Gum

Recently, Braden scaled the bookshelf, grabbed my purse that was sitting on top of the shelf, dug through it until he found a package of gum, and then proceeded to EAT all 16 pieces of gum. I found him happily sitting amid a pile of gum wrappers. And, unfortunately, there were not as many wrappers as there should have been… so Braden probably ate some foil wrappers as well.

Now, I must defend myself here! I know I have posted a lot about Braden’s antics lately. I promise I DO watch that child! It’s just that he’s incredibly fast these days. If I turn my back for even 30 seconds, he’s flinging mashed potatoes around the kitchen, dropping something into the toilet, coloring himself with markers, or eating an entire package of gum.

And I must defend Braden as well. Even though he’s into everything these days, he is such an easy toddler. He doesn’t throw temper tantrums. He’s a very agreeable, mellow, good-natured little guy. He’s remarkably obedient as well- he comes when I call, he listens when I say no. He’s very polite and always says please and thank you without being prompted. He’s sweet, cuddly, kind, and smart. In spite of his recent potato-flinging and gum-eating, he is a very easy two-year-old.

Sick Mama Now

So my kids were all sick yesterday. I felt a little icky, but nothing terrible. Once the vomiting stopped, it was such a quiet day, with kids just sprawled out all over the family room watching TV in their little “beds.” By late afternoon I could tell that everyone was starting to really feel better… because they all started to whine and ask for food. It was around that time that I started to feel worse. Isn’t that perfect? I get more sick just as all the kids start to get their energy back? When Rick got home, he took care of dinner and bedtime. I was so glad to have that extra help!

I woke up around 3am with the WORST stomach ache I have EVER had. Wow, I’ve never felt anything like that before. I was actually praying to throw up, hoping that would help me feel better. I got my wish, and ended up throwing up, violently and constantly, for about the next 5 hours. And I had horrible cramps and diarrhea as well. Ugh. Misery.

I begged Rick to take the day off and thankfully, he was able to. So I have spent the day making frantic runs to the bathroom and resting in bed. I am getting dehydrated so quickly! Anytime I get the flu while nursing, I end up dehydrated SO fast. It’s 4pm and I have now kept down a popsicle so I think I am through the worst of it.

I am so thankful for Rick’s help today. He cleaned up the kitchen, and even did a science project with the kids. He brought me Asher each time he needed to nurse, but he has done all the ”kid care” other than that. I hope I am feeling better by tomorrow. I don’t want Rick to have to take another day off.

My Cuties

Boring Blog

I’ve been reading through lots of blogs lately. Many of my sister-in-laws have recently started blogs and I just got the link to my cousins blog as well. It’s fun to keep in touch with people this way. But I have also realized something… My blog is SO boring! Oh well.

Braden’s Binky

Braden is quite protective of his binky. A small baby approached him and reached for his binky. Braden clapped his hand protectively over his beloved binky and said firmly, “No, baby. Can’t have my binky.”

Sick Babies

I have sick babies. I woke up at 5:30am to nurse Asher, and Joshua woke up not long after that, with a tummy ache. He’s been throwing up ever since and I have lost track of how many trips he’s made to the bathroom. Poor little guy. He’s pale and feverish and just not feeling well at all. Braden woke up around 7am with a fever. Madalyn and Brenna both woke up around 7:30. Both girls have tummy aches and slight fevers and sore throats. Thankfully Brenna, Maddie, and Braden are not throwing up at all. I hope it stays that way. And Asher, well protected by the antibodies in my breastmilk, seems completely fine as well. I am feeling a bit yucky myself. I have that achy, queasy, I-just-need-to-sleep feeling. So everyone (except Ash) is feeling sick, but only Joshy is throwing up so far. 

We’re taking the day off of school. I made a little bed in the family room for each child. Now we’re just resting together and watching Nick Jr. Rick is taking an early lunch break to bring pedialyte, crackers, jell-o, and other “flu bug foods.” I asked him if he could also take time off this afternoon, as I am not feeling good myself. Unfortuntely he is unable to do that. Oh well.

Ah, cold and flu season. Here it begins!

Cookie Crisp

A friend gave us three boxes of cookie crisp cereal on Friday night. In just two days, I’ve eaten all three boxes virtually by myself! Yikes! It’s a good thing I am still riding the “I just had a baby” weight loss train.

Peace

I feel so peaceful about Asher’s situation. I honestly don’t have any thoughts or feelings or promptings about the future. Whenever I imagine the future, I see Asher twice- the Asher who can see and the Asher who is blind. I have no idea what will happen. Normally I have a hard time “not knowing.” But this time I feel okay with it. I feel very, very peaceful about the future. I don’t know what will happen, but I do know that everything will be alright! I KNOW that this peace I feel is straight from Heavenly Father. There is no other explanation for it.

A Nice Weekend

We had such an enjoyable weekend. On Friday night, after Brenna’s gymnastics, we all went to dinner. It was payday and date night and we wanted to celebrate all of Rick’s weight loss. (He has been working out and eating well and he’s lost about 15 pounds so far! I am so proud of his hard work and determination! Way to go, Ricky!) We enjoyed a nice dinner at Winger’s. At home, we had family scripture study and put the kids to bed early because we needed to be up early the next day. Rick and I had a nice date night together after the kids were in bed.

Saturday was busy and lots of fun. Rick and Joshy left the house at 7:30am for football pictures. Then they had a football game at 9am (and won). The Primary Program was Sunday. Brenna was singing a special part so she had to be to the church at 9:30 to practice. I took her, Maddie, Braden, and Asher. Then Brenna, Joshua, and Madalyn all had practice at 10am (Joshua changed into his church clothes and barely made it after his football game).

After Rick brought Joshua to the church, he joined the rest of the Elder’s Quorum in a lively game of dodgeball. It was fun to watch! Then he wired money to a friend in the Philippines and picked up pizza for lunch, while I gathered the kids after the practice and took everyone home.

Mike and Heidi arrived with their two cute kids at around 11:30. We ate lunch together, put a some of the younger kids down for naps, and then Heidi and I left everyone except for Asher and went shopping together. We had such a great time! I love being with her. We talked and we both found some great deals on fall clothes!

After Mike and Heidi went home, we ate dinner and then I changed my clothes and left for the church to watch the Relief Society broadcast. I was a little sad because it was the first year I’d ever gone without my sweet mom! But I found some women in the ward to sit with and I really enjoyed the program. I snuggled my Asher during the broadcast and couldn’t help but think of last year’s broadcast. I wasn’t pregnant, but we’d been trying for so long and I was scared that I’d never get pregnant again. I felt such peace during the broadcast and it was so amazing to be here a year later with a miracle baby in my arms. The talks were amazing and they truly spoke to my soul. The spirit was strong and I felt uplifted and edified and strengthened. Afterwards, I spent over an hour eating cookies and talking with two nice women in our ward. I left feeling happy and blessed… even though I still missed my mama!

Today- Sunday- was nice. I went Visiting Teaching in the morning. During Sacrament meeting we had the Primary Program. The kids did so well and I loved watching them and listening to the songs they sang. Afterwards I got so many compliments on my kids- they truly are amazing! I wasn’t feeling well by this point (Rheumatic Fever is still making me feel awfully tired) so I took Asher home after Sacrament Meeting. I felt guilty, but I needed to rest. In the evening, I went Visiting Teaching again.

More Sentences by Braden

Braden’s sentences are so cute and they are getting so complex. I love listening to him talk! Here are a few of my favorites from the past few days…

While sitting on a couch with a floral print… “I sit on this couch, this couch with flowers.”

While watching several other toddlers running around in the church foyer… “I can get down and run and play?”

After a much-needed diaper change… “Thanks, Mom. Thank you for changin’ my diaper!”