Alexis

I thought I would update those of you that still read this once in a while. :-)
We took Alexis to an ENT yesterday to have her ears checked....she isn't talking very well at all and the teacher in me is quite concerned plus she has been having repeat ear infections since the end of October and of course last spring she had 3 consecutive ones also. I had wanted tubes then, but we waited (wish I hadn't now), but finally got the referral in and he said she definitely needs them. She has severe hearing loss in both ears at this point-she failed the test pretty bad for being so young. He didn't even really have to look in her ears to know for sure, but Lo and Behold she has an infection in her left ear still (even after taking her meds for her sore). He wished he could have done it yesterday, but there was no way to get into surgery. So, we are going in on Monday morning for surgery. They want us to stay overnight, but we are hoping and praying it helps her hearing. He wants to do a 6 week check and it sounds like it is standard to do 6 month checks afterward until the tubes come out or are ready to come out--way different this go round than Shelby's was, but that was 5 years ago. LOL We will go back in March for another Audiology Test and a checkup--hopefully her hearing has improved by then or we will possibly have to look at other things. It's been very stressful, but I am so glad that someone finally listened and agrees that tubes were needed long ago. We are just using Tylenol to keep her pain down, but we didn't realize she still had an infection...she gets fussy once in a while, but no fever...she was tugging at her ears, but she does that normally anyways. We shall see and I will keep you posted on how things go next week. Shelby is rather upset that she can't go, but Brad has to work next week and since we have done this before I told him to stay home plus Shelby won't miss anymore school. We will go up on Sunday night and stay til Tuesday....may find a cheap hotel to stay at so we can just veg and she can rest afterward....I remember Shelby was really sleepy all day before we came home...then again they aren't alike in most ways, so Alexis could be a total bear about it all, or even better...want to go shopping. LOL
Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. THANKS!

Happy New Year

I hope your 2011 is off to a wonderful start! We have been busy in the House of McWilliams...Shelby officially turned 6 on Saturday...I am starting to feel kind of old now. We did a party with her friends from school on Sunday and she had a BLAST. She was pretty worn out, but it was the BEST party we have done and I wasn't nearly stressed either! I didn't get many pictures....Brad gave the kids rides in the sleds behind the snowmobile, but it was really cold with the wind and my camera kept freezing on me. They all came in for Hot Chocolate, we did cake/cupcake cones and opened presents. Then they had a hayday playing upstairs. It was wonderful. Alexis was rather cranky and didn't know what to do with all the people...she takes awhile to warm up to people.
Christmas was wonderful this **last** year. We did Christmas in Billings the weekend before..was really nice and the girls didn't get sick while we were there--seems to be our luck for that to happen. Then we did the Christmas weekend at the Ranch....I was happy to remember it all since my back wasn't hurting this year (Thank God). It was just an easy laid back weekend. Then for New Year's we just hung out...I think I was in bed by 10:00 (sad I know!) We had done Shelby's party with Papa, Grandma, Auntie and Uncle Kyle while in Great Falls, so they didn't come to Jordan this year. Then of course the party this weekend. I am so grateful that the Girls' birthdays are spread out....wears a person out getting everything ready. I hope you enjoy the pics and that the New Year is a wonderful one for you!
Love N Hugs

Happy Holidays

I can't believe Christmas is upon us already...where did this year go??? We have been busy as usual, but I am hoping things calm down a bit after the holidays and I can feel sane again. LOL
Shelby had her 1st Christmas program last night. She was adorable....a friend went to Miles City on Tuesday night and was able to purchase a Christmas dress for us--Shelby didn't think at Thanksgiving time that they were supposed to, so I thought I would wait. Well plans had changed a bit, and I didn't make it to Miles before the program. They did a play on diversity for the K-8 group. She got to be a Monkey...I was so proud of her. She even remembered to sit like a "lady" and not show her underwear--she was of course in the front row of the Kindergarteners (that is also why I picked white ones to wear also. Gotta think ahead) We were running slightly late (imagine that), so I totally spaced grabbing my camera-it worked out though since we sat on the wrong side and I wouldn't have been able to get very good pictures anyways. Shelby saw us in the balcony and waved several times....was pretty cute. She was pretty nervous as we were going to her classroom, but really got into the songs...she loves music. Thank goodness Alexis likes music too...she got into it by the end and was dancing a bit, but that was after the Choir and other bands before Big Sis got to go. She got antsy and she doesn't sit still for a minute unless she is sleeping, so it was interesting. Messed her whole schedule up though....we are used to eating supper between 6:30-7:00 with showers/baths right after, then cuddle time with Daddy for the night. Yeah...she was rather tired by the end. In fact we got in the house afterwards and she went straight to the fridge for her milk, then to the couch to get her pjs on....no fighting her at all..she was on a mission! She zonked right away too. I did manage to get a couple of pics when we got home of Shelby, but next year I will be putting the camera in my shoes so I don't forget it again! :-)
We are planning on heading up the the Ranch to see my folks for Christmas...as long as the weather holds out. I am really looking forward to it...we haven't done the actual Christmas Holiday with them in years.....but we may be changing things up next year as well and starting our own traditions-Shelby mentioned this year that she would like Santa to come to her house while we are there. She is smarter than I give her credit for sometimes. She is so excited to go to Papa and Grandma's though...she loves the Ranch. Then the little twerp will be turning 6 on me not long after that...my gosh! I think I will end this there, now I feel old. LOL
Hope you enjoy the pictures....just some recent ones.