My Girls Role "Model"

On Saturday, Barrett and Peyton went to watch their 13 year old cousin, Ashlynn, perform in a fashion show she was performing in for modeling classes she recently began attending. Ashlynn is who my girls MOST look up to. They want to look like her, dress like her, be like her and go wherever she is.

Quite frankly, I couldn't ask for a better example for them. Not only is she lovely...she is an all-around awesome kid! She is smart, responsible and polite. She is kind, caring and generous. She is admirable, honest and reliable.

I don't know if Ashlynn's goals for these classes is to become "the next supermodel", but I do know that in them she is learning things about style, poise and self-assurance that have already made a difference in how she carries herself. She is developing confidence in herself that she deserves to have. Ashlynn is a true beauty inside and out. Ashy, we love you!

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While we were waiting for the Fashion Show to begin -- Barrett decided she would give the runway a whirl. Check her out!

Little Mermaids

The girls had swimming lessons all week and they are loving it! Peyton is having a ball playing games like hokey pokey and chase the duckey in the water and Barrett is really building swimming skills with kick boards and floating techniques. Barrett is always the first to volunteer in the class and isn't afraid to try anything the teacher asks. Peyton refuses to blow bubbles or dunk her head herself but LOVES jumping into mommy off the side and is a pro at kicking her legs in the water.













We have one more week of lessons so I'm sure they will come even farther in their abilities -- but the important thing is that they are really enjoying the water. If we had spent any more time in the pool this week -- they would probably grow fins!

Something New

I started My Ladybuggs quite a few months ago to document Barrett and Peyton's activities and milestones. And I will continue to so here. However, once in a while I come across thoughts and topics that I want to record but this space doesn't seem like the appropriate place for them. This blog is for them. I need a place for me. A place where I can note my opinions on the latest issue on my mind and possibly document more of the trials and tribulations of motherhood (and womanhood), rather than only the triumphs that I try to center on here. It turns out, when I am not in constant focus of the bright and cheery subjects that are related to my daughters...I have a few things on my mind.

If you are interested in reading about those things, you are invited to join me at http://whatjensays.blogspot.com/, a.k.a. I should be cleaning..., where I have my very own place to vent, confess, express and sometimes even seek approval and advice. Hope to see you there!

She's Back on the Charts!

Some of you may have already known that last year at Peyton's 2-year check up at the doctor, she was not on "the chart" for height. And before then she was teetering on the the 4 percentile mark. In February, Peyton had to go to the doctor for an ear infection, and the doctor happen to take her measurements and assessed that she, still, was not on the growth chart. He said if by her 3-year-old check-up she wasn't showing some progress, he would want to blood test her for growth hormone deficiency or a thyroid problem. This has concerned me for months....

I had finally come to terms that even if the outcome was "short" at her appointment -- I wasn't going to have her tested. I wasn't going to give my daughter a shot of hormones everyday for her to get taller. Who knows what the side effects could be with that...by her teenage years she could be 7 foot tall and hair on her chest. No! She would just have to be short. Even a measly 4'11'' wouldn't be the end of the world for a girl!

But today she had her 3-year appointment. I waited anxiously as they tallied up her numbers. She had grown 3-1/2 inches in the year, 1-1/2 of them since February. She is in the 10Th percentile of height for her age. I believe that's the highest percentile she has ever been in that category! My how she has grown. We might even have a 5 footer on our hands! But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Peyton, you really are a BIG girl now. YAY!

Temperatures High at our House

Yesterday both Barrett and Peyton spiked fevers above 104. Our household could keep Children's Motrin in business.

I want to take this opportunity to say "always listen to your mother..." Yesterday morning my mom was advising me to take Peyton to the doctor. I put up a real fight arguing that doctors these days don't want to see fever patients unless the they linger for a couple of days (which is what I am constantly told when I call in). I tried to dismiss her suggestions. Seeing Peyton's misery, I re-considered and requested an appointment. Because HER high fever was accompanied by a wet cough, the doctor found that she had bronchitis...that if not treated would have probably resulted in pneumonia. Thank goodness we went in! He prescribed antibiotics, gave her a breathing treatment and sent her home with an inhaler. She is now on the road to recovery and I am reminded that Mother Knows Best (even if you don't want to believe it).

Unfortunately, Barrett's high temperatures are her only symptom...dismissing her as a candidate for prescribed meds -- so she may have a longer road to cooling down. So we are in for a very lazy today filled with Popsicles, 7-up, naps and lots of cuddles. We are aiming for two healthy kids to celebrate a little fourth of July fun! Be well everyone!