We have a new pet, Beatrice the hamster. Beatrice is very active and loves running around in her hamster ball. Her favorite food is carrot and she loves attention.

Categories: BJ
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Phoebe pretends to have a very large vocabulary. She doesn’t really comprehend everything she says but she’s more than willing to engage in arguments without understanding what she’s saying.

If you say something to her or accuse her of impertinence she will wholeheartedly refute your allegation with the best phonetic reconstruction of your accusation that she can muster.

She’s destined for politics.

Here’s a picture of her laying on our poor old cat.

Categories: BJ, Phoebe
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The older Sophia gets the more I have observed she has a thirst for knowledge and is a curious child. However, she seems to save most of her heavy questioning for when we are in the car. Maybe it is because she is bored and has nothing to do but look out the window and wonder about things she sees or is thinking. Kind of like what I do when I am a passenger I suppose. Also, I imagine it is because Mommy is on lock down and not running around the house doing something so she can ask away and I can’t move. Some of our talks have been about…….

** how we live on earth and what other things live on earth
** what our cars drive on or don’t–like dirt, grass, the road, sidewalks,etc.
** upon observing cows and asking if one was a girl cow, “Yes”, how do you know? “because it has an udder?”, what’s an udder? So that led to discussion on udders, breasts, breastfeeding and other mammals that nurse their babies with milk
** what is in her head. A brain, eyes, teeth, her tongue, etc. She said her tongue was in her throat. Which technically some of the muscles are located in the back of the mouth and upper throat, however, we simply got into a talk about the difference between the head and neck/throat
** she has to get her blood drawn in 2 days so we discussed where they were going to get he blood from, a vein in her arm. She wanted to know what a vein was and what it does. That was actually not too bad to answer
** having a spirit and a body, and how everyone on Earth has a spirit
** what God made. Brief talk about Adam and Eve and how the buildings and fences (because she specifically wanted to know about who builds fences) and things like that we see are made by men

See what I mean?!?! Not simple stuff for a 3 year old! She definitely is not that kind of kid that asks “why”. It is also interesting that one comment or question almost always leads to another for her. She just builds and builds on her thoughts and questions. I think she is going to be an intelligent, well informed child.

Categories: Heather, Sophia
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The year 2010 has not been kind so far to the Atchley family. Shortly after Christmas BJ got sick with bronchitis, Sophia and Phoebe minor colds, and then I got bronchitis. While we were all recovering from that, BJ’s Grandfather died on my mother’s birthday–January 10th. The blessing is that he died peacefully, in his sleep, next to his loving wife. Who could ask for a better way to go? Almost as soon as the funeral was over and all family returned home Sophia got sick again. Only a couple days after Phoebe got sick. I mean to say, the girls got VERY SICK, particularly Sophia. We had her into her pediatrician twice and urgent care once. She had a strep test, a flu test, an x-ray, and finally an RSV test to confirm her doctor’s suspicions. She had RSV and she had it bad. Her doctor said kids her age don’t get it that bad (usually) because their lungs are larger than all the babies and tiny kids you hear about going to the hospital or dying from it. We started her on breathing treatments right away and what a difference just a few made!!! ***Which leads to believe that she may have some underlying asthma that has developed. She will be seeing a specialist this Thursday, more on this story later.*** This poor kid had gone days with horrible fever and not getting enough oxygen and no food. We were lucky she didn’t end up in the hospital, and I am glad that I as a mother kept pushing and taking her knowing something wasn’t right and this wasn’t a normal virus like she has had before. She was simply just too sick for that to be the case! She is still on the mend, only a few coughing fits and minor sniffles. It is good to have my old Sophia back…..Phoebe too!

However, amidst all this I got sick AGAIN with a nasty cough and sinus infection. I am still sick with it–go figure. So, having been sick once again at the same time as my children I have really started to think about the way the world works and mother’s being sick in general. I have come up with 3 philosophies that I wish (sigh) could be oh so true:
1. Mothers should not be allowed to get sick. Ever. However, upon further thought I can understand how this could be a problem. If a mother were never sick then how could she have true compassion and empathy for her children (or spouse I suppose) when they get sick??? It would affect, I imagine, in how she would care for them. I still believe strongly in my first idea, but I can at least recognize a flaw in the plan.

2. If a mother is to be sick (I must face reality here) then she should NOT be allowed to be sick at the same time as her children or spouse. Simply put, it makes for a crankier, messier, more unruly household.

3. When a mother does get sick (and this is me really about to get into fantasy land here) she should be taken away to a place that is like a 5 star hotel meets a hospital. She would have a doctor, nurse, and pharmacy readily available to diagnose, test, and treat what ails her. However, it would have the appearance and comforts of a plush hotel. Her family should not be allowed to visit her, because c’mon, if they do then they risk getting sick which means as soon as mommy is healthy she is simply going back home to a bunch of sickies. Do I need to point out what would be wrong with THAT picture?! Furthermore, while mom is recovering in her hospi-tel her family will be taken care of. “How” you may ask? A maid also comes with this wonderful package. We don’t want the dads to have it too easy or become complacent, right ladies? The maid will only need to perform 4 tasks where needed: do the laundry, grocery shop, cook meals, keep house clean. Now, I have been looking at this plan and can’t see a flaw this time? Any other ladies reading this see a problem? Have a way to improve it? Do tell!

February is just around the corner. Be kind.

And full of health.

Please.

Categories: Heather
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A few years ago we went to the ICE! Exhibit at The Gaylord Texan. At the time Sophia was still a baby in the sling all bundled up and I was 2 months pregnant with Phoebe. I must say this time around was more fun and delightful. No kids in slings or strollers and both girls were able to enjoy themselves very much. The theme for this year was “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. The displays were amazing and the colored ice looked awesome.

Phoebe coming down the children’s ice slide.

On our way out there was a toy soldier on stilts. Sophia was very impressed and went up to meet him.

We did fudge and milk for Santa this year instead of cookies. Sophia was so excited about leaving them by the fireplace for him. Here she is carrying them over there for him. She was trying so hard to be careful and not spill the milk.

In fact, when Sophia came busting into our room the next morning she yelled “Come look! He ate his fudge and drank his milk! He ate his fudge and drank his milk! Come on! Get up! Come and see!” Sophia was too excited to wait so we had to get Phoebe up. Stockings were first and presents from Santa before we dove into the tree.

Pretty much all Sophia wanted was this mermaid Barbie with a pink tail that flaps that she saw in a catalog. Santa delivered and she was thrilled.

After our own family Christmas and breakfast we headed out to BJ’s parents house for more Christmas fun. Aunt Bekah and Uncle Jonathan were very wise in getting the girls cheerleading outfits. They LOVE them and immediately had to wear them.

And then came the ballerina outfits from Nana and then they were put on.

They received many wonderful, exciting new toys this year that they will enjoy for quite some time. This is them near the end of the day, clearly exhausted and wanting nothing but to chill out. I can’t blame them! It was an insanely busy day!

Categories: Heather, Phoebe, Sophia, Weekly Family Update
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We have done so much stuff over the last couple months. I have honestly forgotten about most of it, until I see a picture and remember “Yeah, we did that!” So I thought I would keep it simple and do a bunch of pictures of all the family fun we have been having!

My sweet friend, Rachel, from way back in the day when I was in nursing school got married!! I was so excited for her and BJ and I enjoyed a nice time to ourselves watching her get sealed in the Dallas Temple. She had a reception where dancing was ON! The girls, who enjoy dancing very much, were more than game to join in. I had such a blast dancing with them. It had been a long time since I have danced in public too!

They both ate tons of strawberries and punch. Could life get any better?!

We had Thanksgiving with BJ’s family at my house, but my sister Jennifer and family had come into town as well. Instead of doing the crazy thing of going shopping the day after Thanksgiving we went to the Dallas Arboretum and it was such a great choice!! The weather was gorgeous, it was not crowded at all, and they still had the pumpkin house up from Halloween. It was perfect, and the cousins enjoyed one another so very much.

Phoebe and I were balancing over a stream of water in that one. Phoebe has discovered the love of balancing on or over things.

Gee, Sophia is so ladylike…..

Sophia with her 2 best friends. She really loves them.

I just adore this sweet, gorgeous little girl!

We also went to an Airplane Museum near Dallas/Love Field Airport, but this is somehow the only picture I could find.

Then came Christmas! We went to the celebration in Frisco Square. They had a skydiving Santa and 2 elves. It was totally cool to see this, but unfortunately we got no pictures. We were also on the side where they landed and stood so the girls were as close to the action as possible. They also had a toy train display, hot air balloons all lit up, horse carriage rides, and more! It was cold but fun.

This is of us just before going to church the Sunday before Christmas. We went to Nana and Popi’s church and then enjoyed the rest of the day visiting and eating over at their house. Aunt Bekah and Uncle Jonathan were in town which made the visit that much more fun!

Sophia has been asking about and praying for snow. She got her wish on Christmas Eve of all days! It snowed for several hours and by that night we had a nice white coat over everything. The girls got to enjoy it before it got too thick (and late).

They came in soaking wet, cold, and muddy but ALL smiles! I still have Christmas and our trip to the Ice Show at the Gaylord Texan to cover so be on the lookout for another post soon!

Categories: Heather, Phoebe, Sophia, Weekly Family Update
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With Christmas coming up we have started to include Christmas songs when we sing to the girls at bedtime. Some include Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, etc. She LOVES the Rudolph song and will sing it at various times throughout the day. Today, I heard her belting it out and wondered what she was up to. I tiptoed down the hallway and found her sitting on the toilet, naked, pooping, and wailing out Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Happy Holidays!

Categories: Heather, Sophia
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I was putting Sophia down for the night. We have a little procedure that she seems to love. When she’s sleeping in her top bunk she likes me to carry her “like a princess”, lift her up, and place her in bed. I like to mix it up a bit so sometimes I’ll place her gently on her bed and other times I’ll drop her unceremoniously upon her mattress. Last night I lifted her high above my head to where she could easily touch the ceiling. I then pretended I was about to drop her as I feigned a loss of balance. She began giggling furiously.

After laying her down and kissing her forehead she turned to me and stated, “Daddy, you do some crazy stuff… but you also do some giggly stuff, so I love you.” It’s nice to know she can quantify why she loves me.

(Sorry for the post as a facebook note when I’ve already updated my status to share this little moment but facebook is tied to this blog, so any updates get mirrored there.)

Categories: BJ, Sophia
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