Freaky Friday

We had a bit of a scare today. We've all had a bit of an upper respiratory thing going on and I've been giving Eli, Zach, and Mikey some treatments for wheezing and just treating it at home and keep it under control.

This morning Mikey got up like usual, and was playing and just being his regular two-year-old energetic self. Chris and I are talking and we look over to see what Mikey's into since he's quiet and find him curled up under his highchair. We just sit there a second looking at him, thinking he's playing but he doesn't move. Let me add that this is the kid who DOES NOT sleep. We have to beg and fight for a nap at 3pm and watch him go like the energizer bunny until midnight.

So I grab the camera and take his pic (yeah, I'm one of THOSE moms). When the flash doesn't get a reaction Chris moves in and picks him up. He's limp and unresponsive. Chris starts shaking him and calling his name loudly and gets no response. At this point I have the phone in my hand, on, and my finger is on the 9, and he opens his eyes and starts crying. So I hang up the phone and move in for observation. He's not warm, he's pale, but he's awake. We decide we'll get an afternoon appointment but it's time for the office to close for lunch.

So plan B, we'll give him a treatment and call for an appointment when they return from lunch. I'm giving him his treatment, which usually involves some creative strategy to keep him entertained and him playing with the neb, but not this time. And within 30 seconds he's out again.

So at that point it was Mission ER in effect. In the car I'm doing whatever to keep him awake, despite him REALLY wanting to just conk out. THEN we get to the hospital and the child is WIRED. I told Chris as we waited to be triaged that the staff was going to think we were insane.

We get into triage and his O2 sats are 100%, but the get him on back based on what had happened. The doctor was great (I'll say more on that later). Turns out he is junky in his left lung but otherwise ok. She went ahead and gave him Zithromax and Rondec-DM, and said that he may just be exhuasted due to his bad sleeping and adding on this upper resp thing. So we were good to go. Pleased to know that even though it might have been an over-reaction, we were still taken seriously.

As for the doctor, Her name is Dr. Jasper and she also saw Neal the night he broke his arm. This is the first time we've ever seen a doctor in the Cartersville ER that I felt gave the time and attention to us we deserved and was genuinely concerned about the patient.

Oh, and here's the pic I snapped before the "freak out" began.

Blog Slacker

I have been a real blog slacker lately. We've just been on overload with stuff, and well, when it comes to computer time for studying or blogging, sorry folks, studying wins out........most of the time. Here are a few pics of Mr. Eli from 2 weeks ago. Hopefully that'll tide ya over for now.

Eli is getting all over the place, not yet on his hands and knees but doing really well with the comando crawl and roll. He's sitting up, too.

Mikey's vocabulary is really blooming! He'll repeat us, say "love you", and has recently added "shut up" to his list of words. He's LOVING preschool and everything related to school is "Gin-Gin" because his teachers name is Ms. Ginger and he LOVES her! He's getting a grasp on colors and counting.

Zach is doing great in school except for one little problem.......his butt won't stay planted in his seat and he's a motormouth. He's getting all E's & S's and not getting into trouble, so I suppose a little bouncing around isn't hurting too much.

Jacob is excelling in school. His reportcard was E's and S's and he had the best handwritten note with his. The kid I thought would always be behind is moving forward and ahead.

Neal is also adapting well to middle school. All A's on that bad boy's report card, OH YEAH! I think middle school is a good fit for him.

I think that sums it up. And I'd promise to be a better blogger, but well, I try not to make promises I know I can't keep! ;)

Crayons

Mikey has decided that in order for him to do his artwork all his crayons must be broken and naked...and maybe a little chewed on...

Silly Monkey

Mikey is a super silly monkey and likes to climb into Eli's crib. And what do we find when this happens???

Messy Monday

Eli got to try out the Baby Safe Feeder with some mixed fruit. Messy, yet yummy!

Did you know....

that a crayon will fit through the hole on binder-punched paper??? Mikey did! And it kept him occupied the whole time Jacob and Zach worked on homework!

Fatty Friday

Mikey's MRI

This morning Chris and I got up at 4am and took Mikey to Children's for his MRI. We got there a few minutes early and he got to enjoy the big fish tank. Then it was time to go back and get prepped. It was a sedated MRI, so he had to have and IV which was, in his eyes, the worst thing ever. He didn't like the id wrist band, we knew he'd HATE the IV even more. But as long as I kept it covered where he didn't have to see it, he seemed ok. I couldn't go into the MRI room, but I stood at the door. Handing my baby over to my husband and just standing there watching as the doctors worked to get his oxygen level up during sedation was so difficult. But once that was stable, all was well and the whole procedure was over before we could even finish a cup of coffee and a muffin. He was pretty much no worse for the wear and we all came home and took a nice long nap.





***The Doctor called at 8:30am the next morning with the results: NORMAL!!!!!! So, now we move on to the gastro doctors for answers. But at least it's not a neurological issue, and that's really good news!

Hughes Boyz 1st Broken Bone

Sure, we've had stitches, a warped up nose, a preforated nasal cavity, and much of the sorts, but we now officially have our first broken bone. The older boyz were outside riding a wagon, big wheel, and little tykes car "Nitro Circus" style. (See video link below.) Neal crashed and landed on his hand/arm. This was at about 4pm. I saw it at about 4:20pm and by 4:30 we were on our way to the ER. Four hours later we have our diagnosis: right distal radius buckle fracture. Nice. And you better belive that kid is going to milk it for all it's worth!

For those who don't know what Nitro Circus is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgLzaBzfPhs&feature=related

Nana/Mommie Time

Every once in a while we leave the older boys home with the menfolk and enjoy a little baby time. Today we went to Chilli's and Target. Mikey got to enjoy his very own dessert, too!

Mikey aka The Pukester

So we've been struggling with Mikey and puking for over a year now. It'd seems to be getting worse daily. There is no rhyme or reason to it. No pattern to follow based on what he eats, how he feels, where we are, or what we're doing. He's not losing weight. The doctor drew blood for liver and kidney enzymes today and we'll be heading to Children's Hospital to have a sedated MRI probably next week. I just can't imagine why this kid pukes so much. I'm at a point where when we go some where I don't dress him beyond a pull-up until we get where we're going. I keep Febreeze, scented baggies, and extra wipes/clothes/shoes in my car for him. I even keep a 2nd carseat on hand for the really bad episodes. He also always has his "puke bucket" (an empty little trash can) in whatever room he's in. So keep him in your prayers and I'll keep updates posted here.

Leave the Kid for One Day....

and return home and his little toofer has popped through!

Moms Gone Wild

well if you consider sneaking taco bell burritos into the movie theater and making naughty jestures toward the store displays wild...









it was a wonderful weekend, well 38 hours or so, of kid-free, family-free, chore-free, bliss. sometimes that's all it takes to piece back together the little fragments of your sanity when you're the mom!

Chocolate Overload

I don't think this needs any words....well maybe "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"...

Chillaxin'

This is what happens when mom feeds you dinner then bores you with baking...

Laundry is My Worst Enemy

See. I told you.

Now, who wants to come put it away????

And this is what goes on WHILE I do laundry...

Silly Brothers

who knew?!?!

that the linksys router would be offended by being peed on?!?! really?

so the story goes....

i was working on stuff for my classes that start wednesday and i'm watching mikey play in the livingroom. we'd been battling over underpants all morning, and i thought i'd finally won. i realize it's awfully quiet and get up to see where mikey has gone and what he's into, because i can guarantee if it's quiet, there's trouble! sure enough, there mikey stands, naked as a jay bird on my mom's desk trying to reach the mouse and keyboard she keeps high on the bookshelf out of his reach. i get him down, get him dressed and go back to my computer. well i no longer have wireless service. so i go back over to mom's desk to investigate and find a puddle on the bookshelf that has dripped down onto the router. her internet works through the comcast modem but hook it up through the router so i can get a connection and it's gone. so i guess his pee was volitile enough to fry my router....

maybe it will dry out....maybe it won't....

in the meantime i'll have to get wifi from the library or elsewhere when i'm out and use mom's computer when i'm home.

you should have seen the look on jacob's face when i said "no you can't play on the computer, mikey peed on it and it won't work".....priceless...

Some days I can't belive this is my life

I wake up some days and think, "WOW I can't believe this is my life" (in an excited, happy kind of way). Other days I wake up and thinkg "WOW I can't believe this is my life" (in a not-so-excited, must I be dragged outta bed kind of way).

On the rough days, I look at my life and can't believe THIS is MY life. Really?!?! Puke and poop, boogers and toe jam. Constant farting and burping. Surrounded by testosterone. Cleaning pee out of the floor, breaking up brotherly fights. Infinate mounds of laundry, dirty dishes all around. Clothes in the floor. Having to schedule the opportunity to potty by myself, using the term potty instead of use the restroom. Describing my jammed toe as "the piggy who stayed home" when ramming it into the chair while chasing a half naked toddler. A sassy mouthed tween. Toenails that desperately need polishing, dirty hair, ragged clothes, and no make-up. Oh I could go on and on.

BUT most days I wake up and realize THIS IS MY LIFE!!!! Five little people who love me unconditionally, who always have hugs and kisses available to brighten my day. Boyz who are inquizitive and optimistic. A husband that takes an intrest in his kids, who realizes how cool being a dad can be. Grandparents who love these boyz and are supportive in their raising. Smart kids who are always soaking in the rays of life. A baby with eyes that sparkle when I come into his sight. A toddler who sings silly songs to the Dell "lollipop" commecial while dancing naked in the living room. Older boyz who really do try to be helpful. I have to admit, this list is much longer than the first.

For this life I am greatful, though often overwhelmed, and pretty much sure that I wouldn't have life any other way....well maybe with a more padded bank account. ;)

Fat Friday

two days shy of 6 months old and a whopping 22 lbs...i'd say the shirt is appropriate..."overachiever"...

I'm Picking My Battles

Most days I pick my battles. I have found that often times the struggles are minor and just giving in to unimportant demands is ok. Just as long as they don't realize you're giving in. Although mother always knows best, sometimes it's better to let them think they're smarter, because it won't be long before they realize they are in fact wrong!

Battles Not Fought Today:

*Sponge Bob PJ's in the middle of the day - Mikey
*Sucking ketchup off french fries and double dipping - Mikey
*Being independent and pouring his own milk - Zach
*Extra snuggle time waking up from nap - Eli
*Kissing the tv - Mikey
*Replaying the Dell Lolli-Pop commercial 15 times - Mikey
*Two Snacks - Mikey, Zach, Jacob
*Dancing on the table - Mikey
*Helping fold laundry (as in unfolding it faster than I can put it away) - Mikey

Battles Fought (and WON!)

*Homework - Jacob & Zach
*Reading - Jacob & Zach
*Shoes put away - Neal, Jacob, Zach
*No biting - Mikey
*No playing Neal's PSP - Mikey
*Running away in the parking lot - Mikey

Battles Fought (and LOST!)

*Sprite in a big cup vs Juice in a sippy - Mikey

All in all I think I've come out on top!

Totally Tuesday

So today was a big day, Mikey started preschool! I got up and got everyone ready to go, Mikey had a melt down because he thought it was proper attire to go shirtless to preschool. I gave up and decided to just finish dressing him and combing his hair when we got there.

When I dropped Neal off they already had the Golf Team posted and he gave me the thumbs down from the entryway. He of course seemed unconcerned that he didn't make it, but I have to admit my heart broke just a little for him. I know it's good for them to experience disappointment like this, and truthfully we were expecting it since he'd never swung a golf club before Sunday night, but it didn't stop me from getting my hopes up for him and feeling that little twinge of sadness for my little dude.


Got all the big boys delivered to school and off we went to get Mikey schooled. When we got to his preschool it wasn't quite time to go in, he was sooooo anxious, when the opened the door he grabbed my hand and rushed us down the stairs, as soon as his feet hit the bottom he let go of my hand and ran to his classroom. I felt left behind calling out "wait for me"! He sat right down and started playing with a puzzle and I left, not lingering long enough for him to get upset.











Then Eli and I dropped my car off for some maintenance and took a stroll downtown. We ended up at my old office at the courthouse and had a nice visit with the girls. I got to find out that karma is a wicked cool revenge as I heard that one of the two people that caused my burnout in politics had found her share of misery. It was nice to see that come full circle, bwahahaha!

After that visit we strolled on down to the library, and Eli took a nap while I checked my email and facebook. Then it was time to head back to the car place. We had just enough time to head to the post offce and Target before getting the Mikester.

When I went in to pick Mikey up he didn't see me right away, so I just observed. He was so in his element, being cute of course! Then when I caught his eye he yelled "momma, momma, momma" and ran to me with arms wide open. But we couldn't leave until he showed me a few things including his very first piece of preschool art work!

I took him to Wendy's for a quick lunch, then off we went to Hobby Lobby. Now here's where my scatter-brained-mommie self got to get embarassed and use the word "doh". As we left, Hobby Lobby I got Eli in, and Mikey needed a fresh butt. If only I'd listened when he said "potty" all this could have been avoided, huh? I get him cleaned up, buckled up, and all settled and climb right into my car. Get myself settled in and back up. My car doesn't want to go in reverse well and I hear this strange noise. At first I think I accidentally put it in 4wheel drive but nope, my next thought is panic as I consider it could be my transmission going out. I pull back up and hear a honk, and the nice lady informs me that my stroller is behind my car, well "behind" is not the right descriptions, I get out and see it's actually UNDER my car. Nice. I had to pull up more and then yank to get it out from under there. I did get it somewhat shut and loaded up without too many bystanders watching. I wanted a new stroller, but heck, not today.

From there we go pick up Neal's gym clothes and then pay for a roll-off for Chris' job tomorrow and make it home with 5 minutes to spare before Jacob and Zach's bus is due to arrive....and the phone rings. Zach missed the bus, little turd! Luckily the car was still running because I was getting all my stuff out before waking Mikey and Eli to get them out. I get Jacob off the bus and run up to the school to get Zach.

Now it's homework time for the boys, and I'm doing my best to fight my afternoon sleepy time.

Preschool at Two? Really?

Yes, really. Tomorrow at 8:30am I will drop Mikey off for his first day of preschool. I went today to check out the digs, and he was immediately consumed with his classroom. Everything amazed him, he was like a little sponge just taking it all in. When it was time to go, he cried. And there's nothing like waiting til the last minute, so of course I had to immediately sign him up in the last available slot, and attend open house that afternoon. $280 later, we were offically enrolled. We went back to open house with our 3132...err 3231...whatever, shot record, in hand. Again he was completely into the classroom and his new surroundings, and yes, cried when it was time to go.

Why? One may wonder, why on earth I'd stick my two year old in preschool if I don't HAVE to. Here's why:

I have 5 kids, a home business, a social life, a Target addiction, and a loose translation of "structure". I think having these two mornings with kids his age, in a classroom setting, will be extremely beneficial to him (and me). He'll make new friends, learn social do's and don'ts (not taught by his older, sassier, less cooth brothers), have a chance to learn new things academically without mommie having to constantly stop to tend to other people/things, AND see that he doesn't always have to be attached to my hip.

As for me, I will have just over three hours two days a week to study and do homework. I will use this time to head to the library with Eli and focus on my own school work. It'll be time to really work undistracted by the computer, or the phone, a screaming-mess-making-sponge-bob-watching toddler, or even worse...housework. It will also mean that my evenings won't be crammed with schoolwork after the kids go to bed, leaving me exhausted and drained from having to stay up late at night trying to hold my eyelids open to study.

And as for Eli, it'll be a perfect nap time for him, without Mikey stealing his blanket or laughing as he yanks his paci/lovey/etc away from him. And if I don't have to spend the whole time studying, it'll give Eli some much deserved one-on-one time with mommie.

This is the plan, I'm looking forward to seeing if it actually works out the way I envision it. Wish me luck tomorrow!

Sponge Bob Never Looked So Cute!

(I know, I'm enabling his addiction...)

Laughter is the Best Medicine

So here I sit, making frustrating calls about our insurance and I hear this laughter errupt, to find Mikey sitting on Eli, the laughter however wasn't Mikey's....it WAS ELI'S!!!! Of course, this called for the video camera to come out!!!

It's official, I have a middle schooler!!!

And he seems to love it! He told me he hoped one girl was in his class because she is "hot, hot, hot". Oh dear, are these the teenage years I have to look forward to. Today after school he said he "loved it" and he "already has his eye on some candy". I'm in TROUBLE!












As for Mikey, he said this school car poolin' stuff is exhausting!

Bananas & Eli

Eli tried his first solids today, had bananas for breakfast, and sweet potatoes for dinner. He wasn't sure about the texture at breakfast but chowed down at dinner! Finally maybe my Fatty McFatten will stop guzzling the formula!

Wii - Mikey Style

Six Flags 2009

Chris & I took Neal, Jacob, & Zach to Six Flags. Mom, Uncle Mark, Will, & Blake tagged along. It was Jacob & Zach's first time, and we quickly learned that Jacob feared nothing. Finally, I have a coaster buddy for life! We even got Neal on Goliath, that was HUGE since he hates coasters, mabye it got him over his fear! It was crazy crowded so we weren't able to ride much, but we still had tons of fun!