All I got for my 1st birthday was an allergic reaction. And a trip to the ER.

Charlee's birthday started with fresh bagels. The kid can't get enough carbs, so I stopped on the way home from the gym at Einstein's and brought her warm, doughy carbs. Hopefully, you're thinking right now "Wow, she goes to the gym early. And stops for bagels! She's a great Mom." Remember this later.

Bread = Love

After breakfast, Charlee spent the day at Connie and Laura's as usual. According to Claire, the kids sang Happy Burt-day to her. After work, school, and play, we had our almost-first popsicles of the season. Charlee, too. She alternated eating the popsicle and writing with it on the sidewalk. You're right, I must be a super cool Mom to let my kids make a huge, fun mess with popsicles. Remember this.

Charlee's gift was a water table. Think mini bathtub with legs. Charlee loves baths so much that we thought this was the perfect gift. Charlee did, too. I know my baby well and came up with this gift idea. Yes, I'm that good! Remember this.

We were all enjoying being outside, so I brought a picnic out for the crew. Pasta, blueberries, and fake cheese for Charlee. Salami, tortilla chips, cheese, and blackberries for the rest of us. Charlee wanted some salami, so I let her have it. Five minutes later, hives. All over her hands, chest, and back.

Did you know Salami contains milk? I didn't. And Charlee's allergic to milk. The poor kid was itchy itchy. We gave her Benadryl, a bottle, and put her to bed. She woke up vomiting and with more hives. I called the doctor's exchange to see if we could give her more Benadryl, and the nurse said "Hang up the phone. Drive to the ER immediately." So we did.

And that's how Charlee spent several hours of her birthday in the ER. Doesn't she look peaceful after having some steroids? Mom. Of. The. Year.

Happy 9 Months, Charlee Belle!

Charlee's 9 months old and on the move.

Minnesota Hooker with a Northern Clap

When the "blizzard of the decade" was on its way to St. Louis last week, the media wasn't short on hyperbole. Even the National Weather Service was in on it:

“DANGEROUS MULTIFACETED AND LIFE-THREATENING WINTER STORM ... BEFORE MAKING DECISION TO TRAVEL ... CONSIDER IF GETTING TO YOUR DESTINATION IS WORTH PUTTING YOUR LIFE AT RISK ...”

Twitter-ers were quick with the fun names: Snowmageddon, Snowtorious B.I.G., and Chad's favorite, "The Minnesota Hooker with a Northern Clap." The actual storm ended up skirting St. Louis, so it was anticlimatic. We got several inches of ice and snow, and 2 days off from work and school.

Even though the storm was underwhelming, our January (and first few days of February) have been overwhelming in the number of disruptions to our normal life. Since January 1 we've had 4 snow days, 2 school/daycare holidays, and 10 sick days. Some of those days overlap, but basically we've had to be at home 12 out of the last 25 work days. It has been challenging.

Our house is a petri dish. We have hosted 3 cases of influenza, 4 cases of strep throat, 1 ear infection, 3 RSVs, 1 stomach flu, 1 Gianotti-Crosti rash, and 1 bronchitis. We've visited the urgent care three times, ER once, and the doctor three times. I really, really hope that we are near the end of this sickness season.

Through it all, the girls have been mostly sweet, mostly in good humor, and fun to be around. Here are just a few shots from our confinement at home.

Claire's ER visit. The nurse gave her this stuffed bird

Questionable wardrobe choices. It's cold outside!

Our neighbor brought hand-me-down toys. A godsend for bored children

More TV watching. Charlee is obsessed with remote controls

Chad and Claire in the doctor's office

Claire's RSV-associated rash

How much TV is too much when you're sick?

Watching Snowmageddon

Chad shaved his beard. Charlee was skeptical he was the same Dad.

Kate and Claire dressed like it was July instead of January.

Again, with the swimsuits