5 Months

Our little cutie is now 5 months old! 

Kate is a social girl who loves to smile at anyone she sees. Although she's just hit the stage where she doesn't like other people to hold her - just mommy and daddy. And she adores her brothers, especially Jack. They make each other happy. 

She is recovering from her illness and is getting back to her happy self. She lost a little weight while she was sick, so she probably weighs the same as she did last month. 

She loves to roll around. I find her in corners and up against the couch all the time. She thinks it's funny to roll over and try to chew on the leg of the chair. 

Kate also thinks she's big stuff and tries to get into her brother's toys. They better watch out for when she starts crawling. 

She helps me with most things around the house, including the planning of Thanksgiving dinner. 

We love our sweet, busy little babe!

Lukey Says the Darnedest Things

Luke most certainly has a way with words. From the mouth of Luke:

Visitors = Customers

Riding the Elevator = Riding the Alligator 

Ear Drops = Raindrops

I was telling him that when I was a little girl, Gramp used to call me Megal Bagel

According to Luke, "when I was a little boy, Gramp called me Hot Dog."  Pretty sure Gramp has never called him Hot Dog!

The boys were discussing what they want to be when they grow up. Jack wants to be a teacher and Luke wants to be Sister Malone, his nursery teacher. And they've decided Kate wants to be a race car driver. 

Who knows what he will say next?

Outbreak!

Sunday, November 9 - Jack starts coughing and has a fever. He will cough so hard that he throws up. 

Tuesday, November 11 - After seeming much better, Jack's fever spikes and he can't stop coughing. We go to the doctor, he is diagnosed with croup and prescribed an oral steroid. The doctor says if the baby starts with the cough, come back in.  Jack improves drastically by that evening. 

Wednesday, November 12, 5am - Both Luke and Kate start coughing. That morning we head back to the doctor and both kids are prescribed the oral steroid. 

Friday, November 14 - Kate seems to be doing much better and I comment on that to Dallin. Famous last words. 

11pm - Kate wakes up and fusses and cries all night. By morning, she is lethargic, not eating and coughing up mucus. We head to the doctor (third times a charm, right?)

She is diagnosed with RSV. Luckily it was still early enough and her oxygen levels were good enough that she didn't need to be admitted to the hospital. She is prescribed special nasal decongestant drops, an antibiotic for what looks like an ear infection, and breathing treatments, along with instructions to use a cool mist humidifier and a suction bulb on her nose. 

Meanwhile Luke is still coughing and miserable. I am covered in sick kids and am starting to feel sick myself. 

Sunday, November 16 - After a long night of medicines and suctioning her nose, Kate is looking and acting much better. She's even smiling!

Monday, November 17 - Luke seems to be doing better. Then that night he fussed and cries all night. 

Tursday, November 18 - Luke's ear is dripping with fluid and he has a fever. The tubes are working - the fluid is draining - but he obviously has an ear infection. We make trip number FOUR to the doctor. He is given an injection since he is famous for throwing up medicine and prescribed ear drops. 

He finally sleeps. 

And then miraculously starts feeling much better. 

Now the kids are doing much better, although we are still stuck inside as they are still coughing. 

Let's hope and pray that was the final episode in Outbreak 2014. We are keeping the doctor's office in business!

A Father and His Sons

Friday night was the ward Father and Sons Campout. Due to that pesky Arctic Blast and some persistent coughs, our boys had to stay home. But Dad still made it fun. They camped out in the living room, with snacks and movies and even slept out there all night. In the morning, they cooked up some pancakes and sausage. Then they headed out back to shoot the BB gun. It was a good old manly time. We are glad Daddy was willing to make it fun despite the change in plans. 

Fun on the Farm

Jack went on his first kindergarten field trip to the farm! It coincided with freezing temps due to the "Arctic Blast" so we had to bundle up. 

Luke, Kate and I tagged along for the fun. 

They had a blast seeing the animals, jumping on the giant pillow, riding the tractor and going through the corn maze. 

After lunch, they got to just play around. 

Jack had a great time and loved every part, including the bus ride!

Thankful

This month for Family Home Evening we have done Thanksgiving activities. We made a Thankful Tree. Each day we add a leave with things we are thankful for. Some of the highlights: Jesus, Kate(multiple times), four wheeler batteries, and our house. 

We also made turkeys using our handprints for the leaves and a footprint for the body. We had two excited turkey makers!

Well Checks

We went in for our well checks today for the younger kids. Everybody is looking healthy and they were super well behaved. 

Kate even got another round of shots and hardly did more than whimper. She's a tough little lady. 

Then they came home and played puppy. 

Do you recognize the puppy?