Thursday, January 24, 2013

Happy birthday to Me/Mama!

I had a great birthday (a few weeks ago!)  I got spoiled by my work girls---we went out to lunch for sushi and they got me a sweet card and a Limited gift card to go shopping!!  They know me well :) (Actually, they know me well enough to ask Patrick my fav store and got it--good job babe!)

I enjoyed the night with P and Will--and Amy (and Tutu) came over too to help celebrate!  We had lasagna and carrot cake (my requests this year) and Patrick did an awesome job making it.  What a lucky gal I am!!


Monday, January 14, 2013

Feeling hot, hot, hot

I have realized that I typically update my blog when I'm feeling sentimental, happy, content, etc.  I rarely have time or care to update the 'rough' days of parenting, but thought I'd try while the memory is still fresh.

Just last Friday--Will woke up and I could tell his forehead felt warm - took his temperature and he had a 101 fever. We decided it was best for him to stay home from MiMi's and I was able to stay home with him and work from home.  That night, we were meeting my Mom/Amy/cody for a pre-birthday dinner for me, and we could tell he just didn't feel good---he wasn't even fussy, just looked like he was in a daze and was sitting so still and just out of it.  Took his temperature when we got home, and it was 103.4!! Oh my gosh!!  So, I called the on-call doctor line, and they said let the tylenol work, and bring him in in the morning.

Saturday morning- took him to see Dr. Espe--and he was just so fitful (and hadn't slept well that night), he did NOT appreciate the nurse or Dr. Espe messing with him, and it was confirmed he had a double ear infection.  We got some amoxicillin for that, and he said it should take about 24 hours.  He was kind of on and off feeling ok, and after a nap, he was still hot and having a fever.  I had a late work Christmas party that Patrick and Will were supposed to go to with me- but they ended up staying home since Will was not ok.  Sunday - more of the same---another rough night (and some tired parents too) and I was at a baby shower for my friend Katie in St. Joe---so Patrick was ready for a break after a long day with a sick, tired, and very clingy/fussy baby. 

By Monday morning, he still had a slight fever, he really did not sleep well, so Patrick stayed home in the morning and I came home for the afternoon.  By Tuesday morning, he was still not better, I called the dr. and brought him in (Patrick and I again split working 1/2 day on Tuesday also)  After taking him in again on Tuesday, (and again, NOT appreciating the nurse and doctor poking at him), they determined he also had RSV :(  So, poor guy was really sick.  She actually said he was doing really well considering what he was going through, and he was breathing fine (which is why we didn't really even know he had RSV)  So, anyway, by the rest of the day Tuesday, he was starting to act more like himself.  We went to daycare Wednesday (no fever for 24 hours, so it's safe to go to daycare--I called the doctor's office twice to confirm for sure!) -- they said he was fine, just seemed kind of 'out of it'-- but he ate pretty well, which he wasn't eating hardly anything for us. 

By this point, Patrick and I were SO worn out, we were frustrated/tired, and just wanted our normal boy back!!  I can gladly say that now (over a week since it first started) and over the weekend he was back to normal---fun, social, interactive, giggling, walking/toddling around, and just our normal sweet boy!  Thank goodness!! 

I remember thinking --so, this is what they mean by saying being a parent is hard?!!  It broke my heart to see him sick, and I just wanted to do something to make it better!!  So thankful this was his first ear infection and that he is feeling like himself again :) 

Whew, we made it!!

Still smiling even though he's sick!


So excited....to start feeling better

This was a rough night :(

Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas Will had this year!  It was SO much fun - we got to spend lots of good time with family and enjoyed just being together.  Will decided to really start taking off walking over Christmas - it was so fun to watch him try to conquer walking across the room.  We called him the 'drunken sailor' as that's exactly how he looks as he unsteadily tried to walk, with his arms out in front of him, with a goofy/sweet little smile on his face :) 

Our Christmas:
  • Christmas was on a Tuesday this year- we went up to NE the Saturday before and stayed until Wed.
    • Saturday - we got to spend time with Lindsay, Chad and Sadie - was so much fun to see the kids (kind of) interact, play, and loved seeing how much energy Sadie has and hear all her words and new tricks!!  We love getting to spend time with them and wish it happened more, but we'll take what we can get---so excited to find out what Baby K #2 will be in late Feb.
    • Sunday - Mack family Christmas at my Mom's
    • Monday - Celebrated with Mom, Don, Amy, Cody, Daniel - my 2 step-sisters - Erin, Erica, and their spouses.  We got to meet Baby Malcolm, and Erica will be having a girl this spring.  With my sister also due in early March-- there will be lots of babies!! In fact, 5 grandkids for Mom and Don all under the age of 2!! AHH---so much fun!
    • Tuesday - went to Mass in the morning, and then to Grandma Meyer's for the afternoon.  Enjoyed getting to meet my cousin Kim's baby Elise for the first time---she is such a beautiful little girl, and so sweet!!  Always very special to get to spend time with my Grandma Meyer - as she is soon approaching her 90th birthday, and has been living with Stage 4 cancer for the past 1 1/2 years.
    • Wednesday - drive home, unpack, enjoy our time together at home
    • Thursday - had lunch with some of my good friends from college and met their boys (so fun that many of my good college friends are all having boys!! Love that mama/son connection!)  Was so wonderful to catch up with them!!  Got to meet Baby Miller and Baby Beckham-- and time with my girls is so precious---I just enjoy it so much!
    • Friday - Celebrated Christmas with the Altenhofen's---so nice to have everyone together at Bill and Marilee's
    • Saturday - Christmas with all the Altenhofen's in Seneca.
We are so blessed---what a wonderful, beautiful Christmas we had this year!! 2012 was such a great year!

      Will and his girlfriend Sadie

      ALL the Mack cousins---and Grandpa Mack!

      Will- Christmas 2012 - 13 months

      The Altenhofen 3

      Sweet Bubba Bear - Christmas morning


      Miller Man

      My girls!! --and their boys :)

      Love hanging with the Riley's!!  And loved meeting Beckham!!

      Altenhofen Cousins :)  Love this pic!!