Clara and Everett

Clara and Everett

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Squeaky Clean Teeth

What does one do when they drive all the way downtown for a dentist appointment on Monday when the appointment is Tuesday? Go to the park...


I guess she hasn't seen a squirrel up close before. She chased this little guy, for about ten minutes. He loved it, he was playing games with her.









Tuesday came, the right day for the appointment. Nunu was checking in as well of course.






Both the hygienist and dentist were great with her. The dentist has a 2 year old of his own and was highly impressed with Clara's behavior. Mama on the other hand, said she did fair. I was SO thrilled she opened and got a full cleaning. She didn't like water rinse or the spit sucker at the end so that only happened on one side. After that she was done, and thankfully so was the hygienist.





Her teeth look great. I guess it is worth all the tears when we try and brush her teeth. She is going through an easy phase right now. I think kids go in and out just enough to keep us sane.




She had to have gloves too of course. Then it was mama's turn. She was a very good girl for the next 45 minutes by herself. She hung out in the room with me, climbed on me, played with the activities I brought for her, played a number game on my phone and of course comforted me. 

She was very curious at first. She peered in my mouth for a solid five minutes without saying a word and just starred. Then, she started to pat me on the shoulder and told me it would be okay in her soft sweet voice. "It's okay mama, you'll be okay. I'm here. You're fine." Then a kiss on my head. Ya know, the things I say and do to her when she's upset, scared, worried. I wasn't any of those things, but she must have thought I was. What a sweetie, melted my heart. She's going to be such a great comforter to others, so sympathetic. I love you Clara. I'm so proud of you. 



Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Callie Simmons


Welcome Callie! 

Matilda Calhoun Simmons 
7 pounds 10 ounces, 21 inches

The Simmons Family welcomed their fifth member on 21st of February. She is perfect and beautiful and will be loved by so many! 

Kate is one of the most loving mamas I've ever known, you're one lucky girl Callie! We love you, and can't wait to meet you!









Monday, February 15, 2016

Making a house a home...

Andre and I had to sell our home. It's getting too costly with all that is going on in our life at the time. We're both heart broken about it but trying to stay focused that it's just materialistic. It's not always that easy. The great news is, it sold in four days. It was a hectic time preparing and hectic showing it, but it could have dragged out and it's so hard keeping a home up to showing standards with two kids. They did the inspection last week and if nothing comes of that then we close at the end of March. We also found a condo in the area, about 5-7 miles away. Still centrally located from our work places, friends/family, therapy downtown, etc. This is not the most exciting time in our lives. We've put so much into this home and it breaks my heart to leave it. We could look at EVERY single inch, seriously, every inch has been improved by us. Every blade of grass in the back was placed by us, we've painted every room, made upgrades, redid the pool, built a tiki, added a deck, created a card table section just for euchre, made a barroom for socializing and tried to make an atmosphere for company since having my family visit is my favorite thing in the world. I'm sad to think we won't be able to host as we always have with less space, it was getting crowded in our house as it was with our growing family. Andre and his magnificent talent in the yard and in the house shine and I'm sure sealed the deal. Since Clara, he's been on his own outside and he's done so much, it looks perfect. Kristin and Mark just moved down the street. I would have never in 1 million years have thought my own sister would be living down the road. Now we have to move. :( It makes my heart so sad. Knowing I could trust this neighborhood with Everett's needs, I always envisioned him being able to walk to Aunt Kristin's and having some sense of independence as a kid. Having Nancy next door, oh boy, what will we do without her?! She cooks for us regularly, watches out of us and is always there in a pinch. We both shed many tears when we signed the papers but we both know it's just a lateral move, and one day hope to be back. We know we have everything that's important. We have our health and happiness and there is no price tag on that. We have a perfect family and we're focusing on our sweet babies and the fact that we'll have more time together as a family without yard work. We'll miss this home and neighborhood dearly. Sorry we had to move away Aunt Krissim. :((


I look at things like this and envision a new home in a few years that we'll make our own. This is a bed I think Clara will love. 

Clara enjoying the hammock daddy hung, our queen palms are now big enough. :/ Just in time.


Andre still doing sweet things making prepping the house for showing as "fun" as possible. Trying to keep my spirits up. 

We spent money on our room and I LOVE it, wish we had done it sooner. We don't make our bed on a regular though so these pillows will all go back. I may have time or interest in making my bed again later in life, maybe. 

One of the suggestions our realtor gave was to frame in the mirror in our room and the bathroom. It looks great this way. We got a chair too. Wish we would have done this sooner, I love it. Next house.

One of the hardest parts has been Clara commenting every time we pull in the driveway, or even well before we hit the driveway, "We're home!" All the memories of her as a brand new baby in our home flood back to me. Everett now too. Andre and I got married while living here, all of my family and friends visits are fresh in my head. I love the home we made, I love our beginning. I'm hopeful it keeps getting better from here! 

Staying warm inside this winter.

I love Florida's winter. It's warm enough where my bones aren't cold but still cold enough to snuggle under blankets and have a reason to be lazy and get cozy. 


Time inside at the library exchanging books and putting on puppet shows is a great way to spend cold days too. 







Isaac was baptized. 

He just turned 8. That's when Mormans allow him to make the decision to join the church and become baptized. He did a great job playing the piano.









Clara did well. I brought things to keep her busy. She's shout out at times forgetting she was in a quiet place but after she was reminded she would whisper.


Vicki took Everett for me after. She held him forever. It was wonderful. I sat. I ate. I talked with other adults. I took care of Clara too but it was so easy and enjoyable. Thanks Vicki!! 








These little Asian girls were obsessed with Everett. So cute.


The crew. Four Fegers, three Crew, 2 Fegers and one random kiddo in the back that goes to my school. 

Vday 2016

This face. He melts my heart! 

Therapy




Sweet baby! She doesn't like things around her neck, just like her mama. She wanted a scarf so bad, but couldn't handle it. Kristin made this for me so I could try to drum up some business for her since they're Down syndrome colors. No bites. I love it! 


Clara made a train and wanted to ride herself. 






Yep, she pooped in the tub again. 3rd time. Clarie Bearie. I have a great video of this all but don't want to post it online. I'll make sure to pull it up later in life! ;)


Trying to get Everett to take eating seriously. Not so much. 


My favorite part of this past weekend was snuggling this little love. He's so lovable. I'm going to miss these days so much. For some reason I feel like he'll always snuggle his mama. 








I love his fat hands so much.



Grocery store with Dada while mama snuggles brother. 


My bears.







Can't ever get everyone to look.


Balloon from Aint Krissim




An empty park on Valentine's day reserved for us, Rissa, and Ajae! It was great! 














He is the best dada.






Clara started to swing for the first time. She's always hated how tippy it was, how easy it is to tip back if your botty isn't just so. She got a feel for it and did great. Andre was able to push her quite high for a first go. 


Everett had his first swing today, he loved it too! My heart was full! 

















So many of my loves! Ajae likes to try all the swings and you can't push her high because she has no fear and will jump off at any moment!!! Crazy little girl!


Love them. Clara will do ANYTHING to be with Ajae and Rissa. She gets so excited it makes me so happy. I love when seeing them is in our future and I can use it as leverage for good listening and no whining. 





My sweet boy all tuckered out from a fun morning at the park.