The comings and goings of the fab four

Happy Halloween! Hope everyone got more treats than tricks!

We had a great day. Lydia’s school had a Halloween party, and Miles and I got to go. Miles wore his skunk costume and I dressed up as a pretty princess. It was my first opportunity to wear a bridesmaid dress a 2nd time (Thanks Allison). They had lots of crafts and fun for the kids, a yummy special snack and “trick or treating” around the courtyard. It was great because Lydia thought that was the main event, and acted surprised when we told her she got to go out tonight.

Before we took the kids out for the evening, though, we called the pediatrician, because Miles had been wheezing for 2 days. I had asked the ped. at his appt. on Monday, and she said it was just because of the congestion, and that it would clear up as the antibiotic worked on him. However, after 4 doses, it was only getting worse. She gave us a nebulizer, and he had his first treatment at the office. She said he was still wheezy after the treatment, but it seemed to break up some of the clumpy stuff in his lungs, so it was a more uniform wheezing, which was good (okay?). She did say that if he didn’t show great improvement by Friday, he’d have to go on steroids, which apparently turns children into little monsters, so please say a prayer that it doesn’t come to that! He hates the nebulizer treatments, but they do seem to help some.

We went out to a few houses tonight to trick-or-treat. One house is super decorated with enormous spiders, so we had to go there. We also went and saw our nice next door neighbor, and he gave Lydia some yums. She had a bath and went to bed. Hopefully she’ll sleep through until 6:30, like she did this morning. Praise the LORD!

Have a great night!

I just went to Firehouse Subs (in Fleming Island for any of you OPers). They had advertised “kids night” on www.jax4kids.com – so I went, thinking that Lydia would get a free meal. When they were ringing us up, I asked the (very nice high school) kid if it was kids night. He didn’t know what I was talking about, so I told him the website where I saw it, and said that I thought kids ate free on Tuesday nights. He asked the manager about it, and the manager was like, uhhh…. and kept on. The kid asked if he should give me Lydia’s meal for free, and the manager took the piece of paper with the website written on it, went in the back and looked it up. He came back a few minutes later and said that it said we get a free fire hat (which is dumb b/c they get a “free fire hat” with any kids meal, anytime). So he didn’t give us the meal for free, and the meal took forever for them to make. The guy behind me actually asked for a refund b/c it took so long. So don’t eat there.

We had a nice evening last night, but the night turned nasty. Miles was up from about 1-3, crying, screaming, doing everything he could to not go to sleep. I had to walk him for most of that time, and as he got more tired, he got more upset, and cried more and louder. Robert finally bounced him around and got him to sleep. Robert snuggled up w/ Lydia, Miles slept with me. I woke up to Lydia standing next to the bed right around 5:30 – it was kind of like a horror movie – she was just standing there staring. I told her to get back in the bed, turned around, and Miles was climbing over a pillow and about to take a nose dive onto the floor. He was whiny and fussy, and Lydia was not interested in going back to sleep, so we turned on the TV and I made a pot of coffee. It was a horrific night, and I decided, after looking at the forecast (rain, storms, wind) that I would try to change the character breakfast to today, and leave right after.
It worked out, we dined with Minnie, Goofy and Chip/Dale. Lydia LOVED it. We ate Mickey pancakes, and other yummies, and took pictures of the characters. Lydia got lots of sweet hugs. It was great. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone going to Disney anytime soon.

We drove home and the kids were pretty much miserable after they woke up from their micronaps in the car. It rained and the wind blew the entire ride back up. When we got home, I noticed that Miles was wheezing, so I called the ped. and got an appointment. I figured they’d give us some albuterol, or tell me it would pass. However, I was wrong, he has a double ear infection! A diagnosis, hallelujiah! So we got the prescription filled, all the while dealing with a screaming Miles and a fit pitching Lydia. They were so exhausted, they went to bed around 5:45. I ate about half of our Halloween candy, but there are worse things. I am going to bed in a few minutes, I am beat. Generally God doesn’t throw two super hairy days at me in a row, so I am optimistic that tomorrow WILL be a better day!

We arrived at the land of Mickey Mouse this afternoon. We are staying at Disney’s Yacht Club, it is quite fancy! We walked around some this afternoon and saw a few other BoAers, and got to see the resort. Robert had an event this evening, so I was going to put the kids down early, they were SO tired and being SO difficult. I had my book, my glass of wine and the fruit and cheese gift basket sent by the hotel, however, neither kid seemed to want to go to sleep, and I was not in the mood to fight them, so we loaded up the stroller and rode the boat to the boardwalk, and walked around a little while. We also explored the pool (enormous), and are planning to be there tomorrow, rain or shine (probably rain). We got back around 7:45, and both kids went down pretty easily. I am hoping they both sleep through the entire night (unlikely). They both still have their emphysemic sounding coughs, and I have a horribly sore throat this evening, and am hoping that my immune system will kick in and kick this thing in the tail. I cannot get sick! I think they are starting to get better, though, neither child had a fever today, and their coughs sound productive.

We had a fantastic visit from Mimi and B-Pop this weekend. The kids loved hanging out with them, and we enjoyed visiting with them too! The weather was kind of crummy, so we didn’t get out to see all of the beauty that is Jacksonville, but maybe next time.

In other news, our great friends Mauri and Rob had their sweet little baby, Gabriel Benjamin yesterday. We are SO excited for his arrival! GOOD JOB Momma Mauri. You guys will be fantastic parents! We love you!

And moonsets. Because the last two days have given me both, and if I don’t focus on the positive, I will go crazy. Both children, BOTH CHILDREN have woken up at 5:00 the last two days. What. In. The. World. You could practically set a clock by Miles – he wakes up between 5:08 and 5:14 each morning, and has for the last week+. However, Lydia was sleeping until 6:30-6:45, so I could be lazy and sit on the floor, watch the shows I was too tired to finish watching the night before, drink enough coffee to be coherent before Lydia got up, etc, etc, etc… however, Lydia has picked up that people are up and hanging out, and wants to be in on the fun. There is not enough coffee in the world to get me ready for that! I am struggling majorly. To add to the fun, Robert has been out of town since Sunday, and won’t be back until tomorrow. However, Bob and Marie are coming today to stay with us through the weekend. I am very much looking forward to their visit. I know that it will help me loads to a) have someone to talk to and b) have someone for Lydia to talk to. Lately, we have constant chatter, which is fantastic, but will wear you out.

My friend Amanda (The Belding Family) writes out dialog that she and her son, Griffin (3) have. It never fails to crack me up. He is so funny. Yesterday, Lydia had an outright conversation with Robert on the phone. She rarely will talk on the phone, but she was into it yesterday.

R: Hi honey! How are you?
L: Fine
R: How was school today?
L: Good. Mommy went for a run with Miles in the jogging stroller when I was at school!
R: Really?
L: It was raining when I was at school
R: It’s raining here too.
L: Really? Wow. Are you at Mimi & B-Pop’s house?
R: Yes, did you know they’re coming to visit you tomorrow?
L: Yeah. They’re coming here to stay at my house! I’m so excited!
R: That will be fun
L: I’m going to have breakfast with Goofy and Minnie, but not Mickey. I’m so excited!

We are leaving for Orlando on Sunday. We probably won’t hit up the parks, but we are doing a character breakfast as an early celebration of Lydia’s birthday. We are looking forward to it. Daddy won’t be able to make it because he will be working, we will miss him!

More later…

To my dear friend Ginger, who gave birth to a baby boy this afternoon. I have no details b/c I just talked to her FIL, but I am so happy for her! Love you guys, hope it was an easy birth.

The pumpkins are a big hit with the little kids!

Who needs a “real” push toy when you have your sister’s bike. We didn’t think so either…

Tonight I went and visited my friend Kendra & her son Jacob. Jacob has a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery (his second!) on Tuesday. He is only two, and he and Kendra moved here from Texas over the summer. They are awesome people, Jacob is absolutely darling. They are such troopers, and are such a strong family. They obviously have wonderful friends and family to support them and keep them strong! We will be praying for Jacob’s speedy recovery, and for continued strength for both him and his great momma!

Being at the hospital also made me so thankful for my healthy children. They truly are a gift.

Please pray for Peter (Peter Vampire in the links) as he begins his stem cell transplant at Duke early next week. He is a member of our “Good & Plenty Gang” (Church Thanksgiving group), and a very very special family friend! He has always loved Lydia and been such a sweet friend of hers. Even when Lydia was very small and didn’t like many people, she always loved Peter! Pray that the radiation, chemo and transplant will go well, he will feel well and strong, and it will “take”.

We are all praying hard for you Peter! We love you VERY much and are pulling for you. We know you’re a superstar!

Lydia’s Little People singalong CD is kind of cruel and unusual punishment. It is worse than the Wiggles I think (as far as CDs go – their show doesn’t bother me). I swear the singers probably get together, smoke a few and then do some singing.