In The Hospital

Most of you are my friend on Facebook so you saw that Kolton was admitted to the hospital last night with RSV.  He hadn't eaten or drank anything substantial in 48 hours so besides the IV fluids from the night before I wasn't really sure what he was running on.  He was EXHAUSTED and slept most of the evening.  He even fell asleep on the procedure table after they inserted his IV.  But don't get me wrong my little fighter put up a BIG fight before going down for the count.  Through out the past week multiple doctors and nurses have commented on how strong he is.  We are so proud of that!!!!  But, it makes handling him on my own quite difficult sometimes.

I actually went home to sleep while Mike stayed the night.  I figured there wasn't any reason why both of us should be there.  I'm not going to lie, leaving went against all of my Mommy instincts.  However, I had been through the ringer myself the past few days and really just wanted to sleep and take a shower.  When I went back this morning around 8:00 I expected to find a happy, smiley, little guy.  What I got was the lethargic version that scared me a little.  Mike said they had a rough night and that Kolton's oxygen levels had dipped too low multiple times over night sounding an alarm.

He spent most of today, from 9 am to 3:30pm, sleeping on my chest.  When he finally woke up I got the smiles I was hoping for!  He even drank a little bit of milk and ate a few crackers.  So while we've definitely turned the corner we are going to stay one more night.

I can't believe it got this bad!

Pushing Fluids

Today was not such a good day.  Kolton refused to eat or drink anything.  I spent the entire day offering different types, flavors, and textures.  So, we ended up at KidMed for 3 hours tonight.  He got a 1/2 bag of IV fluids and another nebulizer treatment.  They told me they were on the fence about admitting him.  Thankfully we were sent home but I might end up sleeping in his room tonight.

Kolton is so picky that he doesn't drink things like Gatorade & Juice on a regular basis.  He also refuses popsicles and ice cream.  So when he is this stuffed up and milk just isn't appealing there is nothing left to hydrate him besides a little water here or there.  Its really hard trying to explain this to the doctors when they tell me to push fluids.  Do most kids just like that stuff automatically?  Its sometimes hard to tell if I miss the boat on some obvious mommy things or if my kid is a little weird.

Ho, Ho, Homecoming

My dad

The Holidays!  I can't believe Thanksgiving is over already and we are now on to Christmas.  I also can't believe we will be back home in WI again in just under 4 weeks.  We always look forward to getting home and seeing family.  But as Mike hilariously stated when we finally got home around 12:00 am this morning... there is nothing quite as wonderful as getting to sleep in your own bed after a long trip away.

Kolton has a terrible cold.  I'm actually not 100% sure he ever fully recovered from the ear infection.  He is so congested he chokes on the phlegm.  The last few nights have been anything but restful for him.  We went back to the doctor today for more antibiotics and a nebulizer.  My poor little guy.  I have been relatively laid back because his energy has been up but today he slept most of the day and was down again by 7:30.  Then there was this hilarious moment at the airport last night....we sat down to eat at Ike's which is kind of an upscale burger place (BTW, the Minneapolis airport is awesome) I was feeding Kolton applesauce when he started to gag (again from all the phlegm) and he ended up throwing up the applesauce on his pants.  It wasn't too gross so I just wiped it off.  As Mike and I settled in with our burgers he proceeded to eat his mandarin oranges.  Can you guess what happened next?  Yup, those suckers came back up too, all over his sweater.  I haven't carried a change of clothes for him in a long, long, time and all of his clothes were checked in my suitcase.  But, like I said, the MSP airport is great so I was easily able to find him a $20 T-shirt to wear home!  It's moments like those that all you can do is laugh and hope for the best.  He slept from take off to touch down.

Even with little man feeling like crud earlier in the day we were able to sneak in a trip to the Mall of America so Kolton could see Santa. I was anxious for other people to be with me instead of doing these little holiday traditions on my own.  I also really, really, miss that place.  It was simply 'the mall' to me and I took it for granted.   On a Monday afternoon there was no line to sit on the big guy's knee =)

Hope your holiday season is off to a happy, and healthy start!

Behind

 

I'm pretty sure I've gained at least 5 pounds in the last 3 days.  Holy Moly!  I don't know about you but I can wait another month before eating mashed potatoes again.  And now that Thanksgiving has been over for 48 hours I'm already feeling behind in Christmas preparations.  Every year I tell myself to get a jump on things and every year I fail to do so.  Mike and I did manage to get some shopping done today.  It was nice to be able to buy gifts without worrying about shipping them back.  I also just ordered our cards, so hopefully I can get them out in a timely manner.  We will be here in WI for a couple more days before I can dive into getting the tree up at our place.  Um, it is still November right?

 

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

It is a little bit of a shame that Thanksgiving kind of gets swept up into the whole Christmas Hoopla.  Thanksgiving is the opening act to the main event.  It doesn't quite stand on its own.  But it is definitely a time to reflect on what is good in our lives.  This year I am thankful for my healthy, happy, almost 2 year old, precious, still my baby, light of my life, little boy.  Plus my sweet as pie, apple of my eye, still my baby too, little bestie, Soph-A-Loaf.  I'm also thankful for the fact that Mike seems to have found his stride at this new company, maybe things will work out for the better!  And that we can afford to fly back home for both holidays this year.  I'm all packed but I never did get my tree up.  Oh, well!

So, I buy this ridiculously expensive dog food for Sophie.  She is picky and this is the only combo she will eat.  She eats Merrick dry food mixed with those little Chef Michael's canned soft food.  They are nearly $1 a can!  To stretch things out I try to use only 1/2 a can for each feeding.  I'm in either Target or the grocery store so much that I usually always pick up a few cans just so I'm not spending a ton at one time.  ANYWAY---  This week at both Target and Petco I found a random coupon stashed in with the cans.  Some coupon crusader must be going around stashing unwanted coupons for other people to use.  I laughed out loud when it happened the second time.  Thank You Coupon Crusader where ever you are!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!

Girls Weekend!

Mike sent me this photo a few minutes after I left.  Don't you just melt!?!?  My baby was still looking for me.  What a cutie.  This weekend was wonderful filled with a lot of heartfelt girl talk that was so desperately needed.  Now that we are old, we didn't get too crazy or anything.  But we did go out to two amazing dinners which is my favorite thing to do anyway.  And the boys survived with ease.  The hubby's kept texting us pics as if to provide photographic evidence that everyone was still alive!  Of course, like any good weekend, I needed to day to recuperate a little =)

Hard to believe we are going to be flying back home in just a couple of days.  I don't know why but I feel a compulsive need to have my house clean before I go anywhere.  I wish I felt that way on all days!  But I think the thought of coming home to a messy house is just a little gloomy.  I'm also contemplating putting up our Christmas tree before we leave.  Suddenly, I have so much to do!  Hopefully I'll have a little pep in my step tomorrow.

Quirky

Every neighborhood has its quirks.  In Baltimore it was the old guys who sat on the corner everyday.  Our first Richmond place was like a retirement community. At this new place nobody walks their dogs!  Since the day we got Sophie we realized what a social advantage having a dog is.  Its easy to meet and chat with your neighbors when you are all out with the doggies.  But here, I don't see a soul!  I honestly don't understand.  I can't imagine that people don't have the little fur-babies.  And I definitely hear them barking when we are out on our walks.  So where is everybody????

I'm off to a girls weekend; leaving tonight and coming back Sunday.  I might even have to go to campus for a late AOII meeting too.  That Means Mike and Kolton will have some quality alone time.  I think (hope) they are going to be just fine.  But this will be the first time in quite a while that I won't see my little man for a full 24 hours.  As much as I know I'm going to miss him I also know I desperately need this girl time!

BOB

I got my Christmas gift early this year....a BOB stroller!  Sorry I don't have a pic of Kolton in it yet.  For the longest time I resisted getting one because they are expensive and lets face it; I don't exactly jog.  However, since I started having to take Sophie and Kolton on 2 walks a day the plastic wheels just aren't cutting it.  I'm still a little intimidated by it.  Its not quite as user friendly as my other strollers and I can't figure out where certain flaps should go or how to adjust the seat.  But the ride is sooooo smooth and now I can take on those speed bumps with ease.

Kolton in his Rockstar Ronan T-Shirt...size 2T!

November

I've decided that November is now my favorite month, especially here in Virginia.  Its been so warm...in the 70's.  But its different because the sun is low in the sky and the colors are still very vibrant.  I just love the late afternoon light and right now it feels like almost the entire day is late afternoon.

I also feel a huge sense of relief that Halloween is over.  Honestly, for what ever reason, in October I obsess over making sure Kolton has an enjoyable Halloween and a great costume.  But, November makes me feel laid back and comfortable. Its just all about looking forward to the holidays and being excited.

This weekend we went to the mall both days.  Kolton did a lot of walking and even though we waited and waited for him to be steady on his feet sometimes I still marvel at what a big boy he is!

First Infection

Little man has his very first ear infection!  I some how thought that he would breeze through childhood without one.  We've been so incredibly lucky so far.  But now he's getting his dose of the good ol pink stuff!  The past few days have been a little rough for him.  I'm concerned because he won't eat or drink like normal.  Thankfully this morning he drank his full cup of milk but he still won't eat anything but applesauce.

I know it's not fair to say because nothing is more important than taking care of my baby.  But, when he gets sick its incredibly isolating for me.  Playdates are cancelled and we don't attend activities like normal.  He also sleeps a ton...4 hour naps all week.  That leads to me spending way too much time in front of the television.  My new favorite is How I Met Your Mother.  But, I still love the gang from Grey's Anatomy...the old episodes are so much better.  I can't handle grown up, responsible, rich, Meredith.  Seriously, she drives a Mercedes now.  BORING!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Winter Weather

I've become one of those people who think temps in the 30's and 40's is cold.  My Midwestern self laughs in the face of the East Coast version.  I always thought it was ridiculous that people in California wore scarves and Uggs in the Winter.  Who are they kidding?  Apparently me because once the temps dipped below the point where it was comfortable to wear flip flops I got the winter coats out.  But isn't little man's hat awesome!?!?

Election Day

Did you get out and vote?  I did, at 6:15 this morning!  I'm still adjusting to day light savings so I was already awake.  Mike was home so I was able to get out and do my civic duty without a potentially unruly toddler in tow.  I had to wait in line a good half hour even that early in the morning.  I'm not going to get political but there is no denying its time to move beyond this election.

The last 4 years have really gone by so incredibly fast.  It's really hard to imagine that in another 4 years Kolton will be almost 6 years old and in Kindergarten!  Can that be right????

As I type this Karma is biting me in the ass, HARD!  Remember all that bragging I did about having a  child that went to bed without a peep?!?  Ugh, Karma is a bitch!  Its hit or miss and even though Kolton rubs his eyes and displays the signals for being tired he will not go down without a fight.  And by fight I mean screaming and crying.  So we inevitably give in and bring him back downstairs for a bit, go up, back down, go up, etc.  My mom thinks he gets stimulated by taking a bath.  But that   has always been our routine....bath, stories, lullaby, bed.  So now I'm back to feeling a little lost when it comes to bed time.

Alright, time to go give it another try.  Kolton has been running around for the past 15 minutes as I've tried to type this.  I guess we'll be staying up late to watch the results any way.

Dental Dread

Yesterday I had some dental work done.  I had to have multiple caps replaced, cavities, a deep clean, etc.  I think I have mentioned it before but I am a big wimp when it comes to the dentist!  My dental issues have plagued me since I was very, very, young.  To save me some anxiety, I opted for the sedation route.  Has anyone else done this?  This is actually my second time.  They give you a drug that allows you to function without remembering anything.  You know what you are doing but not really.  Basically I woke up in my bed and my first thought was of dread because I had to go to the dentist.  My second thought was the realization that I had already been there!!!!  I probably should mention that I had a babysitter for Kolton (and myself) all day until 8pm.  And yes, she drove me to and from the appointment.  I really hope little man doesn't inherit this from me.  And don't get me wrong sedation doesn't come without its challenges.  Apparently I was rather feisty and fought them quite a bit.  Although they said they are used to it I'm pretty embarrassed.  So now its just another reason to dread going there.