Apparently I have a lot of catching up to do, but right now, I have just been dealing with family stuff.
With Calahan breaking his arm Friday, we have had to adjust chores (because he can't do ANYTHING right now) and pick up the slack, we've had to make sure he's comfortable, has his arm elevated, ice packs, meds, etc and everything ... which isn't a biggy ...
But last night, Kaedyn started waking up every couple hours coughing, by the time 2 am hit, I realized it wasn't just a COUGH... it was a BARKY COUGH... and any mom (or Dad) out there know what that means...
yep.... the croup!
Dennis was sleeping and at 2am when I had gotten him settled, I had woken him up and told him that next time Kaed woke up, I was going to wake him up to hear how bad he was getting (not to deal with him, I just wanted him to hear it, knowing croupy coughs go away more during the day due to being upright) ... So the next time he woke up, I forgot but when I got back to bed, he said "he does sound bad"... next thing I knew it was 7:30am... and Dennis had gotten up with him the rest of the night .... I found them kicked back in my chair, cuddling... Daddy was asleep, Kaedyn was awake... I went to the bathroom and when I got in the living room he said "someone woke me up cuz he was kickin crazy after seeing Mommy up" LOL... he is a Mommy's boy.
So after doing some research online (times the urgent care clinics open) I took him into the nearest one straight away at 8:30 this morning. There were already 5 cars in the parking lot when we got there! But we got in and got seen relatively quickly. Dr. listened, asked me questions, and said he didn't quite hear the barkyness but that was normal with croup. I said "he has it when he cries" and the DR (jokingly) said "should I make you cry?" and I said "no, I'll do it, it's very simple" ... I just put him on the floor (sitting up) and walked 5 steps away from him. The little lip pop'd out and the face got sad, the tear ducts opened up and the wailing started. After abotu 20 seconds of stepping away from him, the DR said "okay, I heard it" so I took the few steps back to him, scooped him up, and he was right as rain agian!
He gave me steriods to give him (one dose today, and if he has another bad night tonight, another one tomorrow) but since I noticed it very early, that should be all he needs but I'm suppose to keep an eye out for runny nose & ear infections which are common with croup. If I think he needs it, I have a nebulizer at home for breathing treatments (since both Noah and I have asthma) ... So far he's been really good but he was having a moment this afternoon where I thought, okay if that continues, I'll have to pull it out. Luckily it didn't though.
Right now, he is sleeping peacefully - he has woken up 3 times since being laid down at 7 though, and we'll see what the night holds.
He is usually a rather independent baby where you can put him on the floor and he will play play play and if he wants your attention, he'll come by you - or if I leave the room, he'll just belly crawl his way in there will me and peek around the corner with a big smile on his face. But today he has been VERY clingy - it's been a miracle to even get him to play on the floor at my feet, and any time Dennis or I walk out of the room (even if the other one is in it) he cries. He just wants Mom and Dad in his eye sight at all times.
I just hope he gets better! Tomorrow is Nathan's 2nd hearing test, got to get Cal in to get his cast on, a bunch of errands to run and that is it. Tuesday is ST for Nate, Wednesday is PT for Nate (they come to the house) ... and Thursday is the last day of school.
The first broken bone... of my kids... you see. Yeah ... it's been ... an interesting 24 hours.
Last night was nice, the weather wasn't hot, it wasn't too cold... so since Noah was over at his friends, and Cal was off on his borrowed bike (Cal's bike has been stolen twice, so we said we weren't going to buy him a new one for awhile, so his friend gave him one of his older bikes - they had fixed it up and such) ...
So Dennis and I decided to put the babies in the "Are they TWINS?" stroller and go for a walk. We live on a long road of duplexes. So we were walking down and we were about a block away from the end of the road when my neighbor's son, and another kid came up to us and said that Cal was hurt and on some one's steps down the road. Well ... we walked down there and Cal was sitting on the steps, a lady and a bunch of little girls around him. We asked him what happened and he said he fell off his bike.
So apparently - the lady saw it all happen but she didn't have a good view. She said she thought he hit the car that was parked, he went over the handle bars and then the bike flew up and when she got over there it was on top of him. She helped him over to her place and gave him her cell to try to call us (not knowing we were actually walking in that direction)
His friend says that he thinks the bike locked up and that Cal flew over the handle bars and then the bike flipped up and landed right on top of Cal.
Regardless - Calahan got a lot or road rash, he hurt his right leg up by his thigh, and I highly suspected he broke his left wrist. Dennis went back to our house, got his car, and came and got Cal, taking him to the ER - then I walked the babies home and waited. (Noah eventually came home from his friends too.)
Calahan at the ER .... see his right leg (thigh area) is twice as big as the left? Sure enough - he broke something. Wasn't exactly his wrist, but it was his arm right by his wrist area... (they printed off a copy of the x-ray for Dennis to bring home and he folded it!!) The arrows are pointing to the breaks, and the boxes are around them - be broke BOTH arm bones... He ended up getting a temporary "cast" and sling until Monday when I'm suppose to take him in to get his actual cast and talk to the Orthopedic... A few examples of his road rash... See the bruising on his arm (it's not real good) Cal got moved upstairs and Noah was told he got to sleep in the top bunk so Cal could sleep in the bottom (Cal's room is in the basement, since he bruised the muscle in his leg, he could barely walk) ... luckily Noah's room is right next to the bathroom. Calahan this morning... unhappy as could be... poor kid :( They ended up giving him vicodin and ibuprofen for the pain.
I just wanted to send out a quick THANK YOU to Anissa (do you know how hard it is not to write Annissa - cuz I'm not use to writing it with only one N? LOL) ... over at Our Chaotic Life!! She has some beautiful blog designs that she does - go check her out!!
I will be sure to award it to a few others, plus the award Angie gave me!
It’s time for the WEEK 2 Bachelorette Review…dah-da-da…
(I have 5 pages of notes!Oye!) …This is who was left after last weeks eliminations …
So her first choice, via the FIRST IMPRESSION ROSE was David… Then in order, Jacob, Jesse, Wes, Mathue, Michael, Robert, Ed, Reid, Simon, Kiptyn, Mike, Brian (screams in horror), Sasha, Julien, Tanner P (vomits), Mark, Brad, Tanner F, Juan …
So we start off with this was my top 3 from last week…
And now … humm I wonder if that changes when I change it?Guess we’ll find out – just incase, I took a screen shot! HA!! (Answer: It does automatically change so I put my screen shot up!) Anyway …
The guys move into their “bunk” and Jillian moves into the mansion …now, why does this show have double standards?LOL…oh I figured it out.In the Bachelor the guys get a mansion (or at least a nice house) and the girls get a mansion … drama ensues no matter how many rooms they have to hide in.In the Bachelorette… they guys have a “bunk house” while the woman stays in the mansion.Now…why?Well because guy will ignore each other – but in a little tiny hut with bunks (basically) and an outdoor shower – they are really forced to deal with one another.Ha ha ha…
1st Date – “The Race for Jillian’s Heart”
*Michael*Brian*Brad*Sasha*Tanner P*Wes*Ed*Mathue*
So you have the break dancer, foot fetish creepy guy, country musican, “smart & handsome” gas guy, asshole frat boy, corny financial advisor, personal trainer, and tech geek.Nice mix!
Right away stupid ass Brian is on my nerves yelling “what’s up hottie” .. I mean give me a break .. then it was followed up by an exaggerated tongue roll … I’m surprised he didn’t do a sly “want to be my Canadian lover” comment after that, but he managed to contain himself much to my surprise. So they have a pool party, Michael got the first one on one time before Jillian took the rose and left.It seemed to go well, but the guy just strikes me as oddly immature yet.Jillian took the rose and left, much to the guys bewilderment and speculation …and then Chris came in to let the guys know that they were about to embark on a wild goose Jillian chase! They were instructed to get into the designated pairs and begin “The Race for Jillian’s Heart” … it was missing it’s own game show announcer and theme music though.
Pairs:Michael & Tanner
Brad & Wes
Ed & Brian
Sasha & Mathue
My first thought….Poor Ed being stuck with frat boy Brian.I mean at this point, I even think Tanner is better and Tanner makes me want to vomit in my mouth with his whole foot fetish thing.I mean – seriously – to each their own, but don’t make me WATCH it!!Then you watch the guys all do this mad dash for these buckets full of keys and 4 lock boxes (one for each pair) and you are suppose to go through all these keys and find the right one for the lock box…. However…THESE ARE MEN…. They have no patience!Lock boxes go flying, broken in any way or fashion, and they are off!
1st Clue:Find your way to location #1 where you’ll make a quick change, look for the flag & proceed to the alley…
This clue sets all the guys in a tizzy. Some start off by going in the wrong direction – obviously no one read the clue and/or even noticed they were given a map!Ha ha … During all this – Michael made me laugh and Brad just came off as cocky, annoying and arrogant.ARGH!
Michael & Tanner were the last to leave the house, and the last to show up on the spot for the first clue.These guys were stopping at random places, looking for “anything” that could symbolize Jillian.The first team to figure it out and get there was Ed & Brian.2nd went to Brad & Wes and 3rd to Sasha & Mathue.
2nd Clue: If you want to win Jillian’s heart you’ll have to lay it all out on the line.
(meaning they had to check the kitchen line for their next clue) … one team was outside checking out the line in the area they parked.It was amusing.
3rd Clue:My “Best Friends” are waiting for you down the street.Head through the front doors & turn left.If you can’t find the flag, ask Neil for directions.
Brad & Wes were the first to find the clue in the kitchen, and first off.They decided to “drive” to find it.Then it was followed up by Ed & Brian, Sasha & Mathue, and then Michael & Tanner.
They go to the jewelry store (get it – diamonds are a girls best friend) … Ed & Brian picking out the first of 4 necklaces Jillian liked best and going off with their next clue, then Sasha & Mathue got 2nd choice, Brad & Wes got third pick which was hilarious – Brad liked the thick gaudy (in my taste) necklace and Wes liked the cleaner simpler one, Brad got his pick and they moved on. Michael & Tanner again, came in last.
The 4th clue: It’s time to put a spring in your step.Look for the rose, I’ll be waiting.
They had already been told that Jillian would have to pick one guy from the winning team – to have a private one on one date with.Brad and Wes were the first to figure out that “Spring” was a hint to the street – they had also been given a stop watch with numbers on it, and putting it together, figure out that was the address.So off they went on foot…and got there first.
As Wes showed Jillian the necklace he totally said the pick had been Brad’s and Brad put the necklace on her.Brad said (during a interview) that he was the only “brains” of the operation so hands down she would be picking him.She picked Wes.Brad then started to throw a temper tantrum like a little 3 year old who didn’t get the right color sucker!
I wonder, why don’t these guys like Wes?Threat maybe???Then I realize, THEY all think he’s only there to further his music career.
During the one on one dinner, SHE went in for the kiss – first kiss I’ve seen on the show – she gave it to Wes.She also gave him the rose, which by this time all the guys figured out they could “watch” on a little monitor that was in the room.They all groaned at that…
Of course Wes getting a rose meant that HE got to move into the house with Jillian and stay in one of the rooms there.
I like Wes but there is some odd vibe he throws off – it may just be the “bad boy musician” thing … he maybe a little closed off yet …I donno, we’ll see.And Brad just continued to throw his temper tantrum.
The One on One date card arrived, for Jake (the pilot), and read “I’m looking for a guy that can cut loose.”
So when she showed up for the date (er… walked down from the big house to the peasant place?)she was wearing the wings that Jake had given her, I thought that was awful cute.They got to the western store and Jake was funny, they got awful kinky touchy feely at the store but it was nice to see him be comfortable with her and with himself to brush all those “first date” anxieties away.They had a great time and he suddenly moved up on my list!
They ended up going to the House of Blues – Jillian had to play the whole jump on the bar and do the Coyote Ugly thing – it was off set by her asking him if he could see up her skirt, and she sorta tucked it between her knees.LOL…he made a comment that “he was a good boy and didn’t look up her skirt” (and he totally could have! LOL)… She went to teach him some two step and said he took her by surprise because he knew it a lot better then her and taught HER a few things.They had a WOW kiss captured by Jake – while Jillian was in the middle of talking…. It was a surprise attack – but Jillian liked it) …Martina McBride sang – he said “we got to dance as an icon of country music and Jillian and I moved so well that I forgot Martina was on stage!”
Awwwwwwwwwwww …That grasped my heart and I literally went “awww”that really struck me as sweet and I do really like Jake.
He of course, also, got a rose meaning he got to move up to the big house too, with Wes.
2nd Group Date card: *Jesse*Mark*David*Mike*Simon*Kiptyn*Juan*
So…….. the pizza guy, the even planner ketchup only man, the 1st impression rose shy guy, Bond 007, the whine wine maker, “good catch” pick up liner, and the Juan man…
Which meant that … *Julien*Tanner F*Robert* and Reid*didn’t get dates.
So they get to where they are going (basketball court) and then Jillian proudly proclaims “shirts off boys!” and they all oblige her.She then oogles their goodies and proclaims it a good day for her.LOL …while playing this “I’ll show you up” game – Juan picks Jillian up to take a shot and he drops her (or she mis-steps when he puts her down and she falls) …WTH!?!?LOL…you don’t DROP the girl, your fault or not (Juan moves down a notch or two now) … BUT when the Harlem Globetrotters were there, and during this slaughter game with the guys called Jillian down and “played” with her a little bit… lol…they picked her up and told her to hang on, leaving her hanging at the rim…well it was Juan who went and got her down (no one else budged and it looked like they were all starring like “huh?” at her… lol) …The Globetrotters gave David their vote.
They then went to sit on the beach and Jillian was making a joke that if one of them went and got a guys swim suit – and ran into the ocean – it would be all over (ha ha ha) …so Mike bared it all and did just that – ran into the ocean in a speedo!So they left the beach and were all sitting together … they got some shots (or something) … and went to have a “toast” and David claims Juan dumped out his shot and “faked it” … then David proceeded to throw a fit about it and said he (Juan) should be tied to a tree and beat up to some of the other guys (because Jillian had pulled Juan off for a one on one) … he said that he went against “man code” and just say you didn’t want to drink it instead of faking it, and that Juan is just there to “put on a show”…meanwhile, Juan and Jillian held hands and had a kiss.
Then she had pulled Kiptyn away for a one on one … I don’t know if I like him as much anymore.The way he talked about “what he’s looking for” or how he envisions his “wife”, just bothered me. Especially the phrase “high level of what I want.”And the fact that he’s never had his heart broken, he’s always been the heart breaker makes you go hummmm too…Jillian then said that she doesn’t care what they talk about, she just wants to make out with him, and did.
Mike got the date rose, she said she was sitting there joking about something and he got up and did it and that left an impression on her.
Then came the Rose Ceremony …
Right away I was forced to watch Tanner P almost (or maybe it was totally) FORCEFULLY get his hands on Jillian’s feet.Now, at least Jillian sees that it’s more then just “cute” that he likes her feet but it didn’t seem to bother her all that much.Wes coming and breaking up Robbie & Jillian’s one on one time JUST when Robbie was starting to talk left a bad taste in my mouth.I understand the whole “it’s no time to put on the breaks just because I have a rose, it’s time to step on the gas” thing – but geez…
Then David yet AGAIN decided to have a temper tantrum about someone (this time Wes) – can we say jealous much?And that look he gave Jillian when Wes hugged her (when David butting into their one on one time) ….this look – right here … I took a picture of my TV!LOL…
OMG – it just screamed “I’m going to grow up and be your stalker someday!”
Robby was gripping about Wes not making a point to befriend the guys, so Wes made the comment “I’m not here to date you” .. it’s true.It is up to him to show that he’s just there for Jillian – or like most the other guys, there for Jillian but hey we’ll have fun with each other while we’re here.There is no “wrong” way to go about it – but it shows a lot about personality.Wes is apparently very focused on the goal.Now – if Wes were there to further his career – would he really have such moments where he comes off as an ass?If I were there to further my career – I would be sucking up to everyone, I mean one more person to buy his CD (or what not) … is one more sale, which might lead to more.Ya know?
Then the Ballet Box came out …seriously – David and his “man code” have got to go.Anyone have a drat gun so I can shoot him between his eyes???
As everyone was writing down the name of the guy who they all wanted to go home THAT NIGHT – there was a group (including Jillian) out by the pool – and – Brian decided it was a good time to strip down to NOTHING (he literally striped right infront of the whole crowd) Now … I realize that takes some balls … but from what was said, he didn’t have much.And I suddenly realized, at that moment – that he reminded me of a stupid cocky FRAT BOY!At the age of 32, I don’t think that acting like an immature FRAT boy who is more interested about being the “life of the party” is appropriate.FOCUS MAN – I don’t like you – but you are there for JILLIAN not to get naked on TV so your twig and berries show!
So … the results of the ballet box were, in 3rd place – Julien, 2nd – Dave, and 1st went to Juan.(The only reason Wes wasn’t in it was because he already had a rose) …Jillian was then told that if she wanted to, she could present Juan a rose at that moment, and save him, or let him leave at that moment.She of course, wanted him to stay – so he got the 4th rose.
So, the roses went to …
Wes (on the first group date), Jake (one on one date), Mike (2nd group date), Juan (to save him), Jesse, David (cry baby), Ed, Sasha, Mark, Michael, Tanner P (vomits), Kiptyn, Reid, Robbie, Tanner F, and Brad (cry baby).
Julien, Brian (yay!!), Simon (bye bye Bond), and Mathue all went home.
You can tell, clearly, that I do not like Tanner P – his whole foot thing creeps me out.I mean seriously – I don’t want to see your fetish on TV – CONTROL YOURSELF MAN!And Brad and David are just freaking cry babies.At least Brad HAD something (very little) to whine about, but David is just angry angry man!!What happened to that shy guy who stumbled over his words and all that???Makes you wonder if it was an act.
I meant to post this yesterday but since I didn't - I won't attach the Writers Workshop stuff to it, but see below this post for all that :)
1: My most favorite thing (not that he's really a THING)….My husband…I get to use him and abuse him all I want.Teehee… just kidding.No really – I love him dearly and I cannot express enough how thankful I am for him being in my life.(and that’s not just sucking up for a good birthday gift either! LOL) …I really am.He has made my life complete, in so many ways.
2: (really a tie for #1) … my kids.I am bunching them up into ONE even though they are FOUR … because otherwise this list would be top 5 boys -and then my other favorites!But I do love my boys so much.Calahan for making me a mom!Noah for teaching me what a miracle is and helping me to appreciate the little things in life.Nathan for showing me that serious need not apply and no matter what happens, you can be goofy.Kaedyn for completing my heart and making it burst every single day!
3:Ireland …….. need I say more?Seriously?I’m Irish, I have to love those brilliant green hills and captivating lilts.
4:Italy …always been amazing to me, but since I met my Italian stud (see #1) … I have a whole new appreciation.I want to learn Italian with him and hope someday we can visit both Ireland and Italy!
5: My BOOKS……… I have *almost* every single Nora Roberts Book known to man (yes even J.D. Robb) … but I also have a lot of other books that I covet! Don’t touch them, they are MINE – back off! (these were taken awhile ago, there are more now)
6: Dr. Pepper …need I say more?
7:I don’t need diamonds, I need CHOCOLATE …….
8: Writing … I love writing…. If it’s working on my book, or blogging…as long as it’s writing and expressing myself – who cares … well, I do… but ya know, I don’t have time to work on my books much right now cuz I have too many other priorities…
9: Nature …I love just sitting outside in the woods, or under the stars and moon…
Today's letter is the letter W ... and is brought to you by the number 6, and Mama Kat! It's never to late to participate - just be sure to hop over to her page and sign Mr. Linky!
The Prompts:
1.) What is your life's anthem? You know...that song that is ALWAYS in your head. The one you'd go to sing first if someone told you to sing a song right NOW. What is it and what does it mean to you? (inspired by Tattooed Minivan Mom)
2.) We love telemarketers don't we!?! Describe a memorable experience you had with one. (inspired by Literal Dan
3.) How much does focusing on weight affect your daily life? (inspired by Musings Of A Blond Mom)
4.) Describe in what ways you expect too much from your significant other. Do they deserve an apology? (inspired by Carty Party Of Three)
5.) List ten things that make you HAPPY. (inspired by our irritation at our own complaining from last weeks "Sick Of" posts.)
6.) Ok I was going to end it with five, but Laina just got out of bed as I was finishing this post and I SWEAR she is sleep walking. It's creepy. I keep asking her what she is doing and she's staring at me...but not directly at me...kind of just a centimeter to the left of my head. I KNEW she was a sleep walker. I just knew it. SO! Share a sleep walking story of your own!! (inspired by my scary four year old)
This is Calahan.... when he was 5 .... Halloween time... lol... but I knew even before now. See.. when he was 8 months old he started to suffer from Night Terrors. Night Terrors are very different then Nightmares .... when someone uses the word "Night Terrors" I often wonder if they truly know what they are talking about, because a lot of people use the word loosely for nightmares, and don't understand it is something completely different. Trust me, I know! I lived through it, watching my child suffer from them. It started when Calahan was about 8 months old, he would be sound asleep (one would think) and then all of a sudden go from quite to screaming bloody murder as if someone were in there hacking him into tiny pieces - seriously - the heart attacks I got the first several weeks of these, about killed me! He would be screaming so hard that he would get petechiae (the small blood vessels in his face would burst and cause little red spots) ... Night Terrors are related to sleepwalking. It's like being stuck between two worlds and can sometimes get violent. You aren't suppose to wake someone who is having either night terrors or sleepwalking. But they are the scariest things - especially when your tiny baby is having them. Calahan (we actually called him "Joey" then) ... started to grow out of them at the age of 2.... the frequency would go down from a couple times a week, to a couple times a month, to once a month, to once every six weeks... to once every couple months to all of a sudden just stopping.
But at the age of 5, I realized he was starting to sleep walk. We knew it may happen because of the night terrors. He would be more prone to sleep walking.
So at the age of 5, I was alone in the house - well it was Calahan and I ... and I was pregnant with Noah. I heard something odd and I reluctantly went upstairs to investigate. I knew it was upstairs by Cal's room. So I went up the first flight of steps and I was looking around as I was going. Being very quite, sneaking up the steps, careful not to cause them to creak. When I got to the top of the first set (from where I had been) and I peered around the corner up the second set towards Cal's room, I screamed!! He scared the crap out of me. I mean I don't know what I was expecting but I sure as heck wasn't expecting him just standing at the top of the steps starring straight ahead (about 6 feet over my head at nothing) ... I mean it seriously scared the crap out of me. So I walked up the steps after getting my heart to stop jumping out of my chest, and quitely escorted him back into bed, tucking him in.
And then at the age of 6 (or maybe was 7 when it happened) ... we had moved into the last place we lived (before living here) ... and his room was upstairs, mine was in the basement, Noah slept with me down there (baby) ... I was alone - living single Mommy life. I had been working on the computer (I think writing) when I got this sudden urge to get up and lock the doors. We had a back door, at the top of the basement steps, leading onto the back porch and out a storm door to our back yard. And then if you turned from there, walked up 3 steps and into the kitchen, then through the house to the living room, our front door was there. So I kept questioning myself, why? But I just blew it off and since we lived right next to a bar, decided better be safe then sorry. Apparently there was a reason why I felt the doors needed to be locked. So I got up, and locked them. I checked on Cal while I walked through the house (it was about 10 or 11pm) ... and he was asleep. I went back downstairs into my computer room (right off my room) and started working again. So all of a sudden, about a half hour to an hour or so later, I hear this jiggling of the door handle and it freaks me out. So I go and I know it's locked so I set into my room and look out my bedroom door up the stairs and I see Calahan at the back door frantically trying to get the door open. He's turnning the door knob, trying to yank it open, shaking it... he's mummbling "I gotta get out, I gotta get out, I gotta get out." I walked up the stairs, quitely and took his hand from the door knob and said "Calahan, you are okay, you don't need to get out, you need to go back to bed," and we slowly walked him back to bed. Now, you better believe I unplugged every appliance that night, made sure the stove/oven was off and checked the smoke detectors... just incase... before I went back downstairs to my room and I really didn't sleep that night. If I hadn't locked that back door, I would have NEVER known he woke up and had tried to get out the back door. I don't know if it's because I was so involved in what I was doing, or if he was just that quite, but my office was right below his bedroom, I didn't hear him get up, or walk through the house, and that back door was quite opening and closing (if you did it right) and I probably wouldn't have heard it until it was too late.
So there is two of our sleepwalking stories.
I am also going to do the 10 happy things ... but I'll do that in a little while :D
Apparently I have a lot of catching up to do, but right now, I have just been dealing with family stuff.
