What Would You Think?

The other day, I took the girls to the lake to play in the sand.  Keara asked me to check what it was she was feeling under her hair, so I took a look.  What I found was a clump of dried blood.  Strange.  I looked at Avery and she had one too, in about the same spot.  Double strange.  Then I looked at Taryn and she had one too, but on her temple, under her hair.  Triple strange.

I didn't think too much of it until the next morning, when my sister in law came to pick up the girls for a play date and I noticed Avery was dripping blood all along her hairline on her neck, around her ears, and near her side burns.  What the heck!?

 It was SO bizarre.  I had no idea what could be suddenly causing all these sores, but I did know that 30 minutes before this, when she got out of the shower and I did her hair, none of these sores were there.  So what was happening?  What would you think?

I called the pediatrician later in the day because I thought maybe there was some sort of bug infestation going around that many parents were calling about.  Sure enough, there was.  GNATS.  Nasty gnats.  I never knew those little suckers (literally) could work this kind of damage this quickly.  But apparently, they bite and the bleeding starts immediately.  Once it bleeds out a little bit, it stops, clots, and dries.  End of story.  As long as the bites don't get infected, its no big deal.  None of the girls have complained about them itching or hurting and usually, they don't even realize they're there.  It just looks a lot worse than it really is.

I realized that the girls had been playing outside in the yard during those 30 minutes before my SIL picked them up, which would explain the sudden attacks.  I checked the other two girls and sure enough, they had dried blood all thru their hair too.  Avery's show the worst because of her blonde and short hair.  I've counted at least 25 bites.

This afternoon, as we sat down for lunch after the girls helped bring in the groceries, I noticed a gnat in Avery's hair.  I flicked it then squished it.  Blood spurted everywhere so I immediately checked her head.  Sure enough, a little bubble of blood started to appear right where the little bugger had been.

It's been 36 hours since they played in the yard and now Avery's sores look like tons of moles.  Just blood spots all over her head.  At least they aren't scabbing or raised or pussing.  And at least the gnats life cycle is SHORT!  We really want to get outside and play again. 

Taryn's Faux Paux

Last night, the girls were having a hard time settling down for bedtime.  Taryn especially.  But what's new with that child?  She is a spaz from sun up to sun down and usually for a couple hours after that.  Anyway, Keara's been complaining about a tummy ache thru the evening so I wasn't surprised when she had to come out of her room twice to go to the bathroom.  True to girl form, whenever Keara needs to go potty, it becomes a sisters' affair and suddenly "WE" have to go potty. 

The second time they came down, I asked Taryn what was going on.  She answered "Keara has to do diarrhea."  Okay, fine.  Then Taryn says, "I have to do diarrhea too."  Rrriiighhht...So she goes running to the kitchen and I say, "Hey Taryn, where are you going?" 

T: I'm going to do diarrhea! 
M: Yeah, but the bathroom's not that way.
T: (running to the bathroom) When is Keara going to do diarrhea?!
M: Taryn, come here...(she comes and sits on my lap)...Taryn, do you know what diarrhea is?
T: Yeah, it's a game.
M: Um...no...it's not...

After I explained what it really was, she decided she didn't want to do it anymore and went back to bed.

Deep Thoughts By Taryn

T:  Mom, what will you be when I'm a daddy?
M:  Oh Taryn, you won't be a daddy.  You get to be a mommy.
T: But I don't WANT to be a mommy.  I want to be a daddy.
M: I'm sorry Taryn.  But guess what?!  You get to have babies.  Daddies can't have babies.
T: Why? 
M: Because their bodies aren't made to have babies in their tummies.  But mommies can and you get to be a mommy!
T: I don't WANT to have a baby in my tummy.  I don't want to be SICK!  I want to be a daddy.
M:  Yeah, I can see how that would be a turn off...

Oh well, it was worth a shot.

Taryn's Great Ideas

Taryn is going thru a stage where she's full of great ideas and solutions to problems.  The other day, we were getting ready to go on a bike ride when I had to get our trailer tires filled up by our neighbor.  While I was over at his garage, our other neighbor came to our driveway to stand with the girls while they waited for me.  Taryn found her to be very kind and friendly.

The next day, we were on a family walk.  Taryn said, "Mom, I think I would like to live with that nice lady who came to talk to me in the driveway yesterday."  I replied that I would miss her and would be sad if she lived with someone else.  She told me I could visit her, but I told her I wanted her to live with us.  Then she said, "I have a great idea!  What if that lady feeds me and plays with me and then gives me back?!  She could just BORROW me!" 

Great idea, Taryn.

All About Avery

It's been a while since I've posted updates on each of the girls.  Since most of my pictures are of Avery, I guess we'll start with her. 

Avery is just over 20 months old.  She discovered her independence a couple months ago and has made it clear that she has a place in this family.  She is still the most easy going kid and plays happily for hours without needing assistance for anything.  She is daring, brave, mischievious, stubborn, and yet loving, snuggly, kind, and a total joy to b e with.  We still find her with a book most of the time.  She also loves to eat and raids the pantry as often as she can.  This is her first spring being able to walk so she has loved playing in the yard, digging in the dirt, and climbing at the park.  She is absolutely and completely delightful.

She's talking up a storm:

• want more
• all done
• all gone
• let's go
• I love you
• woof-woof
• doggie
• meow
• cat
• qack-qack
• duck
• hear you go
• pants
• shirt
• socks
• coat
• shoes
• water
• milk
• yeah
• no
• more
• please
• thank you
• bye bye
• hello
• hi
• night night
• me!
• amen
• Jesus
• mama
• dada
• Keara
• Taryn
• Avery
• okay
• color
• blue/green/yellow/purple
• a book!
• up
• help
• blankie
• bunny
• sippy
• clean up
• mine
• bed
• uh-oh
• nose
• eyes
• ears
• hair
• mouth
• teeth
• diaper
• stinky
• all clean
• I'm pretty!
• I did it!
• yum
• happy
• owie
• shower
• balloon
• Jo-Jo (cousin Joseph)
• Na-Na (cousin Nathan)
• Jontan (cousin Jonathan)
• church
• where'd it go?
• here it is!
• here you go!
• I don't know
• gentle
• woo-woo
• Opa!
• stuck
• it's locked
• open
• circle
• ball
• cracker
• cookie
• more

I'm sure there's a ton more, but that's what's on the list for now. 

Her hair has suddenly started growing and her curls have grown in.  She is so beautiful!  And it is fun to do her hair.  She loves to get dressed all by herself (though it is unsuccessful still).  The other day, she insisted on putting on three pairs of pants on top of each other.  She loves to put her shoes on or anyone's shoes on her feet for that matter.  Books and shoes...her favorite things. 

She loves water.  We recently went to Wisconsin Dells and she could not have been happier in the wading pools.  She loves taking baths, kicking her legs, floating, and putting her face in the water.  She also loves tilting her head under the faucet and taking showers.

I can't say enough about this kid!  Braden and I were just saying this morning how nice it is that we're not having a baby next week (which would be the normal pattern for us) because we're getting to fully experience one of our children at 20 1/2 months old.  Our others, we've been too busy with the new baby to really pay attention to all these fun things that are happening.  And let me tell you...it's fun! 

Here are some pics of Avery.

One day, Keara and Taryn put tape all over Avery...and she let them!  On her hands, feet, fingers, arms, legs, cheeks, forehead...and then her eyes!  She thought it was so fun.

Showing off her new spring dress.

Look at her curls!  Darling!

Avery discovered how much she loves corn on the cob.

Two Projects

I recently worked on two fun projects.  I love creating things! 

First, my sister commissioned me to make her friend a temple bag.  Of course, I had to experiment and mess up on one for myself first, so I ended up making two.  And true to form, the second one turned out WAY better and I really want to make myself another one now that I know a few tricks. 

I love the pattern of the fabric as well as the pattern for the bag.  I love how it folds up, how it has buckles, how it has straps.  Everything.  I love it.

Second, I made this adorable little dress set (dress, ruffle bum bloomers, and headband) for a friend's baby shower.  I love how it turned out!  I may start offering these sets on my etsy store.  What do you think?