4/8 - March Madness no doubt

I can see this blogging thing isn't going to get much better until the summer hopefully. I'll continue to plug away because for me, this my scrapbook. I will find a balance and it will happen in about 1.5 more months.
Eli has continued with therapy and is doing so great and really making some progress. Here are a few samplings of what Eli has done over the past few weeks. He has worked on buttoning a little and finally has started to figure it out. He put the vest on an buttoned it up almost by himself. He loves to play "rocket" with Ms. Lisa. He lays down a scooter board and the scooter and his feet go up against a door to a closet. On the count of three, he has to push as hard as he can and then I catch him. All of his muscles are getting so much stronger. He then made a little obstacle course which he loves to do. It wouldn't be a therapy session without a swing and he was able to use the barrel swing. He's finally got it figured out how to push and pull on the straps and how to move his body to make the swing go. This is huge progress for us. He finished this particular therapy session with writing some letters (which he won't really do for me at home) and holding the marker in an appropriate way.

Here is a therapy session from last week. Eli is constantly seeking out to feel and experience sensations so that is one reason why swinging is so good for him. He was trying to swing in a normal swing except this swing swivels around and that makes it really hard. He does like to go on his belly and then run and push off with his legs to go really high so Ms. Lisa mixes "her way" (normal swinging which he can't do yet) and "his way" to keep him compliant and happy. He then had to cut some paper and put together a little puzzle and he chose to sit in the ball pit to do that (more sensory input). He then had to find little bean bag animals we placed at the bottom of the ball pit and then throw them out. To help with his fine motor skills, he had to then pick up the bean bag animals with a gripper toy/device. It's great to help build-up his hand strength and he thinks it's pretty fun. His activity of choice at the end was to play with these little magnetic monkeys that he has to push a lever and make them flip onto a magnetic board (good for fine motor skills too). He is still switching hands all the time but it looks like his right hand is more accurate but for whatever reason, he likes to still use his left.

 Something pretty exciting happened for me a few weeks ago. I unhooked the washer and dryer I bought in college and that we have used for the past 13 years (it was GE and I didn't have a single problem the entire time I/we used them)!!! We then went shopping and I found a new washer dryer. I was excited about the new washer and dryer but the boys were ecstatic about their new boxes that they turned into forts! They have colored and written all over them. We have draped the boxes with sheets and outfitted them inside as well. I just put them away for a bit because they are huge and take up our front entry way but the boys just love them.

There was a birthday party for the daycare that Eli goes and parents were invited (it was the birthday of the school, not a child). Brad has not been able to do anything for either child in regards to their school and attending things so he decided to go. He was going to fly at night so he slept in like normal and then woke up a little early to go to Eli's school. Brad was one of just a few parents there but Eli had so much fun with him.

Aiden was finally able to have a play date with a friend at school the Friday before Spring Break for him. He had so much fun. I'm hoping we can find some friends to play with around here this summer. There are no kids his age within a few houses of us and then there are a bunch of empty lots so it's not looking so promising for friends right next to us but hopefully at least a few in our housing development which is huge.


A few sunday's ago, Eli comes out his room saying he needs help with his shirt. I notice one button is already done and ask how did he get his shirt on with that button already done. He said that he did it himself. I was so happy for him. I told him we don't do the very top button but that was awesome he was able to do the tiny button on his shirt!!!

Brad's schedule has continued to be just insane. We took at 5 day break and went to Orlando for part of Aiden's spring break and met up with Mrs. Rusty (his former therapist and a great friend to me). On the way down to Orlando, we stopped at the outlet mall so I could see if I could find any clothes for the boys next winter. Brad and the boys had lunch while I shopped and here is a picture that Brad sent me saying they were coming to find me but got a little side tracked (see picture of Aiden with the muppets). We stayed at a timeshare we have stayed in before and loved but this time we were in a different building. We then find out they just put a new children's water park somewhere (there is a HUGE one already). We got to our room and went to our balcony and this is what we found. The new water park and it just opened. Amazing!

We had a good time just getting away and having family time.
We went to the little water park in our backyard once Rusty and her family came over the next day. It's been much colder in Florida for this time of year than it normally is and man, was it cold. I was in a sweatshirt and pants at the pool but the kids were determined to go in the water. They ran in a got pretty wet going down the slide and running through spraying water. They then crawled up the chairs and strikes a pose for me (pictures to the right). Aiden was pretty cold so he just rolled up into a ball. After Eli's lips started turning purple and blue, we decided to move the other pool which was just a few steps away. That water was much warmer but it was also pretty deep so the kids wanted a grown up in the pool. My awesome husband volunteered went in because our kids are too cute and love their daddy so much. It was a little chilly for him (freezing for me) and he went in a played with all the kids (Rusty has 3 kids).

We had fun with the Becker Family!!! Since this blog is in-place of a scrapbook, I'm going to post a few pictures from there:

We went and ate at Cracker Barrel and that was fun. I went to a consignment sale the night before we left and bought a $6 barrel of tinker toys. I came home and cleaned every single piece with clorox wipes and decided to pack them and take them with us because the forecast called for some rain while in Orlando. I'm so glad I did. These toys kept these kids busy for a few hours which enabled the grown-ups to talk. It was great. It also worked out that Rusty's kids showed mine how to use them and put them together since Aiden had never seen them before.

We went to a few different playgrounds in the resort (timeshare) and went to the big water park too. This is going to be the summer when the boys learn how to swim. I just now it. Eli loved putting his goggles on and even put his face in the water a few times. Aiden loves the big fast slide and Eli loves going in the zero-entry entrance with a tube and playing bumper boats (he bumps in to you). This game is also a favorite of Aiden. I was fine in the water but it was too windy to be getting in and out.

Here is our family having fun. Eli was looking so cute with his goggles on. The boys were so excited to see Brad so much and just play with him. I was glad to see Brad too and watch him play with the boys. It's always fun to hang out with the boys because they are so different yet get along so well. Eli's imagination just cracks me up and Aiden continue to surprise me with wanting to wrestle and do things that involve touching (which he would never do before). 

I was getting annoyed with the boys asking to play on their kindle's so much so I put some small activity pads in the van and they are really liking them. Eli, who normally won't color if it's voluntary, asked to color a picture in one and then proceeded to pick up the chunky colored pencil (in his left hand) and hold it somewhat correctly. That was amazing and awesome to me.

I was able to go on a field trip with Aiden's class to Diamond Ranch last week. It was originally scheduled for a Tuesday which was the spring break at Jacksonville University (where I work) but it was rained out. It was rescheduled on a Wednesday which was good because I was still able to go (I work on Tues/Thur). Aiden had a great time. He wanted to hold my hand as we walked everywhere but it was great to see him with all his friends/classmates. He rode a pony, fed cows which were totally nasty, and let goats lick oats from his hand. Did someone take my Aiden. The feeding of the animals was amazing and so beautiful for me to see. Before he would have screamed when a tongue touched his hand and he would have been done. Nope. Not anymore. He went back for another handful of oats and continued to feed the cows. In the bottom picture on the left, he's standing in the back on the right. His favorite thing of all at the farm, this barrel roll. If I had to bet, I would say he would never go on it and if he did, he would want to do a half roll (versus going all the way around). The kid was first in line and said he wanted to go all the way around. I asked him if he was sure and he said yes and ran to his seat. I wasn't sure if I was going to be taking pictures of him puking or smiling but I was ready. He seemed to enjoy it (or the kid sitting across from him that was about to puke just hated it that much that it was all relative). Aiden is the one sitting closet to us holding on to the pole.

Just when I thought Brad's schedule couldn't get much worse, we return to find out he's on the night flight for 3 days in a row AND he always has the latest flight (which means he then stays even later for water washes to clean the helicopter). Talk about a punch in the face from his squadron. He has meetings all day on Monday and doesn't have time to get any work done so then stays late to do work but tries to come by 6:30ish. We generally eat dinner around 5:30-6:00ish these days. From Tuesday to Thursday, he slept until about 1-2pm and then would wake up and get ready for work and then get Aiden from the bus with me at 3:00pm and then head in to work. He would work and then fly and by the time he's done with water washes and debriefing from the flight, he drives the 35/40 min home and would shower and crawl in to bed sometime around 4-4:30am. On Friday, he slept until just 10am because he had a noon meeting that he needed some time ro prepare for. Needless to say, Eli didn't see him for a few days and Aiden was lucky enough to get a huge from off the bus and then he was gone. On Friday had a full day and then we needed some groceries from the commissary so he didn't get home until about 6:45ish. This kind of schedule can kill a guy and a family. We rarely saw Brad last week. He hasn't been home from work on a weekday to have dinner with us in about 2-3 weeks. The good news is he came home tonight for dinner with the family!!! It was great and I'm so thankful God (and the squadron) have given him a night or two off of night flying (even if it was because I made him complain).

On Saturday we were able to celebrate Grace's 5th birthday at her party. It was at O2B Kids, which is an amazing place we will be visiting much more this summer. The kids had a lot of fun. They had giant-sized Connect Four and a foosball table (Aiden and Eli versus Brad). They also had a huge kitchen area which Eli especially liked. One of the things Grace chose for her party was gymnastics so they were able to go on a small tumbletrak and bounce around and use the cheese mats for forward rolls. She also was able to use the playgrounds outside and both boys loved that. Aiden loved climbing up this huge open structure while Eli preferred the more traditional playground around the corner. They had a ton of fun and it looked like the birthday girl did too.

I have massive amounts of grading to do starting tomorrow night so it will probably be another month before I post again. Playing single mommy during the week with my teaching schedule and also trying to keep up with Eli's therapy at home, housework, meal planning, meal cooking, etc is so challenging. I am so looking forward to this summer so I can take a break from so much work (teaching/grading) but am also a little nervous for having the boys all summer (they are usually in daycare). It will be good though because I treasure the fun times I can have with them and that's so limited right now with all the other responsibilities I have. 

12/15 - Yes we are alive

I've never been away from the blog for this long. Brad has been extended out in San Diego and things got really crazy here and I'm just now recovering. Recovering isn't even the correct word. I can breathe now at least. Recovery will happen once Brad is and the holidays are over. So what has happened in the last month?

Well, my mom and I took the boys to the fair. We went on Veteran's Day around 1pm and got in free and then we also bought some wristbands and then just went wild. Aiden loves the fun house with mirrors and did a great job navigating us through it. We all went on the giant ferris wheel which was great because then the boys could see all the other rides and we knew where to go. Eli just made the cut-off for many of the rides so his world was great. He needs to grow really fast next year so I don't have to go on so many rides. The boys had a ton of fun but we left around 5:30ish because it was starting to get completely crazy with hundreds of people showing up and we were tired.

Aiden has had a few events at his school over the past couple weeks that I've been able to go in and help with. He is doing so great in school. His teacher just told me he has a few first grades sight words to work on and then he can go to second grade. I had no idea he knew so many words. My mom and I were able to go to Aiden's class one day and help make rice krispie treats which I had never actually made before. It was fun and the kids did a good job following the recipe. Aiden really wanted Nana to help at his table and that was cute to watch. Aiden's teacher invited the parents in for Thanksgiving for Pumpkin Pie which was fun. Aiden started off crying because someone gave him a slice and I ate a little bite and then convinced him to try a bite and he liked it. He then proceeded to have a second piece of pie. They even sang a few songs for us and they looked adorable in the attire they made for themselves. Aiden has earned a V (very good) for his behavior everyday this year. His teacher said an 'E' would be extremely hard to get and if you saw one or two during the year then that was really good. Aiden finally got an 'E'! He was so excited and had no idea. I called him over and then took his picture when I showed it to him (middle right picture) and he was so excited and then held up his paper to show me. 

Eli's daycare invited the parents to come and have Thanksgiving lunch. We signed up to bring mac and cheese and green beans. It was cute and the kids made their own place settings. Eli ate a ton of food which doesn't really surprise me. We were able to read a few books together while the rest of the parents showed up. Nana and I didn't get the memo that we would be almost the only women because all the dad's came (there was one more mom). It was a bit shocking but warmed by heart too. Eli's daycare is going okay. It was touch and go for a while but we are just trusting in God that he is in the right place and with the right teacher. I used to get things from his folder almost everyday and when he moved teachers, there was nothing in his folder ... for weeks so I eventually stopped checking it. I finally did check it last week I realized that they have started to doing things which is great and that he missed a birthday party (boo on mommy for not checking his folder). 

Brad was able to take leave and come have Thanksgiving with us which was great. We did a low-key dinner here and were just excited to be together. The night that Brad came home, a group of guys from church came over and helped do a bunch of random stuff like change lightbulbs, get all my christmas stuff out of the closet and put a ton of boxes in a closet, trimmed a hedge, and then put chrismtas lights around our house on the roof. It was so helpful because they did almost everything on my to-do list for Brad which enabled us to have family time together instead of Brad is here to work. I actually had A TON of grading to do so Brad played with the boys quite often so I could grade. I did take a solid couple hours off and we went to Wild Adventures in Georgia. It was about 2 hours away and I was nervous after driving that far and not seeing one sign for it. You then pull up and it looks like it's in someone's backyard and I got really nervous. It ended up being awesome for the ages of the boys. They were able to go on about 70% of the rides which was great. Military got in free which is why we went in the first place. We had a blast there and it was much colder than we were hoping. We were there for 6 hours I think and I was certainly worn out. 

 After church on Sunday, we made a stop to Home Depot on the way home to get a Christmas Tree. I wouldn't be able to get one without Brad so if we were going to have a tree we needed to get it now. We even put it in the stand and in the house before Brad left. I put lights on it after a few nights and then the boys wanted to put ornaments on it so we did that for a bit one night. I never actually went back to "fix" anything so we have a ton of ornaments from hip height and down and few from me that are up higher. I also added a few lights on the house as well. It's not in the picture below but we also have our blow-up train and my 3 spiral christmas trees. Our house looks quite nice. I blew the circuit the first night so I had do some creative plugging in so that everything wasn't going to the same circuit (the garage and outside outlet are on the same circuit). I haven't really decorated inside because well, I would have to take it down and if I don't have time to put it up, I surely won't have time to take it down. :)  It can stay in the box and hopefully next year will be less hectic and I can properly decorate.

We were on base twice last weekend for Christmas stuff. Last weekend the squadron that Brad is checking in to had their children's christmas party and I took the boys to it. They had blast watching Santa fly in on a helo and then just playing in the bounce house and watching a magician/comic for a bit. Aiden was obsessed about participating in a cake walk (I didn't even know what it was). Well, he had a complete breakdown after his second time walking because he still didn't win. They let him participate in the last one (they had 4) and surprise, he won. They totally let him win because he was crying after the other one from not winning. My kids seems to do that alot and I told them I am tired of it. I told them I will be a better mommy and make sure they are disappointed more often because clearly they need practice in how to deal with disappointment and loosing. So, we have been practicing that lately :)  

So the rest of this is just some randomness that I wanted to include: 

I never thought I would see the day where Aiden would peel an orange but here it is. I'm so thankful for all the therapy he has gotten and how much it has transformed him. He hasn't received any on-going therapy since we have been here in FL and is doing great and his food choices are coming along so well. 

Little Eli had some testing done the other day and we had to stop by the store so I could get some cold medicine. We found these santa ears and Eli tried them on. He' facial expressions just crack me up most of the time. He did well on his testing but is very weak in fine motor skills but also scored much higher in cognitive thinking skills than I thought which is sorta troubling for me. He can be smart if you make it fun and a game but usually doesn't want to put in the effort to have to think. I think this child is going to test me so much when it comes to school and academics.

 We were able to help a friend celebrate her birthday a few weeks ago. The day before this and the day after this had highs in the 60's and this one day it was about 80 degrees in Florida at the end of November. It was crazy warm at the park and the boys were seriously sweating. They had lots of fun celebrating Jordyn's birthday and seeing some of their friends again though.

 This is Brad and I when I dropped him off the the airport after Thanksgiving. He really does balance me out which is why it's so hard on me and us when he is gone.

We did do our Thanksgiving tree again this year. It wasn't the same without Brad here though. I have a before and after picture but Blogger isn't letting me access to those so I'll have to post them next time. I love our Thanksgiving Tree and it's so neat to see what the kids have come up with every night. It's great when I've had a stressful day where everything seems to have gone wrong because it also puts everything back into perspective for me and I realize how truly fortunate and blessed we are.

In mid-November I was blessed with tickets to see Toby Mac in concert. I invited Arin along we had a great time. We were shocked to find out our tickets were floor tickets, just one section back from the stage. There were lots of awesome artists there too. Our friend from Maryland, Cindy, sent the tickets to me about 2 months before the concert just for fun. How awesomely nice that was. 

Things are going to be busy here over the holidays as Brad's parents come to visit us. It will be great to see them and it will be an awesome Christmas present to get Brad home before (or on) Christmas Day. Merry Christmas everyone!!

9/21 - pool, parks, and fun

It's been a really long time since I've posted. I've just haven't been able to keep up with the pace of life (see my last post). That said, I've still tried to make sure the boys are having fun. Here are the boys at the playground. It's so awesome that Aiden can swing himself now. I'm trying to get Eli to get there. He's totally not motivated by telling him that when he learns how to swing he can swing whenever he wants but I do think I can motivate him to learn by telling him he can make himself go really super hi.

It's been great to have Mike and Arin so close (it would be awesome if they were closer but at least we are only 45 minutes away now) and they came over a few weeks ago and we all went to the pool. The boys had a ton of fun because Mike was there to play with them in a daddy kind-of way. It was also pretty fun to have an extra pair of hands and eyes at the pool. They let us take the kids down the big slide on our lap for the first time ever. It was great and I've been able to do it again since then. When we first moved here they would not let a parent go down with a child in front on them or on the lap so the boys have really enjoyed that lately. It's also great because the boys love playing with Grace so it's a great day when we get to see the Hunter Family.

We've been experimenting lately with some kids yoga DVD's from the library. Aiden is awesome and will try it and does a good job. Eli just hangs out on the couch and watches Aiden.

Here is Aiden doing some "seat work" in some wipe off books we have. Both boys have books that they can do and it's one of their options during quite time on the weekends.

The boys have been wanting to go this playground by us for a while. We pass it going to our house but have never made it to it. We set out on an adventure a few weeks ago on a Saturday morning. We biked down (it's about a mile) and then had snack there and played for a bit. The actual playground is not that great but the boys had a ton of fun getting the back tire of the bike stuck in the sand and then pedaling still so that sand would shoot out from under the back wheel. I was too nervous they wouldn't have enough energy to make it back home so eventually had to put an end to that. We did go on an impromptu treasure hunt after Aiden decided a level of the playground was a ship and we were about to crash so we had to jump ship. We ran to the island and found a tree with treasures (little berries). And no, I didn't let them eat them. The had a ton of fun trying to pick them off the tree and they stored a bunch in their snack cups. It was getting late and hot and I was getting pretty tired so we headed back. Aiden had a hard time making it back but Eli was full of energy. I actually had to slow him down so that he would stay in my sight while I was trying to encourage Aiden to pedal more and/or take less breaks. I finally told them that if they made it back all the way (Nana was on stand-by to come get us) they could have a movie night (watch a movie and eat on the picnic blanket in the living room). Aiden was exhausted but made it. Eli was full of energy and probably could have kept going for a while longer. That's nice to know seeing how he plays the "I'm too tired" card when any kind of walking is involved. :)

I had a Cutco service person come to the house to sharpen our knives about 1.5 weeks ago. While he was doing his thing, Eli (who was fully dressed the man got here) comes out in a full pirate costume. I couldn't even keep a straight face. The cutco guy was laughing and Eli played pirate for a while. This child is so random but so funny.

I decided we hadn't painted in a while and Eli normally loves to paint but usually I don't have the energy or patience for it. I've been making a point to be 100% engaged when I do something purposeful with the boys and wanted to paint with sponges. I cut them up and got the paint all ready and was excited. Eli painted for about 2 minutes and then decides he is done and doesn't want to paint anymore. Aiden got in to it quite a bit. He eventually put an apron on and painted a lizard and a person walking it. He's become so creative and willing to try and draw things. School has really helped him with this and I'm so excited for him. He has always been so scared to try and draw/write things because he will "mess up" or "doesn't know how to do it right" and I'm so glad he's been able to let go of that some and just try.

Aiden has been asking if I can bring Eli to school for lunch. Aiden's lunch is at 10:30 which is pretty early so I finally put it in my schedule to do. Eli was so excited to go. I told Aiden's teacher we were coming because he's been wanting to show me a journal that he has a school and she said he could bring it to lunch next time I come. He chose his Science Journal. So far it's a bunch of colors and he has to glue a small sheet of paper onto his notebook paper and then complete it (write the color and then do a little activity near the bottom). On the other page he has to draw various things that are the same color. I took a picture of this page, Orange. He drew some of the same thing on the right side that was in the picture on the left but he didn't have to.  I was so impressed especially with his jack-o-lantern.

Eli gave Aiden a huge hug when it was time for him to go. Eli was pretty excited that we left Aiden's school (where he did eat a decent lunch) and was able to go to daycare and eat lunch again. It turns out though that he wasn't hungry for much.

The Oakleaf Chick-fil-a had a carnival a week ago and we went (it was a Monday or Tuesday night). It was awesome. They totally outdid themselves and put on quite a show. While we were waiting to get our tickets to get in to the carnival, a man on stilts came over to us. The boys thought that was pretty cool and the man was juggling and even played catch with Aiden. Eli was too shy to play catch though. We got in and the tickets that we got to get in were then used for the candy jar booth. They got to pick out 3 kinds of candy to go in a bag which they thought was pretty fun. Nana went to wait in line for the ferris wheel and I took the boys around to some other random booths. They had a mini blinko board and the boys won a free cookie and free Dr. Pepper drink. The threw some bean bags through holes and won a cow too. It was then time for the ferris wheel. 

They were pretty excited and had a ton of fun on it. It's hard to see their faces but they loved it. We then waited in the train line for about 30 minutes. I tried to talk to the boys out of it because we rode the train a few weeks ago and could come back in a few weeks to ride it again. They said they wanted to wait for it though. So we finally got on the train and while we rode the train Nana went over to the ferris wheel and got in line for it again. We literally got off the train and then the boys got to ride the ferris wheel one more time right when we got off the train.

The boys had a really fun night and it was a great even that Chick-fil-a hosted.

 I set up another bike obstacle course again the other day before school. I know Aiden goes and sits all day from 8:30 until 12:30pm which is when he has PE so I try and get him moving in the morning if we have time. They have fun and it's a great way to start the day. In this picture Eli is navigating through all the curves.

Aiden had Parent Night last week at school. The first 20 minutes were for parents of K-2 to go the classrooms and see what has been going on and then to listen about the new grading procedures for the other 40 minutes. Aiden was really excited to show me all his other stuff. I was amazed. He has a Poetry Journal!! It focuses on a letter and then there is a 4 line rhyme using that letter and then a little song at the bottom. He has to glue that on one page and then has to draw a picture of it on the other. Towards the beginning of the journal (before they start working on the letters) they had some open-ended questions. One was "I can ...." Aiden wrote "I can love." and then drew this picture (see pic to the left) on the other page. He said he was dancing with me (I'm not sure if I'm the brown person or orange and blue) and the hearts showed how much he loves me. My heart just melted. So sweet.

Nana asked if Aiden wanted to help her make some cookies last week. He said and then runs out to the craft/game area. I then hear all this weird noise. I go to see what he is doing and he's bringing the art easel over to the kitchen and says "I'll write down the rules." What? Rules? We are cooking. He then proceeds to come up and writes down the following rules:
1. Follow directions [on the cookie mix].
2. Be safe.
3. Clean hands.
4. Clean up your mess.
5. No snezzing on cookies.
6. Don't eat all the cookies.
7. Make sure you share cookies.

The kid cracks me up. I picked up Eli from daycare and once he got home and washed his hands, he was allowed to help too. I was shocked that they both made a few cookies. They have never make a cookie ball for me. They put one finger in it and say it's gross and won't touch it.

 Last Saturday I took the boys down to the pool in the morning at 10am. We were the first ones there! Nana came down a bit later and joined us which was great. It was nice and relaxing and we enjoyed it. It worked out well because it rained all afternoon so we were stuck inside.

Last Saturday marked one week I have been on my new medication. I found out that 28 days worth of medicine costs $6200. Yeah. You read that right. Wow. The first days felt like no change but I then started to notice one of my medications that typically has not worked, started working (it's called Provigil). After a week on the new medicine, you are supposed to tritrate up to the next highest dose. I am super sensitive to many medicines so I decided to not go quite so high as they recommended. I took my 10pm dose and then woke up at 2am, felt very drugged still, but went ahead and took my 2nd dose like I'm supposed to. I woke up on Sunday morning and had a headache, was nauseous, and very dizzy. I knew it was from my medicine dosage and thought it would wear off in a few hours. It didn't. I missed sunday school and church. The boys were so good though and played so well together which was a blessing. I could barely stand up to even fix their breakfast. My doctor was not reachable so I called the drug manufacturer and they had a pharmacist call me right away. He said it was just taking my body a little longer to eliminate the drug but it would be gone in a few hours (this was 10:30am). Nothing had changed by 5pm. I called again and talked with the same pharmacist and he told me the problem was not from the drug because the drug is so fast acting that it was out of my bloodstream and it was something out and I should get it checked out ASAP. I thought about it, talked with Brad, thought about it, and then realized I waited all day and it wasn't even a tad better so why would it be better after sleeping. I wasn't about to take the medication again that night in case it was the medicine and it might have an additive effect. I needed to teach on Monday morning so I decided the ER was the right choice for me. Problem: how do I get there when I clearly can't drive (I could barely walk) and my mom can't take me because some needs to be with the kids who I just put to bed? I had to take a stupid ambulance!!!
To make a long story short, the Orange Park Medical Center was so amazed at the medication that I was on that they had never heard of that they pretty much just focused on that. I did have 2 awesome church friends (Christina and Mrs. Linda Ferguson) meet me at the hospital and these crazy women stayed with me from 8:30ish until I was released at 2am!!! Now that is a friend. Needless to say, they didn't know what was wrong and thought it was the medication. I canceled my JU class which I felt HORRIBLE about and then went to bed by 3am. I spoke with my dr on Monday morning and he said it wasn't the new medication and then made a phone call and sent an e-mail to Stanford (where all the really smart people in the world of narcolepsy and this drug are at). Someone from Standford even called to talk with me. All day monday I was crazy dizzy but was able to eventually eat some saltines and 7-up. Tuesday morning was still pretty bad and I was getting so discouraged. I literally couldn't do anything. Even shutting my eyes made me really dizzy. By Tuesday late afternoon I started to feel some relief and that was great. I was taking zofran around the clock because I was so nauseous that I couldn't even eat anything which I'm sure wasn't helping the dizziness.

On Wednesday, it was Eli's 4th birthday. Mrs. Chari, Eli's teacher, is so awesome and made a sign for the door since 2 kids in her class had birthdays this week. Eli had a good day (I left a balloon and play-doh for his class) on Tuesday evening. I barely made it through work on Wednesday and thought I was going to pass out a few times.

Once Aiden got home from school, he helped Nana and I wrap presents for Eli and then decided to make a tent for Eli's puppies. While I went to get Eli, Aiden and Nana made this tent for Eli and decorated it. It was so thoughtful of Aiden!! I'll write more about Eli's birthday in the next post.

I took this picture on Thursday. Here is Aiden peeling his carrot that he was having in his lunch on Friday. No he wasn't eating the whole thing but I love how much he likes to help in the kitchen.




This week has been so crazy with me feeling so incredibly horrible for a few days and then trying to prepare for Eli's party which was difficult because the RSVP list doubled after the please respond by date. I don't get that. I had wednesday as the cut off date and got 3 RSVP by then and then got 1 one Thursday night and 2 on early friday morning. I had already made all the goodie bags so then had to go buy more stuff. It was all good though. Eli had an awesome birthday party today. I'll write about that in a few days hopefully.