This was not a part of the plan.

Husband has to work today. The FarmHands have all their homework done. I planned to clean house....the big stuff like scrubbing the kitchen floor, reorganizing my closet, baking cookies (OK, so that's not actually cleaning). Instead I get to take #1 Son to the clinic at the hospital to have his ear checked out.

He & BabyGirl had tubes put in 3 1/2 years ago. BabyGirl's have fallen out. One of #1 Son's is out. Now he's bleeding from the remaining tube. This is not good.

Would you care to pray for him and his mama today? Thanks so much.

The Day's Not Looking Good...But This Book Is.

Today has started out less than stellar. Husband works late most nights. He normally collapses into bed at either 2 am or 4 am depending on his shift. That means the later the FarmHands sleep, the better Dad sleeps. I let the FarmHands stay up late last night (10:00) in hopes that they'd sleep in a bit this morning. When will I learn? #1 Son woke me up at 6 am because his ear hurts.

I hate it when the kids have earaches because I know just how horrible that pain is. It's been more than a year since we've had #1 Son's tubes checked. I didn't realize that until he started complaining about his ear last night. Now I'm worried that his tube is blocked or has fallen out. So far, he's not run a fever. That's a blessing...but I don't want him to hurt.

Husband has to work a full 8 hour shift today as opposed to the 6 hours he normally works on Saturdays. When he works 6 hours, he goes in early & gets home early. I pack a few sandwiches for him to eat on his 10 minute breaks. Since it's an 8 hour shift, he'll need an actual dinner to eat. With the prospect of taking #1 Son to the walk-in clinic, that leaves me little time to make lunch/dinner this afternoon. Since I was up at the crack of dawn, I decided to get things done early. At 8:02 am I took a finished Potato Pizza out of the oven. That's one task down, 800 to go.
All this after reading far past my bedtime. QM brought me Angie Smith's book I Will Carry You when she was up here a few weeks back. If you've never heard of Angie, a good place to start is with her blog: Bring the Rain.



Art & I were discussing books last night and I told her I was giving up on Howard's End (just cannot get through it) and thought I might start reading Angie's book. I should have put more thought into it. Angie chronicles her journey through her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Audrey Caroline. Audrey was born with several birth defects that were "incompatible with life." She lived 2 hours before going to be with Jesus.

I haven't even finished the book and I can HIGHLY recommend it. It is heartbreaking. It is beautiful. It is inspiring. It is something no parent should ever have to go through, but many, many do. And it left me weeping. Not the gentle tear or two that may trickle down your cheek as you read something poignant. I'm talking about a deep, gut wrenching, swollen eyed, stuffy nosed, sob. I had to repeatedly put down the book to compose myself before reading on.

That being said, you still must read this book. Just make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy.


Now I'm hoping the day will level out & further tragedy can be avoided...or at least a nap snuck in somewhere.

Ice Cream! We're Gonna' Eat Ice Cream!

Anyone who grew up listening to old Bill Cosby LP's will remember Tonsils. I've had the bit running through my head since about 10 o'clock this morning. #1 Son is having his forcibly removed on August fifth at a yet to be determined hour of the morning.

When he had his last sore throat (June 5th), Doc called his tonsils "impressive." Not really a word you want to hear in relation to lumps in the back of your child's throat. Today BabyGirl & #1 Son saw their ENT for a follow up on their tubes (2+ years & counting!) and I asked him to take a look at #1 Son's throat at the request of our Doc. The ENT agreed that they need to come out. We battle sore throats way too much around here & #1 Son snores like an old man.

At the moment he's thrilled with the prospect of ice cream & Popsicles for days on end....but he doesn't really know the full story. I think that can wait for a few more weeks.

Luckily Pa was there to help at the appointment. Pa had his tonsils removed when he was about the same age #1 Son is now. He reassured the little man without scaring him at all...BabyGirl, on the other hand, is determined to terrify her brother if possible. This should be fun. :P

Dear Bitsy,

Darling girl, please do not think I am uncaring or wish you ill, but if you're going to get sick, could you please just do so & relieve the suspense? The occasional ear ache, grumpiness, and being up half the night are not reason enough for me to take you to the ER. You couldn't do this the easy way & get sick during the week? You've taken 2 naps today & have spent hours writhing on my lap tired, but not wanting a nap. When you've finally given up & napped, you've woken up once happy as a lark making me think all was well. The second nap you took (and you never take two naps anymore) did not end as well. You woke up sweaty & whiny, but sans fever.

I really don't want you to be sick, but I'm tired of the ill baby limbo we're living in. We have plans tomorrow with your grandparents that involve an hour & twenty minute trip from home. I will not be particularly happy if you lull us into a false sense of security only to get sick that far from home.

So, could you please make up your mind?

All my love,
Mama

#1 Son has an infection in his right ear. We're treating both ears because both are hurting him. He's on Omnicef for 10 days and antibiotic ear drops for five. He also has a red, pussy, swollen throat. Yeah for us.

He's now properly medicated & happily watching Underdog while waiting for his Popsicles to be fully frozen.

Tomorrow B.B. has to have more dental work done. Could this week get any more fun? Please, don't answer that.

And just to share: I have just opened my first pack of what may be my new favorite snack. Emerald Trail Mix Breakfast Blend. Dried Cranberries & apples, glazed almonds & walnuts, raisins, yogurt covered raisins, and granola clusters. Yum. I'm going to toss a pack in my purse for emergencies...like the waiting room at the dentists office.

Just so Kork does not have a coronary

Yesterday I accomplished the following:

• Two loads of dishes in the dishwasher
• One light, empty wash in the dishwasher with vinegar & baking soda to clean it out
• No less than 4 loads of laundry washed
• No less than 8 loads of laundry folded
• The girls' beds stripped & sheets washed
• Bitsy's old, crappy toddler bed mattress swapped out with the good mattress from the crib
• The living room vacuumed
• Toys picked up & put away

So I was not completely useless all day yesterday. No, I never did get dressed, but I have a theory. Days when I don't leave the house & no one is coming here, getting dressed only adds to the pile of laundry I already battle on a daily basis. By staying in my PJ's all day, I'm going green. Besides, my husband truly couldn't care less if I get dolled up for him. He never notices.

I also finished reading Ellen Foster & started The Mermaid Chair. I had read Ellen Foster years ago (maybe when BabyGirl was tiny, or when I was pregnant with her?), but couldn't remember anything about it until 2/3 of the way through. I would have never picked up The Mermaid Chair for myself, but since Art brought it, figured I'd give it a go. So far, I'm really digging it. I haven't been able to really get into a book in so long, it's really nice to get lost in two in a row. Maybe this will kick start my reading again & my brain can quit rotting away on Netflix.

#1 Son woke up with a high fever & pain in his ears last night. I'm calling the doctor in 26 minutes to see if they can get him in. I'm a tad worried as nothing is draining out of his tubes. I hope they aren't blocked.

I got an email from Inkling's mom this morning. Inkling had her surgery. Henry David was told she'll have pain for 2 weeks but should be fully recovered in 6 (please, Lord, let her be fully recovered!). She's on narcotics for pain, so she'll have to pump & dump when she takes them. With Grasshopper's tummy troubles formula is not generally his friend. Henry David has to take care of both of them, but really needs to get back to work. Please pray for them. They need some serious help!

I totally saw this coming

The school secretary called at a little after 10 this morning. BabyGirl was in the office with an ear ache. They wanted me to bring her some medicine, but instead I called the doctor's office & set up an appointment for her. We go in at 1:45 this afternoon. At her last ENT appointment Doc said this winter would be the test to see if she was past the need for tubes. The one in her right ear fell out & it's the one that's hurting now.

A plea for mercy

Wanna' hear something fan-freaking-tastic? All four of the FarmHands have pink eye. Wait, it gets better. Bitsy & B.B. have ear infections. Nope, there's still more. BabyGirl & #1 Son have "red, pussy throats." Oh, and I forgot to mentiong the puking...Bitsy. And it terrfies her as she's never puked before. All this the day before I go have three teeth ripped from my head.

I love being me.

In good news, I've finished all the tasks I laid out for myself prior to my dental work. I need to fold some laundry and do a few dishes tonight, wrap 4 gifts, charge my Zune & I'm done. If you want to see the accidental pillow I made for Bitsy, you'll have to click on the link in my side bar & go see it on Nudge-Nudge. I'm too tired to link today.

I hope your day has been nicer than mine. Please, tell me something nice and happy and funny. I need it.

****Updated at 7:40 pm.****

BabyGirl started puking at 7 o'clock tonight. Joy. Is it too early for me to start popping pain pills? (I'm kidding, I'm kidding....mostly.)

Tubes, Telephones, Photo shoots, and Guilty pleasures

Yesterday's trip to the ENT was successful. There's nothing like driving an hour & a half to see a doctor for 5 minutes & drive an hour & a half home....with three kids. Really, it rocks. (Sniff, sniff...do you smell that? Is it sarcasm?)

BabyGirl has been telling me her tubes were coming out. I told doc. He looked in her ear & said, "She'd be right." Then he reached in with this long tweezer like thingy & pulled out a minuscule piece of plastic that has changed our lives for the better. He said as long as she stays infection free, it's all good. If not, she'll need a new tube. I'm praying for the former.

When we got home Husband said, "Kork called." Kork has a very common name in real life, but is still the only one I know. He wasn't sure if it was actually Kork or Needlefingers as their names are similar. I said, "What exactly did she say." "This is Kork." OK, Needlefingers would never use that version of her name. When she called back I think we ended up talking for an hour & a half. It was nice! We don't get to talk very often....in fact we've gone years without talking in the past. But we always seem to pick up like no time's passed.

Today I am anxiously awaiting the FedEx driver. There's a diamond in transit to my house. I need sparkly things right now. Badly.

QM & Daddy are supposed to be at Busha's house now. I'm not sure if they came in last night or not. Daddy wants to take this rare occasion when he has all 5 of his grandbabies in one place to have their picture made. So QM & I have to consult on wardrobes, dress small folks, and try to get them to smile & look at the camera at the same time.

In preparation, last night both my boys got hair cuts. Wanna' know how cheap I really am? I do it myself at home. We took #1 Son for his first major hair cut (we'd trimmed a bit at home before) and they botched it. My boy has 3 crowns (two at the top of his head & one in front) and a cowlick. I told the stylist about them, showed them to her, and she cut the hair very short around them. His hair stood straight up in the air for 3 weeks. I figured I could butcher it myself at home & save us the $15. QM found me some good hair shears & I began my career as a barber. Personally, I think I'm pretty good at it. I've even trimmed BabyGirl's layers on my own. Husband just buzzes his all off, so that's a no brainer. I'm so ready for Shear Genius.

Which brings me to my latest guilty obsession....I LOVE Shear Genius. In particular I love Daniel. He's so cute & southern & loves him some big hair & he cries & gets all excited about Alison Sweeney & has beautiful, big, uber-white, Chiclet teeth. I just want to go shopping with him!

Then there's Charlie who can seriously do hair, but I'd rather eat glass than spend an hour in a room with him. I so hope he doesn't win, but if his streak continues.....ugh.

At least they sent Oshun home early on. I couldn't have handled 6 weeks of him. Forget hair, personality is enough for me to can someone.

Now if only they could take the winner of ANTM, have her hair styled by the winner of Shear Genius, dressed by the Project Runway winner, and photographed by whoever won that Snapped show (or what ever it was called, I never watched it).

Oh no, this cannot be good.

The gland on the right side of my neck is swollen & tender. My throat is a bit on the raw side. I do not have time (or proper child care) to be sick! NO, I most certainly do not.

Turns out, the kids ENT appointment is today, not tomorrow. But if I am getting sick, better I drag them an hour & a half away today then while I'm in the middle of an illness induced hysteria.

I think I'm allergic to HT. If I have no warning that I'm going to see him, I'm fine. If I know in advance, I'm always sick. The night Princess went into labor I was coming down with a cold...that turned into a horrible sinus infection/massive ear infection that left me totally incapacitated for 2 days.

The first time QM & Princess brought him up here to visit, I got sick. When they came for Christmas last year, we all got sick. What the heck?!

Bitsy is an amazing child. Last night she mastered the art of the international phone call! Seriously, the child called Inkling in Canada! I had tried to call earlier with no luck. Bitsy must've hit the redial & call button, because when I rescued my phone from her it was ringing through to Inkling. Talented girl, that one.

Locked out.

I'm sitting in Uncle E's basement waiting on RL to get back from C***P with my house keys.

I took Bitsy to the doctor today & she has an ear infection. Busha & Bucka watched the older FarmHands while I was gone. I stopped at Wal-Mart & did the grocery shopping while waiting for Bitsy's antibiotics to be filled. Then I went back to Busha's, got the kids & headed home.

At home I let the FarmHands play outside while I unloaded the van. I grabbed the phone to call QM & let her know about Bitsy while I was unloading groceries. I had just pulled Bitsy out of her car seat when I saw BabyGirl pull the back door shut as she ran out to play. Horrified, I knew what she had done before I got to the door.

Why she locked it is completely beyond me. All I can say is it's an act of God I had the phone in my hand & hadn't put Bitsy in her play pen yet. If she'd have been in there, I'd have knocked out a window.

I called RL and she came to our rescue. She loaded up our perishables & brought them & us to her house, then headed off to get the keys from FarmBoy.

I am so making a copy to leave here.

Three A E am (wasn't that in a song once?)

Did you know USA shows Law & Order: Criminal Intent at 3 am? Everyday. I'm getting caught up on the series & developing a new attitude about Mr. D'Onofrio.

Bitsy had to get up & practice her crawling. She may forget how to do it if she goes an entire 6 hours without a trip around the living room floor.

I am thrilled to report that for the first time in a month (or so) we are now done with antibiotics. I just gave Bitsy her last dose (at 2 am because I forgot before bedtime). Now lets just hope the doctors appointments we have this week go smoothly. BabyGirl & #1 Son see their ENT on Wednesday to have their tubes checked. Bitsy has vaccines & a well baby check on Friday. After that I'm resolved to have at least one week with no doctors appointments or trips to the ER...preferably a full month!

School is back in session in about 5 hours. That gives B.B., Bitsy, & me 3 hours each morning to ourselves (Husband is normally outside doing his chores). I wonder if I can get anything accomplished during that time? My guess is I'll nap to make up for blogging at 3 am.

Ahhh, Motherhood

B.B. is on the BRAT diet. Appropriate, no? That is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, & Toast. The fiber bulk-up should help with his diarrhea. We're also shoveling Yo-plus yogurt down his gullet. It's a result of the antibiotics from his strep. He also has an ear infection, but with no symptoms, so we're not treating. The antibiotics for it would just make matters worse. I'm supposed to take him back in on Friday complete with stool sample...any volunteers to collect that for me? Inkling, how 'bout it?

Actually, I have a bit of advice for you new mothers and those who will someday be mothers. If your child ever has a bloody stool, keep it. I know, I know. This ranks high on the "Eww Gwoss" scale, but it could be of great help. B.B. had an accident in his underpants this morning. It was the second time I'd seen blood, so I stuck it in a zip-lock bag & tossed it in the diaper bag when we left for the doctor. The NP was thrilled in a "this is really gross, but it really helps clear things up" kind of way. I didn't have to worry about my description being perfectly clear, I just handed the baggy over. She could also test to be sure it was blood & not dye from something he'd eaten (which I guess is a common thing especially with antibiotics).

I told the NP we were really just trying to sneak in one more visit with her before the year was over. I'm beginning to worry they'll think I have Munchausen's By Proxy.

Things are looking up...again.

Good news: Bitsy does not have Strep throat. Bad news: Bitsy has an ear infection. This is her second so far. I got a tad worried considering BabyGirl & #1 Son's histories, but the NP thought she was doing pretty good. Her last ear infection was in August, so I guess that's acceptable. I'd be happier if there were no infections...but what can you do?

I'm feeling leaps & bounds better, so that is yet another plus. Daddy & I took the microwave back last night & the new one is behaving much better. I'm relived. I did not want to have to take my small appliances down a notch. I'm trying to be a better, happier employer.

QM & Daddy came in yesterday afternoon bearing gifts from Aunt Silverbelle & Uncle Greenteeth. Can I just say, Aunt Silverbelle can pick out the cutest things ever?! She sent Bitsy a plush barn with a flip open roof. Inside are a rooster, pig, cow, and duck that make the appropriate noises. She also sent her Busy Lil' Honeybee. Isn't she adorable? Aunt Silverbelle, do you know that I call Bitsy "Bitsy Bee"? She loves her new baby! The older kids got Color Wonder stuff & puzzles. BabyGirl's puzzle makes a ball covered in Disney Princesses & the boys are Cranium games. They are all thrilled!

Daddy went with me to take Bitsy to the doctor while QM stayed here with the big kids to Color Wonder & build puzzle balls. When the NP checked Bitsy ears, She said, "Here, I want to show Dad this ear." It took me a second but I realized she thought Daddy was Bitsy's Daddy. I said, "No, that's Pa. He's my daddy." NP looked at him, then at me and said, "You're kidding. Honey, you've got good genes! You'll never look old! Heck, she only looks like she's 20 now." It's not the first time we've had people think that. If they look closer, it's kind of hard to miss how much I look like my dad, but then QM has been mistaken for his sister on more than one occasion. Odd?

I (heart) my new NP.

OK, I'm not just complaining & being a baby. I do have a full blown sinus infection. And worse than that, Bitsy has an ear infection.

This morning she was snotty, had a weepy eye, & a dry shallow cough. Add that to the lack of a voice & you have a concerned Mama. She felt a little warm when she woke up, so I took her temperature & it was 100.1. I called the doctor & found out he's hired a new Nurse Practitioner. She could see Bitsy at 9:30, so I showered, dressed the baby & headed to town.

Miss Cheryl (the new NP) came in the exam room and asked me how old Bitsy is. As soon as I answered, she looked at me and said, "You're ill too aren't you?" I told her I thought it was just allergies, but I've had a sinus headache. She immediately went to get my chart saying there was no point in treating Bitsy if I was sick too.

She was very thorough with both of us, very kind, very interested in everything I had to say, not at all patronizing, and never acted like she was in a rush to get on to the next patient. In fact, it was quite the opposite. She settled in like she was ready for a long chat about any questions I had. She had no qualms about doing my exam while Bitsy was nursing (she encouraged me to nurse & let me get settled before she examined me so she wouldn't disturb Bitsy). She even went to ask the doctor if we needed to bring Bitsy back for a follow up. He said no since I'm rather experienced with little people & ear infections.

I was apprehensive about a new NP since I loved the last one we saw so much, but Miss Cheryl is wonderful. Hopefully with BabyGirl & #1 Son's tubes in, we won't have to go see her as often as we saw Miss Becky, but I'm still glad she's there.

She sent me home with a prescription for antibiotics for me (that's safe to take while I nurse), and prescriptions for Bitsy for antibiotics, Benadryl to dry her up, and a pain killing ear drop just in case. My only issue was with the Wal-Mart pharmacy that forgot to add the water to Bitsy's amoxicillin sending me home with a bottle of powder. I didn't want to drive the 15-20 miles back into town to get it taken care of, so the pharmacy in the little town where the kids go to school did it for me.

Now if only we can keep the other three healthy...

Tired...just plain tired.

You try bringing in a car seat with a new born in it with this pack under foot...and don't even get me started on unloading groceries! This is the sight that greets me every morning & most evenings on our side stoop.

BabyGirl's ENT appointment went well. She & #1 Son don't have to go back until January. I'm glad...the hour & 20 minute trip is not my idea of a good time. Especially when the entire consult with the doctor takes about 4 minutes. But the kids get pencils & suckers, so I guess it's all worth it. We won't be buying pencils for school this year...I think we have about 25 of them unsharpened.

I am exhausted. The past 3 days & all the trips we've had to take have wiped me out. I could go to bed for about 3 days...I didn't even go to town today. And I usually jump at the chance to go to town (even if it's just for groceries). Today the thought of dragging all 3 kids to Wal-Mart was just too daunting.

When I got home last night (after visiting Busha & Bucka & the Aunties who are down visiting & Daddy & QM & Uncle Gick & Unkie Di) there was a note from Husband on the table. Little BIL has given us money to open a savings account for each of our kids. I'd forgotten about it until last night. There was a check on the fridge for Bitsy from her uncle by way of MIL (who's in charge of his checking account while he's overseas). There were also 3 gift cards from Wal-Mart for the kids. MIL has bought school supplies or school clothes for Niece E & BabyGirl the past few years. This year she gave us the gift cards for BabyGirl & #1 Son to get them school stuff & one for B.B. & Bitsy to share so B.B. won't feel left out. Good surprises!

Husband put in a request at work to go to third shift the beginning of August. He's not sure if he'll get to, but he's trying. He doesn't get to see the kids when they're in school, so he wants to work midnights & see them in the afternoons. I'm just worried about how he's going to sleep. It's not exactly quiet in our house...ever...and since it's a ranch style house, there's really no where to go to get peace & quiet. Guess there's no point in worrying about it...but I will.

Tread Water with me...

Nothing says Spring/Summer weather is here like Bomb Pops! My favorite by far! I've been good and only had one so far. Let the kids eat theirs in the bath last night after playing in the yard all day. Much easier clean up.

Why didn't I wash the sheet first thing this morning so they could finish drying on the line?

#1 Son does not have an ear infection. He still had a fever this morning so I called the doctor. Doc said the ear looked good and the fever was probably the result of a head cold...which also explained the drainage & ear pain. He said to keep up with the drops I've been using and call back if the fever is still lingering come Wednesday. I'm pretty sure it's gone now & I am very relieved. He also didn't make me feel like an idiot for bringing #1 Son in to see him...this is a necessary quality in a doctor as far as I am concerned. He never belittles me or treats me like an over protective, panic stricken lunatic. He's a good doctor.

I got Kool-Aid on sale for 10 cents a packet at the actual grocery today (Not Wal-Mart where it's 20 cents a pop). I bought 20 packets of Kool-Aid. And they had much better flavors to choose from. We should be about set for summer...unless I go on a serious Kool-Aid kick like I did last fall. I am strangely excited about my find. Must be the G'ma M&M coming out in me.

BabyGirl got dressed & left the house this morning with no fighting...and she even had homework to do before she left (bad mom that I am, I forgot about it Friday night). This was a major event as the past few weeks I've been cringing at the thought of wrestling her into her clothes in the morning...and that is not an exaggeration...not even a little...wish it were. This morning she not only picked out appropriate clothes to wear to school (not a bathing suit, shorts in 24 degree weather, princess costume, or night shirt in sight), but she willingly dressed herself, willingly picked out and wore a hair bow, and put her shoes on without kicking, screaming, yelling, or throwing them across the kitchen. I was a very happy mother this morning and made sure BabyGirl was well aware of that before she left the house.

Got my Ben & Jerry's at the store on Sunday. I'm all ready for House tomorrow night. I even bought an extra pint for just in case. I very rarely buy Ben & Jerry's. Love the stuff, but honestly, I'm too cheap to shell out $3 a pint when I can get a quart of Blue Bunny for nearly the same price. But there is no arguing with pregnancy needs (notice I did not say cravings...this was way beyond a craving).

Oh, and Good Luck to The Daring One (see side bar under "fun stuff") on her appearance on The Today Show tomorrow between 8 & 8:30 am!!! Hot Dog!

Post Op ear ache #1.

#1 Son woke up at 10:30 last night with an ear ache. Ugh. Motrin, back to bed, and he made it until 6:30 this morning...except for needing me to turn on his "frog" sounds at 3:30. This morning he's running a low fever (99.8 by the ear) and his ear is draining. It's a little gross, but I was told that's what we wanted to happen especially if he comes down with a cold (which he appears to be doing). The fluid is thin and slightly yellow...I gave him another dose of Motrin and put antibiotic drops in his ear and am now hoping for the best.

My one complaint is that the hospital gave no instructions for the drops. All I was told was: 3 drops in each ear 3 times a day for 3 days. OK. But the drops come right back out. Do they need to stay in? How long? What are the drops for? Just to keep it clean? I looked them up only to find out they were an antibiotic and were supposed to stay in for 5 minutes on each side. Have you ever tried to get a child who isn't sick to lay perfectly still on one side for 5 minutes only to roll over and do it on the other side for 5 more minutes 3 times a day?! Yeah, not such an easy task.

#1 Son is hanging out on the arm chair with a cotton ball in his ear to catch the yucky drips watching The Incredibles (which is the only movie B.B. ever picks out anymore). BabyGirl, B.B. and I will be off to church in a bit...can I just say I am totally unprepared for Children's Church this morning? Yikes! I need a little Inkling right about now. I do have animal crackers to appease the mob...now if only I can keep their attention for 10-15 minutes before revolution occurs.

Oh, and we had a wonderful time playing at the park yesterday. We left home at 12:30, dropped off eggs for G'ma & G'pa Baker, stopped by the gas station, ate our picnic, played, visited with Busha and Bucka, and hit another play ground before heading home just after 4:30 in time to meet up with Husband after work. Good Day. Hope I'm not paying for it now with #1 Son's ear.

***Update at 7:32 am***
Fever has dropped to 98.6 and #1 Son says his ear doesn't hurt anymore. It's still draining, but I keep telling myself that's a good thing.

Thank you, Ears, OB, and Ben & Jerry....

I keep forgetting to post about a wonderful surprise I received last week. Husband came to the door with the mail and said, "You got something from your Washington friend." I was a little confused until I saw the envelope. It was 4 book marks made by my dear Farm Fairy! They are beautiful & include a page from a German Bible from 1819. Thank you so much!!!

The kids have recovered wonderfully from their surgery yesterday. I think the ear drops mainly work to clean out the ears...it's a little icky, but no biggie. #1 Son is very cuddly today. Alright by me.

I had my OB appointment this morning. My glucose test was fine. He's happy with my weight gain. My blood pressure was good. Everything is right on schedule. I go back in 2 weeks & will need to sign the papers for my tubal. I've been told I'll have moments of, "What was I thinking?!?!" after it's done, but this is not a decision we've made lightly. I am completely happy with the idea of 4 kids. I do not want worry about a #5 coming along...and I do not want to have to rely on the pill for the next 25 years.

In other pregnancy related news....I think I had some kind of hormone induced brain lapse in which I volunteered to chaperon the Kindergarten field trip to the zoo in two weeks. Actually it was more of a "if my child is being taken over an hour from home, I'd like to be along for the ride" thing. I do enjoy the zoo...and I like the idea of that being the field trip destination...but I'm not sure how much help I'll be waddling after 5 & 6 year olds. I just pray none of them realize what my kids are beginning to realize: I cannot catch them. Oh, boy!

Bitsy is currently doing strange alien like things to my midsection. There are elbows and knees and hands and feet trying to escape...It can get a little freaky.

One more thing...briefly...Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Ice Cream. I've run out. Must stock up. Must have more. Must not eat entire pint in one setting. Need some before next House episode. I'm obsessed.

Tubes at Long Last!!! And a Surprise...

We made it through the surgeries with no problem. I was up at 4:45, we were gone by 5:30, at the hospital a few minutes before 7, in the prep room around 7:30. They did #1 Son's tubes first. Husband got to go in with the kids (I couldn't because of Bitsy) until they were under. They rode into surgery in a little wagon and thought that was the greatest thing ever! B.B. cried when they took his brother out of the room. He was convinced they were going to keep #1 Son. When they brought him back, #1 Son was cranky because they brought him back on a gurney and not in the wagon. The nurses were wonderful...they pulled in a wagon for him to sit in and when he cried that it wasn't the one he rode in before, they hunted that one down and left it in the room for the kids to ride back out to the van in.

BabyGirl's ear hurt when she came back so they gave her some Tylenol. She drank her juice then told us her tongue hurt. Turns out, she bit it while she was under. After the hour and a half ride home (when we all slept except Husband) she was her happy self again. We have 3 days of ear drops and they need to stay quiet today (yeah, right), but other than that, we're good to go.

Both calves have scours now. Husband's been dosing them faithfully with antibiotics & we're hoping for the best. He's also giving them the occasional egg (home remedy). He's on vacation today to help with the kids if I need him...and he made a pizza run for us for lunch. The kids were sleeping when we passed McDonald's and they were not happy about missing out, so he suggested pizza as an alternative. Thank you dear! I so did not want to cook lunch after getting up at 4:45 and being on the run all morning...pot roast tonight, but that's no biggie.

He went out to mow the grass (on the one day when the kids cannot play outside & climb all over him while he mows) and after finishing the back yard, he came knocking at the french doors. When I went to see what he wanted he told me there were twin goats in the back pen. I went out to see them & get a picture (I'm trying to load it, but so far, no luck). I only got one and it isn't great, but they keep hiding in the chicken shed where it's too dark to get a good shot. They're both girls & each one looks just like one of our billy goats. Can goats have babies by two different fathers? I know dogs can...why not goats? They are so sweet. I can't help but think maybe twins makes up for loosing the last baby.

We haven't sold any of the pups yet. I'm beginning to worry we may get stuck with them...not happy about that thought. A guy husband works with is supposed to buy one Friday, but I'm not holding my breath. He was going to buy 3 piglets & 3 chickens from us last summer but backed out because his girlfriend dumped him...I hope his heart doesn't get broken again before Friday.