Strong National Museum of Play is AWESOME

Strong National Museum of Play understands kids and does everything to make such a crazy place easier for parents. Parents of toddlers will understand how important having a "Manual Flush Toilet" is!

Speaking of the museum, we have a membership now (thanks MeMe and PaPa!) so we have been going every week....such a fun, educational place. Whenever we drive to downtown, B says "play, play!" If you are in Rochester and have kids, you must go and play!

Blast from the Past!

I was uploading some old pictures today, and I found this picture of me and Chris back in the day. This was very very early on in our relationship. Chris had just met my parents and was sitting on my childhood bed while my mom took a picture of the two of us....Look how cute and nervous he looks!! And just look at me....all cute with long hair and cleavage! LOL

Mommy of the Year Award

My Mommy of the Year Award has officially been revoked:

Disclaimer: No toddlers were intoxicated in the making of this photograph. No actual alcohol was ingested. Alcohol was not served to anyone under the age of 21!

I was looking through Christmas pics and found this gem. B chugging a Blue Moon! I promise that the bottle was completely empty, and Chris was right there about to take it from him. I would never serve some underage alcohol...especially when the kid in question is only 21 months! Nevertheless, this pic is pretty funny....

Happy Birthday PaPa!

Happy birthday PaPa!! WE LOVE YOU!

Slacker Mom

Yet again, I have proven to be a slacker blogger mom! I have been enjoying my family over the holidays, but I promise to do a complete update very soon. And of course I have lots of cute pictures that I cannot wait to share.

My most recent news: Ashlyn Grace pulled herself up to stand in her crib this morning (which of course I missed because I working my butt off at work)! She is sitting on her own and crawling now. It is hard to believe that one year ago, we were not sure what the outcome of my pregnancy would be. Here we are today with a completely healthy, developmentally normal 7 month old!

Rest In Peace Ginger Pumpkin

My childhood cat, Ginger Pumpkin, passed away today at the age of 15. She had been sick since Thanksgiving and not eating. Thankfully, she seemed to not be in any pain through her illness and made it through one last holiday season with her family. I'll miss you Ginger...even if you were a little bipolar and attacked my husband for no reason.

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!