The Attack of the Stomach Flu

This week has been a rough one at our house. Breslyn was projectile vomiting for two days and then started having diarrhea. We just assumed it was a bug, but it was a very contagious stomach flu!! I began feeling somewhat sick Wednesday afternoon....and then it hit!! Hard!! I threw up and continued to throw up about 9 times. I hate throwing up, but I have never experienced anything quite like this. I threw up everything in my stomach, then white foam, then blood. It got to where I could not breathe during each episode. I knew there was nothing any doctor could do for the vomiting, but I was worried about becoming dehydrated. That could lead to contractions and that would be very bad for the baby! By this time Finn was throwing up in his bed, and Joey and Aidan were beginning to feel the effects as well. I called mom and she came to my rescue! She drove me all the way to Baylor Grapevine and we began our journey. ER, then Labor and Delivery, then ER again. The baby was fine, but they decided to put an IV in and give me some medicine for the nausea. I took in two bags of saline as well as two doses of Zofran. I felt better, but was still cramping so they gave me my first ever dose of Morphine. Well, let's just say, I won't be taking Morphine again. I felt a RUSH of warmth all over my body and suddenly an elephant was on my chest!! I began violently flailing in my bed which of course terrified mom and the nurse. The nurse threw a nasal oxygen mask on and calmed me down. It still felt like a very heavy weight was on my chest. Luckily I felt better within a few minutes. The doctor came in to check on me and told me to leave a urine sample "just to check". Well, the nurse didn't know it, but I mentioned it. After leaving a specimen I started to get dressed, but luckily the nurse left the IV needle in. She came back in and told me to get comfortable, that I was going to be here longer! I was still extremely dehydrated. I got to keep all my clothes on, but got hooked back up to a new bag of solution with a little sugar in it. Mom and I finally left around 4:15am. What an interesting trip....one I do not wish to repeat. Today, Friday I feel like I was in a fight and lost!! It feels like my lungs, ribs and neck were beaten to a pulp. It hurts to laugh, take a deep breath, burp, etc!! I am very grateful that everyone is already better and ready for the weekend.

And it's a ......

BOY!!! We found out yesterday at our 20 week sono!!! I would have sworn on my mother's intuition that i was having a girl...no doubt in my mind. But I guess the doctor knows best. When she first saw it she wasn't sure, but a few seconds later she was sure. I couldn't believe it...another Tremaine Boy!! It shouldn't have surprised me, but it did. As of today I am still in disbelief, but it will start to sink in soon. So another Irish boy name.....??? Anyone???

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..

Yes, it is snowing here in Texas ya'll!! It was beautiful and I loved it!! I wish it would have stayed around longer. It snowed all morning, but eventually stopped and it all melted very quickly....:( I hope it happens again...it's nice having a white Christmas!!

Momma said there be days like this.....

Well, it has been A day! There are those days when I lay my head on my pillow at the end of the day and can't help but feel so blessed, so grateful, so encouraged by what God has given me....my hubby and three wonderful babies. Today is NOT that day!

After I finish this post I will lay my head down on my pillow with guilt, remorse, and maybe a little self-hatred. It was a day filled with busyness and LOTS of yelling...all done by me. I knew ahead of time that I had to get more than normal done today....laundry, packing, decorating, babysitting and of course caring for my three kiddos. It really didn't seem like it was going to be a difficult task...but I was WAY wrong.

In the midst of all the daily ruckus was a cranky little girl, a loud mouth 4 year old and a very talkative 7 year old!! I tried...I tried. I failed and failed many times. I found myself screaming and getting very angry at them all today. I am a bit of a sarcastic gal, and it came out in true form today. Instead of just telling them I was done and to go to their rooms, I proceeded to demean them with a quick witty saying. I do the same with Joey and he can always come back with a funny face and make me feel all better....not the same with the kids. I felt bad every time I yelled at them. It was just that kind of day.

I didn't finish the laundry, decorating or packing. And I did a terrible job of being a Christian mother. I can only pray tomorrow I can make a WAY better difference in their lives. I want to be a positive role model not this mean mommy that makes them sad. So there it is...my day in a long nutshell. Tomorrow will be better....right?

My Adorable Finley

Here he is in glasses! I really really didn't want him to have to wear glasses. With Aidan I was so afraid kids would make fun of him...I in fact cried when I found out he had to wear them. Of course he was absolutely adorable in his little boy frames. And to this day no one has picked on him. Different story for Finn....I have no doubt he could ever defend himself...he'll either call the bully a butt-head (which I do not approve of btw), or beat him up!! Finn can just take care of himself...always has....so the fear of people making fun of him isn't there. I just didn't want another child to have to go through the same process. I had always seen Finn as healthy...loves fruits and veggies, milk and chicken....the TOTAL opposite of Aidan!!! I had attributed some of his health to my breastfeeding him. I always felt maybe he received more of the nutrients from the breastmilk to help in certain areas...mainly his weight and eyes. I had assumed that since Aidan was mostly formula fed that that is why he had weight and eye problems. But now I know....I can still do my best to breastfeed my kiddos, but I don't control their fate....I shamed Joey...I told him our poor kiddos will have his bad eyes and my bad teeth!! They don't stand a chance...we just have to pray and do our best to keep them healthy!

Eggbert and Twist

Just a quick post to announce the name of the new baby! Finley stated after much thought and confusion that we should call the new baby Twist (this was 3 weeks ago). This weekend he decided to name the baby Eggbert!! Adorable! I knew I had heard the name before but couldn't remember where....to which he informed me it was from Ice Age 3! I love it! We never even prompted him for a name, he just thought it was his job to come up with a new name!! Just precious!!

Christmas time is here...

okay not quite. But as I begin to listen to Christmas music, oh who are we kidding, I listen to it year round...anyways, I begin to feel so great. I know that soon we will be driving up to Little Rock, Arkansas to visit our wonderful cousins!!
My memories of a Little Rock Thanksgiving:
*the smell of home grown, home cooked green beans from my great uncle's tiny farm
*the warmth of my great aunt and uncle's house...always quite toasty, but just perfect for the cold weather
*over-eating one year and being very very sick all night
*the aroma of pumpkin pie still lingering two days after Thanksgiving
*watching my mom fill out her Christmas cards on Friday....and now I try to carry on that tradition every year for my own family
*the gorgeous trees lining almost every street..as a small kid they all looked like Christmas trees
*finally being cold enough to wear a coat
*sitting out on my great aunt and uncle's back porch and watching the beautiful leaves fall to the ground
*hating to leave every single year.

I enjoy having Thanksgiving here at home, but there is just something so special about traveling, the cold winter air, and being with extended family that I love so very much.

Finn's Four

We celebrated Finley's 4th birthday this weekend, Sunday the 8th. We had family and friends over for a Bakugan party!! Julie Goolsby graced us with another WONDERFUL cake! Finn was very lucky to have so many people love him and love on him! He had a great time and is thankful for all his fun gifts.

fall and pumpkin stuff

more pumpkin patch pics

more pumpkin patch pics

Oops we did it again!!!

We are expecting another child!!!! It was not planned....in fact it was so surprising I nearly passed out. Our new addition will arrive sometime in early April. I would love it to come on my birthday! I have a feeling it is a girl, but ya never know!!

and the SWINE FLU has hit HARD!!

Well, last Thursday Aidan came home early from school with a horrible headache but no fever. I assumed it was snot related and let it go. He slept all afternoon and went to bed early. The next day he was full on fever-headache-sore throat sufferin! Well a doc visit that afternoon revealed he had the PIGGY FLU! I couldn't believe it. We did everything we could to keep him comfy and completely isolated...in his room for hours. He ate, watched movies, played games...everything but use the potty in that room. We sprayed Lysol, used Purell, washed our hands CONSTANTLY ....unfortunately it did prevent the spread of the horrible disease!!! Finn began getting sick Sunday. The headache-fever-sore throat combo was striking again! Finn doesn't handle the flu well. He has raging, screaming fits accompanied by horrible peircing cries and very little sleep if any. Then I was not even able to get out of bed Tuesday morning....I don't believe I had the flu, but my throat was so swollen I could barely move my neck. Luckily a day in bed and antibiotics called in by the doc made me feel much better. Unfortuantely B began getting a fever Wednesday. She can't tell me if she has the headache and sore throat, but she definitely had the fever. It comes and goes and she plays inbetween. I am just SO INCREDIBLY ready for this house to be free of sickness, germs and sadness. I have been homebound for way too many days and I believe it is starting to affect me mentally!! ;) I have prayed for healing and health, I just wish it would get here sooner rather than later!! I hope no one else has to suffer from the Swine Flu....we got off easy.....even though I am losing my mind! :)

My University of Texas Cheerleader

How cute is my little girl?? All this girly stuff is so different and fun for me. I'm so used to Hot Wheels, Power Rangers, Bakugan and dirt....I have forgotten what it's like to be a little girl and play dress up and hold baby dolls....I love it. Gaga bought this outfit last year, but it was too big. I was so afraid she would be too big this year. Fortunately it fits just right!! She even seemed to pose like a real cheerleader...adorable!!

Finn's First day of Preschool...

Well, it finally came....It was time for Finley to go to preschool at the wonderful Grace Place (the preschool at our old church Grace Baptist). We were all fighting sickness all weekend and I was so afraid it would carry over into the week, luckily we all just had snot and coughs and sneezes left. As excited as Finn HAD been, he was SO not into going to school this morning. The only way i got him to go was to remind him he had a new shirt and new shoes to wear.....and of course his new camouflage backpack. BTW- it is not a "camo" backpack....Finn will fight you on this subject!!! Anyways, we made our way to school unscathed and he seemed more than ready to go in. We went in and put his things away and right to his seat he went. I stood there expecting him to turn to me crying and grab hold of my leg...a big scene to follow...but nothing. He was perfectly fine. I told him goodbye and I stood outside his door watching my big boy...so brave, excited and comfortable. I barely made it back to my car and got in before the tears started flowing. Now don't get me wrong.....I've been waiting for this day to come. Finn and I have reached the point in our relationship where separation is needed!! ;) But as a mom, I felt I had left part of my heart behind. I cried all the way home. He had a great day and even slept during nap time!! I really am proud of how mature he is. I love you Finley. Big kisses from momma! (FOR SOME REASON i CANNOT GET ALL THE IMAGES TO UPLOAD..SORRY)

Tremaine Family meet Putt-Putt

We decided to take a day for just us as a family....the plans were to hang out at putt-putt for maybe an hour and a half, go eat lunch, head home for a nap, see a movie and go to dinner. Once we reached Putt-Putt we found it much more economical to purchase an all day deal for both boys and Joey could participate free (as Finn's driver on most rides). It was a great deal...unlimited golf, 40 tokens, hot dog and drink, and unlimited rides per person!! The kids had a wonderful time. They loved the go karts, bumper boats, and video games....but they were both still too young to golf. We all participated in the video games...mini bowling, basketball, finn rode a motorcycle, skee ball and many other random games where you waste 25 cents and get nothing in return!! We had already determined after perusing the "ticket redeeming counter" that we wanted to have enough tickets to get B a tiara. It could be purchased with a mere 150 tickets. We were fortunate enough to rack up enough tickets for a tiara, 2 bracelets, some pixie sticks, candy bracelet and a popper thingy! We all had a great time at Putt-Putt and decided we shall return in the Fall when it isn't quite as hot outside!

B's boo boo

Well, B was looking so very cute today.....that was until she fell on our driveway!! Though it didn't look like a hard fall, her face tells a different story. She cried hard. I attempted to put ice on her face, but that was a WAY NO GO!! So needless to say her face is VERY swollen and has little bloody scratches all over it....poor baby.

Aidan's first day of SECOND grade!

I can't believe it....Aidan's first day of second grade!! He really wasn't nervous at all. To embarrass him completely....last year before school, he visited the restroom 3x before we left the house and once when we got to school...very nervous tummy. Anyways, this year was great. He was calm and walked himself up the stairs and went right into his classroom. I was so proud....but sad.

The day ended a little scary though. When you sign in at Open House you tell how your child will get home ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL....bus, walk, car etc. And then you mark what they will normally take...which for aidan was: first day car, every other day bus. Well, somehow Aidan ended up coming home on the bus!!! So there was Joey waiting and waiting AND waiting up at school. Finally "they" figured out he rode the bus home!! Surprisingly I didn't freak out....i was just glad he made it home safely and on the correct bus!! ;) He didn't seem to mind...so that is what matters I guess!! Today, Tuesday, the second day of school, Joey got a call from the teach to make sure Aidan was going to ride the bus!! Teehee!!! I'm thinkin' that second grade is going to be interesting....fun....and hopefully educational!!!

a few ramblings....

well, b is finally, mostly walking! She figured out that if she takes much smaller steps closer together, that it is WAY easier....and she falls down WAY less! She is so cute toddling all over the place! Unfortunately today she got her face scratched by our less than obedient dog Brinkley. It didn't bleed much but it was really deep...so afraid it might leave a scar. :( She has a huge adult size band-aid on her face! She is a whiz on pointing out her nose, but we are still working on the ears, teeth, hair, etc.

Finn came up to me about a minute ago and spelled his name! F-I-N-L-E-Y!! So very proud of him. I often feel guilt not being able to sit and go over flash cards 5x a day with him like I did with Aidan. Aidan was reading the newspaper at 3, and Finn just isn't quite there. I hope that preschool will help out tremendously...but i am gonna try as much as possible to work with him!!! I love him so much, and I melt when he tells me he wants to give me a hug!

And then there was Aidan! My sweet boy....i was just told today what a great little guy he is!! I totally agree with that. He isn't really looking forward to starting back to school, but I think he is just nervous. I believe he will have another wonderful year....can't wait to meet his teacher this Thursday night at Open House! Second grade..how is that even possible?

i love my family....

Edited photos of Breslyn