When it Rains...

(WARNING: Sorry...this post is king of a downer...hopefully next one will be better!!)
Well whoever said that sometimes when it rains, it pours, sure got it right. I took Braxton to the doc on Tuesday since I was worried that he had had a fever off and on for two weeks, and they wanted to do some tests on him just to be sure he was ok. Teething, probably, but better to be safe than sorry, right? So I had thought this was going to be just a quick in and out thing, take his temp, check his ears, say yep its teething and I'm on my way home, but we were not so lucky that day. We ended up having to get a urin sample...definitely the worst thing I have seen since this guy was born. I was thinking "how in the world am I going to catch him while he is peeing and get him to aim into a container?" when they told me they needed a sample, but they soon answered my question when the doc pulled out a tiny little hose and asked me to take off the baby's diaper. I immediately started hyperventiliating and my eyes became all watery. Really? Is that really necessary? It was. One nurse held his legs still while the doc swabbed him down and prepared to insert the hated tube. I almost asked to leave, but knew it would be harder to hear him screaming and not know what was going on. It supposedly wasn't supposed to be all that painful, only "a little uncomfortable," as they always say. Yeah right. After the initial insertion, I couldn't watch. I just rubbed his head and cried right along with him. Thankfully she was quick and it was over in less than a minute, but it felt like forever. That was the first time I can remember Braxton actually reached out to me for me to hold him. And that of course started the tears all over again. Sheesh.
As if that wasn't enough for one day, the doc then directed me across the street to get another test done...a freakin' blood sample. "They are just going to prick his heal, right? Like they did when he was a baby?" Oh, no. They were going all out that day. And whats worse, I had to be the one that actually held his arm down while they drew their sample. He knew what was coming as soon as they put that rubber thing around his arm to make it all ripe and juicy for the prickin'. Ugh. We both actually cried more this time than during the first procedure...probably because I was an accomplice to his pain this time. It was horrible.
Lastly we had to go get a chest x-ray done, but thank goodness there was no pain involved. We were both exhausted and SO ready to be done with it all, so I was grateful when it was over quickly and the worst I had to do was hold his hands above his head while they took a picture. Finally we were on our way home.
A few hours later I received a call from the doctor again...their was an abnomality with his blood and they wanted me to come back in the next day to talk about it. I immediately started freakin' out again, thinking he had cancer or something. Justin was even more worried about it than I was, asking me if he was gonna DIE. Thanks for making it less stressful, baby. Come to find out, he just had a high white blood cell count, so he was battling an infection somewhere in his body. Both chest and urine looked good, so most likely a sinus infection. Then comes the prescription for anti-biotics....and of course they couldn't just do their job and make him better without causing problems. They had to get in on the fun of making this poor child miserable. Excessive diahhrea, causing a huge diaper rash and a raw, welted bum. I can't even use wipes or soap when I change his diaper...I just put him under the faucet and let cool water run over the red and swollen thing until it looks clean enough and then smear it with desitin and wrap him up again, hearing him scream all the while. Last night I finally had enough and called to doc to tell her I wasn't giving him any more medicine. He hasn't had a fever since Monday morning and has been just fine, so until I saw signs that he needed medicine, he wasn't getting any more. Luckily for her sake she said that was fine and to check back with her next week, and even was so kind as to suggest a couple ways to help with the diaper rash. Already today there is improvement...I have changed his diaper twice without him crying, and the redness is diminishing slightly. Hallelujah!!! I am so done with all this...

The Joys of Life

Well I thought we were almost done with the drama, but yesterday was so bad we couldn't even go to church. Braxton had a fever all day and had another rough night. I know I am going to have more children and some days I can't wait to have another little bug to cuddle and love to death, but other days I wish only one would be enough for me. Not really, but the thought crosses my mind! There are definitely hard times and I don't look forward to going through all this again with multiple babies, but I know its all worth it. I just have to keep telling myself that when its 3:00 am and my sweet boy won't stop crying and has been awake for 3 hrs already, AFTER going to bed at 11:30. You gotta love 'em!

On a happier note, I got to attend the wedding of my sweet aunt and uncle this weekend. Whats weird is that they were already my aunt and uncle BEFORE they got married...my aunt on my side of the family (widowed) married my uncle from Justin's side of the family (divorced.) Crazy. Thats what happens when you live in Mesa too long. You start marrying people you're already kind of related to...But they are so cute together. The ceremony was small and short and sweet, with a dinner afterwards and an open house to follow. Even though they are only married for time, they will make the most of their lives together here on this earth and will both be happier and better because of their union. Love to them both.

Braxton will turn 9 months next week. He still isn't crawling, but he is scootin' like crazy and already getting into boxes and baskets that are too low. Its time to baby proof! I had to lower his crib yesterday too, cause I would go in after his nap to find him hanging over the edge as he cried for me to come get him. I guess I didn't lower it enough, cause this morning I found him doing the same thing! The little bugger. I love this little man so much!

Things have been a little down around here lately. It started about 2 weeks ago when Braxton woke up with a big fat red swollen eye...I thought it was maybe just an infection from his tear ducts not draining properly, but after a visit to the docs it was indeed a bad case of pink eye. So after about 5 days of house arrest and eye drops galore, he finally started looking normal again. Then his body started reacting to his teeth making their way through his little gums, and he got a nasty cold where he could hardly breathe cause his nose was so clogged, so of course this meant many sleepless nights and fussy days. Then to add to the cold, a fever developed, also in response to his teeth, or so I supposed. After about 3 days of off and on fever and still sleepless nights, his fever finally ended and he broke out in a rash all over his body. Roseola...a common virus that most children get sometime before they enter kindergarten. Not painful and can't be professionally treated, so again we just had to wait it out. Well I was just about at my wits end when out of nowhere I started feeling a little tired and achy...and of course the next morning I woke up with the flu. NOT what I needed! I didn't know how in the world I would take care of a sick teething baby when I could barely stand without puking myself. I prayed and prayed and a miracle happened. Within hours I felt the flu leave and I was almost totally back to normal by mid-day! Oh thank goodness for the power of prayer! That was such a huge and needed blessing. Unfortunately I still have a cold and just last night started developing a cough, but I will take that any day over the nausea and achiness of the flu. Even though his fever is currently gone, Braxton is still having a hard time sleeping through the night and his schedule is completely out of wack for whatever reasons, but I think and hope there is a light at the end of this never ending tunnel. His darn tooth still hasn't popped through, so we are still working on keeping him happy and as comfortable as possible until that happens. Stupid teeth. Justin hasn't gotten away unscathed either...he has been battling a cold for the past few days as well, so...I don't know whats going on but I can't wait for it to be over!

New York, New York

Here are some pictures from our trip to New York where we stayed with my mother-in-law in her beautiful country home. (Which she actually runs as a B&B as well. If your ever in upstate New York and want/need a place to stay, check it our here.) It was such a nice trip, and the weather was just gorgeous in the evening and mornings. Braxton had a bit of a rough time with the time change (See "Mom-hood" below) but did wonderful on the long flights there and back. I know we had some help from above in that arena!

Here is her home from the front and back. I love it there!

Justin and B-rax with our cute little nieces.

This is what happens when you play with little girls all week. . .

(At least he is PULLING the barbie's hair and not just playing with it. That made Justin feel a little better. :) )

Aunt Angie and Braxton on her fun new bike!! I never thought I would ever see her one of these!

Relaxing at the lake...I didn't get to kayak or swim much of course, but it was nice just to be able to sit and enjoy the weather and the babies.

My water babies! These two just love the water. I can't ever get them out!

Isn't it beautiful?

My mom-in-law and her classy '55 chevy truck. She is so cute!

The kayaking pro. Check out those muscles!

"Bless you, my child..." :)

Braxton and cute Gavin. They are buds already.

Makin' smores round the firepit. Nothin' better than smores!

And here is the best part of the whole trip...Justin changed his FIRST poopy diaper! His good friend and mission companion Brad came to visit while we were there, and thanks to some subtle peer pressure from Brad (why is it that men will sometimes listen to their BUDDIES before their wives?!?!) he sucked it up, plugged his nose and did it! Of course I HAD to grab a picture so I have proof!

Going for a late night swim in ma's beautiful new pool. The water was so perfect! Cystal clear and sparkly clean. She had her water imported ffrom the ice-caves, and I must tell ya, the difference was totally noticeable. It felt like you could drink it! "Beautious!" As ma always says... :)

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow!

Well its done...I finally cut my hair! I must say, as much as I would like to go drastic and way different, I always chicken out at the last minute and go with a length I am comfortable with. It was still close to 8 in. though! Quite a change, for me anyways. :)
Here are the BEFORE pics...taken in New York at my mom-in-laws house just before we went to the salon.

And here are the AFTERS!


I went a little lighter with the highlights, and I am liking it. Its light and summery. And I"m not even missin' my long hair at all! Wahoo!

Mom-hood

So I am sitting here in beautiful upstate New York, listening to my baby monitor and staring out my mother-in-laws window at her lush green meadow in her front yard and watching the trees sway with the mountain music in the wind. But, as beautiful as it is, there is somewhere even more breathtaking...the sparkling lake, where the rest of my family is, swimming and kayaking in the perfectly clear water surrounded by rolling mountains of wooded bliss. Unfortunately, my poor child still hasn't gotten used to the change in time zones and is falling asleep at the most random times and sleeping for even more random periods of time. Just as I was preparing his diaper-bag and hollering that I would be out to join the clan as they clamored into the cars, B-rax decided it was just the right time to close his eyes for a bit. So, here I am...and I have to admit at first I was a little bummed. Lately, it seems that having a child means sitting by the sidelines and watching while everyone else has all the fun. However, as I was contemplating this, I realized that although I do miss being apart of the excitement, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because I am the one who gets to rock him to sleep every night. I am the one who gets to see his first smile, his first laugh, wipe away his tears, hold him close when he is sad or hurting. I am the one who gets to see those special little smiles reserved only for me in those sweet moments of tenderness and love. I get to watch as my sweet little man looks up at the clear blue sky to see a bird take flight, only to see his eyes fill with wonder at the majesty of it. I am his first word, his first love. I get to watch as he experiences the world through innocent, pure, unadulterated eyes, and whats more...I am the one HE wants to share it with. I am his Mother. What greater calling, what greater blessing is there? I have yet to find one.