What are Little Girls Made of?

***Warning! This post contains a graphic image of unadulterated grossness*** What are little girls made of? If you are thinking sugar and spice and all that is nice, you haven't met my Kensley. I am not saying this at all to be ugly, but to document this for future blackmail as well as one that "should be in the baby book." Kensley is sugar-sweet 80-85% of the time. When she isn't, she uses both sets of genes to be not-so-sweet. Kensley is also always quite spicy. And even though I am her mother and see that 15-20% of the not-so-nice, she really is quite nice to be around and brings phenomenal joy to our lives on a minute by minute basis. However, Kensley is apparently also made of this disgusting-ness which was sneezed from her nose just this morning. Y'all, the picture does NOT do this thing justice. If this could also emit the atrocious smell, you'd be in the floor or running to the nearest bathroom. Now, for the back-story - because you know I always have one! About 6-8 months ago (just stick with me) Kensley started having a thick, green, runny nose that was concentrated to the right nostril. I assure you that I took her to the pediatrician and cited this as a concern each visit, especially with it just being that one nostril. I was assured over the course of this time and no less than 5 more visits to the doctor that "this is just allergies. It's worse here than anywhere (that's been said in every state and country I have lived in, for the record!). Keep giving her Claritin, she will be fine." Well, I did give her Claritin when her allergies flared and the other nostril would cooperate beautifully, but the right one was still gross, gross, gross. Finally, last month, I tried Zyrtec as the pediatrician said that he would try that next as soon as she finished the Claritin. Zyrtec cleared up that left allergy-related, clear, runny nose, but still nothing with the right side. This past Monday, Kensley had an allergy-related cough, but it sounded like it wanted to get ferocious, so I took her in to the pediatrician. This time, I got to see the nurse practitioner. She heard all of my woes about Kensley's nostril and decided it was time for antibiotics. Furthermore, she noted if Claritin didn't work and her favorite, Zyrtec, didn't either, then it was time for Nasonex. My instructions were to give the antibiotic 2x a day for 10 days and one squirt of Nasonex at night, especially since she snores so loudly. Forward to this morning when my sweet, spicy little angel was watching her morning shows and lets out a huge sneeze. No biggie - she sneezes alot and it never bothers her. Sweet Kensley gets up from the chair walks lightly into the kitchen and says, "Mommy, I got a booger." I twirled around to wipe it and I will be daggum if it didn't look like a green fettuccine noodle was hanging on her precious little face. Ew. So I begin to think, that stinker stuck a noodle in her nose last night during supper. Walking closer to her, I did begin to freak out on a tiny level that she had just sneezed out her sinuses. She didn't. As I pulled the rest of the "noodle" out of her nose, and mushed it around, I realized it's "snot" a noodle or sinus cavity. It is apparently the stuffing out of a stuffed animal... I did take it to the pediatrician who confirmed it wasn't sinus cavity, that it IS foreign matter, and to be 100% certain I have Kensley finish that antibiotic. Because we aren't sure how long that's been there, we are certain it was her little body fighting off that "infection" for quite some time now. Kensley received yet another reprimanding as to why we don't put things in our ears, noses, and mouths. Initial dimensions would have made this a tiny nostril wide and about 1 inch long. After the mushing around (and MANY subsequent hand washings) I would say this was about .5 inch wide and about 1.25 inches long. Ew, just ew!

Candid Shot of the Girls

For those of you who are kind enough to continue to ask about our first love, Libby, she is still doing very well. She loves keeping the squirrel chased off of the swingset and snoozing the day away. Recently, she checked out the Jeep and is a major fan of that, too!

After church one Sunday, Kensley was able to play on the swingset for quite a bit. It was our first taste of Spring before we had one last winter blast. We are hoping this weather is here to stay!

Yes, that is a Pull-up. She is doing pretty well with potty training. We are thrilled not to be using diapers anymore and the Disney panties are a HUGE hit!

This is just a TRUE picture of Kensley, through and through.

Welcome the Newest Marlatt...

She LOVES this thing!

Vanna showcasing her prize

Oh Happy Day at the beach - sporting her special cap for the Jeep.

Just out of the Jeep and onto the beach - verrrry coool!

After much deliberation, we have added a new member to the Marlatt household... a Jeep. We have toyed with which recreational vehicle we would enjoy most and get the most use out of. If this weekend is any indicator of the use and enjoyment, we surely made the perfect choice.

As far as specs, we looked endlessly for a bare-bones, basic Jeep and finally came upon one. We always stymied the salespeople when we told them to pare it down even more. All we wanted was a manual transmission, tires, top, a radio, and working A/C. That's pretty much what we got and LOVE it! This is exactly what we imagined we would do hanging out at the beach!

Happy Birthday!

We had the luxury of celebrating Mike's birthday for two weekends! Last weekend, he and I went on a date while a great family friend watched Kensley for us. We are super-happy to report she was not only well-behaved, but she settled in with them without a hitch! YAY!

For our date, I took Mike to see Luke Bryan with what was the beginning of the Spring Break crowd. It was fun, but we were surely the 'older crowd!' Oh.my.heavens!

We were especially delighted to have a few friends over this weekend to celebrate Mike's birthday. We had a cookout and topped it off with the ever-requested cookie cake. It is always a blast to celebrate with our friends!

Happy Birthday, Mike! You deserve all the best we could ever wish for you!

(Special note: I had Luke Bryan pics on my cell phone, but due to unfortunate circumstances this past Friday...all is lost! booooo!)

More Disney Pics

Posing at Epcot

We three entering a 3D show with the Muppets

Disney really should ask us if they can use this for a commercial ad.

Just before our Safari at Animal Kingdom (What fun!)

Kensley and her ol' pal, Mickey

Here are more pictures from Disney. Kensley still asks daily if we can go to Disney today. She doesn't understand why we can't go everyday.