Tree Farm!

I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. We got to start a family tradition with our kids that I grew up doing. Today we bundled the kids up and headed to the tree farm to get our Christmas tree. In years to come they will get to come when we tag it ahead of time too. This year I went and did that by myself. Luckily I found one in the first few rows of the farm. The kids didn't know quite what to do. I spent most of the time keeping them somewhat close to us. They enjoyed it and we now have our Christmas tree up. Stay tuned! Pictures of the great decorating to come!

When we got to the farm I realized I had left my SD card laying on the computer desk from my last blog post. So, I had to take pictures with my video camera. They aren't very good quality, but I couldn't go without getting some family shots.

Kisses and Crashes

Last week Rob was gone to Cincinnati for work. When he got home everyone was thrilled to see daddy. Ethan was showering both of us with kisses and hugs. The weekend was great. The beginning of the week was great too. Today was a different day. First of all, Peyton has figured out how to pull the regular outlet covers off. He is consumed with getting as many covers off before I find him and swat his butt and put him on the couch. As soon as I turn my head he is back again doing the same thing. I don't have enough of the good covers to go around yet. So, until then I will have to watch him like a hawk. That is minor compared to what Ethan did this morning. I will let you watch the video to see for yourself.

Yep, he did it. I thought it was almost impossible to break those windows. They are triple pane and really heavy. He had a maraca in his hand when we got back there to them. I was in the kitchen and Rob was in the living room with three of them. Ethan and Sydney were in the boys room playing. I heard really loud banging and yelled "What's going on?" As those words were coming out of my mouth I heard the crash. I knew as soon as I heard it. Rob took it a little harder than I did. I told him it was our own fault for not being back there. They aren't old enough to follow our rules when we aren't there to enforce them. They definitely shouldn't hit the windows with things, but what do you expect with five 21 month toddlers? I am taking advice from the Steece's. Yeah, it stinks that the window is broke and will cost at least $215 to fix. However, I am so thankful that no one was hurt when it happened. I am also thankful that the window didn't break completely through. Then the boys would have nowhere to sleep. God is always looking out for us. Even when things don't go our way.

Recovery

After 12 days of sickness we are finally on the mend. The diarrhea has been upgraded to milkshake consistency for most. Eating is starting to come around a little bit. They are starting to play a little more. However, recovering from such a bad virus like that takes its toll. They are sleeping a lot and trying to get their strength back. Hopefully we will be back to normal in the next few days. Thanks to everyone who prayed for us. We certainly needed it.

Day 10...

Still more of the same.

The couch got its first coat of puke this morning. I was in the dining room and when I came into the livingroom Syd was sitting there lifeless with it all over her. She didn't even care. I woke up this morning at 9:20 shocked that no one was up. They must really be sick if they sleep that long. Landon was awake all of about 30 minutes on and off this morning. I hope we get through this soon. They are still asleep right now. It has been 3 hours since I put them down for thier nap. Pray for us. It is so hard to watch your kids suffer.

Tough Times

Wow! We are going on day 9 of having five sick kids. Today I walked into the boys room ready to tackle the day. I opened the door and was hit with a cloud of stench. Poor Landon was covered from head to toe with diarrhea. His precious blankies were soaked and stinky. I got Peyton and Ethan up and ready to eat breakfast. I decided to go get the girls up and get them to the table. Unsurprisingly, my plans were changed. I walked into the girls room being hit with the same cloud as the boys room. I found something much worse in there than the boys room. Jenna had poop everywhere. You can see in the pictures that it was a mess. I thought somehow a sippy cup had gone to bed with her with chocolate milk in it. You can guess what it really is. I had to get Rob up at this time to help me. He got the other kids breakfast and I did baths. During breakfast Sydney wouldn't eat. Rob got her to eat a few bites only to throw it all up a few minutes later. Peyton filled his diaper during breakfast and got it everywhere. It was a good hour and a half before we got things under control and clean.

Thankfully my mother-in-law, Esther, took off work and was coming to help me today. Sydney laid around all morning and felt horrible. Poor things, they were not themselves today. Lunch time rolled around and I fixed Ramen noodles in hopes that they would eat something. Needless to say, they didn't eat. Landon cried and was really upset. Esther was holding him while we were trying to get the others to eat. In an instant he threw up all over her. It was everywhere! So, he had to get a bath and I had to get Esther some clothes. I changed all the bed clothes and disinfected their mattresses. We got them down for their nap and they didn't make a peep.

The rest of the day was filled with more of the same. I am exhausted and so is my mother-in-law. The kids are safely in bed and sleeping soundly. I know tomorrow is probably going to be filled with poop, puke, laundry, and baths. Everything I just described doesn't compare to what I witnessed tonight.

At 5:00 this evening I left for a memorial service. One week ago, November 6, Mason Wyatt was stillborn. My cousin was 34 weeks pregnant expecting a Christmas baby. She noticed that Mason wasn't moving like usual and called the doctor. She went in to be checked and they couldn't find a heartbeat. That was that, in an instant their baby was gone. She was admitted and gave birth 36 hours later. 3lbs 13oz and perfect.

So, I may have a hard few weeks. Filled with poop and crying, but I still have my babies. I have five healthy babies. This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. Rob and I are so blessed. I can't even begin to understand or imagine what it is like to loose a child. Jeremy,Kali, and Crystal, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. Nothing can make it better right now, but you will make it through this. Until then, surround yourself with everything that is good in your lives. Friends and family will be there every step. Mason was such a lucky kid to be loved so much. His life was short, but he was here for a reason. One day, you will be able to use this experience to help someone else. I love you guys and am praying for you.

Peyton Joseph

Peyton Joseph

My sweet, cute, rambunctious Peytie. I am writing this letter to you so you will know how much you are loved. You are a fighter and have changed the most both physically and socially. The moment I first laid eyes on you, you took a part of my heart that no one in this world will ever take. It was especially made just for you by God. You were tiny and frail. You were fighting for every breath. But, you persevered and slowly began to grow.

I visited you most everyday in the NICU. You were the same weight as Landon and 2 oz. bigger than your sister Jenna, but you seemed the skinniest. Your tiny hand barely could wrap around the tip of your daddy’s finger. You wrinkled your forehead all the time and had big black eyes. Every time we came to visit you, you were wide awake looking out of your isolette. Ethan led the way thru the NICU with you, Landon, and Sydney following quickly behind. We had assumed Ethan would take the first trip home. You had other plans. To our shock, you surpassed your big brother and got to come home first.

The first week we had you all by yourself. We took you everywhere with us. At night you cried and tossed and turned. You weren’t transitioning very easily. As soon as we brought Ethan home you were a different kid. It was amazing the difference your brother made. We put you both in the same crib to sleep and you slept wonderfully as soon as he was there beside you.

As you began to grow and change you were very somber. No one could get you to smile and you had somewhat of a temper. Everyone commented about how you didn’t ever have an expression on your face. You just took in your surroundings in your own way. The first year you kind of blended in with the pack. Lots of people picked you out of the bunch to be a handful. That was partially true. While you always let your needs and wants known to anyone around, you weren’t showing off your sparkling personality. You trudged along with the rest of the pack reaching your milestones slowly. One thing I will never forget is the way you used to smile really big when you watched “The Song of the Cebu.” It was a Veggie Tales song, and you loved when Dr. Archibald would come out and talk. We got it on video. I never could figure out what it was about those few scenes that was funny to you. It was the only way we knew to get you to smile, so we played that song a lot.

When you turned a year old everything changed. It was like a flip switched in your head. You went from being very similar to the rest to very different. You became the comedian. Everything was funny to you and you would laugh for no apparent reason. It was so refreshing to see you happy. You began passing everyone up on crawling and talking and eating. You just got it one day.

Now you are 21 months old and the happiest part of my day. While I love you all equally, you are all extremely different from one another. I know which of you will fulfill my need whatever it may be. When I need a pick-me-up, you are the kid I go to. As you are all growing you don’t need me as much. However, if I need to be reminded of how much fun you all are I head your way. You never disappoint when I need a smile or laugh. Even when you are in trouble and it isn’t funny, you laugh. Everything is perfect in your life right now. You are completely content and happy with your life. You let me know that all is well with the world everyday. We have our daily cuddle sessions where you bring me an oversized blanket and want to be rocked. After your two or three minutes of snuggling you are off again to share your joy of life with the others.

Even though you love your siblings dearly, you also are very smart. We have to strategically place you in the van because you pick on Landon. You will take his precious blankies and stand on them so he can’t get them, or steal them from him in the van. You tackle any of your siblings from behind and hold on until we have to pry you off of them. You hold toys in front of Jenna and get her to reach for them. Then you mischievously pull them away. You have also been crowned King of the Poop Parties. That honor means that you are forever stuck in full body sleepers that you can’t get off. You are a very sly little guy. Even after taunting and teasing, you always have a hug and kiss waiting for everyone. Especially when someone is laying on the floor for a diaper change. That is when you go in for the ultimate attack. Kisses and hugs galore. They love it and so do you. Never forget the love you have for your brothers and sisters.

Peyton, I pray that you never lose your joy. You have a sparkle in your eyes that radiates through a room. You are very smart and can do great things in this world. I pray that your love for your mommy, daddy, and siblings only grows. Because in the end, all we have is each other. You are so special to me and that special place God made for you in my heart will always be there. No matter what life brings our way, you will always be my Peytie.

Blog Burnout!!

Sorry for the lack of posts. I am suffering from a severe case of blogger burnout. I have two posts I am working on right now. My journey is still a work in progress. I am also writing a letter to Peyton. Eventually everyone will get one, but Peyton is the first. I promise you won't be disappointed. Keep checking in on the family. We are doing well. I promise I will post again soon!