Wednesday, November 27, 2013
So Sick of Being Sick
I know it probably doesn't seem like I've been missing since I frequently fall off the "blogging bandwagon"; but I've been gone. My entire family has been sick at one time or another for the last 3 weeks. I've missed everything; preschool, dance class, the library, everything. It's been awful. I've never cleaned up so much barf and "stuff from the other end" in my life. I think we've had our fair share for this winter and now I'm done!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Jaycie
We've had a rough week here at our house. Well, it's been more like a rough last 5 months but a really rough last week. Jaycie started acting like she was sick. She wasn't really coughing or snotty or anything she was just whiny and clingy and needy and HOT. She had a huge fever, huge, like 102 degrees for three days. So she started getting lethargic and didn't want to eat so I made a doctor appointment.
(A little background: Madisyn and Jaycie both have a metabolic condition call MCAD Deficiency or Medium Chain Acyl Co-A Dehydrogenase Deficiency. Basically their bodies, genetically, do not posses the ability to mobilize a particular type of Fatty Acids and utilize it for energy. They need to avoid fasting for long periods of time, eat a heart healthy diet with less than 30% of calories from fat, and take a Carnitine Supplement so they can "pee" out their unusable fats. If they run out of carb and protein stores and their bodies have to turn to fat stores for energy they can go into a coma causing brain damage and even death. SCARY!)
We went to see their pediatrician (whom I love) and he looked her over. He could find no visible cause for her fevers so he suggested we head to Primary Children's Hospital.
Of course, I start crying.
I had worked so hard to keep her out of the hospital. Although I am grateful for the staff there, I know what they have to do to my kids in order for them to help and I don't enjoy watching it.
Long story short....
We stayed for about 6 hours. Ate some yummy slushies' and went home.
I was so grateful that she recovered so quickly.
Now to play catch-up!
(A little background: Madisyn and Jaycie both have a metabolic condition call MCAD Deficiency or Medium Chain Acyl Co-A Dehydrogenase Deficiency. Basically their bodies, genetically, do not posses the ability to mobilize a particular type of Fatty Acids and utilize it for energy. They need to avoid fasting for long periods of time, eat a heart healthy diet with less than 30% of calories from fat, and take a Carnitine Supplement so they can "pee" out their unusable fats. If they run out of carb and protein stores and their bodies have to turn to fat stores for energy they can go into a coma causing brain damage and even death. SCARY!)
We went to see their pediatrician (whom I love) and he looked her over. He could find no visible cause for her fevers so he suggested we head to Primary Children's Hospital.
Of course, I start crying.
I had worked so hard to keep her out of the hospital. Although I am grateful for the staff there, I know what they have to do to my kids in order for them to help and I don't enjoy watching it.
Long story short....
We stayed for about 6 hours. Ate some yummy slushies' and went home.
I was so grateful that she recovered so quickly.
Now to play catch-up!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Family Update - October 2013
Jaycie is now 14 months old. She is so much fun but so much work. We have to watch her all the time otherwise she's playing in the bathtub (turning off and on the water) or climbing everything in sight. We often find her climbing onto the table to "share" Maddie and Katie's food, or on top of the television stand so she can touch the TV. She really loves to throw things away in the garbage can and enjoys watching me cook. She has to be on the counter when doing hair, not just hers but everyones, and likes to brush her teeth. She is extremely independent and likes to play in the basement playroom just like the other two girls.
Katie is loving Dance Class right now. Her teacher, Miss Sara, says she's impressed with how well Katie is doing at remembering what the different dance moves are. She really loves to dance and can't wait to show us what she learned at Dance, every day. She still loves the color pink and has recently become attatched to a stuffed Watermelon (strange, I know) but she really loves it, almost as much as her baby whom she has named 'baby Katie'. She loves preschool and is working on learning to write her letters. She's proud of the fact that she can almost write her name. She has the K, A, and E down. I don't think it will take to long to learn the I & E.
Maddie loves Preschool. She is well behaved and absorbs so much of what her teachers tell her. She really likes to draw and color so art is high on her list of favorite activities. She has taken an interest in the computer and likes to play games. She has asked for a skooter, a bike, and an IPAD for her birthday and Christmas. Not sure what Santa plans to do yet, we shall see. She weighs about 3 lbs less then Katie does, coming in at 28 lbs. We're trying to feed her things we know she likes to help get her to gain weight, it's a constant concern for us especially since she eats more than most kids her age. She struggles with breakfast but the other meals she has no problem finishing. We're hoping to avoid a lecture at her 4 year appointment but only time will tell.
Josh has finished up a couple of jobs he was doing for his sister. He re-finished a portion of her front yard, painted her house, and built shelves in her basement. He's been trying really hard to make some extra money so we can get in a better financial possistion. It's been a struggle since he got promoted because although he makes more money it's closer to a salary job than before and we lost about $15000.00 a year. It will be great for his future but right now it's tight and we're needing to find ways to supplement until things settle down and work out. He's still working with the young men in scouting and helping neighbors and ward members with their projects. He's a generous man and I'm lucky to have him.
I, Amber, am not doing much work with my Mary Kay Directors. One of the women I was working for turned out to be extremely dishonest and isn't paying me. I find it frustrating and I'm at a loss as to what can be done about it. I guess I just pray and hope things work out in the end. I'm looking for things I can do from home and there aren't a lot of options, so really I'm just trying hard to budget well and not spend any unnecessary money. It sucks but I'm learning to be even more frugal that I was before. We are slowly working on finishing the basement with some supplies we already have on hand as well as using some Home Depot Gift Cards we've recieved. Hopefully we will be able to finish with our tax return; but, like everything else, only time will tell.
Katie is loving Dance Class right now. Her teacher, Miss Sara, says she's impressed with how well Katie is doing at remembering what the different dance moves are. She really loves to dance and can't wait to show us what she learned at Dance, every day. She still loves the color pink and has recently become attatched to a stuffed Watermelon (strange, I know) but she really loves it, almost as much as her baby whom she has named 'baby Katie'. She loves preschool and is working on learning to write her letters. She's proud of the fact that she can almost write her name. She has the K, A, and E down. I don't think it will take to long to learn the I & E.
Maddie loves Preschool. She is well behaved and absorbs so much of what her teachers tell her. She really likes to draw and color so art is high on her list of favorite activities. She has taken an interest in the computer and likes to play games. She has asked for a skooter, a bike, and an IPAD for her birthday and Christmas. Not sure what Santa plans to do yet, we shall see. She weighs about 3 lbs less then Katie does, coming in at 28 lbs. We're trying to feed her things we know she likes to help get her to gain weight, it's a constant concern for us especially since she eats more than most kids her age. She struggles with breakfast but the other meals she has no problem finishing. We're hoping to avoid a lecture at her 4 year appointment but only time will tell.
Josh has finished up a couple of jobs he was doing for his sister. He re-finished a portion of her front yard, painted her house, and built shelves in her basement. He's been trying really hard to make some extra money so we can get in a better financial possistion. It's been a struggle since he got promoted because although he makes more money it's closer to a salary job than before and we lost about $15000.00 a year. It will be great for his future but right now it's tight and we're needing to find ways to supplement until things settle down and work out. He's still working with the young men in scouting and helping neighbors and ward members with their projects. He's a generous man and I'm lucky to have him.
I, Amber, am not doing much work with my Mary Kay Directors. One of the women I was working for turned out to be extremely dishonest and isn't paying me. I find it frustrating and I'm at a loss as to what can be done about it. I guess I just pray and hope things work out in the end. I'm looking for things I can do from home and there aren't a lot of options, so really I'm just trying hard to budget well and not spend any unnecessary money. It sucks but I'm learning to be even more frugal that I was before. We are slowly working on finishing the basement with some supplies we already have on hand as well as using some Home Depot Gift Cards we've recieved. Hopefully we will be able to finish with our tax return; but, like everything else, only time will tell.
Random Summer Pictures
We've had a blast this summer hanging out with family and friends. We went to our Neighborhood Night Out Against Crime and Neighbor Joe had out his train, so we took a few rides.
Got Our Faces Painted
Lounged at the family BBQ with some of our Cousins (Kaedence and Katie)
Went to the Zoo (a lot)
Attended our Ward Luau with Kyle and Andrea. They had fire Dancers and it was awesome.
We played with our cousins. Jaycie really loves Camden.
We drove a tractor at Aunt Tonja's House.
Overall, we had a fabulous summer. We did tons of fun things and are so excited for Fall!
Summer FUN
Summer has come to a close here in Salt Lake. We decided to try and fit it one more "summer" outing. My cute friend Brittany showed us this adorable little stream that the kids can play in. It's not somewhere that is super popular so we love it. All three girls love it and I love it because I can let them play without hovering. We spent some time having picnics with friends and even went with Grandma and Grandpa once. I think it's now our go to spot for summer picnics.
Chloe & Jaycie
We Love Our Daddy
Fun with Friends!
Preschool
My babies have started Preschool. They are getting so big, it makes me a little sad but I'm excited because they're excited.
Love these Two!
Monday, September 9, 2013
The 7 Disasers of Seven Peaks
#1 - Getting wacked, no less that 8 times, by these tubes. Honestly, you need a licence to carry these suckers.
#2 - Having your Hubby pressure you into going on this slide only to look extremely attractive as you drink half the pool and proceed to puke it out through your nose.
#3 - Being so tired from lack of shade that when one carries their sled to the top of the slide, one drops said sled on ones toe, and still, 5 weeks later, has a discoloration on said spot. (also, also very attractive)
#4 - Realizing why there is a lack of "facilities" at this waterpark. (Apparently the water doesn't turn blue, guess how I know that).
#5 - Having "the talk" with your child about why she doesn't have to go to timeout although she accidentally pee-peed in her swiming suit - while in the water (please see #4).
#6 - The big white "slides" at this park are super fun to slide down. Especially when you are slightly overweight and you feel as if you are riding down sandpaper only to get stuck at the bottom because your swimming suit is climbing up into "unchartered territory" and no one wants to "pick their weggie" in front of everyone. (well except that lady, can you see her?)
#7 - Finally making it down the dreaded green slide only to make it to the end of the pool and not be able to get off the yellow sled so you lean backwards ever so slightly and end up with your rear end in the air and your face under the water and lucky for you it gets caught on film. (sorry, I have to much pride to show you that, but here is a nice shot of Josh drinking the pool as well)
Jaycie's Birthday
Jaycie turned one on July 23rd. It was a fun although exhausting day but everything went really well.
"I can walk! I love all Mexican Food! I'm finally sleeping through the night in my own bed and my Mom is so happy about that! I love the stairs and am constantly climbing up and down! I love to color and if my Mom isn't watching, sometimes I eat the crayons! I'm really loud now and do not enjoy church unless it's Primary! I love to give kisses and get really excited around babies like Camden and Laura!"
Not sure what was up with my camera today but I got awful pictures. Sorry baby girl.
Jaycie liked her cake but she didn't smash very well, her Dad had to help her a little.
She really enjoyed opening her presents (when the bigger kids let her) and got quite spoiled.
I can't believe my baby is now 1 and not such a baby anymore! It's bittersweet! I remember feeling like I couldn't wait for the girls to grow up so we could do more fun things with them and now I find myself wishing that life would slow down and they could stay little forever! Sad!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Family Updates - August 2013
Jaycie turned one on July 23. It was a bittersweet day because 11 months ago I sat holding her, thinking to myself that there was no way I was going to last a year nursing every two hours, and there I was at a year wishing she would stop growing. She took her first official steps but still hasn't started walking everywhere. She loves to talk and is constantly babbling to everyone. She's an affectionate baby and loves to give kisses to everyone. At her 1 year checkup she was 29" tall and 18 lbs. It made the doctor concerned because she hasn't gained any weight in the last three months. I am needing to find a way to make her gain weight without increasing her fat intake. (Super easy....NOT). So we've been feeding her more protein and trying to stuff her full of anything she'll eat. It's a battle and I just pray that maybe that scale was having an off day when I take her to be weighed again at the end of this month.
Katie is such a princess... still. She has been wearing my shoes all over the house while decked out in her princess best. She has wanted to do nothing but play on her swingset this month or go to Grandma Karen's house. We've been trying to get her hyped up for preschool and Dance. She's so excited to go with her friend Maisie to Dance - it's all she talks about now. We've been doing little workbooks to help her recognize matching and numbers; get her into the learning groove; but she's not really interested in spending much time on it. She will do it she just doesn't last long. Kate has been really struggling in Primary lately. She's fine to go to the singing time part but once she knows it's about time for class she starts crying and throwing a fit. Her teacher insists she doesn't know why she's been acting like that lately but Josh and I are frustrated with it. Josh is planning to take her to his class so she can see how much more fun Primary is and maybe that will help. Here's hoping!
Maddie is a sweet thing. She's been into the Movie Toy Story lately (#3 to be exact) and it's what she picks to watch all the time. She's loving doing her Workbook pages and is great to sit and learn. She has a little harder time remembering her numbers and say's "I don't know" a lot even though I know she does. Maddie has been emotional lately and everything makes her cry. She still likes her friends but she's just as happy to play by herself as with anyone else. She suffers from "Selective Hearing" and as a result get's in trouble for ignoring adults when they talk to her. Maddie is really loving primary even though she's not one to volunteer to participate unless they have a match game. She is great as recognizing colors and some letters but struggles a little with numbers. I hope that preschool will help with that. We went to Seven Peaks water park this month and Maddie is fearless when it comes to waterslides. She was game for everything and was upset when they wouldn't let her go on some of the bigger slides.
Josh is still working in Holladay. He applied for Kearns but hasn't heard much besides the manager out there wants him but his manager doesn't want to let him go. He's made such an improvement in his current office that they want him to stay. It's great that they love him but at the same time it's hard because he wants an office closer to home. He's going to start working a bunch on his sisters house so hopefully that will give us some money to pay off some debt and maybe we can go on a vacation. Josh has been enjoying summer because he likes to BBQ. He's been working on building his Brazillian BBQ Pit but hasn't quite finished it yet. Scouts is still Josh's calling and although he loves the young men and they relate well to him, He's starting to wonder if he will ever be called to do anything other than Deacons. We've been married ten years this year and he's been in the Deacon's Quorum in some form since we got married. I get the impression he's ready for a change, maybe get some less roudy boys or something. I don't know.
I, Amber, am still working just not as much because I'm faster at what I do now. The Mary Kay thing is working out well and I picked up another director who I love. She's super cute and so fun. I make enough that my girls can be in Dance and go to Preschool so it's worth it. I've also now go technically three callings in this ward. I'm still teaching primary (4 year olds, love them) but I'm also helping my friend Michelle with the 8 year old Scouts and filling in for my friend Kristi as Cub Scout Master while she's on hiatus in Washington DC. I've been finding a lot more time for reading and exercising. Although I'm not seeing huge results yet it's nice to have some time for me.
Katie is such a princess... still. She has been wearing my shoes all over the house while decked out in her princess best. She has wanted to do nothing but play on her swingset this month or go to Grandma Karen's house. We've been trying to get her hyped up for preschool and Dance. She's so excited to go with her friend Maisie to Dance - it's all she talks about now. We've been doing little workbooks to help her recognize matching and numbers; get her into the learning groove; but she's not really interested in spending much time on it. She will do it she just doesn't last long. Kate has been really struggling in Primary lately. She's fine to go to the singing time part but once she knows it's about time for class she starts crying and throwing a fit. Her teacher insists she doesn't know why she's been acting like that lately but Josh and I are frustrated with it. Josh is planning to take her to his class so she can see how much more fun Primary is and maybe that will help. Here's hoping!
Maddie is a sweet thing. She's been into the Movie Toy Story lately (#3 to be exact) and it's what she picks to watch all the time. She's loving doing her Workbook pages and is great to sit and learn. She has a little harder time remembering her numbers and say's "I don't know" a lot even though I know she does. Maddie has been emotional lately and everything makes her cry. She still likes her friends but she's just as happy to play by herself as with anyone else. She suffers from "Selective Hearing" and as a result get's in trouble for ignoring adults when they talk to her. Maddie is really loving primary even though she's not one to volunteer to participate unless they have a match game. She is great as recognizing colors and some letters but struggles a little with numbers. I hope that preschool will help with that. We went to Seven Peaks water park this month and Maddie is fearless when it comes to waterslides. She was game for everything and was upset when they wouldn't let her go on some of the bigger slides.
Josh is still working in Holladay. He applied for Kearns but hasn't heard much besides the manager out there wants him but his manager doesn't want to let him go. He's made such an improvement in his current office that they want him to stay. It's great that they love him but at the same time it's hard because he wants an office closer to home. He's going to start working a bunch on his sisters house so hopefully that will give us some money to pay off some debt and maybe we can go on a vacation. Josh has been enjoying summer because he likes to BBQ. He's been working on building his Brazillian BBQ Pit but hasn't quite finished it yet. Scouts is still Josh's calling and although he loves the young men and they relate well to him, He's starting to wonder if he will ever be called to do anything other than Deacons. We've been married ten years this year and he's been in the Deacon's Quorum in some form since we got married. I get the impression he's ready for a change, maybe get some less roudy boys or something. I don't know.
I, Amber, am still working just not as much because I'm faster at what I do now. The Mary Kay thing is working out well and I picked up another director who I love. She's super cute and so fun. I make enough that my girls can be in Dance and go to Preschool so it's worth it. I've also now go technically three callings in this ward. I'm still teaching primary (4 year olds, love them) but I'm also helping my friend Michelle with the 8 year old Scouts and filling in for my friend Kristi as Cub Scout Master while she's on hiatus in Washington DC. I've been finding a lot more time for reading and exercising. Although I'm not seeing huge results yet it's nice to have some time for me.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Family Update - July
Josh is rocking his supervisor job at the Holladay Post Office. It's the first summer he wont be out in the heat, all the time, in the last 9 years. We are so thankful. He's been trying hard lately to be the fun spontaneous Dad and so we've been on a lot of last minute activities. He was bummed that he didn't get to fish much while camping so the next weekend we went to Lake Vernon. It was nice and Josh wants to go back and camp sometime. He sold his truck because it's part of his one year plan and he misses it already even though he only drove it maybe once a month to Home Depot since we got it. He's quite the social butterfly in church and he likes to get to know the new people. He's determined to get to know everyone and he's off to a great start.
Amber is still trying to be frugal and save money however the current situation has dictated that I get a job. So after talking to everyone I know for a few weeks I landed one as a personal assistant to a couple Mary Kay directors. It's so nice, I do most everything from home and just leave on Wednesday evenings for about 3 hours. So far it is a little overwhelming but I think once I get the hang of things it will work out to be quite nice. I've been cooking quite a few new recipes lately and this batch has turned out much better than the last batch. I still live for play group, girls night, and dates with Handsome. The big news this month is that I finally bought some new bath towels. I love them and can't believe I waited so long to get them.
Madisyn has become much more opinionate in the last month. She has a comment for everything and asks so many questions it can make your head spin. I have no idea where she gets it. We've found out she is still deathly affraid of animals and bugs. She loves her new swingset and is super excited every day to go play in her playroom downstairs. She's taken a liking to my phone and the games that test her on her alphabet. She's doing great considering I fell off the teaching bandwagon before Jaycie was born. She's excited to preschool to start in the fall and asks everyday if she can go swimming at Spencer's house (his grandparents have a pool).
Katie is so smart. We have been learning that she really absorbs a lot of what we say even if she doesn't appear to be listening. She still has a talking back problem but she says it with such an attitude that I'm sure we are in for it when she becomes as teenager. She still loves Taylor Swift and we have to listen to it in the car wherever we go. I curse the day I programed her CD into my van. She loves to dress up and had started to take her hair out when I do it so that she can do it herself. She went down the waterslide at Spencer's Gpa's Pool and is so proud of herself. She was so excited about the Princess Festival but insisted she wasn't having fun until she met Cinderella.
Jaycie is almost 1. I had Allison take some pictures the other day so we can send out invites for her birthday party. She has three teeth now and she is such a happy baby. She likes to climb on things, most recently she learned to climb up the kitchen chairs to stand on them. She isn't walking yet but has taken a few steps between Daddy and I. She loves to swing on the swingset and thinks that only food she should eat is fruit (especially grapes) but she seems to be growing well. She still isn't sleeping through the night but she usually will stay in her bed until after 2:00 am. We love her to peices and wish she wasn't getting big so fast.
Amber is still trying to be frugal and save money however the current situation has dictated that I get a job. So after talking to everyone I know for a few weeks I landed one as a personal assistant to a couple Mary Kay directors. It's so nice, I do most everything from home and just leave on Wednesday evenings for about 3 hours. So far it is a little overwhelming but I think once I get the hang of things it will work out to be quite nice. I've been cooking quite a few new recipes lately and this batch has turned out much better than the last batch. I still live for play group, girls night, and dates with Handsome. The big news this month is that I finally bought some new bath towels. I love them and can't believe I waited so long to get them.
Madisyn has become much more opinionate in the last month. She has a comment for everything and asks so many questions it can make your head spin. I have no idea where she gets it. We've found out she is still deathly affraid of animals and bugs. She loves her new swingset and is super excited every day to go play in her playroom downstairs. She's taken a liking to my phone and the games that test her on her alphabet. She's doing great considering I fell off the teaching bandwagon before Jaycie was born. She's excited to preschool to start in the fall and asks everyday if she can go swimming at Spencer's house (his grandparents have a pool).
Katie is so smart. We have been learning that she really absorbs a lot of what we say even if she doesn't appear to be listening. She still has a talking back problem but she says it with such an attitude that I'm sure we are in for it when she becomes as teenager. She still loves Taylor Swift and we have to listen to it in the car wherever we go. I curse the day I programed her CD into my van. She loves to dress up and had started to take her hair out when I do it so that she can do it herself. She went down the waterslide at Spencer's Gpa's Pool and is so proud of herself. She was so excited about the Princess Festival but insisted she wasn't having fun until she met Cinderella.
Jaycie is almost 1. I had Allison take some pictures the other day so we can send out invites for her birthday party. She has three teeth now and she is such a happy baby. She likes to climb on things, most recently she learned to climb up the kitchen chairs to stand on them. She isn't walking yet but has taken a few steps between Daddy and I. She loves to swing on the swingset and thinks that only food she should eat is fruit (especially grapes) but she seems to be growing well. She still isn't sleeping through the night but she usually will stay in her bed until after 2:00 am. We love her to peices and wish she wasn't getting big so fast.
Ewert Family Reunion (Waterfight)
Every year my Grandma Ewert (Oma) hosts a Family Reunion. This year it was a family Waterfight.
I just have to say that Little Brother started it... and that's all.
The Pool (Charlie, Amy, Maddie, Kate, and Vince)
The "By- standers" (Don't worry we got them too)
The pathetic excuse for a hose
Some Action
The instigator & Allison
Maddie
Katie after she smacked into the rock wall and got a big gash in her head. Ouch.
My thought's exactly baby girl!
Calling All Princesses
Did you know that Thanksgiving Point hosts a "Princess Festival" every year?
I didn't either until a few weeks ago.
You see, my super cute niece Taylor got a job playing one if the princesses at the festival. So naturally we had to go and check it out.
However, tickets were way a little overpriced and so I put the idea on hold.
That is until my super cute niece got us free tickets (we are all about free) and we went.
The girls loved it. We went with Aunt JaNise and our cousin Addie. Of course Taylor showed us around and introduced us to all the cool kids.
Alice & Tinkerbell
Belle
The Cast of The Princess and the Pea (totally adorable, my favorite part of the festival, they were awesome)
Rapunzel
Hook and his Pirate Friend (So sorry I forgot her name. oops)
and Cinderella
We had a blast watching the little skits and playing with the charaters. The girls also loved the "Pirate Ship Splash Pad Thing" and got so wet they all ended up riding home naked.
Jaycie was trying to grab the water and couldn't figure out how come she couldn't get her hands on it.
It was so cute and so fun that I think we may have to go again next year.
(but only if we get free tickets, as I said a lot a little pricey).
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