Grandma's gone.

We just put grandma on a jet plane. Emmett has been crying/screaming/wailing ever since. We see her in 5 short weeks for our family reunion in Florida, so that helps. My front yard is a completely different place since she touched it w/ her magic, landscaping hands. I'll post pictures soon. And, hopefully, do some updating soon. Our new dishwasher is (finally!) being delivered on Wednesday. It's been a REALLY long 2 weeks without one. Thank goodness my mom was here during that time, or it would have been even worse. I'm working a lot (for me!) these next few weeks....I've worked so very little since the beginning of the year and it's time to make some money back. It's going to be crazy. I honestly don't know how some mom's do it: kids and working full time. Props to them. I, on the other hand, will be miserable the next few weeks working only 24 hours a week.

Owen's lacrosse game

Owen had his first game lacrosse game EVER tonight. I spent most of it completely confused (there are a TON of rules) and trying to follow the ball (which is really small), but Owen did great and even had a goal!! And, he loved it. His coach keeps telling me that lacrosse is going to be his second sport. He just might be right.....

Caution Illinois family and friends

I just read an article that says that parts of Madison County, IL and Los Angeles, CA have the highest cancer rates in the nation (and the unhealthiest air in the country).

Catching up!

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Sorry for the lack of blogging, but my mom keeps me on a tight worker bee schedule and my s isn't working well on my computer, so it takes me forever to type. I'm taking my computer in today. Short synopsis of our last few days and I'll elaborate more as I have time: We went to Hershey for the soccer tournament and had an absolutely wonderful time. Owen's team lost all 3 games. We spent a day at Hershey park and spent another day in Strasburg, PA submerged in Amish country and saw a train world and the international train museum. We even took a horse and buggy ride. Back at home, Owen had his last day of school, Henry peed and pooed on the potty yesterday, and Emmett is sick again (coxacksie virus) - fever of 102. My mom has cleaned my garage out, trimmed every bush from around my house, and planted flowers. My landscaping is looking great. And, she, of course, gets this all done w/ the kids underfoot and they have a great time.

PA Here WE COME!!!!!

I took Emmett to the doctor. He has this lymph node in his neck that's big and really bothering him. While I was there, I noticed a rash on his legs. Turns out he has Fifth Disease!!! This is actually good news. As I'm telling my pediatrician how great Owen is doing and how he was only sick for a day (if that), she says it's possible that he could have Fifth Disease, too. Turns out before you get the rash....when you are first exposed...you can have "flu-like" symptoms. Then, 1-2 weeks later you come down w/ the rash. AND, you don't always come down w/ the rash. Interesting, eh? So, Emmett was exposed a week or two ago and Owen is exposed now. Hmm...possible, eh? The good news is that once you have the rash you aren't contagious AND when Owen's fever is gone (which was Monday), you aren't contagious.

His pediatrician conceded that it would be very unusual for him to have swine flu, since he was hardly sick. And, the tamiflu shortens symptoms, like to 3-4 days. It doesn't take it away. Owen continues to feel good. He's no longer coughing. No longer has a runny nose. No longer has a fever. I think he either had Fifth disease or some other benign illness. Remember, he had a fever of 102 two weeks ago, too. Because my boys have asthma and typically get sicker then the average bear, if Owen had the swine flu and pneumonia (like his x-ray) showed, he would have been a much sicker kiddo.

So...we're going to Hershey, Pennyslvania tomorrow for Owen's soccer tournament :). We're going to have a great time. We deserve it! I'm just hoping that nobody around us is sick since my kids will catch any sick germ within a 45 mile radius :).

Swine flu update.

I don't mean to disagree w/ my pediatrician, because she's wonderful. So, if he really does have the swine flu, then it is the mildest illness that he has had all year. Yes, he laid on the couch a good portion of the day yesterday. Yes, he's had a fever. BUT, he laid on the couch off and on yesterday for a total of 8 hours and he hasn't had a fever since 2 AM (so he had a fever for a total of 15 hours). How is this the dreaded swine flu?

And, OK, maybe the tamiflu helped. BUT, he took his 1st dose of it at 2 pm yesterday. He was bouncing around by 5 pm. I don't think one dose would have changed him THAT quickly.

I can't keep him down today. He's outside playing soccer. The rest of the week, assuming he continues to feel better and better, is going to be a struggle. He does not want to sit still.

I'm praying that he continues to get better. I'm praying that the rest of us don't get sick. I'm praying that we all have a great, healthy time in Hershey on Friday. :) Prayer. Positive affirmations. Knocking on wood. I'm doing it all.

And today...

it's the swine flu.


Owen's pediatrician says that he has the swine flu. I'm not completely convinced. Here in Onondaga County there is such a huge amount of new swine flu cases that they won't test children anymore, unless they are hospitalized. My pediatrician called the health department to see if they would. (why is it that important you ask? Well...we're supposed to go to Hershey, PA, for a soccer tournament this weekend and if he REALLY has the swine flu..he's supposed to be in isolation for 7 days. I don't want to miss the tournament for a maybe....). And, they wouldn't. They say if you have flu like symptoms stay home for 7 days.

Anyway, he woke up w/ a fever this AM and cough, runny nose, sneezing. I took him in at 1120 this AM and she tested him in the office for influenza A and B and strep. That was all negative. She said that swine flu doesn't usually show up on the in office culture and since he doesn't have influenza A or B, then he must have influenza H1N1 (swine). She said he has that flu look and she's convinced he has it. She sent him for a chest x-ray and he has pneumonia. He started coughing at 8 this AM and already had pneumonia by noon. She said that his flu has caused the pneumonia and that it is a secondary infection. I don't want to believe it.....

And, I don't know what I'm going to do. I called the swine flu hotline phone number that she gave me and I asked them how long he has to stay home. They said to stay home for as long as he has symptoms. I called three times, just to make sure. And each person said....stay home for as long as he has symptoms. He's on the tamiflu and the doctor said as long as his pneumonia doesn't get worse, he should feel MUCH better in 24 hours. So, if that's the case we may head to the soccer tournament after all. It will be 5 days after we started the tamiflu. I guess all we can do is take it day by day and pray the other kids don't get it.

Want to hear the rest of my bad news?

There's a family on Owen's soccer team that's angry w/ me (it's a really long story). I'm the tournament manager and have done all the planning for this weekend. Anyway, if they confront me again, I'm going to call the police.

My dishwasher broke. I can't get anyone out to look at it until Wednesday.

The second grade was performing for the school today in a flag day assembly that they have been working on forever. Owen had to miss it. You all know how much he likes performing. He was so bummed.

And now for the good news...


MY MOM IS HERE!!!

And it continues...

I went to Owen's soccer game yesterday w/ another soccer mom and her son. The game was 40 minutes away and I had no idea where we were going, Eddie stayed home w/ Emmett and Henry, and so, we carpooled. I was fine on the drive there. But literally, as soon as we got there, my body was aching. My legs hurt so bad, that even though, we normally stand the whole game, I grabbed a towel and sat down. I felt worse and worse as the game went on and the drive home was miserable. I was freezing. By the time I got home, I could hardly walk in the door. I climbed in my bed and took my temp and it was 102.6! Adults aren't meant to have fevers. My boys can have fevers that high and still be bouncing around the house, but I was not well. My lower back hurt more then everything and a few minutes of Eddie watching me lay there crying, he decided we needed to go to Urgent Care. He called Troy's mom, Jen, to come over and stay w/ the kids (and bless her heart, she cleaned my whole kitchen and family room while we were gone. Every last dish. Every last crumb on the kitchen floor. Can you believe it?) At Urgent Care, my temp was still 102, even though I took Motrin an hour prior and my heart rate was really high. They said I was way too hot and gave me Tylenol. After blood work, urine tests, and a flu swab (I'm STILL on the preventative stuff! It was negative), they said I had a "silent" urinary tract infection. Who knew? Completely asymptomatic except for the slight lower back pain I've had over the last few days. UGH! As far as I'm concerned this is the absolute best case scenario: easily treatable and not contagious. Yahoo! After getting my first dose of anitbiotic in the Urgent Care, we got home around 1115 last night.

This AM, I feel quite a bit better. My fever is down and this makes all the difference. I'm not sure of the last time I had a fever like this....I really can't remember. As every mom out there knows, it's not easy taking care of a baby when you feel poopy. My big boys are on autopilot but Henry doesn't really seem to want to sit still and watch TV. Hopefully, all will be better quickly. 2 doses of antibiotics now down. And, next time I won't ignore that nagging back pain.

My mom comes for a visit in 2 days. That will help, too. She makes my world so much better.

What's your fave work out, moving, running song?

I'm back at the gym this week. Trying really hard to lose 20 more pounds, and my playlist is getting BORING. I'm tired of listening to the same songs. I need new high energy songs to help my resist the urge to stop running. Please share your favorite "get up and go" song w/ me, so I can add it to my playlist.

Some more photos from the park

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Some more photos from the goodbye party w/ the Berry's.

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Owen wears his sport glasses any time there might be playing involved. So, he pretty much keeps them on all weekend.

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The ladies

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A dear friend of mine is moving, Robin. She's the one in the front on the left, in black, wearing strategically placed sunglasses to mask her tears. She has been a great friend the past 3 years. She's moving back to Boston...to be closer to family...and closer to where her soul resides. We had a going away party today for her at a park in town. This group of ladies are my closest, dearest friends here. We don't always get together as much as we like, but everytime we do our kids fall into place and have a great time...and so do we. Robin moving away means I claim the spot as the youngest in the group (Robin is younger then me by 4 months). :) Despite that, Bville won't be the same without the Berry Family.

I find it a bit depressing that a small handful of friends have left in the 3.5 years I have lived here. It's hard to be left :). And, I still hope that someday our day to move on will come...on our terms. So we can live closer to where our soul resides.

The men!

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I can think of all sorts of witty comments to write about this group, but I better not. Eddie is sure to read this and I'll never hear the end of it :)

The kids!

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Can you believe the 10 of us have reproduced this many times??? And a few camera shy kids are missing. Owen is the oldest. Henry is the second youngest.

One more super cute photo

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I love this photo from graduation, because I LOVE the shape of Emmett's face. I believe it would be called heart shaped...and it's really noticeable in this photo. Can you tell I'm super in love w/ my middle man these days. I'm going to hold onto this feeling, because I'm sure some day he'll be arguing and talking back to me just as Owen is...sigh...

Emmett singing and dancing

Pomp and Circumstance

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Emmett graduated from preschool on Friday. In this photo, he is accepting his diploma from his teachers: Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Sumner. And, as I'm typing this, I'm wondering what happened to that diploma? I remembering handing it to Henry to hold at one point. Uh-oh. Have to look for it tomorrow.

Anyway, his class put on a wonderful, musical show and Emmett did awesome. His first year in preschool, Emmett did nothing at the concert. No singing. No hand motions. His second year in preschool, Emmett did the singing. No hand motions. This year, his third year in preschool, he did the singing AND hand motions. He must be ready for kindergarten :). And, best yet...he looked like he was having a great time. He had such a wonderful year. I'm sad to see it end, but super excited for his future. Congrats, Emmett.

Click

on the photo below if you want to see ALL of Troy's face :)

Best Buddies

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Emmett and his two best buddies, Troy and Jayden. Troy lives 4 houses down from us, but we didn't know him until this year. He'll be going to kindergarten w/ him next year. Jayden was in his class last year and her dad plays soccer w/ Eddie, her brother plays soccer w/ Owen, and her mom is a friend of mom. They get to spend lots of time together. Henry, being the social baby that he is, sat semi still on our lap during the ceremony. Troy's mom was sitting right behind us and about halfway through the show, he decided to climb over the back pew and sit on her lap. Then he came back to us and preceded to yell for Jayden's mom, Jill, who was three rows up from us. He kept yelling and pointing at her, "JILL!" "JILL!" Jill is the first friend's name that he says (he STILL doesn't say Owen or Emmett). Finally, I let him go and he went and sat on Jill's lap for the rest of the ceremony. He cracks me up. He is quite possibly the most social baby I have ever been around (except for maybe Owen). The first song that Emmett's class sang was Wheels on the Bus and after the ceremony was over, Henry bolted to the front of the church and stood on the steps (all by himself) humming Wheels on the Bus and doing the hand motions. It was absolutely hilarious. He's such a performer! 18 months, can you believe it? NO FEAR!

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Emmett smiling at me from the back row.

Family photo

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I sure wish Eddie and I had dressed a little more coordinating (like the boys). This photo would have been a LOT cuter :).

Post graduation ice cream

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After the big ceremony, we joined our friends, The Kantak's for ice cream. This area stinks for ice cream. There's no where around us for good (think Bobby's or Cold Stone) ice cream. Anything good is either in a mall or a distance away. It really puts a damper on post celebration - summer - ice cream. So, we got ice cream at Bryne Dairy, which is like a convenient mart w/ an ice cream shop at the side. Pathetic, huh? But, the ice cream isn't all bad AND it isn't expensive. I guess that's the upside, eh?

Enjoying his ice cream..

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Henry climbed up on this bench and sat down to eat his ice cream all by himself. Big boy!

Wonderful teachers

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I can't say enough great things about the teachers at Presbyterian Nursery School. They have been so, so kind to us. Caring for Emmett and our family. I have a really special spot in my heart for them and the school This is Emmett's 3rd year at Presbyterian Nursery School (his 2nd year w/ Mrs. Cooper - in this photo) and Owen was at the school the year before. So, graduation was a bit bittersweet. Excited for Emmett to be moving on. He's SO ready. But sad to be leaving the school and it's wonderful teachers after 4 years of walking in and out and saying good morning and good evening.

Emmett's LAST day of preschool

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June 2009.

What a year Emmett has had. He has grown leaps and bounds. He's MUCH more confident. He can speak up for himself. He participates in group conversations at school and sings songs (even doing the finger play). He lost a tooth. He made a best friend (Troy). He got glasses. He grew 2 inches (from 44.5 inches to 46.5 inches) and gained one pound (from 47 to 48 pounds). He remains seizure free. And, he is still the nicest, kindest 5 year old around. He's going to do GREAT in kindergarten.

Emmett's FIRST day of preschool

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September 2008

Sorry it's blurry...but maybe it's cause he's so fast

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Owen has a nickname developing. Not sure how it came about or who started it. He's now often called "Wheels". I think it's because he's so fast. This is quarantine day 4. I took him to his soccer game. He's been invited to play w/ his CNY United U10 team, because they were short a player for outdoor season. It's a HUGE honor. Out of the 14 kiddos, 3 are U9 players and he's the ONLY U8 player. The remaining 10 are U10 players, so they are 2 years older then him. And, he does a great job. He even had a goal last night. He's had a slight growth spurt, too, and even though he's STILL the smallest out there it's not quite as obvious, especially when he plays w/ his true U8 team. We often talk about one of his fave players, who plays for Barcelona, Messi (not sure if I'm spelling it right). He's only 5'7 and he was named player of the year this year. That makes Owen feel good. My little soccer stud. I'm going to try to pony up as make money as I can this summer to let him go to the soccer camps that he wants to (um..which is all of them...all summer long). This is the age where extra training probably does help AND he begs to go. If someday he didn't want to...I wouldn't push him. But, for now, he begs to go. So, we're going to try to provide him w/ the opportunity to be as good as he can be.

Quarantine Day 4, Thursday

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We moved from the sand to the sink. More mess.

Tummy bump

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Do you see that knot in the center of his belly above his belly button? It kind of like where his belly button might be...but it's actually above that. Anyway, we're going to a pediatric surgeon, because his pediatrician isn't quite sure what it is. It disappears when he lays down and is really obvious when he is sitting and standing. Interesting....

Then Emmett joined in on the fun!

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Bribery is awesome!

I LOVE how easy my big boys are to bribe. 1/2 hour of taking Henry to the basement and playing w/ him for 1/2 hour of time on the Wii or DS. It rocks. Everyone wins.

Or....watch Henry while I shower, then you can play one of your multimedia games. Love that!

Quarantine Day 3

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I'm kind of enjoying this not having to go anymore in the morning thing. The last few days the kids have stayed up late AND slept (well, until 730-830...that counts, right?) What a joy!

We have stayed in our pajamas until noon. The big boys have played REALLY well together. Very little arguing. Huge messes. Is it too early to say that I'm looking forward to summer vacation??

This is Emmett's last week of school, and I didn't want him to miss a day. So while Emmett was at school today, Owen and Henry and i went to see the new Pixar movie UP. There was only one other couple in the theatre which was probably a blessing because Henry was a bit...um...shall we say unsettled.... but after about fifteen minutes in he fell asleep in my lap and slept until the very end. Owen and I enjoyed it, but at one point Owen said that he wanted to go home. I think he was really scared. My boys were terrified during Horton Hears a Who...it takes very little. And, it was so, so sad at moments. Made me (and Owen) cry a few times.

We pulled out the play dough, sand, and moon sand today. Big messes = big fun. :)

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Henry discovered that when he blew on the sand it moved. Lots of sand all over and over and over...

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Did not enjoy cleaning up this mess.

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This is Henry pushing his chair back (and screaming) after I pushed it away from the table after he threw sand on the floor for the kajillion time.

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Henry refusing to be taken away from neighbor's driveway. Temper tantrum to follow. Good times.

This is how we roll

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Owen is rarely without a soccer ball and recently our family walks include a soccer ball, too. Emmett on his bike. Me pushing Henry. And, Eddie and Owen kicking the soccer ball back and forth as we walk.

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Emmett's turn. :)

It's fading....

Owen's rash is fading. It's changed from a cherry red color to a purplish color. And, since the rash is blood under the skin, that makes sense. Think of the life cycle of a bruise....

Owen has not had a fever all day today and he's bouncing around the house. So if the county/school system was not in hyper-vigilant mode, he could go back to school tomorrow. Instead, I think that I'll take him to the movies.

We go tomorrow for a urine test to check his kidneys.

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My decision

Thanks for the advice, all. I decided to take the Tamiflu. I don't think the illness Owen has (fever continuesd yesterday, nothing yet today) and my continuing cough, headache, etc is the swine flu but I'm tired of being sick. Tired of the kids being sick. I'm taking the tamiflu and an antibiotic, we're staying inside the next few days, and I'm thinking that this will be the end of our sick :). My swine flu exposure was last Tuesday night, and if I'm not sick by tonight then I won't be getting it AND I'll continue to take the preventative medicine....just in case.


Interestingly, Onondaga county has passed a new policy requiring EVERY child who has a fever to remain OUT of the school system for 7 days once the fever STOPS. Talk about overkill? And, seriously, how many other parents (like those who work full time) are going to keep their kids out of school A WEEK after their child's fever ends? But...I''ll be a "good mom" and keep Owen out of school until next Tuesday unless his fever comes back today and then it will be even longer....Oh, and I suppose I couldn't get away w/ sending him even if I wanted to since the school nurse is aware of his fever and said to me "we'll see him next week :))". I'm thinking about calling the rest of his school a wash and just not send him back.....

Tamiflu or not?

I have a presciption for Tamiflu in my stubby little fingers. It's up to me to take it or not as a preventative method. It is a medication and no medication is without risks, but it would prevent me from getting the swine flu (if I were going to get it...). So, advice please. What would you do? Tamiflu or not?

Care packages accepted.

I called Owen's school today to say that he wouldn't be in today, because he had a fever over the weekend and guess what? Apparently, the Bville school district passed a new policy on Thursday that requires any child w/ a fever to remain OUT OF SCHOOL for 7 days. Can you believe it? There is swine flu going through the school systems in Syracuse and even though it hasn't reached Bville yet they are being cautious. So, we will be quarantined in our house this week. I've been on the phone w/ employee health and work and my boss is speaking to infection control. No one knows exactly how long the incubation period is after exposure, but my one day of work this week is for tomorrow and she told me that I probably wouldn't be allowed to work it. So...phone calls, care packages, fun emails will be accepted all week. I'm going to be bored out of my mind!!! But, hopefully, we'll remain healthy. Because bored is better then having the swine flu any day of the week, right?

Kind of makes me laugh...

Got a phone call last night at midnight notifying me that I have been in close contact w/ someone who tested positive for the swine flu. I can't share any more details. But, it makes me wonder...especially w/ Owen's fever and our upper respiratory symptoms. I have to call the pediatrician this AM and see if they want him tested and make a few other phone calls. Why, oh why, does this not surprise me?