Wednesday

And I still have a house full of sick wads.

UGH -- Teague is now starting with the fever and I am in a panic as he has surgery scheduled for Tuesday. Trying to find the bright side in all of this.......

God is watching out for us and I know his plans are at work! ;)

Update

So we ended up in the emergency room last night. (I know you are all likely getting tired of my hyperemesis updates) I probably would have toughed it out with the dehydration and the vomiting but I was getting really dizzy from all of it and then I started having some cramping that was getting worse as well.

The good news is that we are guessing the cramping was simply caused by the severe dehydration. The baby looked fine via ultrasound, as did everything else. We got to hear the heartbeat (163 beats per minute) as well. I felt like such crud at the time I didn't really enjoy the moment until later on in retrospect. I got several IV bags of fluids and an IV drug cocktail of Zofran and Phenegran that seemed to work as well. I ate a bowl of cereal this morning and some toast last night -- all is well so far. I have a prescription (again) to fill today for the Zofran so I am hoping to be over the hump.

The bad news is of course that Luke AND Molly are home today with sore throats and fevers, so I am headed into the pediatrician's office, even though all I really want to do is rest.

For those of you with good memories, yes, Zofran is the medicine that ultimately enabled me to eat with Lucas.

And if you look in the picture above, the chicken mcnugget shaped thing in the middle of the "empty space" is the baby. (It is not shaped as weird as it looks -- at the top where it looks like an "Arm" or whatever is sticking out is where the dumb ultrasound tech typed the word "baby")

Mommy Woes

Why can't they just STAY this little?

Well it's Monday. And after a very long weekend of being sick I am waiting for the Dr's office to open so I can call about a new prescription. I am trying to keep my thoughts up -- I have done this two other pregnancies (albeit not recently) and I can do this again. If I can avoid the hospital I am in good shape. And I know in the end, it will all be worth it.

I tried to keep my mind off of it on Saturday by working on plan's for Samuel's Circus party in June. (Yes I know his birthday is in July) He is excited for it, as it is his first big birthday party.

Oh yes, and I have to see about adding a panel to Molly's tap costume because of all things -- it's to small. Yikes! I am used to altering her costumes because they are to big, to long, whatever, but I have never had one be to small before. I am a little nervous about it.

Teague Pretending

Teague being a "truck-vroom, vroom" (and attacking the camera!)

This is what TEague did most of last week. He would put one pair of socks on his feet and one pair on his hands and be a "meow" -- it was so stinking cute!

Teague being "Nemo."
Do I see another swimmer here? :)

Yep...

it's Saturday, not Friday. And no, I haven't sent any blog updates yet. There really isn't much to update. I am still trying to find a drug cocktail that enables me to eat again, let alone drink. Being sick and pregnant is the strangest sensation in the world. You can be puking and starving at the same time, go figure? I do not think I am dehydrated to the point of needing fluids yet, I don't feel that sickly yet. (Although Jason questioned this morning if I am just so use to this routine that I don't notice I feel that ill.) I don't think so though, it's been almost six years since I was newly pregnant with Samuel and I had no hyperemesis gravidurm with Teague. (That's what this lovely stage of my pregnancies are called!) Anyway, I am hoping to get to Monday without needing IV fluids and then the Dr will likely switch my meds again. The good news is the only thing left to switch to is the Zofran (my miracle drug), the bad news of course is that the only thing left to switch to is Zofran (gold in a bottle price wise)

On a side note, Jason took Samuel to his soccer game this morning, and I feel much worse about that than I do the puking. I have never missed a game of Samuel's, or a swim meet, or ... you name it. I never miss. Hopefully he isn't scared for life...... ;)

Weighing school options....

Ugh, it's that time of year again. I am really trying to give a fair and balanced look at all of our school options for next year, homeschooling (which would really need to include everyone next year I can't do the half here, you here, you there thing anymore) public school (God help me!), school of choice, charter schools, private schools... I just don't know what to do. All of my usual argument about any of these choices are compounded by my stress about Jason's work situation, my present health (which is sucky at best right now), and trying to gear up how I am going to feel with the pregnancy next fall,and a baby in winter. I wonder if I can do it at all.

Add all of this to the ISD wanting Teague to go to preschool to be able to continue to get his physical therapy for his legs and the fact that IF I were to send Samuel to school, pretty much ANY school, he would have to go full day as half day kindergarten no longer exists it seems. (which is beyond crazy if you ask me, there is NO real reason for full day kindergarten)

School is just a nightmare decision for me, I often feel like I know what the *right* choice is for my kiddos but I don't think that I can actually achieve it. UGH... vent over.

Two down, two to go.

Molly got her second recital costume yesterday, jazz. It's pretty cute and I can totally see her trying to wear the shirt with jeans about town. lol... I will post pics as soon as I can. We only got to bring the shirt home, the pants need to be hemmed. Now, I was more than willing to hem the pants myself as we have in years past, but the teachers marked all of them and kept them so I am guessing the studio wants to do it themselves????

Easter thoughts.

So Easter was yesterday, it went pretty well. I really thought we did a good job scaling back the Easter baskets (Jason didn't want to do them AT ALL!) and still making the kids happy.

I spent a little while last night thinking about the old saying "God doesn't give us more than we can handle." I have heard that a thousand times over the years, but to be totally honest, I usually feel like God has a much higher opinion of my capabilities than I do. It seems like everyday I fall short of being the wife and the mother that I want to be, that I am pretty sure God wants me to be. I am to tired, or to stressed, or just plain overextended.

But what does my reaction to stress say about my relationship with God? What is it saying when I take this life that God has blessed me with and say "I can't handle this! I can't do this." Is that somehow saying that I know better than God? If God thinks I can handle this, is it my place to tell him I can't? Surely not, so the question becomes when I say "I can't" am I really saying "I won't"?

I'm not sure, but its something I will be pondering this week. I certainly don't FEEL like I am defiantly saying "I won't." Mostly when I say "I can't" I tend to feel desperate and defeated. Hmmmmm....

An apology.

The blog was poorly kept us this week. This pregnancy thing is kicking my butt. I think I forgot how easy I had it with Teague compared to say Samuel and Luke's pregnancies. So instead I am grateful to have gotten lots of pics this week, and I updated below a description from each day. Next week I hope to do better, and to feel better. Hopefully things will work out.

"B" Day

So Thursday was "B" Day, or Brace Day, for Teague. The day was a long way coming, and it's a good thing. I have to keep reminding myself of that -- it's a good thing. Jason, Samuel, and I took Teague to the University of Michigan hospital on Thursday morning and picked up his braces. Truth be told, we both cried, Teague and I. They are cumbersome to him, he can't run in them just yet, although the doctor says they shouldn't be hurting him in anyway. For anyone who is interested they are twister cable suspension AFOs. (at least I am pretty sure that is what the chicken scratch on the order says)

The hardest part for Teague seems to be that he seems to do okay with them in spurts, once he forgets that he is wearing them. As soon as he remembers though, he starts hysterically screaming and trying to rip them off. Last night we caught him trying to throw them in the garbage.

The hardest part for me, was watching the way other people looked at him, even in the hallways at U of M, as though there were something wrong with him. I really wanted to take them off of him myself.

We are hoping to only need them for 9 months to a year. We are calling them "Buzz Lightyear" legs -- that seemed to work for a little while yesterday afternoon. The large belt at the top goes around his waist, the shoes are attached and the other belts go around just below his knee.

He is wearing them in these pictures with the Big Bird statue in Mott's, although it is hard to see because of his coat.

Thursday

Thursday was a long day, thank God I was finally feeling better. I still had my moments but I would have never gotten through the day had it happened on Tuesday.

Jason and I had appointments literally all day long with Samuel and Teague. And when our appointments were over Jason went off to work in the evening. Leaving me with a ballet lesson, a swim lesson, a swim team practice, and a soccer practice to coach. I am tired again just typing all that. Thursday evenings are insane around right now, as we have a couple of "seasons" that have overlapped.

I actually had the camera in my bag still at dance so I took some ballet pics of Molly. I have to tell you, when I looked through them at home I was shocked. I have tons of pics of dance classes over the years. Cute little toddler belly in a pink leo pics, preschoolers with bit hair ribbons and a leo pics, lots of pics of little girls pretending to be "ballerinas". But all of a sudden, that is not what I had pictures of. Sure, they were still pictures of a little girl doing ballet, and stretching for ballet, but all of a sudden it looks like pictures of a real dancer. Not toddlers in tutus, you know? It reminded me how much Molly has grown up this year, and matured in general, not just at dance.

I let the camera tag along to swim lessons, and swim team too!

Finally I had to coach soccer and I have to say -- I didn't feel good afterward. I was tired, and cranky, and then I started to feel crampy. I layed down on the couch and after a few hours it went away, but this same thing happened after the last game so I am thinking I may not be able to finish the season. I really hope to make it -- we have only three weeks left.

Wednesday

Wednesday I still felt miserable, but it was helped by the fact that Jason was off from work for the rest of the week. I was able to sleep more in the morning, and generally just relax more. At least it helped for awhile.

Teague had an ENT appointment that day, and it looks like he will have surgery to place ear tubes on April 28th, barring unforeseen disaster. More on this later.

By Wednesday night we were planning on going out to eat, we had a gift certificate for the Outback. (This is how Jason's employer gives out "safety" awards--you get gift certificates every quarter with no accidents... they used to give cash!) However, we had one child that had a particularly difficult day behaving, and one that insisted they didn't want to go -- Teague didn't have an opinion either way. So in the end, we got a sitter and Jason and I took Samuel out alone. It was fun, and nice for Samuel to be the center of attention for a bit.

After our meal, he got up to "dance" to the music. lol... I couldn't resist sharing.

Tuesday....

If I felt exhausted and sick on Monday, it was nothing compared to how I felt on Tuesday. (I think it was the worst day of the week for me.) I tried as hard as I could not to leave the house at all. All the "sickness" left me dehydrated giving me a killer headache, in addition to the everything else. Molly even skipped jazz because I was to exhausted to leave the house. (Which most of you know, we RARELY skip dance.)

Teague was being so helpful in my illness that he tried to make himself "smell good mama" with the baby powder. Um... yeah... who'd have thought the smell of baby powder could make one nauseous?

Happy April!

So it snowed last night. A LOT of heavy, wet snow. Which, while seemingly ordinary in Michigan is really quite a feet for April. Every school district in the county, including JCC were cancelled today. Yes, you heard that correctly, Luke extended spring break by one day for a SNOW DAY. (He was not thrilled, he actually likes to go to school!)

Overall the kids were pretty excited with the day, I was feeling a little bit frazzled. Having woken up to Teague declaring "Mama! It's Christmas!" after seeing the snow himself, I felt a little off all day. I had planned to be back in the swing of the things today after break, and now I felt on hold. Samuel went to the Dr today with an infected eye cut, and I felt generally "sick" all day. I gave myself a migraine driving without my sunglasses (I underestimated how bright that much snow was) and then I was exhausted the rest of the day.

The kids were good though -- Molly even forced Samuel into helping her clean the upstairs bedrooms. And Luke returned to swim practice today after 5 weeks off. (I know, I know... summer conditioning starts in April.)

In the end I am forgoing the menu tonight -- even though I know it will throw the rest of the week's menu off as well, and ordering pizza for the game. I don't feel like cooking, or eating pasta. In fact, I think I will settle for english muffins and peanut butter for myself. (One of my friends on facebook just suggested that and man does it sound good! You know who you are and if I end up wanting to eat it daily I am gonna blame you! ;) )

So it's Friday

And spring break is almost over. I didn't get done nearly all the cleaning I had intended to. Of course, we did do a lot of fun things. The kids have been to the park, the zoo, and today we are headed to see Monsters vs. Aliens with Becky and Jason.

It's been a relaxing week, which we all needed. A pleasant change not to be racing the clock, and racing through the schedule. The only "thing" we had this week beyond church was Samuel's soccer practice last night and only two other players even showed up. (Not even the other COACH grrrr....) But even that felt quiet and in control. It was nice. :)

This weekend Jason and I are going on a "date" (yummy! I want Bravo pasta!) and we are getting the boys bed.

Have a great weekend everyone, and thank to all for the many well wishes and congratulations.

I may have traumatized the boys yesterday.

So desperately in need of a cleaning break yesterday the kids and I took off for Potter Park Zoo in Lansng. It was the only zoo open within an hour of the house and I didnt feel brave enough to dare Toledo on my own. Yes it was only 50 degrees, and sure it was windy. But it also meant we got in super cheap and had the place almost entirely to ourselves.

Overall it was a good trip. It was the first trip of the season, and definately Teague's most "interested" trip, being over two now and familiar with lots of animal names and sounds. The river otters were really active, which all the kids loved, and Samuel also announced that they had "found Nemo!" in the coral reef display.

Teague was a little baffled when he came across the Capybara, which if you didn't know is the world's largetst rodent! He looked at it, looked at it me, cocked his head to the side and said "Mama! Look - it's a bah-bunny-woof!" :)

All the kids especially loved the petting zoo. Only some of the animals were out due to the weather, but we got to see the Yak, and the reindeer (the ho-ho's, as Teague called them) and feed the goats and the llama's. (and yes for all our OCD readers I had hand sanitizer!)

My little Diego lovers especially got into the Spider Monkeys, and Teague yelled "Move it, move it!" (think Madagascar previews) when he saw the Lemurs!

Now I know what you are thinking -- this doesn't sound so traumatic. But wait. The last thing we did was go the large "cat" house. The way this zoo is set up it has both indoor and outdoor viewing of the large cats depending on if they are in or out. We saw the tiger and the snow leopard (baby jaguar if you ask Samuel!) outside and headed in to see the smaller monkeys and the African Lion. (Yes I know they keep the smaller monkeys in there with the Lion!)

As soon as we got near the lion cage we could see that it was in the far corner of the enclosure eating. But then Samuel and Teague ran up to the glass and the thing dropped its food a CHARGED the glass. Jumping on it, banging it with it's paw and growling at them. I will be honest -- it startled the crud out of me. And by the time I had finished my "jump" the little boys were rooted in place screaming and crying in fear. A zoo employee was in the building and came over to try and calm them down, saying it is apparently a new lion, and when it sees small children it tends to think they are lunch. Was that supposed to be comforting to them? Meanwhile the lion is still banging on the glass and the glass is actually shaking. Now I know the glass wasn't gonna break. The zoo employee kept reminding us that it would only look like it was going to, it was to thick to actually break. But still. I am trying to pick up Teague and route Samuel and the others out the door as quick as I can because Samuel is starting to make the gagging sound when he cries that I know means he is about to vomit. Which he did -- as soon as we got out the door. Clearly we left after that. :( The entire way out of the zoo Teague clutched my neck and cried "no animals" and Samuel was sobbing until we left the park. He kept yelling at me on the way back to the car (I was trying to carry Samuel's backpack, push the stroller, and carry a sobbing Teague, not to mention drag a reluctant Luke and Molly) that I was not going fast enough. The poor thing was trying to run out of the zoo. :(

Samuel now says he is never going back to that bad zoo, with the bad lion again. I am hopeful Teague wont be afraid of every zoo.

I did try to make it up to them by going to Pizza Hut for dinner last night! (I love the book it program!)