So Joshua woke up in pretty good spirits this morning...I thought maybe, just maybe, that meant that his sore throat was on the mend. I guess I thought too quickly. Steve called me this afternoon to report that Josh was still feeling really bad and is refusing to eat. He normally doesn't eat much anyway and when he is refusing to eat it gives this Momma even more cause to worry. So now I am in the middle of trying to call his Dr. it's 1 in the afternoon, what are the chances I can get them to squeeze him in? What are the chances I can even get through?
Leaving a message on their machine is hopeless, they probably wouldn't return my call until Monday, if even then. I guess I should take that as a good sign that they are so busy, it means they do a good job right? I really do love our Dr. I hate watching my kids suffer, every mother does. My "big" boy suddenly melts back into my baby boy. And watching him suffer? Well you might as well rip out my heart, stomp on it, and then kick it across the room for good measure. I need him to be healthy, not only for my heart's sake ;) but also for the fact that we'll be doing so much traveling in the next few weeks.
Well they are going to squeeze him in at 2:30...SUCCESS! I'm so glad I won't have to drag him over to the weekend clinic. Hopefully they'll get him feeling better quickly. I will keep you updated :)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Teething sucks! And so do sore throats...
There is no nice way to say it...nothing less crude to convey how I feel about it, really. Grace spent a couple of days this week in pain. I felt so sorry for the little sweetie girl. When I came home from work the other night at 11 I woke her up accidentally and she immediately put her hand up to her mouth and started crying "ouuuuchie" ugh...I think I was in almost as much pain just watching her. So I took the rare opportunity to cuddle her and rock her in the chair and she fell asleep in my arms :)
Josh woke up yesterday not feeling well and he was running a temp of 101 when Jennifer called me, she has taken such good care of them both! He slept most of the day, had a fever on and off and a stomach ache on and off, and then started complaining of a sore throat, we need prayers that this doesn't last long! We have a family reunion in IA this weekend, that is if we can get there around all the flooding! And only 9 days until we leave for NY!!! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! All of us are really but I will get to hug my Mom again :) Even grown-ups still need their Mommies sometimes ;)
Oh and on a side note we're working on almost a week of being diaper free! She's even going to bed without one now :) How exciting is that?! I even found a package of "big girl panties" at walmart that she can wear! Only one brand fits her, their size 2 fits "20-27 lbs", all of the others were "27-32 lbs" I'm so glad someone out there recognizes that peanut girls need panties too ;)
Josh woke up yesterday not feeling well and he was running a temp of 101 when Jennifer called me, she has taken such good care of them both! He slept most of the day, had a fever on and off and a stomach ache on and off, and then started complaining of a sore throat, we need prayers that this doesn't last long! We have a family reunion in IA this weekend, that is if we can get there around all the flooding! And only 9 days until we leave for NY!!! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! All of us are really but I will get to hug my Mom again :) Even grown-ups still need their Mommies sometimes ;)
Oh and on a side note we're working on almost a week of being diaper free! She's even going to bed without one now :) How exciting is that?! I even found a package of "big girl panties" at walmart that she can wear! Only one brand fits her, their size 2 fits "20-27 lbs", all of the others were "27-32 lbs" I'm so glad someone out there recognizes that peanut girls need panties too ;)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Adventures in Potty Training
It amazes me how different 2 children from the same family can be. When you are pregnant with your second child you hear it over and over again how different they will be. You just cannot fathom just how different until you actually experience it though.
For both of our children we have bought potty chairs at 18 months...I guess it's a right of passage at this age in our household ;). Although how it was received by each child was very different.
Joshua - screamed and refused to sit on it, like it was some kind of device of torture and we had it out for him bad. This just shocked us as Josh was always just a laid back kid, active, but he always just kind of took things as they came and his world never became too upset. We aren't ones to push the issue, he'd use it when he was ready. But when he was almost 3, staying dry through the night, and still acting a fool when we suggested potty time we decided enough was enough. I was sick of diapers, sick of the cost of diapers, sick of changing stinky diapers, just wanted to be done with them for a while. So, the day came when I told him no more, Mommy was not going to buy him any more diapers. He was a "big boy" now and he had to use the potty. For the first 3 days I was sure I had lost my mind, what had I gotten myself into? Joshua was determined that he "needed a diaper" I mean, he actually verbally told me that...he would run up to me and tell me "Mommy I need a diaper!" and my response "No, you don't, if you can tell me you need a diaper than you don't really need one, you can use the potty" many times I wondered if I shouldn't just forget it until he was willing to change. But after 3 days, he resigned himself to the fact that Mommy & Daddy were serious, man they were not giving in and that was that, he was trained. I think he's had maybe 3 accidents since that day...so all in all he ended up being really easy.
Grace - now she's just a whole different person entirely. She's wired differently, she isn't laid back like Josh was/is. She's a wild woman ;) But she's taken to potty training like a fish to water. When we brought the new potty home she was more than willing to sit on it...and she did, she'd sit for 10-20 mins, she'd stand up and say "all done" but there was nothing. And whatever I mean she was only 1 1/2 yrs old. Eventually the facination wore off and she really wasn't using it, so in the closet it went for a few months until we pulled it back out to see if her facination would be renewed. Sure enough she was excited to sit on it again, and when she actually pee'd in the potty, she was on top of the world! She would all of a sudden exclaim "POTTY!" and sure enough what a good girl. Since then she has taken it upon herself to potty train, we keep the door open so she has easy access and she will just disappear and do her thing. She is without a diaper during the day and wears one to bed but usually wakes up dry. We usually have an accident a day but most of the time it's a matter of trying to get to the potty but just not making it in time. I really couldn't be more proud.
So in their own unique ways each one has really been pretty easy in the potty training department, I mean I've seen people struggle for months trying to train their kids. My first took 3 days and my second is training herself...man I've been blessed ;) And while I'm sad to see my babies growing up, I am so glad I probably will never have to deal with potty training again....YIPPEEEEE
For both of our children we have bought potty chairs at 18 months...I guess it's a right of passage at this age in our household ;). Although how it was received by each child was very different.
Joshua - screamed and refused to sit on it, like it was some kind of device of torture and we had it out for him bad. This just shocked us as Josh was always just a laid back kid, active, but he always just kind of took things as they came and his world never became too upset. We aren't ones to push the issue, he'd use it when he was ready. But when he was almost 3, staying dry through the night, and still acting a fool when we suggested potty time we decided enough was enough. I was sick of diapers, sick of the cost of diapers, sick of changing stinky diapers, just wanted to be done with them for a while. So, the day came when I told him no more, Mommy was not going to buy him any more diapers. He was a "big boy" now and he had to use the potty. For the first 3 days I was sure I had lost my mind, what had I gotten myself into? Joshua was determined that he "needed a diaper" I mean, he actually verbally told me that...he would run up to me and tell me "Mommy I need a diaper!" and my response "No, you don't, if you can tell me you need a diaper than you don't really need one, you can use the potty" many times I wondered if I shouldn't just forget it until he was willing to change. But after 3 days, he resigned himself to the fact that Mommy & Daddy were serious, man they were not giving in and that was that, he was trained. I think he's had maybe 3 accidents since that day...so all in all he ended up being really easy.
Grace - now she's just a whole different person entirely. She's wired differently, she isn't laid back like Josh was/is. She's a wild woman ;) But she's taken to potty training like a fish to water. When we brought the new potty home she was more than willing to sit on it...and she did, she'd sit for 10-20 mins, she'd stand up and say "all done" but there was nothing. And whatever I mean she was only 1 1/2 yrs old. Eventually the facination wore off and she really wasn't using it, so in the closet it went for a few months until we pulled it back out to see if her facination would be renewed. Sure enough she was excited to sit on it again, and when she actually pee'd in the potty, she was on top of the world! She would all of a sudden exclaim "POTTY!" and sure enough what a good girl. Since then she has taken it upon herself to potty train, we keep the door open so she has easy access and she will just disappear and do her thing. She is without a diaper during the day and wears one to bed but usually wakes up dry. We usually have an accident a day but most of the time it's a matter of trying to get to the potty but just not making it in time. I really couldn't be more proud.
So in their own unique ways each one has really been pretty easy in the potty training department, I mean I've seen people struggle for months trying to train their kids. My first took 3 days and my second is training herself...man I've been blessed ;) And while I'm sad to see my babies growing up, I am so glad I probably will never have to deal with potty training again....YIPPEEEEE
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Happy Birthday Baby!
2 years ago, we held you in our arms you were so tiny and beautiful...we were in love the instant we laid eyes on you. You were our perfect baby girl. And as you fought for your life as bacterial meningitis tried to attack your little body we shed tears at the thought of possibly losing you. God held you in His hand, loved you, protected you...the horrible things we were told that were a possibility for your future were not to be, when God does something...He does it right and He saw fit for you to be given back to us in perfect condition, and not a day goes by that we don't thank Him for that. To think that 2 years have passed is just unbelievable!
You had such a fun day! Lots of family surrounding you to help you celebrate :) And you had a JoJo's circus theme, you just LOVE JoJo
The Cake:
We had a 3' sub from Subway...it was SO good!
We also had chocolate covered strawberries, chips, veggies & dip, etc.
You got lots of presents: Sandbox toys, clothes, a Dora doll, puzzles, a tag blanket, a sandbox, etc.
Here it is set up the night before, this was before the masses decended upon it ;)
All in all it was a nice day, nice weather, and it's always wonderful to be surrounded by family.
Sandbox Fun
My mother sent Grace some Moolah for her birthday, and since I still get to control what fun things she'll buy with it I decided on a sandbox. I always wanted one as a kid and I've wanted one for my kids for several years. They have had so much fun in it already! Thanks Mom you're the bestest! :)
The Crabbie Sandbox:
And on rare occasion that it isn't raining and there aren't Tornado watches/warnings out for us the kids enjoy playing in it ;)
And while Grace just loves playing in the sandbox, she just can't stand sand getting on those little princess piggy toes of hers...she has a fit when I put her feet in there and pour sand on them ;) So she either sits with her legs out of the sandbox or just leans over to play in it...not sure how I ended up with such a girly girl :)
The Crabbie Sandbox:
And on rare occasion that it isn't raining and there aren't Tornado watches/warnings out for us the kids enjoy playing in it ;)
And while Grace just loves playing in the sandbox, she just can't stand sand getting on those little princess piggy toes of hers...she has a fit when I put her feet in there and pour sand on them ;) So she either sits with her legs out of the sandbox or just leans over to play in it...not sure how I ended up with such a girly girl :)
Random Pictures :) AKA Having Fun With the Camera
A tiny girl in a big bed :)
Ole blue eyes, oh wait or are they green....no...hmmm (his eyes are blue with a yellow ring, thus looking green sometimes, and pure blue others...sigh...I love these eyes)
The enemy, these have been taking over our yard...but don't worry they are losing the battle, Steve has got it out for them ;)
A sad day in December...
A time to heal :)
Mud
Beautifully rustic
On the outside looking in
Hard at work:
The fruits of their labor:
Nap time :)
Ole blue eyes, oh wait or are they green....no...hmmm (his eyes are blue with a yellow ring, thus looking green sometimes, and pure blue others...sigh...I love these eyes)
A bad paint job...
The enemy, these have been taking over our yard...but don't worry they are losing the battle, Steve has got it out for them ;)
A nasty bugger
A sad day in December...
A time to heal :)
Mud
Beautifully rustic
On the outside looking in
Hard at work:
The fruits of their labor:
Nap time :)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
For the love of chocolate!
Since Grace's birthday fell on Mother's Day this year, and I was going to have everyone over to the house I had the brilliant idea of making oreo truffles (super easy) and chocolate covered strawberries (not so super easy) for all of the mothers. On the 3rd batch of chocolate for the strawberries, I was ready to throw in the towel. Steve helped me make it through though. I was pretty sure I was going to lose it, ok I did, when I thought I had messed up the 3rd batch of chocolate, the first 2 seized up on me and when I went to pick up the 3rd batch it fell in the water, splashing boiling water on my arms. I just threw up my hands and went to cry into my pillow...Steve the ever level headed love of my life pulled the chocolate out of the water and was able to save it. YAY for Steve-O! And the strawberries were a big hit :)
I let Grace "help" us when we were getting to the end and boy is she ever a choco-holic
She wasn't so happy with me when I took the chocolate away, but it has been said before to never get between a woman and her chocolate ;)
Friday, May 23, 2008
Schools out!
Well summer vacation is finally here! Joshua has been counting down the days. I can't believe we are only 4 weeks away from going to NY! I am super excited :) Josh keeps asking when we are going to go on our "summer adventure" just wait until he realizes how long it takes to get there, it's so worth it though!
Both the kids are growing up so much! Josh is getting so tall, he put his swim trunks on the other day and they were so small on him! I can't believe how grown up he is getting. He is an incredible reader and I just hope he never loses that, it will be invaluable to him if he keeps it up! :) Grace is finally getting a little taller but people still can't believe she's 2! She's just such a peanut ;) 20 lbs and not sure on the height but her 12 month jeans are looking like they'll start to get short on her soon, good thing we're going into shorts weather.
It's been kind of cool and rainy out the past couple of days but before that we finally had some good solid high 70s weather and it looks like it's here to stay! WOOHOO!
I will have to get on here tomorrow and have Steve help me post some pictures. I promise they are coming soon :)
Love you all!!
Both the kids are growing up so much! Josh is getting so tall, he put his swim trunks on the other day and they were so small on him! I can't believe how grown up he is getting. He is an incredible reader and I just hope he never loses that, it will be invaluable to him if he keeps it up! :) Grace is finally getting a little taller but people still can't believe she's 2! She's just such a peanut ;) 20 lbs and not sure on the height but her 12 month jeans are looking like they'll start to get short on her soon, good thing we're going into shorts weather.
It's been kind of cool and rainy out the past couple of days but before that we finally had some good solid high 70s weather and it looks like it's here to stay! WOOHOO!
I will have to get on here tomorrow and have Steve help me post some pictures. I promise they are coming soon :)
Love you all!!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
So sick of the cold...
This winter was the worst we've had in several years, and the spring hasn't warmed up too quickly. I know I shouldn't complain there have been areas still getting snow within the past week but we're usually well into the 70s by now. Hopefully things will be warming up soon.
Josh has been counting down the days until his summer vacation, he just can't wait to go out to see Grandma. I don't blame him, we all really miss everyone it'll be very nice to be able to visit. As crazy as it seems I'm also looking forward to the car trip, we'll see how I feel about it after we get there ;). Hopefully I've planned for enough distractions for the kiddos.
I still haven't found the camera cable to post pictures but I will work on that.
The babysitter's family needs prayer, her brother passed away the other day. I feel so bad for them it's just a horrible situation. Grace has been my little office "helper" she's really more of a really cute distraction though ;).
Steve is doing well he passed his test for his food safety certification. This comes with added responsibility. There are now 4 food safety managers working at Hy-Vee and they are responsible for all records of food temps and such to be sure they are receiving and keeping food at safe temps. He has an official certificate and everything, I am so proud of him, he scored a 93 on his test :)
I will hopefully have some pictures the next time I post!
Josh has been counting down the days until his summer vacation, he just can't wait to go out to see Grandma. I don't blame him, we all really miss everyone it'll be very nice to be able to visit. As crazy as it seems I'm also looking forward to the car trip, we'll see how I feel about it after we get there ;). Hopefully I've planned for enough distractions for the kiddos.
I still haven't found the camera cable to post pictures but I will work on that.
The babysitter's family needs prayer, her brother passed away the other day. I feel so bad for them it's just a horrible situation. Grace has been my little office "helper" she's really more of a really cute distraction though ;).
Steve is doing well he passed his test for his food safety certification. This comes with added responsibility. There are now 4 food safety managers working at Hy-Vee and they are responsible for all records of food temps and such to be sure they are receiving and keeping food at safe temps. He has an official certificate and everything, I am so proud of him, he scored a 93 on his test :)
I will hopefully have some pictures the next time I post!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Grace's birthday & Mother's day
I think this has been my best mother's day by far, why you ask? Well because I spent my day surrounded by family and celebrating my miracle baby's 2nd birthday. To think 2 years ago we weren't sure what life had in store for our new darling baby girl and today she couldn't be more perfect, except for those pesky terrible two's...but we'll take it! She had a great birthday thanks to all our family really loving on her and making it special. We had a great day complete with a 3' sub from subway, a veggie platter, chips, and some very special chocolate covered strawberries. I thought I was going to have a psychotic episode while I was making them, and I may have come close, just ask Steve ;). But he really helped me keep my cool. They say 3rd times the charm and certainly proved true with these buggers, it took 3 tries to get the chocolate ready to dip the berries. The first 2 batches seized up on me...aparently chocolate is picky :). But they were worth effort in the end. Steve was very understanding :)
Anyway, once I find our camera cable I will work on adding pictures in. God has certainly blessed us with amazing family. I couldn't ask for better. I called my mother tonight and it was so nice to get to chat with her for a few minutes. I can't wait to take our trip out to see everyone, it's been too long. :)
Anyway, once I find our camera cable I will work on adding pictures in. God has certainly blessed us with amazing family. I couldn't ask for better. I called my mother tonight and it was so nice to get to chat with her for a few minutes. I can't wait to take our trip out to see everyone, it's been too long. :)
A new way to keep everyone updated...
So it occurs to me, or my mother reminds me I should say...That I am horrible about sending pictures and keeping everyone updated. So here we are maybe we can actually keep this going and keep everyone updated! We love you!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)