We take turns watching multiple kiddos

We play, eat and have fun

We take pictures

Our Day at the Zoo

First of all, I would like to say I am starting to feel better! My doc changed my antibiotics (which were not working) and the new ones seem to be doing the trick. Yay!

So. Last Thursday, Jim took the day off and we took a family trip to the zoo. It was actually a little cooler that day, which was nice for walking around and stuff. We took the MAX, which is a favortite of Henry's. He gets so excited, yelling, "choo choo!" Someday we'll explain the difference between a real train and the lightrail, but for now, he's having too much fun. :)

Here are some random pics of our day:

On our way!

Our first encounter....bears

Then...goats! Someone loves goats!

What, you don't like horseback riding?

Henry had some moments with the goats.



And here.

2 boys and a polar bear

Henry and daddy playing

Henry's first carton of milk

We had such a fun time and the next day we left for a weekend of camping! More later. I can only do so much at once, you know.

Woe is me

So, I was first like, no...I'm not going to blog about this because it is all negative and no one wants to hear. But then I was like, well, blogs are like journals and really, if someone doesn't want to read, then don't! I will apologize up front for any crude language or disgusting terms that come out. My real purpose here is not that people read and feel sorry for me (no, really). It's to vent. Because it hurts so bad to talk. Though I keep doing that...

People, I have strep throat. It sucks. So bad. My throat starting hurting on Sunday and Monday I noticed it didn't look "right," as in yellowish cottage cheese stuck to my tonsils. Super. Go to the doctor. Do you know what he says? "Wow. That's really gross. I don't even need to do a strep test! It's for sure what you've got!" That's nice.

I wasn't actually feeling too bad at that point, just a sore throat. But then, as I was reading to Henry before his nap, I started shivering. Over and over. Hmm, I thought. That's not normal. I got through the reading and fought to get him in bed and went straight to take my temp. 102.7!!! You have to know, I can't remember ever having a fever ever in my entire life. I just don't get sick like that. My mom can back me up on this.

Anyhow, THEN, for over 2 days, I had a headache and a fever of 102.something on and off as the Advil and Tylenol work and wear off. I had the chills, which really, isn't that fun. It made me feel even way more sad for when Henry had them with his fever. Then, once my fever was nice and high, I'd start sweating like a hog. Seriously. Last night Jim even felt the need to point out the bed was all wet. Lovely.

On that note, my husband is my hero. He took lots of time off from work, has put up with all my drama and hasn't complained once. Henry, to say the least, is LOVING having Daddy around so much and screams in protest when he leaves. Jim, you rock. I don't know how I would do it without you - ever. I love you!

Back to me. So if you look online, a dangerous and neurotic past time of mine, WebMD will tell you that most people will start to feel better after 24 to 48 hours of antibiotics. Interesting. Then WHY does my throat still feel like someone took scissors to my tonsils over 80 hours later!!!! I can't eat comfortably so I'm pushing food down my throat because I'm so hungry and cringing the whole time.

Today was actually the first day since early Monday that I felt I had any energy whatsoever. Yay! I did great all day. Then I started feeling tired around 5:30. Incidentally, that is right when Jim got home. Anyhow, I checked my temp before I got in the shower tonight and do you know what it said??? 100.2!!! WHAT?!?!?! Why? When will it end?

You think that is all there could possibly be, BUT YOU'RE WRONG! This is something that is truly uncomfortable. Women who have been pregnant will understand and I guess those of you who have fevers maybe have experienced this. My entire skin surface is super-sensitive. Like when you're pregnant, ladies, and you can't bear to face the shower stream. Again, mom, grandparents - I'm sorry. But my entire body! How not nice! And if something is remotely cold, get out of here! Seriously, I might slap it or the holder of it, whichever is easier to get to.

Do you know how hard it is not to kiss your baby for 4 days in a row?

Sigh.

Okay, I'm feeling a little better now. Not physically, but emotionally. If you even read all this, wow. I am really impressed. I know millions of people have strep throat right at this moment, but I don't know about them so I'm surviving in my bubble for now. Thank you, Blogger for allowing me this chance to vent my frustrations at sickness.

The End

Because I'm cool like that

I thought I'd post some pics from when we went to have lunch with daddy a couple weeks ago. Henry is SO into his sunglasses, especially if WE'RE wearing them. The number of grown-up things he's starting to do is quite exciting...and unnerving. How do kids learn so much, so quick?? In any case, it's lots of fun to hang out with him these days. Except for when he's having a moment (aka hissy fit after hearing the word, "no"). During those moments he sits on the couch by himself for a few. But anyways...that's not what this post is about!

Enjoy the pics!

A creek runs through it...

So there's a creek that runs between our neighborhood and Noble Woods Park, and this time of year is a great time to play in it. In the winter, it's about 8 feet deeper. Jim had previously taken Henry down there and they had so much fun they brought me along yesterday. Our activities included throwing rocks, tossing in leaves and waving bye-bye to them as the floated down the stream, searching for clams and splashing with big sticks. Henry didn't want to leave. What a little boy!

Here are a few pics, adding to Jim's:

My boys (ssshh don't tell, Jim's not wearing Nike's)



Happy!

Oh yeah, we also jumped off rocks! This is how I got all wet.

On another note, I have a big boy announcement!! Henry is drinking his milk from a big boy cup! He does it with no spills and only a little dribble here and there if he takes too big a sip. It's one of those things the doctor says to start trying and you say yeah right and then lo and behold, he can do it!

Anyhow. I found it exciting. :)

Henry 2.0!!!

Several hours old

TWO!

So people aren't kidding when they tell you time flies with kids. Our baby turned 2 yesterday! I'm just so flabbergasted at how much he has changed since that hot, hot day in July 2006 when he made his way into the world. Happy Birthday baby boy! We love you so much! Also, thank you to everyone who made Henry's birthday so special and fun for him (and us!). WE ARE SO BLESSED!

One Word

My friend Michele did this and it looked like fun! Join in!

So here’s the rules: All of the answers must be just one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? bag
2. Your significant other? hot
3. Your hair? up
4. Your mother? amazing
5. Your father? energetic
6. Your favorite thing? books
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? dietcoke :)
9. Your dream/goal? holiness
10. The room you’re in? bonus
11. Your church? awesome
12. Your fear? failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you’re not? shy
16. Muffins? bran!
17. One of your wish list items? massage!
18. Where you grew up? Orlando
19. The last thing you did? bills
20. What are you wearing? stuff
21. Your TV? HD
22. Your pets? kitty
23. Your computer? fast
24. Your life? fun!
25. Your mood? sleepy
26. Missing someone? mommy
27. Your car? comfy
28. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
29. Favorite store? Target
30. Your summer? busy
31. Like(love) someone? Jim!
32. Your favorite color? green
33. Last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? yesterday
35. Who will re post this? Jen!

I just feel like I have to say regarding the crying bit...it's because of a movie!! I cry at movies all the time!

Voices of Liberty

I happened to come across this video on YouTube and I had to post it! There are over 800 Voices of Liberty videos on YouTube with so many amazing comments - makes my heart swell with pride! So anyhow, back to this video... It's O Come All Ye Faithful - solo by my beautiful mother. Some of you BCC folk will be surprised at how low she is singing, which is funny to me, but then again, I grew up knowing the depth of her talent. :) Enjoy!



In case you didn't know, Voices of Liberty is an 8 part acapella group that my mom has sung in at Epcot since I was a wee girl of 4. My stepdad, aka P.D., arranged all the music. See? Pride!

A Day at the Beach

On Sunday, we headed back to the coast to spend a day with some of my extended family who are vacationing in Lincoln City. It was so much fun and I was so glad we could do it, since I only see these family members about once a year. It included my aunts (3 of my mom's 5 sisters) and uncles and cousins from Walla Walla, Boston area and Germany! Now you see why we never see them. :)

Anyhow, as mothers do, I was a teeny bit worried that Henry might not have as much fun as we'd like him to. Well, there was NO NEED. He had a blast! He pretty much wanted to do whatever my cousin Samantha (who is 4) was doing and so followed her around. Samantha's older brother, Alex, was such a good helper with Henry and held his hand on the beach, pointing things out to him like jellyfish (ACK!) and rocks (boys!), and read Henry lots of stories. It is so fun to see Alex grow up - he was just about 6 months old when Jim and I got married! Henry took a great nap and was ready for more.

We arrived at the beach at about 9:30 am and left around 7:30 pm. No, Henry did not sleep in the car on the way home but that was okay - we had a full, fun day. I am so blessed to have such a close, wonderful (large) family! We love you all!

Here are some pictures:

Henry is using his hands a lot to express himself while talking. Wonder where he gets that from?...

Henry and Samantha coloring (isn't she gorgeous?)

Henry excited about the hermit crabs Lila and Alex caught

Lunch with a view!

Story time! Aren't they cute?

Henry 1.99

Can you believe he's almost Henry 2.0? We can't! I just wanted to post a few pics of Henry being...Henry. We can FINALLY get him to pose for pictures and he will pause for a nanosecond to say "CHEEEEESE!" to his mother's delight.

Who does he look like? I don't know.



At the "s" part of "cheese"

Baby smakeroos! The best!

Henry and his BFF, Sam.

Seriously, this cat puts up with a lot. One of Henry's favorite pasttimes is to wrestle with Sam and he just lets him! No clawings yet, but I'm on the lookout...

Our fun family weekend

Last weekend we took a mini-vacation and headed to the beach. We camped for two nights at Beverly Beach and Henry was so excited he couldn't stand it. He was running around oohing and awhing at every little thing. What more could you ask for?

To add to Jim's pics:

Our campsite...Henry cared more about the flower he had just picked



Loving watching all the kites

You can't even see his face, but I love this pic

FIRE! YEAH!