Sick Update!

I took Izzie and Garrett both to the doctor Friday morning first thing. My mom helped me, since Todd was at work and taking two kids alone is not fun. Garrett loves to get into any trouble he can, while Izzie plays his accomplice.

Izzie is a professional. She walks in the room, climbs up on the table, and lays completely flat and still until someone looks at her. It's pretty funny. My mom got a kick out of it. Garrett, on the other hand, loves to open any drawer or cabinet he can find, tries to take off his clothes and play "nakey baby" (his favorite pastime right now), and occasionally yells as loud as he can letting the whole office know he is there. Have I mentioned that if Garrett was born first that he would have been the only child we had? Good thing Izzie was first.

The nurse practitioner saw us. Izzie had double ear infections that she said looked pretty bad. Garrett only had one. I believe the left ear. She asked us about what antibiotic tends to work for us, since we have been having issues with ear infections. I told her the last one seemed to be the best. It was easy to hide in Izzie's juice. It's the only way we can get any medicine in her. Remember me telling you about the puker? Garrett isn't a problem at all when it comes to medicine. However, I forgot this antibiotic had some not so nice side effects for him that we are now dealing with. Oh well!

Snow, Sleet, and Freezing Rain. Oh My!

Yesterday, we had some excitement here. The weatherman was calling for freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Of course, he had to be a buzzkill and say it would not stick. It was okay though, we were still excited. We went and picked up some dinner together as a family. We often all hop in the car to go get food, even if it only requires one person. The kids love getting out of the house for a ride especially since it was a dark, gloomy afternoon. I think cabin fever was setting in. Izzie also loves telling whoever is driving that there is a red sign and that means "STOP!" She makes sure we do not miss any haha.

When we got back from our ride. We all set up dinner on the kitchen table. We have some great windows in our kitchen that overlook the backyard and swingset. As we were eating, we heard some loud claps of thunder. Then, the sleet came down pretty heavy for about twenty minutes. The kids were so excited watching it. After it passed, we let them go out on the deck (yes, in their pajamas). Garrett chose to eat the sleet, while Izzie grabbed handfuls to bring inside and show us. I had lots of little puddles on the floor and table. It was great.

I hope next winter brings a lot more of this type of excitement. It was about two years ago when we had our big snow storm. Big meaning we got like six inches. I definitely don't want to move, but our winters here could get a little colder.

Excuse the possibly blurry, bad pictures. My kids are really fast, so I snap as quick as I can and hope for the best.

Sick, Sick, Sick!

I think something all first time parents need to be warned about is the amount a child can be sick in their first few years of life. They need to make a brochure and hand it out to expecting parents. Brochures for sickness, lack of sleep, and lack of hygiene maybe? Not that we don't bathe! My kids get baths everyday, sometimes twice. However, things just don't stay as clean and tidy as they should. I have yet to give up on the hygiene, cleanliness, but maybe someday. Of course, there are good warning labels that should be applied as well like overflowing love, giggles, lots of hugs and kisses, and a growth in the appreciation for your own parents.

My poor babies. This has been the worst Winter for them. I don't know if it is because Izzie started two days at a preschool or maybe it is the first season the two of them are sharing too many things (along with the cooties). If one of them gets sick it is inevitable the other will be shortly following. I feel so bad for them. I just want to click my heels or snap my fingers and make them all better.

Izzie has been up on and off all night and early morning with horrible congestion, a runny nose, cough, and she just threw up. She is a puker. It doesn't matter if she has a stomach bug or a respiratory bug, she will puke. I just checked her temperature, under her arm, because that is the only place she will let me touch her with a thermometer. It was 101! (I just checked it again before finishing and it's 101.9 now) That is without adding a degree. Garrett is asleep in his crib, so I'm not sure what his status is. I know he had a horribly runny nose and was drooling a storm probably from mouth breathing before he went to bed.

I think a trip to the doctor is in store for our morning. Did I mention Todd has been up with a toothache? I think he will be going to the dentist, too. Did I mention that I have to work tonight? I hate leaving my sick children. I'm ready for Spring with slightly more stable weather than our Winter has had hopefully. A Spring with lots less germs involved.

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, Happy Valentine's Day from Izzie and Garrett. The day has definitely not gone as planned. Honestly, does any Valentine's Day go as planned?

Izzie had a stuffy nose this morning, but it wasn't too bad. She decided she still wanted to try and go to preschool, especially when I mentioned a party. Izzie and I left the house early, so we could make a quick stop to get cupcakes and lollipops. I stopped and got some chickfila for us. I felt like we needed a cute heart shaped biscuit. She liked that.

When we got to preschool, I took her in. I told her teachers that if she wasn't feeling okay to call me and I would come pick her up. They reassured me that they were positive she would be fine. I got home and gave Todd and Garrett their heart shaped biscuits. Then, Todd left for work. I had the pleasure of wiping Garrett's nose and doing a huge sink full of dishes. I then got a call from.... Yep, you guessed it... Preschool! They said Izzie hit her head on a cubby and was crying or screaming rather for me. I immediately got in the car to pick her up.

When I got there she was playing on the playground like nothing happened. She still didn't mind going home, so I took her. We ran to Target to get a surprise for them, since it was Valentine's Day and we were all feeling pretty crummy with this sinus stuff. I could tell both my kids were just feeling lousy. I was, too. As we were leaving, Izzie begged with a "pretty pleaseeee" to get a Rush's milkshake, so we did!

The rest of the day was spent at home in and out of bed, napping, eating, taking bubble baths. Todd got home a little early to help out.

Yep, that pretty much sums up our Valentine's Day. Fun, huh? I at least got to kiss and hug on the sweetest valentines ever, Izzie and Garrett. They make the day special and that's all this mama needs.

By the way, there are some different, unique, items in Izzie's valentine box. For instance, a doughnut, goldfish crackers, and a pen. Interesting stuff.

A Pint Sized Blessing

Tuesday, this week, Todd dropped Izzie off at preschool. I spent time with Garrett running errands and grocery shopping. I love our little time together alone. I know it's good for Garrett. We got everything we needed done, including stopping by "the shop." The shop is what we call Nina's and Grandaddy's frame store. It's actually called The Custom Framer. I got to drop off our family pictures, so the professionals could take care of them for me. I have some wonderful in-laws, who are very talented. I'm excited to finally have some pictures that I want to hang in our master bedroom. They do wonderful work. I'm lucky to have them in all aspects of my life, even when I need a frame for my picture. Not to mention, while we were there Garrett got spoiled rotten with a handful of mini Milky Ways.

When we were done, I took Garrett to go pick Izzie up from school. I always arrive about fifteen minutes early. I just can't wait to get her, talk to her about her day, and hug her. Someday she will be embarrassed and I won't be allowed to hug her at school. Anyways, I won't get upset about that now.

As I pulled in the parking lot, I saw that they had just come outside to play on their playground. I decided to not ruin the fun and I just watched her for a little while instead of getting her. I finally got out with Garrett and walked up to the fence surrounding the playground. The teachers, Mrs. Sherron and Mrs. Hannah, both came up to me handing me various flyers and her backpack. They both seemed so happy to see me and immediately said they had to tell me something. I started to worry that Izzie had been in timeout, because I know she's not always an angel. They said that a little girl had just started the program and was having a hard time adjusting. She is foreign and would talk to the teachers only in her language. From the story they told, it seemed that she would get very upset, frustrated, and cry throughout the day. She had been with them almost a month and it was not getting better. Mrs. Hannah seemed to be the one the little girl would constantly speak to in a foreign language. Well, they told me that somehow the little girl had become very attached to Izzie, to the point where she would constantly ask for her and the teachers would take her to find Izzie so she would calm down. I noticed this little girl following Izzie around on the playground. She is about half Izzie's size. It was so sweet. Mrs. Hannah told me that Izzie was such a blessing and an answer to her prayers for this little girl.

You can't imagine the happiness that filled my heart when I heard this. Even at such a young age, God could work through Izzie to be a blessing to her teachers. She's such a blessing to me, too.

18 Months for Garrett

Garrett is actually almost 19 months old now, but we had his well check at the pediatrician's office this past week. He was a whopping 30.5lbs and 34.5". Yah, he's a big one! Of course everything, including head circumference, was in the 98th-99th percentile. He is slowing down a little bit. He was off the chart at some point.

He is talking a good bit. Todd and I can understand almost everything that comes out of his mouth. The words I know he says are: granola bar, cookies (coo coo), all gone, want more, juice, no, sissy, nana, mama, dada, poo poo (our favorite, you better run because he most likely has his hand down his pants too), night night, bear, dog, balloon, spoon, shoe, bath, phone, Barney (which he says bah bah), go, and there's probably a couple more.

He's getting to be a bit picky. He hates cheese anything (besides cheezitz). He doesn't eat grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, or quesadillas. He loves bananas, granola bars, sausage of any kind, pepperoni, chicken nuggets, and French fries (of course).

He runs all over the place. He climbs on furniture that he shouldn't climb on. He is always going 100mph. He wears us out! He is a bit of a bully when it comes to his sister and his toys at times. Melissa and Doug wooden toys are dangerous in our house, especially the little wooden hammers that come with some of them. He is a lover, too. He gives out the kisses freely. He is still an open mouth kisser. I love those baby kisses.

The one thing I am so proud of is that he sleeps in his crib, even for his naps. He is normally in bed at 7:30pm and sleeps till 7am. Now, I wish his sister could just follow his steps in that direction.

Rocking a Baby

Last night, I really couldn't sleep. It's probably a mixture of many things causing my insomnia like working nights and the enormous amount of time I was laying in bed this weekend due to the virus we had. I heard Garrett whispering little groans and noises through our monitor. I decided, since he was awake to go up and rock him in his chair for a little bit. He's getting so big that he almost doesn't fit across my lap in my arms while in his chair.

I walked up the stairs to his room. As soon as he heard my footsteps and before I even opened the door I heard him say "mama" with a loud rustle of his covers from pulling himself up. My heart melted. I closed the door behind me quietly and hit the button on his crib soother (which he actually turns on in the night by himself when he is awakened). I picked him up with his blanket and went to his rocker. He has such a nice rocker/recliner. I hate to admit, but I wish I had used it a lot more. It makes me a little sad that I did not. Not because it's a nice chair, but because I will only be able to rock my youngest baby so much longer.

I started rocking him, both of us just silent, staring into each others eyes literally. The weight of his little, warm body in my arms wrapped up in a blanket. I wondered what he was thinking. Maybe he was thinking about how much he loves me, like I was thinking about him. He might have been thinking I was a little crazy with the tears in my eyes. They were bittersweet tears, happy and sad for so many reasons. Mainly happy though. Happy that I'm blessed with two beautiful, sweet children, who have changed my life.

He eventually giggled after a few minutes. It was hard not to laugh with him even at 2am or so in the morning. He's always laughing at something. It might have been my funny hair or just a smile that came across my face that I couldn't hide. He put his little hand on my face and then to my ear. He found a little spot of bare skin on my arm against his cheek and started blowing raspberries. I knew that the rocking wasn't working this time as it had in the past. I put him back to bed with his favorite bear and his sippy of water. Then kissed him and said good night.

I'm still learning as a mom. I'm sure I will the rest of my life. Slow down. Spend time with them. Read a book, play a game, go outside. The other things can wait. I just hope when they grow up that they look at me with love and are happy with the mom I was to them. Life... Please slow down.

Friday's Zoo Trip

Fridays are a bit crazy for us. I have to work that night, so I usually make sure it's a day of rest at home. Every once in a while I'm feeling rested and decide that I really don't need any extra rest before working all night. It's rare, but it happens. Try staying up 24 hours, while exerting tons of energy running down hallways and taking care of six patients. It can be rough without extra rest. Anyways, I also have this thing calmed mama guilt. I'm home with my kids basically all week. I really try to take them out of the house to get fresh air, especially as they get older. Staying home gets boring.

Friday, Todd was going to let me sleep in a little. He was going to take the kids to the zoo. Our annual membership just expired, so I knew I needed to renew . I then remembered that I heard about free Fridays at the zoo for Lexington residents. I told him about it and thought it would be a great idea. It was bit cold and breezy, but nothing a coat and a hat couldn't fix. Not to mention, I knew there are plenty of indoor areas at the zoo with heat.

He got the kids ready, the best a dad can do haha. He then asked me if I wanted to come. I knew Garrett had not been to the zoo in a long time. I was thinking about how much he was going to love experiencing it now. I wanted to see his little face run around and look at everything. I also wanted to see Izzie show him, just like I knew her big sister self would. I mustered up the energy and went.

It was actually very pretty outside, even if it was cold. The sun was out with only a couple clouds in the sky. I thought the zoo would be packed. I'm not sure why. I guess it being free and all, but it was not.

We went into the aquarium part first. The kids got to run around and there was only maybe five other people in there. The new Komodo Dragon exhibit was pretty cool. They were so active and coming up to the glass. Poor things could have used a little more space to roam though. Garrett was experimenting with the glass windows trying to figure it out. I am pretty sure at first he thought the animals were going to come out somehow. He quickly realized that they were not. Izzie led us all, running from window to window, telling us where we needed to go. She would grab her brother's hand to lead him. I loved it. She is finally tall enough that we don't have to pick her up to see every single thing and she spots almost every animal immediately.

Even though we ate a good breakfast, Izzie decided she was starving. In normal Izzie fashion, she let the whole zoo know, "Mommy! My tummy wants food. My tummy is hungry!" Garrett was not going to argue with a quick pit stop to eat a french fry. Have you seen him lately? The boy eats everything!

After, we made our way around the rest of the zoo. Izzie wanted to feed the goats and giraffes. Garrett pretty much had a seizure when I picked him up to do the same. I was the bad mom who laughed. When we fed the giraffes, he warmed up a little to them. He got within a foot of their heads and would throw the piece of greens at them. Izzie was a professional giraffe feeder. I swear the goats and giraffes both stuck her whole hand in their mouths. She loves it. One of the giraffes, who appeared to be the biggest, was our favorite. He had an attitude. Todd tried to pet him without giving him food. I swear he about knocked Todd in the face with his head. He was not happy. His head was the size of Izzie. He was huge! She fed him the most. We could have stayed there feeding them all day.

It was a great day. I'm so glad that instead of getting some extra sleep I decided to go. Spending time with my children will always come first. There won't be a day that it won't. One of the most important things to me is them realizing how much Todd and I love them. It is not about the "things." It is about the time. I hope we all remember that.