It's time to put down some thoughts...

I feel the need to write today.

I haven't felt like writing for a long time.  

I've been BUSY....I mean super busy....I mean so busy that at times I can't believe how busy I am.

It's hard to write when you are busy.

When I am busy I tend to complain, and when I write when I am busy I post more complaints than anything at that shouldn't happen.

So no complaining...just commenting.

I've enjoyed the fall...with the exception of getting sick.

See I lost my voice...a major part of who I am is my voice.  I talk a lot being a teacher, I also sing a lot and I was unable to do that.  It was rough.

It was also good I think.

I'll tell you why...I had to listen more.

I had to stand and understand that it's okay to be quiet.

It's hard to be quiet...it's hard to not speak when you like to talk.

But it's good, its necessary and it's revealing.

I'm trying to be quiet more...to listen, to think, to be okay with the stillness.

So I'm trying to adapt, to change and to be quieter...it's hard, I'm a loud person but I think it will be good!

Loving Even when its Exhausting

Nothing is more exhausting to a mom then a sick kid.

Kids don't get sick at convenient times, at least mine don't.

My kids usually get sick in the middle of the night, or during a week when Dan and I can't switch off who stays home, so I am home with them, jeopardizing my good standing at work.  Or they get sick when they have a huge competition or something fun at school.

The toddler is sick...fever, congestion, coughing, crankiness.

He has spiked a fever in the middle of the night the last two nights, waking me up and then having trouble going back to sleep.

I feel bad for him, and at the same time, I'm exhausted!  I'm up with him, snuggling, giving Tylenol or ibuprofen, getting a drink, helping him fall back asleep.  Then just when I am sleeping again, the alarm goes off and I have to start the day, getting the big kids and Dan off to work, determining if I am going to work, checking temperatures.

Yesterday, he woke up fever free so I thought it might have been a fluke of a fever so we went to school, only to go home an hour early because he had a fever.  It didn't go down to normal even with Tylenol yesterday so I called in last night knowing it was probably going to be another long night.

It was, Jayden fell asleep okay but woke up 3 and a 1/2 hours later with a very high temperature.  He needed drinks, more medicine, and just wasn't able to fall back asleep for around 2 hours.

I could have been angry...and I will be honest I was frustrated.  However, he can't help being sick, he can't meet his own needs, he is too little.  I just have to love and be loving even though it  isn't what I want to do.  I have to put myself aside and give love.  I have to love even when my son may not be the most lovable or friendly, when he is cranky and hurting.

I think this is kind of how God is with us.  We often are needy and demanding, frustrating and challenging, but He never turns us away.  He is that loving Father that meets our needs and helps us through our challenges and loves us no matter what.

I'm thankful for that truth.

Praying my little man feels better soon!  Also looking forward to naptime and getting a little bit of extra rest myself!

A Tale of 2 Sickies

It was the month of August, year 2012.  The children had had a wonderful summer full of fun, swimming, and other merriment.  School was upon us, the youngest starting his very first school at the tender age of 1.  The older 2 starting a week or so later.  The first day back for the big ones.   It was a challenging morning but not terrible, we got to school, we made it okay....Mom had arranged for a switch of schedule and all was good until that afternoon.  Sickness struck!  The poor young toddler had a fever, a high fever of 102 degrees.  We thought and pondered...Is it teeth?  A delayed reaction to a vaccination?  What could it be.  The mother decided that we needed the next day to figure it out so she called in sick.  The night was long, the baby didn't sleep well, so neither did Mama.  The next day, the child refused to eat, was cranky and what is this??  Foul discharge from one ear...this did not bode well and so the mother called the father who came home from work and off they went to the doctor.  The doctor confirmed, there is something amiss in the ear, he feared that an item had gotten stuck inside.....not risking making it worse he sent the couple and son off to the ENT....a specialist to help with the ear....an hour later they were seen by the ENT who determined that the item in the ear was nothing more than dead skin cells, puss and other grossness which she was able to suction out.  So the child was on an antibotic and within 2 days feeling much better.

Time passed, life returned to normal.  The eldest child, a girl, was wrapped up in fun and excitement with friends, spending multiple nights away from home.  Upon returning from her second night away she complained of pain in the throat and of a headache that was problematic.  We thought nothing of it, she's tired, there were dogs in the residence of friends, it's probably nothing and she slept the afternoon away.  Upon waking and getting ready for an evening of worship and praise at church she complained of not feeling good.  The mother kissed her forehead and thought she felt warm.  A taking of the temperature revealed that yes the daughter had a fever.  She remained home and rested hoping beyond hope that she would be able to attend school the next day.  Alas, the morning sprung and she was found to still be with fever and her throat was exceptionally sore.  She remained home from school for the day and once the father returned home they ventured off to the Dr. to see if there was something more serious going on.  Its true, it is more serious a case of Strep Throat.  So the daughter is also on an antibiotic and looking forward to feeling much better.

Now the question is...will the middle child join the youngest and the eldest and make this a tale of 3 sickies?

Another Round of Poxiness

Jaron now has the Chicken Pox....and he is covered in SPOTS....poor thing....


Will Janea get it or not???   That is the new question???

The Bilirubin Diaries

Bilirubin (formerly referred to as hematoidin) is the yellow breakdown product of normal heme catabolism. Heme is found in hemoglobin, a principal component of red blood cells. Bilirubin is excreted in bile and urine, and elevated levels may indicate certain diseases. It is responsible for the yellow color of bruises, urine (via its reduced breakdown product, urobilin), and the yellow discoloration in jaundice.


Bilirubin...the stuff that causes Jaundice has been rampant in our little newborn.

Tuesday April 12...Jayden has a bilirubin level of 9.6 as we leave the hospital this is considered borderline but it is relatively low so I wasn't really worried.  Our hospital pediatrician recommends that he be seen by our family doctor by Friday.

Thursday April 14th..Jayden is looking a little orange and my mom comments that I might want to get that checked out...I agree and schedule an appointment for the next morning...

Friday April 15th...Jayden is looking mighty orange.  My mom and I take him to the doctor and he recommends a bilirubin test so after heading to the hospital lab we get done and take him home.  The doctor's office calls and tells me that his number is now double...18.2  and he is concerned and thinks we need to be seen at Children's Mercy for a second opinion.  I'm a little panicked at this point...and between my mom and I and Dan we get him to Children's Mercy.  They decide to admit him to have some intense photo therapy...so that began one of the longest nights that I have experienced in my kids lives.

At 7:00 Dan and I left to grab dinner...Jayden started out in the isolette unit and was doing well so we felt comfortable leaving and I was STARVING and I could not stomach the thought of hospital food...we returned by 8:00 where the nurse let us know that Jayden was hungry and fussy...so I nursed him and we got him back in to the isolette as he was only able to come out for half hour periods every 2 hours...I am exhausted at this point and Dan has me lay down on the bed in the room and he takes a shift....Jayden really isn't liking the light box at this point and is squirming, crying and kicking...so either Dan or I had to take turns holding in a binky and rubbing his back, head or feet to help him remain calm...we go through 2 hours of this and feed him again...then the nurse comes to do a bilirubin level on him.  His level is now 16.5  down almost a full 2 points in 3 hours.

The doctor comes in a little later and we were basically told that we had over reacted and that Jayden would be fine and that it's normal and no big deal...well we were simply following the advise of medical professionals and we would not have done the hospital if it hadn't been recommended...well, she tells us we can go home if we want or stay...it's up to us...we decide to head home and around 12:30 we finally get home.

Saturday April 16th...Dan rigs up some plant lights and we sit under them for the entire day...keeping Jayden in the "sunshine"  by the end of the day his skin is looking much better...and we are encouraged by his progress.

Sunday April 17th...We don't go to church and spend the morning sitting under lights...the afternoon is spent cleaning house, mowing the lawn and other such projects.

Monday April 18th...first day for mom to be in charge of car duty...Baby has appointment with doctor at 11.  Doctor is encouraged by the way his skin looks and has us do another bilirubin test at the lab...and Praise God his level is now 13.5 and dropping!  So it looks like the saga of the bilirubin will soon be over!

We are thankful for modern medicine and that our baby will be okay!

ugh...ugh...ugh...

that's me grunting like a caveman.

I was up for about 2 hours last night with gastrointestinal distress.

I was glad when it passed.

I did get some sleep but I am quite tired this morning.

On a completely different note...
my oldest and youngest seemed to switch places this morning.
Janea was all about getting up and ready and Jaron was being a little slothlike this morning...usually it's the other way around.

I just realized Jaron really isn't the youngest anymore...I'll have to find something different to call him...

Went shopping online for baby bedding...it's stinkin expensive! I don't know what we are going to do...I just know I am not spending a ton on bedding that the kid probably won't even appreciate....just so I can have a cute room for him.

We think we have a name...and I am being outvoted...the kids LOVE it...Dan likes it and I guess I will have to get used to it...Janea and Jaron are already calling him by this name so I guess that's that!

Dan's been sick all weekend...he's been like a hibernating bear...staying indoors, grunting alot, sneezing and coughing...I feel bad for him...he's been kinda out of it this weekend. He's off to work today and I hope he feels okay.

Jaron's better...just a virus I guess...but he did enjoy getting to go to my sonogram with me and my Mom.

Well, the baby is kicking and I just realized I gotta get my lunch ready for work...off I go...

The sickie

And no I am not talking about me.

Jaron woke up Thursday morning with a high fever.

Ran a fever all day yesterday, went to bed with a fever, woke up several times last night dehydrated and feverish and then woke up this morning with a fever and complaining of a sore throat.

My mom sense is telling me its probably strep throat.

I really hope it isn't strep throat. Now we are waiting to see if we get an appointment for today or if its off to urgent care we go....

Poor kid, I hope he feels better.

Also, I hope my job doesn't hate me for calling in sick so often! I did go in for the afternoon yesterday and I called in for the morning today. Waiting to see on an appointment then I will call and tell them again.

The sickie

I wanted to post his picture, but he's looking pretty pitiful....

I made him go to the doctor.....he'll be thanking me soon.....

He's now on four different medications for a sinus infection and a serious cough....

I'm feeling slightly sorry for being short with him....just slightly though...

Hopefully, he'll be on the mend and able to go back to work next week.

Here's hoping that Dan gets to feeling better soon!

Sickness 1 Jaron 0

I took Jaron to the local Urgent Care Clinic this morning. He has had a fever since Thursday and last night he started complaining about his throat hurting. My momma radar went into high alert and so a trip to the doctor was warranted. Well, 2 1/2 hours later we find out that he has Strep Throat. So he will be on an antibotic and hopefully well enough to go to school on Monday.

Janea and I are off the library and to fill his prescription. He's hopefully going to be on the mend now!

Three for Three

Last Wednesday, Jaron came down in the middle of the night with a stomach bug...missed 2 days of school.

Monday, I woke up with a stomach bug, and I missed half a day of school.

Tuesday night, Janea starts with her turn with the stomach bug and is home from school today.

I'm really hoping it is just 3 for 3 and not 4 for 4. I hope Dan doesn't come down with this nastiness. I'm getting really tired of the puking and cleaning up after sick kids and the messes that just seem to multiply when your not feeling good.

I am thankful that someone is home during the day so that when the kids are sick we don't have to take off of work, but I am getting tired of the illness being in my home.

H1N1 Information

Here is a link to a blog that has an interesting video warning of the dangers of the Vaccine for H1N1. I am not ant-vaccine for important things but I do feel that Flu Vaccines are not worthwhile for me or my family and this one is not worthwhile for anyone. Check out the post below for more information

Desperately Seeking Shelly: Because I Had To Share

Poor Kid

Jaron is just being put through the wringer right now.

Not only are his allergies really bad and he is struggling with his asthma, he also was attacked by a mosquito or other biting bug. In a very uncomfortable spot.

Poor kid...he's really swollen and in a little bit of pain...and so it's been quite uncomfortable for him.

When it rains it pours sometimes!

Poor Little Man

Jaron's allergies are bad right now.

His poor throat and tongue are in hyper mode and swelling. He just looks like he is pain and random body parts are swelling at random times. His eyes keep getting red and puffy and it just makes me feel so bad.

I am praying that the pollen count goes down soon since he is just miserable...and he won't admit it.

Thankful for the Rain

I won't lie rain isn't my favorite thing in the world! Especially after the flooding we experienced last summer and the stress that was caused by that! Today I am thankful for the rain. I have been sick this weekend and I didn't want to go to work this morning and I ended up being at work for nearly 9 hours both in the classroom and working on organizing the resource room. The last thing I wanted today was to have to go anywhere else but it's volleyball night and we have a game scheduled for 8. Fortunately I got an email telling me that all matches tonight were cancelled. So I can relax, rest and get refreshed for tomorrow and head to bed early! I am so thankful for the rain!

Sharing

As a parent I have wanted my children to be good sharers...of stuff not germs! Jaron got sick last Sunday and was sick for 2 days and then was better for the rest of the week. Janea helped out by watching her brother and was disappointed about missing school...then she woke up on Thursday with a fever and has been sick since...she is just now on the mend. Well, yesterday I got home from work and was feeling chilled. This is how I feel when I get a fever. So I am taking it easy this weekend, or at least trying to since there is stuff I must get done before the work week next week. I don't feel too bad this morning and my chills are mostly gone so I am going to do a little then rest off and on all day. Please pray that we all get over this little bug we've seemed to pick up and that we didn't share it with too many others.

A Good Day

Work was a challenge today since I was not feeling good. Fortunately, with specials and extras and the kids being extra helpful it made for a decent day! I was lucky to get to go home early since we had many children leave early, were down in numbers and able to combine. It was a blessing!

I rested for a few hours then started the laundry which I didn't have enough energy to do this weekend. I've gotten 2 loads washed and dried, and one ready to dry in the morning. I also ran the dishwasher, which was good.

My dirty floor was driving me crazy! I vacummed and then used my new handy dandy rug stick by Woolite! I love it....makes carpet cleaning very easy! It's great for getting the grime out and it's cost effective too. Smells good too!

Tomorrow looks to be rather busy but I am hopeful that I am feeling better. My achiness seems to be lessening.

Thanks to every one who prayed for me today! I made it through and while I am not 100% better things are looking up!

Hi ho Hi Ho...it's off to work I go

I am still not one hundred percent. My throat is feeling better but I feel yucky.

I am going to work today...please pray that it goes okay

Sick...ick...ick

Dan was sick earlier in the week.

He gave it to me.

My head hurts.

My throat hurts.

I'm spending some quality time with the couch!

2 pills for a buck

Both kids have bad colds and are not feeling 100% so I made them take Tylenol before they left for school this morning. Jaron did not want to take it...so I told him if he took the Tylenol I would pay him a dollar...so he took it...and I paid him a dollar...if this keeps up I'll be broke!

Family Fun???? I think not!

Jaron woke up on Thursday morning throwing up and having bad intestinal issues. Janea started getting sick around 2:30 Friday afternoon...I got home from shopping cleaned up my living room started putting up our Christmas tree when I was hit with it...I started throwing up last night around 7:30....then Dan got it around 11:00 last night....oh my word, it's been bad and it appears that life is returning to normal...the kids feel better, Dan and I are on the mend and so I think that the storm has passed....not my idea of a great Thanksgiving but that is okay!