I am happy to report that our house is now plague free.  We had quite a time with the pneumonia, RSV, and whatever else bug was floating between the kids.  Thankfully they both got healthy before Nate headed to FL a few weeks ago and I left for Kansas City.  Boppa was a single Boppa on Thursday night, and Mema came for some back-up on Friday night.  The kids had a great time, and were happy and healthy when we all returned home over the weekend.  While Nate was working in FL, I was able to sneak away to KC to see my best friend from high school, and meet her sweet girl Sadie who was born in Dec.  Loved spending time with their family, and seeing big brother Nick who is growing up so quickly.  I hate that they are so far away, but am so grateful that they opened their home to me for those four days so we could spend some time together. 

The following weekend, Nate was a single dad again as I had to work the weekend.  It was a busy week prior to that with dance, work, etc.  We also took Grant in to get tested for an immune deficiency disorder.  He's been so sick lately that we wanted to make sure that he didn't have it.  After a VERY long morning of 3 blood draws at two different locations we finally got the blood that they needed, and the kids got a huge cookie to celebrate.  Poor Grant had a very rough morning, and Ava was very brave as she watched everybody hold down her little brother to get the blood.  We got good news this week that the tests came back normal.  Grant just has what every other little kid in MN has this winter...lots of illness. 

This past week has been more of the same...ECFE, play date at the zoo, dance, work, etc.  Ava was very excited to get to see her recital costume for dance this week.  They've been practicing their recital piece.  They are so darn cute!

Tonight we're anxious to welcome Aunt Darlene, Great Grandma, Cousin Melissa, & Aunt Moe Moe to our house for the night.  Ava & I will be joining them tomorrow to watch cousin Carl perform in show choir in Bloomington.  Then Sunday we're going to  head over to a neighbor's house for a Super Bowl party.  Hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

I'm sad to report that I can not download any pictures on here today.  I'm not sure what is going on.  Hopefully I can get some up later this week!

Sick & Cold

The start of 2015 has been a bit rough for us.  We started out with a trip to the pediatrician's office on new years eve with G-man.  He had a horrible cough and fever that came on suddenly over night.  I took him in because I was fearful that he had influenza.  Well, if he did we wouldn't know because our clinic was out of swabs.  Not a big deal since I later found out (after they swabbed Ava) that they are only 40% accurate anyway...giving many many false negatives.  I've learned through work that we also have more expensive swabs that are more accurate...but not always used.  Anyway, we left the pediatrician's office with a diagnosis of pneumonia, and a boat load of prescriptions, including the dreaded steroids that pump my son's body full of energy so he doesn't take naps.  I knew that it was serious when he refused to eat on new years day.  I thankfully have the best neighbors, and one of them came to watch the kids while I ran to Target to get some pedialyte.  I called in sick child on Friday and stayed home with the little man since he still had fevers.  By Saturday, he was good to go. 

So, back to new years.  Nate and I attempted to go to a party after the kids were down.  Unfortunately Grant woke up 15 minutes after we arrived at the party.  I just hung out with our sitter until Nate got home for me to take her home.  I just couldn't bear leaving him again since he was sick with such high fevers.  Nate was in bed early (for his super early flight to FL) and I went back to the party to bring in the new year with the neighbors. 

New Years day Nate was up way before the sun to catch his 6 am flight to the  Citrus Bowl game in FL.  He, Boppa, Uncle Wes, & Aunt Janna took a one day trip to FL to cheer on the gophers.  Unfortunately, the gophers couldn't pull off a win, but they had fun anyway.  Nate got home around midnight that night. 

I unfortunately had to work my 12 hr night shift Saturday.  I got off on Sunday morning at 7:30, stopped at home and picked up Ava, and took her to Urgent Care with a fever and cough.  They swabbed her for influenza, which came back negative (as she was throwing up in the garbage can).  She was super pumped when the Dr. brought her in a pedialyte freezy.  She's still talking about that "special Mr. Freezy".  She also got a diagnosis of pneumonia and some antibiotics.  It was noon by the time I got home, so had to call in ill child once again.  I'm glad I did, as her fever got up to 105.6 that evening.  After stripping her down, drugging her, and giving her a luke warm bath, we got control of her fever.  She has now been fever free since Monday night, but continues to have this horrible cough.  I'm hoping it will be gone soon.  It's such a nasty winter for illness everywhere. 

It's been a high of 0 degrees here for many days this week.  It's absolutely dreadful.  Even though the kids were feeling better, we were still trapped inside due to the cold temps and dangerous windchills.  Can't wait for the warm-up next week...28 degrees is feeling tropical.  :)

We hope that you all had a wonderful new years, and that 2015 has started off happy and healthy for you and your families. 
 

While Daddy was enjoying outdoor football in FL, we were shooting hoops in the basement. 

Naps on the couch during the gopher game

Ava building me a house

Snuggled up, looking at pictures

We were on a camping trip Thursday morning.  What do you do when you go camping?  You make s'mores by the fire of course (even if it is 10 am).

Nate, Boppa, & Wes at the Citrus Bowl