Here we go again...trying to find a good way to share our pictures and videos with family and friends.
Where does the time go? I had every intention of keeping this site up to date with pictures and journals about the kids lives...ugh. I am convinced there is too much technology and stuff being thrown at you that you don't know which way to turn or what to do next. Wow, the world is so different than when we were growing up...let alone than when our parents were growing up. Things move so fast and it is all about what's next!
Our long weekend has been pretty nice. Something to be said for the end of Sunday when you say...ahhh, there is one more day off.
Kids kicked off last week with illnesses. Jack did at least...double ear infection with a fever for 3-days. Took him back and the thought he had strep too but since the antibiotic would take care of it, they didn't officially test him. Which now I wish they would have because come Friday, Josey also had a fever. Saturday we took her in and they weren't sure...fifths disease because of the flushed cheeks...or just the start of an ear infection. They assumed the ears and started her also on an antibiotic.
At least the weekend started off with both in fairly good moods. Fevers gone, and not so cranky. That was nice.
We took a bike ride to the ice cream place last night...hot...but it was fun. Now today, we are off to a pancake breakfast with Grammy and Grandpa and the Geneva parade. The rest of the day may be a little yardwork and relaxing!! It is back to work and school tomorrow.
Don't you wish everyone got a summer vacation!!
I feel like we have been on a constant roll of doctor appointments. Though most of them have been well visits for check ups...I am tired of those darn $20/$35 co-pays. Not to mention, seems like we have a well visit, then lo and behold...someone is sick.
Josey is doing better with her croup. Cough is almost gone, only once in ahwile do you hear those wet thick coughs.
But Jack...now he has something going on that is not pretty. Don't think it is croup. Mostl likely just a cold, but man, runny nose, coughing, a little cranky. Thank goodness for Vick's. LOVE, love their products. We put vick's on their chest (though Josey had a crazy crying reaction to it last time I tried...not skin reaction...just didn't like how it felt), we put vicks in the water humidifier to moisten the room and fill it with that vapor rub smell, and just recently I found the plug in's with Vicks so you don't have to use it in a humidifier, just plug it in and those nice vapors fill the room.
Ahhh...and they sleep so wonderfully! That is nice, because there is nothing worse than BOTH kids up hacking and coughing and crying multiple times a night - you know they aren't up at the same time either...so (I) get very little sleep. Joe, on the other hand, sleeps like a baby...like a baby should!!!
So, we are off to a dentist appt for me and Josey tonight. Josey had her heart doc appt yesterday and she thinks things sound the same and ordered an Eco-cardiogram to compare it to the one she had early on. Then we don't have to check back in for another two years...oooo, ahhh...only two years? I was kind of hoping for...until there are any issues kind of thing. We will see...she doesn't have any issues now with breathing or turning blue, so maybe it won't be an issue long term. Just something to live with.
Everything else is good...hoping sicknesses get over with soon, and mom and dad don't get anything!!
Yup, Josey has/had the croup. Tuesday morning she woke up a little scared, like she couldn't breathe. Real hoarse sounding, breathing heavy. I was able to calm her down, give her some water and she fell back to sleep for a bit. Then when she got up, she seemed find. A little bit of a cough, but nothing that said "keep her home!!"
3pm, get a call that she has a low grade fever. Make a doc appt and get her in because they said she was wheezing, and when I picked her up she was having a hard time breathing and a real "barky" cough.
Doc checked her out, listened to her, and yup, had croup. But man, she really sounded bad. And was really worried about her breathing, wondering if her airway was restricted by something, glands swollen, etc. I tell you, the things that you question and wonder at times like this. Like, did maybe a spider get in her mouth last night, bite the back of her tounge, and now her throat is swollen almost shut!! I know...crazy...but came across my mind. Then of course, could it be tonsollitis? Ugh...the thought of going through a surgery...
So when she said it was just croup and her airways sounded good, yada yada...I was relieved. The suggested the nebulizer again for about a week or until her barky cough went away. So we stayed home Wednesday.
She seems to be better. No more fever, a little hoarseness, but better. Just hope nothing else stems from this...doc said often ear infections follow in a few days. Ugh...she has been on such a great track with no ear infections...maybe we will starve that off!!
So, they prescribed this Zopenex stuff for the neb treatments...I knew I must have some left over from when Jack had to use the neb this past winter/spring. So I went home first to check. Nope, didn't see it. So I had Joe pick up the presciptions at the store...when he got home he told me it was $92. Waaaaaa the heck?!?! And we have insurance...however Josey must not have reached her deductible yet. And the REAL kicker?! When I went to go get the neb from the cubourd, there were 2 packs of the prescription!! Ugh..
Tried to call and see if we could return the one we just bought for $92 because now we have 3 packs of this stuff. Nope, once it leaves the pharmacy they cant take it back because it can't be given out to anyone else. I guess that makes sense when you have a filled prescription with liquid or pills...this was a box of blister pack, sealed stuff. I mean, really, just relable the darn thing!! Little upset...but who knows, the kids may get wheezing this winter again and might end up using it anyway! God knows best.
So that was our fun week!! I was able to get some organizing done around the house when I was home with Josey. She helped...kind of. Doesn't like much the cleaning up portion, would much rather make the mess and play. Don't we all!
Have a great weekend.
Wow, we did so much this weekend, I cannot believe it is over...finally!!!
Saturday moning, we went berry (and apple) pickin. Long drive in the morning up to Union. Beautiful small little farm with rows and rows of raspberries and apples. And it was perfect because we were at a small farm with not too many crowds and no "entrance" fee to get in. And just down the road was a bigger farm, albiet, it had a small animal farm and a few other "activities" to do...but I don't think Jack or Josey noticed a difference. After all, we told them we were going to pick apples and raspberries...not go see farm animals.
They had such a blast...and wanted to eat all the raspberries before we bought them...so tempting.
Then we dropped the kiddos off at grandma and grandpa's while we went for a ride on the bike. What a beautiful afternoon to do that...we just rode and rode...an ironically enough, went right past the farm we were at earlier in the day.
Sunday, we tried everything in our power to get up and organized to head to church on time...and when 9am, came around and we were still trying to get our bags packed for later in the afternoon...we gave up. Gosh, how do people do it with two kids and soooo much to do in their day. Whew...something has to go.
So Josey and I ran some errands...then we packed up to head north to join Susie and Scott on their boat for the afternoon. Again...passing the same farm we had already passed twice the day before...haa!
By the time we got up there though, the clouds had followed us. A bit chilly and overcast, but that did't stop the kids from REALLY enjoying their first boat ride. Josey just had a blast with Kaitlyn and Zack...and Jack tried to stay busy on the small area he had to play and try to walk around. He is at such an age that he just wants to go and do and be everywhere. So to be confined to this little area was a little challenging. But the both did great.
Happy we are home...ready to crash and get ready for a busy week.
Runny nose that is. Not sure if it is more teeth - he already has 4 of them, all that he should have for his age right now - or allergies. I bet allergies. Joe is sniffling and taking Anti-histamines, and Joe seems to be in sync with Jack's sniffles...
I am trying to ward off any possibility of an ear infection though. Ugh...hate those. Jack has had one in his first year...I think Josey probably had 3 by this time...so he is fairing a bit better. So I am trying to pump him up with vitamin c, saline nasal sprays, and washin his hands ALL the time.
Interestingly enough, we started giving him some cow's milk about a week ago, with his meals, to get him used to it and see if he had any weird reactions to it. Josey had stomach issues with the milk when she turned 1, so we had her on soy for about 6 months then was able to switch her over. So we were being cautious to see if he had any reactions...could be the source of his stuffy/runny nose and cold. Trial and error, that is all we can do.
This weekend we are hoping to go visit an apple/raspberry farm and pick some of our own!! The kids LOVE raspberries, and they are in season (toward the end of the season), so hopefully we will have a nice drive north through the scenic roads, and find a small pick your own place to go. I think the kids will love it!
Every weekend goes by so fast with these two little ones. Before I know it, Sunday night rolls around and I am wondering what I got done (usually not much) and what I still need to do (usually everything!!). I know it is just a season, that Jack will soon be a year old, walking, and able to fend for himself for awhile longer - and not need moms constant attention - and that soon he will be staying up a little later than 6:30pm and soon down to one nap, etc, etc. It is tough trying to get anything simple done...unless both kids are napping...but then that eliminates being able to vaccuum or mow the lawn in fear they will be woken up too soon!
Just a season!
I feel a bit of relief that September and October weekends are fairly open right now. No big parties, get togethers, obligations...just room to fill up with those things...and quickly I bet. But it does leave some time to be together as a family, maybe enjoying the fall weather, going for walks, picking up pumpkins, etc.
Fall is my favorite time of year...something about the change that happens, in the weather, in the trees, in the routines. I am excited what this next year will hold...