Been tagged

Lori tagged me, and I found this one interesting. The rules are as follows:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

One of my favorites to read is the Thrush Green series by Miss Read. If ever you would like to lose yourself in a cozy, quirky, remote English village -- this is the place to be. I recommend not only the regular style of reading, but also listening to them on audio (which is how I first discovered the series). Gwen Watford is the narrator and does a brilliant job with the voices. I just love all of the characters, and I'm currently going back and reading through the series since I have missed several and want to read them all in order. Whenever I want to end the day on a light note, I pick up whichever Thrush Green book is at my bedside and read a chapter or two. It never fails to leave me smiling.

Currently I'm reading Return to Thrush Green, and following is the required excerpt:

Well, whatever the cause, the fact that Isobel was in Thrush Green for a week, wiped out any unhappy feelings. For the next few days she intended to see her old friend as often as her duties would allow. The May sunshine which warmed Thrush Green only increased the inner glow of little Miss Fogerty's heart.

Now I have to tag five friends. I'll choose Jolene, Shellie, Syndi, Andrea and Sally-Anne.

Picture this

In case anyone missed it (and because for some reason I have this need to have my work seen and admired by all, yuck) I posted a photo of Miles here yesterday. This was taken just three days before he was admitted to the hospital. I was going through this series of bathtub photos and noticed that in one of them I caught him right in the middle of a cough. And I could tell it was a big cough, because his little chest was big with the force of it. I'm thinking he's forgotten it all by now. I sure hope so. He's forgiven us for taking him there at least, and I know this because he insists on giving kisses to Casey and I all throughout the day. Does he really have to get older?

Walkin' on sunshine

Temperature outside today: 65 degrees

Clouds in the sky: None

Watching your son run laughing in the park when he was
in the hospital just four days ago: Priceless

_________________________

It was so much fun. Yes, it's always a little work getting somewhere -- hauling the big wagon into the trunk, out of the trunk, back into the trunk -- but totally worth it. Miles had a great time, I think especially because he was actually wearing short sleeves outside for the first time in a while. I had him all set up in the wagon: Pooh Bear, animal crackers, apple juice, book. Can someone please pull me around in a wagon at Lake Patsy?

After our walk (although I was the only one panting and puffing), we stopped at one of the picnic tables so Miles could do some actual running around. He stood by the table for a bit, not wanting to just run free for whatever reason. I kept saying, "Go, run! Have fun!" and then he was off, making circles around the table, laughing and giggling every time the wind rushed into his face. The best part of our little adventure was when a couple came by with their two adorable puppies, who of course could not resist Miles because his fingers were much closer to the ground and so much easier to nibble on. Miles was in that state of excitement that kids reach whenever there are any kind of animals nearby, and when they had to leave a few minutes later, he waved goodbye to both puppies as if they were now his best friends.

It was a good day. We are blessed.

The Tale of the Patient Patient

Like I mentioned before, I took lots and lots of photos while Miles was in the hospital this week. The fact that they were almost all taken in the same little room doesn't mean anything -- it was my little one's journey I was chronicling, and sometimes I would think, 'Why am I taking all of these pictures?' But I kept coming back to the fact that this is something we can look back on and see how well we -- especially Miles -- handled all of it. Going through what we did almost two years ago has at least prepared Casey and I somewhat for this sort of thing, although it's certainly not the same when it's your child rather than yourself in that bed (no matter the length of time).

When I walked in the room the first morning after Miles had been there, this was what I saw:

Casey stayed the first night, and it didn't go all that well. Miles was getting breathing treatments every three hours, around the clock. On top of that, he was supposed to be sleeping in a regular hospital bed, and he is still in a crib at home. Then the bed had a mist tent over part of it that he needed to be kept underneath as much as possible. That's not very easy with a toddler, but since we were under there with him some of the time, he got more used to it. I couldn't believe he was asleep when I came in that morning because it was around 10 a.m., but since the night hadn't gone well, Miles was exhausted and finally gave in to sleep.

We tried to keep him occupied, make things as fun as possible in between the medicine and breathing treatments. He did well with his coloring books and our little portable DVD player. I'm not sure how many times Miles watched Elmo's Adventures in Grouchland, but some of those songs are still going around in my head! I was mostly just glad to see him eating something and being a little more like himself on our first full day there.

We had several visitors, and people were so kind to bring little things for Miles. John and Brandi gave him a Mr. Potato Head, which he is still choosing above his other toys. While they visited, we even had a 'backscratch line' going: Brandi scratching Miles' back, John scratching Brandi's back. Okay, it was mostly just for the picture. And he received two helium balloons ("boon!"), which were really given a beating now and again. Daniel, Ashley and Isaac brought a coloring book and markers, which you can see Miles and Brandi working on together ("Miles, don't turn the page yet, I'm still coloring this butterfly!").

By morning two (Wednesday), Miles was wanting out of that bed. And that was a good thing, only he was still attached to the IV pole, and since he was mostly unaware of that we were constantly trying to keep him from stepping on it or twisting up in it. Okay, so I tripped over the thing twice. I'm mostly telling that before Casey can -- again. Thankfully the IV was taken out that evening, so his sleep was much more restful, and he was able to run around so much more the next morning as we waited for those discharge papers.

I am so proud of my boy. I was so impressed at how well he handled everything. When his nurse would bring the Tylenol (and it wasn't the yummy kind), he would make a face and do just a tiny bit of whining -- but in that same moment he would open his mouth and accept it like a trooper. When it was time for those dreaded breathing treatments, he was very unhappy. But after it got going, he would sit still and wait it out (and three minutes is a long time for a little one). When it was over, and the mask would come off, Miles was instantly happy again like, Was that it? That was nothing! And he was so talkative with all his nurses and his doctor, even though no one knew what he was saying. Except for that one time when one of the nurses pulled out a big saline flush, and Miles said, "Wow!"

We're just glad it's over, at least the hospital part. The breathing treatments will continue for a couple of weeks -- four times a day -- and there's an antibiotic (but at least it's yummy). Thanks so much to all who have had us in their prayers this week, and for letting me share.

Home again!

Thanks so much to all the well-wishers, and for the thoughts and prayers! We made it home today not long after noon. It was perfect timing because Miles takes a nap in the afternoon. So after bringing all our things in and changing him, it was time for that glorious nap (I really mean my nap rather than his -- I was pooped!).

Miles' oxygen levels were back up to normal this morning outside of the mist tent. He's still a little crackly when he breathes, but that's to be expected. Casey and I will have to give him breathing treatments four times a day, tapering off for the next two weeks, plus he has an antibiotic that will last almost that long. He doesn't know yet about the treatments, but he will in just a couple of hours...and he ain't gonna like it.

For some reason I felt the need to document Miles' time in the hospital. I took quite a few photos, and so I'll hopefully post those soon. Some are funny, some are a little sad just because he's this little guy in the hospital. And then there are the ones where I decided to get artistic. It can get pretty boring in that room at times!

Thanks again to all of you. We are so blessed.

My boy is sick

I'll mention more in a later post, but Casey and I took Miles to the pediatrician this morning because he's had some congestion, but last night it got pretty bad. Long story short: after a breathing treatment and then a chest x-ray, Miles was admitted to the hospital this afternoon with pneumonia (mostly on the right side). The doctor is estimating him to be there about 48 hours. He's had an IV put in his tiny hand for antibiotics, he's having breathing treatments every three hours, even through the night (try explaining that to a 22-month-old), and he is sleeping under a mist tent.

So far Miles has taken things in much better stride than we had hoped. Casey will be staying the night with him tonight and I will be there with him tomorrow night. I don't know if I'll get much sleep either night. We covet your prayers.

Happy Stinkin' Valentine's Day!

The post title would suggest that I didn't have a wonderful Valentine's Day, but I did...really. The only thing is that it didn't turn out to be the way we thought it would.

First, Casey was called in to be a grand juror a little while back. He had to report in on Tuesday, and they worked on cases through yesterday afternoon, all day long. Originally we were going to drive to a nice restaurant an hour away for lunch and get back in time for Miles' nap. Obviously that plan went out the window with the jury thing, so we decided to leave right after his nap and make it an early-ish dinner.

Problem is, not only was this an extremely popular restaurant, but it was also February 14, and apparently Reba McIntire was in concert that night. Thanks a lot, Reba! I went in to put our names down only to discover that the wait would be just under two hours long. The hostess said it very matter-of-factly: "It's going to be a 100- to 110-minute wait" with this look on her face that simultaneously said, 'I really don't care about your ruined evening -- I'm doing a job here.' I've been a hostess before, so I could get behind the attitude. But still, all I could think was that we had driven an hour to find out that we could not eat here. I tried not to be too upset, and we drove down the road to another, albeit less popular, eating establishment. Waiting time? Only one hour. Really? Wonderful! Can't do it.

Because it was past Miles' dinnertime and we had another hours' drive ahead of us, we had to pick somewhere to eat, so we chose...Wendy's. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan. And that Homestyle Chicken Club was actually very good. But it's tough not to be disappointed, you know?

The drive home was good, partly because I made a stop at Starbucks for a grande caramel macchiato. I needed a little mood-booster. And then we had one of our students over to watch Lost (my favorite thing said by a wide-eyed Jonathan, the student, as he turned to Case and I during an intense moment in the episode: "I love this show!"). The night ended well.

Today, Casey and I made plans to return to our first-pick restaurant for lunch, this time sans Miles (being watched by a good friend -- thanks Melanie!). I hadn't even eaten breakfast in anticipation of stuffing my face, that's how serious I was. This time we called a little bit ahead to get our names on the list, only to hear a message saying that they don't even open until three o'clock on Saturdays. Umm...that's not good. What were we to do? We had driven yet another hour away from home for this, so the obvious choice was to again visit the less-popular (but still decent!) place. No lines this time. We were taken straight to our booth and enjoyed a wonderful meal.

But make no mistake: I will eat at our first-choice restaurant this year if it's the last thing I do!

My Valentines

Twenty-Two Months

Dear Miles (a.k.a. Kilo, Punks etc.),

Today you turn 22 months old. I don't think I felt this one sneak up on me, because for a while now I've been focusing on the fact that you'll be two years old very soon. Your age is about to double! I know that won't seem very interesting to you, but your mathematical dad will find it fascinating.

This month has seen your vocabulary and pronunciation grow quite a bit, and as your baby-babble slowly disappears I realize that this is one more thing 'baby' about you that I have to say goodbye to. More bitter, yet more sweet. I guess the bittersweetness never ends for a parent, but I still hear that it gets better as the years go by.

You are such a helpful little boy, and I know that sounds like I'm bragging but I'm not! You really do have a kind spirit about you, and I have channeled that to my advantage at times (cue evil laughter), like when I get you to help me move the laundry over. Hey, if I can teach you to make cleaning fun, I think I will have a very pleased daughter-in-law in the future.

I can see your personality so much these days. That means I can see your stubbornness, your defiance, your strong will...thankfully it also means that I see your sense of humor, your intelligence, your creativity and your sweetness. The latter group more than the former. I won't say which traits you get from which parent.

More and more each day, you become a daddy's boy. Is it because you look just like him (except for the hair -- go Mama!), or because he is so fun to be around? Maybe both. All I know is, when you hear that door open after five o'clock, it doesn't matter what you and I are doing. You are up and running, yelling "Daddy!" in the happiest little voice I have ever heard. I remember telling your Daddy that would be happening one day, even before you were born, and he would get this funny, happy grin on his face. He just loves being your Daddy.

We're going to change some big things in your life pretty soon. That crib you've been sleeping in converts to a toddler bed, so that will probably be the first big adjustment for you. Then comes the potty training. The fact that I came in to get you up from your nap the other day to find you without clothes or diaper tells me that it might just be time to start teaching you about that thing in the bathroom (no, not the tub). Don't worry, though, we won't make you adjust to those two things at once...Mama ain't that cruel!

You are always, always on the go. You are a blur of motion at times, so it makes me glad when you take some time out of your day to slow it down and just enjoy the moment. I know life doesn't seem to move very fast to you right now, but believe me...one day you won't be able to keep up with how fast it's moving. Take it from the one who is watching you grow.

Though you have no other experience other than being the first child, the only child, your Mama and Daddy hope to add to our little family someday soon. Don't worry, it won't be for at least another year. I do think about how much things would change, about how it would certainly affect you, but I also know that this would be something wonderful for us. It would mean you being a big brother to someone, that you would have another little person around to play with.

But for right now, I am still trying to enjoy as much as I can of all your baby-to-little-boy changes, all of the moments you and I share together that make life so joyful. Thank you for being that joy, for filling my heart to its fullest every single day.

Love,

Mama

Obsessed much?

Having knitted approximately fifteen items between September and December to give as Christmas gifts this past year, I can relate a bit to the feverish obsession of knitting. This animation takes it to the next level, although Casey might say this is where I am with my knitting on any given day ("Just let me finish this last row!").

I'm hoping I'd quit before I got my hair involved, though.

Accident-prone? Who, me?!?

The other night I had to make a trip to Wal-Mart to buy some stuff for Miles (who is sick again, but this time with something different). I had told Casey that while I was there I wanted to get a new mop, something that made me really want to clean the floors (stop laughing!) and a smaller coffeemaker. Currently I was using a second-hand 12-cup coffeemaker given to me by a friend. It's more for occasions when we have lots of people over, but I found myself using it more and more on my own. And since Casey doesn't drink coffee, it had become a pain to make about two cups every other day or so for just me. So when I saw that Mr. Coffee makes a 4-cup programmable machine for about $20...that's all I needed to know.

I came home with the items -- medicine for Miles, new mop and coffeemaker for Mama. That was Saturday evening. Sunday morning found me at home instead of in worship since Miles was still too sick to go out, so I thought I might give the new mop a whirl (see, it did make me want to clean the floors!). Our kitchen floor always needs the most cleaning, so I removed the rug at the sink, the two chairs and moved the table out from the wall. Yeah, that's right -- I was serious about the cleaning.

With Miles in fever/cough mode and comfortably viewing Elmo's Adventures in Grouchland nearby, the mopping was well under way in just a few minutes. As I neared the kitchen sink, I was putting more and more muscle into my work, that is until the moment when my arm jerked back with the mop handle...right into the old glass coffee decanter that sat drying on top of the dish rack. Before I even had time to gasp audibly (because, see, I'd already gasped in my head), the thing had flown into the air and landed right in the middle of the tiled kitchen floor and scattered itself far and wide into about a million pieces. My first thought was, 'We don't have our dustpan anymore!' (although why I really don't know) so I had no idea how I was going to clean this mess apart from just sweeping it into a pile.

But when you have a small child running from room to room, usually barefoot, you have to figure things out. Luckily, I was wearing socks at the time, because I managed to 'find' several pieces with my feet throughout the cleanup. I know there must still be some teeny-tiny pieces of glass somewhere in or near the kitchen, but I think that, given the circumstances, I did an okay job.

And did you catch the irony of the whole story? Casey pointed it out the moment he got home and heard what had happened. The old coffee decanter breaks the day after I buy the new one, while I am using the new mop. Almost sounds like I planned the whole thing.

Oh, gus!

As I sit here typing and hearing Miles use more and more new words, I can't help thinking about Jolene talking about her oldest and his 'tongue being loosed' at the age of two. I think Miles is finally on his way to speaking so that we can understand what he is saying. He's been babbling incessantly since he was about four months old, but now -- now we know what is on his mind!

Miles has a long list of single words that he can say, but putting them together in a sentence is what we're really waiting for. I'm not worried about it by any means (not anymore at least), just excited to really communicate with him. I just love seeing him turn the pages of a book, point to an object and tell me its name. Who knew something so simple could be so thrilling? And just a little while ago, he handed me one of his bears and said very plainly, "Der-you-are!"

Probably one of the funniest and cutest things he's been saying for some time now is "Oh, gus!" and we realized that he was copying us when we say, "Oh, goodness!"

Last year, this year...or more appropriately, 'No hair, now hair'

Sani-tastic!

When I am wrong, I go all the way. Not only did I not get sick (so far), but yesterday morning Casey had to come back home not long after he left for work because he was sick. I don't even know if Casey has been ill more than once since we got married, which is the main reason I never saw it coming. And I think, because he gets sick so rarely, this virus hit him hard. I believe a word he used to describe it was 'vicious.' His face was so pale yesterday, all day, that it really worried me just to see him.

I can't tell you how very surreal it was for me, as this person, to be going back and forth between my son and my husband all day, taking care of both and seeing to their needs. I try to do that anyway, but when they are sick on top of everything else, it becomes a sort of battle. Plus, the whole time I was thinking, 'Just get ready, tomorrow will be your day, you'll be the one lying in bed green at the gills...' all the while rubbing sanitizer on my hands like there was no tomorrow. I don't think I've sanitized my hands so much since Miles was a tiny baby.

So did it work? Or is my immune system just getting stronger? I have to keep in mind that I'm probably not out of the woods just yet, and even as I type this my stomach is feeling a little strange. Still, I have to admit that yesterday was one of the most opposite days I could imagine. The only thing I can think that would be closer would be Casey carrying our next child. Now can you see how strange the whole thing was?

Whatever you do, don't feed the kid!

You know your day isn't going to be all that simple when your child throws up on you...twice. Before 11 a.m. Miles woke up with a stomach virus this morning, poor little guy. I called his pediatrician's office to hear what I expected to hear: clear liquids, and this would probably last 12 to 24 hours. It's so strange, though, when as a parent you are supposed to take care of your child's needs, only to have a nurse tell you, "Don't give him any solid food today." I mean, okay, I'm going to follow the rules, but it's just odd to not give your child food for a whole day! I guess it's obvious that Miles has escaped the stomach virus thus far (thank goodness). As my immune system is not totally up to par, I am half-expecting to pick up this bug in the next day or so. But hey, you never know. And Casey shared a spoon with him this morning when eating cereal (of course, before we knew Miles was sick), but Casey gets sick so rarely that I wouldn't be surprised if some of his own antibodies had jumped onto Miles to fight this thing. Good ol' daddy antibodies.

Sunday Seven

I decided to do a Sunday Meme, this one from Sunday Seven (click on the post title for the link).

Reflect on things you're grateful for or meaningful events from the past week

I am incredibly grateful for my health. I don't always act like I am, but in those moments when I am running around with Miles or doing yoga or just cooking a simple meal for my guys...well, there was a time not long ago when I couldn't do any of those things, much less make it up from the bed.

Something meaningful from this week was that my mom and dad got Skype, so we were able to talk to one another (for free, woohoo!) and see each other on our computers. Any of my friends out there want to sign up and talk to me once in a while?

Anticipate upcoming events on your horizon

The closest upcoming thing is our Super Bowl party tonight at the student center. It's usually a big deal, lots of college kids, lots of food -- and a devo at halftime! What, did you think we were heathens or something?

Miles' second birthday is something I'm looking forward to very much. It's so amazing watching him grow and learn. I'm not going to do a big-deal kind of party, but I want to do something special...just not sure what yet. Any ideas?

I mentioned this before, but I am in baby-fever mode these days, so I think about our possible next baby a lot. We're not going to be trying yet for some months, but that doesn't keep me from thinking about holding another baby!

Celebrate steps of progress you've make toward a goal

I'm slowly becoming more organized around the house. I'm definitely getting more little projects finished that were on the back-burner for a long time. Those are definitely worth celebrating. I'm also making a better effort at doing more with Miles rather than just let Baby Einstein or Sesame Street do all the teaching! We have begun listening (during our 'playtime') to more than an hour of classical music on weekdays. I think it really makes a difference in his behavior when that TV isn't going...and going...

Recognize acts of kindness you have observed or performed

I see kind acts going on all around me, every day. Some I tuck back in my mind, most I probably see and think 'how nice' and then move on. This morning one of the girls in my Bible class (1st and 2nd grade) gave me one of her 'Jesus Loves You' badges that she was allowed to give to anyone. She chose me! It was a very sweet moment for me, especially considering that last night was a little tough for me (nothing big, but no details for now).

Request support for the week coming up

I can't think of anything at the moment, but I'll let you know if I do!

Inspire and enlighten -- if new understandings have come your way

It seems that new understandings come my way very often, what with raising a 22-month-old. There are incredible challenges every day. I wouldn't say I've had any great epiphanies this week, but I feel I'm constantly learning over and over how great God's love is for me.

Thinking he can get whatever he wants just by being cute