New week, new stuff!

We have had a weird week. Clare has had a cough/chest congestion for awhile now so we went to the dr on Thursday and they nebulized her and gave her a prescription. I called them back Friday when she had two doses of a three day medicine in her and there was no change in her dry barky cough. They sent us home with a nebulizer and another prescription for a steroid to treat her cough. Well, I tried the medicine (I don't let my kids take medicine I haven't tried, that way I know what it tastes like!) It was SO TERRIBLE and I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth. She took a little bit of it Friday night but she is a puker so I didn't push it. I called my aunt who is a pharmacy tech and she told me to try and find coke syrup because that is what the hospital cuts their meds with. Well, I couldn't find it and she could taste it in regular coke. She started running a fever and acting so tired at about 4:30 (which is SO UNUSUAL!) We gave her another breathing treatment and tylenol then called the dr. He basically said we would need to take her to the ER to get a shot in her. So, I talked to Clare about it and said that we would need to get pinches of the medicine if we couldn't get this in her. She ended up taking it after much gagging, vomitting and finally.... within two hours her behavior was somewhat back to normal. So, she coughed quite a bit last night in her sleep, but today is doing SO MUCH BETTER! It is wonderful, so hopefully she will be able to finally sleep and be ok!
Both boys have somehow escaped this, but I guess there is still time? The dr seemed to think that since she is a "crouper" this microwhatever is related more to that. It scared us, but like every other thing we've had come up--we know what to do next time :)
Michael is maybe going to DC next weekend to visit his friend Will. Originally he had purchased a ticket to meet him there and drive with him back (Will is getting out of the military to be a stay at home dad and his family will now be stationed in Leavenworth.) Well, since Will is now going to medically retire with the military, his timeline has changed. So, Michael already purchased a ticket and will either have to eat the charge or buy another ticket to come back. We will see! And yes, I am ok with him going, it might just be a long three days!
Other than that, we enjoyed yesterday as much as we could. Will and Xavier played outside a bit and got some fresh air. Clare made it for about an hour just playing chalk on the driveway but was not her usual self. Poor baby!
We got family pictures! They went ok. It's all a major money pit, so we just bought the cd this time. Everyone wants certain pictures and so we try to accomodate everyone, but it's impossible! So, this time we just paid a little more and bought the cd. I guess once everyone has what they want, we can see if the expense was worth it!
Talk to everyone soon. Oh, I lost our digital camera (not sure how or where!) so we have to buy a new one :( When we get one, I will be making up for lost time!!!!
Molly

Hello All

Well, nothing new to really report. We THINK Xavier is getting some teeth. He has had a bit of fussiness going on but we hope it is related to the teething. He is also having some of Wills bm problems, so we are trying to keep an eye on that as well! He is just as smiley as ever when he isn't uncomfortable, so that makes up for the lack of sleep :)
Will is doing great! He counted to 20 the other day which is pretty remarkable! He loves the move School of Rock with Jack Black. The other day he was sitting on the couch with his guitar and was pretty much quoting the movie. He said, "you-what's your name?" and I said mommy, he said, "mommy, come here. you place this guitar like this." It was SO cute. He was in character and everything! He is so affectionate and lovey, we had some special time together yesterday while Xavier was napping and Clare was at school. He just cuddled in my arms and I about melted. We don't always get that lovey one on one time! We just signed him up for school next year! I am nervous about it, but I wanted to make sure he got a spot. He will be doing the 3yr preschool, 4yr am preschool, the 4 yr 5 mornings. I know that sounds like alot, but we want him to be the oldest vs the youngest and with Clare and Will so close in age, I didn't want him to feel like he didn't get his turn at school!
Clare is doing well. Sassy as ever, but she is my devil spawn, so I guess we saw this coming :) I love it, she can sure hold her own! She spends alot of time in trouble as you can expect but she is a great big sister and is loving playing school and house! Luckily Will goes along with it all! I guess it is good prep for him! We decided that for her birthday we would go and see the play Pinkalicious! She is super excited and told me on the way to Moms Morning Out this morning, that basically when it is her birthday, everyone has to listen to her because she is the birthday girl! Got that!
Michael, as always, is busy at work! He has started a new workout regimen! The past few mornings he's had Xavier there to supervise with him! (he just works out in the basement on the total gym!) He, of course, looks great and I look like I just had a baby 5 mo ago! But, we both are trying to be better about our food choices! We did go to Dairy Queen last night, but we had SMALL blizzards vs large ones :)
Carries wedding is moving along well. I am working hard on the shower stuff. It's hard wanting to make everything perfect for her on a limited budget, but I know she will love whatever I do! I am anxious to try on the dress. That might be just the motivation I need. I also need to hit the tanning booth, but that will come!
Take care everyone and I will update soon!

Just Another Day in Paradise.....

That's a country song, but the song runs through my head about 1000 times a day! Don't get me wrong, I love my life and wouldn't change a thing (some sarcasm there!) but when I battle Will I can't help but sing that song. Lately, we have these random fits that are TOTALLY unexplainable. For instance: he asked for cereal with milk for breakfast. i gave it to him on the table, in his spot, and he cried. i asked him why, he said he wanted cereal...... the crying continued for about 3 minutes until I told him that if there was something wrong, he needed to tell me with his big boy words or else he would be spanked. HE STOPPED! It's so random and uncalled for, so I don't know what to do. I do baby him, I know that. But, he is just so overly emotional. Michael yells and then says he will spank and it usually stops so I guess I need to try to be harder on him -- but it is hard. He is only 2 but has the mental/physical capabilities of someone 3 or 4. It's frustrating. Today at church I just prayed to Mary to "help a sista' out!" Give me the insight into his sweet little head to make necessary changes to make our lives better! Let's hope we can figure something out!!! Any constructive input is welcome!
Xavier is eating an entire 2nd foods vegetable and a 1st foods prunes/pears twice a day. He loves it. He eats like he has been fed that way his entire life! He doesn't make a mess nor does he try to help! He truly is the most pleasant baby.....so sweet and happy! (he was 5 mo on the first and weighs 21lbs)
Clare is doing well. She has lots of friends and is just enjoying everything she does! We are starting to plan her birthday (not until May) but her favorite book was made into a play--Pinkalicious! It is here in Bloomington on her birthday! So, I am trying to talk with a few of her friends' moms to see if they could go~we will of course be wearing all pink, with our magic wands and lots of girliness :)
Well, enjoy your weekend, or what is left of it!

My Big Boy in the Bath :)

This photo is too cute not to post!

**Make sure to read our posting about Clares first Christmas Program!

***I would love to put out another photo of Will, but he's been in a terrible 2's mood all week and won't allow me to take a picture of him. Maybe next week my sweet Will will be back??? Say a prayer everyone!!!

Clare's Christmas Program

The rescheduled program ended up being Tuesday!

The preschool 3 year old program sang first. They sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." They had to sing it three times, so they all stood there counting on their fingers until they reached three.

It was so sweet and I was so proud. Clare loves an audience!

Will ended up throwing the mother of all fits right before, so Michael had to stay at home. It was bad for him, but it was nice to get out with Clare and have some big girl time.

My sister and brother-in-law and of course my parents were at her performance, so we went out to eat afterwards! Clare loved the attention! TGI Fridays has wonderful buttered nu-nus with parmesan cheese--in chunks. Clare had died & gone to heaven!

She was beautiful in her new dress (thank you Grandma Terri!)

Here is another photo of Clare and I together! I normally wouldn't include a photo of myself, but it turned out so sweet and Clare was pretty proud of it!

Happy 5 months baby Xavier!!!

He is every bit as sweet as he looks. Poor baby had an ear infection in each ear but that didn't stop him from rolling around and playing. He is such a sweetheart!

Happy New Year! We watched Shrek 2 and had a "fiesta" (per Clare!) We had noisemakers, hats and a pie! Woo Hoo! We were all asleep by 9. That's the best way to ring in the New Year!

Will has decided he is now a pirate~he sleeps with his sword and is totally into "slaying" the dragons (ie: his sister!)