Angels

So Jack's birthday was yesterday and I will post about that later with pictures and all.  I am so grateful for that little boy.  He is such a blessing and a light in our home!

I have just been kind of struggling these past two weeks with feeling like a victim and being kind of gloomy!  We have had A LOT of things, good and bad, causing major stress in our lives and I found myself today cracking under the pressure and losing sight of the Lord's hand in my life.  My body is falling apart a tiny bit with lack of sleep and other things and now spiked a fever.  I don't think I am really sick, I just think my body is reacting to all the stress.

That negativity being said, now I want to thank some of my angels that have saved me over these past couple weeks!

MY FAMILY - my parents and my sister have taken kids at all times of the day and night during doctors visits, ER runs, suction times, meetings, and now to just let me have a few hours of uninterrupted time to myself!  They have had us over for dinner when Johnny was at work and helped throw a fun party for Jack for his birthday!  Lisa helps me run errands, my dad holds the baby, my mom talks to me for hours.  Johnny has asked a few times if I want to move to Kamas, and I just can't right now!  My family is everything to me and my greatest support!

I also helped throw a party for my parent's 40th anniversary.  All of my family, brothers, sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, and friends were so willing to help with whatever I asked and it was such a comfort to know they were there.

My sister-in-law Jessica is also trying to help with finding a good doctor for Jack for GI issues and checks in on me with texts, which just makes me feel loved!

MY FRIENDS -

Becky Shelton - Although I haven't seen her face to face in these past weeks, she has been such a support over facebook asking if I need anything, even willing to come and walk my baby around so I could get some sleep.  Last night at 2:00 am she even offered to run over some Red Velvet Cake!  She has plenty of stresses in her life, believe me, but she is so willing to support me!

Catherine Blackmon - she was right at my door after church today offering to make my family dinner.  She was genuinely interested if I was okay.  She sat with me while I cleaned up Audrey today which was a VERY smelly time!

Haley Baker - a true friend.  Invited me to a dinner that I wasn't going to go to, using my children as an excuse.  She and her husband, Jason, offered for me to leave my two older kids with him and his two kids while we went.  It was so nice to be there and I was so lifted up by it.  She texts me to make sure I am okay and genuinely cares about me!

Rebecca Wright - another true friend.  Stays in touch with me when I have fallen off the face of the earth!  Checks on my sick kids.  Then today when Audrey had a MAJOR blowout in nursery, she went and got Jack from Sunbeams and sat with him until I was done.  She is always willing to help and I appreciate that!

Danna Richards - Held my baby while I cleaned up Audrey, then carried out Kate to the car.  This doesn't sound like much, but Danna is 28 weeks pregnant and it just helped me know she cared.

Kelley Porter - I can call on her any time for some cheering up and some time out!  She never judges me and I know she loves me and my children with all of our excentricities.

I know I have more friends who have helped me out either physically or emotionally over these past weeks and I am so grateful for that!

MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN - I know I have been stressed out with the party, the medical things, the stupid sick dog, but all of you are, generally, being very patient with me!  My husband is giving me a night out tomorrow and Audrey gives me so many hugs!  Kate is sleeping through the night and Jack shares his McQueen with me when I am sad!

There really are angels on this earth!  They have helped me and raised me up!

Blessings

So my little Kate has been so sick the past couple of weeks.  It started with a cold on Tuesday and seemed to stay just a cough and stuffiness.  That Saturday we were up at the ER with her arm, and since they let me leave without paying, I didn't feel like I could ask them to check her out, especially since she wasn't that sick!  By Tuesday, she was having a hard time breathing and eating and was extremely cranky (which isn't like her!)  I took her into my pediatrician and he said RSV and brochiolitis.  Bummer!  We got a prescription for the suction clinic and headed out.  If it got worse we were supposed to go in, but this thing usually only lasts 7-10 days and we were on day 8 so we should be almost done. Ha Ha Ha!

We went into the suction clinic and I would describe it as a torture session for baby and mom.  They insert a tube down her nose and vaccum as they come back out, yuck!  Kate hated every time we went in, but it was such a blessing we were able to go! She always had a ton of ewy gross stuff come out and she always did better afterwards. Plus, it was keeping us out of Primary's, and we did NOT want to be there.  If you weren't sick when you went in, you get all the germies there!

So we went once Tues, Wed, and Thurs but needed to start coming more often because it was getting worse.  We went THREE times on Friday!  Then on Saturday she seemed to be getting better, Yay!  Then right before naps, she spiked a fever and started hitting at her ears.  Back to the doctor and double ear infections!  Joy!  Anti-biotics started, no suction on Sunday, back again today.

Good news is she is doing better, we didn't end up at Primary's (even though her oxygen was at 89 a few times), she is sleeping through the night until 10:00 or so, and we are starting to see smiles again!  The suction clinic really is a blessing in disguise! We love our little Kate and are relieved she is getting over this!

Our Trip to Primary's E.R. for Free!!!

So Kate and I had quite the adventure tonight.  I was home by myself while Johnny was at his parents' house.  I had all three kids in their jammies and ready for bed.  Kate was laying on the bed staring at the fan when I told the older two to go to bed.  Audrey walked past Kate, grabbed her arm and said, "C'mon baby Kate."  I heard a pop and Kate started screaming.

Now even though I have never had the opportunity to see a Nurse Maid's elbow happen, I knew that's what had happened.  Kate was so upset, she started throwing up and her arm was limp and just laying at her side.  I called Johnny and asked him to come home.

While I waited for him, I cleaned up baby vomit, and checked on poor Kate's arm.  If I touched it, moved it, bent it, or even looked at it, she would just scream!

Now anyone who knows Kate at all, knows that she is very easy going and although she may fuss, rarely ever screams!  So I was quite worried!

Johnny got home and we decided that it would be better for me to take her to the ER because I could nurse her and we didn't know how long we would be there!  She was still not moving it and it was just laying limp at her side.  I packed her up in her careseat, screaming the whole time, and headed out at 9:00 to Primary's ER.

Now my kids peditrician works as an ER doc up there and the whole way up I was thinking about if I wanted him to be there or not.  I really like him, but I didn't know if I wanted him to know the whole story.

Kate quieted down as we hit Foothill and was asleep when I checked in.  The clerk was very nice and asked to put a bracelet on her.  I flipped up the carseat cover and to my horror, BOTH of Kate's arms flew up because I startled her. Now why you may ask was I horrified?  Her arm was supposed to be lifeless at her side and she was supposed to be having a hard time!  Instead she was waving both arms around and smiling at the nice clerk.  I was so embarassed,

I took my seat anyway and we were called in within three minutes.  I told the nurse all the symptoms.  She listened and then said it sounded like typical Nurse Maid's.  Then I told her she was fine and I felt like an idiot.  She said this was also typical.  When a parent puts their child in his/her carseat to go to the ER, they end up putting the child's elbow back in without even knowing it.  So she said I could just leave without being seen and then not have to pay the copay (which would be awesome!).  I asked her if Kate was fine and she said she is not in pain and she is moving it so you can just go.

I mentioned that Dr. Greenberg was Kate's pediatrcian.  The nurse immediately said let me go grab him so he can see her before you leave.  The doc came in and although I still felt a little like an idiot, they assured me that it happens a lot and that I should just be grateful and pretend that he never even saw her so we didn't have to pay for it! I signed a form and we were off.  All in under 15 minutes!

So, in conclusion, I am so grateful that even though poor Kate had to go through all of this, that it turned out to fix itself and we didn't have to pay for it!  I am also so grateful my doc works up at the ER.  I know that's how we met him in the first place, but it is just so nice he gets lots of practice with lots of kids and not just on mine!

Doctor's Visits and Bad Parenting

So I think I will actually start with the second part of my title first.  I am working so hard at being patient with my young kiddos.  I need to keep reminding myself that they are young, and MOST of what they do is not done to make me mad and they don't yet understand the consequences of some actions.

I am constantly behind on sleep and have been for the past six months.  Six months?  But Kate is only 4 months.  True, but you can never sleep the last couple months of pregnancy!  Being tired makes me a tad bit cranky and my husband and children (and the poor dog) have unfortunately been victims of my ranting at points.

Kate is an angel child, she really is.  She is so happy and just a breathe of fresh air all the time.  She is just starting to sleep for 7-8 hours at a time at night though so waking up 1-2 times a night and still working just gets me down sometimes.

Audrey Mae is two and she is great at being two!  She is a princess and when things do not go her way she lets you know.  Unfortunately we have gotten in some yelling arguments about things and NO ONE wins when you are arguing with a two year old.

Jack has gotten in the nasty habit of hiding my phone.  He drops it behind the couch, shoves it in the recliner, or has even hidden it under the baby.  Yesterday, I had been sitting at the computer with my phone next to me when I ran upstairs to get the kiddos a snack.  I came back down with hot dogs and goldfish crackers.  I then sat down to make a phone call and my phone was gone!  I could feel my blood pressure rising and I turned and asked Jack to get my phone.  He just kept repeating, "Mommy's phone go?" and laughing, which did not improve the situation.  I was getting so mad!  I turned off their movie and moved him away from his snack and toys and asked him again.  He started crying and then just shut down.  I went upstairs to get a drink and there was my phone on the counter . . . where I had left it!  I felt so bad I started to cry!  I had just made my little baby boy cry over a stupid phone!  I went down and apologized but I don't think he really got it.  I turned their movie back on and got him a cookie!

I just continue to tell myself to have more patience, but some days are easier than others.  They are all still learning and I love them so much!

When Kate was born happy and healthy I was so relieved that we wouldn't be having to add more doctor's appointment to the ones that we are already going to!  Well lo and behold she has some fun quirks about her that just need to be checked out along with all the other things going on!

I went on Monday to her pediatrician appointment, got the lecture about waiting on the vaccinations, then he did the exam.  I knew she had a crooked head like Audrey and would probably need a helmet, so we got a referral for that.  Then he looked in her eyes.  Kate was born with a spot on the colored part of her right eye.  I just thought it was a different pigmentation and never really worried about it.  The doctor said I should go see a pediatric opthamologist, just to be sure.  So I called and made the appointment, which was up at Primary's.  They just happened to have a cancellation for 8:00 this morning, or we could wait until May!

We went and everyone oohed and aahed about how cute she was!  They don't usually get ones this little.  Turns out after seeing the doc that Kate has a mole on her eye!  Weird!  It is totally fine and it shouldn't affect her vision at all!  But just to be sure, we are getting an ultrasound done on her eye!  They only had next Wednesday morning available and I am already going to be up there in the afternoon for her helmet appt.  Two trips up there in one day, not my idea of fun! But I was able to get them to squeeze me in at the helmet place earlier!  Yay!

So in a week and a half we will be at Primary's for 5 appointments!  Today, Mon for Jack's dentist, Wed for Kate's eye and helmet, then the following Monday for Jack at the Physiatrist.  Now don't get me wrong I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer and complain . . . again. It's just a lot for my "healthy" kids!

I love my life!  Even though I gripe and moan some days, it's just because I am being tested and I need to remember that.  I have a wonderful supportive husband (who I suprised with a fun trip to Arizona!) who works two jobs to support us!  My kids are so fun and the majority of every day is spent happy and having fun!  I love to wrestle with them, hug them, kiss them, cuddle them, read them stories, and just be around them.  I can't wait to get to know them more!  Each has such a unique personality and I love all three!