We have some catching up to do!

Wow. I feel like I haven't done a family update in a while.... especially as I was looking through my pictures seeing all the stuff I haven't blogged about.

First, I HAVE to include a picture from Grace's birthday bash (beginning of July I guess).  We have pretty small birthday parties over here since my children have no cousins and most Aunts and Uncles and a set of grandparents live QUITE far away.  Theresa (my sister) was out from Arizona, so she could make the party-- that was fun.  So here's one of my favorite pictures from the party.

And then, a while back I was at a garage sale where all the clothes were 25 cents a piece and shoes were 50 cents.  Those are my favorties, and I STOCKED up.  Anyway, Grace didn't need a swimming suit.... but when you see something THIS HONKING CUTE for 25 cents, you'd have to be crazy not to buy it.  JUST LOOK AT IT!!!!

Oh yes, and her hair is wet because Caleb thought it would be a good idea to dump water on her head.  He's lucky she's a good sport and didn't react how HE would have reacted if something similar happened to him.... (I seriously cannot get over the suit... you either??)

Then , a lot of people have been commenting on the length of Caleb's hair lately.  I buzzed it quite short.... and may need to do it shorter and keep it that way for a while.  The reason I buzzed it is....

See that beautiful bald spot? You can't have a kid walking around like that.... you HAVE to shave it when it looks that bad.... agreed??  It's there because my son pulls his hair out. Don't ask why. I don't know. Also, please refrain from telling me stories of people you know who ended up in the nuthouse after having such a weird habit-- it doesn't help.  There's good news and bad news with this problem.  I'll do bad news first:  I have to keep shaving it until he stops I guess, and it's a bummer because I MUCH prefer him to have a bit longer hair. The good news?  Someone else in our family (I won't name names but not me or Grace....) had this bad habit as a child and turned out quite nicely I'd say.  So, while it's annoying and weird, I'm not going to freak out about it.

Then last week my parents and I decided to take a trip to Iowa to see Uncle Alan (and of course my cousin Heather and her family)!  We took my parents car, and so one of us was smashed between both carseats during the 9 hour drive (which we broke up into two trips both ways).

I shouldn't say smashed because it really wasn't that tight-- I was surprised at how comfortable I was. It was just hard getting in and out.  I'm not as young as I once was.... ;).  This was my view when sitting in the back.  Pretty sweet huh?

We stayed at the Holiday Inn which had an indoor pool, thankfully, since it was winter in Iowa while we were there....

Caleb did OK in the water.  He went in but not for long.  He mostly stayed on the stairs.  And towards the end he would "jump" in.  This was him sitting on the edge and me pulling him in and catching him..... I let him call it jumping because it was an improvement.... I'm hoping to do swim lessons next year and get him a bit.....ok A LOT more confident.

And then THIS happened about a half an hour before we pulled back in our driveway..... those little STINKERS!

 

Our trip to Iowa was short and sweet.  I'm glad we went, but I can't say I'm eager to make the trip again-- especially while being pregnant.  My back has issues.

And then let's recap Sunday, just for fun and pray this week is better....

7 am-- Caleb pees on bedroom carpet (REALLY?!??!?!!)

7:03am-- I notice

7:05am-- Grace wakes up

7:05am-- Caleb is sent to sit on toliet while I clean up the mess (he's crying)

7:05-7:15am-- I google how to clean urine out of carpet and scrub the stain using vinegar, baking soda, and vaccum it up.

7:15am-- I ask Ben to deal with Caleb

7:17am-- I get Grace and find she did THIS to her blinds.....

Thank you Grace.... NOT.....

It was a rough day that ended in hand foot and mouth disease.  Not to be confused with hoof and mouth disease or mad cow disease.  Hopefully next Sunday is better if we end up going to church, which I'm not sure if we will (you'll know why we wouldn't from my previous post).

And now I will go continue cleaning out some things-- it's on to cleaning out the kitchen cabinets!!

Thanks for listening,

Melanie

We have hand foot and mouth disease....

It’s true.  We have Hand foot and mouth disease in this house.  Caleb and Grace got fevers on Sunday.  That’s how it began.  I’ve talked to my doc’s office, other moms, other doc’s offices, and done some research on the good ole’ internet.  I’ll tell you things I’ve learned, so you can be just as confused as I am.

1. Hand foot and mouth disease starts with a fever

2. Sometimes kids don’t get fevers with it.

3. You are no longer contagious after your fever is gone EVEN if you still have spots on your body

4. You can be congagious for WEEKS after all your symptoms are gone.

5. Adults cannot get HFMD (that’s the fancy shortening of it)

6. Adults can get HFMD

7. Adults cannot spread HFMD (since they can’t get it)

8. Some adults can be carrying it without symptoms and pass the virus on.

Well, I’m feeling much better now…. NOT!  What am I supposed to do with information like that?!

Apparently my kids are no longer contagious but still are for weeks…..  I’m feeling REALLY confident.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering about my kids, they no longer have fevers, Caleb is acting normal– just has spots on his feet and hands.  They don’t seem to bother him. Grace doesn’t have spots(yet?!) but has a very poor appetite. It could be A LOT worse, so I’m thankful for this seemingly mild case.

Thanks for listening.  I may need therapy when they’re better…. which could be now… or a few weeks. And maybe I’ll get it, but probably not since I can’t.

-Melanie