Merry Christmas!

Update on Baby Crailey

I have been so bad about updating the blog lately since my children have been sick.  I wanted to thank you again for praying for my cousin Crailey, who just went through open heart surgery.  The surgery was a success!  

Then last week, Ashley {my cousin} noticed that Crailey wasn't normal.  She took her to the surgeon and Crailey had an emergency procedure to drain excess fluid around her heart.  The condition is called pericardial effusion, and she is at risk for it to happen again while she is still healing from her surgery.

Here is sweet Crailey with Santa while in the hospital.

Thankfully, she is home now and will get to celebrate Christmas there!  Her diet will be changed to help and she will have to be monitored very closely.  Please continue to pray that Crailey's body will heal and she will be free of any trips to the hospital!  

I've Got My Hopes Set High

I was absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of a very special childhood friend this week. 

I was 10 years old when I met Kristin.  {Long brown hair over one shoulder pictured above.}  She was cast as the lead in Jenny Wiley Theatre's production of Annie.  I was her "little Molly".  That summer was the first play I had ever been in.  It changed me for the better, and she was a big part of it.  

{Me as Molly.  Kristin is in the red wig.}

From a little girl who was afraid to speak her name in front of one person... I was able to perform in front of hundreds.  From our Fazolis mother/daughter dates between grueling practice at the David School, to her teaching me the "Miss Suzy had a steamboat" song & the Lorena Bobbitt version of In the Jungle, to sleepovers where we'd paint our toenails and she would share her dreams to be a star mixed in with a few stories of her pot belly pig... I had the best fun.  She was so charismatic.  She could light up the room by walking in.  The energy surrounding her and her mother and the fun they brought to life was infectious.  That summer was one of the most fun summers of my life.   It wasn't just about that though.  Kristin made me feel special.  Here was this beautiful girl who was beyond talented....

 

She was gifted, and she took the time to make 10-year-old me feel good about myself.  She helped me to believe in myself, and because of that summer with her... I was and never will be the same.

I have held the memories of that summer near and dear to my heart.  In a way... she was my childhood idol.  She was everything I wanted to be.  I'm not sure if there was a person that beamed more than me when she opened for a Shania Twain concert. She never treated me like the annoying little kid that I'm sure I was... she loved me and encouraged me and made me feel like the most special little girl.

When Kristin's mom passed away a few years after that summer, I'll never forget when I found out.  I was at a Little League baseball game, and I think I immediately turned white.  My heart fell out of my chest.  Kristin's mom was just as wonderful as Kristin.  My mom and I loved Bobetta dearly.  She died in a terrible car accident, and I can remember walking into the funeral home shaking.  Kristin and Bobetta had the best relationship.  There was nothing to prepare me that day for what I would see.  As I walked to hug Kristin, she fell to my arms in the ground and weeped.  I weeped with her.  There were no words.  We just held each other and cried, and I knew in that moment that Kristin was never going to be the same.  Her hurt was deeper than anything I have ever experienced.  My heart still aches just thinking about it.  I didn't have to say anything that day... in those moments when Kristin was so vulnerable I knew that she knew how much I loved her.  I often think about all the people I love that hurt.  If my love was only enough to help the pain.  Thankfully my Savior's is and my prayers are heard. 

Kristin sang a song at church called I've Got My Hopes Set High by Amy Grant.  Some of the lyrics go like this... "When it all comes down.  When it all comes down.  If there's anything good that happens in life it's from Jesus."

   

Through the years I lost touch with Kristin and what was going on in her life.  She went on to marry and was blessed with three beautiful boys.  Somehow I grew up too.  It's a funny thing when your childhood idol and you end up on the same level.  We rekindled a friendship through Facebook, and were able to share stories about our kids, and it was fun to be updated on one another's lives.  

I was shocked to hear that Kristin passed away yesterday.  I didn't feel like the adult version of me hearing the news of a friendly acquaintance.  I felt like my 10-year-old self again losing my biggest role model...losing my friend.  And then my heart ached for her three babies.  The oldest is only 8 years old.  It's Christmas and I know any time is a tragic time to lose a loved one...but it's Christmas.  

Life is full of bad things- death, being one of them.  Life is also full of some really great things.  I am reminded of who those great things come from in the lyrics to the song that Kristin once sang.  I am thankful for the time I had with her.  I'm thankful for the good that came from my relationship with her.  I know God crossed our paths for a reason, and somehow everyone that was a part of that summer is connected in some indescribable way.  Kristin not only had a huge influence on me, but God used her to impact so many.  I know that was from Jesus.   "I've got my hopes set high" for Jesus to bless those three little boys with the greatest love and peace and comfort that only He can give.

Lastly... just wanted to share this.  This song brought me great comfort when Kristin's mom passed away.  Who would have guessed it would bring me comfort upon Kristin's passing too?  May they and her sweet brother, Dusty, all rest in peace together.  No doubt they are making beautiful music together in Jesus' presence. {Please mute the playlist at the bottom of the page.}

Healing for the Holiday!

So again... we've been MIA.  I sent this text message after unfortunately bumping into a friend the other night.  {Not unfortunate because of the friend... unfortunate because I was in one of those... "please Lord don't let me see anyone I know because I look so scuzzy" type of states.}

"I have acne, bags under my eyes, a Dolly Parton tee, my hair has more grease than a Papa John's pizza, I'm sandwiched in the backseat between my crusty kids' car seats to the point I can barely breathe, and I'm pretty sure I stink.  If I don't, my car sur as heck does--pee diapers, old chili dog containers, and now some soured milk of K's that I just spilled; but no, two kids is honestly a piece of cake. ;) "

This is the quick version of what our lives have been like this last week.

Last Thursday night we freaked out when we saw this rash on our 7 week old.  

He was covered all over his torso and neck and head.  We immediately called the nurse line, but since he wasn't running a fever they told us to wait it out until the next morning.  That has been a popular phrase for the past week-- "wait it out.".

He woke us up at 3 a.m. coughing so hard that he was gasping for air.  It was scary.  He coughed from 3 a.m. to about 6 a.m. and then from there it eased up.  I decided to take him to the doctor on Friday since the rash was still in full force.  You would never believe the little guy was sick based on the above pic.  Why is it whenever you take your children to the doctor that their symptoms suddenly start to disappear and their mood is also improved?  Never fails.  

The doctor did a test for RSV.  My poor baby screamed.  It was kind of like how they test for the flu.  They had to ram the swab way up in his nose.  Ouch!  The test came back negative so the doc concluded it was a viral infection.  He did do a breathing treatment on my little man and sent us home to use a humidifier.

Friday night.  Oh my.  We didn't sleep a wink.  Our baby was screaming, wheezing, coughing, and hacking.  His fever was low grade and teetering.  The doctor told us that if his fever reached 100.4 then we should be concerned.  It was a scary and awful night.  

The only relief my baby got was in my arms.  There was nothing more pitiful than watching him suffer and not be able to do anything for him.

Saturday night was worse than Friday night.  My mom came down and helped us on Saturday.  We were exhausted.  My baby was so hoarse and his breathing was short.  He would cough so hard he would throw up.  After Saturday night I was sick of waiting it out.  I wanted to know for sure that Wyatt was, in fact, okay for us to be the one's monitoring him.  Our pediatrician's office sees patients on Saturday and Sunday that are sick.  

This little guy saw a doctor Sunday morning.  He cried, but nothing came out.  He had no voice.  The doctor checked him and said he was definitely wheezing and all of his symptoms fell into the category of bronchiolitis.  Basically he had an infection in his lungs.  Most of the time this type of a viral infection is caused by RSV, however, Wyatt tested negative on Friday.  She told us that we could test him again, but the treatment would be the same, and all the test would do is tell us how the Bronchiolitis came about.  I opted no since it was so painful for him the first time.

So that said.  We were sent home again because his fever was not high enough to cause concern, and since it was viral, there was nothing the hospital could do any more than we could unless he needed oxygen to breathe or an IV for dehydration.  The virus typically lasts for a week and the cough can continue on for up to 14 days.  Wyatt was one sick baby.  I didn't want  him to be hospitalized, but there is only so much timing your baby's breathing one can do before wishing for a professionals help in monitoring.  Dave and I were nervous and didn't really feel qualified to make the call... "okay he really is turning blue this time."

Anyways, we headed home and after a bath and a warm steamy bathroom stay to try and open up his lungs... we were hopeful that Sunday night would be better.  Boy... I had no clue what was in store.  

My little baby spiked a fever to 101 that night.  He was lethargic.  His breathing was labored with lots of wheezing and he would have coughing spells that were similar to asthma attacks.  I was so happy that my mom had taken K home with her on Sunday.  There is no way I could have managed both of my babies that night.  

Our doctor called us after being paged, and we talked several times through the night.  She gave us some tips to help bring the fever down.  They worked and we didn't end up in the hospital.  

Daddy Dave finally snoozing after what seemed to be the longest night of our lives.

Wyatt wasn't eating well, and I believe this caused the fever to spike due to dehydration.

My poor baby lost a little over a pound.  

The fever finally broke Monday morning, but my baby has remained sick with the congestion since.

Yesterday I finally began to notice major improvements.

Wyatt was alert and smiling, and I was one happy mommy!

Tomorrow will be one week of sickness.  This has been a lengthy version I don't wish to ever replay.  It makes it so much scarier when they are so little.  I believe we will all be well enough to celebrate Jesus now!  YAY!  We are so thankful for all of the loved ones who have asked and prayed about Wyatt.  We are going into this Christmas vacation with a little boy who is almost completely healed, and we feel so loved.  My heart is full, and I am so relieved.  

Surviving.

Time flies when you are having fun!  It's so true.  I can't really believe I'm saying this, but two kids is not really that much harder.  Gasp!  Yes, it's more work, but harder?  Not really.  Granted, it's been a while since I've been able to blog, and Dave and I have had zero time for ourselves... but we are just busier.  I guess some would argue that means harder?  I just keep thinking back to poor Baby K and her colic and reflux and incessant crying night after night.  This is a piece of cake compared to that!  It felt like such an adjustment too!  Life before having a kid and life after having a kid is a HUGE change.  Now, we are already parents so we "get it" and are just adding another into the mix.  Thank God, Wyatt is a very happy, content and easy baby!  Therefore, we just are a little busier than before.  Extra blessed!  With greater blessings comes greater responsibility!  =)

And because I don't want to forget a thing... here's what we've been up too!  

Wyatt at 5 weeks old!

He now wears a size 3 months!  They are so different in so many ways and so I don't like comparing my kids, but I'm not used to this growing up soooo fast business!  Kennedy was early and it took her much longer to grow.  He's growing like a weed!  I feel like I'm gonna blink and he'll be towering over me with armpit hair asking to borrow my car. gulp.  

So for now... I savor every tiny inch of my growing boy.

I tell him every day that he is mommy's boy.  I heard the quote "A daughter is a daughter for life and a son is a son until he takes his wife."  We have been having many good convos about this.  Luckily for me, he is such a good listener.  {Can you psychologically begin damaging your son as an infant? hehe}

All jokes aside.... as I watch him staring at his mobile in his crib, it blows my mind to think that someday he will grow to be a big man!  Such big responsibility for me!  I feel a little nervous, but oh so blessed!  

As for my girl.... she just LOVES Christmas!  She is obsessed with baby boys {hence our "you will love your baby brother" brainwashing}, so the fact that Jesus was a "blue baby" too has made her really into the story of His birth and why we celebrate.    She is also into the decorations and Santa and elves this year too.  So fun!  

She was frozen {above} watching the video my mom made for her from Santa Claus via Portable North Pole.

If you haven't heard of the site, you can go and make a video from Santa Claus to someone to see if they are on Santa's naughty or nice list.  Can you guess which list Bama {my mom} made the video tell K she was on?

NICE of course!  YAY!  We cheered!

Kennedy's school ended last week until the first of the year.  Her teachers are just the sweetest, and we are soooooo blessed to have them.  They helped the kids make special gifts for mom and dad!

Our Christmas ornament she made!

And she made this too!  I love the things she brings home!  She is so proud to give me things, and I am equally and sentimentally proud to be on the receiving end.  =)

My favorite thing is when Kennedy will say, "Can I hold blue baby?"  She doesn't call him Wyatt.  She calls him "blue baby".  She loves him so much!  Not that I want things to speed up any faster, but I can't wait until they actually start interacting.  I know he is going to be mesmerized by her!

There are days when I hear, "put blue baby down and hold me" and there are days when her fake cries outnumber his real cries, but then there are as many moments like this.... to outweigh all difficult transitions.  Knowing the love and childhood bond they will share is so special to me.  I know that no matter what happens to me and their daddy, that they will always be connected in a way that cannot compare to any other relationship.  They will be the glue to our family's future, and I'm so thankful God gave them one another.  

Wyatt's a pretty lucky dude for having such a cool big sis. 

He is my drag along baby.  Just going to and from Kennedy's school is a process.  In and out and in the cold and out of the cold.  I would have died if I would have had to drag Kennedy around this much when she was born!  HA!  Oh how things change.  First time parent vs. second time parent.  Life goes on and you can't be afraid to go outside and live it.  After all, the two year old won't let you be that way!  He doesn't mind though!  Not even when we have to go to the doctor.  That's where we were last Friday.  

6 weeks old!  So sweet!  

After a week of having a cold, last Thursday night I noticed Kennedy having a terrible cough.  I took her to the doctor Friday morning and after pneumonia was ruled out, we were sent home with antibiotics to heal a nasty upper respiratory and sinus infection. {Mother of the year.  sigh.} My poor girl was so sick, and the medicine has made her sooooo hyper!  She is like a mad woman, and then she crashes. She hates the orange flavored augmentin too.  It is a battle every time we take it, so finally we started serving it to her in yogurt.  Yogurt that the "yogurt monster" is on his way to eat if she doesn't gobble it up!  I need to do an entire post about the "white lies" of bribery I use.  I'm not sure if this is good parenting?  Oh well... whatever works?  It's about survival, right?  Don't answer that.

And Ho Ho Ho!  Look who's now 7 weeks old, in a size 1 diaper and loves smiling and interacting when you talk to him!

My 11 pound boy was FINE yesterday morning before I left him for a few hours with my mom.  We noticed a rash on his face when I got home and his eyes were oozing some nasty "boogers".  I was more concerned about the rash since he has had a stopped up tear duct since birth and kind of oozes eye boogers anyway.  I decided to take him to the doctor for the rash.  By the time we were at the doctor he was screaming and his eyes were matted shut with the nastiest, thickest brown discharge.  Gross!  

Sure enough, my boy has a nasty eye infection.  We have antibiotic eye drops and an ointment for his rash. I can't believe that we have been to the doctor twice in one week for two separate illnesses.  Welcome to life with two kids!  I keep waiting for them to pass their sickness to one another.  {knocking on wood....hard.}

In sickness and in health... my goodness.... I'm the luckiest gal in the world!  Look how precious my sweet babies are!?  

Wouldn't trade one day of caring for them!

Kennedy is feeling better but still not 100% and Wyatt is still contagious.  We were supposed to go play with our friend, Hudson, this morning, but after sleeping in after a rough night and with Wyatt's crusty eye boogers, we decided not to drag our germs into Hudson's house.  

Instead, we took our germs to the mother load cesspool of bacteria and parasites..... in other words.... the children's museum.  Ha!

We had a blast!  Wyatt slept while I pushed him in his stroller, and K and I played.  We had the ENTIRE museum to ourselves.  So much fun.  That has NEVER happened.  {Did someone tip the germaphobe moms off that my sick kids were coming?  Thanks, if so!}

Afterwards, we went to the Cosi located in the same building and K and I made smores!

Yummy!

She was amazed that her marshmallow could catch on fire!  Look at that chocolate all over her mouth!

"Wow mom!  This is amazing and cool too!"  Her. exact. words.  I swoon.

A reflection on our transition.

5 weeks ago I was freaked out about how much I missed Kennedy and how demanding Wyatt was.  I cried at the thought of how in the world I would do this without help.  {a little dramatic... I know. ;) }

2 weeks ago I stressed about how I would divide my time to give them both enough of me.

Today.... 7 1/2 weeks post partum, I realized as my sweet boy slept peacefully and my beautiful girl smiled from ear to ear... that I'm not gonna be the perfect mom.  I'm not able to do enough and give enough of me.  Not every day is gonna be a GREAT day!  That's okay though...because today was a great day. With the sick days, the hard busy days, the boring days and the really great days like today.... we are doing exactly what every mom with more than one child told me we would do.... surviving. 

And to be honest... if you are lucky enough to say you get to survive this kind of life on a daily basis... well, then you have a lot to be thankful for.   I know I do.