This summer is going by so quickly! Since my last post we had the 4th of July, my birthday, Reed's week at the Prince Warrior Academy, and another VBS for Reed.

Here are a few pictures from the past month.

On Wednesday, our little gymnast decided to do a full front flip out of her crib. I had my back to her, putting away laundry. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something go flying-- typically her babydoll. But I turned just in time to see her land flat on her back and head. AAAHHH!!! Mommy FREAKED OUT!

She was totally fine, but sadly, I knew she was done with the crib. I really don't want to ever be pregnant again, but somehow it's still really sad that we won't have a little baby in our crib again. I'm not ready for Clare to be growing up!

Nonetheless, we transitioned her crib to the toddler bed last night and Clare spent her first night in a "big girl bed". She was excited until I tried to leave her there and then she was scared. So it took some coaxing, but she decided it was ok and went to sleep.

She only fell out of bed once. (I had pillows on the floor.) But I got up to check on her about 4 times. I can't believe she's so big. What's next??? College??!!!

Reed was the ringbearer in his aunt's wedding in the beginning of June. What a cute little man! We had a super fun day and the kids did awesome!

I'm back!!! I know it's been 5 weeks or so... I've been told! We went on vacation to Nebraska and then my sweet Grandpa passed away and I headed right back up north for his funeral. Then Reed finished his first year of preschool and last weekend my sister in law got married. So we had family staying with us and Reed was her ring bearer. Now Reed's in VBS this week and life just keeps on moving!!

So I'll start with a few highlights of our trip to Nebraska in April/May. We went to a train museum and Reed got to ride in a tractor and drive a boat! We always have so much fun visiting Grandpa and Grandma Ury's house!

We went to a fair this evening. Oh, to be 4 again! Reed had so much fun. We were surprised he wanted to ride everything! He had his first roller coaster ride, flying helicopters, twirling bears and bumper cars. We had a blast just watching him have so much fun.


Clare enjoyed strolling and plenty of snacks. Clare Bear has yet to find her words. She does use quite a bit of sign language to communicate. She's such a princess- beautiful and demanding!

Reed is getting ready to be a ring bearer in a wedding this summer. Greg and Reed went to be measured for tuxedos today. I told Reed he had to wear a tuxedo-- a really nice suit to be in a wedding. He said, "But I thought I was going to wear a BEAR suit!" Imagine what he had in his head when I told him he was a ring BEARer! That's definitely one for the scrapbook. :)

Reed learned to write his name today!! He can draw a circle and lines and scribble, but that is the extent of his artistic ability. As I walked into his classroom to pick him up, his teacher was asking him to write his name on his paper. He was whining about it saying he doesn't know how, etc.... She told him to just try. That's how all the kids learn to write their name. He was still fussing about it and gave it a half-hearted attempt. What do you know!? He drew an 'e'! When he realized he'd made an 'e'-- I wish I'd had my camera there to see his face! He was beaming! Smiling from ear to ear. He made a 'd' and then an 'R'. He was SO proud! (Mommy was too!!)

He practiced some more at home tonight. I know I'm biased, but he did really well!!

Seriously-- from scribbles to coherant in no time flat! We went to the mall for dinner to celebrate his achievement.

Tucking him in bed, he said tomorrow he's going to make more letters and I can clap for him some more. :)

I took Clare to a chiropractor today. Really more of a "wellness" kind of visit. The doctor comes HIGHLY recommended by a good friend and as much sickness as Clare has had.... I figured what can it hurt? Clare has had a sinus infection for 9 weeks now. She had 2 rounds of antibiotics in March and now our ENT put her on 3 weeks of antibiotics.... so I am looking for a new answer!

It was actually really AMAZING. I am so glad I took her in. I really know very little about holistic medicine and I went in very leary, but open minded. My prayer was that I would get some answers on Clare's food allergies (like 'what is she allergic to?') and is there anything we can do to help her sinuses apart from more medicine.

For starters, Clare loved the doctor and assistants. Clare doesn't like anyone! Especially anyone who wants to touch her! But she even sat on the doctor's lap with no coaxing.

Dr. Moore felt all around Clare as she talked to her and made "adjustments" as she found things out of place. She only used her hand and light pressure and Clare was totally fine with it all. She said Clare's back and neck were out in the places that deal with digestion and sinuses. And her hips were out of place. (I knew this would all be the case.) Hopefully the adjustment will help her feel better.

Basically, her theory is that Clare has so many bad things in her body (wrong foods, enviornmental pollutions) that it backs everything up and when the sinuses fill there is no where for them to drain, so they stay congested. So onto food allergies....

The doctor did 'muscle testing' on Clare (through me). A bit odd if you've never experienced it. She asked me to hold my arm straight out and keep it there while she applied pressure. She said aloud all the different foods Clare eats. If Clare does fine with it, my arm stayed up. If Clare's body has a problem with that food my arm would drop. Fascinating! It was really bizarre, except that she was right on with every single thing she said. There were several things the pediatrician had recommended for Clare that I've been feeding her, but was unsure how Clare was digesting it. (If only she could talk!)

She also said Clare has a virus and a yeast infection. Which I would definitely agree with. So she gave us some Vitamin C caplets. And I'm supposed to rub Vicks Baby Rub on her chest every chance I get. (and put it on the bottom of her feet at night.)

The oddest treatment to me is this-- Soak some garlic in olive oil, dip a cotton ball in it and put it in Clare's ears with a warm compress over it every night. (We didn't get to this tonight.)

So I left her office with a list of "No" foods and "Yes" foods. I've been wanting that list for 18 months! So between the new diet, Vitamin C, and probiotic- Dr. Moore thought Clare would be a new girl by Friday.

So far Clare is not interested in drinking half and half (apparently the only milk product she CAN process) and she runs when I get out the Vicks rub, but I'm giving it my best shot for the next 2 weeks until we go back for a recheck. Pray we'd see some good results!!!

Here is Clare signing "Mommy"!!