Thoughts on Ralphing

Neither one of us can remember the last time we puked so hard and were this sick with the stomach flu. We're both a little bit better than we were last night (which was brutal), but still not good.

I was trying to remember the last time I had the pukey stomach bug accompanied by fever and chills and the 'other stuff', and I think it dates back to about 5th grade. And I hope it's another 19 years or so before another bout with this.

blech...

Amy and I now both have the stomach flu today. Mine hit me at about 9:30 this morning, and Amy just a little while ago. It comes on fast with little warning. I'm very achey and freezing cold right now, but Amy hasn't hit that point yet. She's trying to make it through to Jack's bedtime when we can both be little wussies. This bug really stinks!

Jack, on the other hand, is doing fine. He's getting caught back up on the sleep he missed the other night and hopefully we can convince him to turn in early tonight.

If you see any green people around, avoid them like the plague. This stuff is really nasty. I was trying to remember the last time I threw up before today. I can't even remember. I hate puking!

You've Got That Pukey Feeling...

Last night we spent a couple hours in the ER. Everyone is fine, so don't freak out. Here's the scoop:

Jack was a little spitfire all day and right up until bedtime, running around wildly and having fun--no signs of anything different at all. A couple hours after going to bed, at about 9:30, he threw up all over his crib--which is very unusual. Other than the rotavirus incident last year, Jack just does not throw up. So we got him out of bed to clean him up and he was having some really strange involuntary twitching. That really freaked us out because I have epilepsy and that's kind of my specialty. I guess maybe I was jealous that he was trying to be Spazzy McTwitcherson instead of just letting me take care of that.

So after consulting the authorities (the ER nurse, a doctor, Granny Janny and my friend and co-worker Andrea) we decided it was better to be safe rather than sorry. We got to the ER around 10 and they tested his blood to check his sodium and potassium levels. He proceeded to throw up constantly in the room, so after determining that he was plenty hydrated, they administered a suppository to control the nausea. About an hour after we got home, he was able to sleep soundly...without the urps.

Amy took him to see Doc Herbek this morning (who is completely awesome) and he said we did the right thing by taking him in, but that the stomach bug was all over town right now and that's what it was. The jerky movements are pretty much the norm when little peeps throw up so hard. We thought so, but we're glad we had him checked out.

So, Jack is home today and will be home tomorrow too. We'll check with the doctor on Thursday to see if he should stay put on Friday as well. Right now, we're all just a bit tuckered out. Good thing I don't work until noon today!

The Mad Hatter

"...I'm a model, you know what I mean,

And I do my little turn in the hallway..."
Who, me? Cute? Really?
Much better looking in a hat than his dad.

Granny's Visit

Granny Janny stayed with us last night. She originally just planned to pop in on her way home from Des Moines, but we successfully guilted her in to staying longer. We ate turkey chili (leftovers...yummy!) and watched "Ratatouille." Jack watched as much of the movie as his early-to-bed head could stand, then turned in. Thanks for staying, Granners Janners!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The Abominable Snowjack.

IDK My BFF Dex

Need we say more?

A Visit From Dax

Sandbox-tastic!
Muscling for rank on the slide.

Dax came to see us with his mommy last Sunday, and we are just getting around to posting about it. Amy, Jack, Becca and Dax took a trip to Mommy's school where they have an awesome preschool playground/courtyard that Jack just loves. He and Dax had a blast playing there!
Two sweet little boyz in their blue jeans and navy sweatshirts.

Looking for trouble.
"And here is where we keep all the balls. When you're done playing with one, please return it to this spot, please. And that concludes my tour of the toy portion of the courtyard. Please join me for the equipment tour in T-minus five minutes."

Dax enjoyed the sandbox.
As did Mr. Concerned McSerious-facerson.
What a great time was had by the boyz.
Back at our casa, the two boys were fighting over this awesome JD tractor; that is, until Dax decided to push Jack around on it. Then both were happy about it...for about three minutes anyway!
How stinkin' cute is this?

Thxgivin' 2 Double O 7

Well, as most of you already know, we made the decision to stay put this Thanksgiving because there has been some illness in my family. Our day at home allowed us the opportunity to relax and get ready for the holidays. Jack had a lot of fun putting up the tree.
We had to get a new tree since the Great Basement Flood of 2007 claimed our other one. So, we went bigger and better (and the tree was actually less money than our little one). Jack and I would hang ornaments on the tree and he would laugh and clap. We still need to teach him to stay away from the tree though.
"Sittin' around by the Christmas tree..."
Amy made a Thanksgiving feast for us, complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy (which I made), rolls, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and pretzel salad. We also bought a pumpkin pie from Wally World. We weren't going to press our luck on that one...
Jack enjoyed dessert at least. He'd better start liking the rest of it, 'cause we're going to be eating the leftovers for quite a while!
Being Smiley McGooferson.
Aaaaaagggghhhhh!

Early Morning Shenanigans

"I'm sure you're wondering why I have this on my head, but probably moreso exactly how I matched my 'jammers in such a truly awesome fashion," Jack explains. "I think the real question here though is 'why do we have a green headband in this house in the first place?' Let's address the real issue here, folks, shall we? I mean REALLY."

Caught In The Act!

Dexter and Jack seem to get along better now more than ever. Wonder why that is?

Happy 3rd Birthday, Peyton Elisabeth!

All dressed up for Halloween as Princess Jasmine.
Obsessed with Grammy Tami's knee-highs.
Beautiful little girl.
Which witch is which? I've got wheels!

Happy Birthday, Peytunia Elisabells!

We love you and wished we could have been there to help you celebrate! Have a great birthday and make sure you get plenty of sugar!

ThE (oThEr) VrBi

Happy Birthday, Aunt Missy!

My cousin Vanessa and sister Missy, both expecting within a month from each other.
Keeping order during chaos is what Missy does best!
Showing off her baby bump.
Missy and Jared.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Missy!

We love you very much and hope you have a great 28th year of life!

ThE vRbI

Staying Home For Three Days

I really like this photo. Another good lighting shot by me. Way to go, ME!

Dad and Jack got to spend a lot of time together this week, as Jack came down with an ear/sinus infection for the ages. Jack was 'interesting' during those three days. We had periods of extreme good cheer followed almost immediately--and without notice--by episodes of mental and physical anguish (for lack of a more diplomatic way of saying it). I did catch some of his better moments on camera.

Here, he enjoys watching cartoons. Boy, did we watch cartoons. I learned a lot from watching those cartoons. And I think the one that stands out better than any other is that I despise "WonderPets". That show is a complete insult to a child's intelligence. (My mom used to say that same thing about "Gumby and Friends" and I never knew what she meant by that. Now I do.)
I finally turned the telly off and got the trapset out. Ringo here performs brilliantly.
And fashioned a neat little hat out of a saucepan. Brills.
Watching him play his drums was not only loud, but Hilarious Clinton!
Don't know what the point of this photo is, but I like it.

A Chance To Breakdance!

I took these miscellaneous photos of Jack on the new tile the other day. After starting to post them, I realized that it looks as though he's breakdancing, so I'm going with it. Kick back, relax and let the breakdance impress you (as well as the tile).

Jack was home with me Wednesday-Friday with an ear/sinus infection, so we weren't able to travel to Palisade for Peyton's third birthday party. Darn it. But he's starting to feel better, so that's a good thing.

I'll post more later. We're watching our three GI teams competing in the state finals for volleyball today on TV. All three teams have a really good chance of winning in each of their classes, so it'll be interesting to see if they can sweep 'em!

He Throws Like His Dad Throws

Another Reason Why We Love the New Floors

Tori's Birthday Weekend

We were lucky enough to have Tori here on her 16th birthday! Here are her and Uncle Dave at Whiskey Creek. I love that picture!
Here is Tori with her boyfriend Dan. I totally would never stab him with a shank (inside joke).
Jack enjoyed Whiskey Creek a little too much...
Yes, that is ice cream. He had finished his grilled cheese before we even got our meals, so he had ice cream while we ate. Yikes!
We embarassed Tori by having the wait staff sing "Happy Birthday" to her. This plate o' brownies was her consolation prize.
Making a huge mess. (We left extra in the tip for the cleanup.)
It's been a great meal when you have chocolate sauce on your arms, hands, chin, nose and in your hair!
Tori's birthday cake.
Tori and her birthday cake.

Jack was a big showoff that night during the Husker volleyball game. He had a good time burning off the sugar high by spinning and running and showing off for Grandma and Grandpa. They enjoyed it too.
Dex was exhausted after the volleyball game, as were all of us!
Tori too!
Jack and his cousin Tori. 16 years and 16 months. (Okay, almost 17.)
Tor and Jackles.