After a pretty dismal week, things are finally looking up. It seems that during the night, a UFO hovered over our house, returned my cubs and took back those monsters. Thank you!!!!
So far today has been pretty good. The cubs slept in until 8:30 this morning. I even had to wake Zach up, which is totally unheard of. I did hear him making noise around 6am, but he managed to fall back to sleep. He usually wakes up around 5:30, so this was a very welcomed turn of events. Too bad Steve had to go to work, or else he could have joined us. I'm sure since Steve is off tomorrow, Zach will be waking up at his normal 'pre-roosters' time.
Zach just finished his second bottle of the day. It's the first time since his little bug that he has finished a bottle. I'm very pleased that there wasn't even much of a struggle involved.
The cubs are currently playing right now, laughing and chasing each other around the living room. Music to my ears! I am so glad I was able to return those monsters! It's wonderful having my cubs back!!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Returned to sender
Friday, August 8, 2008
Aliens have abducted our cubs...
Aliens have abducted our cubs and replaced them with MONSTERS! While they look identical to my cubs, I know these are not mine. This has been a less than stellar week. "Temper-tantrum Tuesday" is now replaced with "Totally Terrible Tuesday", and was SO bad that it blended into "How could it get any Worse? Wednesday".
It started Monday with Zach waking up from his nap with a fever slightly over 101. So I started the doses of Tylenol. He had been spitting up more than normal (which has officially blown our 47 day no-puke streak), so I figured he just had a bug. On "Totally Terrible Tuesday", he still had his temperature and was just miserable. He wouldn't eat, drink or sleep. It is very distressing to Mom when Zach won't eat OR drink. I can just visualize the pounds float away on my anemic/bulimic little man. **SIGH** So young and already having eating issues. He wanted to be held every second (VERY unusual for him), which is very difficult when his sister is also screaming for attention. I finally got him down for a nap, but when he woke up, he was just burning up, and he still had several hours before I could give him any more Tylenol. When he was crying so much he made himself throw up, I packed him and Emily up and off we went to meet Steve at the Doctor's office. So after sitting in the waiting room for over an hour, we get our five minute consult with the Dr., who seems to think he has a stomach bug. He says it should last between 3-5 days. GREAT! Keep giving him fluids. Um, right. How does one give fluids to a 15-month-old who doesn't want them, and can force himself to throw up if you tick him off??? Good luck with that! Can't we fast forward to next Friday already???
On "How could it get any worse? Wednesday", sure enough, it got worse. No eating, No drinking, No sleeping. Mom and Dad are both exhausted, frustrated and even more fussy than the cubs. Emily also had a little fever, because it's "highly contagious" per Dr. Genius. UGH! God, please let me survive this, at least until next Friday!!! If you see any aliens flying around, will you please ask them to return my cubs and take these monsters back?!?!
So Thursday was a repeat of Wednesday, with just a little less fuss. I think the cubs are feeling a little better. Zach still isn't eating or drinking much, but at least the crying is starting to lighten up. Steve and I are also thinking that maybe with this fever causing bug, we are also suffering from some teething issues on top of it.
Now it's Friday. One more week until my "Girl's Get-away". The light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully Emily is feeling better and acting more like herself. Zach is still pretty fussy, but it is getting better. At least he will sit by himself without screaming his head off. So far today, no spit ups. Of course, I guess if you don't eat much, you have less to spit up. **SIGH**
In the midst of this, we still have some items worthy of noting. I've spent a lot of time this week rocking Zach in the recliner. Little Emily has become quite fond of bringing things over and giving them to me while I'm sitting. For instance, today she brought me every throw pillow we have on our love seat and couch. Zach and I were covered with ruby-colored pillows. It is so adorable to watch her and she is so proud of herself. I always tell her "thank you" and I always get her adorable smile, then off she goes for another one.
She still gives the greatest bear hugs. She "runs", throws her arms around you, and laughs. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is one of the highlights of my day. I ask her for hugs ALL THE TIME! Zach, on the other hand, has become quite stingy with his hugs. I normally hold my arms out, ask for said hug, and he comes to me and gives me one. Lately, I hold my arms out, ask for a hug, and he comes all the way to my fingertips and turns around and walks off. He may think this is funny, but Mommy's feelings are slightly hurt. Where is that alien abductor? I want my huggy Zach back!
Emily also likes to walk around with a teething ring on each arm. Such a little priss sporting her "bracelets". She'll stand there with her "bracelets" on and just clap her friends. Soooo cute. I have already told Emily that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Daddy is in BIG trouble. How convenient that the diamond is also her birth stone. Daddy's credit card is in BIG trouble.
Last night for dinner I made spaghetti, which Emily gobbled right up. I gave Zach a few strands, just to keep him entertained, and he actually put one in his mouth. He even swallowed some. Wow. Of course, in true Zach fashion, he threw it up. The fact that he put it in his mouth to begin with is a pretty big deal around here. It gives me hope that Zach may eat something other than pureed food before he enters Kindergarten.
I hope that alien brings back my cubs ASAP! Things need to get back to normal around here.
Mom's recent favorite pics
The winning stroller. Thanks to all who voted. It has superior adjustable canopies, perfect for hiding from the paparazzi:
Mom LOVES this picture:
Our little miracle cubs:
Mom's recent favorite pics -- All about Zach
Who, me???
It's so tough when you're this cute:
It's just exhausting:
All smiles! Such a handsome little man!
Mom's recent favorite pics -- All about Emily
How can one possibly say no to this face????
This is what will happen if you do:
Little Emily Bear attacking a defenseless banana:
Emily Bear with her own personal fluffy footrest:
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Where to begin??
Our stroller arrived on Thursday...now that's service. Steve says it looks exactly like he expected it to. I was hoping for a little more vibrant orange. It looks more like rust or burnt orange, but it's not too bad. It handles so much easier than our Graco. It's a planning process when we journey out because you have to give thought to which stroller would be easier to use. The Graco fits through much tighter spaces, so when going to the mall, the Graco is the far better choice to squeeze through (and sometimes even it is too big...who designs the layouts of these stores??). When going to the zoo, the City Mini wins hands down. Plus there is no more kicking and hair pulling. If only there was such a thing as the perfect stroller....
On Friday, the cubs and I met up with Kelli and her twins at the mall....in the Graco. I thought it went really well except that Zach returned his lunch...thank heavens I had put a bib on him, because I had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. This is the first time he has ever thrown up his lunch in public, but we got through it. The cubs even managed a brief nap and Kelli and I were able to eat lunch almost like real adults do.
Our first attempt at home-made baby food didn't go too well. It was easy enough to make, but the cubs didn't care for it. I wasn't surprised at all by Zach's reaction, but I totally expected Emily to gobble up the veggies. I tried carrots, green beans, and peas, separately and together, and she refused them all after just one bite. I am not giving up. I'm sure she'll eat them after she gets used to it.
Steve had off this weekend which was pretty unusual. We loaded up the cubs yesterday and took them to the mall. It was far less pleasant than the trip the day before. Emily was a major fuss bucket! We only got to go into a few stores before we decided to pack them up and come home. The only bright spot of the trip was watching Emily navigate her first small set of stairs. There were only six, but she looked pretty adorable waddling up the stairs. We also let Zach out of the stroller to walk in the mall. Our little man is quite the speed walker.
For dinner last night Steve requested my italian version of shrimp scampi. This is big! I made it the first time on Thursday and Steve said it was good! I usually get an "it's ok" or "it's not bad", so receiving a "good" is the equivalent to a five-star rating from him. Whoo hoo! We've been married almost eight years, and I finally got a "good"! So twice this week we had shrimp scampi. I thought it was pretty good too, but it probably is not on my diet.
Steve and the cubs have their little ritual before bed. Steve and Emily usually share a banana, and then they all chase each other around the couches. I love hearing the cubs laugh. It is the greatest sound in the world. I think Steve enjoys the playtime together except that he always complains about needing knee pads. I think he's just getting old.
For Steve's birthday I sent him to get a Sports Massage. It's not an original idea, he does it for me all the time, but I know he's been working hard and could use it. We hope he has a happy birthday!!
