Life Update

No photos.  We're pretty much in survival mode over here.  The kids haven't been served veggies in almost two weeks, we don't even have milk in the house, and we're all pretty much surviving on delivery...

Murdock | Is in heaven this week!  He's never slept in our bed so much.  I'm learning what life like a dog is like--how can anyone sleep that much?!  Healthwise, he's doing really well again.  It's crazy that we're about ready to see his 7th Birthday {in June}!

Cullyn | He's definitely getting better, in fact, he's probably the healthiest of all of us, excluding Murdock.  He's taking his meds better than ever before.  We transitioned him from his crib to a trundle bed and it didn't phase him at all, in fact, he's sleeping {knock on wood!} better than before!  He's such a lover and definitely doesn't like seeing mama sick, he's giving me plenty of kisses! :)  Also, he'll be two, one month from yesterday {!!} so I've started planning his party! :)

Jordyn | She had a rough start to the week, matted eyes, {nasty} sinus infection, and infected ear.  She's feeling much better.  Happy to be taking Amoxicillin, but putting up a pretty good fight with every dose of cough medicine or eye drops.  We transitioned her from a toddler bed to a twin bed.  While she loves her new bedding, she still wants to sleep with mama. :)  So far, she's spent one night in her bed {until 2a when she came to ours}, another night I slept with her from 8p to 1a, and last night I didn't even fight it and let her come to bed with me.  So we aren't batting very well this week, but whatever.  I don't have the energy to get too worked up about it.  I know she'll eventually stop sleeping with her mama. She's finally feeling better, I know this because she finally less emotional {she gets it from her mama}

Adam | He's mostly trying to stay away from all of our sick germs, but I don't think he's going to escape.  He started getting some of my early symptoms {lots of drainage, sore throat, chest congestion, etc.} yesterday and there is no sign of it going away anytime soon.  I'm trying to get him to go to the doctor instead of waiting like I did, because it clearly did me no favors to wait it out!  He recorded a few {original} songs with the lead guitarist in the band on Tuesday night, so that was fun to experience.  I love seeing him in his element.  :)  Other than that, he's been pretty busy been working, which is a good thing.

Me | I'm sure you've seen me complaining all over social media.  I've been {really} sick since Tuesday.  {severe body aches, high fever/chills, terrible headache & sinus pressure, tons of drainage, ears, throat, etc.}  I skipped work on Wednesday and Thursday, I'm praying to go back on Monday.  I have wasted so much of my PTO on sickness this year, I swear I've been sick nonstop since Thanksgiving! :(  LONG story short..since Wednesday morning I've been to the doctor twice.  Two strep tests {negative}, two blood draws, one Influenza A test {negative}, one antibiotic {not working}, one pain med {causing vomiting}, and one shot {of antibiotic} later…I'm finally feeling good enough to get out of bed!  They're still running tests to see what I have.  I think my fever finally broke {for good} last night.  I had to skip my charity bowling event today {I just didn't have the energy and I think the noise would have absolutely killed me} but I'm hoping to be able to make it to my session that is scheduled for tomorrow morning--we'll see.  

Also, as much as it pains me to write this, but I have officially dropped out of the marathon.  :(  I hate even writing that, but I think it's the best choice right now.  There really were many factors in my decision, but a few of the main ones were the fact that I was starting to resent running, on Tuesdays I was lucky to see my kids for 1-2 hours all day, and the biggest factor of all, I feel like my body was failing me--telling me to slow down and get healthy first.  {Since Thanksgiving I've had severe strep, Influenza, bronchitis, sinus infection, ear infection, two colds, and now this}.  I'm so disappointed, but I'm hoping I can get myself together and run one next year around my 30th birthday!

Other than that, I have a huge project due at work in a few weeks that I am so far behind on!  {like would totally lose my job if I don't get it done--so say a little prayer for me there!}.  I've already booked 3 wedding for 2016 which is super exciting!  And my website is this close to going live!!!  And quite possibly our most exciting news of all…after hours and hours of interviewing…we've found our nanny!  She's been over a few days for shorter amounts of time, but she starts full time on Monday so please say a pray for all of that!

I feel like there is more going on {because it's absolutely crazy over here} but that's all I can think of right now, so there you have it.  Our life update in 5 minutes!  

Again, HUGE thanks to my parents for taking the kids all of last week, my MIL for watching the kids a few days this week, and my sister & husband for taking the kids yesterday -- we could NOT have do it without all of you!

Tubes {take two}

On Monday, December 2nd, both of the kids got a set of tubes {this was Jordyn's second set}.  I was alittle concerned that they weren't going to start surgery until 8:30a since the kids couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight {I actually called about this since Cully is only 8 months, I didn't feel like he should be going without a bottle for 12 hours, so they allowed me to wake him and give him one last bottle at 2:30a}.  They ended up doing great.  They took Cullyn back and were done with him before they started on Jordyn, so we weren't ever away from both kids.  It was wonderful.  They sure have this procedure down to a science at this surgery center.  Jordyn ended up coming out of anesthesia MUCH better than last time.  We spent the afternoon cuddling and lounging around home as a family. 

As for follow up...both of the kids took their ear drops like a champ {twice a day for five days}.  Jordyn actually asked for them each day {an improvement from last time--although she did good last time too}.  

We went to the clinic for a follow up last Friday morning.  Cullyn's ears looked great.  So follow up in 6 months.  Jordyn on the other hand had dried drainage in both ears {again}.  They swaddled her and I had to lay on her {again} while the nurse held her head so they could suction both ears out.  :(  My poor baby!  {See also: This is when having Friday's off is a downfall, because I'm stuck taking the kids to all their yucky appointments--by myself!} :(  Anyways...they told us to mix equal parts water and white vinegar together and syringe it in her ears, dry them, and then give her the prectription ear drops in both ears, twice a day for another week.  We go back tomorrow for a {hopefully, FINAL} follow up. 

Jordyn's Dog Bite

Four weeks ago, I got a text from my sister asking if we had bandaids.  It was two days before we left for vacation {which I'll post about one of these days!} which my sister was going on with us to help with the kids, so she was already in town and watching the kids for us that day.  I didn't think much of it and responded where they were.

I couldn't get a great photo showing how deep it was.  {All iPhone photos}

About 10 minutes later I get a phone call from my {upset} mom saying that Jordyn was okay, but that she was bit by the neighbor dog.  I ran out of the office and flew home to take her to Urgent Care.  At Urgent Care they gave me the option of stitching it, but we both decided it would probably be more traumatizing to do that instead of just letting it heal on it's own.  Also, since it was on the back of her calf, I wasn't as concerned with a scar.  They also sent us home with antibiotics.

We joked that she did this just so that mama would let her have a sucker {something very much not allowed on a normal day}

 To say the homeowners didn't respond well would be an understatement, but since I have nothing nice to say, I'll say nothing at all about them.  Other than... ANYONE that is a pet owner should take responsibility of their pet's actions {as you have to with children's actions} and if you don't {or won't} you shouldn't have a pet at all!  {/rant}

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It should also be noted that it's healing beautifully and she handled all of it so well!  :)

Murdock {5 & an Update}

Happy 5th Birthday Murdock!

I still can't believe our 'first' baby is 5 today.  We've had him for nearly 4 1/2 years!  It seems like just yesterday when I woke up and Adam finally said 'Let's look for a puppy.'  I'd been saying it for a few months and he finally agreed. We went to a pound that afternoon and I picked him up a few days later. I'll never forget counting down the days until we could go get him...it seemed like forever!

We've had our ups and downs--both serious {spending months in Ames finding out he has an autoimmune disorder} and not {cleaning up diarrhea from the back of Adam's car a couple of weeks after buying him because he got nervous in the parking lot when we were out to dinner because I didn't want to leave him home alone--what was I thinking?!} but you have, hands down, been the best dog a family could ask for!  You've never chewed up anything {without help!}, you're always excited to see us, and you're the best big brother ever--you a kind, loving, and let the kids climb all over you without moving an inch!

We love you So, So much!

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So many of you have asked about Murdock and I know I've been promising an update for months!  Sorry!  To be honest, his status has changed about 5 times since then!  So here is the latest...

Overall, Murdock is doing GREAT!  We've been reducing his medicine which is huge since it's so hard on his body.  We haven't seen a new spot in months which is amazing.  He had a bath the other day and his skin is looking awesome!  Unfortunately, he's starting to have accidents {a side effect of his medicine} so we really have to watch you.  

Today he is doing great.  He's been up and down a few times in the past couple of months.  We know that the medicine he takes is very hard on his organs {especially long term, and especially with large breed dogs}.  The vet told us last summer he has a year or two at best, so we're just thankful for each day we get with him.  With any luck, the kids will remember his amazing of a puppy he is.  

[Baby Gear:Teething]

If you're not expecting...you'll probably want to skip this post. But I've had a lot of people ask me what we love, what we got but never use, etc. So here's the obligatory 'new mama blogger' series! :)


[See Baby Gear:Basics and Baby Gear:Newborn for the beginning of this series]
We're in the heart of teething right now, so this is hot off the press.
Top 5 things to have on hand during teething...

[Amber Necklace] I know it's hard to believe, but I think this purchase has helped her the most.  It's a natural way to help with nasty teething side effects [runny nose, pain, etc.]

[Sophie the Giraffe] SO annoying [nobody told me there are 55468249 squeakers in this toy before I purchased it] but it really is nice.  Plus, when they're not teething they can still use it as an annoying little toy!

[Cold Packs] These are probably the most common thing I see people use.  We have like 5 different shape/sized ones and she likes them.  They're so cold they help with swelling and pain, but she can't won't hold them herself, so they're not the most convenient!

[Teething Tablets] I was reluctant to give these to her at first, but lots of friend recommended them.  I feel like they're instant relief for her.  She usually falls right asleep after she gets one.  Very handy, lots come in the bottle and they're [relatively] cheap.

[Teething Liquid] They're pretty much the same as the teething tablets above, except they're liquid.  you can give these more frequently, but they're more expensive too. 

Any other tricks you've used for teething?

All photos/links from Amazon website. Nobody sponsored this post.