Ella Bella Salon

Ella and her BFF girl friend, Bella, are always together. Mainly because we live 10 feet away from each other. Bella and Ella are three months apart, and Joe and Jake are three months apart. Since Ella and Bella are such good friends, ( and I am sure Joe and Jake will be too)that in turns, leaves the parents to be as well. Melissa and I have either 2 three year olds or none. Depends on which house they are hoping from and to. Every night they ask for a sleep over. Three times we have tried and three times a mom gets a phone call around midnight.

Last night we were over at Bella's house hanging out and celebrating her Aunt Ju-Ju's birthday. Mel and I are rockin on the Guitar Hero and the boys, I actually do not remember what they were doing at this point. Probably dealing with our infant boys.

Ella comes down stairs and Mel asked me "Did Ella cut her hair?"

"No, they just did a really bad job last time we went."

"Heather, I think she cut her hair."

Guitar Hero immediately stops. I see what Melissa is talking about and ask Ella what happened. To which she replied "Bella cut my hair."

About that time, all parental units realize Bella is still upstairs and the last thing she said before she headed up stairs was "I want my hair like Ella's". Which she has apparently been saying for weeks. Bella has gorgeous long blond hair. Parents start running up the stairs and as I was following Melissa and Brian, I see Bella stick her head around the corner and all I can see is scraggly pieces everywhere.

I immediately turn around to talk to Ella, Brian has smoke coming out of his ears and Mel, I am sure is in shock. We have a talking with the girls and we leave. The next thing I know Melissa is texting me to meet me in the front yard. It is about 10pm by now. I am thinking "great, they are breaking up with us and our friendship is over." Melissa comes out the front door laughing. Geoff is rolling, went to bed laughing hysterically. Everything was fine but the girls were scared out of their minds. As well they should be!

So today, Mel and I took the girls to get their hair cuts. Bella lost about 6 inches and Ella's was already short. Now it is like pixie short. Here are the pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/heather.danerescue/EllaBellaSalon#

little Jake

Just had emergency surgery. We are home but I went to the ENT expecting to have an eval and schedule for tubes at the end of the week. His RSV/Bronchiolitis is too bad and his lungs will not tolerate being put under. So when I got there, my only options was surgery. The next thing I know Jake has drops in his ears, is getting papoosed and the surgeon puts a microscpope in his ears, takes a teeny scaple and makes an insicion on his ear drum. Then he takes a vaccum and sucks all the goop out. I am tired. I am overwhelmed. I am terrified right now. THis is just to buy us some time till his lungs heal. I am now getting EK dressed so I can take her BACK to the dr because she woke up at midnight complaining of her left ear. Seriously. I am so glad my mom is here. Finacially, I do not know how we are going to keep going. I still owe our attorney several grand and now because we are having to wait, we will not meet our insurance deductable in Jan and will have to start all over. I dont mean to complain. I really dont. I am just drowning, I am beyond sleep deprived and worried about my babies.

So please, pray for us. For Jake and Ella and that we can get over this stuff. And quickly

hh

Virus Virus go away, the Hardin's do not want you to stay

It has been a long, LONG two weeks. Both kids have been sick. Jake had bronchiolitis which they thought had turned into RSV but after he went into respiratory distress last Wednesday, his RSV test was negative at the hospital. Mom flew in on Thursday and I really thought I had a handle on things. Boy, was I wrong. Jake was bad. REALLY bad. Scary bad and with his age, there is nothing we could do. Unless he went into respiratory distress again, everything Children's would do, we could do at home. I chose home.

Ella broke with this on Friday night. We are 5 days into it with her. Jake is better, still wheezing a teeny bit and we see the ENT tomorrow am to get him emergency tubes in his ears hopefully this week, if not next. Ella started running a fever. A HIGH fever and it has not improved any. Sunday night, we had to call the on call DR for the 2nd time during the weekend because her fever was being treated but had risen over 104. Jake has been on 5 different antibisotics including a roceflin shot. His GI tract was warped and he was having some poop issues. Like, it was coming out everywhere. Did not want him to get dehydrated. Vicious cycle of all of this.

Monday am, mom and I are taking both kids to the dr. I am crossing over the Custer/121 by pass and blew out a rear tire. So now I am stuck. Two sick kids, one running 104 fever, the other one coughing his head off and I am stuck. Want to just break down and cry now because I have not slept in several days. Literally, the night before I did not go to bed because we were dipping EK in baths, etc trying to get her temp to break. OK, water works wanting to come but needing to keep it together for the kiddos. THANK THE LORD Alison was literally right behind us and we did not even know it. I started to change the tire but was not prepared to do so in 30 degree weather and the wind YIKES, the wind. We pile car seats and kids into Al's car. Start driving off and Ella starts puking. GREAT!!! I have nothing with me. Her fever is so high she went thru spurts of being delirious. Funny, yet scary at the same time. She was saying some crazy stuff

I get to house and realize that my garage door opener is BACK IN MY CAR. I was so unbelievably hungry by this point there was no way I was going to make it back to my car. I remembered Alison had spare key so I went rummaging through her house and found them. By the time Geoff came home, it was 27 degrees outside, sleeting and we were changing a tire.

Ella is still running a high temp, I hope Jake is well enough to get these tubes before the holidays and momma needs a vacation. Ohh, did I mention that I had to replace all FOUR tires right before Christmas. Ella and Kait might be the only ones getting presents this year because all of my money just went to TIRES. GO AWAY you stupid virus

"Why I am wild" according to Ella

Wednesday night Geoff came home a little later than usual and was just ready to chill. I needed to go to the store and thought this would be a fun girls trip. At least I did not have to take both kids with me. Geoff and Jake could find some game on TV and could just veg. I had made a list and it was rather small. An HOUR AND A HALF later, we are leaving the store.

I was putting Ella in her car seat and I told her how much I love her and how l LOVE to do things with her but she was a bit wild tonight at the store and I did not know if I would take her next time. My quick and fun trip out with Ella left me exhausted and frustrated to say the least. Ella apologized as she is yelling weird nosies to get the guy ACROSS the parking lots attention then hiding back in her car seat so he would not see her, making it look like I was the one bringing attention to my self

I start driving off and Ella says, "Mom, God made me a child. And God made me a little wild." In which I replied, " yes honey, He did, but he also gave you the choice to listen and obey mommy." So apparently, God is the root issue here. She can not help it, because God made her that way.


Ohhh but before all of this happened, I was telling Geoff about going to play group earlier that day. The van was in the driveway and as I was opening the garage door to let the kids get in, I saw Ella running towards the car. I though, surely she sees the garage door STILL going up. THUD. Nope. She did not. That child smacked her FACE directly into the rising garage door. Not once did she do this, but TWICE. Because when I was telling Geoff this story, we were getting ready to go to the store and she did it AGAIN!!! Lordy, this child, Bless this child.

Calling all Pumpkin Doctors!!!!!!

Last night as I was rushing to get the new office finished, Ella had a rare moment and was actually playing by herself. As I am putting the final touches to the office to surprise Geoff when he comes home, Ella starts calling for me. I ignored it for a while answering her from another room hoping that would pacify whatever "issue" she had at the moment.

I hate to always dialogue our conversations, but it just goes better when I do.


"mom, something happened."

"ok Ella"

"mommy, I think there is something wrong"

Knowing Jake was with me I was not that worried about whatever it was that was "wrong" at the time

"Ok Ella, give me a min and I will be in there"

"Momeeeeeee, my pumpkin is squishy!!!!"

(what???!!!!)

Enter Ella

"Mommy come quick, my pumpkin is squishy"

I get into her play room and you can see Ella's tiny little handprint on the side of her HUGE pumpkin. I tell Ella to go straight to the bathroom and wash her hands while I took her pumpkin outside. Of course, the typical three year old that she is, did not, and followed me straight out side terrified about what I was about to do to her beloved pumpkin.

I gently set the pumpkin down and right as I do, the side of it falls out revealing some un mentionable grossness that we will skip over.

Ella looks down as it is oozing and ask what is wrong with it. I just said it was sick and we needed to go wash our hands. That is when Ella started calling. Calling for the doctor. At the top of her lungs, 9:30 at night, calling for the dr to come and give her pumpkin some medicine. Because you know that is what happens when you are sick. A Dr gives you medicine and you get better. So why wouldn't a Dr. fix this molding, leprosy looking stinky pumpkin.

Explain THAT one to her....

Judge Terminator

I got a call from our attorney today and Brandon is in default. This is great for Denise's case and obviously, PERFECT for us!!! The judge signed the termination papers this morning. I was so sick last night. I was up ALL night with tummy issues. I know it was over this. I have never been more scared or felt out of control on an issue. So helpless. But now, as I watch both the kids as we are all laying in bed together watching Little Bear before bed, I feel such a peace. Geoff is gone and I miss him terribly. But I have everything I need right here (minus Geoff) All in my little bedroom in my little bed, I have all of my little children. life is good....

Thanks for those who have been praying over this. I could barely talk about it with out crying till recently. So thank you.

hh

Two more hours

Now that this is coming to a head, I can actually talk about it with out crying and going hysterical. Jake's bio father would not sign over his rights. Not only has this cost our family financially but emotionally. I got a call from my attorney when Jake was about two weeks old and said the courts were not going to accept our attempts to terminate his rights. So we had to serve him papers. Well, first we had to FIND him to serve him with papers. Then I asked what happens if he wants rights to Jake because I had just assumed that he could get visitation or something. Ohh no. I was completely wrong. If he wanted rights, Geoff and I lost Jake, permenatly.

After hearing this news, I was hysterical. Well in an hour and 40 min, the courts will terminate his rights FOREVER and we can move with this!!! Geoff left yesterday for DC and I was sick ALL night long. Now that I think about it, I bet it was over this. I got less than two hours sleep last night and now Ella is laying in Jake's crib, kissing all over his tummy. I love watching my kids together. I just love my kids. So please pray that nothing happens over the next hour and 37 minutes!!!! :)

hh

my kids

As has as this weekend has been with Ella being sick and Jake following in her footsteps, I just adore my babies. Ella has her moments as all three years old do, but over all, she is such a great kid. She LOVES her brother and is so good with him. Just the little momma. Jake, man, I could not ask for an easier baby. He fits in well with the Hardin men. Calm, laid back, quiet and tolerant. If they speak, they really have something to say. That is Jake. I just had to brag a little bit!!

Here are pics from the Flower Mound Pumpkin patch

Does God have a cell phone?

Friday, Ella, Jake and I were on our way to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch. By far, my favorite one. On the way, Ella asked

EK "Where do tad poles sleep?"

"In the water"

EK"Where do frogs sleep?"

"They can sleep on the land or in the water?"

EK"Where does God sleep?"

"In heaven."

EK"Where is his room and bed?"

"He has His own room and his own bed."

EK"Does He have a cell phone?"

"I dont know, if He had a cell phone, who do you think he would call?"

EK" If God had a cell phone, I would talk to him!!!"

In stead of prayers, we can just call him directly now!!! :)

Where is she going?

Ella and I were on our way to playgroup today and to get to 75, we drive down what I think is the most pretty part of Eldorado. It is all shady with nice big trees nestled in a neighborhood of half a mil properties. I love driving that way. Well there is a jogging trail that follows Eldorado and there was a lady jogging. Here is how THAT conversation went:

"Mommy, where is she going".

"She is just running"

"Why?"

" To keep her body in shape, exercising and staying healthy. God wants us to keep our bodies healthy and strong."

"Does she not have a car?"

"yes honey, she has a car" as I snicker from her response

"Where is it? Why is she not using it?"

" She is just running to keep healthy, baby."

"I don't understand that, mommy." as she shakes her head back and forth

Ohh from the mouths of babes. Silly girl.

Family pics

We attempted to do some family photos today but by the time we got to Jake's new born pics
( which was really the whole reason for going) he was hungry and they ran out of time. So here is what we got done...

Jacob Porter Hardin is here!!

After a very long and hard road getting here, Jake finally made it. I am sure if you have seen my sister's blog, you would have already received this news.

Jake was born late Wednesday night, September 10 at 11:39pm after being induced nearly 48 hours early and ended in a very scary emergency Cesarean. But all is well. Jake, his birth mother and everyone involved is now doing wonderful.

Jake had a lot of brain swelling,bruising and ran a fever because of his traumatic delivery but with in a few hours, the fever reduced and brain was back to normal by our in office Dr appt this week. We have to get his hearing retested because he failed his test, but it is due to fluid in the ears from birth. No biggy.

Ohh my gosh you guys, he is perfect. He is gorgeous and EASY. The most laid back baby I have ever been around. Ella has taken to him like icing on a cake. The first thing she asks in the mornings when she wakes up is 1)where is here daddy and 2) where is her baby. She is a pro at holding him, feeding him and watching the diaper changing!! hee hee. I am sure with this new guy in our family, we will have many more adventures to post about.

NO kissing at school

We had meet the teacher night on Thursday at Ella's preschool. Geoff had to work late and I got to take Ella. As soon as we drove up, Peyton and his family was getting out of the car. I am so happy that we are going to school with him. They are not in the same class but their classes do a lot together. Ella needs to branch out and meet new friends. Meet the teacher went fine.

When we were getting ready to leave, Teresa and I were talking in front of our car. Peyton and Ella were talking in front of mine. I just stood there watching them as they would talk, hug, talk, hug etc. Peyton started towards his car and Ella asked if she could kiss him. I told her if Peyton wanted a kiss. He turned it down for the moment.

I am putting Ella in her car seat and here comes that sweet cute little Peyton. He has changed his mind and wanted to give Ella a kiss. They exchanged kisses on the cheek when Teresa and I realized, this could be a problem.

Teresa and I told the kids that they could not kiss at school. I have told Ella many times over the weekend how excited I am about her starting school etc. Yesterday when I dropped her off for the first day of MDO, she got out and said, "Mom, I promise I will never ever ever kiss Peyton at school." I just laughed and agreed. But how sad is it that Teresa and I are having to tell our kiddos not to display public affection at age THREE!!! lol

Gi Gi and Ga Ga

As most of you know, Ella has quite the imagination. She has created two imaginary friends who seem to keep popping up more and more. I have had to turn the car around once we left the drive way because we left one of them in the house. One time at the grocery store, I had to turn the cart back to the previous isle because GiGi was not listening and she got out of the cart. I somehow left her on isle 5.

Monday was Labor Day and we hung out with our friends, the Willefords. This would Peyton's family. Sigh....... Ohh young love. Anyways, Ella came down stairs whining about how Peyton was not being nice to GiGi and GaGa. My first thought was, well he can not SEE them and 2) he thinks you probably have three toys and he has one. So I just told her not to worry about it and GiGi and GaGa would find other toys to play with.

The second time she came down stairs saying GiGi and GaGa were not being nice to Peyton. So I took new steps with these imaginary friends. I know Teresa and Bob must think we are crazy dealing with these "friends" but they are so real in Ella's world.

I told Ella to make GiGi and GaGa come to the stairs. Then I told all three of them ( Ella, GiGi and GaGa) that since GiGi and GaGa could not play nice, they had to come down stairs and sit on the couch for time out. Ella went on and we never heard about her friends the rest of the day.

It has come down to imaginary friends going to time out. Ohhh brother.....

Another ER visit today

Since it has been TWO months since we had to have an emergency visit and Ella JUST got her cast off, karma has a sense of humor. Ella did not sleep well last night but I thought it was because her arm was hurting. No other symptoms of ANYTHING.

Today we were eating lunch; she had finished and was enjoying some Cinderella fruit snacks. The only way I can get her to eat is to bribe her with those. Well she stopped eating them and complained her ear was hurting. No her head. No her mouth. I thought she had bitten her mouth and was just being dramatic. Her usual self.

I had to run to Joanns to get some stuff for Kaitlin and while I was there Ella started screaming. I dont mean whining, I mean high pitched screaming. I HAD to go get Alison and take her to airport. It was too late to get someone else to do it and Ella is screaming.

By the time I get her to the ER clinic, she has conked out and asleep. Poor thing had just screamed till she crashed. ( Alison helped me since she was the queen of ear infections. THANK YOU AL!!! )

We got there and the Dr says that she has a bad middle ear infection and her ear drum will burst befor antibiotics will work. Her ear drum was already buldging. Not to worry though, she will not be in any more pain when that happens. WHATEVER. Not a good thing to tell a worried mom.

She is acutally doing much better so I am wondering if it has bursted now. We are in there and they are asking for her medical history. I start listing off all the incidents in her life, hospitalazations, dog bite, broken arm, etc. The nurse looks up at me and aske "how old is she??" I know. I know.

My first fear was how was I going to juggle a sick kid and a new baby coming any minute. Ella is not contagious and as long as she is fever free, which she has been, we are good. She is snuggled up next to me watching Little Bear as we speak.

Ella Bella, kiddo. I have my work cut out for me...

Fiberglass free!!!

After a very typical dramatic day yesterday, Ella ended it with GETTING HER CAST OFF!!! Ten weeks for that poor little thing. Her arm is in a brace for a bit, but at least that horrible hard thing is OFF!!! Last night she did not sleep well and complained of it hurting. I gave her some motrin to help, but does not seem that it did much. We are so happy to get out of that thing!!

I asked him what was the likely hood of her doing this again. He asked "how old is she?" "Just turned three." "Many many years....."

Poor Ella Bella

Tad poles

We live just down the street from a creek and little pond all of the little neighborhood boys like to fish in. It was so nice last week Ella and I went almost every day down there. We take Angie for a walk and usually come back soaked head to toe from playing in the water.

On Saturday, Geoff, Ella, Angie and I went for a walk to get out of the house. Geoff took a mason jar with us and the three of us spent an hour or so catching teeny minows
(like the size of my pinky nail) and tadpoles. We have come home with a jar full of 13 tadpoles, three minute minnows and several snails surrounded by pond scum which is at the bottom of the jar.

Geoff and I thought this would be a great way to teach Ella about nature, God's world, etc. Saturday night I googled tad poles to make sure I did not kill these little things. I thought they probably took about three or so weeks to become frogs. WRONG. It takes about 6 to 12 weeks. I think we took on a project that I had not planned on.

They are in a jar sitting on our kitchen counter. Little slimmy things swimming around. I told Ella, once they start to grow their legs etc, we are going to have to put them back in the creek. The last thing I need is 12 fromgs hopping around my house!!!

Ella is APC- accident prone child

ella sitting in a warm load of clean clothes

Ella has been in the hospital 6 times before she turned three. Hospitalized 4 times for dehydration and complications from the ROTO virus, one for the dog bite and one for the broken arm. That is NOT including all the other Dr visits we have had with two concussions, private area injuries ( 2, dont ask, just dont let your kid slam down in the bath tub with toys around and PRAY that you have boys so you do not have to worry about that) and who knows what else we have been in the dr for.

So last night Geoff was putting Ella into bed and she was being silly. She slammed her face down into the pillow ( noticing a slamming habit??!!!) and I had propped her pillow up against the head board. She did not know that and the next thing I hear is SCREAMING and Geoff trying to comfort Ella. He told me what happened so I laid down with her thinking this over exaggeration of emotions was due to the fact that she was beyond tired. I lay down with her, cuddle her up and start to kiss her head. I was brushing her hair out of her face when I noticed something. Geoff was still in the room sitting on the bed with us and I asked him to turn on the light. As soon as he did, I see blood dripping down her forehead. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!

I asked Geoff if it was ok that she come and lay in bed with us so I could watch her and make sure she was going to be ok. She was and drifted off the sleep about 45 min later. I woke up this morning and asked Geoff what in the WORLD are we going to do when social services comes to do our home study for the adoption. "Yes, sir, please may we adopt this child. Yes, our daughter is fine. She is in a cast, with bruises all over her ohhh and a slice in her forehead." How fast do you think they are going to run out my door!!!! Geez. She has her fathers very large head and her mothers inability to walk in a straight line or watch what she is doing. Not a good combination......

our pumpkin seeds

Aunt Candas gave Ella some gardening tools and seeds for her birthday. By the time we got around to planting them, we were about a month late for our region. I was hoping we could just tend to these little guys and have at least some teeny pumpkins by Oct. Then Ella and Bella ( next door neighbor) could come and pick some and we could carve them for Halloween. So we have been watering the heck out of these plants not expecting to see anything growing for a while.

Last week we went out and we have sprouts. I think Ella called everyone she knew to tell them about it. Well this morning we are watching Noggin and some show has a live puppeteer thing and they are playing in a band to help their "Arthur" grow.

So guess what. We now have a CD player out in the back yard making our pumpking grow more. So Ella, GiGi and Ga Ga ( her imaginary friends) are dancing in the back yard yelling at the pumpkins to grow all while listening to JACK F.M. GiGi apparently is not singing the songs correctly which makes Ella laugh and laugh.

Can you image what our neighbors think of us? I bet they would like I us to go back to the funny farm where we came from.....

hh

My Prince

Sunday night we were driving home from church and Ella was talking about princess' and prince. This went on for a while and she said princess' are girls and prince are boys. Correct. I stated how daddy was my prince in which Ella replied, "Peyton is my prince. I LOVE Peyton!!!"

This relationship started when Ella was about 18 months old and Peyton had just turned two. Now they are three. When we go to High Point C of C, they will ALWAYS walk together holding hands. It does not matter if it is giving to the children helping children program or going to children's church. They are together. We are very excited to start school this year because Ella is starting at a new school, Peyton's school. Ohhh laa laa!!!