Still Sick

We headed back to the doctor today for a follow-up check up for Eli and Paige. Ears are looking better for both but Paige still has crackling and is still wheezing, a week later. Doctor said she probably got viral pneumonia. She is feeling better, coughing less, but if she does any activity that exerts herself she starts coughing. We are staying the course with breathing treatments every 4-6 hours and finishing antibiotics. I am keeping her home with me all week- no Bible study or school. I am really loving all the extra time with her. But she does look pathetic at times too:Our sweet friend, Ann brought us dinner, cupcakes, fun magazines (which were a HUGE hit!) and Mama a mocha. We are so loved and blessed by her. Thanks Ann- Look how happy they are!Eli goes to the ENT on Thursday for a tubes consultation...we will see. Until then, we are enjoying the start of this Christmas seasons and soaking up lots of down time.

Feeling Better??

We headed back to the doctor's office this morning for all three kids to be seen. Jacob for his ear infection that he got on Wednesday after the office was closed. And the other two...I just didn't think they sounded/acted better so I wanted them to be seen. That Mother's intuition you could say.
Well, Jacob indeed had an infection so the meds that were called in for him should help. Eli and Paige though- their ears looked worse, in fact both ears were now infected and Paige's breathing was not any better either. They both got new antibiotics for their ears and Paige got an addition antibiotic for her lungs to cover for pneumonia. Plus- Eli gets to go back to the ENT for a tubes consult since we were waiting for one more bout of Otitis. He got it!
We came home and got to spend more time with Weston and watched some football. It was a perfect day to break out the Christmas decorations. I let the kids decorate the tree...can you tell???
While the game was on Travis made some of his beef short ribs...which are amazing! Check them out:

We put a dollar to show the proper size proportion. Travis makes the best ribs.Then I got to see Uncle Robert and meet his girlfriend, Jenny. It was just me since the kids are sick. Sadly I forgot the camera so no pictures to show. But it was still a great visit and a fun time as a family.

Thanksgiving 2011

This thanksgiving the plan was for a few weeks to have all of Travis' family from San Antonio be here in town, with 2 of the 3 families staying with us. We were going to get to see Leslie and the girls, Grandma and Papaw were going to stay until Saturday, and Val and her family, and yes Tink dog, all here too for the TG fun. Travis took the time off work and was excited to make his brisket for those who had not sampled it yet. We were so excited.
But, Monday morning rolled around and Paige went to the doctor (Jacob and Eli had been the week before with bad coughs and colds) and our kiddos were not doing well at all. What we thought was a bad cold turned out to be viral bronchitis for all three kids and Paige and Eli also had ear infections. We had yucky germs that canceled all our plans and kept us home alone with antibiotics, breathing treatments, steroids, Kleenex, fevers, lots of hand washing, and the endless sound of coughing.
The kids were so sad when they learned that they would not get to see their cousins. Big tears! They were so sad, as were Travis and I, but we completely understood and would hate for anyone else to get these germs. Out of desperation to take their mind off the canceled plans we got the Christmas tree out Monday night. That helped a lot. Here they are cheering after we got it out of the box:

This was pretty much our day on Tuesday: I kept Jacob home from school, kids in PJ's, movies and meds...we did get a hug from Aunt Leslie who was sweet enough to bring me a Mocha.Paige is a big girl now and can hold her own breathing treatment.Wednesday- Jacob was holding his ear crying...yep, he also came down with an ear infection. Sadly, he didn't tell me about it until after noon and the dr office closed early for the holiday. But- being the amazing practice that they are, the on call dr listened to all that was going on with my kids and called in a script so I wouldn't have to go to an urgent care. We have an apt to be seen on Friday when they re-open.

Thursday- Today-Thanksgiving Day- despite these current ailments, we are so incredibly blessed and had a wonderful holiday. I have an endless list of people and things I am thankful for. One of them being medicine, and as I was getting the morning meds going this morning I had to laugh and get a picture to show all the meds my kids are taking daily these days. Look at this- it's like a pharmacist's shelf:Every year at TG is when I get my family picture for our holiday card. Usually Papaw takes it but this year my sweet friend, Maggie, stopped by to help us out. Thankfully (and amazingly) we got a great picture on our second click and my cards are ordered. Success! However, while we got lucky to get a good one, there were plenty of attempts that would not do. They are all so funny though that I had to share. The first one is for fun- love it! I love it. Kids...why is it so hard to sit still and smile for a few seconds?!? Thank you, Maggie! Thankful for friends like her.Even though it was just us for TG dinner we still had a full and delicious meal. Travis made his traditional Cajun deep fried turkey and for the fifth year in a row our friend Weston has had our TG dinner with us. Another person we are thankful for. The men picture- frying the turkey-Paige too. The kids were so happy to be outside even though we insisted that there was no running or physical exertion because then the coughing would start up.The kids loved Weston's company- they were all over him!He was such a sweetheart- he played with them, let them climb all over him, and yes, he is playing princess castle with Paige. :)We had a great day. We are thankful for so much. God's generous love and blessing most, family, friends, our community group, our freedom, Watermark Community Church, our home, Trav's job, our health, our family doctors, kids schools.....our "cup runneth over"! Happy Thanksgiving!

Leaves

On this rather warm November day we started off making fall wreaths with all the leaves falling in our front yard-But it quickly turned into an hour of playing in the leaves and....Mommy pulling out the rake so the kids could really play in the leaves!!!SO much fun!!!

Pet Store

Paige went to the pet store with daddy this past weekend and has not stopped talking about the birds she got to hold, how she wants a pet bird, and how much she wants to go back and see them again. She has even asked when Phoenix was going to die so that we could get a bird. (Poor Phoenix!) She has asked multiple times a day if we can go back and see the birds, so today after school we all headed over there.
Ralphy is the bigger bird Paige remembered and I have to say- he is a pretty cool bird! I am so sad that is picture is out of focus, Ralphy was flapping his wings and my focus freaked. But, through the blur, you can see how happy Paige is.He was a really pretty bird and very nice- unlike Grandma's quaker parrot, Jade!!Jacob held him too but he was more nervous than Paige was. Ralphy climbed all the way up Jacob's arm to his shoulder to get his glasses. We walked around and saw the fish, dogs, bunnies, gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, and more birds. Paige also got to hold this cockatiel.this gerbil was very interested in Eli.Eli was waving to him...We all got to pet this hamster.It was super fun. We bought a toy mouse for our pet Phoenix-who is still alive and will not be replaced by a bird, no matter what Paige says!!

Turkey Tom

Gobble-Gobble!!

New Hats!!!

Our sweet friends gave the kids their Christmas gifts early to keep them warm- New Hats! They are the cutest. It's so sweet how Eli has a single tear- he isn't feeling well today...Angry Bird hat...how perfect for Jacob!Paige's hat was the hardest to pick, they said, but I think the one they picked is perfect!Thank you, Myer Family!