Well, here I am again! It's 6 a.m. and we just got home from the ER. Chloe woke up at 3:something this morning, and I heard her on the monitor, struggling to breathe. When I went to check on her, she sounded like her chest was full of fluid, and she was crying and starting to panic. Chad and I rushed her to the Waverly hospital where she had a chest x-ray, a steroid dose, and a nebulizer treatment. The ER staff was awesome, and we had a really great doctor who knew just how to talk to a 3-year old. He said she had croup, and the x-ray showed some slight atypical pneumonia. Her right ear looked a little infected, and her left eye also had some redness and the green yuck, but not enough for him to call it pink eye. The antibiotic he prescribed for her chest and ear should also cover her eye, so we don't have to give it much more thought.
A good friend of mine was also there with her little girl, and she stopped at our room before they went upstairs to be admitted for croup. She'd heard Chloe crying and recognized our voices from a few rooms down. While the circumstances weren't ideal, it was still great to see her and have a laugh about meeting in the ER of all places!
We'll have to go see Chloe's pediatrician this afternoon for a follow-up, and I'll have to cancel her dentist appointment this morning. Hopefully she'll sleep...right now she's all hyped up on steroids and is laying in my bed watching a movie while I type. Now she wants a snack...do I give in and have her awake even longer, or do I stand firm and insist she goes to sleep?...I'm too tired to work that hard, so it's a snack for my little sickie!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Workin' Out!
Chad and I decided to start working out at The W. It's this brand-new (meaning opened last month) rec facility on the Wartburg College campus. We went last night to check it out, and tonight we went for our very first official work-out. I walked on the treadmill, and Chad did the elliptical machine. Then we swam a few laps, took a run down the water slide, and finished up in the hot tub. Not only is the pool area AWESOME, but there's also a steam room and sauna! They also have on-site childcare, which you can use up to an hour and fifteen minutes each day. Since we have a respite care worker come to the house to watch Sylvie, Chloe came with us and hung out in the children's area. It's very secure, with photo ID required to check your child in and out.
Take a peek at The W: http://www.the-w.org/
Some big news with Chloe...she is using the big girl potty now! She's wearing big girl undies, and only has to wear a pull-up diaper at bedtime. We started last Friday, and in just these four days she seems to have mastered it. This is awesome for so many reasons, not the least of which is not having to buy diapers for two children anymore!!!
Chloe and I have dentist appointments tomorrow, and I'm hoping she doesn't hate it. It's her first time, and I'm taking her to my dentist, who I really like and who will undoubtably be great with Chloe. Just crossing my fingers that she doesn't spend the whole appointment crying. Chloe, not the dentist. (:
Some big news with Chloe...she is using the big girl potty now! She's wearing big girl undies, and only has to wear a pull-up diaper at bedtime. We started last Friday, and in just these four days she seems to have mastered it. This is awesome for so many reasons, not the least of which is not having to buy diapers for two children anymore!!!
Chloe and I have dentist appointments tomorrow, and I'm hoping she doesn't hate it. It's her first time, and I'm taking her to my dentist, who I really like and who will undoubtably be great with Chloe. Just crossing my fingers that she doesn't spend the whole appointment crying. Chloe, not the dentist. (:
Monday, February 25, 2008
Juno
Chad and I went to see Juno tonight...LOVE IT! This is one of the best movies I've seen. The acting was phenomenal, and the dialog was constantly entertaining, even when it wasn't intended to be funny. I will own this when it comes out on DVD.
The best:
Vanessa: "Your parents are probably wondering where you are."
Juno: "Nah. I mean I'm already pregnant so what other kind of shenanigans can I get into?"
Oh, and it won best screenplay tonight at the Academy Awards, so if you need an excuse to go see it, there it is.
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Wrong Funeral
My neighbor, Carl, passed away last week, and his funeral was Saturday morning. Because we didn't make it to the viewing Friday night (too cold and too much work to take the girls out), Chad and I decided that I would go to the funeral Saturday to pay respect from our family. Here's what happened...
The funeral was at 10:30 a.m., and I rushed out of the house at 10:20. Luckily nothing is very far in Waverly, and I made it to the funeral home by 10:25. After illegally parking, walking through the snow in heels, and going in the closest set of doors, I found myself in an empty foyer. The interior double doors to the funeral parlor were closed, but there were coats on the rack and other cars outside, so I figured I was just the last one to get there.
After hanging up my coat and straightening out my dress hem, I went through the double doors and was relieved to find that there were still people standing around and talking. The funeral hadn't yet started.
A young, nice-looking funeral director handed me a program, and I made my way through the crowd to find someone I knew. On my way, I saw a framed photo of the deceased, realizing at this point that I was at the wrong funeral. I'm not kidding. This funeral was for an 83-year old woman; let's call her "Jane".
I couldn't just turn around and go back out. I didn't want to call any attention to myself, and I thought maybe they were having more than one funeral in the same building, so I just had to find out. After making my way through the mourners, I found the restroom and called Chad. When he answered, I whispered, "Listen carefully. I can't talk very loudly. I'm in the bathroom of the funeral home, and this isn't Carl's funeral. Look online and tell me where I'm supposed to be"...Thankfully he didn't waste my time and fall on the floor laughing. He ran upstairs to check the obituary on the internet, and told me that the viewing had been there the night before, but that the funeral was at St. John's church that morning.
Sh*t. Sh*t. Sh*t.
What could I do? I decided that the best thing would be to sit through this funeral, draw NO attention to myself, and slip out quickly afterwards. Because really, what could be more selfless than paying your respects to someone you don't even know, right? God must like that.
When I came out of the bathroom, they were starting the Lord's Prayer. It took only a few steps to come from the bathroom to the back of the small crowd, so I walked quietly into the room and said the prayer while reading up on the deceased in my program. I thought maybe I should be able to provide some reason for being there if anyone were to ask me how I knew her. I figured I could say she'd come into the library while I was working there, but then I read on and found out she'd lived in Texas since 1998, so that shot that idea. Just as I was trying to figure out something else, the prayer ended, and the funeral director addressed the group.
"I know this is a difficult time for you all, but before we take the family in, let's all go around and share a memory of Jane."
Sh*t!
I was in with the family. Okay, I swear I'm not making this up. This would only happen to me. Not only was I at the wrong funeral, but I had come into the room where the family gathers prior to the beginning of the service. Now I really panicked. I had to get out of there, but there was no way out unless I made my way back through the group and left as they watched.
"Let's start with you," the funeral director said, as he pointed to someone not far from me. I almost died.
At this point, I was in full panic-mode, so I backed up, went past the bathroom, through a small parlor, and up a short flight of stairs. Then I had to walk past an open doorway, where the mourners could see me, and I'm sure they were looking, considering my heels were clicking and clacking on the stairs in my mad dash for safety.
I kept going, passing a small divider wall and another open doorway, coming to a window where I could face the outside and wait it out. I figured if they were going to be able to see me, at least I could hide my face...kind of like an ostrich.
I was hoping that they would start the funeral soon and I could just sneak out the way I came in after the family entered the main area.
A few seconds after I found my spot to wait, the young funeral director came up and asked me if I was okay. He thought I was so upset that I had to have a moment to myself. Very sweet, but not helping my escape. I just told him that I was waiting for someone. I would have told him the truth and asked him to either show me another way out or hide me, but I didn't want all the family to hear me. Concerned, he said, "Are you sure you're okay?", and I just lied and said "yes, thank you", when really I was on the verge of a full-on freak-out.
Normally I don't embarrass easily, but this was different. This was someone's funeral. I just wanted out of there without making a scene. After he returned to the lower level, I realized that if he thought I was a distraught family member, he probably wouldn't have the group go in without me. "Oh, God, what if they wait for me?!?" was the last thought I had before my fight or flight instinct really kicked in. At this point, I was ready to take off my heels and sneak out a window, ditching my coat in the foyer and running in the snow with no shoes just to get to my car. Then I realized that my keys were in my coat pocket. I had to get back to the foyer.
To the right of where I was standing was a stairwell that led down to a set of double doors. I was afraid that they would lead back to the group of people, but I had no other options. I just sucked in what may have been my last breath, and tried to open one. Locked.
Seriously?
Really? Is this really happening to me?
I tried the left one, and it opened. I was in the foyer!!!! I got my coat on and made a bee-line for the main doors. Once I was outside and was getting safely in my car, I called Chad and told him what happened and said I'd be right home.
"Well, aren't you going to go to Carl's funeral?"
Seriously?
I really couldn't believe that he would ask me that, considering it was now 10:45, and I couldn't bear another embarrassment that morning. No way was I going to walk in late to his funeral. No way.
So, anyway, it's my own fault for not checking details before leaving the house, but I should have been cut some slack for trying to be a good person. Now all I have is a good story to tell my friends.
The funeral was at 10:30 a.m., and I rushed out of the house at 10:20. Luckily nothing is very far in Waverly, and I made it to the funeral home by 10:25. After illegally parking, walking through the snow in heels, and going in the closest set of doors, I found myself in an empty foyer. The interior double doors to the funeral parlor were closed, but there were coats on the rack and other cars outside, so I figured I was just the last one to get there.
After hanging up my coat and straightening out my dress hem, I went through the double doors and was relieved to find that there were still people standing around and talking. The funeral hadn't yet started.
A young, nice-looking funeral director handed me a program, and I made my way through the crowd to find someone I knew. On my way, I saw a framed photo of the deceased, realizing at this point that I was at the wrong funeral. I'm not kidding. This funeral was for an 83-year old woman; let's call her "Jane".
I couldn't just turn around and go back out. I didn't want to call any attention to myself, and I thought maybe they were having more than one funeral in the same building, so I just had to find out. After making my way through the mourners, I found the restroom and called Chad. When he answered, I whispered, "Listen carefully. I can't talk very loudly. I'm in the bathroom of the funeral home, and this isn't Carl's funeral. Look online and tell me where I'm supposed to be"...Thankfully he didn't waste my time and fall on the floor laughing. He ran upstairs to check the obituary on the internet, and told me that the viewing had been there the night before, but that the funeral was at St. John's church that morning.
Sh*t. Sh*t. Sh*t.
What could I do? I decided that the best thing would be to sit through this funeral, draw NO attention to myself, and slip out quickly afterwards. Because really, what could be more selfless than paying your respects to someone you don't even know, right? God must like that.
When I came out of the bathroom, they were starting the Lord's Prayer. It took only a few steps to come from the bathroom to the back of the small crowd, so I walked quietly into the room and said the prayer while reading up on the deceased in my program. I thought maybe I should be able to provide some reason for being there if anyone were to ask me how I knew her. I figured I could say she'd come into the library while I was working there, but then I read on and found out she'd lived in Texas since 1998, so that shot that idea. Just as I was trying to figure out something else, the prayer ended, and the funeral director addressed the group.
"I know this is a difficult time for you all, but before we take the family in, let's all go around and share a memory of Jane."
Sh*t!
I was in with the family. Okay, I swear I'm not making this up. This would only happen to me. Not only was I at the wrong funeral, but I had come into the room where the family gathers prior to the beginning of the service. Now I really panicked. I had to get out of there, but there was no way out unless I made my way back through the group and left as they watched.
"Let's start with you," the funeral director said, as he pointed to someone not far from me. I almost died.
At this point, I was in full panic-mode, so I backed up, went past the bathroom, through a small parlor, and up a short flight of stairs. Then I had to walk past an open doorway, where the mourners could see me, and I'm sure they were looking, considering my heels were clicking and clacking on the stairs in my mad dash for safety.
I kept going, passing a small divider wall and another open doorway, coming to a window where I could face the outside and wait it out. I figured if they were going to be able to see me, at least I could hide my face...kind of like an ostrich.
I was hoping that they would start the funeral soon and I could just sneak out the way I came in after the family entered the main area.
A few seconds after I found my spot to wait, the young funeral director came up and asked me if I was okay. He thought I was so upset that I had to have a moment to myself. Very sweet, but not helping my escape. I just told him that I was waiting for someone. I would have told him the truth and asked him to either show me another way out or hide me, but I didn't want all the family to hear me. Concerned, he said, "Are you sure you're okay?", and I just lied and said "yes, thank you", when really I was on the verge of a full-on freak-out.
Normally I don't embarrass easily, but this was different. This was someone's funeral. I just wanted out of there without making a scene. After he returned to the lower level, I realized that if he thought I was a distraught family member, he probably wouldn't have the group go in without me. "Oh, God, what if they wait for me?!?" was the last thought I had before my fight or flight instinct really kicked in. At this point, I was ready to take off my heels and sneak out a window, ditching my coat in the foyer and running in the snow with no shoes just to get to my car. Then I realized that my keys were in my coat pocket. I had to get back to the foyer.
To the right of where I was standing was a stairwell that led down to a set of double doors. I was afraid that they would lead back to the group of people, but I had no other options. I just sucked in what may have been my last breath, and tried to open one. Locked.
Seriously?
Really? Is this really happening to me?
I tried the left one, and it opened. I was in the foyer!!!! I got my coat on and made a bee-line for the main doors. Once I was outside and was getting safely in my car, I called Chad and told him what happened and said I'd be right home.
"Well, aren't you going to go to Carl's funeral?"
Seriously?
I really couldn't believe that he would ask me that, considering it was now 10:45, and I couldn't bear another embarrassment that morning. No way was I going to walk in late to his funeral. No way.
So, anyway, it's my own fault for not checking details before leaving the house, but I should have been cut some slack for trying to be a good person. Now all I have is a good story to tell my friends.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Sylvie the Godmother
Just for fun, I thought I'd share the b-day card I made for my brother. This photo of Sylvie was just too good to not use, and she looks so much like a fat-cat goodfella ...complete with velour jumpsuit!!!
Bo Swims with the Sharks!
My brother went to the Mall of America this week with some friends and scuba dived (dove?). Can you believe how brave he was to stand up to this shark? He must have drawn strength from Nemo.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
A Girls' Day Out!
I had so much fun yesterday! My dear friend, Dawn, took me for a girls' day out, and forced me to relax. Oh, she knows me so well...it truly does take some force to get me away from all my projects...
First we went for manicures and pedicures, then we went for 1-hour massages! Not together, just at the same time. Haha! Afterwards we tried a new Mexican restaurant and did a little Target shopping. Such an awesome way to spend a Saturday, and something I could totally do every week! Thank you so much, Dawnie!
Today Chloe has a full-blown cold, complete with whininess and a side of obstinence. I was able to get her to bed around 8, so hopefully she'll wake up feeling better tomorrow. Sylvie is behind me in her crib, making A LOT of noise...she's discovered that she can let me know when she's mad, and now I think she just likes the sound of her own growls and screams!
First we went for manicures and pedicures, then we went for 1-hour massages! Not together, just at the same time. Haha! Afterwards we tried a new Mexican restaurant and did a little Target shopping. Such an awesome way to spend a Saturday, and something I could totally do every week! Thank you so much, Dawnie!
Today Chloe has a full-blown cold, complete with whininess and a side of obstinence. I was able to get her to bed around 8, so hopefully she'll wake up feeling better tomorrow. Sylvie is behind me in her crib, making A LOT of noise...she's discovered that she can let me know when she's mad, and now I think she just likes the sound of her own growls and screams!
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