Pneumonia

You can image how freaked out I was to hear Pneumonia after our visit Wednesday to the doctor. I am happy to say after just 24 hours of the antibiotics Caleb seems like his old self.

I guess Azithromycin really works. I am definitely feeling a lot guilty about letting him play outside in the cold without a jacket and in his crocs, but it is such a battle and I figured he would learn by getting really cold that wasn't the right choice. I just want to throw out a disclaimer that it wasn't extremely cold probably high 30's and all the snow had melted. So his feet were only made cold by the outside air and not the beautiful snow that this morning is blanketing the ground.

I definitely learned that somethings are worth the endless battle.

I am also about done with cold had flu season. We have been home bound for much of the last 3 weeks and now Cory has staff infection in his ankle that is probably from the strep that is going around his office. His ankle is swollen to almost double the normal size. And the doctor is concerned it could get into the joint and that is extremely dangerous.

Sorry this is gross!!

I guess if there is an upside to all these sicknesses I would say it has made me extremely aware of how grateful I am for my family. We are a relatively healthy bunch and so I probably take for granted that nothing bad will every happen to them. After hearing the words pneumonia and knowing just a couple weeks ago a perfectly physically fit 20 something died in his sleep of suffocation from pneumonia and then hearing things like if the infections gets in the blood it would spread quickly and could be fatal. I have a renewed since of each day is a blessing, we must live it in full and treasure our loved ones.

Fussy Britches and Cold Feets

Makaylee got sick last Monday and throughout the week progressively got worse. I finally took her to the doctor Friday to find out she had ear infections in both ears. Such a bummer.

We were starting to get a little cabin fever being home bond for the past couple weeks with all this sickness going around the fam that we put on hats and went out back to play in (well, more beside) the ice cold creek that runs through are backyard. Makaylee mostly fussed wanting to be held poor thing, but Caleb absolutely loved it. We throw rocks in the water and splashed with sticks until he realized there is a lot of pain involved with freezing cold feet. We headed back inside ran his feet under luke-warm water (a tip I learned growing up in Montana), turned on the fire and cuddled up on the couch until Daddy got home. Sickness rearily slows the Ruiz kiddos down for very long. She would rest and be fussy but was all smiles when Daddy arrived.

Before the Snow Melted

This picture is a good indication of what happens when a Texan moves to the cold country and is unaware shopping for children's boots must happen before the snow comes if you hope to find any.

Daddy is such a great guy. He is always willing to take the kids out in the cold to enjoy some fun in the snow.

Big Brother has found the joy in a sport that's some what foreign to southerners, aka Daddy by watching a Penguin's practice.

He was so kind and gave Sissy a little instruction and then he patiently awaits her attempt at a slapshot. He is definitely learning the value of having sister as a playmate.

Shovel surfing was a big hit and a great workout for Dad.

Hitting the Slopes

Cory has been wanting to put our little buddy in the Tiny Tots' Ski School, but he really isn't quite old enough, we lied. Yes we did. We told him he was 4 when he is only 3 1/2. Not to mention the Thursday before he got the stomach bug, so I really had low expectations of this outing. I have to say I was elated with the outcome. Caleb was a rock star on the slopes. He started out crying because he was a little overwhelmed by the chaos of so many kids, but once things got rolling he blew through beginner and was riding the chair with his instructor, Hannah. She was amazed at his progress and was surprised he had never been skiing before. He must have his Uncle Travy's genes.

Caleb's Ski School Report Card

Hannah said he was eager to learn, all smiles, got braver and braver throughtout the lesson and independent. She also commented they had a wonderful day! Caleb was making a strong pizza! Keep up the good work.

He was so excited to recount the days events with me when he got home and I'm looking forward to the fun we will have as a family on the slopes. Now if we could just get Daddy down the mountain without killing himself.

Mommy says, I can't believe what a big boy he is!!!

Not for weak tummies!!

So we got a terrible, horrible, miserable stomach virus that lasted for 24 brutal hours. I'm thankful that it was short lived, because I don't think I would have lived if it lasted any longer. Sweet Makaylee's started first Wednesday afternoon and thankfully she just throw up a couple times and had a little of the runs. She was back to her normal self by Wednesday evening. On the other hand Caleb was totally out of sorts. I picked him up Thursday from the childcare at the grocery store and he declared, "my tummy hurts." I felt terrible knowing I'd exposed all the kids and workers to the virus. I thought Makaylee had just gotten an upset stomach from eating too many bubbles in the bath. I had no idea the terrible virus she had passed on to Caleb. Poor buddy was so tired I could barely get him home from the store before he was falling asleep. I knew it was bad because for the first time in his life he asked to take a nap. About 45 minutes into his nap I heard him screaming for me. I had a suspension what to expect, so I went running. Sadly, I was too slow and entered into the room as he was spuing a "waterfall" as Caleb described it later. This misery went on for hours. About 3 hours into it I started feeling queasy. I wasn't sure if it was resulting from the disgusting smell or if I was about to face this terrible fate. Let me tell you I didn't really understand why Caleb was trying so hard not to throw up until I too felt the pain associated with throwing up when there is just nothing left. It felt like my insides were bruised. I felt so bad for my little man. I was trying to help him hold his head and the next thing you know we were taking turns hurling in the commode. I have to say, historically Caleb is so violent when he is sick, but he was so concerned about his mommy and at one point he apologized for soiling the sheets. As the night progressed things just got worse and I think in all we changed the bed sheets 3 times, took about 5 showers and did about 10 loads of laundry. Cory was such a big help and I'm just praying he doesn't get the painful torturing virus.