32nd Birthday Rewind

I turned 32 on March 21st (in the middle of my sinus infection drama). Despite feeling very unwell, I had a wonderful birthday with my family. Here's a recap:




Cookie Cake!










The cutest porcelain, turquoise blue, whistling tea pot ever!







And . . . shopping and a steak dinner with my family! Need I say more?

Sick Numbers

5- number of people in our family who were sick
1- average number of weeks family members were sick
3.5-number of weeks Mommy was sick
2/28/10- day Mommy got sick
3/23/10- Mommy's first headache free day! Woohoo
5- number of doctor appointments
5- number of co-pays
3- number of prescription drop offs/pick ups at Walgreen's
2- number of different antibiotics Mommy had to take
2- number of friends who brought us dinner (thanks!)
4- number of days Mommy has until she finishes her second antibiotic
1-Very happy mommy-- now that she is feeling better!!!

40 Books, The Perfect Saturday, 2 Well Kiddo Check-Ups, A Still Not Well Mama, Home Improvements, & March Madness

Now, if that title doesn't make you want to move right on to the next blog on your daily blog reading list, then here is glimpse of our lives during the last week, as we continue to recover from two weeks of sickness (and thus my lack of blogging):

Despite our recent illnesses, Hannah managed to read (word for word) 40 books independently (toward her personal goal of 100). The books she read ranged from easier books like Green Eggs And Ham to more difficult books like Teach Us Amelia Bedelia and There's a Wocket in My Pocket. We had told Hannah that we were proud of her goal, and that we would reward her (on a small scale) for every 20 books she read. Hannah wasted no time in negotiating a deal with me that involved her exhibiting patience and working toward 40 books for a slightly larger reward . . . she's a smart cookie! So, with 40 books read, we took Hannah to Books-A-Million last Thursday night and allowed her to pick out one book of her choice and one parent selected book. She was so excited and had so much fun browsing through the books in the children's section. If you know Hannah, then you won't be surprised that she chose a book about the Disney princesses. We chose a leveled reader (Marley's Big Adventure). She had both books read before noon the next day and has read Marley's Big Adventure three times. Praise God for our little bookworm. I pray that He uses it to open her eyes to the truth in His Word.

The following Saturday was wonderful. Though Mommy and Emerson were still under the weather. The almost 70 degree weather enticed us out of the house for an adventure-- but not until we had enjoyed french toast and played together as a family. The afternoon was spent at the library--who's doors we have not graced since before Emerson was born. The girls left with a bag full of adventures, mommy found 3 cookbooks, Daddy found some economics books, and Hannah (now 5) was issued her very own library card. After an exciting library visit, we headed to Sonic for half priced Happy Hour Drinks (3 lemon berry slushes and a cherry coke). The evening was spent reading and enjoying one another's company. It was so much fun to curl up on the couch with sticky notes and pencil in hand, as I leafed through cookbooks. This week has been full of wonderful new recipes like whole grain pitas stuffed with mixed bean salad, homemade pesto, bruschetta, and homemade granola bars.

Considering the fact that we had been to the pediatrician's office twice over the last two weeks for sick kiddos, it was kind of ironic that Madeline and Emerson both had "well" check-ups this Monday. I was happy to find that they are healthy and growing. At the age of three, Madeline continues to remain well above average for height and weight. She is above the 9oth percentile for height ( ~39.5 inches) and above the 75th percentile for weight (~34.5 lbs). Madeline was delighted to have an eye exam, during which she proudly identified shapes; and, she was so brave when they gave her one scheduled vaccination. I was expecting Madeline who is very sensitive, shy, and generally not a fan of discomfort to freak out--she literally gave the nurse her arm and told her to go ahead--and watched! She didn't even flinch! I was so proud of her. When I asked her why she was so brave, she said, "Mommy vass-a-nations are good for me. They help you not be sick." Emerson checked out healthy as well. She remains above average for height and weight (though not to the extent of Madeline) measuring 25+ inches and weighing almost 15 pounds (75th percentile range for both).

I am happy to report that I am no longer blowing my nose 24/7 and my daily fevers have subsided. However, I am still battling a cough, and I have been experiencing what I would consider very bad-severe headaches daily. My forehead is sore to the touch, and my forehead and upper eyelids are swollen. Though I spent each day in prayer over my symptoms, the discomfort and results I found during my Google searches left me quite pre-occupied (Jonathan banned me from using Google for self diagnosis). We have yet to find a family doctor here, but I asked around and made an appointment with a medical group. Unfortunately, they were not able to get me in until this coming Tuesday. So, after yet another debilitating headache yesterday, we finally dropped the big girls at Miss Jeanna's; and, Jonathan, Emerson, and I visited the urgent care. I was told that it was no small wonder I was having such bad headaches, because I still had a very bad sinus infection (quite nasty "up there" she said). She could see that my forehead and eyelids were swollen and said that my forehead felt squishy due to the swelling. With a second (and different) round of antibiotics in hand, some nasal spray, and permission to take headache medicine as needed, I am hopeful that full recovery is on the horizon. Please pray for healing.

Shifting gears . . . our Home Depot is closing, which is sad. However, we were
able to score door handles for all of our bedrooms, hall closets, closets, and hall bath for half price. None of our door knobs matched, and most of them made horrid noises if you were able to get the door open. Needless to say this was an upgrade we were looking forward to completing. Of course, now all of our dirty old brass hinges look silly with our antique bronze/peppercorn handles-- but that's the nature of slowly personalizing an older home . . . each project leads to another. As Jonathan pointed out-- at least the hinges look antique . . . ha ha. All in due time! We are very happy with our new door handles.

Lastly, it's March-- and that means madness. March Madness that is. My husband loves basketball, so I knew early on in our marriage that I had to get involved or feel left out. We have always participated in bracket challenges--making our pics and hoping to beat one another with our best educated guesses. This year, however, we decided to get the girls involved allowing them to make their own pics for the Brooks Family Annual NCAA March Madness Bracket Challenge! Last night it was "game on" as we excitedly pulled for our teams of choice and ran back and forth to our brackets (hanging in the dining room), crossing off losing teams and tallying successful pics. So far Daddy's winning.

That's the 411! Hope you have a super weekend!

Comedic Timing . . .

While I was hacking up a lung; changing a very fussy, fevery baby's diaper; and, feeling oh so sorry for myself, the girls came bursting into Emerson's room looking (and posing) like this . . .

16 Week NOT Well Baby Visit

Emerson woke up with a fever again this morning. And now she is coughing as well. I called our Doctor's office and spoke with a nurse; and, sure enough, they wanted to see her. The irony is that I will be taking Emerson and Madeline in for "Well Baby/Child" visits next Monday. Dr. Buck said she probably just has what the rest of us had, and to monitor her breathing (now I will just be sitting around staring at her trying desperately to notate any change in the sound of her breathing). She is SOOOOO sleepy. I miss her bright eyes and her smiley face--she is our most smiley baby yet, and it brings me so much joy. I hate seeing her foggy/glassy eyes and seeing her look so miserable. I feel better knowing that she doesn't have an ear infection that is going unchecked or some mysterious illness (since we were all just sick). But, it is so hard to "hurry up and wait" as the sickness runs its course. Please pray for sweet Emerson. I know 3 month old babies get sick everyday--but it's not everyday my 3 month old baby gets sick. I covet your prayers for Emerson, wisdom for me and Jonathan, and my peace of mind as we ride out this sickness.

Life On Hold

Our lives have been put on hold this week, as our family has probably been the sickest we have collectively ever been. Madeline had a fever Thursday night, by Sunday Hannah and I were congested and sick, and by Monday afternoon Jonathan was sick. Jonathan took the girls to the doctor on Monday afternoon with temperatures of over 103 degrees. They came home with antibiotics (their first ever). I started fevering Tuesday night and am still running a fever even now as I type. I finally went to the urgent care yesterday and found out I have sinusitis and bronchitis--wonderful!!! So, now I am on an antibiotic--very tricky due to my penicillin allergy and the fact that I breast feed. But, they found something that would work. Emerson has remained healthy through all of this, but was running a fever this morning. So, please pray that she will not get as sick as the rest of us and will heal quickly.

Though we grow weary of the inside walls of our house, are tired of schlepping about in pj's and robes, and feel like we have thermometers growing out of our mouths (or bottoms in Emerson's case--haha), we are ever more grateful for our usual health. God is teaching me not to stress out about the fact that the carpet hasn't been vacuumed in dare I say 5-6 days, or the fact that thank you notes from Madeline's birthday remain unmailed (unwritten actually). Though we would rather feel good when we cuddle, He's allowed me lots of cuddle time with my kiddos, time off from our regular schedule, and an opportunity to trust in His reasons and His sovereignty--because believe me, when my fever shot back up today I was definitely asking, "Why God?"

Please remember the Brooks family when you pray. Pray that we would be healed and back to feeling like ourselves soon!!!