Longest Week EVER (okay...almost ever)

So, little Asher has been sick since Wednesday. Fever (102+), cough, runny nose, diarrhea, grumpy, sleepy, sick. I took him to his pediatrician Thursday. However, he was out of town, so we saw his partner. He VERY quickly looked over Asher, and told us he had bronchitis and a right ear infection. Prescribed an antibiotic and we were on our way in less than five minutes. It's now Friday, Ash is still really sick, still having fevers, but he hasn't been on medicine long, so I deal with it. (Remember, Tay is also sick with Strep this whole week. So fun.). Saturday, Ash is still very sick, fever is persisting, and now he is having a hard time breathing. Like, every time he takes a breath he does a little grunt, and just looks absolutely exhausted. He also isn't eating well anymore, and I start thinking maybe this isn't bronchitis. So I call hubbs at work, and decide to take him to Urgent Care once he comes home that night. Well, I don't make it there until 8pm. The doctor took one look at him, how deep he was inhaling with each breath, and checked his oxygen (88-89%, not terrible for the old Ash, but since surgery he has been 97-98%), and sent us off to Primary Children's ER. So, I stopped at home and packed an overnight bag (I'm learning!), and off we went. After lots of testing, and waiting, and chest x-rays, they ruled out RSV and pneumonia, and about 4-5 hours into the ordeal, he tested positive for Influenza type B (Yes we ALL had the flu vaccine. It happens). Plus an ear infection. Since he was having a difficult time breathing, we stayed overnight so they could monitor his oxygen and respirations. After a looong night (didn't get to bed until 3am!), the team came and looked at him. They decided that as long as he was maintaining oxygen above 95% (which he was most of the time: as long as he wasn't eating, screaming, or sometimes sleeping), and if he was taking fluids reasonably well, we could go home later on. We ended up getting discharged at 1pm today. Yay! He is now on Tamiflu, and his antibiotic, and is taking Motrin for pain/fever. We are making sure he is drinking, and he is sleeping lots now. So, now we just have to watch and make sure he is on the mend. Pray that he keeps healing, and baby and momma can get some rest!

A Busy Momma's Life...and Sick Kids!

Okay, I have been very rotten at posting lately. Yes, I've been busy, but still...I could have posted sooner and just didn't feel like it. Sometimes I'm lazy like that.

To start out with: Asher. He has been battling a right ear infection since January 1st. We will think it's gone, and then a week later...poof! Ear infection back. He is now on his fifth infection (just diagnosed today, yay!), and his fifth antibiotic. Oh, and he is also battling bronchitis. He is such a joy right now! Ha.

Asher also just had another swallow study done this week; this is where they take numerous x-rays while he swallows various consistencies of liquids. We were hoping to take him off of his thickener, and discover a cause for his "junky" breathing (a problem since his first surgery). No such luck. He still needs thickener (otherwise he takes liquids into his lungs, not his tummy), and they could see no cause for his breathing.

So, between the ear infections and the "junky" breathing, it looks like we will be seeing an ENT sometime soon.

Coming up: Asher has an MRI on the 20th of April, and then sees his cardiologist on the 26th. I will keep you posted on those results, and what happens when we see an ENT.

Taylor and I had fun taking pictures outside a couple of weeks ago:

She loves the camera ALOT. Taylor is sick right now also. We thought it was Strep (saw the doctor Tuesday, after she came home from school on Monday with a fever of 102). But, after 3 days of antibiotics, no improvement in her symptoms, her fever spiking even higher when the ibuprofen wears off, and her dry cough becoming MORE persistent... I think more is going on. Her Dr. says to bring her in Monday if we don't start seeing improvement over the weekend.

Jon boy is Jon boy. He's been great. Healthy and all! Well, except for 3 nights of a mystery fever a few weeks ago accompanied by waking up multiple times screaming bloody murder for a half hour. That was fun. But he is great now. Loves preschool, loves playing. Just a fun little guy to have around!

Showing off his muscles!

Taylor is doing a dance for the camera.

He we are in bed a few mornings ago. How did I convince my hubby to allow such a VERY girly quilt on our bed? He drew the line at pink sheets, though.

Here are the boys in bed. Jon passed out one morning, and Ash was driving him bonkers. It was really very cute.

The kids in the backseat of the van. This is a far too common sight! Between doctors appointments, and coming with me when I take pictures of houses for appraisals, they spend a lot of time in the backseat. They have learned to become very good travelers though!

In other news... we are having a baby BOY! I couldn't resist finding out what we were having when we had our ultrasound last week. Jon is very excited. Taylor is adjusting to the idea...she got mad and threw a rake when she found out. Now time to think of a name! (This is not a solicitation for ideas, however. Taylor has that covered! A few highlights: Lagine, Bangeeo, Neehi...Hmm. Thanks anyway.) Oh, and the ultrasound also showed no problems with the baby's heart. Although I won't feel out of the woods until after the fetal echo (ultrasound of just the heart).

I also started, and then 3 days later quit, a new job this month. I don't know why I thought I could manage a full time job, but I can't. Especially for a position that just wasn't a good fit for me. I'm not a quitter, but after 3 days I knew it wouldn't work. (FYI I hadn't been looking for a job. It just fell in my lap, so I figured what the heck, we could use the extra income. But it wasn't worth the extra stress.) So I am back at home now, still doing my appraisals, but basically an at home momma.

Here's a few pics of the kids playing in their Grandma James' front yard:

They had a lot of fun enjoying the little bit of warmer weather we had. Since just a few weeks ago, Taylor built this:

We can't wait for Spring around here!

Life of Late

We have just been chugging along with life lately. Everyone is healthy, we haven't seen the doctor for a couple of weeks (yay!), and we have mostly been homebodies.

"Monster Jam" was in town over the weekend, so Hopekids sent a bunch of people (Adam and Jon included) to go and see it Friday night. Adam was glad he remembered earphones, he said it was soo loud! Jon is still talking about the trucks. He lasted a little over an hour (it didn't start until 7:30 pm, past Jon's bedtime!), before Adam called it quits (After Jon fell over the chairs TWICE).

We have mad some drastic changes to our diet lately, trying to cut back on meats and processed foods and eating more fruits, vegetables, and grains. I've cleaned out the fridge, freezer, and pantry (no more junk!), and have really enjoyed trying new recipes out. One of my favorites lately is this:

Roasted Vegetables. Yumm. (Photo is pre-roasting. I was too hungry once it was done to take an "after" pic.). The first time I used sweet potatoes and beets. This last time I mixed it up a bit with sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and a variety of baby potatoes.

So, here is the general recipe: (It's really forgiving, I don't actually measure anything)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (375 for non-convection). Peel and dice (about 1/2 inch) 1 small butternut squash, 1 large sweet potato, 6 baby potatoes (I used red, yellow, and a purple), and a large onion (cut this in about 1 inch chunks). (Or, peel and dice 3 large sweet potatoes, 4 large beets, and 1 large onion). Put veggies in a large bowl and toss with 2 T of olive oil, 1 t salt, 1/2 t pepper, 2 t minced garlic, and 1 T brown sugar. Spread veggies out on a cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour (maybe a little more if your oven isn't convection), tossing veggies every 15 minutes. Yummy. I served it with a side of white beans, cooked with a little garlic and salt, and some whole wheat bread. You must try this. So good, really, and the veggies get candied because of that little bit of brown sugar.

Anyway, on to other things. Ash is a busy guy, teething like crazy. He has 6 teeth, and is working on two more. And he doesn't seem to realize that he is a heart baby, and is developing his motor skills soo fast! He crawls, climbs, "cruises", walks pushing his toy, and is now getting brave and standing holding on with just one hand. I give him one month and he'll be walking. He sees the cardiologist again April 26th, and prior to that they will do an MRI to look at his heart. He will get another synagis shot in a week (for RSV). Hibernating has worked, and he hasn't been sick since his croup/ear infection episode.

On the pregnancy front, I missed my last appointment (oops!) because of our little anniversary trip. So, I'll be seeing my midwife on the 1st, and should have my ultrasound in a couple of weeks. The fetal echo still needs to be scheduled, but it will probably be mid-April. That's when they will look at baby's heart and make sure all is well. Lot's of trips to the University and Primary Children's coming up!

Sorry, no great new photos, but I'll try and do a little "shoot" in the next couple of days.

Sunday Fun

It was beautiful here yesterday, about 50 degrees out and the sun was shining. After church we had a nice lunch, and went on a walk around the neighborhood. Then the kids pulled out their bikes and roller skates and played on the driveway. I had fun taking pictures of them. Here are some of them:

Taylor rode past on her bike and gave me the biggest grin! So cute. I put her hair in curlers the night before. Side story: That morning one side wasn't curled (they fell out), so I pulled out the curling iron to touch up. I was on the second section of hair, and when I went to pull the iron out, her hair came with it! Half a section of her hair burned right off! Yikes! (Not to mention the smell!). That curling iron is now in the garbage.
Jon basking in the sun.

Cute profile!

Had to pick the nose!

Serious profile.

Little Jon took his valentine mailbox he made at preschool, and put it in the big mailbox, so he could get more valentines. Cute!

Silly faces!

Jon has the best lips ever.

Tay on her bike. She put this dress on after we told her to change out of her church clothes. She is a very girly girl!

Taylor helping Jon on his roller skates. This was so precious!

Daddy helping Jon.

The best shot I could get of Asher. He didn't enjoy being outside. Actually, he didn't enjoy much of anything yesterday. He is getting MORE teeth, and has been quite the grump lately.

After the fun outside, my sister and her husband came over for a nice dinner (Beef Provencal). It was a great Sunday!

Craft Play-Date and Coloring with friends

This is from yesterday. We had a (somewhat) busy day. Grocery store in the morning, and then we were off to a craft/play date for Jonny with some friends in the neighborhood. The kiddos decorated cookies, had lunch, and played games. Ash got into everything and was a big grump because he needed a nap. But still it was fun getting together.

Ash playing with baby dolls. Oh well.

Standing!

He REALLY wants those dolls.

Right in the middle of decorating, "Mom-check my wart!" (It is healing nicely, by the way)

Playing with a transformers jet.

The kids

Jon eating the decorations

Very intense frosting

Woah! Enough frosting, buster!

After the playdate, we went home and cleaned up a bit. Then Tay came home from school, and homework time began! Taylor's friends came over while she was working on an animal report, so they helped her out with it.

Taylor concentrating very hard.

Drawing her Giraffe picture to go with her report.

Time to color it in!

Carson, drawing a chameleon.

Sophie, very focused on her flower drawing.

It was a relatively nice day, but by the time Adam came home I was shot. So, he kindly packed the kids up and took them to daycare while he went to the gym. In the meantime I was able to get dinner ready. We had brussels sprouts for the first time EVER, and the kids LOVED them. They both had seconds! Here is how I prepared them:

Trim ends and outer leaves from 1 lb of brussels sprouts. Place in large ziploc bag. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Shake to coat sprouts evenly. Place in shallow baking dish, and bake in an oven preheated to 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes or so (so that they brown evenly). You want the outside to be a nice DARK brown. Trust me. Then, enjoy! 1 lb made enough for my family of 4 as a side dish.

Anniversary! ...and more happenings

Adam and I just had our Eight Year wedding anniversary yesterday. Eight years, almost 4 kids, I'm starting to feel old! We had a great time. I arranged for my mom to come and watch the kids for us Monday and Tuesday, so Adam and I could got out. We went up to Park City to do a little window shopping, then headed to Midway, and stayed at The Blue Boar Inn bed and breakfast. I love the Blue Boar, seriously. We got there at about 4 in the afternoon, just as a major storm blew into town. We got settled in and got ready for a divine dinner at the restaurant at the inn. The food was amazing! A venison appetizer, french onion soup, scallops, and our entrees: Adam had buffalo with scalloped potatoes and creamed spinach, I had (after a filet mignon that just didn't hit me right, so I sent it back!) outstanding boar chops, with fingerling potatoes and braised cabbage, carrots, and apples. Yummm! Dessert was creme brulee. We headed to our room at about 8:15 (couldn't go anywhere with the snow!). Then, I passed out! I was soo tired. I think I had a bit of a bug, because I could hardly walk without feeling dizzy, and was majorly hot. Our room was set at 65, and I had the window open, and I was still sweating! Adam was very sweet and patient, and just let me sleep it off. A bit of a bummer ending to a nice day.

My cute husband. In honor of anniversary, I thought I would share how we met! We both worked at the mall (Fashion Place in Murray, UT). I sold glasses, he sold watches. One day I was at the food court getting lunch, and I saw him in line at a sandwich shop. Soo, I decided I wanted a sandwich. I tried my darndest to catch his attention, but the most I got was a smile before he scurried off. A couple of days later (after being stood up by date that was supposed to pick me up at work!), I saw him in his store (before that I didn't know where he worked). I decided to pretend I wanted to buy a watch, and walked in. Of course, his coworker helped me! So I really had to pretend. I did catch Adam checking me out, which was reassuring! (After the fact I found out Adam kicked his coworker when he went over to help me!). I left, no watch and no date. Then I talked with a friend at the mall, and decided- what the heck! Why not make a total fool of myself and just ask him out (this was completely out of character for myself, I was actually really shy!). So , I walked in, and waited for him to finish with a customer (his coworker was gone on a break). He asked how he could help me, and I said "This is going to sound really forward, but what are you doing tonight?". He said "Well, my name is Adam. Write down your name and phone number, and I'll give you a call tonight. I'm taking my brother out to a movie after work for his birthday, and I'll call you after that." So I gave him my name and number, and prayed he would actually call. At about 11:15 pm, he did! (The mall closed at 9pm). He actually came over that night, and gave me a big hug as soon as I opened the door. We just watched TV that night, but there was definitely a connection, and we ended up seeing each other everyday from then on. Almost a year and half later, we got married! I think we have one of the few marriages that started as a mall romance!

In other happenings:
Taylor had ballet last night, and Jonathan really had fun on the railings!

And here are the pics from bowling last Friday. I decided to post them anyway, in spite of their poor quality!

Jon and his Batman shirt, enjoying our drink.

Taylor, Jon, and Uncle Chris. Jon kept trying to grab the heavy balls.

Taylor being a cheese.

Adam and Ash. Everyone played musical baby while we all had our turns bowling!

Jon Jon.

Cheaters! The kids had a lot more fun once we started using the ramp and they stopped throwing gutter balls.

Tay Bug.

My niece Lexi.

Taylor after actually hitting some pins!

Uncle Chris helping Jonathan.

Teaching him how to granny-bowl.

So, that's been us lately. Still working on photo-a-whenever-I-get-to-it-day!