Toe Dilemma

   Ok so this is kinda gross what Im going to show ya (as a parent not so much, Ive seen worse) but Im writing this as a warning & it was really kinda scary! 

This is my 2 year olds toe the other day...

This picture was at the doctor on monday. She was curling her toes around because she thought I was going to touch it! 

So, lets back up a sec & Ill tell ya all about it. 

I noticed on Sunday her toe was a little red on the outside edge, I thought Oh no, she's probably getting an ingrown toenail. 

Monday morning when I was getting her dressed it was still red & there was pus, GREAT! 

So my anxiety instantly kicks in... I have 6 houses to clean in 3 days, its the week before Christmas, I need to get this taken care of before we leave to go back home, Call the doctors office, of course they cant see her today...take her to urgent care, Is it just an ingrown toenail, everybodys making me doubt myself , I feel stupid, I feel stupid canceling one of my houses for an ingrown toenail, its gotta hurt, she doesnt act like it hurts & 100 other thoughts that raced through my head!! 

So I did cancel one of my houses, & headed up to urgent care. 

By the time I had picked her up from daycare (just before 1:00) her toe was purple! Ok, now I dont feel so stupid just taking her for an ingrown toenail (cuz thats how they make ya feel ya know!) 

When we got to urgent care, I filled out about 30 minutes worth of paper work... Then they tell me its a 3 hour wait!! (Guess I shouldve asked first, live & learn)

And you know they are looking at me thinking, really, its an ingrown toenail, go home & soak it in some epsom salt... Also, let me add, she has a Christmas program at 5:15 & I really didnt want to miss it!

 So long story short... I left, found another urgent care that didnt have as long of wait, got her toe looked at. The doctor was wonderful, he said you absolutely needed to get her in here immediately, those infections spread like wildfire, especially on toes. He gave her 2 kinds of antibiotics, swabbed it for a culture & said it looked like either a staph or strep infection- YIKES!! 

How in the heck did she get that?!? He said we have those bacterias all over our body, she could've jammed in on something & that could cause the bacteria to move in. 

I felt stupid taking her to "urgent" care for a silly little ingrown toenail (so I thought) but in a 24 hour time span when her toe went from normal to purple, I knew something wasnt right. What wouldve happened if I had waited?!? Always trust your gut mamas & daddys out there!! 

I had a bad experience when Reese was 7 months old, she had a UTI, I will write about that someday, its a long story, that was very scary & I still have regrets about how I handled that. 

I knew something wasn't right, but sometimes others out there make you feel stupid or doubt yourself (Especially as a first time mom!) I try & tell myself that, but easier said than done!! 

Oh & we did make it back in time for her program... I flew home & changed her in the parking lot, but we made it! Ill post pics of that soon :) 

**UPDATE** we got the culture back & it was in fact a staph infection... Luckily the antibiotics cleared it up almost immediately**

Some Fun Ornaments

  Hope you're all doing well & getting ready for Christmas! I just love the way my house looks at Christmas, I really wish my house could feel as cozy & warm all year long with all the lights & the candles & all the decor! For some reason Christmas lights & all the cozy things dont go over so well when its 100 degress outside & all you want to do is stay cool. 

  This year I've had a little "elf" helping me all along the way, she even wants to help wrap presents & thats always interesting to see what she comes up with! 

               (My little elf) 

 I swear she is the best kid ever! She has never (not even last year when she was one either) touched the tree, unless I told her to help, she did help me put on some of the bottom ornaments. She has not touched one single wrapped present under the tree! I have to admit I was a little nervous putting wrapped presents under the tree so early (my tree has been up since mid nov.) I thought for sure she would be trying to unwrap or at least carry around the presents, nope! Not at all! Now this #2 that comes along, I'm sure it'll be a whole different story!! 

Anyway, so this year she helped me make her Christmas list ornament. Last year I did it in red ... 

I just took a glue pen & wrote the year & some polka dots, sprinkled with glitter & put her list inside. I had a pad of aged looking paper so I like to use that to give it a vintage look. 

This year Reese wanted to put the glitter on...she picked green :) Lets just say there will be glitter in the playroom for the rest of my life! 

She also wanted to help make her list, so I let her draw & we put that in her ornament too. It'll be cute to look back at her scribbles someday :) 

Tie it up with some red raffia & done!  

Last year I made a salt dough ornament with her handprint. I saw the picture on Pinterest, ours turned out pretty good considering when I tried to make her handprint she wanted to squish her hand all around! 

Im sure you've all seen these around... This year instead of doing the salt dough ornaments I bought a plaster ornament & Im going to modge podge her picture on it (Ill show that later.) We're taking her to see Santa today, so if that picture turns out good Ill use that one! 

Kelly :)

Christmas!!

  Now that Ive got all my shopping & wrapping done, (yes done! I have never been done this early- ever!!) I can concentrate on sharing my decor & fun projects Ive been doing. Here's some pictures of my "mantel." 

That little wire wreath that I hung on the mirror is for my Christmas card display. 

I love that thing! It is the greatest for displaying cards! 

Our stockings with each of our letters on them... The "B" at the end is for baby... 

Its kind of ironic I bought that "B" stocking last year after Christmas for my stepdad (Bill) and I was going to try & find one of my mom with a "T" on it. I did find one with a "G" on it though (for grama) or Grohler. They always stayed at our house & we did Christmas Eve there. Mom always just brings all the stockings with her when they visit, so I was in the process of buying stockings for everyone, then we moved & I obviously wont be having Christmas at my house! Anyway, so this year I have two extra stockings.... a "B" (for Baby, or Boy) & a "G" (for girl) funny how that worked out! So for now I just have the "B" hanging for baby, because ya know we still arent telling the gender ;) 

I have been on the hunt for new stockings too, Either mine needs to be a different color, or Reese's... hers looks funny being the only cream one. I found some in a magazine I LOVED and they were personalized, but yikes- $35 a piece!! I may make some, not that I'll have anytime to do that in the near future! 

And remember my cute little dresser I got (yes its been about 3 months ago now)

That is going under my mantel if I ever get it finished! Its about halfway done now, but it got cold & I dont like to paint in the garage when its too cold. So Im probably going to have to bring it in the house & paint it...Maybe after Christmas!!

More projects to share later today!!! 

Kelly :) 

Almost 18 weeks!

How are y'all? Im a little behind, but Im almost to 18 weeks now. We found out last monday what the gender was but we arent telling yet!! I know, dont hate me! Im DYING to tell, but we know how we want to reveal it, so not too much longer & I'll share! And hopefully I dont slip along the way! So, here's my latest bump pics...

I really hate "selfies" but its about all I got right now... 

My husband did take this one... 

So, at 18 weeks the baby is the size of a mango (6" & weighs about 1/2lb) 

The heartbeat at my last appt was 143.

My cravings have been Monicals (and of course we dont have them down here) so watch out Monicals when I get back to IL!! Your going to have one hungry pregnant girl ready to eat!! And POP! Oh my what I wouldnt do for a big fat coke! Or cherry coke! I havent & wont have any though- I dont know why, Im just a freak about it I guess. I never had any caffeine with Reese & she's a pretty good, laid back kid, & I just know if I have it with this one it'll be all hyper & spazzy! Haha! The things I worry about! 

Ive gained about 6-7 pounds so far (thats according to my scale) 

I will post pics of our ultrasound as soon as I can! We got so many pictures from this last ultrasound & they are the 3D/4D, they are really great!! 

Its hard to believe Im almost halfway done already! 

Gosh I guess that is all I got for now! 

Thanks for reading... 

Kelly :)

16 Weeks

I hope you're all doing great! I had a dr appt yesterday & I am officially 16 weeks! I really cant believe Im that far already! Time has gone by so fast! 

So, everything went great, the baby is the size of a turnip this week (5in. & 5oz) 

The heartbeat was 155 & Ive gained 2lbs (according to the dr scale) They weigh me with clothes & shoes on, so I really dont know how accurate that is. I need to weigh myself at home, but I just dont do it often. I look & feel like Ive gained 20! And I cant believe we find out what it is on monday! Yay! 

I think Ive felt movement a few times, But its still a little early to say if thats what it was for sure. 

I havent had much for cravings, probably pizza would be my biggest thing, I really wish we had a Monicals here, that will be the first thing I eat when we go back for Christmas!! I did pig out on Thanksgiving dinner & that was pretty amazing! Ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, noodles, corn, deviled eggs, homemade rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, & chocolate cream pie (that my neighbor lady made)... One happy belly!! 

So, here's my "bump" this week...

Until next time...

Kelly :) 

Holiday Shopping

Ok so here's my little rant for the day... Everyone is talking about boycotting certain stores for being open on Thanksgiving day... Im sorry but there's alot of people out there who dont mind working a holiday (I was one!) There are people that like the extra money & overtime or time & 1/2- some places pay double time if you work on a holiday. 

Keep in mind that the holidays aren't just a merry, jolly time for everyone! Some people dont have anywhere to go or any family around ( I spent one Thanksgiving at a bar because I didnt have anything else to do) 

Did you know the suicide rate is the highest this time of year? Because people get down that they dont have anyone, some people all they have is what they consider their "family" at work. 

 And whats also funny is bars & restaurants are open on holidays, & have been for years! Do you see people boycotting them? Nope! How many people go out to eat on Thanksgiving?? Even on the classic movie The Christmas Story they went to a restaurant (I know its just a movie, but really look how many restaurants are open on Thanksgiving!) 

Our grocery store was always open on Thanksgiving (they closed at noon & opened back up later) Did anyone boycott it? Nope, in fact there were alot of people getting things they forgot. 

I know several people that make it a tradition to go to movies on Thanksgiving night. And whats ironic is one person I know says "I just cant believe stores are open, thats just ridiculous!" Is also one that goes to movies on holidays!  So whats the difference?!? 

 Police officers, firefighters, gas stations, & anyone in the medical field has had to work holidays since forever & its funny how no one says anything about that, in fact police officers are usually the busiest on holidays because of domestics. 

How many people in the military cant be with their families? Or cant be home? 

My husband has to work Sundays sometimes, and no one blinks an eye at that. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, the Sabbath day, a day to rest & reflect on the Lord. Look at all the places open on Sundays, Im guilty, I shop on Sundays. Look at all the people that would rather be home with their families on Sundays. I would trade & have my husband work Thanksgiving to be home with us every weekend instead. 

Maybe we should all start boycotting stores on Sundays, then they'll start closing so people can spend time with their families then. Will that ever happen? Doubt it. 

I think its great that Hobby Lobby closes on Sundays, so their employees can spend time with their families. 

I am not a heartless person, I do feel sorry for those who have to work, I guess I just dont understand why all of a sudden this year everyone's ranting about places being open, when people have had to work for years. 

Do I plan on shopping on Thanksgiving Day? No, because I have family here to cook for, my shopping is almost done & what I do have left isnt anything that cant wait until later... 

My point is people really need to quit being so judgemental, & "throwing rocks" or stones or whatever it is. Everyone needs to step back & look at the big picture, everyone has a different story & circumstances.

 Just remember if you do go out shopping, maybe that cashier or waitress, or whoever is a lonely woman who doesnt have a family, maybe they lost their spouse & dont have any children & they would enjoy working instead of sitting at home by themselves. Maybe by having a conversation with them could make their day.  

However those that do "have" to work, that would rather be somewhere else, Im sorry for that. 

Now that Ive spoke my piece of mind, I hope you all have a safe & Happy Thanksgiving, no matter if your at home with your family, at a bar, or have to work.... And instead of taking one day or one month out of the year to be thankful, how bout count your blessings everyday :)

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

  This is my all time favorite fall dessert ever!! I have already made this twice this month & it probably doesnt help that its EXTRA good since Im pregnant, so thats double trouble! So here it is... 

PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE!! YUM!! 

Its easy to make too, so thats always a plus! 

You need: 

1- 15oz can of pumpkin

1- 12oz can of evaporated milk

4- eggs

1&1/2 cups white sugar

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. salt

1-pkg yellow cake mix

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup margarine- melted

Cool whip 

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan. 

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, & salt. Mix well & spread in pan. 

Sprinkle cake mix over the top of the pumpkin mixture & pat down. 

Sprinkle pecans over that & drizzle with melted margarine. 

Bake for 60-70 min & top with cool whip

Its AMAZING!!

I was going to share with her but I guess I'll have to get my own bowl... 

Hope you try this one out! It is great! 

Kelly :)