Sunday, April 26, 2009

Just some random stuff.......

about my kids mostly.....

Grady LOVES to play outside so this weather has been great for him lately. However, the not so great part has been the seasonal allergies. He's on Loratidine (Claratin) and it seems to have made things a smidge better but he goes outside and then that night/next day has massive runny nose and "allergy" eyes. The runny nose has settled in his chest and he's majorly junky but he's not coughing much (I started albuterol right away in hope of keeping the cough at bay). Reminder: a cough isn't bad in most people and it's ok for Grady to cough some, it's just that if he gets a cough and then things get inflammed and airways constricted then we have a problem. Sooooo hoping he grows out of this asthma/allergy stuff.
On a lighter note, when he's afraid of something or doesn't like something he makes this frowny face and goes "ooohhhhh". Then he throws the item, or kicks at it, or smacks at it, or backs away from it. It's quite funny to watch. He did it with grapes and a pickle the other day. Taylor's got a couple toys that freak him out too! :)

Taylor and I went to the symphony today. Before I tell you about her day at the symphony, did I remember to tell these two things? 1) One day when she realized she had lost her hair bow she told me, "Mom, I have to tell you the trufe, I lost it" 2) She shut the door when going potty one day and told me that she just needed some privacy from Grady. Lord, do I know the feeling! :)

Ok, so Taylor is exactly 3 years 11 months old today and I took her to the symphony (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the Hilbert Circle Theater) today to see Cinderella. It was done with the orchestra, puppets, actors/actresses. We got there and scored $3 parking--woohoo! Then we went in and got to see some ballerinas and meet one of the orchestra members (Roger Roe, oboe). Taylor made a little wooden flower "puppet". We headed to the bathroom before finding our seats. (Taylor was upset that the balloons were just decoration and couldn't understand why she couldn't take one into the theater). We were up in the very top balcony so we headed up and were lead to our seats. All of the sudden, on the stairs while waiting for someone to sit down in our row ahead of us, Taylor freezes and won't move (no matter how much I prod) Come to find out she's freaking out about being scared and so high up. Huh, who would have thought it. Totally took me off guard. Anyway, we sit down and watch the musicians warm up. A bald guy sits in front of her so we switch places. Cute to see her sit in the seats because she's not big enough to weigh the seat down completely so her little legs sort of fly up. Anyway, they start playing music and she's into it for about 1 minute then starts to complain that she doesn't see Cinderella. Now, I'm guessing at an adult centered symphony, the conductor doesn't talk to the crowd (I am usually only at kid centered ones with my class or my child) but the conductor talks to us about the songs they are playing and says after a few more songs Cinderella will start. Taylor's terribly impressed with the spot light which happens to be directly behind us (I'm surprised she's not blind from turning to stare at it so much). Luckily the puppets/actors come out because she was getting antsy. Anyway, right at a quiet beginning moment (she's on my lap at this point) she toots so loud I think they heard it on stage. Thank goodness it was dark and no one could see how red I was! (Later, when I was telling Ryan about it Taylor cracked up and said, "I bet everyone heard it!" We talked about how we should try to NOT toot loudly in that type of public place.) So we watched the show (I had to explain a lot to her since there were no words) and she was a bit put out that it didn't follow the movie exactly. She kept watching this guy to our left and holding her hands up by her chin the way he was, it was cute. At the end we got to go down and see the cast/puppets (these were the type that are full body size and the puppeteers hold them up and move them around with their own body--I don't think I'd ever seen them up close and boy do they look super heavy!) Anyway, they asked for questions and Taylor raised her hand. Before they got to her I asked what her question was going to be (in case you wonder why I would censor her, please remember that recently she told a complete stranger in Wendy's, "I've had two poops today. First one poop, then another poop.") So, she tells me that her question is, "I have a daddy and a brother." She was miffed that I wouldn't let her TELL that question. I know, I know, what a party pooper I am!
So we left and got vanilla milkshakes on the way home (which Taylor shared with Grady once we got home--she's so sweet to him usually) She said she liked the symphony and wants to know when we're going back. She loved the symphony tatoo that she got in her goodie bag. Grady loved the harmonica (now that we have two harmonicas maybe we can start a road show!).
So, that was our day at the symphony. We'll definitely do it again sometime!

Here's us before leaving. Grady wanted in the picture but was angry at Taylor about something.



These are the sunglasses that Taylor made at her church pj party with Grandma R last night. She's so proud of them! (Ignore the turned over video chair in the back....it's being used to keep Grady out of the cabinets!)


Please say prayers for Stellan. Please also pray for sweet Kayleigh and her parents as they face some even rougher times than the last 10 months.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Seriously Taylor.....

4:21am, Thursday morning, 4-23-09
"Mommy, mommy....you know those socks you put on me at bedtime? Well I just turned on my music box/light and I saw they are white and I wanted to wear red socks."

Seriously?? Please note the TIME this was happening!!

Please pray for Stellan and Kayleigh. Actually, pray for all of the kids on the right of my blog. Pray for all of the sick/hurting children and their families. Pray for healing and comfort.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

She's a Comedian!

Last week Taylor and I had a particularly rough evening. During this evening she was even whinier than her usual whiney self and I seriously wondered if one could die from listening to whine all evening. As I was putting her to bed and we were saying prayers, she looked me straight in the eye and said (in total seriousness), "I sure hope that your attitude is better in the morning." Um, yeah, it was MY attitude that made the evening less than enjoyable. :)

Last night I was saying prayers for us, my kids, our family and friends, the sick children I know about and their families, etc. At the end of my prayers I, rather selfishly, added, "And if I could sleep in until about 7:30 tomorrow morning that would be awesome." Well, God obviously wanted to remind me that he has a sense of humor. Taylor got up at 3 am to tell me her pjs were itchy (this was an excuse...now that she knows I don't want her getting up to pee if possible she makes up reasons to get up and then just "happens" to need to go pee too.....don't get me wrong, I know if she needs to pee she needs to pee. It's just that I've seen her SEVERAL, SEVERAL times go an entire night without needing to pee so I know she can do it) Then at 5:50 she woke up to tell me that she was hungry and would like some fruit snacks. MOTY (mother of the year) that I am, I stumbled to the kitchen, put some fruit snacks in a bowl, and led her back to her bed. I told her that Mommy and Daddy really wanted to keep sleeping so I wanted her to stay in bed. 6:20 am she comes in and informs me she needs to poop (her funny comment is coming....) So she goes in my bathroom (I stay in bed) and poops and then calls for me. I stumble in the bathroom. As I'm wiping her she says, "I know you didn't want me to get back up or wake you up but I needed to poop and it's your 'sponsibility to wipe me when I poop." How can you argue with that???

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Happy Easter!

Last year we spent Easter on the third floor in Riley. This year is much better. I wish we could all 4 go to church tomorrow but an Easter morning nursery is like one huge petri dish and we try to keep Grady away from that for now so I'll take Taylor to church and Ryan will stay home with Grady.
I am the Mother of the Year and forgot to take a basket to today's egg hunt and forgot my camera too. Luckily they had extra baskets and there weren't any huge moments that I missed getting on film/video. Taylor had fun hunting eggs, getting her face painted, doing crafts, jumping in the bounce house, and eating lunch. She wasn't thrilled with her mostly chocolate candy (she likes gum and suckers) but Ryan and I enjoyed it! :)
She and Grady will get Easter baskets tomorrow after church. It's been neat this year to hear Taylor talk about the real reason we celebrate Easter. She still likes the treats but can at least know this year that it's all about celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection. Happy Easter!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

SeriousLife Magazine

I wanted you to know about this magazine called 'Serious.Life'. I am part of their featured blog directory. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor…all sorts of “life” topics. They gives away a bunch of ads to charities and ministries.

You’ll really like it, and I wanted to encourage you take a look. The magazine is free. Here's a link to view: http://www.seriouslifemagazine.com/


Serious.Life Magazine

Monday, April 6, 2009

Got some answers

Talked to both ped and pulm today and they said doing just the 3 days instead of 5 was fine since we'd seen improvement in the cough. Ped also saw him today and gave him azithromycin to try to get rid of this.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

I need your help......

Ok, for those of you who have had your kids on oral steroids, I have a question. Grady is like a MANIAC on them this time around. Worse than ever. He's screaming uncontrollably at times. This is day 3 of day 5. Can I stop them? (His cough is much better but not gone) Are these like antibx and if I stop them things can get worse? He (and we!) are just miserable on them this time. I'm guessing that we need to do the whole 5 days but if we can stop them on day 3 I'd love to. I'm going to try to get him in to the ped. tomorrow to see if they think he's got a sinus/respiratory infection. This has been going on for a long time and the green snot is back yesterday and today and is out of control.

Guess I Should Be More Specific

Guess I should be more specific when I tell Taylor I hope she doesn't wake up to pee at night. I should say I hope she doesn't wake up for ANYTHING at night. 2:30 am....Taylor at my bedside telling me she can't find her teddy bear. I make her go pee, find her teddy, then spend 45 minutes trying to fall back asleep (during which time I go check on Grady because he was sleeping so quietly it worried me--he was fine).

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Did I tick the universe off???

Seriously, what did I do that pissed off the universe so much that it would give me today?? Taylor has been back and forth between smart ass and whiney butt ALL. DAY. LONG. Grady's cough is a bit better (less often and more productive but you can tell it hurts) but, lordy, I forgot how emotionally unstable he becomes on the oral steroids. It's like he's bipolar. One minute he's a maniac and laughing/playing and the next minute he's screaming/crying like his arm has been torn off.
Whoever put the spaghetti box back in the cabinet without closing the lid/sitting it up straight needs a swift kick in the rear because today when I went to pull it out the lovely sight of spaghetti spilling EVERY WHERE in my pantry was just what I did NOT need!!
Speaking of what I DID NOT NEED.....The kids and I headed to the Dollar Store today for a little treat. 1/4 of a block from the house Grady starts coughing. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER than to think he'd stop and we'd continue on. But, no, I keep driving. He throws up so we make a quick right turn to go back around the block to our house. On the way he throws up AGAIN. Sensitive stomachs beware.......I swear the kid looked like he barfed a whole container of cottage cheese (and he's never even eaten cottage cheese). I'm thinking that the oral steroid slows down his digestion and the two CIBs he drank this morning (begging for them) just didn't move through him well. So, instead of the Dollar Store, we spent the time doing laundry, cleaning out the car, taking apart the car seat (see below about that one), etc. Not an easy task with a almost 4 year old and a 16 month old on steroids who thinks the word NO is a challenge to just see how many more times he can do it.
Speaking of taking the car seat apart. I'd like to meet the moron who designed this thing! Obviously he doesn't have kids and has never had to take the cover off of one to wash cottage cheese chunk like puke off of it! 8 screws on the back just so I can take the darn straps out and then take the cover off!! Then the cover says to wash it on delicate. Yeah, delicate is going to get the chunks and smell off. Oh, and you are only supposed to dry it on low heat for 10-15 minutes. Sure, it was dry by that point (NOT!) Thank goodness it was a sunny day! I had to pour hot vinegar water in every little crevice of that darn car seat to get the chunks out. Then it sat in the sun with Resolve sprayed on the straps in hopes of getting the smell out. I had to lay the cover out on the deck for it to finish drying in the sun (shhhh, don't tell, I ended up putting it back in the dryer on a higher setting and longer time later!!)
Grady only took an hour nap as compared to his usual 1 1/2 - 2 hour nap. We did finally make it to the Dollar Store where Taylor thought running around and touching everything was a good idea.
Thank goodness they are in bed now and I'm relaxing with a large sweet tea from McDs to help calm me! Now, can I get a good night sleep with no interruptions? Well, when I told Taylor that I hoped she wasn't awake during the night to pee (since she wakes me to take her) she said, "Uh, excuse me, but I drank a lot of milk today so I will probably need to pee." Uh, okay. Two cute things Taylor said today though....."Mom, just what do you expect me to DO with that bag???" (talking about the poopy diaper bag I had tossed in the hallway to take to the garage after getting Grady down) and then "I know JUST how you feel!" (when I said I was stressed out)

Friday, April 3, 2009

Hate that in between spot

I hate being in that in between spot of "do I take him in or not?" Grady's running around, happy, playing, laughing, as usual. He's breathing a little harder and faster and coughing more. His chest sounds good (I've listened to it all day with my stethoscope), he's not junky, he's not running a fever. He's just breathing harder and faster. I can see his ribs at all times (he's skinny) so the fact that I can see his ribs when he's breathing doesn't really tell me a lot. I talked to the ped. and he said if he's resting comfortably (he's in bed now) and acting fairly normal he'd give it until the second dose of steroids tomorrow and expect to see improvement. I don't want to NOT take him to the ER and have it get worse but knowing what the ER at Riley is like I don't want to take him and put him through that. He'd be exposed to more germs, he's not a major emergency so we'd have a LONG wait, they'd start an IV (or attempt to--he's a majorly hard stick). They would possibly start antibx but other than that we're doing all the rest here at home (inhaled steroids, albuterol nebs, oral steroids, antihistamine for allergies, motrin, etc) So, I'm feeling cruddy because I hate being in that spot where I have to decide to go or not. Obviously, if he were truly sick, I'd take him in a heartbeat. If he weren't sick at all we wouldn't even be in this situation. It's the middle of the road thing that sucks.
So, he's resting peacefully in his bed right now. Taylor's down for the night too. I'm heading to bed so I can get some rest in case the night gets rough again.

Rough Night

So, Grady's ears seem to be better and we'll stop the drops on the 9th. The Loratidine appears to be helping somewhat. The cough though has gotten more often during the day and as he sleeps. So, since the pulm. had given us the oral steroids to keep on hand, I went ahead and started them. I hate to have him on them but they usually work to get his cough under control so I'm going to do the 5 days of them. His chest sounds good and he's not running the fever anymore. He's in a good mood and doing lots of playing.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

And then there's Grady.....

if you missed the post below about Taylor's poop comment, please be sure to read it.

Grady's not doing much talking (although LOTS more since he got his tubes put in) so poop isn't part of his conversations BUT he DID try to eat a dead, dried out worm today. YUCK!!!!

Taylor has become chatty

Taylor has always been very talkative at home but until recently she usually shied away if people in public talked to her. Well, now she's starting the conversations with people. She usually tells them that she has gum in her mouth or that she has gum at her house. Well, I had to laugh today. I took the kids to Wendy's and then to see Ryan at his work. In line at Wendy's Taylor said hi to an older lady and then said something that I didn't totally catch but thought she said poop. The lady asked her how old she was and after that part Taylor repeated what she had originally said. "I've had two poops today. First one poop then another poop!" I had to tell her later that we can talk about poop at home but we shouldn't talk to strangers about it. :lol: