The Case of the Incredible Diaper Rash

It is no secret to my close friends that I LOVE Nancy Drew.

I seriously read every book growing up and if I had the time now, I would probably re-read them. No lie. I've always loved a good mystery. And I have been known, on occasion, to refer to myself as Nancy Drew. I'll answer to that name, if you feel like calling me that. :)

We frequently have "mysteries" in our home that I feel the need to solve. The most recent "mystery" is that of the Incredible Diaper Rash.

Mika Lynn developed a diaper rash about a week ago (maybe slightly longer). I used every cream and ointment we had in the house, from OTC to prescription. No change. In fact, that mess just got worse and worse. I'm not one to freak out and call the doctor over a diaper rash (plus we had a check-up scheduled for today so I was hoping to hold out until then) so I just kept trying to treat it.

Bootie creams = no help.

Next step - change formula. For some reason I thought that the formula may be causing the mess. With the new formula, we got a slight improvement in the diaper rash. But did it go away completely? No sir.

So today we are at our appointment. Dr. W asked me if there was anything up with Mika. I told her to take a look at the insane diaper rash that she has. She did and she proceeded to tell me she was baffled. No idea for certain what it is. It is seriously bizarre - it is like a perimeter rash around the area where her diaper would be wet. Dr. W didn't even know how to write it up in her notes. Ha!

She prescribed some OTC creams (that I haven't used yet) and if it isn't better in a couple days or gone in a week we have to go back to her.

All I keep thinking is "Who gets an out-of-control diaper rash that stumps the doctor?" Only my child! Seriously, my kids are rarely sick, but when they get their little medical issues, they are always weird and never normal. {Breath holding spells, fever viruses that trick the doctors into thinking it is meningitis coupled with some sort of weird bacteria, the list goes on and on.... and on}

I write this not to bore you to tears with talk of diaper rash, but to ask for your help. Any thoughts? Any ideas on how we can get rid of this mess for good?

Wordless Wednesday

When Whit and I were little we used to love "building" forts out of blankets. Today, I shared that little bit of fun with my girls. They are loving their fort.

Time Flies!

I cannot believe how long it has been since I posted. Really?!

Things have been SO BUSY but very good. I'm not so sure about how much I'll be blogging for awhile.... there are just so many other things that demand my attention and time and the blog has taken a backseat.

There are a few things I want to record for memory's sake.

We went to the NWA Craft Fair a couple of weekends ago. It was such a blast! Mom, Nanny, Whit and I know how to shop and it appears that my girls are learning at a very early age. Our time together was wonderful and we managed to pack my vehicle down like it has never been packed down before! That's talent people.

Laila decided that she was done with diapers. We are going on two weeks of no diapers and it has been so easy. She's done so well, we are so proud of her! It doesn't quite seem like my baby should be out of diapers. It is also a weird feeling only having to buy diapers for one baby - my bank account likes it though!

The girls and I spent a few days helping Pappy out. He broke his wrist in a "scuffle" with one of the horses. We loved our time with him and I'm thankful his arm is healing well.

My niece, Amelia, turned one and we celebrated at her Birthday Party! It was a good time for everyone (except me - I was miserably sick). The girls had a ball and have pretended to be at Amelia's Party ever since we came home! :)

Also, I've been busy busy painting some things for a few people. I have really enjoyed it and feel like it is such a blessing to be able to do something like that for my friends and family.

Mika Lynn is growing like a weed, I tell you. She is pulling up on EVERYTHING. She thinks she is Big Stuff! She says all sorts of things - the latest include: "num, num, num" when I put snacks on her tray, "mama" - FINALLY!, "bye bye" - or something like it (totally not in context), and something that sounds like she is trying to say "no no" - you know she hears me say that all day to her sisters and they like to say it to her, ha! She is such a little joy and we love her to pieces.

Peyton got to do some major Fall/Winter shopping in Branson and scored some cute things! And we finally found her some red shoes. My, oh my. She has been asking for red shoes for months. I had no idea it would be so hard to find some. Thankfully we came across a fairly cute pair in Branson so I'm no longer searching every store I go into for red shoes. She's happy and wants to wear them all the time. We are still working on her ability to coordinate outfits... Ha!

Today we had Aunt Jill and Amelia over to play. It was such a good time. The girls all love to play together and Jill and I enjoyed adult conversation during the day. If you are a SAHM, you know how rare that is!

I think that about sums it up. I always go into Fall thinking that it will be a time to relax and chill.... and I'm pretty sure Fall is always the busiest time of year for me! Eventually, I'll figure that out and won't be so surprised when I don't have a free weekend during the Fall months.

Hope your Fall is as fun as mine is!

Photo Shoot

Saturday morning we had a family photo shoot. I'm beyond in love with the pictures! I can't wait to fill my home with some of these pictures. They are so "us". So... I thought I would share some of my most favorite shots from the day. Just so you know, there are quite a few pictures..... Enjoy!

**All photos were taken by my S-I-L, Alicia. She rocks!

Our feet. I love how this turned out.

Me and my baby-est girl!

My little joy!

Ahhhhh, I just want to kiss all over that sweet face. 

My middle joy!

She is such a bundle of sweetness and happiness.

This is the best picture I've ever seen of Peyton! My little joy!

She loves the camera and loves to pose!

Sisters. 

So sweet. They are best friends!

Sister love.

All five.

Aren't these tracks so cool. It was a beautiful location.

My sweetie and me.

Daddy and his girls.

My favorite shot of the day!

L.O.V.E.

My three princesses. They make us so happy and bring so much joy and love to our family.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too. We completed ours with an impromptu Razorback Game Day Watch Party at our house, church, The New Karate Kid, and our nephew's football game. It was a good weekend.

Happy Monday everyone!

Just Breathe...

This has been a crazy week. The girls have been a little extra difficult which absolutely wears me out. Add to that a baby who started really crawling and pulling up and getting into everything. Needless to say, my days have been full of my kids and trying to make it to bedtime without losing my mind.

On top of everything, there are some things going on around here that are just inherently stressful. And while I try not to get too worked up about it all, this week has just felt like one thing after another.

Last night we had some little visitors over.

My niece and nephew came over for dinner and to play while their Mommy and Daddy were at a doctor appointment. So for a couple hours last night we had two 3 1/2-year-olds, two 2-year-olds and an 8-month-old. WOW! They were really good, though. We had dinner and then watched a movie and read books. Sweet babies.

But today is Friday. Which means I'll have an extra pair of hands (Jared's) to help me all weekend - well, except for when the Hogs play because I can't compete with Razorback football! ha! We have some fun things planned for Saturday morning and I hope it goes smoothly.

Right now, I'm just thankful for a few minutes this morning where I feel like I've been able to catch my breath. The girls are playing nicely and Mika is content in her bouncy toy for a minute.

And just because it cracks me up... here is a picture of my Laila's insane bed hair. I don't think we could make it stick out like that if we tried. Poor baby. ha!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!
Go Hogs!

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday morning: Making pancakes for breakfast. I love my little helpers!

My Free Time....

I've had some sweet friends and family ask me to paint things for them. Me? I'm so not an artist. I never took an art class (although Art Lecture was my FAVORITE class in college). Anyway, I'm honored to create things for them. I showed you the paintings already here. Jamie and Cale picked up their paintings Friday night and I got an email earlier this week that included this:

Photo courtesy of Jamie Block

They are in their new home! I think it is precious.... this is Jamie's office. Thank you, Jamie, for sharing this picture.

My paintbrushes are getting quite the work-out. And I love it! I have found that I really enjoy painting and I'm so happy to share it with others.

I'm almost finished with this painting which is a house warming gift - I love this one and I will show you the finished product when it is actually completed!

And this is another painting I've finished - I would show the entire thing to you, but I'm thinking the Momma who ordered it would like it to be somewhat of a surprise.... It also may need some tweaking. The Momma will see it today so we will see what it needs ;)

Doesn't it make you think of lemonade? I love it!

I've also completed three other paintings that are gifts. I won't show them on here because I would hate for the recipients to see their gift before they are actually given it. :) 

So this is how I've been spending my free time. And I'm loving every minute of it. Honestly. 

Have a very happy Monday, y'all!