Sleeping in Cars

Drive In

Tonight Hunter and Lily had a drive in at church for their Awanas group.  All the "Sparks" were to make a vehicle of their choice and bring it to church for a movie night.  Such a fun idea!  My parents got them started on their cars because Brian and I were at Nathan's doctor appointment.  Hunter wanted a "Ben 10" car and Lily had her own idea of the car she wanted and it was very realistic.  They were very excited about it.  They got to watch "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs" and eat popcorn with Mike n Ikes and drink juice in "Mom and Dad's church", which is what they call the Sanctuary since they so rarely go in there.

 

  

Samuel had to have his own "car", as well.  He had popcorn and chocolate milk while watching "nice Mickey".  All 3 kids plan on sleeping in their cars tonight.  We'll see how that works out for them.

 

Nathan

 

On Monday, I took Samuel and Nathan to the doctor because they had been coughing horribly since Thursday.  Nathan has pretty much been sick the whole month of February!  Anyway, they were checked out but it was just "crud"--nothing specific and their lungs sounded fine.  Monday night, Nathan was up a lot in the night and for long periods of time.  He was extremely fussy, which is very unlike him.  Of course, he had not been doing this before I took him to the doctor.  Great luck.  Tuesday was a continuation of that--sleepy, not eating well, fussy when he was awake, etc.  That evening, I started getting concerned because his cough was sounded really severe.  After supper, I changed his diaper and, on a whim, lifted his sleeper up to check his chest.  Well, even I could tell that he was retracting (which he was not doing at the doctor's office).  So we hurried the other kids up, dropped them off at my parents' house and took Nathan to Urgent Care.

Let me just say that absolutely everyone we encountered through this whole ordeal was so incredibly nice, helpful and compassionate.  Anyway, at Urgent Care, they attempted an oxygen reading.  It was tough because he is so little and they don't have the equipment for someone so small.  They got a reading of 92 but who knows if that was accurate.  They did a couple nebulizer treatments but the dr. told us he didn't think it would help him enough to stop the wheezing and retracting and raise that oxygen so to decide what hospital we wanted to go to.  So we were off to the ER at our hospital of choice. 

Nathan got fed up once we got there and he had to be weighed and all that again.  We had about a half a dozen nurses come in the room with us to help out with everything and to fuss over the baby.  :)  They got him on monitors (his oxygen was 98-100 there), tested him for RSV, took a chest x-ray and poked his heel.  Grandma Barb and Papa Lee came to visit for a bit.  The x-ray techs asked us if this was our 1st child.  We giggled.  No, we said, he's our 4th.  Gasp!  Then they asked if this was our 1st x-ray with a child.  Hysteria started to set in.  No, we've done this quite a bit for many reasons.  Hello?! 4th kid.  :)  Finally, around 9pm, the dr. came in said he was positive for RSV and because he is so young, he would need to be admitted.  I was surprised.  We had to wait quite awhile because 3 other kids had just been sent to Peds from the ER.

They took Nathan and I up in a wheelchair to Peds where my friend Karen was waiting for us.  That was a nice surprise.  I had to leave once they got Nathan settled to go pack bags for the other kids since it was a school day the next day.   Plus, I needed to take my contacts out and all that.  They did let Brian and I both stay in the room so that was great.  When I did this with Hunter (he didn't have RSV, though), only 1 parent was allowed to stay but at least I got a bed.  The sleeping arrangements weren't so great but we didn't get a lot of sleep anyway.

He did great overnight and they kept telling us we could go home in the morning.  Wrong.  The dr. came in and said he needed another treatment because he was wheezing/retracting and now he had double ear infection.  So we waited for the treatment and then for the dr. to come back and check him.  It was a long day waiting but we did enjoy visits from Papa PJ, Aunt Andrea and Pastor Jason.  I should say that Grandma PJ was very busy watching my sick 3-year old.  Poor little boy didn't feel well and didn't have his Mommy.  I did leave to go see him but he slept through my visit.  :(  Anyway, the doctor finally came back and this time, Nathan was just sound asleep and the dr. said it made listening to him easier.  He said he heard a heart murmur and because of his age (again), he would like to get a heart echo.  Was that okay?  Seriously, what are we going to say?  No, we don't care about our kid's heart.  So, we sat there longer and waited for Darth Vader (that's what Brian and I affectionately named him) to come check out Nathan's heart. The echo should have been painless but it was not.  Nathan woke up and fussed and cried and the teenage boy (okay, he was probably older) did his best with his forceful shushing and "calm down, buddy" but it wasn't working.  Thankfully, the nurse (another teen lookalike), got the sugar water out and that helped.  But it took a long time and Nathan was pretty riled up by the time it was done.  But once that was over, we were given our prescription, our nebulizer machine, our antibiotic and our instructions and sent on our way.

Now that we are home, we are super paranoid.  We've been sleeping closer to him and checking on him through the night.  He has been sleeping great at night, which is weird but great.  He has been fussy all day and that makes me tired and stressed but I understand!  He also has been coughing until he throws up, which is fun. We haven't gotten the echo results back but he has a follow up appointment today at our doctor's office. 

*During this whole thing, Nathan really found his voice.  We had never heard him talk so much!  He also has started making the saddest face.  He doesn't cry but he sticks his lower lip out in a pout and just stares at you.  Breaks your heart!*

Sick of Sickness

 

 RSV. Double ear infection. Heart murmur.

Nebulizer. Antibiotics. Heart Echo.

We are finally home after what may have been a short hospital stay (1 night) but felt like forever.  I will post the story later but in the meantime, here are some sweet pictures of my baby.

Daycare

My brother's youngest and my sister's kids go to the same daycare and the woman that watches them had a couple days off.  My parents both took off to watch Kathryn and Lainey (her brothers were in school) so me and my 2 little ones (twins were in school) headed over for the day.  It was so fun!  A 4-year old, 3-year old, 10-month old and 2-month old.  Easy, peasy.  It was actually a pretty quiet house until all the school kids got there!!  :)

Samuel and Lainey having pb cups and watching a movie together.

 

Kathryn was pushing on Nathan's feet and giggling.  She enjoyed checking him out!

Daybook

For today, February 23, 2010...

Outside my window... there is sunshine!!

I am thinking...I would like to be alone.

I am thankful for...only 2 out of 6 of us being ill.  Too bad it's the 2 youngest ones.

From the learning rooms...the twins are learning about Cowboys this week and going to Texas Roadhouse with their class.  How fun is that?

From the kitchen...making pasta tonight.  Not sure if it will be penne with asparagus or baked macaroni and cheese.

I am wearing... pajamas--not a whole lot of sleep with a sick 2 month old.

I am creating...this.  Not sure what else.

I am going...to have to pick up sometime today. I just don't feel like it.

I am reading...nothing for too long.  It's been busy.

I am hoping...the sick boys get better today.

I am hearing...noisy kids upstairs.

Around the house...just a few messes here and there.

One of my favorite things...is having my husband home on a weekday.

A few plans for the rest of the week: not sure...supposed to have a playdate tomorrow but w/sick boys, that may be pushed aside.  Nothing else  happening.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Look at those cheeks!  He weighed 12 lbs, 14 oz. when I took him to the doctor yesterday (sick check, not 2-month yet).  He outgrew some of his 0-3 month sleepers already. 

 
For more daybooks/info, visit http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

They Do Exist!

I know Hunter and Lily have not been shown lately.  I guess I have the camera out while they are at school.  And my main subject has been Nathan, I admit.  So I made sure to get a picture today.  Here's what is new with them:

-Hunter has lost 2 more teeth and Lily has lost 1.  They take their own sweet time and hate the thought of actually pulling the loose tooth out.  :)

-They are loving school.  I was a "Royal Reader" today.  I had to wear a crown and robe as I read the book I chose ("Too Many Toys" by David Shannon).  Hunter said his favorite part of school is gym w/Mr. D and learning about presidents.  Lily said her favorite part is recess and Valentine's.  Ha!  I am impressed with how they are doing with their reading and writing.  Math may not be any of our favorite subjects in this house.  Well, I don't mind it for myself but it's hard to be patient and help with this subject.  For the most part, they don't mind doing their homework and they seem to have plenty of it (according to Brian).  :)  Brian and I are probably most impressed with how much they are learning about the Bible.  They can tell me things that I wonder if most adults know.  It really makes me thankful for a Christian school. 

-They are both doing Awanas again and have learned verses easily.  I am not great at practicing all week long so I worry but they always do just fine.  This Awanas program is fantastic--tons of fun for them. 

-They are currently obsessed with who is the oldest.  Someone just laughed recently because I kept calling Hunter the oldest.  But it means a lot to them so I just go with it.  They are also always looking forward to getting older.  I told them to enjoy being 6 but they think being older will be fun.  I told them that if they are older, I am older.  Not good.  :)

-They call Nathan "Nathy" (long a sound) a lot.  I don't know why.  They think it is funny.  They play and fight a lot with each other and Samuel.  It's nice they enjoy playing together and do include Samuel most the time but the fights are enough to make me batty. 

-Hunter and Lily are such good kids.  They are both sweet and sensitive in their own individual way.  They love each other and make great big siblings to their younger brothers.  Of course, they are not perfect and it's interesting to see how they handle things as they get older.  They are learning but so are Brian and I.  This parenting thing isn't easy!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Hunter and Lily (I can't remember who said what so I am lumping them together):  Dad, will you bend over?

Brian bends down and the kids look at his head.

H/L: Yeah, he's almost bald.  Dad, one more haircut and you will be bald! 

B: Yep.

H/L: Aren't you worried people will laugh at you?

:)

Visit http://notbefore7.blogspot.com/ for more Tiny Talk Tuesday posts.

Daybook

For Today, February 16th....

Outside my window...it just looks cold.

I am thinking...that I am behind already today.

I am thankful for...Tuesdays because we have nothing going on.

From the kitchen...a friend is bringing us a meal this evening so the kitchen will stay quiet.  Yes!

I am wearing...pajamas still.

I am creating...this

I am going...nowhere and I love it.

I am reading...my new Life Application Bible that is so beautiful (turquoise and chocolate).  I plan on starting Beth Moore's new book this week.

I am hoping...that we have a good day.

I am hearing...Samuel talk to Nathan and the rattling of toys as Nathan kicks around.

Around the house...I would like to keep the main rooms picked up today since a friend will be stopping by with a meal--make it look clean.  Just don't look in the kids' rooms. 

One of my favorite things...being home.

Plans this week...I am reading in the twins' classroom tomorrow so I have to pick my book for that.  Other than that, a pretty quiet week.  Planning on some potty training this weekend.  Yippee.

Picture thought...

He smiles!

Check out The Simple Woman's Daybook for more info/daybooks.

Not Bad

We got out today!  Yesterday was another rough day with a very cranky baby so I decided not to take a chance today and just go do something.  Nathan is actually doing a lot better today, though--he must have 1 cranky day a week or something!?

Anyway, I took Samuel and Nathan with me to Family Christian--good sales, Beth Moore's new book and a gift certificate were all calling my name!--and to the mall to return some shoes.  It took a good chunk of our morning, which I liked, and it was actually fun!  We didn't dawdle because I don't have a stroller that the car seat fits into so I have to lug that whole thing.  I did let Samuel pick a small toy from Family Christian--he really liked this pretend rock (for Easter, I guess) and it was $0.60 with my coupon--not sure why I am sharing that but I was happy.  I went overboard on the praise with him because he did so well.  Taking 2 kids out is just way easier than taking 4 kids, anyway, but it's a bonus when they are so quiet and well mannered.  It makes me want to get out more often! 

This bottom picture shows a comparison of Hunter (left) and Samuel (right) at 3 years old.  They are even in the same coat since I saved it for the next boy.  :)  I have had 2 people comment just this week that they looked at Samuel and saw Hunter.  One woman called Samuel "baby Hunter", which I thought was funny.  I get comments all the time from people saying they look alike.  I guess there is something similar but I don't think they look tons alike.

Testing

I just read something about marking your photos that you share online so someone can't misuse them.  So I was testing this idea along with testing uploading automatically from Picasa.  I can't believe how little Samuel looks in this photo!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I saw this on someone's blog and it was kind of fun.  I'm not sure I can commit to every week but I have time tonight.  For more daybooks or more info, visit http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/.

February 8, 2010
Outside my window...snow is falling.

I am thinking...that I would like to go to bed but if I have to stay up, I wish I had a pop.

I am thankful for...being warm inside this house. 

From the kitchen...I am actually trying to plan suppers this week and get back into the routine of planning and cooking.  Made a pasta with spinach, garlic and feta tonight and it was good.  I also made raspberry streusel muffins tonight.

I am wearing...pajamas.

I am creating...this blog post.

I am going...for my 6 week check up tomorrow.  Wow--time flies.

I am reading..."When Women Say Yes To God" by Lysa Ter Keurst (2nd fave author after Beth Moore!). 

I am hoping...to sleep all night.

I am hearing...Samuel try to convince Brian he needs another drink of milk.

Around the house...feeling pretty good.  I got the kitchen picked up, laundry done, living room is not bad.

One of my favorite things...fresh, clean sheets on my bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  return shoes, Valentine's date, who knows what else the week will bring?!

Real Men Wear Pink

Here is my sweet boy, Nathan, in his pink bouncy seat.  Cute, huh?  :)  I had gotten rid of most of my baby stuff before getting pregnant with Nathan so I had no bouncy seat.  He seemed to enjoy using the one at my friend's house so I called my sister-in-law, Michelle, to see if we could borrow hers since Kathryn has outgrown it.  So now Nathan can enjoy the bouncy seat--which is really nice right now since he has a cold and does better when he's elevated a bit.  I think he feels secure in his masculinity so the pink doesn't bother him.  Notice that I did throw a blue blanket on there, though.  Ha!  Thanks to the Worthingtons for letting us borrow this!

Women's Retreat

This weekend was my church's women's retreat.  Talk about fun!  It started Friday night and ended Saturday afternoon.  I was actually able to stay all night w/some friends at the hotel without any children.  Brian was brave and committed to doing the overnight thing on his own so I could have this time.  He's a great husband.  One of my friends and roommates brought her baby that was born 10 days before Nathan so that was funny--I didn't get away from the baby thing altogether.  :)  I did miss him, though.  It's hard to be away from any of my kids for extended periods but especially such a new baby.  I survived and I was thankful to be able to listen to our awesome speaker without any distractions.    *By the way, Brian survived just fine.*

Lenchen was the speaker this weekend and I have known her for about 13 years.  She always has a very powerful message and you can't help but be inspired.  It was also very exciting because one of my very good friends, Melody, came to hear Lenchen speak because they are good friends.  It was a lot of fun to catch up with her since I rarely see her in person.  These 2 women are pretty amazing and I am blessed to have had their influence in my life.

We played lots of games--I actually did participate in all but one.  :)  It was just a fun time and it went by fast!  Oh and I won a door prize this weekend!  The prizes were amazing.  I ended up with a basket full of gifts but the most exciting part of it was a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.  Fun!

So this picture is of my 2 friends and roommates: Gwen and Jessica.  We were a fun room since Gwen had her new baby with her and Jess is 7 months pregnant.  Baby Abe didn't care for the chit chat so we actually went to bed at a decent time (midnight).  But between Gwen and I getting less sleep because of our babies and Jess's pregnancy, we were all willing to hit the hay a little early.

Guess Who Slept All Night?

11pm-5:15am Woo hoo!

Samuel's Birthday!!

Samuel turned 3 on February 2nd.  I can't believe he is so big.  He really wanted a "Cookie cake" with Cookie Monster but this was the best design I could find.  It ended up being a good choice because the day of his birthday he said he wanted a Cookie cake and an Elmo cake.  :)

 

Opening presents was quite the event.  He wanted nothing to do with it at first.  I don't know where he comes from?!  :)  Hunter and Lily were all too willing to help him.  Samuel did warm up to the idea and really enjoyed his many presents from his Grandparents and us.  

Samuel has always been a joy!!  He is such a sweet child and he is so funny.  He talks up a storm!  He is getting less shy with others.  We had such a fun playdate yesterday and it was night/day difference from the last time we were at that friend's house.  It's fun to see him laughing and talking with another almost-3-year old.  He loves to play with his "guys"--he stays busy for hours!!--and he makes "guys" out of anything--food, silverware, animals, etc.  He really loves to play with Hunter and Lily--he is such a copycat with Hunter.  I hate to see Samuel grow up so fast--time is flying!! 

I Survived

This is my picture at the end of the one of the worst days.  Nathan was super fussy all day/evening. Hunter, Lily and Samuel were arguing all day long--and getting physical about it.  Lily got invited to a party and Hunter didn't (it's just for girls) and I had to handle that trauma.  It was just one thing after another and I was completely done by the time bedtime came. But I survived!