They're bought and paid for!

We have tickets to California for Michelle and Nader's wedding. Our travel agent (yours truly) found tickets for 5 and a 1/2 priced under 1000! traveling at a reasonable hour even!! Micaela is very excited. We all can't wait to be there!

Micaela's new do...

Micaela has been reading some of the American girl books. She came to me yesterday and asked me to do her hair like Kirsten's. So I did. She got compliments from Nana and Daddy, so today she's wearing it the same way, but with a bow. A big bow. Nellie and Samantha wear big bows. She's preening in the mirror as I type.

Something's Working!

Micaela's attitude is 100% improved. She has been pleasant, helpful, obediant (to say she has been kind might be stretching the truth)- a real joy to be around. Is it the reward board and the expectation of a prize? Or is it just the fever rendering her a little needy? I guess we'll find out.

Fever? Yes, today Gabe and Micaela have fevers. High ones like Bubba. Nathaniel's been running around all day like a madman, but we still went to the doctor because he still had a fever-102 on day 7! Anyway, she says everything looks great on him except his right ear. That part of him looked particularly awful, so he's on antibiotics now, and we hope he recovers soon.

I got to go to Curves today, but I forgot to weigh. I have to weigh soon because I'd like to change the ticker. Maybe I'll get to go tomorrow.

Ian and I are enjoying the extra time we have together at night (sick kids go to bed early); unfortunately we're liking it a little too well and we can't seem to get in bed before midnight. Sometimes a little after midnight. I suppose we can't blame our exhaustion on our sick kids.

Another day...

Nathaniel is still feeling ill. His temps are lower, but his throat is very sore now. He doesn't want to eat or drink. The pediatrician wants to see him in the morning- so we'll be there at 10:30 tomorrow.

Today I went to Walmart during Ian's lunch. I bought groceries and a propane tank for the grill. I forgot to pick up the propane tank on my way out. Oops! Let's hope they give it to me when I go back- it was $45!

Ian usually doesn't take lunch, but he did today since he'll be working really late. So that's what he's done today- work. I missed Curves today since Ian had to work late. Maybe I'll get to go tomorrow.

Micaela went to Nana's today to play with Presley (my cousin Christian's daughter). She came home pleasant and happy- a major attitude change for her. She got two stickers on the reward board, our first attempt at behavior mod parenting. We'll see if it works...

Gabriel wanted to read, play ball and talk about colors today. So we did.

Asher made a new discovery that's going to mean lots of work for us. Door stops. Door stops make great noises when you flip them back and forth. Apparently they taste pretty good too. Also he's playing with the baby cup, a half-size sippy cup with handles. I think he's going to learn to drink from a cup really soon.

Nathaniel hasn't done much for a while, but he did enjoy a new movie today, a collection of stories about Thomas the Train and his friends. I liked the work ethic and the values portrayed by the characters.

No pictures today. I guess Ian has become the camera man around here :)

Sunday

I spent about half of the day in the local ER with Nathaniel. Yesterday his temperature spiked to 105. I brought it down quickly with meds, but it won't stay down. Today it went to 104.5, and he complained of pain behind his eyes, so we left.

Ian kept Micaela, Gabe, and Asher at home, and Asher was good. He drank water from a sippy cup and ate some applesauce. Micaela helped him with his cup. Way to go Dad! He kept a 5 month old happy for over 5 hours!

Nathaniel insists that he's not sick. He and I slept for at least an hour in a 'quiet room' at the ER
(where he wouldn't infect anyone) after we were triaged and before we were taken back. The PA gave me a hint: viral infections in children cause extremely high fevers (103-105) which are easily controlled with fever medication. They are not dangerous provided they are controlled. If the child remains well-hydrated the medicine is safe. If they're not drinking, don't give them motrin, but continue tylenol. In contrast, bacterial infections cause slow rising fevers that start low and are more dangerous. Her prescription- prednesone to speed his healing (open the constricted air passages from the croup since it's going on day 5) and continue the tylenol/motrin routine. Bring him back if he's not better by Tuesday.

In other news, Ian, Micaela and Gabe did visit the Vineyard this morning, but had to leave early so I could get to the hospital. Ian attended the early service and like what he saw. He missed a Bible study/financial seminar that we would like to attend, but it will continue for the next 9 weeks, so maybe we can still make it. Ian approved the nursery and children's minister, liked the pastor, and loved the pastor's kids wearing shirts labeled Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3, and Thing 4. He wants me to go this Thursday to a small group. If no one is sick, of course, we'll all go. Then I suppose the group won't be so small :)

The ticker...

So, I finally replaced the baby ticker with a weight loss ticker. Ian and I knew that I needed to get out of the house and try to meet some women. Since we haven't found a church, this has been very difficult. In fact, we've been her since September, and I haven't met anyone! Thankfully I do see my family every week.
Anyway, De'etta's blog gave me the idea of joining Curves- I joined Monday. The baby weight seems to be coming off slowly, and our hope is that this will speed up the process, give me an outlet, and help me to meet some other moms.
According to the scale at Curves I'm at 186, according to WIC I'm at 180, according to the scale Ian bought me as a gift, I'm 176. So the question is who do I believe? I went with Curves's scale since I'm guaranteed to lose weight quickly (I was wearing blue jeans and a sweater that day- next time I'll be wearing spandex!).
I don't feel so bad to be at 186 though- I started in September as 208. Asher's not quite six months old now. By the time he's 12 months I should be less than 170, and at 18 months I hope to be around 160. When he's 24 months I want to be 155 or less- normal for me- something I haven't been consistantly for the last six years! OK, those are my realistic goals- if I do Curves consistently I'm hoping it will go more quickly than that.
The work-out is fun. The first time I did it I could literally feel tension coming from my head and rolling off my back as I worked. The first time I came home fairly sore. I've been three times (MWF) and upped the pace significantly after the purchase of the aforesaid spandex (it offers so much more support than a worn out nursing bra :) . Anyway, the third time it felt easy. Does this mean I'm not working hard enough? Ian said I should work harder, but I'm in the target heart range for my age. We'll see on Monday when I hopefully remember to weigh again.
I think changing the ticker will give me some motivation to keep blogging; although, I'm feeling that this could be another outlet. If women are allowed so many words in a day, I'd say I've got a buildup in my system. Conversation is hard to come by right now, so I'll just blog the deficit! That means someone has to read the blog and respond- a conversation requires response.

I'm sorry, Mom, but I think I've left my love in Texas...

Me too! Why is this so hard? Micaela said this to me after we had another argument. She and I just seem to fight constantly.

This has been a disappointing week. I confiscated most of Micaela's things on the understanding that she could earn them back by keeping her room clean. She couldn't.

At the first of the week Ian and I planned a date for Friday night that completely bombed because of a fussy baby.

We found a church that we're hoping will be home- but we couldn't visit. Wednesday there was no service according to the pastor, but there were small groups on Thursday. Thursday the small group wasn't meeting because they had gone to the special service on Wednesday. Sunday we can't go because Nathaniel is still sick with croup.

Enough talking, here are some pictures of the family.