I know you're tired of hearing about this...

This is what we've been doing the past few days. How pitiful is that face?

We ended up taking Liam back to the doctor Friday night since he couldn't keep down the antibiotic the doctor prescribed. There was a different doctor in the clinic and she told us there was no ear infection. She also said to stop taking the medicine.

I was so confused.

So was the nurse,

since she had been there the night before when we brought him in.

She suggested that we continue trying to give him the medicine.

Oooo boy.

I was even more confused.

It was a LONG weekend. And not in a good way.

His fever didn't break until late Monday. Up until then, we had to pack him around constantly. (That gets tiring when he weighs almost 26 pounds.)

The good news is, he has three new teeth to show for it. Maybe now he can chew all that real people food he's been drooling for.

This next little bit is for Aunt Tanya. It's a long time coming, but I think I finally figured out how to post this.

Kenna's Directing Debut:

p.s. thank you for all the well wishes.

the baby-sitter is coming over for a repeat tomorrow.

hopefully no one gets sick between now and then.

Ranting and Rambling...(might want to skip this post)

Yesterday was not my favorite day.

My morning prayers started out asking for help to understand and complete some things I had for a big deadline at work. Let's just say, I wasn't specific enough when I asked for understanding.

I meant "please give me a light bulb moment in which everything becomes clear and I magically get all this really hard stuff done."

I got "here, let me show you how you have been doing this wrong all along and you will understand how you need to do this in the future because you will be redoing everything from the whole last year."

So my prayer was answered, but totally not what I meant.

I was tired.

The inversion made me grumpy.

And I was really mad at myself for not seeing the problem sooner.

But, at least I had a date with my hubby to look forward to.

When I got home, Liam seemed like he was breathing kind of shallow and fast. I didn't think too much of it, but I thought I ought to call the doctor anyway, just to make sure. The nurse was busy, so I made an appointment for the next day and asked that she call me back when she could.

Matt and I got ready to go out. He picked up my niece to baby-sit for us and we left.

Halfway to the restaurant, I got a call from the doctor's office. I briefly explained what was going on with Liam and they told me I had to get him checked out that night.

We ended up in the doctor's office at 7:45. (Who knew they were open so late?) Turns out the poor kid had an ear infection and fever of 102.5 by the time we got him all checked out.

Next stop - Walgreens for the prescription. I've never been to a Walgreens before. I don't know that I'll go back. They kind of scare me.

Matt took my niece home while I got the kids medicated and in bed. (Lyssa still has a cough and Liam needed to take his prescription for the ear.)

Little did we know, the night was just starting. Between Alyssa and Liam, we were making trips upstairs about every 10 minutes. Liam was fussing and coughing. At one point, he threw up all over everything, completely covering himself and me. Lyssa was whimpering and crying all night. How is that not supposed to break your heart? I hate it when they are sick.

After another doctor's visit this morning, we found out Alyssa's ears are both infected.

We have so much medication in our fridge.

I have had enough. SERIOUSLY.

Also, I want a do-over on the date night. Doctor's offices are not fun places for dates.

Inversion Fun!

Here in Utah, we have this really fun thing called an Inversion. It's awesome. Here's what it looks like outside right now.


See that haze? It's so bad, it looks like fog. Let's think about that for a second - SMOG that is thick enough to look like FOG.

Lovely.

A friend and I walked about 2 blocks to lunch yesterday. By the time we got back, my head was pounding, I was dizzy and my lungs burned.

Apparently it's so bad, that it is "now unhealthy for the general public." NICE.

If I didn't I have funny kids to keep me entertained while we're cooped up in the house I might be even more disturbed by this.

The other day, Alyssa and I were in the kitchen making some Aebelskivers for breakfast. We were talking about what we were putting into the bowls, what happens when you beat egg whites, etc. when out of the blue she says, "Mom, I only kiss boys I love."

So I said, "Oh really? Have you kissed anyone?"

She tilted her head to the side, thought about it for a second and said, "Yes."

Okay, for starters, this came totally out of the blue. Smack in the middle of the egg white conversation we were having. Also, she's three. I thought we wouldn't be having this discussion until at least 14.

"Oh? Who have you kissed?"

She scrunched up her face and thought for another second, "Well....a rebel storm trooper....and...Luke. Luke Skywalker."

I think we're going to be telling Daddy, no more Star Wars movies for a while.

Inaguaration Day

I really wanted to watch the inauguration today. Too bad work has to interrupt my TV viewing schedule. I did get to see snippets of it when I was at my parents' house this evening. (Sidenote: Is it just me or does Obama sort of sound like a preacher? Something about the intonation he uses and the inflection in his voice.)

I was amazed at the number of people that turned out for the actual ceremony. It will be interesting to see what he does with all the support he has right now. Because of the way Obama sold his ticket on the campaign trail, it seems like he is sort of the people's last hope for government to prove that they are trustworthy and will come through on their promises. He has made so many promises and instilled that Hope into so many I just wonder - what happens if he can't follow through?

I don't envy his position. What a weight to carry on the shoulders of one man! Although he has great power, he can't follow through on anything without many other people supporting laws and bills the way they are written. Is it wrong to put all of the responsibility for getting it done squarely on his shoulders?

Wrong or not, it appears that the entire country, and much of the rest of the world, is now looking to him to solve a LOT of big problems. As much as I disagree with some of his politics, I sincerely hope that he is able to follow through. I pray for him, and those that surround him, to have the strength, insight and support that they need to effect the changes we need to get back on our feet.

Weekend projects and picture blow-out

Whew! It was so nice to have a good long weekend at home to work on some projects. I could have used a few more days, but it's amazing how much of a difference even one extra day at home can make with my motivation to undertake a project.

I bought some letters for the kids rooms waaaaay back in October and they have been sitting in the basement bugging me to finish them ever since. Saturday morning I gave in and hauled them out of their hiding place.

Here is what the girls' names look like all finished and hanging on the wall:

Detail on the letters.
Here are the planets we made a while back, hung up on the ceiling.

I did get Liam's done as well, but it was late in the evening and the sick kiddies wanted snuggles instead of pictures.

Yes...sick again. Seriously. My mom even commented the other day that it seems like we have been sick for the last 6 months straight. I am on a campaign to rid the house of whatever germs are at the root of it. I have been busting out the bleach at every opportunity. I will win eventually!

The weekend also brought a new tooth for Liam (FINALLY!). He's up to 3, all on the bottom, and only two weeks shy of his first birthday. He almost did as well as I did...I didn't get my first tooth until 13 months.

Here he is showing off some of his amazing new skills:

(Check out the very sick sister in the background.

Asthma + bad chest cold = miserable Lyssa)

And since I finally found my camera cable, here a few more pictures from happier and less sick days.

Matt's Birthday

Playing with the dress-ups they got for Christmas. Check out the pirate hook on Lyssa's hand.

The tutus I made them for Christmas are a big hit.

Happy Lyssa

Liam making faces.

Kenna being a ballerina.

Goofing off with the camera, making faces.

Liam attacked us while we were playing.

Tired McKenna, still snuggling with Hippo.

(Hippo has been her best friend and constant companion since she could hold on to her.)

We're going to party today!

The kids and I spent all of yesterday evening getting ready for today's big celebration. We made a cake, hung streamers, blew up balloons and wrapped presents.

All to celebrate the one who does so much to take care of us and make us happy.

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart.

I hope we can make this birthday a special one.

Pedophobia

I had my first opportunity to teach my new Primary class yesterday.

Before I tell you how it went let me just add a little back story.

I don't relate well to little kids. I never have. Even when I was a little kid. I spent a lot of time with adults, and I LIKED it. A lot.

So this 'relating to children' thing is a bit of a mystery to me. Turns out, it's a pretty helpful skill to have when you need to get 10 kids to sit down and listen to you for an hour.

The other thing is-surprise, surprise-we have a sick baby at our house so I was 'functioning' on very little sleep.

With those things in mind, here is how the day started.

I stumbled out of bed at about 8:15 (we have 9:00 Church) when Alyssa woke everyone up with her screaming. Something about running into the wall and hitting her head.

I vaguely remember getting Liam out of the crib and taking the girls downstairs to try and find something to eat. There was a lot of crying and a lot of yelling.

"Put our waffles on one big white plate so we can share!"
"DADADADADADA"
"You didn't put butter on them!"
"MAMAMAMAMA"
"MOM, Lyssa dropped a piece of her waffle on the FLOOR."

ETC.

Meanwhile, I was trying to get breakfast for myself, review my lesson again, and pull together every one's clothes.

Yes, this is the kind of organization you would see in our house most Sunday mornings. And yes, I am ashamed.

I made it to Church with the girls about 10 minutes late (Matt stayed home with Liam). I had planned on going over the lesson a time or two more during Sacrament Meeting, but I got interested in the talks and forgot. (That and a little boy sitting behind us threw up halfway through. Yikes.)

As soon as Sacrament Meeting was over, the panic set in. (Why do I get more nervous teaching 10 Five-year-olds than I do teaching a room of adult women?)

I went to Sharing Time. We were so busy trying to keep the kids' shoes on, ties on, backsides in chairs and eyes focused that it was over in a heartbeat.

Oh the fear! (And five-year-olds sense fear.)

My mind went blank.

I was sweating.

And then...

IT WAS OVER.

I only vaguely remember teaching the lesson. I told a couple stories, asked some questions, sang a song (poorly) and we colored. At least I think that's what happened. It's kind of a blur at this point. (I'm adding blurring memories to my list of blessings.)

I do remember that the Sister who teaches the class with me is amazing. She kept both me and the kids on track.

This whole Primary thing will definitely be one of my trials this year. (I'm sure one of many...) But for the first time, and kind of in spite of myself, I'm actually excited to be in this class. I'm not completely sure why (probably just because I'm masochistic like that) but I'm just going to go with it.



p.s. Pedophobia - Fear of children

p.p.s. I will post pictures as soon as I find the cable to my camera. Apparently, the card reader in my OLD computer will not read the new SD card I got for the camera.

p.p.p.s. Have I mentioned that I really (really) like parenthesis? (Like REALLY.)

Return with Honor

It is always so nice to see friends that have been away for a long time.

Especially when those friends have been in places like Afghanistan.

One of our dear friends got back from his year long assignment in Afghanistan on Saturday. Oh what a relief to see him home safe and sound!

The girls were ecstatic. He has been a treasured playmate of theirs for a long time. Kenna had been asking me just a couple of weeks ago why he never came over to visit anymore. What a great surprise!

We were able to have a good (albeit short) visit with him last night. It was so interesting to hear about all the things he has been doing. It was kind of strange though, hearing about things that up until that point, I had only read about in newspapers or heard on TV. As he shared some of his experiences, the whole abstract concept of a far away war that I had in my head was shattered by the reality of hearing about it first hand. It was very sobering.

Regardless of whether or not we agree with the reasoning behind the war, we should honor the people that are willing to serve their country, wherever they are called to go, and in whatever capacity they serve in.

Pray for these amazing people!

Hard habit to break

I have a bad habit.

(Actually, I have several, but that's beside the point.)

The one I'm referencing this go around is my tendency to continually put things off once I feel like I'm behind. I'm not sure how this helps exactly...maybe I think that I'll get around to catching up at some point...but the longer I wait the harder it is to do that.

So here I am, REALLY behind in posting and I keep putting it off because so much happened that I feel too far behind to catch up.

But seeing as how this is the time of year for making changes and resolutions, I'm going to attempt to change this bad habit (again!) and hopefully make it stick.

Here is the abbreviated version of December 2008:

• I became a great aunt. (She is SOOO CUTE!)
• Much to our pocketbook's dismay, we had to replace our water heater. But oh how nice the new one is!
• Liam figured out crawling and is starting to pull himself up on things. Scary.
  
• Matt graduated from college!! He had a double major - one in Criminal Law, one in Psychology. (MUCH REJOICING ENSUED)
• The girls had their Christmas dance recital.
• Kenna had her preschool Christmas program.
• I crafted my heart out trying to finish baby gifts and Christmas presents.
• For the first time since we've been married, we took time off work around Christmas. All we did was hang out at home and do Christmas type things with the kids, but we loved it!
• Matt dug us out of the 4 foot high snow drifts in our driveway on Christmas day. (Have I mentioned we've had a lot of snow lately?)
• I got a new Church calling.
• Two weeks later I got another new calling.
• Major work stress. (Gotta love budget cuts...)

Now that I've gotten all that out of the way, hopefully I won't fall back into procrastinator mode.

But feel free to slap me around a little if I do.