Happy New Year 2008!

WOW, I haven't updated in a LONG time. It has been so nuts here with sicknesses and finals. My fall semester is finally over, and I managed to maintain my 4.0. It nearly killed me though (and drove Todd nuts!). I am hoping to be better at updating this, but Bella has been sick with one thing after another, and it leaves me little time. This morning Isaac actually had a dental emergency on top of it. He woke up with his bottom gums completely swollen, almost covering the back of his teeth. We went in to the dentist, and they will be pulling one of his baby teeth tomorrow. It is one that is already loose, so it shouldn't be major. Between him and his sisters (Savannah recently had a dental emergency/accident too, and now has a black front tooth - but more on that in the next post), we are keeping the doctors and dentists busy. Anyway, I will hopefully have time for a nice long update on everyone tonight- crossing my fingers!

Happy 6th Birthday Isaac!

Happy birthday to my oldest peanut! It's hard to believe he is already 6. Wow. Last weekend (during the snowstorm) Isaac had some of his classmates over for a party. It was a fun time, but I couldn't believe how loud it was in here. There were a few kids that were plugging their ears! HA


Yesterday, we had the grandparents over for lunch and cake. 2 parties in one week! Lucky kid.






Today, his actual birthday, I'll be picking him up from school and driving into the cities. We'll meet Todd and go for a quick dinner to celebrate Isaac's birthday. Then I am off to class. I wish I didn't have class tonight. I missed Halloween with the kids and Santa's visit because of class too- bummer! Oh well- only 1 more week left of fall semester!b Hopefully spring semester will work out differently.

This is what goes on when I am at class...

Todd feeds Isabella a BOWL of whipped cream, which she proceeds to stick up her nose, and everywhere else!

friend...

I really am going to update this thing soon. A friend asked me recently if I was swallowed by my textbook. Yes, I think I have been. Anyways...

Last night I found out a friend of mine has been diagnosed with cancer- Hodgkin's lymphoma. She is 28 and full of life. I am so sad for her and everything she will be going through in the coming months. She has one of the best attitudes toward life than anyone I know. She will be starting chemo on Friday- please keep her in your prayers...

update

We are on day 7 of Bella's 102-104 degree fever. If it doesn't break today, we'll be back in for more testing tomorrow...

Sorry for no update- we've had a very sick house!

Well, I am really behind now. I'll maybe have Halloween pics up by Thanksgiving-ha. Thursday of last week I had all 3 kids in to the doctor. Bella had an ear infection and got antibiotics, Savannah had croup and got put on steroids, and Isaac needed an antibiotic for his cough. Bella finished her antibiotic on Sunday. By Monday morning she had a 103 temp again. I brought her in and her ear had cleared up, so the doctor figured it was a virus. By that night I got the fever, but still kept plugging as I had a Powerpoint presentation on Wed night for class. Today is Friday and Bella sits with a 102 temp WITH Ibuprofen. I brought her back in this afternoon and the doctor thought it could be influenza, even though she got the shot. She thought this b/c the fever broke yesterday, but was back with a vengeance today, and that is how influenza presents. So, we did the flu test and doctor just called to say the influenza came back neg, but she thinks its parainfluenza. So, if she is worse this weekend we will go in, otherwise if nothing has changed by Monday we will go back in- that will be 9 days with a 103 fever. So, hopefully this weekend it breaks. I also still have an on and off fever. Hopefully everyone is well by the end of the weekend. This is our first year out of winter "isolation" since the girls were born. Hopefully, this isn't a sign or we may have to start being more selective about how much and where we go out again. UGH!

Fall Harvest Orchard

A few weekends ago my dad came up for a trip to Cabela's with the boys. Before they left for their big shopping trip we hit the Fall Harvest Orchard. It's actually a big farm that these people open up to the public. It was SO much fun. The kids had a blast! I know I am long overdue for an update on the kids, but it's been so busy lately and I want to share these pictures of the orchard. I will try to do an overall update soon, maybe tomorrow.

The day started with papa showing up at 7:30 to make pancakes with the kids:


As soon as we got to the orchard, Bella started chasing the turkeys:


Feeding the goats (this was a big hit!):




Holding baby chicks:




Three Little Pigs


Savannah talking to the pot bellied pig:


Bella going for the goat kiss (YUCK!):



Mooooo:



Papa helping Savannah feed the cows:


Pumpkins:


Bad hair day:


Corn pit:


Taking off:

What's that saying? When it rains, it pours.

Man, what a streak of bad luck. So in the midst of dealing with all this house damage from the hail storm we managed to get rear ended in our van. It was some high school kid that wasn't paying attention. His excuse was "I'm a senior and high school and I'm just so busy!" OK...

So then the brakes in both cars start squealing- both need new brakes. On top of that the water pump in the van is leaking so it needs to be replaced within a week! HA. Right.

Among all the chaos, Bella continues to not sleep at night and all of a sudden her reflux has really flared back up. The other night we were up with her until after 4am and we could hear her refluxing every 30 seconds. She was just screaming and wouldn't even take a bottle. I took her in that morning and sure enough the reflux had caused an infection in her nose, which in turn led to an ear infection. She is on antibiotics now and we will more than likely be upping her prevacid. I need to call back on that.

We are looking forward to an uneventful weekend. Maybe the pumpkin patch?

Happy Birthday!

Happy 35th birthday daddy!! We love you!!