Mica drove up last night to meet with Alyse who is helping her with wedding plans. (THANK YOU ALYSE!) I got to see her for about 3 minutes before she and Matt went over to see Alyse. She cut her hair shorter, now we look more alike, I love it! (although my hair is a bit funky after a sunday nap :)
Oh, and someone is in process of tooth-cutting, so don't mind him, poor Eddie.
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The snow is almost melted, the sun is coming out.......... man that was a long winter for a family who has spent the last 5 years in snow-free, hot and sunny places.
I like the snow, but I didn't like sliding off the road and taking out a fence along the way, going out in my PJ's to shovel snow in the morning, and this horrid flu season. I did love that my daughter learned how to ski and loves it, kids sledding, how quiet and peaceful early mornings were, how bright the moon-reflected snow made the night, and how much more cozy hot chocolate feels when you sit by a window and watch snow falling softly.
So here is Eddie on his first trip outside walking around. We just put in a new garage door opener, so don't mind the old one in the background. There was so much for him to see, he would only look up for a second, and I kept missing it with the camera.
This is his "BIG BOY" game. We think it's funny that his weight is in the 24% range, and his head is in the 87%. His little arms can't really get around that big head.
These camo pants are my FAVORITE thing in his wardrobe. (thank you Andrea!) Because he is a shorty, they are lasting a long time, he has been wearing them since last fall, and still has room to grow. hehe....poor little dude.Well, I am happily in recovery-mode, so far no other children are sick, hurray! While enjoying this time resting and relaxing on the couch, I have worked on my art blog a bit. It's not anywhere what I would like it to be, but it's visitor-worthy for now. At least I have a whole bunch of cool artsy links to browse!
I need to get moving on making new things, and I am in process of making a logo that will eventually be the header. (Thank you Lindsay for taking a look at my sketches!) I REALLY need to learn how to take good photographs, I think that can make or break a blog like this. :) (there are SO many beautiful blogs out there that are made exceptional because of the photography of creative items)
Well, THIS is a start for me. GO check it out.... let me know what you think..... and if you have any suggestions, I welcome them! Really, I do! :)
Don't forget to spread the news and add me to your links! (or at least THINK about adding me, it may not be much of a blog for another month until I get items made)
Sorry these are small, my mother-in-law wasn't able to send them big, so this is the best I can do. You get the idea. He laid like this even when he was awake, poor guy. Glad it's over.
*Janae-I'm glad you were able to get info from my post, that's what I had hoped, since I was unaware of what to look for with RSV, it completely took me by surprise, I hope other moms can learn something from my experience. The season is from Nov-Apr to watch for RSV, (same as the flu season).
This is the story.....he started coughing on Wed last week, and just got worse, but it seemed like a bad cold, nothing else. Jade was just getting over a really bad cold that kept her home from school for a few days. I figured this was just the same virus. I am one of those mom's who does NOT rush to the doctor every time there is a little issue. I hate going all the way to the doctor just to be told it's something that has to run it's course. By Sunday, Eddie was getting pretty lethargic and fussy, I couldn't put him down, he just didn't seem happy with anything, so I walked around with him in the front pack or back pack. I had heard that strep and influenza was going around, so I took him in to the InstaCare clinic. That's when the doctor lifted his shirt and showed me how he was breathing, (I feel terrible, I didn't even notice!) He was struggling so much to breath, you could almost see his ribs he was sucking in so hard, his oxygen level was really low, so they rushed us to Primary Children's Hospital. I am SO grateful we live close to a facility like that, it was the best hospital experience I have EVER had.
Bill's dad, (who is on a mission at Temple Square), came Monday morning to give Eddie a blessing with Bill. He took some pictures, so as soon as I get those, I will post them. Eddie looked SO sad! He was not responding to anyone, he just laid there trying to breath, he didn't seem to even notice other people around him. RSV is a virus that has to "run it's course", but it can be dangerous in tiny babies if it's not treated, or children who have Asthma, heart conditions, or other respiratory issues. Eddie falls into the later category, but we are not sure what he has. I had heard of RSV, but didn't really know much about it. It is very common, you just have to watch for it and make sure you treat it if your child is high-risk. I had no idea Eddie was high-risk, asthma is not something that runs in my family. We are not sure that's what it is, that's why the doctor is running more tests. I will post when I know more answers. :)
I did not get a camera until tuesday, so he looks SOOOO much better in these pictures. When my mother-in-law sends me earlier photos, I will post those. He looked SO sad! But in these pictures, he is much happier and alert. I am so glad it was just this and not something worse that landed us in the hospital. I met alot of parents who had children in much worse situations. Thank goodness little Eddie is alright overall. :)
For anyone who has stayed with a child in the hospital knows, it is not a place of rest for a parent, so don't mind my dark circles and un-showered look. :) Alyse came for a visit, along with my cousin Jon, and they took pictures of us.
My mother sings this song to Eddie, it's really strange, this particular song ALWAYS calms him down when he is fussy. He loves to play with phones, but doesn't like the phone to be up near his ear, UNLESS my mother is singing this song on the phone. Grandma is singing to him in this photo, and he is pretty chilled.
YAY, he is sleeping without oxygen and IV! He looks TONS better!
He hated all the tubes everywhere, and was so cute about his freedom once they were all removed.
All better! (sort of) Time to go home!When I said in the last post that Eddie was sick, I didn't know how sick he was. I took him to the InstaCare last night, the doctor looked at him for about 5 min, called 911, and we were off in an Ambulence for the Children's hospital. Turns out he has RSV pretty bad, his oxygen levels were pretty dang low, and they drop if he is off the stuff for a few second, so we are at the hospital till Wed it looks like, maybe longer, maybe shorter. I just came home to take care of a few things, get a few hours of sleep, make arrangements for the kids, and then I will be with Eddie. RSV is pretty normal, and he will be fine, it's just a little unexpected, that's all. I will fill you all in later. :)
Well, sort-of.....
While Eddie is on my lap sick at a little puppy could be, I just set up a new google account and got my "art blog" started HERE so you can all add it to your links of most interesting blogs out there! (Just kidding) It's actually quite boring right now. I just threw out some random pictures from the past, I am still working on drawing out a logo, header, and I'm going to draw the background for the sides as well. It will be a while before I have it the way I want and then I will start making things to sell! :) Wish me luck! And yes, I am going to try out "etsy".
*Jay and Lindsay, I might be calling you for some advice and a "walk-thru" here and there as I try to get it JUST right. :)
I do not usually post religious stuff here, but my friend put this link on her blog and I was very impressed and found it interesting. It's a belief already practiced in my church, but I love how this bishop of another faith explains it here to others. click here when you have time to read the article, if you are interested.
This is Jade's way of giving Valentines to her class. We made beaded-wire hearts for the teachers, and handmade cards with chocolate hearts inside for Jade and Joshua's class-mates.
I never get tired of her little drawings..........
Poor Eddie is a bit sick, or it might be from the 4 bulging teeth that look like they will all explode any day. So it's a low-key holiday for us. The kids requested Heinzen cake, california rolls, miso soup, edamame, and a few spicy shrimp tempura rolls. Isn't that romantic? Maybe I should have posted this one last, so you could see the difference in the pictures on the next post from the day before. Anyway, this is from this morning, it was beautiful after the storm.......
I think I have the best neighbors, they should win an award. Honestly, EVERY one of my neighbors as far down as I know, are AWESOME people. I shoveled the snow several times yesterday, to keep it from building up too high. But still, by morning, there was nearly 10 more inches where I had shoveled. 6:30am I am getting all geared up to go shovel so Bill can get his car out, (he would do it, but I insist he not so he can keep his nice suit from getting ruined) Before I get out there, I hear a snow-blower in my drive-way. My sweet neighbor from across the street is taking care of the snow behind both our cars. HOW NICE!
I appreciate this sprinkle effect on our yard from the snow-blower shooting the snow over the perfectly fallen snow-covered grass.
I had a serious pile of snow again in our driveway after I cleared my car to take the kids to school, (on top of more snow from Bill's car). I had to go get them breakfast and then I was going to get to the big piles. But the school called and it was postponed 2 hours due to the snow. So I put off the task. By the time I went back out to shovel the big piles of snow, some neighbor, I have no idea which one, had already shoveled our ENTIRE driveway, even the piles by the garage, AND our walk-ways, side-walks, and mail box. There are a number of people who could have done this, so I'm just going to have to make cake for all of them. :)
The thing is, this is not the first time, and I'm sure not the last, that one of our neighbors takes extra time to spread a little love. :) Yesterday, Eddie got into the Valentine candies the kids had for their classes. He figured out if he sucked hard enough, he could get to the chocolate inside the wrapper.
Yesterday Eddie learned about my addiction......chocolate.
AAAND yesterday, ANOTHER snow storm. (I am beginning to REALLY miss my California home)
Snow storm means I go out several times to shovel the snow, I can't stand it building up higher than 1/2 a foot because it is so much harder to shovel. Eddie looks like a poor neglected baby looking for a real parent to adopt him.
For those of you we grew up with, and you know who you are, remember this guy? Javier Mackey. He is stationed in Afghanistan. He is a cool bro, with an amazing little family, and has always been a good friend. So those of you who remember him, and want to check out his blog, let me know. I will send him your email address so he can add you to the list. You can check out his blog and leave some comments for this poor, lonely, lazy bum. :) hehe
(Actually, he is a Special Forces dude, so he is anything but lazy over there)
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Many of you know I LOVE fine foods, I love to cook good food, (although I do not always cook), and I am a bit odd about WHEN I eat it. My kids will tease me about giving them cereal or toast for breakfast, then I eat the leftover steak and pasta, make a chicken salad, or eat cheese, meat, and bread, etc. (but Jade sometimes joins me) And I might make french toast or an omelet for dinner. I think part of this came when we lived in Spain, they eat a bit differently than we do in the US.
Well, I discovered a little gem at Costco, and I have been hooked! This was my breakfast this morning. I normally do not shell soybeans, I like the fun of eating them the way Japanese do. But I wanted to sit down and browse blogs while eating, this made it easy. :)
I have found when I want something salty, these little bowls are SUPER easy to prepare, I can add as much sea salt as I want, and it's way healthier than chips or crackers. My kids love them, so they are also a great after-school snack.
Well, I am going to start on something I have wanted to do for years, and I'm taking baby-steps.
I want to come up with a "name" for myself, for my some-what "business". I need a good, cool, long-lasting name, and I will start by using it on a blog just for my creations and info on where someone can purchase my wares.
I also need to figure out how to make one of those really "cool-looking" blogs, I already have some good info to start, I just need a good business name and then all of you will have to help me and put a link on your blog to my funky-crafts blog. :)
So I need some suggestions. :) Thinking something like "Book Jewelry, and other unique gifts", "Terra-Art", "Gotta Create!", "*Posh-Crafts* but not really", "Sandy Views", "TeeKay Art", "Jade's Sandy Corner", "Artisan Mom’s place". I'm a bit lame with blog names, I know, that's why I need help! :)
I want this to be a name I can keep, and eventually use when I reach my goal of mainly selling pottery. I want to be able to create a stamp/logo with the name that I will place on all my tags, cards, etc. And be able to make a simplified version to stamp into clay someday.
There are a ton of seasonal boutiques in this area, some cool artsy shops, and a few other venues I am looking at.
So far, I'm going to work on selling my beaded bookmarks, girls purses, Webkinz carriers, carved wood blocks, watercolor cards, sewn mixed-media wall-art, sport-team gifts, holiday ornaments, library bags and totes, and pretty much anything else I come up with while I clean out my art-supply shelves. (I always get lots of ideas as I clean out junk and think of ways to recycle stuff)
OK, you guys get the idea, so leave a comment with some thoughts, there are no bad ideas!!! Even if I don't use your idea, you never know when that idea might inspire someone else to come up with something brilliant they would have never thought about on their own. :)
Thank you for all your help! I feel pretty good about using my hands to create stuff, it's just using my brain with words that I'm not so good at. :)
If I did not have to change dirty diapers, this stage would be PERFECT! Jade came home today and let Eddie try some of her Capri Sun drink, he loved it! (he even dug the empty one out of the recycle bin and started sucking on it. I think he is hooked!
He has such a sweet relationship with his big brother and sister, I am so grateful for that. 
I was just browsing through some old pictures this evening and I noticed that the dates on these pics are from one year ago. Pretty crazy what kind of changes can happen in one year, isn't it?
This was right after the "fun 2nd trimester" ended, and after this, I was not smiling as much, I just wanted little Ed OUT!
btw- I am not as small as I look for being 8 months along, it helps to have the camera at nearly ceiling level looking down, it's much more flattering at that angle. :)
I really don't miss my hair, in case you're wondering, but I do have days. :)This was an impulsive move. Jade has been wanting a hair cut for some time, but we have been putting it off. She wanted her hair as short as mine! Thankfully, one of the other major females in her life, her Aunt Lindsay, also has short hair, and it's pretty sassy. We took a look on her blog at her new hair-cut, and then Bill ran Jade down to the corner cuts to get a similar style. Jade said she wanted her hair "bouncy, bold, and out of control" just like Aunt Lindsay's hair. So I took this picture today at church.
Go ahead, tell me how cute she is.... I already know it, but you can say so just the same. :)
Working at home depot at night has it's perks, and finding really cool boxes is one of them. (develping muscles where I forgot I had any, it another) :)
If you can't tell, there is a "neighborhood", a "resaurant", a "toy shop",............... and what box city would be complete with out a "rocket ship"?The kids had a special "Grandparents and goodies" reading celebration a few weeks ago, as well as Jade's "This is the Place" presentation about Utah. So Bill's wonderful missionary parents came on their P-day to be with the kids. It is always a treat to see them!
Josh really was SUPER excited to have grandpa Ed come to his school, this is just a bad picture. hehe
I love this picture of Jade and Velda.
Grandma getting in some snuggle-time with Eddie-boy
Jade was dressed up as a Utah Miner.
So cute!This is one of the posters she is working on for an Anti-tobacco ad.
This is Jade's folder cover
