Who sleeps for 15 hours?!

Indeed. Baby slept 15 hours last night. Jason laid him down for a short nap at 5:30pm. He did not wake until 2:00am for a quick nursing. Cael finally rejoined the land of the living at 8:30am this morning. No, he didn't have a fever. I left his door open and checked on him often. Guess he's trying to get better! (He's down for a nap right now... Hope he wakes before we head to grandma's at 5:00. Ha ha!)

When it rains...

In case you've wondered where we've been... we're still right here.

Perhaps it's this time of year. Life seems to gain momentum, outpacing our ability to keep up. Illness and weather keep us cooped up despite the head knowledge that it really is spring!

I'll start with Brennen. Poor Brennen. If you missed the mouth injury post, see here: ouch. Turns out, I was wrong. Last weekend, I noticed his tooth turning dark. Wahhhhh! I did a little research and figured it could wait until regular business hours. After co-op on Monday, I took him in. Sure enough... he knocked those 2 front teeth loose. The one turning color may need a root-canal but we're opting to watch and see. It will be obvious if he needs dental attention.

Cael, that same Monday, sounded like he had a very sore throat. Almost barky. Sort of like a seal. (Any of you mommies out there see what's coming?) He wasn't coughing, but he just didn't sound "well." Following an already long day of co-op and dentist, I hauled Cael into the pediatrician with George in tow. (I'm so grateful they're open until 8:00pm) Yup. Cael has croup. Essentially, croup is laryngitis in children. Their airways are smaller and don't accommodate the swelling without impeding breathing. A shot of steroid to decrease the swelling is the standard treatment. Whatever virus is causing the swelling typically runs it's course with a bit of Motrin to ease the discomfort.

While we waited for the doctor, Brennen and I chatted. Up close. Hmmmm... wonder why his eye is red and leaking goo. Don't suppose that has anything to do with the tooth. Or his brother's croup. Nope. Pink eye. Great.

Well, we hid at home on Tuesday. Wednesday, Brennen woke up crying and coughing. Of course, he had croup also. Off to the peds again. Steroid in pill form for him. However, he missed the circus with Kjersten, Brennen, Auntie Sara, Grandma, and the cousins...

For the last few days, we've been battling intermittent fevers, sleepy children, and missed fun. Both boys are happy, as usual. It makes it hard to know how sick they really are. Flushed faces and a few more naps along with hoarse voices are the only symptoms.

Brennen has missed out on a few very rare fun activities:

• the circus
• spending the night at grandma's
• Chuck E. Cheese
• football game with dad, grandpa, Rhys, and cousin Caleb

Fortunately, he's extremely good natured and easy to please. Not to mention, being a bit loopy from a 104 degree fever. I'm not sure he grasps what he's missed and we certainly aren't reminding him! He did just tell me that he feels "really good" and could we please go to the circus now? Poor George!

Like I said... When it rains, it pours!

Going somewhere, Cael?

Princess the butterfly

She did finally hatch. In fact, she's 2 weeks old today. Outliving her life expected lifespan, I might add... Kjersten named her princess. For a bug, she's sort of pretty. Poor thing is living on oranges and sugar water, as we have no flowers this time of year.

Banana

It's just banana on his face. Promise.

Window to the world...

or at least to the back deck. He loves to stand here and observe.

(Daddy put socks on his hands to be silly. Cael loved it!)

See any teeth in there? Me neither... The other three had teeth at 4-5 months. Cael is blessing his mama by staying baby-ish a bit longer. No teeth. Not walking. I love it!

Emptying the cupboard... again!

He is so proud of his ability to empty this cupboard. Inside are bins with spare sponges and such. Those he just yanks out and pushes aside. What he loves are the two bins (with no lids) that hold folded washcloths (probably 60 or more...) and towels. What fun they are to unfold one at a time. And, yes, I recognize the futility of refolding them after each playtime...

More of Cael and his buddy, Bret.

Bret had occasion to hang out with us recently. The boys are too young to really play "together" but they sure play well side-by-side. I used to think all babies have huge hands. Mine all do. Well, it seems that is simply not so. Here's a picture that barely catches the discrepancy between Bret and Cael's hands. (Cael's in on the right, in case you wondered...)

Playing side-by-side with tongues hanging out. I haven't noticed that in Bret before, but it is Cael's general playing expression. He gets it from Grandpa Paul.

Together and looking at me for a split second!