Now for an update

As in my previous post, my boys are sick but the upside is they are starting to feel better. Nic's congestion is breaking up and Eli sounds very nasal right now, which is a little cute. For anyone who has ever used a nebulizer knows, not the easiest thing for a baby, excuse me toddler, to get used to. But my little man appears to be getting the hang of it, he even held it up to his nose and mouth all by himself yesterday morning. Not the case the night before, our very first time using it. He cried and screamed the whole time, hence him setting in his chair much easier to do. The machine isn't exactly quiet but it's only for about 10 minutes, and it comes with a little ducky mask to try and help ease children. The worst part is listening to him cough at night but it is the best thing for him, especially with it trying to break up. Their humidifiers are turned up full blast in both their rooms, although I run them every night just on a very low setting any other time, the boys have gotten used to the sound and it is easier for them to fall asleep. Things are slowly getting back to normal around here. I sure hate when my little men are sick and I can't make it magically disappear.

Using the nebulizer all by himself, such a big boy

Daddy brought home tool belts to help them feel better

Illness falls on our household

The last two nights and days have been a little rough around here, both of my beautiful and energetic boys are sick and very miserable. It started out with Eli having drainage and a runny nose, so I thought allergies we have been down this road before but he had a little fever and we made it through the night. I took him to the doctor yesterday morning where the doctor proceeds to tell me his lymph nodes are swollen, I know that, as I said we go through this every spring and late summer/early fall. He did a strep swab, which came back negative this morning, yeah about that. But my poor guy is just miserable and his allergies really knock him for a loop a couple of times a year. I am tempted to tell Doug lets pack up and move to the desert so my baby doesn't have to suffer. And now it is Nic's turn, as the afternoon progressed he started to have a runny nose and a little cough and temp., so I think he getting Eli's cold. Then bedtime occurs, dad is out of town for the night and here I am with both boys feeling horrible. Eli slept like a champ although his allergy medicine tends to make him talk in his sleep. Nic on the other hand was screaming by 9:30 and again by 10:30, this keeps up all night long every hour to hour and a half. Around 2:00, I considered calling 911 because he just didn't sound like he was breathing right, but I got him calmed down and I had medicine on board rotating Tylenol and Ibuprofen every few hours. Finally at 5:30 he settles down and sleeps until 8:45 this morning. Eli meanwhile climbs in bed with me at 7:40 and his fever breaks and he just goes back to sleep, with me getting around for the day this didn't even bother him. With Nic up, I see how he is doing, he walks to the kitchen and is wheezing the whole way. I call the doctor and set up and appointment which isn't until 11:20, then I go check on Eli again and his is completely drenched. Finally, he comes into the kitchen and barely makes it to the den to lay on the couch and yet another soaking. I call the doctor back and the nurse tells me to bring both of them in right away. I get Eli to eat some donuts on the way, while Nic ate a little cereal and a few bites of waffle at home. The doctor checks Eli out first and believes his fever is gone for today and it might be back tonight, everyone knows the fevers are always the worst at night. But she believes his antibiotic has been in his system almost 24 hours and should be working by now. She isn't to concerned with him, since we've been down this road before. Now Mr. Nic is another story, first she spots an ear infection in his right ear, no wonder he is screaming. Then she hears rattling in his chest, so she sends us down the hall to the lab for blood work and a chest x-ray, because he has already had pneumonia twice in his 22 months. Once when he wasn't even 2 months old and again last winter, she believes it is because I had to have him a little early and he wasn't ready yet, but I had to because of my health and I held out until nine days before my due date(which was my birthday). When the doctor thought about taking him three weeks early we decided it wasn't worth the risk to him, but I suffered, which was worth it, to have him born a lot closer to his due date. Anyway, the CBC test came be okay, but his chest x-ray didn't. He has bronchitis and an early detection of you guessed it, pneumonia, so now after his nap I have to go get his medicine and a nebulizer(not cheap, about $200.00 and not covered on any kind of insurance, ironic isn't, especially with my husband being a pharmacist). The doctor made a point saying with as many people that have asthma, although he does not, that nebulizer's are not covered by private insurance you would think there would be some sort of legislation on that, but unless it fills their pockets with money the politicians really do not seem to care. Hopefully tonight will be better and everyone will get some rest.

News will make you cry

Last night I was watching the News on 6 @ 10, a typical evening of winding down. They start telling of a story about a toddler being crushed by a television which is extremely horrible (http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=8912684). I am a visual person so I am picturing this as they are telling the story, then up on the screen pops the EMSA & firefighters working on this poor baby and loading them into the ambulance. I just started to cry because I can't even imagine how the baby's parents must feel. Apparently this happened while two of the older children were wrestling and the t.v. was bumped which fell off a dresser onto the baby. The nine year old lifted the t.v. off the baby and ran and got the parents. These poor children and parents and you could tell the officer explaining what happened was having a hard time. Sorry to share this but I just couldn't get it off my mind all night.

Thinking about entering a 5k

I have been wanting to run a 5k or at least try it since about April. I run on my treadmill, yes I know not the same, but when you live in the country, I tend to get deathly scared of snakes and there is no shortage out here, that is about the extent of my running unless I go up to the high school track. I was going to ask Doug's cousin to run one with me, her boys are almost 3(October) and 17 months, but she can't now because baby number three is on the way and due to arrive late February/early March. I thought about doing Susan G. Komen Race for the cure in September, which could be fun. There is also the Tulsa Run but it is the day before my birthday and I at least want to make it to my 29th b-day (ha ha). But for now I may just stick to my trusty treadmill and start hitting the track, as the weather starts to cool off. All I need to do is strap on my ipod and let the boys run free on the field.

Invitations are ordered for Eli!

It took me a little while but the invitations for his party are ordered, now all I have to do is sit and wait for the proof to be emailed to me so I can approve it. I decided to add a picture from his 1st-3rd birthdays as well as a current one. I can't believe how much he has grown up and changed in 4 years, it doesn't seem like it has been that long ago that he was born. My my how time fly's by. Next, up is Nic's invitations and I will probably do the same thing but I have a couple of weeks before I need to order those, thank goodness.

Elijah's New Friends

All weekend Elijah talked about his new friend and wanting him to come over and play but he couldn't remember his name (this may take a little time with 15 other kids in his class). On our way to school this morning he just couldn't wait, so I take him in while Daddy and Nicolas stay in the car but the little boy isn't there yet and I need to go so they could get started. The three of us head home to finish laundry and Dad can take make car to get the oil changed. Dad gets home and we turn around and leave to go back to preschool, at least I got two loads of laundry washed before we left. After arriving we have to wait for the kids to get back from the playground, it is just too cute watching them follow the teachers one by one, they grow up way too fast. At preschool the parents have the option to get out of their cars to pick up their children or one will load them and buckle them in their car seats, while the other stays in the classroom and the director is getting signatures (with a walkie talkie to let the teacher inside know which child to send out next) from the parents as they are waiting, what a great idea! We proceed over to McDonald's for lunch when in walks a little girl that Eli goes to school with and they smile at each other. We go in the play area and she joins us and I ask Eli what her name is because he keeps saying "come on friend", finally she tells him her name, Mallory, he then says, "lets slide Mallory." They were too adorable together. After we get home he finally tells me his friend's name, Jonah, and says he has a big band aid on his arm and I have to tell him "yeah that sort of right, it's a band aid they call a cast that will help his arm get all better." He is ready for his birthday so that all of his friends can come, this has only been the second day of school, so you know it will be a fun school year.
After Nic wakes up from his nap I hear Eli telling him, "come on Nic, criss-cross applesauce, criss- cross applesauce." I guess a little preschool learning from his brother is good and definitely fun to watch.

Occurances over the weekend

On Friday evening the boys wanted pizza, so I break out everything to make it and of course they want to help. While they are standing there watching and waiting as I put the pizza crust on the pan and spread the sauce, I have to say it was more fun to make with their help. I let them help put the cheese on the sauce, needless to say we ended up with more cheese on certain parts of the pizza than others. Next came the pepperoni and Canadian bacon, my boys love meat. Well that to also had clumps of meat on various parts as well as a smiley face. Next we put even more cheese, shall I say more. They got such a kick out of helping, although quite messy everyone needs to have fun sometime. They especially loved watching their creation bake in the oven. I definitely recommend letting your children help make a pizza every once in a while, they have fun and their creativity really comes out in the process.

Mr. Nicolas

Setting in his favorite spot on the couch.

Mr. Elijah

Loves climbing on the counter to help.

On Saturday, I decide to clean the whole house(a deep cleaning), I do this every two weeks with little mini cleans throughout the week. I proceed to scrub the bath tub in the boys bathroom when I hear a thud, no one is crying but all is quiet. Before starting to clean I shut both gates to each entrance to the kitchen, so that they can play in the living room or in their bedrooms. Doing this keeps them out of the kitchen, laundry room and den. Anyway, I walk down the hall to the living room, Eli is playing with my pizza pan and I see a chair in the kitchen moved to the counter. I proceed into the kitchen and Mr. Nic has climbed up on the counter, about where Eli is sitting in the picture, and is eating the cake that is setting up there, both hands and face covered in chocolate icing (guess he decided he wanted a snack). I look over to the entrance by the dining room and they had both managed to push the gate down(hence the thud) and proceed into the kitchen. These boys will keep you on your toes, just when you think it is okay to get something done they decide they want to do something else.

Everything seems to happen all at once

As I have posted before, I am starting to plan both boys birthday parties, actually the planning is done it is just setting down and ordering everything online. Not to hard right? Except you have to figure in how many children might be coming, so how many goodie bags and items to put in there, also party is a dinner time so how much pizza do I need to order to figure in children and all of the adults. As the boys get older they can invite who they want and we will do whatever activity they might want to do. It could be easier as they get older, but you never know. We have always gone out to eat on all of our birthday's, but for Eli's 2nd birthday we went to Logan's Roadhouse in Owasso(now a tradition), opening night for the restaurant, so it was alot of fun. He has always called it the Yee Haw store because they sing to you on your birthday. So since Nicolas has been born we go 3 times in one month, why you ask, well Eli's birthday is at the end of September, Nic's is the middle of October, and mine the very next week, that's alot of steak, we then wait a few months and Doug's falls at the end of January. You know management loves it when they see us coming.
Doug and I recently volunteered at church to help with raising money for the Mission's team, I guess now that means somehow we are officially part of the team. Not that I complaining, it is just you have to figure I really don't have a babysitter, except for grandparents(they don't exactly live nearby either) and you hate to ask them to watch the boys. We usually wait to see if they want us to bring the boys over and tell us to go out or something comes up that we want to do, which isn't that often. Yes, I know, just ask or find a reliable babysitter, but I get nervous when I leave my boys(regardless who is watching them), I guess it is that mom instinct to protect you children even when you know they are being taken care of. Anyway, back to what I was talking about, I was asked in church yesterday if we were wanting to go on the Mission trip in June, you hate to say no but with the boys being young I hate to leave for a week and on top of that I would be in Tuxpan, Mexico, that is definitely to far away for now. So now I have a meeting in two weeks to help with a fundraiser dinner on September 27th, the day after Elijah's birthday party. I don't mind helping with everything, it just I can't watch the boys and serve dinner at the same time, all the while Doug will be at work. I know it will all work out in the end, the committee will hopefully request the nursery coordinator to work and the boys love staying in there with her on Sundays which is a plus because we will all be in the same building.

A little lonely today

I feel all alone today, although I still have the boys here. Doug left last night for Little Rock and will be doing this every other weekend, I guess I shouldn't complain because he needs and wants to do this. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and be tough about it. Yes, the boys keep me busy but Doug and I don't always get to spend alot of time alone together, that's the way it goes when you have children. We could always go down there with him but it is such a long drive and we have a routine that you really hate to mess up. I could busy myself cleaning the house but I plan on doing that tomorrow, the boys grandparents went to Frisco for the weekend to see Doug's sister and there just isn't much to do this weekend. But he will be home tomorrow night and all day Sunday, which we love relaxing after church, kind of our lazy day around here. I need to start working on both boy's birthday parties and catch up on their baby books, today has turned out to be one of those day's you just don't want to do anything unless you absolutely have to. Maybe I should have went to Starbucks while I was in Owasso this morning and got my Mocha Frappuccino, I would definitely be wired then. I always look and the glass as half full but when you are missing your other half you don't always fill complete. It doesn't make it any better when every time he goes to leave he makes sure I know where all of our important documents are and what to do in case something happens. We have been over the routine a thousand times, you just try to not think about things like that happening. Better perk up my monkeys are wanting to go outside for a while before dinner.

1st Day of Preschool

Well, Elijah's first day of preschool was yesterday and it was exciting!! The day started out great, getting up at 6 a.m. to be dressed and ready, start breakfast and then wake up the boys. Elijah & Nicolas do not usually get up until 8:30-9:00 in the morning, took alot of work to get them on a schedule at the same time. Now all of that has changed, yeah getting up even earlier than normal, not that I am complaining that much. Anyway, Eli wakes up first and breakfast is almost done, then I hear Nic, he probably heard Eli and I talking in the kitchen. By 7:40 both boys are getting dressed, with Dad's help, everything is loaded in the car and we are on our way to Claremore, school starts at 8:30. Why drive to Claremore, well let me tell you. Only about a 20 minute drive, not that bad, and Oologah doesn't have a preschool, just daycares, and Owasso has a few but they are from 9-2 and I wasn't ready, nor was he for an all day ordeal. Luckily, this one in Claremore, I have heard nothing but great things about them, is only 3 hours a day two days a week, they also have three day a week classes. This prepares him for pre-k in Oologah which is only a few hours also, either morning or afternoon, not sure what the other school districts are like.

Anyway, Eli is excited the whole time, we get there and he can't wait to go in. Dad takes in the school supplies and then tells him bye with a hug and kiss and takes Nic to the car while I settle Eli in. He acts like there is nothing to it, we take a picture with his teacher and he goes about playing, I finally tell him bye, convincing myself he will be fine. Not easy when he has been with me nearly everyday for almost four years (all but three nights, when I went to the hospital to have Nicolas). I get to the car and Nic is looking out the window saying, "Bubba, Bubba", then I look at Doug who is starting to cry and I lose it. We make our way home knowing he is fine and I will be back to pick him up in a few hours. Doug leaves to go put an order in at the pharmacy while Nic is looking in every room saying "Bubba". I occupy him with some toys so that I can finish cleaning up the kitchen and read the paper. Then we load back up to go pick up Eli, Doug is going to meet us over there. As I am pulling up to the school I see his class at the playground and he is having a ball playing in the sand with another little boy. After I walk him to the car, he tells us all about his day, singing the Soapy song (very cute), applesauce and five little monkeys. He had a blast and can't wait to go back, looks like my baby doesn't need me as much anymore and before long my other one will be joining him at school. What am I going to do then?

Play date at Park

This morning the boys had a play date at Lafortune Park, love this park because the play areas are made for little ones. It was such a great morning, couple drops of rain, no big deal, but only a few others moms with their children there. I love when school in back in session, the parks are so much more fun to go to without having to worry about losing someone in all the people.

Nicolas going down the slide by himself, mister no fear.
Elijah having a ball, will not go anywhere without his hat.

We met the boys cousins, Ethan, almost 3 and Noah, 17 months for our morning in the park. The park is absolutely beautiful and not 50 kids running around just the four of them on this little play area. Afterwards, we all ate at McDonald's, not the best place in the world to eat healthy, but it is only every once in a while. (Sorry about the picture color, I forgot to put my cell phone camera on an outside setting.)

Bedtime

Daddy reading Bible stories before bed, it doesn't get any better than this.

We love racing

Gentlemen start your engines!!! Eli & Nic decided they were going to race down the driveway (you have to drive up to get to our house), at least they know when and how to put their feet down to stop.

A few surprises from Nicolas

My baby, as I call him will be 22 months old tomorrow and he has a few surprises up his sleeve. Yesterday before his nap he was grunting so I told him lets go to the bathroom. He sat on the potty seat like a pro and proceeded to poo-poo, I guess he thought I have been watching Eli long enough why can't I? And this morning the stinker I had to put in his portable high chair, while I took a shower (I know, horrible right? I also know I am not the only one that has done this before), anyway all is quiet after a few minutes I look out and he has grabbed my box of tampons that was behind his chair and completely opened one and starting chewing on it like a sucker. Priceless and not a camera in sight.

Happenings for past few days

Well, Thursday night we had open house at preschool, Elijah really liked his teacher and he had his picture taken for his cubby. He can't wait to start, I hope everything goes smoothly. After we got home they played outside with the chalk and Doug got in on the action also.

Just having fun

The boys and I decided to take advantage of the great weather, staying inside out of the heat all of the time you tend to run out of things to do.

They kept running up and down our street, thank goodness we have only two houses on our street.
They slept pretty good that night.

Who knew so many things to do can be packed into one day!!

The boys and I got up this morning and had breakfast, throw a load of laundry in washer, get dressed, everyone to the bathroom before we leave, then out the door. First stop both boys need haircuts, they both did great becoming real pros sitting up there all by themselves. Next stop we hit the grocery store and that can get expensive these days, that even before you hit the dairy section. Load up in the car turn DVD on and mosey on over to the gas station, not cheap to fill up and I didn't even completely fill my gas tank! We make it home just in time for lunch, while they eating put up groceries, toss clothes in dryer and start another load. Boys are done eating let them play for a little bit, Nic goes down for nap, now need to fold laundry and put the final load in washer. Now we sit and have a very late lunch, just to turn around and leave in a couple of hours because we have preschool open house tonight. Needless to say we are eating dinner out tonight. And I forgot to call back and set up our play date, better do that now.

Share some pictures with everyone

I figured I would share a few pictures of the boys throughout the summer doing their many different antics. I hope you enjoy!!

summer 2008

Preschool is starting!!!

Well, it is official, school is starting everywhere and I guess for my baby (although I guess he is not one anymore) will be starting preschool next Thursday. Granted it is only for three hours in the morning and only two days a week, but I figured he will be starting Pre-K next year better get him used to a school setting now so we are okay next year. It is a good preschool and we have an open house tomorrow evening to met the teacher and tour the facility. Although, Eli and I have already done this when I enrolled him in the spring, but now daddy gets to go check it out. I think he his going to be more emotional than me but I guess we will find out next Thursday morning. Eli on the other hand is extremely excited, everyday I show him on the calendar when he starts and what day we are on, he just can't seem to wait. My boys are growing up to fast, Nic isn't going to know what do with himself without his brother around, it is all he has ever known. I will be sure to post pictures.

Slightly different breakfast this morning

Every morning I ask the boys what they want for breakfast and every morning Eli wants pancakes. We have been on a pancake kick for nearly two years, but what is not to like about them, granted we eat pancakes at least three times a week it can be boring. Although this morning I added brown sugar and cinammon and I have never seen those boys eat so fast. Nicolas held up his plate and said "more" in the cutest voice, a little variation never hurt anyone. I have to give them their pancakes first or they will only eat their fruit, not exactly a well balanced breakfast, at least they like it.

Love the Olympics!!

I have to admit the last two nights I have enjoyed watching the Olympics, but you have to admit also there are some "sports" or events that I will never understand how they are considered Olympic sport, such as badminton. But my favorite by far is the swimming, I catch myself cheering and who wouldn't with the USA being so dominant. Elijah, my so to be 4 year old, keeps telling me, "mommy I want to do that", not quite sure if he is old enough to join the Mustang Swim Club just yet. But hey, at least he knows what he wants at least for right now.

Attending my high school reunion

My 10 year high school reunion was this past weekend and it was actually good to see some people, although I did not get to talk to everyone. Friday night was okay, but we decided to leave early, we do not drink and after a few hours everyone had a few beers; needless to say we decided to go home and let his mom and dad go home early also from watching the boys. Now, Saturday night, I was able to talk to a few more people but we had to leave early. Doug was starting to get a migraine, but we were really enjoying ourselves up until then, we were even able to dance to our wedding song, which rarely happens when you always have two little monkeys under your feet who also want to dance with mom and dad. But I hope everyone had a great time, I was able to put my boys into bed and read them their Bible stories, which I love doing every night. Maybe we will be able to stay a little longer at the next one.

Planning birthday parties

Well it's that time of year again, I have both my boys birthday's within three weeks of each other. Now is the fun part of picking a theme, although they know what they want and ordering everything, gotta love the internet, otherwise I would have to drive all over Tulsa to find it all. My husband and I decided to do both their parties at the community center, having the parties at our house was so time consuming and draining even after everyone was gone. I don't have to worry about picking up toys or if cake and ice cream is smashed in the carpet or smeared all over the tile. We will have a small park outside and everyone will be able to come inside to eat, cool off or warm up, you never know what the weather will be like in September and October. Now I just need to find someone who can make a Lightning McQueen and Mickey Mouse birthday cakes.

Doug's headaches

The past few years my husband, Doug, has been sick off and on and the doctor's can't seem to figure out why. He is a trooper though, even if he doesn't feel good he keeps on trucking a goes to work. At first the doctor's thought it was his gall bladder, so they took that out but he would still get sick with horrible headaches, migraines, and just lose all of his energy. This has been going on for nearly three years and sometimes I have to say we need a different doctor. This last time we went to a specialist and he told my husband you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), start eating high fiber and take miralax. Although I am not a doctor this guy was a joke because he didn't even come see my husband while he was in the hospital, one of his associates did. Needless to say his primary care sent him to another specialist and referred him to a surgeon. The day of the surgery (outpatient), the surgery to us everything looked good and took out his appendix, been there done that (mine almost ruptured a month before our wedding), doctor sent it to the lab our report was inflammed and had a benign tumor, so this is what they thought was wrong all along. This were going well, he started to gain weight again and then his headaches, nausea would come back. I have been praying hard trying to figure out what is wrong, then one day I open the paper a read something about celiac disease and all of the symptoms a person might experience. I am thinking this is it, this may be what is wrong and nobody has thought a running a test for this, but there is not really a doctor in Oklahoma that specializes in this disease, they are at the Mayo Clinic. I made him call the doctor the next day and he now has an appointment later this week to run a specific blood test and we go from there. If it is celiac disease, which I hate to say I hope it is, this is manageable. We have to change his diet (anything containing gluten) and take a specific medicine everyday. I think we can handle. So I hope everyone will pray for us to finally have an answer and he is feeling better once and all.

Finally have my blog up and running

Being a mom sometimes puts other things you want to do on the back burner for a while. Everytime you try to sit down and get something done, a diaper needs changed, someone is hungry, bathtime or the phone rings. There is always somoething but I finally have it set up, hopefully I can keep it up to date. I set up our family website a few months ago, to let those in our family that don't get to see the boys all of the time, but you know how that goes life keeps going, then you remember, Oh yeah, I need to add pictures and update our website. But getting on the computer isn't always easy, but I sure love naptime in the afternoon, I can always get a little bit done in those two hours. I look forward to posting about my daily adventures, hope you enjoy.