When in Doubt

Check it out.



Last week, Marlee had a rough couple of days. After about four days of hell, I finally broke down and took her to the doctor last Wednesday for a once over. Turns out she had fluid in both her ears. Her doctor said it probably started as allergies and settled in her ears.
Of course, I felt awful that it took me four days to break down and get her in. Haven't I mentioned how much I hate doctors?
And I felt double awful when M's doc told me that the fluid causes her to feel pressure in her ears as if she were on an airplane.

On top of the ear issue, Marlee is also fighting off a nasty chest cold. Poor thing sounds awful. Since birth, she has been so lucky in the sickies department and let me just say she does not handle sickness well.
I'm happy to report, after 8 days of antibiotics, she is on the mend.
My new motto...when in doubt, check it out.


Daddy taking such good care of his baby girl

I sure hope she is not going to have environmental allergies like her Mama. The food allergies are bad enough.

One...Two...Three

Quite often, as I'm doing things with or for Marlee, I count. For example, I will say to her two books, one two. Tonight, as Marlee and I played before bed, I said one...and Marlee said two. I said three and she said four. I did this with her over and over to make sure I was hearing what I thought I was hearing.
Tonight I learned that, when prompted, my 19 month old daughter counts to five.
Amazing.
She is learning new things every day.

I Did It!

Look what finally came in the mail:


Yes, I have already framed it and have it hanging in my office.
And yes, I stare at it often.

Take a closer look:


Yes, I did graduate with not just honors, but with HIGH honors. I guess that's what having a 3.86 GPA gets you.
And yes, I'm bragging.

Look for another one of these degrees coming my way at the end of the year.
Yes, I am a busy bee.
And yes, it is worth it.

One Year Six Months

At 18 Months Marlee Kay...
-weighs 25.5 pounds
-measures 33 1/2 inches tall
-is in a size 4 diaper
-wears 18-24 month tops and 12-18 / 18-24 month bottoms
-shoe size is 5.5
-has 14 teeth - cut two this past month
-sleeps 12 hours at night
-takes one 2-3 hour nap
-says about 40 words and is adding more to her vocabulary daily
-uses utensils - kind of



Favorites...
-bananas, avocados, and veggie dogs
-being outside
-swinging
-water - especially Cooper and Mollie's water bowel
-giving her doggies kisses
-being rocked before bed
-Mr Bear - her lovey
-climbing. on everything.
-bath time
-books
-going to the park
-feeding herself with a spoon/fork
-Curious George cartoons
-Cooper and Mollie
-getting into cupboards
-throwing tantrums
-running around nakie after bath time
-her baba
-music
-bows
-drawing/coloring


The shirt says it all!

Dislikes
-getting dressed after a bath
-being told no
-most fresh fruit
-being confined

Note: this is a little late as M is 19 months today. Now, at 19 months she has cut two more teeth for a total of 16 (all but 2 year molars). Also, her vocabulary seems to expand daily. She now repeats so many many words.

Note Note: the above photos are not my favorite. I am having trouble with my computer and have already wasted entirely too much time.

Journey

My favorite part of everyday with Marlee is before bed, when she snuggles into me and lets me rock her. She lies so still, with her Mr. Bear under one arm and her sippie cup of water under the other.
Tonight, as I rocked her, I thought about what a wonderful day we had together. The past couple of days have been pretty tough on my baby for reasons unbeknown to me. The hard days make the good days that much better. Today was a that much better day.
As I rocked my daughter and ran my fingers through her hair, I started thinking how fast my baby's entire life has gone by. It seems we were just celebrating her first birthday, which was in July. I thought once she reached one year old, time would slow down. How wrong I was. These past six months have flown by at an excessive speed. I can't even believe my baby girl is 18 months old.

Six long years ago, Dave and I were preparing for our first IVF cycle. Our journey has been a long one. Our struggle is still so fresh in my mind, yet nothing more than a distant memory. It's almost a surreal feeling.
Through all the sadness, I would have never thought that there was a plan for me. That miracles do happen. That through years of heartache, there would be a time for happiness.
My Miracle.
My Marlee Kay.