GO UNI!!!

We're bleeding Purple.....GO PANTHERS GO!!!

We have had an exciting fall, watching our college football team clean up! With an 11-0 record, everyone in Iowa is currently a Panther fan! I'm sure you have all heard of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the past, they are a part of the Big 10 Conference. Iowa State Cyclones have even made it to a bowl game in Idaho, they are a part of the Big 12 Conference. No one this year is bragging about being a Hawk or Cy fan this year, everyone has joined on with the winning Panthers --as they should. Currently in the playoffs, the championship game will take place in Chattanooga TN Dec. 14th, a mere 5.5hrs from us. I hope they make it! To show our support, I've made our blog, purple and gold.
Click on the title GO UNI!!! for more info!

She finally showed up....

the maid that is. Okay, not really the maid, but CJ LOVES to vacuum! Only the real vacuum will do! Laurelei would like to get into the action too. So I guess that might be one thing I can sit back and put my feet up while the maid, um I mean CJ takes care of it.

Zebras, apples, parrots and ladybugs

Last night Laurelei was walking around and getting into things. She is feeling better! Actually, yesterday at the doctor's office she was feeling better. As the doctor was trying to discuss RSV with me, Laurelei was babbling and babbling and we couldn't hear each other. Since I was holding her, she was talking right into my ear. I turned and looked at her, and she had her arms outstretched to the doctor. She was back to flirting!
He took her and told her she was cute and he wanted to take her home with him.
I reminded him she hasn't been sleeping and I would gladly take some sleep if he wanted to take her.
He told Laurelei about the dinosaurs and trains she would have fun playing with
I was thinking about how much CJ would like that too..
He then told Laurelei that unfortunately they no longer had any bottles in the house, only sippy cups.
I informed him that she drinks well from a sippy cup.
He handed her back to me.

The doctor suggested using the swing or a bouncy seat to help her sleep. Since she is too big for the bouncy and we no longer have the swing, I used my magical high chair. Only I reclined it and she didn't have a messy face from just eating. That went alright. I did get a bit more sleep, and since she is feeling better each day, I'm encouraged that she'll do better in her crib soon.

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About a month ago, CJ discovered Eric's Adam's apple. She asked him what it was and he explained that it was an adam's apple. Then to be funny he said, I don't have a frog in my throat, I have an apple. Without missing a beat, CJ responds, "I have a zebra in my throat". Today she will tell you she has a zebra in her throat, and daddy has an apple, mommy has a parrot and Laurelei has a ladybug in her throat. I feel like I have a parrot next to me all day, but apparently it is actually in my throat. She is very serious about this. She'll probably ask you what you have in your throat, it turns out that Grandma Strike has a giraffe and Grandpa Strike has a horse. Maybe you are wondering about Panther. She has a bark in her throat.

On the mend

Laurelei is doing better. She has more energy during the day, and today has even resumed eating. By the evening though she is worn out and just wants to cuddle. She has developed a rash on her torso, but the doctor isn't concerned about it. She lost another ounce since Saturday but hope we start gaining weight from here on out. We'll have a weight check in two weeks. I hope she starts to sleep better at night. She starts coughing when she lays down so she and I have been sleeping in the chair most of the nights, I know I'm looking forward to sleeping in the bed again. Her ear is still infected, but the antibiotics should clear that up in the next day or two also.

RSV

Laurelei has RSV. She has been battling a cold for over a couple of weeks and although she has continued to nurse, about 48hrs ago she stopped eating real food. The poor thing developed a fever, and started to cough up mucus...I know yuck. After a series of tests, and 4 hrs in the ER, she has RSV and an ear infection. They decided to send her home since she didn't have the wheezy breathing and we'll go to the doc. on Monday for a follow up. She has lost 11oz, doesn't like to take any type of medicine and just wants to cuddle and sleep in your arms. We pray that she gets better and doesn't end up being hospitalized.

CJ had a school physical on Thursday. She was such a big girl and didn't shed a single tear! I was so proud of her. She weighed in at 35.5lbs and was 39.5 inches tall. She enjoys her Mom Day Out program, but did ask me to stay the other day. Sorry kiddo, but that is why you go, 'cuz I don't have to.

BOOKS!

Every once in awhile I actually get to read a book, that has chapters, no pictures, and a plot that has you guessing or at least thinking. This weekend I started a book and was instantly absorbed into it and finished it today. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. It was given to me by a friend for my birthday, so it already came with high recommendations, and it certainly lived up to them. It takes you back to a small province in China during the 19th century. Foot binding, traditions and customs, and a secret, women only, language, all making for a journey that makes you invest in the characters and maybe even finding something of yourself along the way. If you belong to a book club and are looking for a good discussion book, this should be on your list. It's not a long novel and is easy to read, so even if you only get spurts, like I do, to read, it won't take you forever. I can't say the same about the other dozen books I'm currently working on, which is why I'm still working on them. I wanted to share this amazing book with you, if you get a chance, pick it up at the library and travel back in time.

One of CJ's current favorite books is Pete's a Pizza by William Steig. It is a good book, it has theme and encourages imaginative play. She of course likes to act out the book in between the readings, and likes to read it several times a day.
Both of the girls will sit and quietly read books through out the day. It is about the only time either of them will sit still, and it is fun to watch them read together. The moments don't last long if they are both reading books. Grandma Martha sent a few new ones today and they have already been read several times. I hope that they always love books and reading.

We're still here

We have been incredibly busy as of late, and with nothing spectacular, just busy. Last week Eric flew 7 times in 4 days! 2 of those flights were night flights. Today he has 2 more flights, then he'll be done with aerobatics and onto formations. CJ began a Mom's Day Out program last week, that she refers to as school and I refer to as finding my sanity time. She goes twice a week, currently Monday/Thursday but in January it will be Tuesday/Thursday. With speech twice a week, music on Tuesdays and story hour on Wednesday, we always seem to be on the go.
Last Thursday, Eric's Grandparents stopped by on their way to Dade City to winter. The girls had a lot of fun with their quick visit and CJ is still talking about their promise to go Putt Putt golfing with her some time. CJ discovered the sky full of stars while they were here. She stopped in her tracks, pointed up and sang Twinkle Twinkle Little star. First for Grandma then for Grandpa.
Laurelei is walking, er um, running everywhere. Bath time is her favorite time. She had her 9month well baby check up and aside from her drippy nose and cough she got a great report. She is 18lbs and 8oz and 27 inches long.
On Saturday we had family pictures taken. I think we had 3 newbies taking our shots, Laurelei was hungry and with her cold not happy, and CJ was a stinker refusing to look at the camera or sit where they asked her to. We got one shot with no one crying, maybe we'll have better luck next time. Following pictures, we went over to Panama City. We stayed on Tyndall AFB and had a nice time at the beach and relaxed with different scenery and good friends.

For the Grandmas

The Grandmas having been laying on the guilt of how far away we live and they can't see their granddaughters...so as I promised you, here is a video of Laurelei and a few more pictures.

Tonight when I finally got a chance to tape her walk, she wouldn't let go of the stroller. She's been watching CJ push it around the house, and tonight after she was in bed, it was her turn.



We all got dressed up, Eric went as a tourist. You can't tell but I gave him a "sunburn" and he had the camera around his neck...until we took pictures. He completed the outfit with White socks with sandals!

CJ helped hand out candy at our friends' place

And once again, the magic of my high chair took over.

An update on Eric. He has been flying again! He will hopefully get a check ride in tomorrow and then either solo in the afternoon or Monday. Due to the delays he has had, he won't be done with primary before Christmas as we had hoped. This means no traveling for us, as they don't get enough time off and he will need to study. We hope he will finish up in January, and it looks like we will still have a four month delay before heading to OK. We miss you guys!