Bye Bye Tonsils!

Little Addie Blaire had a rough week the week after Christmas this year.  The poor thing has been battling strep throat all year and the doctor finally recommended that she have her tonsils removed because she was just hanging on to the virus and it keep resurfacing every two months or so.  I was a little hesitant at first but by the 5th time we came back positive I realized that is wasn't fair to her not to do something if it would end all this sickness.  I had no idea the week or 2 that we were in store for though!  I will never again say "oh just tonsils" when someone says they are having the procedure because it was a nightmare for the Bobo's.  I was glad to have another mother in Addie's class with a child that had it done the same week to lean on.  I can actually say that she probably had it worse than we did because she actually made 2 trips to the ER in the first week. Addie wasn't really worried about the surgery beforehand because of course we had talked up the ice cream and Popsicles but the day of was a little different.  We had to be there extra early that morning luckily just at a surgery center thankfully vs. the hospital.  I thought that once we were called back they would sedate her while we were there instead though they had us put her in a gown and then came to get her.  I was really worried because she got pretty upset about having to go off with the nurse and I knew she was scared so that was probably the worst feeling I have experienced in awhile.  I cried the whole way out to the lobby.  My parents and Mitch's parents came to wait with us.  It took about 30 minutes and then they called up back.  I could hear her crying as they carried her to the recovery room.  I just grabbed her and rocked her for 30 minutes or so while she slept.  It was so sad seeing her that sleepy and out of sorts.  We were able to leave once she kinda came to.  She slept most of the way home and then as we pulled into town she asked for a slush from Sonic.  I was so excited when she started to drink it up. I thought we had it made!!  Little did I know that the first day would be the easiest.  That night she went downhill fast.  Not to mention baby sister was teething so she was up most of the night, but Addie also awoke in the middle of the night with 102 fever!!  I had been told by doctor if fever got to 101 to call them immediately.  So at 2 am I called and they told me to take her to the pediatricin first thing in the morning.  God love Dr. D because I was calling him on his cell early that morning.  He got us in and checked her out and instead of the ammonia the ENT suspected she had an ear infection!  He said that was causing fever so we got medicine and headed home.  The next day or to was pretty rough, she couldn't eat and was so thin.  She just wasn't bouncing back like everyone had said she would so I started to get concerned.  By that Friday night her fever spiked to 103!  I freaked to say the least because we had been on antibiotics for a few days now and it wasn't working.  I called the ENT and they said to get her to an ER.  I was so upset, crying like crazy, poor Mitch didn't know what to do with me or her.  I paged Dr. D and he called me back later that night.  It is lucky for me that he is such a calming influence over me because he told me that she was okay not to take her to ER and to give it til in the morning and call him back.  That night the fever broke and she was so much better by morning!  I must say God was watching over us because I prayed and prayed that night that I was doing the right thing by not taking her in because it is every parent's worst fear to make the wrong decision in a situation like that.  I will say it was a very rough two weeks but I can say that to have my bright eyed child back now makes it all worth the wait.  Here are a few pictures of all the kind gestures and loving thoughts that were sent your way little Addie Blaire!  So glad the "gobblers" are gone.

On the way to surgery

We love some Grif and he loves him some Addie as well.

 The sweet girl got so many balloons.  Peyton and Brady brought Popsicles and push ups.  Even though I must say that you didn't even touch ice cream that week.  I will have you know that you ate Ramon noodles everyday and blue coconut slushes!  Don't worry though mom took care of the ice cream for you.

 Katie Ella came by with all kinds of goodies.  Lydia and Julia sent balloons and a bear.

 Nana brought books and colors.

Lindsey and Spencer mailed a whole care package of ice cream toppings and goodies. 

And to pass the time we painted our toes and nails several different ways.  But this was her favorite. Pink, purple, green and blue!

Since we had been in the house for several days we ventured out just for the fireworks in town that night and it was worth it.  They put on a good show and she enjoyed it with Carter and Ellie from the sunroof which was a big deal considering we hadn't stepped outside in a week at the point poor thing!

 Even Brit Brit got to enjoy the show, just like her mom though never quite make it to see the ball drop each year though!

Happy New Year everyone (a little late)!

Twas the night before Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas and the Fowler's were on alert, Santa was coming and we had to prepare!  Uncle B and Addie Blaire were on stand by watching the Internet and tracking Santa's trail.  He was in China then, Russia and soon on his way to see us.  Since Addie Blaire was assured that Santa still had a little work to do we headed over to my hometown church for a Christmas Eve service.  I have always always loved the Christmas Eve services at our church with the lights turned out and everyone singing silent night holding there little candles.  That's the good stuff!  I was so excited to get to bring my kids to a place that holds so many Christmas memories for me as a child.  I know that we have our own traditions and memories to make but to be able to share these traditions with them was sheer joy for me.  After that we headed back for some dinner with my parents and a little more prep work for the jolly big guy on his way. 

Addie Blaire and I got in our comfies and headed out with Reindeer food in hand to make sure that Santa would not over look us at Nana and Pop's house this year we put out a little extra for Rudolph to lead them on their way.  Fingers crossed we headed inside and went to bed in hopes that St. Nickolas should would be there!

This is a picture of my dad (aka Clark Griswold's) light display.  It used to be a little more elaborate but when is labor hands (me and Terri) shipped off I think he had to scale back a bit. Still great to round that corner to their house at Christmas time and see!

With dad in his tshirt and Mitch and Bracy in tow they headed out back to work on the go.  Mom and Dad had gotten Britann her own little car and Lila a red wagon so these guys had their work cut out for them.  Luckily Bracy put his engineering skills to work and of to bed we went.

Mom's Christmas tree, somehow all mine and Terri's ornaments have held up over the years and the tree still holds several very "special" ornaments we made over the years.  Addie Blaire really gets a kick out of those, but know the grand kids are taking over the tree, so is life!

The next morning the girls awoke to gifts from Santa and each with a note. Addie Blaire was so excited to see that Santa had returned her note that Eli had taken to him telling him where to find her.  I guess he wanted to show her proof that he got her letter and knew just where to find her!  Such a smart guy that Santa.

Addie Blaire had asked for an American girl doll, La La loopsey and some barbie clothes.  And I guess she was a good girl all year because she got all three!!

Since Britann didn't have a big list this year for Santa I guess he thought it would be cool to bring her a Bitty Baby as well. She got some other toys to help her on the go as well.

Brit Brit had to try out the new car.  She absolutely loved it!  She kept getting in and out back and forth.

Success! But I think that was part of the fun.

Hey cool girl can I go for a spin?

Now to try out cousin Lila's wheels.  Luckily Addie was glad to push them around.

Showing the baby some love!  I guess two bald babies think alike (although we are getting a little hair on top, can you tell?)

A girl needs a break after all that work. 

I was so glad my grandmother was able to be with us that morning.  She was able to see the girl's as they opened their presents and witness the fun that ensued!  I think you can tell by her smile that she also is opening the gift each year that just keeps on giving the annual calendar of kids. Thanks for being there with us grandma, so glad to have you share in these memories with my kids as well as myself.

Addie Blaire is very into dressing up and makeup these days so mom and dad found her a beauty kit with all the stops.

Her very own purse as well.

Ever since Halloween she has talked about Emma's pink La La loopsey wig.  Well i just so happened to find it and that girl was literally "tickled pink!"

One of Addie Blaire's favorite gifts this year was the jewelry box with music that my parent's gave her.  She just stared and watched the little ballerina and said how beautiful it was.

Awww, sisterly love.

Nana opening her gifts. Pop even surprised her with an IPhone!  Something tells me that is going to be a work in progress for that woman.

Addie Blaire loved having the attention of all her older cooler cousins that day.  She wouldn't let them out of her sight. 

She's a superstar alright, thanks Abbey and Lindsey.

Girl Cousins, Terri, Ericka, Margo, Abbey, Lindsey and my girls!

My family, sister, brother-in-law, niece Lila, parents and grandmother.

My family Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas Lights in the Gardens

This year was our year to spend Christmas with my family in Arkadelphia.  I wasn't sure how we should tell Santa.  I talked it over with Addie Blaire and we decided the perfect way to tell him where we could be found was by letting Eli take a note to him. As we were leaving out of town she left the note with Eli in hopes that it would get there.. to be continued....

That night we went to Hot Springs to have Christmas with G the next morning.  Since we hadn't gotten to see the lights at Garvin Gardens yet this year we headed straight there when we got to town.  It was just as awesome as last year!  Addie Blaire said "it was a beautiful city"  she really seemed to enjoy it more this year as well.  This was Britann's second year but I am sure in her own way she enjoyed it too.  She certainly was looking all around and smiling! It was pretty chilly that night so it was a quick trip for the Bobo's.

How awesome is that tree!  I can't believe that my picture actually turned out so well.

This is Addie Blaire's second favorite part of the lights.

I thought these chandeliers were so cool as we were walking under them.

And now to the #1 favorite of Addie Blaire's from last year the "peahock"!  She was even up there giving it hugs!

And next year I am pretty sure that Addie will have a new favorite, the hot chocolate!  I couldn't even pry her away she just stood there until every last drop was gone.

After the lights we met up for dinner with the Ralph's.  Addie Blaire and her main man Grif had not seen each other for some time and these two were so excited to be together.  It was so sweet watching them exchange gifts and hug on each other.

G came over the next morning for Christmas breakfast. A little nontraditional but you can never go wrong with McDonalds. The girls sure loved it!

Every year for Christmas the favorite present of all the grandparents and great-grandparents is our annual calendar of grandkiddos.

G and her Razorback we gave her for Christmas.

We finally slowed Brit down enough to catch her for a photo.

Merry Christmas Eve, now to get ready for the jolly big guy tonight!