Hospital Ups and Downs

Look at my growing boy! William is a whopping 19 pounds, 11ounces. I'm constantly amazed at how quickly my little dude is progressing.





This was a A+ doctor's visit. No blood work. No labs. No bad news.

William's test results came back- he's negative for Cystic Fibrosis. Awesome! We're going to run more tests at his six month mark to see if everything is looking better.

I'm confident that they will be.







William wasn't so sure about this doctor's room. The room was painted in head-to-toe with monkeys. Monkeys brushing their teeth, monkey's eating bananas, monkey's exercising, and monkey's catching some Z's. Obviously there were a lot of monkeys.







He looked at those painted monkeys like a deer in headlights- in awe- in amazement, and he squeezed the bejesus out of Sophie like there was no tomorrow.





Until we retest, we're embracing everyday life and enjoying wrapping our arms around our very own little monkey.

And always remember kids, "Don't Monkey Around with Your Health!"





After Will's appointment, Krysta and I stopped to take a few photos of her by the fountain in from of the hospital.

We were quickly chased off by the hospital security guard. Apparently, someone complained that I was taking pictures and they didn't like it! Um yeah.





















Anyhoo!

On to exiting news...

Krysta met her 2nd Grade teacher last night! We're quickly approaching another year of math, spelling, and reading. Another year of school projects, school holidays, and school concerts. Another year of good times, laughter, and friends.



Here's to another school year, to new experiences, and to new childhood memories.

A new memory.

It was a weekend of a new adventure. A new challenge. A new memory.

Krysta started cheerleading and let’s just say she loved it! She’s encouraged to hop and bop and yell till her heart’s content; what more could a seven year old girl want.






Saturday was the Opening Ceremony on Elmendorf AFB, and with only having an hour to learn the “Opening Ceremony Cheer,” Krysta was nervous, and I was nervous for her.







As the teams were introduced, they marched in a single file onto the field as “The Hey Song” played in the background. It was the perfect combination to get anyone’s adrenaline pumping, hips swaying, and toes tapping to the beat.






After the introductions, it was time for the girls to do their thing. They skipped to the middle of the field, got into position, and shook what their mama’s gave ‘em. Krysta rocked it! She was full of confidence and waved her pom-poms like there was no tomorrow.












When it was time for her to chant her name, she walked up and said, “My name is KRYSTAAAAA!!!” and did a little jump. It was one of the cutest darn things you’ll ever see.







That evening, we returned for the first game of the season. It was cold, and rainy, and the colors of autumn were starting to appear. Everyone held an umbrella and was bundled in either a hoodie or a snuggie…except us. We thought, “It’s the first game, let’s look nice!” Big mistake. BIG! We quickly learned that the game continues on even in the rain, and even for a seven year old. Next time we’ll be prepared and dress for the weather. Maybe we could even sport a snuggie!







As Ron, Will, and I fought the cold and rain, Krysta was bouncing around on the sidelines having a blast! She did some chants, shook her pom-poms, and dropped her hips to the ground.

"D. O. W. N, that's the way we get DOWN" is still stuck in my head.







Oh, and the half-time show- Lord help me, IT WAS PRECIOUS! The girls danced to one of the songs on Disney's Phineas and Ferb, Gitchi Gitchi Goo.











Despite the cold and rain, it was 100% rewarding to watch my little pop-tart bop around the football field with flying pig-tails.

Getting up and going.

This seems to be a reoccurring theme in the Roe Household, “getting up and going.”

We high tailed it to Barnes and Noble because Krysta desperately needed a new book. Oh hell, who am I kidding- we high tailed it to Barnes and Noble because I desperately needed coffee.

Krysta enjoyed nibbling on a giant sugar cookie and William, well he enjoyed nibbling on the cardboard books. We bought those half eaten books home with us, along with an American Girl book for Krysta. Her reading level has grown leaps and bounds this summer, so I felt like it was finally time to purchase the beloved line of AG books. The American Girl book has also inspired her to pull Katie (her forgotten AG doll) back off her shelf for some playtime. It was a win-win.





I feel like Krysta is approaching a new chapter in her life. A new BIG chapter. She starts second grade next week, she’s started cheerleading, hygiene has become very important to her, and her interest has advanced to the following- perfume, fashion, and hair accessories. I’d say she’s starting her “tween” years. Did we even have a tween stage when we were growing up? For all who don’t know, “Tween” are ages 8-12- between the “little girl” stage and the “pre-teen” stage. So here we are, tween and all.








William’s stage of teething continues to roll on. I wish we could pick up the pace a little, but we’re hanging in there. He’s drooling like Niagara Falls and everything in sight goes straight to his mouth- and we shall not mention the cranky parts. Um yeah, I’m ready for those pearly whites to pop out.







And speaking of “rolling on”, William is rolling over AND is sitting up with very little help. My Baby Squirrel is growing up right before my eyes. William is also testing out his new set of pipes. He busts out these high-pitched squeals, and then smiles the biggest grin known to man. It’s so loud that he can summon an army of chipmunks in a moment’s notice. Just sayin’.







In the line of keeping things balanced, Krysta and I spent a little mother-daughter time at the park. It was full of laughs and giggles, and “hey mom look at me.” I miss spending one-on-one time with my girl- going out on lunch dates, shopping trips, and doing art projects at home. Since having two children, one thing that I’ve come to realize is this, time management is a beast. Giving undivided attention is something that needs to be finely tuned and remain balanced between my two babes. We’re getting there and finding our groove.













Watching my lovies is one of my favorite things to do. Witnessing their imagination soar and soaking up the world around them is soul satisfying to say the least.

When the going gets tough.

I could talk about how my laundry basket is grossly over-flowing with dirty clothes. But I won’t. I could talk about my dirty dishes. My dirty bathrooms. My dirty floors. But I won’t. I could talk about how I’m sleep deprived or how William is fussing non-stop because he’s teething and I haven’t had a moment of silence since- I don’t know when- but I won’t. I will say, I’ve been there, done that, and did NOT get the “I’m supermom-I can do it all-I have it all together” t-shirt. It’s been a tough week, I’m not gonna lie.









Teething. Oh man, teething. Earlier I told Ron that I want to savor every moment, soak up every stage, but now I take that back. I want to skip the teething stage. My poor kid is in so much pain and nothing seems to help. If you have any ideas on how to reduce my babe’s pain, please send them my way.







Needless to say, the Roe Household has been under “teething distress”. As the old saying goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going”, so we got going. Literally. We dropped everything, put William in the stroller, and get the heck out of the house. I was seriously thanking God for parting the clouds long enough for our little stroll around the block because it wasn’t two seconds before we walked through the threshold that it started raining again. It was honestly the most refreshing walk I’ve had in quite some time. There wasn’t any fussing, crying, moaning, complaining, nadda- just the pitter-patter of little feet. Bliss.







Put all the chaos, hair pulling, and headaches aside, and we had ourselves a pretty good week. Ron was on leave, which saved my sanity. We registered Krysta for cheerleading, unfortunately it crosses into her dance class, so we’re holding off on ballet until cheerleading is over. We’re fine with it, she’s fine with it- I just feel a little awkward because she’s been toe-tapping every year since she was two.



Awe, I'm getting misty eyed looking at these old ballet photos, thinking about how quickly she has blossomed into the little lady that she is today. You can view more photos of her ballet, tap, and jazz recital, here.

Life is about trying new things, so here’s to new things. Cheerleading.

I’ve also been working on something fabulous. Fabulous in my book, that is. I’ve been working on it during every spare minute, staying up late, waking up early, and I can now step back and say “awe”. When it’s 100% complete, I’ll post pictures to share with you. Oooh, I can see the wheels in your head justa turning! You’ll never guess. Okay maybe you will, but I won’t tell until it’s done.





And speaking of fabulous things- I’ve finished my giveaway contest painting! Thanks Pamilya, it was honestly a pleasure painting your little beauty. I hope you and your family enjoy it for many years to come.







Today is Friday and we’re wrapping up another week. Go make the most of out of your life. Savor it, even the stressful parts. Soak it in, even the chaotic parts. Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.







Happy Weekend,

Em