If they were this tired...they should have been in my shoes!

Yesterday, my sisters, mom, and I took the kids to the little park in my parents neighborhood. We *thought* it was a good idea to walk there. It was great for calories burned...but not so great for my hammies and hiney! OUCH! There are MANY BIG hills at Sugarloaf. The hills are bearable when you are just walking it alone...but pushing 120+ lbs of kids and stroller is a different story. But, we made it...sore...but made it! The kids were so tired after the park that on the way back this is how it ended...

My Little Super Woman!

The other day I went to the Carter's store at Discover Mills and they were having a HUGE fleece footed PJ sale. I ended up getting each pair for $4.32. Anyway, they had these cute boys pj's that looked like a super hero outfit. It was SO FREAKIN' cute! I love those pj's on Cole. He has a racer one, police officer, and a cowboy set. So, since the fleece-pj-wearing will be over before we know it, I bought all 4T's for Cole to wear next year. Well, Ellie went through the bag and got the super hero set out and wanted to wear them to bed...so I let her...I mean if she wants to wear them...why not! SHE LOVES THEM! She got home from school today she wanted to put them back on...so...she did. She calls herself "super ziggy"....what a weirdo!! LOVE HER! Here is the picture of super ziggy!

Feeling better and Cole-Man Appointment

Well, I can tell you I feel much better than I did the last time I posted. I have a lot more movement in my back today. I went to see Dr. Levengood Friday and I have inflamed lower facets in my back. Your facets are what holds your vertebras together. He gave me a back brace, and despite the hellacious muffin top it gives me, it really has helped me. He gave me a steroid and gave me PT time. I have not done the PT yet, and I am not sure when I will be able to get there this week so we will see how that pans out... :) But, I am on my way to recovery...I think. The inflamed facets could have been caused by an injury or arthritis. I am hoping it is an injury b/c I have psoriasis as well and arthritis goes hand and hand with psoriasis. I thought I had pretty much avoided the arthritis part...so let's just say for positive thinking sake that it was just an injury! ;)

Cole-Man had his 18 month appt Friday as well. He is in perfect health! Everything looked good...he was 33 1/4 inches tall (85%) and 26.5 lbs (52%). We should get his blood work back today to find out about his anemia. I am thinking he is ok with that too...again thinking positive.

Saturday night we had a surprise 30th birthday party for my sister, Katie. I cannot BELIEVE she will be 30 on Sunday! CRAZY! I remember living in our house on Cricket Ridge when we would make up dances to Paula Abdul. But, don't put it past us to still make up a routine...even though we might both end up going to see Dr. Levengood! LOL!

Until next time...

I have landed flat on my back

Ouch...is all I have to say. Last night after bootcamp I came home and my back hurt worse than it ever has. When I was pregnant with Cole I had all sorts of pains below the belt, if you will. I had bad varicosities, a Hernia, and horrible tailbone pain when sitting and standing. The first two went away pretty much as soon as Cole was delivered. But, the tailbone pain was worsened after delivery. My OB/GYN told me it would go away within a year and it was just sciatic nerve pain. So, I put my big girl pants on and just dealt with it. Then about a year ago it started moving into my lower back. It was off and on pain and I passed it off as just having kids and working out trying to get the last 10 lbs from Cole off. But, last night after bootcamp it was a whole different ballgame. I had a hard time even moving. My sleep was horrible and when I woke up it was not any better. I have taken two rounds of two Aleve, which usually knocks out any pain imaginable...but it really just takes a little edge off. So, I am off to see our friend Dr. Levengood tomorrow to see what the heck is going on. Today has been interesting with me being laid up with the kids running around. Both are still in the PJ's...it's 1 pm! I feel like a horrible mother...but I honestly cannot bend over to change them. Cole had a "soiled" diaper and I was in tears on the floor changing him. Hopefully it is just something muscular and can be fixed with a few pills and rest. I will keep you updated...I wish he was in the office now so I could get some relief!

BTW...Cole goes for his 18 month appt tomorrow. Mom is going to help me get there and help me with him so I should be good. I am anxious to see how he is doing. We will have to check his iron levels again to see how his anemia is doing...hopefully better!

Luke Evan Trice

Today, I have a new second cousin/nephew. I call myself "aunt" to Caroline which is my first - second cousin so I will call myself "aunt" to Luke Trice as well. Luke Evan Trice was named after my cousin, Evan, who was tragically killed 4 years ago on his college campus. I know that Evan would be so proud of Caroline and Luke and all the "Elliott/Luke" grandkids. I will posts pics as soon as I get them. Welcome to the world baby Luke! Hold on to your pants...it's going to be one heck of a ride!! PS - he was 7 lbs 9 oz...I think!

How do you contain two toddlers while their sister/cousin does her nastics?

Like that...nothing a little Dora can't handle! These two boys LOVE Dora!

The Georgia Aquarium

Today, we went to the Georgia Aquarium with the kids. This is the first time we all went inside the actual Aquarium. When I was pregnant with Ellie, Tim and I went...but the kids have never been. Well, Jill got married there...but we did not go into the exhibits.

Both of the kids loved it! Cole really took a liking to the fish...shocker right...he must be his father's son! Ellie was a little scared at first but she warmed up very quick!

Tim knows a few guys that works at the Aquarium and we ran into one of his old buddies which offered to take us up to the place where all the action happens. It was neat to see just how big the whale shark tank really is. It was really cool to see that!

Here are some pics from our adventure!