Winter Whining - Erm Summary

Sinus Infection
Ear Infection
Influenza
Stomach Flu
Bronchitis
Strep Throat
Influenza (round 2)
Pneumonia
Hives
Tennis Elbow
Pink Eye

And that is my Winter 2017/2018 summary.  Throw in a bunch of dead calves from weather and bovine plague too.

This household has had a long winter. Supposedly Spring started last month, Mother Nature disagreed. Until there is 5 straight days above freezing and I spy green grass I consider it still winter.

Last Tuesday was in the 50s I opened all the windows in the house to air out residual plague and winter mucky blues, dug out the double stroller and took the kiddos for a walk.  I felt a little bit like the piped piper without a pipe, as I walked past houses I accumulated children.  By the time we were ready to cross the highway on the way to the park I had 9 children in procession.

Sunshine and being outdoors was worth it.  The next day was windy and rainy/haily/sleety, the following day heralded 4 inches of snow, the next day some more snow.  Still winter.

Montana Spring Traditions - blowing bubbles, catching snow flakes & building snowmen

Stealing and Trading Food.

We cancled Bear's birthday due to sickness, and finally were abel to celebrate on Easter.

On my mind, or out of it

Big D was puking last night, he only made it to the bathroom 2 out of 4 times. I am again firmly decided that we need to rip up our old carpet and refinish the hardwood floors. Or just rip up the carpet, the wood floors actually look pretty good.

This carpet has gone through 3 potty training children, horrific accidents and spills, grease, mud, and manure from the corral tracked over it. 6 1/2 years of stomach flu and exploding diapers. I am over the carpet shampoo-er and what to do with 5 kids and a damp carpet in winter.

In my mind, looking over our fence at the greener grass that is noncarpeted floors cleanup seems easier. What mom, strike that, person isn't 110% for easier cleanup?

At least one member of our household has been sick: either coughing, snifflely, achy, pukey, feverish, sneezing, Hershey squirts afflicted, plagued of some sort since the last week of January.

I blame the carpet. I can't sanitize the carpet. The carpet that our slobbery kissing germ sharing cuddly children crawl and roll across daily. Also the boys seem to have forgotten how hygeine works. The days of obsessive handwashing are over.

I am drinking coffee, hoping the kids will nap, and having hateful thoughts about carpet.

The Big D Turned 3

The Big D turned 3 in May. We had a small-ish birthday party by the lake and playground. We reserved the part of the gazebo closest to the playground. Nothing ever turns out like I envision in my mind, but overall it was fun.

I felt the genius of the plan was the kids being able to play outside and adults getting a chance to visit. My house isn't really big enough when both our families come. What I didn't think through was it was still hard to see the kids and the 15 trips to gather them up for eating, dessert, presents...everything. We had actually lost the majority of the party goers by the time we got the birthday boy situated to open presents.  However surrounded by friends and family always makes for a good time.

Baby Girl was passed around and cuddled and largely napped. The Hubby made some wonderful sloppy joes (don't let him fool you, he really can cook). The kids had fun so that is the point. The Big D love-love-loved his cake. I had an Aunt bring the grocery store a picture of Rubble from a Paw Patrol and asked them to put it on half a sheet cake.

However all the memories we made that day weren't so great. After opening presents the birthday boy fell backwards off the picnic table and landed head first onto the concrete. I got him calmed down and he was acting sleepy. I wish I would have been thinking more clearly, but I thought he was cuddly after being hurt and 3 hrs overdue for a nap. The Hubby did look at his eyes to check for concussion but it was really bright and he didn't want to open his eyes. We decided to take a drive around to look at some of the crops before going home. All three kids were asleep within minutes. We got home and the Hubby wanted to check the Big D's eyes again because he was still concerned about a concussion. I'm so dense I still thought he was just tired.  The Big D wasn't talking normal, wouldn't open his eyes, and started puking. All of the sudden I was more aware of what was really happening, he was dizzy and disorientated. He couldn't see straight which is why he kept his eyes closed. He was lethargic not sleepy. So I changed his clothes and took him to the car to go to the ER. He puked again. I went in and grabbed a towel. While we were there he seemed dizzy and just cried or curled up to sleep. Then I couldn't get him to wake up. The physician on call got him to and recommended a CT scan, was preparing me for the possibility of going to Billings for 24 hr observation. I called the Hubby and told him to get a bag ready.

My Mother-in-law was kind enough to rush in and stay with our other kids and the Hubby came to the ER to wait with us. Fortunately the Big D had a dramatic turn around. While I went with him for the CT Scan he started talking and opened his eyes, he was acting awake. By the time we got back to the room Daddy was there waiting and the Big D was acting like a 3 year old. Hiding under the bed and playing peek-a-boo with Daddy, climbing on him and chattering. Honestly it was like a light switch. The on all physician waited on the results and everything looked good, that coupled with his behavior change we were released to go home. He stopped finally stopped puking around 6pm. I woke him up every time is was up for a feeding with baby girl, and the Hubby had alarms set so he got up and checked on him in between.

The Big D's personality changed a bit, but overall he has snapped back. The Hubby noticed he isn't talking as clear as he was before, but he is still talking well for his age. He now covers his ears and doesn't like loud noises which didn't use to bother him. His appetite changed, he is no longer a bottomless pit and eats extremely slow (which isn't a bad habit). He also went through a period were he acted afraid to be around other kids other than his big brother. He hid in our house if the neighbor kids were out playing. Became really shy suddenly (which might be a phase rather than bump on the head related). The end of July and this month he has been asking to play with the neighbor kids and is seeming more like his old self. There are little things that seem off, but it could be normal changes. We talked with his Doctor at his 3 year old appointment and she said he is on track, but to call with any concerns. She also said it can take a little guy a long time to fully recover. So we are grateful for how well he is doing.

It has been 3 months since his concussion, and he still manages to hit hit his on something daily. I feel like wrapping him in bubble wrap, but the Hubby says I'm a worrier and he is a normal little boy. Maybe we could compromise and I could get him a helmet?

*sidenote: when we get our computer fixed I will add pictures to my catchup posts*

Photo Bomb 33

Dear Hubby,

This week is a bit foggy in my mind.  It is amazing how quickly time moves and I forget the small details.  My big accomplishment for the week is getting Christmas cards mailed out.  We dealt with a sick kiddo also, which why not a whole lot was accomplished. (I'm also lazy what with the livingroom rearrangement and the need to plug in and put away a cord every time I want to get online.)

The Toddler woke up in the wee hours on Wednesday and informed me that his bed was messy and to come see.  I expected that it would be a bit damp...he refused to make a trip to the bathroom before bed and had been chugging water.  Instead it was a much bigger mess!  He had mentioned his stomach hurt before bed, but it was tucked in the middle of a list of excuses:

• I'm not tired
• I'm scared of my room
• I don't like the dark
• I want to sleep in your bed
• I just love you and want to stay with you forever
• I'm hungry
• I'm thirsty
• I want to take a bath
• I want you to read me a book, five times!
• I want to talk to Daddy
• I want to snuggle with you
• I want to sleep on the couch

I stripped him down and his bedding and threw it all in the wash.  Well, him I threw in the bathtub and got him cleaned up.  He was thirst so I gave him a little water and tucked him into my bed.  By this point the Big D was beginning to stir, so I rocked him to sleep in the living-room ...and woke up in the morning to my bed meeting the same fate the Toddler's bed had met.

That is kinda how the week went.  The Big D never did get sick and was 150mph, and the Toddler recovered from his flu bug just in-time to catch a nasty fever and cough. All in all I ended up missing about half the work week...but I wasn't exactly not working.

 We did a lot of vegging on the couch, this is a rare moment of calm for the little one.

The Big D didn't quite grasp the concept of picking up,

but I guess he did get himself put away?

 The Toddler contemplating sending himself to see Daddy.

Measuring everything we can with the Bank's Christmas giveaway tape measure.

The boys playing with book covers
(or as I called them DIY pope hats)

 The Big D really wanting the "balls" on the tree,

and about to get in trouble for hammering the tree.

 Helping Aunt B cook

Seeing how they measure up.

At least someone seems almost as sad as Mamma for growing up too fast.

Photo Bomb 34

Dear Hubby,

This week our household finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel and are on the mend.  The Big D escaped any illness, but the Toddler saw it come and go.  Sunday I thought we were in the clear.  We had a fairly big day.  We enjoyed the Christmas Program the kids put on after mass, and after a lovely nap-time and getting to talk to you for several hours (always a big highlight) we had company.  I should have been smart enough to get out my camera....but I didn't.

Both boys enjoyed having two other little boys their age to play with.  I enjoyed having someone my age to visit with too! I was relieved to know I am not the only parent who has little ones with a fascination of tree ornaments.  I think the two moms enjoyed visiting too, at least I did.  I'm looking forward to doing more entertaining and having friends over more often when you get home. There really are so many nice people in this community and as I get to know people better, it feels more and more like home.

Monday we relapsed with a fever returning and nasty cough, so my mom came up and watched the boys at our house.  We couldn't get him into the doctor until Tuesday, poor little guy was getting over a lung infection.  The verdict is that he is unlucky and caught a couple things back to back.  He was cleared for daycare and some antibiotic and has been a go-go-goer ever since.

My sister and her kiddos came up Wednesday and picked the boys up from daycare while I went to my safety meeting after work.  The boys loved the company...so did I, because I forced them to stay longer than they planned.  Mwhahahaha.  The rest of the week was just business as usual. I went to work, the boys to daycare and we chatted with you every chance we got.

Yum Grapes! 

Oh no it broke again!

I fixed this truck for him no less than 25 times...
then I hid it. (good parenting right?)

 Future mechanic?

Attacking Christmas Tree #3

Repelling a pink seahorse off a picture frame.

 Peek-a-Boo!

Did you notice the scratch on the Big D's chin? Apparently he was climbing on something (shocker)at daycare and fell and caught his chin.  There was minimal bleeding and it hasn't seemed to faze him...I guess it just ups his street cred.

Rocking the Spider Man Pajamas.