Pneumonia - That Time of Year

I have been saying it's coming.  Well, it's here.  The weather changes always mess with my asthmatic kids.  No matter how much I love California weather, I have to admit that the constant battle between hot and cold really is a pain in my butt.  

A week and a half ago, Jackson began coughing.  Yes, again.  Despite the many benefits of having a kindergartener, I cringe at the thought of all those germs entering my home.  I think this is the third round for Jackson so far.  I am going to try an Essential Oil called "On Guard" and I pray it makes a difference.  Anyway, we kept waiting for Ryan to catch whatever Jackson had, but he stayed strong longer than we had anticipated.  It wasn't until Saturday evening he began coughing.  

At this point, Cole wasn't doing too well either and Jackson even complained about his ear.  Saturday night I returned home from a fabulous girl's night only to stay up all night with a sick baby.  Cole could not sleep, Jackson wanted to be cuddled, and Ryan was coughing.  Andi is always the last to get anything - girls are so much tougher.  

Sunday morning I headed out to Ward Council at 7am and lucky Andrew took all the kids to the doctor's at 9am.  Cole had an ear infection but the others were fine.  Ryan was given a prescription of amoxicillian just in case he got worse, but at that point, he was fine.

Yesterday we loaded the kids up to take Ry to school but I just couldn't do it.  He was still coughing after his treatment and usually that means it's a bit more than his asthma.  So off we went to fill his prescription just in case.  He was fine all day but I still wanted to get him on it because he goes down hill so quickly.

Andrew is rarely gone for the morning chaos.  I feel so blessed to have an extra hand and someone to stay home with the other three while I take J to school.  OF COURSE, today he had to leave at 5am to head down to San Diego.  So OF COURSE, this morning Ry woke up sweating like a dog and was barely coherent.  Thinking he was just tired, I waited until the last moment to get him out of bed.  Limp noodle.  I put him in the car and he fell back asleep.  I put him in the stroller to walk J into school, Ry fell back asleep.  At this point I am realizing just how pale he is.  Everything, lips, hands, face - scary.  We quickly walk Jackson to class (well not real quickly considering my lame double umbrella is so difficult to maneuver with two toddlers are sitting in there and one infant is in my arms.  

THANKFULLY Jen saw me on the way back to the car and she carried Cole.  At this point I knew action was required.  I rushed home debating on going to the ER or waiting until the office opened at 9am.  I called Becky and she was willing to come watch the kids so I decided to go home, give him a treatment and see what happened.

He was in real bad shape at this point so I gave him two vials.  Passed out on the couch and pale as ever, he groaned that his chest hurt.  At this point I figured by the time I got to Henry Mayo and was seen, I could probably get to the office and wait a few minutes for them to open.  After his treatments, he was able to speak up a bit more and color began reappearing.  Becky arrived and we took off.  

While waiting, I had them check his oxygen level.  He still had no energy, and could barely hold up his head, so I was worried.  It was at 98 and I was shocked.  Once in the room, they quickly checked him out to see if he needed to be admitted again.

Pneumonia (left side)

Fever starting to climb

Nose swab - Treating for Influenza (Either the amox. failed or he has influenza and the amox. wasn't strong enough - it was odd he started meds and got worse)

A shot in the thigh to jump start the antibiotics

Oxygen is still good but needs treatments every four hours - good news is that's normal and it doesn't have to be increased.  But you know what was the best part of this morning - the reminder I got of WHO Ryan really is.  Right after he was woken up by an antibiotic shot, through his sniffling he said, "I want a pink sucker for missy and a red one for Jackson".  His really does have the biggest heart!

Meanwhile, Becky cared for my children and cleaned my house.  Then Laurel took over when Becky had to leave and Laurel fed Cole and pampered Andi.

When family can't step in, I am so grateful for friends that step up and act like family.


Before the third scare...
The kids received their second package from Gramma and Papa.  The coolest part about the package arrivals is that they show up late afternoon, just at the point where kids begin fighting or getting restless.  This is such a nice distraction.

Grandpa grandpa and grandma shopping treated the kids to their favorite combo: Sushi and Menchies.  But here's a cute story.... we were in the process of waiting for a check (if you are self-employed, you know how this goes!) so when we pulled into the parking lot and Jackson asked for Menchies, I told him we didn't have the money for that.  Later, my mom took the kids outside to play while we waited for the bill (tradition).  Jackson runs in and tells me, "Grandma is going to get us ice cream" and then runs out.  I was annoyed thinking he went up and asked her.  Turns out he was messing around outside and as a threat, my mom told him if he didn't knock it off, he wouldn't get ice cream.  He stopped and pondered this for a moment.  After some time, he walked up and gently asked, "Grandma, is it ok if you pay for the ice cream because mommy doesn't have the money today?"  So thoughtful - haha and smart.  Would grandma really say "no" to that??

Cole has graduated from baby towels and now borrows his BFF's towel.  He also taught himself to eat from the goodies gramma nette sent to him.

But why let the fun stop there - might as well eat his first bean taco too.

These days it seems as though I can't have a post without referencing Pinterest - so here it is.... math practice (Note: I didn't follow directions but I wish I had)

Friday Andrew had a quote off Sand Cyn.  This allowed him to take Ryan to speech, go do the quote and then pick up Ry.  This then allowed me to go to Zumba, which I LOVED by the way.  Anyway, while Andi, Cole and I were leaving, I made Ry wait in his seat because Andrew was on the phone dealing with a client.  Notice his speech homework in his hand??  Yeah, I found it right there when I got back from Zumba.  Oh boy.  Other than that, he is doing really well.  Mrs. Loveall says he's so smart and advanced.  She is working on teaching him his "l's".  He can do "l", but he doesn't blend it with the rest of the word.  We're working on it.

Directly after speech, Andrew met me at the Stake Center so Ryan could join us for our trip to Hart Park.  We've only been for family pictures and so the kids were so excited to go see/feed the animals.  Again the weather was perfect and the kids had a blast.  And we even got in a second work-out... apparently the buffalo are so important they're kept at the top of a mountain!

That evening, while I was out (details for bday post), my in-laws arrived for the evening.  The kids had a fabulous dinner with them and then a sleep over in the living room.  Saturday morning we all headed over to the Stake Center for Andrew's basketball game.  This was when Cole started going down hill - he actually fell asleep, in my arms, within minutes of me humming.

And the rest... well the rest is birthday history....

Ractober - Next Time... $25mo.

Blue skies - Check

Good friends - Check

Fantastic food - Check

Pure Relaxation - Check

Supportive Husband - Check

All enough to CHECK OUT OF REALITY!

A birthday celebration should last all month, right Bonny :)  Some fabulous friends put in a great deal of effort to join me for a big 30 bang at Glen Ivy.  We missed those that couldn't make it (darn work schedules and babies!) but believe me, we will all be going back so you will have another chance to wean those babies and join in on the fun and relaxation.  Ideally, I would like to go twice a year - so my goal is to put $25/mo. in a ME FUND.  That way I can go twice a year and get treatments.  Oh man, heavenly.  My "Stress Reliever" massage was the best massage I have ever had.  You know how you try to explain child birth to someone and they just don't get it until they've done it.  Yep, Glen Ivy's kinda like that.  At 3pm we realized we only had two hours left and that was such a sad reality.  So at that point, we changed and made our way over to the mud bath.  Honestly, I was leery of the brown, think water - but it was all pretty cool.  We were saying how much the kids would LOVE it.  (Funny thing is my kids just got out of time out for making a huge mud puddle in the yard AGAIN!  I so can't wait for those pavers to be installed).

Truly, I am so grateful for the sacrifices these girls made to make the 30 kick-off so memorable.  It was.... OK, there are no words....

Here Comes the Jenn

*Inside irony in this post title - hehe

Saturday was the day I have been anticipating for three or four years :)  You would think it was my own wedding but now, I just couldn't wait for Jenn's big day.  BUT, before the main event, we had some real life to attend.... proof I was simply a guest at a wedding.

First I had to take care of some last minute business for the Stake Baptisms.  We had two and I am so grateful for my gifted and beautiful friend!  (I don't know if he wants you all knocking on her door, so she's nameless until self identified).  I was so sad to miss these baptisms but I felt relaxed knowing my dear counselor was covering for me.

The dentist.  I swear we brush, floss, mouthwash and watch sugar intake.  But here we were, getting Jackson another filling.  He was terrified to go into the room Ry entered months back, but he went.  Once the needle touched his gums, he cried.  That type of cry where they aren't fighting you, they aren't vocal, they simply form those large crocodile tears that make you want to make it all better.  So sad.  He recovered quickly, thankfully.

Just enough to enjoy a fabulous birthday party for his dear friend, Taylor.  (still slightly numb and puffy, but managing just fine)  I wish I captured a picture of Cole loving his three pizza crusts and capri sun.  Real party animal.

My dad arrived at about 2:30 for his first four-kid-solo-act and off we went to Camarillo, CA.

Two things I love about weddings (really, there are a million but I will focus on two at this point):

1- The way the groom look at the bride especially when he doesn't even notice the glance

2- The way the father looks at the bride

Jenn and Mike really are a beautiful couple.  The kind where you find their joy and love simply contagious.  It was an amazing night.  And unrelated to the wedding, it was a great night because I was reminded that I would rather be home with my kids than working.  Despite how much I love Agoura and all that it has to offer.

Congrats Mike and Jenn Adams!
(adorable couple: http://www.mikeandjenninlove.com/#!photo-gallery)

And congrats dad on a job well done!

Lombardi Field Trip

Yes, we frequent Lombardi more than once during the season; but can you blame us?  It was a bummer it was SO hot the day of Ry's field trip but I think they still had fun.  Can you spot Ry?

Cracked me up - that's so Ry.  

Andi of course joined in most of the fun - but she did take more breaks in the stroller than I anticipated.  Again, the HEAT!

A California Fall

The other day we went out for a swim - because yes, it's still 100 degrees in October.  And yes, that is the main point of this post, but the other featured item are Cole's TWO FRONT BOTTOM TEETH!

He looks so old now - but he's also acting much older.  He cruises all around the house and the other day, I found him "hiding" in the curtains.  I love the expression he made when he discovered me on the other side.

Our Ghosts of 2011

Sticker Chain Letter

Brilliant!  I am so grateful for those creative moms out there.  I mean seriously, of course Jackson would be stoked to receive and send mail.  And hello, in this world polluted with technology, most of my high school students don't know how to address and stamp a letter.  This was a fabulous lesson for Jackson.  Brilliant!

Things may be tight, but I am so grateful for the chance I have to watch this guy grow up!  But I have to admit, sometimes I'm not too on top of things.  Friday went like every other pick up routine.  Until Jackson asked to play on the playground.  I told him yes, but just for a minute.  From there, he went to play and I went to get a word list from Mrs. Evans.  Upon getting the list, I walked outside to call Jackson over - HE WAS GONE.  There was not a soul on the play yard.  I ran, leaving the others in the classroom, I ran all around the front of the school, the back, the middle.  I yelled his name and swore I could hear him crying but couldn't place it.  At that point I went back to the classroom because no one had a clue as to why I ditched the other three and I was hoping Jackson would be in there.  No, he was no where to be found.  Mrs. Evans, Fran, Laurel, everyone looked!  I ran into the office and when I didn't see him, I ran back out.  Mrs. Evans then came over and said she'd go in to have him paged.  SHE FOUND HIM - apparently he was in the office but I didn't see him in my frantic state.  I knew all along he would be fine, but I was freaking out at the idea of him freaking out.  I pulled him outside, his face as blotchy and puffy as could be, and asked where he had gone.  Apparently when he saw I was gone, he started walking towards the car.  A mom found him at the carpool lane, saw him crying, and took him to the office.  THANK YOU!  I asked him why he didn't go back to Mrs. Evans' room, to which he replied, "I didn't know.  This has never happened to me before."  I only pray it never happens again!

Bye Bye Bumbo

After two face plants, we decided it was time to retire the Bumbo.  It has served us well for the past five months, but Cole now knows how to get out of it.  I climbed the ladder in the garage and resurrected the old booster.  Yet another sign this little man is growing up.  He loves picking up Cheerios and feeding himself.  He loves drinking Capri Suns from the straw - the water ones although I'm not even sure that's a great idea.  Hmmm.  He especially loves sitting at the table with everyone else.

Lombardi Ranch

It has been four months since our last visit with my grandparents.  SO sad.  BUT, we were quite pleased that they were able to make it out to our annual Lombardi Ranch visit.  I think this was our fourth year and it never gets old.  As soon as we got there, the kids hovered around my dad while checking out the different booths.  I don't remember seeing these before.  Am I wrong?

The tractor lied this year - it's actually 2011 in the picture below.

from the past...

It really was a beautiful day and we were all so thankful to be there.  Last year it was packed.  To the point where you wanted to trip the people cutting you off.  Yes, that bad.  This year there was hardly anyone there and it was warm but not stifling.

At what point will we be able to get a good group shot of all the kids?

I think I'm a bit obsessed with this guy - maybe?  Just a tad?

 And this guy isn't too bad either!

This trip my parents let the kids ride the ponies.  The funny thing was my dad realized this was the same company we hired for the horse and carriage for my wedding.  Now they provided four horses for our children.  Crazy!  I was worried someone would have a meltdown but nope, they all surprised us.  It seemed to me Andi was the one that most enjoyed it.

Following the pony rides, we headed over to the train line.  Can you really put a price on the joy the train provides???  Ugh, yeah!  But I suppose they're laughing all the way to the bank.

While waiting in line, Ryan shouted, "I can hear the sea!" - He loved the shell in his goody bag from the booths.  It was so cute.

The sick and the elderly needed a bit of a break so we hung in the shade while grandma shopping took them around to play.

At this point, I wasn't sure how I was going to go on with the rest of the day because my head was so out of sorts.  It was awful but when I saw them picking out pumpkins, I had to run over and grab a couple pictures.  It is of NO surprise to me that Jackson wanted a green pumpkin.

Making our way back over to the "resting spot", the kids proved to be kids when they saw an opportunity to exert more energy.  They tore up the dance floor so much so that Juana was sad she got over there too late to join in on the action.

Lombardi made for a fabulous morning and another great year.  It also made for a great need for a nap.

That evening everyone came over for dinner (I sat my butt on the couch the entire night because that's all I could do - luckily no one minded!!  It felt as though my head would never be normal again.  Dramatic?  Yes!) - Andrew and grandma made chili rellenos from the Lombardi  garden.  These two love cooking together and it really does not happen often enough.

Saturday night I was so dreading Sunday morning.  I could not breathe, I could not talk, and I just wanted to hide in bed until it all cleared up.  But, I asked Andrew for a blessing.  I can't tell you how much I wished I had asked sooner.  About an hour later - well, I won't go into the details nor will I post the pic, but I COULD BREATHE!  I went to bed with a grin on my face.

Sunday was, well, what Sunday's are now.  Ward Council 7am but hey, at least I could function again.  Primary was, well, difficult.  Half the kids and half the teachers were missing.  We were rehearsing again and it was a nightmare.  Plus, we have new teachers and some weren't so nice.  On the bright side, after church Andrew told me we were staying for the Toby Lauricella's baby blessing.  The kids and I sat on the grass while Andrew and Cole ran home to get some food for all the kids.  The blessing was beautiful just like it was for Allie's.  We just adore this family and were so grateful to be there for it all.

From there we headed to Acton for lunch and what not.  Cole fell in love... with Summer Squash.

It was a relaxing Sunday but still limited on nap time.  Luckily for us Cole was still such a good boy until 7:30. OK, he was still a stud but let us know he was tired.  As did everyone else.

When Monday arrived we weren't ready to say good-bye.  We had lunch and they went our separate ways.  The kids fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep for about an hour while the car was parked in the garage.  I felt bad throwing them back in the car 15minutes later just so we could go get Jackson, so instead we walked.  Big mistake.  Cole was not in the mood and for the first time, he really let us know he was done.  He cried all the way there which makes an out of shape woman very flustered while pushing a weighted stroller up a giant hill.  Or two.  On the way home the kids wanted to play at the park.  I knew we needed to get Cole home so after 10min. of play time, I dangled the carrot in front of the kids' face: Halloween Decor!  All jumped back in the stroller and we finished our journey.

I love how much the kids love decorating.  Cole knocked out in bed and so this process was even easier.  Although it would have been even better if we had more flat surfaces in this house.

From there we tackled the backyard.  Jackson got a big ol lecture and after we all retired inside, he stayed outside organizing his play house.  When he wants to be good, he's really good!

 It took Fall Break and a grandparent weekend to really exhaust Cole.  His THIRD nap of the day was from 3:30pm-8pm.  THEN, he was ready to retire for the night at 8:30pm.  I think he "spoke" for all of us.