Happy 2nd Birthday, Kassey!!

Yesterday was Kassey's 2nd birthday. We celebrated by going to the dentist (Ms. Mandy was great!), playing at Bunny and Pop's house, eating dinner at church, and cupcakes and a few presents at home. Saturday we will have a birthday party with our whole family and I will be sure to post some pictures then.

Pictures!!

I know it has been a while since I have posted some pictures, so here are some:

Santa came to visit Kyara's class before Christmas. He was sweet! Kyara is checking him out!

Kyara's Yellow Princess Chair. Thank you, SANTA!!

Skylar and Kassey loving on Kyara.

Last day at Corral. Kyara had a good time. Thank you!


Not loving the Chirstmas lights.

Skylar and Kassey help us rake the leaves. We had to take time-out to play in the pile!

Kyara in her Jenn-swing. This swing has been good for her!

Georgia Blizzard of 2010!!

Kassey was actually able to go sledding in the 1/4 inch of sleet/snow we got last week! She is sledding with one of Kyara's occupational therapist's sons. We had a play day at their house. Tons of FUN!!
Yes, it was a snow day, school was cancelled, and the stores were sold out of bread and water!

Our backyard is a winter wonderland! Ok, Michigan folk, I know you must be laughing at us, but this was a MAJOR happening. School was still delayed 4 days later!

2010 New Year's Feast! Skylar is playing with her food!

Wait, Kassey! We have to cook them first!

I seem to be getting slower and slower at adding updates. I would like to say I will get better, but I am not sure that I will.

The snow storm week and half ago was a blast. Skylar and Kyara had Friday off from school and school on Monday was delayed 2 hours to make sure the buses could drive safely on the streets. I saw so many cars in ditches, it made me a little nervous to drive. Crazy southern drivers, don't know what they are doing! :) After being in Michigan last winter, this snow seemed like a joke, but I must admit, I slid some on the ice, too!

Things here have been crazy as usual:

Skylar has been doing basketball and karate. She got a pogo stick for Christmas and is trying to beat her record of 150. She has me beat!

Kassey is potty training. We have peeing in the potty under control. Pooping is another issue. She waits till naptime or bedtime when I put a diaper on her and poops then. I guess that will be the next hurdle. She is quite funny, though. She likes to cheer. "Yay! Kassey! Peepee in the potty!" "Yay, Mommy!! Peepee in the potty!" I get the cheers, too! Hooray for us!

Gunars and I are working in/on the house. We had a pipe burst last weekend so we had to get my dad to come help us fix. We also are having to replace our hotwater heater. Gunars has been doing research to decide whether to go with another tank or do the tankless water heater. Finally, we had to replace our roof. We had hail damage from last spring, so we finally got it replaced. After spending months on roof colors and trying to decided on the perfect one, we got one that looks...not good with our house. We are now painting our shutters to try to get it to look decent.

Kyara. I know she is the one you come here to check up on. She is the star of this blog. After talking with doctors, therapist, and each other, Gunars and I decided that Kyara was MISERABLE. She was crying 80-90% of her waking time if she was not sitting in our laps. This was emotionally draining for all of us. It is excruciating to hear your daughter scream/yell/cry like she was and feel completely helpless. After discussing her irritability with her doctors, we decided to use medication to help relieve her discomfort. She is now getting a comfort medication (Chloral Hydrate) 4 times a day which has been a huge relief to irritability. This has truly been life-altering for us. I went out shopping with her today and she did not scream the whole time. I am able to fix dinner, play with Kassey and Skylar, take Kassey to the potty, etc without having to hear her scream and feel totally guilty for having left her. Although the medication has a sedative effect at the beginning, I think she is much calmer and able to take in her environment a little better than before. We are pleased with the results of using the medications.