6 Year Anniversary!

Jason and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary earlier this month!  I can't believe how fast time flies.  We met our first semester of college in October 2002 and started dating in January 2003; that's 9 years ago! I spent a lot of time this past month reminiscing and enjoying all the wonderful memories we share together.  I thank God for my best friend.  There are so many activities we love sharing with each other, great conversations, and beautiful times of just being with each other.  With each year and new steps of our journey together, we become closer.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man leading our family.  He is a great husband and father.  I love growing in life with Jason and look forward to each step forward God blesses us with!

Anniversary Date

Jason and I had a great date of movie (The Avengers) and dinner (Melting Pot) on our actual anniversary!  It was wonderful having several hours alone as husband and wife; time to talk and just enjoy each other! 

Family Anniversary Trip

Due to our pregnancy, we decided to have a fun 'family anniversary celebration' this year!  We planned a fun trip to San Antonio the weekend after our anniversary.  We'd stay at a nice resort/condo at the Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch, http://wildoakranch.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-wildoakranch/index.jsp?null , where we'd be able to enjoy the grounds and the fun pool area.  We'd also get to go to Sea World, which the boys would love!  So, we left Thursday after lunch, boys happy as could be (Gavin had a mild runny nose, but nothing serious for a 14 month old teething boy). We got there right at check-in, unloaded, changed and headed to the pool.  This was Gavin and Wyatt's first 'real pool' experience and they loved it!  We bought them little 'shirts' with 'inner tubes' in them to use, as well as floats in the shape of cars for them to sit in.  They loved them both.  We were very impressed with how 'brave' they were walking along the steps and them jumping towards us knowing they couldn't reach once they did.  They loved water splashing on them, and watching their dad go down the slide!  We stayed for about an hour, then headed back to the hotel room to get ready for dinner.

By this time the boys started to get fussy, but we didn't thinking much of it since it was dinner time and they had just swam, so were pretty hungry.  We got to the restaurant on site and they began to fade before our eyes.  We barely got our food and asked for to-go boxes because the boys weren't feeling well at all.  Gavin was becoming very congested and their fevers started to rise quickly.  By the time we got to the room, Gavin had 101.8 and Wyatt 102.4.  We gave them meds and called the pediatrician (on call) and by the time we were talking to her, Wyatt's fever had risen to 103.7.  We ended up heading to CVS to pick up Tylenol to give them in addition to the Ibuprofen.  I sat in the back with the boys keeping cool washcloths on their face.  By this time it was past their bed time already.  About an hour later, their fevers had gone down some, but the night wasn't anywhere near over.  We got some fluids in them and a little bit of food and the boys seemed to 'perk' up a little.  Although still very congested, they played a small game of chase with dad around the condo (such a beautiful sight after such a huge scare earlier).  Sleep was minimal that night.  Gavin's congestion seemed to be getting worse and he was having such a difficult time breathing.  By the morning, they were still the same and after a very short, unproductive nap, we decided to head home early; less than 24 hours in San Antonio.  

On our way home, Gavin's breathing wasn't getting any better and so I called the pediatrician asking if there was any way they could squeeze us in that afternoon.  We planned for their last appointment of the day and prayed we'd make it on time before they closed.  It seemed like we'd get there perfect timing, until we ran into Houston rush-hour traffic on our final stretch.  Lots of prayers were being said, and with the help of God, we got there 10 minutes before they 'closed'.  The office was so sweet!  They ended up staying open for us so the boys could be checked out.  As soon as the doctor walked in, she said Gavin has 'Stridor Croup' just by hearing him.  After a further check-up of both boys, they gave them steroids that were to start working about 6 hours later (both had croup, Gavin was just about a day ahead of Wyatt and so his wasn't as bad yet).  If the steroids didn't work we were to be prepared to take them to the ER that night.  

To make a long story 'short', the steroids did help the boys' croup!  Sleep was 'better' Friday night, but still not good.  Fevers remained stable, but Gavin continued to have difficulty breathing and choking on his congestion.  By Saturday, both boys just had a 'typical cold'!  We've spent Saturday, Sunday (Mother's Day) and today just snuggling, reading, calm playing and watching movies.  Gavin's congestion seems to be getting better slowly, fevers minimal, but Wyatt's congestion is getting worse and going into his chest.  We are going to keep an eye on it of course and may have to go back to the doctor.  It seems Wyatt's colds always end in his chest and needs breathing treatment.  I pray this time is different.  

The boys are not eating well, but 'well enough'.  They eat only a fraction of what they typically do and are turning down all their favorite foods.  They are getting lots of fluids though which makes me very happy!  The boys aren't sleeping well at night or naps, especially Gavin, so their naps are off right now of course.  They've actually fallen asleep in our arms three times the past couple of weeks which they NEVER do.  By 9/9:30 am, they are falling asleep on me and I have take them to bed right away.  Same thing happens in the early afternoon.  The boys have been soaking up the snuggle time and are attached to me all day.  I've so enjoyed being able to be there for them, love on them, and give them lots of hugs, kisses and make them giggle!  I'm so blessed to be able to stay home with my children and take care of their needs; something I'll never take for granted or tire of!    

Due to lack of sleep, major worry and pregnancy, I started to get sick on Friday as well.  It's just a minor cold and I'm certain will get better with rest when the boys get better.  Until then, we are staying in, staying 'calm', snuggling and keeping the house disinfected!  

Jason and I are so thankful for God's guidance, healing and love He's lavished us during this time.  We naturally were disappointed in our trip, but now that the boys are 'better' than that awful night, we are laughing and calling it our $400 pool trip we took 3 hours away!  Sea World will always be there and we'll likely try again next year when Luke is a little older.  We are thankful we were able to take care of and nurture our precious sons!  I am so thankful God led us to leave when we did and allow us to see our pediatrician.  I'm so thankful the steroids worked.  I cherish our snuggle time and relaxing weekend we had recovering.  Praying now we are all healed and don't have to go back to the doctor soon.