Pea has been very, very sick. Fevers of 100 + at night and steady at 99 during the day.

Coughing.

Coughing.

and more coughing.

Stuffy nose, then runny nose.

Coughing.

Coughing.

and more coughing.

Not sleeping at night because of the coughing.

I’m tired, . . . → Click Here To Read The Full Blog Post: Out of Commission]]> Guys, I know it’s been quiet around here.

Pea has been very, very sick. Fevers of 100 + at night and steady at 99 during the day.

Coughing.

Coughing.

and more coughing.

Stuffy nose, then runny nose.

Coughing.

Coughing.

and more coughing.

Not sleeping at night because of the coughing.

I’m tired, Pea’s tired, Daddy C is tired.

So, I don’t have any updates because I’m really just too tired and can’t wrap my thoughts around what I would write.

So, please hold.

We’ll be back soon.

xo

- Me

I try not to, but I do feel like it’s a part of human nature to complain.

As easy as it is to say “There are children in Africa dying” or “There are people who don’t have a home” I think you need to vent your . . . → Click Here To Read The Full Blog Post: Count Your Blessings]]> I complain a lot. I do.

I try not to, but I do feel like it’s a part of human nature to complain.

As easy as it is to say “There are children in Africa dying” or “There are people who don’t have a home” I think you need to vent your frustrations too or you become one angry person. I think… I’m no expert.

I also think you may become one depressed person if you focus all of your energy on other people’s problems and don’t worry about your own. The troubles of the world are so great.

I think finding a good balance between bitching and complaining about my own problems and still being aware of what is going on in the world and how blessed I am is the right thing to do.

In light of that, yeah, I just had a miscarriage and that makes miscarriage number 2.

And yeah, I’m super annoyed/pissed/angry that we are having such a hard damn time having another baby.

Super pissed.

But this week, we got an email at work that one of our secretaries/Registrar had lost her grandson who was less than 1 year old. Then today I read Kim’s blog about this woman, Hope who went into early labor with twins at 21 weeks and after a battle to save the living baby (the first baby was born stillborn), the baby- named Zaria- passed away.

Yes, it sucks to have a miscarriage.

I bet, though, with all of my heart that it sucks even more to lose a child that you birthed, held in your arms, and prayed to God that s/he would survive.

Yup, that sucks even more.

In fact, it’s not fair.

Here is what Hope had to say about baby Zaria (I’ve picked out a few pieces for you):

“From the early ‘honeymoon’ week Zaria introduced us to what a strong little fighter she was. She faced chronic lung disease, grade 3 brain bleeds, and heart surgery within the first few weeks of her stay. Every time she met these obstacles we were all surprised because she didn’t want to show us any signs of her distress.

As she healed from each trauma we breathed a collective sigh of relief. We spent hours and hours at her bedside peering into a plastic womb and getting to know our littlest daughter. When possible we held her head and feet as she spread out her toes and caressed our fingertips as we sought to soothe her and her us….

After holding such strong hope for our girl through all the ‘you must give up care’-s for her from the doctors, we could not allow our minds to fathom that she had more of the disease. The surgeon finally realized that it was futile to convince us as we saw the glimmer of hope in her words of “most likely will not live”. ‘Most likely’ can’t convince two loving parents who want with all their hearts for their daughter to survive the NICU and come home with them. The doctor realized she would have to show us proof.

After an exploratory bedside surgery and a photograph of the perforated gut and decaying tissue, we finally began to swallow our hope for saving our daughter….

On Sunday morning, August 28, we realized we should let go (I couldn’t use the term ‘withdraw care’ because what mother can really withdraw care of their child?)…

I held her warm body to my bare chest and soothed her fears. She lay in Luke’s lap at sunrise by the window; and as her heart faintly beat she lightened our loads as she flew away home. We studied her beautiful face (looking much like her brother’s), stroked her reddish brown hair and held her little fingers.“

A mother’s love for her child is one that cannot be quantified, but the anguish that a mother feels when that child is lost?

Inconceivable.

The family was out of town when Hope when into pre-term labor and took a huge financial hit back home in North Carolina as they had to board their animals and break their lease to stay with their baby girl, away from home, in another hospital. There is a fund for her and really, if you can give, please do- whatever is within your means.

For some reason I can’t link directly to the Paypal donation link, but you can send donations via PayPal to: love2zaria@gmail.com OR follow the link below (that says “click here”) and click through her site to donate.

There’s a giveaway too of a variety of items. If you’re interested, click here to see what’s up for grabs.

Anyway, kiss your babies (that you have with you) and for sure always remember to take the time and count your blessings.

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Sick…again…you have got to be shitting me!? What in the hell did I do to deserve this?  I am so over this…we had the flu shots…some good they have been! To the doctor’s office again for them to tell me…it has to run its course. And when the vomiting subsides, start . . . → Click Here To Read The Full Blog Post: Damn Flu Shot by Jill]]>

Sick…again…you have got to be shitting me!? What in the hell did I do to deserve this?  I am so over this…we had the flu shots…some good they have been! To the doctor’s office again for them to tell me…it has to run its course. And when the vomiting subsides, start on the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) diet to help with the diarrhea. Ok, but really, run its course all over my house?

This is how I how I felt last winter as my 2 boys, Jake- 6 years old and in Kindergarten with 18 other snotting, sharing germs kids and Drew, who was 2 and in daycare sharing germs with 9 other children that seriously did not know to sneeze in their arms! But, it was more than the sniffles my friends, it was the barfs…and I mean big time!

Now a little background. I did not breastfeed either of my boys. I always felt like formula was made for moms like me. I went back to work quickly after each boy was born and I just loved having the help from my husband and friends at feeding time.  And while neither boy has ever had an ear infection, both are the Kings of Puking! In fact, we have nicknamed them…”The Barf Brothers”.  Jake, my 6 year old took the formula that he was given in the hospital with no problem until he was 11 months old and I switched him to whole milk-no issues. Then, there was Drew-my 3 year old. He started projectile vomiting in the nursery at the hospital. After several formula changes and on axcid twice a day for reflux, I felt like I was in the clear-

NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND—

I swear, I missed more work this past year (and when missing when you have to plan for a sub, yes, I teach first grade—it is just a nightmare). At one point, I think I missed a day a week for 5 weeks-easily. Simply surprised I did not get a pink slip…

You just know it is bad when your friends at work say to you “Which one is throwing up now?”

I was over the edge!

THE WORST NIGHT EVER

My husband and I went to bed peacefully—well, I say that, our younger son had been experiencing some diarrhea. We really did not think a thing about it since he has inherited my sweet tooth and to keep him happy at his older brother’s baseball game, I just kept giving him Starbursts. So, I attributed his bowel issues to me giving him too many candies…yea, right!

But, nonetheless, they both went to bed and so did we.

About 11:00 (which is the middle of the freaking night for someone that has to wake up at 5:30 or 6:00) to our older son puking his head off in our toilet. (Yes, he is a trained, professional barfer!) I was like WTF is going on around here!?  Well, while my husband catered to him, I went into his room to assess the damage that had already taken place. Well, dear god! There upon his brand new (and I mean, like 3 weeks old) bedding was nasty lasagna, salad and bread everywhere! I was mortified! SO, half in my sleep (still hearing my husband telling my older son, it is ok, it is ok)—when the hell was someone going to tell me it is ok? SERIOUSLY! I go into the back yard to wash off the “stuff” so I can start a load of laundry.

Get Jake settled on a pallet in our room after a tub, we went back to sleep…

We are dozing off…WWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAA

You have got to be kidding me? Our younger son is now crying—and it ain’t no stupid night cry!

My husband goes into his room and yells across our house (which is not huge) “Jill, round 2!”

I just started crying. Out to the yard I went again, in the cold to wash off nasty ass sheets. While feeling so sad for the kids, I really felt bad for my husband and myself as well. Where was the all-famous flu shot? My god, I put my kids through all of that for what? Cleaning sheets and bedspreads at midnight?

While we finally got the boys to bed and a couple more trips to the bathroom (remember, they are professional pukers) I laid in bed wondering how in the hell I would teach first grade the next morning!?

I guess I did OK, I have a signed contract for next year!

Next flu season has simply got to be better for our family or I am going to have to check into the Best Western down the street until it is all over!

So, next “sick” season, I am just not sure if I will participate in the flu shot for my boys.

Will you?

Let me know in the comment box, yes or no to the flu shot?

About Jill:

Jill is a teacher by trade and an all-around awesome gal! She has two great boys and has been married to her husband since 2002. She loves spending time with her family & friends. Though you won’t find Jill on Facebook or Twitter, you may find her with a Miller Lite in her hands after a long day.

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For Keith Bryan when he was 8 years old

Santa Claus I am sick

and I just wanted to say,

that if I could have my pick

I’d feel better on Christmas day.

. . . → Click Here To Read The Full Blog Post: One Sick Boy for Christmas: A Poem by Lauri Halterman]]>

For Keith Bryan when he was 8 years old

Santa Claus I am sick

and I just wanted to say,

that if I could have my pick

I’d feel better on Christmas day.

It’s hard to play with toys

when I’m feeling so bad.

I can’t even play with the boys

and that makes me very sad.

My body aches with fever

and I’m sick of throwing up.

I think I’ll be sick forever.

Yep, I’m one sick pup.

I’m too sick to pick on Mommy

like I usually tend to do.

I don’t feel like watching Toonami,

or my other cartoons too.

I can’t keep any food down;

7-Up is all I can drink.

Being sick sure makes me frown

and it makes it hard to think.

So again I say dear Santa Clause,

make me better for my present.

I only ask for this because,

I’d like Christmas to be pleasant.

About Lauri:

Come on…don’t copy- get your own material. Nobody likes a cheater! Original & Hand Written Plagiarism Will Be Detected. This site is being monitored by CopyGator. Mmkay? Thanks.

Last year, on January 31st, My Sweet Harper was admitted to the hospital with RSV. She was so tiny, only 5 precious weeks old. RSV is a nasty virus that causes high temps, and severe cold symptoms; with her being so young it made her breathing very labored, and her oxygen . . . → Click Here To Read The Full Blog Post: MY Sweet Harper by Tracy C.]]>

Last year, on January 31st, My Sweet Harper was admitted to the hospital with RSV. She was so tiny, only 5 precious weeks old. RSV is a nasty virus that causes high temps, and severe cold symptoms; with her being so young it made her breathing very labored, and her oxygen levels were low. I took her to Children’s in St. Paul, MN. We were admitted and told that we had probably come through the worst of it, but they’d keep her overnight just to be cautious…we ended up staying for 5 days.

Harper got worse the first night in the hospital, and it was the worst night of my life. It was difficult to feel so helpless as a parent, and protective, and emotional, and alone (my husband was home with our son), I could go on and on. If I close my eyes, I am right back there again.

Harper steadily improved and we were released from the hospital with a still coughing and stuffy daughter. Unfortunately, we returned to the Children’s ER 5 times from February to June for breathing issues. Basically, kids who get RSV so young suffer from asthma (although it’s called RAD [reactive airway disorder] since asthma isn’t diagnosed until age 2). Some grow out of it, and some don’t. We’re hoping Harper will!

I have two reasons for writing today. One, I needed to recognize this day in some form, and two, I wanted to share some advice. I now have a small taste of how life is with a child that has a chronic condition. My son was always “healthy as a horse” as they say, and I really took it for granted. So here comes the advice part:

• Never take your child’s health for granted, good health is a blessing
• If you know someone who has a child with a chronic condition, offer support in any way you can. It’s very stressful. Medications, sleepless nights, doctor visits, doctor bills, etc. It can wear you out!
• Offer support to parents with a hospitalized child-Living in a hospital room is not easy. My husband and I took turns, but also because I was nursing-it was mostly me. We were just not comfortable leaving her alone at all. So if you can offer to bring clothes/toiletries for the parent or child, or a care package with snacks so they can avoid the cafeteria and vending machines.
• Offer to care for their other child(ren)… besides seeing my daughter so sick, it was heart breaking to be away from my son Jack. To know that he was getting extra TLC from family and our daycare provider made me a little more at ease.
  

One year later, Harper still gets nebs with even the slightest cold, but she’s grown so strong! We had several doctors tell us that she would still be very sensitive to having respiratory issues for the next 12-18 months, which was true with how many times we were in the ER after her hospitalization. So, we decided it was a good time for me to stay home with our kids to help keep her as healthy as possible. Sometimes, life’s biggest decisions are made for us, we just had to go with it.

Well, staying at home has also led me to some new endeavors, so this is how our life will stay for a while at least-one lucky mama!

(photo by JR Photography, from Harper’s 1 year pictures)

About Tracy:

Tracy spends her days being a mommy to Jack (3) and Harper (1), and creating new products for her Etsy shop, Sweet Harper.  Her venture as a “stay at home” mom was spurred by her daughter’s hospitalization and subsequent health issues.  Tracy enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, drinking coffee, and anything sweet! Tracy can be found on Twitter at @sweetharper or you can see more, including her blog, at www.sweetharper.com.

About Tales From The Crib:

Thought up by Dawana, author of A Bittersweet Existence, as a way to share stories from a variety of Moms in one place regarding the trials and tribulations. A Stay-At-Home Mom herself who often thinks she is losing her mind, Dawana has found a great deal of comfort in the stories from other Moms and wanted to share them all in one place. If you’d like to submit a story, please feel free to email Dawana by clicking here.

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We had a resurrection of our own. Of a fever. A certain… 104 degree fever.

At 4:30 am… this is deja vu.

She rolls over on me, because she sleeps with me- God forbid my husband and . . . → Click Here To Read The Full Blog Post: Easter Fever]]> On Easter morning is said to be the day my Lord and Savior was resurrected….

We had a resurrection of our own. Of a fever. A certain… 104 degree fever.

At 4:30 am… this is deja vu.

She rolls over on me, because she sleeps with me- God forbid my husband and I get to sleep alone (what an awesome form of birth control)- and she’s on fire!

Her feet, her hands, everything and sure enough- 104.

One thing that the last episode of 104 degrees taught us is how to be more calm… I guess that’s what increased parenting experience has brought to us. Last time, we freaked out and had to go to the hospital. This time? We took her to the living room where it is more cool (high ceilings), gave her some Tylenol and water (store-brand Pedialyte was to come later) and put her down to sleep on the couch without covering her.

You see, on Saturday night, as she was all nestled and snug in the bed I should be sharing with my husband, I covered her up ’cause it was cold. Well Cadence does not like covers- like her Dad- she kicks them off or will wake up fussing because you covered her up (for shame!). SO since my daughter also sweats like a fat dude running a 5K for the first time… in the desert,(yeah, she sweats that much in her sleep) I thought that part of her being so hot was due to me covering her up. I was right…. kind of.

After being out on the sofa for a while, her temp went down to 102. (Hooray, Hoorah) I checked her temperature like every 10-15 minutes and thank goodness for the new temporal thermometer I got because the ghetto ear thermometer that we own kept telling me her temperature was 94 degrees- really? Major #fail

I got a lot of advice from Moms I know online and my IRL (In Real Life) Mommy friends- thank you all for that. I pumped C up with fluids, gave her a luke warm bath, kept her lightly clothed- but still warm… but her temp. still seemed to fluctuate between 99 degrees and 104 all day. Trust, though, she was de-fi-nite-ly acting normal. This child was running around this house like a bat outta hell. So, I knew there was not too much to worry about- maybe it was teething, maybe not… but it wasn’t the flu like last time.

This morning, she was still pretty hot, around 101, so I thought I’d take her to the Doctor to check it out, but after her morning nap- homegirl was 99 degrees. Sweet! Saved me $15 right there going to see the Doc for no reason. (What? Don’t act like you’ve never though- FUUUUCK- I gotta pay a co-pay again?!?! This is some bullshit- I think it for myself- she is no exception).

I did get some Easter shots of her getting ready for church, which obviously never happened. Shout out to Jesus, though.

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