This & That {w.12}

Our new nanny started this morning, so I'm all sorts of anxious!  So far, all signs point to awesome.  Crossing my fingers!!!

Did this:
This week was pretty lame 
Monday night my in laws had the kids, so we went to my sister & bil's to grill & paint Jordyn & Cullyn's new bedframe
Took both kids for antibiotics on Tuesday
Adam & the lead guitarist, Mark, recorded a few songs 
I got hit with sickness from Tuesday night on {off work Wednesday-Friday}
Had 1 photoshoot
Stayed at the lake on Saturday night
Adam started getting sick
Edited & watched Iowa & UNI basketball games

Instagrammed that:

Edited this:

Shot that:

Scheduled this:

M: This & That

T: Learning to ski at 1 & 3 y/o

W: My Kids 12/52

T: 

F: A Photo {9 Months}

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!

Cullyn's 1st Hospital Stay {Ileus}

I haven't worked a full day since last Monday and have done at least 20 loads of laundry {blankets, rugs, towels, clothes, bedding, etc.}, & my kids have logged roughly 40 hours of TV time!  I earned a few new mom badges by catching puke in my hands and spending the night in the hospital with a kid for the first time…

Tuesday | I got a text from the sitter that Cullyn had been acting 'off' all morning and woke up from his nap with a {low} fever.  So I left work and grabbed them.

Wednesday | I had an appointment in the morning, so Adam stayed home with the kids.  At 8a, he text saying Cullyn just threw up on him.  So, after my meeting & photoshoot, I came home.  Adam went to work and I stayed with them that afternoon.  We restricted him to the BRAT {Bananas, rice, apples, & toast} diet with Pedialyte and lounged the rest of the day.  He acted pretty good.  Extra cuddles, and he would tire easily and rest often, but didn't seem too sick.

Thursday | Our sitter text again saying he wasn't himself and had diarrhea.  So, I left work early again and took Cullyn home.  He had diarrhea, but was acting pretty good.  Again, he would tire easily, but was playing fine.

Friday | Jordyn had preschool and then Art Class, so I dropped Cullyn with the sitter for a few hours.  I text her to see how he was doing and to see if J & I had time to grab lunch and she informed me he was okay, but still not himself.  So we grabbed lunch to go and headed to pick him up.  When we got there, he was acting a little lethargic and stopped drinking.  So, on the way home, I called Dr Metts {a pediatrician I work for} and he said as long as we could get 5-10mL of fluids in him every 10 mints, we could avoid getting fluids from the Emergency Room since he hadn't .  He fell asleep at 12:30 {while I was talking to Dr. Metts} and when Dr. Metts called back at 3p to see how he was doing, I told him he was still sleeping.  He had me wake him up and try to get him to drink.  He was still refusing, so he had me get him to the ER.  So I woke Jordyn up and took the kids to the ER, fully expecting to get a bag of fluid and be home by 6p or so.

We got in right away.  They applied numbing cream {to four areas} of his arms for an hour.  Adam had arrived by the time they started an IV & fluids, thankfully, so I didn't have to hold him down.  Luckily the nurse was great and got him on the first stick, despite his dehydration.  We spent the next couple of hours walking the halls, at Cullyn's request, waiting for the fluids to run their course.  Around 7p, they decided they wanted to do an x-ray because he still didn't seems settled.  I took him to radiology and they got 2 photos.  About a hour later they said they were doing to admit us because he had an obstruction in his bowels.  At this time, I told Adam to take Jordyn home {who hadn't even had dinner yet--she was SUCH a trooper at the hospital!} and I would stay with Cullyn overnight.

About 9 we finally made it to room 388 on the Pediatrics Inpatient floor of Mercy.  We got settled, met our nurses, etc and started to wind down for the night.  Cullyn got to bed around 10 and the Nurse Practitioner on shift came to talk to me.  She was recommending an NG {nasogastric} tube through his nose down to his intestines to relieve the gas/fluids.  Since he was passing gas & sleeping at that point, I  {talked it over the the NP, Dr Metts, another pediatrician I know, & Adam} made the call not to go through with the 'procedure'.  It seemed a little invasive and we were having a hard enough time keeping his mind off of this IV tube, I couldn't imagine trying to get him to leave the nasal tube in.  We were up every hour that night {for about 30 minutes each time by the time they checked his vitals and I rocked him back to sleep}.

Saturday | Around 5a he was up for the day, but we couldn't leave our room until 6a {they have 'quiet time' from 10p-6a & 2-4p}. Around 8, Adam, Jordyn, & Adam's parents came to visit.  The resident rounded and gave us the official diagnosis of ileus {a blockage of the intestines typical due to a virus}.  We were given the okay to start clear liquids around 10a {I think}.  My in laws took Jordyn home for lunch and a nap.  Since the liquids were staying down, we started a regular diet around 2p {again, I think--it's hard to keep track of time in the hospital!}  At this point he hadn't had a stool since 1a on Friday morning.  We were warned that we would probably have another night in the hospital since they wanted him eating & drinking {peeing & pooping} normally before we left.  Considering I logged at least 5 miles of hall walking by this point, I was pretty defeated with that news.  But, we wanted whatever was for Cullyn {obviously} and didn't want to go home to turn around and come back, so we embraced the news.  We tried so hard to get him to take a nap, but it just wasn't happening.  Every time we got him to sleep, someone came in to check on him and woke him up again.  Luckily, Dr. Eggbalackin understood how difficult it was keep a 2 year old corralled in a hospital room and approved our request to monitor him from home as long as we closely monitored his fluid intake.  So, around 7p {I think?} we came home.  He was happy to be home {he'd been asking all day!}

Sunday | We skipped church, opting for a relaxing day at home.  All was well, until 7p, when Jordyn threw up.  Ugh!  We put the kids to bed and made arrangements for me to be home {again!} with Jordyn today.  Is it summer yet?! :)

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Man alive, I have no idea now parents do it with terminally ill children.  We barely survived 24 hours with the help of friends and family.  It truly takes a village to raise children and we were reminded of that yet again this weekend.  So many thanks to my in laws for stepping in to help with Jordyn, and my sister & bil for the visit and offering to take Jordyn if we needed it, to our good friend J&J for offering many times to help with Jordyn, Murdock, or me! :) And to our sitter, for stopping up to check on our little Cully man!  Biggest thanks of all to the team of nurses, students, residents, & physicians that helped get Cully back on track.  Huge shout out to the Ronald McDonald House foundation who held a nightly meal at 6p and offered to launder our clothes {amongst other things} during our stay.  I think we've found our March Pay it Forward project! :)

This & That {w.8}

Did this:
cuddled with Cully {he had the stomach flu}
took 2 half days off work
took Jordyn to Art class
spent a night at the hospital {separate post coming}
had to reschedule 3 photoshoots
missed 3 events with friends
hosted a giveaway
lounged around all day Sunday

Instagrammed that:

Edited this:

Shot that:

Scheduled this:

M: AM|This & That   PM|Cullyn's Hospital Stay

T: Sports Class 

W: My Kids 8/52

T: February Dates & Deeds

F: A Photo {Everett 3 Months}

Valentine's Day 2014

This year Valentine's Day fell on a {SNOWY!} Friday, so I was able to be home with the kids.  

Treats for my Valentine's this year...

Jordyn {2}-socks, nail polish, chapstick, suckers, & snacks--all of her favorite things! | Adam {husband} - healthy snacks with little love notes. | Cullyn {10 Months} -LUVs diapers, I'm BANANAS about you, o'FISH'ally mine Goldfish, and you're my main SQUEEZE applesauce.  

Jordyn {except for the sticker and tie on the bag} made little treats for the daycare Valentine's Party.

We need 'smote' friends like you.  We included graham crackers, a mini chocolate bar, & a few heart shaped marshmallows.  Jordy approved of the marshmallows!  :)

Then we packed up and drove to the zoo for Jordyn's Zoo Tots class.  They talked about pink flamingos and made mini fruit pizzas.  

After the zoo we headed home for lunch.  

We had heart shaped everything on Valentine's! :)

Cullyn wasn't feeling great, so I made the decision to take him to the pediatrician {because what fun is a holiday without a sick kid} :(  

Sick boys = extra snuggles and group 'naps'

 After Cullyn's appointment {double ear infection} we came home and played

 Gram & Papa even sent a special Valentine's care package! :)

Adam & I celebrated our Valentine's with a hotel stay the weekend before, but he still surprised me with my favorite wine, chocolates, & wine gummies. :)

Previous Valentine's Posts::
Our 2014 Valentine's | Our 2013 Valentine's Day and Night | 2012 Valentine | 2012 Valentine's Day | 2011 | 2010 | 2009

Sick Little Boy

You guys, I am not one to ask for help, but I'm about at my breaking point.  At first I felt like I was treading water, now it's more like drowning.  Cullyn has been sick for 10 days.  Not eating. Nothing but diarrhea. Spitting up.  Not Sleeping,  HORRIBLE diaper rash.  Crying.  Oh, the crying.  Sometimes a whimper, often times a scream. Mostly at night {of course}.

It started on Sunday night.  By Wednesday, my sister convinced me to take him in.  In an effort to night miss work, again, we took him to Urgent Care.  Long story short, we got a horrible doctor that told me he had a diaper rash from teething {although we all know you don't get diaper rashes from teething, but whatever}.  We got Monistat from the drugstore and went home.  {ears looked fine, which was my biggest concern}.  so his ears look good, I'm told he's teething and essentially 'suck it up' from the lovely doctor we saw.  fine.

Friday night we were at the lake house.  My {super amazing, what would I do without her?!} mom too the night shift {like she has every.single.night. since we've had kids}.  That night?  Cullyn didn't sleep. Like maybe a hour all put together.  Saturday morning we decided he should be seen, again.  I quickly called one of the doctors I worked for {just to be sure I wasn't overreacting} and he said to have him see at the Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic.  So we head back home to see another doctor.  This one was good.  He told me Cullyn was 'just teething' and took a blood sample. His ears still looked fine.  He thought it was viral and said our biggest battle would be keeping him hydrated until it runs its course.  The blood test {white blood cell count} came back good, ruling out any major, horrible issues.  so his ears still look good, not 'just teething', not overreacting  he needs 13 ounces of fluids a day to stay hydrated-if not go to the emergency room, give Tylenol and Motrin.

Sunday night he sleeps great.

Monday the sitter calls and says he isn't happy.  Adam leaves work and picks the kids up.  He does pretty good at home.  A little needy, but can be calmed.

Monday night he sleeps good

Tuesday the sitter texts at 9a.  I leave work and take Cullyn to our pediatrician.   His ears still look fine.  She gives us Cavilon {once a day}, burn cream {twice a day}, soy formula {to give his tummy a break}, and start his probiotic again.  Takes a stool sample to rule our Rotavirus and C-Diff. She thinks he has a virus because of the medications he was on for his {ongoing} ear infection.  He's acting quite a bit better.  He is pretty happy unless he has a dirty diaper.  {which is every 30-60 minutes}

Tuesday night he doesn't sleep well.

Wednesday my MIL {bless her soul!} watches both of the kids.  He's pretty happy all day.  Our pediatrician calls to confirm that he does have C-Diff {I was told not to google it}.  The medications he was on for his ears killed all of the bacteria {both good and bad}.  She prescribed Flagyl {a different antibiotic} and said we should start to see results in 3-5 days.

Wednesday night he sleeps horrible.  I don't mind being up with the kids when they're sick and they just wanted cuddled and rocked by their mam, but they are up all night and I can't do a dang thing to soothe them?  It fricking SUCKS!  Last night Cully would only calm down with Adam.  {breaks my heart even more}

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And now you've been caught up.  If you read all of that you're amazing.

Basically?  If you want to test your marriage, have a sick boy that nobody thinks is really sick and you don't know what it is.  Of course every time we were at the doctor he was happy as a clam.  I swear I'm going to start recording what it's like at home and bringing it to the doctor!

To say we're all worn down is an understatement.  I left work Tuesday and just bawled in the elevator.  I'm sick of having a sick, sad little boy.  I am SUPER behind at work.  I have TONS of photoshoots and editing to do.  And to top it off?  I have some sort of bug now.  What I wouldn't do for a night at a hotel {haha!}

Before you feel too bad for us, my parents are coming down so we can go to a concert with friends on Saturday night.  And while I know this sucks, I know this too shall pass.  I'm just whining because this is my space and I can.  It sure does make me thankful to have healthy babies.  I don't know how parents do it with chronically ill children.  My heart goes out to you for doing this day in and day out.

This & That {2 weeks worth!}

Did this:
Had 5 photosessions
Celebrated Halloween...lots
Edit {lots!!}
Started siding the lakehouse
Sent Birthday Thank Yous {so we colored a lot}
Played in the leaves
Snuggled a sick boy....lots
Scheduled tons of photo sessions
Worked on potty training Jordyn {post to come}
Ordered photos & canvases of my family!
Went to the doctor/urgent care...3 times
Cullyn had C-Diff, the other 3 of us got colds
Went shopping
I worked on Saturday morning
Went to the Keith Urban concert with good friends
Hung out with my family

Instagrammed that:

Edited this: 

Shot that:

Scheduled this:
M::
T::
W::This and That {2 Weeks}
T:: My Sick Little Man
F:: My Family Photos!! :)

Murdock {5 Years}

This month Murdock celebrated his 5th Birthday!  It's hard to believe we've had him 4 1/2 years already {especially since we were told he wouldn't make it to his 4th Birthday}.

This pup was with us before we were engaged, married, or had any children.  Although we've had our ups and downs {medically speaking} he has been the best dog we could have ever asked for.  He 'trained' himself from the beginning, has been nothing but kind and gentle with his siblings {our kids}, and has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love.

I always joke that you're the most expense $100 dog I've ever known, but you've been worth every penny!  We love you so much Murd!

Extra snuggles for my baby girl

Jordyn has had a temp [99-100] for a couple of days. Yesterday she woke with a temp of 101, but it always went down with Tylenol, so we figured it was just teeth.  She also hasn’t eaten well since this weekend, but again we assumed it was related to her teeth.  About 1am this morning she woke with a temp up 102.9 and it wouldn’t go down [past 100] with Tylenol. I called Mercy Nurse to see if it was safe to let her fall back asleep [since she was tired]. She said yes, but to get her checked out today. She was up crying on and off from 1:30a-8:30a.  [This is only the 2nd time in 10 months she has been up through the night--except as a newborn of course]


At 9:15 this morning we went to the doctor, he [not our ped, but another ped.] checked her ears and said they looked fine. He saw what he thought could be one little white spot [puss pocket] on her tonsil and thought it could possibly be a viral infection since they are so common in the summer. But he said it wasn’t bad so he wasn’t 100% convinced that was it. He said it could also be a urine infection since it’s common in girls, but to test for that he would need to place a catheter.  He left the decision up to me.

Since a long weekend is coming up and he wasn’t confident it was just a viral infection, I had him test her. Can we say holy traumatizing holding your 10 month old daughter, feeling her clench while they insert a catheter!  :(  The quick test came back negative, signing no infection, but they'll send it out for a 2 day test too.  He didn’t give her an antibiotic, but we need to check back Friday.

Right now we’re running Tylenol every 4 hours, half strength formula, pushing Pedialyte, only fruits in water, no veggies/carbs, no whole milk.

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I took her to daycare after the appointment. Miss Courtney gave her a bath and she fell right asleep in her arms. We are so thankful for our kind, loving sitter that treats J like one of her own.  Days like today make me especially thankful for an in-home provider [& friend!]

Hopefully this will pass soon...until then it's lots of extra cuddles with my baby girl

Murdock Update

After this post [thank you all, for your thoughts] I thought I should give you the latest update with Murdock.

Friday Adam took Murdock to the vet [I was at my emotional end with spending 1/2 days at the vet, waiting & not getting any answers]. 

He is still on three of these medications, but one of them is specifically hard on large breed dogs.  Other than increased appetite & urination, it causes diabetes, & is thinning his skin.  So, we are trying to wean him off that medication again [we tired once & his nodules came right back].  If that is successful, we'll take him off a second medication.  If not, our only other option is to try a [human] cancer drug.  The negative thing about that option...we would need to take him back to Ames for check ups [blood/urine draw] every 2 weeks [read::extremely time sucking & ridiculously expensive considering each time we go-currently every 3 weeks-it's $150-200]

On a positive note, he gained 5 pounds [even though he's lost most all of his muscle & it's all fat weight] 

So...we wait & see how he reacts to the decreased dosage of prednisone.

The [last] Walk

The walk that in 2010 Murdock would have been ran me
The walk that in 2011 would have been to a waddle
The walk that about blew us away last night
The walk that was 67* on March 6th


But most of all...
The walk that reminded me just how sick our Murdock is. 

A 1/2 mile into our walk Murdock just could not take anymore.  I was so thankful that I decided to stay on our side of the rode for fear this would happen.  I knew I would never be able to get him and her across the busy road as quick as I would have needed to.  I thought he was going to collapse coming up the stairs again. 

The last walk for Murdock.

Sickday

Yesterday Miss Courtney's youngest [C] was sick with a high fever and red checks.  Of course it was 'just viral' [a mother's most hated phrase] and she offered to keep Jordyn still, but Adam and I decided to keep her away for a bit.  I know she was already exposed [the sucky part about sickness in children...you never know until it's too late] but we would we would give it a day or so.  


Thankfully, even though we don't have grandparents in town, we both have flexible jobs.  I was able to go into the office from 5-10a and Adam went in a little late.  I spent the afternoon working from home and hanging out with two of my favorites!  It was a win for all, well except poor C!  :(  


Grandma J [YAY for Grandparents!] is coming to watch Jordyn & Murdock tomorrow so J doesn't have to go back to daycare until Tuesday [Monday is President's Day & my sister called watching J on her day off].  By then everyone will be healthy again...right?! :)  


Also...not sure if it's because I've been a mom for a while now [ha, like 3 months is a 'while'] or if it's because J is a little older, or maybe I just plain got lucky, but I totally got laundry done, dishes done, my bathtub scrubbed, finished my book, and some photos edited.  I haven't done that much in one day since I delivered Jordyn! :)  #Winning!  


Speaking of editing photos...I'll have to update you all on that soon too.  So behind...my new life moto! :)


Feel better soon C!

PS...I have a feeling that 'sick days' when my kid isn't sick are going to be my favorite!! :)

Are You Listening God [Murdock & LIFE Update]

Wow...this week has just sucked!  Just when I don't think it can get worse...it does!  I'm trying really hard to stay positive and be thankful for everything I have...a happy, healthy baby... an awesome relationship with my husband... a warm home ...awesome family... But I'm not going to lie...it's been tough!

Again, thank you everyone for your [unanswered...sorry!] calls, texts, FB messages, emails, etc.  We really do appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers!

Here's an update since Murdock became sick and went to the vet...

Monday night Dr. Foster called to check on Murdock.  He wasn't getting worse, but he definitely wasn't getting any better.  He had eaten about 5 jars of baby food all day.  She suggested we start the medication tomorrow [Wednesday].  I was to call her after Adam's surgery.

Tuesday Ashley took vacation to come over and dogsit Murdock for us.  [I should also mention that while she was here she cleaned my house!!  Thank you sis!]  I took Adam and Jordyn to the clinic where Adam was having his Upper GI.  Long story short, the doctor ended up giving Adam 3 times the normal about of sedation medication but he never really was 'out' enough for her to be able to complete the procedure.  So...she said he would have to see his family physician to get approval for anesthesia and reschedule at the main hospital where he could be put under by an anesthesiologist.  Awesome...did I mention that we're trying to get it done by the end of the year for insurance purposes?!  Adam came home and slept for hours as the doctor said he would because of all of the medication he received.
Dr. Foster [the vet] called me back around 6pm and went over the 4 prescriptions she was calling in for Murdock.  She wanted them started that night.  After a whole ordeal at the pharmacy [& $275 later] I was home and wondering what in the world I was going to do with a dog that was physically unable to go up and down the stairs from our house to the back yard to go to the bathroom with a medication that makes him urinate way more [speaking from his last experience on this steroid] and a husband that was unable to walk without getting dizzy let alone carry a 88lb. dog up 20 stairs!  So...Adam and I decided it would be best if I took Jordyn and Murdock down to the lake house [with no stairs and hardwood floors in case he had any accidents].  We made it to the lakehouse I was was able to give Murdock his first dose of medicine around 9:30pm.    Adam's parents stayed over with me to help with the baby and pup.

Wednesday was not fun giving Murdock his medications [see below] but with the help of my father-in-law, we survived.  We spent the day hanging out at the lake house.  At 5pm [when Murdock hadn't started urinating all over the place like anticipated and seemed to have a bit more strength] we decided to head home.  I felt pretty stupid going to the lake house since he doesn't seem to have the uncontrollable urination problem like we anticipated, but I know that it wasn't fair to make Murdock walk up and down the stairs at our condo any more that he had to, especially since Adam was going to be home from 8:30a to 8:30p.  We got home last night around 8:30 and called it a night shortly after.

Today he seems to be doing about the same.  He fell coming up the stairs for me again around noon, but luckily we were only 3 stairs from the top and I was able to [slowly] carry him up one stair at a time.  I won't be taking him out anymore before Adam gets home.  Watching your dog fall up the stairs is the hardest thing ever!  :(  So far today he has eaten 1 jar of baby food, 1 cup of rice, a scrambled egg, and some bites of chicken.  Getting him to eat has been increasing difficult since we've started his medications.  The problem is, we can't open his mouth enough to toss the pills in and have him swallow them so we have to crush up the pills and 1) mix with water and syringe into his mouth or 2) sneak into his food.  The medications he is taking are extremely bitter once you break the capsule, so every time we stick something in his mouth he thinks we're giving him the 'yucky stuff.'

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Here is our medication process...twice a day :(

All the meds... [Pain, Infection, Blood Cell Count, Infection, Steroid]

Doxycycline | Pentoxifylline | Prednisone | Clindamycin

Open the capsules

Dump the capsules into a bowl 

Crush the tablets 

Not Cocaine...I swear!

Mix together & Add water

Load the Syringe and quirt into his mouth [3-4 times]

Here are his current eating habits...

'Meat' Baby Food & Canned Wet Dog Food

Rice to mix with the baby food & wet dog food

::cough cough::

I come home sick from work today with a monster headache, cough, and worst of all a sore throat.

My intentions...come home, take a nap, go to kickboxing.

What really went down...come home, call & whine to my mama, take meds, and ...

CLEAN!  With most people cold meds make the sleepy, but not me!  I forgot [because I haven't taken cold medicine in so long] that they make me wired!  So...I spent the next 4 hours vacuuming, doing 4 loads of laundry, taking Murdock's kennel down, shoveling the deck, unloading the dishwasher, scrubbing the bathtub, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, and getting things ready for New Year's Eve.

I'm exhausted... last week I worked 40 hours in 3 1/2 days and planned to do the same thing this week.  I'm guessing that's part of the reason I'm sick now.  So...hopefully tomorrow brings me some relief.  I'm thrilled to get off at noon tomorrow and be done until the New Year! :)

I hope this sickness isn't hitting your home!  

If I Could Take His Pain Away Today...

I would!

As annoying as this can be...I wish I were listening to it tonight..

[yes the shadow is me hanging out in my lawn chair! :]

I love you Murdock Allan...Feel better soon!

I hope everyones weekend is more relaxing than how ours has started...be safe!