To the Brink of Death and Back Again

There were a couple of weeks there that I didn't think I was going to survive.

On November 7th, ZoeJane got sent home from school with pink eye. Lovely. By that night, I had a sore throat. The next day, Michael and Phoenix had caught the cold symptoms she had. ZoeJane and Michael slowly improved. Phoenix and I got worse. Much worse. He never spiked a fever, but when his normally bubbly personality fizzled, I decided it was time to go to the dr. So last Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving), I hauled all three kids in (just to be safe). As I suspected, the older two were on the tail end of colds. Phoenix had bronchitis and double ear infections. Poor baby boy. My heart broke.

Meanwhile, our original Thanksgiving plans were canceled, but I was still hellbent on cooking a big meal for ZoeJane. Because 1, they had spent so long learning about it in school and 2, she was just so excited for it and 3, because the poor girl's Thanksgiving break consisted of running around the house with her brothers while mom was near death on the couch. I probably over-did it. Turkey, made-from-scratch dressing, green bean casserole, slow cooked veggies, rolls, loaded mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

By Saturday, Phoenix was back to his typical peppy self. He had gone for a follow up on Friday and while he still has the ear infection (he's on antibiotics), his lungs were completely clear. And it's a good thing because he was just not having those breathing treatments. The boys go back this Friday for a belated 1-year check up, shots, and flu vaccines. It's gonna be a fun weekend.

Meanwhile, I'm still debating on exactly what direction I want to go with the blog. I can't decide how I want it to look. So, I'm standing by my usual motto of "If you don't know what to do, do nothing" until it comes to me.

I've got way more interesting things to post...but I'll do that when I have a little more time. For now, I'm working on my second glass of pink moscato (lovingly picked out by the hubbs) and considering taking the hubby to bed early tonight ;) You're welcome, ha!

Can I just get a nap?

It is entirely possible that I am dying (Not really, you're not that lucky). But if I was, I imagine it would feel like this.

Around lunch time Friday, Michael started running fever. First 100.8, the 101.6, the 102.3.....I alternated tylenol and motrin (just like the instructed me to do for his last high fever that landed us in the emergency room), and it brought it down a little...but not enough to make mama happy. I was sure we'd end up in the emergency room, but luckily we didn't have to go. Dayton came home early and came armed with the essentials. A new thermometer (because our's had had it and it was driving me crazy), juice, birthday presents for the boy (because we knew this meant we were going to have to cancel his party, which had already been postponed because big sister was sick during his actual birthday), Sprite, Cough drops, and a box of Vicks Vapor Plug re-fills. Now, keep in mind, everything except the juice and new thermometer were for me and Phoenix (Vapor plug). Michael had no other symptoms other than his fever. I pushed fluids like crazy....kept alternating meds, and finally got his temp down to 99.8. Whew!

I got Michael to bed, went to bed myself and got all comfy...snuggled up next to Dayton and started to relax and BOOM! Phoenix woke up with a gunky nose and mean cough. Cue saline drops, snot snatcher, diaper change, bottle, cuddles from mama, and a little while in his swing (that he's way too big for but still loves). Checked on Michael again, fever was down to 98.9 (yessss!).

Finally fell asleep, around 3am. Phoenix woke up at 5:30am SHARP. Wait, what's that? I'm awake and yet my eyes aren't opening. Sigh. I've inherited the pink eye. ZoeJane brought it home last Thursday and it's made it's rounds. I thought I was safe.

So, fast forward to now. I got about 30 minutes of combined sleep last night because both boys had a rough night. Michael had a cough and Phoenix.....well, Phoenix just didn't want to sleep. My chest hurts from coughing so much. My throat hurts from coughing so much. My head is pounding from having such strong coughing spells. I have ZERO energy. And frankly, I'm ready to curl up and die. If there's no improvement after the power nap I'm going to take when Dayton gets home and a night of rest tonight, I'll probably have my happy ass in the ER tomorrow.

Fun times!

Anniversary/Halloween week!

In other words, I've got a crapton of pictures for you guys.

From Phoenix's birthday on the 26th, until the end of the year...we have something going on constantly. Phoenix's birthday, our anniversary, Halloween, Michael's birthday, Thanksgiving, ZoeJane's birthday, and then Christmas! It's exhausting..and draining on the bank account, but it's a blast!

The weekend before our anniversary, the kiddo's were off to the grandparent's for a night and a fall festival at my parent's church, so we took the night off for ourselves. We had a fondue dinner (complete with apps and dessert) which was AMAZING. I'll only include one picture from that night so you guys don't start having really bad cravings ;).

On our actual anniversary, the hubbs gave me strict instructions to listen for the door. Of course, when I went to pick ZoeJane up from school, the surprise arrived and was waiting on my doorstep when I got back =). A dozen roses (a mix of pink, red, and white). The red ones are so rich and beautiful, they look like velvet. A teddy bear, a balloon. and a box of mint chocolates. And of course a card. Two days later, I got another card and two more bouquets of my favorite roses. I don't know what they're called, but they're dyed to look striped. I got a red bouquet and a hot pink bouquet.

Fast forward to Halloween. We had a Spider-Man (complete with some serious muscles), a Merida (from Brave), and a prisoner, complete with tattoos. We went to the Mall of Ga since it was so cold out (we didn't want the kids to have to completely cover up their costumes). We spent an hour and a half in traffic, only to get there are only like 5-6 stores were participating. It was disappointing to say the least. The kids barely got enough to fill the bottom of their buckets. So what does this mama do to fix it? I wait until ZoeJane is back at school, go to walmart, spend $10 on Halloween clearance candy (which resulted in a SHIT TON of candy), brought it home, stuffed their buckets and told them that Jack the Pumpkin King came to visit and drop off some goodies (we've good big Nightmare Before Christmas fans in this house). Politically incorrect to load your kids up? Probably. Did I do it anyway? Hell yes. I'm big on making sure my babies have happy holidays.

So, with that being said, here's the evidence!

Chocolate turtle fondue!

He spoiled me! <3 p="p">

Yep, I love this guy!

Merida <3 p="p">

All three babies <3 p="p">

A nutcase ;)

Mama makes it better ;)

Much better! 

What have you guys been up to?!