Grandma LaDonna

Stuart Grandma LaDonna passed away today. She was a wonderful woman and grandma. We will miss her much, but we know she is in a better place now.

What a day!

(After the Epinephrine shot, her face still looks a little puffy)

(In real life the hives looked so much worse than they do in this picture)

Sunday March 28th was quite the day. This is how it played out... We didn't make it to our church because Abby was sick, I was not feeling well either and Abby decided to take a nap right during our church. Oh ya... And we woke up to a flooded storage room because the water heater was leaking. We made it to a later Sacrament meeting and right after that we ran over to a family friends home, the Meads, to have Garner, who is an ENT, look at Abby's ears to see if she had an ear infection. Of course, she had a double ear infection once again. He gave us a prescription for an antibiotic and told us to feed her a little yogurt along with it. So, we headed off the Rite Aid (the pharmacy that knows us way to well), and got the antibiotic. I figured while I was there I might as well pick up some yogurt... they didn't have any. So we stopped at Albertson's and picked some up. We got home gave Abby the antibiotic and fed her some Strawberry yogurt, which she loved. After she was finish I wiped her runny nose and she just started screaming. We figured it was because she hates having her nose wiped and because her nose was sore from being wiped so much. Mind you we are leaving for a family trip to California the next morning, so I sent Stu to the store to get some Boogie Wipes so that it wouldn't hurt so much when we wiped she nose that was a freakin' faucet. While Stu was gone Abby started sneezing and those of you that have children that have been sick you know what happens when a baby sneezes... Snot comes flying out. I couldn't wipe her nose fast enough, she just kept sneezing and sneezing and screaming, and sneezing. There was nothing I could do to calm her. When Stu got back I was outside trying to bounce her and he took one look at her and said her face is all red. I looked at her and it looked like she was having an allergic reaction. Then I checked her back to see if by any chance she had hives and her back was covered in hives. We jumped in the car and headed to the hospital. While we were on our way her face just continued to get redder and puffier. Her lips swelled and her breathing sounded labored. We arrived at IMC's ER and they took her right back to a room, hooked her up to monitor her and gave her a shot of Epinephrine. After the Epi shot her facial swelling and reddness fadded slightly. Then the tried to start and IV on her. I phlebotomist tried a couple times, I think the nurse tried, then they called Airmed to come and try. No luck, no one could get an IV in her because she is so chubby. Abby did enjoy the Airmed dude though. There she is on the huge stretcher in her diaper and onsies half off flirting with the Airmed guy. She was lying on her back doing this can, can motion with her leg and she smiling and staring at him. It was hilarious. Everyone in the room was just laughing. We all needed a laugh at that moment. They never did get an IV in her and the Epinephrine was starting to wear off so the doctor decided to give her the Benadryl and steroid orally. Abby liked the Benadryl, but not so much the steroid. Aunt Emily came to see her and to comfort her scared Mommy and Daddy. Abby loved seeing Aunt Emmy and all the toys she had in her purse. Especially the talking chipmunks (that you can see in the picture). After about ten minutes Abby totally threw up. So we had to try the drugs again. This time thank goodness she kept them down because her hives had gotten a lot worse. They kept us there for a few more hours just to monitor her. By the time we left, about 9:00 pm the hives were still awful but better and she was out cold. They told us to give her a Benadryl every six hours, so on the way home we stopped at Rite Aid and picked up another antibiotic (just in case it was the penicillin she was allergic to), an Epipen, and more steroid, just in case she happened to have another allergic reaction on the plane the next day, and some Benadryl. We got home put her to bed and STARTED packing. Right when we thought the day couldn't get much worse I went to make a phone call and I couldn't find my cell phone (that I just got for Christmas). I check everywhere. I called the ER because the only place I could think of that I might of left it was there on the stretcher. They couldn't find it. Stu left me at home to pack and he went and retraced my steps... no luck. I called IMC's lost and found and they said they would look for it, but they never found it. Stu and I were still packing when we gave Abby her 1:00 am dose of Benadryl. She looked awful. She was really pale and her eyes were dark grayish, purple. We were really worried about her so Stu set his alarm to get up and check on her a few hours later. Then Abby woke up about 7:45 and we finished getting ready to leave, Right as we were going to walk out the door on our way to the airport Abby throws up down the front of her. We were already running a little behind, so I grabbed a shirt Abby had never worn before put it on and ran out the door. Well, the shirt was a belly shirt on her. Oh well! We made it to the plane on time. This story does have a happy ending. My Dad has worked for IHC for I don't know how long and he happens to know the man over linen services. He gave him a call and asked him to look out for my phone just in case it comes in the linens from IMC. My dad got a call a few days later while we were all in California and they found my phone. YAHOO! Abby is doing great! We still don't know if she is allergic to Strawberries or Penicillin.

Abby's First Easter Egg Hunt

Today my sister's neighborhood had there annual Easter Egg hunt. Since we have a kiddo now we decided to take Abby to her first Easter Egg hunt. Of course she didn't understand what was going on, but she did enjoy picking up the eggs and eating them. It was more exciting for us parents than for her, I was excited for her to use her cute new PB Kids Easter basket. She does love playing with the eggs. She even got a hold of one of the Reese's Peanut Butter cup and smashed it until she got the wrapper open. After all that work we had to let her finish it. She loved it! After the hunt our little family, my sister Emily and her family, and my parents all went and had a burger at Smash burger.

Good News!

Stu received a letter from the University of Utah Medical School today... He was accepted! Way to go sweet heart!

Pancakes!

Abby had pancakes for the first time day! She loved them! Daddy made a special pancake in the shape of the letter "A" just for her. Watch the "A" disappear!

Nursery Pictures

I realized I've never posted pictures of Abby's nursery. I think it is pretty cute! My favorite is the rug. I love Pottery Barn! There is still nothing on the walls, but hopefully when we are settled in our own place in the next little while I will be able to do the finishing touches.

Abby at eight months.

Abby is such a sweet heart. She is such a happy baby. She is rarely grumpy, just when she is tired. I am so thankful for such a good baby. Abby is such a good eater. She love all baby food and loves any real food we give her. She still loves her puffs and has moved on to Cheerios. On Sunday I gave her a stalk of broccoli and she just went to town, then yesterday I gave her asparagus and she ate that too. She loves to be in her high chair. She has figured out that if she rocks back and forth she can roll her high chair forward. Today she moved from the wall to the island which is about 4ft to get a piece of paper on the island. She no longer likes to be confined in her saucer, she would rather be sitting on the floor where she can scoot and roll and get into things. She like it when I put her in front of one of the baskets in her room and she can tip it over and pull things out of it. From sitting she pulls herself into almost a crawling position with one leg stuck under her, but when she gets that leg unstuck she belly flops. I give her a couple more weeks and she will be crawling. She is amazing little sleeper. We put her down for bed around 7 and she will sleep until 8 or 9 the next morning. Sometimes she will wake up between 10-12 but she just needs a little love and she will go right back to sleep. Last night I went into her room to make sure she was covered before we when to bed and she started to stir. I didn't want her to see me so I ducked down next to her crib and I heard her fishing around. She found her binky put it in her mouth and went back to sleep. Then a little later she was started winning, I waited a minute then went in to her room and she had turned on her mobile, put in her binky and drifted back off to sleep. So self sufficient! She likes her blankie over her face when she sleeps. It is so funny, when we put her in her crib for naps or at night she pulls the corner of the blanket over her face. I finally snapped a picture of it. She loves to pull the wipes out of the container and then eat them. The whole time I am trying to change her diaper she rolls around and tries to pull the wipes out. She is not okay with me handing her a wipe she has to pull it out herself. Every once in a while after Stu or I give her kisses on her cheek she will give us kisses back somewhere on our face. It is pretty cute. I love all the sounds she makes. That cute little motor boat sound, (when she puts her lips together and blows). My favorite is when she giggles and talks. Any time we play peak-a-boo or run up to her she just squeals and giggles. I just have to giggle too. I just love my little munchkin.

Medical School Update!

Stu was accepted to Albany Medical College in Albany, NY! We are so thrilled. I am so proud of him. We are still waiting to hear from the University of Utah, but at least we know that we are going somewhere.

This is for all you Chi-O's out there!

Here is my little future Chi Omega. I thought this bib was pretty cute. I had to get her picture in it before she eats in it because it may never look the same after.

Our trip to the Aquarium

Karen, Me and Abby, Jacee and Heidi

This month for Play group we went the the Living Planet Aquarium. It's just a small aquarium but is was perfect for the little kids. Abby seemed to enjoy it. She was very quiet and just watched all the kids and fish. I bought a year pass so that we could go again, I am sure Abby will enjoy it a little more when she gets a little older.

Our visit to Grandma's

Over President's Day Weekend we took Abby to Safford, Arizona to meet her Great Grandma LaDonna. We flew down on Saturday and met Stu's parents, Michele, Dan and family and Chame, Jon and their family. It was nice to have weather in the 60's. I would have preferred the 80's but at least we didn't have to wear coats. We spent lots of time at grandma's house playing games and listening to stories. We ate at Casa Manana a couple of times (a Mexican food restaurant that the Curtis' love) and enjoyed a late night run to Denny's for a shake and Dairy Queen. I have decided next time I go on vacation I am getting Abby her own room! She hasn't slept in the same room as Stu and I since she was weeks old and while we were in AZ she would wake up multiple times in the night and talk to herself then go back to sleep. Every time she did this is would wake me up and I would just wait for her to start crying but she never would she would just drift right back to sleep. Also, once Abby went to bed at 9:00 Stu and I could not turn on the TV and we had to be silent so we didn't wake her up. I am selfish, I want my own room! ( :

Benjamin and Abby - Ben is 10 days older than Abby.

Abby playing with her cousins, George, Annie, Josh, Ben, and Charles.

Abby showing us her dance moves! What nice form, she definitely has dancer legs.

Abby and Great Grandma LaDonna

Our Family with Grandma

Abby enjoying Casa Manana. She loves rice and beans, she is definitely a Curtis.

"Uh guys, could you move this bug"
Abby was scared to death of this little ladybug. She would be happily playing until we put this ladybug in front of her then she would throw her hands out and scream until we moved it out of site. It was the funniest thing. She especially did not like the bottom of the ladybug, it kind of looked like a spider. Stu says it from all of the times she has seen me scream when I see a spider!

What a cute door stop.

She loved Mommy and Daddy's bed.

Abby and Daddy in the Tucson Airport getting ready to fly home. Abby did great on the the flight to Arizona and on the flight home she did great too until about twenty minutes before the flight ended then she decided to scratch her eye. She started screaming. There was nothing we could do to calm her. It was so embarrassing. Everyone stared at us probably thinking... can't they shut that kid up. She screamed for about 10 minutes it felt like hours. Finally Stu calmed her down by bouncing her in the most awkward way (for him). His arms and back were probably killing him, but he couldn't stop, we didn't want her to start screaming again. I do miss the days when I could get on a plane and fall asleep, read or listen to my i pod. Those days are long gone. Now I have a cute little squirt who will not hold still and wants to put everything in her mouth (and airplane are so clean) or grab everything including the woman "beehive" hair in front of us. Oh-well! I am just glad it was a very short flight.

Abby's Visit to Dr. Cramer

Abby's has been sick more than healthy since mid December, and she has a nasty cough right now. So, I took her in to see the doctor. He examined her and said that she has "Baby Asthma" and another ear infection in her right ear. She had a breathing treatment while we were there that she did not like. She screamed and tried to suck on it and got even more flustered when nothing good came out of the tube but mist. Now she is on Amoxiclin and a baby inhaler for a few weeks until her cough gets better.

They did weigh her and she now ways 19.5 lbs. Good thing I already bought her a new car seat.

Sick Again!

Abby is sick again. Since mid December Abby has been sick three times, one of which lasted three weeks. I am so sick of her having a runny nose and a cough. I hope it doesn't lead to another ear infection she has already had two. The poor thing can't sleep because she can't stop coughing. Someone really needs to figure out some kind of medicine the you can't give infants to help with their cough so at least they can get enough sleep to fight off the sickness. I feel so bad for her. Every time she sneezes she blows big old snot bubbles out her nose and she hates her nose being wipe and suctioned. So then she screams. I wish I could be sick for her, at least I can take cold meds.

There's Nothing Better...

There is nothing better than coming home from a long day at work and walking in the door to a huge smile and flapping arms from my baby girl. Then wanting to eat because I am starving but that same adorable face is looking up at me from her saucer squealing, squeaking and flapping because she wants me to pick her up. When I picked her up she smiled, talked to me and snuggled with me. It melted my heart. Then while putting her to bed a short time later, I was holding her and rocking her and as usual she reached for my hand and held on to my finger because that is all that her little hand can hold. It doesn't get better than that! I love my little squeakers!

This week

What has happened in the Curtis household this week. Well, Abby fell out of her high chair because of her mother didn't click the tray in. She is okay, no bumps or bruises. I think I cried more than she did. Abby got her first little hair cut. It wasn't a total hair cut just the hair over her ears. It looked funny, it was always fluffing out over her ears. Abby got another tooth. The bottom, left front tooth. Right next to the other one. She has been really good at sleeping through the night lately but Wednesday night she was up all night and wallah... Thursday we had tooth number two. We had our first play group with some of my high school friends. Abby loved watching all the kids play. Abby has learned how to turn her mobile on and off and change the song by kicking it. She is still working on her rolling skills. She rediscovered Baby Einstein movies which is nice, they keep her entertained. We tried feeding Abby peaches ans peas, both of which she loved and Gerber yogurt melts which she didn't like very much, she would still prefer her Puffs.

The cutest little bum I have ever seen!

Gotta love those puffs. She can't eat them one at a time, has to eat them in hand fulls.

Some of the hair from her first hair cut.

It finally Happened!

Abby finally rolled over by herself last night!!! I have yet to see it, but while I was working and she was home with Daddy she was reaching for a toy and rolled over from her back to her stomach. Way to go little one!

Bath time just got so much more exciting!

Now that she can sit up, she would rather sit in the tub than lie down. She loves to splash and play with the water coming out of the faucet. It is pretty fun to watch her. It kept startling her when she would lean forward and her head would go under the stream of water, but it didn't seem so bug her enough to stop. She also got a cute new bear towel. She out grew her old ones.

Our first tooth!

Abby's first tooth broke through a couple days ago. It is the bottom right tooth. Hallelujah! She has been a little grumpy. The problem is that the one right next to it is not far behind.
This is the newest thing since Abby got her tooth. The Carp impression. We will have to post a video sometime. This picture doesn't do it justice. It is so hilarious!