Follow up

After I posted yesterday, I took the kids grocery shopping at Smith's Marketplace. Jenna & Aubrey went to the playland while I shopped with Lydia. I wasn't sure how long she would last, but I went for it. She was so much better! She was smiling and chattering and even playing. I set a can of formula in the seat next to her and she picked it up and watched for my reaction as she dangled it over the edge like she was going to throw it on the floor and laughed when I told her no-no.

I was so glad to see my sweet baby back! She lasted for the hour I shopped and did want to be held a lot when we got home, but she was vastly improved!

Last night someone from our doctor's office called to check on her and make sure she was improving. Have I mentioned how greatour doctor is? Ü

Poor Baby

I have been absent from blogland for a little while because my sweet baby has been sick and only wants to be held! My sister has come to my rescue today, so I have few minutes to type.

I took Lydia to the ER at Jordan Valley Saturday night because she just kept getting sicker and her fever was spiking before it could give her more meds. That special something said' Take her in now!" I have learned not to ignore those promptings.

After all sorts of mean things they told me she had a bad UTI & pneumonia. Lovely! Even though they had to to all sorts of test, they were so sweet to her and took very tender care, I would recommend them if you need emergency help. (Hopefully you won't...)

After a few days of Septra she is doing quite a bit better. Her fever is nearly gone and she seems more comfortable, but still wants to be held day and night. She still kind of whimpers, which makes me so sad. She is usually so sweet and cheerful, that I know she must be miserable to act like that.

I took her to our pediatrician yesterday for some follow up and her lungs are good. The doctor was able to pull the ER charts and check Lydia's labs and everything. She told me that this was a full blown kidney infection and we are lucky Lydia wasn't hospitalized. Apparently in kids this young it can be a sign of more serious problems, so we have to go back next week for another check and then to PCMC for some more thorough (invasive) testing.

I have to give our doctor some free advertising here. Mary Tipton at Copperview Medical Center. (northeast corner of Bangerter & 9800 S) She is so awesome! She was on call at the hospital over the weekend and saw Lydia's name on something. She happened to see me come into the waiting room and came right out to talk to me to see what happened- she didn't even know we were coming to see her! She spent more than 40 minutes with me going over lab results, explaining problems to watch for and future tests to be done and examining Lydia thoroughly. She is so wonderful! If you need a new doctor, I would highly recommend her! She is actually an internal medicine dr, so she treats all ages.

Anyway, there's my update for you. We are doing fine, but the house is a disaster area. I love to sit and hold Lydia, but the dishes and laundry are stacking up! Oh well, they'll still be there when she doesn't want to be held anymore!

Misunderstood

We've all had songs that we thought we knew the lyrics, only to find out later that we were way off the mark. When I was younger I thought the Michael Jackson song Billy Jean said "but the chairlift's got my son." (I was very into skiing & didn't know there was such a thing as an illegitimate child) It really says "but the kids is not my son."

We had a neighbor girl who would sing at Primary "Jesus said love everyone. Tie them to a tree."

As I listen to my kids sing, I love to hear how they interpret the lyrics and I thought I'd share.

My favorite song that they sing their own way is a John Denver song called Please Daddy don't get drunk this Christmas. They think it says (and sing enthusiastically) "Please Daddy, don't get drums this Christmas. I don't want to see my mama cry!" Thankfully there is a better chance of Tim getting drums for Christmas than getting drunk, but I would cry if drums were brought into my house!

Another cute Christmas lyric change is from my almost 3 year old nephew. He sings "we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and we're happy you're here." A nice sentiment, also. Too funny!

Tell me some of your funny misunderstandings. (Tell me I'm not the only one...)

Utah we love thee!

Thanks, Kari, for this funny collection of Utah-isms!

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September to May, you live in Utah.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Utah.
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Utah.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Utah.

If 'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Utah.
(story of my life! Ü)

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Utah.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Utah.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Utah.

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Utah.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Utah.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Utah.

If the speed limit on the highway is 75 mph -- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Utah.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Utah.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Utah.

If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly' you live in Utah.

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your friends, you live in Utah.

Important info from Enrichment Night

For Enrichment night last we had an attorney come talk to us about estate planning. Tim & I have long talked about the need to put something in writing, especially for our kids, but we haven't done it yet. For me, I was intimidated by the unknown and the fear of the cost. Last night we learned that even if you just write something down in your own handwriting and sign and date it, it is better than nothing. He went over a few documents that we should all have, whether we have been to an attorney or not. You've got to start somewhere, right? I thought I'd share his advice.

• Will or trust. A trust has to be drawn through legal channels. A will can be drawn up with help or you can start by writing your own. (Holographic will) The more official it is, the more it will stand up to contestation. Even if you just write it and have it notarized, that is more sure than not having it notarized.

A will has to go through probate when you die. There is a fee for this- about $1000. The attorney who spoke to us will prepare a will for $150. (He is also our stake patriarch, so I would recommend him if you need a trustworthy attorney.)

A trust doesn't go through probate when you die, hence no fee and usually no taxes. He will set up a trust for $700.

• Guardianship This is usually part of your will or trust, but it determines who should care for your children if something happened to both parents. Save your kids and family members a custody battle and heartache. (By the way, ask a person or couple before you put them down as the guardians for your kids.)
• Durable power of attorney This document determines who should have control of your finances if you should become incapacitated or otherwise unable to control your finances. As my grandma suffered from Alzheimer's I saw this at work so my mom and her siblings could take care of Grandma- very important!
• Living will This informs your family and medical personnel whether or not you want life support or to what extent you would like them to work to save your life if you were seriously ill or injured. In all seriousness, I don't want to make the news like Terry Schaivo.

He also recommended buying burial plots sooner than later. They will only get more expensive. He does NOT recommend pre-paid funeral plans. There is no recourse if the funeral home goes out of business. Also, if I remember correctly, my grandpa was hit with more expenses when my grandma died even though they had prepaid.

Also, make sure the title to your home lists you and your spouse as joint tenants with rights of survivorship so the house doesn't go through probate!

I hope this is helpful to someone. I learned a lot. There was a lot more information, but this is the gist of it. If you are interested in talking to Brother Long, I can get you in touch with him. He is a very good man and would take good care of you!

(Side note: If you need an honest mortgage broker, my dad is the best! He always gets many comments from customers and real estate agents who are pleasantly surprised how lows his costs are, how quickly he can close, how easy he is work with, etc.)

Have you seen it?

I just wanted to recommend my link entitled Hill's recipe blog. It is a blog of recipes from my sisters, their friends, and other people along the way. It is a great place to find dinner ideas. Everything has been tried by real families- most with young kids. Take a peek. Leave a recipe, too if you'd like!

The BEST baby product EVER!!

And no, I'm not exaggerating!


Lydia has been sick for over a week now and when the Dr recommended three different medicines I spent most of my day trying to sneak the meds into her mouth. There was amoxicillin everywhere! I remembered seeing some kind of baby bottle that had a medicine dispenser inside, so I figured I had nothing to lose. I headed to Walmart to find one, where the pharmacy tech gave me a blank stare when I asked her about it, but I found one the next aisle over. It is called the Reliadose. It has been heavenly! I wish I had had one of these for my older kids!



The medicine goes in a syringe inside the bottle, so they don't see it coming. The meds don't mix with the milk/juice until they are in the baby's mouth, so you know exactly how much medicine is swallowed. Lydia hasn't seemed to notice the medicine and it is all in her mouth in about 3-5 seconds. I LOVE THIS THING!



This will be my present to new mommies from now on!



Also, they have a special on their website where you can send in your receipt and UPC barcode and they will send you a free bottle and two nipples & syringes. Very worth the $9 ish investment!!

Three cheers for the Reliadose!

I may seem a bit fanatical, but keep in mind I haven't really slept much for over a week now. Ü

We are thankful for the Capitol!

We made the trek up to the State Capitol Building on Tuesday and the girls were AMAZED! Jenna was speechless when we got into the Rotunda. For those of you who know Jenna, you know that "speechless" is not usually a problem for her. Every night since our tour she has thanked Heavenly father for the State Capitol Building. I think she liked it! Here are some pictures of our tour.


South side of the Utah State Capitol Building
Due to lack of accessible parking, we parked across the street and, with the help of Uncle D, we carried the double strollers up the five or so flights of stairs outside. It was worth the climb.


The Capitol Rotunda
The paintings have all been meticulously restored and they look amazing!

Aubrey is amazed, too, as she looks up into the Rotunda ceiling.
Looking across the interior from the second level.

I tried to be artsy in my photography, but I have no idea what I'm doing.

Jenna, Zach, and Aubrey in front of a fireplace in the lounge behind the House of Representatives meeting room.

It was interesting to have access to places in the building that are usually restricted! One of my fourth grade teachers was a state Representative, so many moons ago I was able to go see when the Legislature was in session. I was glad to get to go back and see it as an adult. Everything was much smaller than I remembered!




Jenna among the desks in the House of Reps.


These desks are the originals, which I assumes means they have been there since 1919.



Jenna in the gallery overlooking the House of Reps.




The State Supreme Court (both photos)
This was the Supreme Court, but court is no longer held here. It has been moved down State Street to the Matheson Court House. Everything in this room that looks like gold IS. The light fixtures are the original ones, and the the paint color scheme is what it looked like in 1919.
This is the front of the room. This painting is of an arch in southern Utah. It is the largest spanning natural arch in the world. The name escapes me and I'm too lazy to look it up right this second.

The kids at the top of the stairs.
Since Kat and I both had our double strollers, we spent a good deal of time in the elevator. Since the elevator wasn't quite ready for the tour, there was a guy in there running it. He was very nice and felt like and old friend by the time we saw 5 floors and returned to the bottom/
Jenna, Lydia, Aubrey, Makayla, Zachary

After hearing stories about me singing on the staircase with different choirs, that was Aubrey's main request. She HAD to sing on the stairs. She and Zach climbed up about half way and performed "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." There were no tinsel halos ala Sunshine Generation, but they were sure cute!!

An outing to remember

We are going to see the refurbished Utah State Capitol building tomorrow. There is public open house all week. After the excitement from my girls when we toured the new IHC hospital, we can't miss this historical learning experience.

I remember being in the Rotunda many times for choir performances, tours, and field trips, so I am excited to see it again!

I'll let you know how it goes. Come on up!

Big Bang

On New Year's Eve the girls sported a new hair feature- bangs. Last time I tried to do soemthing different with Jenna's hair she hated it, so I was surprised she let me curl her bangs.

Aubrey wouldn't be left out, so we curled her side-swept bangs. They looked to grown up!

After we got all dolled up we hit two New Year's parties and actually stayed out past midnight. That was a first for us in many years!

Winter weather wonders

I have always been fascinated by the weather and I love to watch clouds! (I should have been a meteorologist) I saw this interesting cloud formation one day while I was waiting to pick Jenna up from kindergarten.

Two weekends in a row we had 10 inch snowfalls. In the distance is Tim shoveling the sidewalk. There are times when a large corner lot is more work than pleasure!


My little snow bunnies LOVED the deep packable snow! It was so deep that it was hard for them to trudge through, but they stayed out for quite a while!

Catching up- Christmas

Here is whirl-wind tour of our Christmas festivities this year.

Mid-December we had a get-together with the Donaldson family in Gunnison. Aubrey adores Grandma Great. She sat on her lap for a long time while we watched everyone playing bingo. She kept giving Grandma big kisses!

The Sunday before Christmas we tried something new with my family. We had a nice dinner at my parents' house and then exchanged gifts. Here are Jenna & Aubrey helping Lydia open a present. She was mostly interested in eating the paper! On Christmas morning we stayed at our house and my parents and Courtney and Jake came to see what Santa brought. It was really a fun change to have the girls stay at home and get to play with their new toys on Christmas! Here they are with Papa Gary.

Tim got a sporty new vest for fly fishing. Mrs Claus also attempted to buy a helpful fly-fishing magazine. Hopefully it helps- Mrs Claus isn't a great fisher-woman.
After a morning of play it was time to load in the van and head south. We had a late lunch/early dinner in Moroni with Tim's family and then exchanged gifts. The picture below is five of the nine grand kids looking out the window. They were so excited for the magic of the entire day. It was fun!

At the end of the day, Lydia was happy as long as she could eat more paper!

Free Monday activity

Did you know that the Utah Museum of Natural History has free admission the first monday of every month? You can't beat free!


I found this and other fun activites and offers at gocitykids.com. You sign up and they send you a newsletter with all sorts of fun things. Their website also has a feature where you can enter your child's age and what sort of activity you are looking for (fun, educational, etc.) and it shows you everything in the area. You can choose your location, so I imagine they have similar information for areas across the country for my far-flung friends!

Thanks, Kat for the heads-up!

Sledding with Papa Gary

Happy New Year! Here are Jenna and Aubrey sledding with Papa today. Brrr!

The girls ready to climb the hill with Papa.

Aubrey- bundled beyond recognition!

Jenna quickly gets herself to the top of the hill. She LOVES sledding!