We celebrated Dakota’s first birthday party over the weekend! We’ve had some sunshine and, of course, some sickness. One minute we’re outside in the sunshine and the next we’re in and out of the doctor’s office. Between fevers and running our gas tank all the way to E, it’s safe to say we’ve all been running a little low this week. 😆
Even with the chaos, it has been a sweet week full of sunshine, sniffles, and celebration!
Dakota’s First Birthday Party 🍦
We gathered with family at our favorite ice cream shop to celebrate Dakota’s first birthday! We had yummy food: barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches, fruit, charcuterie, cupcakes, and of course ice cream!
It was so special to gather together with the people who have loved and supported us through the highs and lows of Dakota’s first year. Our Koko has certainly kept us on our toes this year with her health issues and adventurous nature.
She has been such a seamless addition to our family, and we can’t remember what life was like before Dakota. She is the best!
I loved seeing her surrounded by her cousins and soaking in all the love from the adults, too.
We had such wonderful weather for an ice cream party in early March: 70s and sunny! We were even able to sit outside. Swoon!
A child’s first birthday party feels like such a big milestone. It was a really special day for our family. ❤️
Sickness Saga 🤒
Dakota had the best birthday party… and then a rough day the next day. She woke up sad and got worse as the day went on.
We went to church and then she had a really high fever (103.7 😢) and developed a scary rash. I sent a photo to her pediatrician’s office and they called me the next day telling me to bring her to the ER immediately for an obscure but serious skin condition.
I wasn’t convinced she had the life-threatening skin issue, so we ended up getting another opinion. Then another, just to be sure. And then the rash spread and we landed at the pediatrician’s office. I was floored when the doctor told me she had a double ear infection and that her ear tubes were clogged—literally one month after her surgery. Thankfully we were able to give her antibiotic ear drops to clear the infection up!
The skin stuff has been hard to figure out, but we’re pretty sure she got a viral rash and had a severe eczema flare at the same time. The doctor wants her to be tested for food allergies, so… off we will go to another specialist in a couple of months for our most sickly child. 😂
In all seriousness, Dakota has been such a trooper. From the fevers, to the ear infections, doctor’s office visits, and a super uncomfortable and sometimes scary rash… she has been such a good girl through it all. Hopefully we’re on the upswing from here on out!
Sunshine and Daily Life ☀️
We had some sunshine this week and it was glorious! Mordecai was soaking it in.
And hugging his big sis so adorably!
The kids have been loving getting out on their bikes.
Even Jimmy joined in on the biking fun!
Dakota practiced her climbing skills and nestled herself right into a basket.
I think I hit a new record with letting our car’s gas tank get to E. It was a metaphor for my own emotional gas tank this week, haha.
We took Sadie and her neighbor friends (and all their baby dolls 😂) on a walk around the block.
Dakota ate her hand. It seems like she’s getting new teeth every day!
We had a smiley Sadie.
My mom came over and left me the sweetest note in my planner. I didn’t see it until the next day and it was in the middle of the Dakota skin saga. God knew I needed my mom’s love in that moment!
We saw a rainbow on the drive into church. Sadie insisted I take a picture!
Painted my nails with one of my favorite nail polish brands. The peachy color felt perfect for spring.
We squeezed in school lessons all week.
Mordecai has been enjoying painting whenever he gets a chance!
That has been our week in a nutshell: some chaos, some sunshine, lots of little moments in between, and God’s presence in it all. ❤️
Other Notes and Thoughts 📝
- Scripture I’m loving: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5 🙏🏻
- We survived the time change! Sadie was so confused that evening when we got in the hot tub and it was still light outside at 7:00 pm. ☀️
- I got this book written by the American Academy of Pediatrics before Sadie wads born (so, 7.5 years ago!) and I still reference it all the time for random things like rashes and sicknesses. Maybe this is old school, but I am way more apt to search through a book than the internet. 📖
- I saw my first daffodil of spring the other day and was so happy. It’s the little things. 🌼
Living My Full Life 