New Year's Resolutions

Next to my desk in the office I have a list of things I wanted to do in 2010. It includes things like cutting out pop (soda for some of you) and fast food, lose 10 pounds, complete 1 creative project per month and down towards the bottom of the list is "Blog 3x's per month"

As you can see... I have not been keeping up with that one. The first few I'm proud to say that I'm making great strides in but alas the blog has been neglected.

We've had tons of stuff going on lately that I can blog about, just so little time to do it. So I'm making a public declaration that I will catch up on my blogging very soon!!! (Public Declaration is relative considering I don't even know that many actually read the blog...) :)

Hope you're looking forward to spring as much as i am! More to come soon!

Fun times at Grandpa Greg's

Since Laina was still sick, she wasn't cleared to go back to daycare until this week. In order to cover the days when she was home last week, we shuffled her through the grandparents' care each day. Thursday she went to Grandpa Greg's (my dad) and wore them out. One thing that I've started to notice is that Laina is pretty entertained with anything lately. We no longer have a car full of accessories every time we take her somewhere. On Thursday morning I literally dropped her off with her diaper bag & food and said "have fun!". She found a bunch of friends to play with while she was there. Post your quotes below... what do you think is going on in this picture?

RSV Adventures

Laina bug caught a bug. Last Friday when I took her to get her booster shots for the flu & H1N1 she had a slight fever and a runny nose. I asked them to take a look but figured it was another cold.

The nurse started looking her over and said the doctor would be in the room in a moment. It was then that he informed us she could possibly have RSV. Dan immediately said "rotavirus??" which is his biggest fear and the only vaccination he actually knows by name. The Dr. told us that RSV was a respiratory virus that a ton of kids get and that they would need to test her. So they did a little nasal swab and said the results would be back in 15 minutes.... 5 minutes later the Dr came in and said "well that didn't take long".

So apparently the real danger for kids under the age of 1 is that they'll get a ton of fluid built up in their lungs and it'll cause them to work harder for oxygen... thus, wearing them out. He said to watch for her breathing rapidly and not to be surprised if she required hospitalization because they send about 20% of their patients there.

You can see where this is going... we ended up spending a few nights at Children's Mercy South. She did ok with the entire situation and actually enjoyed having mom & dad right there all the time to entertain her. I think she smiled more in those few days then she ever does. The pediatricians at the hospital were pretty laid back saying that she looked great while our pediatrician in the office was a little less "cavalier" as he put it. I didn't really know who to believe at times. In the end, she did a great job with the whole hospital, people in masks situation. I'm glad to have her home where she belongs. The cough she still has is pretty rough but all in all she's pretty happy.

Stay healthy this winter! We'll certainly be glad when spring is here and we don't have to worry about this yucky stuff anymore.

Welcome to 2010!

Well the New Year arrived with a bang this year. Dan and I hosted a few close friends at our house on New Year's Eve and I'm happy to say that my house is still in one piece. It was very different this year compared to last year when I was pregnant. This year Julie was the pregnant one and I was free to enjoy the champagne. Dan played poker with the boys while I chatted with the girls in the kitchen. Needless to say, we woke up the next morning with headaches & less money.

Some of the things we're looking forward to in this new year!

• Another little man Aitkens will be joining us in the spring!
• Laina is on her way to crawling now and I predict will be walking before summer
• I am learning to sew, so we'll see what horrible projects come of that new skill
• Dan and I are going to the Kentucky Derby in May! Yay!
• Our friends are getting married over Memorial Day weekend
• Laina's first birthday in June and much more!

I write these posts more for myself than anyone else so I'm sorry if I come off cheesey. :) Just loving life.

Goodbye 2009!

Well as the year comes to a close, it makes me very happy to realize that this past year everything seemed to go our way. Here are some of the really exciting things that happened in 2009 for the Shepard Family.

• Laina joined our family
• We purchased our first home in a beautiful neighborhood that I lovingly refer to as Stepford
• Dan won the award for sales person of the year in his job!
• We had a new neice join us, Alex and found out that a new nephew is on the way in 2010
• Many of our friends also expanded their families (it was the year of the baby)
• Dan's Grandmother successfully navigated her way through 2 surgeries within a few months of each other and is on the road to a full recovery
• Both of our extended families have been lucky enough to be healthy, happy & employed

There are many more things that made this a great year for us but this is just the few highlights. Hope you were as blessed as we were this year. Hope you have a wonderful New Year's! Goodbye 2009!

Merry Christmas 2009!

Everyone told us that this Christmas would be different. Everyone said it's totally different when you have a little one. It absolutely was very different this year. We finally had a reason to get up on Christmas morning and have a little Shepard Christmas. Usually Dan and I end up doing something boring like buying a joint present, so there's really nothing to do on Christmas morning. Well this year we actually had stocking presents and really took the time to have a traditional Christmas morning. It was very exciting to see Laina's face even though we both knew she didn't really get it. She had a great time.

1/2 year old

12/21 marked the milestone of 6 months for the Laina bug. (Since Halloween when she was the lady bug, her nick name has become Lainabug.) She has just started sitting up on her own and really rolling over from her back to her tummy. I was getting a little concerned that she had little interest in doing either for a while but this past few weeks she has really taken big steps in her development. Now she is really able to play on the floor by herself and she seems to enjoy her new found independence.

Laina's first trip to MU!

Over Thanksgiving we decided to take a trip to the Mizzou Campus and show Laina around to her future school. (Obviously if she chooses.... but she will... oh yes, she will.) It was a beautiful day so we were able to get some good pictures of her in the cheerleading jumper. Here she is exploring the campus map. We also took some great pictures at the columns. The campus almost looks the same as when Dan and I were there. I love reminiscing. College was so much fun.

Timber!!

This past weekend the Shepard Family went hunting for a worthy Christmas tree to adorn with the few ornaments we have. Luckily there was a place right up the road. It was pretty cold and windy but my little trooper Laina hung in there.

Then I of course proceeded to place her in front of it and take tons of pictures of her.

I am really excited for our first Christmas with our new addition. I know she's not quite old enough to appreciate all that the holidays offer with friends & family and food of course... but it's just going to be so much more special with her there. I always get very sentimental as the years come to close. Maybe it's because the holidays make me realize how lucky I am or the excitement of a brand new year and a chance to accomplish something great in life. I think for 2009 we didn't do too shabby in that department. For now I'll just enjoy these moments, hope you do the same!

Turkey Day Coming Up!

Laina is now 5 months old and I"m realizing how behind I"m getting on many things (including blogging). I won't blame it on her but it does feel like my lack of time really began in late June... hmmm...

Anyway lots of exciting things have been happening in the Shepard household lately. We are very blessed with another little nephew that will be joining us in early April! Julie is due April 8th, 2010. So this Turkey Day we will be giving thanks for more than just our beautiful family but also the future ones who will join us. Unfortunately Laina will have to wait another year before she partakes of the turkey... just rice cereal for now but I have a feeling some one will slip her some mashed potatoes when I'm not looking. Hope your holiday season reminds you not only of what you have to be thankful for but also what lies ahead.

Laina & Dan on Halloween!