First broken bone

Today marks a big day. It is the first broken bone among our children. It was just one of those freak accidents that happen. It is crazy how some of the biggest injuries happen when doing something that seems harmless. I met Kamara this morning at the mall with our children. We had them all strapped in our double strollers. Kate and Aubrey always get so excited to see each other. We were walking to the play area when Kate started crying pretty hard. I look down and her thumb was lodged in between the outer part of the stroller next to where the canopy folds back. I gently took it out and it wasn’t stuck very hard. Shortly after I pulled it out she stopped crying. However, once I looked at her thumb I knew something was not right. Kamara and I both agreed that it looked funny. It was completely bent and it would not straighten. However, Kate no longer seemed bothered by it. She played just like she always plays and did not cry when I tried to move it. I still was concerned based on how it looked, though. So I called Zack and I told him I wanted him to look at it before we took her to the doctor. When he saw it he knew right away that it was broken or dislocated. So, he took Kate to the ER. I am so thankful that he was here and could get away from work to do that. They had to do X-rays, give her some strong medicine and then relocate her thumb. I am so glad I was not there for that because Zack said it obviously really upset Kate. It took the doctor three times to get it straight. We have to do a follow up appointment with a doctor in a couple of days. She now has her arm all wrapped up and we have to keep it that way for 3 weeks. On her way home she already unwrapped it, so this is going to be fun! Then, she was upset that she couldn’t take it off. We can take it off for bath time, though. We keep trying to build up how cool it is and that we wish we had one, too. This seems to be working. I just can’t believe it happened from the stroller. I don’t know if she was trying to lean over to see Aubrey or how it happened. Kamara and I also think that Kate probably broke it when she tried to twist it out. Who knows! It was sad when she came home because she kept saying “mean man” about the doctor that relocated her thumb. She also said “Daddy not fix it.” She has established that Daddy fixes things around here. If something breaks in the day she will say “Daddy fix it.” I think some of that goes back to me and because I say that, too. Daddy does fix things around here, though. So that is what is happening around here. I think we are going to have some challenges on managing to keep it on, but we will have to wait and see. I will keep you posted!

Her thumb would not straighten

Kate is 3 years old

I can't believe Kate is now three years old! She turned three on June 1. We had a great day last week on her birthday. We started the day with her getting to choose a donut at a donut shop. Then, we went to swimming lessons. Next, we went to Build A Bear and she got to choose whatever bear she wanted. That night we went to Amazing Jakes in the Colin Creek Mall and had a great time with the Cox family. This was the first birthday where it really felt like she understood that it was her birthday. She kept telling complete strangers that it was her birthday. She was so excited all day! She loves getting gifts and it doesn't matter what it is! One of her favorite gifts was a little bug catcher that I got at the dollar store. Kate has always being pretty girly and she loves getting new clothes. It doesn't matter if it is pajamas, a shirt or a dress. She will put it on and keep asking us and complete strangers "Do you like my dress? Do you like it? Do I look pretty?" I think we may be in for some trouble when she gets to be older! She will get really excited on Saturday nights when I lay out her dress for Sunday. She will wake up and be ready to put on her dress. She really enjoys her class at church,too. I am excited about her starting preschool next year, because I know she will like it. Kate is just a child that seems to love and be excited about a lot of things. However, she doesn't play with things very long before she is ready to move on to something else. One of my favorite things to see is when she is playing in the playroom with Carly. I will hear her say "Here you go, Carly." I must admit that I will also hear crying when one of them takes away something from the other. Carly has learned how to defend herself, too. They both love each other very much. If Carly is asleep Kate will ask where Carly is at and if Kate is asleep Carly will continue to go to her door waiting for her to wake up. Some times Kate wants to be a Mommy to Carly and Carly isn't always fond of that. Last night when they were taking a bath I turned around and Kate was scrubbing Carly's head with soap as Carly is just crying standing up. Kate just keeps on doing it as if Carly is not crying. I have been working with Kate on understanding the message that another child is giving her when playing with them. Kate continues to be a good eater. However, she asks for ranch at almost every meal. It keeps her eating vegetables so I can't complain, right? She could eat chocolate all day! She loves sweets altogether. She also loves making friends. Kate has a little too much love at times and wants to be a little bit too physical, but we are working on that. One of her new favorite movies is Tangled. We have to be careful with some of the scary parts, but she will ask for Rapunzel and that is what she means. We try to limit the TV, but she has certain shows that she likes to watch. She loves her new bear that she got for her birthday, too. There are days like today that I pretend Kate is a baby and I cradle her as she laughs and laughs. I look at her and I still see that 6 month old baby laughing up at me except she now has curls. It brings me joy but also makes me want to stop time. I hope I can always see that light in her eye. She has a deep desire to please others and make them see her, but she also has this competitiveness about her. I just pray that she will use these characteristics for good and to glorify God. We are so very proud of our little 3 year old that has changed us and helped us grow as people and parents. We love you Kate!

I let her pick out some donuts and I also picked out a little cinnamon roll for myself. She was so excited that I let her hold the bag in the car. Then, I had to go put some gas in the car. While I was putting gas in the car I looked in the van and Kate was eating my cinnamon roll! She could have eaten the whole bag of donut holes and donuts if I let her. She is still in her pajamas because as soon as she got up I wanted to get them right away. Plus, we had swim lessons, so we had to hurry.

After swim lessons with Miss Christy.

At the play area at Stonebriar Mall.

Giving her bear a bath at Build a Bear.

Then, reading with her bear at Barnes and Noble.

Opening her presents from us.

Playing at Amazing Jakes with Daddy.

Aubrey and Kate loved the chocolate birthday cake that I made!

A quick family picture to end the day of fun! Happy Birthday Kate!

Some changes

We have had some big changes around the Pruett Household lately. As of this week I am now done with nursing Carly. She held on to one of the feedings for quite some time, but we are now done! It was bittersweet. She still has not taken to milk very well. I have tried adding some vanilla soy or some strawberry nesquick and it has not worked like it did with Kate. I don't have any more of my milk to mix with whole milk either. So I will just keep on trying. However, at least she loves diluted juice and water. Kate has had some changes, too. You will have to keep reading to see what it is.

Carly loved the black bean dip that we ate at a Mexican Restaurant. She made quite a mess! This picture does not do it justice. Customers got a kick out of her messy face and love for the dip.

We had a great time playing at the Galleria play area last week with Aubrey and Ryleigh.

I was lifting some hand weights outside and Kate went and got the 3 pound weights and started lifting them on her own with me. I was pretty impressed!

This past week we started swimming lessons with Kate's good friend Caleb. We have it Monday-Thursday for two weeks. Kate is really enjoying it!

Yesterday afternoon we said good-bye to pacifiers. We had the pacifier fairy come and take them away. It helped that she left Kate a present. We have been talking for some time about how she was going to have to give them up when she turns three years old. That is just a week away! We also have had countless nights of her crying in the night because she can't find a pacifier. So, I was taken back when Kate told me yesterday before her nap that she didn't need it. WHOA! I definitely encouraged it and we decided to wrap up the pacifiers for the pacifier fairy. She has had some tears since doing that yesterday for bedtime and naps, but it has not been too bad. She has asked for them and searched for them, which is a little sad. However, she was pretty excited to watch her two new DVD movies-Tangled and Cars. I know some of you may think that she is a little old to just now be giving up her pacifiers, but I wanted to wait until we were done with Carly waking up in the night before we had to deal with Kate being upset over a pacifier. I also wanted to wait until I could explain it to Kate and help her know she is ready. I have no regrets! It was honestly a little sad to me that the pacifiers that she has had since a newborn are now gone. They definitely saved us many of nights and car trips. I have realized how beneficial they can be now that Carly doesn't like them. We have often said, "If only she would take a pacifier!" I guess now we don't have to worry about getting rid of it later, right?

Daddy gave the girls a very bubbly bubble bath tonight. Kate used to be scared when he did the jets so we could never do this, but that has changed now! They loved it!

Kate, don't eat the bubbles!

Fun Times in May

We have really been enjoying May. The weather has been great and we have even received some rain lately. It has been neat to watch the growth that has happened with both of our children. Kate has gotten so much better about communicating. Now, if we ask her a question she will actually answer it instead of just repeating our question. I keep thinking about how she is becoming such a big girl. We have almost mastered potty training with the exception of naps and bedtime. Carly has become a champ with drinking out of sippy cups. One of our favorite things about her is how much she loves to wave! She will wave at complete strangers all of the time! I look forward to this summer and doing some fun things as a family. We are so proud of both of our girls.

A couple of weeks ago we did a 5K walk as a family for PISD. It just cracked us up that Carly decided to sit down here and wait.

Kate decided to be a good big sister and join her. This shows the waving that Carly loves to do!

This is at Kamara's house with all the girls playing together. We thought it would be good to put some baby toys in the pool for the babies. However, Kate and Aubrey thought that looked fun, too.

Last weekend Zack and I celebrated his birthday a little early and Mother's Day by going out to eat for a late dinner. It was really nice! It was great to have some time together as a couple. We actually got to eat slowly and enjoy the food. HA!

Carly loves dirt! She will eat it like it is candy. It drives us crazy! What is really fun is that Kate likes to pour water in the dirt. Then, the dirt becomes mud and Carly eats it like pudding. We stop her when we can get to her fast enough!

I got a little teeter totter for Carly's birthday. However, you can see who is enjoying it the most. It doesn't get any better than this, does it?

Happy May everybody!

Easter in Shreveport

We had a great time celebrating Easter in Shreveport with Zack's sister, Lauren and her family. The girls participated in three hunts. It was a lot of fun to watch Kate this year. She got it a lot more than last year. Carly pretty much was content with holding just one egg. She just liked opening them. However, there was one point that she had a put a chocolate egg in her mouth with the wrapper. That was a lot of fun to clean up! The girls enjoyed playing with their cousins Bree, Emie and Cole. Zack and I really enjoyed staying up late and talking with Lauren and Jason, too. Carly did not sleep the best and she had a fever on and off all weekend, but it was all worth it. We think it is because she is teething. She has been on antibiotics for over a week for a sinus infection so we are just assuming. The fever has now gone away. Lauren made some great meals, too. Thanks for being great hosts Lauren and Jason! We look forward to our next visit.

Carly loves this little container. She will walk around and put things in it. It is actually for storing milk. They were playing on this little playground before the Egg Hunt.

One egg is all I need.

I think Kate is eating an orange Starburst in this picture. What a mess!

Egg hunt at University C of C

Emie and Kate doing a craft together. Emie was very sweet to Kate all weekend even when Kate was taking all of her bracelets!

Lauren and Kate playing the piano together.

Cousin picture: Bree, Cole, Emie,
Kate and Carly

What a good looking bunch! Bree, Cole and Emie

Our Family

Bree and Chance

A sweet picture of Carly. Happy 13 months today!