Jackpot!!!!

I went in the office at my usual time (very, very early) on Saturday but stayed a few hours later than I normally do. So by the time I got home I pretty much collapsed into bed and took a quick nap. I woke up in time to go to dinner with the family and we all headed to bed early.

And that was Saturday for me. Fun, fun.

Sunday morning we got up, went to church and went out for brunch. On the drive home I told Dustin that I didn't want to stay stuck in the house all afternoon working. I wanted to get out. If I sat at home I'd just feel like I should be doing laundry or cleaning and I didn't want to do that.

So I said, "Let's go to Williamsburg!"

Dustin was game so we raced home, changed and hopped back in the car. There were a ton of sales going on and I cleaned up at The Children's Place, Carters and Old Navy!!







They had all their summer clothes on sale and I got some adorable outfits for the kids! I know it's a little early to buy shorts, but let me tell you, buying all those sleeveless shirts and shorts has me excited for spring and summer!

Dustin got some new jeans for work but he also got some new running shoes. He's decided that he wants to start running again! He wants to run a few races this summer and thought a new pair of running shoes would help get him started.

As soon as we sorted through all our goodies, Lauren decided to try on a few things!




And then Ella wanted to get in on the action!



I have to tell you, an afternoon out of town was exactly what I/we needed. We had such a wonderful time together and everyone was in such a good mood.

And to top it off, I got to have a proud moment as a parent...

We were all leaving the Carter store and Josh opened the door for us. Dustin exited first with Ella in the stroller and I followed behind with my bags in one hand and Lauren's hand in my other.

Dustin, the girls and I kept walking on to the next store and I looked behind to see Josh letting go of the door to run and catch up with us.

He started to run to us, stopped and ran back. I about hollered to him to catch up when I saw a young mother heading to the door pushing a stroller. As soon as she got close enough he opened the door for her and smiled.

My heart melted.

He is the BEST kid. Ever.

I yelled to Dustin to see him and I swear the pride in his eyes was visible.

It was such a great moment....and a perfect afternoon.

1st Birthday

This weekend was Reagan's first birthday party! I was stuck at work so Dustin and the kids went up to Cedar Falls to celebrate with the rest of the family. Fortunately, Dustin thought to bring the camera. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to use the zoom or notice that people's shoulders are blocking the shot.

So this is about all you'll get...



The kids had an absolute blast and were so excited to see Reagan! The whole week Lauren kept talking about going to Reagan's house.

I cannot believe it was already a year ago we all headed up there to meet her for the first time. Some days it feels like it was just yesterday and some days it feels like she's been with us forever!

Hope you had a GREAT birthday, Reagan!

At least they're sharing.

I'm trying to put a positive spin on it all.

Lauren woke up around 11:00 last night coughing, well, barking. Ah yes, that all familiar sound followed by wheezing. To be honest, technically it wasn't her cough that woke me, it was Dustin yelling, "Son of a #%^&!" after he heard her cough. (All these illnesses are getting a little old for mom and dad, hence the frustration.)

I woke up to her having a nasty coughing fit and vomiting for the better part of a half of an hour. Then I stayed up (with toothpicks holding my eyelids) for another hour and a half to listen to her breathing with one hand on the phone to call for midnight babysitting services if I felt I should go to the ER.

About the time I felt comfortable falling back asleep Ella started coughing so hard that she woke herself up and began crying. I went in to lay by her for awhile and ended up falling asleep on the floor. Once my arms had fallen asleep I woke back up, went back to my bed only to get lost in a dream and some beautiful music. About five minutes later I realized it was my alarm going off (on the classical station) and not my dream. **sigh**

I'd say I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired but that's not entirely true. I'm sick of the kids being sick and I'm tired of me being tired.

Dustin and I just got back from the doctor's with the girls.

And as a side note, Lauren has been to the doctor at least once a week for the whole month of February. That's got to be SOME kind of record, right?

Back to the doctor's office - Ella has fluid on the ear in one ear. She also has a very nasty cough, though not croup yet. So, we are to start up breathing treatments until her cough is completely gone - which at this rate could be May.

Lauren has the same thing except a bit worse. So she is now on steroids (again) and breathing treatments (again).

I'm willing to bet my Federal Income Tax Refund on the fact that these kids will finally be over all this sickness.....on April 16th.

Happy Birthday, Reagan!!!

What's Ella thinking?

"Do ya feel lucky? Well...do ya?"

And this is what gets me through...

the long hours at the office. Admittedly, when I'm having a long day I check the blog just to look at the pictures.

A sign of the times

I give you my heart.

Valentine's Day is always a lost holiday on me. Well, I take that back...it's a lost holiday for those I love. While I am showered with gifts from my sweet hubby and my adoring kids they, in return, get something I pick up at Walgreen's on my way home from working all weekend. Hardly seems fair because the cheap trinkets I get them in no way represent how much I love and care for them. I guess it's just one of those things they'll have to learn to deal with during the throws of tax season.

In the meantime, my husband went ahead and let me sleep in on Sunday and I woke up to him making us all breakfast.




I'm not sure what Ella liked more - her card or her animal crackers!




Lauren couldn't get over how her chocolate's eyes kept following her.



Dustin and I went to the same place in Iowa City that we had gone last year. It was funny to think that just a year ago I was eight months pregnant with Ella. And instead of feeling sad about that, I was sad that aside from my Christmas party, it had been a year since Dustin and I had gone out...just the two of us.

Now that's depressing.

The Bricker Wing

That's what they'll call it. You know...our own wing at Mercy Hospital.

After my horendous fifteen hour day at work I met Dustin at Mercy Hospital at 10:00 at night to get a piece of Valentine's candy out of Lauren's nose.

As my father said, "Well, it's certainly never dull at your house."

Bouncy

Ella climbed up on the Lauren's trampoline this morning and Lauren thought she would help her try it out. Turns out...Ella loves it!!

My First "Pretties"

"I'm so excited! My first official hair pretties!"



"I'm still your little girl, right Daddy?"



"Being a girl is so much fun!"

The Art of Accessorising

She even does it while wearing pajamas!

Double Duty

At first glimpse this looks like a complete mess.







But in all reality they are not only filling the dog's food bowl, they are keeping themselves busy while I make dinner. It's like a two for one...and also why I buy dog food with no fillers, because I'm pretty sure Ella ate more of Mattie's dinner than her own that night.

Blech!

Out of the mouths of babes

Josh has been killin' me lately! That kid is so funny!

Conversation #1

Josh: Mom!
Me: What?
Josh: Today we had gym and we played basketball.
Me: Ya did?
Josh: Yeah...it was a lot of fun until I got hit in the privates by a basketball.
Me: Ooooo. Ouch.
Josh: Yeah. That brought the pain!



Conversation #2

We have these undercabinet lights in our kitchen. There are two sets and the one set stopped working right after we installed them like four years ago. Last night Josh touched the second set and they turned on.

Me: JOSH!
Josh: What?!?!?
Me: You got those to turn on!
Josh: Yup!
Me: I'm in shock.
Josh: Mom, I'm all kinds of magical.



Conversation #3

This morning was not a good morning. All three kids were actually going to their respective places this morning and we've been out of our routine for awhile so everything was a bit "off". Not to mention I was in a hurry because I wanted to allot some extra time for commuting this morning with the bad roads.

I put Lauren's coat on and gave her some Fruit Loops for the car. As she was walking out of the kitchen she missed on of the steps and face planted on the landing in the family room. She, of course, started to cry and I went to comfort her.

Me: Oh, Lauren. I bet that scared you, huh?
Lauren: **sobbing** Yeah.
Me: It's okay. You'll be okay.
Josh: Whoa! I didn't know Lauren could fly.

OMG. I lost it! That kid cracks me up!

Senior Living Center

With all the medications being given out at my household I'm starting feel like it's a Senior Living Center (no offense to my older readers).

Ella just got back from the doctor and the poor girl has double ear infections and we are adding breathing treatments for her, too.

So to summarize....

Lauren is on breathing treatments every 4-6 hours and gets two dosages per day of Amoxicillin. Josh is on steroids once a day and today is his last day of medicine. And now Ella has the same medication routine as Lauren.

Sheesh!

We are supposed to take Lauren back on Wednesday if she's not any better.

I'm just glad they are all on medication now! Is that bad?

But of course!

Josh went to the doctor yesterday and he has croup. So he's on steroids.

Ella didn't sleep last night (and neither did Mommy) and she has a temp of 100.9, her lingering nasty cough (which sounds worse, if that's possible) and was tugging at her right ear. Her appointment is at 10:45.

Out of the last seven days we have been at the doctor six of them (at some point or other).

**heavy sigh**

**sigh**

Dustin took Lauren to the ER after he got home from work last night because she was complaining about her ear hurting.

After x-rays and more tests they found out her oxygen level is still very low and they don't know why. And she has an ear infection in the OTHER ear.

Dustin and I just want her better. She isn't running a fever but she is so pumped full of antibiotics that I'm shocked she could possibly develop another ear infection with so much medication. They gave us a new medication for her that she is supposed to start today (Saturday). They talked about admitting her again but decided we should take her to her regular pediatrician and he can make that call.

I have spent more money in co-pays and emergency room visits this week than I have on food for all five of us!

Dustin got home from the hospital with her around 1:00 am and I got up and came into work. Josh has ANOTHER birthday party to go to today and we have got to go grocery shopping and, of course, get Lauren into the doctor.

I just want them to admit her so she can breathe again and they can figure out what is going on! She was acting alot more like herself lately so I figured she was on the mend. I guess I was wrong.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Conversation #1

Lauren wanted Josh to hold her hand during her second breathing treatment on Tuesday night. We were all talking and I reminded him that he would need to wash his hands good after we were done.

While he was up at the kitchen sink we had this conversation...

Josh: Mom, do I have to do that again?
Me: I don't know. If she asks you it would be nice.
Josh: Oh.
Me: Why?
Josh: Cuz' that could get real old, real fast.
Me: Nice Josh.



Conversation #2

The other night I woke up at 4:00 am to give Lauren a treatment while she slept. I tried to be real quiet but the noise of the pump woke her up a bit. Once she realized it was just me she closed her eyes and mumbled something in her mask.

Me: What did you say Lauren? (removing the mask)
Lauren: Me wuves you, mommy.

Seeing Improvement

Just wanted to let everyone know that Ella is still holding at "just a cold" status. And Lauren is improving with each with each and every breathing treatment.

I had taken this picture on Tuesday morning after her bath.



She was so lethargic and kept falling asleep in the middle of doing things. It just broke my heart.

When we had to give Lauren her first breathing treatment at the doctor's office she was very frightened and screamed bloody murder. It took both Dustin and I to hold her down and she was gasping for air. It was awful.

I kept telling her that this was just medicine to make her feel better and then she started screaming, "JOSHIE!!!" I friggin' lost it. She wanted her big brother to protect her. ;-(

Josh has been such a helper and done everything she asked. He holds her hand and is so sweet with her.



You wouldn't be able to tell it when the fight, but the really do love each other.

And Ella makes two

Going in to take Ella to the doctor. :-(

Poor girl!

Well, Dustin and I just got back from the doctor's office with Lauren.

I knew it was bad when they took her oxygen reading and said, "Ooooo. She may have to go next door." Meaning...be admitted.

Turns out she has walking pneumonia and a really bad ear infection. This we find out after an RSV test (sucking out liquid from the nose), a finger poke (those are always fun) and a nebulizer treatment.

Thankfully, we were able to come home and treat her in the comfort of home. She will be taking some pretty strong medicine as well as nebulizer treatments every four hours.

I feel awful for waiting this long to take her in but I really thought it was just a bad cold! Ugh.

I'm hoping she'll forgive me for not taking her sooner if I rent her a Dora movie...and bring home a sundae.

Day Three

Lauren is on day three of this sickness. This morning her temp was 101.5 and she is extremely lethargic so she is going to the doctor this afternoon. Her cough is no better and even though she's sleeping all the time she is not sleeping more than 30 minutes at a time, which makes for very long nights.

I've been pushing fluids like crazy and hoping to at least keep her hydrated. This is by far the worst she's ever been. :-(

She just looks so sad it breaks my heart. And, of course, I'm here at work wishing I was at home holding her. I just can't win.

Better late than never

This weekend Pop-pop and Joyce came down to celebrate Christmas after bad weather kept us from getting together for the actual holiday.

The kids were more than happy to open a few more presents!!!







Miss Ella was able to show off her first little temper tantrum. Daddy wasn't getting her new toy out of the box fast enough so she figured throwing herself backwards and screaming would speed things up a bit.

As I watched her screaming and writhing on the floor I couldn't help but think of Lauren. And then it occurred to me....I have two of them now.



Thankfully, Dustin got her toys out of the box and within seconds she was back to her adorable self. But that was a scary two minutes!



Lauren got her Baby Alive Boo Boo Baby. And while Lauren was getting ready to show us how her baby drinks and wets her diaper, Ella thought she'd wet her whistle with a little of Boo Boo Baby's drink.



The rest of the evening the kids played with their new toys and Ella only wanted one thing: to be in the middle of it all.

Germfest 2010

Well, apparently my children have set themselves on a schedule of getting sick and this week Lauren was on duty. She started getting a nasty cough on Saturday and by Saturday night she was coughing so hard that her weak gag reflex got the best of her and we had a Pukefest 2009 revival right there in our bathroom.

**sigh**

I had hoped that it would just stay a nasty cough and we'd deal with the nasty puking side effect. But no. By four o'clock on Sunday afternoon her temp was on the rise and officially peaked on Monday morning at 101.9.

I then realized that so far one of our kids has been sick every week this year. SERIOUSLY!!!

So, here I am sitting with my sick little girl and Dustin is trying to get home from work so that I can go to my job. Ugh.

Boy, 2010 has been just dandy so far.