Back to the doctor for what...the 5th time in a week and a half?!

Both kids were complaining of their ears hurting yesterday and were pretty fussy and not eating much. So back to the doctors we went!! I got them up bright and early to be the first in line for a walk in b/c I am so over waiting in the doctor's office. Sure enough they both have an ear infection in the same ear. Bailey's, they think just never fully cleared up from before...he doesn't have fluid behind it but its red and dull so they switched his antibiotic, but Sydney's is a new one since her other one had already cleared up and was in the other ear. But the good news of the day was both of their wheezing has cleared up and their coughs are almost gone :) So if we can just get the ears taken care of we'll be good to go...I hope. Although, I'm not trusting that anymore...I keep thinking we'll get better and something else happens so who knows. I did get the kids immune booster vitamins last night to give them on top of their regular vitamins...I changed their toothbrushes, been washing hands non-stop, on them like a hawk about not sharing cups, and changed their bed sheets...so maybe that will help...can't hurt right?!

Bailey was supposed to go back to school today and with him being sick and all the snow he is desperately missing it. He was begging me last night to go back to school today and it broke my heart b/c I know he is bored out of his mind and missing his friends. His doctor told me if he is doing OK tomorrow he can go back on Thursday so say some prayers for us b/c we are needing to get back to our normal routine. He is supposed to have his little Valentine's party at school on Thursday and he was so excited about it and has his little valentine's all ready so I hope he gets to go back. Plus, Sydney is missing her gymnastics class and has only been once this session poor thing. Although they are calling for more winter weather tonight believe it or not! It seriously never snows here and now we can't get it to stop. I liked it the first time around but now I'm over it and ready for sunny skies and warm weather.

Surprise Party

For my older sister, Jana's 40Th birthday, my brother-in-law threw her a huge surprise party. He has been planning this thing for a year now...maybe longer...and so its been KILLING me not to be able to blog about it...but she checks my blog so I have had to be very careful. On her actual birthday, I wanted to write a nice post about her but I had to give a speech at the party and it contained some of what I planned to put on here so I didn't want to spill some of what she would hear on Saturday. I like to do this for people who are close to me...just so they know how much they mean to me :)

First of all, I am truly AMAZED that Robert pulled this off. My sister is known in our family as quite the little detective...Robert calls her 007, which is very fitting in my opinion :) There have been more Christmases and birthdays than I can remember where she would find her presents and is always going behind people to put 2 and 2 together to figure things out. So when Robert told us a year ago what he was doing I just thought "how in the world will he pull this off?!" There were many phones calls throughout the year that I would get from Jana where she was all upset b/c she couldn't figure out where these chunks of money were going to or who "Pam" was that was showing up on his cell phone. (Pam was the party planner :) Every time I would try to stick up for him or change the subject or just get off the phone really quick. Looking back, she probably thought that was a little odd b/c normally, being that she is my sister and I'm VERY protective, if anyone or anything upsets her I'm on her side and defending her...but not this time...I would always stick up for him. I just wanted him to pull this off so bad b/c she really does deserve it. I think towards the end she started to know something was going on and that he was up to something, but she had no idea the extent of it or any of the details. He told my younger sister, Megan and I that we had to give a speech at the party and immediately her and I started to freak out. We HATE public speaking and he said there would be 200 people there!!! I got really worried b/c the only other time I tried to give a speech was at my rehearsal dinner and as soon as one word came out of my mouth I started crying and never got another word out...so you can imagine my fear. Teaching students or doing it in college was totally different...this was something emotional and filled with memories that meant something to her and I...so yeah, I was nervous. But I thought it out for a long time and wrote it down OVER and OVER until I felt comfortable enough and it ended up being fine. I have known her all my life...so its hard to figure out what to say in a 2-3 minute speech....it wasn't enough time...and sure enough today I woke up thinking of so many other things I didn't get to say.

Like for example, she is one of the most amazing moms I know. I LOVE the relationships she has with my niece and nephew. They are 2 really great kids and to be able to say that about 2 teens is pretty amazing in my book. There are so many times when she is telling me about things they are going through with the kids and how she handles it always impresses me. I'm not sure I'll be able to do the same...she has a very realistic way of looking at things and handling things. She is firm, but kind and loving and no matter what she is always there to advocate for them and be their biggest fan. I think they feel safe opening up to her and know that she will be there even during the things that might be hard for her to hear. She would do anything in the world for them and has always been very involved in their life. I look up to her so much as a mom b/c she truly gets what a gift it is to be a mom and she never takes it for granted.

I admire her in so many ways ~ she is loyal, honest, genuine, hardworking, dedicated, a good wife, amazing mom, animal lover, one of the best listeners, even better advice giver, funny...can make me laugh till I cry, caring, confident, supportive, outgoing, talkative (probably my favorite thing :), and has such a good heart.

She genuinely wants to be there for people and just does it without being asked, knowing its what that person needs. When my dad had his surgery, I couldn't go see him for about a week b/c we were so sick and I didn't want to spread any germs, but I was OK knowing Jana was there everyday after work and the day of his surgery b/c she would always call me each day to let me know the details of how he was doing. She knew it was hard for me to not be there. After I had Bailey, she took off work for the day and came over, cleaned my entire house, did my laundry, and made me a delicious lunch. It made my day to have her there...even if she hadn't done anything but sit and talk to me I would have treasured each minute. I needed that, being a new mom. There are so many other examples of that I could list but I need to move on b/c I still have lots more to talk about and it would be the longest post ever otherwise.

She always makes me feel like things that are going on in my life are important to her...no matter how trivial or stupid it might be...or even how stressful things are for her...I feel like when she asks how things are going or calls to check on something we had talked about the day before, its because she genuinely cares and wants to know how its going. Sometimes there are people that never ask you about your life but are always telling you about theirs...or people who ask, but then you can tell aren't listening to a word you are saying and that isn't her at all. She always wants to know how things are going or whats going on in your life and I think that's why she has such great relationships with so many people...that's why so many people are so easily drawn into conversation with her b/c she makes you feel like no matter what is going on around her she is right there with you in conversation.

She has taught me a lot throughout my life...like my love of animals...I know it comes from her. I remember when we got a new little puppy named, Heidi. I was about 4 and she took me outside with her and Heidi to play and taught me how to be gentle with her. When she got her little Yorkie, Dallas, I went over to take care of him one day and fell in love so she helped me learn all about the breed, find a good breeder and went with me to pick out Maya. When we got our cats I was in middle school at the time...we were only supposed to go look at them, but she talked my mom into getting not one, but 2. She didn't want the little girl we picked out to be lonely and she had fallen in love with a little boy one so we got to bring him home too and both of those cats ended up being my world for about 17 years.

There is a 9 year age difference between her and I, which is quite a difference when your little. When I was 6 and in elementary school...going to dance class and playing with my baby dolls she was 16 and dating, getting ready to drive. So growing up it seemed like I was more annoying to her than anything else and I think its just b/c we couldn't relate. But no matter how annoying I was, she was always there. She was always at my dance recitals and cheering me on during graduations or calling to see how my pregnancies were going and was there when both my kids were born.

One time when I was about 5, I got in a lot of trouble...b/c I stole something and while I layed in my bed crying, Jana came in and layed next to me rubbing my back until I fell asleep. I don't know if she knows I remember that, but it meant so much to me and I'll never forget it. If I ever got in trouble she would always stick up for me and that has continued throughout my life...if I'm going through something great or something hard she is there to support me, cheer me on, or give me great advice. It means more to me than she knows. She is the one person in my life that I can truly say, no matter what I'm going through, no matter how embarrassed I might be, or hurt I am, or happy, sad, or scared, she is the one person I can trust to go to and I know she will be there without judgement and will always know just the right way to handle it or what to say.

I used to drive her so crazy...I would listen to her phone calls, mimic her, follow her and her friends EVERYWHERE...such a typical little sister. It was only b/c I loved her and looked up to her so much that I did those things. As we have gotten older, we have grown closer and found more things in common and more to relate on and I look forward to that continuing throughout our life. I've learned how valuable it is to have someone who has been through things I'm going through right now b/c she can give great advice on how to deal with it or share in my joy b/c she has been there...she knows what I'm going through. I really value her opinion b/c she is so honest and has a great way of looking at the big picture and showing me how to do the same thing.

Again, I feel like I'm leaving out so much...and I might come back and add to it later...but I think this is a good start. The party turned out to be a lot of fun and everything went really smooth. My dad was able to make it and even got up with my mom to give a little speech, which of course made me cry and I know it meant a lot to Jana to have him there and celebrating with her. We talked, laughed, cried, ate, drank, and danced the night away. Oh, my niece and nephew, Rachel and Ryan, also gave speeches and I was so proud of them. They are 16 and 14 years old and to be able to get up there in front of all those people and say such sweet things about their mom was impressive...I couldn't have done that at their age. They did such a great job and made me laugh and cry all at the same time. I know they made their Mama proud :)

Here are some pics from the night and 2 videos at the end...enjoy!!

Happy Birthday Jana Banana...I hope you had an amazing night b/c you truly deserved it :) I LOVE you with all my heart and I know every second how lucky I am to have you in my life.

Me and the birthday girl :)

I L-O-V-E my family! I'm very lucky.

Me with my beautiful sisters

This pic didn't turn out which I'm sad about...

but its my nephew dancing with his mama, the birthday girl ~ very sweet!

Jana blowing out her candle :)

This picture isn't so great of him...but this is Megan and I with my Godfather, Bill.

He is one of my dad's frat brothers from Tech

and has always been a big part of our life growing up

My sisters and I with our crazy Aunt Lisa ~ love her!

She is my dad's only sister - the only girl out of 6 boys!

Me with my daddy

My Aunt and my grandmother dancing the night away

Megy and I with our niece Rachel

Me and Megy

Me and my man

Here is a video of when Jana and Robert walked in to the party and then a video of Robert and his brother, Jason performing some of their moves from back in the day when they were growing up to one of Michael Jackson's hits...toward the end R and J's son, Ryan and his 2 cousins join in ~ Enjoy :)

Happy Birthday Jana!!

Today is my older sister Jana's 40th birthday!! Crazy that I have a sister that is 40! I hope you had an amazing day today and hope to celebrate with you soon once all the germs are away!!!

Happy Birthday
I love you ~

Bailey update

I took Bailey to his pediatrician this afternoon and his fever had spiked again and all he wanted to do was go to sleep when we got there. They quickly gave him some medicine to break the fever and tested him for RSV and the flu. The test immediately was positive for RSV which they had kind of guessed at beforehand...they also said he has a double ear infection. They gave us some good medicine for him so hopefully in another week he'll be better. Say some prayers for health for us b/c our family could surely use them right now. Its so heartbreaking and scary to see Bailey so sick...I miss my happy little man running circles in my home. We've basically just been passing the germs to each other one at a time so its taking us quite awhile to get better it seems. They think this is from Sydney and we just happened to catch hers early enough that it didn't reach the point Bailey is at right now. Hope you are all staying warm and healthy...can't believe we are getting more snow!! SOOOO ready for summer...seriously any day...I'd welcome it with open arms!!

My sick little man round 2

Bailey is sick AGAIN!! He has a horrible cough and ran a fever for 2 days. Last night it got up to 104 and I actually didn't even let it finish...I just threw him in the car and went to the ER. Neither of my kids have EVER had a fever that high and it just worried me to see it go up like that. They gave him lots of meds to break it and it did finally break, which is good, but he still has a horrible cough and has popped blood vessels around his eyes from coughing so much. Its crazy b/c we are hardly ever sick...Bailey hasn't been sick in probably 2 years...maybe longer so its just been stressful b/c it seems like we went from not being sick at all to being sick non-stop for over a month!! One right after the other. Cory and Sydney had a cough but not like Bailey's and they never had a fever so I'm taking him into his regular doctor today to see what she thinks. They did x-rays on him last night and a strep test and said everything looked fine and they think its just a virus but he is looking pretty pitiful so say some prayers for him to get better quick. Have I told you how ready for summer I am?!?!

Daddums

That title might seem odd to you, but that is the nickname I jokingly started calling my dad back in middle school and it has stuck ever since. Well, I'm excited to tell you that he was able to go home on Saturday!! He is doing better and so happy to be at home. Although, my older sister, Jana, just told me he called her saying he wanted to go back to the hospital b/c my mom is actually making him do what he is supposed to be doing and the nurses would leave him alone...HA! I know now that he is at home he will be healing a lot quicker and hopefully back to his normal old self. His breathing is better and he said he isn't in any pain and I think his fever and blood pressure went back down to normal. So anyway, THANK YOU THANK YOU for your thoughts and prayers...we are all so happy he finally back at home and on the road to recovery. I'm going over there tomorrow to keep him company and help him out while my mom is at work so I'm looking forward to spending some time with him :)

Love this kid

I decided I needed to do a post on my little man...he is so stinking cute and I just LOVE him so much. I have been doing so many posts on Sydney lately and even though it is her birthday month I just couldn't not share these pics of him. From the moment they showed me his face when he was born I was instantly in love with him. He just had these huge cheeks that you had to kiss...still does. He is so serious and b/c of that says the funniest things...he is literally a little man. I LOVE to hear him laugh...its so genuine and contagious. He is a major daddy's boy, but loves his mama too. I don't know if its just me, but there is something very special about the bond between a mom and her son. Don't get me wrong, there is something very special about a mama and her baby girl, but I'm guessing its equivilent to a daddy's girl...there is just something a little different and unique about our relationship. He will randomly come in and give me a hug and say "I love you mama" which melts my heart. He is SUCH a good big brother...very nurturing. He shares my love of books and loves to learn new things...he is fascinated with bugs and is just all boy. He loves to play outside, jumping on his trampoline and coloring with sidewalk chalk. He gives some of the best hugs and every night makes me do butterfly kisses, Eskimo kisses, and mama kisses (which are small, fast kisses on his cheek)...he thinks its so funny and then he has to do it to me which also makes him giggle uncontrollably. He is someone who knows what he wants and I admire that in him..although I don't always agree with what it is he wants...I still like that he can make a decision on his own and stick to it. His face lights up every time either Cory or I come home or when we pick him up from school and I love it...I could be having the worst day but to see that smile makes it so much better. I don't know what I'm going to do when he is in kindergarten...I will probably follow the school bus to school!

Anyway, here are a few little pics of him over the past few days.

Love to kiss those cheeks!!

Me chasing Bailey and him thinking it was hilarious ~

Kids are great for keeping you in shape
Cory and him made a bed on the living room floor so they could watch a movie together~
He LOVES his daddy!!