Fevers can cause seizures.

When I was pregnant I had a job. I would check the pregnancy websites, daily. I knew lots about what to expect and what to fear and what to be excited about. But when I had Chloe, I kindof stopped reading those books. I did at first, probably until about 5 or 6 months, but now she's moving too fast and playing soo much that I don't have time for those books as much. I find it's easier to be experiencing something and then look it up in the book and just read that section.
Last night was pretty scary. Chloe had a seizure. Apparantly, these types of seizures are pretty normal. Babies experience them because of high fevers. Chloe is 10 months and some and she's never had a fever. When I felt her and she was warm, I just figured it was because our house is freezing and I layer her up. She's had a yucky runny nose for awhile. Yesterday was particularly rough, so I was treating her with Tylenol all day. By the time Brad got home and we had dinner, she just wanted to cuddle. Her temp was 102. It was such cute daddy/ daughter time that I let them just enjoy the moment. about 30 minutes later he came out and told me to get the car started so we could go to the hospital. When I saw her she was laying straight out in his arms and her eyes were glossed over and vacant. She was unresponsive to her name or touch of any kind. She was bluish and couldn't seem to breath well. Thankfully we live in a small town, so we were at the hospital in about 2 minutes. By the time we got to the emergency room she was looking more normal, but still very melancholy. We discharged the hospital with an antibiotic for a sinus infection and the peace of mind knowing our baby had experienced a seizure (what a scary word) and was fine. The irony of the whole situation is that I had been reading about "fevers" after dinner, but started my reading on page 634, febirile seizures associated with fevers was mentioned on page 633. The whole seizure lasted about a minute. While Brad was cuddling her she had started to shake and then just became very still. They say this is a time where the body is so exhausted that it just can't function right for a couple of minutes. This explained the glossy, vacant, quiet expression.

We will miss you, President Hinckley

When I was in highschool, my sister's ward had the opportunity to participate in the dedication of the "ensign peak" monument overlooking the Salt Lake valley. I got to carry a flag and hike up the short, steep climb and stand, along with other youth, waving flags representing several countries united in their membership of the gospel. President HInckley was in attendence. We paraded with the flags right past him and he smiled and waved and I just remember the happy heart I felt and how at the moment I knew of the divinity of his calling.
We were so sad to hear of President Hinckley's death last night. He was such an incredible, incredible prophet and leader. He exemplified kindness and optimism and love for life. It makes me happy to know he will be with his wife again and that he is at peace. I hope to live my life better because of the example he leaves behind and from the lessons he taught us. As my mom put it, "He's just always been there, but it's wonderful to know that the transition will go smoothly and the Lord will oversee everything."
I love this picture. What an incredible man of God. I hope we can all be as happy and optimistic as we dedicate our lives to serve the Lord.

Cutest Chloe

Where has January gone? I can't believe February is right around the corner. We've just been taken it easy. It's been really really cold in Missouri. We've had temps in the single digits. Here are some pics of our little one, because really, she's what our life is all about!
She was just learning to stand without holding on to things. I don't mean to call attention to her little tooshy, but you might as well look at how tight she is squeezing her little buns to balance.
Remember when you used to go swimming and dunk your head in the water and pull all your wet hair over your face and then flip it back so it made sort of a nasty roll on the top of your head. It was called the "martha Washington"?? (laugh out loud if I'm the only one that ever did that!!) Anyway, Brad flipped Chloe's hair the other direction and she looked so funny. We didn't get any pictures of her smiling with her eyes open because she could tell she looked wierd.
That mirror is strategically placed!!

I let her do this one time and now she thinks it such a fun game to feed him. I don't think it's so much fun. Starksy thinks it's fun, though, and if life isn't revolving around Chloe then it is revolving around Starksy.

Some of my favorite Christmas break memories.

Teeth.Lights.National Treasure.Mandrin.Snowmobiles.Snow.waiting.Santa.chocolates.
5 crowns.Are you smarter than a 5th grader. Brighton.Juno. Butternut snowballs. Oneity...Christmas. We just returned from a fabulous vacation to Utah. Chloe and I were there for 3 weeks and Brad was there for 2 weeks. We were able to spend time at both family's homes and pack in as much as there was time for. I even went to a movie with my mom and Emily hours before we flew back to Missouri. Chloe changed a lot while we were in Utah. Even looking back now, I am having a hard time remembering all that we did and how much she grew and what fun we had. I guess the biggest change for our little Blue is that she grew 3 top teeth. Her look has changed and we just can't get over how fast she is growing. Look at her grin!! She loves to do "so big". The picture after this one on my camera is funny. It is basically the same bench-no chloe. She fell head first after this pic was taken.
Chloe helping Grandpa. My dad has run over 50 marathons in his life and we finally got him to take all the marathon shirts out and show us. 50 marathons!!! Are you serious? Dad-you are amazing. I love this picture of Chloe helping him box up the shirts.
Once, in highschool, I went to California with a groups. One of the guys on the trip had never been in the ocean before. Chloe's excitment to the snow reminded me of his face when he saw the ocean for the first time. Truly simple fun.
Our little family snowmobiling. Brad said Chloe would just look up at him with a "I guess-if-you say-it's-okay-dad-then-I-will-go-along-with-this-bumpy-cold-ride". Babies are so trusting.

A VERY long, Christmas post.

First present. I think she liked it and I know there will be more... We caught her. Atleast it's not the cookie jar:)
I missed skiing last year for the first time in a long time so I was so excited to be able to go skiing 2 times. We had AWESOME snow. Oh, it was just AWESOME, powdery, perfect, wintery goodness.
I was so nervous to fly on the plane with Chloe. I usually get airsick, but I didn't get sick, Chloe was an angel, and it was over with no problems.
We love our parents. Here is a photo of the group at a chinese restaraunt called the Mandrin.

More Christmas pics.

Chloe sat on Santa's lap 3 times while we visited. She never cried. The girls.
Every year the little kids act out the Nativity story. This year, Chloe was aced out for the baby Jesus by her newer cousin, Ellsie, so she lucked out and got to be the star. Look at how cute she is holding the star all by herself.
We went up to Ogden and walked around the Village of Lights. Can you tell it was a pretty cold night. This is a picture of James (chloe's 5 year old cousin) and Chloe. Hard to tell who is who:)
I LOVE christmas lights.