The real "ER"

We had to take Brandon to the ER on Thursday night.  He has typical 'cold-like' symptoms (stuffy/runny nose, cough, low-grade fever, irritable)...but with a baby who has a history of lung disease, it can go to much worse very quickly.  So, for peace of mind if nothing else, we went.  We were there for 3 hours :/  However, it turned out to be well worth the trip.  Brandon is fine (just a cold).  The ER doc ordered him a nebulizer, so I'm sure that will help with his wheezing.  The doc also gave us many names of pediatricians and child psychiatrists for Kaitlynne (she has been discharged from her current care and I'm having a hard time finding people who take her insurance and kids her age).  The referrals are in the next town over, but we actually live a tad closer to that town anyway, so it works.  Monday morning I'll be on the phone, that's for sure!  He was very nice and sympathetic to our situation.  He also didn't treat us badly for bringing in a baby with a mild cold...says it was the best thing we could have done (I told him I'm not super comfortable with the kids' current pediatrician and in the midst of finding a new one).  Seems as tho Daddy and I have caught his cold, too!  He handles it better, tho (Brandon)...he's been so pleasant, considering he doesn't feel well.  He and I went to a friend's house to have a yard sale, and he sat out there with us for hours in his stroller/bouncy seat.  He played, ate, talked to his squeaky fish (88 cents for 3 of these things and he LOVES them...lol)...he's just such a joy.

I've started a new computer-based chore/reward program with Kaitlynne.  She earns points towards prizes (cash, trip to her favorite restaurant, go to see a movie, etc...).  She's been doing it a week now and it seems to be helping some!  I can notice the improvement!  Hopefully we're on the right track to something, for once.

Same ole' same ole' at Alex's work.  After all the drama with he and his father, his father told him in a roundabout way that he (Alex) was right about this youngest brother...and he agrees with having him work the desk as little as possible.  It's about time, is all I say.  However, he should have gone with Alex on this from the beginning instead of what he did...no big surprise on that part, tho.  I think the stress of knowing how things are there for Alex, along with a few other big things going on right now...a bit overwhelming for me.  I've been "out of sorts" the last few days, and I can't pinpoint it on any one thing...so I'm guessing that's it.  I did have a small "breakdown" the on Thursday night.  Alex and I were getting things packed in the car to sell at the yard sale, and I asked him to grab the bassinette we had bought for Marissa that we never used.  I was all gung-ho about selling it (need the space, and we kept the other bassinette for future kids), but as soon as we got it out into the car, I just lost it.  I could remember every single little detail of the day we went to buy it.  I was 34 weeks pregnant and nervous that she had nothing to sleep in when she came home...I had been harassing Alex for a couple of weeks for us to go get something, so we went to this cute consignment shop and got this Noah's Ark bassinette.  I set it in the corner of her nursery with a cute pink sheet, cute pink blanket, with a wall hanging of Pooh and Friends over it.  It might as well have been the day before, it felt like it had just happened.  Alex and I had a small cry together, looked at the little boy coo'ing up at us, and remembered that she brought him to us safely.  Such a big price to pay for a beautiful little boy...

Added a few pics from last night.  I had Brandon in his exersaucer next to me, and he was laughing everytime I popped over with 'peek-a-boo'.  Daddy and I are having a date night (chaperoned by Brandon) tonight.  Kaitlynne got her *prize* for the week by getting Chuck E Cheese on Friday with our friends...and she asked if she could stay over with my mom tonight, so we'll be taking full advantage :)

 

Still here...

Just a quick note to say howdy.  Kaitlynne has a little cold, but doing well.  She's in Girl Scouts and loving it.  She also starts private tutoring next week, which I think will help tremendously.  Had one small misunderstanding at school last week, but luckily the staff talked to me first before overreacting...well, overreacting too much, anyway.

Brandon is just perfect!  He's such a big boy, always smiling, never crabby.  He sleeps 10-12 hours at night!  It's fantastic!  We have his crib in our room...everyone just adores him (and boy he knows it!  He's quite the flirt!).

Things could be better for Alex at work.  His idiot brother prances around bragging that he works 16 hours a week and gets paid salary, and that he's the boss down there (as far as the boss thing...let him think what he wants, who would want to brag about being the boss there??).  The salary part is ridiculous.  When the other front desk person comes back, idiot won't even work...but he'll still get paid...gotta buy the booze and drugs somehow, right?  Just not fair to Alex, who shows up for his 5 shifts clean and sober.  He takes so much shit...it's just not fair.  I wish I could do something about it, but I can't...and he can't either, right now anyway.  A few things going on kind of have us stuck in a rut...hoping that changes in the spring.

Otherwise, everything is good.  Our a/c is still out, but we have a couple of window units in the house keeping it cool until that gets figured out.  Potentially big problems are on the backburner simmering...I just hope they work out before they come to boil.  I think my nervousness is affecting Alex, tho it's not my intention.  I love you, honey...everything will be fine!

Here's a couple pics from today...kids and I went for a walk tonight after dinner, it's finally cooling off some outside.  I was goofing off with the effects on the software...lol!  Hope all are well.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

The House of Representatives has passed the bill, and October 15th is officially Pregnancy and Infant Loss Rememberance Day!!!!  This is HUGE for angel parents!  Now to fix the states that say a birth certificate isn't in order for late-term losses...

A bittersweet excitement, yes...but Marissa's loss (and so many more sweet babies) is not in vain!  This doesn't take away the pain, of course...but it's still important that our babies be acknowledged.

(a little late) but the twins are 1!!!

Hard to believe, but Kim's twins are 1 already!  We went to their house last Saturday for a party, had a good time (got some pics I'll be adding, too). 

Things here are going pretty good, I guess.  Our a/c went out 3 days ago...hotter then yanno what in here, but we put a couple of window units in until it's fixed...actually kinda cold right now (I'm sitting right next to one).  A lot of other things going on that are actually stressing me pretty bad, but I'm trying to keep it together...I have to pray it will work out for the best, but some of it's rather scary to think about.  I can't sahre on here, tho, seeing as there's a nutbag (perhaps 2) that just wait for info that can hurt. 

Kaitlynne is in the Girl Scouts, and loving it.  Had to do a small adjustment to get her there, but I know it will be worth it...she's excited.  I go with my sister-in-law and her daughter (we've mended the fence, so-to-speak...).  I can't think of much to say today, I'm not feeling great.  Enjoy the pics, tho.

Plenty of subjects to cover today :)

*First and foremost, sendings prayers to the families and friends of those lost 5 years ago today...gone, but never forgotten.  God bless you all.*

We had an AWESOME trip to Tallahassee!  It's gorgeous there;  told Alex I could easily live there, just beautiful!  We arrived, got our hotel room, then went off wandering around.  Ate at a pretty nice seafood restaurant, then went back to the hotel.  We got mom and the kids settled down, I had my small moment of seperation anxiety, and off Alex and I were to the game.  Parking wasn't bad ($15, but for a boy scout troop and we weren't probably more then a block away from the stadium).  Plenty of outside activities and places to sign up for freebies (we hit a couple of those...but in the end we came home with a TON of free stuff...lol).  Got inside, and found our seats (we had GREAT seats!), went to get a drink, then came back.  Whole thing was just a lot of fun, really cool experience.  I'm happy that Alex finally got to go to see his favorite team play-made me feel good that I got to do that with him.  Even better that they won (and I got the winning touchdown on video...lol)!!  After the game, we went to Roadhouse and had a wonderful meal...we were pretty tired, tho, and both anxious to see the kids.  Kaitlynne woke up when we got back, and Daddy *helped* Brandon wake up...LOL!  Talked about everything, then settled in for bed.  When we woke up, we took turns going to breakfast downstairs (Mom and Kaitlynne, then Alex and I).  VERY nice to read the giant caption on yhe sports page:  STEWART OUT OF THE CHASE!  C'mon Jr!!!!

We went to lunch at KFC and then to Kaitlynne to a gorgeous duck pond down the street from the hotel.  We stayed until it started raining, then hopped in the car and went to goodwill.  We got a nearly new HP monitor for $20!  A backup for mine :)

Anywho, I think that's about it.  Oh, prayers being sent to Anna Nicole Smith & her family for the very untimely loss of her son.  How tragic to share the joy of yhe birth of your daughter with the death of your son.  You don;t need to be a fan of hers to feel for her...

 

Big boy :)

Brandon had his 4 month checkup today (4 shots...I'm traumatized far worse then Brandon, I think...lol).  He's now 15lbs 9ozs, and 24 1/2 inches long :)  I'm going to say that the 15lbs is all from me, atleast (I started supplementing formula along with breastmilk last week).  A rough decision, but I had to do it.  I'm meeting with an IBCLC next week to try and salvage our breastfeeding relationship...I can't even put him to the breast now, it hurts so bad...I have to pump for him.  However, somethings better then nothing.  Doing what I can.  Oh, and Brandon let out a giggle on Monday night, but tonight he was LAUGHING!  I was singing some goofy made-up song to him while I changed his diaper and he started laughing so hard, I had tears in my eyes!  I called Daddy at work and told him to listen...he actually did it again while Daddy listened!  It was so awesome, what a beautiful sound!

Alex got into with his dad tonight and his dad told him he was fired (ha ha).  I called his dad and talked to him for about 20 minutes, explaining things from Alex's point of view in a non-heated manner.  Pretty much ended with his dad saying he's not fired, but he's pissed nonetheless.  They'll get past it, I'm sure, but I feel bad...I'm the one who urged Alex (probably more like nagged) to talk to his father about the b.s. down there.  Alex was right, tho...his father reacted in an irrational manner, rather then hearing him out.  I feel so bad, tho...I thought Alex was exaggerating when he said his dad would side with the problem rather then the solution.  Oh well, I guess...

We're going away this weekend!  I'm so excited!  We have tickets to an FSU game in Tallahassee (I've never been to a game, period...and Alex has never been to an FSU game-his favorite college team).  We're taking the kids and mom (they'll stay at the hotel while we're at the game), which I'm actually happy about it...I hate being away from the kids (tho I send Kait off for overnights with my mom, I still miss her when she's gone...and I was NOT ready to be gone for nearly 2 days from Brandon).  I think we'll have fun (if Alex can let the b.s. with his dad go to enjoy himself)...atleast I'm hoping we will.

I'm watching Daunte' play right now...hoping he can pick it up here, watching a sinking ship :(

That's all for now, I guess...take care, all.  Oh, I emailed The Australian Zoo to send condolences from our family.  They emailed back a very nice response, made me feel good...I'm one of thousands that contacted, I'm sure, but I hope that our sincere prayers for his family reach them.  Jay Leno did a tribute to him on Tuesday...Alex and I were crying, just so hard.  He was a beautiful man who leaves a gaping hole where his presence once was.

Bye, Crikey...

Kept trying to come here and put this, but put it off until now.  Everyone knows by now, of course, but Steve Irwin aka The Crocodile Hunter, died Monday morning.  He was filming a segment under the sea and came to close to a stingray, who's barb pierced through his heart.  It's said that he died instantly.  He leaves behind his wife, Terry, daughter, Bindi (age 7), and son, Bob (almost 3).  Altho not terribly surprising that he's been taken doing what he loved (working with animals, especially dangerous ones), it's still extremely sad.  God bless his family & friends, and God bless him.