Van Gogh....I mean Kaitlyn!

Miss Kaitlyn is an avid artist....she spends (with no exaggeration) about 3 hours each day coloring. We think she is getting really good and Aunt Kim said she is definitely ahead of her 2nd graders! Check these out!

Miss Skylar is going through another "episode" this week and back on steroids (on top of her singulair and nebulizer - 2 different meds - treatments). John and I re-evaluated her care and are opting to see a holistic doctor. We have our first appointment Friday and are anxious to experience the exam and treatment process. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and hope this little angel gets a break soon!

Fall is rockin' and rollin'!

Speaking of rolling......Kaitlyn is really trying to get rolling skating down pat. Since the weather was so great this weekend, she practiced all weekend! Skylar found this amusing too. Instead of being a supporting lil sis, she decided it would be more fun to push Kaitlyn, make her fall and then laugh so hard, she'd lose her breath. Kaitlyn on the other hand, didn't it find it so amusing. I guess being the mom, the right thing to do would be to tell Skylar to stop, and "not nice" but I guess I was too busy laughing too. Sorry Kaitlyn!

Mema had a great birthday weekend last week. Aunt Kimmie bought her a new kitten, who she quickly named "Martie" short for martini (Kimmie has a cat named, "Quila" short for tequila). Martie seems to be adjusting to the Lanigan household, and has quickly become a part of the family.

John has been very busy on the boat, working all weekend. We miss him! Let's see how fun it was for him.....bachelor party on Friday night resulting in a 350 lb man puking everywhere......last night the life raft blowing off the top deck because the water was so rough resulting in a man getting knocked in the head....and today trying to fix the generator and fuel filters. I think the girls' weekend definitely topped his!!! Don't worry, I did make one of his favorite dinners, Aunt Shirley's camp stew (we used the final canned goods she sent!), and brownies for dessert. And tomorrow night, another favorite, meatloaf! Don't worry, John, I won't make mashed potatoes!

Skylar's Recent Doctors Visits

Like March, September is in like a lion and out like a lamb. The heat and humidity are gone, and that means our roses are happy and blooming again!


A quick update on Miss Bean. On Friday, she visited the audiologist for a hearing exam. Although she does not have permanent hearing damage, she does not hear 100%. We were advised to follow up with our ENT (ear, nose, throat doctor) for a thorough exam and to answer the "why" question. Then, over the weekend, Skylar developed (yet another!) double ear infection....which resulted in a visit to the pediatrician Monday morning. We were also lucky to get an appointment with the ENT this morning, so we got answers quickly! The ENT, who happens to be friends with our OB/GYN, recommended that Skylar get tubes in her ears, which is a very inevasive, common procedure. The only glitch is that she needs to be put under anesthesia, and with her pulmonary issues, she will need special attention. John and I are comfortable with this answer, since we think she deserves special attention anyway! We are confident that this procedure will result in many positive outcomes including less discomfort, less frequent ear infections, draining of her sinus cavity and more sleep (for her AND us!). By the way, 24 hours of antibiotics and she is more than back to normal, learning a new trick! She can take all the toilet paper off the roll, put it in the toilet and flush (or at least try to get it to flush). This new trick is particularly fun for John and I since we get to unclog the bowl often. And for those of you who are thinking "why not just shut the door" - good try. She's learned to open doors too. Looks like we'll be child-proofing even more this weekend!



Kaitlyn is of course doing a great job as big sister. Tonight, as i was trying to give Skylar her medicine, Kaitlyn suggested that i pretend to give it to her and then Skylar will want some. Well, it worked. Skylar took the antibiotic like i would do a shot of tequila! Thanks Toots!

PS - for those interested, I applied for "Design on a Dime" on HGTV for our living room! Wish me luck!