Hey, I'm back!

Well, I'm not even sure where to start with this post. An update? Sure, that seems about right.....after a MONTH AND A HALF of absence. You know that last post about Levi's first haircut? Yeah, he's almost ready for his second! (Ugh , why have I turned into such a lazy blogger? Maybe because I'm a busy momma nowadays! Yeah, we'll go with that; it's totally not because I spend all of my free time on Facebook and Pinterest instead! Although, in my defense, I'm planning a birthday party, so Pinterest would be totally excusable....) Anyway, we have indeed been busy recently, but not in a bad way. It's summertime now, so our days have been full of playing in the sandbox, eating drippy popsicles on the patio, and visits to the zoo. Recently though, our days have also included lots of rain!
This particular week is Vacation Bible School at our church. I've had the pleasure of teaching the 2 through 3 year olds' class, where we've learned lots about the Armor of God through lessons, puppet shows, songs, games, and even snacks! And, of course, there's been more than a little chaotic playtime (Hey, it's the 2 & 3 year old class!). Nate is in my class, and I've loved watching him interact with the other children and leaders, as well as do his activities. His politeness just makes this momma's heart want to burst! Oh, when did my little guy get so grown up?!

A few weeks ago, Eric (and a group from our church) went on a mission trip to Honduras with Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International. They had an amazing time ministering and serving the people there! If you're interested, you can check out this video montage from their trip.


Though it seems like it was a million years ago now, I suppose it's worth noting that the week Eric was gone was the same week that both boys and I were ill. I had a sinus infection (that I'd thought was almost gone) flare up into a major issue that required TWO antibiotics. I'll keep the gross details to myself, but I can't even remember the last time that I visited the doctor for an illness previously. Then, both boys caught a horrible cough that kept us all awake for several days/nights. Nate kicked it relatively quickly, but Levi landed himself on antibiotics (ear infection) and breathing treatments for several days. Just about the time Eric returned stateside, we all recovered nicely!

In other news? Levi crawls now. Not scooting on his tummy "army crawling", but really truly crawling! And, he pulls himself up and walks along furniture too. Oh, he's getting so big! Nate has finally decided that the potty is an acceptable place to do all of his business. (Until last week, we've been entirely trained for #1, but not so much for #2.) Bribery, begging, punishments, ignoring the fact? None of it worked. We were up to our ears in frustration and worry that maybe it would never happen. And then, just like magic, he decided it was time. He has not had one single accident since he made the decision a week ago. Yeah, my kid is awesome like that. And, oh, I'm so HAPPY!

At the beginning of the month, we took a short weekend trip as a family to Eric's sister's wedding. We were honored to have Nathaniel be a ring bearer (even though he cried on his way up the aisle!). The boys enjoyed their stay in the hotel, and we enjoyed our time away from home. The weekend was a blast, and everything was gorgeous--most of all, my beautiful sister-in-law! Congratulations, Jessie & Chris!! (Sorry for posting these pictures in the same post that talks about my kid being potty trained!)


Other than those "bigger" events, I can' think of much that has occurred within the past month. I know, I know, that's silly since I've been "too busy" to blog, right? I guess life just gets in the way sometimes, eh? I do have several posts all wadded up in my brain that I'll need to unload here soon. Recipes for Mexican pizza or Greek yogurt, anyone? Burlap curtain tutorial? I promise to update again before the end of summer, preferably a little more often than of late! Hope you're having a most fantastic summertime!! We are!

Tough days.

Last Friday night, Eric and I took Levi to the Emergency Room because he was wheezing and had labored breathing. They treated him with a breathing treatment, x-rayed his lungs, prescribed him steroids, and sent us home. Within 24 hours, we were back at the ER with a very sick baby boy. Levi was having even more trouble breathing, and he was admitted to the hospital.

Throughout the whole ordeal, my boy was a trooper. Despite being poked and prodded, he smiled at every nurse, doctor, and respiratory therapist who entered our room. His high spirits were the only thing that seemed to keep me going. I know that our ordeal was brief (only 2 days), but it was hard. (I slept a total of 6 hours, during a 72 hour stretch!) I've never liked the hospital (who does?), but I never imagined how much more miserable seeing my child as a patient could make it.

I watched my baby struggle to breathe. I watched people poke needles into his tender skin. I watched him fight his own exhaustion in an unfamiliar environment. I watched his oxygen levels drop too low, and watched a nurse hurry to fix them. I watched his oxygen monitor while he slept, begging it not to fall below 92%.

I sat in an uncomfortable chair, 2 days before Christmas, and held my boy. With cords tangled in my lap, a too-big gown falling off of his body in the chilly room, and alarms on his monitors beeping, I cried and I prayed. Around the clock, people entered our room to administer breathing treatments, inject medicine into his IV, and check his lungs. We were both exhausted. But, he smiled. Through it all, he smiled at me, and I knew that he would be okay. I knew that the resuscitation instructions taped next to his bed wouldn't be necessary, and I knew that we would go home soon.

Sitting in that hospital room, my priorities changed. Christmas preparations that had been on my to-do lists for weeks suddenly didn't matter. All I wanted was for my baby to be well, and for us to go home to be with family. (Nate wasn't allowed in the pediatric unit, and we didn't see each other at all during Levi's hospital stay--the longest time that we've ever been apart.) I realized that our family Christmas doesn't need anything but family.

Thankfully, Levi improved quickly, and we were able to come home on Christmas Eve. I felt peace, and I know that it came from the many prayers that were lifted on our behalf. When we got home, I didn't have any Christmas cookies made, our presents weren't all wrapped, the house wasn't "ready", we were missing my favorite church service, and I was more than exhausted. But, it was okay. I felt at peace, and knew that our Christmas would be wonderful simply because we were together.

And, not only was it wonderful, it was overwhelmingly perfect! We were shown so much love by so many family members--someone brought us Christmas Eve dinner, someone else brought us dozens of cookies, and more than one someone offered to host Christmas for us and do anything else that we needed. As it turned out, we went ahead and hosted Christmas (much to my unprepared OCD-personality's chagrin!). Our family came, and it was perfect. I didn't feel stressed or worried; I felt comfortable, peaceful and loved. My babies were with me, my family surrounded me, and our prayers were answered. Merry 1st Christmas, Little Levi!

Pre-Christmas sick.

Once again, our house has been hit with sick. Nathaniel spent three days coughing his throat raw (and often vomiting as a result) and running a fever of 103 degrees. He couldn't sleep or eat or play. Poor little guy was miserable. And, I've got a whole pharmacy of toddler-safe cold medicines on my kitchen counter! Thankfully, he's been back to normal since Tuesday (lingering cough, but nothing like previous).
Now, much to my dread, Levi is sick. So far, he's only had a teensy fever (99) and a cough that breaks my heart every time. He's still in generally good spirits, although sinus drainage bothers him when he goes to bed or wakes up. Since he's too young for any cold medicines at all, I'm counting on breastmilk to be his "miracle cure".
We've got our collective fingers crossed that everyone in the house is healthy and happy for Christmas this year! I've been spending lots of time wrapping gifts (Christmas as a parent is so much better than Christmas as a child; who knew?!), baking cookies, watching movies, and getting organized. Nate has his very first Christmas present secrets this year--so adorable! Levi has no idea what Christmas entails, but he's a big fan of the pretty lights!
We've got a big day of Christmas crafting, wrapping, and even a party to attend tonight. Tomorrow is the first day of winter, and our forecast is even calling for a bit of snow! (White Christmas this year??) Hope you're staying healthy, and enjoying Christmas prep as much as we are!

Sick; our reality.

I've always thought of the flu as some sort of "rite of passage" for a stay-at-home mom. I had romantic visions in my head of cuddling on the couch with my sick boy, watching cartoons while slurping chicken noodle soup and popsicles. In my mind, our day wouldn't be wonderful (c'mon, he's sick!), but it would be cozy and comforting.
For the past several days, Nate has battled the reality of the flu--and, let me tell you, it's been neither cozy nor comforting. He's miserable, and we're all exhausted. There has been plenty of juice, noodle soup and popsicles, and lots more television watching than normal (I had no idea Clifford The Big Red Dog was the only cartoon acceptable for a sick two-year-old!). Sleep has been long and plentiful, but my rest is interrupted with incessant coughing and whimpering through the baby monitor.
As a mother, these days (and nights!) are trying. Of course, I feel terrible for my boy, but the most frustrating thing is not being able to help. I've made all of his favorite foods, only to watch him take two bites and push the plate away. I've doled out medicines, slathered him with vabo-rub, turned on the humidifier, and propped his head upright, only to listen to him cough all night long. I've made smoothies, read stories, and cuddled on the couch--only to be pushed away by a crying child. He desperately wants to feel better, but doesn't know how to make that happen. He asks for medicine and kisses, but none of them really make him feel better. My poor little guy has to ride it out--and so does his momma.
So far, Nathaniel is the only one in our house who is sick. Prayers that he gets well soon, and that the rest of us stay well! Until then, we'll be at home watching Clifford and drinking apple juice. Hope you and yours are healthy and happy!

It's beginning to look a lot like....

We've been getting into the Christmas season around here! The house is decorated (sans a tree), the calendar is full, and the closet is stocked full of Christmas surprises! Nate loves all of the twinkly "ights", and his nativity is his most recent favored toy. (Presently, you'll find Joseph driving a dump truck with Mary riding in the back--quicker than the traditional donkey!)

In other (not so fun) news, we've encountered our first flu this year. Nate spiked a fever yesterday afternoon, and vomited once. Since then, his fever has been up and down, but he seems to feel fine. He's eating and playing, though he gets easily tired. An early nap, lots of fluids, and maybe a evening viewing of "Charlie Brown's Christmas" are on today's agenda.

Hope you're getting into the holiday spirit--and staying healthy!!