Amidy meets Santa!

So...we finally got around to taking the kiddos to see Santa!!! As you can tell Amidy didn't know what to think of Santa. She did good. I mean compared to the other kids in front of us. Those parents had a time getting a good picture and they finally settled for the arching of the back and the kid crying trying to get out of Santa's lap. Luckily, Amidy did this little fake cry and the photographer started snapping pictures and the flash caught her eye so that was it for the crying. We could have gotten a really good picture with her smiling too but I thought we needed to get this one to remember she did get upset and she had to have her big brother hold her. If you notice she is grabbing Austin's shirt like...help me! I love her red face and the look! Austin and Santa both have great smiles!!! We took them to Park Place Mall because Austin had baseball pitching and hitting lessons at 5. (Don't worry Austin had a change of clothes and a ball cap in the car.)

Austin's Christmas Band Concert

Dude, Austin and Doc before the concert

Austin before the concert

Jacob Vehrs and Austin before the concert

Both of them swapped from the saxophone to different instruments.

JV plays the baritone and Austin plays the trombone.

Austin is now in the Jr. High Band. He plays the Trombone and loves it! When he joined the beginner band in 6th grade he played the saxophone which Doc played when he was in the band. Mr. Alloway the band director needed more low brass and less saxophones so he asked Austin if he wanted to swap and he did.

Chipmunk Christmas Song

This is from Austin's 7th grade Christmas Band Concert. This song Austin said I had to video because there was a surprise!!! When they started to play I thought someone was going to yell...ALVIN but that wasn't the surprise. Watch and see for yourself. They did an excellent job!!! Again, I'm sorry for the quality of the video :)

Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer

This was from Austin's Christmas Band Concert Sunday December 13th. Sorry it was hard for me to keep the camera from shaking. They did a really good job!

Austin takes the ACT

On Saturday December 12th Austin took the ACT. Doc took him to breakfast and then to Decatur High School were Austin would take the test. The test was from 8am until 11:40am. Doc and I picked him up after the test and took him out for lunch and a movie. So he could relax his brain! Austin did say that it was the hardest test he has ever taken!!! Doc and I tried to prepare him by telling him that and that he's only a 7th grader and you haven't been taught most of the stuff that is on there. Austin did say that the math part had a lot of Trig on there. Which Austin won't be able to take until his a junior! By taken this test as a 7th grader it was for the experience but either way I'm sure he is thankful it is over. We went and saw the Blind Side...Great Movie!!! Amidy was still sick so Nana came over and watched her so Doc and I could spend the day with Austin. We are very proud of him!!!

Amidy's 1st Time to be Sick

Look at my eyes you can tell I don't feel good!

I usually love bath time!

Will you stop taking my picture? I don't feel good.

Finally I got somewhat a smile! Daddy was squirting me with my ducky!

So this week has been a busy one. Monday Austin has guitar. Tuesday Austin has baseball pitching lessons. Wednesday is church. Thursday Austin has after school band practice. Friday Doc and I were planning on shopping. Saturday Austin takes his ACT and Sunday is the Christmas program at church, Amberleigh's 3rd Birthday Party and Austin's band concert at 2. So, back to Thursday December 10th Amidy and I had to pick brother up from after school band practice at 4 o'clock everything seemed to be going smooth until we got home. I was fixing her dinner so she was in her highchair and Austin was in the kitchen looking for something to snack on before we ate and I heard this awful cough so I looked at Austin and said "are you getting sick?" and he said "that wasn't me!" I thought to myself wow that was an awful cough for somebody so little. So I felt her head and she felt warm so I took her temperature and well it was 101. She had no red cheeks or ears no weak looking eyes. This came on so fast! I looked at the clock and it was of coarse after 5! I tried anyway to call Dr. Khouri (our pediatrician) but it was after hours so I had to page the on call physician which happened to be Dr. Hull. (who I don't really care for.) Dr. Hull called me back and he said Tylenol and yellow triaminic. Which of coarse, I was already giving her Tylenol but yellow triaminic we didn't have. So I called Doc who is in class and I told him after class I need him to pick some yellow triaminic up. Long story short....Yellow Triaminic has been discontinued about a year and a half ago!!! Wait to go Dr. Hull! So I told Doc we would wait until the morning and see Dr. Khouri and we did. They tested her for RSV, flu and pneumonia and all of them came back negative. Good news! So he did a chest x-ray and she had some bronchial congestion and a mild case of the croup! So Amidy was put on a liquid steroid (Orapred) and Amoxil. The liquid steroid Amidy threw up the first time she was given it and the second time she gagged so I called Dr. Khouri back and he swapped her to the dissolving Orapred tablets. Amidy doesn't like them either but at least if the tablet is on her tongue and she is trying to push it out with her tongue she is helping it dissolve and she doesn't even know it! At least Amidy made it almost to 9 months before she got sick. She is doing much better now. Here is the funny thing...Dr. Khouri and his nurses when I told them that Dr. Hull was on call they said "Let me guess Dr. Hull recommended yellow triaminic!" I said "Yes, how did you know?" He tells everyone to use yellow triaminic and tylenol.

Priceville's 17th Annual Christmas Parade!

Priceville's 17th Annual Christmas Parade it is in memory of my mother. She began this parade the Christmas before she died so the city decided to make it in memory of her. Now, my sister has taken over the responsibility of this parade. This year was really good and long! My sister did a GREAT job.

Pa-pa and Amidy watching the parade from the suburban

Amidy and Pa-pa (my dad's dad)

Amidy, Pa-pa, Amberleigh and Doc waiting on the parade to start.

Taylor twirling her baton in the parade

Charleston Thanksgiving Trip 2009

My Family! (it was game day...Auburn vs Alabama)

Before the lady told Austin to NOT to climb on the tree!

Austin standing on the tree.

Austin, Me, Doc, and Brandon (Doc's step-brother)

The Angel Tree is perhaps the Oldest Live Oak in North America. Dated at 1500+ years this tree is truly majestic.

Amidy, Doc and Austin in the garden at Boone Hall Plantation

Close up of Amidy...she had it made!

Our tour guide got us stuck!

Christie (Doc's step-mom) and Brandon

Doc, me, Amidy and Austin on the tour before we got stuck and had to walk!

The family in front of Boone Hall Plantation

The row of Oaks. They said there was 96 trees now they have lost some over the years due to lighting and hurricanes.

The slave houses

Boone Hall Plantation House

Amidy's New "Bling"

Austin, Amidy and Daddy right after getting her ears pierced!

Right After!!! Amidy is so sad and sleepy!

Daddy holding her down. Not really...just holding her still!

Before...look how happy!!! She has no clue what is about to take place.

Austin and Amidy at Bridge Street before we got Amidy's earrings!

Today was the day...Finally!!! I have been asking and waiting patiently for this day. Finally, Doc agreed to get her ears pierced!!! He wanted to get them done at a jewelry store but there isn't a jewelry store around here that pierces ears anymore. So, it was either Wal-mart or Claire's. We decided Claire's. Actually, it was Icing by Claire's but whatever. We went to Bridge Street in Huntsville to get them pierced. Amidy did very well. She really didn't cry that much. She had just ate so she was very sleepy. When we left she laid her head on my shoulder to sleep. So overall, it was not a traumatic experience it was quite easy!

Amidy's Baby Dedication at Church

Halloween 2009

Austin and Amidy


Amberleigh is Dorothy, Amidy is a pumpkin, Ella Grace is the witch, Taylor is Hannah Montana, Abby is a dancer, and Austin is the scary mask guy!!!

Group picture

She loves her brother!

If she only knew........

Who is that? Better yet, what is that???

I love the pumpkin bucket

Amidy wanted Austin mask

Where did my brother go???

I'm the "Great Pumpkin!" Where's Charlie Brown?

Ok I'm ready to go.

I'll smile one more time but that is it!!!

Ok maybe one more.............