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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In an effort to transition Phoebe to Sophia’s room and the bottom bunk bed, this week we removed the bars to the crib and it became a toddler bed. The first 2 nights she was a bit scared and unsure. We had to add a night light and give some extra hugs and reassurance, but she would fall asleep and sleep through the night. I have cracked her door so when she woke up she would realize that she could leave the room. She knows how to open the door, but I figured it would be simpler that way. The last 2 nights I have gone in to peek on her before cracking her door. I have been shocked the last 2 nights to find that she has fallen out of the bed and was sound asleep on the floor! It is really only a 6-8 inch drop, and the first night I actually had a body pillow next to her bed just in case that happened. Sure enough I had found her asleep, in a tight ball, with her butt in the air on that pillow. I laid another pillow next to her for extra protection and comfort and gave her another blanket. I found her the next morning sitting in her bed having put the extra pillow and all the blankets back in her bed and just sitting there saying she wanted to get out. What the heck???? So for tonight I added a second body pillow next to the first one to give her even more of a landing pad. Good thing, because I found her asleep on both of them with her legs still propped up on the bed. If this happens tomorrow night then we are going to just dismantle the rest of the bed and have her sleep on the mattress on the floor. Off and on for the last couple months we have tried to get her to sleep on the bottom bunk– by herself or with Sophia but with no luck. Eventually this kid will sleep in a bed, that is not on the floor and will not fall out, but until then she is just figuring the non-crib situation out.

Categories: Heather, Phoebe
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The girls and I have been spending a lot of time lately watching old home videos. It is a nice break from some of our regular cartoons/shows and I think it is really good for the girls to see. However, watching these videos has reminded me, or at least made me aware, of certain things. I thought I would share my thoughts because I was having fun and finding such joy and intrigue with them.

Phoebe did in fact discover the love of her thumb before she was 12 months. I think even as early as before/around 6 months of age.

Phoebe also developed early on a passion for fruit snacks and candy. I have tape or pictures of her before 12 months eating a sucker and a Red Vine. On another she is very excited about the next bite of fruit snacks she will get.

I was sick A LOT when I was pregnant with Phoebe and when she was a baby. I remember being sick with sinus infections most of my pregnancy with her, but it is another thing to hear myself video after video with a stuffy nose.

My house has changed immensely since we first moved in about 6 years ago. Whether it is paint, furniture being brought in, taken out, moved, new light fixtures, etc. It is amazing to see all the changes over the time of the videos.

Phoebe also developed before 9 months of age this certain quirk she has to this day–she likes to take tiny board books, plastic toy coins, or anything else small that she can stack in her hands and hold, carry around. I have one tape of her holding 2 plastic coins trying to crawl. She would do it more easily if she let them go, but she clearly was NOT going to.

Sophia really did play well (especially considering her age at the time) with Phoebe when Phoebe was very little. She would mimic Phoebe in crawling or climb in her bouncy seat with her and snuggle. It reminds me that it wasn’t all fighting with them, even back then.

They were seriously some of the cutest babies-infants I have ever seen!

These videos make me want to have another baby–girl. All in due time…..

Categories: Heather, Phoebe, Sophia
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I have really been thinking lately about things I am loving about my children. Being a mother is the hardest *job* I have ever had! It is difficult at times to remember to be grateful for my children and to always like them–for I will always love them. I don’t know if life would be easier if they were farther apart in age, and have often wondered that, but at the end of the day this is our life, our family, and it isn’t going to change. So I thought it would be fun for others, and important for me, to write a thankful post regarding my children.

I AM THANKFUL FOR….

rocking chairs. Months ago Phoebe started asking to be rocked before bed. Although she is not a baby anymore and doesn’t really need it I know she enjoys it. I love that after a busy day of running around and being active she and I can sit in the dark, her head resting on me, and have our sweet, quiet moment together. Mmmmmm snuggles!

potty trained children. It is a whole lot cheaper than buying diapers and wipes, I don’t get poop on my hands anymore, and it is less time consuming for me. Some people say I got them potty trained *early* (Phoebe was trained a month after her second birthday) because I think around 3 or just after is average. All I know is that it was perfect for our family.

kisses. A simple kiss or 2 can make pretty much any boo-boo better and can stop the tears. The girls give each other kisses which reassures me that they really do love one another. They also readily give mommy and daddy ones too. Just this morning Sophia climbed into our bed and promptly gave me kisses all over my face telling me “I am kissing you momma!”

candy. I love candy very much, always have and probably always will. My girls love candy too, and we have spent time snuggling on the couch over a good Dr. Suess book and a bag of gummy bears. We also enjoy sharing Twizzler Pull-n-Peel and pretend they are worms, snakes, bracelets or necklaces. It is fun candy!

one on one time with my children. BJ and I have both had ‘dates’ with Sophia and will probably start them with Phoebe next year. The girls are so different when by themselves and can be so sweet. This special time lets them know they are unique to us and know that we have time for them and their interests.

cooperative play. When the girls play together with no fighting or hitting it once again reassures me that they love each other. It also proves to me that it was in fact a good thing to have them close in age so they can develop this blossoming friendship. Plus, Sophia is good at being an example to Phoebe about imaginative play.

healthy appetites. This mostly applies to Sophia, but the older Phoebe gets the less picky she is becoming–Yay! I *almost* don’t have to worry about what Sophia is going to eat. She is beginning to enjoy spicey things more or strange things. She actually licked a bite of octopus the other day. She tells me she “loves meat” and will ask me for broccoli or carrot sticks for a snack. She pretty much eats what we eat which makes some meal times a lot easier.

their lovely faces. I love looking at them and admiring their eyes or faces. They truly are beautiful girls. I know this might make me sound like a proud or vain mom, but it is hard to forget how cute they are when everywhere we go I get compliments about their eyes or cuteness. I also enjoy the fact that my children resemble me. There are some families you can look at and think “Those kids belong to them?!” –they look nothing alike. When the 3 of us are together I often get comments about how they look like me or that there is “no doubt who they belong to!” I love looking at them and seeing in their faces that they are mine.

communication. Both girls learned to speak and use more words (for their age at the time) than what is considered ‘average’. I loved being able to communicate with them and now have conversations with them. They let me know what it is they need and I pretty much don’t have any guesswork. Their clear communication has also made my life easier in some ways when dealing with them. And anything that can be made easier for a mom is a good thing!

unique voices. Phoebe is quite the entertainment for BJ and I and she doesn’t even know it. She has this “accent” (for lack of a better description) that makes all sorts of words interesting. A sample: berks (books), goldfirsh, and beahrs is really all I can think of for now.

rough play, and children that enjoy it. I like running around the house pretending to be a monster, dinosaur or dragon while roaring and chasing the girls on foot or hands and knees. They run all over the place smiling and screaming. We also play hide and seek often, but it usually turns into just me hiding out really well and then popping out and scaring them. Once again, they are all smiles in the end.

Categories: Heather, Phoebe, Sophia
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