A Trip to Children's Hospital for TWO sets of TUBES =)

Well we have two sweet girls who made it safely through their first "surgery." =) Praise God! We knew most likely it would be a very routine procedure, but let's be honest, "routine" matters not when they are whisking away your two most treasured possessions here on earth and putting them under anesthesia. So we are so, so grateful for God's provision for our precious babies and that we are now on the other side of this process of getting tubes for both girls! We are hopeful that this might eliminate so many doctors appointments confirming another double ear infection. Thank you so much for your prayers! We are and always will be so thankful for the body of believers interceding on our behalf!

Just arrived bright and early to Children's to begin this process of paperwork, waiting, gathering everything there is to know about the girls medical history, etc. =)

"What's the big deal!?! It's just tubes mom and dad!" ;0)

Weight, height, & blood pressure have all been taken at this point-now the waiting begins. Good thing they had every type of vehicle for the girls to test out which took their minds off the fact that they couldn't eat or drink anything! Only not so great part was mommy & daddy making laps around the hallways!

Snuggling up before surgery!

Maddie Grace's favorite part about the whole process was the hand sanitizer....she LOVES this stuff and she managed to talk her daddy into stopping at just about every one in the building :)

Recovering with some clear liquids....not sure if it was the 8 oz. of apple juice full of sugar or the anesthesia but Baby B was bonkers! It was rather difficult to hear the discharge instructions from the nurse and keep her contained :)

Thankful for sweet, sweet friends who blessed our girls with princess balloons and princess dress-up skirts for being so brave today!

We managed to make it home just in time for Makenzie to throw up just inside the door, but hey, at least it wasn't in the car! We stuck around the house the rest of the day, ensuring that these two were safe and sound. The nurse told us to baby them like they were newborns-I think I remember what that was like :) Other than a little hyperness from Makenzie & a tad fussiness from Maddie Grace, the day went perfectly! We couldn't be more thankful to have this behind us and praise the Lord again and again for blessing us with two healthy girls who have such minimal health issues-being in the hospital was such a good reminder of just how grateful we are and how we don't take that for granted!

First Snow the Girls Could E-N-J-O-Y

 Snow in the South always stirs up quite a show around town! This time was no different, but our "snow" day looked a bit different than I would have pictured. Beginning mid-morning, the snow began to fall and the girls were absolutely mesmerized by it. They would stand at the window and just watch it fall. This wasn't their first "snow" experience because they did visit Colorado last winter for our ski trip...BUT it was the first time they could really take it all in and realize what it was! We were scheduled to be at Children's for their ENT appt to determine whether or not they would need tubes. I called just to make sure everything was still on schedule and when they said yes, we hopped in the car and headed downtown. Not a blip on the radar-the roads were totally fine & we arrived safe and sound. Everything went great and then it came time to leave. As we loaded up the car, I peered out from the top of the parking deck to see the city covered in a white blanket. So beautiful and the girls were still completely enthralled by it. I thought, "Perfect, we'll be home soon, they can take a quick nap and then out we'll go to let them play in the snow!" WRONG. Traffic was horrendous, stopped in every which direction. So now there I was, stuck in the car with two tired and cranky toddlers, trying to get home, and not moving an inch. Thankfully we made it home safely, but what should have taken 25 minutes turned into a 2-hour trip where I was forced to let them eat a whole bag of yogurt melts, sing until my lungs couldn't take it anymore, and pray that God would get us home safely. =) And we did...it was like we took a car trip, but didn't go anywhere. 

Finally at home but decided to forgo naps for the day so they could get outside! Bundled up, loaded up, and headed to the park!

My two little snow bunnies said, "Yippee for snow in Birmingham!!"

 "Uh Mommy, what is T-H-I-S stuff?!"

Go ahead girls-it's okay to touch!

 At this point, they were still enjoying themselves...

Snapped a quick picture together! (sure wish daddy could have joined in the fun!!)

 Played a little in the car...and then the meltdowns began...cold, tired, hungry, you name it!

Such fun to see them experience new things and it's safe to say they enjoy snow more from a distance than up close and touching it! They loved watching it fall and would giggle with delight, but the minute we tried to make a snowball, they weren't huge fans anymore. Was quite a long day, but sure was fun to have snow for a day!

Date #2 for Baby B

Due to the fact that the stomach bug hit our family again...I am just now getting around to posting about Makenzie's date with her daddy last Saturday night! (Jan.5th) All day we had been talking to her about her special night out with daddy in hopes that it might sink in that it was JUST HER and daddy! If anyone knows our sweet Makenzie you are well aware of just how much she loves/desires/craves/thinks she needs one on one attention from us. So this is right up her alley to have daddy all to herself! And sweetheart, one day when you are reading this and wondering why Maddie Grace got to go camping and you have not yet, we will gently and as sweetly as possible explain to you that you didn't quite have the same laid-back and go with the flow disposition that your sister did which made it possible to take her out in the woods knowing she would probably would sleep through the night and pretty minimal risk of waking up people in the middle of the night. =) However, you are loved just as much as your sister and your daddy hopes you always know that deep down in your heart! What a special night it was for the two of you and daddy said you were on your absolute best behavior! Lots of special times were shared at Johnny Rockets and Barnes & Noble! And here's how your 2nd date with your daddy went down through some pictures...

Swapping some sweet slobbery kisses...you give THE BEST kisses precious Makenzie!

Last photo op in front of the Christmas tree! Ready for her night out on the town... =)

Daddy helping her get her coat on and showing her what a gentleman looks like...

Makenzie beginning to understand that's it's just the two of them and that "sissy" is not going too!

Sitting like a big girl in her booster seat at Johnny Rockets, being a little ham for the camera while munching on her grilled cheese! =)

You stole daddy's heart over 21 months ago and you still do on a daily basis!

"Yep, it's all yours punkin!!!"

A perfect dinner out-I'm sure the depth of conversation will only grow with time....Lord willing!

After dinner, the two of you headed to Barnes & Noble to play with the trains and read books together (your favorite thing to do hands down!) Looks like from the picture below you enjoyed yourself for as long as you could make it! And crazy that your tiny little self, at almost 2, can still fit in your infant car seat comfortably!

Stealing one last kiss from his date!

Makenzie, may you always know how much Jesus loves you as you watch your daddy love on you! You are a special little girl and our love for you is unconditional!