Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas from the Kellys!

Ashlyn loved meeting Santa for the first time:However, Braeden must have forgotten about how nice Santa was last year:

'Tis the season.....for meltdowns on Santa's lap, ever expanding waist bands from Korie's orgasmic christmas cookies (the only thing she can really bake at all!), and quickly shrinking wallets as Mrs. Clause insists Santa buy the kids every toy at Toys R Us!

Another Neuro Appointment

Ugh, I have been neglecting the blog again. I still have to update with Thanksgiving pics, Ashlyn's half birthday, and my birthday posts. But right now, I just want to ask for prayers. Braeden has to go to the neurologist today. I typed that right....Braeden, not Ashlyn! There is a concern that he might be having a form of seizures (absence or petit mal). Let's just pray that mama is overly paranoid and neurology obsessed.....

Prayers Please

I ask that you keep a friend of mine in your thoughts and prayers. During my pregnancy with Braeden, I found a great online message board where I bonded with other women due in March 2008 during pregnancy and beyond. Through facebook and blogging, I have kept in touch my fellow WTE March Mommies. One of these moms is going through a very difficult time. On Thanksgiving, her family came home to find that their home was destroyed by a fire. Their home and most belonging are gone, but luckily no one was hurt. I cannot imagine all the memories lost and stress of trying to rebuild and move on. Did I mention that she is expecting again, and her hubby is in medical school?! This family has a lot on their plate right now....so please please please say a prayer for them.

Happy Thanksgiving

This year I am thankful for FAMILY.

I am thankful for Ashlyn who continues to amaze me everyday. Hard to believe that late last December we were told by a doctor to consider termination! She truly is my inspiration.

I am thankful for Braeden who is the sweetest, most loving big brother. He may be entering the terrible twos early, but he is still my favorite little guy in the whole world!

I am thankful for Chris, my husband. He is a wonderful husband and an even better father. I am extremely grateful that he is such an awesome dad. He is very involved in every aspect of their lives. From playtime to doctor's appointments, he is there for the good times and bad, the hugs and the temper tantrums. It is great to have a partner when things get stressful with raising 2 under 2. I don't know how I could do it without him. Single moms out there, I am in awe of you!

I am thankful for my mom. She is my best friend and always so supportive of me. Now that I am a mother, I have come to the realization that I am my mother's daughter. I might joke that I am turning into my mother....but you know what? That is not a bad thing! Although I was not able to spend Thanksgiving with her this year, I am thankful that she was able to be in California instead. She treated herself to a trip to Cali to visit my brother. Speaking of my brother....

I am thankful that my brother (AKA Uncle Chris) is a Young American doing his thing on the West coast. He has a great role in the "new kid show," is making new friends, and seems to be very happy even though he is super busy now. I am very proud of my little brother!

I am thankful for my dad. I am very proud of him because he has finally kicked his nicotine addiction! YAY, no more tobacco!!! Braeden and Ashlyn need "Bop-pa" around afterall. As a nurse, I am know the importance of quitting, but I also understand how hard it is. I am also thanful for Chantix (tobacco users talk to your doctors about trying it...I have heard from quite a few people who finally found success quitting with it).

I am thankful for my in-laws. In-laws don't always get a great rap....but mine are pretty awesome! I feel right at home with them. I remember when I first met them when Chris and I started dating, and I was so shy and timid....not anymore!

Update on Ashlyn

We have something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving. Ashlyn had a wonderful appointment with her neurosurgeon yesterday. Dr. S was happy with her progress and says she is doing great. From now on, she will just need to go in for an annual visit to check her shunt (unless complications arise of course). Her head size is 43.5 mm, which puts her at the 75th percentile. Imagine that....my daughter with hydrocephalus who had been off the charts is in the 75th percentile! Absolutely amazing! We feel so blessed that Ashlyn is doing so well despite her rocky start.

Tomorrow, Ashlyn will be introduced to solid food at her first Thanksgiving celebration. I cannot wait, and I will definitely take lots of pics to capture the special day. :)

Sense the Sarcasm?!

Dear Waterloo Premium Outlets,


Thank you so much for having 50 million mechanical rides throughout the mall. Afterall, I did not really intend on doing any Xmas shopping. My goal for the day was to spend $5 in quarters so that Braeden could happily ride on Batman, Superman, Dumbo, Snoopy, Big Bird, Elmo and Zoey, Pooh Bear, Puma, Mickey, a generic dinosaur, and Bob the Builder. And I just love dealing with a screaming kid whenever I do anything resembling shopping.


Oh and the fact that the rental strollers are shaped like cars and displayed outside of the food court made my day. After all, anything shaped like a car (or "broom broom") is worth trying to pull a Houdini and escape from a boring old stroller.


This sarcastic shopaholic does sincerely thank you for the fact that your design plan aided in our leaving after only spending $40 (well, make that $45 when you count the quarters)!


♥ Korie

Posterchild for Abstinence

Yesterday, I made the mistake of attempting to Christmas shop with Braeden. I had the elderly shooting us death stares....the young single adults trying to avert their eyes and certainly making a mental note to remember to take their birth control pills and stock up on condoms ASAP....and the fellow moms with their double strollers, messy hair, and bags under their eyes offering me the most empathetic (albeit pathetic) look. Oh the joys of toddlerhood!

Welcome to the Hot Zone

The Kelly household is officially a hot zone for H1N1 (despite 2 of the 4 members receiving the vaccine!). Everyone expect Ashlyn (thank God!) is sick. I have the oh-so-sexy cough that inevitably accompanies every illness I contract and will undoubtedly last through the holiday season. Blah.....

Before I came down with the flu, I was designated as house nurse. I even gave Chris a cow bell to ring if he needed anything...and to my surprise he did not use it once. If I give my patients their call bell, they will ring it every 5 minutes for trivial matters unrelated to whatever is requiring them to bogart an ICU bed.

My advice: anyone that can, get your H1N1 vaccine....and then hibernate for 2 weeks until you have full immunity. I don't have a bad case of H1N1, but this still sucks!

It's the Most Horrible Time of the Year....

Flu Season!

H1N1 has officially made its appearance in our household. Braeden has H1N1....despite getting the vaccination! Braeden got his first dose of the H1N1 vaccine on Nov. 3, but he was exposed to the virus over the weekend. My mom was watching him this whole weekend, and on Sunday evening started feeling sick. Come to find out, a coworker had confirmed H1N1. Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, Braeden started exhibiting flu symptoms...fever, chills, cough, etc.

Hopefully, it is just a mild case since he did get the vaccine. And I pray that Ashlyn will not get infected. I was vaccinated and hoping that she gains immunization through the antibodies in my breastmilk. I also pray that my husband doesn't get sick because you know how much of a baby men act like when under the weather!

I must say I am enjoying the more low-key, extra cuddly Braeden! We snuggled and napped most of the day. I love that little guy so much! Please keep him and my mom in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!

VOTE VOTE VOTE

I have put up a poll in regards to Braeden's 2nd birthday party. Right after his pirate-themed 1st birthday party, Chris and I decided his birthday sequel would have a Toy Story theme. But now I am wavering because he is obsessed with Cookie Monster! Forget Elmo and Big Bird. B is all about COOKIE! Help me out here and vote in my poll. Heaven forbid Braeden end up with a crappy theme....or *gasp* no theme at all!

I Heart Freebies

I may be a self-admitted shop-a-holic and financially impulsive....but I also have a frugal side. And the frugal Korie is jumping for joy right now! You must check out this amazing freebie. You get 50 free photo cards with free shipping. Just in time the holidays!

Now, the only downside is that I am a Rochesterian, which means I am supposed to worship anything Kodak. Fuji film is the enemy here in Rochester, NY....but come on! This deal is too good to pass up. I also returned my week-old Kodak digital camera today because it sucked. So sorry to disappoint you George Eastman! Uh oh, I hope I don't contribute to any more Kodak layoffs....

Ask and You Shall Receive

About a month ago, I was at Wegmans and stopped by the pharmacy to see if they could order Baby D-Drops. The pharmacist looked at me like I had two heads and said she never heard of D-Drops. Well, just last week I was getting my prenatals when a box caught my eye. There they were right next to the nasty Poly-Vi-Sol drops, which my kids hate and as a result have stained more outfits than I can count. Oh happy day! I didn't even bother looking at the price (checked the receipt later...$15 and totally worth it!). I like to think I had a hand in stocking the D-Drops....Ask and you shall receive!!

Anyway, you are probably wondering what is so special about these vitamin drops. Well, babies, especially breastfed babies, need supplemental vitamin D. Most doctors recommend Poly-Vi-Sol, but they are just disgusting. I have tasted them, and I don't blame babies for spitting them back out at their parents! I did a little research and found an alternate manufacture of vitamin D supplements for babies. They are more concentrated and flavorless. All you need is a tiny drop, which you just put on your nipple before breastfeeding once a day. So much easier and mess-free! Baby D-Drops are officially granted my seal of approval!

Baby Einstein Refund

I would like to thank the dumbasses out there that actually believed plopping their offspring in front of a TV could alter their genetic predisposition thereby transforming them into a "Baby Einstein." Because of this ignorance, Disney is giving full refunds for up to 4 Baby Einstein DVDs. At $15.99 a DVD, that is $63.96....and just in time for Christmas!

Halloween Party at Strong National Museum of Play

Please Pray!

Please everyone keep this little fighter in your thoughts and prayers. He is a preemie going for heart surgery tomorrow.

Nurse Humor

Let the Holiday Shopping Commence!

FYI: Toys R Us is having a sale on the Fisher Price toys this week. Buy 2 get 1 free! Here is the loot I got so far.....

Baby Food Recall

It has been 19 months since I became a mother, and I had yet to have a baby product recalled....until now! I have been stocking up on organic baby food for Ashlyn when she starts solids around 6 months. Turns out, Plum Organics has issued a voluntary recall for the pouch of Apple and Carrot baby food with an exp date of May 21, 2010 and UPC of 890180001221. Thankfully, Toys R Us and Babies R Us will be giving full refunds.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Sibling Rivalry?

No way! Braeden has become the most overprotective big brother. We cannot leave a room without him asking for "sissy." Cute, albiet annoying when I end up lugging a napping baby around in her boppy chair throughout the house!

Ashlyn is Absolutely Adorable

I might be biased, but Ashlyn is the cutest little pain in the butt ever! She might be a drama queen...but she is the most amazing little princess ever.

Bop, Bop, Bop!

Say Cheese!!

Braeden says "cheese" for pictures now. At lunch at Sticky Lips on Sunday, he was being extra cheesy! Here are some of the cute pics:

Sophie la Girafe

I broke down and bought Sophie the giraffe for Ashlyn. I basically spent $20 on a squeky dog toy....but she loves it!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

On Sunday, my family went to Stokoe Farms Pumpkin Patch and had an afternoon of fun!

Corn maze:

Pumpkin Patch:

My Pumpkin:

Annabelle, the cow, was born on June 1st just like Ashlyn!

Papa and Braeden riding the train:

Now Daddy's turn:

Playing in the hay:

Mommy and B:

Mmmm....Fried dough:

4 Freakin' Months Old!!

Are you kidding? Ashlyn is 1/3 of a year old! I cannot believe how fast this year is going by, and how much progress she has made. Her development is great, and she is rolling over consistently now and even trying to sit up on her own!

Since it is officially October now, I decided it was not too early to put her in a Halloween onesie.
Love it! Found this onesie at Babies R Us for only $10! I paired it with some warm tights, and she was good to go! Isn't she the cutest little pumpkin ever?!

Road Trip!

Last week, we took an impromptu drive up to Canada to see the Niagara Falls with the babies. It was our first "day-cation" with the babies, and I must say went quite smoothly!

Chris looks thrilled....

Braeden being a happy camper in the backseat.

Mommy happy to be getting out of the house on a random Thursday! Braeden kicking daddy in the crotch....

We later switched over to the double stroller for fears of future fertility problems!

Checking out the Falls!

The ladies!

Me and my girl

Beautiful!

Whoops....left zoom on!

Take 2....Hershey Store....

We left without buying anything! Yay, willpower!

Starbucks Break

Time for B to stretch his legs!

Awwww....B's first girlfriend!

Okay, he just wanted to steal her juicebox!

The girls!

Daddy's little princess

Crossing the border where we witnessed racial profiling at its finest....

Braeden passed out before we got back to the States!

One random story from our trip.....While Braeden was running around the park, Ashlyn got hungry so I started breastfeeding her right in broad daylight. Now, I normally do not breastfeed in public, and when I do I use a nursing cover. However, I didn't have a cover with me, and I felt liberated being in a different country so I went for it. I was not flashing my boobs around...I was being discreet about it. As Ashlyn is eating, three Muslim men walk into the park to do their afternoon prayers. I felt so awkward and worried I was offending them! Luckily, they didn't seem to care or notice. But I have learned a valuable lesson, I am modest and am not the type that is carefree enough to just whip my boob out without warning! Timed perfectly, the very next day, the babysteal of the day was a hooter hider for 50% off....I snagged on without thinking twice!