A Sick Baby Boy

Well, it's been almost 2 weeks since I've posted anything. Shame on me! Sweet Frazier has been sick for over a week (and on and off for a good month) with a high fever, viral symptoms and a very lethargic spirit, which is so unusual for our energetic boy. We have had 2 long doctor visits and 2 trips to the ER over the last week. We are now at St. Mary's after being admitted last night to treat a kidney infection. Apparently, kidney infections are unusual in little boys, which is why it wasn't their first thought to get a urine specimen when this started earlier on. The nurses have attempted to get an IV in him 3 different times since we've been here with no success, so we are trying to keep him hydrated with Pedialite and breastmilk. So far, it is working okay, but we will stay at least one more night to make sure he is hydrating well and that the antibiotic is treating the infection. It is hard to see our little man get so upset with the prodding and poking, and everyone tells me its harder on the parent than the child though his screaming doesn't indicate that. 

Losing my husband or my children has always been one of my greatest fears that I've spent a lot of time praying about. I know that incessant worry will do only harm and will not control anything, but it is hard to keep that in perspective when I can't get in touch with Geoff after I expected him to be home or the doctors are unsure of what's wrong. The unimaginable goes through your mind. I am thankful that God has given me a lot of peace through this situation - He is really helping me through my fears! And I am thankful to be in a place where I feel like he is getting good care, especially after having the perspective of how different a situation like this would be for a mother in Africa.

Thank you for your prayers for him, us and the medical staff (they are working!), and a special thanks to our friends and family who are taking care of our little girl and all our creatures back at home.


Tuesday evening after a trip to the pediatrician and the ER. 


Snuggling with Grandpa at Thanksgiving and still not feeling well. 

Second trip to the ER. 

Admitted to the hospital and napping with Daddy.

In his jail-like crib at St. Mary's. 

Can't forget about our sweet girl who went with Daddy to the store to pick up Frazier's prescription (before we knew we'd have to come to the ER). Yes, she is in a Hokie outfit. Sorry, my UVA friends. At least she chose the winning team that day!

Growing Herd

We had a new baby calf (boy) join the herd last week. Geoff just missed the birth as Dan and Doug had to pull him out of his momma. The other 2 mommas are expecting (we think), so hopefully, he'll get to see the action in the next few weeks. Here's the little cutie.

 

We are also hoping our 2 pigs are pregnant now that Richard (the male) has joined us. I can't wait to see some sweet baby piglets!

Mommy's Little Helper and Big Jumper

 

 

Daylight Savings Time

The individual that created daylight savings time clearly did not have young children on schedules. I am an early riser, but I largely do that so that I can have a few moments of quiet time with God and uninterrupted conversation with my husband. When I don't have those things I can get cranky. So, here's hoping my little ones get back on track soon!

In the meantime, here's a fun picture from yesterday. Grandma and Grandpa came to visit to help with some farming stuff and be with the kids. 

Trick or Treat

We had a fun evening trick or treating in my mom's neighborhood (if you've been to our house, you know trick or treating here would be pretty impossible) with Emily, Hunter and Micah. We also visited Great Mimi (my Mimi) to show her our dressed up crew.

 

Frazier was a tourist and our sweet girl was a butterfly. She LOVED trick or treating and couldn't stop talking. She was so excited and didn't get scared of creepy things at all (though we did avoid the homes where it looked like someone might jump out at us).

 

 

 

 

 

Hope y'all had a good evening, too. M&M is already dressed in her Christmas pajamas and ready for all the joy that the next season brings. I love it!

Dancing Machine

 

(and no, he is not usually allowed to climb and stand on furniture, but we had to capture this moment before we moved him to safer places)

A Fun Fall Weekend

We had a great weekend with some down time and some fun time to visit with friends and family. We left the house early on Saturday to drive to Charlottesville. We stopped at Carter Mountain  for our annual trip where we enjoyed a few apple cider donuts and the kids were able to explore pumpkins and the mountain top on a beautiful fall morning. While most people go to Carter Mountain to pick apples from trees, when we discovered on our way to the trees (it felt like a very long trek with 2 little ones) that there were large bins along the way with pre-picked apples at the same price, we stopped right there. We told Mary-Michael to enjoy her picking out of the bins as I felt slightly guilty about taking away the actual apple picking experience. I told myself she certainly wouldn't remember, and that next year when all 4 of us were walking and didn't need morning naps, our visit to Carter Mountain would be longer and more plentiful. She happily obliged.

This seemed to be the theme for the day as we enjoyed a morning tailgate for the UVA vs. Wake Forest football game but then decided to not to go to the game. Who does that?! Well, we do, apparently. We just decided it was not worth the money to take two soon-to-be very cranky children into a football game that UVA would likely lose (and they did). Again, we had to tell Mary-Michael we weren't doing something that she thought we were, but she took it like a champ. So, we left at 12:30, the kids fell asleep immediately, and we enjoyed some frozen yogurt on our way home and some time to talk. I guess we are officially getting old or maybe we're just really tired! We decided Frazier's stage is really hard for outdoor activities because he can't walk, he wants to crawl, and he doesn't want to be held. This doesn't work well for places with lots of people, dirt and concrete, but there's always next year!

Loving the pumpkins - they are much bigger than the ones we've grown at home. 

See the wiggling! We could hardly get a picture with Frazier. 

LOVE this picture of Lilly Kate and Mary-Michael. Her momma (Christian) and I met over 11 years ago in the dorms behind them. 

Go Wahoos!

On Sunday, we were happy to have a baby shower for Shirley (and baby Jacob) at our house. The guest of honor received some really nice things for her sweet baby boy, and I think she felt very loved by those who came to celebrate with her. 

 A sweet baby boy. 

Fun presents!

Yummy food!

Playmates so that the mommas could enjoy themselves. 

Emily and Kelly decorating burpcloths.

The guest of honor!

Yay for baby stuff!