Snowy Sunday

I wish I were a better blogger. Today we are snowed in, again. Church was canceled and we have nothing to do. So I guess I have time to blog. :)

Lately I have no energy. Must be something about this 5 pound human being I'm carting around inside of me. I seriously could sleep all day and night. And only go to the bathroom 30 times.

And I am officially huge.

Seriously.

See for yourself.
Complete with a blurry, no make-up, no hair done picture.

Wow.
What a hottie.
I can't wait till I look like a real human being again.
Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be able to be a mother? Because despite all my complaints, I really am.
And we're in the final countdown! Only 6 more weeks! Woo-hoo!

Because I have no energy (and maybe have been taking a few extra naps here and there) my wonderful husband has picked up a lot of my slack. Dinners, floors, dishes, Addie.
He's awesome. Here he is washing the dishes.
I love this guy.

Here is Christian breaking out of the hospital.
(yes, these are a couple weeks old. I am a bad blogger.)
We were so surprised they were letting us go so quickly, I threw everything into our bags and we bolted. We were so glad to leave!!!

And here is his sick bed at home. He was on bed rest that whole weekend. We called him "The Germ" and made him sleep on the couch covered with sheets.

Here he's all like "You better not be taking a picture of me!" and then he snapped his fingers in a "Z" formation.

I think he got a little tired of hanging out with me.
And only me.
For almost a week.

I'm sure I don't know how anyone could get tired of that, do you?!

We tried to keep Addie away from him but she loves him so much! So I finally gave in a little and let them have some cuddle time.
So cute.

Matt finally remembered to take the camera to catch pictures of our cheerleader, since I keep forgetting. She got moved up to the front row and put in the middle cause she's been doing so well. Isn't she beautiful?!

Love her!

They finally finished the playground in our neighborhood, so before the snow this weekend Addie and I braved the frigid temperatures and checked it out. It's really nice! Addie loved it and I loved wearing her out right before her nap. We'll be spending a lot of time there as soon as we thaw out.

Here you can see part of our neighborhood and all the new construction. That wakes me up from my naps.
Every day.

It was so cold!
But she was playing like a girl with a mission!

Okay, I hear my bed calling my name...

We're home!!!

We made it home this morning at 9:30! How's that for an early release from the hospital?! I was very pleasantly surprised! And I can now explain why he was in the hospital.

On Tuesday Christian came home from school at 2:30 with a backache. He said his back felt like it was broken. He went downstairs, like he does everyday. I heated up my rice pack for his back and took it down and he was already asleep in his bed. He slept until 5:30.

While he was asleep I googled meningitis symptoms. I knew it had to do with the spine and wondered if his sudden backache could be a symptom. 

When he woke up he said he had a headache. I asked if his neck hurt and he said it did when he turned his head. So I called his pediatricians after-hours emergency line. She asked if I had checked his temperature, which I did and found it was 101.8. She said I should take him to the ER.

Matt gave him a beautiful blessing and off we went. I can say this now because he's okay, but I was a wreck. We only waited about 15 minutes, but I was totally ready to go insist they take us back immediately the whole time. I was ready for a scene but I didn't want to scare Christian. And I was afraid that if I started crying I wouldn't stop.

Thankfully we did only wait 15 minutes and as soon as they took his vitals and checked his symptoms they took us to an ER room. The doctor came and checked him and said it looked like meningitis and the only way to test is by performing a spinal tap. At that point Christian got really scared. His tears somehow pushed mine further back and it was easier to be strong. I did call my support system, knowing I would need the back-up strength. Matt was there in 10 minutes.

Christian was a total tough guy as he got his spinal tap. They said they usually have to sedate children, but Christian did awesome. We were so proud of him. They took out 2 teaspoons of spinal fluid and sent it to be tested. 

An hour later it came back positive for meningitis. We were being admitted for a minimum of 48 hours. Seriously?! Holy moly. What do we do now?!  

The doctors didn't want us broadcasting that he has meningitis. They said it causes panic and there was no need to cause panic before we knew that it was bacterial. That's why I didn't explain before. No need for panic.

Matt went to pick us up some food while I stayed with Christian. Then we switched off and I came home to pack a bag and kiss the girls goodnight. It was 11:00 pm by this time, but Addie was still up and crying. I rocked Addie to sleep and tucked Alexis in.

We decided that Matt would stay home with the girls since it was too late to call anyone. And Christian and I began our journey at the hospital.

They started him on antibiotics immediately. One was administered once every 24 hours and the other every 6 hours. An hour before his 6 hour antibiotics he had to take Benadryl because he had a reaction to it. And then they checked his vitals every few hours. That meant that we had nurses at 10:00 pm, 11:00, and 12:00 then again at 2:00 am, 5:00, 6:00, breakfast at 8:00, doctors rounds at 9:00, and on and on. Not a lot of sleep or rest going on there.

Matt kept things together at home. Each day for an hour or 2 we traded places so I could come see the girls. That was difficult because when I was at the hospital I wanted to be with the girls, but when I came home I only wanted to be at the hospital. Alexis' friend Robin and her family made sure Alexis, and sometimes Addie, were fed and where she needed to be.

This morning the doctor came and said the results were back and it was viral meningitis. A virus that went to the fluid in his brain and spinal cord. It can't be treated with antibiotics, it just has to run it's course, usually about 2 weeks. And though it is contagious, it is only contagious as a virus. It won't necessarily cause meningitis in anyone else.

So thankful!

Christian was only there for 2 1/2 days. It was a very difficult 2 1/2 days. And he started feeling better immediately. I cannot imagine parents that have to manage that for extended periods, especially when the child is feeling ill. I have always been thankful for good health, but this was a great reminder. It is such a precious gift and I am so thankful.

Speaking of thankful. On Wednesday afternoon I called my good friend Colleen, who also happens to be the Relief Society President (womens organization) at church. I left her a quick message about what was going on. And then Christian and I took the opportunity in between nurses coming in, and took a much needed nap. By the time I woke up Matt had called and left a message that we had Addie babysitting arranged for as long as we needed it. Thank you Lana! I also had an email waiting for me from a neighborhood friend that said we had meals coming for the next few nights. Thank you Jen!

We are healthy. We are blessed. We are thankful. 

And we are home.

The non-update update

I was pretty sure we wouldn't be going home tonight, but I was hopeful and trying to be positive! But no. During rounds this morning we got the bad news that we would be here till at least tomorrow morning. I thought the dr. said something about the lab work not being done after hours, but the nurse I just talked to said it's that the dr's don't want to come discharge at all hours. That makes more sense. At least they told us early so we weren't thinking all day we'd be home tonight. We were prepared and ready for it.

Our day...

Goofing around.

Our luxury suite.

Pouting because I wouldn't play with his hair. I've been ordered to keep a distance from him and when I really have to get close to him I've got to wash my hands really well.

Thank goodness for cell phones! We've done a lot of this...

and this.

Wish us luck on getting out of here tomorrow! We can't wait!

Oh what a night!

Or 2 nights really.

Everyone is fine. But Christian is in the hospital. We are on day 2 of our hospital stay. I brought him to the ER Tuesday evening and they admitted him for at least 48 hours. We should know more about what's going on tonight around 8:00 tonight, when hopefully (fingers and toes super crossed!) we'll be going home. 

I don't mean to be so vague, but... that's all I've got. 

We really are okay. I've been able to stay with Christian the whole time. He's being a total trooper! I think he's secretly enjoying the attention and meals in bed, and I know he's enjoying the non-stop tv! Matt has relieved me for an hour here and there to spend time with the girls and gather things for our stay. We've got lots of help from our ward family and friends here. 

Of course we could always use more prayers.

I finally remembered to bring my camera when I went home yesterday evening. So here is the first round of sympathy photos. I will be posting more later I'm sure. 

Here is the bane of his existence right now. 

The IV

Yummy! 

Hospital food!

It's really not so bad. And he's digging that they bring it to him and then I cut it all up and get it ready. 

It doesn't get much better than that!

Hopefully I can give all the details tonight when I will be posting from home!!!

Ra Ra, Lex!

A few months ago Alexis and her girlfriends in our neighborhood started practicing cheerleading. They worked really hard everyday stretching and learning routines. We were all so excited when she made the team!

We are very proud of her!

Yesterday Alexis finally got her cheerleading uniform. She looks so cute in it! And way too grown up! Her first game is this weekend. We can't wait to see her cheer the Jaguars on!

Merry Christmas!

This was a few days after our blizzard. I didn't make it out before then to get a shot of our house cause I'm lame. :( Still cute though, right?!

Anyways, on Christmas Eve we opened our new Christmas jammies and went to look at Christmas lights in our neighborhood.

Addie wasn't quite feeling the opening of the presents. Here she is saying
"Don't make me open my pajamas! Come on!"

New jammies, cookies for Santa, and kisses.


We had a wonderful, white, quiet, rainy Christmas day! I had been missing our two big kids (who since school got out have spent about 2 hours at home, or so it seemed to me!) so I made a rule that they had to stay home all day. Except when I let Alexis go see her girlfriends presents. And also except for the hour that Matt, Addie, and I took a nap. But other than that they stayed home all day.

I don't ever sleep well in my 3rd trimester and add to that the little kid excitement I felt and I found myself waking up a lot throughout the night. Finally Matt woke up too. It was before 5:00. :) We finally came downstairs to wait. Christian came up around 5:30 and we all watched A Christmas Story. Alexis finally joined us at 7:00. They both wanted to wake Addie up immediately but I was still hoping she would wake up on her own. Finally, just before 8:00 I went and got her. She cuddled up to me as if she wanted to go back to sleep but I persevered in my mission to bring her down.

We opened our presents, watched some movies, and then played some games. Typical Christmas day activities. Much to the kids dismay we had another turkey dinner. I guess in their minds it's all about the ham on Christmas. Oh well. We missed our families. And we remembered our Savior. It was a good day. :)

Matt got a Dremel tool that he'd been drooling over for some time. I had no idea what it was, so with Christians help we got him to describe it and I made a trip to the helpful people at Lowes. Christian got him some wicked awesome shades and Alexis got him a sunglass case. And a cute gag gift that I'll spare you the details on. :) Seriously, you don't want to know. But it has to do with the bathroom. And wiping. That's all I'll say. ;)


I got my beautiful black rocking chairs for my porch. Of course it's been no warmer than 30 degrees since Christmas so I haven't actually used them, but I'm looking forward to it! A nice glass of lemonade while I watch the kids play outside... heaven! My little sister Allie got me a "Burberry" (I put it in quotation marks because it may or may not be actually Burberry, I'll never tell!) scarf that I've been wanting forever!!! Christian got me some (clip-on!) earrings that I love and Alexis got me a Bath and Body Works lotion and hair clips. So sweet!

Daddy even got a little one. It's waiting to be painted black to match the rest. Isn't it cute?!


Alexis couldn't come up with a Christmas wish list to save her life so I had to put my thinking cap on and I think I did a pretty good job. She got a nice hair straightener, boots, wall hangings for her room, and some clothes. Christian got her some cute earrings and she got some extra gifts from family and friends. She made out pretty well!


Christian wanted a paintball gun to go play with the Young Men in our ward at church. Every month they get together at one of the HUGE houses with tons of land and play paintball "old guys versus young guys" as Christian would say. So we got him a Tippin 98 Custom. Yes, I'm hard core. He also got some clothes and some sports stuff, plus some extras from far away family and friends. He was happy.

Addie had a baby fest! And she loved it! We got her a baby with a stroller, high chair, and bed. Uncle Joe and Auntie Sara sent her 2 babies and cousin Cosette sent her a baby. She was seriously in heaven! A baby in each piece of baby equipment and one in her arms, she's gonna be such a good big sissy! I am actually terrified of the day (which I know will happen!) that she'll totter up to me with the baby in her arms. Or I'll walk in and find them like that. Or walk in and find the baby on the floor and Addie looking worried. The list of scenarios could go on and on, you get the point. She also got a Little Tykes car for playing outside, although for now it's strictly an inside car, some clothes, puzzles, and trucks (yes, she's very well rounded!). She more than doubled her toy supply and has been having a blast with all her loot.

She wasn't interested in opening presents. At all. So here she is busy with all her new toys. And as a good mama you gotta test out your equipment!

We also got some fun Wii games from grandparents that we've had fun playing. We just had a really fun family day.

PS -
I'm not quite sure why I listed all of our gifts. I know that's not what the season is about. I guess to explain the pictures... I just kinda started typing and didn't stop. And my brain feels like it's having trouble working lately. It must be all this baby growing going on.

Cheers until next Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.

~Benjamin Franklin

Happy New Year! Ray style, just 4 days late. :)

Seriously, the next post will be a Christmas one. That seems about right, only a few weeks late. :)