SNOW much FUN!

So, the "blizzard" wasn't quite a blizzard. The local weather folks played it up to be a huge winter storm coming to snow us for a week. Thank goodness we weren't snowed in for a week, I don't do well cooped up in the house and Daddy-o had tickets for the UT basketball game.. against the Gators... so really not a good weekend for him to be snowed in either!

Friday the snow didn't arrive nearly as quickly as they had predicted. Kris was anxiously awaiting its arrival (as he anxiously awakes anything weather related). Few things really get Kris hyped up, but the list does include snow, national signing day, and the first volunteer football game of the season. We're talking the "Christmas Morning Syndrome." It's cute.. and actually just another one of those reasons Mommy loves him so much.. :)

Grace Anne didn't have much to do with the snow, but as you'd imagine its hard for a 2 and 1/2 month old to really get into the snow! Mommy strapped her in the Baby Bjorn though and Daddy went sledding with the Rigglets. Then, Mommy got to sled while Daddy did baby duty. So, we had a blast and look forward to the days ahead when little Miss Sunshine can really enjoy the excitement of the winter wonderland!

We finished out our snowed-in Saturday with chili, chips, and cheese... (petros, frito pies, whatever you want to call them) and snow cream with the Kathy, Alexis, and Elaina.

TARGET..who me?

So, today Grace Anne and I went to Target (my all time fave store that I am addicted to and visit frequently...and have lately been claiming that I go for exercising since its too cold to walk outside)!! While we were strolling through the aisles I noticed a local news anchor. I saw her several times as we roamed down every aisle and sifted thought the clearance items on each end cap. Apparently the news was at Target doing a fun little story on what you need when you get snowed in. Of course we aren't going to be snowed in (FYI: the local meteorologist are calling for snow.. and in Knoxville that apparently means a blizzard is coming so we need to run and get our milk and bread). Nonetheless, the camera crew and anchor (who was doubling as field reporter) wewere getting two Target customers to participate in a little relay race. Grace Anne and I were just shopping for Daddy some cereal when the camera man came barreling down the aisle behind one of the contestants. We got caught on tape! Daddy saw it on the news tonight and took a picture of it with the camera, the picture above is the picture he took of the TV with the news on. I'm so proud that my child was in Target when she made her first TV News appearance. She is going to be a superstar, ya know. She'll be making many more TV appearances... you wait and see!
On the SNOW front, we may get 3-4 inches (that according to my in-house meteorologist). I don't think we will be stuck in the house (hopefully not, don't want to go stir crazy....you all know how I like to be on the go go go!) But.. I can gaurentee that every grocery store in the Knoxville area saw an increase in bread and milk sales. Kris doesn't understand the bread and milk phenomena, but that's the two items people buy around here when it snows or shall I saw when there is a snow prediction. Kris claims that if the power goes out then everyone would be drinking warm milk and eating bread and nothing about that seems appealing to him. What he doesn't know and hasn't gotten to witness is the jugs of milk end up in the snow AND they aren't warm-- that's what happened in the Blizzard of -93! I just felt like I couldn't end this posting without referring to the Blizzard of '93.(For the non-locals, the blizzard of 1993 was a huge snow storm that will be talked about until the end of time in this city!) Above is a nice retro picture of the infamous 1993 snow.

Thank Goodness for $10 Co-PaysSo, another trip to Knoxville Pediatrics! The doctors office either thinks I am: a.) wonderful, caring mommy or b.) a ridiculous, over reacting, pathetic stay-at-home first-time mother. Regardless, they always know who I am when I call... which in some ways makes me feel like its a nice, small town sort of practice. But, its not... it is a huge practice! The office we go to have 13 pediatricians.. yeah 13. So, they probably shouldn't know me so well especially when Grace Anne is only 2 and 1/2 months old! I'm thinking that they probably are leaning toward choice B above.. but oh well, so be it!

Anyways, we went to the doctor today. She was definitely sleeping more yesterday and through the night. While I love the thought of her sleeping, I was somewhat concerned that it was all of the sudden. This morning she woke up and ate. She just didn't look like she felt too good with her gooey, puffy eyes and snotty nose. I don't think she ever truly got over the snotty nose.. even with the Little Noses saline drops, the bulb syringe, and two humidifers! But, the coughing, sneezing, and fussiness was really breaking our hearts. Another concern I had was RSV... I don't think she was exposed to it anywhere, but I've heard several friends talking about their kids having it recently.. sooooo I felt it was a good idea to have her checked. Nonetheless, my "friends" over at the doctor's office told me to come on in and we could see another doctor since our doctor was out of the office today.

The good news: RSV test was negative! Dr. Blevins (the doctor we saw today) said that his 3 month old has been suffering from the same symptoms. He said the only thing he could recommend was tylenol to help her feel better overall and rest... trying to keep her happy enough to sleep! (so that means lots of cuddling with Mommy and Daddy)He also noticed and commented on her amazing strength! She just props her self right up as if she was doing push ups. She is really holding her neck steady now too! Anyways.. she still has no fever, her tempurature has hovered at a little bit above 99 degrees all day. So she isn't even really "sick"! She just doesn't feel 100% and I'm sure its the weather etc. The doctor told me there isn't any concern and she doesn't have some chronic problem or anything. Again... another reason for them to lean to option B above. One day I'll look back and think gosh I was such a silly, first time Mom! But, those of you that are experienced-- go ahead and giggle, have a little laugh.. just don't send me advice--- we are learning and we aren't soliciting advice at this time! But, I will say, at this point I have to make the best decisions for helping me sleep at night! (my sleep is so limited I need to make it as restful as possible and we have enough other stressers in our lives right now)

There is something to be said for.. CHANGING TABLES!

As promised, on facebook, the update on backseat diaper change. I was trying to go ahead and run in Kroger. I felt like it was more sanitary to change her diaper in the car rather than a public restroom.. I've changed her in the trunk plenty of times, but it was too cold. I have changed her in the backseat though also. I began changing her diaper and felt something. She was peeing on me! I'm not talking a little tinkle! it looked like I had peed on myself! I put the clean diaper on her.. put her back in her car seat, without pants, and headed home to change clothes-- so much for saving time and taking a quick trip to Kroger! We made it back to Kroger, did our shopping and returned home. All ended well!

Oh and here are a couple pictures from our fashion show! haha...

All I wanna do is... MOVE!

Whether it's riding in the car, going for walks, chillin' in the stroller, or just moving her arms and legs... Little Miss Sunshine wants to move all the time!! (what can I say--she can't sit still--who'd she get that from?!)

It's amazing how much we learn about her tendencies and personality each day. We have definitely discovered that this child does not sleep! It is as simple as that! Last night Kris held her and she slept on his chest from about 12:30am to 4am. I got up at 4 and fed her and she didn't go back to sleep until 8am! Yea and that nap lasted about an hour and she was ready to eat again by 9:30am. Once she ate she didn't go back to sleep at all until half way through out afternoon walk. It's amazing that this child can stay awake so long-- Daddy says she gets it from me.. maybe so.. but still, aren't 2 1/2 month old babies supposed to sleep more than 6 or 7 hours in a 24 hour period?

I'm trying to keep the videos coming. It's very difficult to upload them to the blog because it takes forever! I've created a YouTube account so that we can upload them easily. The latest video clip (click on the pink, bold words) may not be nearly as exciting to most people.. but we laughed so hard. I've finally figured out what she was doing in my tummy for months! I'll warn you she is intense!

Just another typical, fantastic, memorable day!

Let me begin by saying... I, Mommy Kepley, am so lucky to get to spend each day with the little one. She changes so much and grows each day. A friend asked me yesterday when I was "going back into the workforce" and I answered by saying that I plan on looking for a job to begin this fall. With that being said, honestly... I can't even imagine leaving her anywhere or with anyone on a daily basis... I never thought I could be a stay at home Mommy, but I can totally see it for a year or two... Oh well, good thing I don't have to cross that bridge yet.
So, the weather was great early this week! Mommy and Grace Anne got to go on lots of walks! She is really a fan of riding in the stroller but she has also started enjoying the Baby Bjorn and the way I look at it.. the Baby Bjorn is like carrying around an almost 10 lb. weight, thus it has to be a better workout.. right?

Our other latest interest is .. Baby Einstein. Little Miss Sunshine found Baby Beethoven was captivating! She just sits there in awe and watches it! But, no worries... she only watches 1 DVD a day and they last 30 min. She isn't being brain washed or corrupted by TV!

Tonight Grace Anne went to her first basketball game.. she slept through most of it! Mommy did get to show her off at the school she did her student teaching, but we really went to see Alyssa cheer and get recognized for 8th grade night. Grace Anne really didn't take in too much-- she slept as the picture above indicates!

And an end-note... Keep hoping Daddy gets a job soon. UPs has had lay offs and minimized routes and put drivers in the warehouse. Please keep him in mind if you hear of anything.. now is not a good time to not have a full time job. Daddy and Mommy both want Mommy to be able to stat home with Grace Anne for a while. So, keep us in your thoughts and pass along any job leads!

Forget Lullabies, we sing ROCKY TOP in this house!

In honor of the good news coming from the University of Tennessee...

We have had a better week than last... UT hired a new football coach (Daddy thinks its a good hire which makes life in the Kepley house much easier), the Vols have been tearing it up on the basketball court and just beat Alabama tonight (another plus for keeping Daddy happy), and Grace Anne has not decided to descend from anywhere!
Bath time has become much easier! I won't lie and tell you that she doesn't have some weird faces, because as you can see... she sure does! But, she doesn't cry at all during bath time! She is so stinkin' cute in her little bath tub that I couldn't help but to post a picture! She will kill me when she is 10!
The weather has been great the last couple days! Mommy and Grace Anne have been on a walk each day this week, thus far.

Oh and finally, I am very excited to announce that I have figured out the video feature on my camera... AND, I can post to blog so I'm trying one of her rolling over... But, keep coming back, fans and followers, there shall be more!