Croup

I have been dreading the day one of my kids got Croup. I've watched Elly's experiences with her kids and seen how dangerous it can be. When Gemma was a baby I actually prayed multiple times that she wouldn't get it.  Well, two nights ago I had my first experience with it.  I could hear it coming as Gemma's cough turned bark-like throughout the day.  By bedtime it was pretty obvious it was croup, so I called Elly and got a "refresher" on what to do in the event Gemma got an attack in the middle of the night...keep her calm, take her outside to breath in cold air, keep her fever down, go to ER if gets out of hand...etc. Well, it didn't matter how "prepared" I was, it was still the most terrifying night I've encountered as a parent. How do you sleep when you are constantly wondering if your kid can breath or not?  I woke up to every single sound in the house. Eventually I just got in bed with her, that was easier than walking across the house every 15 minutes.  I was able to relax some once her fever broke and she seemed to be sleeping more soundly, but it was still a very restless night.  Unfortunately, Makael appears to have the same virus now, but his cough doesn't sound croupy...and I sincerely hope it stays that way.

Even though no one was feeling 100% yesterday, we still had to get out and enjoy the 70 degree weather. I personally like winter. I'm somewhat of a homebody and like feeling cozy in my warm house while I drink a hot cup of coffee, but I must admit, the break in the cold felt wonderful.  We took a walk, chased bubbles in the back yard, and went to the park. I've got a major case of Spring fever now.


I'm no longer babysitting any kids, which surprisingly has been somewhat of an adjustment.  I had been watching kids during the day since before Gemma was born. I loved it! It was nice to have a built in play date every morning keeping Gemma (and eventually Makael) entertained while I got to do stuff around the house,  giving us more freedom in the afternoons to do fun stuff. Without it, I now have to come up with even more fun things for us to do and I no longer get the mornings to clean the house.  Poor me right? Don't you worry...they are still getting plenty of play dates (just requires a little more planning on my part), they are getting out of the house more often, and I'm still cleaning my house  (it's just more spread out). The one upside to not having other kids around is that  Gemma and Makael are now forced to play together more. I love that!  It doesn't matter how noisy they are being or what kind of mess they are making, I love watching/hearing them play and enjoy one another. I'm pretty sure they're going to get along this well their whole lives...hahahaha okay maybe not :)

Playing in her fort. Isn't she so pretty?

He's into climbing on everything right now.  (That's his little friend Brielle)

This picture cracks me up! I don't know what's more funny, M's expression, G conked out in the background,  or M making friends with the creepy little statue. 

Cutest explorer there ever was!

So proud of the fact that she dressed herself.

They went on an expedition with Lita (with maps, snacks, and all)! 

M was less than enthused by the expedition.

  

They just keep growing!

Yesterday Gemma folded a pile of towels, helped me make dinner, set the table (with glasses of water an all), cut up her own chicken, and then brushed her teeth before bed. What does she need me for anymore? David and I both praised her for all of her accomplishments , and we meant it, but I was secretly crying inside. No question I'm incredibly proud of her, but I'm not ready for her to grow up.   I had a conversation with her about this exact topic the other day.  It went like this...

Me: Gemma you're not allowed to grow up.
G:   But mom, I need to grow up and get bigger!
Me. No, I want you to stay little forever.
G:  Umm, can we talk about this?

She's already way more grown up than I would like.

Helping make dinner. 

Makael is also doing his fair share of growing.  We had a really hard time a couple of weeks ago.  Seriously, it was bad.  I thought my sweet boy had been replaced with a mean, rebellious, angry child.  He stopped eating, stopped taking naps, didn't want to be held, didn't want to be put down, and didn't want to watch Baby Einstein (which typically means something is NOT right). He was suffering through his third week with a cold/cough so I was trying to cut him some slack but after four days, I was starting to lose it.  Just when he was about to push me over the edge, I decided to check his gums to see if he was teething. Yep, all four molars were in! Well of course he's going to be hating the world...who wouldn't? Thankfully he's back to his normal self and four teeth richer.  

Growing teeth isn't the only thing he's been up to.  He has also decided to drop his nap. I had no idea how much I used his nap time to recharge and get through my day until it was gone. I've been working with him on "room time", but unlike his sister, it hasn't been such a seamless transition.  I knew Gemma was ready to drop her nap when she decided that her time was better spent talking instead of sleeping.  From then on, "nap time" was just renamed "room time".  She played, talked, and sometimes slept while I got a chance to do other things or just relax. She still has daily room time, and loves it. Makael...not so much.  In fact, he hates it.  We're working on it. 

Back to his happy self.

I argue he still needs a nap.

First post of 2013

Well here we are...another year. We had a great December even though 3 out of 4 of us were sick most of the time. This time I had the unfortunate pleasure of ushering us into the flu season. I just hope we don't have a repeat of last year and take turns being sick for two months straight.

Gemma was especially fun this past Christmas.  She got over the top excited about every single gift and was incredibly good about thanking people and giving them hugs. I actually got teary eyed a couple of times watching her.  She sure made things seem more magical :)

Makael is beyond adorable right now.  Saying new words and showing more and more personality by the day. I'm pretty sure he's going to be my little comedian.  Besides communicating through grunting, he's lost most of his babyness.   I'm not sure exactly when it changed, but his playing and interactions are definitely more little boy than baby now. He loves to stack things, pretend to eat and drink things out of cups, and wrestle with Gemma. As sweet natured as he is, he doesn't hold back when it comes to wrestling.  

I meant to document Makael's stats last month when he had his 15 month check up, but time got away from me. In case you were wondering, (which probably only grandparents care) he weighed 19 lbs 8oz, keeping him in the 10th percentile for weight.  However, the big shocker of the appointment was finding out he jumped from the 10th to the 50th percentile in hight!  What a growing boy!

Here are some pictures of our December...

I asked her to pose for the picture. Ha!

Like I said...a little comedian.

He's the cutest!

Running down the sidewalk is another favorite thing to do. 

:)

He loves to "vacuum".

Admiring his new ornament.

He pulled the pretzels out of the pantry on his own.  That's a guilty smile. 

Opening presents!!

She's so much fun!

Uncle Clay kept telling her "secrets".

Wanting cousin Aksel to play.

My man :)