn't have been more perfect! We love the long walks - and now we both push a stroller - and Madelyn loves the animals. We checked out the fish and otters first before heading to see the bears and raptors.

Of course I had my friend the camera in hand, there was hardly a moment that wasn't a perfect photo moment...so I had to limit myself. It was driving Ben nuts! But look at these great pictures he'll have now of his girls...