Swine Flu: Day Two

Before I go into everything from today, I had to include this picture from last night. We took the kids on a walk before their baths and I just thought Braedyn looked adorable!

Okay, so today went really well overall. Brookelyn did wake up once last night, but she was fine and had no fever. In fact her fever has not returned all day (and I haven't given her any Tylenol)--YEA! This morning she pretty much laid around and didn't want to eat, but she wasn't fussy or complaining at all.

When I got up I posted Brookelyn's progress on Facebook (all my mommy friends are on there and were following her). My friend down the street posted that she had told her six year old that Brookelyn had the Swine Flu (Brookelyn was at his birthday party on Saturday, so I had called her to let her know). She said that he then told her, "Mom I knew something like that happened. I saw the tape on their porch, and that means they can't come out!" Well, here is a picture of our house--with the Halloween decorations!!

I thought that was HILARIOUS!!

So, since I knew we would be cooped up all day we might as well be productive. And, nothing makes Brookelyn happier than cleaning, so we gathered up all our hard, plastic toys and took them for a swim in bleach water:

This afternoon we had lunch--although Brookelyn didn't really eat much.


Since I was trying to keep the two hooligans away from each other, I let Brookelyn go play dress up in her room. She came out looking like her normal, princess self:

You can see Braedyn in the background wearing his fairy wings--he brought them to me to put them on him. He wanted to play dress-up like big sis! Even funnier was when he came in the living room with her heels. Surprisingly, he is a pro at walking in them and wore them most of the afternoon. Here he is dancing in them:

So, overall I would say that Brookelyn is almost back to her normal self. Braedyn just needs to stay symptom free until tomorrow night when Brookelyn is no longer contagious (as long as her fever stays away). That should be easier since he goes to school tomorrow. Maybe by Friday we will be completely out of quarantine and I can take the kids out of the house (fingers crossed)!

Swine Flu, Ear Infection, and Sacral Dimple

My poor little Brookelyn! She came home from school yesterday with a fever and woke up with one this morning. Luckily, we were already scheduled for a doctor's appointment this morning as follow up to the cyst on the back of her knee.

When we arrived, since she had a fever and a cough the nurse made her put on a mask. Here is my little patient:



After talking with me and testing her for flu, which I didn't think she had the nurse left and we waited for the doctor. She finally came in and told me Brookelyn was POSITIVE for the Swine Flu! I couldn't believe it! So, she prescribed Tami-Flu for Brookelyn and a preventative dose for Braedyn. She continued to examine Brookelyn and found that she also has an ear infection--POOR BABY! I then mentioned that Brookelyn had been complaining of pain after pooping. She examined her and then asked me about Brookelyn's little dimple above her hiney. She was surprised that it had never been examined by her previous pediatrician or at the hospital after her birth. Dr. Richardson explained that it is called a Sacral Dimple, and since she could not see the bottom of it, or any skin covering the hole, that Brookelyn would need to be scheduled for a MRI at Children's Hospital. I was totally shocked and taken by surprise; all of a sudden the swine flu didn't seem that bad. Here is a picture (as modest as I could be) of Brookelyn's Sacral Dimple (the little black hole above her hiney crack):


So once she is over the Swine Flu and we are back from running our marathon in Chicago, Brookelyn will be scheduled for her MRI--the week of Oct. 12th. She will have to be sedated because apparently the test takes 45 minutes and she has to lay completely still.

Now, I am pretty sure Braedyn also has one of these too, so when I get him home this afternoon I will be checking to see if I can see the bottom of his--otherwise we will have two children to examine!

As far as the cyst behind Brookelyn's knee, which is now the least of my worries, we are going to continue to watch it and hope it will disapear on its own. If not, we will have to have surgery to remove it. Both the Dr. and I agree we would rather just keep an eye on it and avoid surgery!

I am off to be Nurse Mommy!

Razorback Weekend

We had such a great weekend in Arkansas--despite the Hogs' loss to Georgia! It was almost midnight when we finally got to Uncle Dave's house on Thursday night, and the kids barely slept 30 minutes the whole 6 hour drive! The next morning we were up (before the sun) and off to Gramma and Grampa's house for breakfast. We had a great day with lots of playing outside--Brookelyn is now obsessed with sweeping, swimming, and yummy food. That night we headed to Fayetteville for the kids' first pep rally. We got there super early and while we sat waiting, were asked to judge it (the sororities, fraternities, and dorms all compete against each other in spirit contests to win). Since we were judges we got the VIP treatment, including standing right up front, meeting all the mascots and cheerleaders, and generally being right in the middle of the whole thing (like two feet from the fire twirling baton girl who Brookelyn now wants to be when she grows up). It was absolutely wonderful--Allen and I were laughing saying that Brookelyn won't understand why she can't stand in the front again the next time we take her! The next day we again awoke, or should I say were awakened before the sun and headed back to Grampa and Gramma's house. We watched lots of football, played outside in the kids' new swing (Thanks!), and just had a wonderful time. That night Daddy and Uncle David headed to the game to cheer on the Hogs.
Here is a short slide show of the fun we had:

Brookelyn's Exciting Week

Brookelyn has had quite an exciting week! First, she was asked to move up a level in gymnastics, to level II (after only two classes, might I brag). Here are some pictures of her today in her new class:

This is what she calls, "the armpit"; of course it is really the pit, but I think it is so cute, I don't want to correct her. It is her favorite rotation!

Here is a video of Brookelyn tapping in the front hall in her NEW tap shoes--notice brother also thinks he is tapping!

And, here is a short video of the kids spinning--I am sure that you know spinning and kids probably do not go well together. But, they were having so much fun and looked so darn cute!

Rain Fun!

It's Only Wednesday...And We Are Having a BLAST!

Ace, Tata, and Honey arrived on Monday, and the kids have been having such a GREAT time! Here are the Three Muskateers:
Today Brookelyn started school--she was so excited to see all her friends from last year! Ace even said that he wants to go to school like his cousin!

Yesterday we pulled out the shaving cream and let the kids play and make a TOTAL mess! Brookelyn's teachers used to do this with her last year, and I have been wanting to try it--let's just say the kids LOVED making a huge mess!

This morning, after dropping off Brookelyn at school, we took the boys to gymnastics. Here is Braedyn in the foam pit:

Tata comes back on Thursday, Uncle David arrives Thursday night, and Sashi flies in on Friday. We will have a full house of craziness!