Kodiak Allergies

Ailish is having a tough time with allergies. Poor little girl with a runny nose wiping her hair out of her face just to have snot as hair gel. I handed her a tissue for her "leaky faucet" and she said "Thank you." with her sweet little congested voice. Precious little baby girl. Daddy found some good over the counter medicine to give her. Unfortunately, she thought we were torturing her and she pushed my arm sending the stickiest medicine known to man all over me. We did manage to get at least half of it in her, I hope. The medicine didn't even taste bad (Will and I did a taste test). Ailish and I had to change our pajamas and Will had to go back to work with a sticky uniform.

Ian has a successful tummy time and held his head up for quite a while. Ailish encouraged him by wrapping her arm around him. Then we had to encourage Ailish not to put her arm around his neck.

August brought Will's parents to town for a week and we had a splendid time showing them around and joining them for a Whale Watching Tour. So much fun! Yes, we did see whales! It was a sweet time for Ailish and Grandma Smith to bond. Ailish's little personality came out that week too! It was also very exciting because we had our ultrasound and found out that we were having a BOY!

About a week later Will left for the northern most point of Alaska and the next day Ailish and I headed to the lower 48 to spend time with my parents. It was an adventure being 5 months pregnant with a 15 month old on my lap. She did great on the flights going to the lower 48. Where we were able to stop in LA to visit Ailish's Aunt and Uncle, her cousin, and my best friend and her three girls. The girls and the grown ups had a great time at the play ground. Mommy sat on the wet ground, went to change, only to find no stall doors, and a wet pair of shorts. So, I quickly decided a wet pair of pants were better than a wet pair of shorts and perhaps I would have time to buy some stretchy pants before boarded. Ha ha! Then we hauled it back to the airport where I frantically asked the people in front of me if I could get in front of them in the security line. I was not about to have to wait for the next flight to DC (my flight was boarding at this time). Thankfully, the people and the security guards had mercy on me and I threw our carry on into the stroller and ran to our gate with Ailish on my hip. Praying all the while I would not start early labor. We made it and arrived safely to a tired Grandpa and Grandma. I think Ailish and I were most shocked by all the lights and traffic. Twenty minutes out from my Dad's house and Ailish starts crying and it took me 15 minutes to realize she just wanted me to hold her hand. The highlight was going to the beach and watching Ailish experience a warm ocean for the first time. Ailish liked putting sand in every ones chair and sitting on Aunt Heather's lap. As well as falling asleep in Granddaddy's arms. Another highlight was getting to know my step mom better and spending some sweet time with my Dad, and watching Ailish adore her grandparents. We then met half way to spend the remainder of out time with my Mom and step dad. What a surprise that day was. My Mom, my Dad, my step parents, and my brother and his family all had lunch together at the same table! God blessed my brother and I with that :) The highlight at my Mom's was Ailish in the garden with her Grams and taking walks together, and eating Smores. Ailish loved playing with Reef (my mom's dog and blowing bubbles). My step sister Andrea and I got to take baby bump pictures together as well as pictures with her sister Renee. Ailish loved her Aunties. It was a great three weeks. We thank God for the restoration of relationships during that time as well as sweet memories! Ailish's vocabulary also grew during this time. The words included: Thank you, Granddaddy, and I wish I could remember the rest. It was sad to say goodbyes and Ailish did not sleep on the plane rides back. When she eventually fell asleep on one of the flights, people said, "She finally fell asleep." Yep, that's when you know it was a long flight. The last leg of the journey was a short 45 minute flight where Ailish got to set in a grown up seat and we were greeted by the love of my life. I am so glad he liked my haircut of over a foot taken off ( it was donated). It felt great to be reunited again. What a blessing of a trip and a blessing of a husband! Thank you Lord for your many blessings!