It makes you stronger....

That's what they say about going through a tough time!!  It's kinda humorous to look at my previous post, and how I wrote about Christmas Eve being my favorite day of the year.  You wouldn't believe the day I had.  Without going into enormous detail, (or making it look like a pity party) here are the "highlights"!

The night of the 23rd had been very unsettled for Nate - waking up every 45 minutes to an hour.  In the morning, he was still coughing, as he had been for several days, and he threw up.  Don left for work, and shortly after I took Nate's temperature.  It was ranging in the 101-102 range.  He was acting very lethargic and subdued - very unusual for him.

I took him to urgent care and thankfully was seen right away.  The doctor we saw was not comfortable with the sounds he was hearing when listening to his heart (that's my boy!) or his lungs.  He sent us to emerg at the hospital.  Once again we were seen quite quickly as he had called ahead to talk to the doctor on call and explain some of the specifics.  (Nothing is routine when there is a heart issue involved!)  They took 2 chest x-rays and confirmed that pneumonia was starting in one of his lungs.  Since it was too early to determine whether it was viral or bacterial, to be safe, Nate was given an Rx for antibiotics.  So, off to the the drug store, back to Grandma and Grandpa's, where I had dropped Brady off when I left in the morning (and who ended up keeping Brady with them for the afternoon), and back home.

That was 3 hours!  The rest of the afternoon he would sleep in my arms for a while, wake up for 5-10 minutes and then go back to sleep.  He threw up after every dose of antibiotics, but at least his fever was coming down after the Tylenol!

When Don got home from work, I sent him to Mom and Dad's where the party was starting!  I just didn't know what I should do, but staying home with Nate seemed logical, as much as I was so sad that I was missing the family time.  Not 20 minutes later, my 2 sisters showed up at my door, and in their beautiful way, encouraged me to get Nate and myself together and come to Mom and Dad's, even if we just rested there, at least we'd feel more part of it!

I didn't go to Brady's first ever Christmas concert, but Don video taped his performance!  He did just awesome!

The rest of the night consisted of food, family, presents, steak, homemade ice cream, crazy games and just being family.  Thankfully, Nate had some longer rests there, and I could join in the fun times with family.  

Kerry and Kathy and their family joined us via Skype this year....not the

same as being here together.  Miss you guys!!!!!

Nate was 'Mamma's Boy', but you could hardly blame him.

What a trooper he is!

Just my family getting a little goofy before

getting to the real game.

This was one of the gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.  When we got home that

night, we had to set it up in Brady's room.  He's slept there every night since!

This picture is from Christmas day.  Still looking a little dopey, 

but there was a remarkable improvement.  Much more active and alert.

(Still prefers his heart meds over his antibiotics, though!)

Here's Brady's song for Grandma and Grandpa. I think he surprised them by singing all 3 verses!

Anticipation

The last few weeks have been pretty crazy!  But mostly crazy in a good way.  It seems like I always find a few more projects I want to do at the midnight hour!  And because most of these things are gifts, I can't show you!!!!

Tomorrow is my favorite day of the year.  This year Christmas Eve is going to be even better since we'll have our big boy in the Sunday School Christmas program.  I have to admit, I'm just a little worried of what he might do once he gets up there in front of everyone.  His latest thing is to pretend that he's a giant and walk around kinda like Frankenstein making these loud, low growls.  Hmmmmm, could be interesting at church!

It feels like the only day outings I have are to the clinic or hospital.  Between regular baby appointments, blood work, immunizations, RSV injections, etc., it feels like I've always got places to go.  I'm so happy with the excellent care Nate has been receiving.  We're blessed with wonderful doctors and nurses, pharmacists, and lab techs!

In other 'Nate News', I am very ready for our "owl" to start sleeping at night.  It's been a challenging few weeks, with little sleep.  I need to work on being a little happier during those middle of the night awake hours....poor Don.... Thankfully the Lord gives energy for each and every day (and forgives us for the times we act or say without thinking!).   

I saw this at etsy and thought I'd share it with you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

You know it's Christmas...

I've been waiting very (im)patiently for my Christmas indulgence to arrive in the grocery store....and finally it did.  I'm totally a candy junkie - and around Christmas time these jelly slices and the squares are always in abundance at Mom and Dad's.  I think me and my brother devour the majority of them.  I think I'll play a mean trick on Kerry and just mail him one slice.  They don't get these treats in bulk in their area.  But before you go and feel all sorry for him, let me assure you that when Mom and Dad go to Toronto at the end of December, they'll be bringing him a box, I'm sure!

Another sure sign of Christmas is the annual school Christmas concerts.  I just got back from one this evening.  Loved it!!  Adria totally rocked.  And I hear Katelyn was a star herself on bass the night before, but I had to miss that one.  

Brady turned 3 yesterday!  What a fun day - it's great to spoil them on their special day!  He was so excited he insisted on setting the table all by himself!

And here's my other BIG boy!  Is he not the cutest?  Yes, that's his mother's strong opinion!

Speaking of cute....what do you think of this lovely couple.  Quickly take a peek before I get a call from Mom telling me to take if off!!  We took some great pictures right after the snowfall this morning!

Cheers!

Weekend Recap

We're back from a fabulous weekend in Winnipeg.  Here are a few of the highlights! 

Saturday was the Variety Children's Heart Centre Christmas party!  This was very new territory for us, we really didn't know what to expect.  It was held at the Children's Museum - we found out to be a very FUN place.  There were over 300 people there, as this was for all the heart patients and their families.

And it was fun!  The kids had a free for all reign over the entire museum, after a yummy pizza supper (all donated by local restaurants).  Then there was a visit from Santa, complete with presents for all the kids.

A really cool thing for me was to see families with several children - and not being able to tell which child was the heart patient.  This whole evening was a 'normal' party.  No waiting rooms, tests, exams, or questions.  Just special kids doing very normal party things!  A very welcome relief, I'm sure, for some families in the middle of very non-typical circumstances.  Another thing....whenever I'd make eye contact with another parent, we'd share a smile of understanding.  No words were ever needed  -  just a smile that communicated our love of our children and the certain journey that everyone in that building was on.

The evening ended with me having a conversation with someone I didn't know - but to him I looked familiar.  (What would an evening be with out playing the Mennonite game?!)  After trying to figure it all out, a very cool connection was made.  He is married to one of the Heart Clinic nurses, and she grew up in Winkler; her mom used to work for my dad; she knows my sisters (and had heard there was 'another' one...me); and my dad said she even spent time at our house when she was really little while her parents were away on a trip!  Makes a world a little smaller, and the Clinic a little more 'homey' when you can make a connection like that!

We also had time to connect with some very dear friends this weekend.  I've been blessed with such awesome girlfriends!  We've known each other since grade school and have gone through a lot together - and even though we're separated by the 'great abyss' (ha ha) from Winkler to Winnipeg, every moment we do spend together is so precious!  Love ya girls!!  (And we've all had a baby within 6 months of each other - how cool is that?)

We had the best accommodations at the Hildebrand Hilton!!!  Thanks Bonnie and Kenton for your gracious hospitality.  It was so great to spend time with you!!

Here are some visual memories from the weekend!

Why is it that only Santa and I were able to look at the camera???  C'mon Don - work with the camera!!!

I'll take one ticket to Philadelphia.  Can I go via Mississauga?  I've got some cousins I'd like to see!

Next stop, Regina????   Oh dear!

Rock around the Block!

"Go for a walk around Poplar Bay to look at the Christmas lights and the Christmas trees."

Those were the instructions for Brady today. Don and Brady got bundled up and went on their little adventure. Little did I know that there were only a handful houses with lights/trees lit up - but Don did get a shot of Brady in front of one. (Ironically, the one that I can see from our house!)

    

I just had to laugh when I saw that picture.  I couldn't resist zooming in to catch that great "CHEESE" smile!

Christmas Carols and Christmas Treats

I just got back from the Christmas baking exchange with several friends.  My freezer is stocked with some very delicious goodies.  Hopefully putting them in the downstairs freezer will keep the temptation to nibble at bay!

Today's Advent activity for Brady was to sing Away in a Manger and video tape it!

I wasn't sure how this would go, since we haven't sung that song this year yet - and I doubted that he would have remembered it from last year.  I'm guessing they must be singing it in Sunday School, because he did seem to know the general flow of the song!  Here it is:

On the Second day of Christmas...

First I have to show you my Christmas present.  He's all wrapped up and under the tree...so peaceful.

Nate and Don were on the floor, just cuddling and Nate gave in to sleep.  How precious to see my little babe under the tree!

Today's Advent activity was to decorate and color a Christmas tree!

Getting ready for a fun baking exchange with friends tomorrow.   I made raisin butter tarts and cranberry tarts.  I only did two 'quality control' samplings!  

I won't show you a picture of what the rest of my kitchen looks like!!!

Good night!

Sleep tight!

On the First Day of Christmas...

I'm so excited for this season of Advent.  It's neat to see how much more involved and aware Brady is of the real meaning of Christmas. 

He was very excited to open door #1 on the Advent Calendar.

After eating the chocolate treat inside, Brady "read" the note inside.  It said that today he should go outside to make a snow angel.

Nate had his own way of relating to the Christmas story (ie. chewing on the Nativity scene).