Sickies

We're sick. I started it which makes me feel like a phenomenal mom. ;)

Last Tuesday it started with a headache and it didn't go away until Saturday afternoon. I had a low-grade fever and my body just hurt. I started getting my cough last Wednesday and still have it. I don't have a fever anymore and my head only hurts when I cough. I'm tired and seem to get worn out fast.

Phin has had a runny nose with a cough off and on since September. ;) We never got sick from him so I have a feeling it was really allergies. But that is no longer the case. Phin had a low grade fever all weekend with a yucky cough that has gotten worse even though his fever is gone. He's been taking it like a champ. He's not sleeping so well at night because of the coughing but he's as active as ever. He threw up on me once over the weekend and again today. Another joy of motherhood. But he seems to be feeling better overall.

Asher started his fever on Sunday evening. He may have been feverish on Saturday but didn't complain. On Sunday night he said he was so cold. I checked his temp and it was 103.4. He woke up on Monday feeling fine. No fever, no complaints, just a healthy looking kid. He went to lunch with Jonathan (which I'm thinking may have been a mistake - sorry to anyone who may have gotten sick from him). He had no cough and no complaints. When he woke up from his nap on Monday afternoon his fever was back up to 103.2. I gave him Tylenol before bed on Sunday and Monday so he could sleep well but otherwise I just let his body work. He woke up this morning without a fever but with a stuffy nose and this afternoon after his nap he had a "croupy" cough. He usually gets that but sitting in the bathroom breathing in the hot steam from the shower usually helps him breath better. He's never needed steroids for his croup.

I have a feeling it was H1N1 since most of Ames is suffering from the pandemic. ;) But I didn't bring them in to check it out. I'm "forcing fluids" (which is easy to do when there's juice involved), checking their temps, watching their coughs to make sure they're getting enough O2, and lots of rest and cuddling in the rocking chair. We're all doing farely well and we're hoping that Jonathan doesn't end up getting sick. I'm sending him to get the flu shot. It would be nice to keep one person healthy around here.

Hope you're all feeling well and continue to do so. We need to start making t-shirts that said "I participated in the pandemic of 2009." ;)

Hearts at Home North Central Conference

I'm going to Rochester, MN in November for Hearts at Home. It's a conference for moms of all stages of motherhood. My friend, Emily, is planning on going with me along with several other women from our church. Jonathan will be at home with the boys for once while I'm at a conference!! ;)

You can come too! Just check out the website and sign-up. They have a lot of different breakout sessions on Saturday which should be a lot of fun. Otherwise, you can let me know if you are interested in going and I'll get you signed up with our group. I can't wait!

For more info check out my other blog, Who Left the Light On?

ISU Season Opener

We were invited by a couple from church to join them for the Iowa State football season opener. It was a great game and we're so glad we won!! We even got invited into the box-seating for the last quarter of the game. Pretty fancy-shmancy. It was really fun to sit across from the student section and watch them cheer!! But we would rather sit in the stands. Jonathan said you feel like a spectator when you sit in a box, but when you're in the stands you're a participant. We had a great time visiting with the couple who invited us and enjoyed a wonderful evening at Jack Trice Stadium. Go Clones!!

Trip to Rock Valley - Van Maanen Edition

The first weekend of September we traveled up to Rock Valley for the Van Maanen's annual get-together. The guys draft their Fantasy Football teams and the ladies watch the kids and try to keep them out of the basement. Sounds fair, right?! ;)

Jonathan and Philip didn't participate. Jonathan, because he doesn't really try too hard and Micah can be pretty serious about his football. ;) They had a great time in the basement and didn't see the light of day for about four hours. Us ladies, sat upstairs and talked, disciplined the kids, tried to get them to sleep, and maybe took a nap ourselves. It was just fun to be together. It's so nice to get along with "the in-laws" so well. I really love them all a lot.

We also found out that Phil and Liz are expecting their first baby and Jer and Beth are expecting their second. And they're due around the same time in April! We'll have an exciting and busy Christmas next year with all the new little people!

On Sunday evening, we celebrated all the September birthdays with the whole Van Maanen clan. It was so fun to be together. We did miss having Grampa around, though. We laughed a lot and enjoyed some delicious cupcakes. And there was even mention of a family cruise. Wouldn't that be fun! I think we would have a great time. ;)

The proud parents-to-be!!

Sunday afternoon the dads took the kids to the park.
The boys had fun playing with their cousins!

Phin always enjoys chocolate!