H1N1

Cough, cough, cry.  Cough, cough, cry.  That is how our last several days have gone.  Max got this bug and got over it....but not Ben.

Ben started running a fever on Friday night (103).  We managed to get it down with cool rags and then we started IB and tylenol.  I have been doing that every four hours for the last 4 days.  It has managed to keep his fever around 100.  He has been acting normal.  Not really as energetic as usual, but still normal for a 2 year old. His appetite has gone down significantly, which was a big sign for me; along with all the coughing and crying.

So, today after nap and school, I took Ben to the doctor.  He confirmed that Ben has the H1N1.  This is scarier than scary for us.  Ben has a breathing condition which makes the aftermath of this worse than the virus itself.  We are now giving Ben breathing treatments 4 times a day.  Hopefully we can keep his lungs semi healthy as we go through this.  Our biggest fear is that all the mucus will stay in his chest and cause pneumonia again.  I have to say that I am very worried it is already happening.  He wakes, coughs, coughs and then cries.    Poor little thing.

As it gets worse, the doc will be changing us to stronger steroids.  The more we can keep down the inflammation the easier this will be for him.  All we need now is for the fever to break.  I hope that this breaks soon and we can try to get life back to normal.  We are hoping to be able to go to New Mexico for Thanksgiving.  Our whole Kleve Klan will be there and we sure would hate to miss it.  Especially since we will be doing our Christmas exchange too.

So, I am going to pray.  God, I have asked for many small things because I think I needed them.  Now, I want this....Please watch over my baby.  He is vulnerable and I want him to be safe.  Please keep him in your arms.  I love him and you.  I want him here...I need him here.  I am sure you will not give me more than I can handle, but I really would rather not have to handle it.

Halloween Update

Sorry, it has taken me awhile to get this up.....don't know what I have been doing.

Trick or treating was so much fun with the boys.  Ben kinda got it this year.  I was so proud of my little FROG.  He went up the houses and tried to say trick or treat, but it did not always come out right.  He did, however, always say, "Thank you" and that was very understandable.  He lasted just up and down our street.

Since Max was a little older this year, I decided to take him out and go around the block.  He did great.  The first house we went to had a super scary monster whose head popped up and turned around.  Max looked at me and I reminded him that it was Halloween and everything is pretend.  He turned around and walked up the driveway telling himself, "I am brave, I am brave, I am brave."  Funny little man.  He did wonderfully until we were at one house and this man scared the crap out of him......he came screaming down the drive way to me.  I gave that man a piece of my mind.  He ended up giving Max 8 or 9 pieces of candy.  The nerve of that man scaring a 4-old that way.   Watch out for the Momma Bear when someone hurts my kid.

We have lots of candy, but the kids are not so interested in eating it.  They get one piece at night after dinner, but don't really ask about it.  Matt and I on the other hand are eating candy like mad.  Cannot believe we still have some.

Aawww

That is the sentiment of the day.

Max had his costume party at school today and he loved it.  He looked so great in his Race Car suit.  It is a bright blue with a hat.  It really makes his eyes pop out.  He was just a adorable as could be.   He had a great time at the party, ate too much candy, and got a headache.  Poor little guy.

Ben is just the most pitiful thing you have ever heard......Last night he kept me up for a good while, crying for what seemed to be no reason.  This morning he woke up with his nose just running and running.  No fever and he is acting fine, so I have concluded that he is getting a molar, bottom right, I think.  This afternoon after getting Max I was listening to him talk and he sounds just awful.  It is so hard to understand him since he is so congested.  I tried to use the "nose sucker," but he hates that and screams.  That makes him start to cry, which makes more snot, that is not any good.  I am now hooked on wiping his nose, but it only takes about 30 seconds for it to be running into his mouth again.  Poor little guy.  Not sure what I am going to do tonight.  Guess it will be another night on the couch so Matt can sleep and work in the am.  Cannot do the humidifier or hot steam because of his asthma.  Grr.

It has been very cold today.  Matt actually got sent home from work because they closed the Air Force Academy.  Guess there was tremendous amounts of snow up there, but down here it was just cold.  The snow did not even cover up the grass all the way.  Max was sad because he could not go out and make snow angels in it.

It is suppose to be a nice (50 degree) weekend.  Let's keep our fingers crossed so the boys won't freeze while trick-or-treating.  

Quiet Day At Home

We did not go anywhere today.  It was a home day because it was so cold outside, and now it is snowing.  Supposed to be 2-4 inches by morning.  We are really looking forward to it.  The kids really want to go out and play in it.

We played trains and farm today.   It was awesome.  I suppose I should get new batteries for the trains, but they are just so loud when they run.  It is much quieter and makes the boys move around more.  We can't go run around in the basement because Mr. BJ is working on the trim, handing doors and such for us.  So, we are trying to find things to do upstairs in the mean time.

Max has his class Halloween party tomorrow.  We are all excited about it.  He has finally decided to be a race car driver for Halloween.  He is really into his match box cars, Cars and making them all race.   (Great idea for Christmas).  We just tried on his costume and he wanted to pose just like the kid on the package. Too funny and too cute.

Ben is just too cute.  He has been such a lover lately.  I am not sure why, but it might finally be his two-year old molars.  I cannot believe just how happy he can be.  It is so much fun to watch him play with Max.  He is loving the little peoples barn that we have....we don't have animals or people right now, but the cars have serious conversations.  (I am planning on getting a few more little people things for Christmas, to include animals.)

Guess I am excited about Christmas, even though Halloween is this weekend.  I know Thanksgiving is coming up at Jon and Amy's this year and I cannot wait for that.  I love being around the family and the boys just love Ellie.  I am excited to do our family Christmas at the same time.  YEAH!!  So much to look forward to before the end of the year.  BUT, it does not stop there for me.  I get to go on a Scrapbooking retreat in NM for FREE.  I won it through my scrapbook group and I cannot wait.  3 whole days of scrapbooking with meals and not having to take care of anyone else.  Just friends, fun and scrapping.

While I am looking forward to so many things, I am making sure to enjoy everyday as it comes my way.

Loving Life

It has been several days since I updated......


Max is having a great time at school.  He is working on shapes (which he already knows).   He likes to bring things for show and tell on Thursdays.  They are preparing for their fall play.  Max has been telling me great jokes from his part.  It is way fun for all of us.  


Max is also learning the pledge of allegiance.  Here is Max's version....


I pledge deligence to the flag of the United States of America and to the Replubic for whigage stands, woog nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.  



Ben is doing well too.....he is starting to talk more and more each day.  Well, I guess that he has been talking for a long time, but more and more words are coming out.   He has started sharing full thoughts which is fun.  Hard to understand on the phone (when he does talk), but in person he is a riot.  


Ben also likes to hide in the toy closet (which is the coat closet).  He goes in there and will play for a few minutes and then plays peek a boo with me.  He is just so much fun right now.  He keeps me laughing 90% of the time and frustrated beyond belief the other 10%.  He has already learned the skill of selective hearing (LOL).  


He is also unbelievably smart for his age.  I was totally shocked the other day when we were in the parking lot at the Good Will and he pointed and said, "Red car".  Then he turned and said, "White truck".  I did not even know he knew those colors.  


A week ago we had a great time at the park.  I picked Max up from school and we all went to the park, not to play on the playground, but to take a fall walk.  The kids had so much fun tell me about the colored trees.  I got some great photos of the trees, not the kids.  It is hard to get them to pay attention long enough for a good photo. 


Max had a great time this past weekend.  He got to ride on a float in the Homecoming parade.  He was with his pre-school class and loved throwing out candy.  After that we had a soccer game.  He always loves soccer.  Too bad this is the last weekend for it.  


Life is good and we are loving it.  

Really????

So, I waited until Sunday to come up stairs.  I thought I would be able to keep the whole family from getting sick.  Instead I just delayed it.

Both of the kids have fevers over 100 degrees today.  They are still running around like nuts, but screaming and whining much more.  I guess I am paying for my time away last week.  Ugh.

Hope they can get over this soon.  I am starting to feel like a hermit.  I have left the house once in two weeks and that was to go to Walmart.  I am not going out this weekend because Matt is having a buddy in from Seattle this weekend.  I am okay with that....I really just need some time out.......maybe I will have to go shopping on Saturday morning.

Now I need to come up with things to do with the boys while they are stuck at home.  Any ideas?    Arts and crafts here I come.

I am keeping a close eye on their temps and giving them IB.  Hopefully it will run its course quickly without any complications.

Missing My Doodlebugs

This is now my second day being banished to the basement.  The flu has struck me....seasonal or swine flu, who knows.  Called the VA to find out and they are not seeing anyone with flu like symptoms at the clinic here......I would have to go to Denver to the VA hospital.  I am just feeling crappy with a 102.7 fever.  It is coming down slowly, I started at 103.5 this morning.

It is pretty lonely down here.  I miss the kids and Matt.  I can hear them upstairs banging around and having fun. I am pretty jealous.

Max went to the local pumpkin patch today as field trip.  He had a great time.  The kids from his preschool all get to go and the rule is you get to take a pumpkin (free) as long as you can carry it to the bus.  Max told me that he put his rather large pumpkin in his plastic sack.  He then managed to get the sack onto his back like a back pack.  Smart little kid.....he got a big pumpkin and carried it himself.

Not sure what Ben was up to today.  I could hear his little feet running around and I could hear him say, "Juice" every once in awhile.  It was super sweet when he would go to the top of the steps and yell, "Mommy" until I would answer....then he would say, "you, mom."  Which is his sweet little way of saying I love you.

Matt has been a rock....he is managing to get daily life in order and take care of me.  I really appreciate all he does.  I have not seem much of him.....just when he brings food down.  Today, however, he made an extra trip down with 6 books he picked up for me from the library.  He is so great.  He knows I love to read.  I have to admit it is awesome to have something to do other than watch TV.

I really want to get to feeling better and back with my family.  But for now, I will remain down here trying to get my family sick.