Contessa, Contessa, Contessa

We're back. She has a nasty ear infection. Also she is very full of mucus and instead of it coming out her nose, its running back into her tummy, which is causing the projectile vomiting. She's lost 1/2 lb. since last Friday.
She is also wheezing...which makes it official, I have NO idea what wheezing sounds like.
She's been sick for a solid 2 weeks. Our pediatrician said that after all this it probably was a full blown case of Influenza. NICE.

So, we've got an antibiotic for the ear and we'll do nebulizer treatments for a few days.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. If you saw her you'd just want to snuggle her. She is trying so hard to smile and giggle. She cant help but be cute and sweet.

Its so cute, when Avery and Sully found out she had to have an antibiotic you would have thought they'd found out she had to have major surgery. Sully even asked if he could get her HIS blanket. The surest sign of love that Sullivan can offer!

Now if we could just find that camera I'd take her picture and let you all see that she really doesn't look sick, except for being covered in vomit every now and then!

Friday

Well my camera is still missing and I am still less than pleased. If you know me you understand that I am borderline mental breakdown over this...

Also, Tess is still vomiting. About once per day. She has also been more fussy the past two days. But no fever and she continues to sleep normally. I'm waiting for a call from the dr.

We are supposed to have Nikki and Jalen over for a Valentine's Day craft today but we'll see if that pans out.

Happy Friday!

Cute/Not Cute

Here is an example of Sullivan being cute:
Last night we were driving home from Cedar Falls and he kept asking where his shadow was. He didn't like our explanation of why it doesnt come out at night. He really likes his shadow and talks about it often.

Here is an example of Sullivan being Not cute:
He is obsessed with my camera and is always asking to take pictures. Sometimes I let him. On Friday I told him no. My camera was sitting on the dishwasher.
I haven't seen it since. I'm fairly certain he took it after I told him no. We cant find it anywhere.

Not happy.

But he is so cute.

But WHERE is my camera!?!?!

WHY WATER?

Ever since WATER 4 Christmas was unvelied I wanted to be to be involved. At first it was because of these girls, Cassie and Jody. Because I felt their passion and I wanted to be involved. Their hearts for missions and the country of Africa has changed me. I like to say, ruined me. I cant watch tv, shop, eat or be...the same anymore. I think, why am I buying this? do I NEED it? Why do I do this? I have images of the people with less than me on my mind a lot. Yes, they ruined my brain. and I thank them.

Then I saw how Courtney was started making tshirts for WATER and how she explained WATER to her children. And how Amy used her talents to make coasters and her mom made ornaments...They were all inspiring to me. So I gave $, I bought t-shirts and water bottles. They have pushed me so that I cannot sit and just be. I saw the videos of the thirsty and I thought, what if that were my child? my sister? Me? It isn't right, and I wanted to be part of making it right. If just one life could be saved, that was enough.

But there was something more eating at me. Something that God was trying to tell me, to show me through this. There was some reason that WATER was brought to me, some reason my eyes were opened to WATER. Something kept waking me up in the night...almost haunting me. Because lets face it, there are hundreds of worthy causes to give our money and our time to. There are millions of haunting stories and images that can compel us to give. I've never given to something like this before. But I knew God put WATER on these girls hearts and then on mine for some other reason and I just couldn't figure it out.

Then all at once the significance of WATER hit me. Its like Jesus finally said, "Hey, human, here!" and he threw it at me because I wasn't coming up with it on my own. What it came down to was that if only one life was saved through the WATER for Christmas campaign I would bet that everyone involved would still have given the same. To stop even one child's pain I think the same $, time and energy would have been given. And that said something to me. Because of course, that is what Christ did for us. For me. He came to save the world. BUT He would have come to save just ONE. Even me. Even me. And so for me this WATER business is Christ played out. That is WHY WATER.

I believe the point of missions, of aid, is that if that if a physical body is less thirsty, hungry, cold, scared, sick...that their spiritual eyes might be open.

They might look beyond that all consuming physical need and realize their spiritual need and that they might see that their spiritual need is so very much greater. Perhaps the workers building the wells might know of Christ or perhaps when someone tries to tell the people of their great Savior, they will be able to comprehend and they will taste the LIVING WATER.

Jesus said Himself, I am the Living Water. In John 4 when the Samaritan woman at the well was questioning Jesus about water He answered, "Everyone who drinks this water (referring to the physical water she came to draw from the well) will be thirsty again (v.13), but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (v14)"

And that ultimately is my goal. That somehow, through water being brought to these people, that they will know of the Living Water. The One who came not to save them physically, but to save them spiritually, eternally. Saved. Eternally.

So that is WHY WATER. I don't think it was coincidence that WATER was brought to our heart's. I don't think it coincidence that Jody, Cassie and Amy cant turn their hearts away from it and why they brought it back to us for all seasons. A promise from our Savior to give WATER so that they might never thirst again.

Nothing is by accident with Christ. So go, give WATER. Not just 4 Christmas, but for Every Season. Be one of the 300 voices. Because believe me the Holy Spirit is waiting, ready. He is using us to be His hands so that once their bodies are full of physical, life giving water, their hearts might be open to a deeper need for LIVING WATER.

Tess update

You are all so sweet. I've had so many emails from people worried about Contessa.

Really she is fine. She is pretty happy, she wants to drink her bottles, she is sleeping normally...
Just every once in awhile she projectile vomits 8-10 ounces of formula all over anything within 3 feet of her. Then we bathe and change her, clean up and start over. The worst was when it was in the car and covered everything...taking those car seats apart to clean is NOT fun or easy.

She still has an icky cough and is congested but that seems better from yesterday even. And she has not had a fever since Friday morning...and that was the only time she'd had a temp since the Sunday before.

I think likely she had whatever virus it was last weekend and then caught a flu bug right at the tail end of that. Sully had some diarrhea on Thursday and the first part of Friday that was probably his version of the flu.

No one else has any symptoms of anything. She's going to be just fine. I'm not sending her to daycare tomorrow, more out of sympathy for the workers...she wants to be held a lot and they cant do that real easily.

Again, thanks...you're all the best!

Cant catch a break

Tess has had some virus for a week. I thought she was over it or close and then it came back or something new took its place.

Today she started vomiting. Yeah. She has like 3 times...

And yet, seriously, she is so sweet. I swear I've never seen a baby like this. Just sweet and cuddly and content to sit and stare around the room.

I hope she is better soon because I don't know how much more her little body can take!

Looks like she and I will be home from church again tomorrow.

Stats

Sully and Tess had their respective 3 year and 6 month well child appts today.

Tess couldn't get her shots due to the lingering virus...she had a temp again this am. But has been quite happy since Tuesday. She now has a nasty cough to go along with it though.
She is 15lb 14 oz and 25 3/4 inches long. Growing!!!! She's just over 50% for everything.

Sullivan remains LONG and LEAN!!!
32.2 lbs and 39 1/4 inches tall. 50% for weight and 95% for height. Sully impressed the doctor by naming all his colors but white and by picking out a triangle, square and circle. Sully seems to be growing up right before our eyes! He talked the ENTIRE time we were in the office. Our Dr. commented, "well I guess you aren't concerned about his speech and language development!"

I had Avery measured and weighed while we were there too and she is 1.5 inches taller than Sully and weighs less than 2 pounds more than him. The nurses commented that they could practically pass for twins anymore. I agree, I've even been asked that a couple of times in the past few months.

I like to compare the others when they were babies:
At six months
Lauren: cant find the silly book!!! Its on the cold porch I believe.
Avery: 14lb 14 oz and 25 1/2 inches
Sully: 18 lbs and 27 3/4 inches

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300 Voices

Have you noticed?

It stays light a lot longer lately...at 5:45 tonight there was still some sun.

Spring can't be too far away!!!!

After almost 7 months...

I knew the older three would be infatuated with Tess when we first brought her home from the hospital. I didn't realize that it would last this long!

She's been here almost 7 months and they still adore her. I love to notice how they are different though, even in how they show their love to their baby sister:

Lauren. Is quite seriously, Contessa's second mother. There is really nothing that she cannot do with or for her. She carries her, feeds her, picks her up, soothes her and makes her laugh. Tess adores her right back. When I make supper Tess normally sits in her high chair and plays with a spoon...that is until Lauren walks in and says, "I'll hold her instead." Then Tess gets walked around the house for 30 minutes...stopping now and then to stop and play with a toy or whatever Lauren thinks she might like. She spoils Tess beyond belief! Lauren's philosophy is: Why would we have her sit in a chair when she could be in my arms?

Avery. Avery probably pays the least amount of attention to Contessa. Now and then she will ask to hold her on the couch but it doesn't last more than a couple of minutes. She'll jump over Tess while she's lying on the floor to get to her destination but really is good at ignoring her! But this is what causes my heart to skip. A couple of times a day Avery will jump over Tess, run to the baby toy trunk and grab a toy or two and take them to Tess. She pats her on the head without a word and then skips on out. It is so thoughtful and sweet and I just love it. Its like she's saying, "I love you, but I don't have time to sit and play right now!"

Sullivan. I've said it before but this boy truly baffles us in his behavior towards Contessa. He is SO mean to Avery and Lauren. But its like a switch goes off in him when she is near. He talks sweet, soft and his touches become light and ticklish. She thinks he is hilarious and loves when he pays attention to her. He loves to bring her toys and watch her play. He loves to see her roll over and grab for things. He also loves to watch her eat baby food and asks if he can feed her. I have yet to see him get upset with her even when she's grabbing for his toys. I think he will be the perfect big brother - looking out for his baby sister.

Now for Contessa...she just loves all the attention she gets from them. What I love most is to have all the kids playing in the living room while Jordan and I watch from the sidelines. The three older ones will be playing a little wild and somehow they manage to keep out of Tess's way. She stares up at the madness kicking her feet and doing her little happy screams.

Our house really is very fun. Loud. But fun!

Rock Stars

Lauren and Avery spent the night at grandma Cindy's a couple of weeks ago. Grandma did their hair funky and they pretended to be Rock Stars with their guitars. Lets hope this never comes true!

Taking a Toll

I've mentioned that this is Jordan's busiest season at work. I've complained about it. I get stuck on how it is affecting me...leaving me at home with the kids a lot by myself, giving me no time with him etc.
I've mentioned a little about how it affects him, lack of sleep, stress...

What I didn't really consider was the toll it was taking on the kids. They've been kind of whiny and clingy lately and I didn't really know why. I figured it out today.

When everyone got up from naps Lauren was asking where Jordan was. I said he was at work, and she complained that he had been there all weekend. (They really have not seen him much this week period). I explained why he worked so hard, that he was working for us, to give us all the things we need and so many of the things we want, to allow me to stay home part time etc. I commented that we should be thankful that he is such a hard working daddy. She shook her head yes and then asked when he would be home.

I hesitantly told her that he would not be home until long after she was in bed because he had to drive to pick up someone from the airport for his training day tomorrow. Her eyes welled up with tears and she was sobbing. Avery joined in at that point and before long the three of us were crying.

We are having a cuddly night on the couch with a movie tonight to try and compensate. But the truth is, we just miss him and its not the same...could the next few weeks please go by in fast forward?

Sickie

It seems that in most families you have the kids who get sick a lot, and then the ones that seem to either avoid sickness all together or get it in much lesser amounts.

Lauren was sick with many ear infections her 2nd year of life. But other than that has been healthy as a horse.

Avery was sick a ton, every winter for what seemed like 10 years. Just like everything with Avery, when she is sick it is extreme. We were in the ER with her a lot. But now she seems to have grown out of that.

Sully had RSV as a 1 week old but beyond that rarely is sick and if he is it tends to last less than 12 hours.

Tess had a cold at like 2 months old with a fever. She had RSV and an ear infection at Christmas and then was sick AGAIN this weekend. She seems to be following after Avery in the sickness category.

She was very cranky on Friday and I thought she must be teething. But that night she got a fever of over 101. I couldnt get it to go down. In fact even with Tylenol and Motrin, it continued to rise. Saturday morning we decided to take her to Urgent Care because I just could not get the fever down. I've never had one whose fever I couldnt get down. And as strange as it sounds for me to say this after having 3 other babies...Ive never dealth with an infant with a high temp before! She was pathetic. She would just lay in my arms and wimper and then fall totally asleep to wake up again and just wimper.

So Jordan, Tess and I braved the HORRID road conditions and headed over. They did every test imaginable to the poor thing. Blood tests, RSV test again. In the end - virus. We got home and suddenly, wow, the fever was much lower and she slept much better last night. I only got up with her once and when I did her fever was gone. So hopefully this sickness is over.

But I'm seeing a trend with this one...she is going to get our attention...and keep us on our toes!

Lunchtime Conversations

Lauren, Avery, Sully and I were talking about the importance of being polite and saying please and thank you at lunch today. We were naming off places where we should be polite...school, grandma's, church, home etc.

Then Avery says, "You know what's even more important? That we don't catch on fire! Cause you could die. And even worse, you could go to the hospital."

Sullivan, "Yes, the witch died (Refering to the Wizard of Oz)"

Avery, "Well actually Sullivan she didn't die. She melted. And that's ok, cause the hospital can fix that with a shot. I think."

Lauren and I are just sitting there with smiles on our faces listening to this all go down. Very fun. And very fun that I can smile about it and have Lauren 'in' on the joke.

I'm a failure...

I have a few talents. Nothing to be too proud of...but somethings that I feel confident in accomplishing better than some.

Sewing and needleworks is NOT one of them.

When I was younger my great-grandma tried to teach me to crochet. After one day she said, 'Honey, maybe we should bake something instead.'

Today Jordan asked me to sew a button back on his coat. 'Sure!' I said. (I was kind of happy he thought I could do it.)

I tried. I do not have the right needles, thread or ability. (Its a heavy wool dress coat.)

I'm going to have to ask someone else to do it. Sad. Really, really sad.

I'm a big girl!

I can sit!!!!!





Contessa was showing off her stuff this morning. She is doing pretty good with sitting for short periods of time. Then she loses her balance and goes to one side of the other...she is doing this quite a bit earlier than my other kids...very fun!

No School!

Most kids find out that there is no school and they cheer.

Lauren does this...


We're on day #2 for the week of no school.

Sixty Years!

Today Jordan's grandparents, Papa Joe and Grandma Elaine, are celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

60 years.

From the day I met them I would have described them as adorable. Their love for each other has always been unmistakeable. They care for each other, talk sweet to each other and look out for each other. I see them exhibt great kindness to one another that I doubt many couples do after 60 years. They are an example for all of us to follow.

Quite sometime ago Lauren drew and colored this picture of them. I love how she got right down to the details of their wedding rings and the jewelry that Elaine is wearing. She captured them perfectly. Even the absense of some hair on Joe's head!




Congratulations Joe & Elaine. 60 years together, may we all make it there as happily as the two of you. What a legacy you have given to your family.

Our weather...just so I don't forget...

There are a number of warnings/advisories/watches in effect during the next 24 hours. An Alberta Clipper is going to bring snow to the area today. The snow will taper off between 8-11 PM. Snow accumulations of 3-5″ can be expected (graphic posted below). About the 3-5 PM time frame the wind will begin to increase as the temperatures fall into the teens. The wind is expected to increase to 20-30 mph and gusty from the north through tonight. The wind will cause blowing and drifting snow and by sunset and continue until around sunrise tomorrow. Visibility at times could be near zero late this afternoon through tonight. The temperatures near and below zero tonight combined with the wind will produce wind chills of 20-35 degrees below zero.

Tomorrow the sun will shine but it will be very cold. Highs will range from 0 to 5. The wind will diminish quickly in the morning and by the afternoon the wind will be from the northwest at 5-10 mph. There is another Alberta Clipper forecast to bring more snow and wind with another shot of Arctic air. The snow will begin Tuesday night (after 9 PM). Similar snow amounts and wind will be possible as the storm today/tonight. The forecast track of this storm will be similar to the one today.

Where did A-Day go?

Last summer I posted that Sullivan was not longer calling Lauren - 'Bo-Bo' which was how he pronounced her name for a very long time.
Well now suddenly he isn't calling Avery, 'A-Day'. He perfectly says, Avery.

I hate it. Stop being a big boy.

(Except for going potty...you can do that.)

Just right...

We had a just about perfect weekend. A great mixture of time at home, time with family, friends and getting a few projects done. While I don't want it to end, I feel refreshed and just right....ready for the coming week...although not the frigid temps that are on the way.



On another, funnier note:
Today we had family pictures with Jordan's family and when we got home Sully had a dry diaper and hadn't had it changed in like 3 hours. So I figured he'd HAVE to go.
He's been sitting just like this for an hour and 1/2 now...watching Annie.


Seriously, JUST GO!

Silly before bed...

Jordan and I both love the hour we get with just Contessa each night. The other kids are in bed before 8 and then Tess follows at 8:45 or 9. Its like she knows that this is special time with mom and dad. She likes it as much as we do.

It is her silliest time of day...she's got us right where she wants us.








(I wonder if she'll like all this attention when the other 3 kids are moved out of the house and she's left here with just us??!?!?!)

MY sister...

Yesterday Sully and Avery wanted to hold Tess. Sully got out his Thomas couch and was all set up. Avery was trying to get me to let her hold Tess on the big couch.
Sullivan started screaming, MY sister, NO! My sister, I hold her, not Avery!"

He really loves her so much.

Random Friday stories

1. I had a chiropractor appt. this morning and as we were in the waiting room Sullivan was using a toy camera and taking pictures of all the other waiting patients. He went up to an elderly man sitting next to me and said, "Say Cheeseburgers!"
The man smiled the sweetest smile.
Then Sully turned the camera over (to view the picture of course) and said, "Oh, that's a cute one man."
The little man laughed and told Sullivan that he had just made his entire day.

So sweet.

2. Then once we were in the actual treatment room and we were once again waiting. Avery was really studying the pictures of skeletons and bones on the walls. She was asking all sorts of questions about their placement in the body and what we use them for.
Then she was quite for awhile and she turned to me and said, "Well, where is the penis."

Not so sweet. But SO hilarious. (and we need to have a talk, I know.)

Caught!

Yes, she really is just that sweet...and snuggly.


No, she really was not in any danger of sliding off the couch.

Day One - Not good

So far today I've made him go about every 45 minutes. He's gone 3 times. He's pooped in his diaper 2 times.
He's said, "Oh, MAN!!!" about 12 times when I've told him its time to try going.
He's also told me that he is a big boy, so he goes potty in his diaper.

Great.

Potty training Day One

Sullivan will be 3 in about a month. We have not attempted potty training. Today is the day.
So far he goes when I tell him and he thinks wearing the pull-up versus the diaper is cool.
Truthfully he shows little interest in this, but he's almost 3, its time.

I dont remember how to potty train. Lauren was kind of difficult but that was over 4 years ago. Avery basically potty trained herself in about a day.
Sullivan could be another story all together!!

Scotch Roooooosss

I made scotcheroos (pronounced scotch roooosss by Sullivan) for our small group supper on Sunday eve.

All the kids like these so I gave them each one before we headed out the door. When we got back that night there were probably 6 left.

Last night when we got home from work and school Sullivan was very excited to have one. However, Jordan had eaten ALL the remaning ones on his lunch break. Sullivan was mad to say the least.

He could not stop talking about scotch rooosss and when was I going to make them again and why did daddy eat them all, and daddy was naughty.

I told him I'd make another batch sometime soon.

A bit later he went to the cupboard and got the HUGE box of Rice Krispies and brought them over to me and said, "Mommy! Make Scotch Rooooossss!!!!!"

The look on his face was SO cute I almost did make them on the spot for him.

I guess he really likes them!

Pop

This just popped into my mind for some reason and I want to get it down so I never forget it.
Yesterday I got Avery and Sully up from naps and both were a little out of it sitting on either side of me on the couch. Sullivan suddenly sat straight up and said, "Where's Aday (Avery)?"
She slowly sat up and said, "I'm right here. What do you need me for?"
Sullivan sat back down (still staring that the tv) and said, "I jus (just) ove (love) you Aday (Avery)."

So sweet. One of those moments that makes me feel like a million dollars.

My blessings

As I've taken a little time to look back on 2008 one thing sticks out to me that I am not happy with:
I have a great talent for taking my greatest blessings and turning them into my biggest burdens.
God has given me much. Much more than I deserve and much more than I even acknowledge.

So my prayer for 2009 is that God will show me, teach me to see my blessings as blessings. That He will use me to bless those I come across and have a positive upbeat attitude...not the tired one that usually comes out.

In the end what I am desiring is for these blessings of mine to feel like blessings. That they will not feel like burdens. That they will know they are the reason I get out of bed each day. That when they look into my eyes they will see the love and devotion that I feel in my heart for them. They will know when they drift off to sleep at night, that I am anxious to start the new day with them and to see what God has in store for our family.

Blessings, not burdens. I have so very MUCH.

And with that, Welcome 2009!

Tesser

Tess is really liking baby food now and today I gave her some banana flavored fruit puffs. She loved them!!!

Now try and tell me you dont want to just squeeze her! You can see a little bit of fruit puff on her lip. So cute!

Good times and good friends

Over break we've had some opportunities to see friends we rarely get to see.
Jamie and Mikel don't live too far away but with busy schedules and kids it seems we only see each other a few times per year. They traveled here on New Year's day and we went to Kirkpatrick's for some fun. Our girls had fun with Jamie's 5 year old Reese and we all had fun watching their 1 year old Channing. Unfortunetly I forgot my camera!

Then on Friday night we got to see Jerod and Angie. We graduated with Jerod and became fast friends with Angie when they got together in college. It seemed that the 4 of us were inseperable just about every weekend. There were MANY games of Pepper and lots of laughing and even fighting when the guys would cheat at cards. We also got to take care of their son Hunter quite a bit when he was born. It seems impossible that he is already 11!!!!! He is a little Jerod I tell you! Poor Angie!



(can you say, Get a tan Becky?!?!?)

Brent and Jane (Jerod's parents) have always welcomed us into their home and made us feel like one of the family. We love going over there. And I think Brent MIGHT have liked having our kids there. Sullivan did NOT want to leave!

Contessa - 6 months

Thursday Tess turned 6 months old. So hard to believe. If the next 6 months go by as fast as these did we are in real trouble.
Here's what she's up to at 6 months:
Trying to get up on her knees
Rolling to get what she wants
Sleeping longer and longer at night - 10 hours!
Grabbing at everything she can possibly reach
Laughing at her siblings - she loves them so much.


And this is her new trick. She crinkles up her nose and does this snorty thing because we laugh every time she does it. It is amazingly cute!

Just two

We only took two pictures on New Year's. The night just went too fast.

Here's me and the girls trying to wait till the 11:00 ball drop.


Here's us waking up a bit for a picture!