Happy Easter

Easter was low key...and I mean low key!  We had just finished with me getting back from Hawaii.  Keri and the boys coming home with me for my grandpa's funeral.  My dad and Cathy went to the property to settle their souls and my mom and John went to Destiny's in-laws house.... so as usual protocol we went to Nana's.

When we got there we found that the Easter bunny had arrived with a basket of goodies!!!  It was so precious watching Bridget open each item and look at it before getting the next item out of the basket.  

This is an Easter pop-up book...She LOVES books. 

This picture cracks me up...she is reaching for me as I am coming up the stairs. 

Quack, Quack...this is Bridget's new animal sound...perfect for Easter!

Nana laying on the floor in her apron reading a book with Bridget...

Dada playing with a new bouncy green ball.

Then she conned Papa into reading the book on the floor

Little miss big girl...are you kidding me?!  She looks so big! 

The Farm

When Keri and the boys were here we had the opportunity to go to the Helle Farm...Bridget got to see her first ever cow!  I think cows are a top three contender for favorite animal. 

Good Bye (Great) Grandpa Nelson

My dad's dad (so my grandpa, Bridget's Great Grandpa) Raymond E Nelson passed away while I was in Hawaii of prostate cancer.   It was a strange blessing to be in Hawaii when this happened because I was with Keri which just makes everything a little easier.   I think it was also best because my dad is a silent griever and I would need to be with him if I was home...so this just gave him a little bit of space.   

My grandpa was a different man for everyone...for me he did not apologize for his faith (which I love) but he did not shove his faith in your face either (which I love!)...He was a convicted Catholic and had the grace and understanding to allow you to believe and worship the way in which you were called to worship.   I remember thinking that my grandpa would be very upset that one of my uncles had left he Catholic faith for another practice...I asked him if he was mad...and he looked at me with love and a smile and said..Kati it is all the same God it is just how you choose to worship him.   I was YOUNG when this happened and it still resonates with me. 

Grandpa also had a smile on his face every time we walked in the door.   He had this sense of humor that was quiet and then all of a sudden he would shock you by saying something like All right you lucky people I am here....it always made me laugh.

Grandpa and grandma came to the hospital late in the night after Bridget was born and I just remember thinking how blessed and honored I was to have my grandpa there holding my little one (I do have to admit as a first time mom I was freaking out because my grandpa had the shakes like someone with Parkinson's and the ground below Bridget's head was hard)...Grandpa looked at me and said don't worry Kati this is not my first time holding a baby. 

Keri and I had the opportunity to live with my dad at my Grandpa and Grandma's house when we were little....there are so many good memories at the farm....

Happy Birthday Billie

For Billie's birthday we went to brunch at Salty's.  It was delicious!  They have a make your own bloody mary bar!!  I was in HEAVEN!  The food was amazing---especially if you like seafood. 

Here are some pics from the party!

Thanks for the hat Grandma Cathy!

Bridget LOVES to play in her closet.  She loves to take the shoes out of the bin and put them back in the bin...then try on her tutus...then pull things off the hanger and say UTOH...

The other day she found her hat bin...and she REALLY needed to wear the hat to breakfast.  Grandma Cathy had knitted this hat for Bean at Christmas but was a bit too big...well it fits now and is now our breakfast hat!

Pixie turns Sixteen Months!

Bridget turned 16 months while I was in Hawaii.  Thankfully Auntie Destiny came to the rescue!  The poor little girl was so sick...she had been throwing up for the last couple of days...Finally she had recovered enough for a little distraction and a photo op.

One of her favorite things right now is to knock on the door, floor, highchair tray...anything...and say hellwo.  She then expects you to do the same thing back.   She loves to knock on the door while Brendan is getting ready and yell HELLWO...dada HELLWO...and then if there is no response she will lay on her tummy and put her little fingers under the door and say UMMM....after a bit she gets bored and starts to play with the car set we have in our bedroom.

She is tilting her head back and fake laughing...this is mimicking Grandma Ah!.  Grandma Ah!  when she laughs (which she does regularly) tilts her head back.  The problem is that once she starts fake laughing it turns into real laughing which gives us the hick-ups.

Officially this month we are not allowed to feed her with a utensils...according to Bridget...so cottage cheese, chilli,  you name it all gets shoved into her face with her hands...it is a really clean experience.

Here is the compare....

Cardio Appointment

We have been upgraded!  We were on the every 6 month plan (where we would go see the doctor every 6 months) and now we are on the 9 month plan!  Hopefully at our next appointment we can be on the 12 month plan.  Unfortunately at this point,  I do not think we will be on the never plan.

Basically,  the update is that there is no change...which is a good thing!  Her little heart is growing and there is still a stenosis that needs monitoring.  Her activities are not limited and she is a healthy little girl. Thank God for answered prayers!

 So we are in the middle of March Maddness and got a ton of crap for this shirt!  Thanks Nicki!

Two things to note:  She was playing telephone with the flap of her hat and thank you Tara for the "duck" / penguin...it was a life saver at this appointment 

 We had to keep her super quiet and her shirt off for all of the tests.  A cuddle from mom and a bottle with dad singing will do the trick!