You're Out Of Ice Cream?!?!

While Lizzi and Clay have been sick they haven't had many options for food and drinks. Because of the sores in their mouths it was hard to eat. So the doctor told us to feed them anything that they could stand to eat. Well we had very few options and Ice Cream won out a lot because it made their throats feel better. This night we gave both the kids some after they attempted to eat dinner. They loved it of course, until it was gone. Clayton had a hard time dealing when it was all gone.

This is the fit full blown.

This is the beginning of the fit.

He got over it quick (especially after I cleaned him up and held him). I'm just glad my kids aren't like this all the time! And yes, they are both feeling a lot better. But we will be forgoing church tomorrow. I'm not taking the chance of passing this along until they are finished with their medication.

2nd Generation Guitar Hero

During Thanksgiving Kris, Derek, Jason and the kids (including the dogs) came to Elko. Jerrod brought his guitar (and some Wii games) too. Well we had never battled (2 players trying to outplay the other) because James and I only had the one guitar that came with the game. Well I tried to battle Jerrod, and failed miserably. I was a little surprised because I'm actually pretty good at this game. Well we found out that our "whammy bar" wasn't working. Elizabeth has always wanted to play with that guitar, and had got a hold of it apparently. Well now we have tax money and can afford to get a new one (we're actually going to get 2 so we can battle). So since this one is not in the greatest working condition it is now the kids. And Clayton and Lizzi love it!

He was hitting the buttons on the top for this picture.

This is when he first started to play with it.

He lost interest at this point, but it was still cute.

Venting While I Update

Sorry again no pictures. I finally understand why people living in Elko go out of town for medical procedures. Most of the doctors here are awful!! The doctor that treated Clayton this past Thursday said that there wasn't any medicine for this virus he has. Well I took him to his pediatrician (who I LOVE) today and wow imagine that there IS a medicine, plus a pain killer. Poor Clayton is miserable and has those stupid canker sores all over his mouth! James and I are very sleep deprived after Clayton couldn't sleep most of the night. Plus Elizabeth has it too now (that's what she gets for constantly taking his pacifier and sippy cups). So now I'm taking lots of Vitamin C hoping I won't get it. It wouldn't be so bad if this hasn't happened before. Why am I spending money to go to the ER (okay so it's only $5 more to take them to the ER than the doctors office, but still) if they aren't going to give him medicine when they have it (they didn't give him medication for croup the first time I took him in either). So yeah that's been my weekend.

On a happier note, my Mom watched the kids for us yesterday so James and I could have a little date. We went to Wingers and it was good. Then we went shopping for a bit, JCPenney's was having a sale, plus all there clearance was marked down to practically nothing. So we got James another dress shirt and some pants for work. I also went out later than night for some me time (I was really starting to get stressed from both the kids being miserable and sick). So hopefully the kids will be feeling better soon. Clayton will probably have another week of this stuff.

Pictures I Never Knew Existed!

I know I have a few more people who check out the blog than I did when Clayton was born. So for all of you that have been following it for awhile please forgive me while I recap. When Clayton was born his oxygen levels were low, and he had jaundice (I think there was something else too, but can't remember). So I got to see him for a whole 3 minutes before he was taken to the nursery. I saw him later that day, but he stayed in the nursery most of our hospital stay. So we didn't get many pictures of him in the hospital after he was born.

Well one day while messing around on my parents computer putting my photos up I happened across these two pictures. I'm assuming that James took these with his cell phone. And I'm also thinking that he then sent them to Torrey who then emailed them to family for us (maybe?? Torrey you're the only person I know who has internet on your phone!). These are the only pictures of my sweet little guy with the stupid IV and tubes for oxygen. But I'm still glad that we have them and I can get them printed now. So I thought I would share because most our hospital visitors didn't even get to see Clayton when they came to visit us.

I don't think they could have put anymore tape on his cheeks. They were so red after that stupid tape was removed!

Update

It has been an interesting week. Clayton started running a fever on Wednesday. I kept and eye on it but initially assumed it was because he was teething (he was getting 4 teeth at the time). Well Thursday he was still running a 102 fever. I called the doctor office and could not get him in. They said they would work me in on Friday. Later James left for his sleep study at the hospital. Well after he was gone Clay's fever kept going up (even with Tylenol). So I was trying to decide if I should just take him to the ER again. Well I took his temperature rectally because it kept jumping around so much whenever I did the ear thermometer. Well he wouldn't hold still long enough to get a final reading, but he was over 103. So my Mom drove us to the ER. Poor Clayton had ulcers along the back of his throat. I can't remember what it's called specifically, but it's a viral infection so we have to let it run its course. So they did a RSV test and flu, and a strep test and we finally got home right before midnight. Clay's fever is almost back to normal but he's still miserable.

James came home at 6am and that's when I told him what was going on and that Clayton would be sleeping in our room until he was over this so that Lizzi couldn't steal his pacifiers (it's really contagious). James' sleep study went well. He said he didn't feel like he slept much there, but the technician said when he was asleep it had improved the quality of sleep with the machine. So James' information will be turned over to the company that distributes CPAP machines here. So I'm glad that we finally got an answer to the sleeping issue.

On Valentines Day my Mom made all of us eggs and chocolate chip pancakes. We didn't do anything because James was working (but we've never really been big on V-day either). I got James the "Across The Universe" soundtrack. He got me "Doomsday" on DVD. Here are some picture of the kids enjoying there pancakes.

Clayton LOVED those pancakes!

James and I also got our tax return this week. Most of it will be put away for a house. My parents are letting us live with them longer so we can save up a down payment for a house because rent here is expensive. But we are still having a little fun too (very little compared to last year!). This is my treat for myself!

It's a Cricut!! I've wanted one of these since before Elizabeth was born. Last year I would have got one, but scrapbook stores and supplies are all over Salt Lake so I didn't really "need" one. Plus we really wanted a Wii more! Well now that we live in Elko I think there is only one store you can get scrapbook supplies and have a selection (and that's a pretty small selection still). So now I can cut out my own die cuts, letters, etc at home. I'm very excited, and hopefully will get a chance to use it soon (Clayton is my cuddle buddy right now so I haven't had a spare chance).

Snow Day

Monday we got snow all day. Elizabeth has never played in the snow, so Tuesday I decided we were going to break in her new snow suit I had bought in December. I am not an outdoors girl, I hate really hot weather and really cold weather. But Elizabeth needed a different activity and all that fresh snow was actually pretty inviting. Elizabeth was very excited and held still (for her) so I could get a pic before we went outside.

She had a ton of fun! Look at her gloves they are encased in snow!

She loved sledding, even though the hills in our backyard are tiny.

I was trying to show her how to do a snow angel. I don't really have winter boots or anything like that so I was not about to lay down in the snow. She still thought it was funny.

Oh the giggling that went on in the backyard. We both had fun. I was kicking powder at her and she'd run up "holding" snow and touch my jacket and then say, "Got you Mommy!" Even after many falls (and face plants) into the snow she still smiled and laughed. We were outside for a good 45 minutes before I had to drag her inside because her nose and cheeks were so red. It was a fun time.

James was going to take her out yesterday again, but didn't feel well. Personally I think he's way overtired from not sleeping. He has his second sleep study test tonight with a CPAP machine. I'm hoping this will be a solution for this problem so that he can start getting some much needed rest!

Random Things

Well we had an eventful weekend. Clayton got croup yet again on Saturday night. Luckily this time he woke up around 10pm instead of at 3am. So James and I got to take him to the ER again (thank goodness for insurance). Clayton was not happy, he was tired and could not breath that well. So they gave him some medicine and a nebulizer treatment. And a very nice nurse gave him a popsicle too (that made him a little more happy). He's doing better, he's still a little wheezy though. I'm really hoping that this will be the last time he gets it until next winter (please, please, please!).

Other than that we're all fine. Clayton is a little explorer right now. He found himself exploring the kitchen bar stools the other day. He got himself underneath them and then looked around for a few minutes trying to figure out how to get himself out.

He did manage to get himself out unassisted. I have a picture of me when I was his age under a bar stool, and I was freaking out. So I thought it was very funny that he was so cool about it.

I am always including pictures of Clayton asleep everywhere. I thought this time I'd include one of Elizabeth. She doesn't really fall asleep just anywhere anymore. This particular day she asked to watch a Signing Time. So I put it on and went back to the kitchen to finish up what I was doing. Well it was TOO quiet, so I went to see what she was up to. She was almost out. So I took her down to her bed and had about 30 minutes of kid free time because her nap started early.

And Elizabeth likes to wake up really early, and then she gets grumpy because she's still tired. So I made some curtains to see if that would help her sleep a little later. I am very proud of the curtains. I think for a first try I did really good (especially since I didn't even make them at the same time). I was glad my Mom was here to tell me how to do it too. If it had been me I would have just sewn the top so they just hung off the bar, but Mom said to do it so I'd have the ruffle on the top. They do look cuter Mom's way.

Elizabeth showing off her curtains.

And a closeup of the fabric. Elizabeth helped pick it out. I'm so glad she picked from some of the options I gave her instead of trying to throw a fit to get Dora fabric. She was very proud of her choice and hugged it the entire time we were in Walmart. I think my next project will be a blanket for James. He really wants a 49er blanket that is huge.

Elizabeth Likes To Accessorize

While growing up my Mom always had big purses. I remember we always teased her about her "suitcase". Now as a mom myself, I understand why my Mom always had a big purse. Everyone was always giving their stuff to her so she could hold it. Well I have been in the market for a purse for a little while now. The kids are big enough that if I'm running errands I'd rather not take the diaper bag. I got rid of the few purses I had when we had Elizabeth because I did not want to carry a purse and a diaper bag around.

My Mom and I went to JCPenney the other day. My main objective was to see if they had some dress shirts, ties, and pants on clearance for James. Well I did find him 2 shirts and a tie for $25 total. So I was very proud of myself. I am a quick shopper though so while my Mom was still looking I decided to go look through the purses. I found a really cute red one, and what made it even better was it was only $15 instead of $68. So needless to say I bought that too. It's seriously almost as big as my diaper bag, but I'll have plenty of room to take anything I need or the kids will need. Now I want to get a new wallet, the cycle never ends I guess.

Elizabeth thinks it's "her" purse, and I think it's hilarious to watch her tote it around since it is half her size.

I had to throw another sleeping Clay picture in.

Kissed Better

First of all let me just apologize because this post has no pictures. Sorry. Anyways, I had to go to the hospital this morning to get some blood taken (Thanks again Jill). When I got home Elizabeth saw the bandage on my hand (yes my veins suck so my hand is where I get poked). She looked at me and said, "You have a band aid. I kiss it better." And she kissed my hand "better". It melts my heart when she does sweet things like this. Helps remind me that James and I are doing a good job.

Finally!

I have needed a haircut for a while now. I've had a hard time accepting that I'll have to pay $20 for a haircut here. I know it's not much, but I had coupons in Utah so I only paid $10 every time I went in. Well I finally got it cut yesterday. So I no longer look like I'm trying to grow a mullet out. I bet no one knew my Mom could cut hair! She cut the "mullet" looking tail off and then trimmed it for me. She did an amazing job, now I just need to get my hair to stay curled. Thanks Mom!

Guess who finally got a calling in our ward too? I am now a Primary teacher. I haven't taught primary since the summer after I graduated from High School. I taught Sunbeams then, and I'm teaching them again. It will be interesting. Today was my first day and it was not as bad as I though, although I am going to have to take up more time with the lesson so we have less "coloring time".

King of the "Hill"

Clayton seems to have put walking on the back burner and is concentrating his time and effort to climbing. He loves to climb onto different toys, but lately the fireplace has had an irresistible appeal to him. He has climbed up there many times, but I finally got a picture of it the other day.

Of course if Clay is doing it, Elizabeth has to do it too.

When James and I were engaged, we were gathering pictures of each other to have a photo montage made. I got irritated a lot because as a kid (and still) James always had his tongue sticking out in pictures. Like father, like son...

Clayton also likes to rearrange Grandma's pantry.