Oh No!

Yes , you are looking at our first case of pink eye!
Last night Alex's right eye started turning red then before bed the discharge.This morning I awoke to her screaming"Mommy I can't open my eye!"Poor thing that eye was matted shut with dried goop!Now her left eye is starting to have some discharge too.The Dr. said it is more than likely the viral kind that comes during or after a cold.The nurse called us in some drops and told me if the eye is still swollen tomorrow to go ahead and bring her in.
The hard part is staying on top of her to wash her hands every time she touches her eyes.
I'm pretty positive one of us is next!
What a month already. Last week I was shut in with Gage and the croup now I am home bound with a very contagious case of pink eye! Life is great!HA

Making Some Changes...

This year Shawn and I have decided to be healthier.We both gave up cigars!Shawn is doing great I am really proud of him.I told him when he had a really bad craving to just think to himself that he is doing this for his kids and to be a better and healthier Dad.Of course I really did not think that would work but it did! After his first day I asked him if he smoked and he said no , so I then asked if bought a can of snuff,he did.I asked him if it was in his truck and he told me right after he bought it he felt so guilty and actually threw it away! If you know Shawn then you know that is big for him to spend money only to throw it away!
I actually printed out a side by side comparison picture of a smokers lung and a healthy lung , plus a picture of a smokers esophagus. If I ever think I want to smoke I go look at that and think ,nope so not worth it!
Aside from that I started working out again and it feels great.
We have both been eating healthier too.I actually have Shawn eating fish once a week now! Its not even fried!!
So all is very well here and we intend to keep up the hard work.FYI..Dont get offended if Shawn snaps at you! He is a little moody at the moment! HA

Surpise!

As soon as I walked in the door from the movies and saw Gage I knew I was on my way to E.R.
He had a slight dry cough when I left but nothing serious.5 hours later he had a severe barking cough,horrible wheezing , chills and a 104.1 fever.
I immediately called the Dr. and sure enough was sent o the E.R. I knew it before I called but I wanted the confirmation.
When I signed him in the nurse heard him breathing and took me to a room right away.I was so thankful not to be among the numerous waiting parents in the waiting room!
After seeing the Dr. it was confirmed that he had croup.They gave him tylenol , steroids and a breathing treatment.The breathing treatment was different though , it was epi not albuterol.Apparently albuterol will not do a thing for croup.The epi is a cardiac stimulant so it is not something they can send home with us.You have to be monitored for 2 hours after an epi treatment.He HATED it! The respiratory nurse held the mask while I literally was holding him down.
He was sent home with croup attack instructions and steroids.I'm happy to say he is much better this morning.
It dawned on me while I was waiting at the pharmacy that this was his first prescription.We have been very lucky with him.Almost 2 with never anything serious enough to require antibiotics.
We finally got home at 10:30pm and we were both glad to get in bed!

Pirate Movie!

Sunday afternoon we took the big kids to see the new Veggie Tales movie.Nana always takes the kids to see a new move! Grammy Gwen was able to join us this time as well.The kids had a great time eating popcorn , drinking soda and getting their Grandmas to buy them M&M's!Austin loved the movie.Alex told me she liked it too but when she heard Kyler say he did not then her story changed!

After the movie the kids played some arcade games.Before going home we stopped at the book store and let them pick a few books out too.They really had a special day for just them.It's nice to be able to take them to spend some one on one time together.Or should I say two on one!

First Class!

Tonight was Alex's first dance/gymnastics class. She was very excited when it was time to put on her clothes.She held that ballet bag for an hour before we left!
Gymnastics was first up and there is a little room where the parents can see out but the kids are to far to see us.It was so awesome to watch her with her not knowing it.To see how she acts and listens to the teacher was really cool.I found out she is a good kid without me around! HA
She LOVED the class! She had so much fun.She tumbled , did cartwheels , flips and walked the balance beam,all with help of course.
After gymnastics she goes straight to tap and ballet.Unfortunately they don't allow parents in.I do agree with that.She is a much better student with me not there.
I was so excited because I could not wait to hear what she did.Let me tell you that was a let down! She would not share much except,she had a blast and when she gets better THEN she will show me her new moves!Too funny!
I am so happy we put her in these classes! She is having such a good time and it does my heart good to see her having fun and getting to make friends with other little girls.

Stock Show Parade

This morning Nana met up with us and we all went to the Stock Show Parade.The kids have been excited all week about seeing the horses and Cowboys!
We found a great spot and set up camp.It was a little chilly with all the wind but the hot coco sure helped.
There were so many different kind of horses it was incredible.Gage was in absolute awe over the whole thing.He actually did not move one inch for over an hour!
It was hilarious when this tiny dog being walked in the parade stopped in the middle of the street to go to the bathroom.The funny part was seeing all those big horses come to a dead stop while this little dog did his business in front of them.He must have been their leader because when he was done the parade resumed!
This was really an awesome event to take the kids and I'm so glad we went!

Dancing Queen!

Last night me,Aunt Taryn,Mandy and Alex went and signed the girls up for dance lessons!
Alex is so excited! She will be taking tap,ballet and gymnastics at a local dance studio.She was heartbroken when we left the studio because she thought she would be dancing right then.She felt a little better when we took her to get all the gear! We have shoes , tights,leotards and a cute little ballet bag for it all.After shopping we went by the community center to sign Mandy up for weekly lessons for her age group as well.After taking Alex all Mandy was saying was "I dance,I dance"!!
When we got home Alex insisted on trying on all her stuff and showing Daddy her moves!
We are really looking forward to this and I found out her fist recital will be mid March.I'm so excited!!!

Thanks Montel!

I can not believe it but in those cups is collard greens,broccoli,romaine lettuce,bananas and oranges!
I was watching Montel the other day and he was showing how to mix the veggies with certain fruit to make great tasting smoothies for kids and adults.I stocked up and the grocery store and decided I would try it.I was thinking I would be the only one to drink it but the kids love it! I'm so excited! I never thought my kids would drink it because getting them to eat their veggies is a chore but the banana really cut the veggie taste out.So I fear no more about getting their daily veggie intake in.I love you Montel!

Special Birthday Party...

Saturday afternoon we went to Shawn's Great Grandmothers 100th Birthday party.
Its amazing to know someone of that age.
She seemed to truly enjoy herself and getting to see all her grandchildren and especially all the little ones.
We had cake and sang happy birthday , it was a nice gathering of family.
The kids were a little scared at first but they all warmed up eventually.I think the cake helped a lot!

Slumber Party!

Friday night Austin and Alex spent the night with Kyler and Mandy came over here with Gage.This is our second dual sleep over and they are a lot of fun for everyone!
Mandy and Gage had a blast getting to play together and not worry about the big kids.
Mandy and I had a little girl time and painted her nails.She loved being pampered! She would say how pretty it was and giggle because she said it tickled! Uncle Shawn even joined us and dried her nails with a blow dryer for her.She really enjoyed all that attention!
They both settled down and were asleep before 10pm.
It's so great that they are getting old enough to have some of the fun the big kids have.

New Years!

On New Years Eve Nana and I took the twins to see Alvin and the Chipmunks.The twins love going to the movies! PawPaw watched Gage while we went and had some man time together.
Austin loved the movie but Alex did not like it as much.I think it was because it was not animated.
Ever since Nana took them to their first movie they have become addicted.I think its the popcorn and soda she buys them!Whatever it is they love going and Nana is great about taking them when a new one comes out.
None of us saw the new year come in and that was fine by me! I'm getting to old to stay up just to see the year change.I have not been up since before the twins were born and probably won't be unless for some reason one of the kids are up with an illness!
We had some friends over for dinner today for New Years and we had a nice visit.The kids were excited to see Kyler and Mandy because they had been out of town for 5 days and they sure missed them.
It was a wonderful holiday season this year.Now lets see what kind of adventures 2008 will bring!