Rough Day...But All Went Well

Daddy getting ready to take Gavin into surgery.

Daddy getting ready to take Lincoln into surgery.


The day started by feeding Gavin at 4:30. Praise God that we didn't get the snow and ice that was in the forecast. Jamie and I went back to bed and slept for another hour. Then got up and headed to Iowa City. Fed Lincoln on the way. I was feeling EXTREMELY sick. Day 4 with the flu bug - AGAIN! This time no vomitting but diarrhea. I'm so dehydrated I only was able to pump 2 ounces! (Compared to the 12 ounces I've been pumping lately.) Got to the hospital and things went sooo smoothly. The nurses were ALL so nice I couldn't believe it! Jamie was able to go in with Gavin to be there until they put him to sleep. He said it was a bit disturbing. Gavin was fighting it but finally fell asleep and looked dead. I was having extreme stomach cramps. I was useless. Jamie took care of Lincoln while Gavin had his surgery. 2 hours later they came out and said the surgery was done and went well. I was going to go in with Lincoln - but couldn't because I felt like I was going to pass up every time I sat upright or tried to stand. And the stomach cramps were so bad. One of the nurses gave me some ibuprofen and Jamie and I grabbed some lunch while Gavin was in recovery. That really seemed to help. Jamie took care of Gavin while Lincoln was in surgery. 2 hours later his surgery was done and it went well too. They had to give him extra pain medication during surgery because his heart rate was spiking. He came out of anesthesia very irritable. He cried a lot and was just not happy at all the way Gavin was. It just hit him a bit harder I guess. I was finally feeling a little better and able to take care of Gavin. I was able to pinpoint my stomach pain to my left kidney...and think I may have a kidney stone. When I got home I downed some percocet and am feeling a lot better now...although I can still feel the discomfort every time I lift something, lean to the left or take a deep breath. It was a rough day. We left at 6 this morning and got home at 6:30 tonight. But so thankful that God was there holding us up. I am very sad that I was so useless and was in so much pain that I could give very little attention to my boys. They are very swollen. They have a catheter in that will be removed next week. They have been given four different drugs - three for pain relief, one to fight off any possible infections.

Grandma is watching Grace and Vaughn. Although she is sick too. They love her so much and I'm so thankful to have someone I love and trust so much to take care of my babies when I can't.

Nana stayed with Lucy today and took her to school. Lucy loved it. She said they were going to watch a movie, play with playdough and eat popcorn. Came home to a clean house which was so nice since I feel so cruddy.

Starting to feel lightheaded again...so I'm going to bed.

Ali

Ali watched Lucy and Grace last night. They LOVED her. Lucy bawled when I took her home. When I got back home, we sat down and Lucy wrote her a note that said "Ali, please come over tomorrow. Please. Please. Pleeeeeeease! Please come play with me. Please come over Ali." Well...there were a lot of pleases in there. Finally a babysitter that I LOVE LOVE LOVE! And the girls do too.

Jamie

Jamie has rescheduled his surgery for Friday, December 8th - the day before his birthday.

Surgeries

Lincoln and Gavin have their Hypospadias surgery on Thursday...provided they don't have so much as a runny nose.

Jamie has his umbilical hernia surgery on Tuesday December 5th. No lifting ANYTHING over 8 pounds for 6 weeks. Not sure how we're going to work that out yet since he's the one who takes the boys to day care everyday. But it will work out. Things always do.

Lucy's Order

Lucy wanted to stop at McDonald's on the way home Saturday evening. She wanted a hamburger with no celery, no pickles and hamburger...one hamburger and one bun. And some ketchup.

Gavin's First Tooth

Gavin got his first tooth yesterday. Finally...he's been working at it for some time now. It's his bottom middle-right tooth.

Mommy's Little Helper

Let Lucy feed Lincoln by herself for the first time last night. She fed him his entire bowl of food. She was so patient with him and did such a great job. In this picture she is excited because she let him feed himself.

Thanksgiving

I can't believe how fast the weekend has gone by. Went to Nana and Papa's on Wednesday evening. Jamie, Lucy, Grace and I usually takeover Nana and Papa's room (we've given up fighting them on it :)) the three boys in their three pack n' plays takeover the tv room (Shawna's old bedroom) - with Nana on the couch and Nana and Papa move to the small guest bedroom. Jamie and I made a deal...he sleeps in when we sleep at my mom's house and I sleep in when we sleep at his mom's house...although neither of us ever get to sleep in much later that 7am. Had his entire immediate family home on Thanksgiving. The kids got to see their cousins - McKenna (4) and Parker (almost 1). Had a wonderful lunch and Nana got her pictures of the 7 grandkids. Friday morning went to my mom's house for Thanksgiving. Lots of my favorite foods. Friday night mom watched the boys and Jaden while my sister and I and our hubbies took our three girls to the "Happy Feet". What a great movie. I may have loved it so much because Mumble reminded me of Vaughn. Vaughns bright blue eyes and fuzzy head...and his happy feet :)


Saturday night we went to the lighted parade.

Pressures of the Season

Feeling a little stressed these days. Feeling the pressure of Christmas. The shopping, the decorating, the baking, trying to make everyone feel as special as they really are to me and the pressure of keeping Christmas focused on Jesus.

Going away for Thanksgiving. Need to pack. Where do I begin?? Baby food, diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, breastpump supplies, sleeping gear, clothes, clothes and moe clothes. I should have started this last night but just couldn't bring myself to do it! And actually...the packing is not so bad. It's the unpacking that is hard. My house will be destroyed for days as I try to put everything back in order.

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already. The days have flown by since the boys were born. So much to be thankful for.

Christmas Shopping

Christmas shopping continues to go well. Got a gift for my mom yesterday. Ordered the kids' pj's. Received the boys stockings last night. I had bought a Pottery Barn monogrammed "Lucy" stocking from ebay one year. Felt good that I got such a great deal. Well then I had to get the same style for Grace. Hmmm...none on ebay...not such a good deal anymore. This year...well...3 more not so cheap monogrammed Pottery Barn stockings. I'm finding 5 kids to be very expensive. I know - BIG SURPRISE! Lucy had a fancy dress her first Christmas. Aunt Susie bought it from Dillards. Her second Christmas she was a big sister and her and Grace got "fancy" dresses from Walmart. Ok...so they weren't really expensive but they were cute. I realized with 2 kids I couldn't spoil them both with expensive dresses that they'll only wear a couple of times. This year...no fancy dresses at all. Sorry girls. But you'll look ever so cute in your fancy pj's. So maybe they're not fancy...but you can wear them many, many nights. And they'll be cute in pictures.

As you can see below...there's very little these children need when it comes to play things.

Lucy and her presents 2003

Lucy and her & Gracie's presents 2004

7 Months

Lincoln

Gavin

Vaughn

Friends

Eating lunch at Columns & Chocolate. Great day in Kalona. Great friends.

Thanks to Auntie Jenna and Uncle Terry who helped Jamie take care of my children so I could enjoy a mommy's day out. We love them both so much and appreciate all they do for us.

Into Herself

Lucy loves taking pictures. Especially of herself...mostly of her feet. Here's one that she took that she's extremely proud of.

Poor Rob

Someone pranked Rob while he was gone on Friday. Someone covered everything in his office with newspapers and Christmas wrap. I kinda like the look myself. He took it well and no one got fired. Possibly because there is no evidence of who the culprit is.

Kalona

Yesteray I went to Kalona with my mom's group. We hit the country store, Stringtown Grocery, the Cheese Factory, Sisters, Willow Creek and a couple other little shops I can't remember the name of. All were super cute. We ate at Columns & Chocolate. Oh man was that good. Three of us had the lasagna. It was the best lasagna I've EVER had. It's definitely more of a ladies cafe. I can't imagine many men in there with all the dainty china and frilly decorations. Made me think of Jill. We really had a great time. So thankful for the friends I have.

More Christmas Presents

I just ordered Jamie's present today!! Yay!! Although he doesn't read my blog...Jon & Bethany do and Jon would tell him...so I won't say what I got :)

I also got my dad's present bought yesterday and both of Lucy's teachers.

Friday I ordered gifts for each of the grandparents online.

I'm running out of ideas though.

Too Much TV?

Lucy saw some tubs of sugar I bought for decorating cookies. She ran up to me and hugged me screaming "Thank you Mommy, Thank you Mommy! Thank you for buying all those." I thought she was very excited to get to decorate cookies. But then she started explaining to cousin McKenna that mommy bought her stuff that you can pull and shape and...I realized she was talking about "Floam". I asked her who has floam that she plays with..."It's on TV."

She just found a switch in our house that does absolutely nothing. She asked me...I told her it does nothing. She asked Jamie, he told her it does nothing. She then asked if it makes the neighbors garage door go up and down. (Another commercial.)

Way too much TV being watched here.

A Couple Pictures

At the movie "Flushed Away"

At church - don't they look cute!

Circa 21

Susan and I took mom to Circa 21 tonight for her birthday. Saw the show "Irving Berwin's White Christmas". We had a GREAT time! Spent 5-6 hours together driving, eating dinner, & watching the show. Learned a lot about my mom tonight. It was really cool.

Christmas Presents

Yay! I'm back on track! Got Mike's present bought tonight. A Morel Mushroom growing kit. (He doesn't read my blog so it's ok.) And got Jaden's Christmas present bought tonight. A Shining Star plate and journal. Susan and I really desire to start some traditions with our family...and this shining star plate is for that.

Jackie and Jean

They are just not right. They are teaching my children to crawl. Jamie and I came home tonight to find Lincoln and Gavin practically crawling. Thank goodness Vaughn is a good boy and just lays there still!!

Online Christmas Gift #2

A Wheely Bug - for Grace...although it's from Nana and Papa so it didn't help me get any of my shopping done :)

What Would I Do Without You?!

I feel like I keep saying it over and over and over. Thank you. Kim and Donna came over and helped Jamie feed and watch kids while I went to my mom's group last night. When I came home - all were peaceful and my kitchen was clean. Kim had brought with her a basket of laundry that she took home last week. Thanks guys! I woke up this morning forgetting that you had done the dishes...thinking I had to do them. When I got to a clean kitchen I just smiled. It felt so good!!!!!!! You are loved and appreciated.

Online Shopping

After a very unsuccessful Christmas shopping trip to the Quad Cities with 5 crabby kids on Sunday...I am now going to have to do most of my Christmas shopping online. My goal is to buy one or two gifts a day until Christmas. We'll see how that goes. Yesterday - a personalized kid's apron from Pottery Barn for my neice. Super cute. Free shipping. Free personalization. Can't beat it! Plus I've already got the cheerios cookbook from Barnes and Noble to go with it!! Throw in a couple kid-sized utensils and BAM! she's a chef. Thinking maybe I need to get Lucy the same thing for her birthday :)

Whirlwind

This has been a whirlwind week. I don't even know what to write...but know that maybe if I get started something will just come out. 4 of 5 children are in bed. Yay! Woke up to a sick child again. We thought at first Lucy just wet the bed. She said, "no, my butt is just sweaty". Then the color combined with the smell confirmed the obvious...diarrhea had struck again. I stayed home from work - Debbie had the day off. After 4 poopy diapers, a sick daughter, pancakes, vacuuming crackers out of the chair & carpet and completely cleaning the bathroom I looked at the clock - it was only 9 am and I was wishing I was at work today. I know that the only way I could ever be a stay at home mom is after my kids are in school. Kind of defeats the purpose though I suppose. :)

Donna and Kim took 3 kids and laundry last night. I had a burst of energy and cleaned like crazy. What a great feeling to know that as I'm cleaning one room another room is NOT being destroyed.

The boys are so animated lately. Mom has used the greatest adjective yet to describe Vaughn - INTENSE. Happy or Upset - he seems to have just those two moods and whichever he is it's intense. Lincoln - still so serious. But so lovey. Loves attention. He is also a mover. Last night Jamie set him by the chair and he ended up side by side with Gavin. Gavin - almost always happy. Keep him fed with a clean diaper and you've got one content child. All three raised the same - all three so, so different.

Just put Gracie to bed about an hour ago. Unfortunately her green blankie from Jenny was just washed and still wet. She cried for 40 minutes until that blankie was dry. I don't think I had finished covering her up with it before she was asleep.

Lucy loves playing grandpa. Ok, seems weird. But my dad came for a vist and he likes to drink coffee. So she pulls out her play coffeepot EVERY NIGHT and pretends to be grandpa and I'm baby. She combs my hair (which I LOVE), drives me to the "parade" and then to a movie. Sometimes she reads me a book. Her favorite..."I Love You, Stinky Face". One of my favorites too...especially listening to her sweet little voice read it to me.

Jamie was sick all day yesterday - but got lucky enough to never throw up. He's feeling mostly better today. Thank goodness neither of us were at our worst at the same time. And thank goodness that he's such an involved dad that he just takes over when I can't do it. What would I do without him?

Ok...I'm tired. This is boring. I'm going to bed.

I Need to be a Cow

Lucy has asked me to come and be a stray cow. She wants to use the vacuum cleaner cord (again) and be a cowgirl. Moo.

Are We Having Company?

How come every time I clean Lucy asks me if we're having company?

She is wondering if, since the house is getting clean, Jenny can come and be our company?

OK - I never say we're having "company" - so don't know where she got that.

Recoving Puke-aholics

Yes...we're all recovering from it. Started Tuesday night around 8 pm with me and an upset stomach. Thought it was from supper. After my first go round at midnight - I thougt I was done...after all I had successfully emptied every last bit from my gut and bowels. At 3 am - it hit again. This time so badly that I had to follow up with a shower...only to have to get out of the shower for round 3. I was vomitting so hard that I have broken blood vessels around my eyes that look like little red & blue freckles. Very beautiful. Called into work sick on Wednesday. Lucy and Gavin had been spending the night at Grandma's house. Mom called and said Lucy started in around 4 that morning, Gavin around 7. Every time Lucy would take even the smallest sips of water...it would come back up. Mom brought the kids home around noon and stayed to take care of us all. Thankfully both kids have been able to keep down Pedialyte. Jamie started feeling sick Tuesday night too, but it didn't hit him until last night. He's home right now trying to recover. WOW! How come when I write this it doesn't sound nearly as painful and disgusting as it really was. Plan for today: Sanitize the entire house top to bottom.

Girls in Their "Scottie" Dresses

Audition Picture for elf in Santa Clause Movie

We Now Know

Lucy told Jamie last night that "kids get to do whatever they want."

Blue Eyed Beauty

Vaughn at Grandma's House

Splish Splash

The Week

Lucy went over to play with Zeke and Malachi Monday. (Thanks Betsy and Cathy :) )

Going Away/Prayer Party for the Emmerts on Monday night. They leave to go back to Africa on Tuesday, November 7th :( We'll miss them so much.

Mom took Grace and Vaughn home to spend two nights with her on Wednesday. Kim took Lincoln and Gavin for a couple of hours Wednesday and Lucy had Awanas Wednesday. So I had two hours completely without kids. I sat on my bum and watched TV the entire time (except for a load of dishes and a quick pickup of the living room). Without Vaughn, we didn't hear a peep out of the boys room the entire night!! Two nights of great sleep - yay!!

But we missed Grace and Vaughn a lot. Gracie is so stinkin' cute these days. And Vaughn is very animated - either super happy or super sad. Rarely in between.

Lucy played with Emma at McDonalds on Thursday after preschool and then Emma came over for a few hours afterwards. Lucy fell asleep about a half hour before Emma left. But Emma and I had fun. She pretty much just finished watching a movie and we played with sparkly makeup.

Well - Lucy is waiting to play on the computer. So I guess I have to share.

Halloween

While at the mall Lucy saw a picture of a little girl as a witch and decided that's what she wanted to be. Well at home, I gave her the option of Zowie from Rollie Pollie, Sulley from Monster's Inc. or a Hawkeye Cheerleader...all costumes we had. She decided to be Zowie. At preschool, her teacher didn't recognize the costume and asked Lucy what she was going to be for Halloween. It took everyone by surprise when she said, "A witch!". So Jamie went to Wal-mart - no witches costumes. I went to Walgreens and found a hat and broom. She was very pleased. We found a dance costume and put a white shirt underneath. She loved it. :)

Went trick or treating with the Emmerts. Didn't go for very long...too, too cold. Then to Larry and Sue's for chili and to hang out. Had a great evening.
Lucy at Preschool as Zowie from Rollie Pollie Ollie.

Trick or Treat Night - Gracie as a butterfly, Lucy as a witch.

It was a very cold night.

New Modem

Guess our modem broke. Finally got it replaced from MPW and I'm back in business :)