Renee HisLadyOfVirtue and I have been Xanga friends since December 2005. We were both newlyweds and met through the “Married Christian Women” blogring. I lived in New York City and She in Oregon.  In June 2008 we graduated to phone call and text friends.  At the Time I was living in Georgia and she in Upstate New York.  In January 2009 She moved back to Oregon with her two little girls while her husband was deployed overseas.  In September 2009 I moved to Florida and life continued happening for each of us.  We don’t talk every day, but we both know that at any time we can pick up the phone to call or text for prayer, or just an ear, or just friendship. 

Her husband came home, and now they live in Colorado.  Renee is recieving her Bachelors of Biblical Theology tomorrow.  Less than 20 miles from me.  I will be picking her up at the airport in about 5 hours.  I am so excited to finally meet a dear friend!  Thanks Xanga!

15 month well visit today.  50th percentile for height (I’m 4’11″ and Fred is 5’8″ – so no surprises there) 75th to 90th percentile for weight, and 95th percentile for head circumference. 

She started walking (finally) on the 23rd of March (I’ve got videos on FB and youtube – if you haven’t friended me on Facebook yet, I am Stacey ‘Glenney’ Knapp)

My parents are on their way for a visit (YAY) hopefully we’ll have some really nice weather!  We brought Lydia to the pool for the first time this year on Saturday, but it was only 73 degrees, so it was still a bit chilly for her.

I have a Xanga friend coming into town in June for her Bible College Graduation!  We’ve known each other on Xanga since 2005, so it will be super exciting to meet in person.  We have been through a lot together.  Miscarriages. births of our babies, other personal stuff.  (love you Renee!)

We still have not settled at a church.  We’ve been visiting other places since mid January, trying another different one tonight. 

Poor Lydia.  Fred has grown his goatee again and has a tendancy to rub it on her causing a little rash.  I noticed it on her cheek on Friday night.  (rewind – she had been a drool bucket for months, one of her molars finally cut through her gums; she’s been feverish and cranky all week)

Saturday we were at Walgreens and I noticed the rash was on the other side of her face.  And much more pronounced. Then I saw it on her arms and legs.  Needless to say, I panicked.  I called her pediatrician and spoke with the Dr on call.  He asked when her last fever was, I told him it was Thursday, he said he obviously couldn’t diagnose a rash over the phone but with no vomiting/diarreah/cough it sounded like roseola.  We came home and she felt warm.  I took her temp (by the way never buy a red cross in the ear thermometer it has NEVER been accurate for me) it read 99.8 on her, but 96 on me.  I started to panic more and I ended up taking her to the ER.  Her fever was up to 102.3 and the rash was more pronounced.

I described her symptoms to the ER doc, and he nodded, “listened” and said, “Benadryl, stereroid, antibiotic”  I said, “What is it?”  His reply? “Oh, I don’t know – I stopped trying to figure out rashes a long time ago.”  Then why give her an antibioric?  It it is viral it won’t do anything but build up her resistance to that antibiotic… sigh.

The benadryl really helped the rash subside significantly.

I put her to bed around 8 PM and she woke up at 11:30 screaming, fever back, rash flaring.  More Benadryl and more motrin, then she stayed up playing with Daddy until 1:30 AM

So I will take her to her own pedi on Monday.  Meanwhile we are home from church and she doesn’t get to wear that beautiful dress that Aunt Becky got her today.

9 years ago today from my Xanga. 

It makes me sad that I’ve all but abandoned it, but the trade (Lydia) is more than worth it.

My parents were here for a few days, and Lydia did all sorts of cute things for them while they were here.

She still isn’t walking.  She took 2 steps one day in February and promptly fell on her face, then took 2 steps the other day to get something out of the wastebasket.  (She is such a garbage picker)

Not having a salary, I am in the same boat that I was 9 years ago having just lost my job.  My Kohls card is now paid off, I still hold a balance on Lane Bryant and Fashion bug (neither of which I’ve used since we left NY in early 2008) and a visa card.  I am trying to scrape together every penny I can to get those paid off, and out of my hair.  I’ve been using this site on line that pays you for viewing ads.  (1 cent to 5 cents each) Granted I usually only get about 2 bucks a day but if I can use those few bucks a day to pay off debt it is worth it.

I am on facebook so much more because I can easily update that from my phone on the run, at the laundry, playground, chasing after Lydia… lol So if we’re not friends there and you would like to be (and be innundated with pictures of Lydia – haha) feel free to add me.  Stacey ‘Glenney’ Knapp. 

… Lydia now shakes her head no….

Lydia will be one year old in 2 weeks!  I can hardly believe it!  Still not walking but cruising like a champ.  I walked at 9 mos, but hubby didn’t walk til 13 months.  I’m not too concerned.  She’s discovered clapping (finally) and she has also discovered Cheddar Cheese goldfish.  The kid is like a trained seal.  She sees the goldfish and she claps.  lol.  So cute!

My parents were here for Christmas it was very nice.  Lydia got a Cabbage Patch Kid Surprise Newborn, glow worm, a ABC singing snail thing, a “Hokey Pokey” CD, 3 pairs of jammies, 3 dresses, 2 shirts, a toy cell phone, these stacky things that I can’t describe and a tool truck.  She loves everything!  Her CPK came with a bottle and she keeps trying to drink from it so cute.

I’ve started weaning her from the bottle.  I think I’m going to miss it more than she does.  It was kind of “cuddle time”  She gets her formula in a sippy cup twice a day and I give her a bottle at bed time.  She is a champ!

Lydia got the best toy in the mail the other day!  It came from a friend’s mom.  It is by Leapfrog, “My Pal Violet”.

Violet is a purple dog that you plug into the computer with an included USB port, you select up to 5 “daytime” songs and 5 “lullabyes”  You program in your child’s name, favorite food, favorite colour, favorite animal.  She sings and counts and spells your childs name, pretends she is a duck, pig, dog makes great noises.  She is soft and cuddly.  Her voice is clear and loud enough without being too loud.  You can set her at bedtime to play 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 10 minutes of bedtime music.  I find myself singing along with her, and Lydia just beams when “Violet” says her name. 

She has a bone around her neck that lights up, she really only took minutes to set up!  Her 4 paws are embroidered.  Right “foot” is on/off; Left “foot” is lullabye setting; Left “hand” is to talk, Right “hand” is to sing.

There is also a green boy’s version, “My Pal Scout” 

SO cute!  And such a bargain!  Retails for less than $20!

I would definitely purchase this as a gift for someone!  Recommeded for ages 6 – 36 months.

I took this pic today at the grocery store.

I love this kid

she is my sunshine.

After nearly 4 months of being without my Thyroid medicine, just having been on it since Wednesday has already had a marked improvement.  The swelling in my “cankles” has decreased, I can almost put my wedding ring back on (except for the fact that I burnt that finger last week)  I can swallow better already.  I got almost no sleep last night, but don’t feel dead.  The day before when  Lydia woke up I popped out of bed, where since we’ve got here I had to drag myself out.

I polished my nails today for the first time since Lydia was born.  I haven’t had a professional manicure since 2005, and I got this cute “chocolate” nail polish from e.l.f.  I like it.  She went to sleep so I polished them, they’re pretty dry now.  So I’m going to have to start supper soon even though I have no appetite.  The cipro and amoxicillin is helping me feel better, but it is doing a number on me in other ways.  (ugh)

My parents are currently on a Panama Canal cruise!  I haven’t talked to my mom since the 3rd (which is definitely a record) they come home tomorrow. 

I am loving my black and decker handy chopper I bought to make Lydia’s food.  (I didn’t really buy it, I got it FREE from Amazon via SWAGBUCKS) – if you’re not a member sign up with that link!!!!  There are plenty of folks that I know through Xanga that can vouch for it’s validity!  I also am in love with my little yellow wilton measuring cup.  Silly pleasure, (also free).  My friend Walter got me a red coffee maker and I just made myself some coffee.  That’s my happening Saturday night.  lol.

Lydia is 11 months old tomorrow!  I can’t believe it!  When  we went to the Dr on Thurs they just weighed her since it was a sick visit but she was 22lbs 2 oz!  She’s fitting in her 12 month clothes very nicely.  She is cruising like you wouldn’t believe!  Still only “dada, mama, and baba”  Tooth number 8 is showing now, I can see the white through her gums, but it hasn’t broken through yet.  Any day now.  I leave you with a few photos (If you’re friends with me on Facebook, you may have seen them already)

She did NOT want to sleep in the crib

Fresh from a bath, to get dirty eating.

We stopped at Walmart after church to pick up a few things, she had fallen asleep, Fred said she looked like a longshoreman on a break.

I think she thought I couldn’t see her here. 

She is just the sunshine of my life!

So, Lydia and I are both sick.  I went to the Dr. Yesterday, ended up with a double ear infection and bronchitis.  Came home with Cipro, Amoxicillin, and Prednisone.  Lydia woke up a few times druing the night, and this morning was a boogery mess.  I brought her to the Dr. and SHE has an ear infection.  Sigh.  So we’re both icky and cranky.  (i’m crankier than she is) But At the Dr. Yesterday I DID get my synthroid!!!!!  So after nearly 4 months of not having it, I have 2 doses in me.  I actually almost felt energized this AM.  Don’t know if that’s the synthroid, or the prednisone hopping me up, or what.  SO Glad that Publix offers free antibiotics becasue $$ here is super tight.  As of yesterday it is 5 weeks since I’ve done a full grocery shopping trip.  Thank GOD for my batch of 28 cent instand mashed potatoes I got 5 weeks ago.  Getting tired of them, but GOD provided with them!