Ahhhh, Albuquerque

Nia and I spent last week in Albuquerque. It was a wonderful, dry, big-blue sky, peaceful, amazing time. I stayed quite busy visiting many friends and favorite restaurants. Nia joined me for some of it, and spent time with doting grandparents during other times (Thank you mom and dad). It was hard to leave. I think our girl has grown a lot in the last month. She's such an animated, busy, fun-seeking, talking-all-the time kid. Great fun as long as she's not whining!

Yesterday we spent the day in the ER. Nia had quite the allergic reaction... to what, we don't know yet! She's struggled with eczema and skin problems most of her life. But lately, the rashes have gotten worse, and yesterday a violent, fast-growing rash came on. The allergist thinks the cause of all her problems are probably allergy related and are probably from very common things such as milk and wheat! We won't have results of the vast testing until next week, but for now she's on a severely restricted diet. Thank God for Wild Oats and all of their gluten-free, wheat-free, and dairy-free products. You can tell she's still scratching a few leftover spots on her cheek in the first photo here. Poor thing.

Picture Day at School

You can see the wet world in the background. Despite being around 70 degree temps, it's been raining here for DAYS. Ugh. We're missing N.M. right about now! Can't go to the park, can't go to the zoo.... have to stay indoors. Ugh. This is Nia all dressed up for picture day at school. I have to admit, when I first saw these "smocked" dresses that everyone wears here in Memphis (must be a big southern thing), I didn't really like them. Now they've grown on me. There's something about them that makes little girls look prim and proper and oh-so-girly.

I sure love this face - I could sometimes stare at her for hours. I still think she mostly looks like her daddy. She did get my skin color, my hair, and my unfortunate lack of bottom. ha ha. There is just something amazing about kids and watching them and watching them think, and act, and just be. She's definitely got our hearts.... even if the little spit-fire (literally - she spits when she gets mad and then gets in more trouble!) does get at least one time out a day!