Shedd Aquarium

We finally made it to the aquarium....on a free day which was even better! It was the first day back to school for the big kids so we thought the crowds may not be so bad. They weren't bad at all but Burke and I had gone to the aquarium pre-kid and thought it was a bad aquarium. But still thought "maybe it's better when you have kids." Nope, kid or no kid, it's a pretty bad aquarium. So we were a little glad it worked out that we didn't pay an arm and a leg to go on her birthday with the rest of Chicago. She did enjoy it for a little while and pointed and pointed and pointed at the fish. But then she became much more interested in the other kids than the aquarium. It was pretty funny.

Even blurry, I think that kid is too cute. 

We spotted some fish.
And look at those big girl shoes. We finally got her some that she can't take off.
Size 4W...not just 4 but 4 WIDE!

A duck! Quack, quack!

More pointing. "See Daddy."

And more pointing.....

Well, hello there. 

Having a little chat.

Touching the big fish in the lobby.
(I love Burke's face here. He's so proud of her.)

Propped up on Hollis watching a fish movie.
Pushing the button to make the movie come on was more fun than the movie. 

More Presents

Mimi came into town the first week of January to bring her Christmas goodies. By then, Marin was a PRO at opening gifts.

A little excited....

Burke Jr. 

She even opened our gifts.
Paper is fun. 

One of our gifts...things to put on your shoes so you don't fall. (I fell last year, so I was
excited about these. And Marin was just happy to rip paper. )

A new puzzle!

Her baby doll got some goodies too! :o) 

Mimi, thank you so much for ALL of the Christmas goodies. We love and appreciate everything!

Marin and her Movie Player

Marin got a portable DVD player and a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse movie for her birthday. She is so very funny watching her movie on it. She can't decide which is more fun.....watching or pushing all the buttons...or pointing at all the pictures on the screen. Its just her size and she loves it. :o)

We got a few pictures of her watching a little before bed....

Thank you Maye Maye and Aunt Cissy. :o)

A little Hollis belly shot....

I have to get a better picture of this but Hollis really prefers to sit on the left side of my belly. So for long periods of time during the day my stomach will be higher on the left side than on the right. It cracks me up. She definitely feels bigger to me than Marin. But they move differently so that could be the difference. Marin would kick, hit, and jab. Hollis shifts her whole entire body weight from one direction to another. But watching her move my belly is so funny! 

Hollis, only 7 more weeks in there sweet girl and then you will have all the space you need. I can not wait to hold you! 

Marin's First EpiPen

Unfortunately, we had to take Marin to the doctor on the 26th because she had been sick all through Christmas and wasn't making any improvements. We got a little worried about her cough and decided to just take her in to get her checked and to make sure we were doing everything we could for our little one. While we were there we mentioned some children's allergy medicine we had to get for her and worried if that would help now.
We explained that we had to get the medicine because another pediatrician in the practice suggested we let her try peanut butter. Marin doesn't eat a lot meat (texture thing) and the rules for certain foods and allergies have changed. And we had been told that she couldn't be tested for allergies until she was 2. So, a few months ago we let her try some peanut butter. Within minutes her eye puffed up and she was scratching it like crazy. We both have allergies in our families but on the Brednich side, its pretty dangerous. So we didn't hesitate to get the allergy medicine and give it to her immediately. It worked and  we just thought "maybe she's allergic to peanut butter." But again we didn't think she could be tested until she was 2. A few weeks later, she tasted my peanut butter toast and the same reaction happened. We did the allergy medicine again and everything was ok. So now we are pretty positive that she is allergic to peanut butter.
Once we told her pediatrician this story, she immediately went into MAJOR SERIOUS mode. She prescribed and EpiPen and showed us how to use it right then and there. She gave us the name of an allergist and told us to make an appointment to have her tested ASAP. Apparently when there is a family history and an already known allergy, you don't wait. You go. She let us know real FAST that peanut allergies are not to be ignored and honestly we may have left a little freaked out. But we are taking her to get tested and to find out how serious this allergy is and what/if diet changes we need to make for her. Hopefully, it will be a mild allergy and she will grow out of it because every girl should be able to enjoy peanut butter and chocolate! :o)