Welcome to our blog! This is just a basic way for us to keep all of our fabulous family and friends in the loop on Nolan, Parker, & Gehrig and our adventures together! Please see the first blog under October 2008 for a better understanding of this page.
Well, my favorite time of the year (not counting my favorite season of autumn) has come and gone faster than the last. How does time manage to do that? Get away, that is. Each Christmas break home with my boys passes faster than the one prior. We were fortunate, this year, that Nolan's school break was the exact same as ours.
We kicked off the holiday season by going to Grandma & Grandpa Curry's house to celebrate Christmas. The boys enjoyed spending time with their cousins that they sadly do not get to see too often. You would never tell though...they pick up like no time has gone by at all, and I love it. They are all very close in age and it made for a full house. Full of laughter and friendship and love. For that, I'm so happy because my cousins have played a major role in my life (young and now) and I truly view them as sisters.
"Cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends."
Santa Claus' helper (as Nolan later told Brian and I...because he said he knew that wasn't the real one; we didn't doubt for a minute that he would pick up on this regardless of the real beard...he's a very observant child) came by and handed out gifts and smiles. Let me tell you how annoying lovely the music of about six train whistles is! Ha! Nolan continues to call his the "Polar Express Whistle." Nolan was also very happy that he received Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
We came home and did our traditional Christmas at home. The boys slept in fairly well and didn't even wake at the sounds of the Tooth Fairy, Santa, or Mack stirring in our home throughout the cold night. They even slept in a little bit! Nolan woke up first (well, besides my lying there patiently waiting for one of them to get up) and I heard him shout, "SHE CAME!!! SHE FINALLY CAME!!" and in our room he sprinted carrying his note from the Tooth Fairy and his $5 (the note stated that he got a little bit more since it was his very first tooth and he pulled it himself). He set it down and pranced down the hallway as fast as he could and was beyond thrilled to see that the jolly ole' fella came to our house, too! He found Mack in his usual Christmas morning spot: our tree, where he can get the perfect view! The boys must have been very good this year because Santa treated them well! Nolan got everything that was on his wish list! He was most excited about his toy soldiers (yes, the typical decoration kind) and his furby. He was also happy that Parker got him the Space Jam DVD.
Parker did a wonderful job opening up his gifts! His favorite (besides the boxes and bows) was his Mickey Mouse microphone. He hasn't stopped singing in it yet!
Shortly after opening presents, relaxing, and playing, we headed to Effingham to Meemaw & Papa's house. We were EXCITED because we knew they were supposed to get a "blizzard." The boys got spoiled as usual by them: Nolan got an iPOD touch and Skylanders (along with other goodies, too) and Parker got a plasma car (which him and Nolan are both enjoying in our unfinished basement). They were happy to see Papa had put up his train around the tree and the lights on their own trees in the backyard were shining brightly that evening. I lovetraditions! Later, the snow started to fall. I wouldn't quite call it a blizzard by any means, but it was excellent snow for building a snowman in record time and Parker was able to experience it for the very first time. Nolan instantly plopped down and made a snow angel. There's something magical about the first snowfall of the year, isn't there?
We had a beautiful and fun Christmas and I hated to see it go. And, yes, I still have my tree up! :) They will be coming down soon, I'm sure. That's usually Daddy's job since I have a hard time with seeing them go. It's very melancholy for me to take them down and pack them up.
Here's to wishing 2013 is a year of HAPPINESS, HEALTH (still praying for a good scan in April), and LOVE for this family...and our friends and family, too. There's so much to be thankful for!
Our Christmas vacation began Saturday. Nolan's vacation lines right up with ours, so that worked out very nicely. However, it got off to a crazy start!
On Sunday morning while we were still in Lincoln at Grandma & Grandpa Curry's house, Parker choked while eating pineapple. Sadly, we aren't talking about a little choke and poof it came up. I immediately picked him up and once I soon discovered he wasn't making a cough sound, a cry sound, or ANY sound except some strange gurgle, I instantly took my First Aid training to action and began the heimlich maneuver for children over the age of 1. After a couple attempts, I realied it wasn't doing anything and the "gurgle" sound stopped and his stomach hardened...it became almost rock-like. I looked at him and panic quickly took over, for his lips were completely and utterly blue and kind of purplish. Even the "t-zone" of his face was blue and his veins were very noticable. I quickly flipped him over (belly side down) along my arm, sat down, and started the heimlich for infants with thrusting with the heel of my hand, while Brian was on the phone with 911. About the 4th thrust in (which seemed like forever), I felt something loosen and his stomach softened...Grandma reached in and grabbed the fruit that was now visible. I truly thought I was going to have to begin CPR at any moment because I honestly believe a few seconds more and he would have gone unconscience. It was, hands-down, the most frightening experience of my entire life and I'm so incredibly grateful that I've been trained on both of those life-saving skills. A must for any Mommy's & Daddy's. I had a very hard time sleeping that night & a hard time not hugging & kissing him all day. Poor Nolan witnessed the entire thing.
Today, Christmas Eve, Nolan lost his very first baby tooth. It struck me in a way that I hadn't quite anticipated...I was quite emotional over it. He actually pulled it out all by himself! He woke up very early this morning and kept telling us that "litwally, it was just barely hanging there!" When I asked him what literally even means, he told me, "that it really, really, is, Mommy!" Such a smart boy. He was so proud of himself and was grinning ear-to-ear! He's ecstatic that Santa Claus AND the Tooth Fairy are both arriving tonight! We're going to have several visitors in our house tonight (tonight is Mack's last night with us).
Back tracking a night, we gave the boys baths like normal last night and then had popcorn, drinks, and blankies along with a homemade ticket waiting for them to take them on a surprise drive to look at Christmas lights. I found this idea on Pinterest, and HAD to try it. I'm so glad that I did, because it was a HUGE hit! I believe this will now be a yearly tradition.
This weekend, also marked my one year anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer. I'm so thankful that it was caught and that I'm fortunate enough to be able to celebrate such anniversaries as crazy as that may sound. I cherish every single moment with my boys (even the completely chaotic ones) and Christmas Eve is one of my absolute favorite nights of the year. The true magic of the next 24 hours are beyond my wildest dreams and brings me so much joy and happiness. My cup runneth over...
Again, tonight is Mack's night in our house. Our elf comes back tomorrow because we like for him to see the boys open their gifts, etc. It also adds to the magically morning. He was so much fun again this year and Nolan loves him dearly. Parker was even excited to find him each day and chant, "Maa...Maa!!!"
Tonight, we had our annual scrumptious dinner as a family of 4, got Starbucks, and went to Our Lady of the Snow at The Shrine in Belleville. Nolan rode the camel and Parker MORE than enjoyed the animals. He was putting on quite a show by letting the goats lick him and then his belly laugh echoed through the tent.
Sleep in heavenly peace...
"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus..."
I decided to have Nolan answer the same survey questions that he answered for me last October (idea from Pinterest) and see how the answers have changed. Some are quite interesting.
1. What is something Mommy/Daddy always says to you? M (Mommy): Love you! D (Daddy): No, No, Parker! P (Parker): Bret Beat (aka Fresh Beat)
2. What makes Mommy/Daddy happy? M: When I make I love you papers. D: When I lay with him. P: When he watches Fresh Beat Band
3. What makes Mommy/Daddy sad? M: When Parker bites D: When I go to time out P: When you take stuff away from him
4. How does Mommy/Daddy make you laugh? M: You tickle me D: Tickles me P: He covers my head up
5. What was Mommy/Daddy like as a child? M: Played your DS D: Played stuff
6. How old is Mommy/Daddy? M: 35 D: 55 (HAHAHAHAHA!) P: 1
7. How tall is Mommy/Daddy? M: 100 weights D: 50 weights P: 1 leg tall
8. What is Mommy/Daddy's favorite thing to do? M: Zipline D: Watch baseball games P: Playing with his stuff
9. What does Mommy/Daddy do when you're not around? M: Shop D: What? You mean like when Parker's sick and you're home? He watches TV
10. If Mommy/Daddy becomes famous, what will it be for? M: Uh uh uh (in the tune of "I don't know") D: Hitting baseballs, but actually I'm way better than he is because I can hit it over the roof if I want
11. What is Mommy/Daddy really good at? M: Cleaning dishes D: Throwing baseballs P: walking
12. What is Mommy/Daddy not very good at? M: Hitting baseballs D: Soccer P: Shooting basketballs
13. What does Mommy/Daddy do for their job? M: Teach class D: Coach football
14. What is Mommy/Daddy's favorite food? M: Hot dogs D: Burgers P: Baby stuff?
15. What makes you proud of Mommy/Daddy? M: I don't know D: " P: When he throws balls
16. If Mommy/Daddy were a cartoon character, who would they be? M: Princess D: Batman P: A baby on Baby Einstein
17. What do you and Mommy/Daddy do together? M: Wrestle D: Watch TV P: Fight with my swords when you aren't looking (*I gave him a look)....or just watch TV
18. How are you and Mommy/Daddy the same? M: We like candy D: We like baseball P: Both have blonde hair
19. How are you and Mommy/Daddy different? M: You're a gail (his version of girl) and I'm a boy D: He has black hair and I have blonde hair P: He has green eyes, I have blue...duh, that's easy.
20. How do you know Mommy/Daddy love you? M: Cuz you always say it D: Because he tells me P: He hugs me
21. Where is Mommy/Daddy's favorite place to go? M: Chuck E Cheese D: Baseball places P: Babysitter's
We had quite the run-in with the sickies about this time last month, and it seems that while they're not as intense as they began, they're still sadly lingering around.
It began by a phone call from Parker's babysitter. She said he started running a temp and pretty rapidly. I called in for a sub and took off to pick him up. When I got there, he was sleeping and felt pretty warm. It didn't take me long to notice that he seemed to be breathing rather rapidly. I went ahead and got him home and got some Motrin in him because I know from past experiences with Nolan being sick that when he runs a temp, he breathes quickly. Parker went down for a nap as soon as the medicine was forced into him (he's the WORST about taking any kinds of meds).
After about 2 1/2 hours, he woke up and still was breathing pretty fast, but I also noticed that he appeared to be retracting, too. Automatically sent me to flashbacks and minor panics about 5 days after his birth and the retractions he had then (of course, these were much milder compared to those). At the same time, I constantly second guess myself because I often think back to his rough start and think that I'm just overreacting because of experiencing the breathing issues. I took a video and sent it to Brian to get his opinion, but there was a nagging feeling telling me this wasn't good.
At this point, Brian said he couldn't tell from the way the video sent to his phone and he had football practice approaching. Also, I was due to pick Nolan up from the bus stop in just a few minutes. At the bus stop, I got another opinion from a Mom. She agreed that she'd get it looked at, too, and that I wasn't overreacting. In that short amount of time, his nostrils began flaring with each retraction, so called his Peditrician to which they told me I needed to get not come into their office, but get him to the ER. I asked if they thought I could just go ahead and drive over to Cardinal Glennon, but with what I was telling them (especially with the nostrils flaring), they preferred that I just got to the quickest ER. Upon arriving, he was seen right away and started on a steroid and breathing treatment. His O2 level was 86. He was not a fan of the breathing treatment and to my complete shock, he took the steroid pretty well (this was the only time he took this steroid well). Meanwhile, the nurse happened to notice Nolan's arm....which his school nurse had called me about that day as well.
We went for our flu shots and this was the first time we've ever taken the boys with us to the free flu shot clinic at Barnes. They gave Nolan his in his arm. This, too, was a first. So, fast forward to the next day, his arm is ridiculously swollen, hot, and red. Swollen to bigger than a baseball. The ER nurse was livid that they would give such a small boy a vaccine in his arm because it's too much medicine for that small of an amount of tissue. She recommended Benedryl, Motrin, & ice immediately.
After that, we took Parker back for a chest x-ray -- again, flashbacks that I didn't want entering mind began to, but I was much calmer about it this time (perhaps no longer being a few days post partum helped). After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and learning a lot, I requested a thyroid guard for Parker during his x-ray. They told me they would be happy to do so, but unfortunately, he's too small and the guards are too large and it'd cover the area that needed to be x-ray'ed. They were impressed that I even asked for one though and asked about my decision to ask. It just opened my eyes up to how too few people know the risks involved in xrays (whether dental, general, and especially mamograms) to even ask for such precautions.
After completing his x-ray, the dr was happy to report that he did not have pnemonia, but perhaps what our grandparents would have referred to as "walking pnemonia." He ordered another breathing treatment because Parker's oxygen levels were still hanging around 88. He did fine the first 30 minutes of the treatment, but the last 30 were horrific. The nurse, Brian, & I were all pinning him down. He was sweating, could barely cry because of his breathing, and was ticked off and confused. After the hour treatment, we waited about 20 minutes to see if he improved...he did not. At this point, the dr wanted us sent to Cardinal Glennon to be admitted.
Que Ambulance ride #2 for Parker. Daddy got Nolan arranged with friends (and he was an upset mess at this point, too). I rode with Parker. He did perk up in the Ambulance the most he'd been on all day. He was starting to talk up a storm, too. I don't have any pictures of this event because my cell phone died 15 mins after arriving at the hospital. This was upon arriving to Anderson:
By the time we arrived at Glennon, little PJ was completely exhausted. We gave him one more hour long treatment. If he didn't respond to that one, then we'd have to do another test to determine if he'd be in NICU or if he could be on a regular floor. That news scared me (first because I thought NICU was just for newborns and second because it fully clicked how serious this is). He slept through the entire treatment this time, so I think he was calm enough to fully inhale what he needed (not to mention he was basically on full adrenaline...he was SO shaky in his sleep). We sent up a lot of prayers and miraculously, he completely turned around after that treatment. His O2 was steady at 96 and they were happy with that result. His wheezing had cleared up significantly and they could hear the air flowing now. At 1:00 a.m. we were released. I was happy, but apprehensive, too...not because I didn't trust them, but because I was scared of what to watch for again, etc. We were sent home with an inhaler, steroids, and an antibiotic (he had an ear infection, too). It was pure torture to get him to take his inhaler and meds at home, but I really didn't want to invest in a nebulizer, when we already had the spacer at home (Nolan's asthmatic). While they said it's too early to diagnose Parker with asthma, too, they said he has a pretty good chance of it given his history. They considered his diagnoses an asthma attack. We followed up with our peditrician the next day for Parker and Nolan. Our doctor wasn't too happy to hear that Nolan received a shot in his arm either. Both boys ended up better quickly though...Nolan's arm peeled because the skin was stretched so badly!
Since then, Parker's been sick a couple of times...no breathing difficulties, but random high temperatures. This week we couldn't get it below 102 with alternating meds.
I went for my six month follow up. While my news wasn't horrible and I realize how much worse it could have been, I was disappointed and for one of the very first times throwing myself a pity party. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering that it's not about my timing..it's about HIS timing. I'm trying to remind myself of this daily. Without going to into it too much, we would really like to add to our family one last time and the idea of what I had planned will be postponed. Again, I realize how selfish it sounds wanting it at my timing, but there are some further reasons along with it. I am SO THANKFUL that I am able to still have more children in the future and after the struggle it was to have Parker, I'm SO GRATEFUL and BLESSED by the two BEAUTIFUL and mostly HEALTHY boys we have been given. Due to some things that were noticed at my six month post radiation appointment, I will be going back this upcoming week. Continued prayers are appreciated, but again, I can't say enough how appreciative I am of the hand I've been dealt in life. Sadly, there's been too many things around me to give me perspective.
Here's to wishing the sickies a long farewell...even though cold weather and sick season is upon us.
"This is the stuff that drives me crazy.
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately.
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed.
This is the stuff that gets under my skin.
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing...
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use..." ~Francesca Battistelli
*Excuse the sloppy and not real "thoughtful" writing...I'm sleepy!* #tryingtobeabetterbloggeragain
Parker is full of character, and for the most part, his developing personality is beyond wonderful. However, we are starting to learn that he has a bit of a temper and gets pretty angry. But, usually, he can be found smiling, dancing, saying "uh oh," "Belmo," or "Mi Mou," (while bringing the remote to you). He's a cuddle bug in the morning and LOVES books any time of the day! Here's him doing his thing after dinner and before bathtime, so please disregard his outfit!
Nolan has also been very busy. Kindergarten has been keeping him quite busy to say the least! He is still coming home pretty exhausted each afternoon and evening (we won't even mention how crabby pleasant he is in the mornings)! One of his current favorite things is writing and illustrating his own books! Here is a piece of his latest work (the words he writes down are condensed from the version he tells with each page):
Nolan's Book Title
I see Frankenstein.
I see vampires.
I see spiders.
The end.
*It keeps turning the pictures back on their sides, sorry!*
He was also quite proud to earn a Midway Wolf Merit certificate at school (you get recognized at the school assembly for this). His teacher told me that she told the class they were to go home and do one kind, unexpected thing to help out at home. When they returned to school the next day, they would discuss what each student did. She said Nolan was one of the last children picked to tell what he did and he was the first one to say, "Mrs. Mathews, I didn't do mine, I forgot...I'm sorry." She said she was so proud of him for telling the truth in such a hard situation when there possibly were some others that's weren't so honest. She said she made a big deal about it and made him an example...shortly after, several other students went back on what they said and admitted they didn't do it either. Nolan was beaming to earn the merit, but he later told me that he felt kind of sad that he was the only one that forgot (or so he thought). It's the little things that make this Mama's heart swell with pride.
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... ANYTHING can happen, child. Anything can be." -Shel Silverstein
NEVER AGAIN will I wait until the end of September to blog about an entire summer. I'm really smacking myself for this one! So, we will have a brief run through of the summer highlights through some pictures. We didn't get to do some of traditions (like blackberry picking) due to the extreme heat this summer...no rain & highs well over 100 day in and day out became a bit excessive and put a damper on the end of our summer break. In addition, it was difficult to do a lot outside for long periods of time since Parker was such a late walker (just started walking right after 15 months)...he would get very scratched up from the grass & have rashes. But, we had fun nonetheless.
We had fun being goofy and hanging out! Nolan rode in Meemaw & Papa's jeep for the first time, too (correction: first time on the road and not helping Papa drive it around the yard).
Pinterest gave us opportunities to explore and be creative. The one with the bubble snakes was interesting, Nolan had to constantly be reminded to not breathe in while the end of the bottle was in his mouth -- a quick taste of the soap was reminder enough without me telling him otherwise!
We had a lot of water fun & Nolan had his first round of swim lessons!
More pinterest fun!
We went to local places...for food, ice cream, and fun! We even took evening drives through SIUE campus to watch the deer. Nolan had his eyes checked for Kindergarten -- 20/20 vision, but he does have a stigmatism, too...no need to do anything about it though. Papa helped Nolan build a ramp for his cars.
We had t-ball games (someone's quickly improving)! We went to the Logan County Fair with Grandma & Grandpa and Shawn & Holly! Parker LOVED going round and round! We took trips to the library for stories and crafts. Parker's Elmo obsession has begun and is still in full swing. He constantly walks around the house bringing us the remote chanting, "Belbo, Belbo!"
Tyler came to visit for a weekend -- we went to the Glen Carbon Homecoming where we rode rides, ate, & played games! The boys made homemade pizza one night.
We went to Chicago and visited Shedd Aquarium, but Nolan's favorite part was going to see Michael Jordan's statue outside of the United Center!
We went to Traverse City, Michigan - and fell in love with Michigan as a vacation spot! We climbed very tall sand dunes in Indiana and Michigan (Nolan was pretty worn out & so was Daddy from carrying Parker)!
We went to the zoo on a VERY HOT day...wait, wasn't the entire summer VERY HOT?! Lots of water refills!
We had our annual 4th of July get together for fireworks, friends, and food! We had baby bunnies in our backyard! Baby Will made his appearance in early August! Yay!
We went to Six Flags on yet another extremely hot day. Nolan rode the Screaming Eagle TWICE along with some other roller coasters! Parker LOVED the characters! Nolan was so happy to see Taz.
All in all, it was a wonderful summer. Sadly, we didn't get to do our annual blackberry picking trip -- it was just way too hot that week. The last part of the summer was spent mainly indoors with the pool water even being no relief!
Now school is in session and we're busy as ever, but football season is almost over and things may possibly calm down soon! I PROMISE to blog within the next couple of days about our crazy start to fall!
