Brandy and more

I get so busy that I forget to come update my blog, but I am going to try and do better.

Here is a quick update to bring everyone up to date on our little corner of the world:

• Mark is about to get promoted to Sergeant. Probably by the end of this month. This has been a long wait for us to get to this point. When he gets promoted, he goes from a yellow helmet to a black one. I am excited for him, he so deserves it.
• I just re-enrolled in school. I am returning to the Arts Institute of Pittsburgh-Online Division. I have changed my major though from Interior Design to Graphic Design. I am in love with the arts and want to explore it more fully in all mediums. I start class on February 14th.
• Not much new with Eric. Trying to keep him afloat in Algebra I.
• Ashleigh is still the same as well. Currently she is selling Girl Scout cookies, but does not seem to be as gung ho about it as she has been in past years.
• Brandy - I will cover more of her in a minute.
• John is almost 23 months now and in to EV.ER.Y.THING!!! He is truly a blessing, but he is making me pull out my hair. He LOVES trains, football, and CARS (especially Mack, the semi).

Brandy update.

She will soon be 5. (Next Wednesday) When did she grow up? Better yet, who gave her permission to grow up? She was such a tiny thing when she was born. Just 4 pounds 13 ounces at 4 days shy of her due date. She was born 2 days after my beloved grandfather passed away. Of all of my kids, she was the only one born with any marks on her face. She had angel kisses and stork bites. I truly feel that her angel kisses were real kisses from an angel. She got to spend 2 days with Grand-dad before being deliverd to me. Even now you can still see faint traces of her "kisses" on her forehead. I call her my "Angel". Not because she is better than my other kids, but moreso because of the circumstances of her birth. They all understand that so there has not been any hard feelings about her nickname.

She had her check up today. She weighs 37 pounds and is 3' 9". The doctor predicts her future height to be 5'5". She is right on target developmentally. She does have some impetigo around her mouth that I am to treat with vaseline on her lips and neosporin on the bumbs. She was also diagnosed with alopecia. The doctor doesn't think it is the kind that causes complete baldness, but it is sort of a wait and see kind of thing. She said there is not much we can do to treat it and her hair should start growing back in 6 months or so, but she may lose more before that. Other than her losing patches of her beautiful hair, I guess if worse comes to worse she gets to wear beautiful scarves.

A truly adored friend of mine, just returned from a trip back to her native country - India. She picked out a gorgeous dress for Brandy and will be sending it to me soon. I can't wait to see her in it. She is going to be a perfect little princess in her new party dress. It will probably be her Easter dress.