Spring Break

We are wrapping up the kid's Spring Break. Monday will be back to school & homework. But only for 6 &1/2 weeks, then it's Summer time. This week Jody was able to take some time off to do yard work, I mean to spend time with the kids. So we've had a fun relaxing week hanging out. The kids got new bikes, so they rode those a lot. We went bowling, out to eat, to our friend's house for a cookout, to the movie & out to eat some more. My Aunt Penny was back in town to get my cousin Cale back to Iraq. He had been home on a short leave (for my aunt's B-day) and was due at the ATL airport Friday. We got to visit with him Thursday. Please keep Cale and all the brave men & women in your prayers.
I'm sure you wouldn't be surprised to hear that we didn't make it through this week, without a trip to the Dr. We had to take Ella on Wednesday. She had not been sleeping well & had a little cold. So, after getting up every 30 minutes Tuesday night, & seeing some drainage in one ear,I decided she needed to be seen. The Dr said she had a double ear infection & that the ear drum had ruptured in one ear. Poor baby. I felt so bad. She seems to be recovering great though. They want to check her ears in 3 weeks, which works out great. Her 18 mth check-up is in 3 weeks, so we'll kill 2 birds with 1 stone. If you don't mind, pray for the health of our family. It seems that we've been nothing but sick lately and it's getting old. One good thing, we're getting into the warm months, so there shouldn't be too many more illnesses.
I'll try to post some Spring Break pictures later. Have a good day.

Babysitting Landon

Tonight, Brett & Stacy went on a date, so I got to watch Landon. He was here for a few hours, so I took lots of pictures. He did really well & the kids had a blast with him. Ella likes to hug him & pat his back, if he cries. Alex likes to kiss & hug him. And Emily likes to burp & hold him. I really didn't have to do much with all that help. We had a lot of fun. Brett & Stacy enjoyed their time away too. Here are a few pictures (JEN) so you don't have to see poor Ella at the hospital still. Oh BTW Landon will be 3 months on Wednesday. Isn't he cute?!!

Dr Visits, Children's Healthcare of ATL and Easter

By Dr visits I mean 4 trips between Wed & Sun with the same child. By Children's Healthcare I mean Urgent Care Thurs night, and Scottish Rite Fri night. And Easter, well, you guessed it, I wore jeans all day.

It all started with Ella getting up from her nap with a fever last Sunday. Remember, I just got in from FL & was sick as a dog. Anyway, the fever continued Mon & Tues. Tuesday night it was 104 & above. So we went to the Dr Wed a.m. The strep & urine were negative, so they figured virus. Then Thurs she started the day at 104 & was moaning & groaning. She just wanted to be held & was lethargic. So after speaking with the nurse, she advised to go to urgent care that night or bring her into the office Fri a.m. We decided on urgent care so they could get to the bottom of it that night. The urgent care Dr. only did a flu test (negative) & said her PCP should do further testing in the a.m. So off to the Dr Fri, where they did bloodwork. At 5:00 Fri the Dr called & said Ella's white blood count (WBC) was 2x's what it should be & to head for Scottish Rite for further tests. So after my parents came to stay with Alex & Emily, we headed down to Scottish Rite. There her temp was 103. They did a chest x-ray, repeat bloodwork, started an IV & gave Rocephin (strong antibiotic only given through IV or injection). Her WBC was still doubled, but chest x-ray was clear. They said she had an infection, but they don't know what it is. So we got to go home at 12:15 a.m. So Saturday Ella had to be checked by the Dr in the office by 11 a.m. By then she felt much better & stareted to play with toys & walk around. Since she was doing so well we didn't need to do anymore tests. But our Easter plan was to meet the Dr on call at the office at 9 a.m. for her 2nd Rocephin dose. So this time the family went. Her temp was staying around 102 Sat & 100 Sun. She seemed back to normal Sunday, so the Dr didn't think she needed the medicine, as long as the WBC was down. So she sent us back to Scottish Rite for bloodwork. Luckily we didn't have to go through the ER, just to the lab. We did end up having to register as inpatient, to get the labwork done. Jody & the kids ended up missing the 11:00 service at our church. But they kept announcing the 11:00 service in the chapel at the hospital, so we went to that. WOW!! We sure do have so many things to be thankful for. Thank you Lord for my healthy, mobile, talkative children. We are so blessed!!!

Easter afternoon, we were able to have our Easter dinner, as planned, at my house. We had a family join us that had 2 boys. The kids had fun with the Easter egg hunt & playing outside. The adults had fun eating & talking.

Monday the Dr called with good news. Ella's WBC was normal & the blood cultures are still negative, so she is over the infection. She hasn't had a fever since Sunday a.m. & she is doing great.

Quick Update

Well, it's been awhile so I thought I'd let everyone know what we've been up to.

Sunday March 9- Jody & I were able to go to the Nascar race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. We went with 10 or 12 other friends and had lots of fun. I took a few pictures, but not any good ones. I just wanted a good one of Jeff Gordon, but he's a little too fast.

Wednesday March 12- Jody & I had Alex's IEP meeting to discuss next year. That went great.
But when we left the meeting, Brett called to tell me my Grandmother died. So I spent the rest of Wed and most of Thurs making travel plans to attend the funeral.

Friday March 14- Brian, Brett & I flew to Tampa, rented a car and drove to Port Charlotte for the Visitation that night. Even though this was a sad time, it was good to see that whole side of my family again. This was my Jacksonville, dad's mom. I haven't seen a lot of my aunts & uncles since my Grandfather's funeral, when Alex was 6 months old.

Saturday March 15- Funeral & Food. Then travel back to Tampa to sleep for the night.

Sunday March 16- We are flying home at 11 am. I thought we'd never make it. Two MAJOR problems!!!
Brett & I are sooo sick throwing up every 30 minutes or so. After a long walk & several stops in several different restrooms we made it on the plane. We were still sick on the plane, but somehow managed not to ruin anyone else's day. Thank you Lord! Brian dropped me off at home about 3 that afternoon. I was so relieved to be home, to get my PJ's on and get in bed. I had been looking forward to seeing the kids, but I'd have to catch up with them when I felt better.

Tuesday March 18- Jody left at 5 am for Louisville KY.

So that brings us to today. Pretty uneventful day. Jody should be home tonight. He is driving home through pouring rain, wind & storms. I'm praying for his safety. I'll be glad to see him when he gets here.

Yummy Sonic Corndogs

With the money Jody won, the kids and I went to Sonic for dinner the other night. I normally go through the drive-thru, but decided we would park & eat in the car. Yeah! So exciting!! Well, it wasn't until after I ordered, that I realized~ Ella has never eaten a corndog, at least not without it being cut up. But I thought I'd try it. So here she is eating her first corndog, strapped into her carseat, behind me, in the car. Not the best idea, especially with a choking hazard like a hotdog. But she did great. I was going to take the stick out after the first few bites, but I couldn't get it away from her. Yum Yum. That was great! The stick is pretty good too.
Alex wanted a picture too. Here he is showing his new cowboy boots & corndog.

Bouncey ball + JODY = $$

Jody went to the auction in ATL yesterday. As he walked in, they were starting early arrival prizes. Well, as you know, Jody is always early & has pretty good luck. But luck wouldn't help him this day. Today his speed & agility was the key. I'm sure you've guessed it involves this silly ball. His mission, should he choose to accept, was to race someone, about 50 feet, while both are sitting on the ball & bouncing their way to the finish line. Ha! Ha! Ha! That is Hilarious! I wish I could have been there to watch this & take pictures. I even tried to get him to reenact this last night, but he didn't fall for it. Anyway, Jody did win the race, so he got the cash prize. WooHoo!! We are sooo proud of Jody & his skills. This is just an example of how hard work & dedication(& being early) pays off. Way to win again, Jody!! I love you!

Kim & Heather at babyshower for Emily
Emily 8 weeks & Jonathan 3 weeks
Emily & Jonathan at birthday party

Jonathan, Alex, Emily & Jessi (Ella too)